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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
THE WONDERS OF WISE COUNTY Welcome to Wise 2012 is designed to dazzle, fill you with facts and immerse you in information. Capturing the essence of Wise County is a formidable challenge. Numbers are impressive — and this book contains a lot of them — but numbers alone can’t encompass the history, the land, the people and the spirit that make this place a unique part of Texas. Wise County is 60,000 people on 923 square miles, rooted in a landscape that stretches from the burgeoning high-tech development of the Alliance corridor, surging out from the Metroplex, to 20,000 acres of serene grasslands
protected as a national treasure. Wise County is bustling cities, thriving businesses, health-care centers and industrial developments that create jobs and drive prosperity. It is car dealers that draw customers from a hundred-mile radius. It is a worldwide mecca for ropers riders, trainers and trailers. And it is also peaceful farms where horses munch on hay in the shade, homes with historical markers on their front porches and cabins built by settlers before the Civil War. Wise County is busy highways, and winding country lanes that disappear
into the trees. It is world champion cowboys and old ranchers with decades of horse-sense in their eyes. Wise County is little girls playing softball, big strapping boys on football fields and whole towns in the bleachers. It is campuses that turn out the best and the brightest, and community leaders who work tirelessly to give them a reason to return home and raise their families. Many do, and they are why the story continues to get better. Wise County is schools that are the center, the heart and soul, of small towns. It is churches that send their teenagers out to rake leaves,
that raise community gardens and sponsor food banks and rehab houses for the elderly. It is clubs that sing “God Bless America” at lunch and then go out and work hard to bless their communities. And fittingly, it has one of America’s best community newspapers as its Messenger — in print, online, blogged, tweeted and Facebooked. Such a vibrant, positive place deserves no less. Wise County’s parts are detailed in these pages. This book is a guide, a road map, to introduce you to what awaits you. The wonders of Wise County are there. Don’t take them for granted!
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
WELCOME TO WISE CITIES Alvord ................................... 10 Aurora ................................... 14 Boyd ...................................... 20 Bridgeport ............................. 26 Chico ..................................... 36 Decatur .................................. 42 Lake Bridgeport .................... 60 New Fairview ........................ 64 Newark .................................. 66 Paradise ................................. 70 Rhome ................................... 74 Runaway Bay ........................ 78 COMMUNITIES Allison ................................... 83 Anneville ............................... 83 Audubon................................ 84 Balsora .................................. 84 Boonsville ............................. 84 Briar ...................................... 85 Cottondale ............................. 86 Crafton .................................. 88 Draco ..................................... 89 Greenwood ............................ 89 Keeter .................................... 91 Lone Star ............................... 93 Park Springs .......................... 92 Slidell .................................... 92 Sycamore............................... 94 OUTDOORS Agriculture .......................... 126
4-H and Extension Clubs .... 127 Youth Resources.................. 129 Texas AgriLife Extension Service.............................. 129 Youth Sports ........................ 131 Civic Organizations............. 132 Parks .................................... 151 Camping .............................. 152 Lake Bridgeport .................. 156 Marinas and Boat Rentals ... 160 Pools.................................... 161 Paddlings Trails ................... 148 Golf Courses ....................... 158 Grasslands ........................... 154 Gyms ................................... 163 Natural Recreation .............. 163 Race Tracks ......................... 149 Riding Clubs ....................... 153 USDA .................................. 156 NEED TO KNOW Ambulance Services............ 110 Law Enforcement ................ 107 Fire Department .................. 109 Helpful Phone Numbers...... 111 HEALTH AND WELL-BEING Hospitals ............................... 96 Community Health Center .. 102 Medical Resources .............. 100 Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center .............. 105
Wise Area Relief Misson and Food Banks................ 103 Committee on Aging ........... 104 Society Security Office ....... 106 North Texas Workforce ....... 106 American Cancer Society and Heart Association ...... 112 United Way.......................... 113 POLITICS Elected Officials .................. 166 Appointed Officials ............. 170 Polling places ...................... 171
DIRECTORIES Advertisers .......................... 184 Childcare ............................. 183 Churches ............................. 178 Community and Economic Development Corps.......... 177 Entertainment Venues.......... 175 Lodging ............................... 164 Pet boarding ........................ 165 Banks................................... 182 Restaraunts .......................... 173 Wineries .............................. 164 WISE COUNTY Wise County ........................ 115 Battle of the Knobs ............. 124
Veterans ............................... 145 Heritage Museum ................ 151 County Historical Notes...... 137 Historical Societies ............. 140 Old Settlers Reunion ........... 153 Lions’ Lion .......................... 154 Sam Woody’s Cabin ............ 155 Petrified Wood Station ........ 158 Waggoner Mansion ............. 159 Transportation ..................... 142 Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District ....... 144 Barnett Shale ....................... 135 Wise County Courthouse .... 141 Wise County Messenger ...... 147
MAPS Alvord Map ........................... 11 Aurora Map ........................... 15 Boyd Map.............................. 21 Bridgeport Map ..................... 27 Chico Map............................. 37 Decatur Map.......................... 43 Lake Bridgeport Map ............ 61 New Fairview Map ................ 64 Newark Map .......................... 67 Paradise Map ......................... 71 Rhome Map........................... 75 Runaway Bay Map ................ 79 School Maps............................ 9 Wise County Map ............... 116
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Wise County School Districts
www.WelcomeToWise.com
CARSON ■ ELEMENTARY
ALVORD ISD
81 287
KRUM ISD
287
YOUNG ■ ELEMENTARY
FM 51
SLIDELL ISD
ALVORD ISD
■ RANN ELEMENTARY
FM 730
▲MONTAGUE COUNTY▲
81
9
FM 1810
380 380
DECATUR ISD FM 51
FM 2264
FM 730
PARADISE ISD
PONDER ISD
▲JACK COUNTY▲
CHICO ISD
380
DECATUR ISD
▼WISE COUNTY▼
DECATUR ISD
81 287
PARADISE ISD
BRIDGEPORT ISD
▼DENTON COUNTY▼
▼DENTON COUNTY▼
380 DENTON ISD I35W
NORTHWEST ISD 114
81
NORTHWEST ISD
▼PARKER COUNTY▼ 81
BOWIE ISD
287
CHICO ISD
FM 51 FM 730
BRIDGEPORT ISD
114
380
FM 1655
DECATUR ISD 81
PARADISE ISD
FM 920
FM 2210
PARADISE ISD
114
BOYD ISD
PERRINWHITT ISD
287
BRIDGEPORT ISD
FM 51
DECATUR ISD 380
BRIDGEPORT ISD
FM 1810
DECATUR ISD
114
JACKSBORO ISD
ALVORD ISD
FM 2265
SAGINAW ISD
■ JUSTIN ELEM. ■ PETERSON ELEM. ■ HATFIELD ELEM. ■ GRANGER ELEM. ■ SEVEN HILLS ELEM. ■ HUGHES ELEM. ■ NANCE ELEM. ■ ROANOKE ELEM. ■ PRAIRIE VIEW ELEM. ■ BECK ELEM. ■ SENDERA ELEM. ■ LAKEVIEW ELEM. ■ HASLET ELEM.
▼TARRANT COUNTY▼
FORESTBURG ISD FM 1655
101
▼TARRANT COUNTY▼
287
BOYD ISD
FM 51
POOLVILLE ISD
DECATUR ISD
PARADISE ISD
ERA ISD
FORESTBURG ISD
81 287
114
FM 730
JACKSBORO ISD
BOYD ISD 114
FM 51
SPRINGTOWN ISD
NORTHWEST ISD
FM 2048 FM 730
ALVORD ISD
FM 2265
FM 730
SLIDELL ISD
101
CHICO ISD
FM 1655
FM 51
FM 1810
DECATUR ISD BRIDGEPORT ISD FM
1655
KRUM ISD
10 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
LVORD New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... U.S. POST OFFICE 105 O’Neil St. Alvord, TX 76225 (940) 427-2111 (AREA CODE) (940)
PREFIX 427
WHAT’S NEW? A memorial park to honor veterans is under construction.
POPULATION 1,250 LOCATION 10 miles west of Decatur on U.S. 81/287
WATER SOURCE Ground water from Trinity Aquifer
CITY HALL 215 W. Elm St., (940) 427-5916 CITY STAFF City secretary: Pam Sereika Public works director: Rick Wilson Court clerk: Diana Betts Plant operator: Devon Kennedy ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Chris Caster City council: Gaylynn Wheelis (mayor pro-tem),
Roy King, Kirk Gibson and Jim Enochs. MEETINGS City council — 6 p.m. the second Thursday at city hall TAX RATES $0.61 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax POLICE The Wise County Sheriff’s Continued on page 12
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 11
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 10
Office at (940) 627-5971 responds to calls in the city. For emergencies, dial 911. FIRE DEPARTMENT 108 N. Trappier St. (940) 427-3361 AlvordFire@hotmail.com Fire chief: Sam Hahn AMENITIES/NOTEWORTHY Alvord Public Library 104 W. Franklin St. (940) 427-2842 Brushy Creek Vineyards
572 County Road 2798 (940) 427-4718 PARKS Elm Creek Park 1078 E. Business 287 Tennis court, pavilion, concession stand, baseball fields, playgrounds and a swing set Veterans’ Memorial Park Park EVENTS AUGUST Watermelon Festival and
Lone Star Barbecue Cookoff at Elm Creek Park NOVEMBER Opening Day Hunters, roundup includes a dinner, seminar and giveaways at the beginning of the hunting season SCHOOLS www.alvordisd.net Tax rate: 1.36400 Administration Office 100 Mosley Lane (940) 427-5975 Superintendent: Bill
Branum School board members: Kevin Wood, Larry Nivens, Randy Hamilton, Vic Czerniak, Jimmy Looney, Jeannette Ward and John Schedcik Alvord High School 1049 West Bypass U.S. 287 (940) 427-9643 Alvord Middle School 328 Farm Road 1655 S. (940) 427-5511 Alvord Elementary 711 W. Stadium Dr. (940) 427-2881 RIDING — Members of the Full Armor Biker Church in Alvord are planning a two-day, 2,000mile ride in September from Texas to the Grand Canyon. Proceeds from the Extreme BikerMonkey Challenge “See The Creek” will benefit the Gateway for Cancer Research group. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 13
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ALVORD BUILDING CENTER • ALVORD TRAVEL CENTER • BRUSHY CREEK WINERY DOLLAR STORE • DONUT SHOP • IN & OUT CONVENIENCE STORE LEGEND BANK • MARKET PLACE • PANTHER CREEK AIR CONDITIONING • S&J PHARMACY
14 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
URORA New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... LORE & LEGENDS AURORA ALIEN Residents of Aurora will tell you that the story of what happened in the small town in Wise County on April 17, 1897, is either the truth or a remarkable hoax. Whether true or false, Wise County has received international attention because of it, and people from around the world have traveled to investigate the story for themselves. Continued on page 16
(AREA CODE) (817)
PREFIX 636
POPULATION 1,383 LOCATION 17.6 miles southeast of Decatur 2 miles west of Rhome CITY HALL 303 Derting Road (817) 636-2783
CITY STAFF City administrator: Toni Kelly-Richardson Deputy Court Clerk: Lynnell Day ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Terry Solomon City council: Bill McCurdy, Jackie Stone, Rick Boland, Joe Smith, Jason Brummal and Cy Farver
MEETINGS City council — 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday at the city hall; precouncil workshop at 7 p.m. Planning and zoning commission — 6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at city hall WEBSITE www.auroratexas.gov Continued on page 18
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 15
City of Aurora
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Aurora Alien ... Continued from page 14
ALIEN BURIAL — According to local legend, an alien that crashed in the community of Aurora in 1897 is buried in the local cemetery, directly behind an old oak tree. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
University of North Texas in Denton said pieces of metal found at the reputed crash site were made of fused aluminum – a substance that didn’t exist on Earth in 1897, Marrs said. “Even in 1973, the people who were alive at the time (of the supposed crash) were divided between those who thought it was real and those who thought it was a hoax,” Marrs said. Marrs’ stories about the Aurora alien attracted
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“A lot of people began driving around the cemetery, so law enforcement had to stand guard out front,” Marrs said. “The story died down after two weeks, and the police guard went away. The alien’s headstone went missing later that night and hasn’t been seen since.” He added that visitors can still find the burial site directly beside an old oak tree. Former Aurora Mayor Continued on page 17
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organizations that research UFOs, as well as many other visitors. The alien’s headstone was still visible at the time, and all of the out-of-town visitors had hoped the authorities would dig the body out of the ground and see what, if anything, was really there. “The representatives from the Aurora Cemetery board got angry – they feared we were trying to dig up grandma, so they got an injunction against anyone who would try to dig the body up.
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According to legend, a “cigar-shaped” alien ship crash-landed in the town of Aurora in the late 19th century. Several residents of the town were said to have witnessed, or at least heard, the crash during the early morning hours, and children in the community were told to remain in their homes while adults examined the wreckage. The residents of the town who were brave enough to approach the ship found a deceased extraterrestrial being, and they later gave the alien a Christian burial at the Aurora Cemetery, where the body may still lie. The Dallas Morning News reported the crash two days later, but most residents forgot the story until current Wise County resident Jim Marrs, then a reporter, resurrected the tale in the early 1970s and created a media sensation. “People back then approached me and said they were around at the time of the crash. They told me they’d had pieces of the spaceship since they were kids, and some even used those pieces for their chicken pens,” Marrs said. Researchers at the
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
THE ROOF GUY
Aurora Alien ... Continued from page 16
Barbara Brammer calls the legend “a good story, but one without proof.” She has her own theory as to what may have really happened. The town had once thrived with almost 3,000 residents, but many had left for other opportunities by the end of the 19th century. “There are rumors that someone made up the story as a reason to get people to move back to Aurora,” Brammer said. While Brammer remains skeptical, Marrs said there are good reasons to believe the story is true. “There were witnesses. This was six years before the Wright brothers flew, so
there was nothing man-made in the air,” Marrs said, adding many newspapers across the country at the time also published reports of a “cigarshaped” spaceship seen flying across the country, with some of the reports coming from as far north as Seattle. “There were no more stories (about the UFO) after the crash. This does not prove that a ship crashed in Aurora, but it proves something was flying around the skies of Aurora, six years before airplanes were around,” Marrs said. Books have been written about the supposed alien crash, and a 1985 movie, “The Aurora Encounter,” was based upon the story that originated in Wise County.
www.WelcomeToWise.com 17
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• • • • • • • •
Private Weight Management Consult/Diet Plan ADD/ADHD Alternative Diet & Management Nutritional Instruction Wise Family Magazine Columnist Quantum Touch Therapy Source for Vitamins/Supplements Public Speaking/Motivational Seminars Radio Show - Every Saturday, 1:30 pm KDKR FM 91.3 • Emotional Freedom Therapy
Keitha Story-Stephenson Ph.D
BlueSky Wellness Center Your Source for Alternative Health Care
Call today for an Appointment 817-239-9525 keitha@blueskywellnesscenter.com
We build every home as if it’s our own! Your Lot or Ours.
Custom Homes • Remodels • Additions Outdoor Kitchens • Covered Porches
940-627-1361
www.dougparrhomes.com • Romans 5:8
18 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 14
TAX RATES $0.27 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax POLICE The city is protected by four resident Wise County Sheriff’s deputies. Call (940) 627-5971. For emergencies, dial 911. FIRE DEPARTMENT Boyd, Newark and Rhome volunteer fire departments respond to calls. HISTORICAL COMMISSION Cheri Crites, Harriet Moorman and D.A. Sharpe AMENITIES/NOTEWORTHY The cemetery is known for being the possible resting place of an alien who is said to have died in an 1897 UFO crash. PRIVATE SCHOOL Pettit Private School 102 Old Base Rd. Aurora, TX 76078 (817)489-2318
LORE & LEGENDS MODERN-DAY BONNIE AND CLYDE Lawrence Edward and Alice Hart Byrom were sentenced to time in jail in 1985 following a series of 14 robberies of 10 small, North Texas banks between March 1970 and November 1983, including one in Rhome.
SCHOOLS Aurora is in Northwest’s Class 5A school district. NORTHWEST www.nisdtx.org Tax rate: 1.37500 2001 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0000 (940) 648-3224 Superintendent: Karen Rue School board members: Mel Fuller, Josh Wright, Mark Schluter, Judy Copp, Devonna Holland, Kerry Jones and Daryl Laney Administration office Campuses that serve Wise County students: Northwest High School 2301 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0200 (940) 648-3224, ext. 50200 Steele Accelerated High School 606 N. Walnut St. Roanoke, TX 76262 (817) 698-5800 Chisholm Trail Middle School 583 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0600 (817) 636-2391 Justin Elementary
The Wise County couple is believed to have collected a total of $494,000 and used techniques similar to Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, earning them the “Modern-day Bonnie and Clyde” moniker. Lawrence died Oct. 25, 1997, in the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Mo. He is buried in Aurora Cemetery.
425 Boss Range Road Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0800 Prairie View Elementary 609 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0550 Seven Hills Elementary 654 FM 3433
Oldest family owned Jewelry
Newark, TX 76071 (817) 215-0700 (817) 636-2404 (817) 489-3220 ENTERTAINMENT VENUE MD Resort 601 Old Base Rd. (817) 489-5150
Store in Wise County
Come see us for all your Jewelry needs
940-627-7090
Decatur Plaza • Hwy. 51 South • Tues.-Sat. 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
BOARD CERTIFIED
IN OTOLARYNGOLOGY–HEAD & NECK SURGERY AND SLEEP MEDICINE
ALLERGY TESTING & TREATMENT
Joanne Pham, MD Medical & Surgical Treatment for: Ear, Nose & Throat Disorders Sleep Related Breathing Disorders Balance and Dizziness Problems
Judy A. DeMorest, AuD, CCC-A Board Certified in Audiology Hearing Evaluation for ALL Ages Hearing Aid Evaluations
(940) 627-7997 ENT & ALLERGY CLINIC, PA www.myentclinic.com
1600 W. US BUSINESS 380, SUITE A, DECATUR TX, 76234
Welcome to
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Boyd welcomes you to our small community only 35 miles northwest of Fort Worth. Named for railroad executive H.S. Boyd, the town was incorporated in 1895. Cotton and livestock served as the primary staples HAIR SALON for local farmers, giving way to melons in the 1940s. In addition Men’s • Women’s Children’s Cuts to the wide variety of business Colors, Foils, Perms opportunities, Boyd also has Facial Wax excellent schools. Convenient to 2738 Hwy 114 East of the city with a sense of country Boyd pride, Boyd has become a great 940.433.3255 place to raise a family.
Phases
BOYD FEED STORE, L.P. • Fertilizer • Feed • Baling Wire • Fencing Will Reed
STATE FARM AGENT
403 E. Rock Island Ave. Boyd, TX 76023
940-433-3033
www.wisewillinsureme.com
Munn’ACEs Home & Auto HARDWARE 309 S.Allen (FM 730 South)
940-433-3400 FURNITURE
STATION
FILL UP YOUR HOME
FOR LESS!
Rustic Bedroom & Living Room Furniture Mattresses • Outdoor Furniture • Accessories
Texas Equine Mercantile MONDAY - WEDNESDAY 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. THURSDAY - SATURDAY 10 A.M - 7 P.M.
124 E. Rock Island Ave. Boyd 817.668.5836 • Txem.co
Stewart Drafting
940-433-9999
Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. 312 E. Rock Island Ave.
201 E. Hwy 114 • Boyd
940-433-2031
TIRE OUTLET, INC.
NEW & USED TIRES PASSENGER, TRUCKS, LIGHT TRUCKS, TRACTOR TIRES
940-433-2017 East Rock Island Ave • (Hwy 114) Boyd
Hardware:
940-433-2321 Auto: 940-433-2322 112 S. Hovey “Horrifying Vegetarians Since 1983”
We Draw House Plans
www.furniturestationtx.com
www.stewartdrafting.com
www.WelcomeToWise.com 19
Lunch Specials
940-433-8193
115 E. Rock Island Ave.
940-433-2425
Fax: 940-433-5963 boydfeed@embarqmail.com
205 E. DUNLAP
The Beauty Center
Total Family Hair Care Waxing Available
Jana Stack • Erin Shirley
940-433-2331 109 West Rock Island
WISE PACK & SHIP PLUS
COPY • FAX • NOTARY • MAILBOXES COMPUTER RENTAL CARDS & GIFTS
940-433-2900
133 FM 730 North, Boyd Next to the Courthouse Annex
DINE-IN • TAKE-OUT WEEKDAY LUNCH BUFFET
Located inside
The Movie Store 110 W. Rock Island
940-433-8777 940-433-2800
Office: 940.433.5639 Cell: 940.393.1106 www.jimlambertconstruction.com jim@jimlambertconstruction.com 430 W. Rock Island Boyd, Texas 76023
STORAGE 430 W. Rock Island Boyd, Texas 76023
940.433.2797
20 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
OYD New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... LORE & LEGENDS GRADY LEWIS Boyd’s Grady Lewis brought America one of its most popular and common styles of footwear. Born March 25, 1917, Continued on page 22
U.S. POST OFFICE 121 N. FM 730 Boyd, TX 76023 (940) 433-5325 (AREA CODE) PREFIX (940) 433 WHAT’S NEW? In conjunction with a Texas Parks and Wildlife Grant, the city has continued improvements to the James Snodgrass Park and Athletic
Complex, a $475,000 project that has included many hours of volunteering by community members. The park offers a playground, soccer fields, tennis courts, beach volleyball, walking trail and a pavilion. They also have movies in the park in the summer. POPULATION 1,250 LOCATION In south Wise County, at the
intersection of Farm Road 730 and Texas 114 35 miles northwest of Fort Worth CITY HALL 100 E. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-5166 CITY STAFF City administrator: John Hamilton City secretary: Joy Patterson ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Brent Wilson City council: Rod Bill Scroggins (mayor pro-tem), Continued on page 22
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 21
730 ROAD
N. WILSON ST.
HOBBS AVE. W. ROCK ISLAND AVE.
730 ROAD
E. KNOX AVE.
S. EWING ST.
CEMETERY RD.
FARM
114 TEXAS
City of Boyd
FARM
BEST WISE COUNTY CHOICE FOR
SERVICE IMPPORT IM
ASE & FACTORY-CERTIFIED STAFF IN DECATUR
JAMES WOOD
T
FACTORY AUTHORIZED HYUNDAI HYUNDAI SSERVICE ERVICE OYOTA ONDA ISSAN M AZDA KIAVW
H
N
940-627-4600 SOUTH Side of US 287 South DECATUR
WE SELL TIRES!
JAMES WOOD BEATS
ANY HYUNDAI DEAL jameswood jameswoodhyundai hyundai.com .com
22 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Grady Lewis ... Continued from page 20
he grew to 6 feet 7 inches and played basketball for the University of Oklahoma, then went on to play for the Phillips 66 Oilers, Detroit Falcons, St. Louis Bombers and Baltimore
Bullets. Lewis also coached the Bombers during the 1948-49 and 1949-50 seasons. Converse hired him to be a member of its national sales team after trying to get its Chuck Taylor Converse All-
Star shoe into high school and college gyms across the nation. Family members said Lewis didn’t like the high-top shoe, so he developed a lower-cut sneaker. By the 1960s, many professional basketball players preferred the low-cut style to
the Chuck Taylor high-top the company produced by the millions during the 1950s. Today the shoe can still be found in many stores and on the feet of millions of people. Lewis died March 11, 2009, in Peoria, Ariz.
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 20
Crystal Keiper, Norman Pickett, Gary Brown and Rodney Holmes MEETINGS City council — 6:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays at the Boyd Community Center. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. during the summer. The council also serves as the planning and zoning commission. Boyd Cemetery — annual meeting the first Sunday in May SCHOOLS www.boydisd.net Tax rate: $1.22500 Administration office 500 Knox Ave. (940) 433-2327 Interim co-Superintendents: Barbara Stice and Ted West Board of Trustees: Pam Galloway, Ernest Partin, Jana Tate, Bill Childress, Minor Hopkins, Trae Luttrell and Kim Hudson Boyd High School 700 Knox Ave. (940) 433-9580
Boyd Middle School 550 Knox Ave. (940) 433-9560 Boyd Intermediate School 550 Knox Ave. (940) 433-9540 Boyd Elementary School 500 E. Morton Ave. (940) 433-9520 PRIVATE SCHOOL Royal Christian Academy 451 Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-2147 www.rca-boyd.com WEBSITE www.cityofboyd.com TAX RATE $0.4560 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax FIRE DEPARTMENT 135 N. Wilson (940) 433-5755 Fire Chief: Vince Estel POLICE 731 E. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-8400 Police Chief: Greg Arrington Four full-time officers and
one part-time officer AMENITIES/NOTEWORTHY Boyd Community Center 420 E. Morton (940) 433-5580 or (940) 4335166 The Raymond Jordan Boyd Public Library
101 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-5580 Boyd Senior Citizens Center 420 E. Morton Ave. (940) 433-3072 Boyd Raceway 376 Raceway Lane (940) 433-5587 Continued on page 23
A Specialist for YOUR Children! Taking care of your child is my priority and my specialty. I want to work with you to ensure that your child is well taken care of. At Wise Pediatrics, we pride ourselves on having a top notch staff. My licensed nursing staff has a combined 40 years of pediatric experience. We use cutting edge technologies like an Electronic Medical Leslie Hollis, MD Record to increase accuracy, decrease waiting times and • Board Certified in Pediatrics improve the overall level of care. As a Board Certified Since 1999 Pediatrician, I stay up to date with the latest pediatric • Fellow of the American research, from newborns to teens, to make sure that Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) your child receives the best care possible.
609 Medical Center Dr., Suite 2300 • Decatur, TX 76234 www.wisepediatrics.com Attached to Wise Regional Hospital
940-626-4400
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
ODDS & ENDS
Info you need to know ...
INTERNATIONAL EXOTIC ANIMAL SANCTUARY
Continued from page 22
P.O. Box 637 Boyd, TX 76023 (940) 433-5091 www.bigcat.org Open Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call to schedule a tour
International Exotic Animal Sanctuary Texas 114 east of Boyd (940) 433-5091 Boyd Medical Center 308 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-5122 Boyd Masonic Lodge 128 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-8092 PARKS Yellowjacket Park Corner of West Dunlap and North Evans basketball court, play fort, playground James Snodgrass Park Hobbs Street playground, soccer fields, tennis courts, beach volleyball, walking trail, pavilion
Since 1988, the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary’s mission has provided a sanctuary for abused and abandoned animals, as well as educate the public about their needs. Today it is home to more than 60 animals. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
BOYD SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER 407 E. Boyd Ave. (940) 433-3072 Open Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to noon Covered dish lunch served along with domino games.
730 1/2 mile on right (next to Precinct 3 County Barn) COST TO DUMP 30-gallon trash bag — $1 each Shingles (Boyd and Decatur only) — $18 per cubic yard Loose trash and brush — $10 per cubic yard Burn barrels — $6 each Appliances (white goods) — $5 each Automobile tires — $2 each Truck tires — $7 each Tractor tires — $17 each To figure cost of dumping by cubic yard: Length x Width x Height divided by 27, then multiplied by cost per cubic yard = cost to dump
PUBLIC DUMP (940) 433-2530 Wednesday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Texas 114 in Boyd Turn south on Farm Road
BOYD ANNUAL CLEANUP DAY Boyd residents can dispose of household trash at the city’s Public Works Facility during its annual Cleanup Day. A current copy of a city
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Boyd Community Center 420 E. Morton Ave. (940) 433-5580 or (940) 433-5166
www.WelcomeToWise.com 23
utility bill is required. For information and dates on
upcoming cleanup days, visit www.cityofboyd.com.
BRIDGEPORT AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
24 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
STAGECOACH CAPITAL OF TEXAS
“ Uniquely Texan, Completely Bridgeport.“ Come to the Bridgeport Visitor Center and see our authentic replica Concord Stagecoach & Heritage Museum. Bridgeport Chamber Monthly Luncheons
3rd Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. in the Bridgeport Community Center. Good food, dynamic speakers and great door prizes.
Coal Miners’ Heritage Festival
October in Historic Downtown. Our first industry was coal mining, and we bring the past to life during a daylong festival. BRID BR IDG ID GEPO EPO PORT RT VIS ISIT IT ITO TOR OR CENTE ENTER ER & CH CHAM CHA AMBE AMBE BER R OF OF CO OM MME MME MERC RCE E 812A Halsell St. • Bridgeport, TX 76426 94094 40 6 68 833 20 2076 76 • www w .b .bri bri ridg dgep dg epor ortc tc cha amb m err.o org g
Barnett Shale Sporting Clay Shoot
6th annual sporting clay shoot in April 2013.
Butterfield Stage Days Festival & PRCA Rodeo
2nd weekend in May, our biggest annual celebration.
1203 U.S. Hwy. 380 Bridgeport
940-683-1500 FAX 940-683-1505
Mon.-Sun., 6a.m.-11p.m.
• Health Maintenance • EKG, Chest X-Rays • Prescription Refills Call for Appointments Office Hours: 8 am - 5 pm., Mon - Fri
806 W.W. Ray Circle
940.683.2538
William K. Clary, P.C. ATTORNEY AT LAW 1709 9th St. Suite 102 Bridgeport 940-683-6722
Family Clinic Evening & Weekend Hours Available
Office Hours: Monday-Friday - 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday - 8 a.m. - Noon. Sunday - 1-4 p.m. (Subject to Schedule Change)
Appointments or Walk-Ins Welcomed. We accept all patients and most insurance. 808 W.W. Ray Circle • Bridgeport
940.683.2297
C&O
Communications, Inc.
810 W.W. Ray Circle Bridgeport
940-683-4011
Hair Cuts • Colors • Styles Manicures • Pedicures Men ~ Women ~ Children Walk-ins Welcome 1401 Halsell St. • Bridgeport
1002 Cobb St. • Bridgeport
940-683-1704
940-683-5244
www.thejonesfamilyfuneralhome.com
cut_n_inn_bridgeport@yahoo.com
Skin & Body Works
Drs. Dan & Deborah Selz Dr. Joel Herschler
FAX 940-683-1705
Beauty is an Everyday Essential
Sue Ray, R.N. skinandbody@embarqmail.com 940-683-3111
Sunday, Monday & after hours by Appt.
DENTISTS
811 Halsell • Bridgeport
940-683-4077 FAX 940-683-2935
Bridgeport A-1 Discount Grooming Steel & Supply 30 Years exp. avid dog lovers
282 FM 1658 Bridgeport, TX
2100 Chico HWY Bridgeport, TX 76426
940.683.8252
323 PR 1400 • Bridgeport
877-437-3602
940.683.5001 940.577.9654
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
FEBRUARY • Rock of Love • Dad and Daughter Dance • Hearts & Flowers on Halsell
APRIL
MAY • Butterfield Stage Days Festival & PRCA Rodeo, Stickhorse Rodeo Pink Day
www.WelcomeToWise.com 25
OCTOBER
DECEMBER
• Coal Miners Heritage Festival • Halloween Costume Parade and Trick or Treating
• Home for the Holidays Celebration • Lighted Christmas Parade • Wassail Tasting
• Easter Eggstravaganza
The Hope Chest 1003 Halsell Street • Downtown Bridgeport
Home Cooking Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner
940-683-1717
Dollar Bill’s General Store
• Custom Furniture • Home Decor • Lighting/Plumbing Fixtures • Outdoor Furniture & Fixtures Tuesday - Saturday • 9 am - 5 pm 1111 Halsell St.
901 Halsell 940-683-6333 Gym • Training
Hours: Mon.-Thur., 5 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri., 5 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Sat., 8 a.m. - noon
A Resale Shop Benefiting g rce Domestic Violence Task Force 1015 Halsell St www.wisehope.org 940-683-4741
Terra Cotta Boutique
902 Halsell St., Downtown
940-683-3100
Open Mon.-Sat. • 10 am - 6 pm
www.terracottaboutiqueonline.com
HOME DECOR/LINENS Infant Items • Books Tues. - Sat. 11 am - 5:30 pm 1105 Halsell Owner: Rita Boles Live by chance, shop by choice
T&L ANTIQUES Downtown since 1990 1023 Halsell Street 940-683-5545 Tommy & Linda Saylor Owners
Started Business 1986
Downtown at 1018 Halsell
940-683-5200 Computer Repair Available
GIFT & FLOWER SHOPPE
940-683-8047
Clothing • Shoes • Jewelry
BRIDGEPORT CASH EXPRESS
Maria’s 1011 Halsell St.
RITA’S RESALE
Mexican
Restaurant
1113 Halsell For take-out orders call
940-683-1879
Visit Historic Downtown Bridgeport for Shopping • Dining Fun for the Whole Family!
940-683-3404
www.cityofbridgeport.net/mainstreet
26 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
RIDGEPORT New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... VISITOR CENTER In 2009, the city of Bridgeport opened the Bridgeport Visitor Center, which also serves as the home of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, Bridgeport Main Street office and Bridgeport Heritage Continued on page 28
U.S. POST OFFICE 1305 Halsell St. Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-2787 (AREA CODE) (940)
PREFIX 683
POPULATION
at the crossroads of U.S. 380 and Texas 114 38 miles west of Denton 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth CITY HALL 900 Thompson St. (940) 683-3400
6,045 LOCATION 10 miles west of Decatur
CITY STAFF City administrator: Brandon Emmons
City secretary: Jesica McEachern ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Keith McComis City council: Scott Cheves (mayor pro-tem), Ilene Enochs, Bobby Brazier, Billy Fred Walker and Kathy Kennedy MEETINGS City Council — 7 p.m. first and third Tuesday at city hall Continued on page 28
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 27
FARM
W. CATES ST.
920
16TH ST.
114 TEXAS HALSELL ST.
HOV
CUBA RD.
EY S
ROAD
T.
13TH ST.
DCI
Dauenhauer Contractors, Inc. DCI offers a wide variety of metal buildings. Kits range from small shops to industrial complexes. DCI will custom make the building style for your market or personal needs.
City of Bridgeport
380
BISIDAS WATER WELL DRILLING
B&B PUMP
First in Service Because We Put Service First
Pressure Cementing • Repairs • Gould Pumps • 500-5000 Gallon Poly Tanks • Water Tanks • Booster Pumps
Service After the Sale
Over 40 Years Experience Serving Wise, Tarrant, Denton & Surrounding Counties Larry Bisidas, Owner & Operator
Your Master Well Driller
DCI continually leads the industry in customer satisfaction. Our company’s trained staff is eager to assist you in design, engineering and service. For over 20 years, DCI has serviced customers in the greater North Texas area as well as New Mexico, Colorado and Oklahoma. Ren Young • Preston Lowery 3650 W. Hwy. 199 • Springtown, TX 76082
817-220-7972 • 866-865-4324 www.metalbuildingstexas.com
940-627-3858 Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sat., 8 a.m. - Noon 363 CR 3170 • Decatur • Master Driller #1647AKP
28 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Planning and Zoning — 5 p.m. second Monday at city hall Park Board — 4:30 p.m. first Wednesday at city hall Airport Board — 6 p.m. first Monday at Bridgeport Municipal Airport Library Board — 5:15 p.m. fourth Monday of even numbered months at the Bridgeport Public Library Main Street Board — 1:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday of each month at Stagecoach Steakhouse Cultural Arts Board — Quarterly at city hall WEBSITE www.cityofbridgeport.net TAX RATES $0.5875 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax POLICE 1000 Thompson St. (940) 683-3430 Police chief: Randy Singleton 15 officers (including one school resource officer), five dispatchers, one animal control officer, one administrative manager, property evidence and records clerk) FIRE DEPARTMENT 708 Hovey St. (940) 683-3446 Fire chief: Terry Long
VISITOR CENTER Continued from page 26
Museum. The city renovated the former police department at 812 Halsell St. to serve as a center for information for newcomers and visitors. The Visitor Center also showcases the replica Abbot & Downing Concord Coach, representing Bridgeport’s history as a stop on the Butterfield Stagecoach trail. According to the Texas Heritage Trails website, a toll bridge was built across the Trinity River in 1860 to cater to the Butterfield Stagecoach trail that stretched from Missouri to California. Thirteen years later, a post office built near the bridge marked the beginning of Bridgeport’s history.
AMENITIES/NOTEWORTHY Bridgeport City Pool 1106 8th St. (940) 683-3480
ridgeport
Continued from page 26
Economic Development Corporation Chamber of Commerce Main Street
Info you need to know ...
HER ITAG E
IND UST RY
Bridgeport Community Center 1102 Lawdwin Ave. (940) 683-3407 Bridgeport Country Club and Golf Course 250 FM 2123 (940) 683-9438 Bridgeport Municipal Continued on page 32
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 29
BRIDGEPORT HERITAGE MUSEUM
BRIDGEPORT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Interactive exhibits and historic artifacts weave together to tell the story of Bridgeport’s history at the Bridgeport Heritage Museum. Located in the lower floor of the Bridgeport Visitor Center on Halsell Street, the museum begins the tale of the city with an exhibit about the Butterfield Stagecoach days. Detailed maps show the mail route, built by John Butterfield, that began in Tipton, Mo., and ended
Concerned about the need for preserving the city’s history, members of the Bridgeport community began collaborating in 1994. Since then, the efforts of nine individuals became the Bridgeport Historical Society. The organization operates a historical museum at 812B Halsell St. In addition to such artifacts as coal mine relics,
812 Halsell St. Suite B Bridgeport (940) 683-5389 Ken Sprecher, curator Hours: 1 to 4 p.m. Monday – Saturday Admission: Free Exhibits tell the story of Bridgeport and include: Butterfield Overland Mail Co. exhibit Interpretive panels for the Rock Island Railroad and artifacts Old telegraph Oil and natural gas exhibit Coal mine exhibit Lake Bridgeport exhibit Rock quarry, brick, farming, ranching and dairy exhibits Historical stagecoach housed upstairs Annual Events May: Butterfield Stage Days October: Coal Miner’s Heritage Festival
COOL THINGS TO DO AT WCMESSENGER.COM #43
Find a new doctor to see what that thing is on your back.
www.wcmessenger.com/medicaldirectory
Continued on page 30
The Best in Boarding, Training & Grooming
READER’S ER
W I
UNTY MESSEN CO G SE
CHOICE LAUNDRY AND CLEANERS
20 11 - 2012
Serving Wise County for 26 years.
Cleaning your garment right comes first with us at
Comet Cleaners
Climate controlled boarding in clean spacious runs with frequent off-leash “potty” breaks in large grassy yards.
Dry-cleaning and laundry • In by 9 a.m., out by 5 p.m.
• Drapes and slipcovers cleaned • Alterations
1400 FM 51 South, Decatur • 940-627-1122 7 a.m. - 6 p.m., Mon. - Fri. • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sat.
Joey Duncan, Realtor
Cat and small pet boarding too! ®
The #1 Producer with the #1 Real Estate office in Wise County. www.joeyduncan.com
Joey Duncan 940.683.3080 940.393.1197
oil and gas industry and the Rock Island Railroad displays, the new location also houses a stagecoach exhibit in honor of the town’s heritage along the Butterfield Stagecoach line. Read more about the museum on the left. Membership fees are $5 per year. Call Virginia Wood at (940) 683-4341 for more information.
940.644.2722 Chico, Texas
Positive Reinforcement Obedience Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs -group classes, private lessons or Board ‘N Train.
MasterCard • Visa • Discover
Open 7 DaysOPEN a Week
7 DAYS A WEEK Sue Ann Denton, Inc. Decatur & Bridgeport joeyduncan@earthlink.net
www.bloomoonpetresort.com
30 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
BRIDGEPORT STAGE The Bridgeport Stage has watched its city change and grow from its viewpoint in the heart of downtown. It has seen the downtown district succeed, it has witnessed its downfall and now, its revitalization. The Bridgeport Stage has had its share of success and
failure. In fact, the building sat empty and decaying for more than 20 years. But in the mid-1990s, a group of Bridgeport residents tackled the tall order of restoring the Bridgeport Theater. Over a period of 10 years, utilizing money from the Bridgeport
Bridgeport Heritage ... Continued from page 29
in San Francisco, passing through Wise County. The city of Bridgeport sprang up at the site of a toll bridge along this route. Later the city moved a few miles to be closer to the rail line completed in 1893 that ran to Fort Worth from Oklahoma. A feature of the exhibit allows visitors to see just how much (or how little) room there was in a six-passenger stagecoach by standing in a space the same size as a stagecoach. Nine rules of riding in a stagecoach are also listed, including “Forbidden topics of discussion are stagecoach robberies and Indian uprisings.”
Another exhibit explains the process of oil and natural gas exploration in Bridgeport. An interactive feature allows visitors to test their knowledge of oil patch slang. The coal mining exhibit includes video of coal miners who faced the danger of venturing into the dark mines day after day to earn a living. It also explains how the discovery of the coal mines contributed to the growth of the city. To schedule a tour, call museum curator Ken Sprecher at (940) 683-5389. Hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, call (940) 683-5389.
