ARE YOU NAUGHTY
OR NICE?
DEFYING HOLIDAY
WEIGHT GAIN
HOLIDAY STRESS GETTING TO YOU?
DECEMBER 14, 2018 - JANUARY 18, 2019
RESTORE.
RELAX.
REJUVENATE. SEE OUR AD ON
17
PG
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISVILLE, TX PERMIT NO. 977
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 3
ELF On The
SHELF
Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.
4 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 5
CastleHillsMagazine.com
Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray
Administration
Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editors Bobbi Byrne Emily Mitchell
Writers & Editor
Steve Gamel Susan Neuhalfen Barbara Scott-Kolb
Advertising Manager
Lizzy Hoffman 972.900.7302 lizzy@murray-media.com
Production
Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Alyson Modene
Photography
Guy T Photography 469.500.5657 WhatsThatGuysName.com
Letters
OUT WITH 2018
&
IN WITH
2019 T he holiday season is in full swing, and 2019 is fast approaching where did the time go? It seems
like just yesterday we were sending the kiddos back to school in triple-digit temperatures, and I can remember
ringing in 2018 with family and friends
like it happened last week. They say time
Life in Castle Hills invites reader
flies when you’re having fun and, while
and general comments.
favorite thing to look back on are all of
feedback, story suggestions
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 www.Murray-Media.com
Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028
Life in Castle Hills is published monthly by Murray Media Group. Some articles and/or content may be sponsored by advertisers. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. Life in Castle Hills 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. © 2018 Murray Media Group
Enjoy your family, cherish your friends, always be kind, laugh often, and make the best of the bad days.
I’d be willing to bet that you still learned
That’s what I love about life – you never know what the next day is going to bring (or in this case, the next year) and often the unexpected challenges are the ones that help us grow the most. So we’ll make our resolutions, and we’ll try to keep them longer than a month, but we should also remember not to be too hard on ourselves and instead take life as it comes. Enjoy your family, cherish your friends, always be kind, laugh often, and make the best of the bad days.
this year. I know I did.
Happy Holidays & Cheers to 2019!
I definitely had a lot of fun this year, my the things I learned and all of the challenges I overcame.
As we start to ponder on New Year’s
resolutions and how we’re going to make 2019 better than the last, I urge you all to reflect on 2018 – the good, the bad,
and the ugly. Regardless of whether you
nailed every one of your 2018 resolutions, and grew in ways that you never expected
Sincerely, Kelly Murray
Publisher of Murray Media Group kelly@murray-media.com
6 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
17
On the Cover is: Stephanie Sewell of Massage Life Center, The Colony
FEATURED: RELAX.
RESTORE. REJUVENATE.
ASK THE EXPERTS 18 Organizing with Cloud Nine Organizing 20 Lewisville Corner with The Lewisville Chamber 22 Reading with The Reading Ranch Tutorial Center 28 Edit This with Steve Gamel
PHOTOS FROM CASTLE HILLS
24 EDITORS PICK: Tips For
Defying Holiday Weight Gain
10 Foodie Friday DFW with Jay Marks Real Estate 12 Inside Community 13
Inside Education
14 6 Easy-To-Do Tips for New Year’s Resolutions 16 Holiday Stress Getting to You? 20
Stressed Caring For a Loved One?
21 Pet Spotlight
04 Elf on The Shelf
21 Sheriff’s Corner with Sheriff Tracy Murphree
20 You Submit, We Print
23 Pet Adoption
ARTICLES
26 Heron Early Signing Period 2018
08 Are You Naughty or Nice?
26 Holiday Worship Services
THIS MONTH: We’re focusing on New Year’s resolutions. Look for the icon to find out organizational tips and new healthy lifesyle habits for the upcoming new year. 30 Castle Hills Native Wins Prestigious Business Award 30 Hebron Wide Receiver Named All-American DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 7
ARE YOU
HONEY BUTTER FRIED CHICKEN 4 servings | 574 cal/serving INGREDIENTS: 1/4 c. All Purpose Flour
SPICES:
6 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
1/2 c. Milk
14 oz. Boneless Chicken Breast
24 Club Crackers
2 tbsp Garlic Powder
2 tsp Salt
1 tbsp Corn starch 1 tsp Ground Pepper
In a ziplock bag pound crackers into crumbs and mix with the flour, spices and cornstarch. Boil vegetable oil on stove at medium high heat.
photos and recipes by Brandon Groppi
3 Eggs
DIRECTIONS: Mix eggs and milk together in a bowl.
Take chicken breast and coat them in the flour mix, egg wash and back into flour mix until fully coated. Place them in the vegetable oil and cook on each side till golden brown. Honey Butter (optional)
Microwave butter for 15 sec. and whisk with honey until emulsified. Place on top of finished chicken while hot.
