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New Year, New Smile
The 7to7 Dental staff at the Stone Oak location are ready to bring you a New Smile for the New Year. By Amy Morgan
W
e learned many lessons this past year, but the importance of taking care of our health ranks high on the list. Poor dental hygiene translates directly to destructive medical complications, including heart disease. Did you know an infection from a compromised tooth can abscess and travel internally to damage the heart or brain? The professionals at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics encourage everyone to prioritize oral health and take full advantage of dental insurance benefits for which they’ve already paid. To make remembering appointments easier, 7to7 Dental will help patients schedule their next visit before they leave the office. “It’s easy to let time get away,” said Travis DeZuba, 7to7 Dental's Marketing Director. “Parents tend to put their kids first. Before you know it, the year has slipped away and you’ve lost a benefit you spent money on. Even worse, your health has fallen by the wayside.”
7to7 Dental is aware the cost of dental care can be an obstacle, especially in these changing financial times. The practice is in-network with most dental insurance plans to keep out-of-pocket expense as low as possible. 7to7 Dental will file the paperwork and handle any appeals. They offer financing options and created an in-house dental plan for uninsured patients. Just $199/year covers all diagnostic cleanings, exams and X-rays, along with a 30% discount on any other services and a reduced rate for additional family members. Like the cost of regularly maintaining your car prevents an expensive repair, dentistry is not expensive, neglect is, Travis said.
Practice co-owner Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D., wants to remind people it is safe to return to the dentist and important to do so to care for your health. 7to7 Dental already maintains rigorous sanitation practices, but ramped up cleaning high touch areas in response to Covid-19. For the past eight Februarys, 7to7 Dental would have been providing free fillings, extractions and cleanings for upwards of 300 patients during their Dental Hope community day of service, giving back new smiles to hundreds over the years. “Dental Hope is pretty much an all-hands-on-deck event,” said Dr. Winburn. “Our dentists and hygienists see as many patients as they can, non-clinical staff help process the paperwork, direct traffic and, change rooms, friends and family stop by. All told – we’d have close to 190 people volunteering that day.” This year, the practice realized despite growing need, gathering crowds in close proximity was not prudent. Instead, 7to7 Dental started “New Year, New Smile,” selecting five deserving patients for extensive inoffice dental care totaling $5,000 each. “The level of care will be life changing,” Travis said. One patient with significant bite distortion will receive braces. Straightened teeth will be a huge confidence booster for this young mom. She’s covered her mouth to hide her smile for years, he added. Others look forward to
Hygienist, Shannon Garcia and Cesar Gonzalez, D.D.S. examine a patient at the Stone Oak location of 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics. restoration like implants or dentures to allow them to chew and eat the foods they enjoy. “This is a small gesture compared to what our patients have done for us,” Travis said. Right at HOME will follow patients’ progress and keep you up to date on the course of their treatments. 7to7 Dental is a local business, grown in 12 years from the practice of one dentist and six staff. Dr. Winburn and Co-Owner Justin Coke live in Stone Oak with their families and are part of the community. Visit 7to7 Dental’s website at 7to7dental.com or call 210-495-2000.
