2101 W. WADLEY | SUITE 31 | MIDLAND | 432.682.8008 1 hometown living at its best
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4 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group Contents 14 A HAVEN IN THE HEART OF THE PERMIAN How one Midland family is creating a sanctuary of hope for animals in need. 24 HOMETOWN BUNDLES Introducing Midland’s tiniest new residents. 30 WELLNESS THAT WORKS IN REAL LIFE The health and wellness industry can be very hard to navigate. We talked with Nutrition Society on a realistic path to better health. 42 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Furr Ball 48 WHERE THE TALL CITY MEETS THE STARS The future has arrived in Midland. With Midland Air and Spaceport poised to reach the final frontier, new jobs and industry are already taking shape in the Permian Basin. 58 HOMETOWN HAPPENING Crystal Ball On the Cover 58 14 30
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Contents 6 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group 66 RUNNING WITH HEART Meet the cornerstone of Midland’s running community: Popcorn 76 HOMETOWN HAPPENING West Texas Wedding Expo 84 HELP PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES Casa De Amigos is on a Mission to turn support into self-sufficiency. 96 RESTORING LIVES Lisa Bownds, founder of Reflection Ministries, uses her past personal trauma to confront the realities of trafficking and redefine recovery. 106 WHERE MIDLAND COMES TO PLAY With the Midland Athletic Syndicate opening this summer, a new era for youth sports in Midland is about to begin. 96 66 106 84
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A Midland Living Magazine© is published semi-annually by Hometown Media Group. hometownmedia.group 502 N Main Street PMB 116 | Weatherford, TX 76086 817.599.6167 | PROUDLY PRINTED IN THE USA All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice. WRITERS Sabrina Forse Sara Hook Haley Ragsdale Becca Nelson Sankey Hannah Turner PHOTOGRAPHERS Tiffany Wilson Photography Angela Gonzales Photography Maverick Creative Media Lucero Molina Photography Sydney Tolifson Photography At the heart of what we do as a family-owned company is a commitment to telling the stories of the people and places that shape our community. We partner with local businesses to help them grow and succeed while showcasing people and organizations that are the heartbeat of Midland. In this issue we celebrate economic growth in youth sports and space in “Where Midland Comes to Play” and “The Tall City Meets the Stars”, take practical steps to healthy eating in “Wellness That Works in Real Life”, along with my favorite, a collection of precious new Midlanders in our Hometown Bundles of Joy section. Also highlighted throughout this issue are exceptional organizations and events serving the Midland community including Casa de Amigos, Reflections Ministry, and Circle H Haven. Their impact is felt on both sides of service: in the lives they touch and in the dedicated individuals who give generously of their time, talent, and resources. As you turn these pages, I challenge you to consider supporting a non-profit whose mission resonates with you. We hope you enjoy this issue as much as we have enjoyed putting it together! Thank you for supporting these local businesses that strengthen our community. With prayers of blessing for you and yours, Hello Midland ON THE COVER Margot, proud parents Michael & Sarah Midkiff Photo by Lucero Molina Photography Casey Perkins Executive Publisher Lindsey Kruger Marketing & Client Relations lindsey@hometownmedia.group Susan Avery Lead Creative Design Haley Ragsdale Social Media Editor Camela Dietrich Accounts Receivable accounting@hometownmedia.group Lindsey Kruger This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. ~ Psalm 118:24 8 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group
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Springboard CENTER Provided by Springboard Center DONATE TODAY Addiction affects every family in the Permian Basin whether directly or indirectly. It touches every industry, every income level. And when we help someone recover, we strengthen our whole region. If you care about the future of the Permian Basin, you need to care about recovery. Every life in recovery is one less drunk individual behind the wheel of car, it’s one less fatality on the side of the road, it’s one less desperate individual willing to do whatever it takes to get enough cash for their next fix. Each person they treat helps our community become a safer place for families and children. Thank you for helping Heal Lives and Restore Families. Together, we are making a difference. Springboard Center is the Permian Basin’s premier alcohol and drug treatment center. They deliver hope with accountability. It’s medically sound, spiritually grounded, and built around measurable results. They don’t just say someone’s doing better, they track it. Cravings go down. Completion rates go up. And their staff genuinely cares. They show up, even on hard days. That level of heart, backed by hard data, is rare. Being a nonprofit means their focus is on people, not profit. It allows them to keep treatment fees far lower than most private centers while still offering best-in-class care. But they can’t do it alone. It’s their donors who make the difference—who make sure cost never stands in the way of someone getting help. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of saving a life or helping a child get their parent back, this is your chance. Your gift to Springboard doesn’t just help someone recover—it helps a whole family heal. Provided by Springboard Center DONATE TODAY Addiction affects every family in the Permian Basin whether directly or indirectly. It touches every industry, every income level. And when we help someone recover, we strengthen our whole region. If you care about the future of the Permian Basin, you need to care about recovery. Every life in recovery is one less drunk individual behind the wheel of car, it’s one less fatality on the side of the road, it’s one less desperate individual willing to do whatever it takes to get enough cash for their next fix. Each person they treat helps our community become a safer place for families and children. Thank you for helping Heal Lives and Restore Families. Together, we are making a difference. Springboard Center is the Permian Basin’s premier alcohol and drug treatment center. They deliver hope with accountability. It’s medically sound, spiritually grounded, and built around measurable results. They don’t just say someone’s doing better, they track it. Cravings go down. Completion rates go up. And their staff genuinely cares. They show up, even on hard days. That level of heart, backed by hard data, is rare. Being a nonprofit means their focus is on people, not profit. It allows them to keep treatment fees far lower than most private centers while still offering best-in-class care. But they can’t do it alone. It’s their donors who make the difference—who make sure cost never stands in the way of someone getting help. If you’ve ever wanted to be part of saving a life or helping a child get their parent back, this is your chance. Your gift to Springboard doesn’t just help someone recover—it helps a whole family heal. 12 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group
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15 hometown living at its best How one Midland family is creating a sanctuary of hope for animals in need. Written by HANNAH TURNER | Photos provided by CIRCLE H HAVEN A HAVEN IN THE HEART OF THE PERMIAN
16 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group OOnce there was a mini donkey in need of a friend, and that’s how the story of Circle H Haven begins. Nichol Hollingsworth, Army veteran and mother of four, moved to Midland with her children and husband in February of 2025 to be able to spend more time together as a family in light of her husband’s job. Having always been animal lovers, with ten rescue dogs to boot, they rescued a mini donkey. After deciding to find him a companion, they were quickly faced with the realization that there are no large animal rescues in the area and they would have to go as far as San Angelo or even Amarillo to find the services they were looking for. The Hollingsworths took action and decided to take advantage of their newly acquired property with acreage for animals to fill this gap and establish their own animal rescue. They began the process of becoming an official 501(c)(3) non-profit, and in May of 2025, Circle H Haven Foundation was born. In the first six months alone, Circle H Haven became home to 90 animals facing abuse, neglect, or starvation – primarily horses and donkeys, but other livestock as well, giving them a second chance at life and providing an alternative to auction or slaughter.
17 hometown living at its best With so much growth in so little time, Circle H Haven is a family affair. Primarily taught through hands-on experience herself, Nichol’s children are now getting the same opportunity to learn about caring for livestock through involvement in the rescue. Nichol’s daughter works with her full-time at the rescue and her husband, though working outside of the house to support his family and the rescue, starts and ends his day visiting with and tending to the animals. The other Hollingsworth children work with the animals as well as often as they can. As Circle H Haven has continued to grow, they have recently began taking on volunteers and plan to continue expanding their volunteer program. Every animal has a story, but some leave marks on the hearts of those who care for them that they will never forget. For Nichol, Fiona, a standard donkey, was one of these. Rescued from a feedlot, Fiona arrived in Midland depressed and detached.
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19 hometown living at its best “It took three months before we could even approach her,” Nichol said. With steady work and care, Fiona began trusting people little by little. By the open barn event held in November 2025, she had come to life. “She was the belle of the ball. She enjoyed every second of it.” The open barn event was a first for Circle H Haven to introduce the Midland community to who they are and the work they are doing and introduce the Hollingsworths to animal lovers and supporters in the community. As visitors explored the rescue and got to walk through and meet the animals, it was a full circle moment for Nichol and her family. “It was amazing,” Nichol said. “The turnout was unbelievable. It had grown way more than we expected, especially for our first event. Everyone just welcomed us with open arms and the support in the community was great. I could not have asked for a better turnout.” Looking ahead, Nichol hopes to continue the work of Circle H Haven, rescuing additional animals, bringing awareness to the issues facing abused and neglected livestock and helping animals that are eligible prepare to be adopted. She wants to continue hosting community events, and catering to groups such as those with disabilities. For Nichol, what started as a love for animals has turned into a lifelong calling. “These animals are amazing. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” † For more information on events or how to get involved with the rescue efforts at Circle H Haven, visit circlehhaven.com.