DIRTY GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE 6 servings | 400 cal/serving INGREDIENTS: 16 oz. Ground Beef
5 oz Smoked Gouda Cheese
1 tbsp Soy Sauce
1/4 c. White Onion 1 tbsp Heavy Whipping Cream
1 can Green Beans
1/2 c. White Button Mushrooms
SPICES:
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 tbsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Parsley
16 Slices Bacon
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt
DIRECTIONS: In skillet at medium heat cook ground beef, mushrooms, spices & soy sauce. Preheat oven to 400° F. Cook bacon till slightly burnt. Crumble. Turn oven to 375° F. Mix beans, mushroom soup, beef and heavy whipping cream in greased baking dish. Cook for 25 mins. Last 5 mins add crumbled bacon. Take out and sprinkle cheese. Let sit until cheese melts. 8 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
HEALTHY PANKO BREADED CHICKEN INGREDIENTS: 2 Eggs
1 c. Panko Bread Crumbs
16 oz. Chicken Tenderloins
SPICES:
2 servings | 382 cal/serving
1 tbsp Smoked Paprika
1 tbsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Pepper
6 servings | 139 cal/serving INGREDIENTS:
Directions: Preheat oven to 375° F. Mix panko bread crumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and ground pepper in a bowl. In separate bowl beat eggs. Coat tenderloins in egg wash first then dip into the panko mixture. Place coated tenderloins on a foil covered baking sheet and cook for 40 minutes in the oven.
NAU G
LIGHT GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE
1/2 c. White Button Mushrooms
1 can 16 Slices Green Turkey Beans Bacon
1/4 c. White Onion
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup SPICES: 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
1 tbsp Parsley
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400° F. Cook bacon till slightly burnt. Crumble bacon. Turn oven to 375° F. Mix beans, mushroom soup, mushrooms, onions and spices in greased baking dish.
H
CE NI
TY
Cook for 25 min. Last 5 mins add bacon.
CRACK AND CHEESE: 8 servings | 1,001 cal/serving INGREDIENTS: 1/2 c. Butter
1/4 c. All Purpose Flour
3 c. Whole Milk
2 c.
1 c. Panko Bread Crubs
4 c. Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
8 Slices Provolone cheese
Mozzarella Cheese
1 tbsp Corn starch SPICES:
1 lb Mac & Cheese
1 c. Sour Cream
1 tbsp Onion Powder
1c. & 12oz Evaporated Milk
1 tbsp Mustard
1 tbsp Parsley
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tbsp Garlic Powder
DIRECTIONS: Cook pasta al dente according to package. Strain & rinse with cold water. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 9”x13” baking dish. TIP: Don’t stop whisking EVER Melt 4 tbsps of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in flour. Cook for 2 min. Turn heat to low, add milk, cornstarch, Dijon mustard then all spices. Turn heat to medium until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat. Once thick remove from heat and add in sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted.
Add pasta and toss. Pour half of mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Next layer the provolone cheese then sour cream. Pour remaining pasta mixture. Sprinkle 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese on top. OPTIONAL Topping: Sprinkle the panko topping
evenly across the dish. Bake 25-30 minutes or until bubbly. Let dish cool for 10 minutes. Serve.
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 9
Foodie Friday DFW: Hillside Fine Grill
HILLSIDE
FINE GRILL
R
esidents of Highland Village and the surrounding areas anxiously awaited the Grand Opening of Hillside Fine Grill this fall. Located in the former Applebee’s location, Managing Partner, Rick Valley, and his team completely transformed the space to provide a contemporary yet comfortable restaurant right here in Highland Village for local residents to enjoy. The goal was to make it so that residents no longer felt like they had to travel to Uptown or Southlake for a delicious,
dishes. All of which we’ve heard fantastic things about and look incredible.
To pair with your meal, Hillside Fine Grill also houses an incredible bar and wine selection. At the bar, you can order We had a sample of some of their ribs and one of their cocktails including their Blood those slow-smoked Orange Margarita or ribs literally fall right their famous Hillside Martini made with Tito’s, off the bone. Cointreau, Blood Orange, Lime and a shot of Sprite.
contemporary restaurant experience. That’s exactly what has happened, and our
community has received
them with open arms and TONS of support!
We were there at 2 p.m.
on a Wednesday to chat with Rick, and the place
was absolutely packed the
entire time we were there. Everything from birthday lunches to business meetings to people just quickly grabbing a drink and something to eat at the bar.
Hillside’s menu has something for
everyone. There are lots of fresh seafood options including their Salmon, Quinoa & Kale Salad, and their Fresh Ruby Red
Trout garnished with grilled Gulf shrimp.
We believe the success and adoration of Hillside Fine Grill can best be summarized by this Yelp review from Angie D: “We will make this a future date night spot, family night spot, out to lunch spot, you name it! Don’t wait to try Hillside, go now and see for yourself!”
972.317.9711
www.hillsidefinegrill.com
3140 FM 407 | Highland Village, TX 75077
We learned that all of their seafood is wild, not farmed, which just makes it all taste so much better.
They also offer a fantastic selection of
steaks and ribs. We had a sample of some of their ribs and those slow-smoked ribs literally fall right off the bone.
