Early Summer 2024

Our Cover Story:

David and Nancy Upshaw’s newly built home and backyard oasis located in The Cliffs. The home was built by PK Local, Mike Sartain

Page 14

Local Couple Bring Texas Flair To The Ranch

Have you ever wondered where all the beautiful bluebonnets come from at The Ranch? We’ve got the story!

Our Iconic Home Feature:

Page 6

What is it like living at the gates of “Hell’s Gate”? Explore this amazing 8,000 square feet of luxurious living, owned by Darrell and Margaret Hawkins.

PK’s Top 40

Food Faves

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Page 26 Page 42

Page 67

We mailed out almost 3,000 ballots to local PK residents to ask them to vote on their Top 40 PK Food Faves. After tallying over 1,200 votes, find out who The Top 40 Food Faves are, as voted on by local residents!

Possum Kingdom Lake boat and lake toy trends

Find out what’s hot for 2024 from local dealers.

Our Cover Photo:

Nancy and David Upshaw enjoying the spectacular PK views from their “infinity edge” pool at their newly built home in The Cliffs.

Welcome to the early summer edition of PK Magazine!

Lake season is officially here! This issue will drop right at Memorial Day weekend. The lake is full and local businesses are ready!

Our food features are always popular among our readers so for this issue, we thought it would be fun to ask local PK residents what their Top 40 Food Faves are and they delivered! I think I gained five pounds just working on this feature; I discovered so many new foods to try! The timing could not have been worse because we were in the middle of our daughter’s wedding while this was coming together! It was all worth it though! Check out the results beginning on page 42 and support our local restaurants by ordering up some PK Faves!

I can’t stop looking at the iconic home and architectural design features in this edition. They are both spectacular in their own ways. From living right at the gates of “Hell’s Gate” to enjoying what might be the most spectacular view in the state of Texas, you’re sure to enjoy these two stories.

We talked to local dealers about what their seeing as far as trends in boats ATVs, personal watercraft and other toys suitable for our lake. They share their perspectives in this issue.

I’m sure you all enjoyed the beautiful wildflowers, I mean, how could you not? Have you ever wondered where the sheer volumes of bluebonnets came from in The Ranch development? We’ve got the story inside!

You won’t want to miss the 9th Annual Food Truck Championship in Graham. We’ve got everything you’ll need to know on page 24. Speaking of Graham, if you enjoy wine (like I do), you need to introduce yourself to The Graham Wine Guys beginning on page 38, you’ll be glad you did!

Lastly, read up on your neighbor, Dr. Shawn (Pecos) Clark! He’s the brains behind a Possum Kingdom lake based Texas Alternative School helping students all across Texas. We hope you enjoy all these stories, including our Say Cheese pictures of your PK neighbors loving life at beautiful PK!

Thank you to all of our advertisers and readers for your support. Have a wonderful summer with family and friends and we’ll be back in August with our late summer edition! Be well!

Kim

Vol. 4 | No. 2

Early Summer 2024

Publisher: Kim Nussbaum

Contributing Editor: John Jarvis

Digital Editor: Kim Nussbaum

Contributing Writers: Michelle Ince, PhD Steve Nussbaum

Contributing Photographers: Erika Carter Katie Stauth

Distribution:

Mailed to paid subscribers Distributed through strategic rack locations

Digital replica edition can be found on our website pk-magazine.com

Questions about advertising, content, distribution? info@pk-magazine.com 940-573-7170

PK Magazine is produced by The UPS Store 7355

KSN Family Investment, Inc. 101 N FM 2353 Unit 101 Graford, TX 76449 940-573-7170

Story Ideas? Send them our way! info@pk-magazine.com

Next Issue: August 2024

What is it like living at the gates of “Hell’s Gate”

Darrell and Margaret Hawkins (pictured here) love sitting by their lakeside pool waving to all the boaters going in and out of Hell’s Gate.

Story by Steve Nussbaum

Photos by Erika Carter

very issue of PK Magazine features an iconic lake home - one that boaters drive by and wonder what it looks like inside - and this issue focuses on a beautiful rustic home built on the edge of Hell’s Gate.

The featured home clocks in at more than 8,000 square feet of luxury living, and everyone who’s been to Hell’s Gate has seen it. It’s owned by Darrell and Margaret Hawkins and sits at the easternmost point as boats enter Hell’s Gate.

The home can best be described as “rustic Texas modern,” resembling the appearance of the famous Big Cedar Lodge on Table Rock Lake. Every room is filled with unique architectural features, and there isn’t a simple or plain room in the house.

The Hawkins’ blended family includes five children and 10 grandchildren spread out from Amarillo to the Fort Worth area. The couple spends about half their time at their residence in Fort Worth, and the other half at their Possum Kingdom Lake home.

Hawkins was part owner of a plumbing supply business that sold in 2012, the same year that he and his wife decided to buy their own PK property. The couple considered many prospects, but this particular property was a little larger and more expensive than what they initially wanted.

His negotiating advantage vanished, however, when his wife saw the view from inside the house.

“Margaret walked into the master bathroom and saw the huge picture window with a front-row view of Hell’s Gate, and she screamed in excitement,” Hawkins said.

On the first weekend after buying the property, as they sat on the patio overlooking a beautiful PK sunset, Hawkins recalled how his wife started crying tears of joy over their new home.

Guests enter the home on the second level and are immediately greeted with the stunning lake views and soaring ceilings of the structure’s great room. The huge, aged wooden beams are believed to have come from a railroad trestle in Salt Lake City, Utah, and their size and character emphasize the home’s rustic design. The great room is anchored by a massive

Pictured above, PK homeowners, Margaret and Darrell Hawkins. The rustic design of their home fits in naturally with the “Hell’s Gate” location.

The huge window in the master bathroom of the home offers a front-row view of Hell’s Gate

stone fireplace and huge gourmet kitchen, and off the kitchen is a large laundry room with two sets of highcapacity washers and dryers. A large side-by-side commercial refrigerator space for extra storage is there, too, and is a definite need for a home that was built for entertaining visitors.

