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Contents THE OLDWEST LIVES ON The Tin Star Regulators in Burkburnett are members of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association and compete for the title of “Fastest 6-Gun Draw.” HUMBLYWINNING THE ART BATTLE Derrick Holt shined at the November Art Battle which propelled him to the next level of competition. 40 35 VETERANSMEMORIAL The new VietnamVeterans Memorial enhances the city and gives veterans a place to be honored. 22 14 ANHEIRLOOM Five generations have cherished and worn an amazing handmade Christening gown. 32 HOME &GARDEN FESTIVAL Community supporting community at the annual Home & Garden Festival 2022. 46 4 wichita falls living
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Contents 84 TEATIME! WithMother’sDay approaching, wewant our readers to learnmore about TeaTime, where it came fromandwhere it can take you! 58 76 HOMETOWN BUNDLES&TOTS Help us to welcome the Falls’ newest residents and don’t forget to use these talented photographers for your upcoming bundle of joy. 54 TEACHERS&PARENTS 5 things teachers wish every parent knew. 4-H SPOTLIGHT Wichita Falls Living is thrilled to highlight Morgan Adams, daughter of Ben and Angie Adam. Member of the Iowa Park 4-H Club. Check out this bright young lady and the hard work she is doing. 64 LLOYDRUBY: ALEGACYOFKINDNESS Mary Ann Bailey, daughter of the local famous racecar driver, Lloyd Ruby, shares the off-track story of a racing legend. 6 wichita falls living
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A Note From Our Team 10 wichita falls living Wichita Falls Living Magazine© is published quarterly by HometownMedia Group, LLC. hometownmedia.group 502 NMain 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. F o l l ow u s @w i c h i t a f a l l s l i v i n g WRITERS Rebecca Rister Cindy Kahler Thomas Sabrina Forse LEAD STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Teresa Barrett Photography CREATIVE | DESIGN Susan Avery, Lead Robin Harrison, CG2 CLIENT RELATIONS COORDINATOR office@hometown-living.com PUBLISHERS Matt &Heather Martin Casey & Trisha Perkins ASHLY CAFFEE AND FAMILY “Perhaps you were born for such a time as this.” - Esther 4:14 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get the Ashly Caffee Hello Wichita Falls! DIGITALMARKETING Tia Minzoni, VP of Digital Marketing ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE Bobbie Fulks W I C H I T A F A L L S Living Dish on the Falls Go to wichitafallsliving.com OPERATIONSMANAGER Ashly Caffee What a beautiful SPRING has sprung! The sun is out and gives such a beautiful light & shine to all that is right and well with our beautiful community! The same light shines through the pages of this issue as we are blessed to share some incredible stories with you. Derrick Holt and his captivating Art Battle win is even more encouraging as he shares the story behind his “newfound” art method and personal trials overcome. There are stories of community gatherings, family heirlooms, and traditions passed down. New fixtures of heroes as well with the unveiling of the VietnamWar Veterans Memorial and the new Llyod Ruby Historical Marker! We also want to highlight the work of local photographer and true teammember, Teresa Barrett, for all of her work for Wichita Falls Living Magazine. Many of you have met Teresa on assignment and would surely agree she is a very talented, genuine individual. We have so appreciated working with her and the contributions she gave to this magazine and her community are timeless. As she prepares to transition roles &places wewant to say a big, heartfelt THANKYOU fromtheHometown Media Group team andWichita Falls community! With so much change in the wind with a new season, for some, it’s a welcome refresher to start anew and for some, it brings uncertainty and worry. With the world in what feels like a perpetual state of chaos, it’s easy to get bogged down mentally and emotionally with things that-while not in our hands-feel as though they rest on our shoulders. I myself was feeling this way as I sat in church this weekend asmy favorite hymnwashed overme and I was gently reminded that He is GREAT, He is in CONTROL andHe has alreadyWON. Again, I am reminded to lay my worries & fears, both big and small, at His feet for He has a plan and a purpose. I will spendmy days and my effort, not questioning His ability to provide, but bringing glory to His Kingdom, His faithfulness and choosing gratitude in all the beauty and gifts he has bestowed upon us. When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart Then I shall bow, in humble adoration And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee How great Thou art, how great Thou art How great Thou art, how great Thou art Blessings to all of you as we embark on another season of God’s unfailing love, OperationsManager
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If you are looking for a caring, qualified dentist inWichita Falls for your entire family, then look no further. From your first contact with our office, you will notice that The Art of Dentistry is not your typical dentistry. We’ve worked hard to build an exceptional team of dedicated, caring and experienced professionals committed to the dental health of you and your family. Sure, our entire team is committed to providing the best technical expertise in dentistry today, but in the big picture, that is not our primary motivation. Our real business is caring for real peoplewith a wide variety of individual dental concerns. So that’s where we start: With you! Every detail of our practice is directed towardproviding theBESTIN-PATIENTCARE: from facilities, equipment, and techniques, to our experienced, friendly staff.We get toknow our patients as people, pay attention to their specific situations, listen to their individual concerns, and handle themwith care. At The Art of Dentistry, your comfort and confidence are just as important as your teeth. That’swhywe take great care of both the smile and the person behind it. Our mission is to provide the highest quality dentistry and patient care available. We offer a full range of treatment options that can be personalized to meet your unique needs and expectations.
