24 minute read
Texas Chef Of The Year
by Steve Gamel | photo courtesy of Stacey Miller
Morris Salerno might need to invest in a bigger trophy case. The longtime Executive Chef and owner of Bistecca steakhouse and Salerno’s restaurant was named Texas Chef of the Year on August 8 by the Texas Chefs Association.
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Six previous winners cooked dinner for him and his friends and family at Denton Country Club.
At the end of the night, Salerno was awarded a giant trophy to commemorate his win. member chefs throughout the year, including Salerno’s latest honor. A Texas Chef of the Year has been named every year since 1968.
Last year’s winner, Dean Sprague, traveled from Corpus Christi to honor Salerno.
I love being a Chef,” While this is a huge Chef Salerno said. “It is “I LOVE COOKING honor, being recognized such an honor to have AND MAKING for his culinary skills is been chosen Chef of the Year and to be the keeper of the trophy PEOPLE HAPPY. IF I’M REMEMBERED nothing new to Chef Salerno. He began his culinary career in the until the next Chef of FOR ANYTHING, IT 1970s at the Fairmont the Year is announced SHOULD BE THAT Hotel in Dallas and later next year! There are so many GREAT chefs in our state; I am humbled to be among some of I MADE PEOPLE HAPPY AND THAT I HAVE A BIG HEART.” joined the prestigious Lowes Anatole Hotel in Dallas when he was only 27. In 1989 and 1991, the very best!” Morris earned “Dallas The Texas Chefs Association (TCA) is Chef of The Year” by the Texas Chef a chapter of the American Culinary Association. He was also selected as one Federation and is comprised of 14 of the Top 10 Young Chefs of Dallas by dynamic chapters operating in cities The Dallas Times Herald. He has also won and regions throughout Texas. The numerous awards with the World Master organization proudly recognizes its Chefs Society Team USA in competitions in France, England, Ireland, Germany, Canada, Sweden, and Thailand.
And yes, his food is off the charts.
Bistecca offers fine dining in the heart of Highland Village. That includes everything from savory pastas to fresh seafood, veal, lamb, and high-quality steaks. With its inviting atmosphere, the restaurant is regarded as one of the more romantic restaurants in Denton County. Bistecca is perfect for the local couple who want to get away and celebrate a special occasion.
Salerno’s moved down the street from Bistecca in 2019 and continues to offer many of the Salerno family classics, including Carolyn’s Manicotti, Bob & Sue’s Seafood Linguine, and Chuck’s Chicken Mogia, as well as some new innovative menu items created by Chef Morris.
Clearly, this is a mecca of great food by one amazing family, and now, loyal customers won’t have to travel far to get the best of both worlds — from the Texas Chef of the Year.
“I love cooking and making people happy,” Morris said. “If I’m remembered for anything, it should be that I made people happy and that I have a big heart.”
TRACK AND FIELD:
GUYER’S BRYNN BROWN COMMITS TO
NORTH CAROLINA
by Steve Gamel
Guyer senior Brynn Brown is in the news again. Arguably one of the top runners in the country, Brown announced on August 24 that she has committed to North Carolina. The big announcement comes two months after Brown was named the Gatorade Texas Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.
“I didn’t really expect to make a decision As of press time, Brown was one of three this early,” Brown told the Denton Record- more prep distance runners to choose Chronicle. “I just felt something click. I Chapel Hill. And many people would say really felt like that’s where I wanted to be. she is the centerpiece. Brown broke the Why wait? I got the offer and accepted. tape in the outdoor 3,200-meter run at And here I am the Coppell Relays now. It’s been an exciting past “EVERY ACCOMPLISHMENT in 9:58.58 in late February, which 48 hours.” Brown’s decision makes perfect IS GREAT, AND I’M SUPER GRATEFUL AND BLESSED.” ranked as the fastest girls time in state history and as the sense. The Tar nation’s No. 12 Heels already boast one of the top cross performance of country and track programs in the nation, all-time in the event. She also recorded a but coach Chris Miltenberg has been time trial of 9:39.38 in the 3,200, which, dead set on becoming a national power had it been official, would have shattered while also building for the future. Just the national record by eight seconds. As last year, his strong women’s signing a sophomore, Brown won the Class 6A class included Taryn Parks of Greencastle 3,200 title in 10:09.91. Antrim in Pennsylvania, Sasha Neglia She also won state in the 1,600 with a time of Dobyns-Bennett in Tennessee, Ava of 4:48.37. Dobson of St. Joseph’s Catholic School in South Carolina, Sarah Trainor of Franklin Brown’s rise to notoriety hasn’t come D. Roosevelt in New York, and Kelsey without adversity. As a freshman, she Harrington of Virginia High. suffered an injury that could have ended her career much too early. Clearly, she has found a way to overcome those setbacks and is now on track for a huge final push to her high school career.