You’ll also find hamburgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, and even some pasta
10 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealEstate.com jay@jaymarksrealestate.com 1013 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 102 | Flower Mound, TX 75022
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 11
INSIDE COMMUNITY TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOLIDAY PACKAGES
Purchasing gifts online is incredibly convenient but leaving packages in plain sight
lures holiday thieves. Here are 3 easy tips to keep your packages safe. Use Amazon
Locker for all your Amazon deliveries. Simply select the locker closest to you, add it
to your address book, select the locker location when you order and use the pickup code to open the locker. You can also choose to have your packages delivered to
your work address since there is usually someone there to receive them. Lastly when placing an online order, include special delivery instructions like leaving it behind a shrub or a cleverly placed pot.
THE BOHO MARKET AT THE SHACKS Are you the type of person to wait until the last minute to purchase a gift? Well don’t worry because the Shacks at Austin Ranch in The Colony is having a Boho Market on December 20th from 6-9 p.m. The Boho Market will have local makers, artists and small business owners for you to shop handmade, vintage and fair trade gifts. You can also enjoy great food and drinks. The Shacks at Austin Ranch is six small restaurant spaces that share a large open-air patio overlooking a public one-acre dog park so you can even bring Fido for some holiday fun.
DALLAS FASHION WEEK IN CARROLLTON
GRAND OL’ CHRISTMAS SHOW AT MCL GRAND
Want to know what the newest trends in fashion are but don’t feel like traveling all the way to New York? You’re in Luck! Dallas Fashion week is January 3-6, 2019 and will be hosted at the Courtyard Marriott in Carrollton. Enjoy the fashion experience that is transforming the industry with the leading fashion designers, entertainment, and production all under one roof for an unforgettable experience! Guests have the opportunity to interact with Fashion Designers personally through our VIP opportunities as well as our Pop Up Shops. Tickets are available at eventbrite.com.
Take your visiting family out for some family holiday fun at
12 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
the MCL Grand Theater in Lewisville. On Saturday December 22nd at 4 p.m. & 8 p.m., the theater will have their Grand Ol’ Christmas Show which is a live musical variety show with Christmas classics and original slapstick antics. This staged production is performed “within the studio” of a live 1940s radio show and broadcasted on the 1225 AM, N-O-E-L radio network. The show is appropriate for all ages and tickets can be purchased online a mclgrand.tix.com
INSIDE EDUCATION CH ELEMENTARY WINTER PARTY Castle Hills Elementary school will be hosting their winter parties and would like to invite parents to join their tots. The schedule is as follows: Kindergarten 11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m., First grade 1:002:00pm, Second 12:45-1:45 p.m., Third 1:45-2:45 p.m., Fourth 1:302:30 p.m. and Fifth 1:50-2:50 p.m. They do request that younger siblings are left at home This fun event is hosted by the Castle Hills Elementary PTA.
Support your High School Choir by joining them for the winter
concert on Tuesday December 18th at 7p.m. in the High School
Early Release Day! December 21
Auditorium. The Hebron High School Choral Department consists of approximately 200 students in four performing choirs:
Boys Basketball Cougar Classic Dec. 27-28 Home Game
A Cappella Choir, Belle Chanson, Concert Choir and Harmony! Show Choir. The event is one of the highlights of the year as it features beautiful holiday songs. The event is free so be sure
photo courtesy of Pam Parham, HHS Theatre
photo courtesy of ourtesy of Deanna Buffington
to join them.
HEBRON
NEWSIES THE MUSICAL AT HEBRON
THE COLONY BAND WINTER CONCERT
Hebron High School will be presenting:
Come out and support The Colony High
Award-winning Broadway phenomenon
December 18th. The concert will feature
in the school’s auditorium next year on January 19, 24,25, 26 at 7p.m. and a
Sunday matinée on January 20 at 2p.m.
Tickets may be purchased in advanced at
hebrontheatre.com or at the door. Premium
reserved seats are $20 and regular reserved seats are $15.
EVENTS
Girls & Boys Basketball Dec. 18. vs Denton High Away Game
HEBRON CHOIR WINTER CONCERT
Disney’s Newsies The Musical - the Tony
THE COLONY
EVENTS
Boys Basketball Dec. 18 at 8p.m. vs Flower Mound High Away Game
School Band at their winter concert on
a full orchestra where 140 students will
This is a free event that begins at 7p.m.
Rotary Breakfast & Student of The Month Dec. 20 at 7a.m.
Visit www.tchsband.com/ for additional
Early Release Day! December 21
perform. Experience some holiday music
along with their full musical arrangement. Want to support them even more? sponsorship opportunities
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 13
New Year’s Article
O D
S IP
T
s
n o luti
so e ’s R
9 1 r u O o 0 Y T n 2 w O Y o N T S I A r
ea Y w Ne
l me
a eG tev
S by
E 6
MAKE SURE YOUR
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
STICK
14 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
W
e are inching closer to Christmas, which means the calendar will soon flip to the New Year and everyone will break out those pie-in-the-sky resolutions. Sadly, very few of us will follow through.
Wow; talk about a Debbie-Downer statement to usher in 2019, right? But you and your friends here at Murray Media all know it to be true. While New Year’s resolutions are a great way to make a positive change in your life, whether it’s finally getting organized, losing a few extra pounds before next summer, quitting smoking, or taking the plunge and starting a new business, most reputable statistics show that 92 percent of all resolutions will fail by February. That means only eight percent of us will attain whatever goal it is we set. To make sure your New Year’s Resolutions stick, here are six tips to follow. At the end of the day, your friends here at MMG want to see you make the most out of the rest of this year and beyond.
