MAY 18, 2018 - JUNE 15, 2018
‘COMFORT’ Is Still Our Middle Name
2018 Home
TRENDS
Father's Day
OUTINGS
INSTANT REPLAY FOR UIL
STATE GAMES
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LEWISVILLE, TX PERMIT NO. 977
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 3
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 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
Boots & Blessings Gala The Fourth Annual Boots & Blessings Gala took place on Saturday, April 21, 2018 at Austin Ranch at Hilton DFW Lakes to benefit Ally’s Wish. The Flower Moundbased organization grants wishes such as trips to Disney World or helicopter rides over the Grand Canyon to mothers battling terminal illnesses, so they may create lasting memories with their children and loved ones. photo courtesy of Bob Manzano
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 5
LantanaLiving.com
Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray
Administration Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne
Writer & Editor Steve Gamel
Advertising
René Santana rene@murray-media.com
Production
Art Director Liz Wallace Graphic Designers Caroline Brock Stephanie Hansen Savannah Halfmann
Photography
ANM Photography 940.595.0499 www.ANMPhoto.com
Hey,
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
A
s I hopped into bed after a day of Church and hanging out with family, my wife leaned over, kissed
me on the cheek, and said, "Hey! Happy Anniversary!" Like most guys, I hesitated for just a second to internally think this potentially awkward situation through. Wait? Did I forget our anniversary? No! That was earlier in March. Whew! But if
Letters
Lantana Living invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments. Email artwork@murray-media.com. All submissions become the sole property of Murray Media Group. Editorial and Advertising Inquiries call 972.899.3637 or email artwork@murray-media.com www.murray-media.com Address: 3513 Yucca Dr., Ste. 200 Flower Mound, TX 75028 Lantana Living 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. Lantana
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. © 2018 Murray Media Group
that's the case, what anniversary is she talking about? "What anniversary, honey?" I finally said out loud.
So, what is Edit This? Edit This is a writing and editing services company in Denton County. I help small-business owners find the right words to communicate
with their customers, and I do so in a
variety of ways, including blogs, content writing for websites, press releases, and so much more.
I also do a ton of freelance writing, which ultimately led to an opportunity to team
up with Murray Media Group. From what you will be able to see from reading
through the remaining pages of this
magazine, they clearly keep me very busy.
look on her face. "It's been four years."
I enjoy getting to meet and write about
She was right. Apparently, I had mentioned the upcoming anniversary of my writing and editing company a day or two earlier, but naturally, I forgot when the day came. And who could blame me? It fell on April 1, the same day as Easter and
business owners and residents in this
community, and I can’t wait to tell your
story next. We hope you enjoy reading this month’s magazine. If you’ve got a story you’d like to see, send me an email at steve@murray-media.com.
April Fools Day.
In the meantime, thank you for all the love
"Oh yeah," I said. "Thanks! It's been a fun
looks bright!
ride so far." I've been a writer and editor for a little more than 20 years, but when I went off on my own four years ago (April 1, 2014), Edit This was a very small, niche thing. through the grace of God, my dream
| MAY 2018
dreams – and we're only four years in!!
"For Edit This®," she said with a surprised
I had no idea if it would catch on. Well,
6 | LANTANA LIVING
company has grown beyond my wildest
and support over the years. The future
Sincerely, Steve Gamel
Writer & Editor steve@murray-media.com
TABLE OF
CONTENTS THIS MONTH: We’re focusing on home design. Look for the icon to read the best ways to get your interior / exterior home in shape.
32
On the Cover: Jamie Mergell, BJ Lloyd, Robert McDaniel, Ken Lancaster, Steve Stewart, Shane Dendy & Veronica Mapp
FEATURED:
'Comfort' Is Still Our Middle Name ASK THE EXPERTS
50 EDITORS PICK:
Are You Networking? Well, You Should Be!
ARTICLES
12 Home Design with ML Group
05 Boots and Blessings Gala
30 Ideas for Father’s Day Outings
16 Counseling with Acorn
08 A Legacy of Excellence
36 Local Talent: Isaac Littleton
24 Fitness with Jesse James 28 Pest Control with Mosquito Joe
10 Lady Wildcats Excited for Future
38 Foodie Friday of DFW : Mazzola’s Pizzeria
34 Makeover with Cloud 9
14 Not Another Tie
48 Gardening with Complete Solutions
18 Summertime Blues or Summertime Cruise?
42 Spring Fling Fashion Show A Smashing Success
54 Edit This with Steve Gamel 56 Dentistry with Country Lakes Dental PHOTOS FROM LANTANA 04 You Submit We Print 39 Blanton Elementary Fun Run 2018 52 Speak Life Annual Gala
20 Inside Community 21 Inside Education
44 All-District Soccer 6-6A 46 7 Ways to Upgrade Your Backyard 53 Head Lice: Lantana Pediatrics
22 2018 Home Trends
58 Water Polo Highlights
26 Instant Replay for State Title Games
60 Guyer’s Bright Young Artist Recognized
27 The Weight Loss Secret for Baby Boomers
62 New NCAA Rule Changes Recruiting MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 7
A LEGACY Of by Steve Gamel
F
our years ago, Yvonne Estes had no clue what the Texas Leadership Salute was or anything about its
history. All she knew was her son, Joe, was in line to win a college scholarship and
received a professional photo shoot out of the deal.
Today, Estes not only is the driving force
behind the program, but she has selflessly
All scholarship and portrait dollars are
beginnings under the direction of Mr.
businesses and various donors. The
servicing only Denton High School to as
raised and made available from area
program, which was started in 1984 by
photographer Don Barnes and wife, Dee, originally awarded one $500 scholarship. Estes has expanded the program to $1,500 split between two first-place winners and two runner-ups.
taken ownership of what was once a small
This year’s winners were Nathan Hardwick
down over the last 34 years by area
Swastika Sah from Denton High School.
concept graciously operated and passed photographers to showcase the good
deeds and amazing accomplishments of area high school students. “When I go to bed
at night, I’m usually
thinking about what
made me happy that
day,” Estes said. “This makes me happy.”
from Flower Mound High School and
Jackson Crandall of Frisco Reedy and
Abbey Harrison from Lake Dallas were the two runner-ups. Estes, the proud
That servant attitude is what makes Estes the perfect person to carry on such a long-standing tradition.
The mission of the
Texas Leadership Salute is to celebrate and showcase high school leaders in
the North Texas area with their families,
owner of Yvonne
Estes Photography
Barnes, the program has grown from
many as 12, including Lake Dallas, Guyer, and Argyle.
Estes took the reins this year, following in
the footsteps of her photography mentor Peter Horn. He and wife, Marla, had
operated TLS for approximately 10 years, and Peter helped guide Estes – a former educator of 20 years – as she looked
to chase her passion for photography. When Mrs. Horn mentioned that they
were thinking about passing the TLS torch to a new photographer, Estes was their obvious choice.
in Hickory Creek,
“I remember telling them that I didn’t have
a total of 280
give it to me,” Estes said.”
said there were
any money to buy it, but they wanted to
applicants this year.
Estes said the next step is to continue
That list was whittled down to 98 before
final selections were made.
expanding the program as a 501c3, which would allow bigger companies to jump
on as sponsors in the coming years. After
“It’s hard work, but I wanted to do more,”
all, the students she acknowledges have
doing things for people and seeing that
to what they can do with their future.
Estes said. “I get more pleasure from
proven the sky is the limit when it comes
smile and getting the thank yous than I do
Why not reach for the stars with Texas
when they pay money.”
Leadership Salute?
and a portrait display as a tangible
That servant attitude is what makes Estes
“This is important to me, and it obviously
leadership and academic achievements.
long-standing tradition. From its humble
doing it if it didn’t.”
educators, peers, and others who may not know them in the community.
TLS aims to recognize one or more
outstanding students with a scholarship acknowledgment of their high school
8 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
the perfect person to carry on such a
drives me,” Estes said. “I don’t think I’d be
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 9
LADY WILDCATS
Future
excited for
by Steve Gamel
A
fter winning just four games and finishing at the bottom of District 6-6A a year ago, it appears the
Guyer girls soccer team is back and ready to build on a breakout 2018 season.
The Lady Wildcats, who won a state title in 2013, enter this offseason feeling like they have reclaimed a little bit of that
championship swagger after winning
14 games and making the playoffs for the first time in three seasons. Though that playoff run was cut short – Guyer lost in
the first round to Trophy
Club Byron Nelson – they believe the sky is the
limit moving forward. “We’re not completely
over the loss, but I can’t
ask for much more from
these girls after a season like that,”
first-year coach Mandy Hall said. “As they started playing and winning, and people started noticing, it was great to see them really take ownership of the program.
Hall, a former goalkeeper at the University of North Texas who went on to begin
her coaching career at Lake Dallas and
Denton Braswell, had her work cut out for
19 goals. Sami Gomez and Olivia Ramirez added seven each to help lead a talented offensive lineup.
her this season. Despite her successes,
Hall said the most impressive thing was
level and was taking over a program
boggling stats while competing against
postseason experience. All she did was
to offer.
she had never coached at the Class 6A
watching her team achieve all those mind-
that didn’t have a single player with
some of the toughest teams Class 6A had
lead the Lady Wildcats to wins in eight of
their first nine games while going
on to win eight district games. Some of those district wins included victories over Plano East, McKinney Boyd, and Plano. In
district, the Lady Wildcats
racked up four shutouts
while allowing just one goal
four times.
“From the very beginning, everything
worked out well,” Hall said. “These
girls were able to buy-in and trust me
early, and it was great to see them grow together throughout the year.”
“You’re talking about teams that had top, talented players sitting on their bench,” Hall said. “The depth in Class 6A was unlike anything I’ve ever seen, and it was a learning experience for me. But these girls, having played at an elite level with their club teams, were used to it. They had that mentality that every game mattered, and you couldn’t take nights off.” Hall added, “Amber had a phenomenal season, and you can say the same thing about defenders like Cat Klein. You can’t replace players like that,” Hall said. “The seniors adapted early, and I think really did a great job inspiring the younger
“I told them the Guyer name had to mean
Including its lone playoff game, Guyer
group. We may be losing seven girls [to
it began to.”
