APRIL 2017 Handmade Mother’s
DAY GIFTS APRIL
Showers HAIL DAMAGE?
Be Patient
Spend the
SUMMER
in DENTON
Direct Mailed to the Following Areas: Argyle - Canyon Falls - Harvest - Robson Ranch
ARGYLE BAND - UIL CONCERT
Congratulations to our Argyle bands for their fantastic performances at the UIL Concert and Sightreading Evaluation. All four Argyle ISD Bands, two at the middle school and two at the high school, received unanimous first divisions today at UIL from all six of their judges. Congratulations to the White Band, Red Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble.
ARGYLE HIGH SCHOOL BAND
SAVE THE DATE
2017 Argyle High School Band Banquet
Friday, May 19th • 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
4 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 5
ArgyleLivingMagazine.com
Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray
Administration
Never
Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne
FORGET
Contributors
Steve Gamel Susan Neuhalfen
Advertising
Meredith McNair meredith@murray-media.com Kathryn Flores kathryn@murray-media.com Kelly Murray kelly@murray-media.com
Production
Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Stephanie Hansen
Photography
Your Candid Memories 469.583.2819 yourcandidmemories.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. © 2017 Murray Media Group
A student athlete dies every three days due to sudden cardiac arrest but in some cases this
is preventable. If your child is between 12-22,
have him or her take the test. Even if you can’t make it to Shoot for the Stars, Baylor Heart
M
ary Betzhold loves the sight of an
airsoft pellet. The day before she lost
her son Alex to an undiagnosed heart
condition in 2012, he had been playing with his
friends doing something he loved: shooting his airsoft gun.
“My first day back to work he left me a pellet in the back of the classroom to find,” said Mary. “I found two the next day.”
Now she sees them everywhere, believing that Alex has left them there to remind her to
Hospital in Denton conducts the tests for only $55. This isn’t something that shows up on a
physical or routine exam. Mary Betzhold has
spent the last five years urging parents to get the test done, because she’ll never forget.
The town of Argyle and the Argyle High School basketball team will never forget either. Alex
loved basketball and was an excellent player. This year he would have been a senior. They had a jersey printed up for Alex with his
number. They cut part of the net from their
winning game for him. When they lost the semi-
final tournament by one point, I had to ask Mary
never forget.
She has kept that promise in spades as once again she and the Argyle community come
if she thought the outcome would have been different had Alex been there.
together for Shoot for the Stars, an all day
“Funny you say that. I got to the parking lot at
in remembrance of Alex. There’s something
right by the car,” she said. “So he was there.”
family fun event held at Argyle High School for the whole family, from 3 on 3 basketball
tournaments, the Unicef one-mile color run,
the Alamodome and there was an airsoft pellet Making sure that we never forget.
games, booths, food trucks and one more
p.s. Reservations for heart screenings
for Zachary.
option 4.
thing: free heart screenings courtesy of Living
are required. To schedule, call 469-815-3565
Sincerly, Susan Neuhalfen
Writer and Editor for Argyle Living, Lantana Living and Lake Cities Living Susan@murray-media.com 972.899.3637 Ex. 101 6 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
20
On the Cover: Local Child Enjoying the City of Denton Kayaking Camp
FEATURED:
Spend the Summer in Denton
30 EDITORS PICK:
HEART SCREENING SAVES 15 YEAR OLD ARGYLE RESIDENT
FAMILY
24 All Under One Roof
08 Inside Education / Inside Community
26 Real Estate with The Homer Group
10 Argyle Boys Basketball Proved the Doubters wrong 12 Getting Young Children to Go to Bed 13 Edit This with Steve Gamel 14 Handmade Mother’s Day Gifts 17 Argyle Basketball Dominates District 9-4A
LIFESTYLE
YOURSELF 34 Nutrition with Savory Bistro 37 Dentistry with Dr. Matt
Business Spotlight 16 The Classic Cafe at Roanoke Builds Community Around Food
18 Hail Damage? Be Patient
Photos from Argyle
22 Gardening with Complete Solutions
02 Argyle Band UIL Concert APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 7
KNOW
Be in the
Family
INSIDE COMMUNITY
BLENDED & BLESSED STEP FAMILY SEMINAR
photo courtesy of Janelle Hennes
April 29 – Blended & Blessed: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Step Family Seminar at Argyle United Methodist Church, 9033 Fort Worth Street, Argyle, is a powerful, one-day live-stream event presented by FamilyLife, for couples, single parents, and dating couples in blended families with some of today’s most trusted and respected experts. It will provide solid, biblical teaching that speaks to the specific needs step couples are facing. For more information and to register, go to: www.argyleumc.org/events/blendedandblessed
HENNES EARNS SCOUTING’S HIGHEST RANK Andrew Hennes is the newest Eagle scout for Argyle BSA Troop 192. Andrew earned 38 merit badges and was elected into the Order the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society. For his Eagle Project, he built outdoor benches and planted a tree at the AUMC Kids Preschool. The Argyle High School junior plans to pursue a career in medical research. BSA Troop 192 is sponsored by Argyle United Methodist Church.
BUMBERSHOOT BARBECUE
WILDHORSE GRILL RENOVATED
Argyle has a new restaurant - or at least a new BBQ
The newly renovated Wildhorse Grill in Robson Ranch is open for business. They have expanded their indoor and patio seating and perked up the food and cocktail menus. Improvements include wine lockers, an updated dining room and bar, an expanded kitchen, gazebo and extended patio to host events. The Turn Grill will also open at 7:30 a.m. every day, serving house biscuits and gourmet coffee.
joint. Bumbershoot Barbecue is an Austin-style
backyard barbecue consisting of a cooking trailer
(a vintage travel trailer), picnic tables, hanging lights
and out of this world barbecue. This outdoor restaurant has already opened to rave reviews, recently earning a spot in ZAGAT’s most anticipated restaurants.