92 PERCENT OF ALL RESOLUTIONS
WILL FAIL BY FEBRUARY At Least Initially, Don’t Get Too Lofty With Your Goals
You may want a “sky is the limit” mentality in 2019, and we are in no position to tell you differently. But mentally, it’s easier to hit goals and stick with them longer if they are smaller at first. For example, instead of focusing on the big target of losing 100 pounds, start with the first 25-pound mark. As you get closer to hitting that first target, then get more adventurous. Sometimes, this road merely begins by being more active today than you were yesterday. Write Your Goals Down Writing your goals down helps make them real, which leads to accountability. But don’t just write them down and stick them in the bottom of your purse or in a junk drawer – put them on the corner of your desk at work or pin them to the front of your refrigerator door with a magnet. Seeing your goals every day keeps them top of mind and keeps you motivated.
Keep Track of Your Progress Speaking of writing things
down, tracking your progress in a journal or on a calendar
is a great way to stay mindful
of your goals and to see what
type of progress you are making.
Find an Accountability Partner Finding that one person who will hold you
accountable every step of the way, no matter what
your resolution may be, makes keeping
the promises you made to yourself at the beginning of the year so much easier to
achieve. The best accountability partner is someone who is trying to achieve the same goal you are, or has at least been in your shoes before and succeeded.
Create Smart Goals
Remember The reasons Why You Decided to Do This
We mentioned earlier about
If one of your New Year’s
not getting too lofty with
your goal-setting. It’s equally as important to make sure your goals are Specific,
Measurable, Achievable, Results-
Focused, and Time-Bound. New Year’s resolutions have a better chance of
sticking if you are clearly defining what
you are going to do, how you are going to do it, and in how much time.
Resolutions is to quit
smoking, your reasons
for doing so may include being able to have the
energy to play with your kids in the backyard, to keep your house from
smelling bad, and just overall better
health. When you start to lose sight of
your goal, think of the reasons why you got into this to begin with.
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS ARE A GREAT WAY TO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE IN YOUR LIFE
Clearly, this is not an exhaustive list of tips to avoid failing at your New Year’s resolutions. What are some of the tips and tricks that have worked for you over the years? Share them with us, and let’s all help each other be a better version of ourselves in 2019.
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 15
Holiday New Year’s Article
S
T
R
E
S S
GETTING To YOU? by Susan Neuhalfen
‘T
is the season for present-giving, New Year’s resolutions, eating, parties and, of course, family. What should be one big happy couple of weeks can become very stressful. Life in Castle Hills sat down with Wayne Cagle, a licensed professional counselorsupervisor at Lifeworks in Carrollton. Mr. Cagle listed some of biggest contributing factors to holiday stress, but instead of just discussing the problems that arise, he gave solutions as to how to deal with these issues:
Having to be with family tends to be a
really big stressor for many. One may have to have Christmas dinner at her husband’s house but she hates her sister-in-law, etc. How do you cope with family stress? Solution:
Remind yourself that you’re not going to
see the family, you’re going to spend time with your husband and it’s important to
him. Now, pull back and think about who
else will be there. Do you hate all of them? Chances are, you don’t. Reframe your
perception of the idea or activity; stop
focusing on the negative (i.e., your sisterin-law). The stress will not be eliminated,
If you have lost your job, see where you can cut back. Take some time and make a list of all of your expenses monthly, weekly, annually, etc. What can you do without?
will lessen the stress and make the activity
Finally, find out if there is a way to “pass” on some of the Christmas presents this year. In some families, the adults don’t exchange presents. See if that is acceptable within your family.
Problem:
LOSS OF RELATIONSHIPS
baked, it isn’t the end of the world. This
Problem: Many people lose their jobs just before the holidays and there isn’t a lot of hiring going on during the holiday season. This causes an extra amount of stress for people during a time where more money is spent than usual. Solution: We don’t have control over losing a job; we only have control over what we do. Before you find yourself in this situation, take a good look at your lifestyle. If this happened, how long could you survive? Try to take yourself out of debt and, if possible, put some money into an “untouchable” savings account now.
Solution: The good news is that with the passage of time, things get better every year. Instead of turning that moment into grief, celebrate the person you’ve lost. Remember the good times and start a new tradition in order to remember the best in that person. This will help everyone to cope.
16 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
Problem:
but by not focusing on the negative, you
Problem: Whether it be divorce, death, or simply the loss of a relationship, people realize that something is missing during the holidays. With the loss, traditions change, and change is always hard. The thing is, grief doesn’t actually go away, it just changes. Some may not even go into the grief consciously, it’s the holidays that remind them subconsciously.
LOSS OF WORK
FAMILY STRESS
easier. Many times, the things we dread
the most aren’t anywhere near as bad as we think they will be.
STRIVING FOR PERFECTION The perception that you’re a bad person if your children’s Christmas isn’t perfect is hogwash. If the tree isn’t perfectly
trimmed and the cookies aren’t perfectly isn’t a competition. Solution:
Think back to your favorite holidays. Were they great because of a gift? Were they great because the turkey was perfectly cooked? The best gifts are memories.