Part of the home’s unique character also comes from its collection of large antique doors. No two are alike, and they all add to the incredible design.

The master bedroom is on the main level and features a 180-degree view of the lake and Hell’s Gate. The focal point of its master bathroom is the huge picture window over the sink area that presents guests with a spectacular bird’s-eye view of Hells Gate.

Downstairs features a family room and a large bunkroom for the couple’s grandchildren. The house has four bedrooms and a bunkroom in all, with each of them sporting an en suite bathroom.

The lower level the home has two other unique rooms.

The first is a huge wine cellar that doubles as a safe room, and it can hold 1,500 bottles of wine at an ideal 56 degrees. Adjacent to that space is a poker/game room, complete with a custom-made, leather-topped poker table made by an artist in the Fort Worth Stockyards that features the brands of many famous Texas ranches. The feet on the table are carved wooden legs in the design of western cowboy boots.

As impressive as the indoor space is, the outdoors area is just as incredible. The top level of the home feature huge patios that run along the entire home.

Hawkins said he enjoys cooking, and for that reason the home’s outdoor kitchen features a smoker, gas grill, pellet grill and commercial-grade flattop cooking surface.

The Hawkins agreed that it’s the outdoor living that they enjoy the most. They both said they love beautiful fall days when they can spend their whole time outside or down at the dock fishing.

Wrapped around the side of the home is the lounging pool that is a stone’s throw from the lake. Margaret Hawkins and her friends enjoy lounging there next to the cooling waterfall, watching and waving at all the people entering and leaving Hell’s Gate.

A unique safety feature of the home is a water pump with a 400-foot firehose attached, and having that on site saved the home during the devastating 2011 wildfires. In fact, the Hawkins aren’t sure they could insure their home if it wasn’t for this practical amenity.

The Hawkins said they love the peace and quiet of the lake, but since their home was built for entertainment, their children and grandchildren visit quite often. Their residence has been the site of numerous family reunions, a New Year’s Eve party, two bachelorette parties, a bachelor party and an engagement, and the dock is decked out in flags from all their children’s universities.

This spectacular home is one of the many iconic structures located on Possum Kingdom Lake, and the Hawkins look forward to making many more wonderful family memories there.

The great room has soaring ceilings, unique rustic beams and a stained glass chandelier.

The extensive wine cellar, doubles as a safe room and it can hold up to 1,500 bottles of wine.

The bunk room is ideal for all the grandkids and their friends.

The card room features a custom table with the brands of many famous Texas ranches.

The Hawkin’s grandkids love to spend time at Possum Kingdom Lake.

Longtime PK couple builds dream home with stunning views

Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos by Erika Carter

Our early summer edition architectural featured home is in The Cliffs and owned by David and

David and Nancy Upshaw have owned three homes on the same street in The Cliffs, but it’s their most recent dwelling that’s the featured architectural home in this issue of PK Magazine.

The stunning views from this gorgeous home compete with the best perspectives of any other structure on the lake.

Nancy Upshaw grew up in Colleyville, Texas, and has been coming to PK since the 1980s, while her husband grew up in Irving, Texas, and always went to other lakes surrounding the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He never made it out to PK until he met his wife.

The couple started their weekend lake trips by buying a boat in 2009 and keeping it at The Cliffs Marina. They said they loved the lake so much that they had local builder, and long-time family friend, Mike Sartain construct their first home in The Cliffs in 2010.

Even though they said they loved their home, they always kept an eye on three lots at the corner of their street. The lots were owned by three different families, but they also were situated in the most prime location in The Cliffs. The lots sit on a point looking north, with expansive views of the dam, The Cliffs, The Ranch and the main part of the southernmost part of Possum Kingdom Lake. They offered an incredible view while also being keenly positioned for PK sunrises and sunsets.

The Upshaws said they knew that if they could buy all three of them, they could build the home they envisioned. They knew the home would need to be a one-story dwelling, and this would require all three lots that stretched across the entire point on the cliff line. Local real estate agent Jan Johanson worked diligently with all four parties to help the Upshaws realize their dream.

Nancy Upshaw

In 2020, the couple put their first home on the market, and it sold quickly. Knowing the new house would take more than a year to build, they bought another home on the same street and immediately remodeled it, with the intention of selling it once their dream house was complete.

Building a home takes patience, however, and sometimes the construction doesn’t finish within the original time frame. For almost a year, the only sign of progress was the huge wall that could be seen from the lakeside. The wall was a complicated and a critical piece of the project, and the lot required specialized engineering to ensure that the home was secure.

The result of that construction is a 20-foot wall from the foundation that is 2 feet thick all the way up.

“The wall is now holding up the cliff,” David Upshaw jokingly said.

For the home’s construction, the couple once again enlisted the expertise of local builder, and friend, Sartain. They appreciated his professionalism and constant communication that a project such as theirs required. The result of their combined efforts is a timeless PK lake property stretching more than 5,700 square feet, with four bedrooms, six baths, two living areas, a fitness space and an outdoor living space that is second to none.

Other local contractors, such as Let us Do it Landscaping and J. Caldwell Custom Pools, contributed to the success of the Upshaws’ project.

Guests who walk up to the home’s two large metal doors will immediately start to see the view through the glass. Once inside, the panoramic view of the entire home commands more attention as visitors enter a wide-open great room, dining room and kitchen space with soaring ceilings and contemporary styling. The space is anchored by the wood beams on the ceiling and a huge gas fireplace.

Nancy Upshaw said the kitchen is one of her favorite parts of the house, because it’s there that she’s not only in the middle of everything, but also in prime position to admire the great view that never gets old.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a large prep kitchen and butler’s pantry. There’s also an oversized laundry, with

The views from The Upshaws’ home in the Cliffs are stunning. The “infinity edge” pool presents the illusion that it flows into the beautiful lake on the edge of the cliff.

its two sets of washer and dryers, to accommodate friends and family who come visiting on the weekends.