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Stone Oak Location
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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Trailblazing Teen JROTC Drill Team Commander Reagan’s First Female
By Amy Morgan
R
onald Reagan Student Nicole Lee was relieved the JROTC competition season resumed to cap off her senior year. The Battalion Executive Officer will lead Reagan’s Armed Drill Team February 13 — the first stop on their journey to Army Nationals this spring and Grand Nationals this summer. “Everything we do all year leads up to Daytona (Grand Nationals),” Nicole said. While the event was canceled in 2020, Nicole participated the two previous years. “To compete at the biggest competition of the nation was exhilarating!” Reagan’s JROTC team participates in Color Guard, Regulation, Exhibition and Inspection events using demilitarized rifles, Nicole explained. In exhibition, the JROTC team performs an original routine incorporating spins, tricks and movement patterns. On Halloween, Reagan joined schools from San Antonio and surrounding the rifles.” She rose to the challenge of joining the group areas for their first competition this school year. Reagan’s and has since become Reagan’s first female Drill Team group of nine proudly took home the first place medal Commander. in the Regulation event. Nicole also holds the honor of carrying the Texas flag during color guard ceremonies. Nicole’s father, an Episcopalian Chaplain in the U.S. Army, recently returned home from a year-long deployment in Nicole starts each school day at 6:30 a.m. with JROTC, Germany. Nicole feels sure he missed her mother’s Korean logging three hours of physical fitness —running, agility, strength training —and drill, before other in-person classes home cooking. Her father met her mother when he was start at 10 a.m. She became interested in JROTC when she a seminarian in Korea. A friend who was interning at attended the Reagan team recruiting performance at Lopez Nicole’s mother’s church where she was a Sunday school Middle School when she was in eighth grade. Her military teacher introduced them. family had recently moved to the area, and she was attracted by the dedication of the unit and the opportunity to belong Nicole fluently speaks Korean and has begun learning Spanish in preparation to major in psychology and to something bigger than herself. minor in foreign languages. She plans a military career — hopefully beginning with a commission to the Air Force “They talked a lot about teamwork and developing leadership skills,” she said, “and I liked watching them spin Academy. She’ll receive word in April. Nicole treasures another Reagan tradition —homecoming — with its giant mums and vibrant buzz of football energy unique to Texas. Nicole also is active in the UNICEF club, which raises awareness of global crises and performs community service. A recent drive provided socks and supplies for Haven for Hope, and she Trick or Treats for UNICEF every year, raising money for children across the world. “Halloween is such a fun time,” she said. “I look forward to the opportunity to give back.”
Answer these questions to enter and win a $100 Gift card from Scuzzi’s Italian Restaurant! Read and View the Videos in this month’s issue of the Right at HOME Video e-magazine to answer the following questions. Email your answers to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com by February 10th to enter to Win! One correct entry will be drawn and awarded a $100 Gift card to Scuzzi’s Italian Restaurant. No purchase necessary.
1. What is the new address for Shaw Company Remodeling? 2. What are the names of the dogs in the Pet Tip this month? 3. What extracurricular activity does our Student Spotlight participate in? 4. What is the name of the Morales Padia Law office video podcast? 5. What is the name of the 7 to 7 Dental philanthropic effort?
Email these five answers to stoneoakinfo@gmail.com before February 10, 2021 to be eligible to win.
PET TIP
Canine Companions
Love Conquers All
By Tamara Wetegrove
D
ogs have earned their name as man’s best friend. The bond of love between a pup and person, and especially one struggling with mental or physical health issues, can literally be lifesaving. The founders of Partners for Patriots realized the essential role canine companions can play to assist veterans coping with PTSD or traumatic brain injury. They established the non-profit in 2009 to pair trained dogs with veterans. According to Partners for Patriots, “Every 80 minutes in this country, from 2015 statistics, a Veteran with PTSD commits suicide. These dogs are lifesavers.” “PTSD can be debilitating and can keep the Veteran from functioning in society. These dogs react to the slightest hint of anxiety and intervene by bringing the Veteran back to reality. Always with them, the dog helps them to gain confidence and independence,” from the website.
The little black lab was just 4 ½ weeks old when she joined the family, really too young to be separated from her mother. They named her Cricket, because she chirped for Peter’s attention. The puppy depended on Peter for everything. It took a few weeks, but caring for Cricket drew Peter out of his shell. Her devoted love and companionship lightened Peter’s mood. Soon he found new purpose to his days. He’d drop his wife off at work on the way to take Cricket to obedience class or walks on the trails. Weekends were full of dock diving lessons and trips to the dog park. He even taught her how to duck hunt, although the animal lover was more interested in watching the birds than shooting them. As his wife had hoped, the close relationship between man and dog began the healing process for Peter’s injured mind and soul. Fast forward a decade. While at work, Peter noticed a beagle mix puppy abandoned in a dumpster. He paid the love he’d found with Cricket forward by bringing her home. Now Cricket and Molly romp playfully together and have been so well trained they take their daily walks without leashes — following Peter worshipfully wherever he goes. The love of a pack — people and canine, rescued in more ways than one — transformed this family.
Find Partners for Patriots at https://www. partnersforpatriots.org. If you’re interested in learning more about what it takes to join One smart wife became her own one-woman “Partner for Patriot” the Camp Bow Wow Pack, advocate for her husband. Like those targeted by the organization, dial 210-496-9969 or visit www.campbowwow.com/stoneoak. Peter* also struggled with lingering trauma from his military career. He’d enlisted immediately after high school, and when he retired after 20 years of service, he had a tough time transitioning. *Names changed to protect privacy Peter had no job, no direction, was deemed “too old” to stand with his team. Suffering from lingering physical injuries, he couldn’t seem to find his way forward. Weeks turned into months, until his wife seized upon the idea to motivate him with a puppy to care for.
Watch Buddy’s adventure at Camp Bow Wow!
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SENIOR MOMENT
Noteworthy Knitters Independence Village Ladies Find Fellowship, Purpose Crafting for NICU Babies By Amy Morgan
C
ovid-19 has been impacting our lives for almost a year. One thing lost — opportunities to volunteer. A group of ladies living in Independence Village decided early on not to let a virus keep them from serving. When quarantine shut down their usual activities, they got busy knitting and crocheting accessories to donate to Threads of Love, a non-profit organization that distributes items for babies hospitalized in the NICU. The little handmade hats and miniature kangaroo blankets bless families throughout the area. Several years ago Pat Balhorn toured Threads of Love’s local office on the grounds of Oak Hills Community Church and was so impressed she began knitting for the cause. Pat urged her friends, Audrey McIntyre, Gayle Cook, Kay Young, Rae Chen and Judy Countryman, to join her on a field trip to the ministry. “Everybody’s jaw dropped” when they saw the extent of the work being created there, Pat explained. In addition to the knitted items, volunteers sew burial gowns made from wedding dresses. The ladies were moved by the need and depth of gratitude from the recipients of the handiwork. Their efforts provide meaning and purpose to the ladies’ days as they fondly consider those who will enjoy the fruits of their labors. Since the pandemic, they’ve been much more prolific. They create 23-30 blankets a month and at least that many hats, Judy’s specialty. Although their circular shape requires significant skill, she completes a hat every day. Last March the group began meeting weekly at the Independence Village Clubhouse on Tuesday mornings. Getting together allows them to see a friendly half of a face, (over their masks), share the news, get supplies and build friendships. Not only has their group filled a Covid-caused void, it has been a boon of companionship for those who live alone. “It gives meaning to my life that I’m doing something for someone else,” Pat said. “It’s a way to feel like we make a difference,” Gayle agreed. Pat takes the finished products to Threads of Love and picks up donated yarn. While the others knit, Kay and Gayle prefer to crochet, a technique using one hook rather than two. Pat and Audrey embroider a cross on finished hats. Although each member of the group skillfully wields her needles, their histories vary. Judy’s neighbor taught her, with initially disastrous results. Her first project was a pair of argyle socks, which her banker husband eschewed. He reluctantly confessed the socks were too uncomfortable to wear, she said with a laugh. Kay learned when she was confined to bed during a difficult pregnancy. Rae grew up in post-war China, where she learned to knit as a young girl out of necessity. No new yarn was available, so she unraveled worn items to reknit. Audrey took up knitting to pass the time during the long North Dakota winters. Gayle taught herself because she enjoyed making handcrafted gifts. Whether a newer knitter, or a seasoned expert, crafting for Threads of Love has provided a creative, purposeful outlet for the fast-fingered friends of Independence Village. For more information about the lifestyle offered at Independence Village, call (210) 764-5260, or go to www.independencevillage.com.
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