21 hometown living at its best 432.683.1000 | 432.553.7443 | 5600 GREENRIDGE | MIDLAND, TX 79707 Midland’s Top Concierge Real Estate Team
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Join us in welcoming Midland’s newest residents! Have your photographer share your sweet bundle with us for future issues, lindsey@hometownmedia.group. BUNDLES OF 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 2 8 24 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group HOMETOWN
25 hometown living at its best 1. Henley | Parents: Bandi & Candace Barnett Lucero Molina Photography 2. James | Parents: McKenzie & Will Lane Sydney Tolifson Photography 3. Blue | Parents: Chad & Reina Heinis Lucero Molina Photography 4. Leon | Parents: Calvin & Amanda Layman Lucero Molina Photography 5. Saylor | Parents: Austin & Brooklyn Anderson Tiffany Wilson Photography 6. Lane | Parents: Aaron & Carina Thomas Lucero Molina Photography 7. Dawson | Parents: Jake & Lauren Garrett Lucero Molina Photography 8. Kace | Parents: Caleb & Crystal Zubia Lucero Molina Photography 9. Kooper | Parents: Kaleb & Kylie Herren Tiffany Wilson Photography 10. Margot | Parents: Michael & Sarah Midkiff Lucero Molina Photography 11. Mariana | Parents: Estella & Jamison Scarpelli Sydney Tolifson Photography 12. Alice | Parents: Lauren & Thomas Prehn Sydney Tolifson Photography 12 11 9 10
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WELLNESS THAT WORKS in real life 30 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group
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32 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group TTired of counting macros, treating protein like a part-time job or hauling around a giant oversized water bottle? If the health and wellness world has left you overwhelmed and confused, read on for practical tips to help you kickstart the year feeling your best. Alli Beversdorf has worked in the healthcare industry for the past 15 years. She began her career as a respiratory therapist and later worked in pharmaceuticals. She decided to go back to school to earn her master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition and Integrative Health. “I really wanted to be able to help people to prioritize health before it was too late,” she said. “Step in and intervene before a diagnosis.” She founded Nutrition Society, to provide personalized one on one nutrition guidance and educate the community through talks and outreach. Her Kids in the Kitchen program takes a hands-on approach to encourage picky eaters, and she even joins clients on grocery store trips to teach them how to create healthy meals with confidence Written by HALEY RAGSDALE | Photos provided by MAVERICK CREATIVE MEDIA The health and wellness industry can be very hard to navigate. We talked with Nutrition Society on a realistic path to better health.
33 hometown living at its best “I want to teach fundamentals on exactly what your body needs at a cellular level and how to translate it into your day to day without extremes. The health and wellness industry needs a time out, people don’t even know where to start,” she said. A busy mom to three kids 18, 9 and 7, Beversdorf’s own health struggles led her to pursue her passion. “I want to make this doable for everyone and not burn out and cause major medical problems down the road.” she said. Beversdorf utilizes the InBody analyzer in her practice instead of just a traditional scale. “Less about weight, weight changes like the weather in Midland. In a body scan we can see the muscle mass in your legs, check visceral fat levels and help determine if you are at an elevated risk for health problems,” she said.
34 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group Her last tidbit of advice is simple, “Nutrition can be overwhelming and stressful, just start and try to simplify and get balance. Your body will be so happy.” † For more information on Nutrition Society or Alli, you can follow her account on Instagram or go to her website nutritionsocietytx.com. HERE ARE SIX TAKEAWAYS BEVERSDORF RECOMMENDS FOR LASTING HEALTH. 1. Know your what, why, and how: be very specific and REALISTIC about what change you want to make. Be specific, how are you going to start and why do you want to make that change? Instead of “I want to lose 25 lbs”, try “I want to lose 25 lbs in the next 5 months by decreasing the sugar I eat to less than 25 g/day, eating 3 or more servings of non-starchy veggies per day, and increasing strength training to twice a week, all so I can be the mom who plays with her kids after school and isn't crawling into bed completely depleted each night. 2. Evaluate- Take an honest assessment of where you are with your health. Take pictures of everything you eat and drink for three days and evaluate. How many fruits and vegetables am I eating, how much sugar? Sometimes we fib to ourselves, but seeing the pictures helps us be honest and see trends. You need to do yearly labs and physical. The trend matters more than just the numbers. It is your job to know your own health. 3. Basics-It sounds boring, at each meal aim for one or two non-starchy veggies, a carbohydrate- a serving of fruit, grains, starchy veggies, or beans, and protein the size of your palm of meat or fish. If you prioritize eating whole foods, 80% of the time, major health gains can be made quickly. Those are one-ingredient foods like a fruit or veggie. 4. Balance- Would you want your kid to only learn math at school? Of course not. Don’t fixate on just protein. Balance is the key, your body needs carbs (especially carbs with fiber), fat, vitamins and minerals. 5. Support- Accountability is key to making changes last. Getting your family involved is a great way to do that. Get your kids involved. It’s powerful for their own health. Less lectures and more involving them. Teach them that to be faster and stronger they must fuel their bodies with nutrient-dense foods. Encourage them to make help make smoothies and make a game or family competition to "eat the rainbow" of fruits and vegetables. 6. Why am I eating? Mindful eating is an underused tool in nutrition. When you go to the pantry for snacks, pause and ask yourself why am I eating? Am I actually hungry or am I having an emotion? Am I tired, sad, or maybe just bored? If you are hungry, by all means, eat it, but often time mindless snacking isn't actually hunger and can get in the way of health goals.