Economic Development Corp. and private donations, the group brought the dilapidated building back to life. Now the theater, which operates under the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department, hosts theater productions, concerts,
pageants, training seminars and various meetings. It also hosts some church events and family movie nights. The Bridgeport Stage is located at 1009 Halsell St. and is available for rent. For more information, call (940) 6833400.
• New Homes • Metal Buildings • Remodeling • Commercial 817-881-9023 • Multi Family “Quality Construction with Integrity”
STORM SHELTERS STORM SHELTERS STORM SHELTERS Don’t Get Caught Unprepared 10 year leak protection guarantee
• Storm Shelters • Steel or Concrete Walk-in Safe Rooms
Master
CRESTVIEW PLACE APARTMENTS
BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY - NOW LEASING
One Bed. Two Bed. Three Bed.
664 sq. ft. 887sq.ft. 1127sq.ft.
$680 $780 $915
Small Pets okay • Jr. Olympic size pool • On-site courtesy officer Open Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sat, Noon - 4 p.m. 950 W. Thompson Street • Decatur • www.crestviewplaceapts.com
940-626-0032
Septic Carpenters Systems Inc
Installation & Repair Tractor & Backhoe ho oe Service
Home Repairs • Painting H Sheetrock Repairs New Construction Patios & Decks Garage Conversions Carports • Shops • Barns C Fencing • Welding Carpentry Custom Woodwork
LEN ROY DON BUILDERS
Roy
817-366-7990 or 817-480-8459 lenroydonbuilders@gmail.com
Reyn
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 31
HOMETOWN HOMECOMING — Flatbed trailers filled with Bridgeport students and townspeople line downtown Bridgeport during homecoming, including Pee Wee cheerleaders and football players. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
BRIDGEPORT MAIN STREET The Bridgeport Main Street program has enjoyed many highs over the last several years. In 2007, Bridgeport was named a Texas Main Street City and in 2008 was named a National Main Street City, an annual designation. In October of 2011, the city was once again named a National Main Street City. “Downtown Bridgeport features restaurants, flower shops, clothing and gifts shops, insurance agencies, copy stores, shipping centers, boot repair, barber shops, hair salons and more,” said
Amber Fogelman, Main Street manager. “Shopping local is vital to the local economy, so stay in Bridgeport, visit your local merchants and let them meet your needs.” Along with shopping, downtown Bridgeport is the stage for various events throughout the year. Upcoming events include: Oct. 6 – Coal Miners’ Heritage Festival Dec. 8 – Home for the Holidays and Wassail Tasting: Pictures with Santa, merchant open houses, lighted Christmas parade
May 11 – Rodeo Pink Day May 12 – Main Street Stick Horse Rodeo and Butterfield Stage Days Festival Monthly Bridgeport Box Office movies
Quarterly Girls’ Night Out events in downtown. Visit www.cityofbridgeport. net for more information and other special events throughout the year.
“No Job Too Big or Small” HOUSE PADS PONDS ROADS DELIVER FILL DIRT CLEAR & LEVEL LOTS DOZER & BACKHOE WORK
Call When Quality Counts! 940-627-6868 FM 51 South, (5 miles south of Decatur)
32 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 28
Airport 299 L.V. Selz Rd. (940) 683-3690 Bridgeport Public Library 2159 10th St. (940) 683-3450 Librarian: Jackie Lowrie Bridgeport Stage 1009 Halsell St. (940) 683-3485 Bridgeport is a Main Street City. Call Main Street Manager Amber Fogelman at (940) 6833404.
PARKS Harwood Park 707 Hovey St. Two playgrounds, picnic tables, pavilion, walking trail and lights, barbecue grills, xeriscape garden, open play area, horseshoe pits, restrooms Call Parks and Recreation at (940) 683-3480 to reserve the pavilion. Payne Park 409 W. Cates St. Covered skate park, picnic tables, playground equipment, basketball, court, open play area, restrooms Northwest OHV Park
North of town off of Texas 101 ATV park and hiking trail system CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 812B Halsell (940) 683-2076 Executive director: Tiffany Evans President: Will Carpenter Membership lunch at 11:30 a.m. every third Thursday at Bridgeport Community Center EVENTS Bridgeport Box Office shows movies downtown monthly. JANUARY
Bridgeport Chamber Oilfield Luncheon FEBRUARY Daddy/Daughter Dance Hearts and Flowers on Halsell Valentine’s Dinner MARCH Bridgeport Chamber Banquet APRIL Barnett Shale Sporting Clay Shoot Eye Glass/Lions’ Club Golf Tournament Easter Eggstravaganza MAY Butterfield Stage Days parade, carnival, street dance and PRCA rodeo Continued on page 33
Who Should You Trust With Your OB/GYN Care? Decatur Women’s Health Center
Offering a Full Range of Obstetrical and Gynecological Care for Women at Every Stage of Life. (Left to Right) Aliza Cortez, Kim Mote, Dr. Douglas Kyle, Melissa Bradley
• In-house optical lab, most single vision glasses ready the same day
Lindsay H. Bond, O.D. Michael L. Bond, O.D.
• Complete Vision and Medical Eye Care with State-of-the-Art Technology • Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of Eye Disease • Pediatric and Adult Vision Care Join our family at Bond Family Eye Care
Medicare and Most Insurance Accepted
Your health and well-being as a woman are our concern. We offer a full range of obstetrical and gynecological care. Our emphasis is on making you feel comfortable, confident and reassured. Call today to schedule your next appointment
940-627-4216
1713 S. FM 51, Suite 201 • Decatur, TX 76234
BOND FAMILY EYE CARE
“Professional Care Your Eyes Deserve” Therapeutic Optometrists Optometric Glaucoma Specialists
2351 S. FM 51, Suite 200 • Decatur
940-626-0045 www.bondfamilyeyecare.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 33
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 32
(Rodeo Pink— Wise County Art Association Show Wise County Olympathon JUNE Bridgeport Education Foundation Golf Tournament JULY Mommy and Son Luau AUGUST Bridgeport Middle School Back-to-School Pool Party SEPTEMBER Oil Man’s/Lions’ Club Golf Tournament OCTOBER Coal Miners Heritage Festival Suit Up and Say Boo Trickor-Treat in Downtown Bridgeport Spooktacular Fall Festival NOVEMBER Bridgeport Education Foundation Banquet Christmas Cards in the Park DECEMBER Breakfast with Santa Home for the Holidays with wassail tasting, lighted Christmas parade and program
Bridgeport Spirit of Christmas HEALTH CARE North Texas Community Hospital 1905 Doctors’ Hospital Dr. (940) 683-0300 ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Bridgeport City Pool 1106 8th St. (940) 683-3480 Bridgeport Community Center 1102 Lawdwin Ave. (940) 683-3407 Bridgeport Country Club and Golf Course 250 FM 2123 (940) 683-9438 Bridgeport Lions Club 1107 8th St. (940) 389-5355 Harwood Park Pavilion 707 Hovey St. (940) 683-3480 Bridgeport Stage 1009 Halsell St. (940) 683-3485 Walter Dale Community Room 1000 Thompson St.
BRIDGEPORT’S COAL MINES Though coal was first discovered in Bridgeport in 1860, mining did not begin until the late 1880s, with Bridgeport Coal Co. being formed around 1900. While the mines were in operation, between 500 and 600 miners labored in them until natural gas was discovered in the area in 1942. Today, 14 mines can be identified, though more probably existed.
BUTTERFIELD STAGE ROUTE In September of 1859, coaches from the Butterfield Overland Mail Co. southern route passed through Wise County for the first time, carrying mail, goods and passengers. Originally just north of Chico, the route later relocated through Decatur, and it went over a bridge crossing the West Fork of the Trinity River. The frontier village that developed around the crossing became known as Bridgeport.
BRIDGEMAN’S MILLWORK
Continued on page 34
“experience and dependability”
PLUMBING SERVICE, LLC
Residential & Commercial
940-390-2024 940-626-4535
Matt Knarr
Lic#M22335
REMODELS SEWER REPAIR & SERVICE SLAB LEAK LOCATION
All Your Plumbing Needs
CUSTOM CABINETS
NEW CONSTRUCTION ~ REMODEL Residential • Commercial Owners: Ben Bridgeman & Phil Bridgeman
869 Hwy. 101 N. • Sunset
940-845-4545
34 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 33
(940) 683-3430 (in the Bridgeport Police Station) SCHOOLS www.bridgeportisd.net tax rate: 1.23656 Administration office 2107 15th St. (940) 683-5124 Superintendent: Eddie Bland School board members: Jim Bost, Charles Mauldin, Scott Stowers, Tom Talley, Ken Kilpatrick, Marti Hines and Lee Snodgrass Bridgeport High School One Maroon Dr. (940) 683-4064 Bridgeport Middle School 702 17th St. (940) 683-2273 Bridgeport Intermediate 1400 U.S. 380 (940) 683-5784 Bridgeport Elementary 1408 Elementary Dr. (940) 683-5955 Bridgeport Alternative Learning Center 1101 17th St. (940) 683-1830 PRIVATE SCHOOL Bridgeport Preschool 2011 Edgewood Dr. (940) 683-5252 CARE The Center for Animal Research and Education 245 CR 3422 Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-8115
www.bigcatcare.org Open for tours MondayFriday by appointment and Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Founded in 2003, CARE provides a haven for animals, as well as a resource to the animal medical and scientific community for studying and research. It also provides an educational venue for groups and individuals. Among those being cared for are cougars, leopards, tigers and lions. BRIDGEPORT CAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER 3280 FM 2952 Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-2555 www.bridgeportcamp.com A ministry of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center is located on more than 200 acres and is available for retreats and conferences from mid-August through May. Facilities include lodging, meeting halls, athletic fields, a challenge course and swimming pool. WISE COUNTY OLYMPATHON Since 1976, area children with special needs participate in the Wise
County Olympathon thanks to the efforts of a trio of organizers. Mildred Clark and Jana (Elder) Smith, parents of special-needs children, and teacher Sherry Harris started the event to allow students with special needs the opportunity to compete with their peers. Composed of various running events, an obstacle course, softball throw, long jump and other field events, a sports challenge, face painting, a dunking booth, and train rides, the event is open to all
students in Wise County served through special education — from mild learning/speech difficulties to those more severely affected by their disabilities. Poolville and Springtown schools have been added in recent years. NEWSPAPER Bridgeport Index 916 Halsell St. (physical) P.O. Box 1150 (mailing) Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-4021 www.bridgeportindex.com Published every Thursday.
Commercial and Domestic Propane Delivery
Tanks Leased or Sold LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
WISE PROPANE A Division of Wise Service Co. - Fuel
A Full Service Propane Dealer
940-683-2683 Call Wise Electric at 940-627-2167 or 1-888-627-9326 Toll Free
U.S. Hwy 380 West, Bridgeport, Texas
A Fully Owned Subsidiary of Wise Electric Cooperative, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL TERMITE & PEST CONTROL
Ask us r u about o Annual for t en Treatm ome’s your h est Total P l Contro
Wise/Chem Safe Pest Control COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL • INDUSTRIAL
Roaches, Ants, Rodents, Scorpions & Etc. Lawn Spraying - New Construction Treatments
FREE Estimates! Call today! Telephone Answered 24 hours
940-627-PEST (7378) State License #396 (insured)
4144 US Hwy 380, Decatur
www.wisechemsafe.com
Family Owned & Operated “Termidor America’s First 100% Termite Solution”
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 35
36 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
HICO New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... WHAT’S NEW? City Hall has moved into a new municipal complex at 400 South Hovey, the old elementary/middle school which was donated to the city by Chico ISD. (AREA CODE) (940)
PREFIX 644
POPULATION 1,100 LOCATION 12 miles northwest of Decatur on Farm Road 1810
CITY HALL 400 South Hovey (940) 644-2435
Board — 6:30 p.m. last Monday at city hall WEBSITE www.cityofchicotexas.com
CITY STAFF City secretary: Trish Payne
TAX RATES $0.48 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax
ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: J.D. Clark City council: Karen Garrison (mayor pro-tem), Fletta Barrett, Aracely Cuevas, Sue Manning and Chris Richey
POLICE The Wise County Sheriff ’s Office at (940) 627-5971 responds to calls in the city. For emergencies, dial 911.
MEETINGS City council — 7 p.m. first Tuesday at city hall Economic Development
FIRE DEPARTMENT 102 N. Weatherford St. (940) 644-5302 Fire Chief: James “Poncho” Redwine
AMENITIES Chico Public Library 109 W. Jacksboro St. (940) 644-2330 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Cyd Bailey (940) 644-2515 PARKS M. Robinson Park Corner of West Sherman and Buffalo Street; includes a play area for kids, a gazebo, skate park and a basketball court Jewel Park Baseball fields Wise County Park 372 County Road 1638, Continued on page 38
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
1810 ROAD
W. SHERMAN ST. FARM
1810
WEATHERFORD ST.
PARK RD.
ROAD
City of Chico
FARM
N. MOUNT ST.
N. HOVEY ST.
N. DAVIS ST.
101 TEXAS
www.WelcomeToWise.com 37
38 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 36
on the north end of Lake Bridgeport, west of Farm Road 2952 (940) 644-1910 Three two-lane boat ramps with ample parking, restrooms, handicap access, picnic areas and camping For paddling trails, see page 149 EVENTS JUNE Second Saturday, Chico Fire Department barbecue OCTOBER Third Saturday, Chico Fest DECEMBER First Saturday, Christmas Parade SCHOOLS Tax rate: 1.27858 Administration office 1120 Park Rd. (940) 644-2228 Superintendent: Mike Jones School board members: Tim Raley, Paul Cantrell, Doug Bowyer, G.A. Buckner, James “Poncho” Redwine, Noel Ruddick and Mark Tate Chico High School 263 FM 2952 (940) 644-5783 Chico Middle School 1205 W. Sherman St. (940) 644-5550 Chico Elementary School 1120 Park Rd. (940) 644-2220 U.S. POST OFFICE 100 S. Buffalo Springs St. Chico, TX 76431
(940) 644-2470 ENTERTAINMENT VENUE Chico Senior Center 201 S. Buffalo St. Cyd Bailey (940) 644-2218 PUBLIC DUMP Wednesday through Saturday 7: 30 a.m. to 5: 30 p.m. Farm Road 1810 between Decatur and Chico Turn North on Farm Road 1655 1 mile on right COST TO DUMP 30-gallon trash bag: $1 each Loose trash and brush: $10 per cubic yard Burn barrels: $6 each Appliances (white goods): $5 each Automobile tires: $2 each Truck tires: $7 each Tractor tires: $17 each To figure cost of dumping by cubic yard: Length x Width x Height divided by 27, then multiplied by cost per cubic yard = cost to dump CHICO SENIOR CENTER 201 S. Buffalo St. Cyd Bailey (940) 644-2218 NEWSPAPER Chico Texan 916 Halsell St. (physical) P.O. Box 1150 (mailing) Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-4021 www.chicotexan.com Published every Thursday
Welcome to Chico and Welcome to Wise County! Chico Chamber of Commerce www.chicotexaschamber.com
Lunch & Dinner 11 a.m. - 9 p.m., Mon. - Sat. 115 S. Weatherford St. • 940-644-2165
Chico Florist & Gift Shop Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat., 9 a.m. - Noon
101 W. Decatur St. • 940-644-5711
First State Bank Chico www.fsb-wise-co.com
201 South Weatherford St.
940-644-2218
CRAIG MOSS BACKHOE SERVICE, LLC
940-644-2659
Chico Economic Development Corporation For Information call 940-644-2435 P.O. Box 37 • Chico, Texas 76431
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 39
Downtown Decatur. See you there!
R
Located on the Beautiful Historic Downtown Square
Floral Designs for Every Occasion
103 West Main Street . Decatur . 940-627-1208 www.arayofflowers.com
We believe in exceeding your expectations to make your dreams come true.
213 W. Main • Decatur
Jeff Sicking VP - Mortgage Loan Officer 940-627-0047 • 806-773-4311 Featuring:
Embellish d Cowgirl Chic
Boutique
Lisa Reed 110 W. Walnut 817-233-3771
Indulge Your Inner Fashionista
115 N. State, Decatur
940-626-2077 crodfrog@aol.com
Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Find Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. us on
and More...
Chan ASIAN BISTRO & SUSHI 940.627.0855
FUZZY’S ON THE SQUARE!
113 N. STATE
Open 7 days a week Breakfast served all day 940-626-8226 • 109 N. State St.
Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri - Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sun. Noon - 9 p.m. DECATUR
Decatur Square 100
Platinum Cleaning
102
Sewell & Forbis
108
Sunshine Square
110
Embellish’d Boutique
Swanky Shack
114
202
Corner Place
Whether you plan to spend a day or a lifetime, we welcome you to Wise County and the historic
Corina’s Boutique
113
X Chan Thai House
Experience the history, the charm, the shopping and the food throughout the year in the shadow of our pink granite courthouse.
▲
Veterans Nell’s Park Nook
114
N. TRINITY STREET
115
W. STATE STREET
W. WALNUT STREET
111
Fuzzy’s Tacos
405 N. Trinity
Reunion on the Square
106 Metlife Trinity Realty
104 Robert’s Barber Shop
105
Simpson, Boyd & Powers
102 Woodruff & Wren
▲
402 W. Main
100
▲
Piper Blue Hair Salon
TLC
105 E. Main
Decatur Art School
▲
307B W. Main
Main Street Home and Garden
▲
603 W. Main
106 S. Trinity 940-627-6158 www.decaturmainstreet.com
Shop, eat, enjoy downtown Decatur
101
Law Office of Carol Ann Carson
103
A Ray of Flowers
111
Harris Music
Main Street Mall
115
117
Bishop & Bishop
201
Sweetie Pies
PrimeWest Mortage
▲
307 W. Main
106
Visitor Center
Wise County Heritage Museum 1602 S. Trinity
▼
103
▲
Decatur Main St. Florist Twice Around
S. TRINITY STREET
213
W. MAIN STREET Cakes by Leisha Bibles & Beads
109
VIC Printing
115
Wise County Messenger
110 E. Main
100
101 Water and Fire Restoration Renovation - Roofing Disaster Relief 940-255-1934 www.platinumclean.com
102
Sunshine Square
Children’s Clothes, Baby Registry & Tuxedo Rentals 940-627-3394 www.sunshine-square.com
Floral Designs for Every Occasion 940-627-1208 www.arayofflowers.com
111
Harris Music Instruments & Accessories Band Rentals Vacuum Repair & Parts 940-627-5737
115
117
Unique Women’s Apparel, Shoes & Accessories 940.627.0028
Woodruff & Wren, L.L.P. Attorneys at Law 940-627-2162
Attorneys at Law 940-627-8308 www.sbplaw.com
109
Robert’s Barber Shop Old Time Barber Shop
Open 7 Days A Week Breakfast Served All Day 940-626-8226
104 www.trinityrealtytexas.com Residential, Commercial, Farm & Ranch, Acreage 940-627-4427
113
Chan Thai House
Main Street Antique Mall
115
104 Auto & Home Kim Brooks-Peyton Property & Casualty Specialist 817-729-5703
106
Bishop & Bishop Attorneys & Counselors at Law Jean P. Bishop, Samuel C. Bishop & Jason P. Hartman 940-627-6800
The
Swanky Shack Boutique
100
102
Antiques, Collectibles, Primitives, Antique Glass & Fiesta 940-627-3177
114
Simpson, Boyd, & Powers, LLP
103
110
Cowgirl Chic Apparel 817-233-3771
105
Attorney at Law 940-627-8080
Sewell & Forbis Christopher N. Forbis Attorney at Law Litigation, Real Estate, Wills/Probate, Oil & Gas 940-627-2143 forbislaw@gmail.com
108
Law Offices of Carol Ann Carson, P.C.
Indulge Your Inner Fashionista Featuring Toms Shoes 940-626-2077
Good Food • Good Friends • Good Times Lunch & Dinner Menu 940-626-0092
114
Nell’s Nook
Clothes * Knick Knacks * Kitchenware * Home Décor Non-Profit Benefitting Hospice 940-626-8005
201 Lunch and Dinner Daily 940-626-4555
213
603 103
202 940-627-0047 Jeans, Dresses, Shirts, Jewelry, Purses & More 940-627-6HOT
307
Decatur’s Main Street Florist Twice Around Consignment Full Service Florist Furniture, Clothing, Home Décor, Jewelry 940-626-1406
307B
Decatur Art School
Dedicated to a Healthy Lifestyle www.mainstreethomeandgardens.com www.downthealleycafe.com 940-627-0235
Piper Blu Hair Salon
940-627-0242
106
E.
Decatur Visitors Center Maps, Souvenirs, Local Information Offices for Decatur Main Street & EDC 940-627-6158 www.decaturmainstreet.com
105 Total Lawn Care Lawns, Landscaping, Irrigation 940-627-4979
Lessons 2nd grade – Adults Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 940-627-3127
402
Cakes, Cookies, Cupcakes, Pies, Bread All Occasions 940-626-4783
110
109 A Complete Printing Service vicprinting@earthlink.net 940-627-7468
Bibles and Beads
Bibles & Religious Material & Jewelry Beads & Beading Tools & Accessories Classes Available 940-626-8888
115
www.wcmessenger.com 940-627-5987
42 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
ECATUR New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... HISTORICAL NOTES ADA FROM DECATUR “Eighter from Decatur, County Seat of Wise,” is a common phrase chanted in the game of dice for luck during craps to roll an Continued on page 48
U.S. POST OFFICE 206 E. Walnut St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3541 WEBSITE www.decaturtx.org
60 miles northwest of Dallas 30 miles west of Denton (AREA CODE) PREFIXES (940) 393, 626, 627 POPULATION
LOCATION Wise County seat 40 miles northwest of Fort Worth
6,532 CITY HALL 201 E. Walnut St.
(940) 627-2741 ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Martin Woodruff City council: Jay Davidson, Jason Wren, Randy Bowker, Dana Clinesmith and Cary Bohn CITY STAFF City manager: Brett Shannon City secretary: Diane Cockrell Continued on page 44
www.WelcomeToWise.com 43
GR EE NW OO D
287 CH
ICO
OL D
OLD
81
RD .
FM
N. TRINITY ST.
380
51
N.
W. WALNUT ST. OLD DENTON HWY.
S. WASHBURN ST.
Mark C. Lantzy, D.D.S. 1000 W. Business Hwy 380 • Decatur
940-626-4442
S. 51 FM
S. DEERPARK RD.
PRESKITT RD.
287
COLLEGE AVE.
W. THOMPSON ST.
81
City of Decatur
RD .
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
GRACE
IN LA
Fax: 940-626-4441
www.lantzychildrensdentistry.com
DRY CLEAN SUPER CENTER
FUL LL SERVICE
Picck up and Daily Specials Drop Off and Bridal Gowns Available 18 801 01 FM 51 South, Decatur
940-6 627-9599
Mon.. - Fri. 6:3 Mo 6:30 0 am a - 7 pm • Sat. 8 am - 2 pm
CORKY & SODA All the brands you want and so much more! Dresses, tops, leggings, bandeau tops, camis and lots more always in stock. Come take a look; you will be glad you did. 202 W. Walnut • On the Decatur square • 940-627-6468 Open Mon-Fri 10 a.m. - 5:30 a.m. • Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
44 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas PAINT IT PINK — Decatur Main Street and Wise Regional Health System present Paint Downtown Pink every October on the courthouse square in recognition of Breast Cancer awareness month. Proceeds benefit Wise Regional Health Foundation and Mary’s Gift. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 42
TAX RATE $0.66 per $100 valuation — property 1.5 percent — sales WATER DISTRICT Tarrant Regional: $.02 per $100 property valuation MEETINGS City council — 6 p.m. the second and fourth Monday at city hall. Planning and Zoning Commission — 6 p.m. the first Tuesday at city hall. Water District Board — 5
p.m. the first Wednesday after the first council meeting at city hall. Library Board — 5 p.m. the third Tuesday at the John A. and Katherine G. Jackson Public Library. The board does not meet in August or December. Economic Development Corp. — 4 p.m. the third Tuesday at city hall. Cemetery Board — 10 a.m. the second Monday of the odd numbered months at city hall. POLICE 1601 S. State St. (940) 627-1500 Continued on page 47
More Than Just • Doors Lumber... • Paint
• Roofing • Windows • Millwork • Plumbing • Electrical • Hardware • Fencing • Lumber
Decatur Lumber Co. 1-888-627-5962
E. Bus. 380 • Decatur • 940-627-5962 Mon.-Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sat., 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. decaturlumberco@embarqmail.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 45
DECATUR IN AVIATION HISTORY The Albuquerque Museum owns a piece of aviation history, which also happens to be a piece of Wise County history. The 1914 Ingram/Foster biplane, on display in the museum since 1990, was built in Decatur and is believed to be the finest surviving example of an original Curtiss-design pusher. The plane was built in Decatur by the Pioneer Aeroplane Exhibition Co., founded by Jay Ingram and Charles A. Foster. Ingram, a Ford dealer in Decatur, met Foster, an exhibition flier, in Dallas, and Ingram offered Foster the opportunity to build planes in his auto shop. He also provided $2,500 for the purchase of a sixcylinder Roberts engine. Foster and Ingram built five biplanes and contracted with county fairs in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas for exhibition flights between 1914 and 1916. By 1916, airplanes were more common, and exhibition contracts declined. Ingram packed the one intact biplane in its original traveling carts and stowed them away in a
Ephesians 6:10 - 18
PIECE OF HISTORY — This 1914 Ingram/Foster biplane built in Decatur is on display at the Albuquerque International Sunport.
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
warehouse. The plane was untouched for 70 years, until Ingram’s widow sold the plane to John Bowden, an airplane restorer from Lampasas, in 1986. Bowden sold the plane to the Albuquerque Museum a year later. Information gathered from the Wise County Messenger and the city of Albuquerque website, www.cabq.gov.
Apostle Quint Burks Sunday Morning Worship ................. 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evenings .............................. 6 p.m. Wednesday Evenings ....................... 7 p.m.
TUESDAYS • 7:30 P.M.
Pastor: Kenneth “Doc” Dennis
940-389-8871
RIDE IN AND WORSHIP 3988 N. US Hwy. 287 Alvord (Directly under Brushy Creek Vineyard Sign)
Clothes Closet & One Harvest Food Ministry Every 4th Saturday
112 CR 2395 • Alvord
(across from Dub Johnston Arena)
940-627-2795 817-228-5577
www.nvmistries.org
DECATUR
TIRE STORE & SERVICE CENTER
940-627-3657
All tire sizes available! 1201 N. US 81/287 • Decatur
Mon. - Fri., 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat., 7:30 a.m. - Noon
46 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
DECATUR BAPTIST COLLEGE PIECE OF HISTORY — The old Decatur Baptist College administration building sits atop a hill, just a few blocks from the Courthouse Square. Although the college moved to Dallas in 1965, the building is still in use and is home to the Wise County Heritage Museum. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Six years before it became Decatur Baptist College, the Northwest Texas Baptist Association founded Northwest Baptist College, a four-year institution. The school went bankrupt in 1896 and was bought by the Baptist convention. Decatur Baptist College was established in 1897 on the $1,000 pledges of 20 Wise County men. The college was the world’s oldest two-year institution and was a preparatory school for Baylor University. The school moved to Dallas in 1965, becoming Dallas Baptist College. It is now known as Dallas Baptist University. After the move, the building was bought by Coke L. Gage, a Decatur businessman, and donated to the Wise County Historical Society. It is now the Wise County Heritage Museum. Read more about the museum on page 51.
Welcome to Decatur Civic Center
The Decatur Civic Center is a multipurpose venue available for your next gathering
Banquets • Weddings & Receptions • Meetings/Seminars Corporate Celebrations • Holiday Parties • Trade Shows Book Your Special Event Today. Our Experienced Staff Provides Exceptional Hospitality and Service.
www.decaturciviccenter.com 2010 W. US 380 • Decatur, TX 76234 • 940-393-0280 • FAX 940-627-2600
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 47
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 44
Police chief: Rex Hoskins FIRE DEPARTMENT 1705 S. State St. (940) 627-3199 Fire Chief: Mike Richardson DECATUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 308 W. Main St. (940) 627-3107 www.decaturtx.com Executive director: Misty Hudson President: Lisa Caraway Membership luncheon — 11:30 a.m. every fourth Tuesday, except July and December at the Decatur Civic Center. DECATUR MUNICIPAL AIRPORT The oldest airport in the state, established in 1914. Located one mile north of town on Farm Road 730. Features a 4,202-foot by 60-foot runway with a 17,000-pound dual wheel weight-bearing capacity. Runway is accessible 24
hours a day and illuminated with medium intensity light. Automated weather observation system can be reached at (940) 627-2365. Decatur Jet Center offers airport maintenance and pilot shop plus flight instruction. Wayne’s Aircraft Service offers maintenance and chartered tours. Clear View Aviation rents hangar and office space at the airport. Call (940) 627-2855 for more airport information. AMENITIES Decatur Civic Center 2010 U.S. 380 West (940) 627-2369 Decatur Public Library 1700 S. Farm Road 51 (940) 627-5512 www.decaturpubliclibrary. com Decatur Country Club 211 Country Club Road (940) 627-3789 Decatur Senior Citizens Center 1200 N. Miller St. (940) 627-2926 Decatur is a Texas Main Street City. Call Director
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Frieda Haley at (940) 627-6158 or visit the Decatur Visitors Center on Trinity Street in the refurbished post office. Its web address is www. decaturmainstreet.com. PARKS Kenny Renshaw Park Farm Road 51 South Playground, pavilion and ball fields Harmon Park Corner of E. Mill and S. Church streets Skateboard park and two baseball fields Crystelle Waggoner Park Within Harmon Park Playground Melba Doyle Park Old Chico Road and U.S. 380 Trees, picnic tables and swings Hollis and Sue Jones Park Farm Road 730 and Country Club Road Ball fields, basketball courts and playground Big Mama Willis Park Corner of North Arthur and Brown streets
Playground, sand box, swing set and picnic tables Veterans Park Corner of Ash and Trinity streets “Path of Sacrifice and Valor” commemorating American conflicts HEALTH CARE Wise Regional Health System 609 Medical Center Dr., off Farm Road 51 South (940) 627-5921 The hospital also features a wellness center with an indoor pool and a fitness center. EVENTS FEBRUARY Wise County Antique Auto Swap Meet EASTER Main Street Easter Egg hunt APRIL Citywide Garage Sale Last Saturday: Main Street Clean Sweep Chicken Coop Tour Relay for Life Continued on page 48
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48 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 47
MAY First Saturday: Cruise Night on the Square WC Challenger Charities Professional Bull Riding JUNE First Saturday: Cruise Night on the Square Second Thursday: Thursday Night Flicks on the Square JULY Second Thursday: Thursday Night Flicks on the Square AUGUST First Saturday: Cruise Night on the Square Second Thursday: Thursday Night Flicks on
the Square SEPTEMBER First Saturday: Cruise Night on the Square Citywide Garage Sale Wise County Sheriff ’s Posse Rodeo Chisholm Trail Days OCTOBER First Saturday: Cruise Night on the Square Decatur Farm and Toy Show NOVEMBER Veterans Day Events Eighter from Decatur DECEMBER First Saturday: Moonlight Madness Parade SCHOOLS
Ada from Decatur ... Continued from page 42
eight. It is named after a servant girl named Ada in the late 1800s. Will Cooper lived in Decatur and worked as a day laborer in the area. He was known for his love of a local servant named Ada and for playing craps. For luck, he would say, “Ada from Decatur, County Seat of Wise,” and it became popular around the area. The saying changed when www.decaturisd.us Tax rate: 1.30000 Administration office 501 E. Collins St. (940) 393-7100 Superintendent: Rod Townsend
Cooper was hired as the cook for Decatur members of home guards and soldiers who traveled to Virginia to be in a reenactment of the Battle of Manassas. During the long train ride there, the troops played dice using the phrase. The reenactors met with other participants from across the nation, spreading the phrase and taking it home with them. The saying is still popular among gamblers. School board members: Kevin Haney, Jeff Alling, Gary Clayton, Jeff Elder, Alan White, Diana Mosley and Marsha Hafer Decatur High School Continued on page 49
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 49
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 48
750 East Eagle Summit Dr. (940) 393-7200 Mac and Chloe McCarroll Middle School and sixth grade campus 1201 W. Thompson St. and 1200 W. Eagle Dr. (940) 393-7300 (940) 393-7328 (sixth grade campus) Carson Elementary 2100 Business 81/287 S. (940) 393-7500 Rann Elementary 1300 Deer Park Rd. (940) 393-7600 Young Elementary 379 CR 4191 (940) 393-7400 ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Decatur Civic Center 2010 W. U.S. 380 (940) 627-2369 Decatur Country Club 211 Country Club Rd. (940) 627-3789 Decatur Lions Club 207 N. State St. (940) 627-6333 Decatur Senior Citizens Center 1200 N. Miller St. (940) 627-2926 Decatur Visitors Center 106 S. Trinity St. (940) 627-6158 Joe Wheeler Park Pavilion (Reunion Grounds) on Joe Wheeler Park
Road between Farm Road 51 South and Old Reunion Road (940) 627-7090 Ruben’s Ballroom 982 U.S. 380 East (940) 391-1080 Wise County Sheriff ’s Posse Grounds (Women’s Building, Rabbit Building, etc.) 3101 S. FM 51 (940) 626-4537 PRIVATE SCHOOLS Immanuel Baptist Christian Academy 106 S. Lane (940) 627-5248 J.O.Y. Christian Academy 1901 S. Trinity St. (940) 337-4629 www.joyca.org Pettit Private School 701 Deer Park Rd. www.pettitschool.com (940)627-8393 Victory Christian Academy 1303 Business 81/287 N. (940) 627-5820: church (940) 626-4730: school, not answered in summer www. victorychristianacademy. org DECATUR SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER 1200 N. MIller St. (940) 627-2926 Open Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Potluck lunch is three days a week. DECATUR SWAP MEET The Wise County Antique Auto Club Inc. P.O. Box 3 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-6555 Sponsored by the Wise County Antique Auto Club, the Decatur Swap Meet is an annual event, hosting more than 3,000 vendors each year. The meet takes place at the Wise County Sheriff ’s Posse Grounds the last weekend of February. Admission is free. Southwest Swap Meet www.southwestswapmeet. com (940) 271-1005 The Southwest Swap Meep is Friday, Sept. 14, through Sunday, Sept. 16, at the Sheriff ’s Posse Grounds. Held at the Ballpark in Arlington since 1977, the event was forced to relocate after the building
of Cowboys Stadium. The Southwest Swap Meet started in 1968 and is the longest-running, continuously-operating event of its kind. It is sponsored by the Texas Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, the Dallas Model A Ford Club and the Horseless Carriage Club of America, North Texas region. ODDS & ENDS Sonflower Camp In 1999, Andrea Duwe founded Sonflower Camp to glorify God and provide children with disabilities and their families a community of opportunities. The day camp is held the first week of June each year at Joe Wheeler Park in Decatur. For more information, contact Duwe at (940) 3953356. The Chisholm Trail Antique Farm Club Each March, the Continued on page 50
50 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 49
Chisholm Trail Antique Farm Club holds a spring consignment auction to sell farm equipment. They also host a Farm Toy Show during the Decatur Swap Meet, allowing people a chance to exchange tractor parts and get back to the roots of the craft. All events are held at the Sheriff ’s Posse Grounds in Decatur. Wise County Sheriff ’s Posse P.O. Box 744 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-4537
www.wcsposse.com In order to encourage agriculture and horticulture, the Wise County Sheriff ’s Posse sponsors events at the Sheriff ’s Posse Grounds in Decatur. It is a non-profit group of volunteers who host rodeos, fairs and other events annually. PUBLIC DUMP (940) 627-0815 Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Farm Road 51 south of Decatur 1/4 mile south of Sheriff ’s
Posse Grounds, on the left COST TO DUMP 30-gallon trash bag: $1 each Shingles (Boyd and Decatur only): $18 per cubic yard Loose trash and brush: $10 per cubic yard Burn barrels: $6 each Appliances (white goods): $5 each Automobile tires: $2 each Truck tires: $7 each Tractor tires: $17 each To figure cost of dumping by cubic yard: Length x Width x Height
divided by 27, then multiplied by cost per cubic yard = cost to dump RECYCLING Paper, glass, plastic and tin cans are collected for recycling. There is a “paper only” box for all types of paper except food wrappers, and a “mixed products” box for all types of material: plastic, glass, tin cans and paper. The dumpsite also collects tin cans separately to benefit the animal shelter. There is no charge to drop of recyclable items.
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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WISE COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM NEED TO KNOW 1602 South Trinity St. Decatur (940) 627-5586 Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – Saturday Tours are available by calling the museum’s number or (940) 627-3732. A ramp and elevator are available to make the museum easily accessible.
purchased in 1904 Switchboard from 1963 Antique furniture from Wise County Firefighter squirt gun Stand-up desk from the Wise County Messenger during the 1920s and ’30s Decatur Baptist College Memorabilia G.C. Rann Auditorium
ADMISSION: Adults – $1 Children (12 and under) – 50 cents Exhibits include: Lost Battalion Room An 1886 funeral coach
ANNUAL EVENTS Plays run throughout the year in the G.C. Rann Auditorium November: Wise Country Fall Out, auditions are in August
Perched upon the top of the hill on Trinity Street, the Wise County Heritage Museum offers three floors of countless treasures from the past. Though its been years since the building housed the Decatur Baptist College, many artifacts from those college years can still be seen on the first floor of the museum. Relics include old letterman jackets, yearbooks, pennants and photographs. Just a few feet away from the college display are rows of glass bottles from the Decatur Glass Factory. The factory was founded in the 1950s by Herman Rosensweig, an Austrian who fled Europe during the Holocaust. His products were sold all over the country: from local retail stores to Macy’s in New York. Another of the museum’s prized displays is the Lost
Battalion Room on the third floor. The room serves as a tribute to the local soldiers whom Japan took as prisoners of war in the Dutch East Indies during World War II. Members of this battalion were mostly from Wise and Jack counties. The Japanese held them captive for more than three years under brutal conditions. In addition to historic displays, the museum also offers genealogy services. Armed with newspaper archives and funeral, marriage and birth records, the staff helps people trace their Wise County family history back to the 19th century. The museum operates on donations, admissions, sales from its gift shop and fundraising events throughout the year. Wise County Historical
HOUSING HISTORY — The Wise County Heritage Museum is housed in the former Decatur Baptist College administration building. Standing tall on a hill just south of the courthouse square, the building houses pieces of the county’s history, including a room dedicated to the men from the area that were a part of the Lost Battalion. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Society members are $10 per year for adults, $15 for a married couple and $150 for
a single lifetime membership. Members are admitted free to the museum with show of card.
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52 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
DECATUR MAIN STREET CRUISIN’ — Antique car enthusiasts travel from near and far to attend Cruise Nights on the Courthouse Square antique auto show the first Monday May through October. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
The purpose of Decatur Main Street is to bring people downtown again: for shopping, eating and fellowship. Decatur was designated a Texas Main Street city in 1994, and its office is in the city’s historic post office at 106 S. Trinity. Also in the building are the Decatur Visitors Center, a museum display and the Decatur Economic Development Corp. “I never saw it (the visitors center) being a place that would just highlight Decatur,” said Frieda Haley, Main Street manager. “There are so many things in the county to point visitors to.” From Eagles Canyon Raceway near Slidell to Lake Bridgeport and the LBJ Grasslands to the
International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, the visitors center provides a long list of things to see and do in Decatur and Wise County. Decatur Main Street organizes various events throughout the year. Upcoming events include: Aug. 6 — Cruise Nights on the Courthouse Square antique auto show, 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 11 — Thursday Night Flick: entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m., and the movie starts about 9 p.m. Popcorn, drinks, hot dogs and sno cones are served at the event, and those attending are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets. Sept. 1 — Cruise Nights on the Courthouse Square antique auto show, 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 — Girls Night Out
Sept. 8 — Chisholm Trail Days Sept. 15 — Citywide Garage Sale Oct. 6 — Cruise Nights on the Courthouse Square antique auto show, 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 19 — Paint Downtown Pink Nov. 3 — Eighter from Decatur
Nov. 8 — Girls Night Out Nov. 11 — Veterans Day Nov. 23 — Lucky 7: shops open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 — Moonlight Madness parade at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 — Girls Night Out For more information and other special events throughout the year, got to www.decaturmainstreet.com.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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WISE COUNTY OLD SETTLER’S REUNION SUMMERTIME FUN — Wise Countians flock to Joe Wheeler Park the last full week of July to enjoy food and fellowship at the Wise County Old Settler’s Reunion. A carnival, complete with ferris wheel and games, always draws a crowd. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
The Wise County Old Settler’s Reunion is the oldest recurring public event in the county. The weeklong reunion is held the last full week in July at Joe Wheeler Park off Farm Road 51 South in Decatur. The reunion got its start in the late 1860s when Confederate veterans met under a full moon in covered wagons with their families to visit comrades before the fall harvest. Today, the reunion grounds
are filled with cabins, where many families spend the entire week. A campers’ meeting on Sunday afternoon kicks off the activities where winners of the camp decoration contest are announced. A carnival with rides and games is located on the reunion grounds, and entertainment is provided nightly at the pavilion. Nonprofit organizations sell food and drinks, and the Decatur Lions Club is in charge of parking.
