Argyle living Magazine October 15

OCTOBER 2015 Breast Cancer Awareness Month This Special Issue Features Survivor Stories from Brave Women in Our Community

Cameron Cox

On the Move as Your

family law

attorney

Argyle - Canyon Falls - Harvest - Robson Ranch

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 3

Argyle resident

Featured Stories and News 08

Concussions

10

S2S Groundbreaking

18 Cameron Cox Guyer Volleyball

November 2nd

24

Grandparents’ Rights

Superhero Day

26

Wyld Life

November 3rd

28

Watch D.O.G.S.

Class Color Day

31

Argyle Chamber

Camo Day

November 4th

Peace, Love & LCS Day

November 5th

Navy & Gray Day

November 6th Pep Rally at 3:05 p.m.

LCS Football Game vs. John Paul ll High School at 7:30 p.m.

Homecoming Dance November 7th at 8 p.m.

Want to feature your school’s or organization’s event? Contact us at artwork@murray-media.com 6 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

Pg 18 On the Cover from left: Heather, Cameron, and Jefferson Cox

LI

VI

M AG A

NG

Cancer Survivor Stories

36

Teacher & Staff of the Month

37

Denton Marine Corps League

Every Issue Eagles Nest

07

From Your Editor

11

Inside Community

12

Inside Education

14

Real Estate

15

Dr. Matt

17

The Sidelines

21

Gardening

25

Rejuvenation

32

Upscale Home

E’

R’S TOCK I ED PI

34

04

ZIN

S

22

T

Homecoming Week

EN

Liberty Christian School Events

Contents

ARGY LE

Argyle Community Events

Table of

2015

RE C

IP

I

ArgyleLivingMagazine.com

Surround Us The Survivors

. . . Living with Perspective

A Message from The Community Editor

A

own children and hold them tightly.

floods of emotions raged through my head

daily upkeep of simply living life, it can seem like

and heart. Celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness this month and Childhood Cancer Awareness last month, my perspective seems blatantly obvious and I find myself challenging my

Between everyday life responsibilities and the

we don’t have the time or space to examine its

direction…until we are forced to. We may be going

about our business when suddenly we are struck with redirection. Our lives aren’t

perspective more and more. Live

the same and now we are faced

in the now and don’t sweat the small stuff is my new motto!

with making new choices.

currently coping with young-

for these occurrences in our

BRCA

personal breakdown or a spiritual

There are plenty of phrases

There are women in our circles

onset breast cancer or with the that

gene

(the

prompted

lives. Call it mid-life crisis, a

mutation Angelina

awakening. I believe major life

Jolie’s mastectomy) and are

changes are invitations to grow.

building a particularly robust,

They are times that require us to

feisty community. Along with

descriptions of the BRCA genes and resources for

women at risk, dozens of books and websites walk

women through the entire process of diagnosis,

Jana Melton

Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Contributors Eric Williams Mark Miller Steve Gamel

s I recently walked through the halls of a

children’s hospital visiting a sweet friend,

Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray Administration Managing Editor

move beyond what we know, into

the unknown, and to expand who we are.

During these times, we may be at a total loss as

decision-making, surgery, breast reconstruction,

to what to do next. For me, I lean on those in my

wrote about this time last year, now three years

bucket.’ I picked up the phone to the voice of a dear

post-surgery and roundups of the best swimsuits

instinctively raised my spirits with support. Life is

Advertising

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

Production Graphic Designers Liz Wallace Stephanie Hansen Whitney Hill Josh Burkham Caroline Brock

Photography

Scott Young (972) 899-3536 ScottYoungPhoto.com Chris Ziober (817) 980-1653 LifeDigs.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 (214) 734-5783 or email kathryn@murray-media.com

and post-op adjustment. My dear friend that I

inner circles who will support, honor and ‘fill my

Address: 1011 Surrey Lane Building 100 Ste. 101 Flower Mound, TX 75022

post-mastectomy, is researching tips on dating

friend who knows my heart and felt its pain then

for women with reconstructed breasts as she moves

uncertain and it can be uncomfortable, but it’s not

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. © 2015 Murray Media Group

into ‘life after a mastectomy.’ The pages of this issue

are filled with women who have shared that battle.

As you read their lives on paper, perspective also may roll down your cheeks and change your life.

The child I was visiting lives a life most of us

will thankfully never know. He should not have the beacon of light in his heart and infectious

kindness in his soul. It’s definitely inspiring.

However, that inspiration also was met with anger

and that not everything does happen for a reason.

When I received the call, I raced to his side with

memories and thoughts rolling down my cheeks.

In that moment, nothing else mattered but to be prayerfully present for him then to rush home to my

necessarily a bad place to be. It’s challenging for those of us who like to be in control.

Gaining perspective is critical and can definitely

help plant your life and examine its roots yet it must be fed daily.

As I celebrate my dear friends, I reflect on

all of us who seem to find that living a life with perspective has changed our life!

Kathryn Flores, Community Relations, Marketing and Advertising Manager Argyle Living & Lantana Living Kathryn@murray-media.com 214-734-5783

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 7

Local Sponsored Content Advertisement

8 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 9

S2S Celebrates Its A

GROUND BREAKING

fter 10 years of business at the Bartonville Town Center, S2S Functional Performance® is EXPANDING! We are proud to announce the grand opening of our new free standing, 6,000 sq ft. facility in Jernigan Heights of Northwest Flower Mound.

Our hope in moving and enlarging our location is to better provide for the breadth of our community.

Serving our fellow patrons is our first priority and we are excited to offer them a better experience.

At S2S, we are a unique company that provides both preventative as well as restorative services by specialized, certified and highly-qualified experts in the field of physical therapy, Stott Pilates®, TRX® and performance enhancement. With backgrounds as professional athletes and dancers, we are accustomed to the demands placed on these groups and we are here to help. We also understand that aches and pains as well as desires and accomplishments are shared by all. We want to help you regardless of your background or skill level! We offer physical therapy to fix you and general fitness training to improve you! We offer a motivating environment where everyone knows your name. Come enjoy private training or small group classes available six days a week.

Included in the new accommodations will be private, separate areas for pilates classes and privates. Music will be accustomed to the needs of the workout and fit the mood thereof. A separate wing will exist to house the TRX® and Hardcore™ classes as well as our athletes and

performance training sessions. We will have an area unique for cardio equipment as well as private treatment rooms for our physical therapy patients.

Additionally, we will have both men’s and women’s showers and lockers available to assist our patients and clients in transitioning to their next activity.

We value our S2S’ers (the nickname that we use when referring to our loyal patients and clients) and want to emphasize that getting to know you as individuals is always and will always be our first priority. Whereas our space and offerings may continue to grow so that we can provide you a top-notch, cutting-edge experience, the care and love that we provide you with will remain the same. We are a family internally as staff and we want our S2S’ers to know that you are family as well!

We will continue to serve the area from our current location at the Bartonville Town Center until the opening of our new facility. Our projected date for opening our new location is May 2016.

Your individual needs are always our first priority. Thank you for sharing in this special moment with us. We are humbled by your continued loyalty and we look forward to making wonderful new stories and serving you for years to come!

940.214.1215 2652 FM 407 #115, Lantana, TX 76226

Photos by: Chris Ziober of Lifedigs Photography 10 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

Town of Argyle Sets Upcoming Meeting Schedule Argyle residents, business people other interested

people have the opportunity to have their voices heard while learning what’s happening in their town through a variety of upcoming official meetings.