Off the kitchen, with access to the outdoor living space, is David Upshaw’s favorite space: the wine storage and bar area. This space looks like something out of a five-star restaurant in Dallas, with the bar counter and back wall made from a translucent stone and LED lights behind them, resulting in a very chic and sophisticated bar space.

The couple loves to entertain, and the bar design was his idea to match their lifestyle.

The home features a large master bedroom and bathroom, and the master bath is another of Nancy

Upshaw’s favorite parts of the structure. The bedroom has stunning views of the lake, with its own outdoor space for early morning relaxation, while the master bath has a huge glassed-in shower and soaker tub with a view of the lake.

The couple plans to be at PK full time at some point, so a large master closet also was incorporated into the design.

The home features a large safe and a safe room, too, and the lower level has a fitness and bonus room space tucked below the main part of the house. Added features such as a generator system and water filtration system ensure that the couple has electricity and water during extreme weather events in North Texas.

As impressive as the inside of the home is, though, the star of the show is the outdoor living space. The entire back of the home features several comfortable outdoor spaces, as well as a gourmet outdoor kitchen next to the bar. The massive outdoor space has slidingglass doors that can be lowered or raised to accommodate personal comfort levels, and the doors roll up into the ceiling so no door tracks are visible within the space. The space also features an extensive misting system and outdoor heaters, and the “infinity edge” pool presents the illusion that it flows into the beautiful lake on the edge of the cliff.

The Upshaws currently split their time between the DFW metropolitan area and PK Lake. David Upshaw is the operating partner for Corvette World, which has locations in Dallas and Houston, so he’s stuck in the city for several days each week. The couple has four adult children and nine grandchildren, and the families love to come out to the lake and stay in the new house.

The Upshaws’ journey to build their dream home has taken a lot of time, but they said it’s been worth it. For now, they’re enjoying living at PK and wouldn’t trade the lifestyle it offers for anything else.

David’s favorite space is the wine storage and bar area. This space looks like something out of a five-star restaurant in Dallas, with the bar counter and back wall made from a translucent stone and LED lights behind them, resulting in a very chic and sophisticated bar space.

One of Nancy Upshaw’s favorite parts of the house is the kitchen with views of the living room and the lake.

The first thing you notice upon entering the Upshaw’s new home are the lake views. You feel like you can almost touch the water.

The master bathroom has a large shower and soaker tub that overlook the lake through a large window.

The prep kitchen is hidden behind the main kitchen which makes entertaining easier and hides the mess.

Architectural featured home, continued from page 16

The outdoor space features retractable doors that go up into the ceiling. The space also features a custom misting and heating system so the space can be utilized 365 days a year.

The outdoor space is huge and the focal point of the home.

The ultimate outdoor living space runs along the entire backside of the home.

The pool built by J Caldwell Custom Pools seems to just go on forever with the incredible lake view.

Story by Michelle Ince

Graham has long boasted of having America’s largest downtown square, but they back that up with having the largest food battle in the state.

The Food Truck Championship of Texas is an annual event held in Graham each June that pits the best in the business competing for a grand prize of $10,000.00 and bragging rights.

According to Amanda Dulany, the Executive Director of Visit Graham, this year’s event set for June 1 is going to be a family friendly good time.

“We’re looking forward to hosting in the ballpark of 45 food trucks, and we’ll have all kinds of different cuisine. We’ve got everything from shaved ice to sushi, barbeque, wood-fired pizza, and just about everything in between. So, come hungry, you’re going to find something you like.”

She said that even though the former grand champions are not eligible to win the grand prize two years in a row, they continue to show up. Fan favorite and past winner Sushi Dojo from Southlake will be back this year and is once again eligible for the big prize of $10,000.00.

However, Dulany said people should also expect more than just food. The event will also include live music, vendors, an art walk, and free children’s activities. Admission is free. The average cost of food items is $8 to $10 dollars.

She said people are usually surprised by the volume. “We really fill the entire downtown square. You can walk in a full square all the way around. There is something taking place in every nook and cranny in every corner of the square.”

She said the event is the biggest in Graham and averages around 12,000 visitors, which is more than the population of Graham itself.

Dulany advises bringing chairs to sit in and of course money to enjoy the food. Food trucks will be open from 11:00 to 5:00, with awards at 3:00.

The whole day wraps up with a concert at the Young County Arena featuring Shane Smith and the Saints and Reckless Kelly. Admission to the concert is $40, and you can bring your own cooler for $20. Doors open at 5:30. The concert starts at 7:00.

The 9th Annual Food Truck Championship is slated for June 1st in America’s largest Downtown Square!

Local Couple Bring Texas Flair To The Ranch

Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos by Erika Carter

A local couple’s idea to spread a little Texas charm has blossomed – quite literally – into an exhibition of color every spring at Possum Kingdom Lake.

One of the most scenic bluebonnet trails in the state is located at The Ranch development on the east side of the lake, and its origins can be traced back to the efforts of longtime residents Bob and Carol Gunn.

Many years ago, the Gunns took a trip to Fredericksburg, Texas, and along the way they marveled at the Texas bluebonnets lining the roadside en route to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, named after the former first lady and wife of President Lyndon Baines Johnson.

On a whim, the Gunns bought a bag of bluebonnet seeds, intent on spreading those seeds alongside the roads of the development. They continued this tradition for several years, and now every spring the winding roads of the luxury development are filled with picturesque scenes of the state flower of Texas.

The combination of soil, abundant sunshine and mild spring temperatures allows these flowers to bloom for several weeks every year – and family pictures in a bluebonnet field are a mainstay of almost every Texas clan’s photo albums.

Story continues on page 28

Story continued from page 26

The entire development embodies the Lone Star State every April when drivers pass through the massive stone gates of the property. The bluebonnets make the development look like something out of a travel magazine, along with its stables, large oak trees and beautiful large homes. Thanks to the Gunns, this beautiful signal of spring’s arrival in Texas brings joy and smiles to all that live and visit The Ranch.