Try this: let your kids decorate the tree
however they desire and leave that way. The memory of the activity will likely
stand out longer in their memory than a perfectly trimmed tree.
The most important thing to remember,
according to Mr. Cagle, is to focus on the positive. Your expectation automatically assumes reality. Stress cannot be
completely eliminated. You have to have
stress in your life; the trick is to manage it so it doesn’t manage you.
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 17
Ask The Expert: Organizing
Organizing The
P R O C E S S
1. Take the trash out. 2. Put donation boxes in your car. 3. Relocate items to the correct rooms. 4. Make decisions on the revisit items. It’s easy to forget what you own when you can’t see clearly through all the clutter. Once the clutter is gone, you will have a clearer picture. STEP 4 - SORT ALL YOUR “KEEPERS.” At this point, you should only have a keep pile hanging around. Group all like-items together. All pencils together, all t-shirts together, all random cords together, all widgets together, etc. It’s tempting to skip this step, but don’t. Sorting will make step 5 easier.
G
etting organized is a popular New Year’s resolution. This was actually my personal New Year’s
resolution a few years ago. Once I got started, I couldn’t stop! Living decluttered, de-stressed, and simplified is now a way of life for me, and I enjoy teaching others how to do the same. If getting organized is your 2019 resolution, I have an efficient organizing process to share with you. You can use this process with any room in your home. I suggest starting with an area that feels
heavy or stressful to you. You know
that feeling, right? That annoying weight that you can’t exactly pinpoint, but you know it’s there.
STEP 1 - MAKE A MESS.
This sounds counterintuitive, but it’s
necessary to drag everything out and
create one big cluttered pile. It’s easier to deal with the clutter when it’s out in the
open. You may be surprised by the clutter that’s been hiding inside drawers, under beds, and inside boxes.
STEP 2 - SORT YOUR CLUTTER INTO FIVE PILES:
Relocate, revisit, trash, donate,
and keep. The relocate pile consists
of items you want to keep, but don’t
belong in that particular area. The revisit pile should be very small. These are
items you’re having a hard time making
STEP 5 - TIME TO MAKE IT BEAUTIFUL! This is the step we usually see on Pinterest. This is when we get to decide how we are going to display or store everything, but keep in mind that using cute baskets and containers is not going to get you organized. Being organized is about purging and keeping like-items together in smart locations. For instance, it’s smart to store all your spices next to the stove because that is where you use them. Getting organized is about making life more efficient and less stressful. Stay organized all year long by putting everything where it belongs and repeat Steps 1 - 5 at least four times a year. Getting organized is such a great resolution, but staying organized is even better. Overwhelmed? Crystal can guide you through the organizing process and create a personalized organizing plan just for you.
a decision on. Sleep on it and make a
decision tomorrow. The trash, donate, and keep piles are self-explanatory. STEP 3 - DECLUTTER.
After you have completely sorted the clutter, it’s time to get things moving. 18 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
by Crystal Nerpel Cloud Nine Organizing Cloudnineorganizing.com
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 19
Ask The Expert: Lewisville Corner
“Havana Nights” 56th Annual Awards Gala
Lewisville Convention Center at Hilton Garden Inn | 785 TX-121 | Lewisville, TX 75067
Are you interested in becoming a 56th
of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and
questions on advertising opportunities?
Please review the award criteria and
annual Awards Gala Sponsorship or Please contact Corey Koif – corey@ lewisvillechamber.org Award Nominations
Each year the Lewisville Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes its members for the outstanding work that they do
in their business and in the community.
Nominations are now open for the Citizen
Volunteer of the Year for 2018.
submit your nominations by 5pm on Friday, January 12.
Visit http://www.lewisvillechamber.org/
annual-awards-gala to view past Citizens of the Year and photos from the 2018 Annual Awards Gala
To register for tickets, please go to www.
lewisvillechamber.org/annual-awards-gala
STRESSED CARING FOR A LOVED ONE? The care you are looking for is now available in Castle Hills Community this holiday season. During this holiday season, have you noticed a change in your loved one? Do you need assistance with caring for your loved one? At LynnDales, we provide stress relief for the family while maintaining a sense of dignity for the care recipient. “When you need care, our care comes to you”. For any questions on services and rates, contact us at 214.457.3713 or lynndalesdfw@gmail.com 20 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
Photos were submitted by area residents. If you’d like to submit your photos for publication or if you have any questions please email us at artwork@murray-media.com.
photo and info courtesy of The Lewisville Chamber
Friday, February 8th | 7:00pm - 10:00pm| Doors Open at 6pm
photography by Kim Ortiz Photography
on m a n n i Meet C
She is a Vizsla mix, who reached a doggie milestone on Thanksgiving Day...her 17th birthday!
C
innamon’s early life wasn’t easy. She was abandoned in a shopping cart as a puppy, afflicted with various ailments and conditions.