Upcoming events include the Oct. 27 Town

Council Meeting. The council work session begins at 6 with the meeting immediately following. Next

is the Planning and Zone Committee meeting Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m.

Town offices will be closed Nov. 11 to celebrate

Veteran’s Day but the Economic Development

Corporation will meet the next day at 7 p.m.

A. Carroll Building 401 W. Hickory St. in Denton.

possibly becoming a member.

Actress Doris Roberts To Host Ranch Hand Rescue Special Event

sustainable gardening practices is encouraged to

Hand Rescue presents the fourth-annual Saddle Up

Attendees will be able to visit with master

gardeners and learn more about the program and Anyone with a passion for gardening and

attend. Visit dcmga.com for more information and an online application.

Youth and Family Counseling Set To Hold Auction Event On Nov. 6 in Flower Mound Youth and Family Counseling’s High Tea and

Wreath Auction “Over the River, and Through the

the Crime Control and Prevention Committee will

at Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound.

meet at 9 a.m.

New Hope Hosts Fundraiser Scheduled for Oct. 17 New Hope Equine Assisted Therapy will hold its

annual Fall Festival Fundraiser from 10 a.m-2 p.m.

Oct. 17 at its location at 6151 FM 1830 in Argyle.

The event will feature live music, horse rides,

paint-a-pony, a petting zoo, a horse and rider parade, cake walk, hay rides and more.

Denton County Master Gardeners Recruiting Event Slated for Oct. 20 The

Denton

County

Master

Gardener

Association’s annual Round Up event will be

conducted from 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 20 at the Joseph

Wood” is scheduled for Nov. 6 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Tickets are $35 each and table sponsorship of

$500. Gary Henderson of United Way will be the key speaker for the event presented by CoServ.

Contact eturner@youthandfamilycounseling.org

for more information.

argyle

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 7.

honorary chairs.

Tickets are $100. Visit ranchhandrescue.org to

purchase tickets.

Argyle Lions Club Member Helps Develop More Vision Screeners Joe Crews, a member of the Argyle Lions

Club, spent part of his day Sept. 19 training 10

new vision screeners at the Argyle Town Hall

Community Room.

Six of the 10 screeners came from the newly-

wanting to be trained as a vision screener may contact The Lions Organ & Eye Bank District

2E2 at loeb2e2.org. Anyone wanting to become a

The Argyle Holiday Shopping Extravaganza to

Actress Doris Roberts will serve as host

with Sheriff Will and wife Shelly Travis as

created Greater 407 Lions Club. Current Lions

Project Graduation To Benefit From Argyle Shopping Event returns

Hollywood Style at 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at The Austin Ranch in Grapevine.

Town Council will meet again Nov. 17, moved up because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Two day later

Argyle resident Bob Williams and his Ranch

High

School

from

Lion can contact Temple Cottle, Kathy Salisbury or Suzi Schneider.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Project

Graduation.

Admission is free with plenty of vendors on

hand to offer clothing, gifts, home décor, jewelry

and much more to help fill out everyone’s holiday shopping list.

October October2015 2015| ARGYLE LIVING | 11

Liberty Christian to Host Breakfast Preview Day On Oct. 20 Students and parents interested in attending

Liberty Christian School are invited to take part in the Fall Preview Day on Oct. 20.

Attendees will be able to tour the campus, meet

the staff, hear from current students, and have

breakfast with school founder and President Dr. Rodney Haire. Upper School students will conduct the tours and answer any questions.

Registration is available at libertychristian.com/

visiting-liberty.

Argyle High Senior Quintet Earns National Merit Scholarship Honors Five Argyle High School seniors have been

named as commended students in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Tanner

Boyzuick, Joseph

Forrer, Carleigh

Klusman, Sarah Llewellen, and Shashwat Tripathi

Robertson’s talk was titled “Faith and Family”

which reflects his family’s purpose on the show to “reflect the love and truth of God.”

Liberty students were highlighted in a video

thanking Mr. Robertson for coming to campus. The Auction Gala raised more than $500,000 benefiting

Phase II of the Great Expectations Capital

Campaign which is raising funds to build a worship and performing arts auditorium and new double

gymnasium. More than $3 million have been raised toward Phase II to date.

Argyle Archery Club Still Seeking Students to Join The Argyle Archery Club began its eighth year

Oct. 5 at the arena located behind the Argyle Intermediate School. The group is based on the

National Archery in Schools Program, which is taught in Argyle schools.

The club is operated entirely by volunteers

and meets regularly on Monday and Thursday

evenings from 5:30-7:30 p.m. All students in

will receive letters of commendation from the school

grades K-12 sre welcome to come and practice

conducts the program

learned about archery

are being recognized for their exceptional academic

can compete in tournaments from local, state,

top 5 percent of more than 1.5 million students

program. Scholarship money is available for high

and National Merit Scholarship Corporation which About 34,000 commended students nationwide

promise. Commended students place among the who entered the 2016 competition by taking the 2014 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).

“The young men and women being named

commended

students

have

demonstrated

outstanding potential for academic success,” said an NMSC spokesperson. “These students represent

a valuable national resource; recognizing their

accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the

advancement of educational excellence in our nation.

We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success.””

Duck Dynasty Star Robertson Makes a Splash At Liberty Christian

archery. Trainers are available for anyone who hasn’t All equipment is provided at the arena. Students

national and world levels through the NASP school students.

Argyle Students Reading At High Rates Early in Year Students at Hilltop Elementary School and

Argyle Intermediate School displayed their reading prowess during the month of September.

During the period that started Aug. 31, the

Hilltop library circulated 6,700 items while the Intermediate library added another 1,950.

The libraries also conducted about 175 classes in

the first month. Topics included Library Orientation, Book Care, Online Catalog Searching, Student

Destiny account Set-Up, Self-Checkout Procedures, Bluebonnet Literature Selections, and Digital Tools for Creating Digital Products.

Meanwhile, Hilltop students now have access to

Liberty Christian School was honored to host

as many as 10 Chromebooks recently purchased for

its guest speaker at the Southern Nights Auction

online catalog, read e-books, access age-appropriate

Willie Robertson from A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” as Gala on Sept. 26.

12 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

the library. Students can look up books through the information and perform research.

Hilltop Slates Book Fair, Red Ribbon Week in October Hilltop Elementary School will be busy the

second half of October with its annual book fair and Red Ribbon Week.

The book fair will be held Oct. 19-23 in the school

library until 3 p.m. each day except the 23rd at 1:30 p.m. Included will the Family Night celebration Oct. 20 from 5:30-7 p.m. when books also

will be available.

The week leading up to Halloween has been

designated as Red Ribbon Week. Students are

encouraged to wear bandanas on Oct. 26, their favorite sports team gear Oct. 27, favorite super hero

shirt or cape Oct. 28, red clothing on Oct. 29 and Halloween costumes Oct. 30.

16 Liberty Christian Students Join National Honor Society Liberty

Christian

awarded

16

students

membership into the National Honor Society

at a special induction and candle lighting

ceremony Sept. 29.

The new members are juniors Tyler Barnes, Darbi

Deck, Katelyne Halovanic, Jon Harding, Paige Lytle, Caleb McCarley, David Qian, Jackson Rojas, Dusti Scruggs, Brock Shanks, Jessica Taber, and Kaylee

Tompkins; and seniors Sarai Harding, Breann Smith, Grace Stinson, and Alexandra Valenzuela.

The ceremony concluded with new members

receiving

certificates

from

President

Grant

Griffith and co-secretary Kayli Richardson signing the NHS book.