Lyons, a UNT signee, led the team with
It’s a really good group.”
something to them. And over the season,
10 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
scored 61 goals while allowing 24. Amber
graduation], but we have 16 coming back.
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 11
Ask The Expert: Home Design
Need
CURB
APPEAL?
Focus On The Porch First
W
hen it comes to any home upgrade, one of the first places we as homeowners turn to for change is the interior. We’ll load up on new light fixtures, buy new furniture, choose a warmer shade of paint, install granite countertops, hardwood floors, and switch out older appliances for stainless steel.
• Enhance details, like adding cedar or
But what about the outside of the home –
At the ML Group, Inc., we design for
project, so start small. And in terms of
has changed over the years. Here are
accomplished by repurposing the money
our “curb appeal?”
You’re probably thinking, “Well geez, Mike! There are a million directions I
could go with that. It’s overwhelming.”
It’s true there are a billion design ideas to enhance the outside appearance of your
home, from subtle changes like improved
landscaping and a charming new mailbox
the way you live – even if your style
just a few crafty and budget-friendly architectural tips to give that older,
outdated porch a much-needed facelift. •
Change the style or color of your
front door by painting it; use different hardware or buy a new door.
to those that completely alter the facade.
• Add appropriate light fixtures to match
But how about starting with the porch?
the desired style you are going for.
Think about it: a porch is the first thing
• Enhance architectural details to the
visitors see when they walk up to your
house. I’d venture to guess it was probably the first thing you noticed when you
bought your house. You hesitated to do
anything about it then, so why not now? 12 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
metal accents, corbeling, or shutters. We realize the thought of beefing up your curb appeal can feel like an overwhelming budgets, many of these ideas can be you would normally be happy to spend redefining the interior of your home. The ML Group is not just a build-fromthe-ground-up architect. Our reputation for creativity, experience, attention to detail, and sensitivity to economics and environmental issues consistently delivers results. Give us a call today!
ceiling (bead board, dropped beams, or a pattern like herringbone).
• Change the look by staining or scoring the concrete floor. Most builders start by using plain concrete.
by Mike Love ML Group, LLC. 972.355.8700 MLGroupTexas.com
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 13
by Steve Gamel
F
ather’s Day is approaching quickly – it’s on June 17, by the way. So with that said, what do you plan to get the “old man” this year? You could go with another tie or a pair of those fancy moisture-wicking socks you saw at Dick’s Sporting Goods. But will he be happy with that?
Odds are – he won’t. We scoured the Internet and put together a short list of popular 2018 gift ideas for dear old Dad. Even if this list isn’t perfect, these gifts ARE better than another tie. A good, old-fashioned spa treatment There are plenty of local salons and spas, etc. that cater to both men and women who simply need a little pampering. Another option is the Boardroom Salon for Men in Highland Village. For an affordable price, Dad can kick the traditional barbershop experience to the curb for a day and get the presidential treatment on haircuts, shaves, and spa services.
Amazon Echo or Echo Dot It seems like you can’t go wrong these days with tech-conscious gifts. Did you know you can get an Amazon Echo or the smaller Echo Dot for less than $200? Think of how much fun he’ll have with these gadgets, which can play his favorite tunes, read the local news, and control appliances. Plus, it’s a gift for the entire family – just don’t tell Dad about your ulterior motive.
14 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
Concert Tickets, Sporting events Treat Dad to a day at the ballpark watching the Rangers do their thing (hopefully winning). There are also plenty of concert and event options at American Airlines Center or even Bass Hall in Fort Worth. Want to go crazy and get out of town, make a weekend trip out of state to go see his favorite band. That’s a memory worth creating. Personalized travel case Have a Dad who travels a lot for work or likes to go on various outdoor adventures? He’ll love a personalized travel case for all his essentials, and most can be purchased for less than $100. Gift Cards – lots of them Let’s face it, sometimes Dad is the most simplistic human being on the planet. He doesn’t want or need fancy trips, the spa treatment, or even a trip to watch the Rangers. Sometimes all it takes is two or three quality gift cards. Not only does that show you care, but it gives him the choice of what to get himself for Father’s Day.
A Round or two of golf You live in Denton County, right? There are dozens of golf courses all around you, from Lantana Golf Course and Oakmont Country Club to Bridlewood, the Golf Club at Castle Hills. So, treat him to a round of golf, maybe even offer to be his caddy for the day. If he’s played all those courses, you won’t have problems finding options outside the immediate area.
Grilling tools or accessories Guys love to grill, and since summertime is practically upon us, a great idea would be to make sure Dad gets an upgrade on his utensils and various grill master accessories. This can be anything from utensils to kegerators, wood pellets, pans and racks, and new rubs and sauces. You can find them anywhere, including local stores like Grill This BBQ Supply in Denton.
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 15
Ask The Expert: Counseling
PARENTING
eam AS A
T
he phone slams down. Hands shaking, you go to the kitchen and get a drink of water. I can’t believe he is already remarrying and introducing our child to her. She’d better not try to be their Mom!
Divorce and blended families are difficult on the emotions, but I’ve learned some
things about blended families that might help you.
Single parenthood is very difficult emotionally, logistically, and
financially. Usually, someone has to help out.
At each change like dating, engagement, marriage, and new baby, the
stress in the co-parenting relationship goes up. Be
Good stepparents don’t make decisions or rules but help enforce them.
prepared, cope ahead, and get some counseling to
help you and your kids. Good stepparents don’t make decisions
or rules but help enforce them. This makes parenting as a team much easier, actually. The stepparent can nurture and focus on the relationship, and you have a live-in
counselor/mentor. For many of my clients, the stepparent who stays out of the
conflict between Mom and Dad can be a lifesaver. 16 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
No one else is Mom or Dad. A child can go without seeing their parent for years, or have a really great stepparent, but they will always have a spot for their biological parent. No one can take Mom’s spot. I’ve seen the fear from Moms and Dads that they will be or could be replaced. This fear drives a lot of terrible behavior and decisions. But it is absolutely misplaced. The relationship between the child and the parent may not be perfect, but it is always there. Need some help with your blended family? I’ve worked with complicated families for 17 years. Call me, and we can talk for a few minutes. Maybe you need to come in; maybe you just need a book to read. Call me at 940.222.8703 x 700. by Christy Graham LPC Play Therapist Supervisor Acorn Counseling Services 940.222.8703 acorncounseling.services
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 17
Summertime Blues or
SUMMERTIME
CRUISE? by Charla Bradshaw, KoonsFuller Family Law
W
e’ve all heard the Alan Jackson song “Summertime Blues”: “Sometimes I wonder what I’m a gonna do, but there ain’t no cure for the summertime blues”. Nor is there a cure for a difficult ex-spouse! A difficult ex-spouse can make it impossible for a divorced parent to travel with their child. This is because the other parent’s consent is necessary to obtain or renew a passport for a child or for a child to travel out of the country. If the proper provisions for obtaining a passport for a child and for a child to travel out of the country are not in the court order, then a difficult ex-spouse can prevent the child from traveling.
Some divorced parents can be difficult for the sake of being difficult and
unfortunately, passports and travel are an area where we see it a lot. Such difficult parents usually do not have a legitimate reason for preventing the travel and do so to get back at the other parent. Unfortunately, many final custody orders do not contain provisions regarding obtaining a passport for a child or consent to travel out of the country. The rules for obtaining a passport for a child and for a child to travel out of the country have become very strict. In order to obtain court ordered provisions for passports and out-of-the-country travel, this will require the traveling parent to return to court to obtain such orders. Unless there are strong reasons why a child should not travel out of the country, for example medical reasons, dangerous travel conditions, etc. the courts will more than likely issue orders to obtain a passport and allow the child to travel out of the country. Minors under the age of 16 cannot apply for a passport by themselves. Both parents/guardians must appear
by a signed, notarized “Form DS-3053:
applying parent/guardian.
In addition, many airlines require a “Letter of Consent” to be signed by the
If the minor only has one parent/guardian,
other parent no matter what the court
the minor must be submitted with the
require a parent to sign such a letter.
evidence of sole authority to apply for
orders say. Part of the court’s order would
application in the form of a:
Even if the traveling parent has a passport
•
U.S. or foreign birth certificate,
Consular Report of Birth Abroad,
or adoption decree, listing only the applying parent •
Court order granting sole legal custody to the applying parent
(unless the child’s travel is restricted by that order) •
Court order specifically permitting
applying parent’s travel with the child
•
Judicial declaration of incompetence
•
Death certificate of the
of the non-applying parent non-applying parent
for the child, most airlines still require this letter. When a mother’s name is not the same as their child’s name, this can cause extra problems at the airport. Any divorcing mother desiring to change her name should consider making the child’s last name their middle name if they ever plan to travel out of the country with their child. The laws are becoming stricter and it is uncertain what the future holds in this regard. Any divorced parent desiring to travel out of the country with a child needs to ask for passport and travel orders in their final orders. And, any parent desiring to travel
“Sole legal custody” is one of the
should ask the other parent in plenty of
a passport without the other parent’s
to obtain such passport and travel orders.
requirements for a parent to obtain
consent, however most custody orders do not contain sole legal custody, but rather joint custody (termed “joint
conservatorship” in Texas). Unless the order says “sole managing
conservatorship” then the traveling parent will not be able to obtain a passport without the other parent’s consent.
time in case they need to return to court Acting early can lead to the Summertime Cruise rather than the Summertime Blues!
www.koonsfuller.com Denton
320 West Eagle Dr., Suite 200 • Denton, TX 76201 (940) 442.6677 • (940) 442.6671 fax Principal Office in Dallas
Sponsored Content
in person with the minor and provide consent, authorizing passport issuance to the minor. If one parent/guardian is unable to appear in person, then the DS-11 application must be accompanied
Statement of Consent” from the non-
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 19
INSIDE COMMUNITY Kids getting anxious and ready to splash around? You’re in luck, the pools are finally open and look who was caught in the Lantana Community Pool! If you haven’t noticed Lantana has not one but FIVE pools to choose from, including 2 junior Olympicsize pools. The water spray park at the South Amenity Center is filled with whimsical moveable features and plenty of space to allow children to have fun in full view of adults at the pool.