The organization uses the parking fee to contribute to worthwhile community
projects. Admission to the reunion is free, though there is a charge
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
LIONS’ LIONS The Decatur Lions Club was willed two castiron lions from the N.H. Barron estate in 1982. According to Barron’s will, the lions were cast in England in 1849 by Henry Greathouse. Greathouse was an early settler of Wise County and one of the first presidents of First National Bank. The pair were set on granite pedestals matching the courthouse’s granite and have flanked the entrance of the club’s den since August of 1982. Barron’s will directed that the statues go to the Lions to ensure their “historic and artistic value to the community of Decatur” be preserved. He
Reaching Out to Serve Our Community...
asked that provisions for their future care be made even if the club ceases to exist. Barron also chose the club because of its involvement in sight preservation. Barron suffered vision problems as he aged. The lions, weighing 300 to 400 pounds each, adorned the entrance to the Greathouse mansion, once located on North Trinity Street. The home burned in the 1960s. Barron moved the lions to his home north of Decatur, where they remained until his death. From the Aug. 26, 1982, issue of the Wise County Messenger
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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SAM WOODY’S CABIN For a century-and-a half, Sam Woody’s cabin stood guard along Deep Creek, representing one of the first structures to be built in Wise County. In October 2006, it was relocated and dedicated at its new home on the Wise County Heritage Museum lawn, 1602 S. Trinity St., in Decatur. Woody, a native of Tennessee, built the home in 1854 with the help of friends and family. Construction materials consisted of wood from trees located in the immediate area, and the cabin was finished in one day. It was frequented by frontier travelers passing through the area and was a meeting place for trade with Native Americans. Woody guarded pioneer settlements as part of a Ranger unit and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. The cabin became a recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1970.
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COUNTY ROOTS — Restoration expert Bill Marquis reconstructed Sam Woody’s cabin piece by piece when it was moved from the banks of Deep Creek to the lawn of the Wise County Heritage Museum in 2006. The cabin is believed to be the oldest structure in the county. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
56 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
USDA SERVICE CENTER Wise County farmers and ranchers are served by the U.S. Department of Agriculture service center on U.S. 380 West in Decatur. The center is home to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development. NRCS is formerly the Soil Conservation Service. The staff, headed by District Conservationist Darnell Willis, furnishes technical assistance to protect, develop and wisely use the natural resources, including soil, water, air, plants, animals and the human element. The motto of the NRCS is “Helping
NEED TO KNOW (940) 627-2268 FSA extension 2 NRCS and Wise Soil and Conservation District extension 3 Rural Development extension 4 People Help the Land.” The staff helps landowners control erosion, improve water quality, preserve wetlands, enhance wildlife habitat, reduce flood damage and promote good land use. The agency can also determine soil properties and make soil interpretations, using the soil survey produced by the agency.
Other programs include plant material centers to select and develop plants to solve conservation problems; and watershed projects that help local sponsors plan and finance small projects for watershed protection, flood prevention, water quality, agricultural water management and nonagricultural water management such as public recreation. The agency also manages the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, Grazing Land Conservation Initiative, Natural Resources Inventory, Environment Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship
Program, Wetlands Reserve Program and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program. The Wise County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office, headed by Tracy Meadows, administers the federal USDA farm programs locally. Participation is voluntary and most contracts are one year in length. Annual programs offered are commodity payments on base farms, insurance-like programs for all non-insured grown crops, including grazed crops and disaster programs designed to provide money for crop, livestock and grazing losses. They also provide credit
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
USDA ... Continued from page 56
to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers unable to obtain private loans, maintain annual crop reports and aerial photographs and administer Emergency Conservation Programs (when applicable) designed to help farm operations recover from the effects of severe weather losses. Rural Development, headed by Area Director Alan Lambright, has a mission of helping the people of rural America develop sustainable communities and improve their quality of life. Rural Development provides funding for water
and wastewater systems as well as community facilities such as fire and police stations. To eliminate substandard housing in rural America, Rural Development helps people buy, build or rent decent housing. It also creates jobs by funding the growth and creation of rural businesses and cooperatives. Other USDA programs help rural towns build or improve community facilities, such as schools, health clinics and fire stations. USDA also has programs that help rural communities build or extend utilities, including water, electricity and telecommunications services.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
PETRIFIED WOOD STATION More than 20 years have passed since the little gas station along Business U.S. 81/287 in Decatur serviced its last vehicle. But not a day goes by that someone doesn’t stop to study the unique masonry and read the history of the Petrified Wood Station. Owned by Jim and Nancy Rosendahl, the station was built by Nancy’s grandfather, E.F. Boydston, at a time when people were straddling the line of the horse and wagon and automobile eras. Nancy’s father, Nolan Boydston, began working at the station when he was 10 and retired from the station in 1989. “If this building could speak, it would tell us a lot of stories,” Jim said. “This went through
the Great Depression, World War II, Korea, Vietnam. This preserves a very small piece of history from the 20th century.” E.F. Boydston first bought the land at Hale Street and Business U.S. 81/287 for $400 in 1927 and constructed a shed and Texaco gas station at the location, naming it Texas Tourist Court. Travelers stopped and camped in the tourist camp area located behind the station. Cabins were built behind the station in 1931 that travelers could rent for $1.35 a night, a price that included breakfast in the morning. The Texas Lunchroom, a one-room wooden building, was built in 1929.
With the number of gas stations in Texas and the number of automobiles on the road increasing steadily, Nolan decided the station needed a little more personality in order to attract customers. He gathered petrified wood from Alvord and Bridgeport and applied it to the exterior of the station and the cabins. He also expanded the lunchroom and faced it with petrified wood. “In the old days, every station had its own personality,” Jim said. “Presumably, that’s why they put the petrified wood around it. The most unique place got the most business.” Bonnie and Clyde were
rumored to have stayed in the Texas Tourist Court just a few months before they were killed in May 1934. The station survived the rationing of gasoline during World War II in part because Nolan recapped tires at the station. Rubber was a valuable resource during the war, and the Petrified Wood Station was one of the few locations in Decatur where tires could be recapped. With Nolan’s retirement came the closing of the store, which Jim and Nancy remodeled as a personal office. The cabins are used for commercial space. The cafe closed for a couple of years but is now open as Whistle Stop Cafe.
UNIQUE BUILDING — The Petrified Wood Station on Business 287 in Decatur was once a working gas station. Now it’s a private office. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
WAGGONER MANSION
The Waggoner Mansion, or El Castille, was built in 1883 in modern-day Decatur and was owned by Daniel L. Waggoner. He drove a small herd of Longhorn cattle into Wise
County in the mid-19th century and by 1870 had established himself as a “cattle king.” The mansion served as headquarters for the Waggoner Ranch, which reached into seven
www.WelcomeToWise.com 59 counties. The home was sold to Phil Luker in 1942. Also of note in the home’s history: the exterior was duplicated for the movie “Giant.” RANCHER’S HOME — The Waggoner Mansion is also a noted landmark in Decatur. The home was built in 1883 by Daniel L. Waggoner, and it was sold to Phil Luker in 1942. It’s a curiosity for locals, only a few of which have ever been inside. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
60 www.WelcomeToWise.com
AKE
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
BRIDGEPORT
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ODDS & ENDS LAKE BRIDGEPORT COMMUNITY CLEANUP The city of Lake Bridgeport sponsors annual cleanup days where citizens are offered the use of a compactor truck for the disposal of household garbage and other debris. The truck is located at city hall, and proof of residency is required for use. Cleanup dates are set to take place in the spring and fall.
Wednesday and Friday
461 LOCATION about 7 miles west of Bridgeport on the east shore of Lake Bridgeport CITY HALL 301 S. Main St. (940) 683-2700 Open 8 a.m. to noon Monday,
MEETINGS City council â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month CITY STAFF City secretary: Wanda Vick ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Maudie Smith Continued on page 62
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
City of Lake Bridgeport
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 60
City council: Dwayne Slaten (mayor pro tem), George Davis POLICE The Wise County Sheriff’s Office at (940) 627-5971 responds to calls in the city. For emergencies, dial 911. FIRE DEPARTMENT 301 S. Main (940) 683-2700 Fire chief: Willie Garrett lbvfd@yahoo.com
Lee Snodgrass Bridgeport High School One Maroon Dr. (940) 683-4064 Bridgeport Middle School 702 17th St. (940) 683-2273 Bridgeport Intermediate 1400 U.S. 380 (940) 683-5784 Bridgeport Elementary 1408 Elementary Dr. (940) 683-5955 Bridgeport Alternative Learning Center 1101 17th St. (940) 683-1830
WEBSITE www.cityoflakebridgeport. com
EVENTS JUNE First Saturday: Lake cleanup
SCHOOLS Lake Bridgeport residents attend schools in Bridgeport’s Class 3A school district. www.bridgeportisd.net Tax rate: 1.23656 Administration office 2107 15th St. (940) 683-5124 Superintendent: Eddie Bland School board members: Jim Bost, Charles Mauldin, Scott Stowers, Tom Talley, Ken Kilpatrick, Marti Hines and
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES North Side Marina and Resort 180 PR 1735, Chico (940) 644-5475
DON’S A/C Service, Inc. Residential & Commercial Sales - Service - Installation Heating & Air Conditioning
Trane Comfort Specialist Dealer 2006 - 2012
#TACL NO B002355C
940-683-5000
RADIO DISPATCHED
2230 West Highway 114 • Paradise, TX
Bridgeport Lake Bed and Breakfast 203 PR 1738, Chico (940) 644-0086 Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center 3280 FM 2952 (940) 683-2555
The FFamily Eye CARE CENTER QUALITY EYE CARE Q QUAL
• Optometrist & O Ophthalmologist in Office • Children’s Eye Eyecare • Laser PRK & Lasik • Emergency Eye Injuries Welcome
Senior Citizen Discount Tad Billmire, O.D. Therapeutic Optometrist
104 S. Washburn • Decatur, TX 76234 • 940-627-3739 Emergencies 940-627-1305
Traditional Anglican Worship within
The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth Come join us in “The Mission” To know Christ and To make Him known Service Times: English 10:30 a.m. • Spanish 12:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Service: Spanish 8 p.m. • English 10:30 p.m. 5094 US Hwy. 380 • Bridgeport • 940-683-6321
www.asmwise.org
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 63
Wise County Medical & Surgical Association 1001 Eagle Drive ◆ Decatur TX ◆ 940-627-7443 1306 13th Street ◆ Bridgeport TX ◆ 940-683-5287 Family Medicine ! Obstetrics ! General & Vascular Surgery ! Pediatrics !
Radiology (Decatur Only) ! Full Service Lab ! DOT Physicals/Drug Screens ! Sports Physicals !
Decatur Urgent Care: Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm ◆ Saturday 8am - 4pm ◆ Sunday 1 - 4pm
Decatur Clinic Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 8pm Saturday 8am - 4pm Sunday 1 - 4pm
Bridgeport Clinic Hours: Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 1pm Sunday 1 - 4pm
Our Doctors (L - R): Michael Higginbotham, DO; Brad Faglie, MD; C. Kelley Tibbels, MD; Jeff Alling, MD; Larry Cooper, MD; Beth Wieser, DO; Thomas Long, MD; Brent Shepherd, MD; Shawn White, MD; Thomas Steffen, MD.
http://www.wisedocs.com
64 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
City of New Fairview
287
FARM
2264
81
ROAD
FARM
ILLINOIS ST.
407 ROAD
EW
FAIRVIEW
New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... (AREA CODE) (817)
PREFIX 638
POPULATION 1,258 LOCATION 12 miles southeast of Decatur 31 miles northwest of Fort Worth CITY HALL 999 Illinois Lane (817) 638-5366
CITY STAFF City Admin/Secretary/Court Clerk: Monica Rodriguez Assistant Secretary: Hope Bays
WEBSITE www.ci.new-fairview.tx.us TAX RATES City levies no property tax. 1.5 percent sales tax
ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Joe Max Wilson City council: Louis Moran (mayor pro-tem), Aaron Shoop, Mike Georgia, Wes Williams and Rick White
POLICE The city is protected by three resident Wise County Sheriff’s deputies. Call (940) 627-5971. For emergencies, dial 911.
MEETINGS City council — 7 p.m. every third Tuesday at city hall
FIRE DEPARTMENT East Wise Fire Department 107 CR 4421
(940) 626-8094 Fire chief: David Plankey SCHOOLS New Fairview students attend schools in either Decatur’s Class 3A school district or Northwest’s 5A school district. DECATUR www.decaturisd.us Tax rate: 1.30000 Administration office 501 E. Collins St. (940) 393-7100 Superintendent: Rod Townsend Continued on page 65
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas (940) 393-7400
Continued from page 64
School board members: Kevin Haney, Jeff Alling, Gary Clayton, Jeff Elder, Alan White, Diana Mosley and Marsha Hafer Decatur High School 750 East Eagle Summit Dr. (940) 393-7200 Mac and Chloe McCarroll Middle School and sixth-grade campus 1201 W. Thompson St. and 1200 W. Eagle Dr. (940) 393-7300 (940) 393-7328 (sixth grade campus) Carson Elementary 2100 Business 81/287 S. (940) 393-7500 Rann Elementary 1300 Deer Park Rd. (940) 393-7600 Young Elementary 379 CR 4191
NORTHWEST www.nisdtx.org Tax rate: 1.37500 Administration office 2001 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0000 (940) 648-3224 Superintendent: Karen Rue School board members: Mel Fuller, Josh Wright, Mark Schluter, Judy Copp, Devonna Holland, Kerry Jones and Daryl Laney Campuses that serve Wise County students: Northwest High School 2301 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0200 (940) 648-3224, ext. 50200 Steele Accelerated High School
“Board Certified”
606 N. Walnut St. Roanoke, TX 76262 (817) 698-5800 Chisholm Trail Middle School 583 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0600 (817) 636-2391 Justin Elementary 425 Boss Range Road
Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0800 Prairie View Elementary 609 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0550 Seven Hills Elementary 654 FM 3433 Newark, TX 76071 (817) 215-0700 (817) 636-2404
Services: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening 6 p.m. Wednesday Evening Dinner 6 pm Bible Study 7 pm 3483 S. FM 51 • Decatur Pastors
Chris & Linda Brown
940-300-1771 2revs@cfaith.com www.fulllifefellowship.com
Get a discount on your Auto policy if you also purchase Life insurance from Farmers. To find out if you qualify, contact your Farmers agent today.
Oil, Gas & Mineral Law
www.WelcomeToWise.com 65
Good for Auto. Good for Life.
Rhonda Shaw Insurance 940-627-9299 1-800-905-7007 1816 S. FM 51 # 800 Decatur Fax 940-683-0229
1101 Stevens St. P.O. Box 1186 Bridgeport, TX 76426
940-683-0227
FA R M E R S
LIFE INSURANCE Farmers New World Life Insurance Company® Mercer Island, WA 98040-2890
Good for you. farmers.com
Owner: Barry Shaw O
Registered Massage Therapist • Health Foods Herbs & Vitamins • Body Building Products
We Do Special Orders
1708 South Highway 51 Decatur, TX M Mon. - Fri. • 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sat. • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
940-627-6778
• Teams • Schools • Booster Clubs • Civic Organizations • Restaurants • Oilfield & Trucking Companies • Farm & Ranch • Sports Events
940-627-5200
Fax 940-627-6403 • 214-384-2568
www.cactuscapco.net
66 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
EWARK New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... WHAT’S NEW? The City of Newark has moved. Not the entire town, but City Hall has moved into a completely rennovated and refurbished building on Hudson Street. The building used to be part of Northwest School District and most recently served as the city library and housed tight council chambers in the storage area. The rennovated building has a large room for council chambers now
that doubles as a community center. All city offices have also moved in. The new Godfrey Pegues Public Library is next door. The city is also in the process of transforming the historic water tower on Farm Road 718 into a “welcome to” sign that will feature a mural telling the history of the area. LOCATION 19.2 miles southeast of Decatur
24 miles northwest of Fort Worth 1 mile from Eagle Mountain Lake
(817) 489-2201 CITY STAFF City Administrator: Diane Rasor
POPULATION 1,167 WEBSITE www.newarktexas.com TAX RATE $0.5270 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax CITY HALL 310 Farm Road 718
ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Matt Newby City council: Laura Pixler (mayor pro-tem), Robert Wells, Doug Anderson, Linda Anderson and Chana Massey MEETINGS City council — 7 p.m. third Thursday in council Continued on page 68
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
FARM
718 ROAD
MCCANNE ST.
RN
HO
M RA
CENTRAL AVE.
L HIL
. RD
ROGERS RD.
Fred Renfro DDS, MAGD Chadwick M. Lindt, DDS
City of Newark
CENTRAL AVE.
www.WelcomeToWise.com 67
ions EFaithxprLoveessHope •
•
Christian Gift Shop
General Dentistry Including:
Sedation Dentistry • Smile Makeovers • Secure Dentures Invisalign • Implant Restorations • Snore/Sleep Therapy Dental Insurance
• Bibles • Devotionals • Crosses • Willow Tree Angels • Embellish Your Story • Nativities • All Occasion Christian Greeting Cards 1208 S. FM 51 Suite R Decatur on the west end of the strip mall south of Market Place
940-626-9707
1101 Eagle Dr., Suite A • Decatur Visit our website www.excellentdental.com or call 940-627-2778 to schedule your appointment. Se habla español.
Hours: Tues. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. facebook.com/expressionsfaithlovehope
68 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 66
chamber at 209 Hudson St. POLICE The Wise County Sheriff’s office responds to calls in the city. Call (940)6275971 For Emergencies call 911.
FIRE DEPARTMENT 406 Hudson St. (817) 489-2331 Fire Chief: James Edgemon AMENITIES/NOTEWORTHY Godfrey Pegues Public Library 207 Hudson St. (817) 489-2224 Librarian: Megan Suffling PARKS Delora Doughty Royal City Park corner of Hudson and McCanne, directly across from the Newark Fire Hall South Wise County Park west of Newark on County Road 4873 public boat ramp and picnic tables EVENTS MARCH First Saturday: Chili Supper APRIL Third Thursday: Newark Senior Celebration JULY July 30: First Annual Heart for Parks Summer Fun Day OCTOBER Third Saturday: Cruisin’ Days
CRUISIN’ THE MAIN DRAG — Students from Seven Hills Elementary show their school spirit on a float during Newark’s annual Cruisin’ Days.
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
DECEMBER First Saturday: Santa in the Park ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Newark Community Center 209 Hudson St. (817) 489-2201 SCHOOLS NORTHWEST www.nisdtx.org Tax rate: 1.37500 Administration office 2001 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0000 (940) 648-3224 Superintendent: Karen Rue School board members:
Mel Fuller, Josh Wright, Mark Schluter, Judy Copp, Devonna Holland, Kerry Jones and Daryl Laney Campuses that serve Wise County students: Northwest High School 2301 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0200 (940) 648-3224, ext. 50200 Steele Accelerated High School 606 N. Walnut St. Roanoke, TX 76262 (817) 698-5800 Chisholm Trail Middle School 583 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0600 (817) 636-2391
Justin Elementary 425 Boss Range Road Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0800 Prairie View Elementary 609 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0550 Seven Hills Elementary 654 FM 3433 Newark, TX 76071 (817) 215-0700 (817) 636-2404 (817) 489-3220 PRIVATE SCHOOL Victory in Christ Classical Lutheran Academy 508 Main St. (817) 489-5400 www.viccla.org
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 69
70 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
ARADISE New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... LORE & LEGENDS MACHINE GUN KELLY The infamous gangster George Kelly Barnes, a.k.a. Machine Gun Kelly, kidnapped wealthy Oklahoma City resident Charles F. Urschel and his friend Walter R. Jarrett in September Continued on page 72
U.S. POST OFFICE 217 Main St. Paradise, TX 76073 (940) 969-3151 (Area Code) (940)
Prefix 969
POPULATION
Boyd 9.5 miles southwest of Decatur 40.5 miles northwest of Fort Worth CITY STAFF City secretary: Teresa Moody
529 LOCATION Located on Texas 114 between Bridgeport and
COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor: Sam Starr City council: Michael Robertson (mayor pro-tem),
Bill Schneck, Bob Gayan, Chris Harris and Roy Steel CITY HALL 218 Main St. (940) 969-2114 TAX RATES $0.339 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax MEETINGS City Council â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 7 p.m. every third Thursday at city hall Economic Development Continued on page 72
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 71
City of Paradise
N. MESQUITE
114 TEXAS
FARM
3259 ROAD
MIMOSA ST. MAIN ST.
PECAN ST. SCHOOL HOUSE RD.
114 TEXAS
Welcome To Paradise
No matter what you call it: Old Town, Paradise Prairie, Old Paradise, New Town or Eldorado, Paradise is the place to get away from the city’s hustle and bustle. Earliest accounts of Paradise date back to the early 1800s. The town moved 1 1/2 miles in 1893 to be closer to the Rock Island Railroad. Many of the original settlers’ descendants still make their home in this peaceful countryside. THE
H LINE FINIS
DAILY SPECIALS UNDER
Monday through Friday
Paradise
Defensive Driving of Paradise
JOIN US FOR CATFISH FRIDAY
Hours: Mon.-Fri., 7:30a.m.-8p.m. Sat., 7:30a.m.-2p.m. • Closed Sun. DINE IN • CARRY-OUT 600 Main Street
940-969-2525
JOE TUCKER DRYWALL SHEETROCK INSULATION TEXTURE
New Construction Remodeling Add-ons Spray Foam & Attic Insulation
940-389-0029
3338 W. Hwy 114 Suite 4
940-969-2245
Call for Class Schedules Computer Course Info DVD Rentals
The most complete selection from the Metroplex to Oklahoma. We have an 11,960 sq. ft. hardware store, 17 acres of steel, pipe, tools and anything needed to build steel buildings, fences, and much more. Stop by and see for yourself.
Rockin H Silk Screen Printing Embroidery • Vinyl Lettering T-Shirts • Hoodies • Caps • Apparel Team Uniforms • “Bling” Fire Retardant Clothing Banners • Yard Signs Kelly Read & Gay Read 940-969-3680 328 Schoolhouse Rd. www.hometowntees02@yahoo.com
JUDGE FITE COMPANY
3338 West Hwy 114 Suite 5 Paradise Plaza
940-969-2700
Stop Smoking Lose Weight Beat Stress ...The Natural Painfree Way!
MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE
940-969-2527
Crosses, Hair Bows and Candles also for sale
Wise Laser Therapy
THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THIS!!!
3407 W Highway 114
Cleaners
10% Discount For Firefighters, Police, Teachers & Military (with I.D.)
®
EQUAL HOUSING
OPPORTUNITY
120 Main Street
940-969-0123
Each Office Independently Owned & Operated
3338 W. Hwy. 114 • PARADISE
Mon. - Sat., 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. • Sun., 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
940-969-2800 TOBACCO SHOP
THE CIGAR LOUNGE • All kinds of cigarettes, snuff & tobacco. • Wide variety of premium cigars • All sorts of novelties: purses, flip flops, jewelry, sunglasses, cell phone accessories & much more! • Cigar locker rental available
KICK BACK AND RELAX!
Play a few games of pool with friends! Snacks and sodas also available!
3338 W Hwy 114, Suite 4 Paradise, TX 76073
940-969-2727
940.969.2123 • 3338 W. Hwy 114 • Suite 2
72 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Paradise High School (940) 969-5010 Paradise Junior High School (940) 969-5034 Paradise Intermediate School (940) 969-5032 Paradise Elementary School (940) 969-5046
Continued from page 70
Corp. — 7:30 p.m. every fourth Monday Planning and Zoning — 7 p.m. the last Monday as needed POLICE The Wise County Sheriff’s Office at (940) 627-5971 responds to calls in the city. For emergencies, dial 911. FIRE DEPARTMENT 303 Main St. (940) 389-1980 Fire chief: John Neal
EVENTS APRIL Multi-church Easter sunrise service SEPTEMBER Main Street Festival
SCHOOLS www.pisd.net Tax rate: 1.34000 Administration office 338 School House Rd. (940) 969-2501, ext. 6 Superintendent: Monty Chapman Board members: Homer Mundy, Doug Bryant, Kevin Howerton, Scott Eisen, Rusty Ford, Lonnie Holder and Carrie Preather
PARKS Veterans Park Main Street NEWSPAPER Southern Wise Times P.O. Box 333 Paradise, TX 76073 (940) 210-5286 www.swisetimes.com Published every other Wednesday
COOL THINGS TO DO AT WCMESSENGER.COM #13
Get your local sports fix.
www.wcmessenger.com/sportsupdate
PARADISE HISTORICAL SOCIETY The society met for the first time in June of 2000 with the goal to record the history of Paradise and surrounding communities, to distribute historical data, to complete work on the city’s Veterans Park and to establish a Paradise museum. The society meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November
at the Paradise First United Methodist Church, 301 S. Oak St. The society sponsors the annual Main Street Festival in the fall, with proceeds benefiting the Veterans Park. Dues are $10 per person, per year. For more information, email paradisetexas@ yahoo.com, or go to www. paradisehistoricalsociety.com.
Machine Gun ... Continued from page 70
1933. He held them in Paradise until FBI agents and Memphis, Tenn., police officers raided the hideout and rescued
the kidnapped men. Kelly was sentenced to life in prison and died of a heart attack in Leavenworth Federal Prison. His grave is in the Cottondale Cemetery.
Our 68th Year Serving Wise County
HOLMES Auto Supply Auto • Truck Farm • Small Engine Parts Quality Name Brands You Can Trust
803 W. Main • Decatur • 940-627-2350 Jordan Smith 1559 Bus Hwy 380 W STE 2, DECATUR, TX 76234 jsmith12@farmeragent.com
www.holmesautosupply.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 73
: G N I W O H S NOW Starring: Lisa
“Lady about the Town”
the
Real Agents OF WISE COUNTY
RANDY W. PARKER-OWNER/BROKER LISA G. CARAWAY, MANAGING PARTNER/REALTOR 405 W. Walnut St., Decatur • 940-627-9040
CARAWAY
CeCe
“says SOLD”
LISBY
940-393-2476 lisagcaraway@yahoo.com
940-399-9141 cecelisby@yahoo.com
Bruce
Sherry
“The Land Man”
FURGERSON
“The Closer”
LAYTON
817-996-3202 bfyeehaw@embarqmail.com
940-399-8246 sherrylayton@embarqmail.com
Kathy
John
“The Negotiator”
FISHER
“The Fireman”
LANIER
940-399-5336 katlyn57@msn.com
940-627-9714 jrlanier@gmail.com
Susan
Gussie
“The House Whisperer”
ANDERSON
“Go Getter”
GROVES
817-821-6659 s.carteranderson@yahoo.com
940-627-4397 gussie@embarqmail.com
Alex
Sean
“Se Habla Espanol”
BANDERAS
940-210-1995 banderas7alexandra@yahoo.com
“wise about Wise”
WILLIAMS
940-577-4484 seanlmwilliams@yahoo.com
Fama
“The Worker Bee”
HARRIS
817-781-2481 famasue.harris@gmail.com
Directed by:
Randy “The Broker” PARKER Supporting Cast:
Krisha “The Producer” HESTEANDE Susanne “The Facilitator” PARKER
-5,4)0,% ,)34).' 3%26)#%
For more information about us and our listings visit
www.parkerpropertiestexas.com
Best of
WISE 2009
74 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
HOME New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... HISTORICAL NOTE
U.S. POST OFFICE 500 S. Main St. Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 636-2287
GODDESS OF LIBERTY Since February of 1888, the Goddess of Liberty, a 3,000-pound, 16-foot-tall, zinc statue, has sat atop the Texas State Capitol building Continued on page 76
POPULATION 1,600 LOCATION 17 miles southeast of Decatur 25 miles northwest of Fort
Court Clerk: Sherry Taylor Public Works: Preston Gilliam
Worth (AREA CODE) (817)
PREFIXES 636, 638
CITY HALL 105 1st St. (817) 636-2462 CITY STAFF City Secretary: Ramah Burns
ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor: Chris Moore City council: Jo Ann Wilson (mayor pro tem), Chris Graves, Cole L. Blanche, Michelle Pittman and Louis Godfrey MEETINGS City council â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 7 p.m. second Continued on page 76
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 75
City of Rhome 114 TEXAS
HICKORY ST. BC RHOME AVE
81
MA
IN
287
ST .
FARM
3433 ROAD
Hometown Auction Service “Jumping” Jump Party Texas xas
The Party is always with
HONESTY • LOYALTY • COMMITMENT
Auction or Estate Sale, We Tailor Our Services to Fit Your Needs.
We Sell It All! Judy Norred Auctioneer #16795
Check our website or call for dates and times of auctions
817-995-3873
www.hometownauctionservice.com
We do ALL the work FREE Delivery & Setup
Inflatables • Affordable Prices • Local • Safe
Concessions
FUN FUN FUN
Family Owned & Operated
Serving Wise & Surrounding Counties
940-577-5347 www.jumppartytexas.com Check our website for new items
76 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 74
Thursday at city hall Planning and Zoning — 7 p.m. first Monday at city hall Parks and Recreation — 7 p.m. first Thursday at city hall WEBSITE www.cityofrhome.com TAX RATES $0.56 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax POLICE 400 B.C. Rhome (817) 636-2400 Police Chief: James Rose FIRE DEPARTMENT 261 N. School Rd. (817) 636-2001 or (817) 6362462 Fire Chief: Chief Robert Pratt WHAT’S NEW Earlier this year the city, thanks to the help of volunteers, completed the addition of a Butterfly Garden near Rhome Family Park. The park is located at 400 South Virginia and Stirling Lane.
Goddess ... Continued from page 74
in Austin, making it 3 feet taller than the nation’s capitol building in Washington D.C. However, after 97 years, erosion had badly damaged the original statue, so in late 1985, she was taken to the American Art Foundry in Rhome for restoration. There, Barvo Walker, owner of the foundry and consultant for the Washington University Technology Associates, worked to create an aluminum replica. Rhome was chosen for the project because it was removed from metropolitan areas, which helped limit curious crowds. On May 29, 1986, the new aluminum structure was unveiled. The original, restored statue now resides at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin Texas.
It has a basketball court, walking trail, playground equipment, grills and picnic tables. The council and parks department also started a “Music in the Park” series
ORIGINAL BEAUTY — The Goddess of Liberty may sit in the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, but an aluminum replica created in Rhome sits atop the state’s capitol.
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
featuring live bands this summer. Rhome is now the 3rd largest city in Wise County, and regularly posts the third highest sales tax receipts in the county. Despite the growth,
they still play dominoes 6:30 p.m. every Thursday at the Community Center. AMENITIES/NOTEWORTHY Rhome Community Center Continued on page 77
JCO AUTO
NEW & USED TIRES, FIX FLATS, BRAKE SERVICE, AIR CONDITIONING, TUNE-UP, ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS, SHOCKS AND STRUTS Laura Shaffer
Independent Beauty Consultant www.marykay.com/laurashaffer 940-595-1437 Serving Wise and Surrounding Counties
FULL SERVICE AUTO REPAIRS 469-855-3727 Office 940-627-1212
1705 N. HIGHWAY 287 • DECATUR, TX 76234 • CHRIS BRAVO
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 77
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 76
261 N. School Rd. Rhome Library 106 N. Main St. (817) 636-2767 SCHOOLS NORTHWEST www.nisdtx.org tax rate: 1.37500 Administration office 2001 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0000 (940) 648-3224 Superintendent: Karen Rue School board members: Mel Fuller, Josh Wright, Mark Schluter, Judy Copp, Devonna Holland, Kerry Jones and Daryl Laney Campuses that serve Wise County students: Northwest High School 2301 Texan Dr. Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0200 (940) 648-3224, ext. 50200 Steele Accelerated High School 606 N. Walnut St. Roanoke, TX 76262 (817) 698-5800
Chisholm Trail Middle School 583 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0600 (817) 636-2391 Justin Elementary 425 Boss Range Road Justin, TX 76247 (817) 215-0800 Prairie View Elementary 609 FM 3433 Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 215-0550 Seven Hills Elementary 654 FM 3433 Newark, TX 76071 (817) 215-0700 (817) 636-2404 (817) 489-3220 ENTERTAINMENT VENUE Rhome Community Center 261 N. School Rd. (817) 636-2462 RHOME SENIOR CITIZENS Bill Childress (817) 946-7522 Senior citizens meet at 9 a.m. each Friday at the Rhome Community Center. Lunch is served at noon. Domino games are played Thursdays at 6 p.m.
MOODY’S PAINT & BODY
• Spacious “Boutique” Décor Rooms • Free Full Breakfast • Business Center • Fitness Center • Swimming Room • Meeting Room
Interior Expressions Custom Interior Design For your Home or Office
Draperies • Lighting Blinds • Shutters Flooring • Area Rugs Accessorizing • Bedding Custom Furniture Custom Window Treatments
Dene Dial 940-626-2270
TEXA S BLINDS & SHUTTERS Quality Service At Competitive Pricing
FREE Estimate • Call For Appointment Billy Eaton, Owner • 940.683.2516 2101 CHICO HWY. • BRIDGEPORT, TX
940-255-4 788
Serving Wise County & Surrounding Areas • txblindsandshutters@ymail.com
78 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
UNAWAY
BAY
New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... POPULATION
LORE & LEGENDS CHUPACABRA In May 2010, Runaway Bay officials named the chupacabra the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official mascot four months after the rumored creature was discovered on hole No. 14 at The Club at Runaway Bay. The body was tan, Continued on page 80
1,286 (AREA CODE) (940)
PREFIX 575
LOCATION On the southern shoreline of Lake Bridgeport 56 miles north of Fort Worth 44 miles west of Denton CITY HALL 101 Runaway Bay Dr. (940) 575-4745
CITY STAFF Interim city administrator and city secretary: Oneta Berghoefer MEETINGS City council: 7 p.m. third Tuesday at city hall Planning and zoning commission meets first Tuesday at city hall Cemetery commission, parks board and sales tax board meet on an as-needed basis
at city hall COUNCIL MEMBERS Mayor: Robert Ryan City council: Jerry St. John (mayor pro-tem), Dan Ticer, Berry White, Neil Peters, Kay Simmons WEBSITE www.runawaybaytexas.com TAX RATE $0.57616 per $100 property valuation 1.5 percent sales tax Continued on page 81
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 79
OUT RD .
SHADY
JASPER CREEK RD.
DR. OAKS
RUNAWA Y BAY DR
.
HALF
MOO
N WA Y
LEGEND ROOFING, LLC. “Serving the North Texas Area”
Licensed Adjuster & Claims Specialist on staff
RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
940-293-5566 • 1-877-600-3001 www.legendroofingllc.com Runaway Bay, Texas
380
114 TEXAS
T
POR
MOON HALF R. LD L A OC
WAY
City of Runaway Bay
BOY SC
80 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Chupacabra ... Continued from page 78
earth-colored and hairless with oversized canines and a squished face like a vampire bat. It had long and slender padded feet with nearly inch-long toes, almost like fingers, tapered with sharp, curved claws, like a raccoon. The creature’s hind legs appeared elongated and large, like a kangaroo’s. It was approximately 16 inches in length with a possum-like tail. A Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist has since labeled the mysterious creature a hairless raccoon. The discovery by a course
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groundskeeper in January brought media attention to the city from news outlets around the country and world and prompted the creation of T-shirts, stickers and other merchandise featuring the animal. Chupacabra is Spanish for “goat sucker.” The creature is infamous for sucking the blood from livestock. There have been many sightings of the mysterious creature throughout Texas during the past few years. The legend was first reported in Puerto Rico in the mid-1990s and has since spread throughout Latino communities.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 81
Info you need to know ... FUN IN THE SUN — Runaway Bay is a recreational community along the southern shoreline of Lake Bridgeport. Residents and visitors enjoy boating, fishing, and golfing as well as social activities organized by the town’s alliance. MESSENGER PHOTO BY BOB BUCKEL
Continued from page 78
POLICE 580 U.S. 380 (940) 575-2200 Interim Police Chief: Rex Richie FIRE DEPARTMENT 410 Runaway Bay Dr. (940) 575-2222 Fire Chief: Brian Bernardo AMENITIES/NOTEWORTHY The Norma Coble Civic Center 51 Runaway Bay Dr. (940) 575-4745 The Club at Runaway Bay 18-hole golf course and driving range, banquet facility 400 Half Moon Way (940) 575-2225 Municipal Swimming Pool Blue Bird Lane, off of exit 8 (940) 575-4927 Ratliff Drive (public beach)
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Greater Runaway Bay Alliance office in the Norma Coble Civic Center
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Modern Marina 148 lighted boat slips in a windshielding cove (940) 575-4745 Bay Landing W. U.S. 380 (800) 374-1915 Thousand Trails/NACO Preserves 2305 W. U.S. 380 (940) 683-3019 Sid Richardson Boy Scout Reservation 2282 Longhorn Dr. (940) 575-4243 PARKS Cricket Ridge Park Runaway Bay Drive, next to the Norma Coble Civic Center The Park at Runaway Bay Blue Bird Lane walking trail, playground, picnic areas
51 Runaway Bay Dr. www.greaterrunawaybayalliance.com Chairman: Bettye Parker President: Jannie Tucknies EVENTS Coordinated by the Greater Runaway Bay Alliance APRIL Easter Sunday: SpringFest JULY FourthFest AUGUST Farewell to Summer Barbecue at the pool DECEMBER Christmas dinner and Festival of Lights SCHOOLS Runaway Bay is part of Bridgeport’s Class 3A school district that has five campuses, an elementary, intermediate, middle and high school and an alternative Continued on page 82
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82 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 81
high school (A.C.E.). BRIDGEPORT www.bridgeportisd.net Tax rate: 1.23656 Administration office 2107 15th St. (940) 683-5124 Superintendent: Eddie Bland School board members: Jim Bost, Charles Mauldin, Scott Stowers, Tom Talley, Ken Kilpatrick, Marti Hines and Lee Snodgrass Bridgeport High School One Maroon Dr. (940) 683-4064 Bridgeport Middle School 702 17th St. (940) 683-2273
2282 Longhorn Dr. (940) 575-4243 The Club at Runaway Bay 400 Half Moon Way (940) 575-2225 The Norma Coble Civic Center 51 Runaway Bay Dr. (940) 575-4745
Bridgeport Intermediate 1400 U.S. 380 (940) 683-5784 Bridgeport Elementary 1408 Elementary Dr. (940) 683-5955 Bridgeport Alternative Learning Center 1101 17th St. (940) 683-1830 ENTERTAINMENT VENUES Bay Landing/NACO Preserves/ Thousand Trails 2305 U.S. 380 (940) 683-3019 Municipal City Pool 938 Port-O-Call (off Exit 8) (940) 575-4745 Sid Richardson Boy Scout Ranch
SID RICHARDSON SCOUT RANCH (817) 231-8500 (940) 575-9272 www.longhorncouncil.org Sid Richardson Scout Ranch is located on Lake Bridgeport, just west of Runaway Bay. Owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America, it is a part of the Longhorn Council based in Fort Worth.
Featuring 2,500 acres and more than 16 miles of rugged shoreline, the property was donated in 1968 by oil tycoon Sid Richardson, allowing scouts to camp among heavy forests, prairie and scenic cliffs. Other activities offered to scouts include swimming, a flight simulation center and horsemanship program, to name a few. The ranch is considered a Boy Scout High Adventure Base. Its centerpiece is the historic 1870’s U.S. Cavalry site. Also featured is a working blacksmith’s shop, country store, museum, saloon and post office. All are official Texas landmarks that were relocated from Vineyard.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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OMMUNITIES New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... HISTORICAL MARKERS CITY OF ALVORD U.S. 287 By 1882, when the Fort Worth & Denver Railroad built a line to this area, a small agricultural community Continued on page 86
ALLISON Just west of the Denton County line in eastern Wise County, Allison was originally owned by Daniel Waggoner. In the 1870s, it became a hideout for Jesse and Frank James and bandit Sam Bass. It was later acquired by Waggonerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandaughter, who sold it to
J. L. Gamman and a syndicate of businessmen in 1910. The land was to be located along a promised rail line, so the men laid out 46 lots and constructed a school, along with several other buildings. The lots sold quickly, and the community was named after Wise County Judge E. M. Allison. However, the rail
line never came to be, and the town failed. ANNEVILLE Built up around a general store, the almost forgotten Anneville, was once a growing community with a sawmill, gristmill, blacksmith, two churches, a doctor, cotton gin, post office and education center, known as the Walnut School. It is believed to be Continued on page 84
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 83
named after Mrs. Anne Davis, who came to Texas in a covered wagon, and is located off of what is now Farm Road 730. AUDUBON Once a detour for crews on the cattle trail, Audubon grew to be an important town in the 19th century, before its decline. Named for naturalist John J. Audubon, at its height, the community had a post office, a school, two cotton gins, a telephone office and several stores, churches, lawyers, physicians and blacksmiths.