We always welcome new patients of every age. Whether you are new to Wichita Falls or seeking an improved dental experience, we invite you to call our office for additional information. 940.691.6066 5 Eureka Circle, Suite A | Wichita Falls, TX 76308 | artofdentistrywf.com • Advanced Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry • General Dentistry • Orthodontics • Teeth Whitening • Crown and Bridge • Veneers • Dental Implants • Preventative Care • Periodontal Therapy • Al l on 4 Restorative Dentistry • Along with many others DR. GRIFFIN, D.D.S. Dr. Griffin grew up in East Texas and later moved toWichita Falls and attended Rider High School. He spent a year at Dallas Christian College studying ministry. Dr. Griffin received his B.S. degree fromMidwestern State University. He graduated Cum Laude in 2016. He earned his D.D.S. from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center in Oklahoma City. He is also a member of the American Dental Academy. Dr. Griffin enjoys spending time with his wife Teran and two children, Elkin and Edalyah. The Griffin’s enjoy spending time outdoors. Dr. Griffin’s hobbies include hiking in the Wichita Mountains, camping, and fishing. Dr. Griffin is the nephew of Dr. Jackson. OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:
Five generations have cherished and worn an amazing handmade Christening gown. Heirloom AN - Written by REBECCA R I STER | Photos provided by ROS S FAMI LY 14 wichita falls living
RuthRossofLawtoncomes froma long line of believers who know the importance of passing down to the next generation what matters most…faith& family. Ruth’s Great-Grandmother, Laura Elizabeth Howard Knox, lovingly made a christening gown by hand for her precious child, Ruth in the 1890s. Store bought lace was not an option on their farm in South Fork, Missouri, so she handmade the tattingwhichembellishes the edge of this special garment. She made two gowns in total. One for Ruth andanothermadewhenshehadher son, M. Howard Knox {Ruth Ross’s Maternal Grandfather}. Little did Laura know her hard work and each loving stitch would still be enjoyed and cherished over 100 years later by her Great-Great-Great Granddaughter, GemmaElizabethMeans, inBurkburnett, Texas. Thisprecious 1-year -old also shares in her name {Elizabeth}. Gemma Elizabeth was christened this past November 7th at the St. Jude Catholic Church in Burkburnett. As you can see through the years the christening gown was passed down to the next generation, with thanks given to Howard’s only child, also named Elizabeth {Knox} who cherishedher grandmother’s handiwork and saved the gowns for future generations. Descendent, Roy Ross served in the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Sill which brought the family to the Lawton/Wichita Falls area. m Ruth’s Great-Grandmother, lovingly made a christening gown by hand for her precious child, Ruth in the 1890s -- Elizabeth Knox Edward Leroy Knox and Laura Elizabeth (Howard) Knox Pictured with her father Leroy, mother Laura and her older sister Ethel Knox. Howard and Eva Knox Ruth Knox’s Christening. 15 hometown living at its best Laura Elizabeth HowardKnox,
When asked what it means to have this treasure being used over 100years later, Ruthanswered, “It touchesmyheart tobe connectednot only by the gown but in Christ.” Ruth really bragged on her wonderful daughter-in-law, Kaila Means, who not only allowed her baby girl, Gemma to wear the gown, but was excited to share in and pass on this Knox family tradition. Now the gown, which is still in excellent condition, will be saved for Gemma to continue this custom. If your family is not one to hold onto sentimental items, it is never too late tostart. Youcanbe the ‘Laura’ inyour family. Youmaynotbeable to handmake a precious Christening gown, but don’t be afraid to hold ontoyour child’s favorite outfit, book, or toy. The traditionof passing on family bibles, which listed it’smembers through the generations, is no longer done, butwho is to sayyoucan’t be the one tobring this precious practicebackwithyour family. However,we all knowthatwhatwepass on inour love of God and family iswhatwill truly surpass our lives and beenjoyedbyourownGreat-Great-GreatGrandchildren. As it iswritten: “Knowtherefore that the LordyourGod isGod; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love himand keep his commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9 † Heirloom AN Howard Knox Ruth Ross Lindsey Ross Roy and Betty Ross with first born, Howard 16 wichita falls living
We all know that what we pass on in our love of God and family is what will truly surpass our lives and be enjoyed by our own Great-Great-Great Grandchildren. - - Brandon Ross Caty and Lindsey Lawton BryanMeans GemmaMeans 17 hometown living at its best