INSIDE EDUCATION LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SPEECH TEAM NAMED STATE CHAMPIONS
Liberty Christian Speech and Academic Team have won their fifth straight title in a very close competition among other top schools in TAPPS 6A. In the competition, Liberty’s Yearbook won first place, and students also placed in the following categories: Ready Writing, Science, Prose Interpretation, Number Sense, Calculator, Advanced Math, Solo Acting, Literary Criticism, Duet Acting, Poetry Interpretation, and Mathematics.
HAWKESWORTH, ELEMENTARY GIRLS
ARCHER STATE CHAMPION
Argyle 5th Grader Merritt Hawkesworth placed first in the Elementary Girls Division of the Texas-National Archery in the Schools Tournament and Scholarship Championship. Merritt won the state tournament with a personal high score of 268.
ARGYLE
ISD EVENTS Memorial Day School Closed May 29th
Argyle High School Graduation at UNT May 31st
Two archery teams, one from Hilltop and one from Argyle Middle School, will be competing at The National Archery Competition in Louisville Kentucky in May.
LIBERTY
CHRISTIAN
EVENTS
photographed above is Reya Snyder’s BW Drawing
photos courtesy of Liberty Christian and Argyle ISD
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR ART For the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five years, Liberty Christian students won the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) State Championship in Waco. Students placed in categories such as Drawing, Painting, Printmaking/Mixed Media, Photography, Pottery and more. Student Gracie Meek won the 2017 TAPPS 6A Art Student Award for earning the most points of any student in 6A art.
SKIP TOWNSEND RETIRES Argyle High School Girls Basketball Coach Skip Townsend has retired after winning his 9th state championship this year. Townsend has coached a total of 44 seasons and took the girls basketball team to the state tournament every year since coming to Argyle in 2011. Townsend was selected to receive the 2016 Coach of the Year award at the state level as well as the 2016 Southwest Sectional Coach of the Year for girls basketball.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week May 31st - May 5th
Spring Concert May 19th
Last Day of School May 25th
Liberty Christian Graduation May 26th
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 9
Family
Argyle Boys Basketball
PROVED THE DOUBTERS WRONG by Steve Gamel
A
rgyle boys basketball coach Russell Perkins said during the playoffs that he didn’t think many people believed the Eagles were good enough to make it to the state tournament.
Well, they did. And they almost went all
There were 18 lead changes. Despite the
Perkins loses the bulk of his roster
the way.
loss, Argyle was able to hold Silsbee to its
to graduation, including the likes of
The Eagles were one buzzer-beating 3-pointer away from beating Silsbee in the Class 4A state semifinals on March 10. The potential game winner hit the back iron and was cleared out as time expired in a gut-wrenching 46-45 loss at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The loss capped a season in which the Eagles won 33 games, claimed a share of the District 9-4A title, and beat four stateranked playoff teams before falling to Silsbee – one game short of the state final. It was the program’s first state tournament appearance since 2012. “There’s not many people who thought we could do this, but we had 15 guys and a coaching staff that believed we could,” Perkins said. “We knew if we could do the things we are good at, and do them right, that we would have a chance.” The matchup was a textbook example of contrasting styles. Silsbee, the No. 1 team in the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Class 4A state poll, was averaging nearly 103 points per game in the playoffs with its high-pressure, high-tempo style while No. 10 Argyle’s approach was more methodical and predicated on an unrelenting defense. 10 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
lowest single-game point total of the year. On the final play, Argyle got the ball to senior guard Nathan Priddy with about nine seconds left. Priddy, who finished with 18 points, drew the defense in before flicking a pass to Blaze McMellian. The pass took the entire defense by
Priddy and David Davis. The Eagles will be a different team next year, but the expectations have been set. “It was led by these seniors,” Perkins said. “Just the character they showed every day, it’s hard to do that every day. But we did,
surprise as McMellian stood alone.
and I couldn’t be more proud of our
He took the shot. But it didn’t fall.
whole team.”
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 11
Getting YOUNG CHILDREN
TO GO TO BED 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 Lantana Pediatrics, Dr. Butler and/or Melanie Bitzer, CPNP or to schedule an appointment with one of these providers, call the office at 940-455-7200.
A
common discussion in our office revolves around getting children to go to bed, stay in bed and sleep well. Some children refuse to go to bed, while others will go to bed, but take a long time to fall asleep. If these problems become chronic, it can be very frustrating for parents. While you cannot force someone to sleep, there are behavioral modifications that may make a difference. If you are having difficulty with this in your home, talk with your pediatrician regarding the specifics of your situation.
HERE ARE SOME STRATEGIES THAT MAY HELP: 1. Select a temporary bedtime based on when your child is naturally falling asleep. For example, if you put your child to bed at 8 p.m., but your child is not falling asleep until 9 p.m., move the bedtime temporarily to 9 p.m. 2. Develop a bedtime routine that takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The routine should involve four to seven activities that are not physically stimulating. Your interactions with your child during these activities should be very positive. Follow the routine every night with activities in exactly the same order. Consistency is critical.
6. Monitor this behavior. You should start to see major improvements within the first couple of weeks of following the program. 7. After seeing consistent improvements at the temporary bedtime, the next step is to start moving the bedtime back to the original time. Each week, the bedtime routine is begun 10-15 minutes until the goal bedtime is reached. 8. During the initial weeks of the program, it is important to reinforce improvements. In the morning, your child should be praised and rewarded if he or she stayed in bed. Do not punish or lecture your child if the bedtime did not go well. Focus only on improvements. Courtesy of Center for Effective Parenting www.parenting-ed.org
5. If your child comes out of his or her bedroom, he or she should be placed back in bed with little physical contact and told to stay in bed. If your child repeatedly comes out of the bedroom, you should consider locking the door. Closing the door is a way of enforcing this rather than to punish or scare your child. If you truly
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3. When the bedtime routine is completed, put your child to bed and leave the bedroom. It is very important that your child be awake when put to bed. Children must learn to fall asleep by themselves.