Continued on page 15

Argyle resident October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 13

Real Estate

The TRUE

By Will Woods

W

e have all heard many things said about realtors as a group. Most times these statements are negative such as they did

not communicate well, they disappeared once we wrote the contract, they did not understand the area, they did a terrible job negotiating, or they did not deserve

their responses. Request to see a trailing 12-month

“80/20� rule meaning 80 percent of the business is done by 20 percent of the people or the reverse,

which is always eye-opening,

80 percent of the people doing

20 percent of the business. Well

their entire office.

need to understand septic tanks, zoning issues, ag

fooled by an agent providing a production report for Ask to see photos of listings so you verify that they

to be marketed and sold. Ask to

92 8

% % of the business!

8 percent of the agents do 92 percent of

the business‌meaning 92 percent of the agents

only do 8 percent of the business! Let that soak in for

a minute. You literally can choose any agent to work

with and you have a 92 percent chance they could be an under-performing agent. To be fair, they may be new or they may only want to sell a few homes a year by design, however most times it is because they have not

done a good job in the past or do not aggressively work for their clients.

Back to the negative comments regarding realtors.

I believe these comments are well earned by our community. For the most part realtors struggle with

follow up, returning phone calls, doing what they say

they will do, and professionally handling transactions and relationships. I also believe many realtors are hired to do a job they were not qualified for by individuals

who have not done their due diligence. It always

surprises me how much someone will research a

dishwasher or a car before they buy, however, when it comes to selling their home they will hire the first agent they speak with, without any due diligence, to manage

one of the largest wealth-building opportunities in their life.

It is not gloom and doom though. I did mention

that 8 percent of the agents do 92 percent of the

volume. There are some fantastic agents out there to work with. I can promise there are several great agents

in each market. It is up to the seller or buyer to do some research and ask some questions though before deciding on an agent.

If you want a fantastic experience selling or buying

your home invest time in finding the best agent

for your situation. Ask lots of questions and verify 14 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

see their current or most recent

listings online so you see how they market homes on the

Internet. Ask what type of

communication and response

times

you

should

expect

through the transaction. Have

I wish this was the case in real

estate. In the Dallas/Fort Worth area,

It is my firm belief that a local agent or team

should always be utilized when buying or selling

know how to properly prepare a home

of the agents only do

of the Local Realtor

production report for the specific agent. Do not be

their commission.

In most businesses there is the

Value

them describe their team to you,

the roles of each person, and who you

would deal with if the agent was on vacation

or not available.

a home. Take our area for example. An agent would exemptions, utility hookup costs, wells, types of barns, fencing, etc. Imagine using an agent to find you land

to build on and to own horses only to find out after you bought the land that you could not actually have horses on it or only have one horse due to the size of the land.

Most likely if you have a bad real estate experience it

is because you did a poor job of hiring the right agent.

Spend the time and energy to find the right agent.

We have so many great local agents that it should not be difficult to find a strong and competent partner to represent you in all of your real estate transactions.

Please contact The Woods Group if we can ever be of

service to you in your real estate transactions. You can reach us easily at 214-733-9239.

From Dr. Matt

Why Your Teeth May Be Sensitive

F

all has finally arrived. It’s an end to those hot, Texas summer days, and we finally can venture outside and enjoy those long missed

outdoor activities in moderate upper to mid-90 degree temperatures.

Before we know it, that northern cold front will coast in and send us into a chilling upper 80 degrees. All kidding aside, the reality in Texas is it will be warm one day and freezing sleet the next. Of course, if you are sensitive to the fluctuating weather in Texas, that’s outside my expertise. However, if your teeth are experiencing sensitivity to changing temperatures, I am more than happy to provide some professional advice.

There are many variables that cause tooth sensitivity, but it is best to first explain the anatomy of teeth to understand why sensitivity occurs. To begin, healthy teeth are made up of an outer shell of enamel that, though very hard, also is porous. Underneath the enamel is even more porous dentin that ultimately surrounds the pulp of the tooth, which contains both blood vessels and nerves. The root of the tooth does not have enamel, but is made up of a substance called cementum that covers dentin and pulp and also is more porous than enamel.

When dentin is exposed, stimulants can make their way through tubules in the dentin that reach the pulp activating nerve fibers and cause pain or sensitivity. Causes of dentin exposure can include tooth decay (cavities), tooth fractures, worn fillings,

Dr. Matt is a practicing dentist and owner of Country Lakes Family Dental

www.CountryLakesDental.com

worn enamel or cementum, and exposed tooth roots

from gum disease or hard brushing. It also is common to experience tooth sensitivity after dental work as a result of exposed dentin or pulp trauma.

Sensitive teeth can be treated depending on

the cause. Treatments can include desensitizing

toothpastes, dental restorations, fluoride treatments, gum grafting, or in severe persistent cases, root canal

therapy. If you are experiencing sensitivity, it is best not to hesitate as worsening symptoms can result in more complex treatment.

Of course, no one is more sensitive to the needs

of your teeth than your dentist and understands your teeth have “fillings,” too. Give them a visit.

Happy smiling!

Inside Education Continued

Texas PTA Scholarship Applications Available Until Dec. 1 Students and teachers interested in applying for

2016 scholarships from the Texas Parent-Teachers Association must submit a completed electronic application by Dec. 1 to be considered.

Texas PTA offers $1,000 scholarships to

graduating high school seniors in Texas who will

be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university or a technical institute in the summer or fall semester immediately following applicant’s

high school graduation. The group offers $500

scholarships to teachers, teachers’ aides, or

other faculty members planning to take college credit courses, workshops or other continuing

education which improves the applicant’s teaching proficiency or applies to a specific education-

related certification (includes middle management, administrator, counselor, etc.). These courses may include online correspondence courses

Recipients of the 2015-2016 scholarships will

be announced April 1. More information and application forms are available at txpta.org.

October 2015| ARGYLE LIVING | 15

16 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

See You On The Sidelines

When the Schedule Gets Remember

Overloaded It’s Worth It

T

here I was rushing into the house with this tired, yet frantic, look on my face. My wife looked right at me and gave me her own look. It wasn’t one of concern, but rather confusion.

She asked me what was wrong and I quickly told her I had a full plate of work –most of which I had just added to my calendar earlier that day. Basically, I wasn’t sure if there were enough hours in the day to fit it all in. Her response was classic...“OK, great!

This is what you wanted, right?”

I was speechless. She was right. This was exactly what I wanted. So why all the belly aching?

For those of you who don’t know, I took a massive leap of faith a little over a year ago when I quit my full-time job as a branch manager at a local bank to chase my dream of being a writer and small business owner. My decision to leave wasn’t anything against banking. During those 11 years, I worked myself up

from a teller to personal banker and eventually to an assistant manager before nabbing the top spot in my own branch. I enjoyed every second, and loved the customers even more.

There was just one problem – I wasn’t doing what I had originally set out to do in life.

My college degree is in journalism, and while I have been writing for just more than 18 years now, most of that time was spent doing writing on the side. Over time, I realized I had more fun when I was leaving my higher-paying job to go cover a Friday night football game.

There were times when a story would break in the middle of the day and I’d spend my lunch hour at the bank compiling enough interviews to get a story out there for the readers. On other days, I’d have to get up at 4 a.m. to finish a story because I knew I had to work late at the bank.

By Steve Gamel

So I quit.

Anyone who knows me can attest that I don’t jump unless there is a strong net beneath me. For me, it’s just too risky. I don’t do risk. I like safe. In this instance, though, I knew I would catch myself.