BARTONVILLE 7-ELEVEN After meeting, the town’s Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously to
recommend approval of the proposed 7-Eleven gas station and convenience store. The 7-Eleven would be located just South of Marty B’s restaurant, off of FM 407 and I.T. Neely Drive. It will provide a much needed service to the area as drivers won’t have to go as far to fuel up their cars. The final vote will take place at the next Planning & Zoning meeting.
FLU IN DENTON COUNTY
RACE WITH GRACE 5K
Denton County Public Health reported the thirteenth influenza-
Grace Like Rain will be hosting a 5K Color Run on June
associated death in the county for the 2017-2018 flu season.
2, 2018 at 9am. The race will take place in the Harvest
Although the number of positive flu cases has decreased since
Community of Argyle, Texas. The 5k will be followed by a
February, this recent death proves that the influenza virus is still
color splash party at 11am. This event will also have food
a serious health concern. Weekly Denton County flu
trucks, bounce houses, and fun for the entire family. For more
surveillance reports and additional information is available at
information and tickets visit www.glrtx.org.
www.DentonCounty.com/flu.
Photo courtesy of ©MIHAI ANDRITOIU/123RF.COM
20 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
Photo courtesy of Jan Parks
THE POOLS ARE OPEN!
INSIDE EDUCATION GUYER GRADUATION INFO May 25th 2018 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at UNT Coliseum 600 Ave. D., Denton, TX Parking is available on the west side of the Coliseum off North Texas Boulevard. Handicapped parking spaces are available along Avenue D on the east side of the Coliseum.
COMMON SENSE SCHOOL
PHOTOS
Harpool Middle School has become an official Common Sense School this year. It means that they have integrated Common Sense Media principles that include being a responsible “Digital Citizen”. The term Digital Citizen, applies to how students interact with new social technologies in a safe, smart and ethical manner. The program teaches internet safety, privacy and security, communication, how to deal with cyberbullying and drama, as well as how to deal with their digital footprint and reputation.
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL
SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP
All schools will close early on Wednesday,
After receiving double the amount of essays
May 23rd and Thursday, May 24th. The last
from eligible Seniors this year, Guyer was
day of school is May 24th. For early release times please see below: Elementary: 7:40 am - 12:00 pm Middle School: 8:15 am - 12:30 pm High School: 8:50 am - 1:05 pm
able to select the recipients of the Guyer PTSA Senior Scholarship Award. A 4th place Scholarship award was added after a tie between 2 students. The recipients are: 1st ($1000) Taylor Cox, 2nd ($500) Diego Solis, 3rd ($500) Mackenzie Erickson, 4th ($250) Kathryn Cowan, 4th ($250) Andrew Winn.
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.
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 21
22 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
Home Home Design Article
2018
TRENDS by Madison Reid
A
s the years pass, we know styles are always changing. Now, this does not only apply to clothes and cars and things as such. It also applies to the changing trends of our homes. A lot of people take pride in their home and how beautiful it looks or how big it is. As the new year rolls in, there are different preferences to what the stylish home trends are when it comes to remodeling in North Texas. Interior Home Trends Home trends 2018 are filled with fun and daring differences. First off, if not most importantly, the kitchen. It is official that white themed kitchens are out, and a more modern looking kitchen is desired. You can get this modern looking kitchen with the incorporation of stainless-steel appliances or soft colored wooden cabinets. In the past we have seen cabinets in dark or light brown, but this year grey is the new brown. The incorporation of these two features alone can have your kitchen looking up to date and stylish. An upcoming trend that may be a bit unexpected is floral print. There has been a huge increase in the popularity of floral print recently. In order to successfully incorporate this into your home, you have to be sure to not use too much.
Keep it subtle, such as a floral throw pillow or floral curtains. This can add a nice tone to the room overall. Exterior Home Trends As there are changing trends of the interior of your home, there are also new exterior trends. Some outdoor trends that are becoming popular in 2018 are outdoor kitchens and beautiful patio furniture. In order to incorporate a lot of the 2018 trends, it is good to have a nice canvas. Xeriscaping, is a new trend in North Texas. Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation and ends hassle of daily watering. Another trend we are seeing a lot of are sun shades. Sun shades are a great way to allow you to use your outdoor space even when the 100 degree temperatures arrive. They not only provide shade from the sun, but they are also a great way to protect your outdoor furniture from the scorching sun and prevent fading. When it comes to the outdoors, it is nice to have thick wood and soft tones when it comes to your furniture and pops of color to brighten up the space. Gone are the days of only having an outdoor table and a few chairs. Today we are seeing everything from complete living room suites to even outdoor beds. Whatever your taste is home improvements in North Texas are proving to be a solid investment. MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 23
Ask The Expert: Fitness
by Jesse J. Leyva, Owner of Jesse James Fit, Outlaw Bootcamp & Outlaw Fit Camp JesseJamesFit.com • OutlawBootcamp.com
B
athing suit season is right around the corner. Are you ready? Most people want to slim down before
baring it all, so I’m here to warn you of
the 5 Flat Tummy Myths that could waste your time:
Myth #1: Do extra crunches to flatten
your abs Excessive crunches aren’t the
answer for tight abs. To achieve a toned look, you’ll have to focus on burning
off the layer of fat that is covering up your tummy.
Tip: Don’t obsess about crunches instead focus on fat burning.
Myth #2: Take diet pills to speed
results. I know it’s tempting! The ads make compelling claims about the power of
popping a pill, but don’t fall for it. There
is no “magic pill.” Diet pills are more likely to burn through your pocketbook than to slim you down.
Tip: Don’t pop a pill - instead burn calories with intense exercise.
Myth #3: Turn to packaged diet products
are packed with refined sugar and other artificial ingredients that your body
doesn’t need and certainly won’t help you attain that tight tummy.
Tip: Don’t eat packaged diet foods -
instead stick with nutritious whole foods. Myth #4: Avoid all carbohydrates to
achieve tight abs. Carbohydrates have
need to know in 3 simple steps: Step One: No more junk. The best way to do this is by purging your kitchen. Throw out the sugary, processed, and fat-filled
while slimming down. The key is to stick
that your beach-ready abs depend on
because you can (and should) eat carbs with whole grains, oatmeal, and brown
rice while avoiding processed and refined flours and sugars.
Tip: Don’t give up all carbohydrates instead stick with wholesome carbs.
Myth #5: Starve the chub away. Trying to lose weight by starving yourself is
not only ineffective, but it can also be dangerous. It may seem that severe calorie restriction would deliver the
quickest weight loss, but your body is
complex, and by doing so you’ll disrupt your metabolism and slow your results.
loss” aids. Quite often, these products
the day.
| MAY 2018
flat tummy game plan. Here’s what you
foods. Once the junk has been cleared
Tip: Don’t starve yourself - instead eat
24 | LANTANA LIVING
achieve tight abs, it’s time to go over your
been given a bad rap, which is unfortunate
to boost results. Don’t fall for the foods that are packaged as “diet” or “weight
Now that you know what not to do to
small wholesome meals throughout
out, don’t buy any more of it. Remember what you eat – don’t eat junk! Step Two: Eat whole foods. Replace the junk food in your life with plenty of the following: cooked and raw vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, moderate amounts of seeds and nuts, lean meats, and low-fat dairy. Clean eating is that simple. Step Three: Come train with Us. This is the most obvious step. You’re ready to get into great shape, and we can make that happen for you. Call or visit us to get started on an exercise plan that will get you those amazing abs.
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 25
by Steve Gamel
C
onsidering how big high school football is in Texas, adding instant replay to help get a controversial
call right was bound to happen eventually. But the process will have its limitations – at least for now.
The University Interscholastic League
Purists argue the game is fine without
it, but others point out that football is a complicated sport with many moving
parts and action happening all over the field. As a result, officials can get a call wrong or miss something and derail a team’s season.
Chronicle shortly after the UIL’s
announcement. “But it’s definitely a good thing. It creates a better, fair environment
announced April 19 that instant replay
There were examples of pivotal calls that
for players. We weren’t the only ones
for all classifications in 2018, citing in a
the 2017 playoffs. Locally, Denton County
video board [at Arlington’s AT&T Stadium]
to review calls on the grandest stage.
practically every year. Guyer won state
only impact title games. It will not be used
2010 final. Argyle High School has played
will be used during state title weekend
could have been overturned as recent as
press release that it will use NCAA rules
has football teams that make title runs
However, the addition of instant replay will
titles in 2012 and 2013 and lost in the
during the regular season and playoffs.
in a state title game three times between
All reviews will be made by a college
2013 and 2015, winning once.
official in a replay booth, per the UIL.
In 2014, Argyle lost to Navasota 42-35 in
“With all UIL state championship
that game, Argyle gave up a game-tying
football games at a single location,
we have the technology and ability to
utilize these powerful tools to make the state championships the best possible
experience for coaches, players, officials
and fans,” UIL executive director Charles Breithaupt said in the release. “Instant replay will help ensure that the calls
during the biggest games of the year are as correct as possible.”
Whether or not to add instant replay has been a hot topic for a long time. 26 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
double overtime in the state title game. In drive with just more than a minute to go in regulation, though it appeared the
receiver fumbled the ball at the 1-yard line and the ball went into the end zone and rolled out of bounds. Instead of Argyle
getting the ball back with a chance to ice
the game, the receiver was ruled down by officials on the field, setting Navasota up to score and force overtime.
“It’s a day late and a dollar short for
the Argyle Eagles,” Argyle coach Todd Rodgers told the Denton Record-
impacted, and it’s a tough situation. The
kind of exposes some of those missed or incorrect calls and makes it bigger than what it normally is.”