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TheTexomaareaboastsmanyorganizations,butinBurkburnett, there is achapter of theCowboyFastDrawAssociation,where members pair off to see who can draw and shoot their 6 guns out of a holster with the fastest speed and accuracy. Members compete to see who has the fastest gun in…well, Burkburnett, Texas, the United States of America, and even in the world. The members all have aliases with the founder going by Jesse James. Some of the handles include Mudd, Red River Lee T, Ranger Joe, Trouble and Sassy Pants, Jesse James’ fiancé and co-founder of the Tin Star Regulators Chapter in Burkburnett. “TheCBFDoriginated inDeadwood, SouthDakota in2004when thefirstmatch tookplace. From then tonow, they are about 6,000 strong across theUnitedStateswith200 teams that shootmatches,” according to John “Jesse” James, the co-founder of the local group. Old West z Lives On The Tin Star Regulators in Burkburnett are members of the Cowboy Fast Draw Association and compete to see who has the fastest 6-gun draw Written By Cindy Kahler Thomas | Photos By Cindy Kahler Thomas
23 hometown living at its best “Our motto is safety first, fun second and competition third,” Jesse said. Mudd & Ranger Joe
The practice matches consist of 2 shooters on a line facing two targets. Once they are ready, and the command is given, “shooters ready," theyplace theirhands on their revolvers andwait for the light in the targets to come on. There are electronic timers that measure the accuracy and speed of each shooter. The first to get 3 of the fastest hits wins the match. The targets are 15 feet from the line, and they are round and measure 17 3/16th inches incircumference. The light is in the center of the target. At competitions, 6different shooters are on the line, and by a process of elimination, the best shooter shines. “Our motto is safety first, fun second and competition third,” Jesse said. At practice, you will hear catcalls and trash talk. There are references to safety glasses equating to Ray Charles’ glasses and his ability to hit a target. “Oh yeah, that is the fun part of it. But during the state, national and world matches, when they load their guns all the trash talk stops,” Jesse said. The top 7 winners split a $5000 prize. While they do use actual working guns, they do not shoot a common bullet. The bullets used have no gun powder and are made of wax. A primer in the bullet causes it to go off when the hammer of the gun hits the primer. They shoot straight off the hip out of a holster. There are strict rules for the organization and one of them is that the guns must be single shot revolvers, factory chambered for .45 caliber. No internal or external modifications can be made. They also use a holster and gun belt that is an 1800s style of leather cowhide construction. The clothing worn is also required to be 1800s period-themed clothing. In the CFDA, the “cowboy way" is still alive. “Sassy makes almost all of our costumes,” and sheworks hard at itmaking several different costumes for the pair. “We have shooters as young as 8 years old up to 86 years old. The childrenshootwithtwohandsand use ear protection, and all shooters must wear safety glasses,” said Tina Davis, alias Sassy Pants. “We teach them how to shoot a gun, break it down, and clean it. It teaches sportsmanship, discipline The bullets used have no gun powder and are made of wax. Old West z Lives On
25 hometown living at its best Jesse&Sassy withTargets
26 wichita falls living and how to interact with others. Kids don’t have conversations anymore because they are playing games. This really brings it out and they have contactwithpeople of all different types. It helpsmake thema better person.” That isn’t all the CFDA does for their younger members, they also have college scholarships available. “I really love this part of our organization. We have a scholarship programcalled ‘Shoot for the Stars.’ If a child shoots in competitions and then goes to college, they can be awarded up to $6000 a year for tuition. Theyhave towrite anessay every yearwhichdetermines if they continue to receive the scholarship. This is a great organization,” Sassy Pants shared. Jesse James’ great, great grandfather was the infamous outlaw Jesse James, so cowboying has always been in his veins. He grew up on a ranch, was a Hollywood stuntman, and was a reenactor through the Reenactors Guild of America. He put on shootout cowboy shows for decades “with shootouts, knockdown drag-out fights, hangings, and rope trolling,” which is being drug by a rope behind a horse. He is also the NationalDirector for theGuild.Hewasa stuntman in themovieTombstone, and his last movie was “The Lone Ranger” withJohnnyDepp. “Iworked6weekson Tombstone and got one 10 second shot inthemovie,”hesaidwithagrin.Healso workedasastuntmanontheHollywood western sets doing stunts that would be archived and pulled to use in other western movies. He got his first taste of doing stunts when his father helped him to “roll a car, an old Buick” down a hill. “They strappedme in the seat with a bunch of belts. I enjoyed it so much, my dad let me do it again. He was my best friend and was always supportive. Mommaalwaysstayedworried, butDad patted me on the back and said, ‘Go get ‘em son,’” Jesse recalled. Sassy Pants also has a cowboy past, being a reenactor for 25 years; in fact, that is how theymet. The Tin Star Regulators practice in an outbuilding off of Jesse and Sassy Pants' house in Burkburnett. They are open for memberships and are always happy to add members to their group. Jesse had this to say, “Do you think you are fast? Do youwant to see howyouwould have fared in the 1800s to be the fastest gun in the Old West? If so, we will strap a gun to you, teach you the rules and give you a try!” † Jesse James' great, great grandfather was the infamous outlaw Jesse James, so cowboying has always been in his veins. Jesse Reloading Bullets
Old West z Lives On
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32 wichita falls living There is something new and very poignant on the Lake Wichita shoreline. It evokes both pride and loss, telling the story of the Vietnamveterans. It is thenewVietnamVeteransMemorial. You can find it easily because it towers over visitors and represents the brave men and women who served our country in a very unpopular war. It tells the story of love and loss in those terrible times. Pride in these veterans andour country is evident on the faces of those who view it. “Some of the citizens of the United States at that time were very cruel to our men and women who served at no fault of their own. I don’t want us to ever go back to being ungrateful to themen andwomenwho have sacrificed and shed blood in their lives for each of us to be able to get up and do the things we enjoy and have the freedoms that we have,” said Sonja Gandy, Regent of the Major Francis Grice Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the Revolution, which is a local organization. TheDARstarted theprocessof acquiring themonument in2017. TheRegent at the time, RuthJames, and the ladies came up with a plan to honor the Vietnam veterans in a big way. “Ruth is the wife of a Vietnam veteran and she believed that we needed a Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor those veterans and give themthewelcome back and the thankyou that theydeserve. Also, we should not have to travel to Washington, DC to visit a monument to honor these veterans. Especially since we are a military town and we have Fort Sill to the north of us,” Sonja explained. Vietnam Veterans FROM Wichita Falls RECEIVE AGift VIETNAMVETERANSMEMORIAL enhances the city and gives those veterans a place to go to be honored. The project finally comes to completion, and the effort is not wasted on its visitors. Wr i t t en By C INDY KAHLER THOMAS
34 wichita falls living It was mentioned at a board meeting, and member ShirleyKing,who isalsoanaccomplishedartist,was given the task to create the original concept. She also found a sculptor that was fromWichita Falls, and also a Vietnam Veteran, Garland A. Weeks. “Shirley came up with a pencil sketch of what they wanted it to be. She sent me the sketch and wondered what I thought. I looked at the design and with a little rearrangingof thefigures,wemade it intoa3-dimensional sculpture,” Garland said proudly. “In the sculpture, I have represented two service members, amanandawoman. Thewoman is represented as anurse.Wedidn’t haveanywomenfighting inVietnam, but we had a lot of nurses. She and her male cohort are standing side by side. Theybothhave their hats removed. They are saying goodbye to someone who is not shown. That is only implicated. Theirheads arebowed. Their eyes are lowered, in fact, shehas a little tear inher right eye. She is holding a trifold flag inmemory of the recent deceased and they are standing there in front of sandbags,” Garland explained. He even used borrowed Vietnam War artifacts to stay true to the time period. “The rifle and the backpack belonged toaGeneral that lives inCollegeStationwhohad beeninVietnamthroughseveral tours. Thatwashisactual backpack. I had to obtain canteens and the stethoscope which was used in Vietnam by the nurses. So, I had all those artifacts