Lantana Living Magazine March 2022

MARCH 2022

mom

MATTERS

CONNECTIONS WELLNESS GROUP

10 HOT

BACHELORETTE PARTY VENUE S

5 THINGS

TO S E E PHOTO S P OTS

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

CONNECTIONS WELLNESS GROUP

ARTICLES 08

10 HOT BACHELORETTE PARTY VENUES

14

NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

18

UIL REALIGNMENT

21

FIVE THINGS TO SEE: PHOTO SPOTS

22

SHERIFF’S CORNER WITH SHERIFF TRACY MURPHREE

contents

MATTERS

TA B L E O F

10

mom

30

INSIDE COMMUNITY & EDUCATION

33

TRAVEL WITH TERRI GUTHRIE

35

ANDY EADS: COMMUNICATION FOSTERS COLLABORATION

39

43

DENTISTRY WITH COUNTRY LAKES FAMILY DENTAL

48

CASINO FOR A CAUSE BENEFITTING CLOUD 9 CHARITIES

50

NETFLIX & CHILL: FAVORITE SERIES WITH A LOVE INTEREST

52

54

FASHION GUIDE

56

CHAMBER AWARDS: SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

59

FOODIE FRIDAY DFW: PRIMO’S MX KITCHEN

60

CONSTIPATION: LANTANA PEDIATRICS

DENTON COUNTRY CLUB CENTENNIAL

DESIGN, DECORATION & DELIGHT WITH DECORATING DEN

HOME DECORATING WITH POSH HOME STAGING & REDESIGN

GARDENING WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS

FLOWER MOUND 40TH CHAMBER PHOTO PAGE

41

53

62

FEATURED

26

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

36

NATIONAL CHARITY LEAGUE

44

CRAZY COOL FAMILY MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 5

Publisher of Murray Media Group, kelly@murray-media.com Publisher & Editor Scott & Kelly Murray

Administration

Count Your

BLESSINGS

A

good friend of mine was just telling me about a powerful moment during one of his Denton County small-business networking meetings. As the group slowly went around

the room sharing a little bit about their respective companies, a quiet but very nice dent-repair guy stood up and mentioned that he had moved here years ago from Ukraine.

It was clearly his first time to be at a networking meeting, and despite a slight language barrier, he did his best to explain who he was, what he did, and how he could help everyone in the room.

Before he could finish, this exchange happened: “I’m sorry to interrupt,” a guest on the other side of the room said.

“Did you say you’re from Ukraine?”

“Ummm. Yes. Yes, I am.”

“Well … I stand with Ukraine. We all do.”

The entire room erupted with support for this young man, who undoubtedly was trying to make a living here in America while still being worried about relatives back home in his war-torn country.

Even if you’re currently living under a rock, you know what’s going on over there. I won’t go into detail, but the bottom line is that it is very sad. And over the past few weeks, practically the entire nation has come together to support Ukrainians near and far.

Regardless of what we all have going on in our lives and which side of the fence we are on politically, religiously, etc., we should all be counting our blessings for the peace we do have here in the United States. Furthermore, we should all be standing for and sending our prayers to the innocent men, women, and children in Ukraine. On behalf of my team at Murray Media, we, too, stand with Ukraine.

Thanks for reading this month’s issue!

Managing Editor Jana Melton Sub-Editor Bobbi Byrne

Writers

Caylie Howard, Steve Gamel, Diane Ciarloni Jade Kensington, Jean Eisenmann Leena Duwadi, Mark Miller

Advertising Inquiries

sales@murray-media.com

Production

Graphic Designers Mish Cunningham-Scott Cayla Thompson Arynn Tomson Hallie Preece

Photography

Miranda Longoria Photography Your Candid Memories Photography What’s That Guy’s Name? Photography by Guy T Live Beautifully Photography Penny Whistle Photography

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 Inquiries Call Caylie Howard at 972.899.3637 or email editor@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. © 2022 Murray Media Group