But there are limitations. Not only will
instant replay not be an option during the regular season or for any playoff games leading up to championship weekend,
but the UIL said coaches will not have the power to challenge a play. Targeting will also not be called as a result of a review. “Because we play football by NCAA
rules, which allow for instant replay, we
have this opportunity. We are extremely
excited to add instant replay to our state championship games,” UIL Director of
Athletics Dr. Susan Elza said in the release. “We’ve studied this topic thoroughly, and
have had many conversations with officials and coaches. The consensus we’ve heard
is that our game is ready for this and it will be a valuable addition.”
THE WEIGHT LOSS SECRET FOR BABY BOOMERS THAT
NO ONE WANTS TO
TELL YOU ABOUT
NOMINATE US! June 13
D
July 11
on’t you hate walking into the gym and feeling like everyone is judging you? Just because you’re older doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be there. Do you feel like losing weight is a lost cause, just because you’re 60? Is it hard for you to lose weight because you don’t know how? I understand what you are going through. These are the most common things I hear from my patients on why they were not able to lose weight.
So what do you do? Do you go on an extreme diet that you read on the Internet? Do you follow a diet you saw on TV? Or do you just give up and not even worry about it? Has anyone ever sat you down to really explain to you what happens when you gain weight?
THE FACT THAT YOU ARE 60 OR OVER MEANS THAT YOU CAN: 1. BE HEALTHY
2. LOOK GOOD 3. FEEL GOOD 4. FEEL SEXY 5. BE HAPPY
MORE BAD FAT IN YOUR BODY CAN:
These are all things that I see in all of my
1. MAKE IT HARD FOR YOUR HEART TO WORK 2. MAKE YOU SICK 3. INCREASE THE CHANCES OF DIABETES 4. INCREASE THE RISK OF GETTING CERTAIN CANCERS 5. MAKE YOU FEEL SLUGGISH 6. MAKE YOU FEEL DEPRESSED
with fat.
These are just a few of many medical facts that are associated with gaining weight. So the real question is, are you ready to get healthy and feel good about the way you look and feel? Are you ready to show other people that they are wrong and that you can lose weight.
patients that decide that they are fed up
Here is what we have been able to do: 1. Help patients over 60 lose weight when all else has failed 2. Help patients get off of their medications 3. Help patients feel good about themselves 4. Help patients look good 5. We make our patients HAPPY
How do we do it? If you’re looking for
Like I said, no games, no tricks, just LOSING WEIGHT the right way that makes sense.
There is no such thing when it comes
What you can expect:
takes work, knowledge, fat-slimming
1. FDA approved therapy that achieves immediate fat loss 2. Nutritional help 3. Meal planning 4. One-on-one private in-office physical training 5. Caring help 6. Sustainable weight loss
a magic bullet, stop reading right now.
to losing weight and getting healthy. It
technology, and a good team behind you that will support you.
There is no trickery, no games; just a great process that gets YOU results!
If you would like to find out if this is the right solution for you, here is what I want you to do:
If you are 60 years or older and ready to start your life of happiness and joy for 2018, CALL 940-202-1196 for a
• FREE COPY of Dr. Thai’s weight loss book explaining the most common mistake people make when losing weight. Next, you are going to get a
• FREE NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION •
to discover how you can lose weight. CALL 940-202-1196 for your chance at real weight loss.
This offer is good for the first 21 callers only! For more information visit www.makemeskinny.info
Ask The Expert: Pest Control
tick check using a mirror to see hard
to reach places such as the underarms,
LYME DISEASE Awareness
T
icks arrive in our area before mosquitoes, so it’s a good idea to have a plan in place for elimination
and prevention. Ticks sit on the tips of
grass and shrubs while waiting for hosts. When brushed by a moving animal or person, ticks quickly climb onto the
host. Ticks are among the most efficient carriers of disease because they attach
firmly to the skin, feed slowly and may go unnoticed for a considerable amount of time while feeding.
Awareness about ticks and important prevention techniques can assist in
reducing your family’s exposure and the health risks they carry. Recent research by the Centers for Disease Control and
28 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
Prevention (CDC) estimates about
300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually.
Here are a few tips to help protect you and your family from ticks:
• Keep grass mowed, trees trimmed and remove excessive leaf litter.
• Keep pets out of thickly wooded areas where tick activity is higher.
• Wear long sleeves and pants when
walking in wooded and heavy grassy areas. Remove shoes and wash
clothing promptly after coming inside. • Bathe or shower right after spending
time outdoors and conduct a full-body
belly button, behind the knees and on the scalp.
• Place a barrier of cedar chips or gravel between your lawn, patio, and play
equipment and any wooded areas. This will restrict tick migration into recreational areas.
• Check pets for ticks daily and remove them as soon as possible if one is
present. Pets can carry ticks inside homes as they hide in their fur.
• Protect pets by reaching out to your local veterinarian.
• Consult a professional if and when the need arises.
by Lee & Hollie Woodham, Owner of Mosquito Joe Northwest DFW
northwestdfw.mosquitojoe.com
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 29
Ideas for
Verf’s Grill and Tavern 2221 Justin Rd., Flower Mound 972.317.3390 The extensive menu at Verf’s carries everything from steak and seafood to pasta and enchiladas and all of it is scrumptious. They also carry a full bar and a long list of wines. It’s a meal you won’t soon forget!
Cinnamon Creek Ranch 13794 Old Denton Rd., Roanoke 817.439.8998
by Steve Gamel
f you’re looking for dining options for Father’s Day, there are a variety of local favorites and hidden gems throughout Denton County. But don’t limit yourself to just food. Take Dad out for a day on the town. Below are just a few dining AND fun ideas for Father’s Day.
Cinnamon Creek Ranch has become a premier destination spot for anyone who wants to try their hand at something different. Located in Roanoke, this is an 80acre archery facility featuring three indoor shooting ranges, two outdoor practice ranges and multiple 3D ranges. Show Dad who’s the boss with this fun-filled family option.
Dough Bro’s Italian Kitchen
Gatsplat PaintBall Fields
Genti’s Ristorante Italiano
2851 Plano Pkwy., The Colony 469.353.8182
582 TX-121 Business, Lewisville 972.956.5500
3700 FM 2181, Hickory Creek 940.497.5400
Dough Bro’s is another Italian favorite that is sure to quench your appetite while being served by the friendliest staff around. They focus on serving modern versions of your favorite classic dishes – all made with the finest fresh, local ingredients.
Talk about a great way to bring Dad back to his childhood – a good old-fashioned game of paintball. OK, so paintball may or may not have been popular in his era, but he’s bound to be a natural at it. You can get a huge group together and rent the entire facility during off hours.
For you Italian food lovers out there, Genti’s is a can’t miss. Located in the heart of Lake Cities, Genti’s offers everything from pizza and pasta to seafood and traditional Italian entrees. And let’s not forget desserts like cannolis, cheesecake and tiramisu.
Shoal Creek Tavern
The Classic Cafe at Roanoke
Topgolf
1701 Shoal Creek Dr., Highland Village 972.317.2250
504 N. Oak St., Roanoke 817.430.8185
3760 Blair Oaks Dr., The Colony 469.213.5204
This is just an all-around great restaurant. It’s casual, it’s fun, and the food is fantastic. For those still sticking to their New Year’s resolution, Jesse James Fit has his own JJ mark on the menu with dishes that he recommends to stay on track. Start with the smoked Old Fashioned.
This is not only a great place to eat, but the owners also go out of their way to create a complete experience that includes cooking classes and monthly wine tastings. Join them for lunch or dinner – be sure to check their website for accurate hours.
There are Topgolf locations throughout the Metroplex, and they include everything from a full-service restaurant and bar to private event spaces, over 200 HD TVs, Free Wi-Fi, and more than 100 climate-controlled hitting bays. Honestly, what more could Dad ask for?
I
30 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 31
‘COMFORT’ Is Still Our Middle Name by Steve Gamel
Southern Comfort Mechanical excited to keep doing what they do best.
S
outhern Comfort Mechanical has been keeping families in Denton County cool in the summer and warm in the winter for the past 10 years and will continue to do so under the leadership of its new owner Steve Stewart.
The timing was not ideal, taking ownership of an air conditioning company in the middle of summer in the heart of Texas. But Stewart said he hit the ground running.
Steve Stewart Owner of Southern Comfort Mechanical
32 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
“It’s been cool to see the relationships this company and this team has with its clients,” he said. “The clients call, and they know everyone. They even ask for their favorite technician like Shane, BJ, and Robert. It’s about long-term relationships.”
Steve is committed to continuing
Steve just wants to take all that to the next
Southern Comfort’s legacy of a friendly,
level. Pulling from experiences in prior
family business with excellent client
roles at Toyota and McKinsey, he wants
service. Although it wasn’t an easy
to stress the importance of preventative
decision for Laurie and Jason Fraser to sell their business, they believe in the future of Southern Comfort and are extremely confident with their choice of the new owner. brings with him 30 years of experience. Growing up in Belfast, Ireland he started as a welder then worked in manufacturing plants around England for Lucas Industries making fuel injectors for trucks and ships and fuel systems for to Toyota UK as an engineer working on new model launches. Steve then moved to Cleveland, Ohio to work for McKinsey & Company consulting for Fortune 500 companies;
before there is a system failure. He on our cars these days on tire pressures and oil changes, Steve said. “It’s great because we can call clients and let them know there’s an issue before that issue affects them, which will keep equipment heating and cooling through the tough
Veronica Mapp Office Manager
Jamie Mergell Customer Service
Dallas seasons. We’ve also got
“The clients call, and they know everyone. They even ask for their favorite technicians... It’s about long-term relationships.”