“Brynn is no stranger to adversity. She has endured multiple season-ending injuries, unfortunate falls, and most recently, the loss of an outdoor track season to the pandemic,” Guyer coach Megan Sprabeary told Gatorade after Brown won that award. “However, she has handled it all with dignity and grace. She uses each disappointment as motivation toward her next goal.”
Brown agreed, adding that she wouldn’t be the runner she is today without her coaches at Guyer.
“Every accomplishment is great, and I’m super grateful and blessed,” Brown told the DRC. “I wouldn’t trade my experiences at Guyer for the world. The coaches are amazing. There is an expectation every day that you’re going to put in the work and get better, not just for yourself, but to build a program, culture, and team.”
INSIDE COMMUNITY
HIGH SPEED TRAIN APPROVED
The Federal Railroad Administration has approved the high-speed train that promises to transport passengers from Dallas to Houston in 90 minutes. Texas Central Railroad, the company in charge of the project, expects to start construction in the first half of 2021.
LIBERTY CHEER OUTREACH
Liberty Christian School cheerleaders delivered homemade quilts made and donated by junior, Jackie McGuire’s grandmother, to Rockport Memory Care Center in late September. The blankets are made from plastic bags that are knitted together and given to people in need. What a unique way to serve others!
INSIDE EDUCATION
EMILY HOLDER STARS IN DEAD SILENT
Resident Emily Holder will star in an episode of Hulu series, Dead Silent. If you’re a fan of true crime, then you’ll love this series. Emily portrays Jasmine Block, a young girl who was abducted in 2017. The episode airs early November. Let’s support Emily and add her episode to our
Hulu Watchlist! photo courtesy of Emily Holder
GUYER PSAT
Calling all sophomores and juniors! This is a reminder about the upcoming PSAT given during the school day on Oct. 29th for students enrolled in English II or English III. Come prepared with your mask, pencils, a sack lunch, a water bottle, and a calculator. The test begins promptly at 8:50am. For practice tests, visit www.
CollegeReadiness.CollegeBoard.org
and click on PSAT and the “practice now” button. Good luck, students!
TODDLER TIME AT NINE SPUR RANCH
Mondays, Tuesdays, & Thursdays | 11am-12pm | Nine Spur Ranch
216 Pecan Acres
Nine Spur Ranch is now offering Toddler Time where kids ages 2-6 will have a chance to meet, feed, and learn about the farm and all of its’ animals. Spots are reserved at $15 for the first child and $10 for each additional sibling. For more information, reach out to owner Shishana Rourke on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/NineSpurRanch. photo courtesy of Brooke Ezzo
AMERICAN PICKERS IN DENTON COUNTY
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz and the team from American Pickers will be filming throughout the state during November and they will be coming to Denton County! This popular series is known for exploring the world of antique “picking.” The team is looking for leads. If you or someone you know has a large collection of hidden treasures, send them your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ONLINE
Denton ISD fans will have a new option for viewing team sports this fall. Varsity games will be streamed live on NFHS Network. This streaming service allows anyone interested in any Denton ISD high schools to subscribe to the Network for an annual subscription fee of $70. Not only will you have access to most athletic events, but you can also watch high school sports from around the nation. Visit www.NFHSnetwork.com and search, Guyer High School.
HOMEWORK HOTLINE
In partnership with Texas Women’s University and the Univeristy of North Texas, Denton ISD has opened the homework hotline. It is a free service offering over the phone and Zoom homework assistance to students who participate in the Dual Language and English as Second Language programs in grades 3-8. Students can receive support from approved volunteers Monday through Thursday between 4pm-8pm. Students are to call the hotline at 940.369.0466. photo courtesy of Jamie Wilson
Foodie Friday DFW: Rusty Beagle Rusty
BEAGLE
by Jay Marks | photos courtesy of Foodie Friday DFW
If you’re looking for a place where “everybody knows your name” and where you can get some of the best wings and burgers in town, then look no further than the Rusty Beagle located off FM 407 on the Lewisville and Highland Village border.
Husband-and-wife team Charles and Jackie Carlock took over running the restaurant in 2015 after Charles’ dad, Rusty, passed away from cancer. The two have continued Charles’ father’s legacy and have created a beautiful environment where everyone feels welcome from the customers to the staff.