SHERIFF ’S
CORNER T
with Sheriff Tracy Murphree
he Denton County Sheriff’s Office Professional Standards Unit consists of one Captain, a Personnel
Assistant and Administrative Assistant,
Pet Spotlight Cinnamon was adopted by Ken & Sherri Walker on Super Bowl Sunday in 2002, and diligently nursed Cinnamon back to health. Once healthy, her boundless energy and enthusiasm never ceased. She ‘raced’ anyone who ventured into the lap pool, did her best to out-jump everyone off the diving board and tried to climb trees after squirrels. Cinnamon was even instrumental in selecting the right house to buy in Castle Hills. She simply stationed herself in the middle of the backyard, and ‘refused’ to leave. Nowadays, sweet Cinnamon’s activities are more befitting of her age. She patrols the yard’s perimeter deterring unwanted critters and takes long naps in front of the fire.
training, and manages the Denton County
Firearms Training Facility. The unit consists of one Lieutenant, a Training Coordinator, and one Training Deputy. Training is very
important in keeping our skills sharp. We
train mentally and physically every day to maintain the highest mindset. Nothing is
“routine” in Law Enforcement, we all want to make sure we go home to our families after our shift.
into all internal and external applicants
The Quartermaster is responsible for
Office. We are currently hiring Detention
management of uniforms, equipment, and
who apply for positions within the Sheriff’s
the acquisition, maintenance, inventory
Officers to work all shifts. Our Detention
surplus of all Sheriff’s Office personnel
and three Background Investigators.
Officer’s starting pay is $17.36 per hour
to the onboarding and out-processing of
description, requirements, and application
Personnel is the liaison between the
dentoncounty.com/sheriff.
and vehicles. The Quartermaster’s duties
Personnel handles responsibilities related
plus benefits. The Detention Officer Job
all employees within the Sheriff’s Office.
can be found on our website, www.
Sheriff’s Office and Denton County Human
Our Training Unit is responsible for
trailers. The unit consists of one Sergeant
requirements for all the agency’s 600+
employees to be outfitted with the best
maintains all training records, schedules
duties to the best of their ability.
Resources for all fleet, workers comp,
and the first report of injury paperwork. Investigators conduct preliminary
interviews and background investigations
also include the management of the
Sheriff’s Office vehicle fleet. This fleet
includes marked and unmarked patrol
cars, trucks, boats, watercraft, ATVs and
meeting the training needs and
and one Vehicle Outfitter. We expect our
personnel. The Training Unit also
equipment so that they can perform their
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 21
Ask The Expert: Reading
TEACHING
PHONICS
I
s there anyone else out there old enough to remember the “Hooked on Phonics worked for me” commercial tagline? These educational materials are still popular and do a stellar job giving children a solid foundation of early literacy support, but there are likely many parents who dismiss the program as unnecessary.
school systems aren’t trained to teach phonics. According to an article written by APM
Reports and later published by The Hechinger Report,
children who don’t learn to read by the end of third grade are likely to remain poor readers for the rest of their lives.
schools too often leave out a
key piece of the reading puzzle because teachers aren’t trained to teach phonics.
We’ll get back to that article in a second. But first …
If you have a child at The Reading Ranch® Tutorial Center, you probably have heard the term phonics thrown around quite a bit. Phonics is a method of teaching
reading and writing by correlating sounds
The article goes on to point out that the starting point for reading is sound. Children must figure out how the words they are hearing and know how to speak correlate to the letters on the page.
According to experts, research indicates that phonemic awareness is the best predictor of the ease of early reading acquisition – better even than IQ, vocabulary, and listening comprehension. Phonological awareness is not only correlated with learning to read, but it is the foundational ability underlying the learning of spellingsound correspondences.
with letters or groups of letters. More
than just giving kids lots of books and
hoping that practice will make them better readers, phonics is a tool to help them hear and sound out new words.
22 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
The article states that more than 60 percent of American fourth-graders are not proficient readers, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress. Furthermore, children who don’t learn to read by the end of third grade are likely to remain poor readers for the rest of their lives. These are statistics we preach all the time at The Reading Ranch.
Phonics is a critical piece in reversing that trend because the brain is NOT wired to read. It is wired to speak, which And why? Well, that’s what teachers is why language is so much easier for us at school are for – to teach our kids to pick up at an early age. If your parents how to read. speak English, you will undoubtedly pick it up quickly. It’s the same thing for any It’s widely assumed that teachers have all other language. But the the answers, but believe it ability to read is an entirely or not, even the best ones Furthermore, different skillset. currently leading the charge in our private and public
Phonics is a method of teaching reading and writing by correlating sounds with letters or groups of letters.
Once beginning readers have some awareness of phonemes and their corresponding graphic representations, further reading instruction heightens their awareness of language, assisting them in developing the later stages of phonemic awareness; thus the process of learning to read begins.
by Kim Southwell, Ph.D. Founder, Owner & Director Reading Ranch Tutorial Center www.readingranch.com
photo courtesy of Gene Carey Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
PET ADOPTION Hi my name is Sunny,
I am about 1 1/2 years old. I am a very sweet, friendly gal and would love to meet you. I walk great on a leash and would make a good running buddy. Come by today and get to know me! All of the adoptable pets at the Gene Carey Animal Shelter and Adoption Center are sterilized, up-to-date on vaccinations, tested for heartworm or FELV/FIV (if applicable) and microchipped. Their hours are 10:00-5:00 Monday thru Friday and 1:00-5:00 on Saturdays. Call for more information 972.219.3478. DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 23
New Year’s Article
TIPS FOR DEFYING
Holiday Weight Gain by Dianna Rissell
24 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
E
very year, just before Thanksgiving, my gym hangs a poster that reads: the average person gains 5-8 lbs over the holidays. Bah Humbug!