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36 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group manual high for 9 minutes
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IIf you’ve been looking for a fun, feel-good way to give back to your community, the West Texas Food Bank has the perfect opportunity. Our Volunteer Center in Odessa is open and full of opportunities to do some good. Whether you’re sorting donations, packing pantry boxes, or helping prepare Food2Kids bags, every hour you give helps feed neighbors across 19 counties in West Texas. Plus, it’s a great way to meet new people, listen to good music, and be part of something meaningful. We like to say volunteering with us is equal parts impact and fun. Shifts are available throughout the week, including mornings, afternoons, and even a few evenings for those with busy schedules. No special skills are needed—just closed-toe shoes and a good attitude. So grab a friend, bring your co-workers, or come solo and make new connections. We’d love to have you come hang out with us and help fight hunger, one box at a time! Check us out at WTXFOODBANK.ORG [ Photos by Gaeb Ramirez Photography ] Brian and Laura Sales
The West Texas Food Bank (WTFB) is a nonprofit hunger-relief organization that distributes donated and purchased food through a network of over 100 Partner Agencies in 19 counties throughout West Texas. Every five dollars donated helps provide meals to ten hungry West Texans. WTXFOODBANK.ORG 39 hometown living at its best
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HOMETOWN Happenings
43 hometown living at its best The Howl-O-ween Gala was a tail-wagging triumph! Held on October 25, 2025 at the Petroleum Club of Midland, this spirited soirée drew over 200 guests for a night of costumes, compassion, and community. As Midland Humane Coalition’s (MHC) largest fundraiser of the year, the event raised vital support for homeless pets while celebrating the joy they bring to our lives. This year’s honorary chair, Judy Rankin (of LPGA Tour fame), brought warmth and star power to the evening, helping shine a spotlight on MHC’s mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome animals in need. Guests enjoyed themed décor, lively entertainment, and plenty of treats—no tricks! —as they mingled in support of a cause close to the heart. From spooky-chic outfits to heartfelt stories of rescue, the Howl-O-ween Gala proved once again that when animal lovers unite, magic happens. Funds raised directly support MHC’s efforts to provide medical care, shelter, and second chances to their rescue cats & dogs. Support MHC’s pet rescue efforts by donating, volunteering, fostering or adopting a pet! MHC’s next fundraiser is the annual Hot Dog Run in May. Visit Midland Humane Coalition for updates on events and how to support their mission: www.midlandhumane.org Furr Ball Photos provided by MIDLAND HUMANE COALITION MIDLAND HUMANE COALITION'S 14TH ANNUAL
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45 hometown living at its best OPEN THE DOOR to a lifestyle you’ll love. Step into the freedom of worry-free living. In our independent living neighborhoods, enjoy spacious single-family homes with seamless access to campus amenities and lifelong care options. At Manor Park, you can truly thrive in the place you call home. Select from more than 40 thoughtfully designed floor plans, including single-family homes, townhomes, cottages, and apartments. Let us handle all the maintenance and home repairs, so you can focus on what matters most to you. Savor meals with friends in the café, let your pup explore the dog park, or embark on new adventures knowing your home will always be well cared for. At Manor Park, your peace of mind and happiness come first. Schedule a tour today. 432.699.3414 | manorparkinc.org 2208 N Loop 250 W, Midland, TX
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48 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group THE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED IN MIDLAND. With Midland Air and Spaceport poised to reach the final frontier, new jobs and industry are already taking shape in the Permian Basin. WHERE THE TALL CITY Meets the Stars
49 hometown living at its best Written by HALEY RAGSDALE | Photos provided by MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIR AND SPACEPORT
AAccess to the final frontier is right here in Midland. The Midland International Air and Spaceport is creating a whole new world of industry and opportunities in the very Tall City. Midland is home to the world’s first and only commercial spaceport, meaning it is co-located with an airport that provides commercial airline service. That distinction along with the vast West Texas landscape offers an unmatched opportunity. But what exactly is a spaceport? Oscar Garcia Chairman of InterFlight Global Corporation explained. “Think of a seaport where ships bring goods and people back and forth. A spaceport is the same. It’s a place to simply takes things to space like satellites and bring them back,” Garcia said. There are about 50-60 spaceports in the world with 14 in the United States. Midland Spaceport is the only one that is attached to an airport. P. Lourcey Sams, chairman of the Midland Development Corporation, explained one of the primary duties of the MDC is to diversify the economy and create jobs. The Midland Spaceport fits the bill. “The 2014 Midland City Council with remarkable foresight approved the creation of the Spaceport,” Sams said. “The airspace is so wide open in West Texas and with our background in manufacturing in oil and gas it creates so many opportunities for growth.” Satellites are a big business and satellite company AST is already at work at Midland Spaceport. AST has created 300 jobs here in Midland with more to come. Their satellites will dramatically impact the future of your cell phone coverage. “AST Space is developing satellites for 5G services in space to eliminate any dead areas in the world. You will never drop a call and have voice and video anywhere,” Garcia said. 50 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group
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52 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group The growth of aerospace jobs is also in demand with AST hiring UTPB graduates in engineering and technical jobs from Midland College. Sams explained helping diversify the oil and gas industry with aerospace jobs helps keep the Basin’s job sector healthy. One thing we have plenty of in Midland, is wide open airspace and airspace is what you need for a vertical launch site for rockets. The rocket industry is booming. Spanning everything from manufacturing, fuel production, and high-tech design. A vertical launch site in Midland would be the first commercially available inland orbital vertical launch site. The Texas Space Commission has granted Midland with five million dollars for the development of a vertical launch site southwest of Midland. “Right now, if you’re launching in the United States, you’re launching either on the West Coast or the East Coast—Cape Canaveral or Vandenberg,” Sams said. “By having an inland site, you have an alternative.”