Sincerely, Kelly Murray 6 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 7

8 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 9

mom matters

by Caylie Howard | photography by Penny Whistle Photography

C

onnections Wellness Group has developed a reputation for offering accessible, high-quality mental health

and wellness support for people across a broad spectrum of ages, struggles, and walks of life. “Motherhood comes with a unique set of challenges, and as we have grown, we started seeing the gap in services designed to support the perinatal period,” said Heather Aje, LPC, CCTP, a perinatal mental health therapist at Connections and a member of the business development team. “One of the best parts about Connections is that we are able to create programs to meet the needs of our community with more flexibility and agility than other healthcare systems,” Sydney Reece, LPC, and Director of Operations added. Once this need was identified, Connections Wellness Group set out to recruit a specialized team and design a program to meet it, and thus Mom Matters was born.

Mom Matters is a PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) and IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program) that focuses on the unique challenges and struggles of mental health and wellness when it comes to parenthood. “It’s a higher level of care than traditional therapy and medication management,” Executive Director of the Flower Mound location, Nancy BledsoeLink, LPC, LCDC said. “It’s common for parents to experience struggles and difficulties when

On the cover: Top left - Nancy Bledsoe-Link | Top right - Heather Aje | Bottom left - Becky Spencer | Bottom right Sydney Reece 10 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

transitioning into their new roles as parents.

groups), psychiatric medication management

The struggles that these stages of life bring

(appointments with a provider 1 - 2 times a

can create emotional distress and a decrease

week), nursing care, and family engagement.

in functioning that negatively impacts the caregiver, even if they are doing well in caring for the child.”

Many people don’t realize that they are experiencing long-term effects of the struggles of pregnancy and parenthood until after

PHP and IOP are intensive levels of care that

they give birth and often are misdiagnosed.

offer up to 20 hours of treatment each week.

“In an ideal world, we would want people to

They are used to provide robust support to

reach out for therapy and mental health and

individuals struggling with depression, anxiety,

wellness support from the moment that they

day-to-day functioning, and other mental

decide to start planning for a family, or as soon

health challenges, but are a step down from

as they learn they are pregnant,” Nancy said.

inpatient levels of care. The Mom Matters

“Mom Matters is open to mothers and birthing

program utilizes a variety of evidence-based

persons 18 and older from late pregnancy

treatments that have been proven to support

throughout their parenthood journey.”

stabilization, growth, and healing and includes therapy (education, skill-building, and process

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

cont...

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 11

cont...

Mom Matters recognizes that not every person’s parenting struggles are going to be the same.

The program is designed to help those that are struggling with a wide variety of issues such as adjusting to parenthood, balancing multiple roles, managing anxiety/depression/ mood stability, mental health challenges and caregiving impacts, loss of personal identity, caregiver burnout, and mom guilt.

depending on the needs of the patient.

“Our team offers a complimentary preadmission screening conducted by a compassionate, knowledgeable, licensed clinician. This screening reviews the various components of life to identify the best

a recommendation for an individualized

suit all people. Because of this, Mom Matters

treatment plan is created.”

include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mediation and mindfulness, interpersonal therapy, and many more

12 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

Wellness Group is proud and honored to have the opportunity to provide this level of care to the Texas community.

and PMH-C said. “Every admission is reviewed collaboratively with our treatment team and

a master’s level clinician. These treatments

program of its kind in Texas and Connections

healing,” Becky Spencer, PHD, PHNP-BC, IBCLC,

that there’s no one treatment option that will

throughout the program implemented by

that may be needed. Mom Matters is the first

opportunities to treat, support, and assist with

Connections Wellness Group also realizes

incorporates a variety of treatment modalities

bridge to the widest possible variety of support

When it comes to mental health and wellness, finding care that is designed specifically for your needs is essential. At Connections Wellness Group, the entire staff is dedicated to removing barriers to treatment and to being a

940.222.2399 connectionswellnessgroup.com 2701 Shoreline Dr, Ste. 151 • Denton, TX 76210