that I could replicate in clay and then cast in bronze. All the equipment was real and true to the era. I think that is what makes a nice piece of sculpture even more evocative is the detail,” he said, “It was a pure honor to be selected to do this.” “We were just floored that the community came together very quickly, and the money was raised in less than a year,” Sonja said, “When we got to the point of completion of the monument, the next issue was that it was to be the centerpiece of the Veterans Plaza. But the plaza wasn’t completed. It wasn’t even started. The monument was in storage for 3 years, and when I came onas regent, I decided that itwasnot going tobekept away from the public, it was going to be enjoyed. My board got behindme and the community responded to our request. Anytime I could get on TV, I did because I felt like as long
“In the sculpture, I have represented two service members, a man and a woman. The woman is represented as a nurse. We didn’t have any women fighting in Vietnam, but we had a lot of nurses. She and her male cohort are standing side by side.” -Garland A. Weeks, scuplturist This picture was taken after the Wichita Falls City Council meeting where the Major Francis Grice Chapter, National Association of the Daughters of the Revolutionapproached the city forpermission to start theproject of theVietnam VeteransMemorial. GarlandA.Weeks, the sculptor, is in themiddle holding the tabletop example of the memorial. The ladies are all members of the NADAR. (Pictured left to right: SueRamser, SonjaGandy, ShirleyKing, DebWest, Garland A. Weeks, Kimberly Florsheim, Brandy Redondo, and Ruth James.)
as it was in storage it was out of sight and out of mind. It needed to have a home,” Sonja saidwith resolve. “The citygot involvedand the citycouncil, and I think God just directed us to the spot where it is today. It was beautiful and everything fell into place, and Imean it just took off. It was time. I have noticed that the few times I have been out there, it is surrounded by life. There are always people at the lake. Of course, it is newand they are curious, andthat’sgreatbecause it isaconversationstarter for families and our children. And it is a piece of history that we never want to forget,” she said passionately. “Myhope is that schoolswill takefield trips there and questionswill be asked. Stories canbe shared, memories, questions answered. So that these little ones understand that their right to go to school, their right to work where they want to didn’t come without costs,” she explained, “Nowwehaveaplacetogo, andwecanshowthoseveterans howmuchwecareandhowmuchweappreciatewhat they have given and that they will always have a place in our heart and that they are welcome inWichita Falls.” On Vietnam Veterans Day, March 29th, the DAR sharedthedaywiththecommitteeof the50thAnniversary of Vietnam. In a grand celebration and ceremonial laying of thewreath, Vietnamveteranswerehonored, recognized and addressed the public. Garland also included a treat for young and old. He puts a creature in every sculpture. He believes that it gets thechildrento lookat theartworkand talkabout it. I agree, so, there is a little creature hidden. See if you can find it. † On Vietnam Veterans Day, MArch 29th, the DAR shared the day with the committee of the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam. 36 wichita falls living
Oswald, Wichita Falls area resident Mike
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HUMBLY WINNING THE ART BATTLE Written by CINDY KAHLER THOMAS Photos provided by DERRICK HOLT AND DAVE DIAMOND Pa i nt i ng as a Spec t or Spor t 40 wichita falls living
41 hometown living at its best D Derrick Holt is a talented young artist, and he recently won a painting competition called the Art Battle here in Wichita Falls. Derrick is a self-taught artist that enjoys creating art froma variety of subjects. He surprised himself with thewin. “I had heard about it a couple of times on Facebook. Honestly, I did not think it was real. I thought, ‘InWichita Falls? I don’t think so.’” The Art Battle is an international competition that pits artists against each other. At each event, there are 3 rounds. In rounds one and two, 6 artists get on the stage andpaint for twentyminutes. The audiencewalks around the stage watching the artists paint. At the end of twenty minutes, the audience votes on their favorite painting. However; the battle is also streamedonline for anyone to watch and they can vote digitally. The four artists with the most votes go on to round 3. They paint for twentyminutesonanewcleancanvas, andat theend of the twentyminutes, thevote is talliedandtheonewith themost votes wins