53 hometown living at its best Garcia explained that the location of Midland near the White Sands Missle Range creates a bubble, so to speak, that commercial airlines must fly around. That bubble gives direct access to super speed highways at high altitudes in the sky. “You either have it, or you don’t,” explained Garica Midland’s incentives have garnered the attention of the Department of Defense, the US Space Force and others in Washington. “Washington has recognized Midland’s initiative to certify high-speed corridors,” Sams explained. He went on to say, “Through our economic agreement with Starfighters, they will be flying F-104’s at Mach speeds. We are bringing assets from Cape Canaveral to fly here due to our open airspace.” The Space Race of our generation is underway, and a new company plans to simulate lunar conditions right here in the Permian Basin. “Astroport is building a moon yard near the Midland International Air and Spaceport. They plan to simulate lunar conditions to test the moon rovers, habitats and solar power. There is a race to control the moon.” Garcia said. Another fascinating hard- to- wrap your mind around emerging industry is asteroid mining and space prospecting. “When you can extract the solar system you have access to a new frontier,” Garcia said. The commercial space industry is estimated to be a trillion-dollar industry by the end of the decade, and Midland is well positioned as a key player. That opportunity coupled with the Wildcatter spirit of West Texans; the sky is really no limit. To learn more about Midland International Air and Spaceport visit MidlandSpacePort.com †
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HOMETOWN Happenings Each year, the Crystal Ball shines as one of Midland’s most anticipated evenings, bringing together community members to celebrate and support the mission of High Sky Children’s Ranch. Now with more than 60 years of service, High Sky continues to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children and families impacted by abuse and neglect. The gala not only offers an elegant evening of dining and dancing but also tells the story of healing and resilience. Funds raised through the event sustain High Sky’s continuum of care, which includes foster care and adoption, emergency shelter, therapeutic services, family support services and programs designed to help young people transition successfully into adulthood. This year’s celebration also honored the memory of longtime supporter Mike Black with the presentation of the Rainbow Award, a recognition given to those whose compassion and dedication have left a lasting impact on the lives of children. The 2025 Crystal Ball carried the theme Botanical Black Tie, blending timeless elegance with a fresh sense of growth and renewal. More than just a night out, the event is a testament to what our community can accomplish when it comes together to ensure children have the chance to heal, grow, and thrive. Photos by Tiffany Wilson Photography CRYSTAL Ball
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HOMETOWN Happenings
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62 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group What are You Celebrating? VisitGranbury.com
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Your local real estate experts in Midland, Odessa, Big Spring, and surrounding areas. LegacyRealEstate.com 432-687-6500 64 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group
65 hometown living at its best (432) 268-0210 5400 Frio Drive Midland TX 79707
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67 hometown living at its best MEET THE CORNERSTONE OF MIDLAND’S RUNNING COMMUNITY: POPCORN Written by SARA HOOK | Photos provided by “POPCORN” LEONARD RUNNING with Heart
68 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group IIt is no secret that Nopporn “Popcorn” Leonard loves to run. It may be on a path in Austin, Fort Worth, or even Boston, but most often he can be found running the familiar streets of Midland. Leonard loves to run old school with no music and no phone, often not even looking at his watch. He listens to his heartbeat and enjoys the peace running brings. “Just me, my watch, and my heart,” Leonard said. “That’s how I enjoy it.” He began his running lifestyle at just five years old, running behind recruits at the military base he grew up near in Thailand. He would join their runs when they passed his house at 5:30 in the morning, eat breakfast with them, and then run the three miles back home. He continued running through high school and as an adult, and while he was on his cross-country team he was never interested in competing. “They needed points,” Leonard said. “I wasn’t very into it, I just ran.”
