MARCH 2022
mom
MATTERS
CONNECTIONS WELLNESS GROUP
10 HOT
BACHELORETTE PARTY VENUE S
5 THINGS
TO S E E PHOTO S P OTS
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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
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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
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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
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cont...
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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
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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
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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
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“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...
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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.
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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
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