I’ve read enough to know that this probably isn’t accurate. It seems to be one of those frequently cited stats that has “stuck”, much like old wives’ tales do. We’ve said it so often that we believe it and we forget where it came from or what it’s based on. It’s great advertising for gym memberships (and nutrition coaches!) but recent studies refute it. Yet knowing all of this only soothes the sting of that sign a little. Because, while we can debate the ‘5-8 lbs’ – FYI it’s probably closer to 1-2 lbs -- we have to agree that weight gain over the holidays is real: we gain more weight at the holidays than at any other time of the year; most of us never successfully lose what we gain, leading to weight creep (gaining 10-20 lbs per decade); and if you are already overweight, you risk gaining more than the average and 5-8 lbs may be very real for you. The specifics of the gym sign may be misleading or inflated but it’s a Public Service Announcement! So, in the face of the Christmas parties, family get-togethers and ‘feasts for weeks’, how do you beat the odds and survive the holidays, current healthier weight intact?
GENERAL TIPS 1
8
Lap the entire buffet table before putting any food on your plate. Check
out everything there is to eat before serving yourself. Make choices.
Be realistic. Work to maintain your current weight rather than setting unrealistic, stressful goals to lose weight.
you to stand up every 30 minutes or so. The other sign in my gym says so.
9
Stress contributes significantly to weight gain. Be mindful of what causes you the most stress and find work arounds. Hate shopping at a crowded mall? Use online shopping. Frazzled by doing all of the cooking? Hire a caterer. Make the holidays about bringing people together versus the best gifts or the best food at the expense of your health.
Headed out to a party?
the other stuff. Picture proteins and fresh
2
3
Respect your routine including eating breakfast, working out and getting good sleep during the holidays. If you do these things today, do your best to maintain them during the holiday. Routines reduce stress.
4
Keep moving. It’s probably not the right time to start working out if it stresses you out. But moving throughout the day is important now and always…no gym needed. Set your watch to remind
Take a walk. Sitting is the new smoking.
5
Set a plan before you go to the party. Are you abandoning yourself to the
full celebration, all of the food and alcohol available? You won’t if you think about it first. Amazing how this works!
6
Drink. Water. It’s filling. It will help you cut back on mindless grazing if you put
a glass in your dominant hand. And it will reduce the impact of alcohol. Alternate a
glass of water with every glass of alcohol. Start with water. I serve ice water in a
glass pitcher with unpeeled thin slices of cucumber with whole fresh raspberries.
Go for the proteins. Chicken skewers, grilled shrimp, brisket and cheeses
are probably better choices than most of foods like veggies and fruit on 80% of
your plate to feed your hunger. A couple of bites of Grandma’s sweet potato
casserole – because she only makes it once a year and she’s 90 –and other
special holiday goodies can be on the
other 20%. Keep in mind that 95% of taste satisfaction is in the first 3 bites.
10
You do you. You decide the role food plays in your holiday and
don’t allow others to decide it for you. Be present in other ways: Praise your hosts. Work the room. Lead the carols. Gather
It’s beautiful on the table, in your glass.
everyone for a game. We could all benefit
7
the gathering of family and friends over
Everyone will want some.
Eat before. Don’t show up hungry and never save yourself for the big meal by
not eating all day.
from more importance being placed on food. No calories in that.
You’ve got this! Happy healthier holidays!
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 25
Hebron Hawks
EARLY SIGNING PERIOD 2018
A
nother signing day is in the books for Hebron High School, and once again, a slew of prospects in multiple sports are moving on to the next level. The Hawks had nine athletes ready and eager to sign on the dotted line at a
special ceremony on Nov. 14, which marked the first day of the early signing period for all sports except football. That list was highlighted by six baseball players, including Drake Boggan, who signed with Tarleton State and Diego Johnson, who penned a deal with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
by Steve Gamel Not to be outdone, the Lady Hawks’ volleyball team had a trio of standouts extend their careers to the college level. Emma Clothier signed with Florida State while Jessica Stancliff (UT-Arlington) and Kassandra Ortega (TWU) opted to stay close to home. Hebron came into this season having won three straight Class 6A state titles. While they couldn’t make it to state for a fourth year in a row, the Lady Hawks still made the playoffs in what was widely considered a rare rebuilding year. Below is a list of the nine Hawks who participated in the early signing period ceremonies on Nov. 14.