Container Company running a group of plants in Pennsylvania. For the past 10 years, he has worked on the private equity team of Highland Capital Management working around the world on turnarounds and executive roles. He lives locally with his wife, Gail, who is from Birmingham UK, and two children, Jemma Photography by ANM Photography
will provide early detection of problems
other new processes that
then to Consolidated
Sponsored Content
using tools like Nexia Diagnostics which
explains, “it’s similar to the alerts we get
Steve has a Degree in engineering and
aerospace. He then moved
maintenance in the spring and fall while
MEET THE TEAM
and Ben. So after years of traveling the world turning around other businesses Steve decided to start looking for an opportunity that he could call his own. Southern Comfort Mechanical stuck out like a sore thumb. “This isn’t a company that needs to be turned around. It already has an incredible reputation,” Steve said. “It’s about the
help us improve your home comfort, such as air balancing so you don’t have the feeling of one room being too hot and another being too cool.”
BJ Lloyd, Technician
Shane Dendy Technician
Robert McDaniel Technician
Ken Lancaster Technician
So it will continue to be
business as usual at Southern Comfort Mechanical with a core of dependable employees that you have come to count on like Shane, Robert, BJ, Veronica, and Ken along with fresh new faces Jamie, Toni, and Wayne to help meet client needs. They are also a Best of Denton County winner for the last four years and have quite the loyal following. Centrally located in Lewisville, Southern Comfort built its reputation on providing reliable service for residential and light commercial clients from the Lewisville and Flower Mound area to Dallas and Denton. They can service any need: duct cleaning, insulation, WiFi thermostats and Air quality & purification.
people, the products, and the processes.
Steve and the team are extremely excited
The core elements will stay the same.”
about the future.
Call Now 972.972.4202 www.scmdfwair.com
174 Lake Park Rd., Lewisville, TX 75057
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 33
Ask The Expert: Makeover
AFTER
Color by Toni Tucker
KAREN
MAKEOVER OF THE MONTH BEFORE
Makeup by Taylor Compton
Taylor started by applying a moisturizer followed by primer. To help eliminate under the eye baggage Taylor used
| MAY 2018
tones with a 7nw and 8n in Redkin shades eq.
Cut & Style by Rachel Rafferty
Rachel trimmed Karen’s hair and kept it
the perfect length for her fine hair type, which looked best at shoulder length.
She then gave her lots of layering to help give it beautiful movement around the Photography by Jeff Stephens
a Rose Gold highlighter, Barbie Pink blush and a nude lip liner with a peach lip gave Karen a rich new look.
34 | LANTANA LIVING
dimensions with 20 vol developer and
Mineral based powder was then used
Karen’s cheek bones. To finish the look off
214.415.4806 www.cloud9salon.com
an all over highlight with redkin blonde
neck and face.
give definition Taylor used concealer on
Makeover and clothes provided by
which is incredibly enticing, so Toni did
a peach primer under Karen’s eyes. and blended down her neck. To help
AFTER
Karen asked for some carmel highlights
Jeff is from Highland Village and has
been doing photography for about 8
years which has been his passion. He has
identical twin boys that are 8 that he loves and adores. To get in contact with Jeff for photography call 972.900.7477.
Want to be the next Makeover? Email cloud9salon@cloud9salon.com and tell us why you deserve it!
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 35
L ocal
TALENT
Tracks: Prologue
L
ate one night (when I was around seven or eight) I was lying down on the pull-out mattress from the couch.
We actually still have the couch today and will continue to use it quite a bit (though it’s getting kind of small for us).
My dad was lying next to me as everything else in the house was more silent than it
hardly ever is. You could hear the cicadas buzzing, the crickets chirping, and the
slight rustle of leaves as the wind shook their tired limbs in the night sky.
Dad nodded and he held up a finger, “Yeah, but do you hear that?” A slight
rumble in the distance echoed through the woods and into our lake house.
“Yeah,” I nodded as I listened. It was faint, but if I focused hard enough I could hear it.
“That’s the train,” he paused and smiled. I nodded and felt like I was about to start tearing up as well.
“And on that train are separate carts. Carts
“Hey, dad?” I asked slowly turning my
full of whos-its and whats-its and all-its
leaves whispering in the background.
I didn’t respond. “Each cart has its’ own
head to face my dad, the slight rustling of “Yeah, All-star?” He slowly opened his eyes as he looked down at me. They were as blue as the ocean, just like mine.
“Why did we have to move?” Our family
had just moved from Edmond, Oklahoma to Texas where I currently live. However, the place we were at now was just our lake house. We didn’t live there, we
just spent a lot of time there during the summer. “I miss Ian and Mason and Rylan and William.”
My dad paused as silence filled the empty space in the room. “I miss them too, All-
star,” he paused. I could see tears starting
to form in his eyes. “They’re good friends, aren’t they?”
“Yeah,” I nodded as if it were obvious. “I miss them—a lot.”
36 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
galore. You get what I mean?” dad asked. purpose. To carry something from one
place to another. It could vary from each
cart or they could all be carrying the same thing. But the thing I know for sure is that without each individual cart serving its’
purpose the train couldn’t continue. The
train is the bigger thing that all carts work together to accomplish.” I was confused. “And in a lot of ways the carts on those trains are like people.”
I raised an eyebrow, somewhat skeptical. “How so?”
“Well, people will come and go out of our lives—just like carts on trains come and go from one place to another. But if there’s
anything I’m sure of it’s that the memory of that person will stay with us forever—and
that’s the foundation of those friendships; those are the TRACKS.”
Picture above courtesy of Isaac Littleton Isaac Littleton lives in Flower Mound, Texas, where he is an eighth grader at Shadow Ridge Middle School. Isaac has already published two books: The Virus and The Reunion. He is currently working on his third book, Tracks, and plans on finishing it sometime this summer. When not in Flower Mound he spends most of his time at his family’s lake house where he gets most of his writing inspiration. Isaac also loves traveling to the Outerbanks of North Carolina with his family where he one day would like to live and write his stories. Isaac has a special needs twin brother named Solomon and a younger sister named Carolina Grace. Isaac loves visiting with other people who have a love for writing and loves speaking to groups about this passion. Isaac Littleton can be reached at hideawaypublishingcompany@ gmail.com. You can get his first two books at amazon.com.
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 37
Foodie Friday of DFW: Mazzola’s Pizzeria
Boston-Style
MAZZOLA’S
PIZZERIA In Flower Mound
D
enton County has been abuzz ever since Mazzola’s Pizzeria opened up at the end of March in Flower
Mound! This Boston-style pizzeria and bakery has quickly become notorious
for serving up incredible pizzas, coffee,
stop in starting at 6 am to pick up a
breakfast pastry and a cup of coffee, or
you can come with the whole family in the evening to enjoy a fantastic dinner.
When we visited Erik, he showed us how they create their popular
and baked goods (most notably, their scones!). Owner, Erik Stenson,
created the restaurant by
modeling it after his Uncle Joe’s well-known Boston pizza shop and bakery
called Mazzola Brothers Bakery. Everything in
the restaurant is scratch-
Mazzola’s is open to feed their customers morning, afternoon, and night. You can stop in starting at 6am...
made using the best of
ingredients. They’ve designed the menu to incorporate the traditional Italian
influences Erik grew up with as well as
some unique healthy creations for today’s busy lifestyles.
Carne Pizza which comes topped with pepperoni,
sausage, brisket, roasted peppers, pepperoncini, red sauce, and a blend
of cheeses. It’s unlike any pizza you’ve had before because they prepare
all of the ingredients the “Mazzola Way.”
At Mazzola’s, you’re not
just getting a pizza. You’re getting a true culinary creation unlike anything else
you’ll find around here. So go check them out if you haven’t already - for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
469.763.3515 www.mazzolaspizzeria.com 1913 Justin Rd., Flower Mound, TX 75028
Many of the items on their menu are
shareable in true Italian fashion so that the whole family can enjoy their meal
together. But they have lots of individual items to make it easy for their customers to enjoy their food on-the-go as well.
972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealestate.com
Mazzola’s is open to feed their customers
jay@jaymarksrealestate.com
morning, afternoon, and night. You can 38 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
2624 Long Prairie Rd. | Flower Mound, TX 75022
The 10th Annual Blanton Elementary Fun Run, held April 27th, was a great success! Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make it happen!
photography by Jessica Rene Photography
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 39
The Women of Flower Mound
Spring Fling Fashion Show
A SMASHING
SUCCESS
I
by Steve Gamel
t was a full house at the Women of Flower Mound Spring Fling Fashion Show on Saturday, April 14. More than 100 guests viewed beautiful fashions from The Shops at Highland Village retailers, tasted hearty hors d’oeuvres from Shops eateries, and tried to win over 70 gift baskets with a combined value of $16,000.
42 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
Photography by Jessie Wood (jcayedesigns@gmail.com)
“We are overwhelmed with the generosity of those who attended this year’s fashion show and give a heartfelt thanks to our guests, the community, our sponsors,
The Shops at Highland Village, and all
who volunteered their time to contribute to the Fashion Show’s success,” WOFM
accessories from Shops merchants.
Models wore the latest hair and makeup by Toni & Guy.
Women of Flower Mound was founded in 1975 to provide leadership opportunities for area women and to aid the cause of higher education
President Tiffany Waisenan said. The Women of Flower Mound is a non-profit organization dedicated
to providing
scholarships to
area graduating
“We are overwhelmed with the generosity of those who attended this year’s fashion show and give a heartfelt thanks to our guests, the community, our sponsors...”
high school seniors. The Fashion Show
in a tangible way.
They participate in
fundraising activities throughout the year to benefit
the community, including their
holiday home tour,
A LIST OF LOCAL CHARITIES THEY SUPPORT INCLUDE: Love Pacs Children’s Advocacy Center Kyle’s Place Santa Cops Humane Tomorrow Shesupply.com The Street Dog Project Donation of children’s books for local schools
wine tasting event,
Women of Flower Mound wanted to thank
and other volunteer
Cox, Karen Kenner, Meerees Palmer,
annual fashion show,
the Fashion Show Committee of Angie
is their largest fundraiser of the year
activities. They also support other
Jane Recchia, Shelley Thompson, Lisa
exact amount of money raised was not
education and member donations.
Kohankle, Debbie Pace, Paula Wagner,
to accomplish this, and though the
immediately known, all proceeds will be
used to award three scholarships valued at $4,000 each.
This was the first year WOFM partnered with The Shops at Highland Village.
The event featured catwalk fashion and
local non-profit organizations through Community activities such as the Easter Sunrise Service on the Mound, the
Independence Day Children’s Parade, and
Dalton, Donna Hodge, Carla Horton, Carol Tiffany Waisanen, and Jana Wren for their hard work in making this year’s event a smashing success.
the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
For more information about
selfless community support.
www.womenofflowermound.org
are all examples of their far-reaching and
The Women of Flower Mound, visit
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 43
DISTRICT 6-6A ALL-DISTRICT SOCCER 2018 by Steve Gamel
DISTRICT 6-6A ALL-DISTRICT BOYS SOCCER 2018
Keenan Peterson, Plano East; William
Boyd; Madison Bissa, McKinney Boyd;
MVP: Jack Monte, McKinney Boyd
East; James Stautler, Plano East; Adrian
Plano West; Madison Tacket, Plano West;
Offensive Player of the Year: Tyler Imig, McKinney
Cade von Heimburg, Allen; Christopher
Defensive Player of the Year: Haris Gusic, Plano East Midfielder of the Year: David Ortiz, McKinney Boyd Co-Goalkeeper of the Year: Blair Zepeda, Plano East; Skylar Foreman, Wylie
Torres, Plano East; Luis Sahmkow, Plano Hernandez, Allen; Michael Bognar, Allen; Firch, Allen; Jonathan Leach, McKinney;
Marcos Puga, McKinney; Stephen Kooker, McKinney; Alberto Gutierrez, McKinney;
Noah Johnson, Wylie; Jazden Paul, Wylie; Nathan Bach, Wylie; Vasco Zamudio, Wylie; Josh Mansell, Guyer; Santerri
Kokkonen, Guyer; Randy Bond, Plano
Ellie Lemaster, Plano West; Ella Mcquaid, Karsen Aguirre, Plano West; Brooke
Roberts, Plano West; Mia Fimiani, Plano; Caitlin Morse, Plano; Maddie Weimer,
Plano; Madison Morse, Plano; Samantha
Rupe, McKinney; Caitlyn Rorie, McKinney; Maddy Peake, McKinney; Aylisse Warren, Wylie;
Hailey Gonzalez, Wylie. SECOND TEAM
Utility Player of the Year: Jack Grimes, Allen
West; Hayden Fraizer, Plano.
Newcomer of the Year: Evan Conner, McKinney Boyd
DISTRICT 6-6A ALL-DISTRICT GIRLS SOCCER 2018
Co-Soph of the Year: Landon Kronberg, Plano West; Jonathan Niece, Plano
MVP: Kristen Meadows, McKinney Boyd
Allen; Ashley Carter, Guyer; Rachel
Co-Defender of the Year: Madison Williams, Allen; Cat Klein, Guyer
Jocelyn McDonough, McKinney Boyd;
Coach of the Year:
Colby Peek, McKinney Boyd FIRST TEAM
Tanner Binion, McKinney Boyd; Nico
Neumann, McKinney Boyd; Chase Coy,
Midfielder of the Year: Tabitha Bishop, Plano Forward of the Year: Amber Lyons, Guyer
Tosin Alao, Allen; Cassie Taylor, Allen;
Kennedi Anders, Allen; Claire Carney,
Allen; Addie Tate, Allen; Andrea Ridgely, Allen; Abbey Suess, Allen; Natalie Price, Brandt, Guyer; Olivia Rimbey, Guyer; Mackenzie Preator, McKinney Boyd;
Kailyn Edestrand, McKinney Boyd; Kylie
Burton, McKinney Boyd; Mackenzie Hall, McKinney Boyd; Olivia Witte, McKinney
Goalie of the Year: Jennifer Peters, Allen
Boyd; Olivia Chung, Plano West; Abby
Boyd; Angel Serrano, McKinney Boyd;
Newcomer of the Year: Sami Gomez, Guyer
West; Erin Regan, Plano West; Lindsey
Mendez, Plano East; Edgar Sanchez,
Utility Player of the Year: Ally Jackson, Allen
Chris Del Cid, Plano East; Reed Berry,
Coach of the Year: Kevin Albury, Allen
McKinney Boyd; Brooks Scott, McKinney Cameron Bush, Plano East; Fabian
Plano East; Jacob Stuewe, Plano East; Allen; Fernando Ramirez, Allen; Kaine
Tutt, Allen; Holden Essman, Allen; Gianni
Flavo, McKinney; Micah Ardila, McKinney; Greg Lopez, McKinney; Landen Schmidt, McKinney; Brennan Slaughter, Wylie,
Colton Mowry, Wylie; Michael Agyeman, Wylie; Gavin Hanna, Wylie; Alexis Diaz, Guyer; Jaron Petreas, Guyer; Brett Learmont, Plano West; Timmy Langford, Plano.
FIRST TEAM
Natalie Wodka, Allen; Emily Russell, Allen;
Megan Russell, Allen; Grace Dennis, Allen; Haylee Spray, Allen; Elizabeth Moreno, Allen; Jordan Colbert, Allen; Laurel
Landry, Allen; Taylor Hunter, Guyer;
Maddie Janolo, Guyer; Lauren Avila, Guyer; Allie Lyons, Guyer;
Mariella Stephens, Guyer; Olivia Ramirez, Guyer;
SECOND TEAM
Taylor Jordan, McKinney
Drekman, McKinney Boyd; Bryce Barta,
McKinney Boyd; Abbigail
Gutierrez, McKinney Boyd; Griffin Ramsey,
Micaella Swain, McKinney
Adrian Kordi, McKinney Boyd; Matthew
Boyd; Laura Mauldin,
McKinney Boyd; Roberto Gonzalez-
Delozier, McKinney Boyd;
McKinney Boyd; Marin Budic, Plano East;
Boyd; Sydni Perry, McKinney
44 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
Arkwright, Plano West; Lily Baylor, Plano Depner, Plano West; Madde Friedman, Plano West; Natalie Montanez, Plano;
Amanda Walsh, Plano; Ireland Jeffrey,
Plano; Alexis Vera, McKinney; Adi Henry,
McKinney; Estelle Flamagam, McKinney; Darian Brown, Wylie; Kylee Smith, Wylie.
There Will Be Cats & Dogs For Adoption June 9th from 10am-2pm Engel & Vรถlkers Dallas Flower Mound 2451 Lakeside Parkway, Ste. 180 Flower Mound, TX 75022
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 45
7 BACKYARD Ways To
Upgrade Your
S
ummertime is almost here, which means we’ll be spending more of our free time outdoors. For many
of us, that means taking a long, hard
look around the backyard to see what
can be spruced up, added, or upgraded to either prepare for a slew of backyard
get-togethers with friends or create that well-deserved quiet oasis.
That can seem like an overwhelming
project this late into May, but it doesn’t
BUILD A SEAT WALL If you’re creating a fun and inviting living space in your backyard, you need plenty of seating areas, right? Seat walls are a custom and functional addition to any
landscape design. With a seat wall, there’s no need to take up space with traditional chairs or benches. And the best part is
by Steve Gamel
Home Design Article
it the pop it deserves, then the project is
totally worth it. The right lighting can give
your backyard depth and make certain areas feel bigger than what they actually are. ADD A WATER FEATURE Any time you walk into a friend or
neighbor’s backyard and see a water
they come in all shapes and sizes.
feature – no matter how big or small it may
AND THEN THERE WAS LIGHT
your own. These, too, come in all different
be – it makes you wish you had one of
have to be – and it doesn’t have to be
Admittedly, lighting can get pretty
shapes and styles (stacked stone, stacked
upgrade ideas to keep in mind as you
looking backyard living space and light
because of the sights and sounds, add a
super expensive, either. Here are 7 smaller move forward with your summer: 46 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
expensive. But if you already have a snazzy
vase, a traditional fountain, etc.) and,
fixtures are the only thing needed to give
tranquil ambiance to any landscape.
CLEAN UP YOUR LANDSCAPING Sometimes, just rolling up your sleeves and clearing out dead bushes or plants from your landscaping and adding fresh mulch will make a world of difference in the overall appearance of your backyard. Also, think about adding unique elements such as custom steel boxes and ovalshaped pots for your plants. UPDATE YOUR POOL’S COPING Coping is a term used for the stone or concrete material used to cap the wall around your pool. There may be nothing structurally wrong with your pool, but it could be in massive need of an update if it were installed 15 or 20 years ago. Natural stone coping and decking are useful swimming pool renovations and can add some much-needed style. RE-STAIN YOUR FENCE AND PATIO COVER
This is another quick way to update the look of your backyard if you’re not in the market to add any new elements. Maybe do a quick power wash and use a different color than the stain you’ve been using. STAMP OR STAIN YOUR CONCRETE One of the more well-used techniques for giving ordinary concrete a decorative and formal look is through staining and stamping. Staining concrete is literally changing its color while stamping involves stamping a pattern and/or texture into freshly laid concrete. Many of the projects listed above are not overly complicated. If you don’t feel like doing it yourself, there are plenty of trustworthy companies out there who can transform your outdoor living space into the envy of the neighborhood. Two, in particular, is Complete Solutions in Flower Mound and Green Meadows in Castle Hills. MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 47
Ask The Expert: Gardening
What to Do
WITH YOUR W
PATIO
hen you ask people what they think of their patios, some will say, “it’s a boring slab of
cook with ease can greatly enhance your
“definitely not enough space back there.”
of the space. You don’t have to go huge,
concrete,” or “it’s way too hot to use,” or, Others think up endless ideas but go
round and round never really being able to nail down what they envision much
less how to get to the point of breaking ground. Your patio space should be an extension of the house – furnished and
functional. More than anything, it should be a space that’s designed to fit your
needs. This allows you to effortlessly get
outdoor experience. Putting in a side
burner, extra storage, or even a fridge can all add to the usability and convenience
features to your patio space not only creates interesting destinations but also brings people together enabling you to enjoy the space that much more.
super luxurious, or over the top with it –
Once you’ve gotten your patio footprint
importantly, make it functional for you.
your hard space with a combination of turf
just build to suit your needs, and most
With our economy continuing to boom
together, it’s always important to balance and landscape areas. Much like the patio
and no slowing down in sight for the
itself, landscaping could definitely be a do
and should be at the top of our lists.
installation are better left to be thought
construction industry, creating privacy is Whether it be some taller landscape
it yourself task, but sometimes design and through by a local professional. We get calls and visit homes on a daily basis
out and enjoy the outdoors.
that creates a screen wall, simple curtain
Having a cover over your space really
and-forth as needed, or some remote
only to find out it’s not large enough. It
control, creating that element of privacy
had envisioned, or better yet, they have
make all the difference when your home
doesn’t necessarily specialize in layout/
allows for more useable time throughout
the year no matter the weather conditions and gives you the opportunity to truly
make it feel as if it’s just another room in
the home. Sometimes a good balance of
covered as well as uncovered patio space
is the answer – just ensure you’re investing in a vision that’s going to fit your family’s needs the best.