the battle. “I realized this is real--this is somethingbig! I put the application in and 3 days later I got that email that said that Iwas selected. I freakedout. Iwas atworkwhen I got the email and I stopped and looked at it againand let out a slight yell,” he said with a smile, “It was one of the top three best moments of my life.” Derrickappliedat ArtBattle.comandhad to answer some questions and send in samples of his artwork. There have been three previous battles inWichita Falls, but theone thatDerrickwontookplace inNovemberand let himmove up to the Texas Regional Semifinals. The semifinals were held onMarch 13 inDallas. He found the flyer having lunch one day at his favorite restaurant. “In fact, I still have that flyer that I took as a souvenir. It said that the artists did not have to havemoney to participate. I took it home and did a little research,” he explained, “I lookedat oneor twovideos on thewebsite. But I wasn’t paying attention. I was looking Derrick Holt, a humble artist shined at the November Art Battle which propels him to the next level in competition. The Art Battles pit artists, against each other in a timed painting competition.
at the cool art and the music and DJs but I didn’t realize they only had twenty minutes to paint. I did a little more research and found that out, that is when I thought this is something serious. It was a huge international deal.” Afterhewaschosen,hepreparedforamonthtoexecuteapainting intwentyminutes.Herealizedthathe was going tohave to changehiswholepainting style. After some research, hediscoveredapaintingmethod calledallaprima.Using theallaprimamethod, paint is laiddownonthecanvas inasingleapplication, rather thanbuildinguptheapplications,whicharecommonlyhowoil paintsareused. Itwasn’tunusual forDerrick to take a couple ofmonths ormore tofinishanoil painting. “I preparedwitha lot of hours, blood, sweat, and tears. I have 14 canvases that I practiced on. Practice this, practice that. Try to do this. Try to do that. To do amonth’s worth of work in twentyminutes? It is still insane tome,” he exclaimed, “It is super challenging. That is when I dabbled in a newway of painting that I had never done before.” Of course, it was alla prima. 42 wichita falls living
“I usuallydoa lot of layering, butwiththis style, thereare thickerbrushstrokes and thepaint isn’t alwaysblended. I had wanted to try that style before, so I was all in,” Derrick said. Although he had a month to prepare, it was more crucial than that. “When I submittedmy application, I had not donemuch art for about two years. I was dealingwith life changes that had caused a deepdepression,” he shared.With the deadline loominghe knewthat “doing artwould bring me out of that in so many ways. Most of my artwork is private. But I started posting on the internet here and there. When I posted a drawing of the falls, I started getting a lot more attention formy art,” which helped himcome out of the depression and build his confidence. “I did two landscapes at the Art Battle. One of a winter scene in the first round. In the third round, I had no idea what Iwas going topaint. I didn’t anticipatemaking it to the third round. Honestly, just being there alonewas enough for me. I was humbled and truly blessed to share the stage with such amazing artists. Truly humbling. I will never forget it,” he saidmodestly. “The secondone I usedmorenatural colors topaint a lakeside scene. That secondpainting was completely freestyled.” “My artwork is definitelyhowI communicatewhen I feel Imight not be able to verbally. I canbe an introvert.My inner me is a very shy person and a lot of times I will say what I need to say through art.” He overcame that shyness at that event and has “a lot more confidence going into the next Art Battle.” He encourages other artists to compete in future events. “Just get out there as an artist. Just do it, you never knowwhat will happen if you do.” † 43 hometown living at its best
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46 wichita falls living That was evident this year at the Arts Alive! Home &Garden Festival! The Arts CouncilWFwas thrilled to host the 25th annual event on Feb. 26th and 27th at the MPEC. Wichita Falls and surrounding residents came out to show their support of our local and regional vendors attending and got to see the latest in new home trends, upgrades, gardening&outdoor products, and lifestyle goods. Fun features of the event included 40+ Farmers Market vendors, local and regional artists, community organizations, live animals from the Wichita County 4-H kids, and the “Doorways to Agriculture” interactive exhibit by Texas FarmBureau. Community supporting community ...
