Monthly Archives: May 2011


A Father’s Love

WEATHERFORD, TX — A father’s love is one that knows no boundaries. Dr. David Simmons is considered a father figure to so many in and around his community as he shows love through many ministries. He pastors the Silverado Cowboy Church in Weatherford and travels the United States ministering to people involved in ropings, rodeos […]


Functionality

WAXAHACHIE, TX — LaNae Vess never could have imagined what she would be doing with her spare time once she decided to leave corporate America. “I just knew I didn’t want to keep my children, Shelbi and Kyle (who are now grown), in daycare,” LaNae admitted. “I needed an avenue where I could stay […]


In the Swim of Things

CEDAR HILL, TX — Amy Lamar has been coaching community members of all ages at local natatoriums for some time. When the opportunity to lead Cedar Hill High School’s swim teams presented itself, she seized it and began to build a program with strong roots. Amy has been involved with competitive swimming’s early morning […]


Having a Ball

RED OAK, TX — Destiny LaRue and Paige McMillan recently marked a milestone together: signing college letters of intent in soccer. But this is not the first achievement the girls have shared. Their friendship dates back to childhood and, of course, a soccer field. The Red Oak High School (ROHS) 2011 graduates met at […]


Painted Postcards

MIDLOTHIAN, TX — The beautiful bass fish looked out at the world through long luxurious lashes. She was only one of many gaily decorated fish in a collection painted by Helen Lundberg. Helen explained the bass, “My friend and I were planning a trip to South America, and we were going to go down […]


Busy as a Bee

MANSFIELD, TX — Rex Wenger likes to hang the American flag over the Mansfield Farmers Market. “To me, that’s the most important banner we can put up,” Rex said. One of five on the board who oversees the farmers market, the 79-year-old gentleman wakes at 5:00 a.m. every Saturday during the season to help […]


Living in the Moment

ENNIS, TX — Last year around this same time, Sam and Kathy Harrell and Steve and Suzie Betik had just returned from from their first trip to Hospital Punta Pacifica, a John Hopkins’ affiliate, in Panama City, Panama. While there, Sam and Steve underwent their first round of stem cell treatments to help slow […]


The Cowboy Who Wasn’t

CORSICANA, TX — Leon Tates strides confidently into the room dressed like a true cowboy in boots and a white hat. Humbly, he admits, “I’m not a real cowboy at all, but I know how that story got started.” He related that one day he was at the Corsicana ranch of a good friend […]


Red Dirt Rhythym

BURLESON, TX — Phillip Baker played six-string and electric guitar as a teenager. It was in the early ’80s and, not surprisingly, he and his friends lived only to play rock ’n’ roll. “We practiced in the corner of my garage every night and, around 10:00 p.m., my dad would come in to tell […]


Serving Up a Mother’s Heart

WEATHERFORD, TX — Luann Robinson Hammet helps feed over 200 children breakfast and between 420-500 children lunch in the Bose Ikard Elementary school cafeteria. But she is doing more than making sure they key in their ID numbers correctly and get their trays. She also watches to make sure they eat well and eat all they […]