The Rusty Beagle is, by definition, a sports bar, but it’s also a gathering place for Little League Teams, a family dinner spot, a Super Bowl party venue, a great place to grab some lunch, and so much more.
We did mention that these guys have some of the best wings and burgers in town - in fact, they recently won Best Wings from Best of Denton County 2020! They have a wide range of sauces for their wings ranging from Mild to Asian Sesame to Mango Habanero, and you can order them naked or breaded.
Two of their crowd-favorite burgers are the Rajun Cajun made with blackened seasoning, sauteed mushrooms, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and a creole aioli; and their namesake burger - The Rusty - which is topped with tender smoked (in-house) brisket, shredded cheddar cheese, red onion, chipotle BBQ sauce, and two halved bacon-wrapped jalapenos. Yes, that’s real life. That sucker is about 2 feet tall and it’s delicious.
The Rusty Beagle also has some killer sandwiches on their menu like their Triple Stack Clubhouse Sandwich and their Reuben made with house-made corned beef, sauerkraut, and thousand island dressing.
And, of course, at the center of the Rusty Beagle is their bar which has 24 taps with craft beers that rotate through seasonally, cocktails, whiskeys, wines, freezer shots, and more. They have Happy Hour every day of the week with different daily specials, and on the weekends you can find live music on the patio.
All in all, between the food, the environment, the people, and the sports, you’ve got to make the Rusty Beagle your new hangout. You’ll love getting to meet Charles and Jackie and the whole team and you’ve got to try out The Rusty Burger while you’re there!
972.724.2540 | JayMarksRealEstate.com
jay@jaymarksrealestate.com 1013 Long Prairie Rd., Ste. 102 | Flower Mound, TX 75022
HALLOWEEN MOVIES YOU MUST SEE AGAIN
by Steve Gamel movie posters photos courtesy of IMDB (https://www.imdb.com/)
Halloween is almost here. To get you geared up for the big night, we compiled this list of must-see scary movies that have managed to stand the test of time. Some are the type you’d be OK with having the kids watch while others are cult classics that are definitely on the adult side. Either way, why wait until Halloween when you can grab some popcorn, turn the lights off, and start a chilling movie marathon throughout the month of October?
Edward Scissorhands
A scientist with good intentions creates an animated human being (Edward) but dies before he can finish. This leaves poor Edward with scissors for hands as he tries to live in an average suburban neighborhood. Another mustwatch classic by Tim Burton that is great for the entire family.
Halloweentown
If you’re looking for something light for your small kiddos to watch, Halloweentown is a great choice courtesy of the Disney Channel. The series consists of four films that ran between 1998 and 2006.
Hocus Pocus
This is a funny tale starring the hilarious and odd trio of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. A curious youngster moves to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century. Just like Beetlejuice, word on the street is there’s a sequel brewing.
Gremlins
Never feed a Gremlin after midnight. If you do, they may just take over your entire town. Kids and adults will definitely get a kick out of this 1980s masterpiece directed by the great Steven Spielberg.
Scream (all of them)
“What’s your favorite scary movie?” — Ghostface. Say what you want about Scream, but there’s something about this series of four slasher films that are funny, clever, and scary. The films follow Sidney Prescott and her war against murderers who adopt the guise of Ghostface.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Everyone loves a great movie about Count Dracula, and this is perhaps the best one out there. This is a perfect movie to watch on Halloween after the kiddos have finally gone to bed.
Poltergeist
Another Steven Spielberg flick that became an instant classic. There’s just something about that small, blonde-haired girl that will instantly creep you out for weeks. “This house … is clean.”
Exorcist
Out of all the scary movies you could watch this Halloween, this is one you must fit into your movie marathon. The Exorcist (1973) is one of the most profitable horror movies ever made and is based loosely on actual events.
HEARTS Hopeful
by Brooke Ezzo | photos courtesy of Amy Holder
Over the summer, Lantana resident Erica Wilson sat down at a local coffee shop with pen and paper and created a children’s book for elementary-aged students. The inspiration came from a comment about the coronavirus on a news program.
One of the news anchors spoke about how hard it was going to be for children to go back to school with all of the safety modeling the behavior of wearing masks,” Erica said. “I thought, ‘I could do that!’”