The bluebonnet trail brings Texas pride to all the homeowners and visitors to

The scenic roads and Texas design are the perfect backdrop for the field of blue.

On a whim, Bob and Carol Gunn began spreading bluebonnet seeds across The Ranch Development

The Ranch

POSSUM KINGDOM LAKE-BASED TEXAS ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL HELPS STUDENTS ALL ACROSS TEXAS

Story by Steve Nussbaum

Texas Alternative Home School, based at Possum Kingdom Lake, provides a high school education environment that helped more than 600 students graduate last year from across Texas.

The school is the brainchild of local PK resident Dr. Shawn “Pecos” Clark, who founded the program while serving as director of a trade college in Odessa, Texas.

Clark noted that students needed a General Educational Development (GED) degree to enroll at the college, so he developed a method to help those that needed a little educational assistance.

“The biggest misconception is you can just go pass the GED,” he said. “It’s like trying to run a mile after not practicing for a while.”

Texas Alternative Home School provides a path for students who might find passing the battery of five exams designed by the American Council on Education to measure high school equivalency difficult after being out of school for a while.

The program, which started out in 2010 as a school for those who were told they couldn’t graduate, has now morphed into a school for a wide variety of people who may need an alternative to the typical public high school education.

Clark added that the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the school to offer its programs by correspondence, so it now has graduates across the nation, too.

“Life happens for many people,” Clark said. “We provide an alternative for those who still want to get their high school education.”

More than half of the school’s students go on to attend trade school or college, and the school has great relationships with school districts across the state, helping those institutions eliminate their dropout rates.

“Our curriculum is through Accelerated Christian Education”. “Programs are offered in person. However, if the students are not able to to enroll or attend in person, we also offer our program by correspondence”.

--Dr. Shawn Clark

Story continues on page 34

Local PK resident Preston Baldwin accepting his diploma from Dr. Shawn “Pecos” Clark.

Texas Alternative Home School helps the students graduate while also assisting them in finding jobs. The school has partnered with companies across the state to hire its graduates and hopefully guide them to wellpaying careers.

Texas Alternative Home School is a nonprofit that takes no money or grants from the government, but it does take donations such as boats, used cars and other items.

The institution has had several local students in Palo Pinto County and Stephens County graduate from its program. Each student has his or her own story, and they are encouraged to try and finish their public education first. But if that isn’t possible, Clark’s school is there to help them.

“If we get a student at 14, they usually have graduated by the time they are 17,” he said, which allows those students to move on and start jobs or college at an earlier age than the typical high school graduate.

The school is unique in that many of its classes aren’t strictly online; instead, it offers in-person learning combined with instructional correspondence. Educators assist the students between classes via computer video sessions and other related online technology.

“Our curriculum is through Accelerated Christian Education,” Clark said. “Programs are offered in person. However, if the students are not able to enroll or attend in person, since COVID-19, we also offer our program by correspondence. We actually mail our students the ACE curriculum to do at home.”

Texas Alternative Home School is not an online institution, Clark noted.

“You can enroll online, but all curriculum and assignments are done in the ACE ‘paces,’ in which students have in their possession, read, write in and complete,” he said. “We take pride in knowing our students and their families on a first-name basis.”

In recent years, Clark said, Texas Alternative Home School has graduated between 30 and 40 local students.

Clark, along with his wife, Christina, and their 8-yearold son, Jackson, has called PK home since 2012. He and his wife bought a cabin in Sportsman’s World, then later Story continued from page 31

Christina, Jackson and Pecos Clark living their best PK life.

moved to The Hills Above PK. They still have their place at Sportsman’s World, though, and Clark says he and his wife will always be a part of that community.

Clark said he considers Roy Davis a mentor, and has huge respect for what Davis has done at Sportsman’s World to make that community what it is today.

“I’ve always admired Roy’s people skills, and how he goes out of his way to help others in the PK community, not just Sportsman’s World,” Clark said.

Clark said he got the nickname “Pecos” from his time growing up on cattle ranches in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, and never in his wildest dreams did he think he would get his doctoral degree and lead a statewide school helping hundreds of people improve their lives.

According to him, sometimes things fall into place, and there are people out there who help us reach our goals. Clark tips his hat to many of his former colleagues and connections for his success, but his family’s Texas roots anchored his can-do attitude.

“I give credit to how I was raised by my family,” Clark said, noting especially “their work ethic and how they have always gone above and beyond to help someone when needed.”

“My biggest influence was my great-grandmother

‘Nanny’ Una Clark,” he added. “She actually came from Palo Pinto County’s Lone Camp community and was the oldest of 10 kids. They were starving in the Great Depression, so they moved to West Texas. She ended up raising all of her siblings and their kids, and just had one son as a result. He was my grandfather Jack, and (my son) Jackson was named after him.”

For now, the Clarks are full-time residents of The Hills Above Possum Kingdom, with no plans to change things. Their son is a student in Graham, Texas, at Open Door Christian School. The Clarks said they want to raise their son at Possum Kingdom, and know that if he does well here that there’s no telling the opportunities he will have later in life.

Clark said his favorite part of living at the lake is the lifestyle it provides his family. He and his wife love the community, and they enjoy how each area of the lake community has its own style and flair.

“No matter what part of the lake you may live, we all come together to support the community,” he said.

Clark described his wife as a “goddess” for putting up with him, and the ability to run a business remotely in a location such as PK appears to be working well not just for him and his family, but for his students across the state, too.

For more information about Texas Alternative Home School, call (817) 920-7622 or visit the website https://www.texasalternativehs.org/.

The Graham Wine Guys Small-Town Spirits Shop Thrives in Downtown Graham

Businessmen Jason McCall and Michael Armstrong have made a name for themselves as champions for entrepreneurs in the Possum Kingdom Lake area, often using their industry knowledge and their passion for their hometown to offer advice to fellow business owners.