Holiday WORSHIP SERVICES
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH THE COLONY Christmas Eve Family Service of Light with Communion Service December 24th: 5:00PM Candlelight & Communion Service December 24th: 7PM & 11PM www.fumctc.org 4901 Paige Rd. • The Colony, TX 75056 26 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH LEWISVILLE Christmas Eve Candlelight Service December 24th: 9:30AM & 5PM www.fbclewisville.org
1251 Valley Ridge Blvd • Lewisville, TX 75077
VOLLEYBALL Emma Clothier, Florida State Jessica Stancliff, UT-Arlington Kassandra Ortega, Texas Woman’s University BASEBALL Drake Boggan, Tarleton State Aiden Davis, Angelo State Diego Johnson, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Braeton Matthews, Eastern New Mexico Camden Matthews, Eastern New Mexico Dakotah Mote, Sterling College
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH THE COLONY Candlelight Christmas Eve Service December 24th: 5:00PM www.fbcthecolony.org
4800 S Colony Blvd • The Colony, TX 75056
FIRST BAPTIST CARROLLTON Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship Service December 24th: 5:00PM www.fbcc.org 2400 N Josey Ln. • Carrollton, TX 75006
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 27
Ask The Expert: Edit This
DON’T LET APOSTROPHES
RUIN YOUR FAMILY
HOLIDAY CARDS T
he holiday season is upon us, which means it’s time to get those family cards in the mail asap.
As the resident writer and editor, this is your friendly last-second reminder that before you send them out, make sure you do a final glance over to make sure you didn’t put an unnecessary apostrophe in your family’s last name. Trust me; it’s a massive grammar faux pas.
If you really don’t think you can remember all of this in the crunch, another option is to avoid the scenario altogether and write around it! “Merry Christmas from the Gamel Family!”
Here’s an example of what I’m talking about: WRONG: Merry Christmas from the Gamel’s CORRECT: Merry Christmas from the Gamels While the correct version admittedly looks a little weird to most people, using the apostrophe actually makes your last name possessive. I see this mistake being made time and time again, so I thought, why not give a quick tutorial just in case you’ve fallen into this trap once again. If the last letter of your last name ends in a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, t, u, v, w, y ... simply add an s to the end of your name. Examples: *The Murrays *The Meltons *The Wallaces If the last letter of your last name ends in s, x, z, ch, sh ... add an es to the end. Examples: *The Joneses *The Gonzalezes *The Maddoxes 28 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
by Steve Gamel Edit This 469.360.3611 EditThisLLC.com
DECEMBER 2018 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | 29
Castle Hills Native
WINS PRESTIGIOUS BUSINESS AWARD by Steve Gamel
C
ongratulations are in order for former Castle Hills resident Andy Hernandez, who was recently
named Entrepreneur of the Year at a
winner of the award, owns CTA Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation, a familyowned and operated business that is now considered a leader in luxury ground
Luxury Coach Transportation-National
Limousine Association trade show and convention in Atlantic City.
travel to any destination around the world. Started in 2014, CTA’s revenues reached $3 million by 2017. They currently have
The annual event recognizes the
humanitarian, charity, and entrepreneurial activities of limousine operators from
across the nation. Hernandez, a first-time
offices in San Antonio and Austin. “I was very humbled and appreciative of this award,” Andy said.
Andy, a 2004 graduate of Antonian High School, got his start in the profession in 2006 by helping his father, Tony, grow his business, A-1 Limousine and Sedan Service. By 2014, the family had sold that business and formed CTA, with Andy as the managing partner. To date, the company employs almost 50 people, 27 of those being full-time. CTA also has a strong affiliate network of companies it works with to ensure quality and commitment to service. All the while, Andy has been insistent on maintaining what he calls a family business. Tony is now semi-retired, but is always available to discuss industry trends with his son and give guidance where he can. Andy’s mother, Cathy, sold her transcribing business when CTA was formed and serves as the company’s CFO. The Ford Motor Company was the sponsor of this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year award. And by the looks of it, this could be the first of many awards for Andy moving forward.
H
by Steve Gamel
ebron High School senior wide receiver Trejan Bridges dominated opponents all season long with his speed and athleticism, so it should come as no surprise that he’s now being recognized as one of the top players in the country.
Bridges, an Oklahoma commit and the No. 6 receiver in the 2019 class, was named a 2019 All-American during a school pep rally on Nov. 12 and has been invited to participate in the 19th edition of the AllAmerican Bowl, slated to be played on Jan. 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Per a press release from All American
The bowl will be nationally televised on NBC at noon and will feature the nation’s Top 100 high school football players.
the All-American Bowl are unparalleled,
30 | LIFE IN CASTLE HILLS | DECEMBER 2018
Games, The All-American Bowl is the
most watched, most talked about, and
most prestigious high school all-star event with more than 4,500,000 unique annual television viewers and over 35,000 in
attendance. The history and tradition of
as NFL players past and present, including Odell Beckham Jr., Andrew Luck, Jalen
Ramsey, Tim Tebow, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Peterson, Joe Thomas, and Tua Tagovailoa all made their national debuts on NBC during the All-American Bowl. Trejan led the Hawks to the playoffs this season. Through 10 regular-season games, he racked up 615 receiving yards, 426 rushing yards, and 15 total touchdowns. He was Hebron’s leading receiver and averaged 14 yards per catch.
photo courtesy of 247 Sports
HEBRON WIDE RECEIVER NAMED ALL-AMERICAN