4. Ignore your child’s crying and/or protesting when he or she is being put to bed. After five minutes, you may go into the bedroom briefly (for one minute) to check on your child. You should gradually increase the amount of time before going into your child’s room each night. For example, wait five minutes the first night, ten minutes the second night, and fifteen minutes the third night. The purpose of going back into the bedroom is not to comfort your child until the fussing stops. The purpose is to ensure yourself that your child is ok and to let your child know that you haven’t forgotten about him or her.
believe that your child is very frightened, you can offer reassurance by talking to him through the closed door. Do not threaten or scream.
940.455.7200 www.LantanaPediatrics.com
74 McMakin Road, Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226
Edit This : Family
How Do I Know If I’ll Still Have
MY DREAM JOB
IN 5 YEARS?
I
get asked all sorts of questions by clients, friends, and avid readers. I’ve never shared them before, but below is one from a good friend who is in the struggling newspaper industry.
“As a newly-married 25-year-old guy with a dream job in journalism, how do I know I am going to be in that same career field in 5 years?”
I ask myself that question every day. Job
business long before we ever did are
instability is the nature of the business.
being ushered out the door at an
Print readership is declining and papers
alarming rate.
are closing – or downsizing – all over the
I’ve been in newspapers for 20 years and
country. Journalists who got into this
people close to me tell me to get out and
focus strictly on my writing and editing company, Edit This. “Newspapers are dying,” they say. Do I think you will be flipping burgers at Burger King in 5 years? No. But being a newspaper guy will look and feel different. You need to be prepared to adapt. HERE ARE A FEW TIPS: Welcome Change With Open Arms Newspaper officials across the country are trying different ideas to keep readers interested and get the news out faster (shorter stories, web-only content). Be open to that – it will give you a competitive edge. Keep Writing What has made me a more effective writer is my willingness to write about any topic. I’ve written for newspapers, magazines, business owners, and more. Writing in all these ways shows your range and makes you a better writer. Never Say “No” If you don’t take the assignment, then someone else will. That could have been your big break. Be Indispensable My philosophy is to take extra assignments, learn from veterans around you, pushing for more responsibility, and act as a mentor to younger writers. Diversify Yourself I am a newspaper guy. I’m also a business owner. If the crap were to hit the fan, I would pick up the pieces faster because of how successful Edit This has become. There are freelance gigs out there, and there are ways to get involved in the initiatives your newspaper is doing.
by Steve Gamel Edit This 469.360.3611 www.edit-this-npsteve.com
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 13
Family
Handmade Mother’s Day Gifts by Susan Neuhalfen
E
veryone knows that handmade Mother’s Day gifts are the best. These are ones that Mom keeps long after her day. With the big day approaching (Sunday, May 14th) you have a little time left to put the kids to work plan something fun. Here are a few suggestions to make this Mother’s Day memorable.
All Over Shower Scrub (courtesy of DanetteMay.com)
Organic Coffee (1/2 cup dry or used from coffee filter)
Organic Coconut Oil (1/2 cup)
Raw Honey (1/2 cup)
OR
Lavender Body Scrub
Coupon Book
1/2 cup sea salt or Epsom salt
Make a coupon book with coupons for
1 cup organic extra-virgin coconut oil
post-dinner dish duty, breakfast in bed,
10-15 drops lavender essential oil
unlimited hugs, foot rubs and more. They come pre-printed but it’s not
(or another essential oil if you’d like)
Decorate a jar or container maybe with a label “Mommy’s Shower Scrub” or something that won’t come off with water or heat easily. Mix the ingredients in container and put lid on. Directions: scrub once a day all over body to remove dead skin and toxins. Use organic products so Mom isn’t spreading MORE toxins all over her.
the same without a kid’s touch. Make them from scratch or print them on the computer and then let the kids decorate.
Mother’s Day Wreath Make a wreath to surprise Mom on the front door complete with her favorite colors and pictures of kids. A Happy Mother’s Day banner would look great although just making a wreath to keep up for Spring and Summer would be a wonderful idea as well.
Box of Memories Put together a decorated gift box containing memories either from a trip or of her favorite things. Examples like seashells, a recipe, a picture, a memory of something funny that happened written on an index card are all wonderful keepsakes to put in this one of a kind box for her to keep. 14 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
Food
Handmade Frame
Put together a simple breakfast or dinner where the kids do most of the cooking. If the kids are too young for that, make pancakes and let them decorate with chocolate chips or fruit. Or just make a cake and let them decorate it with icing, M&Ms, gummy bears or whatever candy they choose. Don’t be picky about how it looks, just let them enjoy themselves.
Use popsicle sticks or a leftover cereal box to make the frame and color with markers and glue buttons or fabric to make it pretty and unique. You can also take an old frame and repurpose it. Make sure you choose a picture or color a picture so that it is unique. Most importantly, put the date on the back to always remember when you made it.
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 15
Business Spotlight
BUILDS
A Re rgyl sid e en t
Community Around Food
L
ong-time Argyle resident Curtis Wells opened The Classic at Roanoke nearly 24 years ago with a desire to serve a world-class menu where he and his brother, Chris, could build a community around food. By all accounts, they have achieved their intentions. It’s not uncommon to find the Wells brothers making the rounds at the restaurant on any given day, catching up with patrons and ensuring every need is addressed. And the staff reflects that same passion. Their accommodating, unpretentious service is a Classic hallmark.