However, what these two retail experts are known for most these days is a little wine and spirits shop located on the downtown square in Graham that is part of a revitalization of “America’s Largest Downtown Square.”

Both men have dabbled for decades in the science of oenology, which is the study of wine and winemaking, and as market conditions changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, they decided to put their vintner expertise to good use by opening Graham Wines

The independent retail store, which opened in 2021, specializes in craft wine, spirits and beer, and is located at 508 Oak St. on the west side of the community’s downtown square.

“We really wanted a quality place here so we wouldn’t have to go out of town to buy our wine and whiskey,” Armstrong said. “After talking about it and dreaming about what it could be, we figured we would do it ourselves and build the type of store that we never really knew existed but was the ideal place that we’d want to shop if we could create our own perfect store. Before we knew it, Graham Wines was born.”

For Armstrong, serving on the Graham Industrial Association board fueled his passion to improve the town’s economic profile.

Story continues on page

PK’s Top 40

Food Faves

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

We mailed almost 3,000 ballots to local PK residents and received over 1,200 votes for PK’s Top 40 Food Faves! Here are the results, as voted on by local PK residents!

Best Breakfast

A sampling of breakfast items you’ll find at The Cafe in Graford!

Best Breakfast was a 2-way tie! Congratulations to The Pizza Shack at PK and The Cafe in Graford!

A sampling of breakfast items you’ll find at The Pizza Shack at PK!

Mention for Breakfast was a 2-way tie! Congratulations to Lush Resort and PK One Stop!

at Lush Resort

Breakfast at PK One Stop

Top 40

Honorable Mention Breakfast

Honorable

Breakfast

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Honorable Mention for Burger: PK One Stop

Honorable Mention for

Mention for

Best Burger: Boondocks Bar & Grill

Best Burger

Enjoy Catfish, along with a waterfront view at Hungry Fox Restaurant!

Honorable Mention Catfish

Catfish: The Cafe in Graford

Best Catfish

Home of the hand-patted burger!

Best Catfish: Hungry Fox Restaurant

Honorable Mention Burger

Where the Chicken Fried Steak literally hangs over the plate!

Honorable Mention Chicken Fried Steak

Honorable

Chicken Fried Steak: The Cafe in Graford

Best Chicken Fried Steak

Best Chicken Fried Steak: Mary‘s Cafe in Strawn

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Honorable Mention for Pizza: Pie House

Cheryle has several seafood specialties, watch for her daily specials on Facebook!

Best Pasta Dish: Brickhouse Pizza Pasta & Taproom

Best Pizza: The Pizza Shack at PK

Best Seafood: 2 Old Crows

Best Pizza Daily lunch buffet!

Honorable Mention Pizza

Best Pasta Dish Made-from-scratch pastas!

Honorable Mention Pasta Dish

Honorable Mention for Pasta (2-way-tie):

Best Seafood

Honorable Mention Seafood

Honorable Mention for Best Seafood (2-way-tie):

Possum Hollow

Lush Resort Hemmingways

2 Old Crows

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Best Margarita: Hungry Fox Restaurant

Honorable Mention for Margarita: Hemmingways Meet the Famous Hell’s Gate Margarita! It’s sweet & spicy and made with Ghost tequila & features a Tajin sugar rim

Mention

Best Onion Rings: Boondocks Bar & Grill

Honorable Mention for Onion Rings: Hungry Fox Restaurant A local fave! Crispy on the outside and handbattered!

Best Taco:

Restaurant

Enjoy Grilled Mahi-mahi tacos lakeside, or a variety of other tacos.

Mention

Honorable Mention for Tacos: 2

Best Margarita

Honorable

Margarita

Best Onion Rings

Honorable

Onion Rings

Hungry Fox

Best Taco Honorable Mention Tacos

Old Crows

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Just

Download their app for easy ordering and pickup via boat or curbside!

for

You definitely won’t leave hungry! The parking lot is always full, the service is great and the food is just like going home to grandmas!

Best Mexican Food: Dos Leones

Best Mexican Food

Honorable Mention Mexican Food

Honorable Mention for Mexican Food: Taqueria La Estrella

a short drive to Graham!

Best Take Out: Pie House

Best Take Out

Honorable Mention Take Out

Honorable Mention for Take Out (2-waytie): Boondocks Bar & Grill

Best Meal For The Money: The Cafe in Graford

Best Meal For The Money

Honorable Mention Meal For The Money

Honorable Mention

Meal For The Money (2-way-tie): Boondocks Bar & Grill

Best Appetizer

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Best Appetizer: Hemmingways

The sweet heat butterflied shrimp is a PK favorite when it comes to appetizers. Six battered shrimp in a sweet spicy sauce!

Prettiest Food

Prettiest Food: Lush Resort

Watch for their chef’s weekend specials!

Best Outdoor Patio: Hemmingways

Enjoy appetizers, casual dining, fine dining, desserts, a full bar and live music lakeside!

Honorable Mention Appetizer

Honorable Mention for Appetizer (4-way-tie): Boondocks Bar & Grill

Hungry Fox Restaurant Possum Hollow Lush Resort

Honorable Mention - Prettiest Food (2-way-tie):

Hemmingways

Honorable Mention for Outdoor Patio (2-way tie): Lush Resort

Honorable Mention Prettiest Food

Brickhouse

Best Outdoor Patio

Honorable Mention Outdoor Patio Bonitaville

Food Faves

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Best Lake View: Lush Resort

Best Lake View The views are endless!

Honorable Mention Lake View

Honorable Mention for Lake View: Hemmingways

Best Cocktail: Hemmingways

Best Cocktail

Full bar both inside and outside!

Honorable Mention Cocktail

Honorable Mention for Cocktail (2-way-tie):

Best Steak: Hemmingways

Best Steak Steaks are cooked perfectly and topped with herb butter!

Honorable Mention Steak

Honorable Mention for Steak (2-way-tie):

Boondocks Bar & Grill

Hungry Fox Restaurant

Wildcatter Ranch Steakhouse

Possum Hollow

Food Faves PK’s

40 AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Coldest Beer: Boondocks Bar & Grill

Open 7 Days a Week!