At the time, he thought people who ran marathons were crazy. He enjoyed running six miles, three to four times a week. That was plenty. He ran his first marathon when he was 39 years old, competing in the Boston Marathon in 1999. Shortly thereafter, he found himself moving to Midland. In 2004 Leonard moved to west Texas to take over running the restaurant The King and I. Initially, his plan was to stay for five years, save up some money, and then sell the business and move back to Austin where he had close connection to the running community. Instead, he fell in love with west Texas. “The people in Midland are so generous, so nice,” Leonard said. “I just love everything about Midland now; it’s like home sweet home.” There was just one glaring problem: there was no running community. That didn’t bother Leonard too much, he just began running on his own. One by one he started recruiting people to join him, eventually creating the West Texas Gazelles— based on the group he’d left behind in Austin. The Gazelles spread into Odessa, and the running community took off from there. Now Midland also boasts the 432 Run Crew, and Pop’s Chicas. All of his groups are free to join, and Leonard said people shouldn’t be intimidated to join because of his running success. “I enjoy coaching people, I enjoy giving people advice,” Leonard said. “If you want to get faster, you have to run with somebody that’s faster than you are.” Since that first marathon in 1999, Leonard has run around twenty other marathons, including a few more times in the Boston Marathon. He qualifies every year, but he never goes for himself—only as a racing partner for other people. Similarly, many of his other marathons and races he runs to help pace members of his running groups. “I’m not doing it for me, I’m doing it for them,” he said. Not even cancer could stop him. In 2021 he was diagnosed with Mantel Cell Lymphoma, a rare and often aggressive type of cancer. When diagnosed, the cancer had already spread through 89 percent of his body. It was so severe that instead of going to Houston for treatment, as planned, Leonard had to have emergency chemotherapy in Midland. The future did not look good. 69 hometown living at its best
70 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group “I might not make it and I knew that,” Leonard said. “I just looked at the ceiling and said, ‘Hey God, if you’re ready to take me, I’m ready to go. If not, I just ask one thing: be with me.’ And I said ‘Jesus come into my heart,’ I actually gave my heart to Jesus, and I said, ‘all I want to do is one more thing: Let me run.’” And he did. Leonard had chemotherapy every fourth week, with three weeks of recovery between. On the last week, right before he had to go back to the doctor on Monday, he would compete in a race. He found the races online and drove himself to the competitions which were 10 miles to as much as 31 miles long, as with the Cowtown Ultramarathon. “I didn’t tell anyone, I just ran,” Leonard said. He had to keep moving. Even after chemotherapy, he’d get up and walk the halls: anything to not be lying in bed all day. The only way to beat cancer, he felt, was to stay active and believe that he could win the battle. “Fight a good fight, fight while you can,” Leonard said. “Don’t give up. Keep moving.” He refused to give up, and ultimately his persistence paid off. He is currently in remission, and while the Mantel Cell Lymphoma has a high chance of returning, Leonard has high hopes for the next decade. He plans on getting a food truck, seeing his daughter graduate high school, and potentially coaching professionally. He also has plans to do another marathon, this time for himself. “I think I’m still very competitive if I want to be,” Leonard said. “Just, my training has been based on everybody else, not on myself. So maybe when I turn 65, I told myself, maybe I want to train for myself and do a marathon seriously for me.” While you may not want to run a marathon, Leonard encourages everyone to do some sort of activity every day. “Fifteen minutes a day, doesn’t matter how old you are,” Leonard said. “Keep moving and enjoy the sun.” And perhaps, if you step out into Midland’s running community, you might find you can do more than you think. †
71 hometown living at its best Your home (and everyone in it) - In good hands. 432.312.6337 We get it: Inviting a complete stranger into your family’s home can be a little unsettling. That’s why when you’re expecting a visit from Billy Black HVAC, you’ll receive a dispatch notification via text, which includes your technician’s name and photo, along with their customer satisfaction score and a short bio. Rest assured, as you walk to your door, a fully vetted, highly-skilled and NATEcertified technician will be waiting on the other side. TACLB72497E
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HOMETOWN Happenings
77 hometown living at its best The 2026 West Texas Wedding Expo took place on February 15, bringing a vibrant, Vegas-inspired atmosphere to one of the region’s most anticipated wedding-planning events of the year. The “Til Death Do Us Party” theme was a high-energy showcase that blended fashion, music, cocktails, and hands-on vendor experiences for couples across West Texas and beyond. More than 100 booths featuring local and regional wedding and event professionals filled the Bush Convention Center, offering services ranging from bridal fashion and photography to catering, décor, beauty, and entertainment. Attendees enjoyed fashion shows, interactive vendor displays, and exclusive day-of booking opportunities, making it easy for couples and quinceañera planners to check off key planning items in one afternoon. Over 1,000 guests were in attendance. VIP ticket holders received early entry, premium fashion show seating, and curated swag bags, while general admission guests took advantage of on-site inspiration and personal consultations with vendors. The expo marked the debut of WTX BLISS Magazine showcasing recent West Texas weddings and signature vendors. The magazine serves as a great resource and inspiration guide for couples and families planning their big day. Looking ahead, those interested in exhibiting or attending in 2027 are encouraged to follow @wtbridal or visit wtbridal.com for early registration, vendor applications, and ticket release information. Photos provided by Angela Gonzales WEST TEXAS Wedding Expo
HOMETOWN Happenings
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Plan your adventure visitmineralwells.org three state parks one adventure HQ mineral wells 80 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group