Fast forward and here I am with a successful writing and copy editing business, Edit This – a Best of Denton County award-winning business, no less – and I do sports writing full-time for the Denton Record-Chronicle and freelance for the wonderful people here at Murray Media.

How do I fit it all in, plus being a husband and father of two wild boys? Honestly, I have no idea. But I love it, and it sure beats having a calendar filled with nothing or a family who wishes I could be happy.

I’ve always been a sports guy, but this leap has given me the chance to prove just how good I am at writing about other topics. Each month, I have the opportunity to write about the various business owners in the area and why they do what they do.

Many times, they too took a leap of faith to start their own business.

I’ve worked with many of them so often now that we think of each other as friends. I get to write about people who truly love what they do for a living, and I get satisfaction in knowing my writing makes people feel special. It truly is a dream come true.

So when I look at my busy schedule and start thinking that it’s getting too hectic, I need to think back to the days right after I quit my last job when all I could think about was how I was going to fill my schedule.

I clearly don’t have that problem now, and I have each and every one of you to thank for it. It’s truly a blessing to do what I do.

Until next time, I’ll see you on the sidelines.

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 17

FEATURED ARTICLE

Local Sponsored Content

Cameron Cox

On the Move as Your

family law

attorney

By Steve Gamel

C

ameron Cox sold his house, got married, opened the doors to a new family law firm in Denton and is in the middle of having a new home built in Argyle – all in the span of a whirlwind year. And he became a proud dad late last month.

“And we’re living with my parents until our house is built. I think that covers it,” Cox said with a laugh. “It’s a lot of stresses in one year, but if I had to script it all out, this is exactly where I’d want to be.”

Most of us wouldn’t know how to juggle so many life-changing events in one calendar year, but none of it made Cox, 36, feel like he needed to come up for air. When Argyle Living caught up with Cox earlier this month at a coffee shop

Photography by: LIVING Chris Ziober of Lifedigs2015 Photography 18 | ARGYLE | October

at 7 a.m. on a Sunday morning, he was working on very little sleep and had a family function planned for later that afternoon. It all sounds like so much. But as he insists, what exactly is there to complain about?

Cox talks like a man who absolutely is loving life – both personally and professionally – and along the way has become one of the more popular family law attorneys in Denton County.

Amid a sea of change in his own life, Cox strives to be a calming influence in the Law Office of Shanklin & Cox, LLP. Located in Denton off North Woodrow Lane, Cox has partnered with fellow esteemed criminal attorney Kimberly Shanklin to provide a comprehensive stop for all legal needs.

With family law, Cox is dedicated to providing each client with specialized attention, superior representation and efficient decision making. Whether it’s a single demand letter, cease and desist letter or pursuing or defending a lawsuit, Cox is there to handle any stage of the legal process.

The son of a former chief district attorney investigator, Cox is a brilliant mind who could have gone any direction with his law degree. As a civil litigator for the past nine years, Cox has gained valuable experience in both consumer and construction law as well as contract, business and property law.

But he settled on what spoke to his heart.

“I’ve wanted to practice law since I was 16.

In family law, I feel like I’m helping clients during the worst part of their lives,” Cox said.

“I get hugs and tears of joy when I get these people through a tough time. There’s not enough money in the world that can beat that feeling.

I’m very fortunate.”

It’s A Small World After All Six degrees of separation is the theory that everyone and everything is six or fewer steps away, by way of introduction, from any other person in the world, so that a chain of a “friend of a friend” statements can be made to connect any two people in a maximum of six steps.

As it turns out, Cox’s partner Kimberly Shanklin also is his sister in law. And her husband is Judge Brody Shanklin of the 211th District Court in Denton. Cox and the Shanklins have known each other for the better part of the last decade, going back to the days when Judge Shanklin worked with Cameron’s father, Dennis Cox, in the district attorney’s office.

Dennis Cox is married to Sharon Cox, who before retiring had spent time at the Denton Record-Chronicle, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and as the director of communications for Denton Independent School District.

Ironically, Cameron had no idea Kimberly Shanklin had a sister until just more than two years ago when they were introduced at a fundraiser gala for the Children’s Advocacy Center. Heather Cox, whose maiden name was Heather Walker, had previously played softball at the University of North Texas and unbeknownst to her and Cameron, they each lived down the street from one another in Denton for about three years.

“We actually mapped it out and there was a stretch there where we would go for runs right by each other’s place – and not once did we ever

Photography by: Chris Ziober of Lifedigs Photography

“I get hugs and tears of joy when I get these people through a tough time. There’s not enough money in the world that can beat that feeling. I’m very fortunate.”

Cameron Cox

meet,” Cameron said. “Once we got to know each other, we realized we had 200 or so common

friends on Facebook. It was like, how have we not met before?”

Shortly after Cameron and Heather got

married, Kimberly approached Cox about partnering up in the same law firm. It was a no-brainer, Cox said.

It’s those strong family ties that have made

working as a family law attorney so rewarding.

“I’m blessed,” he said. “A lot of what we do

is based off referrals. That’s where we get most

of our business, and it’s a great feeling. Kimberly

does the criminal side and I do the family side,

so legally speaking, it’s a great partnership.

Plus, she’s family.”

Ever the type to squeeze in a joke, Cox said

there was just one small catch.

“Kimberly and I were talking about setting

up a joint (business) account, and I stopped her

and said, ‘You know, I should probably first set

Short Road To Happiness We already mentioned how Cox is as sharp as a tack, and had the benefit of growing up in the same household as his father, Dennis, and a mother as connected as Sharon. But that didn’t stop him from seeking out more help in an effort to soak in as much knowledge as possible.

Cox spent three years driving between Denton and Flower Mound to work with Chad Elsey, one of the top family law attorneys in Denton County.

“He taught me everything he knew, and I did that for three years trying to get as much background as I could to help clients,” Cox said.

“At that point I decided to come back to Denton and start my own firm.

“All the stresses of the past year have been fun and for the most part easy. Heather and I are great teammates. Even now with a young child, we just give each other a high five and move on to the next thing. It’s been a lot of fun.”

up a joint account with my wife before setting one up with her sister,’ ” Cameron laughed. “So one weekend Heather and I went and opened

an account, then I went the next weekend and opened one for the law firm with Kimberly.

‘I joked one time to my father in law that I’m

now a slave to both his daughters.”

Cameron Cox Family Law Attorney at the Law Office of Shanklin & Cox, LLP. 121 N Woodrow Ln Ste 104 Denton, TX 76205 (940) 566-4640 October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 19

Argyle resident 20 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

Gardening

Use Cooler

Fall Weather to Prepare for Upcoming

F

Winter

all is here, one of our favorite times of the year. Things are finally cooling off, leaves are starting to drop and we’re able to get a full day’s work out of the crew without going through 10 cases of water.

As things start to become more bearable and we’re spending more time outside remember to take advantage of this transitional season. Kick back that irrigation to a couple of days a week, trim off all the burnt summer growth and spend some time cleaning things up in preparation for the oncoming winter and whatever weather conditions that’s going to bring.

Sprinkler System: It’s OK to go ahead and reduce watering back to a couple of days a week and shorten the run times per zone. As things cool off your plant materials/grass will not need as much water to thrive and you can save a few bucks. This time of year is a great time to run through your system ensuring each zone is watering accurately and in the most efficient way possible. Sprinkler heads get run over from week

to week, valves get clogged and solenoids go out. These are all things we deal with daily but if you’re not paying too close attention, it can run your water bill up and lead to unnecessary standing water killing the grass and/or any vegetation in the area.

