Yearly Archives: 2014


Sharing Gifts

GRANBURY, TX — Ben and Margret Fields have never been hungry. Still, their hearts go out to people who are. So the Fields grow fields of fresh produce and give the harvest away to food banks. They also give away vehicles — and counseling. Margret, a licensed professional counselor for over 10 years, is currently […]


Fright Flix

ENNIS, TX —  A childhood love of classic horror films brought an Ennis couple together to try their luck at making their own movies. Although they’re no longer married, the pair is still one when it comes to the pastime they share. Tommy Slama, former owner of a local video and comic book shop, […]


The Need for Speed

WEATHERFORD, TX — The crowd waits anxiously for Seth Cooke to nod. He looks for just the right moment to spring the calf from its narrow chute. The timing has to be perfect, and the barrier cannot be broken to ensure a clean ride. Rooster is pawing and stomping the ground in anticipation. He knows […]


From the Ground Up

WAXAHACHIE, TX — James and Leanne Davis had it all figured out. Their two daughters, Tiffany and Alisha, were nearing adulthood. Tiffany had left for college at The University of Texas at Austin, and Alisha was still in high school. They downsized to a smaller house after living in a larger home for 19 years. […]


Staying Safe

RED OAK, TX — Twenty-seven years ago, Nathan Bickerstaff made a drastic career change, leaving his role as a pastor to become a police officer. His interest in law enforcement began during an encounter with a group of officers. “I tried to be involved and touch their lives, but a lot of them responded […]


A New York Finish

MIDLOTHIAN, TX — Not every couple celebrating their 10th anniversary takes the kids along. However, for Kasey Cheshier and his wife, Joy, it all made perfect sense. Kasey was reluctant at first, but Joy had a plan with a trump card. “I thought she was going to say she wanted to go to Disney World,” […]


Remember the Time

MANSFIELD, TX — Brent Candler and Bryan Atkinson haven’t always been runners. They each had their own ways to stay in shape, but running wasn’t high on their fitness list. So, why are these two friends now running through dangling live wires, jumping over fire and climbing up 12-foot walls? “It makes a good story. […]


The Big Picture

Granbury, TX — East Texas produced quite a few of Granbury’s movers and shakers, including Mark Weeks, theater arts teacher at Granbury High School. A nature-loving former Boy Scout, Mark grew up fishing and waterskiing in the alligator-ridden Neches River. He roamed Big Thicket Natural Preserve near Beaumont, digging caves in the sides of Boggy […]


Getting the Word Out

ENNIS, TX — When Darryl and Terri Willis moved to Ennis 17 years ago, Darryl had just accepted a position as senior minister of the local Church of Christ. He never imagined life would lead him to Eastern European Mission, a Dallas-based agency committed to the distribution of Bibles. Now, he serves as vice president, […]


Lives Lived Long Ago

CORSICANA, TX — A new, permanent exhibit is opening at the Cook Center. It has been the dream of several people who have worked tirelessly for the last four years to make the Robert S. Reading Collection: The Hunters and Gatherers of the Blackland Prairie a reality. A unique feature of this exhibit is the […]