Pictured above is owner Curtis Wells
Located in an old house with a storied history, The Classic’s multiple dining spaces feel cozy and comfortable. The walls are adorned with modern acrylic compositions painted by nationally-
acclaimed artist Carolyn Riegelman, who also happens to be Curtis Wells’ aunt. The intimate bar area is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a Classic cocktail – or glass of wine from their nicely curated list – and drink in some live classical guitar music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.
features regularly highlight the seasonal fruits and vegetables grown onsite.
The Wells also keep a small flock of freerange laying hens in Argyle, whose fresh
eggs are the main ingredient of an out-ofthis-world crème brûlée.
Guests at The Classic enjoy signature
menu items like crab-stuffed rainbow
trout, grilled rack of lamb, and a handprepared jägerschnitzel topped with bacon-mushroom gravy. Select your
favorite cut of steak at The Classic and be prepared to choose from a list of magical
sauces, including their famous horseradish cream sauce, made from the same recipe Great-Grandfather Paul Albrecht brought to Texas from Germany nearly a century ago. Google says The Classic is just 9
miles south of Argyle on Highway 377, but you might feel transported even
further when you experience this gem
of a place where time slows down, people care deeply, and the food is nothing short of sensational.
The Classic is normally closed on Sundays, but a notable exception is coming up: a
special 3-course fixed-price Mother’s Day lunch will be available on Sunday, May
14. The Classic is open for lunch MondayFriday and dinner Monday-Saturday – call
817-430-8185 for reservations. Learn more about The Classic’s passion for cuisine and community, make yourself hungry looking over their menus, and place your to-go orders at www.TheClassicCafe.com.
504 N. Oak Street • Roanoke, TX 76262 • 817.430.8185 • theclassiccafe.com 16 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
Sponsored Content
Fare at The Classic is considered “New American,” which means they are not limited by continent or region – menu items are as likely to hail from the Pacific Rim as they are from Chef Charles Yout’s childhood home in West Texas. Chef Charles gets his inspiration from The Classic’s “chef’s pantry,” a flourishing garden growing just steps from the kitchen door. Fresh, quality ingredients are foundational to The Classic’s incredible
cuisine and the Chef’s unique weekly
Family
Argyle Basketball
DOMINATES District 9-4A All-District Teams T
by Steve Gamel
of the top players in the nation, again reigned supreme as the district’s most
newcomer and Sophie Betzhold took home sixth man of the year. Overall, Argyle had seven players make this year’s team, including two first-team selections (Gabby Standifer and Rhyle McKinney). On the boys’ side, the Eagles (33-4 and
he Argyle girls and boys basketball teams dominated their respective District 9-4A all-district teams last month, including the girls, who were awarded every available superlative honor after winning their third straight Class 4A state title.
Vivian Gray, a senior forward and one
Brooklyn Carl was the district’s top
23 points per game with 8.8 rebounds,
3.6 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. She was also named the state
Class 4A state semifinalists) were led by senior guard Nathan Priddy, who was named co-MVP of 9-4A. He was one of three Eagles to earn superlative honors, including Christian Splain (Defensive MVP) and Brandon White (Newcomer). The Argyle staff led by head coach Russell
valuable player after leading the Lady
tournament MVP.
Eagles in every major statistical category.
Gray was joined on the list by Madison
the year. Argyle’s David Davis and Jon
Pierce (Defensive MVP). Freshman
is the full all-district list.
The Fort Lewis signee finished her final high school season averaging just shy of
Ralston (Offensive MVP) and Jocelyn
DISTRICT 9-4A GIRLS MVP Vivian Gray: Argyle, Sr. Offensive MVP Madison Ralston: Argyle, Sr. Defensive MVP
Perkins was named co-coaching staff of Harding were first-team selections. Below
DISTRICT 9-4A BOYS Newcomer of the Year Brooklyn Carl: Argyle, Fr. Sixth Man of the Year Sophie Betzhold: Argyle, Jr.
Co-MVP
Offensive Player of the Year
Parker Hicks: Decatur, Sr.
Bryce Elder: Decatur, Sr.
Nathan Priddy: Argyle, Sr. Defensive MVP Christian Splain: Argyle, Sr.
Co-Coaching Staffs of the Year Russell Perkins: Argyle
Drew Coffman: Decatur
Jocelyn Pierce: Argyle, Sr.
Newcomer of the Year
FIRST TEAM:
FIRST TEAM:
Gabby Standifer: Argyle, Jr.
David Davis: Argyle, Sr.
Caleb Schertz: Krum, Jr.
Jason Faulkenberry: Bridgeport, So.
Braven Smith: Sanger, Sr.
Rhyle McKinney: Argyle, Fr. Rhett Robinson: Krum, Jr. Taylor Schertz: Krum, Sr. Brooke Rollins: Sanger, So. Breanna Henderson: Sanger, Sr. Tatum Whitewood: Sanger, Jr. Emily Vidal: Bridgeport, Fr. Hannah Dunning: Decatur, Sr. Shaylee Smith: Decatur, Sr.
Brandon White: Argyle, So.
Jon Harding: Argyle, Sr.
Andrew Horton: Bridgeport, Jr.
Bryson Laird: Krum, Jr.
Justin Meyers: Bridgeport, Sr. Dane Fitzgerald: Decatur, Jr. Wilson Hicks: Decatur, So.
Drew Redwine: Decatur, Sr. Josh Kemp: Gainesville, Jr.
Zach Blevins: Gainesville, Jr.
Remi May: Krum, Jr.
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 17
Lifestyle
HAIL DAMAGE? Be Patient by Susan Neuhalfen
L
antana insurance agent Jim Bridges said that State Farm anticipates 10,000 auto insurance claims and 8,000 homeowner insurance claims from the latest hail storm to hit the DFW area. Because many are new to the area or have never made a claim, Jim has advice for anyone affected by the storm.