It’s a little early to cut the sprinklers off so continue watering for now just make sure the water you’re putting out is being distributed in the most efficient way possible.

It’s a great time for Planting. With the cooler temperatures there are numerous varieties of plants that you can put in and be confident they will thrive.

We get asked all the time if it’s too risky to plant in the fall. You never know when that first early freeze will hit but if you stick with native plants, veering away from anything too high maintenance or ornamental other than your seasonal/annual color you should be fine. The larger varieties can weather winter better so waiting until spring to do your 1-7 gallon plantings might be a good idea.

If you’ve been wanting to put in some trees, November, December and January all are great times to do so. There are hundreds of options when it comes to bed insulation and coverings you can take advantage of if it does start to get too cool to quick.

Bed Maintenance is crucial when it comes to the health and appearance of your plantings. Getting everything trimmed back now, fertilized and with adequate layers of mulch (2-3”) put down will help to ensure your beds’ success this fall and into the winter months. Getting all the weeds and overgrowth pulled out before you mulch will give you a better shot at not having to deal with it early next year when things start to warm back up. There’s not too much to it and depending on how much bed space you have you might be able to knock it out in a single day. No doubt that whatever efforts you put forth now will be saving you double what you would’ve spent time and money come spring.

Fall Planting Ideas: • Dianthus – great in the ground or in a pot.

• Cyclamen – great pot planting provides a ton of color.

• Pansies – great for pots and all types of bed spaces.

• Tiny Violas – a nice bordering plant or in a pot.

• Dusty Miller – great in the bed or potted.

By PJ Kratohvil Complete Exterior Solutions 214-735-1364

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 21

Volleyball:

Lady Eagles

Hopeful for Another Return Trip to

State

By Steve Gamel

T

he Argyle volleyball program has been a state-title contender for several years, but its postseason runs always have ended just a bit short of the ultimate prize. Head coach Clark Oberle is confident his team remains one of the top teams in Class 4A, but he stressed more has to work in the Lady Eagles’ favor than simply having confidence.

They first have to get past the rest of District 9-4A – which ends Oct. 27 at Krum – then find a way to overtake a tough Region II slate, where opponents are lining up to knock the Lady Eagles from their perch.

“That (confidence) doesn’t mean we have been able to achieve what we want,” Oberle said.

Argyle came into this season ranked second in the Texas Girls Coaches Association state poll. And that’s not just based on what happened last year.

Oberle still has a loaded roster after losing just one senior to graduation in Katy Keenan, who now is a freshman standout at Texas Tech University.

Leading this year’s charge is the all-state senior duo of Eighmy Dobbins and Alexa Bass. But the offense doesn’t entirely roll through them as juniors Halee Van Poppel and Allison White and seniors Maddie DeGuire and Emma Malone have stepped up considerably throughout the season.

“We don’t want to be the team that has one kid with 35 kills in a match,” Oberle

“These girls know what it’s like to fall short, and even though we again have a legit shot this year, a lot of things have to go our way. It’s more difficult this year, because everyone wants to beat us.”

That’s because Argyle typically doesn’t face much adversity until the deep stages of playoffs. The team has made it to the state tournament in two of the previous three seasons – once in Class 3A, then in 4A last year. The Lady Eagles made it to the championship match in 2014, where they lost in four sets to Decatur.

said. “What we need are three or four with 15 kills. That has to be what we rely on this year without Katy here. You can’t replace a player like Katy, but I think we can offset the loss by not being one dimensional in our attack.”

Perhaps one of the bigger wins so far this season was over Decatur on Sept. 22. Despite all its success in recent years, it had been two years since Argyle notched a

“These girls know what it’s like to fall short, and even though we again have a legit shot this year, a lot of things have to go our way. It’s more difficult this year, because everyone wants to beat us.”

22 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

win over Decatur. The Eagles beat Decatur twice during the regular season in 2013, but lost to the same team in the regional quarterfinals.

Decatur went on to win the state title that year, then beat the Lady Eagles once during the regular season in 2014 before winning it all again.

“That was a good win and it definitely got some momentum going in our favor,” Oberle said. “It’s just a fine line though because we don’t want to overlook our district opponents.

We’ve just been preaching one match at a time. You’ve got to focus on the short-term stuff for the long-term stuff to happen. Yes, we lost only one kid, but nothing is a guarantee.”

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 23

Local Sponsored Content

24 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

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By Rebecca Romanucci,

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s we transition from summer to winter, we experience an express trip through autumn. In Texas, we change from shorts to coats at the moment we hear of the first snow approaching. Like spring, autumn is a time for transition. It especially is important to prepare your sun-damaged summer skin, for “winter is coming.”

Your skin constantly is turning over new cells and that dead layer of skin needs to be removed with gentle exfoliation. I have patients who complain about how their moisturizer appears to be clumping on top of their skin. Applying more moisturizer is not the answer. You are not exfoliating enough.

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Keep your eyes open, or you will completely miss another incredible Texas autumn. There is a precious Texas moment, just before all of the brown leaves clutter our lawns and the schools close for Thanksgiving that the trees are full of deep red and bright yellow leaves. Thousands of strange, screaming birds are on their ‘fall break’ weekend visit before taking the last bit of humidity with them on their trip to Padre.

Don’t blink!

Argyle resident October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 25

WyldLife Sets Standard in Connecting with

Argyle Youth

By Steve Gamel

Photos courtesy of Mary Beth Witler, Argyle WyldLife Coordinator

E

very Friday night in the fall, before each Argyle High School football game, a growing and rambunctious group of area middle school kids take over the Journey Church parking lot in anticipation for a few hours of laughing, playing and talking about life and faith.

Perhaps you’ve seen them. But if you haven’t, you are missing out on quite the experience. It’s a party, and it’s the place to be for members of a ministry outreach program called Argyle WyldLife.

“We call it partying with a purpose,” Argyle WyldLife coordinator Mary Beth Witler said of

Our Leaders

26 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

Group leaders not only believe in spreading the word of God and giving young kids a positive outlook on their own future, but they also believe in the power of presence. Instead of only visiting with kids at specific WyldLife events, volunteers log hours on top of hours connecting with kids on their own turf like visiting them during lunch breaks or at the various sporting events where child may be playing.

“These kids just want to be loved and accepted, and we go to where they are and get to know them,” Witler said. “The point is to connect with them, and build relationships “The point is to connect with them, and build with kids who might not relationships with kids who might not normally step normally step into a church. into a church. By getting to know them, and love them, By getting to know them, and love them, we can share we can share the love of God with them.” the love of God with them.”

WyldLife also holds regular Bible study sessions the festive night, which runs twice a month from called Campaigners, which Witler said is a great 5:37-7 p.m. “It’s about fun, eating food, games and time to go deeper with the kids in learning about doing things like skits. It’s something all the kids God’s message. look forward to, and it’s only part of what we do On Nov. 6, WyldLife also will host its annual here with WyldLife.”

WyldLife Cowboys Stadium Takeover, which is So what exactly is WyldLife? If you’ve ever heard of Young Life, that’s exactly what this is – a nonprofit, another fun-filled night where WyldLife groups from nondenominational Christian youth ministry that around the Metroplex convene at Cowboys Stadium focuses on sharing biblical values and a Christ-like in Arlington for an all-night Club event. attitude with young people. Young Life, which has “It’s been a lot of fun being part of WyldLife for quickly swept the nation, is for high school and as long as I have,” said Witler, who has been involved college age students. WyldLife is for kids in sixth in Argyle for two years, but five years overall with the through eighth grade.