Variety of cheesecakes, molten lava cake, 5 layer chocolate cake, coconut meringue pie, and more!

Honorable Mention for Coldest Beer: Possum Hollow Experience their beautiful lakeside beer garden!

Honorable Mention for Family Friendly

Restaurant (also Honorable Mention for Best Date Night)

Honorable Mention for Best Dessert, (2-way-tie):

Family Friendly:

Best Dessert:

Possum Hollow

The Cafe in Graford

Coldest Beer

Honorable Mention Coldest Beer

Family Friendly

Honorable Mention Family Friendly

Best Dessert

Honorable Mention Dessert

Hungry Fox Restaurant

Bonitaville

Hungry Fox

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Philly Made fresh to order, hot off their grill! Open 7 Days a Week!

Best Local Dive: Boondocks Bar & Grill

Honorable Mention for Philly: 2 Old Crows

Honorable Mention for Local Dive: 2 Old Crows

Full Bar, Bands, Karaoke, Pool, Shuffleboard. Open 7 Days a Week!

2 Old Crows was also recognized as Honorable Mention for Ambiance

Honorable Mention for Live Music: Boondocks Bar & Grill

Best

Honorable Mention Philly

Best Local Dive

Honorable Mention Local Dive

Best Live Music

Honorable Mention Live Music

Best Salad

Best Po’ Boy

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Best Salad: Boondocks Bar & Grill

Boondocks is known for their iceddown canoe full of fresh salad bar items. Glenda Richey takes great pride in keeping everything clean, fresh and cold! Open 7 Days a Week!

Best Po‘ Boy: 2 Old Crows

Owner, Cheryle Christopher makes a mean Roast Beef Po’ Boy. Watch 2 Old Crow’s Facebook page for daily specials!

Best Wine List: Hemmingways

Hemmingways carries an extensive list of wines by the glass or the bottle.

Honorable Mention for Salad: 2 Old Crows

Honorable Mention for Po’ Boy: PK One Stop

Honorable Mention for Wine List: Brickhouse

Honorable Mention Salad

Honorable Mention Po’ Boy

Best Wine List

Honorable Mention Wine List

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Best Kid‘s Menu: PK One Stop

A variety of options on the Kid’s Menu at PK One Stop and each comes with a surprise and a drink!

Honorable Mention for Kid’s Menu: The Cafe in Graford

Several entrees to choose from in kid’s size portions with the choice of one side item.

Best Wings: Boondocks Bar & Grill

Served with your choice of 911, Medium, BBQ or Sweet Heat Sauce.

Open 7 Days a Week!

Honorable Mention Wings

Honorable Mention for Best Wings: Lush Resort Served with your choice of Garlic Parmesan, Kickin’, BBQ, Sweet & Spicy Asian, Dry Lemon Pepper or Dry Cajun.

Best French Fries: (three-way-tie):

Boondock‘s Bar & Grill

Lush Resort

PK One Stop

PK loves their french fries, and apparently you can’t go wrong finding good fries on both the east and west side of the lake!

Honorable Mention for Best French Fries (3-way-tie):

Bonitaville

Hungry Fox Restaurant

Possum Hollow

Best Kid’s Menu

Honorable Mention Kid’s Menu

Best Wings

Best French Fries

Honorable Mention French Fries

Food Faves PK’s Top 40

AS VOTED ON BY LOCAL RESIDENTS!

Hemmingways

Hemmingways was also recognized as Honorable Mention for Best Bar & Best Happy Hour.

Pictured right: The staff at Hemmingways

Best Bar & Best Happy Hour

Congratulations to the team at Hemmingways! PK voted Hemmingways as the BEST ALL-AROUND! Including: Best Ambiance, Best Date Night, Best Dining Experience, and Best Fine Dining (in addition to the other categories they were recognized within)!

Boondocks Bar and Grill was voted Best Bar and Best Happy Hour!

Cheryle Christopher, owner

of 2 Old Crows

Honorable Mention for Best All Around: The Cafe in Graford

Honorable Mention for Best Caterer:

In addition to other categories already listed, Lush VIP Resort was also recognized for : Best Ambiance, Best Dining Experience, Best Date Night, and Fine Dining

Honorable Mention Best All Around

LUSH VIP RESPORT

Best Caterer

Honorable Mention Best Caterer

Laurel McCracken

Possum Kingdom Lake boat and lake toy trends

The boating season has arrived at Possum Kingdom Lake, and local watercraft dealers are ready to do business.

The market to buy and service boats and lake toys has shifted somewhat this year, but customers still have many local options to choose from. Area dealers agree that the PK boat and personal watercraft market remains strong, even though it’s somewhat different than the national market.

Here are the trends dealers see for this year at Possum Kingdom Lake:

PK buyers want bigger boats and more power

Over the past 10 to 15 years, the market at Possum Kingdom has shifted to larger and more powerful boats. Local dealers point to considerably more lake traffic nowadays as one of the reasons for that trend, and added that smaller boats don’t provide the ability to handle the large waves generated by so many other boats.

Chad Nix at Slalom Shop at PK said his company’s best-selling boats are the luxurious Cobalt boats. These boats tend to have deeper hulls, more power and a more comfortable ride.

At Possum Kingdom Marine, Clint Burkett said his bestselling runabout boats are in the 24- to 28-foot range of the Crownline brand. He added that it’s his belief that most people aren’t going to be happy with a smaller 20-foot boat at PK.

Story by Steve Nussbaum

The pontoon market is still a very popular category with all the local dealers, too, but the main difference now is that the majority of them are “tritoons,” with three tubes instead of two. These tend to be bigger and more stable. Burkett added that his business doesn’t sell any pontoons with motors under 150 horsepower, because a 20-foot pontoon with a 90horsepower motor isn’t what his customers want at PK.