“Don’t be in a hurry to get everything
“Lean on your insurance agent to
water coming in from the roof or
credible roofers,” said Bridges. “Be
reason, take your time and make
your door. I’ve seen a lot
fixed,” he said. “Unless you have
help give you recommendations for
advance of the finished product. Most contractors need a small payment up front for materials, but don’t give
your car isn’t drivable for some
wary of someone just knocking on
good decisions.”
of nightmares.”
Bridges said that there are many
Bridges said he always gives his
week or so after the repairs to make
of people fighting for your business.
companies with which he has worked
make sure that nothing goes wrong.
houses already signed, the crew may
get quotes from all of them. What
claims out there and, as a result, a lot
clients three or four names of
If a roofing company has a lot of
in the past. He advises his clients to
rush through the job to get to the
one company may miss, another one
next one if everyone is clamoring
to get their roof fixed right away. Be patient and rely on your insurance agent to help you find a good, reputable business.
will catch. Then compare their notes to the insurance adjuster and, taking your time, make a good decision.
Bridges also cautions against making
paying too much money up front or in
Before You Choose a Contractor: •
Check that the contractor is licensed, insured and bonded - this can be done online
•
Get references - the contractor could upload pictures from the internet. Actually go and see the work and, if possible, talk to the homeowner for reference.
•
Get three bids minimum. If one bid is really low, chances are the contractor doesn’t understand the scope of work.
•
Understand the schedule. Somebody taking on too many jobs could take forever to finish yours.
•
Do not pay everything up front or even before the work is done.
them the remaining until the work has been finished and completed to your satisfaction. In fact, you should wait a sure they didn’t miss anything or to “Once the money has been issued, you can’t go back to insurance company,” said Bridges. “After insurance company gives you the money, it’s between you and the contractor, so choose wisely.” Bridges also advises that clients check into getting an upgraded roof. It may pay for itself quicker than you think. “Call your insurance agent and ask them what a Class 4 Hail Resistance Roof will save you on your insurance policy,” said Bridges. “Let’s say it saves you $400 a month and the upgrade cost from the roofer is $1500, it pays for itself in a little under four years.” Bridges said that this one time investment could save you from having to get the roof replaced again in another four or five years when another storm comes through.
Before You Call the Insurance Adjuster: • Take pictures and videos of the damage if you can •
Find owner’s manuals, serial numbers, credit card statements or receipts for items that have been damaged or lost.
• Compile a line item list of damage to home and make a copy for your adjuster. • Don’t throw away any damaged items until your insurance adjuster has seen them. As for your car, body shops are backed up and not scheduling any new clients until late June as it is. If you still owe money on your car, it will need to be fixed. If your car is paid in full, whether or not you fix it is your call. Again, slow down and don’t feel like you have to rush. Bridges also said if your car is considered “totaled” by the insurance company, you have two choices: 1) if it’s still drivable but looks bad, you can take the lesser payment from the insurance company, keep the car and save that money toward
“After insurance company gives
you the money, it’s between
you and the contractor,
so choose wisely.”
a new car while driving the old one; or 2) take the full payment from the insurance company and let them have the car. Finally, Bridges says that everyone should expect insurance to go way up after this storm across the board, no matter what insurance company you use. It doesn’t matter whether you filed a claim or not, just be prepared. APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 19
Spend the
SUMMER
in DENTON F
by Susan Neuhalfen
inding summer day camps that interest children is a challenge. Some kids love athletics and want to try everything while others are more interested in the arts or engineering. Children are all different – especially children from the same family. Wouldn’t it be ideal to find all sorts of camps in a place convenient to you? What’s more, what if there were camps for adults to join as well?
Almost every summer day camp imaginable is available within the Denton Parks and Rec Department system. EVERY. CAMP. IMAGINABLE. Best of all, it’s all
teaches gardening through horticultural and environmental science activities.
There is also a Junior Master Naturalist
Remember when the artist Pink did her
through woodlands, wetlands, prairies
year? She hung from the ceiling twirling on those long aerial silks. Admit it, you wanted to try it. There’s a camp for that.
camp, exploring, crafting and hiking
and more. Finally there is the Ultimate
Survival camp where kids ages 7-12 learn the basics of survival including how to
purify water, signal for help, and search for
Actually there are two camps: a camp for
edible food, all while having a ball.
adults and a camp for kids (divided by
For the theatrical child, there is a
age) to learn these incredible gymnastics. That’s just one of the many truly unique camps that are offered at Denton Parks and Rec. “We have something for everyone,” said Maria Denison, Marketing Manager for
performing arts camp, breaking down the fundamentals of theater and the tools of acting. Here’s the kicker: this camp also
encourages kids to write their own original play. Kids as young as 5 and as old as 10 will be performing their own 15-minute productions to the delight of family
the City of Denton. “Everyone’s kids have
members as well as their fellow students.
different interests so we offer several
“Think about what a confidence booster
different types of camps all summer long to appeal to every member of the family.”
| APRIL 2017
is the Junior Master Gardener Camp. This
conveniently just up the road. aerial act at The Grammy’s that one
20 | ARGYLE LIVING
If your child is more of a naturalist, there
that is for a child’s creativity,” said Maria.
“This is one of our most popular camps.”
(www.yourcandidmemories.com) photography by Your Candid Memories Sponsored Content
Is your child more of a techy? There are over a dozen camps from Legos to Video Game Design custom made for the techminded kid. There is Camp Invention, a national recognized program where real word challenges are presented that requires critical thinking through STEM concepts. DISD science teachers lead the campers in hands-on, creative problem solving activities. Engineering for Kids has several camps available including Forensic Investigators. Like CSI, kids will be deciphering clues to identify the cuprit. There are several camps for Minecraft, 3D printing, video game design and even one that teaches kids to build and program Lego and WeDO robots using laptops. For the older kids, there are camps in computer animation, 3D game design, movie making and coding.