Having the ability and an adequate
amount of counter space to grill out during the week or entertain on the
weekends allowing you to prep and 48 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
and rod set up that you can pull back-
where people have put together a space
solar screens that offer UV as well as bug
doesn’t offer the function or privacy they
and really finishing the space off, can
given their ideas to a “patio builder” who
and trying to unplug.
Fireplaces, fountains, fire pits, and other features won’t only set your space apart
design. Now, they need to manipulate what they’ve already paid for into something more usable.
from others but will also provide some
function to your outdoor living. Whether
it’s that focal point that a fireplace offers, a relaxing sound you get off of a water
feature or fountain or being able to gather around the fire pit on a cool night. Adding
by PJ Kratohvil of Complete Solutions completesolutionsdfw.com
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 49
Are you networking?
Are You
NETWORKING? W e l l,
y o u
s h o u l d
b e!
by Steve Gamel
J
ennifer Harvey didn’t know the first thing about networking when she moved to Texas four years ago, and if you get her talking, she might try to convince you she’s still not a pro at it. But you’d never be able to tell as she stands confidently in front of a packed room on another Thursday morning.
Once again, she’s happily doing introductions – for a networking group she helped launch.
The loyal attendees include everyone
“Sometimes I wonder, how did we do this?” Harvey said with a shy laugh. “It’s magic. It has to be.”
chiropractors, and even a Mayor and city
Harvey, a registered representative with New York Life, and fellow local business owners, Dave Reese and Diane Barton, started Lake Cities Coffee & Connections in late-September. They hold meetings at 8 a.m. every Thursday at Beatitudes Tea Room in Lake Dallas and have emerged as one of the more talked-about smallbusiness networking groups in the area. LCCC has an average of 24 to 27 participants each week and has its own Facebook page with 204 followers. 50 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
from insurance agents to artists, mortgage officers, SEO experts, roofers, council member. “It’s people who have a passion for what they do,” Harvey said. “And part of that is helping others grow.” The growth of LCCC
been around for years. The goal for each is simple: build relationships with one
another on a grassroots level, grow your
business, and be engaged in the growth of business in your community.
“It’s foolish not to engage in some type of networking,” Harvey said
should come as no surprise to avid networkers across North Texas. There are countless groups in every nook and cranny of the Metroplex – many may have started yesterday, others have
And there’s never been a better time to make new connections.
“I saw an article once
that said, ‘networking is
dead,’” and I thought to
myself, well, you obviously haven’t put enough
into the process,” Dave Reese said.
“Networking is a big tool at your fingertips as a business owner, and you broaden your reach when you are in the right group with the right people.”
Reese has a Farmers Insurance office in Corinth and echoes the sentiments of many business owners who insist the benefits to being in at least one networking group each week are endless. Those include: •
The peace of mind that you are referring/promoting someone you know and trust
•
Making new friends and being invested in your community
•
Endless career opportunities
•
Learning and sharing best practices
•
Positive influence and increased confidence
“It’s foolish not to engage in some type of networking,” Harvey said “If you want seafood, you’re going to ask a friend where you should go. It’s the same for all of us. You want people talking about you, and networking is the cheapest form of advertising. It’s also the most effective.” Barton agreed, saying that business owners across all industries take pride in building connections. “I want everyone who walks in that door to feel like they belong here,” said Barton, a representative with Stream. “I knew of a gentleman who was coming as a visitor one time, and I looked up his picture on Facebook beforehand, so I knew what he looked like before he got there. I wanted him to feel like he belonged. I get more joy from promoting others than I do talking about my business.” Harvey said that selfless attitude is a big reason why LCCC has caught lightning in a bottle when it comes to networking. She invites everyone to see for themselves. “There’s a certain chemistry with this group,” Harvey said. “I don’t know how to describe it, but it works.” MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 51
Annual Gala Speak Life
On April 20, 2018 at the Texas Motor Speedway Pregnancy Help 4 U hosted their Annual Gala / fundaiser. Pregnancy Help 4 U is a Pregnancy Medical Clinic providing free medical services and information on all options regarding unplanned pregnancy. The gala included speakers, a live & silent aution, dinner and music. For more information on Pregnancy Help 4 U visit their website at lifeguards.pregnancyhelp4u.org.
52 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
L Re anta sid na en t
HEAD
LICE by Dr. Rebecca Butler
W
hile parents often have a strong reaction when they find out their child has head lice, they
are not a health hazard nor a sign of poor
hygiene. Head lice are common in schoolaged children and while inconvenient, they cause no medical harm and they do not spread any disease. They are
contagious (head-to-head) and should be treated.
(about the size of a sesame seed and tan
in color) as they usually move very quickly. You will be more likely to see nits at the base of the hair and empty egg shells within an inch or two of the scalp.
How can I treat head lice? We usually recommend you start with one of the
over-the-counter (OTC) lice shampoo/
rinse treatments such as Nix or RID. It is
What are signs of head lice? Unless the
important that you follow the directions on
likely to see nits (lice eggs) than live lice
insecticides and using it more frequently
yellow, tan or brown dots on hair shafts
increase the risk of side effects. Treatment
spot since the eggs are kept warm until
a few more days to resolve. It is important
dandruff but they cannot be shaken or
of the nits/eggs with a fine tooth comb
substance which makes them stick to
to the directions. This can be a very
infestation of lice is heavy, you are more
the label for these products, as they are
crawling in the hair. Nits look like tiny
than suggested or in larger amounts may
close to the scalp. The lice prefer this
usually kills the lice, but itching may take
they hatch. Nits often look like flakes or
that you do your best to remove as many
brushed off as the nits have a glue-like
after applying the medication according
the hair shaft.
Nits hatch 1-2 weeks after they are laid
leaving behind a shell which is white in color and remains attached to the hair shaft. This is the stage when they are easiest to spot as the hair is growing Sponsored Content
often difficult to find nymph or adult lice
longer and they are within an inch or so of the scalp.
Many children will experience itching and scratch their scalp in response to
louse bites which may be your first clue to inspect their hair/scalp more closely. It is
tedious process, especially in children with long/thick hair. This is where the
term “nit-picky” comes from. We usually
recommend repeat treatment 7-10 days after the initial application to kill any
newly hatched nits. If you are looking for
someone to do this job for you, there are companies that provide this commercial
service such as Lice Doctors and Nit Picky who even have some in-home treatment services available.
There are several prescription medications for resistant head lice, but we reserve
940.455.7200 www.LantanaPediatrics.com | 74 McMakin Road, Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226 NEW HOURS: Mon, Tues, Thurs: 7:30am-5pm Wed: 7:30am - 12:30pm • Fri: 7:30 - 4pm • Sat: 9am - 12pm
these treatments for patients who have failed first line treatments with OTC products that were used correctly. One little known secret is that an easily obtainable horse de-worming medicine called Ivermectin (which is in some of the prescription products available) can be very inexpensively obtained at a horse feed/saddlery store or online as the prescriptions are often very expensive especially when treating multiple family members. You can mix the Ivermectin paste with your favorite conditioner (1/3 paste, 2/3 hair conditioner), coat hair and scalp thoroughly, leave on for at least 10 minutes and then rinse in cool water. Shampoo as normal the next morning. You still have to pick out all the nits! How contagious are head lice? Lice can’t jump or fly but they can crawl and cling firmly to hair. They are usually spread when two children “put their heads together” but can also spread when combs, brushes, hats or bed linens are shared. Lice can live up to two days on a non-scalp surface. Check with your school regarding recommendations on return regulation.
Dr. Rebecca Butler is Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She is proud to be a resident of Lantana and the owner of Lantana Pediatrics. For more information on Lantana Pediatrics, Dr. Butler and/or Melanie Bitzer, CPNP or to schedule an appointment with one of these providers, call the office at 940.455.7200.
NOMINATE US! June 13
July 11
Ask The Expert: Edit This
Sometimes, you must rein in a difficult employee.
REIGN, REIN & RAIN
What’s the DIFFERENCE?
W
elcome to another grammar lesson brought to you by Edit This®. Today, we’ll be talking about the difference between Reign, Rein, and Rain. Do you find yourself getting tripped up on the proper usage for all or some of these?
And last but not least ... Rain. Rain is,
well, those water drops falling from the
sky. It can also refer to a large amount of something and can be used figuratively. It’s raining, it’s pouring, the old man is snoring.
My son’s baseball games always get rained out this time of year.
Thanks for reading! If you need help
as a king or queen. It also means a period
telling your story, whether it be business
and editors (including yours truly) either
something is the best.
I like to say we handle all your writing and
stumble on these or find themselves at
The King’s reign lasted 40 years.
Please don’t feel bad if you do. I’m here to tell you that even the most veteran writers
least pausing to think about which one they need to use in a particular sentence. So let’s dive right in, shall we? Reign, Rein, and Rain – What’s the difference? Reign refers to a period of time in which someone rules or occupies a throne, such
54 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
of dominant power, or that someone or
Her reign of terror dominates this office.
or personal related, give Edit This® a call. editing needs, including blogs, content writing for websites, press releases, and more.
Rein, on the other hand, refers to those
fancy straps we use to control a horse. It is also used in common phrases such as “rein in” or “give free rein.”
Make sure to hold those reins tight.
by Steve Gamel Edit This 469.360.3611 EditThisLLC.com
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 55
Ask The Expert: Dentistry
The
Revolutionary
Dental
mplant D
uring a routine appointment, I had an enlightening conversation with one of my pediatric patients. As she tapped away on her smartphone, our conversation led to her inquiring about how phones worked when I was young. Not realizing that it had been a while since I had thought about it, a rush of almost comedic memories arose including stretching cords into other rooms for privacy, making collect calls for “long distance�, and even, at the very least, needing to remember phone numbers.
The conversation reminded me of the
feat as we can actually replace a tooth
revolutionizing advances., and when
bridges. Even so, dental implants can offer
great climate we live in with incredibly I reflect on a treatment I believe has recently revolutionized dentistry and dental care, I immediately think
without having to use dentures or dental so much more and have produced even more advances.
With the digital age upon us, we are now able to
dental implants.
digitally plan implant
A dental implant
placements and
titanium post that
the treatment using 3D
restorations prior to
is essentially a
or permanent dentures. Restorations can also be easily removed or replaced by simply removing them from the stable
implant. Additionally, advancements in the fabrication of dental implants has resulted in success rates of implant placements
reaching up to 95% with minimal postoperative recovery.
Dental implants have certainly
revolutionized my practice and have allowed me to offer a spectrum of
treatment to my patients. If you are
considering replacing missing teeth, please visit your dentist to see if you
are a candidate. It can be life changing. Happy smiling!
radiographs, digitally
integrates with
scanned impressions,
the bone in your
and printed surgical
jaw to replace the
root of your tooth and
is restored with a crown.
This on its own is an incredible 56 | LANTANA LIVING
multiple implants to restore removable
| MAY 2018
guides. Furthermore,
we can plan multiple
restorations at once or even use
by Dr. Matt who is the owner of Country Lakes Family Dental CountryLakesDental.com
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 57
I
t’s one thing to win a state championship. That’s hard enough to do given the talent the state of Texas
has to offer – regardless of the sport. It’s a
completely different thing when your state title win caps a perfect season.
squads. Katherine Cullen and Cameron
overtime to do it. They jumped out to a
tournament while dad was named coach
Mound only to run out of steam in an 8-6
Cullen each won MVP honors at the state of the year.
Other top honors went to Lexi Wong, who was a first-team all-state selection. Carley
That’s the historic run the Guyer girls
Manuel and Nathan Wong earned second-
month by beating Southlake Carroll 11-7
honorable mention.
water polo team finished up earlier this
team nods while Presley Woods received
in the finals of the Texas Interscholastic
“These teams felt the pain of having been
Swimming Coaches Association state
championship in Austin. The win gave the Lady Wildcats their first state title and put a pretty bow on top of a 31-0 season. It was a busy weekend for the Guyer
program, which also saw its boys team
finish runner-up to Flower Mound. It was the first time either team had made it to the state final.
“I drove home and probably got back
around 2 a.m. and just sat in my chair for an hour letting it sink in,” Denton school
district aquatics coach Chris Cullen said.
“I’ve been doing this for a long time, and this is the ultimate goal. To reach that
pinnacle is extremely special. I couldn’t be happier for these kids and this program.” The win was especially sweet for Cullen, who joined the Denton ISD in 1999 and
finally won it all with his daughter and son
helping lead the charge on the respective 58 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
there before and not winning it all,” Cullen said. “It fueled them.”
2-1 lead in the first period against Flower loss. Cameron Culled scored three goals in the loss. “I told these guys earlier in the year that there’s no reason we couldn’t be a topthree team,” Chris Cullen said. “At the time, they looked at me like I was crazy. But they trusted me and started to believe. The boys upset St. Mark at regionals and that had never been done before. Then
The Lady Wildcats got to state
they turn around and get to the state
championship. From there, they blew
extremely hard.”
by sweeping the North Region
past Cypress Langham Creek in the state semifinal with a 13-9 win. Once in the
title game, Katherine Cullen and Woods scored four goals apiece, and Wong
scored three goals as Guyer took the lead early and never let up.
Meanwhile, the boys (18-4-1) snuck by
Friendswood in the semifinals but needed
final with an overtime win. They worked Coach Cullen added that he is excited about the future of the program. “I can’t wait to see what happens next,” Cullen said. “I’m so proud of this group; the boys came up a little short, but hopefully this loss will fuel them to want to do even better next year.”
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 59
Guyer’s Bright Young
ARTIST
RECOGNIZED by Steve Gamel
B
give them a leg up on opportunities
arely a night goes by where Elizabeth Heyns isn’t trying something new with the special
they might not have before heading off to college.
effects makeup and various supplies
Elizabeth and her family applied for
she keeps in her bedroom. She’ll watch endless amounts of YouTube videos
the grant and were floored when she
never heard of before, and even tries
“The Texas Young Masters grant program
was selected.
in hopes of finding tips and tricks she’s her experiments out on herself as
was created as a way to recognize and
practice rounds.
support young students pursuing the
“She’ll come downstairs to show us the
dream of becoming the next generation
growing on her face,” said Elizabeth’s
Director Gary Gibbs said in a press
work she’s done, and she’ll have plants
father, Garrett Heyns. “You just sit there
and think, ‘wow, that’s pretty cool.’ It’s raw talent, and she absolutely loves it.”
That passion recently landed Elizabeth, a
Lantana resident and junior at Guyer High School, a $10,000 grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the Texas
of prominent Texas artists,” TCA Executive
photo courtesy from the Heyns Family Pictured above is Elizabeth Heyns “I think the uniqueness of what she is
doing caught the judges’ eyes,” Garrett Heyns said. “You’ve got kids there for a
release. “These gifted artists earned the Young Masters title because of their
outstanding artistic ability, talent, and dedication to developing their knowledge in their chosen discipline. We congratulate them on their accomplishments.”
variety of reasons, and I think they are
Garrett Heyns said the grant money is a
state’s brightest young artists at a special
kids who do what she does, and I think it’s
in front of professionals who can teach her
ZACH Theatre in Austin.
encouragement to keep doing what she
one-on-one guidance she’s never
Cultural Trust. She and 14 other students
trying to diversify. You don’t see a lot of
godsend in terms of putting Elizabeth
great that she’s receiving affirmation and
the secrets of the industry and give her
loves doing. You can’t put a price on that.”
had before.
from Denton County and the first to be
The grant program was created to
“When you’re a parent, you watch your
for special effects makeup. She’ll use the
who have a passion and skill set in dance,
latch onto and really enjoy doing,” Garrett
School’s 2018 Summer Intensive Make-up
and visual arts. There were 300 applicants
happy to see her put effort like this toward
from Texas were recognized as the
ceremony and concert on April 16 at the
Elizabeth was the only Texas Young Master recognized in the visual arts category
recognize and support young students
kids and hope to see something that they
recent grant to attend Vancouver Film
theater, film, music, media, and literary
Heyns said. “It’s exciting, and we are
Design for Film and Television course.
this year, and the grants are designed to
something she loves.
60 | LANTANA LIVING
| MAY 2018
MAY 2018 | LANTANA LIVING | 61
A
mid concerns that area softball players are receiving college offers too early in their careers,
a key piece of legislation was handed down in April by the NCAA that
drastically impacts the recruiting game moving forward.
Per the NCCA Division I Council,
the new rule establishes Sept. 1 of a
athlete, and the process itself can be rather taxing when you factor in phone calls from coaches to players, offcampus visits for softball, official visits, unofficial visits, recruiting camps, etc. Examples of early recruiting are everywhere. The Dallas Morning News
contact a high school softball player.
Jayda Coleman as part of its coverage
any athlete who has already verbally
committed to Oklahoma as an eighth-
day any college recruiter or coach can
pointed to The Colony’s star shortstop
The changes do not affect the status of
of the new legislation. Coleman
into effect immediately for those who haven’t.
committed early will not be allowed to have any additional contact with their future college
coach until after Sept. 1 of their junior year,
whether in person or through phone calls and campus visits.
grader, long before she became a first-team All-American and led the Lady Cougars to last year’s Class
Furthermore, those who have
5A state title. Other local
It gives kids the chance to enjoy their high school softball careers a little longer without having to worry about making bigger college decisions . . .
“This is a great day for the
sport of softball,” National Fastpitch
Coaches Association executive director Carol Bruggeman said in a statement.
“Early recruiting legislation has passed. I am so proud of the entire softball
community for coming together to do what is best for the sport. Thank you
to our coaches for being the driving force behind the change and to the NCAA for voting to pass this impactful legislation.
“The real winners are the softball
talent that committed early and are perfect examples of how much this law will change things moving forward, per the Denton Record-Chronicle,
include sophomore Abby
Buettner (Maryland) from Denton Ryan, sophomores Laney (LSU) and Lexie Roos (Northwestern State) of Aubrey, and Denton freshman Kaylin Jackson (Louisiana Tech). Guyer’s Ryan Gallegos (LouisianaMonroe) and Morgan Medford (Tarleton), and Pilot Point’s Christine Billmeier (Sam Houston State) were also on mentioned by the DRC as young recruits.
prospective student-athletes, who can
As of press time, the new rule still
at an age-appropriate time.”
Board of Directors, but all signs
now make informed college decisions
needed to be approved by the NCAA
So why did this happen? The concern
indicated that this change would be put
coaches was that highly-touted
enjoy their high school softball careers
scholarships by major Division I
about making bigger college decisions
among many college and high school
into place. It gives kids the chance to
athletes were being offered college
a little longer without having to worry
programs way too early, some as early
| MAY 2018
That’s a massive decision for a young
student-athlete’s junior year as the first
committed to a university but will go
62 | LANTANA LIVING
as their seventh and eighth-grade year.
that will affect the rest of their lives.