WyldLife cause. “These are all great kids, and they’re And as Witler said, the party at Journey Church just trying to figure out life. We want to be able to – formally known as Club – is only the tip of the walk alongside them any way we can.” iceberg for Argyle WyldLife. The program is run by For more information on Argyle WyldLife, visit nine leaders, eight of whom are volunteers, in an effort argylearea.younglife.org/Pages/WyldLife.aspx to build relationships with as many kids as possible.

Campaigners

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 27

Watch D.O.G.S Making Huge Impact

F

at Hillside Elementary

or much of this country’s history, moms were perceived to be the only parent who got involved with their children’s schools while dads didn’t because they worked long hours to provide for their families.

Fortunately, the times they have been a changing in Argyle and beyond as evidenced by the Watch D.O.G.S program now in its third year at Hilltop Elementary School. Sponsored by the National Center for Fathering, Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of Great Students) is a schoolbased father involvement program that works to support education and safety.

What started in a single school in Springdale, Ark., in 1998, has grown to a nationallyrecognized program that provides a way for dads or father figures to take off from work and volunteer to help on their child’s school campus in any number of ways.

Hilltop counselor Michael Ball has been on both sides of the program as Hilltop’s coordinator and as dad to son Tristan, now a sixth grader at Argyle Intermediate School.

“The response was unbelievable,” Ball said.

“The program has grown exponentially every year we’ve had it.”

About 350 total people attended the launch party, many of whom came because they were notified in advance.

“It’s kind of cool because it’s a night out,” Ball said. “If dads just attend the night and that’s all they do and they never serve, that’s still a meaningful thing for a dad to take time to come up here with their kids.”

“The kids know their dads want to be involved in their lives and that school is important.”

“Just knowing how we do things here and having served over there, it’s a different experience,” Ball said. “Over there it’s more relational with the kids and over here it’s relational but the Watch D.O.G.S. also are serving as tutors and lending some academic support as well.”

This year’s campaign kicked off at a Sept. 22 launch event where pizza was served (courtesy of the Argyle Parent-Teacher Association) and the dads signed up for specific dates for the 2015-16 school year. Spreading the calendar across the floor of Ball’s office, one could see virtually all dates filled with the preferred maximum of two dads per day.

28 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

Roland Deneault with his kids Stiles and Sophie When today’s dads sign up to help, it’s not just to work in garden or perform the heavy lifting, Ball said. They very well might work directly with students helping them academically and in other ways.

“That’s new and different for dads,” Ball said.

“It’s dads being plugged in here at school and helping out. It’s been invaluable.

“There’s so many benefits to the program but to me the biggest benefit is the smile on

By Mark Miller

their own child’s face when we call the child down to the office because each morning we announce the Watch D.O.G.S’s name in the announcements and they may be coming in after helping with the car line. At that point we make the announcement and at that point the kid comes to the office and we give the kid a little sticker and Watch D.O.G.S. pencil and then I take a picture of them with their dad or other father figure.

“The look on their face just shows how proud they are that their dad took time off of work and made them the priority. To me, that’s huge. The kids know their dads want to be involved in their lives and that school is important.”

The other benefit is what the dads learn about what happens at their children’s schools each day.

For many, it can be eye-opening.

“It gives them a whole new appreciation what the teachers do and what the staff does,” Ball said.

It also provides an extra level of security when people know there are more adults on campus to help protect the children.

“Being a cool dad and an involved dad is one of the coolest things you can be,” Ball said.

“That’s a shift in mentality too in terms of guys thinking the coolest thing you can be is the big businessman making a million bucks a year.

Being a good dad doesn’t just mean providing the food and the house. It means getting involved.”

Where in the first two years, Ball spent much time trying to recruit involved men to serve, with a nearly full calendar, it’s now mostly processing background check information and working with the teachers on scheduling tasks for the dads to do.

“I don’t know if we’ll get to a point where I have to say ‘hey guys, I know you want to serve but some of you guys who want to serve five times a year, let some other guys have a chance first,’” Ball said. “Or I’ve had people ask if it would be possible to have three Watch D.O.G.S. per day which is whole another set of challenges.

But what a wonderful problem to have.”

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 29

30 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

Argyle Group Making a Difference Through

Service W

By Mark Miller

hen new leaders were elected to the Argyle Chamber of Commerce more than two years ago, they brought new ideas on how the organization should work.

President Phil Loftis and Gavin Fleten, the organization’s vice president of events and membership, recommended something more than a group that focuses on each other.

‘We figured we’re a new board, we should try to do things a different way,” Fleten said. “We’ve all seen what other chambers have done so let’s take the things from those chambers we like, let’s change the things we don’t like and we just decided to have a philosophy to run more like a service organization.”

With the blessing of other board members, the Argyle Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic was created last year with half the proceeds given to non-profit organizations who were members of the Chamber and provided volunteers that day with the other half going to scholarships for Argyle students.

That inaugural event was so successful the 11 participating non-profits received more than $500 each

Chamber Connection with $4,000 generated for scholarships. Fleten said sponsors also loved it making the service idea a big hit.

“We got so many volunteers the event ran so smoothly we have other groups asking us how to run tournaments because it ran so smooth. It was quiet and effortless,” Fleten said.

Later last year, the Taste for Good event was added where attendees could enjoy unlimited food and drink from area restaurants and vendors, casino games, an outdoor cigar bar and bourbon tasting. Non-profits who sold tickets received another $450 meaning any group involved with both events netted around $1,000, highly unusual to receive from a chamber of commerce and extremely impressive for such a small-town group.

“We’re much smaller than the average chamber.

Our members know each other better and support each other in ways I’ve never seen in a chamber before,” said Executive Director Margie Sullivan.

“We’re like half chamber and half service organization. We operate from the philosophy that businesses that give back to the community grow because the community grows.”

The new board also told non-members they could attend any number of networking events without having to join until they were ready. Fleten said many other chambers only allow a small number of events before requiring membership.

“That means we have zero people who leave each year and more people who join,” Fleten said.

How many? Well before the service focus, there were 29 paid members. Today, there are 140.

Members of the Argyle chamber don’t just come from Argyle. Some live and/or work in places like Aubrey, Denton, Flower Mound, Lewisville, Highland Village, Little Elm, Lake Cities, Justin, Ponder, Copper Canyon, Double Oak, Bartonville, and Roanoke.

“It means when we do networking events, chances are you will meet people you wouldn’t normally meet in a more traditional chamber environment,” Fleten said.

“If they’re the Flower Mound chamber, they’re Flower Mound centric; if they’re the Lewisville chamber, they’ve Lewisville centric.”

This year, nine non-profits received $600 each helping at the golf tournament plus another $500 from Taste for Good. That’s on top of an expected $4,000 in scholarships.

“There’s nothing wrong with a chamber that exists to improve the business community. Chambers tend to support small businesses and there’s nothing more important than small businesses in a community,” Sullivan said. “But I think it’s good business to give back to your community. And the members of this chamber all like to give back to the community.”

“We support all the other area chambers and applaud what they do and how they do it. We just choose to do something different,” Fleten said.

The Argyle Chamber of Commerce helped welcome the new Primrose School in Lantana to the area with a ribbon cutting as part of the October monthly mixer. On Dec. 8, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital-Flower Mound will host the annual Caring for Christmas fund-raiser.