This hasn’t even touched on the
sports and physical activities available
including rock climbing, kayaking, archery, golfing, skateboarding and much, much more. Volleyball, tennis, soccer and
lacrosse camps are also on the agenda this summer.
“Our kayaking camps include intro to
paddling and kayaking-roll,” said Maria. “The kids actually learn to kayak right in the Denton Natatorium.”
Jr. Golf academy is taught by PGA Golf Pros, while the skateboarding camp is
adapted to the skater’s ability and taught in a real skateboard park.
For the swimmers, there is an array of
camps as big as Texas itself. There is an Aquatic Explorer Camp including the
In addition to the camps, there are plenty of family fun activities at the various parks all over Denton. At Denton Water Works, the addition of a new wave pool just adds to the excitement that already boasts huge outdoor slides, indoor slides, a lazy river, and sand volleyball courts. This article has only touched on few of the camps and activities available. A full list may be found by going to www.dentonparks.com or by stopping by the City of Denton Parks and Recreation building on Hickory St. and picking up the 2017 Spring and Summer Guide. There’s no need to go looking all over the area for the camp or activity that best suits your child or family. Look to Denton Parks and Rec to find everything to keep your family happy and busy this summer.
“Adventures of the Seven Seas” and “The
For the swimmers, there is an array of camps as big as Texas itself.
Amazing Race”. There are swim camps, lifeguard
camps, swimming lessons and plenty more.
940.349.7275 DentonParks.com 601 E. Hickory St., Ste. B • Denton, TX APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 21
Lifestyle : Gardening
APRIL SHOWERS BRING… Warmer weather, rain, hail, tornadoes, stormy nights and even cold snaps…yep, it’s April in Texas!
W
e hope everyone’s staying safe and weathering these last rounds of storms. It seems like all we’ve been doing is “storm damage control” here lately but some of that has lead us into cleaning up the patios and bed spaces, ensuring they are free of debris and ready for use. We are going to focus this month’s article on your turf areas. Seeing as spring is such a transitional time, there’s a lot to keep in mind.
As the weather begins to change so should the aesthetics around your
property. One of the most noticeable is
the grass starting to turn. To ensure you get a healthy lawn this year, check out our TOP 3:
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.
AERATION With our terrible north Texas soils ensure that you aerate every third year at a
minimum. 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 is
by sticking a knife down into the ground. If it stops 1.5-2.5” down then call your grass guy, if it goes further then your probably good for another year. 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. 22 | ARGYLE LIVING
Being consistent with this CAN offer
| APRIL 2017
Typically cheaper chemicals will not treat as well and will wear out a lot faster than a name brand product with a slower release schedule.
by PJ Kratohvil of Complete Solutions completesolutionsdfw.com
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 23
ALL UNDER ONE ROOF Y
our home is oftentimes your families biggest asset and your roof is your first line of defense in protecting this investment. When a disaster strikes and your home is damaged it can be difficult to determine the best plan of action for restoring your home and property. Adding to what is already a difficult situation is the flood of roofing salesmen knocking on your door and the countless differing bits of advice from friends, neighbors, family, insurance agents, and contractors. Deciding how to best proceed with your insurance restoration can easily be overwhelming. As one of the less that one percent of roofing contractors in the state of Texas licensed through RCAT (Roofing Contractors Association of Texas) with ten years of insurance restoration experience in the state of Texas I would like to give you some helpful guidelines to assist you in your insurance restoration process.
HOW TO CHOOSE A ROOFING CONTRACTOR: 1. Do online research - a bad reputation is hard to hide and a good reputation speaks for itself. ALWAYS google the company and check these five sources for starters: Google reviews, BBB, Angie’s List,
Facebook, and Yelp. Then go to their website. Does it have actual content that informs you about the company or is it simply a single page thrown together so they can be found on a google search?
2. Use a licensed and certified roofer The state of Texas does not currently require a roofing license or a general contracting license. Therefore, anyone can print a business card, buy a hammer, nails, and shingles and call themselves a roofer. Many of them are good hearted, but uninformed and inexperienced, and leave the customer with inferior roofing system while at the same time missing out on all of the opportunities afforded in the insurance claims process. The Roofing Contractors Association of Texas offers a voluntary licensing program to help raise the quality of contractors and the work being done in the state of Texas. Roofingcontractors-texas.com. 3. Verify proof of insurance - Ask to see a COI (Certificate of Insurance) for any contractor that you are considering using. Call the phone number listed on the COI and verify that the policy is in good standing. Don’t skip this step. It is easy for forge one of these documents.
4. Ask for references - And actually call them.
5. Don’t use someone who promises to “Waive” or “Cover” your deductible - Companies that tell you they can
automatically “Waive” or “Cover” your deductible are committing insurance fraud. Knowingly participating in insurance fraud will put you at a
risk for criminal prosecution. If a contractor is willing to defraud insurance companies that are
actively seeking out and prosecuting this activity how can you be sure
he won’t do the same to you? The best contractors will collect your
deductible and leave you with the
best service, products and warranties in the market.
6. Choose a contractor that can do all
of the work - A qualified restoration contractor will oversee and
coordinate all of the necessary trades to complete the restoration of your home and property. Don’t take on
the headache of collecting estimates
and bids on all of the trades that need done and the hassle of scheduling multiple crews.