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What makes you and your business unique from competitors? When working with an existing client or a potential client, my focus is taking the time to truly get to know the person to discover what is most important to them in their financial journey. Once goals and priorities are identified, we can work in concert to meet their specific needs. As a Certified Financial Planner®, I am well versed in wealth planning, estate planning services, retirement planning, and much more. My experience in these areas will help us create the appropriate plan that best suits their goals and priorities. This individualized plan will be reviewed and adjusted accordingly if the client’s priorities and goals change. Why are you passionate about this industry? I love sharing in the client’s experience as they navigate their financial course and working with them to achieve their financial and personal goals. It’s very rewarding to see those relationships through from start to finish. What keeps you motivated when things get hard? Knowing that a detailed wealth plan has been put in place for clients that will get them through difficult times. The initial investment of spending time to create a detailed plan helps anchor future decision making and provides a long-term guidepost for a client’s goals and priorities. What is the best piece of advice you would give/words of wisdom? Do the right thing, for the right reason in the right way. Staying true to your character, working hard and maintaining a strong ethical foundation will carry you through any adversity that may come your way. How do you measure success? How you treat people. The legacy you will leave behind is not always about the money. Sir Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” 550 West Texas Avenue Suite 120, Midland Office: 432.687.8969 Work Cell: 432.813.7740 us.rbcwm.com/norma.whitsitt norma.whitsitt@rbc.com Investment and insurance products offered through RBC Wealth Management are not insured by the FDIC or any other federal government agency, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, a bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, registered investment adviser and Member NYSE/FINRA/SIPC. Neither RBC Wealth Management, a division of RBC Capital Markets, LLC, nor its affiliates or employees provide legal, accounting or tax advice. All legal, accounting or tax decisions regarding your accounts and any transactions or investments entered into in relation to such accounts, should be made in consultation with your independent advisors. No information, including but not limited to written materials, provided by RBC WM or its affiliates or employees should be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice. Norma E. Whitsitt, CFP®, CDFA®, CEPA® First Vice President - Financial Advisor Senior Portfolio Manager
84 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group Help people Help themselves Casa De Amigos is on a Mission to turn support into self-sufficiency. Written by SABRINA FORSE | Photos provided by CASA DE AMIGOS
85 hometown living at its best IIt is the third Tuesday of the month, and a line is already forming outside Casa De Amigos. Hundreds are waiting patiently, some hours early, hoping to secure groceries from the nonprofit’s monthly Mobile Food Pantry. Director of Development and Donor Engagement for Casa De Amigos, Tim Jakel Jr. and the dedicated Casa de Amigos staff begin working with volunteers and greeting families. He pauses as the present holds a mirror of his childhood. A mother is waiting with her two sons. “When I was young, me and my brother stood in line with our mother waiting for food. I remember going to many local nonprofits that helped our family.” Life experience would lead Jakel down a path of volunteering and working with several nonprofit organizations. For Tim, giving back isn’t a job- it’s a calling. At Casa De Amigos, that calling is rooted in a simple philosophy: help people help themselves. “We don’t want to put a Band-Aid on a problem. We want to get to the root of the issue,” said Jakel.
86 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group The food pantry is just one of Casa De Amigos outreach programs. Since 1964, Casa De Amigos has served as a multicultural neighborhood center in Midland offering support to residents at every stage of life. “We’ve had a one-week-old baby here and a 103-year-old senior citizen,” said Jakel. Education is the cornerstone of the nonprofits work. Adults can enroll in English as a second languages classes, citizenship courses, GED training, financial literacy workshops and advanced job training. Through a partnership with Chevron and local colleges, the Take2 Jobs Skills program equips participants with tools to pursue higher paying careers. “We may have someone who is working at a restaurant making minimum wage while supporting a family. We can get them in the program and help them get their CDL license to earn a better living. This is what I mean by not just putting a Band-Aid on it. Casa De Amigos helps people help themselves by helping them become selfsufficient.”
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90 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group Social service programs will help meet immediate needs such as emergency food supplies and toiletries. “Our social workers listen and try to find out what’s going on in their lives. Sometimes people need help paying their utility bills. We had a senior who was paying out the wazoo for an electric bill. We were scratching our heads as to why, because it was a one bedroom. We were able to get her on a contract rate and get the bill down.” Casa De Amigos is a full house when it comes to its programming. It also offers health and wellness programs and activities for senior citizens. Casa De Amigos partners with Midland Health and Texas Tech Physicians for its free medical clinic. Leslie’s Place ensures that any adult can access medical care every Tuesday and Thursday evening. Of all the services Casa De Amigos offers, Jakel believes the most powerful is connection. Nowhere is that more evident than in the three senior centers the nonprofit operates across Midland. Seniors gather for meals, exercise, craft and community. “Being at the senior center offers connectivity and a purpose. Everyone feels welcome and wanted. I find myself smiling every time I go look at all the crafts the seniors are doing, everything from sewing and knitting to pottery and quilting. I especially love the annual prom we have for the senior citizens.”