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 13

14 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 15

16 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 17

18 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 19

20 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 21

22 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 23

26 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 27

28 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 29

30 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 31

32 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 33

34 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 35

national S

charity league

by Mark Miller | photos courtesy of Cathy Patten

ince it started nearly a century ago, the National Charity League has brought mothers and

passing out presents during the holiday season.

daughters closer together to help less fortunate people in their communities. Among the

Another was honoring first responders at 26

290 local affiliates is the Texas Lantana Chapter (named for the Lantana flower, not the

police departments and fire stations in Argyle,

community) for those living in the Argyle, Lantana, and Ponder school districts. One member –

Denton, and Lantana on the 20th anniversary of

Denton Guyer High School senior and Lantana resident Ryley Patten – recently applied for and

the 9/11 terrorist attacks last September.

received a TickTocker Action Grant used to execute a campaign providing feminine hygiene and care products for those who couldn’t afford them.

TickTocker is the name given to girls who join the organization in seventh grade and remain until they graduate from high school and is not associated with the popular TikTok mobile video site. Mothers are called patronesses.

Patten and her fellow chapter members collected 10,000 products that were distributed in partnership with Denton County Friends of the Family in late January. Chapters select non-profit organizations to help on-site with Texas Lantana partnering with others including the Tarrant Area Food Bank, Our Daily Bread, Up Ministries, Area Rescue Foundation, Serve Denton, Keep Argyle Beautiful, and Shiloh Gardens. The chapter also volunteers time at Dogwood Estates in Denton calling bingo and hosting other events for residents.

According to Ryley’s mom, Cathy, Texas Lantana has donated 3,687 hours since last June.

“You can pick and choose which ones you want to help,” Cathy said. “You find these different areas and if you find something you like you can go back and repeat it or do some different things.”

Other recent efforts found the Texas Lantana daughters dressing up as elves and

36 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

“You are spending time helping the community and it also helps you work around your business schedule,” said Ryley, who is heading to New York University later this year to continue her love of acting.

Ryley and Cathy learned about NCL six years ago from Kristin Jenkins and her daughter Sarah, a friend of Ryley’s. Kristin, along with Abby Ray, Jennifer Harrison, Brandi Jackson, and Audra Laneri, founded the Texas Lantana group. Kristin’s mother, Sue Coffey, helped launch the Houston chapter and Kristin and Sarah were part of the Plano chapter before moving to Lantana.

Currently, there are about 300 moms and daughters in the Texas Lantana chapter.

Members raise funds and pay dues to help monetize their efforts. The $125 per-person annual dues help fund four major yearly events – the kickoff celebration in August, a junior style show in October, senior recognition in February, and awards-installation tea in April.

Each grade level also schedules other events cont...

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 37

cont... throughout the year including age-appropriate guest speakers and field trips. Sometimes the older girls talk to and mentor the younger girls.

Moms meet on the first Monday of each month and daughters on the last Sunday. Each participant is asked to contribute 15 hours each year to philanthropy.

“It’s been really good with all the different areas that we’ve been able to get involved in,” Cathy said.

“Whether it’s calling bingo on a Sunday afternoon with the senior citizens at Dogwood Estates or unpacking food for the food bank and loading it into cars. You make the most of it, you have fun and we’ve really got to meet a lot of great people. It’s been a great experience for us.”

Girls and mothers wanting to join are referred to the chapter, then complete an application and learn about the time commitment. Visit nationalcharityleague.org/ chapter/texaslantana/ for more details.

38 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 39

40 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 41

42 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 43

44 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 45

46 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 47

Benefitting

Photos were submitted by area residents. If you would like to submit your photos for publication, please email them to photos@murray-media.com.

48 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 49

50 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 51

52 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 53

54 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 55

56 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 57

58 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 59

60 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 61

62 | LANTANA LIVING | MARCH 2022

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

www.LiveLocalMagazines.com

MARCH 2022 | LANTANA LIVING | 63