NORTH TEXAS • TYLER • LINDALE • JACKSONVILLE • LONGVIEW • SULPHER SPRINGS • TULSA, OK
7. Avoid salesmen, find a qualified roofing contractor - Many people knocking on your door are simply sales people, hired to get as many contracts as possible, as soon as possible. Salesmen will come by and pressure you to sign a contract. Contractors will look to conduct a thorough inspection, identify the relevant damage, prevent further damage, and help you with a plan to restore your home.
Heath Hicks, CRRL (Commercial and Residential Roofing Licensee) RCAT (Roofing Contractors Association of Texas) License number: 03-0306
can weather our and become more difficult to find as time goes on. Make the call while the best and most experienced adjusters are still here working your area.
DO’S AND DON’TS OF AN INSURANCE CLAIM: 1. Do get a thorough inspection from a qualified contractor - A qualified contractor will help you determine what damage your property may or may not have and protect your property from further damage. A salesman will pressure you to sign a binding contract before they even get their ladder out!
4. Do have your contractor present for the adjuster’s inspection - It is vitally important to have your contractor of choice present at the initial adjusters inspection. This can help insure that all of the damage is found and the scope of work is agreed upon up front, saving a lot of back-and-
Sponsored Content
2. Don’t be afraid to call in your claim right away - According to your policy you are required to perform due diligence in protecting you home from further damages as soon as possible. You can always wait to get the work done after temporary repairs have been made. Also, collateral damage on your property such as fences, pergolas, and window screens
3. Don’t go with the cheapest estimate If you were to collect three estimates for the replacement of your roof which estimate would you choose? The cheapest or the highest quality? Your insurance company is willing to pay for the best, and the price of your deductible remains the same whether you choose the cheapest or the most expensive contractor. So take advantage and choose the best contractor that you can find!
AVCOROOFING.COM
•
214.893.5033
•
forth with your insurance company, which can delay the restoration process. 5. Don’t give any money up front - A reputable contractor will not need
any money until work has begun. The most common scam surrounding a storm event is criminals who collect a first check but never return to actually perform any work. Tell your contractor nothing will be paid until materials are on site and a crew is on the roof!
AVCO roofing currently services three areas in north Texas: DFW, Tyler, and Longview. We have restored thousands of homes and hundreds of commercial properties over the last ten years. We would be honored to help you through this difficult time.
If you need an inspection, want to understand more about your claims process, or are uncomfortable with the roofers you have met so far give our DFW area manager, Ronnie Lollar, a call at 214.893.5033 to schedule an appointment today!
10
YEARS
STRONG
Lifestyle : Real Estate
YOUR
DREAM PROPERTY
In A Seller’s Market
W
ith supply failing to meet demand for houses all across the country, it’s very much a sellers’ market right now.
So how can you make sure you stay in control and still secure the property of your dreams? DO YOUR HOMEWORK There’s no point going to view houses if you don’t have your finances in order. If you find the property of your dreams you need to act fast. Do the math; know what you can afford and if you can get the mortgage in place then do it. DON’T HAGGLE FOR THE SAKE OF IT It’s in our nature to haggle, but in this market you are not in a strong buying position. Are you willing to lose your dream house for the sake of a few thousand dollars? BE PREPARED FOR A FIGHT Unfortunately when it’s a sellers’ market and demand is exceeding supply some people will play dirty. A seller may play buyers against each other to get the highest offer or another buyer may try something underhanded. It happens. BE READY TO BE DISAPPOINTED If you’ve been outbid, and financially you can’t go any higher, it’s important to walk away. The last thing you want is a home you are struggling to afford each month. To avoid disappointment set a lower maximum budget so you always have room to maneuver. 26 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
GET THE RIGHT AGENT There is a reason why so many people use agents – it’s because we understand the market and how to complete a deal. We’ll also save you the stress and time of going back and forth trying to secure your property. You just concentrate on planning the move. If you’re one of the 59 million looking to move in 2017 get in touch with us now at 940-584-0800.
by Cassandra Homer The Homer Group • 940.584.0800 TheHomerGroupTX.com
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 27
photos on this page courtesy of Liz Thrailkill
Yourself
SAVES 15 YEAR OLD
ARGYLE RESIDENT
T
by Susan Neuhalfen
Heart Screening
oo often we hear about student athletes suffering from cardiac arrest without a warning. Thirteenyear-old Alex Betzhold was an Argyle seventh grader who was active in football, basketball and band. In January 2012, Alex died in his sleep of an undiagnosed heart condition bringing an entire community to its knees.
us he didn’t get light-headed, dizzy or have chest pains. He was shocked.”
From there, things moved very quickly. Dr. Mottl had Camden in for a 3D
echocardiogram. It was found that he had an Isolated Cleft Mitral Valve which is a
serious heart defect. They would need to
do surgery immediately. Camden was 15. “We asked the doctor if Camden would
ever play football or baseball again,” said
Liz. “The doctor said he couldn’t commit.” “I heard about Alex’s situation and
Camden came home from the hospital
but I didn’t process it as a risk my child
only three weeks later.
processed it as a parent as such a tragedy could face,” said Argyle resident Liz
three days later and was back at school
Living for Zachary will be providing these screenings for free at the
5th Annual Shoot for the Stars
Community Event and Basketball
Tournament on Saturday, May 13 at Argyle High School. Appointments
are required and space is limited. To
schedule, call 469-815-3565 option 4. For those unable to attend, there are screenings available at Baylor Heart Hospital in Denton for only $55.
Shoot for the Stars is a huge family
fun event in Argyle held every year in honor of Alex Betzhold. The all-day
celebration includes 3 on 3 basketball tournaments, the Unicef one-mile
By December, Camden was working out,
color run, lots of games and booths
for baseball tryouts and made the team.
with a silent auction and live music
was practicing with the Guyer High School
Despite missing so much school, his GPA
Dogs along with many other local
John Walsh brought in Living for Zachary
following through with all the milestones
players. It was a optional test and out of
best news, however, is that his heart
went through the screening.
not detected it, he would have had heart
Thrailkill. “My kids never had anything outside of a cold.”
Liz’s son Camden, an incoming freshman,
and by the end of January he was ready
football team when head football coach
was a 4.8 and he got his learner’s permit,
to perform heart screenings for the
that kids his age should be doing. The
200 players, about half participated and
murmur was completely fixable. Had they
“I thought to myself this is a no-brainer, ” said Liz. “I mean, why wouldn’t we do this?”
She’s very glad now that they did.
Camden played in the first preseason scrimmage and had already left for
football practice one morning when Liz got a call from cardiologist Dr. Steven
failure in a couple of years.
“Parents need to know that a situation like
this is fixable,” said Liz. “The main tool they use to check your heart is a stethoscope and a family history. There are more
advanced screening options available
but it’s not state required so they don’t go any further.”
for the kids and dinner at Fuzzy’s
from George Dunham and The Bird musicians. Vendors will be on hand all day with food, snacks and goodies for the whole family.
Shoot for the Stars is a great
opportunity not only to celebrate the life of Alex Betzhold, but to
remember how important heart
screenings are. “The ones we’ve lost have left a legacy and an opportunity for all our children,” said Liz. “There are kids out there with undetected heart problems and a simple
screening and 30 minutes could save them.”
Mottl at the Denton Heart Group. Dr. Mottl said Camden had a valve that’s wasn’t working well and until they could do
further testing, he had to be benched. Camden had had his UIL physical just weeks before and it showed nothing.
Not only was he not symptomatic, he had played just about every sport at Harpool Middle School breaking four school
records in athletics including some in
football and weight lifting. So how could this happen?
“When we told Camden, he thought it
was a joke at first,” said Liz. “He kept telling
photos on this page courtesy of Mary Betzhold
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 31
32 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 33
Yourself : Nutrition
DETOXING THE HEALTHY WAY
D
ear Annette: I know certain foods help to detox but I do not know what foods they
are. What foods should I be eating?
Dear Reader: Only certain foods support detoxification. The truth is there is no
magic potion, powder or drink to do so. In fact, you can only detox and a certain
If you are staying away from the abovesleep and drinking water, then you are ready to take detox to the next level.
•
Only put on your skin what you
many toxins in the body at one time. This
and keep fragrances away unless it
moisturizer, lemons for cleaning,
should only be done under the guidance
is an organic essential oil •
Increase exercise to produce sweat
•
Increase the amount of plant based
The good news is the body detoxes daily
facilitate that.
•
Processed foods
•
High sugar foods
• • •
•
Coriander – any herb will help the detoxification process
•
Watercress — like all greens, is very supportive of the organs of detoxification
•
Apples — are high in pectins which also support the detoxification process
•
Dandelion greens – any foods that are slightly tart are usually good for the liver
•
Ginger – helps to fight inflammation and create an alkaline base for detoxification
•
Lemons and limes – add to water for extra alkalizing properties
foods in your diet. Try to get at
cooked, raw or in smoothies. •
Drink at least 8 glasses of
•
Reduce servings of animal proteins
Fried foods
High exposure to
environmental chemicals Lack of exercise Lack of sleep
Lack of water
34 | ARGYLE LIVING
at least 5-6 times during the week.
vegetables a day. They can be
following are present:
•
Celery
least 5-6 servings of non-starch
The body cannot detox optimally if the
•
•
the following:
make you sick as you can release too
are few basic things we can do to really
Beets – roast or boil them and add to salads
For a period of one week do
would eat. Use almond oil for
and at a rate that we can endure. There
•
referenced list, exercising, getting lots
pace. Going on too strong a detox can
of a good medicine doctor.
Spring provides foods that speed up the detox. During a detox week make sure to have servings of each of these everyday:
| APRIL 2017
water a day
to 4-5 ounces a day and source clean proteins if possible.
•
Take dairy out for one week
•
Take gluten out for one week.
Sincerely Yours, Annette Doody
Savory Bistro Owner & Wellness Coach
www.thesavoryteam.com
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 35
36 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017
SAME DAY Teeth with Dental Implants
I
n this day of age, we are a culture of instant gratification. However, the “same-day� mentality is not just limited to online shipping or flower deliveries. Even dentistry will find itself toting same day smile reconstruction, but as goes all things, getting same day treatment is on a case-by-case basis. Specifically, when dealing with dental implants.
There are certain dental implant
an implant to fully support any restoration
procedures that are represented with the
long-term, it must fully integrate with the
possibility to restore your smile the same
bone in a process called osseointegration,
day, but the process is a bit of a misnomer.
which usually takes about four to
First, what is a dental implant? A dental
Dentistry : Yourself
are fully integrated. Heavy loading of implants prior to their integration can result in a failure of the implant and further potential complications. However, thanks to recent advances in 3D digital radiology and 3D digital scanning, it can often be determined prior to the placement of the implants whether the bone quality will support immediate loading of the implant. It is best to discuss with your dentist or surgeon the best treatment options when considering dental implants. Of course, good oral hygiene is still essential prior to
and after implant placement, so make sure to visit your dentist regularly. Happy smiling!
six months.
implant is a titanium post that replicates
Instances in which implants are restored at
the root of a tooth and is placed in the
the same time they are surgically placed
bony process that supports the teeth
usually involve temporary restorations
called the alveolus. However, in order for
that are maintained until the implants
by Dr. Matt who is a practicing dentist and owner of Country Lakes Family Dental www.CountryLakesDental.com
APRIL 2017 | ARGYLE LIVING | 37
38 | ARGYLE LIVING
| APRIL 2017