91 hometown living at its best Casa De Amigos prides itself on being a one-stop shop for support. “There’s not much we can’t do,” said Jakel. “On the rare occasion that we can’t offer something, we have a list of partner non-profits in Midland that we can connect you with. This community is family-based and takes pride in making sure that people who are going through trouble get the help they need and it’s a beautiful thing. The Permian Basin is its own bubble and it's awesome.” The spirit of connection extends to its donors and volunteers as well. “Part of my job is raising funds,” Jakel said, “But really, it’s about building relationships with people who love Casa De Amigos. When someone falls in love with this place, they tell their friends and family. Then someone from that family comes for a tour or starts volunteering.” One volunteer in particular embodies the organization’s mission. “We have a woman who came to Casa De Amigos during a low point in her life. She was able to get the help she needed. Now she is living her best life and firing on all cylinders. She is a manager at her job and has convinced her company to volunteer and bring gifts to toddlers.” That type of full-circle moment proves that the Casa De Amigos mission statement of self-sufficiency works. “I wish those in need will continue to come to Casa De Amigos because it would’ve changed me and my brothers lives as children. I know because I continue to see lives changed here every day.” †
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LIVES Restoring LISA BOWNDS, FOUNDER OF REFLECTION MINISTRIES, USES HER PAST PERSONAL TRAUMA TO CONFRONT THE REALITIES OF TRAFFICKING AND REDEFINE RECOVERY. Written by BECCA NELSON SANKEY | Photos provided by LISA BOWNDS THE FOLLOWING STORY CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENT. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. 96 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group
97 hometown living at its best MMeeting Lisa Bownds, one would never guess she has a heartbreaking past. Strangers see a woman with a steady voice and an easy laugh, a person of warmth, a wife and grandmother rooted in Midland, and a nonprofit founder who speaks plainly and pushes hard when she needs to. They see someone who belongs. What they don’t see is the 18-year-old college freshman she once was: newly arrived on campus, raised in a loving, protective home and how abruptly her life was snatched from her. “If you met me now, you’d just think I’m a regular girl living her life,” said Bownds, founder of Reflection Ministries of Texas. “And for the most part, that’s true.” Bownds life fractured decades ago, within weeks of her arrival at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, where she had enrolled with plans of becoming a physical therapist. Bownds didn’t know anyone in Denton, so she was amenable to the friendly conversation of two young men who approached her one day on campus. “I grew up in a very protected, wonderful home with great parents and going to church every time the doors were open,” Bownds said. “We didn’t know what bad people were.” The men didn’t look like stereotypical pimps. There were no chains, fur coats, or overt menace. They were clean-cut, polite, and asked if she was new to the city. A week later, they invited her to hang out with friends. She agreed, meeting them at a restaurant where everyone seemed like “normal college kids.” The following week, one of the men called her dorm room and offered to pick her up for dinner. “That was the night he slipped something in my drink,” Bownds said. “And then he orchestrated a gang rape.” What followed was not a single crime, but years of systematic exploitation and horror. Bownds was trafficked across the United States, on a military base, sold in high-end hotels, in flashy cities like Las Vegas, to men with money, influence, and families of their own. She even had a standing appointment with a preacher and his church colleagues.
98 midland living magazine | hometownmedia.group WHEN SHE FINALLY SUMMONED THE COURAGE TO RUN, THE FEELINGS OF SAFETY DIDN’T AUTOMATICALLY FOLLOW.
99 hometown living at its best Bownds said trafficking rarely begins with chains or locked doors. It begins with grooming, coercion, and manipulation, with traffickers learning their victim’s vulnerabilities and leveraging them. “They knew everything about me,” she said. “They knew I had sisters, where my family lived. It only takes eight minutes to find out everything you need to know about someone.” For five years, Bownds’ survival meant compliance. Buyers arrived daily, sometimes dozens in a single day. Sleep and food were withheld if Bownds and other victims did not meet their nightly quotas. Escape meant risking not just her life, but – she firmly believed – her family’s. “It only takes about 48 hours for a trafficker to break a girl,” she said. “I was absolutely terrified.” When she finally summoned the courage to run, the feelings of safety didn’t automatically follow. After being sold on a military base by a service member in North Carolina, Bownds fled to West Texas, believing distance would protect her. She took a job as a bank clerk and reinvented herself. She shoved down her trauma and didn’t tell a soul what she’d endured. Her trafficker still found her, showed up at her door, then followed her to work and appeared behind her in public places. “I didn’t feel safe for a long time,” she admitted.
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