Yearly Archives: 2011


An Old Time Christmas

WAXAHACHIE, TX —  Beginning early in November, long before most people are even thinking about the holidays, the Parks and Rec crew is busy stringing lights, hanging signs, assembling decorations and doing it all with cheer and pride. “We feel sort of like Santa’s elves,” said department director, John David Smith, a former teacher […]


A Parade of Christmas Spirit

DUNCANVILLE, TX —  The Masters Academy is located behind The Bread of Life Church, nestled in a residential neighborhood of Duncanville. The private school has a 23-year history of catering to the needs of children with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and academic deficiencies. Each student lucky enough to attend school there gets a personalized curriculum […]


Reaching Out to Youth

WEATHERFORD, TX — Brenda Stewart founded Venue 2:17 two years ago to give local youth a safe environment to gather and engage in positive behaviors. She saw a need for unsupervised teens to have a place to socialize and explore new, healthy interests. Venue 2:17 gives them an outlet to learn communication and leadership skills, but […]


A Heart for Art

Red Oak, TX — Art has been a part of Ovilla resident, Jana Jennings’, life for as long as she can remember. Today she gives back to the community she loves, and the children in it, by passing on her passion for painting. “I look at it as an extension of those who have […]


Bethlehem in Midlothian

MIDLOTHIAN, TX — Cries of, “Get your bread here!” and, “Slaughtered pigs sold here!” rang out over the bazaar. The marketplace was abuzz with activity and people. Vendors hawking their goods approached any likely passerby. A young boy wandered by leading a pet goat on a rope. Welcome to Bethlehem by way of Midlothian! Jason […]


Seasoned and Serving

MANSFIELD, TX — Bert and Merie Skinner have been married for more than 51 years, yet they interact like youngsters, playfully teasing each other with the familiarity that all those years together bring. While they enjoy their time together, they also relish the time they spend at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Seasoned Saints, a group of […]


Art and Soul

Ennis, TX —  An Ennis Independent School District (ISD) after school class has become an inspiring exercise in community outreach. Thanks to a unique cooperation between the group and Ennis Regional Medical Center (ERMC), members of Leah Smith’s high school art club are learning to draw and sculpt while appreciating the value of serving […]


True Blue

CORSICANA , TX — Booze, brawls and roadway rowdiness may comprise the stereotype for a motorcycle gang, but these things don’t define the philosophy of the international motorcycle club known as the Blue Knights. A local chapterhas been proving its worth as a positive force in the community. “We’re the good guys,” said Jimmie […]


The Gentle Life

BURLESON, TX — Davis Reiling and his folks, Ron and Denise, moved to Burleson shortly after Denise received a breast cancer diagnosis. They decided to give up the city and fancy Dallas job to live somewhere peaceful and do something they love: raise alpacas. Since 2003, Davis has gone to Holy Cross Christian Academy. […]


The Horse Handler

WEATHERFORD, TX — Jodi Mullins has been around horses nearly her entire life. Her family moved around in her younger years, living in Pennsylvania, California and finally settling in Texas. That is when she really learned to love the majestic creatures while helping her mother care for horses as a young girl. In 2007, Jodi […]