Erica’s book, Hopeful Hearts, follows the main character, Harper, through her school day and encourages young readers to stay positive even when things may look and feel different. “I wrote the book from the perspective of a young student,” Erica said. “It starts with talking about Harper’s mask and then about her classmates’ masks. I associated each mask with a positive or cool idea to make kids excited about wearing them. For example, Harper’s mask is centered on hearts. She talks about loyalty, laughter, happiness, hope, and other basic themes for kids to hold onto during these times.” Throughout the book, Erica touches on social distancing guidelines, why we wear “On one of the pages, I wrote about germs from Harper’s perspective,” Erica said. “Harper says, ‘the desks have to be 6-feet apart so the germs can’t dance from desk to desk.’ And, another page says, ‘I didn’t know germs could dance.’”
The simplistic themes are easy for the younger students to grasp, but they hold a powerful message.
“It’s about listening to other people’s
precautions put in place, especially wearing masks.
“She mentioned it would be a good idea for someone to write a children’s book
perspectives and considering their masks, washing hands, not sharing food, and the importance of social distancing by writing in a way children could understand.
Hopeful Hearts can be found on Amazon and the Barnes and Noble website.
feelings,” Erica said. “It promotes staying hopeful, recognizing what other people are going through, and being supportive and considering other’s feelings.”
Writing a children’s book requires less embellishments. Kids don’t need as much description. But what they do enjoy are bright, active illustrations. Hopeful Hearts is full of them.
“It was a lot of fun to have that creative process of illustrating a book,” Emily said. “I just started doodling around with the manuscript Erica gave me, and it just came to life.”
Emily said as a kid it would have been a struggle for her to remember why she needed to keep her mask up, so a book like Hopeful Hearts is a great resource. “It is not only a fun book to read, but it helps children understand what is happening and how it pertains to their own lives,” Emily said.
Through simple themes, vibrant colors, and creative imagery, students can follow Harper’s journey of learning that masks can be used for positivity instead of being seen as just a reminder of the changes brought on by the virus.
“Since a lot of us have been isolated for so long, the book is intended to help kids look at their circumstances in a new light, learn from the new opportunities, and remain positive,” Erica said. “I am happy that the book can be a resource for parents and teachers, and that these
young students can have hopeful hearts.”
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE IMPORTANT In Denton County
by Denton County Judge Andy Eads photo courtesy of Judge Andy Eads
October is National Mental Health Month, which provides the perfect backdrop to stop and assess exactly, “How are you doing?” As stressful as life is normally, COVID-19 has magnified stressors in everyone’s life and pushed the boundaries of our mental health.
Statistically, Americans rank high in the realm of mental health issues. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 26.3 percent of adults 18-25 suffered from a mental health issue in 2018. During 2009-2017, adults 18-25 suffering from major depression increased 63 percent. The senior population (55 and above) in the U.S. is estimated to have 20 percent of the demographic struggling with a variety of mental health issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 40 million adults, around 18.1 percent of the U.S. population, suffer with chronic anxiety, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. The U.S. spent $187.8 billion on mental health conditions and substance abuse disorders in 2013. An estimated $70 billion was spent on depression treatments alone, according to a SingleCare report.
These statistics remind us that many of our neighbors in Denton County are struggling with mental health, suffering in silence at an even deeper level with the added pressures of life due to the ongoing pandemic.
Denton County’s MHMR has reported a true struggle to remain connected to their elderly population since the onset of the pandemic. People are not coming out to seek assistance with their mental health struggles due to the risks of contracting COVID-19. Thankfully, CARES Act funding allowed MHMR to receive funds as part of Operation: Connecting Lives to purchase iPads to assist in connecting with the elderly population, especially those in nursing homes who have been especially isolated.
United Way of Denton County is another organization that has been on the frontlines serving our residents in many ways including mental health. UWDC leads the Denton County Behavioral Health Leadership Team, which advocates and facilitates for a collaborative personcentered behavioral health system to repair and restore lives.
Interested residents can attend a free-8-hour course on adult mental health first aid to equip them with a five-step action plan to respond and refer an adult who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.
Another population in Denton County who has a great need for mental health assistance is our inmates, juveniles, and the public in crisis situations.
Incarceration provides a plethora of restrictions, rules, and even isolation while still being among a constant population. Our County recognizes the need to serve this population and keep them healthy.
Denton County has spent over $1.3 million to provide mental health assistance for our inmates and the public experiencing a mental health crisis through the Sheriff’s Office Mental Health Investigative Unit and the Denton County Public Health’s Jail Health Program.
During this month of mental health awareness, let’s do our part to continue these initiatives and assist each other in ensuring mental health services are available to all in need.