Possum Kingdom Marine sells Bennington pontoon boats, while Slalom Shop offers the Barletta brand of pontoons. VIP Boats and Yachts is the area’s exclusive dealer for the Berkshire line.

The luxury market dominates sales at PK

Today’s local boat market is dominated by luxury crafts, and VIP Boats and Yachts specializes in some of those higher-end brands. The Formula Boat line is the company’s bestseller, and it’s a great boat for PK because of its deep hull and size. VIP Boats also has added the Fountain Powerboats line to its inventory and has sold several already this year to PK boaters. As of May, the company also planned to offer boats made by Prestige Yachts.

Burkett said the surf boat market is still very strong and leans to the higher end, no matter whether it’s a pontoon boat or luxury yacht. All of the local dealers offer financing programs ranging from eight months to 20 years, and regional bank First Financial has competitive rates for new and used boats.

Possum Kingdom Lake boat and lake toy trends

New and used boat inventories are among the best in years

Boating market prices skyrocketed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 because of supply chain issues, but Coty Nelson of VIP Boats and Yachts said that most of the supply issues have now been resolved, which has led to a more stable market. According to Fortune magazine, boating sales may see a slight decline this year compared to the previous three years, but demand is still extremely high, and the industry is expected to see consistent growth through 2032.

Inventories of new and used boats are now good for customers in either category, and Burkett noted that “the used market starts earlier in the season as people tend to also flip their properties early in the season, so when properties change hands, so do boats.”

In other words, many dealers have good inventories on 2023 and 2024 models, so there are deals available for discerning buyers.

The personal watercraft business has recovered from COVID-19

No industry was hit harder and longer than this segment of the boating industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Personal watercraft traditionally are very popular on Possum Kingdom Lake, because it’s the perfect body of water to use them to explore quiet, secluded coves – or to go full throttle in the middle of the lake.

At Possum Kingdom Marine, Yamaha wave runners are the company’s bestselling personal watercraft. The business has good inventory and no supply chain issues, and early season sales have been strong. Its inventory usually sells out early in the season.

At Bluff Creek Marina, Leslea Cochran said the company is seeing a definite increase in people wanting to buy new personal watercraft, with state-ofthe-art technology and Bluetooth audio being “must haves” among their customers.

Possum Kingdom Lake boat and lake toy trends

Bluff Creek Marina is the local Sea-Doo dealership.

PK is a strong market for lake vehicles

No matter what area of the lake people live in, lake toys or vehicles are extremely popular at PK. Many types of all-terrain vehicles, side-by-side vehicles and golf carts can be found around the lake, and there is a fun vehicle for any lifestyle. It doesn’t really matter if the driver is going off road, hauling boat gear to a dock or just cruising one of the great neighborhoods surrounding PK.

At Bluff Creek Marina, customers can peruse a full selection of Can-Am ATVs. The company’s top sellers include the Can-Am Outlander 500 and the Can-Am Defender Max, which offers an enclosed cab with heat and air conditioning.

In the golf cart market, the Toy Shop is a great source for new and used models. The business sells and services a wide variety of golf carts, ranging from sporty to luxurious.

Service by local dealers is critical

All of the local boat dealers admit that they try and get to their service calls as quickly as possible, but added that customers who buy locally are higher on the priority list. All of those luxury investments need periodic maintenance each year to maintain their functionality, so buyers weighing their options would be smart to speak with a local dealer first about their long-term investments.

Can-AM Defender Max

Possum Kingdom Lake boat and lake toy trends

Local PK Boat and Toy Dealers:

Possum Kingdom Marine Boat Sales and Service 1770 FM 2951, Graford, Texas (940) 779-2855

VIP Boats and Yachts 1119 Marina Point Drive, Strawn, Texas (325) 500-5595; ask for Coty Nelson

Bluff Creek Marina, Can-Am, Sea-Doo Sales 1119 Marina Point Drive, Strawn, Texas (817) 279-2899

The Toy Shop Boat, ATV, Golf Cart sales and Service 350 FM 2353, Graford, Texas (940) 779-2525

Slalom Shop at PK 118 LaVilla Road, Graford, Texas (940) 779-3302

PK Boat Restoration (940) 659-8181

The

Graham Wine Guys story continued from page 38....

“We want a vibrant downtown shopping district, and people need a reason to be downtown on Saturdays or after 5 p.m. during the week,” Armstrong said. “We work in a professional office on the square, and we see the demand for diverse businesses with hotels, entertainment, restaurants and specialty retail. The mix is what makes a downtown alive and prosperous.”

An eight-hour business road trip to Louisiana in fall 2021 gave Armstrong and McCall plenty of time to brainstorm the idea for Graham Wines – and to consider whether the concept would work.

The following week, Armstrong took a walk and peered into the vacant buildings that lined the square before dialing a number on one of the storefront windows to inquire about the space. The next day, he toured the buildings with the property owner, and it was then that he said he had an “Aha!” moment for a wine store.

On the way home from work, he stopped at McCall’s house to discuss his idea of partnering to open a wine store.

McCall’s reply was short and simple: “Let’s do this.”

The two men conducted market research to see if the idea was viable, but said they also relied on their business instincts, too. That’s where knowing wine, the culture of the Graham community, and operating a retail store helped shape their plans.

“The daily data we collect helps us focus our inventory assortment and price points,” McCall said. “We also know what our top-selling or slow-selling products are, and we use our expertise to create the coolest shopping experience possible.”

Three months after their store’s first sale of wine on the downtown square in Graham, the community held an election to allow full alcohol sales, which enabled Graham Wines to expand its inventory to full liquor and spirits sales. In addition, the business also operates as the local distributor to restaurants in Graham and the surrounding Possum Kingdom Lake area.

Story continues on page 75

Story continued from page 73...

Both Armstrong and McCall said their mission is to demystify the wine-buying process so that it’s not intimidating for beginners.

“There is an abundance of exceptional wine that isn’t expensive,” McCall said. “They are easy to drink and taste delicious, and you won’t find them anywhere else in Graham. In fact, we have many bottles that are $15 to $20, and they are fantastic.”