BALSORA Located on FM 920 southwest of Bridgeport, Balsora was originally called Wild Horse Prairie because of the herds of horses once found there. The U.S. government named the community when a post office was built April 14, 1894. After closing on two occasions, it has remained closed since 1924. BOONSVILLE Located on Farm Road 920 southwest of Bridgeport, Boonsville was first located along the banks of Boon’s Continued on page 85
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Info you need to know ... MEETING PLACE — In a small community like Boonsville, the community center is the heart. It provides a place for people to gather and socialize for event such as Boonstock, an annual fundraiser for the area’s volunteer fire department.
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Creek, named after Stephen Boon, a pioneer settler of Wise County. It was moved to its present site in 1882. It continued to grow, and by 1914, it had a population of 200, along with two general stores, a school, bank and steam gristmill. A decline in cotton production and lack of a railroad caused the population to drop. In the 1950s, the school was consolidated with the Bridgeport district, and the post office closed in 1965. BRIAR In the southwest corner of
MESSENGER PHOTO BY BOB BUCKEL
the county, Briar sits on FM 730. It began in the late 1800s, serving as a community where local farmers could
attend church and school. In the 1970s, the community began experiencing rapid growth due to the sprawl of
nearby Fort Worth, and it continues to grow. Continued on page 86
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86 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Historical markers ... Continued from page 83
had developed here on an old Indian trail. First known as Nina, the town was renamed Alvord in 1883, probably in honor of J.B. Alvord, president of the railroad. Early businesses here included mercantile stores, a drugstore, a variety store, a bank, Hotels and a saloon with a second-floor opera house. The first school was established at Briar Branch in 1890. Alvord has continued to develop as a center of farming, ranching and oil production. GEORGE LAWTON BLEDSOE Beauchamp Drive, Aurora Aurora Cemetery, at southern part of cemetery on
Beauchamp Drive. Cemetery road about .5 mile south of FM 114 -Aurora Georgia native George Lawton Bledsoe (b. 1805), a carpenter and cotton gin builder, came to Texas in 1834. A veteran of the Texas Revolution and the Battle of San Jacinto, he received a pension for his military service and patented land grants in Brazoria, Cooke, Jack, Fannin, and Wise counties. He was married to the former Ellen Bowdre (d. 1850) and had five children. Bledsoe is buried here along with his daughter Georgia and a brother-in-law, Preston E. Bowdre. Ellen Bledsoe and the couple’s other four children are buried in Fannin County, probably in Bledsoe
Cemetery near Dial. ARKANSAS JOHNSON GRAVE Round Rock, SW of Cottondale. Near Earp Cemetery, north of Parker County line. The grave of the outlaw Arkansaw Johnson is located to the west of Cottondale. You go west from Cottondale on FM Rd 2123, turn left on CR 3673, and then left on CR 3661. Pal of Sam Bass, killed at Round Rock, early 1800s. On private property. TOLL BRIDGE AND OLD BRIDGEPORT FM 920 and Trinity River Bridge, Bridgeport, just west of Bridgeport. When Butterfield Overland
Mail traversed this area (1858-61) on the St. Louis to San Francisco route, a crossing over West Fork of the Trinity was a necessity. Colonel W. H. Hunt on Feb. 11, 1860, obtained a charter and built a toll bridge here (50 yards west). The Overland Mail ceased operating as Civil War began. The bridge soon collapsed. However, a settlement had begun here, and in 1873 Charles Cates, a Decatur merchant, spanned the river with an iron bridge. When the Rock Island Railroad built to this point in 1893, town moved but retained historic name. FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BRIDGEPORT Continued on page 87
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 85
COTTONDALE Cottondale’s history dates back to before the Civil War, when pioneers began settling in the southern part of what would become Wise County. In the years before the Civil War and through Reconstruction, Wise County was still considered frontier. According to “History of Wise County: Volume II,” the Comanche tribe was still in the height of its power in the area, making settling Wise County a dangerous venture. The last major raid by American Indians was in August of 1874.
In 1875, the community was named Cottondale for a lush growth of cotton planted by John Bridges. A blacksmith, he planted the cotton to finance a trip to Alabama to marry and bring home Sarah Frances Woodruff and her son, John Warren Woodruff. The community prospered with the help of railroads and the Bridgeport coal mines. However, rail service was eventually defunct in Cottondale when the Rock Island track was laid from Fort Worth to Boyd, before turning to Bridgeport. Of interest in the Continued on page 87
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Info you need to know ... Continued from page 86
community is the grave of George Kelly Barnes, also known as Machine Gun Kelly, in the Cottondale Cemetery. The infamous gangster kidnapped wealthy Oklahoma City resident Charles F. Urschel and his friend Walter R. Jarrett, in September 1933 and held them in nearby Paradise until FBI agents and Memphis, Tenn., police officers raided and rescued the kidnapped men. Kelly was sentenced to life in prison and died of a heart attack in Leavenworth Federal Prison. PUBLIC DUMP Wednesday through
SMILING SERVICE — You’re sure to be greeted with a smile at the post office in Slidell, one of the smallest offices in the county. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Farm Road 2123 Less than 1/2 mile west of
Cottondale store on north side of Farm Road 2123 COST TO DUMP 30-gallon trash bag — $1
each Loose trash and brush —
education and methods of organization. Descendants of the charter membership in the church, William Montford and Jane Holden Montford of Ireland, have held continuous membership in the church to this date. In the 1960s, the church began to share services and programs with other denominations in Bridgeport, such as youth, community and educational activities. For more than a century, the church has been a beacon of light in the community.
hotel porch, Governor Charles A. Culberson pardoned Brown for his part in an 1895 fight fatality. Banker-tenant R. Lee Morris owned Brown Hotel from 1908 to 1965.
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Historical markers ... Continued from page 86
1307 Newby St. In 1883, the Rock Island Railroad established a line close to Bridgeport on the banks of the west fork of the Trinity River, and soon the town began to grow. In 1895, the family of J.A. Weakley moved from Decatur to Bridgeport and as charter members of other Presbyterian churches in the area, decided to start a Presbyterian church in Bridgeport. After meeting in a school for several years, the twelve charter members officially organized on April 1, 1898. In Sept. 1898, the Bridgeport town company sold two lots to the church for $1. The first church building, a dignified carpenter gothic
structure, was completed at the conclusion of 1898. The church would reside in several buildings over the years. The original 1898 structure, a second structure built in 1960, and a rebuild of the second structure after a fire in 1974. Opportunities for women to organize within the church began almost immediately and included the women’s auxiliary in 1899 and the women’s missionary union in 1901 (later called the Presbyterian Auxiliary of Fort Worth Presbytery). Martha Green Weakley, one of the first leaders of both organizations and a charter member of the church, traveled the area delivering speeches on Christian
J. T. BROWN HOTEL Decatur Street, one block east of Chico Square Colonel J.T. Brown founded town of Chico in 1876; built this hotel 1888. In ceremony on
CATTLE TRAIL CROSSING U.S. 380, east of Decatur From Decatur take US 380 about 10 miles east to Denton/ Wise County line; marker on south side of the highway. Near this site ran one of the many “feeder” branches of the famous Chisholm Trail, best-known of all the cattle trails that once linked the vast grasslands of Texas with the meat-hungry markets of the north. The original trail, which stretched from the North Canadian to the Arkansas Continued on page 89
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 87
$10 per cubic yard Burn barrels — $6 each Appliances (white goods) — $5 each Automobile tires — $2 each Truck tires — $7 each Tractor tires — $17 eachn To figure cost of dumping by cubic yard: Length x Width x Height divided by 27, then multiplied by cost per cubic yard = cost to dump CRAFTON The town of Crafton once boasted six churches, a school complete with a library and
auditorium, various drug and dry goods stores, cornmeal and flour mills, a cotton gin and a gas station. The town also had its share of devastation, with a powerful flood and tornado hitting the town within the same decade in the early 1900s. Crafton was named for George R. Craft, who received a claim for 160 acres at the head of Indian Creek April 12, 1880. He platted the town of Crafton in March 1883. On Sept. 9, 1900, the hurricane that had destroyed Galveston a day earlier dumped 11 inches of rain on Continued on page 89
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Lobby Hours: Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Drive In Hours: Mon.-Thur., 8:30 a.m.- 3 p.m. Fri., 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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Lobby Hours: Mon.-Thur., 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Fri., 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Drive In Hours: Mon.-Thur., 7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. Fri., 7:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. • Sat., 9 a.m.- 12 p.m.
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Info you need to know ... Continued from page 88
Crafton, flooding the town. A tornado went through Crafton March 23, 1909, and destroyed four churches, one gin, two blacksmith shops, two drug stores, one school, three other businesses and seven residences. Fortunately, no one was killed. In 1943, the Crafton school was consolidated with Chico. Today, Crafton has a volunteer fire department. DRACO First known as Tylerville in the late 1800s, Draco was primarily a farm community, with cotton as its main crop. It had two churches, Primitive Baptist
ANNUAL TRADITION â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The Greenwood Fall Festival features a fish fry that benefits the Greenwood/ Slidell Volunteer Fire Department and a parade. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
and Missionary Baptist, and a Methodist congregation that met in the schoolhouse, which taught eight grades. The town also hosted a post
office and general store. GREENWOOD Greenwood boasts an extensive history that dates
to 1850, when the first settlers came to the area. By the 1870s, the town had several Continued on page 91
Historical markers ... Continued from page 87
River, was blazed in 1865 by Jesse Chisholm, a half-Scottish and half-Cherokee trader. The 220-mile route, soon taken up by drovers, was extended north and south. Branches all the way from the Rio Grande gradually snaked up to join the main trail at the Red River. Although unpredictable Texas weather and hostile Indians sometimes prevented the drovers from keeping to the main route, certain points were fixed. One of these was the Trinity River ford at Fort Worth, just south of here, where cattle might have to wait for weeks to cross if the river had recently flooded. In 1895, the fenced range, railroad, and quarantines against the fever tick had reduced to a trickle the flood of cattle leaving Texas
on the hoof; but by this time, the trail had helped restore the economy of Texas (wrecked by the Civil War) and it had left a legacy in folksong and legend of cowboy days on the untamed Texas frontier. FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF PARADISE Main St. and CR 3267 During the late 1880s, members of this church held home worship services in Old Town, the original Paradise townsite (1.5 miles southwest). The arrival of the Rock Island Railroad sent residents to this location, which was nearer to the rail line. Sometime after the move, the First Christian Church of Paradise was chartered. During the early 1900s, three
HISTORY IN THE MAKING â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport celebrated its 114th birthday in March with more than cake and punch. During a ceremony on the east lawn, members unveiled an official Texas Historical Commission marker recognizing its earliest members.
Continued on page 92
MESSENGER PHOTO BY BRANDON EVANS
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
URQUHART MUSEUM County Road 2740 Greenwood Hours: Open for festivals, barbecues and other special events Admission: Free Located just feet away from the Greenwood Grocery, the museum began as a grocery store in the 1920s. The Urquharts sold a little bit of everything at the store back then and even boasted the first icebox in Greenwood. After the Urquharts closed the store in the 1930s, the building was used for various purposes, including a stint as a hay barn. In the 1990s, the Urquharts’ granddaughters, Nadine Gage and Jennie Gordon,
took on the task of renovating the building to house the history of Greenwood. After three years of gathering photos, old signs and other artifacts, and one year of renovating with some help from the Teague family, the Urquhart Museum opened on homecoming in 1995. The sisters hoped the museum would house the family history of Greenwood, and with countless family photos, yearbooks, wedding announcements and newspaper clippings, it achieves that and more. Most of the artifacts in the museum were found at auctions, but many of them
were also donated by people from Greenwood. Some of the items include a pressure cooker owned by the Urquharts when the building was a grocery store, an organ from the 1800s, a working Victrola and a sign from the original Greenwood post office, which was once housed next door to the building. The museum even has old schoolwork, including a poem, “Greenwood” by Roland Wilson. It begins, “If you have never been to Greenwood, you should. If I had never been, I would.” The museum opens for special events, including the Greenwood Fall Festival in October.
For more information, call Nadine Gage at (817) 2320775 or Jennie Gordon at (940) 627-9363. Exhibits: Organ from the 1800s Original sign from the Greenwood post office Working Victrola School photos, yearbooks and artifacts Kitchen appliances Area family photos and history Annual Events October: Greenwood Fall Festival The Urquhart Museum in Greenwood doesn’t just house historical artifacts. The building itself is a piece of history.
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stores, a gristmill, a church and a school. Before the turn of the century, the town had several grocery stores, the Greenwood Enterprise newspaper, a saloon, drug store and even a hotel. A series of fires, however, did irreversible damage. The town served as a trade community for local farmers. Greenwood was home to Greenwood Male and Female College, which operated from 1891 through 1908, when the school’s building burned. Greenwood High School’s final class graduated in 1936. Today, students living in
Greenwood go to the Slidell School District. Greenwood is home to the annual Greenwood Art Show in the spring and the Greenwood Fall Festival the second weekend in October. Greenwood Homecoming is the second weekend in June. U.S. Post Office 136 CR 2640 Slidell, TX 76267 (940) 466-3183 KEETER Named after Baptist minister L.L. Keeter, the community of Keeter sits just
First Presbyterian Church Sunday Fellowship 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10 a.m. Sunday Worship 11 a.m. 1307 Newby St. • Bridgeport, TX 940-683-4779
Come & Share The Joy! “A Warm Welcome Awaits You at First Presbyterian.”
Continued on page 92
fpcbridgeporttx.org
92 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 91
west of Eagle Mountain Lake on Farm Road 2048. It began in the early 1880s, and within a decade, had four cotton gins, a general store, elementary school and post office branch. However, when cotton production decreased in the early 1900s, so did the community’s population. PARK SPRINGS Originally named Pringle, Park Springs was named for a grove that surrounded a group of fresh-water springs. In the early 1900s, it was a bustling town with a population of more than 400.
At the height of activity, there were three grocery stores, a bank, a feed store, an ice-house, a blacksmith shop and a school through 11 grades. The largest grocery store was owned by Seeb Musgrove, and other businessmen included Jerry McKay, John McDonald and Jimmy James. The town had a 14-room hotel, which was the center of social activity. The post office was established for Park Springs in 1893 and was discontinued in 1915. The school closed in 1944. LONE STAR The Lone Star community
was located between Decatur and Chico on what is now FM 1810. Though there is no record of a post office having been there, the cemetery remains. SLIDELL Slidell was founded in 1884 and named after U.S. Rep. John Slidell of Louisiana. Early settlers and businessmen built the small town to its peak in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Despite hardships ranging from a lack of water and firewood to never having a railroad, the town grew to have a weekly newspaper,
the Slidell Courier, bank, confectionery, doctor’s office, furniture store, several other businesses and churches. In the late 1800s, Slidell was known for its strong baseball program. Slidell is one of the few communities in Wise County to have never had a saloon. One effort to bring one into town was thwarted by a Baptist Sunday school teacher. A tornado in 1919 destroyed homes and killed 14 people. A fire followed just two years later that destroyed two businesses. Continued on page 94
Historical markers ... Continued from page 89
of the twenty-nine charter members became the original trustees. Merchant M. D. Cansler, school superintendent S. L. Atkins, and land owner and cotton farmer Fred Harms were responsible for purchasing the land and constructing a building for the church. This Gothic revival structure was built about 1905 by local contractor Will Plymell. The steeple houses the original church bell. At one time, the number of attending members dwindled to as few as three, yet worship services have continued to be held throughout the church’s history. Over the years the First Christian Church of Paradise has reflected the determination and ideals of its founders. With historic ties to the old and new Paradise townsites, it is a significant part
of the area’s heritage. FIRST NATIONAL BANK IN RHOME U.S. 287 bypass at Texas 114 Prominent area businessman Dan Waggoner began this financial institution in 1904 as a branch of his privately-owned bank in Decatur (15 mi. NW). His son, W.T., served for a time as its president. Rhome’s first bank was given a national charter in 1914 and grew steadily through the years. Its sound financial policies enabled it to survive the period of the Great Depression. Headquartered downtown for more than seventy years, the First National Bank in Rhome has been located at this site since 1975. ETERNAL OAKS CEMETERY Other names: Runaway Bay Cemetery
Eternal Oaks is in the Runaway Bay addition. It’s on the south side of Hwy 380. On Hwy 380 go west and cross the Lake Bridgeport bridge. Go to the third exit on the left (Exit #6) and turn left onto Port-O-Call. Head east on Port-O-Call until you come to Palomino Ct. on the right. The cemetery is on the corner of Palomino Ct. and Port-O-Call. THE COMPLETE LIST Allison Family Cemetery Alvord Cemetery Alvord Lodge No. 512, A.F. & A.M. City of Alvord Anna’s Chapel Cemetery Anneville Cemetery Anneville School Arkansas Cemetery Arkansas Johnson Grave Audubon Aurora Cemetery
B & D Dabney Cemetery Babb Cemetery Indian Captives Dot and Bianca Babb Ball Knob Cemetery Balsora Cemetery Baptist Cemetery Baptist Jr. College Bethel Cemetery No. 1 Bethel Cemetery No. 2 Bethel Cemetery No. 3 Bledsoe, George Lawton Blocker Cemetery Bodine Cemetery Boonesville Cemetery Booth Cemetery Boyd Cemetery Briar Branch Cemetery Bridge and Old Bridgeport, Toll Bridgeport Catholic Cemetery Bridgeport Coal Mines Bridgeport East Cemetery Continued on page 93
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Historical markers ... Continued from page 92
Bridgeport Lodge No. 586, A.F. & A.M Bridgeport West Cemetery J. T. Brown Hotel Butterfield Overland Stage Line (Decatur) Cattle Trail Crossing Charlie Jones Grave Chico Cemetery Chief Red Feather Grave Chisholm Trail Cottondale Cottondale Cemetery Cottonwood Cemetery County Farm Cemetery Crafton Cemetery Cumbey Cemetery Dawson Cemetery Decatur Baptist College Administration Building Decatur First United Methodist Church Deep Creek Cemetery Deep Creek Community Draco
Dunn-Comstock Cemetery East Mound Cemetery East Mount Cemetery and School Easton Cemetery Eaton Cemetery Elebey Cemetery Episcopal Mission of the Ascension Eternal Oaks Cemetery Evetts, Samuel G. Victorian Farmhouse (rural) First Baptist Church of Chico First Baptist Church of Decatur First Christian Church of Paradise First National Bank in Rhome First National Bank of Decatur First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport Flat Rock Cemetery A. H. Fortenberry
Foster Cemtery Friendship Cemetery Garvin Cemetery Gilley Cemetery Glass Cemetery Gose Trees Gouley Cemetery Grandview Cemetery Greenwood Greenwood Cemetery Hanna-Robinson-Richey Drugstore Hart Cemetery Hefley Cemetery Hog Branch Cemetery Holden Grave Hopewell Cemetery Howard Cemetery Huff Family Massacre Col. William Hudson Hunt Hutchinson Cemetery Hyde Cemetery Indian Creek Cemetery Isabelle Cemetery Old Campsite of Jesse and Frank James
Jim Ned Cemetery Jonestown Cemetery Keeter Cemetery Kincannan Cemetery Battle of the Knobs Lake Valley Cemetery Loftis Family Cemetery Lone Star Cemetery Ira Long — Texas Ranger Captain Masonic Lodge No. 479 Dr. M. W. Matthews McDaniel Cemetery No. 1 McNair Cemetery The Methodist Church in Chico Mount Cemetery R. C. Mount House Mount Zion Baptist Church & Jonestown Cemetery Robert Calvin Mount New Bridgeport Cemetery Norwood Cemetery Oak Grove Cemetery Oak Grove United Continued on page 94
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94 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Historical markers ... Continued from page 93
Methodist Church Oak Lawn Cemetery Oaklawn Cemetery No. 1 Oaklawn Cemetery No. 2 Old Boonesville Cemetery Old Bridgeport Cemetery Old Cottonwood Cemetery Old Friendship Cemetery Old Sweetwater Cemetery Old Willow Point Cemetery Olive Branch Cemetery Opal Cemetery Owen’s Pasture Cemetery Paradise Cemetery Paschall Pella Cemetery Perkins Cemetery Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 1 Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 2 Pleasant Grove Cemetery No. 3 Pleasant Grove No. 2 Cemetery, School and Church Pleasant View Church Cemetery Poco Graphite Pope Cemetery First Post Office in Wise County Prairie Point Cemetery Prescott Cemetery Preskitt Cemetery Press Perkins Grave Price Cemetery Pruitt Cemetery George Lafayette Ramsdale Dr. William Renshaw Rhoads Family Cemetery Rhome Cemetery Rush Creek Community Cemetery Saint Clair Grave Sand Hill Cemetery Sand Hill Community Saunders Cemetery Siddons-Barnes Log Cabin Slidell
Slidell Cemetery Slimp Cemetery Smith Cemetery Souther Cemetery Captain George Stevens Old Stone Prison Sweetwater Cemetery Sycamore Cemetery Teague Cemetery Charles Vernon Terrell Texas Tourist Camp General Ernest O. Thompson Thurmond-Fairview Cemetery Tilghman House, S. W. Trimble Cemetery Trimble Cemetery Tucker Cemetery Union Hill Cemetery United Methodist Church of Rhome Unknown Grave Unnamed Cemetery No. 1 Unnamed Cemetery No. 2 Unnamed Cemetery No. 3 Unnamed Cemetery No. 4 Valley View Cemetery Randolph Vesey Waggoner Cemetery Waggoner Mansion Westbrook Cemetery Willow Point Cemetery Wilson Cemetery Wilson Praire Cemetery Wise County Courthouse Wise County Courthouse (1858) Wise County Courthouse (1861) Wise County Courthouse (1883) Wise County Heritage Museum Wise County Jail Wise County Messenger Site of Wise County Poor Farm & Cemetery Wise County Reunion Wise County, C.S.A. Woods Cemetery Sam Woody’s Cabin Approved in 2011 were: Santa Fe Trail St. John Baptist Church New Salem Free Will Baptist Church
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 92
Today, Slidell school district has two campuses and the town has one restaurant, PepperJacks Cafe, and a post office. U.S. Post Office 112 CR 2820 Slidell, TX 76267 (940) 466-3231 SCHOOLS Slidell High School/Junior High (940) 466-3118, ext. 2 Slidell Elementary School (940) 466-3118, ext. 3 www.slidellisd.net Tax rate: 1.14000 Administration office No. 1 Greyhound Lane (940) 466-3118 Superintendent: Greg Enis School board members: Tim Fletcher, Sam Dunlap, Kasi Maynard, Johnny Zuniga, Troy Fortenberry, Steve Pruett and Brian Moore PUBLIC DUMP Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Farm Road 51 north of
Decatur Turn on Farm Road 455 East 1/2 mile past school on left on CR 2820 COST TO DUMP 30-gallon trash bag: $1 each Loose trash and brush: $10 per cubic yard Burn barrels: $6 each Appliances (white goods): $5 each Automobile tires: $2 each Truck tires: $7 each Tractor tires: $17 each To figure cost of dumping by cubic yard: Length x Width x Height divided by 27, then multiplied by cost per cubic yard = cost to dump SYCAMORE In the late 1800s, the tree-covered community of Sycamore was founded northeast of Decatur on what is today Farm Road 1204. A cotton gin, two churches, two general stores, a post office and a blacksmith shop were established before the population declined around the 1920s.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 95
37 One Year, Out-of-County $ 43 One Year, Out-of-State $ 49 One Year Digital Subscription $ 20 One Year, In-County $
P. O . B o x 1 4 9 • 1 1 5 S o u t h T r i n i t y • D e c a t u r , T e x a s 7 6 2 3 4 • 9 4 0 - 6 2 7 - 5 9 8 7 FAX 940-627-1004 • wcmessenger.com • welcometowise.com news@wcmessenger.com • Subscribe: wcmessenger.com/subscribe
HOSPITALS
96 www.WelcomeToWise.com NORTH TEXAS COMMUNITY HOSPITAL 1905 Doctors Hospital Dr., Bridgeport North Texas Community Hospital is a nonprofit hospital that will celebrate its fifth anniversary in August. Accredited by DNV (Det Norske Veritas), North Texas Community provides acute care services in the 36-bed facility. The hospital prides itself on customer service with 28 active physicians and 23 consulting physicians that work hand-inhand with clinical and support personnel to provide care for the community. The 99,852-square-foot
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas facility provides the following services: emergency department — NTCH boasts Wise County’s only residency trained ABEM Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician who serves as the medical director of the department. The ER staff cares for life-threatening illnesses and injuries 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A fulltime ER physician is always on duty and the wait times to see the physician average 17 minutes. intensive care unit — Treating critically ill patients is the func-
LOCAL HOSPITAL — North Texas Community Hospital in Bridgeport is located at 1905 Docotors Hospital Dr.
Continued on page 97
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
McLean Sanborn, MD Board Certified Family Practice
WHOLE FAMILY WELCOME!
Same Day Appointments Available Well Child & Infant Exams
Diabetes
Well Male & Female Exams
Heart Disease
Pediatric Illnesses
Asthma/Emphysema
Preventative Medicine
High Blood Pressure
Urgent Care
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Sports Physicals
Joining John Richardson, MD
2014 Ben Merritt Drive, Suite A • Decatur, TX 76234
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Hospitals ... Continued from page 96
tion of the four-bed ICU unit. A team of physician specialists, nurses and therapists work in conjunction with the patient’s primary care physician. The needs of the patient and their families are attended to in a setting that is equipped with the latest technology and delivers medical care for seriously ill patients. medical surgical — The medical surgical unit cares for many types of patients from pediatrics to geriatrics and is comprised of physicians, nurses, therapists and techs who work together to provide compassionate, total patient care. labor and delivery — NTCH offers family-centered obstetrical services. The caring and attentive staff ensure that labor, delivery and post-partum care provide a great beginning for our smallest of patients. surgical — Advanced laparoscopic general surgery as well as orthopedic, gynecological, urological and podiatric procedures are performed in the OR department. radiology/imaging — X-ray, fluoroscopy, ultrasound, echocardiography, Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provide diagnosis support
to the physicians. The new nuclear medicine department provides a unique form of imaging that provides the physicians with more information about the structure and the function of the body’s organs. Nuclear medicine provides a way to gather medical information that otherwise would be unavailable, require surgery, or necessitate more expensive diagnostic tests. It is open five days a week. clinical laboratory — Clinical and pathological testing is available around the clock with analysis of specimens by advanced instrumentation. The lab is Joint Commission and CLIA certified and provides a full range of diagnostic testing. physical therapy/rehabilitation — The specialized staff provide therapy to inpatients while in the hospital or outpatient care following discharge or upon referral. The ultimate goal is to assist patients in reaching their maximum potential through prevention, evaluation, management and rehabilitation of injuries or illness. The outpatient rehabilitation department is located in the 36,000-square-foot medical office building adjoining the hospital. This building is also home to several physician specialist offices including Bridgeport’s first
full-time cardiologist as well as a sleep lab. In addition to the clinical staff who provide direct patient care, the hospital provides support services including patient and family meals from the dietary department, a gift shop run by a group that supports the hospital’s mission, a corps of chaplains who provide support to patients and families when needed as well as other services. WISE REGIONAL HEALTH SYSTEM 2000 S. FM 51, Decatur Wise Regional Health System provides inpatient and outpatient services to Wise
and surrounding counties. It is affiliated with Baylor Health Care System and operates 148 acute care beds in two facilities. The hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The 176,000-square-foot facility provides the following services: 24-hour emergency services — A 27-bed Level IV trauma facility staffed 24 hours a day with emergency medicine physicians and registered nurses specially trained in pediatric and adult acute care. Also a designated Primary Stroke Center and Chest Continued on page 98
PROFESSIONAL
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98 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Hospitals ... Continued from page 97
Paint Center w/PCI with Air Evac LifeTeam for air-transfer of patients to major trauma care facilities if needed. bariatric surgery — A Bariatric Center of Excellence with three surgical options for weight loss, including LapBand, gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. Providing extensive patient education, personalized diet and exercise programs, support groups. behavioral health services — Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient mental health services offering psychotherapy, recreation and pet therapy
as well as neuro-psychological testing and medication stabilization. birthing center — Spacious, private delivery suites. Registered nurses on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. level II nursery cancer treatment and services — Commission on cancer approved, providing patients the latest technology in cancer treatment, including medical oncology, radiation oncology through management of treatment plans, therapies, and evaluations of the patient’s progress. cardiovascular services — Advanced car-
diovascular program with a full continuum of care, including an open heart program, Interventional cardiology, specialized care for cardiac patients in our cardiac care unit, advanced diagnostic procedures performed in the only cardiac catheter lab in Wise County, inpatient and outpatient heart and lung diagnostic testing, and a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program. dialysis (inpatient and outpatient) — 24 comfortable treatment areas with the latest technology and advanced equipment. Each station is equipped with its own television and
headphones. gastroenterology — Diagnostic and treatment services to patients with diseases affecting the digestive tract, liver and pancreas, including: gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer disease, swallowing disorders, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gallstones and pancreatitis. Imaging services — ACR Certified facility with a wide variety of detailed, high resolution 3D images to aid in diagnosis and treatment: 64-slice CT scanner, PET/CT scanner, Closed/Open CT, MRI Continued on page 99
North Texas Community Hospital
Bridgeport, Texas
17 Specialties – 52 Physicians 17 Minute average ER wait* 1 Goal – YOUR Satisfaction Celebrating our 5th birthday – August 2012! *based on 2011 data
1905 Doctors’ Hospital Drive ! Bridgeport, TX 940-683-0300 ! www.ntchospital.org
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Hospitals ... Continued from page 98
and X-ray/Ultrasound. Services also available at the satellite imaging centers in Bridgeport and Alliance. inpatient rehabilitation — Individualized treatment for patients with neurological and physical conditions with the goal of helping patients gain back mobility and function, helping them to rediscover their independent lifestyle. intensive care unit — Equipped with the most advanced monitoring equipment to provide continuing specialized care with a neurologist and pulmonologist on staff and nurses cross-trained to work ER and CCU. primary Medical Clinics — Family medical services with locations in
Decatur, Boyd and Bridgeport. sleep studies (two sites) — Treating medical disorders that affect sleep patterns, including insomnia, narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome and sleep apnea. spine surgery — Procedures include: herniated disc, bulging disc, degenerative disc, bone spurs, pinched nerve, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, fusions. Serving patients in Decatur and Alliance. sports medicine and interventional pain services — Services for all levels of athletes, from amateur to professional. A Center of Excellence in managing muscle, bone, joint and spine disorders and injuries. Services include: athletic physicals, consult for return to play/work, joint injections, strength/condition-
ing programs, performance analysis, treatment for sprains, strains simple fractures and lacerations, stress management, medications, physical therapy and exercise. therapy services — Individualized care aimed at returning patients to their fullest level of independence. A full range of therapy services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, aquatic therapy, pediatric therapy and wound care and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. ear, nose and throat neurology orthopedics podiatry pulmonology urology vascular surgery
MEDICAL CARE — Wise Regional Health System in Decatur is located at 2000 S. FM 51. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
100 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
MEDICAL RESOURCES ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER 101 Summit Ave., Ste. 300 Fort Worth, TX 761022610 www.alz.org/ northcentraltexas (817) 336-4949 Education and safe return program, and more. AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 3301 West Freeway Fort Worth, TX 76107 www.cancer.org (817) 737-9990 24 hour 1-(800) 227-2345 Education, support groups AMERICAN RED CROSS 1515 S. Sylvania Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76111 www.chisholmtrail. redcross.org (817) 336-8718 Emergency assistance to victims of house fires and other disasters, emergency communications for military personnel and their families and health and safety training in first aid, CPR, water safety, etc. AREA AGENCY ON AGING NURSING HOME OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM Local Ombudsmen in Wise County helping to achieve the best possible life for residents in nursing and/
or assisted living centers. Currently Certified Ombudsmen in Wise include: Dollie Moravits Decatur Nursing & Rehabilitation The Hills Nursing & Rehabilitation (940) 433-3288 Ed Duris Senior Care Bridgeport (940) 683-2526 Pat Wypij Senior Care Health & Rehabilitation (817) 220-2766 CHILD STUDY CENTER 1300 West Lancaster Fort Worth, TX 76102 www.cscfw.org (817) 336-8611 Provides diagnosis and treatment services to children who have, or are at risk for developmental disabilities and related behavioral and emotional problems. MARY’S GIFT Wise Regional Health Foundation 2000 South FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-1384 MONCRIEF CANCER INSTITUTE (800) 405-7739 www.moncrief.com Providing fully funded mobile mammography for the uninsured in Wise County and the surround-
ing area. RAQUEL’S WINGS FOR LIFE Fabio LaBrada 351 Airport Rd. Box 2 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-1050 (940) 393-1670 www.raquelswingsforlife. com Non-profit organization that transports cancer patients free of cost to the medical center they need. READYSTART 807 W. Main Decatur, TX 76234 (866) 529-6566 1701 N. Collins Blvd. Richardson, TX 75080 (269) 385-4900 www.readystart.org Provides Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) Services to children birth to 3 years of age who experience developmental delays or disabilities. REATA REHABILITATION 9204 T.N. Skiles Road Ponder, TX 76259
www.reatarehabilitation. org (940) 479-2612 Provides physical and occupational therapy, utilizing hippotherapy (horse therapy), to assist each client in achieving an improved quality of life, regardless of their financial resources. SALVATION ARMY BRIDGEPORT UNIT-FUMC 608 17th St. Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-2780 DECATUR UNIT-WARM 300 N. Trinity Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-4676 Food, health aids, utilities, emergency support, emergency relief for travelers. SOUTH WISE SERVICES Trinity Baptist Church P.O. Box 217 Boyd, TX 76023 www.southwiseservices.com
Welcome
NORTH
to
WISE
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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(940) 433-2581 Food pantry, clothing and other assistance as funds are available. SOUTHWESTERN DIABETIC FOUNDATION P.O. Box 918 Gainesville, TX 76241 www.campsweeney.org (940) 665-2011 Rehabilitation and education training for boys and girls with diabetes through residential summer camps at Camp Sweeney. TEXAS AREA PARATRANSIT 6104 Texoma Parkway Sherman, TX 75090 www.tapsbus.com (800) 256-0911 A demand-response transportation system providing transportation to persons of all ages. TEXAS NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES CHILDREN’S SERVICES 575 W. Mulberry St. Decatur, TX 76234
(940) 627-6418 522 Palo Pinto Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 598-5700
PHARMACY CHRISTIAN BOOKS & GIFTS, BRIDAL GIFT REGISTRY & HOME DÉCOR
WISE COUNTY COUNCIL ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE 105 S. Church St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3921 Counseling, education and referrals for substance abuse. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS BOYD Meetings held Monday and Fridays at 7 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Boyd
We accept most third-party insurance, Medicare D, Medicare B(DME), Medicaid and VA. Flu shots and Adult Immunization, Rx Counseling.
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ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS DECATUR Meetings held seven nights a week (940) 627-3800 STAR COUNCIL ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE 1106 E. Business 380 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-2099 Individual and group counseling, assessments
HEALTH FAIR The Wise County Health Fair is sponsored by United Way of Wise County and promotes a healthier Wise County through community awareness and education. Held every April, the fair is free of charge and features such family-friendly events as a fun run, face painting and exhibitions by area law enforcement and emergency responders. There are also free health screenings and reduced-cost school immunizations. For more information, call the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office at (940) 627-3341.
709 W.W. Ray Circle • Bridgeport • www.vrchristianstore.com • 940-683-2950
WCC
WARRIORS Wise County Christian Homeschool Athletics
Offers Boys & Girls Track & 6 Man Football for Boys Open to all Homeschool Students ages 13-18 (Can turn 19 after September 1) For More Information Contact:
Coach Doug Sessums
817-657-4117
102 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
WISE COUNTY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER Earlier this year, a significant United Way of Wise County goal was realized with the opening of the Wise County Community Health Center, the first federally qualified health center (FQHC) in the county. The idea for such a clinic began in 2004 when former Wise County Judge Dick Chase mentioned it. United Way of Wise County began to set aside funds in 2005 to help start a clinic that would provide an array of medical services to uninsured and underinsured residents, but the
plan simmered for years until 2009 when Congresswoman Kay Granger suggested that UWWC executive director Martin Woodruff get in touch with people involved with the Albert Galvan Health Clinic in Fort Worth, the North Texas Area Community Health Centers (NTACHC). Despite not receiving a federal grant to serve as seed money, one thing lead to another — local donors stepped up, Wise Regional Health System donated space for the center and UWWC offered startup funds — and the clinic
(FQHC) opened in February on the west campus of WRHS. The clinic offers a sliding payment scale for uninsured and low-income patients. It accepts private insurance, Medicaid, Children’s Medicaid (CHIP) and Medicare. Services include immunizations; preventive care; acute, chronic and routine examinations; management of chronic illness such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; adolescent health services; obstetric services; well exams;
and children’s physical exams. It averages 10 to 15 patients per day. Arcadio Viveros, CEO of NTACHC, said he hopes for the clinic to develop into “a one-stop shop” for family health care. That includes eventually adding dental, optometry and behavioral health services. The clinic, located at 2000 S. FM 51, Suite D, is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. For information or to schedule an appointment, call (940) 3930100.
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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WISE AREA RELIEF MISSION AND FOOD BANKS Wise Area Relief Mission (W.A.R.M.) is a non-profit, Christian organization that helps families in need. It provides food to approximately 1,750 people per month in 23 communities across Wise County. Staffed by volunteers, the mission also provides monetary help for utility bills, rent and medical prescriptions. Clients may also receive referrals to nutrition counselors. It is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Visit the organization’s website at warmtx.org to make a donation online through your
For information on these and other food sources, visit www.feedingwise.com
PayPal account. Other food banks in Wise County include: BOYD South Wise Services Trinity Baptist Church 455 W. Rock Island Blvd. (940) 433-2581 Brenda Phillips, director BRIDGEPORT First Baptist Church Corner of Cates and 12th
RICK B. WEAVER
Streets, Bridgeport (940) 683-4037 Carla Robinson, ministry assistant
DECATUR WARM 300 N. Trinity St. (940) 626-4676
First United Methodist Church 608 17th St., Bridgeport (940) 683-2780 Tamara Cooper, administrative assistant
NEW FAIRVIEW Living Word Teaching Center 287 FM 407 (817) 676-3989 Leo Morgan, pastor
CHICO New Beginnings Church Tom Davis Food Bank of Wise County 301 Texas 101 N. (940) 644-5509 Donald McMaster
NEWARK Newark Area Food Pantry Next to Lutheran Church 502 B Main St. (817) 946-9171 Mike Boaldin, operations manager
The Art of Working Smart® Mr. Weaver is passionate about making every billable hour, his finest hour. For more than 30 years, he’s counseled clients in Wise County on matters involving probate and trusts, benefits (nursing home specialty), Medicaid qualification, elder law, wills, real estate and corporate law. For more than 80 years, the attorneys at Shannon Gracey have steadily built a legacy of working smart, helping our clients make better decisions as they navigate legal challenges and a changing business environment.
2011 SUPER LAWYER Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, LLP congratulates Rick B. Weaver for being named a 2011 Super Lawyer®.* Only 5%* of the Texas lawyers are named as a Super Lawyer®.
Rick B. Weaver rweaver@shannongracey.com Mailing: PO Box 559 Physical: 501 S. Main Street Rhome, TX 76078 O 817.638.9016
*Super Lawyers is a Thompson and Reuters Service. ARLINGTON
AUSTIN
DALLAS
FORT WORTH
HOUSTON
104 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
COMMITTEE ON AGING In 1978, Wise County Committee on Aging Inc., Meals on Wheels started serving homebound senior citizens. Today, it serves more than 80 clients, age 60 and up. Meals on Wheels provides a hot meal that is reviewed by a registered dietitian. It serves Wise County with four drivers delivering meals Monday through Friday. They also bring frozen meals for holidays and bad weather days. Meals on Wheels’ qualifications for the program are simple. Seniors must be over 60 and homebound. There is a simple assessment that must be taken. Referrals are given through hospitals or doctors, but they are not necessary. Meals are not the only service provided. The drivers perform daily well checks to verify the seniors are healthy and their homes are clean. Drivers do not leave the food unless they see the client. If the client does not answer when the drivers knock on the door, the next of kin is immediately called. They also provide transportation for their clients to the doctor’s office, pharmacy or grocery store. Meals on Wheels will help meet the individual needs of their clients when transporting them. Also, the drivers bring copies of the Wise County Messenger Update. Director Donna Brown said clients tell her, “Do not bring me
WISE COUNTY COWBOY CHURCH
MEALS ON WHEELS www.wisemealson wheels.com P.O. Box 903 300 N. Trinity St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5329 my meal without an Update.” Conversation with the driver is sometimes the only interaction the senior citizens have with another person during the day. While Meals on Wheels is a non-profit organization, it is not fully funded, so it seeks donations. It costs approximately $7.50 per person, per meal delivered. Brown said her organization is “always in need of donations, especially with rising gas prices.” The organization also has an “Adopt a Senior” program where a person or group of people may pledge $150 each month to help provide for one senior. All contributions are tax-deductible. Donors will receive a tax statement at the end of the year. People wishing to volunteer or donate may visit the website and donate via PayPal or may send a check to the P.O. Box listed. If you would rather volunteer time, Meals on Wheels is always looking to recruit more members to their board of directors and to increase its local fundraising. Ideas for fundraising are always welcome.
Everyone Welcome Children’s Church • Youth Groups
Pastor: Doug Moreland 2070 Old Denton Road • Decatur
(off Hwy 380, approximately 1.5 miles East of Decatur)
Wise County Cowboy Church Arena Ropings • Barrel Races • Stick Horse Races Play Days • Chuck Wagon Team
Wise County Heritage Museum Archive ~ Museum Little Theater Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Admission: $1 - Adults, 50¢ - Kids under 12 Call for Auditorium Rental 1602 S. Trinity, Decatur • 940-627-5586
wisemuseum@embarqmail.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
WISE HOPE SHELTER AND CRISIS CENTER Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center provides safety, strength and hope to victims of family violence and sexual assault: female and male. This provision usually begins with a phone call to the 24-hour Crisis Hotline or a call or visit to local law enforcement. Those who need a safe place to stay are referred to Wise Hope Shelter, a temporary imminent danger facility that accepts women, children and men. It is a supportive environment geared to helping residents find and utilize resources as they begin to establish a life without violence and trauma. The shelter is able to pick victims up only if they are in a public place, but law enforcement officers may come to an individual’s house. If the victim is unable to call police, they
WISE HOPE SHELTER AND CRISIS CENTER 24-hour Crisis Hotline (940) 626-4855 www.wisehope.org must go to the closest police department or public place. The advocates at the outreach office, located at 201 N. Trinity St. in Decatur, are often the first contact for those who find themselves in a difficult and often dangerous situation. It is there that clients are given information about legal options and necessary resources. Additional support comes free of charge in the form of court and/or law enforcement accompaniment, peer counseling and support groups. The highest level of confidentiality is always maintained.
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Major & Minor Injuries Auto Accidents Trucks/18 Wheelers Wrongful Death
Oil Field Accidents Slips & Falls Dog Bites Serious Burn Accidents
NO COST TO YOU UNLESS WE RECOVER
CRIMINAL DEFENSE Felonies Misdemeanors DWI Assault Burglary Theft Drug Cases
License Suspension Probation Revocation Juvenile Cases Traffic Tickets
FAMILY LAW
Divorce Child Custody Modifications Child Support Visitation
Adoption/ Termination Enforcements Attorney General CPS Cases
Steven M. Williams
Attorney at Law • Over 30 Years Experience
940-627-6060
802 W. Bus. Hwy. 380 Decatur (Next to Dairy Queen)
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Our professional staff welcomes you to our family - friendly atmosphere, where your comfort is our primary concern
EXTENDED HOURS
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Margaret Sterle & Amy Brent Doctors of Veterinary Medicine
940-627-8387
1879 N. U.S. Hwy. 287 • Decatur PetHealthCenter@yahoo.com
2201 S. FM 51, Suite 300 • Decatur Double Creek Capital Building
940-626-0003
106 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS WORKFORCE The North Central Texas Workforce office offers employment services for unemployment insurance recipients, appeals of unemployment insurance, employment services and employment and training under the Workforce
Investment Act for Wise County. The office is located at 1816 S. Farm Road 51, Suite 8, in Decatur and is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office phone number is (940) 6273919.
SOCIAL SECURITY Wise County does not have a Social Security office. Most business can be completed by phone by calling the national toll free number, 1 (800) 772-1213 (TDD 1-800-325-0778), on business days between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. If a phone call can’t take care of it, appointments can
SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE 2201 Colorado Blvd. Denton, TX 76205 (888) 717-1530 www.ssa.gov be made for visits to field offices. The nearest office is in Denton at 2201 Colorado Blvd. The phone number is (888) 717-1530.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 107
LAW ENFORCEMENT GAME WARDEN at Wise County Sheriff’s Office 200 Rook Ramsey Dr., Decatur (940) 389-0407 (940) 627-5971 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY 2000 S. Trinity St., Decatur (940) 627-2693 Driver’s License (940) 627-5694
www.txdps.state.tx.us
www.sheriff.co.wise.tx.us
CADDO/LBJ NATIONAL GRASSLANDS 1400 U.S. 81/287, Decatur P.O. Box 507 (940) 627-5475 www.fs.usda.gov/texas
BOYD POLICE 731 E. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-8400 www.cityofboyd.com
WISE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE 200 Rook Ramsey Dr., Decatur (940) 627-5971
BRIDGEPORT POLICE 1000 Thompson St. (940) 683-3430 www.cityofbridgeport.net
(940) 627-1500 www.decaturtx.org RHOME POLICE 400 B.C. Rhome Ave. (817) 636-2400 www.cityofrhome.com RUNAWAY BAY POLICE 101 Runaway Bay Drive (940) 575-2200 www.runawaybaytexas.com
DECATUR POLICE 1601 S. State St. LINING UP — Decatur Police Department SWAT team members gather at the courthouse during a training exercise. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
108 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas MOSTLY VOLUNTEERS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Wise County has 17 fire departments. All but one, Decatur, are manned entirely by volunteers. Chico volunteer firefighter John Fulton battles a blaze while fellow volunteer, John Hobbs, helps him stay cool with a wet cloth around his neck. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 109
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
AURORA Boyd, Newark, and Rhome respond to calls. BOONSVILLE-BALSORA 280 CR 3743 Bridgeport, TX 76426 Fire chief: J.D. Godwin Assistant: Andy Wood Fire hall: (940) 748-2048 or (682) 553-5021 boonsville.firedept@ co.wise.tx.us BOYD Wise County Emergency Services District No.1 135 N Wilson P.O. Box 445 Boyd, TX 76023 Fire chief: Vince Estel
New Location
Dr. Rebecca J. Bradford
Fire hall: (940) 433-5755 boydfirerescue@yahoo.com
Therapeutic Optometrist
BRIDGEPORT 708 Hovey P.O. Box 751 Bridgeport, TX 76426 Fire chief: Terry Long Fire hall: (940) 683-3445
COTTONDALE P.O. Box 1987 Boyd, TX 76023 Fire chief: Kevin Tolly Assistant: Rainer Mundy (940) 433-5055 CRAFTON P.O. Box 10 Chico, TX 76431 Fire chief: Craig Cowley (940) 594-5600 DECATUR 1705 S. State St. Decatur, TX 76234 Fire chief: Mike Richardson Fire hall: (940) 627-3199 dfdchief@decaturtx.org EAST WISE FIRE RESCUE 107 CR 4421 Rhome, TX 76078 Continued on page 110
Judy Redman, Dr. Rebecca Bradford, Marlene Green West Hwy Business 380 2K Pawn
Sears Lowes
Bldg 4
CHICO 102 N. Weatherford St. P.O. Box 37 Chico, TX 76431 Fire chief: James “Poncho” Redwine Fire hall: (940) 644-5302 chicovfd@embarqmail.com
Deer Creek
Wise County has 17 fire departments. All but one are manned entirely by volunteers. Decatur has six full-time firefighters in addition to volunteers. Departments sponsor fundraisers throughout the year to help pay expenses. In addition, each department receives county funding. To support fire departments in your community, send donations to mailing addresses listed below. ALVORD 108 N. Trappier St. P.O. Box 63 Alvord, TX 76225 Fire chief: Sam Hahn Fire hall: (940) 427-3361 AlvordFire@hotmail.com
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110 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Fire departments ... Continued from page 109
Fire chief: David Plankey (940) 626-8094 GREENWOOD/SLIDELL Station No. 1 (Slidell) 294 CR 2821 Decatur, TX 76234 Station No. 2 (Greenwood) 130 CR 2640 Decatur, TX 76234 P.O. Box 153 Slidell, TX 76267 Fire chief: Adam North Assistant: Tim Fletcher Fire hall: (940) 466-9643 gsvfd@hotmail.com www.gsvfd.us LAKE BRIDGEPORT 301 S. Main Bridgeport, TX 76426
Fire chief: Willie Garrett Fire hall: (940) 683-2700 lbvfd@yahoo.com NEW FAIRVIEW East Wise County Fire and Rescue with backup from Rhome, Decatur and Justin fire departments.
Fire hall: (940) 389-1980 ParadiseVFD@yahoo.com www.paradisevfd.org RHOME 261 N. School Rd. P.O. Box 644 Rhome, TX 76078 Fire hall: (817) 636-2001 Fire chief: Robert Pratt rhomefi re@earthlink.net www.freewebs.com/rhomefi redepartment
NEWARK 406 Hudson St. P.O. Box 478 Newark, TX 76071 Fire chief: James Edgemon (817) 489-2331 newark_fd@sbcglobal.net
RUNAWAY BAY 410 Runaway Bay Dr. Runaway Bay, TX 76426 Fire Chief: Brian Bernardo (940) 575-2222 rabvfd@embarqmail.com
PARADISE 303 Main St. P.O. Box 97 Paradise, TX 76073 Fire chief: John Neal
SALT CREEK 567 Big Salty Rd. Springtown, TX 76082 Fire chief: Ken Vise (817) 523-3333
AMBULANCE GROUND Wise County Emergency Medical Service 1101 West Rose Avenue, Decatur (940) 627-2002 www.ems.co.wise.tx.us AIR Air Evac Lifeteam Base 68 609 Medical Center Dr., Decatur (940) 626-4000 www.lifeteam.net
www.saltcreekvfd.com SAND FLAT P.O. Box 100 Chico, TX Fire chief: Ken Carnley (940) 644-5975
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 111
HELPFUL PHONE NUMBERS While a phone book is useful, there’s nothing like having the digits you need at your fingertips. There are a few numbers you might find useful while establishing your new household. AUTOMOBILE REGISTRATION (940) 627-3304, Decatur POISON CONTROL CENTER 1 (800) 222-1222 DRIVER’S LICENSE (940) 627-2693, Texas
Department of Public Safety
Toll Free 1-877-577-2567 (in white pages) www.lhworks.com
TEXAS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION (940) 627-3341
20% Off
WISE COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL (940) 627-7577
Microdermabrasion, Reflexology Ear Candling, Foot Detox w/coupon
WISE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS (940) 627-8477
NOT GOOD WITH ANY OTHER OFFER.
f $125
WISE COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT (940) 627-5971 • Radiancy Spa
Decatur Heat & Air, Inc. SALES • SERVICE INSTALL • LEASING PROMPT & TRUSTED SERVICE PR Electric • Gas • Heat Pump • Geothermal Systems
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Commercial Refrigeration Service • Ice Machines Serving all Wise County & Montague Counties
940-627-1616
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Senior Citizen Discount
112 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND HEART ASSOCIATION When a friend or family member dies from cancer or heart disease, a donation to the American Cancer Society or American Heart Association is a fitting memorial. The Wise County Unit of the American Cancer Society (ACS) accepts donations and memorials at P.O. Box 428, Decatur, TX 76234. Donors are asked to include the name of the person the donation is made in memory or honor of and the name and address of the person to whom the acknowledgement is being sent. ACS also provides a thank-you card and envelope
for the person receiving the donation acknowledgement. Call Chet Niblett at (940) 6274356 with questions. The Wise County Unit of the American Cancer Society annually sponsors Relay for Life in the spring. The all-night event raises funds for cancer research and education and for services for cancer patients in the county. The American Cancer Society’s web address is www.cancer.org. Memorials to the American Heart Association (AHA) may be sent to 2401 Scott Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76103. The phone number is (817) 698-5400.
Acknowledgements will be sent from the Fort Worth office. The American Heart Association also maintains a website, www.heart.org that
can answer just about any question a person may have about heart disease prevention and treatment, including high blood pressure and stroke.
Wise County Committee on Aging “Meals on Wheels”
WELCOMING ALL DONATIONS Serving The Children of Yesterday Wise County Committee on Aging P.O. Box 903 Decatur, TX 76234 940-627-5329 www.wisemealsonwheels.com
Although We’re Not Changing Our Name to Green Title...
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WISE COUNTY
TITLE COMPANY
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940-627-3581
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 113
UNITED WAY OF WISE COUNTY 300 N. Trinity St., Suite C P.O. Box 213 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2111 www.wisecountyunitedway. org Executive Director: Martin B. Woodruff President: Andrew Rottner Vice president/Campaign: Sabrina Easley
Raquel’s Wings for Life ReadyStart Reata Rehabilitation Southwestern Diabetic Foundation Texas Neighborhood Services, Headstart Division Wise Choices Pregnancy Resources Center Wise County Christian Counseling
ESSENTIAL AND EMERGENCY NEEDS American Red Cross, Chisholm Trail Chapter Newark Area Food Pantry North Texas Area Community Health Center Salvation Army, Bridgeport and Decatur South Wise Services Texas Neighborhood Services, Community Services Division Texoma Area Paratransit System Trinity Habitat for Humanity Wise Area Relief Mission Wise County Committee on Aging
VICTIMS’ ASSISTANCE Court Appointed Special Advocates of Wise and Jack counties Solutions Toward Addiction Recovery Council on Substance Abuse Voices for Children Wise County Domestic Violence Task Force Wise Hope Center Wise Kid Care Every year Wise Countians open their hearts and their checkbooks to help those less fortunate through the United Way of Wise County Inc. Since 1979, the United Way has worked to support local charities providing health and human services to Wise County residents. Earlier this year, a significant goal was realized with the opening of the Wise County Community Health Center, the first federally qualified health center in the county. United Way of Wise County began in 2005 to set aside funds to help start a clinic that would provide an array of medical services to uninsured and underinsured residents. It found a willing suitor in
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT Boy Scouts of America, Longhorn Council Camp Fire USA, First Texas Council Communities in Schools of North Texas Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains Wise County 4-H CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES Child Study Center
North Texas Area Community Health Centers. Wise Regional Health Center donated space for the center and United Way of Wise County offered startup funds. Read More on page 102 One hundred percent of every dollar donated to the annual fall campaign is allocated to United Way agencies and programs based on need, specific services provided and number of
families served, among other considerations. There was $400,000 pledged for the 2012 campaign, which offered funding for 28 non-profits. Many Wise County companies offer payroll deductions for employees who support United Way. If your employer outside of Wise County offers payroll deduction, and you would like your donation to benefit Wise County, just let them know.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
ISE
www.WelcomeToWise.com 115
COUNTY
New to the neighborhood?
Info you need to know ... POPULATION
COUNTY NOTES APPRAISAL DISTRICT The Wise County Appraisal District (WCAD) appraises the value of property, and its assessments allow the county, schools and cities Continued on page 122
59,415 LAND AREA 905 square miles WATER AREA 18 square miles LOCATION northwest of Tarrant County north of Parker County
east of Jack County south of Montague County southwest of Cooke County west of Denton County COUNTY SEAT Decatur COUNTY BUILDINGS Wise County Courthouse 101 N. Trinity St. Decatur, TX 76234
WEBSITE www.co.wise.tx.us ELECTED OFFICALS Melton Cude, County Courtat-Law No. 1 (940) 627-5005 Stephen Wren, County Court-at-Law No. 2 (940) 683-0268 James Stainton, County Attorney (940) 627-3321 John Fostel, District Judge Continued on page 120
116 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Park Springs
Crafton
ALVORD
2265
101
2127
1655
1810
CHICO 2952
101 1655
1658
LAKE BRIDGEPORT RUNAWAY BAY
BRIDGEPORT
380
114
PARADISE
920
2210
Balsora 2123
Boonsville
WISE COUNTY ROADS
Draco
Cottondale
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Audubon
Greenwood
Slidell 730
Sycamore 81
51
287
Allison 380
380
DECATUR 2264
81 287 3259 730
NEW FAIRVIEW
Anneville
407
114
BOYD AURORA 730
RHOME 114
Keeter Briar
NEWARK
118 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
WISE COUNTY AT A GLANCE Just a quick drive from Denton, Southlake or Fort Worth, Wise County retains the characteristics of a rural, agriculture-oriented community. Most of the 59,415 residents of Wise County live in rural, unincorporated areas. Bridgeport and Decatur are the largest towns, with populations just over 6,000. Other cities — Alvord, Boyd, Chico, Lake Bridgeport, New Fairview, Newark, Paradise, Rhome and Runaway Bay — have fewer than 2,000 residents. The county has experienced steady growth over the last few decades, with the population doubling since 1990. Seventeen fire departments cover the 905-square-mile county. All of the departments are volunteer except for the Decatur Fire Department. The county is home to several rodeo stars, including Trevor Brazile, Roy Cooper and K.C. Jones, and bull riders Silvano Alves, Mario Eguche, Renato Nunes, Valdiron de Oliveira, Fabiano Vieira, and Ross Johnson. Just about every town in the county has an annual festival, including Bridgeport’s Coal Miner’s Festival and Butterfield Stage Days, Decatur’s Chisholm Trail Days, Newark’s Cruisin’ Days and Runaway Bay’s FourthFest. The county has a varied history. Carved from Cooke County in 1856, the county
was named after U.S. Senator Henry A. Wise. Three courthouses burned before the county constructed the pink granite courthouse in the late 1800s. The courthouse opened in January 1897. The first settlers battled with Native Americans for control of the frontier land while establishing various communities in the county. Many of those communities would fade away as railroad companies built tracks across the county. Communities with railroad service boomed, while bypassed communities died. Cotton fueled the early economy, with agriculture and livestock remaining important industries throughout most of the 20th century. Bridgeport boasted a coalmining industry, with about 20 mines operating from 1882 through 1942. Bridgeport’s mining days ended when natural gas was discovered in the area and coal was no longer in demand. Decatur Baptist College constructed its administration building in 1893. Known to be the world’s first junior college, Decatur Baptist College operated from 1891 until it moved to Dallas in 1965. The administration building now houses the Wise County Heritage Museum. The museum is home to the Lost Battalion Room, dedicated to the 900 men taken prisoner in the Pacific Theater by the Continued on page 122
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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WISE COUNTY WATER CONTROL AND IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT The Wise County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 (WCID) supports flood control and the conservation of natural resources. It’s a taxing entity, and its funds are used for projects such as floodwater retarding dams in the county, securing easements needed to build the dams, and other watershed projects. Board members are elected to four-year terms. Current members include Lou Bridges, president; James McGilvray, secretary; Gary Potts, treasurer; Mike Overton, director; and Dickie Clement, director. Carrie
Davidson is recording secretary. The board meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at the local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office, 1604 W. U.S. Business 380, in Decatur. Bridges said one of their current projects is in partnership with the Tarrant Regional Water District, and it involves the riparian area along the west fork of the Trinity River. Both districts were started in 1926 and are the two oldest in the state. WCID is a member of Chisholm Trail Resource
Stagecoach Rehabilitation is located in Bridgeport, the Stagecoach capital of Texas. The Stagecoach is designed for those in need of short term rehabilitation services. These individuals will have the opportunity to experience a luxurious atmosphere while being treated by our therapy staff and a case manager, whose total focus is your recovery. The Stagecoach is designed for the active person who has undergone recent surgery or hospital stay and needs rehabilitation in order to be restored to their productive life.
Conservation and Development Inc., North Central Texas Council of Governments, Texas Association of Watershed Sponsors, National Watershed Coalition,
National Association of Conservation Districts and the West Fork Watershed Study Committee. For information, call Bridges at (940) 433-5136 or (940) 393-1514.
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120 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
WEATHERFORD COLLEGE WISE COUNTY Weatherford College has had a branch campus in Wise County since 2000. Although it has leased property in Decatur for 12 years, a new campus between Bridgeport and Decatur was slated to open in fall 2012. Construction of the college is the culmination of a complicated process led by county and college officials, as well as civic leaders in Bridgeport and Decatur. In November 2008, voters approved a branch campus maintenance tax to pay for the construction. Taxpayers began paying the tax in 2010, and commissioners set the rate annually. The county will own the building, and the college will
lease it from the county. The two-story main building is at 502 Big Sandy Ct., which is just off U.S. 380 near Farm Road 1655. The campus also includes a secondary structure — the Workforce and Continuing Education building — for vocational programs. Dean Duane Durrett said the campus will easily accommodate 1,500 students, but it will be able to service as many as 2,500 with “creative” scheduling. Although the design is contemporary, the building features elements typical of a Texas Hill Country design. It has a metal roof and stonework on the exterior.
(940) 627-3200 Greg Lowery, District Attorney (940) 627-5257 Brenda Rowe, District Clerk (940) 627-5535 WISE COUNTY ANNEX BUILDING 1007 13th St., Suite 109 Bridgeport, TX 76426 Stephen Wren, County Court-at-Law No. 2 (940) 683-0268 PRECINCT NO. 1 BARN Danny White, Commissioner
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Continued on page 121
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 115
NEW CAMPUS — Associate Dean Matt Joiner (left) and Dean Duane Durrett stand at the east end of the Weatherford College campus during construction. Although the college has offered classes in Wise County for many years, fall 2012 marks the opening of its new facility.
Real Texas Wine From Texas Grapes
105 W. Main St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5810 PRECINCT NO. 2 BARN Kevin D. Burns, Commissioner 97 FM 1655 Alvord, TX 76225 (940) 427-4881 PRECINCT NO. 3 BARN Harry Lamance, Commissioner 544 S. Allen St. Boyd, TX 76023 (940) 433-5365 PRECINCT NO. 4 BARN Terry Ross, Commissioner Continued on page 122
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Weatherford College ... Continued from page 120
Student parking is in the back on the north side of the building, and visitor parking is in front. There are entrances from each parking lot into a main lobby where a large information desk is the central focus. The common area also includes the bookstore, a coffee bar, a cafeteria and a game room. A 100-seat lecture hall with retractable seating is also in this area. The nursing program is on the first floor, and there are two labs — a simulation lab and a skills lab. The simulation lab has beds with dummy patients and a nurse’s station.
The second floor is primarily general classrooms, faculty offices and science labs. A student resource center is also located on the second floor, and it includes the library and circulation desk, a tutoring center and information technology help desk. There is definable space between those areas, but its design is based on group learning. Lounge areas are tucked into various corners of the building giving students a place to sit and work on their laptops or study with other students. The entire building is wired to support the latest technology, and students will have access to Wi-Fi. A geothermal system heats
and cools the building. The Workforce and Continuing Education building houses the cosmetology lab and classroom on the first floor. There are 24 work stations for the cosmetology students with stainless steel fixtures and modular furniture. There are areas where students learn to give facials, manicures and pedicures, and the salon will be open to the public. This building will also be the base for non-credit classes in continuing education programs such as defensive driving, truck driving, alcohol awareness for minors, yoga, computer training and nurse’s aide.
Classes for law enforcement and emergency medical technician training will also be in this location when those programs are started. College officials said they hope the new campus is a place where students want to spend time and that its design facilitates student collaboration, as well as a stimulating learning environment. Dean is Duane Durrett, and associate dean is Matt Joiner. They can be reached via email at ddurrett@wc.edu and mjoiner@wc.edu, respectively, or by calling (817) 594-5471. Course schedules and registration information can be found at wisecounty.wc.edu.
Welcome to Decatur, Texas – Rich in charm, history, beauty, pride and an abundance of opportunity.
Your chamber is a service institution and an action organization. It provides a medium through which people can take effective action for the progress of our community. It works to create job opportunities, expand our tax base, attract tourists and visitors and improve community facilities such as streets, highways, parks, schools and human resources. If you are interested in being a part of your growing community, we encourage you to become a member of your chamber of commerce. Over 325 members and growing strong. Member Investment Benefits: • Two free listings in the Chamber Directory and Business Guide • Free listing on the chamber web site • Official ribbon cutting at your place of business • Free listing in the new member section of the weekly newsletter • Networking opportunities
• • • • • •
LOOK LOCAL FIRST
Brochure and business card display and distribution Subscription to weekly newsletters & “Ads Around Wise” e-ads Member referrals A voice in government An opportunity to become involved A voice in the community
Decatur Chamber of Commerce 308 W. Main St. • Decatur • 940-627-3107 Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • www.decaturtx.com
122 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Info you need to know ... Continued from page 120
811 U.S. 380 Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-4153 COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE Sherry Parker-Lemon 200 N. Trinity St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3351 For a complete list of county elected and appointed officials, see page 166. MEETINGS County commissioners meet twice a month — the first Monday on or after the 10th of each month and two weeks later. TAX RATE $0.38 per $100 valuation TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR Monte Shaw 404 W. Walnut St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3523 www.wisecountyonline.net/ tax
HEALTH CARE Four ground ambulances One helicopter LAW ENFORCEMENT Wise County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff David Walker 200 Rook Ramsey Dr. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5971 ANIMAL SHELTER 3101 S. FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-7577 FIRE MARSHAL/ EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR 206 S. State St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5870 NEWSPAPER Wise County Messenger PO Box 149 115 South Trinity Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5987 www.wcmessenger.com Published every Wednesday and Saturday
Appraisal District ... Continued from page 115
to develop budgets based on local property values. The value assigned to a property is used to determine the amount of property taxes the owner will pay. Chief Appraiser is Mickey Hand. The Appraisal Review Board, which settles disputes, includes Chairperson Bob Boughton, Gaylon Rice, Larry Mader, Marilyn Read, Gregory Quebe,
Connie Taylor, Anita Baker and Charles Rhodes. The WCAD Board of Directors includes Chana Massey, Jimmy Kirk, Jimmy Parker, Joey Luttrull, Wise County Tax Assessor Collector Monte Shaw and Ray Cook Jr. The appraisal district office is at 400 East Business 380 in Decatur, and hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information, call (940) 627-3081 or email wcad1@ embarqmail.com.
Wise County ... Continued from page 118
Japanese during World War II. The men, mostly from Wise and Jack counties, were held captive for 42 months and were forced to build railroads and work in coal mines and
shipyards before their release. Today, natural gas wells dot the Wise County landscape and provide an important economic base to the county. With the rise and fall of that industry, so does the economy and population of the county.
Wise County Animal Clinic COMPLETE ANIMAL CARE Laboratory • Dentistry • Grooming Ultrasound • Boarding • Alternative Therapies Hal Reese, DVM
Decatur
Joe Ables, DVM
940-627-2133 1000 Business Hwy. 380 East
To value and improve the lives of God’s creatures.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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124 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
BATTLE OF THE KNOBS The two hills that rise out of the prairie on the old Alvord/ Decatur road and a sign from the state may be the only monuments 10 Republic of Texas soldiers ever have. One of the bloodiest battles in Texas is believed to have been fought just two miles northwest of Decatur — the Battle of the Knobs. Almost 10 years from statehood, citizens of the Republic of Texas had formed an army for protection. With President Sam Houston at the command, these volunteer soldiers were outfitted with salary, a meager allowance of supplies and a promise of land for their service.
On Oct. 1, 1837, a company of 63 soldiers left Fort Smith under the command of Captain William Eastland with orders to find horses believed to have been stolen by Native Americans. As the men traveled north from near modern-day Austin, there was a disagreement over which direction to travel. As a result, 17 men under the command of Lieutenant A.B. VanBenthuysen broke away from the group, seeking a large Native American camp on Walnut Creek, 40 miles from a place called the stone houses, or knobs. (Mounds in the landscape looked like teepees from a distance, hence the name.)
According to Lt. VanBenthuysen’s report to General Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, the group followed tracks of shod horses northeast, crossing the forks of the Brazos River on Nov. 4. On Nov. 10, they made it to the headwaters of the Trinity River where they met a group of 150 Native Americans. VanBenthuysen saw 50 of them had guns, and the rest were armed with bows and arrows. Assuming the natives to be unfriendly, he stationed his men among trees to defend themselves. At 3 o’clock, the natives attacked from all sides, killing four soldiers and six horses. The soldiers
had killed the chief Native American. About 15 minutes later, the natives attacked again on three sides — leaving the open prairie where mounted horsemen were stationed with bows and arrows — the only option for escape. The prairie was set afire, so the remaining 14 soldiers charged the horsemen on foot, leaving their own horses behind. Six men were killed. Three were wounded. They continued their retreat on foot and arrived at the Eye and Caddock camp, believed to be near modernday Fort Worth, Nov. 20. Continued on page 125
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Battle of ... Continued from page 124
A historical marker was issued for this Wise County location in 1967 with the title “The Battle of the Knobs.” Interestingly enough, a marker recognizing the same battle was issued to Archer County in 1970 under the name “The Stone Houses.” Each county’s historical society claims the battle, and books written on the subject
www.WelcomeToWise.com 125
FAST RESPONSIVE HELPFUL equally support the claims. “It seems historians can’t agree where the battle took place,” said Bob Brinkman with the Texas Historical Commission. The commission recently requested additional information about the battle from each county in an effort to clear up the matter, but only Wise responded. For now, markers will remain in both counties.
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LOCAL!
Wise County’s Hometown Bank
VOTED BEST FINANCIAL INSTITUTION IN WISE COUNTY
FULL-SERVICE BUSINESS & PERSONAL BANKING Home Loans Lot & Land Loans Construction Loans HOME OFFICE: 661 W. Thompson at Hwy.51 South
DECATUR 940.627 940.62 7.8 .876 767 7
Submit News or Sports Items, Lifestyle, Update Info, and more online at wcmessenger.com/submit Or email to news@wcmessenger, call it in at 940-627-5987, or simply mail it to Wise County Messenger, PO Box 149, 115 S. Trinity, Decatur, TX 76234
ROANOKE 211 21 1 S. Oak. St.
817.490. .490.1 1945
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AGRICULTURE
126 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Agriculture has been a dominant force in the economy of Wise County throughout its history. Although production has decreased in recent decades, the rural atmosphere and the idea of a farming and ranching lifestyle continue to draw people here from the Metroplex. Large tracts of land are being divided, and land ownership changes more often now than it did in the early days. Peanuts, once a primary crop, are scarce now, and melon farming has also been greatly reduced. Cattle and sheep were prominent prior to the Civil War, and open-range ranching was the preferred method through the 1880s.
Cotton farms began popping up in the 1870s. Railroads were built through the county in the 1880s and 1890s, which facilitated easier transport of crops and livestock and made farming and ranching more profitable. Even with the rise of coal mining in Bridgeport, agriculture still ruled the economy in Wise County in the early 1900s. Only 1 percent of residents lived in towns in 1900, according to “The Handbook of Texas Online.” Livestock, wheat, corn and cotton were the primary agricultural products until overproduction of cotton depleted the soil, causing erosion problems.
PRIZE PIG — Livestock production has always been a staple of Wise County’s farms and ranches. Courtney Cathey with Paradise Jr. FFA took home a blue ribbon in 2012 for her market hog, Eeyore, at the Wise County Youth Fair, held every spring. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Continued on page 127
Quarterly PM’s for busy businesses needing quality work completed quick!
Put Our Knowledge of Wise County & Our Experience in Real Estate to Work for You! If you are interested in seeing this home or any other home in Wise County, give us a call.
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Bridgeport 940-683-3080
BRIDGEPORT GOLD & SILVER Custom Jewelers and Jewelry Repair • Established 1983
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Engagement Rings, Unique and Traditional Wedding Sets, Past, Present and Future Rings, Journey Jewelry, Circle of Life, Gents Jewelry, Sterling Silver
COMPLETE SAWMILL SERVICES Porch Posts Fencing Materials Custom Fireplace Mantels
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16450 Hwy. 380 West, 9 miles west of I-35, between Denton and Decatur
Gifts for Bridesmaids and Groomsmen, 24k Genuine Birthstone Roses and Orchids, Authorized Dealer Of Red Box Diamonds & Citizen Watches, 0% Financing Available up to 12 months upon approval.
GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE 1408 CHICO HWY AT P & W CENTER, BRIDGEPORT • 940-683-3535 Tues-Fri: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Sat: by Appt Only www.bridgeportgold.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Agriculture ... Continued from page 126
By the 1920s, beef production and cotton farming were declining while dairy farms were on the rise. Wise County was a major milk producer by 1949, but today only a handful of dairies are left.
According to “The Handbook of Texas Online,” 70 percent of the county’s residents still lived in rural communities in the early 1980s, and 79 percent of the land was devoted to farming and ranching. The Handbook says the most important products were grains, peanuts, dairy
products, poultry and beef. By 2007, primary agriculture products included beef cattle, dairy operations and hay and other crops, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s census. Goats, horses and sheep were also raised in Wise County.
There were 3,164 farms in 2007, and the average size was 140 acres. Most farms, 1,333, were 10 to 49 acres with beef being the primary product. From 2002 to 2007, the number of farms increased, but the size of those farms (in acres) decreased.
4-H AND EXTENSION CLUBS 4-H helps young people overcome obstacles and reach their potential. 4-H clubs, programs and activities provide closeness and trust with responsible adults, give meaning and purpose in young lives and instill confidence to
Wisge
Dinin Guide
face life’s challenges. 4-H began in Jacksboro in 1908. What began as a single club for 25 boys now serves 578,000 boys and girls from all across Texas. Today’s 4-Hers are involved in animal projects, food shows, fashion
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shows and county fairs. They are also learning about public speaking, shooting sports, photography, financial planning, citizenship and veterinary medicine. 4-H is open to all boys and girls ages 8 to 19 regardless
Bridgeport 76426 Mon. - Thurs. 10:30 am - 9 pm Fri. - Sat. 10:30 am - 10 pm Sun. 10:30 am - 8 pm
940-683-2800
Dine-In, Carry-Out, Catering
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940-626-4758
All You Can Eat Buffet 305 US/Hwy 380 • Bridgeport, TX 76426
940-683-6620
100 S US/Hwy 287 • Decatur, TX 76234
940-627-5866
All Day Buffet! Pizza, Pasta, Soup, Salad & Dessert
940-627-6272 Next to Walmart
1100 South FM 51 Decatur 76234 Buffet Hours Sun. - Thur.: 11 am - 10 pm Fri. - Sat.: 11 am - 11 pm
940-626-2088 203 N. US 287 • Decatur 76234
’s ’ KT CAFE QUALITY, HOMEMADE COOKING AT ITS BEST! HOURS: MON-FRI 7 A.M. - 3 P.M. SAT 7 A.M. - 2 P.M. 100 W. Franklin St., Alvord 76225
940.427.9108
Continued on page 128
DINE-IN, CARRY OUT & CATERING
401 N. US Hwy. 81/287 Decatur 76234 - 940-627-7227 Mon - Sat 11a.m. - 9 p.m. Sun 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
B-P rt B-Port Donuts
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SUNDAY - THURSDAY 10:45 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. FRIDAY & SATURDAY 10:45 a.m. - 10 p.m.
of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. In Wise County, there are 10 organized clubs: Alvord, Boyd, Bridgeport, Chico, Decatur, Paradise, Slidell, Horse, Rabbit and
Open 24 Hours
Kids Eat Free 4 pm - 10 pm
940-627-1290
801 S. Hwy 287 • Decatur 76234
Spicy & Non-Spicy Breakfast Burritos Pigs • Breakfast Sandwiches • Croissants • Muffins Owner: Kim S. Bridgeport Location Only! Open 7 Days A Week • 4 am - Noon
940-683-6263
703 13th Street • Bridgeport, TX 76426
DINE-IN • TAKE-OUT WEEKDAY LUNCH BUFFET
Located inside
The Movie Store 110 W. Rock Island
Boyd 76023
940-433-8777
940-433-2800
Daily Happy Hour - Full Service Bar Sun. - Thur. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. 301 N. Hwy 287 • Decatur 76234
940-627-6528
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
4-H ... Continued from page 127
Clothing and Textiles. There are also four project groups: Shooting Sports, Horse, Dog and Photography. As you can see, there is something for everyone in 4-H. For those too young for 4-H, there is the 4-H Clover Kids program. This is an informal education program for children ages 5 through 8. Clover Kids focuses on hands-on learning by making things, working and playing together. It is a family-centered program, and all parents are encouraged to become involved in their child’s 4-H Clover Kids Club. If you are interested in joining Wise County 4-H, call Chrissy Karrer, 4-H and
youth development agent, at the Wise County Extension Service, (940) 627-3341. You can also find more information on the Wise County 4-H website at agrilife.org/wise4h. ALVORD 4-H CLUB 2 p.m., second Sunday Alvord Elementary cafeteria Melissa Simmons (940) 393-0664
Lions Hall in Bridgeport Tamra Lewis (817) 999-0680
cafeteria Courtney Edwards (940) 399-6422
CHICO 4-H CLUB 3 p.m., second Sunday Chico Middle School cafeteria Kelly Martin (940) 210-2506 Cindy Barksdale (940) 210-1416
SLIDELL 4-H CLUB 6:30 p.m., first Thursday Slidell Jr./Sr. High Library Kim Dunlap (940) 393-3029 BRIDGEPORT HORSE PROJECT Announced month-to-month Jori Dearing (940) 210-9412 rjdearing@netzero.net
DECATUR 4-H CLUB 6 p.m., third Monday Lisa Long (940) 627-4567 Shelly Laaser (940) 389-8811
BOYD 4-H CLUB 6:30 p.m., third Tuesday Trinity Baptist Church in Boyd John Moore (817) 999-9255
PARADISE 4-H CLUB 5:30 p.m., third Wednesday Paradise Junior High
BRIDGEPORT 4-H CLUB 6:30 p.m., third Monday
940-433-2754 1-800-522-0527 522 0527
CLOTHING AND TEXTILE CLUB 5:30 p.m., first Thursday Extension office Laurie Washburn (940) 627-3341 Continued on page 129
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
4-H ... Continued from page 128
GOAT PROJECT 3 p.m., third Sunday Chico 4-H/FFA ag center Kelly Martin (940) 210-2506 HORSE CLUB 6:30 p.m., third Thursday Salt Creek Arena Karin Schirripa (817) 480-9835
YOUTH RESOURCES RABBIT CLUB 6 p.m., second Tuesday St. Mark’s Church in Bridgeport Alberta Qualls (940) 389-1296 SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY AND ROBOTICS 5 p.m., fourth Monday Extension office Brandy Baker (940) 626-9772 Continued on page 130
TEXAS AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE The Texas AgriLife Extension Service provides community-based education across the state through 250 county offices and 900 educators, also called Extension agents. The Wise County office is in Decatur at 206 S. State St., Suite A. The phone number is (940) 627-3341. Extension agents include: Todd Vineyard, agriculture/natural resources Tanya Davis, family and consumer sciences Chrissy Karrer, 4-H and youth development Connie Shawn is the program assistant for Better Living for Texans, and she handles nutrition and budgeting education for those with limited resources. Andrea Calabretta is the 4-H program assistant. Karrer describes the office
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as a hub of information with their goal being to provide programming to educate their clientele — the residents of Wise County. Davis said the area of family and consumer sciences is starting to focus on health and wellness. She organizes a diabetes education program and has started a program called Friend to Friend to educate women over 40 about the importance of obtaining regular mammograms and cervical screenings. Popular programs also include Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes and Food Safety: It’s Your Business, which is for food service managers. For information about these programs and more, visit wise.agrilife.org.
4-H Texas Cooperative Extension Wise County office 206 S. State St. Decatur (940) 627-3341 wise-tx.tamu.edu
Wise Performing Arts Guild (940) 627-7777
Singleton Art Studio 603 Halsell St. Bridgeport (940) 683-5610
Peak Performance Decatur Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (940) 210-5581
DANCE Decatur Eighters Dance Club Square Dancing Wayne and Ann Jackson (940) 393-9284 Wise Dance Center (940) 627-7777
MARTIAL ARTS North Texas Karate Academy (940) 255-2038
SCOUTING Boyd Cub Scout Pack 146 Christy Polone (817) 845-9173 Bridgeport Cub Scout Pack 194 Corey Lane (940) 683-4048 Decatur Continued on page 130
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Youth resources ... Continued from page 129
Cub Scout Pack 115 Michelle Perry (817) 689-5549 Bridgeport/Paradise Boy Scout Troop 194 Scott Blevins (940) 433-3516 Decatur Boy Scout Troop 121 John Teague (940) 389-5164 Bridgeport Police Department Officer Lee Snodgrass (940) 683-3430
4-H ...
Continued from page 129
SHOOTING SPORT PROJECT 2 p.m., every Sunday Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds in Decatur Troy Andresen (940) 427-2525 WISE COUNTY DOG PROJECT 5:30 p.m., second and fourth Thursday Meeting place to be announced Janie Vawter (940) 859-6520 WISE COUNTY PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT 4 p.m., fourth Sunday Extension Office Jeannette Ward (940) 393-0624 4-H Photography Project — Wise County Texas on Facebook EXTENSION CLUBS
Wise County Sheriff’s Office Constable Kevin Huffman (940) 627-5971 Girl Scouts Darlena Hoyle (940) 389-4924 www.gs-top.org Camp Fire USA (817) 831-2111 SWIMMING Bridgeport City Pool (940) 683-3400 Runaway Bay Public Pool (940) 626-9046
The Wise County AgriLife Extension office has one Texas Extension Education Association (TEEA) club, which is located in the community of Greenwood. The club was formed to serve as an outreach into the community and county. “The members of the Greenwood Extension Education (EE) club work with the Extension office to strengthen and enrich families through education programs, leadership development and community service,” said Tanya Davis, family and consumer sciences Extension agent. The Greenwood EE club meets at 11 a.m. the fourth Friday at Greenwood Fire Hall. For information on forming a club or joining the Greenwood club, call Davis at (940) 627-3341 or email ttdavis@ ag.tamu.edu.
HOTLINES Texas Runaway Hotline 1 (888) 580-4357 Texas Youth Hotline 1 (800) 98-YOUTH HELP Court Appointed Special Advocates of Wise and Jack counties Executive Director — Serene Smith (940) 627-7535 sscasa@embarqmail.com www.casawise.org Voices Advocating for Children Wise and Jack counties
Executive Director — Kim Martinez (940) 626-8139 www.volunteervoices.com Changing Course Foundation (214) 477-2673 STAR Council on Substance Abuse Decatur (940) 626-2099 www.starcouncil.org Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center Decatur (940) 627-6924 www.mywisechoices.com
COOL THINGS TO DO AT WCMESSENGER.COM #64 Find out everything you’ve always wanted to know about Wise County’s Chupacabra. www.wcmessenger.com/chupacabra
Welcome to Wise County
Simpson, Boyd & Powers Attorneys at Law
*+ Michael A. Simpson Ross M. Simpson ** Derrick S. Boyd G. Alan Powers *** Allen L. Williamson Kristy Pesnell Campbell *Board Certified - Personal Injury Trial Law Texas Board of Legal Specialization +Board Certified - Civil Trial Specialist National Board of Trial Advocacy **Board Certified - Civil Trial by Texas Board of Legal Specialization ***Board Certified - Criminal Law Texas Board of Legal Specialization
1119 Halsell St., Bridgeport 940-683-4098
105 N. State St., Suite B, Decatur 940-627-8308
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 131
YOUTH SPORTS ALVORD Youth Sports alvordsports@hotmail. com BOYD Youth Association b o y d y o u t h a s s n @ y a h o o. com BRIDGEPORT Youth Association baseball, basketball, soccer, softball Jared McComis jmccomis@meyersagency. com www.brideportyouthassoc. com Midget and Pee Wee Cheerleading
Pam Lanfear (940) 393-5987 CHICO Youth Baseball Brad North (940) 393-3822 Youth Football Chad Patterson (940) 210-9843 Youth Softball Adam Walker (817) 253-5937 DECATUR Baseball League (940) 255-2499 www. decaturbaseballleague. com
The only gated custom home community in Wise County
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Girls Softball Association Terri Ivie (817) 360-2433 Hockey Club Tammy (940) 577-9311 Pee Wee Basketball Andrew Rottner arottner@northtxbank. com PARADISE Youth Recreation Association baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, football Jamie Cook (940) 393-0900
WISE COUNTY Quest Aquatics USA Swim Team Nancy Wendell (940) 627-2708 Little Dribblers Paige Ochoa (940) 996-7420 Special Needs Baseball Jeri Kay Kao (940) 577-1848 Youth Soccer Shawn Davie (940) 210-6629 Youth Volleyball Nancy Eoff (940)627-3430 wisecountyyouthvolleyball. com
132 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS 4-H and Junior 4-H Chrissy Daniels (940) 627-3341 Alcoholics Anonymous 602 N. Business U.S. 81/287 Decatur, TX 76234 meetings seven days a week (940) 627-3800 Alvord Masonic Lodge No. 512 Meets 7:30 p.m. second Monday Amigos de Wise County call for meeting times Ruben Garza (940) 255-2109 Area Business Women’s Network Meets 11:45 a.m. the second Thursday at the Decatur Civic Center 2110 W. U.S. 380 Decatur, TX 76234 Sabrina Taylor www.abwn.net
Thursday at the Bridgeport Community Center Director: Tiffany Evans (940) 683-2076 www.bridgeportchamber.org
with a potluck at the Senior Citizen Center on the Chico Square Joyce Reasoner (940) 644-5330
Bridgeport Civic Club Meets 6:30 p.m. the first Monday September through May J’Lyn Ryan (940) 575-9362
Chico Chapter No. 433 Order of the Eastern Star Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the Chico Masonic Lodge on the Chico Square Bobby Morris (940) 644-2339
Bridgeport Garden Club Meets noon the first Thursday September through May Dianne Radcliffe (940) 575-2785 Bridgeport Lions Club Meets noon the first and third Wednesdaysat the Bridgeport Lions Club Hall Neil Peters (940) 575-4650
Boyd Masonic Lodge No. 479 128 West Rock Island
Bridgeport Masonic Lodge No. 587 1012 Halsell St. Meets 6:30 p.m. third Thursday at the Masonic Lodge
Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce Meets 11:30 a.m. the third
Chico 42 Club Meets noon the third Thursday of each month
Chico Friendship Club Meets at 11:30 a.m. the first Thursday of each month with a potluck at the Chico Senior Center on the Chico Square 20 PLUS YEARS EXPERIENCE
(940) 644-5330 Chico Masonic Lodge No. 508 Meets 7:30 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at the Chico Masonic Lodge on the Chico Square Arlon Morris (940) 644-2339 Cross Timbers Aggie Club President: Mark Southard (817) 437-6147 crosstimbersags@yahoo.com Decatur Chamber of Commerce Meets 11:30 a.m. the fourth Tuesday September Continued on page 133
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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Civic organizations ... through May at Decatur Civic Center Executive director: Misty Hudson (940) 627-3107 www.decaturtx.com
Meets 7 p.m. second Monday September through May President: Shelby Ivy (940) 627-5800 (940) 389-9708 www. decaturjuniorwomansclub. com
Decatur Eighters Dance Club Hosts a square dance at the National Guard Armory in Decatur the first Saturday of every other month. Dance starts at 7:30 p.m. with the grand march at 8. Wayne and Ann Jackson (940) 393-9284
Decatur Lions Club Meets noon every Wednesday (except the fifth Wednesday of the month) at the Lions Club Building 207 N. State St., Decatur Todd Scroggins (940) 626-1228 www.decaturlionsclub.com
Decatur Junior Woman’s Club
Decatur Masonic Lodge No. 447
Continued from page 132
202 W. Walnut St. (940) 627-5740 Decatur Rotary Club Meets noon Thursdays at Decatur Civic Center TFWC Decatur Woman’s Club Meets 6:30 p.m. second Tuesday September through May at First United Methodist Fellowship Hall TFWC Pioneer Disrtict Trustee: Lynn Long (940) 627-4525 Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority Meets second Saturday
August through May (except for March) President: Ann Moeler (940) 210-3015 Greater Runaway Bay Alliance Meets 5 p.m. second Thursday President: Jannie Tucknies (940) 389-0387 (940) 389-2016 www.runawaybaychamber. com Kraz-z Quilters Meets 10 a.m. every Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church 1307 Newby Ave., Continued on page 134
Taylor-Made Construction, LLC Taylor-Made Constuction is totally committed to the construction of your dream home. TMC not only approaches every job with a dedication to uncompromising craftsmanship, but with a level of customer service that goes far beyond the sale. TMC spends the time to fully understand your expectations to see your home through your eyes. Before you purchase your home site, there are things you should consider first, such as: • CHECKING WITH THE UTILITY COMPANY ON THE COST TO HOOK UP A HOME ON YOUR SELECTED SITE. • THE SUBDIVISION INFRASTRUCTURE-WILL YOU NEED A WATER WELL? IS GAS AVAILABLE? • ARE THE STREETS PUBLIC OR PRIVATE? • ARE YOU IN A FLOOD PLAIN? IS THE DRAINAGE TO THE SITE GOOD? ANY OF THESE ITEMS COULD SIGNIFICANTLY ADD TO THE COST OF BUILDING A NEW HOME.
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134 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Civic organizations ... Continued from page 133
Bridgeport Marilyn McShan (940) 683-2085 Leadership: West Wise Call for meeting times Ilene Enochs (940) 683-2684
May at the hospital Evelyn Lewis (940) 573-2360
Preceptor Pi Kappa chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority Call for meeting times President: Kathy Stinnett (940) 683-2989
Look Local Wise County Task Force Meets at noon second Tuesdays at revolving locations www.looklocalwisecounty.org
The Sand Flat Art Guild Meets noon the third Tuesday September through May at the Chico Senior Center on the Chico Square Norma Jackson (940) 644-5603
North Texas Community Hospital Auxiliary Meets 1:30 p.m. third Tuesday September through
Texas Extension Education Association Tanya Davis (940) 627-3341
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UFO Quilters Club Meets 6:30 p.m. fourth Tuesday at the Nimo residence Virginia Wood (940) 683-4341
President: Mary Hilliard (940) 627-6851
Wise County Art Association Meets 7 p.m. second Monday September through May at the Bridgeport Library President: Janett Smith (940) 393-2714
Wise County Quilt Guild Meets 9:30 a.m. third Saturday at Cates Street Church of Christ in Bridgeport Carolyn K. Watkins (940) 748-2060 Karen Summitt (940) 627-7730 Marilyn McShan (940) 683-2085
Wise County Fossil, Rock and Mineral Society Meets 6:30 p.m. third Tuesday at the Wesley Center, First United Methodist Church in Decatur
Wise County United Way Executive director: Martin Woodruff (940) 627-3684 uwwise.ed@embarqmail. com www.wisecountyunitedway.org
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
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BARNETT SHALE The development of natural gas in Wise County has created thousands of jobs and millions in local economic stimulus dollars. The Barnett Shale is a large natural gas reserve encompassing more than 5,000 square miles and stretching across 20 counties in North Central Texas. Providing 7 percent of all natural gas used in the United States, it is currently the largest producer of natural gas, methane, in the nation. Wise County serves as one of the prime points of production in the Barnett Shale play. The boom of the Barnett Shale began here in Wise County, in the early 1980s, when local businessman George Mitchell sparked an innovation that changed the landscape of energy production in North Texas and around the world. “The first wells drilled into the Barnett Shale were drilled in Wise County,” said Ed Ireland, executive director of the Barnett Shale Energy Education Council (BSEEC). “They were drilled by George Mitchell.” Mitchell built his large plant off U.S. 380, just west of Bridgeport, at the same time that traditional sources of natural gas were being depleted in the region. He needed more gas to run his new plant.
ECONOMIC BOOM — The Barnett Shale has had a tremendous impact on North Texas, and especially Wise County. The industry has created countless jobs and provided a record number of tax dollars. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
He knew natural gas was trapped in the shale. Wells had gone through the shale and into standard pockets of natural gas, but no one knew how to release the natural gas from the rocky confines of
the shale. So, Mitchell gave an order to his engineers. “He drilled into the Barnett Shale Continued on page 136
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Barnett Shale Continued from page 135
and stopped,” Ireland said. “He instructed his engineers to figure out how to get gas out of the shale. He told his engineers to find out how to get the gas out of the rock.” Pressure led to innovation. “They tried various fracturing techaniques,” Ireland said. “They ended up trying water, and that worked. That’s why we refer to it as hydraulic fracturing. It opened up the technique of getting natural gas out of shales. Everywhere there are natural gas deposits, there are shales, but the technique to get the gas out wasn’t developed until George
Mitchell.” Mitchell Energy was eventually bought by Devon Energy, which continues to be the No. 1 producer of natural gas in Wise County. In recent years, gas development in the county has resulted in record numbers of tax dollars collected by local government entities. New hotels to provide for gas field workers have popped up along highways in Wise County like sunflower stalks. The industry has created hundreds of jobs in Wise County and generated millions in tax revenues for municipalities and school districts.
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“It’s had a tremendous impact on North Texas,” Ireland said. “It’s resulted in billions of dollars of economic stimulus for the area. Lots of mineral rights owners have gotten checks in the mail.” It’s unknown how much longer the boom will continue. Estimates range between five and 20 more years of drilling. “The Barnett Shale is only half drilled up,” Ireland said. “There will be more drilling because in the scheme of things it’s only just begun.” As of January 2012, Wise County had 4,290 producing gas wells according to the Texas Railroad Commission. It’s an increase of 144 new
wells brought online in the past year. Only four counties in the entire state have more regular producing gas wells. The Barnett Shale has also helped generate side industries, such as wastewater trucking companies and mud farming to deal with the byproducts of natural gas production. Due to the success of the technique of hydraulic fracturing, new shale plays have opened across the continent. The large volume of natural gas has flooded the market, dropping natural gas prices to the lowest seen in 10 years. Industry experts expect prices to remain low for at least 12 months.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 137
HISTORICAL NOTES THE LOST BATTALION Members of the 131st Field Artillery of the Second Battalion became known as the Lost Battalion after they were captured and taken to Japanese prison camps during World War II. Their families did not know their location. Many of the men were from Wise County and surrounding North Texas communities. As a tribute to the survivors and those who lost their lives, the Wise County Heritage Museum has The Lost Battalion Room, filled with mementos from the POWs. CHISHOLM TRAIL Near the Denton County line was one of the “feeder”
branches of the Chisholm Trail that shuttled cattle from Texas to meat markets north. The trail stretched 220 miles from the North Canadian to the Arkansas River. Blazed by Jesse Chisholm in 1865, a half-Scottish and half-Cherokee trader, the Chisholm Trail extended further north and south with branches from the Rio Grande joining the main trail at the Red River. It went through Austin, Fort Worth, Red River Station and into Oklahoma. In 1895, the traffic dwindled on the trail, but it had already helped restore the Texas economy after the Civil War.
DINOSAUR DISCOVERY About 10 miles north of Decatur, in the community of Audubon, Jesse Jones of Alvord made a surprising discovery April 1, 1964. What he originally thought to be the bones of an elephant turned out to be the remains of a dinosaur, the tenontosaurus. At that time, it was the first dinosaur to be found in Texas outside of Big Bend. After being displayed separately for several years
at the University of Texas in Austin, the bones were returned to boxes, where they were stored until 1989 when construction of the tenontosaurus finally took place. It took 14 months and 40 volunteers to put the bones together and reconstruct those that were missing. On March 15, 1990, the 18-foot-long tenontosaurus was placed in an exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Natural History.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
HISTORICAL COMMISSION
WWW.WISEHISTORY.COM The commission is responsible for initiating and conducting programs suggested by county commissioners and the Texas Historical Commission. It has been responsible for the preservation and operation of Wise County Heritage Museum as well as reviewing all applications for state historical markers before they go to the THC and serve as advisers to the commissioners court
on matters of historic preservation. Wise County commissioners are responsible for appointing members to the commission in January of odd-numbered years. If you are interested in serving on the commission, call commission chair Rosalie Gregg at (940) 627-5586, the county judge or any county commissioner for information on the appointment procedures. Find the elected officials’ names and contact information on page 166.
WISE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
WWW.WISEHISTORY.COM The organization owns and operates the Wise County Heritage Museum at 1602 S. Trinity St. in Decatur. Read about it on page 51. Its main focus is to raise money for the restoration of the museum, and it meets monthly at 3 p.m. on the fourth Thursday except in August and December.
Memberships are $10 per year for adults, $15 for a husband and wife and $150 for a single lifetime membership. Call (940) 627-5586 or email wisemuseum@ embarqmail.com for more information. Other historical societies are Bridgeport (see page 29) and Paradise (see page 72).
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www.WelcomeToWise.com 141
WISE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
GRAND STRUCTURE — The courthouse is perhaps the most distinctive landmark in Wise County. Built in 1896 of pink granite, it anchors the Decatur town square and has proven to be a favorite subject of both amateur and professional photographers. Decatur High School students gather at the site every May to take pictures before prom. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Left to Right:
Jessica Lynch, Bob Aulds, Dr. Meria Aulds, Suzanne Moore, Claudia Franco
Standing proud and tall in the center of the county is its most majestic structure of all: the 115-year-old Wise County Courthouse in Decatur. The building was constructed in 1896 of pink granite, and J. Riely Gordon of New York was the architect. Today, it remains a distinctive landmark in the county. Gordon’s design has been praised as architecturally perfect by noted experts of buildings of this kind. It has been awarded a historical medallion and plaque from the Texas Historical Commission and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The origins of the courthouse began Jan.
8, 1895, during a special meeting of the county commissioners. The meeting was called after a fire gutted the previous courthouse. An election was held in February 1895 to determine whether the courthouse should be moved. Decatur won the right to keep the courthouse with 2,200 votes, followed by Bridgeport with 1,355. Gordon was chosen as the architect in March 1895. J.A. White was awarded the contract to build the courthouse in May 1895. Construction began in June and was scheduled for completion in May of the following year, but the building was not completed until late 1896.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
TRANSPORTATION If you don’t have access to a car or a good donkey, you might not be traveling far in Wise County due to limited options for public transportation. However, thanks to the efforts of the Area Agency on Aging and several senior citizen centers in rural North Texas, the bus system of TAPS was created to serve people in Wise, Cooke, Clay, Montague, Fannin and Grayson counties. TAPS serves people of all incomes and age groups. They operate a fleet of more than 90 buses and vans that provide public transportation throughout the six counties they serve and into Wichita Falls and Dallas and Tarrant counties. To schedule a ride, call (800) 256-0911 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. A 24-hour notice is required. Costs for one-way trips are $2 in town, $3 out of town and $4 out of county. For those 60 and older, the disabled and students, costs are $1 for in town, $1.50 for out of town and $2 for out of county.
HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS — Wise County’s most common mode of transportation is personal vehicle. U.S. 380 travels east and west through the county. These overpasses are in Decatur. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
AIRPORTS Wise County has two municipal airports, three other public airports and 22 private airstrips. Decatur Municipal Airport (KLUD) is publicly owned and operated by the city of Decatur. With a 4,200-foot runway, the field averages 36 operations per day, mostly local private aviation. The airport, located two miles north of town off Farm Road 730, is managed by Mike
Sayers. He may be reached at (940) 627-2855. Bridgeport Municipal Airport (KXBP) is publicly owned and operated by the city of Bridgeport. It averages 44 operations per day, also mostly local traffic. The manager is Gary Barnett. Call (940)6833464. The airport is located four miles southwest of Bridgeport off U.S. 380. It has a 4,004-foot runway. Wise County has
three other public airports that are privately operated. Bishop Airport (76T) is located six miles east of Decatur and is operated by Tom Bishop, (940) 627-6267. Heritage Creek Airstrip Airport (58T) is located off U.S. 81/287 north of Rhome and is operated by the Heritage Creek Pilots Association, (940) 627-5938. Also in that area is Rhome Meadows Airport (T76) located Continued on page 143
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Transportation ... Continued from page 142
six miles north of Rhome off of U.S. 81/287. It is operated by the Rhome Meadows Management Group, (972) 231-4930. In addition to the public airports, there are 22 private strips including landing pads for helicopters, military landing zones and ports for water based aircraft. Wise Regional Health System operates a Heliport for taking sick and injured people into Fort Worth and Dallas. Public airports usually have long enough runways to handle both small passenger planes and large commercial carriers. Private
airports include restricted or military airports and airports reserved for private charter or membership. LIGHT RAIL SERVICE The nearest rail service connecting travelers to the Metroplex is found in Denton. The Denton County Transportation Authority provides a train linking passengers to Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s Green Line at Trinity Mills. For information, go to www.dcta.net. HIGHWAYS The major thoroughfares in Wise County include U.S. 81/287, Texas 114 and U.S. 380.
www.WelcomeToWise.com 143
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144 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
UPPER TRINITY GROUNDWATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
In November 2007, residents in Wise, Montague, Parker and Hood counties voted to create the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. The district was created to ensure the availability of groundwater resources for the future. The mission of the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District is “to develop rules to provide protection to existing wells, prevent waste, promote conservation, provide a framework that will allow availability and accessibility of groundwater for future generations, protect the quality of the groundwater in the recharge zone of the aquifer, ensure that the residents of Montague, Wise, Parker and Hood counties maintain local control over their groundwater and operate the district in a fair and equitable manner for all residents of the district.” Each county has two representatives on the
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district’s board of directors. Board members are appointed by county commissioners. Wise County’s representatives are Ross Mueller and Dr. Robert Marlett. If you have drilled a water well in Wise, Montague, Hood or Parker County since Jan. 1, 2009, you are required to register your well with the district. Registration of new wells is subject to payment of a $175 administrative fee and submission to the district of a refundable well report deposit prior to drilling. If you have a water well drilled before Jan. 1, 2009,
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and you are considered an “exempt” well (see below), you may voluntarily register your well for free. Fees: If you own or operate a water well: regardless of size: that produces water used exclusively for domestic use, watering livestock, watering poultry, agricultural irrigation or a combination of these uses, or if you operate a well used for any other use (such as small business, manufacturing, industrial, oil and gas supply or public water system) that is not capable of producing more than 25 gallons per minute, or two or more wells tied to
a system with a combined capacity of not more than 30 gallons per minute, then your well is exempt from fee requirements. Each “non-exempt” well in the district must be equipped with a water meter, and operators of non-exempt wells must record monthly the amount of groundwater produced by the well and maintain a water meter log of those amounts. Fee for water use is 22 cents per 1,000 gallons of water produced. Only water from nonexempt wells is subject to a water use fee.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 145
VETERANS VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE 205 N. State St., Decatur (940) 627-2470 The Veterans Service Office helps county veterans acquire benefits through the Veterans Administration. These benefits include education, money, home loans and monthly compensation. Employees at the VSO serve as mediators who file claims and represent Wise County veterans before the VA regional office in Waco. The office is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday. WISE COUNTY VETERANS GROUP The aging of American veterans resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of veteran deaths, and the honors of a graveside salute and flag presentation by uniformed sevice personnel became difficult for the government to provide. This became a task veterans organizations,
X
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED — Veterans in Wise County have many opportunities to be active in groups. Above, Wayne Hartley plays taps during a Veterans Day ceremony at the Wise County Veterans Park in Decatur. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
such as the Wise County Veterans Group, proudly began performing. Founding members of the Wise County Veterans Group signed the original bylaws Jan. 19, 2000. More
than five years later, on Feb. 22, 2005, the WCVG registered as a non-profit corporation. In addition to saluting the fallen, the WCVG meets at 8 a.m. every Saturday
for breakfast, takes part in Veterans Day parades and banquets, hosts welcome home celebrations and makes flag presentations. Fields Richardson, a Navy Continued on page 146
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Veterans ... fighter pilot whose service spanned the Vietnam War through the Gulf War, is unit commander. For information on the Wise County Veterans Group, including meeting locations, visit its website at www. wisecountyveterans.org.
organizations such as the Relay for Life and Old Settlers Reunion. Commander is H.L. Ross. SCV was founded in Richmond, Va., in 1896 to serve as a historical, patriotic and non-political organization dedicated to ensuring that the history and significance of the years 1861-1865 are preserved.
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS Albert Sidney Johnston Camp No. 983 The Sons of Confederate Veterans is an organization that preserves the history and ancestry of Confederate soldiers who fought in the Civil War. The Albert Sidney Johnston Camp No. 983 meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at the Wesley Center of the First United Methodist Church of Decatur, 201 E. Main St. The organization sets the iron “Confederate crosses” at the gravesites of Confederate soldiers throughout the county. In addition, they honor the fallen throughout Confederate Soldier month in April and participate in community
WISE COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK 405 N. Trinity St., Decatur The Wise County Veterans Group planned, designed, managed and completed the Wise County Veterans Memorial Park with the help of community contributions. Ground was broken June 3, 2003, and the park was dedicated Nov. 11, 2005. The Path of Sacrifice and Valor, beginning at the Ash Street entrance of the park, is lined by 18 bronze plaques on stone pillars that trace America’s war history from the American Revolution to today. An eternal flame, a symbol of the sacrifice needed to pay for eternal vigilance and the defense of freedoms, is at the
Continued from page 145
center of the park. The names of about 2,000 veterans are etched into the bricks that form the pathways across the park. The park is owned by the city of Decatur. It is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ALVORD VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK Elm Creek Park 1078 Business 81/287 East CHICO Flag pole on the square installed by the chamber of commerce is dedicated to veterans and active military. PARADISE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK Main Street RHOME VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK Corner of Virginia Lane and Second Street OTHER VETERAN GROUPS Daughters of the American Revolution Meet 10 a.m. third Saturday
at Wise County Heritage Museum Sally Pegues (940) 627-5452 Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 70 2801 FM 51 South, Decatur Meet 7 p.m. second Thursday Bobby Harris (940) 389-7533
North Texas Honor Guard 204 Lake Road, Bridgeport Meet 5 p.m. second and fourth Monday Bobby Harris (940) 389-7533
Wise County Veterans Council 2801 FM 51 South, Decatur Meet 5:30 p.m. third Tuesday Jerry Harris (940) 389-3049
County-Based Outpatient Clinic 808 W. Woodrow Wilson Ray Circle, Bridgeport located in the east wing of the Family Clinic (940) 683-2538
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THE LEADER IN RESIDENTIAL LIGHTING & HARDWARE Jack Cannon: 940-368-1811 Eric Cannon: 940-393-5317 Office: 940-627-7761
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER 115 S. Trinity St. (physical) P.O. Box 149 (mailing) Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5987
www.wcmessenger.com Published every Wednesday and Saturday. Covering all of Wise County.
NEWSPAPER —The Wise County Messenger was established at Paradise in 1880 and is one of the county’s oldest business institutions and its largest newspaper.
Bibles and Beads 110 E. Main • Decatur • 940-626-8888
Christian Books, Bibles & Gifts English & Spanish Bibles Study Bibles & Children’s Books Shofar • Rosaries • Faith Items We have your Church Supplies & Materials.
Jewelry & Beading Supplies Swarovski Crystals • Preciosa Miyuki • Delica • Beadalon Glass & Seed Beads • Freshwater Pearls Semi-precious Stones • Beading Tools W. Walnut
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www.WelcomeToWise.com 147
148 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
101
1658
City of Bridgeport
3
380
114
2 920
1
City of Runaway Bay
Lake Bridgeport
380
4 4
1
114
2123 3
1. Bridgeport Falls 2. FM 920 Alternate/Emergency Access Only) 3. West Fork Trinity River
2
Bridgeport Falls Trail in Bridgeport
1. Blue Fathom/Chupacabra Point 2. Boons Creek Paddling Trail 3. Willow Creek Paddling Trail 4. Coal Bed Creek Paddling Trail
Chupacabra Point Trails in Runaway Bay
PADDLING TRAILS The Paddling Trails program of the Texas Parks and Wildlife launched a pair of sites in the county during the spring: Chupacabra Point in Runaway Bay and Bridgeport Falls in Bridgeport. CHUPACABRA POINT Located on the south end of Lake Bridgeport, the trails at Runaway Bay are marked by three creeks: Coal Bed, Willow and Boons. Each is four miles roundtrip with a two- to fourhour float time, depending on the water level, flow rate and wind speed. But according to Mark Allen, the former Runaway Bay councilman who spearheaded the effort, the length of the trip is also contingent on distractions. “There’s all kinds of stuff to see along the way,” he said. “Beaver dams, wildlife, like wild hogs, and occasionally you’ll see a deer. There are all kinds of birds: hawks, herring
fishing birds. There’s a lot of fun scenery.” Access to the trails is free but is restricted to those with equipment as no outfitter has yet come forward to rent kayaks, canoes, life jackets, paddles and other necessary equipment. The access point, at Blue Fathom Road and Marco Drive, features a kiosk complete with a map of the trails, GPS coordinates, public safety telephone numbers and local points of interest. BRIDGEPORT FALLS The location of traditional fun for longtime locals became official when the TPWD designated a portion of the West Fork of the Trinity River a paddling trail. The access point at Bridgeport Falls is a low water dam north of the wastewater treatment plant off of Farm Road 2123, known locally as Rock Falls. The trail, from the falls
upstream to Farm Road 920 and back, is a 5.8-mile loop that takes two-and-a-half to five hours to navigate. Downstream of Bridgeport Falls is not an official part of the trail. Any downstream paddling requires take-out at public roadway crossings such as County Road 3225 and Farm Road 51. These access points are unimproved and may present challenges, steep grades and thick brush. The West Fork of the
Trinity River is a natural river typically unrestrained by flood control dams or other man-made structures. As such, it is readily influenced by rainfall runoff that may create temporary high flows and undesirable water quality conditions. Approximate flow and water quality information is available to paddlers online at www.trwd.com. Like at Runaway Bay, kayaks or canoes are not yet available to rent.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 149
RACE TRACKS
BOYD RACEWAY 376 Raceway Ln., Boyd (940) 433-5587 www.boydraceway.net The Boyd Raceway hosts races every Friday night mid-
NORTHWEST OHV PARK 2962 S. Texas 101, Bridgeport (940) 683-3480 Monday-Friday (940) 683-3685 Saturday-Sunday www.cityofbridgeport. net/ northwestpark The Caveman Crawl, MOROC extreme offroad racing and Texas Off Road
summer and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. fall and winter. OAK HILL RACEWAY 1636 CR 1270, Alvord (940) 577-2225 www.oakhillmx.com Oak Hill Raceway has been a Texas tradition since 1975. The track is equipped for dirt bike and other ATV vehicles. The track is open noon to dark Wednesdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Membership is required. Yearly membership is $65, and daily is $5. ROCKY RIDGE RANCH 14467 N. FM 51 near Slidell Open 5 to 10 p.m. Friday Continued on page 150
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RIVER VALLEY MOTOCROSS 733 CR 4757, Boyd (817) 932-3333 rivervalleymotocross.com River Valley Motocross is a large, dirt racetrack, equipped for all different size dirt bikes and ATVs. Practice times are 2 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Fees are $20 per practice session. Riders can also purchase a practice pass for $30 on Saturday that allows practice that day and the next. There is also a kids track, which has been remodeled recently, and practice fees are $15 per rider.
Nationals are just a few of the events held at Bridgeportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Northwest Off Highway Vehicles Park since its opening in October 2009. The 300-acre park has attracted OHV enthusiasts from Texas and surrounding states, as well as hosting runners for the Caveman Crawl in mid-June and Caveman Extreme in October. The park is open during the day on weekends, and the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department holds monthly camping weekends the second weekend of each month. Open Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the spring and
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EAGLES CANYON RACEWAY 7629 N. FM 51 near Decatur (940) 466-9775 www.eaglescanyon.com The Eagles Canyon Raceway requires membership to use the facility. Its track is a 2 1/2-mile road course that features 11 turns. It opened in November of 2007 and is a track for both fast cars and motorcycles.
March through August. The gates open at 6 p.m., and racing starts at 8 p.m. Grandstand tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children between the ages of 6 and 11 and children under 5 are free. Pit tickets are $25. The track is a 1/4-mile dirt track that hosts races with stock cars, modified cars, sport modified cars, hobby stock cars and mini stock cars.
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KAM KARTWAY 4746 Texas 114 E., Rhome 1/4 mile west of U.S. 81/287 (817) 638-5278 www. kamkartway.com The Kam Kartway has an oval go-cart racetrack thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one-eighth of a mile in distance. The track hosts about 30 events per year, including a winter, spring and summer series. The track is designed for participants age 5 and older. The track averages about 50 racers per event and features a full-service shop on-site for both asphalt racing go-cart parts and dirt racing go-cart parts and service. The service shop is open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. during the week. Customers should call first on Saturdays.
0RESKITT (LAVEK
150 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas ON THE MOVE —A variety of vehicles can be raced at tracks in Wise County. Take your pick from more than a half-dozen locations from Rhome to Slidell. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
Race tracks ... Continued from page 149
9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday By appointment all other days (940) 466-3792 www.rockyridgeranchtx.
com The Rocky Ridge Ranch recreation park welcomes dirt bikes, ATVs, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and camping. No go-carts are allowed. The park features several miles of trails, hills for bikers to climb and areas for trial
rides, where riders pick a steep rocky area to ride and go up or down without putting their feet down. The park also includes a rock pit, mud pit and a drag strip for people to drag race on their bikes or four-wheelers. People who camp overnight
have access to showers and portable toilets. Electrical hookups are available. There is no camping fee, but there is a $15 daily use fee. Visitors who stay on the weekends through Sunday pay a $30 special fee per person.
Racing Every Friday R March Through October “Spectacular Stock Car Racing” “ PIT PASSES $25 Grandstand Admission: Adults - $10 • Kids (6-11) - $5 • 5 & Under - FREE IMCA Hobby Stocks • IMCA Southern Sport Mod • IMCA Modifled • IMCA Stock Cars • Sport Compacts
For more info. or in case of rain 940-433-5587 • 817-304-2044 304-2044 04-2044 Concession Stand Available • No Outside Food or Drink nk k Located on Keeter Rd. (FM 2048) between Hwy. 51 & FM 730
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4746 E. Hwy. 114 • Rhome • www.kamkartway.com QRC, SKE, Outlaw Cage Kart Distributor
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 151
PARKS four baseball fields Soccer field on Pecan Street Veteran’s Park on Main Street RHOME Veteran’s Park, corner of Virginia Lane and Second Street RUNAWAY BAY
Cricket Ridge Park, Runaway Bay Drive, next to the Norma Coble Civic Center The Park at Runaway Bay, Blue Bird Lane, has a walking trail, playground, picnic areas and a swimming pool
Welcome to Wise! There’s No Place Like Home!
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Pastor Kevin & Melanie Casey Located on Hwy. 380 between Decatur & Bridgeport
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101, has an ATV park and hiking trail CHICO M. Robinson Park, on the corner of West Sherman and Buffalo Street, includes a play area for kids, a gazebo, skate park and a basketball court Jewel Park, baseball fields DECATUR Kenny Renshaw Park, Farm Road 51 South, has softball and soccer fields, playground and covered pavilion Harmon Park, Miller Street, has a skateboard park, two baseball fields and a playground Melba Doyle Park; Old Chico Road and U.S. 380, has trees, picnic tables and swings Hollis and Sue Jones Park; Farm Road 730 and Country Club Road, has baseball fields, a soccer field, basketball court and playground Lou Ida “Big Mama” Willis Park; Corner of North Arthur and Brown streets, has a playground, sand box, swing set and picnic tables Veterans Park; Corner of Ash and Trinity streets, “Path of Sacrifice and Valor” commemorating American conflicts NEWARK Delora Doughty Royal Park, across from the Newark Fire Station on 406 Hudson, has a gazebo, grill and a picnic table PARADISE Leone Park, Texas 114; has
Crittendon St.
WISE COUNTY Wise County Park (on Lake Bridgeport), 372 CR 1638, Chico, offers rough camping ($5 per tent per night); RV hookups ($20 a night), boat storage ($50 a month), sewage dump ($5 per use), small pavilions ($20 a day, up to two tents), and a large pavilion ($50 a day) South Wise Park in Newark on Eagle Mountain Lake (day use park) ALVORD Elm Creek Park, 1078 E. Business 81/287; has a tennis court, pavilion, concession stand, baseball fields and a playground Veteran’s Park BOYD Yellow Jacket Park, North Evans, has a basketball court, play fort and playground James Snodgrass Park, West Hobbs, has a playground and soccer fields, tennis courts, beach volleyball, walking trail and a pavilion BRIDGEPORT Harwood City Park, 707 Hovey St., has two playgrounds, 10 picnic tables, a pavilion, a walking trail, horseshoe pits, restrooms, a swimming pool and an open play area Payne Park, 409 W. Cates St.; has a covered skate park, picnic tables, playground equipment, basketball court, open play area and restrooms Northwest OHV Park, north of town off Texas
Across the railroad tracks Downtown Bridgeport Across the railroad tracts. from Downtown Bridgeport
205 Trinity St. Bridgeport • 940-683-2916
152 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
CAMPING Looking for a place to camp that’s not too far away from home? Here’s a list of places in Wise County that provide a range of amenities for outdoorsy types. VALLEY VIEW GROUP USE CAMPSITE Available by reservation on weekends for $150 and includes restrooms, parking spurs, fire rings, lantern posts and group pavilion. Parking is $4 per day. From Decatur: US 81/287 N 11 mi; FM 1655 right 8 mi; Roberts RD right 1.5 mi: CR 2690 left 2 mi; CR 2675 right 100 yds; CR 2777 left, to entrance on right. WISE COUNTY PARK Located at 372 CR 1638 in Chico, Wise County Park offers tent sites, picnic tables, a playground, boat ramps, public restrooms and showers. The park also has 10 RV sites with water and electricity and 14 RV sites with water, sewer and electricity. Tent camping: $5 a night RV hookups: $20 a night Sewage dumps: $5 per use Small pavilions: $20 a day, $20 deposit Large pavilion: $50 a day, $50 deposit Boat storage: $50 a month NORTH SIDE MARINA AND RESORT Seven full RV hookup sites
are available for rental at the marina, as well as oneto four-bedroom cabins. The marina is located at the north end of Lake Bridgeport in the Three Fingers/Blockers Camp Cove. Visitors can also rent boats and boat slips. For more information, visit www.northsidemarina.net or call (940) 644-5475. LYNDON B. JOHNSON GRASSLANDS Visitors to the grasslands can set up their tents anywhere, but there are a few established sites in the national grasslands. For more information on the LBJ Grasslands, visit www. fs.usda.gov/texas or call (940) 627-5475. Black Creek Lake A dozen walk-in camp units, 12 picnic areas, restrooms, boat ramp, fishing bridge. No drinking water. Day-use fee is $2. LBJ Multi-Use Trail The 75-mile trail can be used for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking and has campsites along the way. Tadra Point Considered to be the best trail riding opportunity in the area, the campground fills up on weekends but adjacent meadows provide space for overflow. Parking is $4 per day.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 153
RIDING CLUBS Bridgeport Riding Club 691 FM 920 Katherine Hudson (940) 393-9802 Lone Star Riders at Ash Creek Arena in Azle Michelle Phillips (940) 902-1211 www.lonestarriders.tripod. com Wise County Wranglers at Salt Creek Arena in Boyd Hollie Walker (817) 781-7949 www.wise-county-wrangler. tripod.com
SADDLE UP â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Equestrians from all over Wise County ride in clubs that host events such as rodeos and fundraisers. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
154 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas MULTI-USE LANDS — The LBJ National Grasslands cover more than 20,000 acres in Wise County, and is popular among equestrians, fishermen, hunters, hikers, campers and picnickers. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
LBJ GRASSLANDS Since the 1930s, Wise County has been home to a precious natural resource — but it’s somewhat of a secret. The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands cover more than 20,000 of Wise County’s northeastern acres, offering the public a place to fish, camp, picnic, hike, ride horses and hunt. The grasslands, part of the Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands, have been managed by the USDA Forest Service since the 1950s, and a campaign starting in the mid-1990s has made the area a safe haven for families to spend quality time. The Caddo portion of the grasslands is located northeast of Dallas and contains 17,785 acres. It is open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round. The grasslands offer a
variety of outdoor activities, from fishing and hunting to hiking and horseback riding. The LBJ National Grasslands include a 75-mile, multi-use trail that is frequented by equestrian groups. Hunters can find whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey and small game such as rabbits, squirrel and a few quail. The use of shotguns, excluding slugs and buckshot, is allowed for legally hunting game birds and animals during state designated seasons. Search the Texas Parks and Wildlife website at www. tpwd.state.tx.us for hunting season information. Skeet shooters can enjoy a place all their own at Unit 3 on the west side of U.S. 81/287 — it’s the only place in the grasslands where any type of target shooting is allowed. While much of the acreage
is open to hunters, families looking for a place to picnic and camp can venture out
to the popular Black Creek Lake or Cottonwood Lake. Continued on page 155
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 155
LBJ ... Continued from page 154
There are about 450 ponds and lakes ranging from small ponds to the 45acre Cottonwood Lake. While Cottonwood has one improved boat ramp, there are no recreation facilities. But Black Creek Lake provides restroom facilities, seven picnic units, seven walk-in camp units, a boat ramp and a fishing bridge. A four-mile trail connects the two lakes. The 10-acre Windmill Lake north of Alvord is designated for fly fishing only. TADRA point is a popular place for equine enthusiasts, with restrooms and parking facilities and access to the 75-mile multiuse trailhead. There is also a unit in the
For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us and search for the LBJ Grasslands.
grasslands designated for dog training and events. Park fees range from $2 at Black Creek for dayuse to $4 at TADRA point and Valley View group use facility. There are selfservice pay sites at those locations. Everywhere else is free. Fees collected are used to pay for maintenance. A visit to the Ranger District Office, located at 1400 U.S. 81/287 North, will provide a visitor with much more information. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
HISTORICAL NOTE The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands is the most southern of the national grasslands covering 17,784 acres. The original occupants of the land were the Caddo Indians who were forced out in the mid-1700s by Apache and Comanche tribes. In the 1800s, European settlers moved into the area followed by farmers. The area was designated as “grasslands” in the 1800s under the Homestead Act that helped settle western land. In the 1920s and ’30s, the land received very little rain, causing the soil to dry up and blow away.
Congress established the Land Utilization Program (LUP), which bought land from bankrupt land owners and made it public. LUP lands were given to the USDA Forest Service in the 1950s. Twenty national grasslands exist around the nation. Unlike its current landscape, the LBJ Grasslands were covered with dense lines of trees that ran north to south rather than along rivers. It became known as “Cross Timbers,” giving way to the Cross Timbers National Grasslands. It was renamed in 1974 after President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
LAKE BRIDGEPORT
BREAK AT THE LAKE — Wise County residents and visitors trek to Lake Bridgeport for a variety of recreational purposes, including fishing, boating, skiing and swimming. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
More than 70 years ago, when Dallas and Fort Worth were mere shadows of what they are today, the small town of Bridgeport, located on a tributary of the
Trinity River, became the home of Lake Bridgeport. Today that lake still stands as a huge warm-weather attraction, providing fun on the water for
families from all over Texas. “There are three major attractions in this area,” Bridgeport Lake Superintendent Continued on page 157
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 157
Lake Bridgeport ... Continued from page 156
Richard Ellis said. “One is the mass amount of limestone, another is the Barnett Shale and the third is the lake. It’s as simple as that. Lake Bridgeport is a very important part of the county.” In 1922, severe rains plagued the Trinity River area, causing heavy flood damage to northern Tarrant County and the town of Bridgeport. This prompted the formation of the Tarrant County Water Conservation Association. In 1929, construction began on the Lake Bridgeport dam, and two years later the lake was finished. Lake Bridgeport is located on the west fork of the Trinity River in Wise and Jack counties, about four miles west of Bridgeport, and about 70 miles from DFW Airport. With a surface area of just less than 12,000 acres and about 129 miles of shoreline according to the Tarrant Regional Water District, the watershed area for the reservoir covers approximately 1,100 square miles and five counties. The lake is 5.9 miles wide and 19 miles long at its maximum points and has a conservation storage of 366,236 acre-feet. With an average depth of 29 feet, Lake Bridgeport can accommodate most small fishing boats and recreational crafts.
EAGLE MOUNTAIN LAKE While not in Wise County, Eagle Mountain Lake sits on the West Fork of the Trinity River, south of Bridgeport. The man-made freshwater body has almost a dozen access points that feature restrooms, docks, boat gas, camping and picnic areas. Popular activities on the lake include boating, fishing, and water sports.
Ellis has worked for the Tarrant Regional Water District since 1969 and said that Lake Bridgeport provides the area not only with recreation, but also with a sustainable water supply. “This lake was built first and foremost for flood control and water supply, then for recreation. We provide water to all the local cities and to many of the power plants in the area,” Ellis said. For the surrounding area’s population, the lake provides a place where people can enjoy numerous water activities including boating and boat rentals, skiing, fishing and swimming. Paddle trails and launch sites for kayaking and canoeing were established in 2011. There are also places on the surrounding shore for camping and picnicking, and cabins are available for rent. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission reports Lake Bridgeport to be an excellent location for bass fishing as well as crappie, catfish and sun fish. In 2011, TPW designated Chupacabra Points Paddling Trails on the south end of the
lake in Runaway Bay. Read about the trails on page 148. “This is really a great lake,” Ellis said. “We get a good summer crowd on the weekends, but it’s definitely not as packed as some of the other lakes around here. There is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy all kinds of water sports and fishing.” The North Side Marina
and Resort, located at the north end of the lake, is one of the major draws for lodging and entertainment. The marina offers one-to four-bedroom cabin rentals, boat and slip rentals, RV sites, a ship’s store (inventory carried on board of a ship such as food, water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies, safety supplies, spare parts, etc.) and gift shop, fishing opportunities and a 24-hour boat fueling station. The northeast edge of the lake features the amenities of Wise County Park. See more on the park on page 151. WWW.LAKE-BRIDGEPORT.COM
GOLF COURSES
158 www.WelcomeToWise.com There is no shortage of courses for Wise County’s golf enthusiasts. The area is home to three popular golf courses, all challenging enough for the experienced golfer but simple enough for the beginner. While all three are member courses, each is open to non-member play, some on restricted schedules. BRIDGEPORT COUNTRY CLUB This spacious 5,983-yard, nine-hole course features Bermuda greens and is one of the top nine-hole courses in the area. The Bridgeport Country Club is open to members only on weekends and holidays but is open to all golfers during the week.
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
NEED TO KNOW Paula Terry is the general manager. The Bridgeport Country Club is on the south edge of Bridgeport, on Farm Road 2123, off Texas 114. For more information, call the club at (940) 683-9438.
The golf course is open to the public Monday and Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m. to dusk and Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Green fees for visitors are $25 for 18 holes on week days and $35 for 18 holes on the weekend. Carts are also available to all golfers. The fees are $10
for nine holes and $20 for 18 holes, and two people can share the cart. The Bridgeport Country Club monthly dues are $110 with a one-time registration fee of $320.25. Bridgeport Country Club has a pro shop in its clubhouse. Food and beverages are offered at the clubhouse, and a driving range and putting green are also available to all golfers seven days a week. The club’s chef provides nightly specials Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Another special feature is the Thursday scrambles for members and their guests with a buffet served after. This weekly event is held throughout the spring and
summer beginning at 6 p.m. The club also has a swimming pool. DECATUR GOLF CLUB For the avid golfer looking for nine-hole courses, the Decatur Golf Club is the place to visit. The 6,500yard setup is difficult, but not intimidating. The course is mostly open with trees lining the outside of a few fairways. Two water hazards provide an additional challenge. Continued on page 159
NEED TO KNOW Terry Connell is the golf professional and general manager. For information, call (940) 627-3789.
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WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 159
Golf courses ... Continued from page 158
Non-members can play anytime during the week, and walkers are welcome after 3 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Fees for non-members Tuesday through Thursday are $10 while fees Friday through Sunday are $17. Cart rentals are $15. Memberships to the club are available every day at the pro shop, and initiation fees start at $150. Benefits of being a member include unlimited golf, access to the swimming pool and use of the lounge area. The Decatur Golf Club is open six days a week from 8 a.m. to dusk on weekdays and 8 a.m. to dusk on weekends.
The course is closed on Mondays. THE CLUB AT RUNAWAY BAY The premier county course is The Club at Runaway Bay, the county’s only 18-hole course. Architects have taken full advantage of the hilly terrain around the shores of beautiful Lake Bridgeport to create the course. The course features some of the best bent grass greens in all of North Texas. Architect Tripp Davis of Norman, Okla., designed the complete makeover of The Club at Runaway Bay. Single membership is $155 a month and $250 for corporate membership. The Club offers unlimited
“For the rest of your life”
NEED TO KNOW The general manager is Mark Peterson. Additional features include a fully equipped golf pro shop, and condos are available for lodging. For more information, call The Club at Runaway Bay at (940) 575-2225.
family golf for $225 per month. Members may use their own cart for a low monthly fee. The Club has a $400 initiation fee. Non-members can play the course any time or any day, provided they call ahead for
tee times. The cost to play the course is $35 Monday through Thursday and $45 Friday through Sunday. The price includes green fees, a cart and range balls. Twilight golf begins at 3 p.m. Monday through Friday with a fee of $21. Weekends are $27 with a cart. All fees are plus tax. There are also coed scrambles every Wednesday at 6 p.m. from March through September. The full-menu restaurant is open Tuesday through Friday during regular operating hours, and the facility may be rented for weddings, parties and meetings for up to 300
Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
10% OFF
Home Furnishings Rustic and Traditional for Every Room
Any Mattress Purchase of $50 or more Coupon expires 07/01/13. Applies to regular priced merchandise only. Some restrictions may apply. Must present coupon or mention Welcome to Wise Publication.
10% OFF Purchase of $50 or more
Coupon expires 07/01/13. Applies to regular priced merchandise only. Some restrictions may apply. Must present coupon or mention Welcome to Wise Publication.
1402 N. Hwy. 81/287, Decatur, TX
940-627-8304
940-627-8300 • 1208 S. Hwy. 51 • Decatur
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
www.tinstarfurniture.com
w w w. t i n s t a r f u r n i t u r e . c o m
(Decatur Plaza across from Market Place)
MARINAS AND BOAT RENTALS
160 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Lake Bridgeport Dam Boat Ramp Operated by Tarrant Regional Water District and located on the east side of the lake at the dam. No fee required, open all year. North Side Marina and Resort 180 PR 1735 Chico (940) 644-5475 Private operation, bait, boat rentals, slip rentals, shipâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s store (inventory carried on board of a ship such as food, water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies, safety supplies, spare parts, etc.), gift shop, cabin rentals, RV sites, 24-hour boat fuel. One Stop of Texas Boat Ramp Runaway Bay (940) 575-2811 Private operation, no fee, open all year. Runaway Bay Marina
WEST FORK OF THE TRINITY RIVER Stretching 145 miles, the West Fork of the Trinity River begins in Archer County where it flows southeast through Wise County and eventually to the Clear Fork of the river. Dams have been erected to create Lake Bridgeport, Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth. There is opportunity for freshwater fishing, as well as potential for paddling and other recreational activity on the West Fork during periods of dam releases or heavy rainfall, and navigation is possible between the lakes.
101 Runaway Bay Dr. Runaway Bay (940) 575-4745 Operated by the city of Runaway Bay, public fee boat ramp, parking, restrooms and gas. Wise County Park 372 CR 1638 Chico (940) 644-1910 Operated by Tarrant Regional Water District and Wise County
Public Works, public restrooms and showers, boat ramps with piers, swimming, fishing, picnic tables, playground, tent camping, 24 RV sites.
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OWNERS DARRELL AND KAREN MORGAN MANY STYLES & SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM OR CUSTOM ORDER Rent to Own Portable Storage Buildings & Cabins
Custom Steel Buildings Built On Site 3552 SOUTH HWY. 287 DECATUR
940-627-7934 or 940-391-7778 SALE LOTS IN BOWIE AND AZLE ALSO
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 161
POOLS BRIDGEPORT CITY POOL 1106 8th St. in Harwood Park Closed Mondays Tuesday (Family Night) Noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday: Friday Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Daily admission: $2 3 and under: Free The Bridgeport City Pool is open May 26 through Aug. 19, and it’s fully staffed with pool managers, lifeguards and concession workers. The pool hosts numerous summer activities. Swimming lessons are offered beginning June 5. The Jr. Guard program for children ages 10 to 14 teaches lifeguarding and leadership skills. The Swim Team participates in TAAF events in the Metroplex. Water aerobics classes are offered for $3 per class or $25 for a 10-punch card. Classes begin June 5. Tuesday evening is family night with the pool open until 8 p.m. Private pool parties are available Wednesday through Sunday after regular pool hours. For information on any program, call (940) 683-3480. In addition to the pool, Harwood Park has a pavilion, a lighted walking trail, two playgrounds, grills and restrooms, as well as open play areas. The pavilion is ideal for family reunions, birthday
parties, showers and other gatherings. For rental availability and fees, call (940) 683-3480. RUNAWAY BAY CITY POOL 938 Port-O-Call Dr. in Runaway Bay Park Open Memorial Day weekend to Aug. 22, then weekends through Labor Day weekend Closed Tuesdays Wednesday (Family Night) Noon to 8 p.m. Thursday: Monday Noon to 6 p.m. Daily admission: $3 Individual season pass: $80 Household season pass: $160 Coupon booklet: $25 for 10 admission tickets Groups of 15 or more: $2 per person Private parties: $160 for three hours and $80 refundable deposit For 10 years, Runaway Bay’s public pool has been a fun alternative to splashing in the lake. Located next to a city park complete with baseball fields and a walking trail, the pool facility has two water slides, two pavilions with multiple tables, a dozen lounge chairs and full bathroom facilities. “We have a diving board that is 12 feet long and 1 meter tall with special handrails for safety,” said Peggy Barton, pool manager. Lifeguards are always on duty. Family night at the pool Continued on page 162
Wise Feed HOME, LAWN & GARDEN SUPPLIES
940-644-1896 • 502 S. Hwy 101 • Chico Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Sat. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
BEER • WINE • LIQUOR
502 S. State Highway 101 • CHICO
940.644.2007
10 AM - 9 PM • MON - SAT
162 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Pools ... Continued from page 161
is Wednesday, and Barton encourages families to attend the event and enjoy swimming and pizza for $2 a slice. Along with being open to the public, the pool is available to rent for private parties after hours, and it hosts aerobics and swimming lessons before the pool opens. Water Wizards Workout is 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning June 4. It is led by Sharon Rodgers, and cost is $75 for the summer or $3 at the gate. She can be reached at (940) 575-4928. Debra Barnett will teach a certified water aerobics course 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays
and Thursdays beginning June 5. The cost is $75 for the summer or $3 at gate. She can be reached by phone at (940) 389-0984 or email dbarn@ news.net. For information about swim lessons, call Laura Martinets at (940) 389-7614. Cost is $70 for a two-week course that is held four days a week in 40-minute classes. Call Martinets to sign up. A water safety instructor, she also offers Red Cross certification for $5. For additional pool information, call Barton at (940) 626-9046 or send her an email at pbarton@embarqmail. com.
Indoor Heated S Swimming P Pool On The House速 Hot Break Breakfast Hours C Coffee 24 H ff in i the th Lobby L b Meeting Room and Business Center
940-627-4900
Fax 940-627-4902 110 South US Highway 81/287 www.hampton.com/decatur
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory in Christ Jesus Our Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:57
Pastor Ryan Ogrodowicz Worship Service: 10 a.m. Sunday School (all ages) 11 a.m. Fellowship Lunch: Noon
508 Main St., Newark
817-489-5400
www.viclutheranchurch.org
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 163
GYMS BRIDGEPORT Body Fitnus Gym 901 Halsell St. (940) 683-6333 Edge Fitness 1415 Texas 101 (940) 683-2600 DECATUR Extreme Sports and Fitness 2803 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-7179 Fit-N-Wise
609 Medical Center Dr. (940) 627-2708 Jrobs Performance Training 1208 S. FM 51, Suite I-1 (940) 389-0056 Vette’s Fitness 205 N. Trinity (972) 989-6990 NEWARK Leatherneck Gym 510 C FM 718 (817) 489-2277
NATURAL RECREATION Bluebonnet Nudist Park 699 CR 1180 Alvord, TX 76225 (940) 627-2313 www.bluebonnetnudistpark.com
Wildwood Naturist Resort 241 PR 1179 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2280 www.wildwoodnaturist.com
ARE YOU
READY? CITY, SCHOOL, COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL, TAX, ON, BOND D LOCAL OPTIO OPTION, Elections happen every y ed? year. Are you registered? Have you moved? Is your information correct? Do you have a current “yellow” voterr certificate with the correct information? err The Wise County Voter Registration office is U here to make sure YOU cise ARE READY to exercise your right to vote.
1555 W Business s 380, Suite 1, Decatur (behind 2-K Pawn and Gun Shop). Come by or call 940-626-4453 or 940-627-3656
BARE RUN — Bluebonnet Nudist Park has hosted a clothing-optional cross-country 5K run every fall for more than 20 years. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
164 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
LODGING BRIDGEPORT Best Western Bridgeport Inn 905 U.S. 380 (940) 683-5939 Comfort Suites 2302 10th St. (940) 683-5777 Greystone Inn 1810 U.S. 380 (940) 683-5555 La Quinta Inn & Suites 2000 10th St. (940) 683-2040 CHICO North Side Marina and Resort 180 PR 1735 (940) 644-5475 DECATUR Abbercromby Penthouse Suites
103 W. Main St. (940) 627-7005 (214) 282-5354 Baymont Inn and Suites 600 E. Hale Ave. (940) 627-3338 Best Western Decatur Inn 1801 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-5982 Candlewood Suites Decatur Medical Center 601 W. Thompson (800) 749-4711 Comfort Inn 1709 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-6919 Days Inn & Suites 1900 S. Trinity St. (940) 627-2463 Delux Inn Express 1350 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 626-1494 Hampton Inn & Suites 110 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-4900 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 1051 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 627-0776 La Quinta Inn & Suites
1405 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-9603 Ramada Inn 1507 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-6262 Super 8 Motel 1600 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-0250
Local RETAILER Serving Wise & Adjoining Counties over 29 years
Telstar Motel 105 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 627-2136 RHOME Motel 6 300 Holly Pkwy. (817) 636-6140
FREE DISH
(NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY) • Free Standard Installation in up to 6 Rooms • Requires 24-Month Agreement (with approved credit) Need an Upgrade or NEW System?
CALL ABOUT THE NEW
WHOLE-HOME HD DVR
940-627-6905 or 1-800-662-1396
RICK’S SATELLITE & ELECTRONICS 106 W. Archer • Jacksboro 940-567-2205 AUTHORIZED RETAILER 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mon. - Fri. • 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sat.
WINERIES Brushy Creek Vineyards and Winery 572 CR 2798 Alvord, TX 76225 (940) 427-4747 www.brushycreekvineyards.com Brushy Creek Vineyards and Winery makes and sells wine on its property, which features a tasting room. Wines can also be shipped to anywhere in Texas and other states where it is legal.
Sweet Taste of Paradise Winery Paradise, TX 76073 (817) 673-7546 www.sweettasteofparadise. com Sweet Taste of Paradise Winery’s locally-made wine can be purchased at area restaurants, liquor and grocery stores. A tasting room is in the works.
★ ELECTRIC ★ PROPANE ★ SATELLITE INTERNET 1900 North Trinity Street • P.O. Box 269 Decatur, TX 76234
940-627-2167
64342
ALVORD Budget Motel 1157 Business U.S. 81/287 W. (940) 427-2318
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 165
PET BOARDING ALVORD Collier Kennels 252 CR 2474 (940) 626-1443 jamesa@collierkennels.com www.collierkennels.com
MORE THAN CANINES — There are a variety of places in the county where beloved pets of varying species can stay in style while their owners are away from home.
AURORA Aurora Animal Hospital 202 Texas 114 W. (817) 636-9106 www. auroraanimalhospital.net CHICO BlooMoon Pet Resort 1382 CR 1560 (940) 644-2722 info@bloomoonpetresort. com www.Bloomoonpetresort. com
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
DECATUR Kanine Akademy 3519 S. Murvil St. (940) 627-4729 (940) 627-4201 kanineakademyllc@yahoo. com
A GOOD SIGN EVEN IN TIMES LIKE THESE.
Pet Health Center 1879 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 627-8387 Plumcreek Animal Clinic 138 FM 1810 (940) 627-0000 Riverside Pet Ranch
106 PR 4481 (940) 433-8201 info@riversidepetranch. com www.riversidepetranch. com Wise County Animal Clinic 1000 Bus. U.S. 380 E. (940) 627-2133 www. wisecountyanimalclinic.com NEWARK Adorable Dog Grooming and Pet Sitting 515 Post Oak Dr. (817) 983-3261 (817) 489-3023 www. doggroomingandpetsitting. com
Everyone’s looking for an encouraging sign in today’s economy. The fact is, they’ll see one in over 17,500 locations across North America. Because for over 86 years, State Farm® agents have been there helping people protect the things that matter most. That’s why more people trust State Farm. And we consider that a very good sign. LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE.®
Teresa Mader LUTCF, Agent 1411 S FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 Bus: 940-627-3006 teresa.mader.nl7l@statefarm.com P087084 11/08
Cary Bohn CLU ChFC, Agent 402 W Walnut St Decatur, TX 76234 Bus: 940-627-5616 cary.bohn.p8h4@statefarm.com
David Correll LUTCF FSS, Agent 1101 Halsell St Bridgeport, TX 76426 Bus: 940-683-2385 david.correll.ral8@statefarm.com
PROVIDING INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES State Farm, Bloomington IL
statefarm.com®
166 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
ELECTED OFFICIALS COUNTY JUDGE Bill McElhaney P.O. Box 393 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5743 (940) 627-6926 (Fax) cojudge@co.wise.tx.us County Judge Bill McElhaney presides over the four-member commissioners court, which has budgetary and administrative authority over county government operations. The judge has broad judicial responsibilities and is often the principal source of information and assistance. His office is located on the first floor of the county courthouse in Decatur.
SHERIFF David Walker 200 Rook Ramsey Dr. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5971 (940) 627-3797 (Fax) sheriff@sheriff.co.wise.tx.us Sheriff David Walker is the chief law enforcement offi cer for the county and is responsible for operating the county jail, investigating crimes and maintaining communications with other law enforcement organizations. He has countywide jurisdiction. The sheriff ’s office is at 200 Rook Ramsey Dr. in Decatur. COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO.1 Danny White P.O. Box 899
Information accurate as of July 2012
Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5810 (940) 627-0735 (Fax) comm1@co.wise.tx.us COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 2 Kevin D. Burns P.O. Box 899 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 427-4881 (940) 427-2210 (Fax) comm2@co.wise.tx.us
COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 3 Harry Lamance P.O. Box 899 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 433-5365 (940) 433-5511 (Fax) comm3@co.wise.tx.us COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 4 Terry Ross P.O. Box 899 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 683-4153 comm4@co.wise.tx.us The job of the county commissioners calls for hands-on service, as well as the ability to handle policymaking budget decisions. Four commissioners, each elected from a quarter of the county’s population, serve along with the county judge on the commissioners court. In addition to assuring that county roads are maintained, commissioners vote with the county judge to Continued on page 167
of Wise County Since 1979, United Way of Wise County Inc., officed in Decatur, Texas, has worked diligently to support local charities providing essential health and human services to Wise County residents. As a registered Texas non-profit corporation, United Way of Wise County conducts annual fund raising campaigns and allocates the proceeds to these local charities on the basis of their need, specific services provided, number of families served and other considerations.
Beginning in 2006, 100% of each dollar donated to the annual fall campaign has been allocated to these United Way agencies and programs. This makes the United Way of Wise County one of the most efficent non-profit organizations in the country. When we all work together, we’re able to work wonders!
Over the last 5 years we have spent $2.276 million on Program expenditures, mostly in direct support of local community health and human service organizations providing assistance to Wise County residents. 2012 PROGRAM BUDGET American Red Cross ...................................................................................................15,000 Newark Area Food Pantry............................................................................................6,200 Salvation Army - Bridgeport........................................................................................5,000 Salvation Army - Decatur.............................................................................................5,000 South Wise Services ....................................................................................................34,000 Texas Neighborhood Services - Comm. Services ...................................................20,000 Texoma Area Paratransit System (TAPS) .................................................................20,000 Trinity Habitat for Humanity.....................................................................................15,000 Wise Area Relief Mission (WARM) ..........................................................................66,000 Wise County Committee on Aging...........................................................................27,000 BASIC (Food/Shelter/Transportation): ....................................................... 213,200 Child Study Center ......................................................................................................20,000 ReadyStart / Launchability .........................................................................................25,000 Southwestern Diabetic Foundation ............................................................................4,400 Texas Neighborhood Services - HeadStart ..............................................................22,260 Wise Choices Pregnancy Resources Center ...............................................................9,000 Wise County Christian Counseling ............................................................................. N/A Wise County Community Health Ctr ......................................................................75,000 Raquel’s Wings for Life .................................................................................................5,000 HEALTH:...................................................................................................... 160,660 CASA of Wise County ................................................................................................25,000 STAR Council on Substance Abuse ..........................................................................20,000 Voices Youth and Family Services .............................................................................15,000 Wise County Domestic Violence Task Force ...........................................................40,000 Wise Kid Care, Inc. (WC Child Welfare Bd) .............................................................5,000 VICTIMS’ ASSISTANCE: ............................................................................ 105,000 Boy Scouts of America Longhorn Council ................................................................5,000 Camp Fire USA First Texas Council ............................................................................ N/A Communities in Schools of North Texas, Inc. .........................................................12,000 Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains ........................................................................6,500 Wise County 4-H...........................................................................................................6,000 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT: ........................................................................... 29,500 TOTALS FOR 2012 ...................................................................................... 508,360
Join Us,Call Today! • Ask your Martin Woodruff employer E D about 940-627-3684 payroll or e-mail: deduction uwwise.ed@embarqmail.com • Ask us about a workplace www.wisecountyunitedway.org campaign XECUTIVE
IRECTOR
Donations made here STAY HERE
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 167
Elected officials ... Continued from page 166
set the budget for all county departments and adopt a tax rate. COUNTY CLERK Sherry Parker-Lemon P.O. Box 359 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3351 (940) 627-2697 (Fax) countyclerk@co.wise.tx.us Wise County Clerk Sherry Lemon keeps records for the county. She is the clerk of the county court and the commissioners court and keeps a record of the proceedings. She is in charge of the filing and recording of birth
and death certifi cates and issuing of marriage licenses. Records of real property are also filed at the county clerk’s office. Her office is at 200 N. Trinity in Decatur. DISTRICT CLERK Brenda Rowe P.O. Box 308 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5535 (940) 627-0705 (Fax) districtclerk@co.wise.tx.us District Clerk Brenda Rowe is called on to assure that the affairs of the district courts are maintained objectively with the full confidence of judicial authorities. The district clerk’s
office handles acts and proceedings in the district court, enters all judgments of the court, administers child support payments and administers trust accounts for minors ordered by the courts. The office also keeps an index of suits filed in the court as well as keeping an account of all funds collected by the office. Rowe plans to begin issuing passports soon. TAX ASSESSOR/COLLECTOR Monte Shaw 404 W. Walnut Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3523 (Tax Office) (940) 627-7237 (Fax) (940) 627-3304 (Auto
Registration) wisecotax@co.wise.tx.us Aside from collecting property taxes for the county, Tax Assessor/ Collector Monte Shaw is responsible for motor vehicle registration. TREASURER Katherine Hudson P.O. Box 554 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3540 (940) 627-3573 (Fax) treasurer@co.wise.tx.us Katherine Hudson, county treasurer, collects all money for the county and disperses money as directed by the commissioners court. She Continued on page 168
ION
Bible - Prayer - Missions - Worship - Fellowship Friendly, Laid-back Atmosphere - Exciting Worship Sundays Sunday School ......................................................................... 9:00 a.m.
New Rechargeable Lithium ION Battery Powered STIHL Products
Worship Service ..................................................................... 10:15 a.m. Home Groups ........................................................................... 6:00 p.m. Mondays Men’s Bible Study..................................................................... 6:30 p.m.
Not only Powerful, but eco-friendly as well!
Wednesdays Children (K-6th grade).............................................................. 6:00 p.m.
WE SERVICE What We S SELL ELL!!
Youth (7-12 grades) .................................................................. 6:00 p.m. Thursdays Women’s Bible Study ............................................9:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m.
940-627-1006
www.ccdecatur.org US Hwy. 287 South, Decatur • 940-627-2198
www.mcmasternewholland.com • Toll Free 1-877-417-4924 Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m, Sat., 8 a.m. - Noon
2840 US Hwy. 380 • Decatur
168 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Elected officials ... Continued from page 167
is also responsible for accounting for all funds in the county treasury and submits reports to the commissioners for approval. Her office maintains records for county employees, including insurance and retirement. Every county office that receives money makes daily deposits to the county treasurer. COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW NO. 1 Melton Cude P.O. Box 901 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5005 (940) 627-4791 (Fax) ccl@co.wise.tx.us COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW NO. 2 Stephen Wren P. O. Box 250 Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-0268 (940) 683-0269 (Fax) ccl2@co.wise.tx.us Melton Cude and Stephen Wren hear probate, family, guardianship and other civil
POLITICAL PARTIES
cases. The courtroom for County Court at Law No. 1 is on the third floor of the county courthouse in Decatur. The courtroom for County Court at Law No. 2 is located in the Wise County Annex Building at 1007 13th Street, Suite 109 in Bridgeport, Texas, unless the Court instructs otherwise. COUNTY ATTORNEY James Stainton County Courthouse, Suite 300 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3321 (940) 627-7194 (Fax) countyattorney@co.wise. tx.us County Attorney James Stainton is the prosecuting officer for the county courts. He handles criminal misdemeanor cases, as well as civil suits affecting the county and other matters such as juvenile cases, protective orders for family violence, revocation of probation, bond forfeitures and commitment procedures.
DINE-IN, CARRY OUT & CATERING • Mesquite BBQ With All the Trimmings • Fresh Salad Bar • Desserts • All You Can Eat Homemade Dinner Rolls... The Best in Wise County! READER’S CHOICE • Let Us Cater Your Next Event WI
ER
UNTY MESSEN CO G SE
20 11 - 2012
401 N. US Hwy. 81/287 - Decatur - 940-627-7227 Mon - Sat 11a.m. - 9 p.m. • Sun 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
After being a longtime Democratic stronghold, Wise County shifted to staunchly Republican status over the past 20 years. For the last two years, not one Democrat has held an elected office within the county. And in the most recent election, not a single Democrat filed to run for a county office. But the Democratic Party remains active. The Wise County Democratic Party meets the third Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wise County Courthouse in Decatur. The website is www.wisedemocrats.com. Mark York serves as the county chairman. Call York at (817) 489-1924. The Wise County Republicans meet the second Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Wise County Courthouse. Programs for the meeting are conducted by the Wise Republican Women, His office is at the county courthouse, Suite 300, Decatur, TX 76234, and he can be contacted at (940) 627-3321.
the Wise County affiliate of the Texas Federation of Republican Women. The website is www. wiserepublicans.org. Allen Williamson serves as the county chairman. Contact Williamson by email at allenlwilliamson@gmail. com or by phone at (940) 627-8308. D.A. Sharpe is the Wise County Republican Party director of communications. Contact him at da@ dasharpe.com or (817) 6385560. Bettye Parker is president of Wise Republican Women. Contact her at twotexansil@ embarqmail.com or (940) 575-4754. Both parties typically bring guest speakers to their monthly meetings. Tea Party chapters formed in Wise County in the past two years in Alvord and Bridgeport. The Bridgeport Tea Party, however, announced its decision to disband earlier this year. DISTRICT JUDGE (271st Judicial District) John Fostel County Courthouse Decatur, TX 76234 Continued on page 169
AFFORDABLE FENCING SCOTT SCHERB
Commercial • Residential • Wood Privacy • Iron • Chain Link • Vinyl • Farm and Ranch Fencing • Automatic Gate Openers • Custom Gates • Decks
www.affordablefencing.net • 940-626-9290 • Decatur, Texas
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 169
Elected officials ... Continued from page 168
(940) 627-3200 The district courtrooom is on the second floor of the county courthouse in Decatur. DISTRICT ATTORNEY Greg Lowery County Courthouse, Suite 200 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5257 (940) 627-6404 (Fax) districtattorney@co.wise. tx.us Greg Lowery, district attorney, represents the state of Texas and attends the state district court exclusively. The district attorney can assist the attorney general’s office in enforcing the rules and regulations of state agencies and the conduct of state offi cials. In Wise County, the district attorney’s duties are focused primarily on prosecution of felony criminal offenses. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. NO. 1 Jan Morrow P.O. Box 509 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2694 (940) 627-5417 (Fax) jp1@co.wise.tx.us JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. NO. 2 Terri Johnson 200 Rook Ramsey Dr. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-4206 (940) 626-4243 (Fax)
Fast, reliable SERVICE on all makes & models.
!00,)!.#%3 ,!7. '!2$%. &,//2 #/6%2).' #%.4%2
jp2@co.wise.tx.us JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. NO. 3 Mandy Hays P.O. Box 86 Boyd, TX 76023 (940) 433-2969 (940) 433-3062 (Fax) jp3@co.wise.tx.us JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PCT. NO. 4 Clay Poynor 1007 13th St. Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-4244 (940) 683-3747 (Fax) jp4@co.wise.tx.us The justices of the peace are the legal jurisdiction closest to the average citizen and are officers of justice courts and small claims courts. They have jurisdiction over minor misdemeanor offenses (Class C) and in civil matters where the disputed amount does not exceed $5,000. A variety of civil processes, as well as arrest and search warrants, can be issued by the justices of the peace. They can preside over hearings pertaining to the suspension of drivers’ licenses and conduct other hearings and inquests. They can conduct marriage ceremonies and serve as ex officio notary publics for their precincts. CONSTABLE, PCT NO. 1 Continued on page 170
OLDEST APPLIANCE STORE IN WISE COUNTY
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MADE IN THE COUNTRY OF TEXAS
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RECLINERS 1008 Hovey St. • Bridgeport, TX
940-683-4034 • 800-290-4034 Major credit cards accepted
170 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Elected officials ... Continued from page 169
Tom Bishop P.O. Box 2105 206 S. State St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2694 constable1@co.wise.tx.us CONSTABLE, PCT NO. 2 Leonard Denney
(940) 393-2667 constable2@co.wise.tx.us CONSTABLE, PCT NO. 3 Doug Parr P.O. Box 86 Boyd, TX 76023 (940) 433-2969 constable3@co.wise.tx.us
CONSTABLE, PCT NO. 4 Kevin Huffman 1007 13th St. Suite 101 Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-4244 constable4@co.wise.tx.us County constables are authorized peace offi cers and the chief process servers of the justice court.
They have statewide jurisdiction to execute criminal processes. They can also execute processes issued by some state agencies. Constables subpoena witnesses, act as bailiff and execute judgments. Constables serve four-year terms.
APPOINTED OFFICIALS Asset Management Diana Alexander 400 W. Walnut Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3312 asset@co.wise.tx.us COUNTY AUDITOR Ann McCuiston P.O. Box 899 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-5744 (940) 627-3388 (Fax) auditor@co.wise.tx.us County Auditor Ann McQuiston, appointed by the district judge, checks on the financial operations of county offices and has certain financial account and record-keeping responsibilities. Her office is at 207 N. Church Street and can be contacted at (940) 627-5744. ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR Lannie Noble P.O. Box 1597 1555 W. Bus. 380, Ste. 1 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-4453/627-3656 (940) 626-4283 (Fax) elections@co.wise.tx.us
Elections Administrator Lannie Noble handles voter registration applications in the county. EMS ADMINISTRATOR Charles Dillard 1101 W. Rose Ave. P.O. Box 1509 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2002 (940) 627-7521 (Fax) charles.dillard@ems.co.wise. tx.us COUNTY ENGINEER Chad Davis 1415 S. FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-9332 (940) 627-6171 (Fax) (940) 389-7270 (Mobile) engineer@co.wise.tx.us FIRE MARSHAL AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR Vacant
(940) 627-7521 (Fax) ihc@co.wise.tx.us INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Randy Joy P.O. Box 393 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-2055 dir@co.wise.tx.us
911 ADDRESSING Phyllis Shaw 1415 S. FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-9332 (940) 627-6171 (Fax) 911addressing@co.wise.tx.us Continued on page 172
WISE ORTHOPAEDICS R. WADE McKENNA, D.O.
Fellowship Trained Trauma Surgeon Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon Specializing in Sports Medicine & Traumatic Reconstructive Orthopaedic Surgery
JOHN A. RIBEIRO, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon Specializing in Sports Medicine, Knees and Shoulders, Arthroscopy, Carpal Tunnel, Total Joint Replacement and General Orthopaedics
BRIAN B. CARPENTER, D.P.M. Podiatric Surgeon Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery Specializing in Medical and Surgical Treatment of the Foot and Ankle
CHRISTIAN B. HELM, M.D. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
TROY CHANDLER, P.A.-C Board Certified Physician Assistant
INDIGENT HEALTH CARE Beverly Ashabranner 1101 W. Rose Ave. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-4203
Comprehensive Orthopaedic,
Foot & Ankle & Pain Management Care for the Entire Family 1713 S. FM 51, Suite 103 • Decatur, TX 76234 • 940.627.6976 www.wiseortho.com Hours: Mon. - Thurs. 8 am - 5 pm • Fri. 8 am - 3 pm
POLLING PLACES
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Precinct 1-1 North Decatur Decatur City Hall 201 East Walnut St., Decatur Precinct 1-2 South Decatur Ag Extension Building 206 S. State St., Decatur
Precinct 1-3 Slidell First Baptist Church 119 CR 2822, Slidell
Precinct 2-9 Alvord Alvord City Hall 215 W. Elm, Alvord
Precinct 1-4 Greenwood Masonic Lodge, 1st floor 147 CR 2640, Greenwood
Precinct 2-10 Park Springs Victory Baptist Church 4346 Texas 101 N., Sunset
Precinct 1-5 Blewett East Wise Fire Hall 107 CR 4421, Blewett Precinct 1-6 New Fairview New Fairview Community Center Farm Road 407 E., New Fairview Precinct 2-7 New Fairview Decatur Civic Center 2010 U.S. 380 W., Decatur Precinct 2-8 Bethel-Shiloh Decatur Civic Center 2010 U.S. 380 W., Decatur
Precinct 2-11 Crafton Crafton Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall 2590 FM 2127, Crafton Precinct 2-12 Chico Chico Public Library 106 W. Jacksboro, Chico Precinct 4-13 North Bridgeport Bridgeport High School One Maroon Drive, Bridgeport Precinct 4-14 South Bridgeport Lions Hall 1107 8th St., Bridgeport
Stewart Drafting We Draw House Plans 940-433-9999 201 E. Hwy 114 • Boyd www.stewartdrafting.com
www.WelcomeToWise.com 171
Precinct 4-15 Runaway Bay Norma Coble Civic Center 51 Runaway Bay Dr., Runaway Bay Precinct 4-16 Boonsville Boonsville Community Center West on Farm Road 920 off County Road 3743, Boonsville Precinct 4-17 Paradise First United Methodist Church Activity Center 302 S. Oak, Paradise Precinct 2-18 Pleasant View Bridgeport Recreation Center 1102 Lawdwin, Bridgeport Precinct 2-19 Lake Bridgeport Lake Bridgeport Fire Hall 301 S. Main St., Lake Bridgeport
Precinct 3-20 Cottondale Cottondale Community Center 161 CR 3571 off Farm Road 2123, Cottondale Precinct 3-23 Cottondale Boyd Community Center 420 E. Morton Ave., Boyd Precinct 3-24 Newark Newark Fire Hall 406 Hudson St., Newark Precinct 3-25 Rhome Boyd Community Center 420 E. Morton Ave., Boyd Precinct 3-27 Boyd Boyd Community Center 420 E. Morton Ave., Boyd
Stacie’s Style Shop is your local Barber.
Specializing in men’s, women’s, kid’s cuts & styles, colors, perms & waxing.
940-627-5224
306 E. Walnut • Decatur • Open Thurs., Fri., Sat.
172 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Appointed officials ... Continued from page 170
PUBLIC WORKS Tom Goode 1415 S. FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-9332 (940) 627-6171 (Fax) publicworks@co.wise.tx.us
www.decaturselfstorage.net TX Self Storage Assoc. Member
Bus 287
1100 East Business 380 Decatur, TX 76234
SELF
Call 940-393-0100
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER Laura Spain 205 N. State St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2470 (940) 627-3828 (Fax) wisevets@co.wise.tx.us
Decatur Self Storage
â&#x20AC;&#x153;YOUR STORAGE SPECIALISTSâ&#x20AC;? U-HAUL DEALER Office Hours: Mon - Fri â&#x20AC;˘ 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat â&#x20AC;˘ 9 a.m. - Noon
Wise County Community Health Center
â&#x20AC;˘ OFFICE ON-SITE â&#x20AC;˘ CONTROLLED GATE ACCESS S â&#x20AC;˘ SIZES TO FIT YOUR NEEDS â&#x20AC;˘ VIDEO CAMERAS â&#x20AC;˘ REASONABLE RATES â&#x20AC;˘ BOXES & MOVING SUPPLIES AVAILABLE S â&#x20AC;˘ CLIMATE CONTROL UNITS â&#x20AC;˘ PERSONAL OR BUSINESS â&#x20AC;˘ EACH UNIT LIGHTED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY
940-627-6434
1-877-718-8875
Operated by Cocanougher Properties Inc.
Wise Countyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Only Federally Qualified Community Health Center Serving All Patients of Wise County Mission To improve the quality of life of all people through exemplary health and community services.
Appointment Call 940-393-0100
On the day of your appointment you will need to bring the following: â&#x20AC;˘ Proof of Income â&#x20AC;˘ Picture ID â&#x20AC;˘ Complete Insurance Information (if available) â&#x20AC;˘ Medicaid or Medicare Card (if covered)
Payment Method We Provide A Wide Array of Services We accept ALL Private insurance, Medicare, â&#x20AC;˘ Childhood Immunizations & Physical exams â&#x20AC;˘ Preventive Care for children and adults, including providing Texas Health Steps â&#x20AC;˘ Management of chronic illness such as: Diabetes, Hypertension, Asthma, Chronic Heart Failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease â&#x20AC;˘ Acute, chronic and routine examinations â&#x20AC;˘ Adolescent Health Services â&#x20AC;˘ Obstetric services up to 36 weeks (Dr. Russell Edwards, OB/GYN or Array Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Health in Decatur will facilitate the deliveries at Wise Regional Health System) â&#x20AC;˘ Well Woman Exams and Adult Physicals
($100 Deductible waived), Medicaid and discounted fee for unisured and low income patients.
Location
Wise Regional Health Systemâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (West Campus) 2000 South FM 51, Suite D Decatur, Texas 76234
Office Hours
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - Noon & 1 - 5 p.m.
940-393-0100
Visit Our Website www.ntachc.org
NEW PROGRAMS: ;GKE=LGDG?Q J=?AKL=J=< FMJKAF? DA;=FK=< NG;9LAGF9D FMJKAF? LG J=?AKL=J=< FMJKAF? LJ9FKALAGF ?=F=J9D =<M;9LAGF
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An Equal Opportunity institution/equal access to the disabled.
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 173
RESTAURANTS ALVORD Best Donuts III 105 N. Wickham St. (940) 427-2016 The Hot Skillet Restaurant 8417 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 427-2601 KT’s Cafe 100 W. Franklin St. (940) 427-9108 BOYD Dandy Donut 115 W Rock Island Ave (940) 433-5784 Dos Chiles Grandes 425 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-3322 Gogo Gumbo! 116 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-3474 Karen’s Double K Barbecue 115 E. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-8193 Mason Jar Cafe 548 E. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-9947 Pizza Pro of Boyd 110 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-8777 Southern Delight Southern Style Chicken 477 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-5559 Conoco/Rock Island C-Store Subway 400 E. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-3900 Taco Time Mexican Grill 213 Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-2466 Tater Junction 407 Texas 114 W. (940) 433-8117
BRIDGEPORT Atomic Rooster 1003 Halsell St. (940) 683-1717 Acapulco Mexican Restaurant 1113 Halsell St. (940) 683-1879 Brandi’s Country Kitchen 1410 Chico Hwy. (940) 683-1008 Casillas Mexican Restaurant 205 Trinity St. (940) 683-2916 Chicken Express 802 U.S. 380 (940) 683-5012 China Buffet 2202 U.S. 380 Ste. 101 (940) 683-8388 Daily Donuts 99 Turkey Creek Dr. (940) 683-8144 Dairy Queen 1508 Halsell St. (940) 683-2260 Diamond W Deli 101 U.S. 380 (940) 683-2460 Dos Chiles Grandes 104 Lake Road (940) 683-6566 McDonald’s 501 U.S. 380 (940) 683-0165 Pizza Hut, WingStreet 406 U.S. 380 (940) 683-5433 Pronto’s Italian Restaurant 47 U.S. 380 (940) 683-3733 Raymond’s BBQ 706 Hovey St. (940) 683-1955
Red’s Take 5 Sports Bar & Grill 101 Industrial Park (940) 683-4002 Rock City Burgers 1403 Texas 101 (940) 683-2800 Sagebrush Cafe 1020 Halsell St. (940) 683-8030 Sonic Drive-In 1304 Texas 101 (940) 683-4830 Stevens Street Grill 1001 Stevens St. (940) 683-3945 Subway 2306 W. Woodrow Wilson Ray Circle (940) 683-8141 Taco Mayo 812 U.S. 380 (940) 683-6687
Yellow Rose Cafe 3107 Texas 101 S. (940) 683-6611 Yesterday’s Texas 305 U.S. 380 W. (940) 683-6620 CHICO Chico Doughnuts 100 Texas 101 S. (940) 644-2056 Julio’s Mexican Restaurant 115 S. Weatherford St. (940) 644-2165 Subway 201 Texas 101 N. (940) 644-5400 Taqueria Los Arcos 4552 FM 1810 (940) 644-5126 (214) 715-3255 Continued on page 174
174 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Restaurants ... Continued from page 173
DECATUR Arby’s Restaurant 851 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 626-4938 Best Donuts II 1845 Farm Road 51 S., Ste. A-3 (940) 627-8737 Bono’s Chophouse and Saloon 2025 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 627-8804 Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy 700 S. Washburn St. (940) 627-3696 Carniceria Las Delicias 1100 Business U.S. 380 W. (940) 627-2449 Casa Torres Mexican Restaurant 2708 FM 51 S. (940) 627-6191 Catfish O’Harlies 1019 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 626-4595 Chicken Express 1204 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 626-4393 Chili’s Grill & Bar 600 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-2519 China Palace Buffet 203 U.S. 287 N. (940) 626-2088 Cici’s Pizza 1100 FM 51 S. (940) 627-6273 Cow Camp Steakhouse 3142 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 627-7741 Dairy Queen 800 W. Shoemaker St. (940) 627-2425
Don Jose 301 U.S. 287 N. (940) 627-6528 Down the Alley Cafe 603 W. Main St. (940) 627-0235 Exxon Burger King 1105 Farm Road 51 S. (940) 627-8383 Frilly’s 1803 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 626-1424 Hortencia’s 1822 FM 51 S. (940) 627-1767 IHOP 801 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-1290 Jack in the Box 900 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-7325 Joe’s Pizza & Pasta 200 S. Washburn St. (940) 627-0111 McDonald’s 908 Business U.S. 380 (940) 627-5950 Moua Asia Cooking 1720 FM 51 S. (940) 627-2611 Panda Buffet 1510 FM 51 S. (940) 627-8800 Pizza Hut, WingStreet 601 S. Washburn St (940) 627-3161 Prada Bistro 1650 FM 51 S. (940) 626-8004 Primo’s Taqueria 312 E. Walnut St. (940) 627-7409 Reunion on the Square 106 N Trinity St. (940) 626-0092 Sean’s Mesquite Pit BBQ 401 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 627-7227
Sonic Drive-In 1205 FM 51 S. (940) 627-7010 Southern Made Donuts 110 N. Trinity St. (940) 627-0648 Subway 1822 FM 51 S. (940) 627-6616 Subway 1105 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 627-8792 Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes 201 W. Main St. (940) 626-4555 Taco Bell 800 Bus. U.S. 380 W. (940) 627-6411 Taco Casa 907 U.S. 380 W. (940) 626-8151 Verona Pizza & Italian Restaurant 201 U.S. 81/287 N. (940) 626-4758 Whataburger Restaurant 500 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-9229 The Whistle Stop Cafe 904 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-7785 Yesterday’s Texas 100 U.S. 81/287 S. (940) 627-5866 PARADISE Daily Donuts 3238 Texas 114 (940) 969-0120 El Paraiso 202 Main St. (940) 969-2062 The Finish Line 600 Main St. (940) 969-2525
Pizookies Main Street (940) 969-2112 Subway 3338 Texas 114 W. (940) 969-2800 RHOME Chester’s Chicken 4800 Texas 114 E. (817) 636-2302 Dairy Queen 101 U.S. 81/287 (817) 636-2665 Giant Burger 405 BC Rhome Ave. W. (817) 638-2057 Grandy’s Restaurant 10326 U.S. 81/287 S (817) 638-2679 McDonald’s 4800 Texas 114 E. (817) 636-0279 X Chan Thai House 2000 Illinois St. Ste. B (817) 636-9000 Subway 105 U.S. 81/287 N., Ste. A (817) 638-2275 RUNAWAY BAY The Club at Runaway Bay 400 Half Moon Way (940) 575-2225 SLIDELL-GREENWOOD Greenwood Grocery and Grill 102 Main (940) 466-3000 Pepperjacks Cafe & Grocery 106 County Road 2820 (940) 466-3100
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 175
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AURORA MD Resort 601 Old Base Rd. (817) 489-5150 BOYD Boyd Community Center 420 E. Morton Ave. (940) 433-5580 or (940) 433-5166 Boyd Senior Citizens Center 407 E. Boyd Ave. (940) 433-3072 BRIDGEPORT Bridgeport City Pool 1106 8th St. (940) 683-3480 Bridgeport Community Center 1102 Lawdwin Ave.
(940) 683-3407 Bridgeport Country Club and Golf Course 250 Farm Road 2123 (940) 683-9438 Bridgeport Lions Club 1107 8th St. (940) 389-5355 Harwood Park Pavilion 707 Hovey St. (940) 683-3480 Bridgeport Stage 1009 Halsell St. (940) 683-3485 Walter Dale Community Room (in the Bridgeport Police Station) 1000 Thompson St. (940) 683-3430
INDUSTRIAL & DOMESTIC REPAIR & SALES FREE LOCAL TOWING
CHICO Chico Senior Center 201 S. Buffalo St. Cyd Bailey (940) 644-2218 DECATUR Decatur Civic Center 2010 W. U.S. 380 (940) 627-2369 Decatur Country Club 211 Country Club Rd. (940) 627-3789 Decatur Lions Club 207 N. State St. (940) 627-6333 Decatur Senior Citizens Center 1200 N. Miller St. (940) 627-2926
Decatur Visitors Center 106 S. Trinity St. (940) 627-6158 Joe Wheeler Park Pavilion (Reunion Grounds) on Joe Wheeler Park Road between Farm Road 51 South and Old Reunion Road (940) 627-7090 Ruben’s Ballroom 982 U.S. 380 East (940) 391-1080 Wise County Sheriff ’s Posse Grounds (Women’s Building, Rabbits Building, etc.) 3101 S. Farm Road 51 (940) 626-4537 Continued on page 176
J&A
AUTOMOBILE SERVICES, INC. COMPLETE RADIATOR REPAIR 20 Years doing business in Bridgeport & over 35 years experience
• Front End Repair • Engine Rebuilding • Brakes • Tune-Ups • A/C Service
• Diagnostic Service • General Auto Repair • State Inspection • Muffler Exhaust Service • Wheel Alignment
940-683-2371
6167 US Hwy. 380, Bridgeport Se Habla Español
(2 miles east of Bridgeport)
ALAN AKARD Owner
176 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Entertainment ... Continued from page 175
LAKE BRIDGEPORT North Side Marina and Resort 180 Private Road 1735, Chico (940) 644-5475 Bridgeport Lake Bed and Breakfast 203 Private Road 1738, Chico (940) 644-0086 Bridgeport Camp & Conference Center 3280 Farm Road 2952 (940) 683-2555 NEWARK Newark Community Center 209 Hudson St. (817) 489-2201
The Club at Runaway Bay 400 Half Moon Way (940) 575-2225 The Norma Coble Civic Center 51 Runaway Bay Dr. (940) 575-4745
RHOME Rhome Community Center 261 N. School Rd. (817) 636-2462 RUNAWAY BAY Bay Landing/ NACO Preserves/ Thousand Trails 2305 U.S. 380 (940) 683-3019 Municipal City Pool 938 Port-O-Call (off Exit 8) (940) 575-4745 Sid Richardson Boy Scout Ranch 2282 Longhorn Dr. (940) 575-4243
Also check with local churches and hotels for banquet hall rental. For a complete listing of churches, see page 178 and for hotels, page 164.
COOL THINGS TO DO AT WCMESSENGER.COM #61
Find out exactly why the police were in front of the neighbor’s house last Wednesday night.
www.wcmessenger.com/crime
FIRESIDE POOLS & OUTDOOR LIVING FREE QUOTES
Custom Pools & Spas • Outdoor Kitchens & Living Areas • Covered Porches & Additions
Creative Designs, Quality Construction, Exceptional Service
www.firesidepools.com
Call today for a free quote!
940-627-1361
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 177
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS
BRIDGEPORT 608 13th St. 940-683-3490 Executive director: William Myers Executive assistant: Jo Ann Blackstock Board: Eddie Bland, Corey Ingram, Mary Williams, Lyn Trickel, Mike Hurd. Meetings are held on an as-needed basis. CHICO 400 South Hovey 940-644-2435 Board: Tammy Sosa, president; Sue Manning; Cyd Bailey; Terry Hand; Eddie Cowley; J.D. Clark, Paul McLemore. Meetings are held the last Monday of each month at City Hall.
24 HR EMERGENCY FLOOD SERVICE
Are You Currently Using HCRC Certified Firm? Ask Them!
PARADISE 218 Main St. 940-969-2114 Board: Bob Gayan, president; Carolyn Cleveland, secretary; Sam Starr, treasurer; Roy Steel; Pat Steel; Donald Barnett; Brett Fuller; Carrie Starr. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month at City Hall. RUNAWAY BAY 101 Runaway Bay Dr. 940-575-4745 Board: Don Erwin, president; Craig Smith, vice-president; Don Federstiel; Adam Huitt; Aline Stack; Mary allen; Allan Williamson; Herman White, liaison. Meetings are held quarterly. SOUTH WISE REGIONAL EDC (Aurora, Boyd, New Fairview, Newark and Rhome) 303 Derting Road, Aurora 817-636-2783 Executive director: Toni Kelly-Richardson, Aurora Board: David Wilson, Rhome; Laura Pixler, Newark; John Hamilton, Boyd; and Monica Rodriguez, New Fairview. Meetings are held on an asneeded basis.
“Providing premier, preschool & school-age services for children 6 weeks – 12 years.” • • • • • •
A warm, nurturing Christian environment kly Chapel Daily Bible and Praise Time & Weekly ators Experienced Early Childhood Educators m in all classrooms Research-based, themed curriculum earning A creative, hands-on approach to learning Before and/or after school club for school-age children even Hills, (servicing Rann, Carson, Young, Seven Prairie View, BoydBoyd & Paradise Elementaries) View and Elementary) vities provided! Homework help & enrichment activities -age • An exciting summer club for school-age vities, children packed with awesome activities, fun field trips & character-building community projects Learn more about our premier program by visiting m www.pettitprivateschool.com “Helping laylaythethe strong foundation uponupon whichwhich the rest “Helpingyou you strong foundation theof rest ofyour your child’s be built!” (Matthew 7:24-25) 7:24-25) child’s lifelife willwill be built!” (Matthew
UNTY MESSEN CO G SE
READER’S ER
DECATUR 106 S. Trinity St. 940-627-9109 Board: Andrew Sanford, chairman; Jay Davidson, vicechairman; Martin Woodruff,
secretary/treasurer; Jason Wren; Roy Eaton. Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. at the Civic Center.
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ALVORD 215 W. Elm 940-427-5916 Board: Callie Manning, president; Debra McKelvain, vice-president; Jody Slaton, secretary; Donna Crisp, place 3; Danny Hodges, place 6; Megan Adams, place 7. Meetings are held at 6:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month at City Hall.
CHOICE 20 11 - 2012
940-627-8393 Decatur • 817-489-2318 Aurora
178 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
CHURCHES ALVORD Bethel Baptist 113 County Road 2673 (940) 427-2522 Church of Christ 101 N. Oneil St. (940) 427-5485 First United Methodist Church 100 W. Washington (940) 427-5795 New Vision Ministries 112 County Road 2395 (940) 627-2795 Living Word 101 N. Oneil St. (940)427-3471 AURORA Aurora Baptist Church 201 Derting Rd. (817) 636-2540 (817) 638-9000 BOYD Church of Christ 113 S. Hovey St. (940) 433-5574 Family Worship Center 112 E. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-2013 First Baptist Church 140 N. Farm Road 730 (940) 433-2607 Friendship Baptist Church 1477 County Road 4698 (940) 433-5011 Hilltop Assembly of God 1670 E. Highway 114 (940) 433-5595 Pleasant Grove Baptist No. 2 436 W. Hobbs St. (940) 433-5477
Rock Island Family Church 545 W. Rock Island Ave. (940) 433-8200 Trinity Baptist Church 455 W. Rock Island (940) 433-5281 BRIDGEPORT Ascension and St. Mark Episcopal Church 5094 U.S. 380 (940) 683-6321 Balsora Baptist Church 108 County Road 3623 (940) 748-2527 Bible Baptist Church 184 Cuba Rd. (940) 683-2552 Church of Christ 1406 Cates St. (940) 683-4206 Cuba Road Church Cuba Road (940) 683-4368 First Baptist Church 1204 12th St. (940) 683-4037 First United Methodist Church 608 17th St. (940) 683-2780 First Presbyterian Church 1307 Newby Ave. (940) 683-4779 St. John the Baptizer Catholic Church 1801 Irvin St. (940) 683-2743 Trinity Lutheran Church 1309 10th St. (940) 683-5604 Twin Oaks Assembly of God 300 Cates St. (940) 683-3110
WORSHIP â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Wise County offers a variety of Christian churches open for worship and fellowship. MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
CHICO Central Baptist Church 4793 Farm Road 1810 (940) 644-5647 Crafton Baptist Church Farm Road 2127 (940) 644-5468 Fellowship Living Waters 205 N. Davis St. (940) 644-2373 First Baptist Church 404 S. Weatherford St. (940) 644-2433 Grace Outreach Church 306 N. Highway 101 (940) 644-5509
Morris Memorial United Methodist Church 302 S. Weatherford St. (940) 644-5186 New Hope Fellowship Church 1575 N. Texas 101 (940) 644-5620 Pleasant View Baptist Church 886 County Road 1326 (940) 644-2367 The Shepherd House 205 E. Maginnis St. (940) 644-2490 Continued on page 179
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 179
Churches ... United Methodist Church 305 S. Weatherford St. (940) 644-5186 COTTONDALE First Baptist Church of Cottondale 145 County Road 3355 (940) 433-5539
Oneighty Youth Church 1901 S. Trinity (940) 627-1180 The River of Life Church 1901 S. Trinity St. (940) 627-2200 Sycamore Baptist Church 133 County Road 2425 (940) 627-2400
Victory Family Church 400 E. U.S. 380 (940) 627-5820 Wise County Cowboy Church 2070 Old Denton Rd., Decatur, TX (903) 227-7369 Continued on page 181
RENSHAW DRUG Your hometown pharmacy since 1930
i . ripttion resccrip ext ppres our nnext Call Renshaw withh yyou We value your time. • Prescriptions fiilled promptly • Co-pay same as chain stores • We accept most insurance READER’S UNTY MESSEN CO G SE
940-627-5343
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DECATUR Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 1305 Deer Park Pd. (940) 627-3307 Believers International Fellowship 4232 U.S. 380 (940) 626-0021 Calvary Baptist Church 600 W. Mulberry St. (940) 627-6464 Central Fellowship 2950 W. U.S. 380 (940) 627-6131 Church of Christ 2601 S. Farm Road 51 (940) 627-1912 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 202 E. Thompson St. (940) 627-5534 Community Church 2952 U.S. 380 (940) 627-1006 Cornerstone Baptist Church 701 W. Hale Ave. (940) 627-2751 Crossroads Bible Church 1300 Deer Park Rd. (940) 627-4222 Eagle Drive Baptist Church 1301 W. Eagle Dr. (940) 627-6609 Family Worship Center 663 Farm Road 1810 (940) 433-2363
The Father’s House 4337 U.S. 380 (940) 627-5365 First Baptist Church 1200 Preskitt Rd. (940) 627-3235 First United Methodist Church 104 S. Miller St. (940) 627-3362 Full Life Fellowship 3483 S. Farm Road 51 (940) 627-8432 Grace Baptist Church 600 S. Trinity (940) 627-7558 Harvest Baptist Association 603 N. Business U.S. 81/287 (940) 627-2057 Immanuel Baptist Church 106 S. Lane St. (940) 627-5248 Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall 800 W. Mulberry St. (940) 627-1658 Lifehouse Church 1212 N. Highway 287 (940) 627-1107 Mount Zion Baptist Church 615 County Road 1280 (940) 627-5103 New Salem Freewill Baptist Church 4590 S. Farm Road 51 (940) 627-5413 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 4259 S. Farm Road 730 (940) 627-2860 Primera Iglesia Bautista 1412 N. Business U.S. 81/287 (940) 627-5514 Oak Grove United Methodist Church 1295 Greenwood Rd. (940) 626-4407
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Continued from page 178
CHOICE 20 11 - 2012
Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. The people of the…
First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport SUNDAY
Worship: 8:45 & 11 a.m. • Fellowship: 9:45 a.m. Sunday School: 10 a.m. Nursery provided for all services Come worship, study, serve and fellowship with family Ministries available for all ages
Rev. David Rucker 940-683-2780 or 940-683-4193 • 608 17th Street P.O. BOX 237 • Bridgeport www.fumcbridgeport.com • fumcbridgeport@fumcbridgeport.org
180 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
1st Choice Truck Lube, Inc.
The only choice in truck maintenance. Servicing: • Semis • Diesel Pickups
(Dodge, Ford, GMC)
• Automotive • RVs • Reefer Units
Wise County’s
• All State & DOT Inspections
Diesel Lube Center
OPERATING LOANS FOR Livestock, Crops & Equipment
FILTERS: Baldwin Fleetguard Cat 10
18
15W-40 15W-40 15W-40 15W-50 15W-40
FM
OIL: Shell Rotella Chevron Delo Mobil Delvac Mystik Conoco
automotive oils
BEHIND DECATUR 87 TIRE y2 Hw
Hwy 380
Decatur
FINANCING Mortgage Loans Farm & Ranch Recreational Property
N
1300 W. FM 1810 • Decatur • 940-627-3223 Fax: 940-627-7167
www.1stchoicetrucklubecenter.com
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. • Sat. 8 a.m. - Noon
Denton Credit Office 3905 Morse Street Denton, Texas 76208 888-333-7736 lonestaragcredit.com
State-of-the-Art Diagnosis and Treatment of Glaucoma, Macular Degeneration, Cataracts and other Diseases of the Eye.
Beautiful & Unique Clothing for Girls & Boys from Newborn to Tweens.
Toms Kids
940.627.3394
Baby Registry & Layaway Available
Accepting Most Major Insurances: Aetna • Blue Cross Blue Shield • Cigna • Humana Medicaid • Medicare • United Healthcare Edward H. Fries, M.S., O.D. Diseases and Disorders of the Eye
Specializing in Ocular Nutrition
108 W. Walnut
On the Decatur Square
Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5:30 pm
Tuxedos for all occasions
www.sunshine-square.com
303 South Washburn • Decatur TX 76234
940-627-2020
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 181
Churches ... Continued from page 179
GREENWOOD/SLIDELL First Baptist Church 119 County Road 2822 (940) 466-3990 Greenwood Church of Christ Farm Road 1204 (940) 393-3484 Greenwood Baptist Church 2347 Farm Road 1204 (940) 466-7338 NEW FAIRVIEW Faith Temple 333 Farm Road 407 (817) 703-3111 (817) 636-2505 Living Word Teaching Center 287 Farm Road 407 (817) 676-3989 NEWARK Abundant Life Worship Center 835 Central Avenue (817) 489-2350 Newark Church of Christ 205 Mellown St. (817) 489-2658 First Baptist Church 1572 Farm Road 3433 (817) 489-2932 Newark Cornerstone Church 607 Pettit Dr. (817) 489-2350 Victory in Christ Lutheran Church 508 Main St. (817) 489-5400 PARADISE Crossroad Ministry 197 County Road 3382 (940) 433-2102
Eagle Mountian International Church 14355 Morris Dido Road (817) 252-2900 First Baptist Church 101 E. 4th Ave. (940) 969-2805 First Christian Church 401 Main St. (940) 433-2648 Grace Fellowship Church 118 Honeysuckle (940) 969-2427 Paradise United Methodist Church 301 S. Oak St. (940) 969-2069
FARM & RANCH SUPPLY
Animal Supplies, Feed, Fertilizer and Trailers 940-627-2312 • 1817 N. Hwy. 287 • Decatur
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. • Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
RHOME Church of Christ 170 W. 1st St. (817) 636-2313 Chisholm Trail Baptist Church 300 Chisholm Creek Pkwy. (817) 638-5511 Faith Temple 333 Illinois St. (940) 636-2505 Rhome Assembly of God 170 B.C. Rhome Ave. (817) 636-2668 Rhome United Methodist Church 171 W. 1st St. (817) 636-2222 RUNAWAY BAY Runaway Bay Community Church 20 Runaway Bay Dr. (940) 575-2512 Whitestone Fellowship Runaway Bay’s First Baptist Church 513 Port O Call Dr. (940) 575-24000
www.AGvantageFarmandRanch.com
TRUCK & TRAILER 940-627-2215 • 2023 N. Hwy. 287 • Decatur
Bumpers Grill Guards Hitches Bed Covers Toolboxes Trailers Brakes Bearings Lights Welding TRUCK ACCESSORIES, TRAILER PARTS & REPAIRS
182 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
LOCAL BANKS ALVORD Legend Bank 110 West Franklin St. Alvord, TX 76225 (940) 427-5575 BOYD First Financial Bank 609 E. Rock Island Ave. Boyd, TX 76023 (940) 683-8760 Wells-Fargo Bank 201 W. Rock Island Ave. Boyd, TX 76023 (940) 433-2311 BRIDGEPORT Citibank 1210 Halsell Ave. Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-5115 The Community Bank 507 U.S. 380 Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-4191 First Financial Bank 909 Stevens St. Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-8700 First State Bank 1709 9th St. Bridgeport, TX 76426 (940) 683-6300 CHICO First State Bank 201 S. Weatherford Chico, TX 76431 (940) 644-2218 DECATUR Citibank 910 West U.S. 380 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2181 Denton Area Teachers Credit Union (DATCU) 600 West Ford St.
Decatur, TX 76234-2410 (940) 626-4331 First Financial Bank 608 West Hale Ave. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 683-8780 Legend Bank, Decatur Banking Center 1706 South FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234-3613 (940) 627-1553 North Texas Bank 661 West Thompson St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-8767 State Farm Bank 1411 S. FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-3006 State National Bank W. 380 Business Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 626-4700 Wells Fargo Bank 306 West Main St. Decatur, TX 76234 (940) 627-2191 Wells Fargo Bank (Inside Wal-Mart) 800 South U.S. 287 Decatur, TX 76234-1656 (940) 627-5084 Wells Fargo Bank, Decatur South 1409 South FM 51 Decatur, TX 76234-2415 (940) 627-3497 PARADISE First State Bank 630 Main St. Paradise, TX 76073 (940) 969-2265 RHOME Wells Fargo Bank 101 U.S. 287 Rhome, TX 76078
(940) 636-2226 Woodhaven National Bank 800 U.S. 287, Suite A Rhome, TX 76078 (817) 638-5111 RUNAWAY BAY First National
Bank of Runaway Bay 1055 U.S. 380 Runaway Bay, TX 76426 (940) 575-2100 First State Bank 102 Port O Call Dr. Runaway Bay, TX 76426 (940) 575-2265
We at Youngs Tank strive to design, manufacture and sell the highest quality aluminum truck tanks and trailers. We have been serving the petroleum industry since 1985. Wise County is our home and we believe in giving back to the community through our support of many local projects and programs.
Youngs Tank, Inc. Boyd, Texas • 940-433-8441 • 800-345-7952 Fax: 940-433-2092 • Email: sales@youngstank.com
For Business • For Leisure
EXPRESS HOT BREAKFAST BAR PRIORITY CLUB REWARDS ROOMS & SUITES • Simply Smart Guest Bath • Jacuzzi Suites • Free High Speed Internet Access • Free Full Cable • Refrigerator • Microwave • Coffee Maker • Iron • Ironing Board • Hair Dryer • In Room Safes • 42” Flat Screen LCD TV
1051 N. US Hwy. 287 Decatur For Reservations Call
940-627-0776
BUSINESS SERVICES • Business Center with Free Computer Access • Conference Room • 24 Hour Fax & Copy Services
Guest Amenities: Swimming Pool & Spa Exercise Facility Guest Laundry
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services lists the following licensed care givers in Wise County. Its website address is www. dfps.state.tx.us. Make sure to do your own research. The Messenger does not endorse any of the providers listed. LICENSED CENTERS: Bridgeport Preschool 2011 Edgewood Dr., Bridgeport (940) 683-5252 Decatur Child Development Center Early Head Start Center 503 N. business U.S. 81/287, Decatur (940) 626-4787 Dragonland Daycare 302 W. Decatur St., Chico (940) 644-2402 First Baptist Church Learning Center 205 E. Boling, Alvord (940) 427-5740 First United Methodist Preschool 104 S. Miller, Decatur (940) 627-3365 Kids Camp (Learning Ladder) 403 S. Hill, Decatur (940) 393-5292 Learning Ladder II at Carson Elementary 2100 Business U.S.81/287, Decatur (940) 393-5292 Learning Ladder III at Rann Elementary 1300 Deer Park Rd., Decatur (940) 393-5292 Learning Ladder IV in Bridgeport 1714 Stadium Dr., Bridgeport (940) 393-5292
Learning Ladder VII at Central Fellowship 2950 W. U.S. 380, Decatur (940) 393-5292 Learning Ladder at McCarroll Middle School 1201 W. Thompson St., Decatur (940) 393-5292 Little Angels 1403 Hovey, Bridgeport (940) 683-5620 Little Jackets Daycare 516 W. Knox St., Boyd (940) 433-3884 MASH Before and After School Care 300 Chisholm Creek Pky., Rhome (817) 638-5522 Paradise Panther Cub Care 338 Schoolhouse Rd. (940) 969-5068 Pettit Private School 701 Deer Park, Decatur (940) 627-8393 Pettit Private School Inc. 102 Old Base Rd., Aurora (817) 489-2318 Texas Neighborhood Services Head Start 575 W. Mulberry St., Decatur (940) 627-6418 The Cubhouse Daycare 205 School House Rd., Paradise (940) 969-2056 Victory Kids Care 400 W. U.S. 380, Decatur (940) 393-9320 REGISTERED HOME CHILD CARE: Bren Watson 1006 Wooten St., Bridgeport (940) 393-3841
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Kerry Mills 191 Old Mill Rd., Rhome (817) 707-9703 Nicole Wymer 12613 Azure Heights Pl., Rhome (817) 692-2298
Ronette Stewart 1609 N. Colorado St., Decatur (817) 223-7514 Rose Heim 4002 W. Texas 114, Paradise (940) 969-2313
Small Town Feel With An Uptown Look!
All Digital Equipment & Real D - 3D Movie Line:
940-627-5522 Call for show times All stadium seating
Hold your Parties, Business or Safety Meetings Here.
920 W. Thompson St., Decatur
(Turn between David’s Western Store & Solaris Health Equipment, Off Hwy. 51 S.)
Log onto web site - www.plazacinema4.com • Follow us on Facebook
More than just childcare. Much more. 940-393-7140 decaturlearningladder.com
184 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS ATTORNEYS Harold W. McAden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Simpson, Boyd & Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Rick B. Weaver, Shannon, Gracey, Ratliff & Miller, L.L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Steven M. Williams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
AUTOMOTIVE/ RECREATIONAL VEHICLES “A” Quality Replacement Glass Co. . . . . . . 129 1st Choice Truck Lube, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 AGvantage Truck & Trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Bishop’s Wise Car & Truck . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Bridgeport Automotive Supply . . . . . . . . . 154 Campbell’s Mechanic Service. . . . . . . . . . 126 Decatur Tire Store & Service Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Demented Cycles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Flusche Auto Repair Company . . . . . . . . . . 47 Hi-Performance Motorsports . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Holmes Auto Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 J&A Automobile Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 175 James Wood Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 James Wood Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114 JCO Auto . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Klement Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep/Ram. . . . . 110 Lone Star Lube & Auto Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Moody’s Paint & Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 North Texas Tire & Automotive. . . . . . . . . . 100 NRS RV World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 NRS Trailers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Rhino Linings of Wise County . . . . . . . . . . 145 Superior Auto Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 Tire Outlet, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Wise Alignments, L.L.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 CHAMBERS & ORGANIZATIONS Alvord Economic Development Corp. . . . . . 13 Bridgeport Area Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Bridgeport Economic Development Corp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Bridgeport Main Street . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Chico Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Decatur Chamber of Commerce . . . . . . . . 121 Decatur Lion’s Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Decatur Public Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Look Local. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Tarrant Regional Water District . . . . . . . . . . 35 United Way of Wise County . . . . . . . . . . . . 166 Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Wise County Committee on Aging . . . . . . . 112
Wise County Voter Registration Office . . . . 163
CHURCHES Church of Ascension & St. Mark . . . . . . . . . 62 Community Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Crossroads Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 The Father’s House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 First Baptist Church, Boyd . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 First Baptist Church, Decatur . . . . . . . . . . . 49 First Presbyterian Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91 First United Methodist Church of Bridgeport. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 First United Methodist Church of Decatur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 Full Armor Biker Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Full Life Fellowship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Grace Fellowship Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108 New Salem Freewill Baptist Church. . . . . . . 93 New Vision Ministries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 The River Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 Victory Family Church . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Victory in Christ Lutheran Church . . . . . . . 162 Wise County Cowboy Church . . . . . . . . . . 104 EDUCATION/CHILDCARE Learning Ladder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Midwestern State University . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Pettit Private School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 Victory Christian Academy . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Victory in Christ Academy. . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Weatherford College Wise County . . . . . . . 172 Wise County Homeschool Athletics . . . . . . 101 FINANCIAL DATCU Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Edward Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82 First Financial Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 First State Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Legend Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Lone Star Ag Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 North Texas Bank, N.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125 Operating Capital, L.L.C.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 State National Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 HEALTH/FITNESS Array Women’s Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Meria Aulds, M.D.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 BlueSky Wellness Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Bond Family Eye Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Dr. Rebecca J. Bradford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Bridgeport Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Clinical Care Associates, Wise Regional Health System . . . . . . . 188
Decatur Children’s Dentistry . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Decatur Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Decatur Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Decatur Women’s Health Center . . . . . . . . . 32 ENT & Allergy Clinic, P.A.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Excellent Dental. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Family Eye Care Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Fit-N-Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 Fit-N-Wise Massage Therapy. . . . . . . . . . . 142 Fit-N-Wise Physical Therapy Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Herbs & More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Jrobs Personal Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Lovette/August Pediatrics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86 MOSS Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80 North Texas Community Hospital . . . . . . . . 98 Nutrition Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141 Oncology Services at Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Peak Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Renshaw Drug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Rosenbaum Dental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 McLean Sanborn, M.D.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Senior Care Health & Rehabilitation Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Stagecoach Rehabilitation . . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Dr. Mark Valente, Minimally Invasive Spine Institute . . . . 187 Valu-Rite Pharmacy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101 Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Wise County Community Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Wise County Medical & Surgical . . . . . . . . . 63 Wise Family Practice Urgent Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138-139 Wise Hearing Solutions, L.L.C. . . . . . . . . . . 23 Wise Hope Shelter & Crisis Center . . . . . . 143 Wise Orthopaedics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170 Wise Pediatrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Wise Regional Dialysis Clinic . . . . . . . . . . 173 Wise Regional Health System . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Wise Regional Health System Chest Pain Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Xtreme Sports & Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 INSURANCE Black Insurance Agency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143 Pearman Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 Rhonda Shaw, Farmers Life Insurance . . . . . 65 Jordan Smith, Farmers Insurance Group . . . 72 State Farm Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Stephens, Bastian & Cartwright, L.P. . . . . . . . 3
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
www.WelcomeToWise.com 185
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS LODGING/HOUSING/FACILITIES Baymont Inn & Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Bridgeport Lake Bed & Breakfast . . . . . . . 155 Crestview Place Apartments . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Decatur Civic Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Hampton Inn & Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Holiday Inn Express & Suites . . . . . . . . . . 182 La Quinta Inn & Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Ramada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
PETS/ANIMAL CARE AGvantage Farm & Ranch Supply . . . . . . . 181 Bloomoon Pet Resport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Noah’s Ark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Pet Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Wise County Animal Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Wise Feed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 REAL ESTATE/BUILDERS Cannon Realty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Dan Proctor Custom Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Doug Parr Custom Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Joey Duncan, Century 21, Sue Ann Denton, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Tana Fedric, Re/Max North Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Fireside Pools & Outdoor Living . . . . . . . . 176 Guardian Title Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Grasslands Estates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 H2 Development/Cherokee Hill . . . . . . . . 149 Highland Oaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Angie Kasner and Jane Kasner, Century 21, Sue Ann Denton, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Langto Construction, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Robert and Sue Meek, Century 21, Sue Ann Denton, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Parker Properties Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . 73 John Schedcik Custom Homes . . . . . . . . . . 15 Taylor-Made Construction, L.L.C. . . . . . . . . 133 Cher Tilgham, Century 21 Judge Fite Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Wise County Title Company . . . . . . . . . . . 112 RECREATION/ENTERTAINMENT Bluebonnet Nudist Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 Boyd Raceway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Jump Party Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 KAM Kartway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 NRS Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Plaza Cinema IV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Wise County Heritage Museum . . . . . . . . . 104
RESTAURANTS/BEVERAGES/ GROCERY STORES Brushy Creek Vineyards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Casillas Restaurant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151 Market Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 Mas Meat & Produce Market . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Muggs and Juggs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Pepperjack’s Café and Grocery . . . . . . . . . 158 Sean’s Mesquite Pit BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Sweetie Pie’s Ribeyes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124 Wise Dining Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
RETAILERS Aaron’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 AGvantage Farm & Ranch Supply . . . . . . . 181 Back Forty & Briarcreek Designs. . . . . . . . . 55 Belle Rose Boutique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 Bibles and Beads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Big D’s Buildings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160 The Bow-Legged Cowboy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Boyd Merchants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Bridgeport Gold & Silver . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 Bright Ideas Lighting & More . . . . . . . . . . 146 Cactus Cap Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Chalet of Jewelry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Classic Floor Coverings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 The Corner Place . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 David’s Western Store & Saddle Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Decatur Garden Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Decatur Lumber Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Decatur Main Street. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41 Decatur Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Decatur’s Main Street Florist . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Downtown Decatur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Floor Specialist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 The Gift Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Hendershot Equipment Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37, 90, 153 iCopy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ken’s Appliances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 Mattress Outlet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 McMaster New Holland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Paradise Merchants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Radio Shack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Rick’s Satellite & Electronics . . . . . . . . . . 164 Scrubby’s Scrubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 Sunshine Square . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Texas Blinds & Shutters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Tin Star Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Twice Around Consignment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Willow House, Paula Null . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
Wise Kids Resale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Wise Wireless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
SALONS/BEAUTY Lottie’s Skin & Hair Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Patti’s Hair Parlor & Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Laura Shaffer, Mary Kay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Stacie’s Style Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 Donna Stell, Mary Kay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 SERVICES Ace Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Affordable Fencing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168 Barnes Employment Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Bisidas Water Well Drilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bridgeman’s Millwork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Cannon Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155 Comet Laundry and Cleaners . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Dauenhauer Contractors, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Decatur Heat & Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 Decatur Self Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172 Don’s A/C Service, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Dry Clean Super Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Duty’s Dirt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Echo Plumbing Service, L.L.C. . . . . . . . . . . 33 Monty Fitzgerald, Auctioneer . . . . . . . . . . . 119 Gilco Lubricants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Hometown Auction Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Interior Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Legend Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Len Roy Don Builders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Mann Refrigeration, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Matthews Roofing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Chris Miller, Farmers Financial Solutions . . . 91 Platinum Cleaning & Restoration . . . . . . . 177 The Roof Guy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Sandford Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Shelly Sessums, Tax Service . . . . . . . . . . . 152 SignWise Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Simply Marvelous Designs . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Specialty Environmental Services of Texas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Stewart Drafting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 Stewart Welding & Construction, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Superior Lawn & Landscape. . . . . . . . . . . . 97 Talley Communications Company . . . . . . . 135 Total Lawn Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136 Win-Gen Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Wise Electric Cooperative, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 164 Wise Propane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Wise/Chem Safe Pest Control . . . . . . . . . . 34 Youngs Tank, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
186 www.WelcomeToWise.com
WISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas
Do any of the following apply to you? • Back or neck pain • Arm pain, numbness or tingling • Leg pain, numbness or tingling • Difficulty with hand dexterity • Problems with balance • Had prior neck or back surgery If you answered yes to any of the above questions, then Dr. Valente at the Minimally Invasive Spine Institute in Decatur and Keller can help you. 9 out of 10 patients will never need surgery. For those that do, we tailor the surgery to the patient, not the patient to the surgery. • We Accept All Major Insurance Plans
1851 Medical Center Drive, Decatur, TX 76234 | 940-627-1777 12451 Timberland Blvd., Suite 701, Keller, TX 76244 | 10400 N. Central Expy., Dallas, TX 75231