If you have any questions or comments, please let me hear from you at andy.eads@dentoncounty.com or 940.349.2820 For more information, register for my newsletter at www.Dentoncounty.gov/countyjudgenewslettersignup.
Pumpkin Save Your Recipes
Are you finding yourself failing once again at pumpkin carving? Don’t just throw it away – while you might have intended it to only be a decoration, you can easily turn it into a great dish or a sweet treat. Here are two great recipes that will recycle your sad jack-o-lantern attempt. So ditch the pumpkin spice latte, and get into your kitchen to whip up a bit of fall flavors in your own home (or don’t ditch the latte, we won’t judge).
ROASTED SPICY PUMPKIN AND SQUASH
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds fresh pumpkin, peeled & seeded 3 whole yellow squash 1 onion 4 tablespoons olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS
Pre-heat oven to 200°C or 400°F. 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) sprig of thyme
Carefully peel and seed the pumpkin. Cut pumpkin and squash into 2” cubes. Cut onion into several wedges.
Place pumpkin, squash and onion into a large roasting tray before drizzling olive oil over it.
Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne pepper over the mixture to ensure everything is properly coated (you can add more or less cayenne depending on your taste and spice level).
Bake in the oven for about 30 to 45 minutes or until everything is soft & also tinged brown at the edges.
PUMPKIN COOKIE DOUGH
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup pumpkin pureed in blender 1/2 cup vanilla flavored protein powder 1/2 cup gluten-free oat flour 1 tablespoon of maple syrup 2 tablespoons of almond butter 1 tablespoon of almond milk dark chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
In a bowl, combine the pumpkin, protein powder, flour and maple syrup. Mix together thoroughly.
In a small sauce pan, melt the nut butter with the maple syrup and add to the pumpkin mixture until fully incorporated.
Add almond milk to desired consistency. Leave in fridge for a day or so for best results.
ADHD ONLINE & IN-PERSON SCHOOL DURING THE PANDEMIC
by Dr. Rebecca Butler (Lantana Resident) Board Certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics
When managing children, adolescents, and teens with ADHD, there is no onesize-fits-all approach. Every individual is unique in regards to the assistance that may benefit them in improving attention span, decreasing impulsivity and hyperactivity, and improving organizational skills. I treat and manage many ADHD patients, and each one of them requires an individual approach.
You must decide what style of learning best fits your child. Online learning often requires students to be self-guided in managing their time, motivating themselves to complete assignments and projects in a timely and efficient manner. While some students really struggle with self-guided learning, other students may find fewer distractions at home, making it easier to focus on tasks. Learning from home also gives students a way to develop independence.
Overall, the AAP advises that students learn best in-person and encourages schools to reopen if they can do so safely in their communities. But whether your child is in school online or in person this fall, here are some ways to help your child with ADHD manage challenges during the pandemic: If your child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), this plan should continue. An IEP is designed to support a student’s learning needs and must include instructional interventions, supports, accommodations, and modifications.
With new teaching methods, some students may need new or different accommodations. Inquire about making changes to the IEP or 504 plans to accommodate the new learning structure if this would be beneficial. Would reading or dictation software help with virtual learning? What about extended time assignments that need parental supervision, which may not be available during school hours?
Structure the day with frequent breaks that can help them use their brains in different ways and build a variety of
74 McMakin Rd., Ste. 100 • Bartonville, TX 76226
skillsets. Try to schedule the toughest subjects for them at their peak focus times. Allow breaks throughout the day for exercise and other stress relieving activities.
Use positive reinforcement by focusing on your child’s strengths and efforts. Kids with attention and impulse control challenges often benefit from specific, immediate, and bold feedback. For example, saying, “Great job getting started on your assignment right on time!” rather than “good job” muttered from the kitchen may have very different effects.
Students with ADHD may benefit from going over the material that their teachers already taught. This can help them remember what they learned. In many cases, having more hands-on supervision and guidance from parents may help. If you’re working from home, let them know when you are available try to give them undivided attention during those times.
Teachers may be offering virtual office hours or other ways for students to get more one-on-one help. Please inquire about available services at your child’s school.
School systems and teachers have also been taxed trying to adjust to changed learning environments. If you feel your child is not supported well enough in this new setting, reach out to your school’s learning specialist, principal, or superintendent to advocate for your child’s rights. And please seek your pediatrician’s support and
940.455.7200 | www.LantanaPediatrics.com
direction as needed.
FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE