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 31

Upscale Home

is aVersatile Stone to Use

I

can remember my dad always saying “anything worth having is worth taking care of.” That usually was when it was time to clean up or do maintenance on something around the farm or in the house.

Most of what he had to say still rings true today. That’s especially the case with the beautiful and expensive stone we so often use in our homes today. Granite is a commonly-used stone that can very in color and contrast. Granite is a smooth surface which also makes it more popular even being the luxurious stone. Granite’s elegance makes it the most sophisticated interior stone to be installed. Its application can be seen

in kitchen counters because the chief aspect of granite is its durability and resistance to stains.

Because of the various colors and “movement” or the way the color or colors move throughout the slab of granite, there never is an ending resource for whatever style you are looking to enhance. Granite works well on bar tops, bathroom vanity tops and backsplashes, in furniture such as coffee tables and also end tables.

For the awesome covered outdoor spaces, granite adds just the finishing touch on these wonderful home additions.

Although granite tops are durable and resistant to stains we should be careful enough to retain the

beauty of granite through proper maintenance.

Sometimes color and luster of granite sinks down due to carelessness. To increase its life and luster it is important to take careful steps regarding maintenance. We have several ways to maintain the finished look granite kitchen countertop: According to Serene Interiors: The first usual way to retain the color and shine of granite kitchen counter top is to easily clean anything from them with a soft sponge or cloth. Make sure you do not use steel cleaner to clean the leftovers on the counter as it can leave ugly bruises on the granite. Cleaning granite with a wet cloth also helps retain the color and luster for a longer time.

To maintain the pH balance of granite stone, any chemical cleaners must be avoided as they often scrape the granite and can foil the appearance. For removing stubborn stains it is advisable to apply some foam or liquid dishwashing gel on the hard stain and leave it for overnight. Wipe off with a sponge soaked in warm water.

To make your granite countertop stain proof, you also can apply granite sealer before its installation. Manufacturers provide this service on varied basis to get the granite sealed with an appropriate commercial sealer so that granite doesn’t stand any kind of stain. The only thing to remember is to get kitchen granite countertop sealed again in a period of two or three years to retain its luster and make stain proof. If you need help with having your stone cleaned or sealed give us a call and we will get you shining before the fall holidays arrive!

By Paula Kratohvil, Owner Complete Interior Solutions 972-436-9083 32 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 33

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M AG

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ARG YL E

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went in for chemotherapy treatments that left her exhausted and nauseous AUMC parishioners would bring really nice evening meals to her family all week. Her parents, Larry and Jeanie Wilcox of Highland Village, were helpful by taking her to doctor visits. Her sister, Amanda Hurst of El Campo, helped by taking the girls during some of Cruson’s chemo weeks.

The latest PET scans show no cancer, but Cruson said that she’s been told chances of a relapse without radiation would be 30 percent. Going through the radiation treatment reduced those odds to about 5 percent.

R’S ITOCK D E PI IEN

T

2015 RE

CIP

Lisa White Sees the Hand of God in Her Life

By Eric Williams

Amy Cruson Relies on Community and Family Support Unlike some of the other breast cancer

survivors profiled, Argyle’s Amy Cruson hasn’t

yet reached a relaxed point in her fight against breast cancer.

First diagnosed in March of this year, she has

experienced surgery, a

double mastectomy, finished chemo on Aug. 24 and started radiation treatment on Sept. 30.

“I was at Stage 1 when first diagnosed, but it

was Stage 2 after my surgery,” she told Argyle

Living. “Fortunately, none of my lymph nodes were involved.”

Like others in the struggle, she had great

relationships with her medical practitioners even

prior to her diagnosis and treatment. A lump in

her breast was detected during a routine annual checkup and she followed up with mammography and a biopsy. The news of the cancer was delivered

by her obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Heather Walsh of Denton.

Immediately she felt the Holy Spirit telling her she had cancer. Her

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.

— Eleanor Roosevelt

“She had tears in her eyes,” Cruson said of the doctor who helped introduce

her to the physicians who would provide her treatment.

The diagnosis was a shock and a surprise, since Cruson knows of no one in

her immediate or even extended family previously diagnosed with the disease.

Cruson said that her husband Michael was there that day and has been

enormously supportive through this process. She’s worked to explain the

disease and its treatment plans to her daughters Savannah, 13, and Madison, who turns 10 in December.

Madison, she said, has asked a lot of questions to help make the

education process easier.

As 10-year residents of Argyle, Cruson had supportive communities to lean

on. The staff and administration of the Argyle Independent School District’s Hilltop Elementary School have been enormously supportive, remembering her with cards, gifts and meals and looking out for her girls.

Friends who attend Argyle United Methodist Church turned prayer

requests when Cruson was diagnosed. Though she was not a member of the

church, Cruson said members asked if they could step in to help. When Amy

34 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

Without realizing it, Argyle’s Lisa White was preparing herself for a battle with cancer.

She was raised a Christian, but had not read the Bible cover to cover since childhood. However she knew she wanted to be deeper in God’s word while teaching fifth-grade girls about the Bible. So she decided to read it in its entirety and completed that task once a year for three straight years with no idea that God was preparing her by filling her mind with His promises and love.

She had no special concerns about cancer when she went in to get a routine mammogram just before turning age 41, just a dutiful sense that she should look after her health. She received a call on her 41st birthday telling her that her mammogram was unusual and to schedule a biopsy. husband and mother both thought that a bit extreme from just one questionable mammogram.

After the biopsy, her husband Keith had a

business trip scheduled which he offered to cancel, but she urged him to go. As soon as his flight got

in the air she got the call that she did have cancer.

Since she couldn’t talk to her husband and knew

her mom would take this news hard she called the recommended oncological surgeon who happened

to have a cancellation in 20 minutes if she could get there. Then living in Coppell, she immediately

went to Baylor Hospital in Irving and met Dr. Ed Clifford. She felt an instant rapport.

“He was heaven sent,” she said.

Dr. Clifford said she would have a choice between a unilateral or bilateral

mastectomy. Lisa said she would need to discuss this with her husband, Keith, and pray over this decision. Keith was fully supportive either way and Lisa prayed that God would so clearly tell her what do that it would be “like a rock hit her on the head.”

When she went for the next test it showed something in the other breast

as well. That was her “rock” from God, the decision had been clearly conveyed to White to have a double mastectomy.

“God gave me a real peace about it,” she said.

She had to share the news about the diagnosis and upcoming surgery with

her children, Brandon, 9, and Allison, 11. The family all sat down and she told the kids she had good news and bad news,

“The bad news is that I have cancer, the good news is that it’s in my boobs

and I don’t need my boobs to live,” said.

Without missing a beat Allison replied, ‘Mom, if God chose to give you

cancer, it will be all right.’ And she was right.”

In February 2015, White passed the magical five-year mark with no sign of

recurrence. She’s fit and healthy. Twice she has finished the Susan G. Komen

3 Days for the Cure 60-mile walks. Now she’s eager to share when she thinks she can help others with a message of healing and hope.

“My firm belief is God sent me through this to help others,” said White.

“God blessed me with a very supportive family and many supportive friends, I hope I can use my trials to bless others.”

Fields Nears Important 5-Year Milestone It started as a simple lump in her breast that

was detected during a routine self-examination.

There could have been a lot of reasons for the

lump, but mammography and a biopsy confirmed

the diagnosis of breast cancer for Argyle’s Lynn Fields in late 2010.

“Once we processed the initial shock, we were

ready to ask ‘What do we do from here,’ ” Fields said.