“I take pride in finding a delicious bottle of wine for less than $25,” Armstrong added. “Our inventory reflects that concept, with most of our wine ranging between $20 to $45 a bottle. It’s low risk to buy a $20 bottle to share with friends and discover something new that you enjoy.”

Both men said they are familiar with the wines their business sells.

“Every single bottle we stock has been intentionally selected,” McCall said. “We are hand-picking our inventory, and if we don’t know it, we taste it. We are picky, too. We may taste 15 different bottles and only choose one or two to carry in our store. Our high standards are what our customers expect and love from our store.

“Sometimes you want wine that pairs well with a rotisserie chicken you got from the deli, and there are tons of inexpensive wines just for that. But there’s probably also a nice bourbon that goes well with it, too.”

Inside Graham Wines, visitors can find well-stocked shelves and racks with tasting notes for each label, along with flavor and texture descriptions, including food pairing suggestions. Most of the brands aren’t well-known for casual consumers, which is where the additional expertise and guidance comes in handy.

Maps of different wine-producing regions also hang above the wall of wine, along with numbered stickers that refer to the wines below them. The maps serve double duty as artwork and instructional aids.

“I use the maps to teach customers about where a particular wine comes from and all the details that make a particular bottle unique,” Armstrong said.

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Story continued from page 75...

He described the store as an “experience,” adding: “Our shoppers know when they first enter our store that they aren’t in a normal liquor store. We can explain how the products are made, show customers the wine’s origin on the maps, and then show them how to read a label so they can understand what they are drinking.”

Conversations in the store sometimes start with what general wine the customer prefers and how the wine will be consumed, or even what the customer might be planning to eat with it.

“We tailor our recommendations based on if you’re going to drink the wine with food, or if you’re relaxing with a glass by the pool,” McCall said. “We help customers who are brand-new to wine pick out something to try, or we can help an experienced wine drinker locate a special bottle.”

For more information, visit the store’s website (grahamwines.com) or its Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GrahamWinesTX), or call (469) 699-4639.

SayCheeese!

PK Locals share fun pics from around the lake with friends and family!

Long-time PK friends enjoy a boat ride to Hungry Fox Restaurant for dinner.

Pictured left to right: Tammy Holley, Amy Springer, Terri Gossett, Mary Hill, and Barbara Vincent

SayCheeese!

Chris and Erika Carter enjoying a beautiful PK sunset and boat ride on beautiful Possum Kingdom. The Carter’s reside in The Hills Above.

SayCheeese!

Cinco de Mayo in The Hills Above

Back row, left to right: Justin Campbell, Chad Loudermilk, Gary Finch, Chad Jensen, Will and William Gregg, Matt Stanley, Rosendo Ferrer, Dave Smith. Front row: Dave Wallner and James Scalia

SayCheeese!

Brownies anyone?

Becky Bergstrom serving up brownies to Katy and Dave Wallner at recent Cinco de Mayo party.

Pictured left:

Sue Rich Cathey and Rosendo Ferrer getting photo bombed by Katy Wallner at Cinco de Mayo in the Hills Above.

SayCheeese!

Cinco de Mayo in the Hills Above

Back row left to right: Jennifer Scalia, Amiee Jensen, Ashley Loudermilk, Tammy Stanley, Erika Carter, Becky Bergstrom, Veronica Sumpter, Rebecca Campbell.

Front Row left to right: Katy Wallner, Kristal White

SayCheeese!

neighbors.

Fish Fry!

Matt Stanley and Randy White serving up fish at the home of Tim and Connie Collier for friends and

SayCheeese!

New grandbaby!

Local PK resident, Pat Murchison is crazy about his new granddaughter, Evelyn Ruth.

PK Locals enjoying Happy Hour at Lush Resort

Holly Chandler

Barbara Vinson

Shirley Gentry

Brandy Fowler

SayCheeese!

A bubbly good time

Blakelee Hutt, granddaughter of Mark and Barbara Vinson

MotherDaughter Time

Katy Kirbo and Teresa Kidwell enjoying time at Lush VIP Resort

Every day is a good day for a PK gathering with friends!

Troy Welch, Barbara Vinson, and Sherry Welch

SayCheeese!

Amy and Clay Springer enjoying a good time at Lush VIP Resort.

Twinning! Shirley Gentry and Cheney Crooks

SayCheeese!

Wedding Day for Alex and Katie Stauth

Katie is the daughter of PK locals, Steve and Kim Nussbaum

Kim Nussbaum, mother of the bride, with Katie Stauth

F. Scott Dueser, Chairman, President & CEO of First Financial Bank hosted the local real estate community at his lake home in Gaines Bend for a

Local REALTORS® Jackie Fewell, Judy Smith and Dave Smith enjoy

Laurie Jusko, Scott Dueser, and Rachelle Sem.

Linda Lynch-Hayward and Ric Hayward.

happy hour and hors d’oeuvres.

Representing First Financial Bank: Scott Dueser, Derrick Saucedo, Justin Hooper, Doug Dobbins, Candi Kanady, Tim Corzine, Nick Green, Ron Butler

Melanie Deen, Teresa Kidwell, Annabel Wright, Tim Clark, Ali Borron, Candi Kanady and Derrick Saucedo at the home of Scott Dueser.

Photos by Katie Stauth

OUT OF THE OFFICE

Dane Barnes

Scott Dueser

Lars Hanssen

John Wall

Jonathan Fowler

Ron Butler

Ali Borron

Photos by Katie Stauth

Pictured left to right:

Grand Opening!

PK Ace Hardware held a grand opening of their new store on Park Road 36 May 10th and 11th. Local businesses and residents enjoyed refreshments and seeing all the new product lines, as well as expansion of product lines including Stihl, Yeti, Oakley, Milwaukee Tools, Pool Supplies, Tyler and expanded BBQ items. The store is full and ready for PK!

Photos by Kim Nussbaum