Fortunately, Fields didn’t have to take her issues to a stranger. She

and husband Eric already considered Dr. Victor Cobos of Denton as

a family friend.

“We were in a play group with his wife and kids,” she explained.

Fields said Eric had been with her when she learned of the diagnosis and

was supportive through the decision-making and healing processes.

“My mom ( Jean McDaniel) lives close (in Plano) and she helped

tremendously,” Fields said. “She was always there when I needed her and my kids (Rachel, now 13 and Collin, 11) were pretty young at the time.”

After getting the diagnosis on November, Fields started her treatment with a lumpectomy in December.

She said her surgeon talked her though the process step-by-step so she had comfort and confidence in her decisions.

As a young mother, she had thoughts of her children growing up without her.

“At some point along the way you give it to God,” she explained. “He gives you peace, and then you trust that the doctors know what they are doing.”

Likewise, there was support from Crosstimbers Church and among friends they made in Argyle schools and Parent Teacher Association organizations.

A typical energetic suburban mom, Fields juggled lots of activities and responsibilities. Letting go, even as she suffered through surgeries and treatment, felt a little unnatural. Then a friend told her: ‘don’t rob your friends of the opportunity to serve you,’ she said. So she learned to enjoy meals and other assistance.

“There comes a time when you can’t do it all,” Fields said. “I did both chemo and radiation and it wipes you out.”

In June, Fields will pass the important milestone of five years since her treatment has been complete. There has been no sign of more cancer.

“I was very fortunate to catch it so early,” she said. “It really helps in the treatment process.” She also takes comfort in one small silver lining. Before the bout with cancer, Fields always had long hair. That’s changed.

“I love my short hair and I don’t know if I would have had the confidence to leave it this short if I hadn’t gone through the treatments,” she said. “Caring for short hair is easy.”

At the time of her surgery, Fields only worked part-time. Since her recovery she now has a full-time job as a contract administrator for Environmental Improvement in Lewisville.

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 35

(Stories continued from previous page)

Tina Shobe Thinks Pink to Spread Awareness Having dealt with the frightening specter of breast

cancer, Tina Shobe wanted to make the experience

easier for others. That’s why the Argyle Middle School counselor sells pink shirts and encourages

fans and students to wear pink at a designated football game.

With no family history of breast cancer and young

at age 36, Shobe had noticed a small lump in her right breast during self-examination. Though she suspected it would be nothing more dangerous than a

fibrous cyst, she immediately made an appointment.

While the pain was in her right breast, the mammogram revealed something in her left

breast. It did not look to be growing, but in a follow-up appointment four months later, doctors found the mass was larger.

A biopsy identified aggressive cancerous tissues, thankfully only in Stage 1.

During the double mastectomy surgery, her lymph nodes tested negative. Due to this

and other varying factors in her type of breast cancer, Shobe did not need to follow up

with chemotherapy or radiation; however, she did have a full hysterectomy the following

year. Still the experience was scary. At the time, Shobe’s children were young – son Rylan was 9 and daughter Brynlee was only 4.

With National Football League teams donning pink during the season and other

breast cancer awareness efforts, Shobe said it’s remarkable that in March 2010 when her breast cancer was diagnosed, awareness was low.

People who had breast cancer tended to be quiet about it

and if there were any breast cancer survivors in her circle of friends, she was not aware.

Due to Shobe’s efforts, such unfamiliarity is unlikely in the future, at least for parents,

staff and students at Argyle schools. Each year Shobe organizes creation of a new and attractive “Think Pink” t-shirt offered for sale through the school.

“We have lots of support from parents and people who work here,” Shobe said. “Even

the kids are very supportive.”

The program is popular enough that Shobe has distributed as many as 1,000 shirts

in a year and for three consecutive years proceeds have enabled the Argyle Independent School District to write a check for $5,000 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation branch in Frisco.

Now Shobe frequently speaks with women who have been diagnosed with breast

cancer. She can give them comfort from her own positive experience. At the time she was diagnosed with cancer, Shobe’s husband Ryan was in a residency program as a Certified

Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Though he was working in Tulsa for a couple of months, he had worked in Fort Worth and provided service in operations performed by Dr. Jane Bussey, a surgeon specializing in breast cancer. Ryan had been impressed with her skill and caring and arranged for his wife to receive care from her.

Shobe said it feels great to bring awareness and she’s more comfortable with the t-shirt

sales than she would be asking for cash donations. She said that while parents sometimes help her sort the shirt orders, she actually folds each shirt.

“It’s my way of giving back,” she said.

36 | ARGYLE LIVING | October 2015

By Mark Miller

T

hough Mark Roy is retiring from long-time service to his country, he’s still plenty busy helping fellow Marine Corps alumni, Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen, their families and others.

As commandant of the Denton Countybased LCpl Jacob R. Lugo Detachment #1300 of the Marine Corps League, he’s in charge of the group’s third-annual U.S. Marine Corps 240th Birthday Charity Ball. It is scheduled to take place Nov. 7 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the University of North Texas Gateway Center.

The expected sellout crowd of 318 people will honor SSgt Mark H. Graunke, a Flower Mound resident severely injured in 2003 while working on a piece of U.S. munitions that failed to work properly. The event comes just four days before Veterans Day when Roy, who reached the level of lieutenant colonel, will be speaking at the City of Denton ceremony.

The Denton County detachment of the Marine Corps League started about eight years ago by Aubrey’s Jeff Perry originally to help with the Toys for Tots program. Roy wasn’t very involved at first, then started helping when asked.

Realizing the group was too similar to other veterans’ groups that weren’t resonating with younger veterans, he created a new vision and mission three years ago to become more inclusive.

Since then, membership has grown to about 80 people.

“It’s just helped our league get going and be part of the community which is part of our vision,” said Roy, a recent Sanger resident who works as a senior medical brand sales representative with Allergan. “We barely scratch the surface of the Marines. They just don’t know we exist.”

Lt. Col. Mark Roy The new vision indirectly led to launching the Charity Ball in 2013 not just to members but also to the general public. The first year honoree was Jacob Schick, a former Coppell High School football star who played a role in the movie American Sniper while Michael Jernigan, a Marine blinded in both eyes by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2004 was last year’s honoree. The event has proven so successful Roy hopes to move it to the larger UNT Union next year.

Roy, who has been deployed to Iraq twice, served four years on active duty and more than two decades in the reserves. He was chosen as the first ambassador for the group 22Kill, founded in 2014 by Dallas’ Andrew Nguyen as a campaign under his non-profit Honor Courage Commitment, Inc. It seeks to raise awareness that 22 military veterans commit suicide each day most symbolized through a series of special rubber, titanium and tungsten honor rings.

Charity Ball 2014, Photos courtesy of Denton Marine Corps League.

“The rings serve two purposes. One is honor all veterans. And the second purpose is to build awareness,” Roy said. “I like to tell people not only do I need you to wear that ring. I need you to reach out and connect with veterans because we just don’t know which ones are suffering and which ones are hurt.

“A lot of these guys get poker-faces on and you don’t know if there’s anything wrong with them. But you just reaching out to them can change their outcome. I explain to people about suicide and how people who have decided to kill themselves that day that if one person reaches out to them it would stop them. We’re trying to build an entire force of people willing to connect and reach out to these veterans so we can change that statistic.”

Any remaining $60 tickets for the Charity Ball are available by contacting Roy at markroy@dentonmcl.org.

Information on 22Kill is available at 22kill.com.

October 2015 | ARGYLE LIVING | 37

Argyle resident