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50 wichita falls living Each year a new Featured Artist for Home & Garden is selected and their artwork appears on all event promotional materials! With the help of David & Gail White and White RealtyManagement (sponsors of our event t-shirts) wewere able to track down 20 years’ worth of shirts to create a t-shirt quilt that was displayed during the show. This year featured Paula Savage’s adorable “Poochie” as the theme artwork. The Arts Alive! Home & Garden Festival makes it possible for the Arts Council WF to offer our community art galleries, classes for all ages, youth camp programs, and other free and low-cost arts opportunities. This festival thrives on the combined effort of committee members, volunteers, non-profit organizations, and our community! † Save the date for next year - Feb. 25th and 26th, 2023! Homeandgardenwf.org
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54 wichita falls living Communication is key. As a teacher, I’ve often wanted to reach out to parents of a student, and I can’t find them. The email listed is returning void or there’s no response. The phone number goes to voice mail, and I don’t want to leave too much information on a voice mail in which I’m unsure. How can I tell parents that I haven’t seen their daughter in 1st period in several days or that their son is not turning in work and risks failing for the six weeks if I can’t reach them? Always make sure the contact info is current, so we can work as a team to help your kid make it to the finish line. In addition, if you have concerns, sooner is better than later! Call me, email me, show up during my conference time. I’m 100% invested in student success. Call me first—don’t jump over my head and go to the principal. That sets us up as adversaries unnecessarily. Most misunderstandings can be solved in just a few minutes if you contact me. Also, I love to hear POSITIVE communication too – reach out to share what you love and what is working! It will make my day! DearMomandDad, Hello! I amyour kid’s teacher, and I’mso glad you stopped by at Parents’ Night to meet me. Besides being a teacher, I’malso a parent, so I do understandwhere you are coming from.We only have a fewminutes to go over this flier Imade, but if I had time, I’d love to tell you…. 5 Things 1 2 3 Teachers Wish Parents Knew Independently check on your kid’s grades and attendance. Most of the time, it’s an easy task—if you don’t know how, reach out. I’ll help you. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve called a parent to talk about grades, and they have no idea. I’ve even been yelled at by a parent because he didn’t know his kid was failing. Yes, it’s my job to touch base with parents, but I have 130 kids to keep up with and generally parents only have a few. If we work as a team, we can often catch problems while they are still small. If we wait until later, it becomes much more difficult. Realize that even the very best kids lie if they are worried about getting in trouble. It’s 100% normal, but remember what your mom used to say, “There are two sides to every story.” Before you find yourself overly upset about something your student says I said or did, please call me. Reach out. Model the kind of behavior you would like to see your kid demonstrate. Do I ever make mistakes? Absolutely. Am I ever wrong? Yes. But at least give me the benefit of a doubt before you call the principal or write a scathing email at 2:00 a.m. †
Hold your kid accountable. Many kids come to school with a victim mentality and can make excuses much easier than showing effort. If your child is caught cheating, didn’t turn in their project, skipped class, or some other infraction, let them feel the heat of their transgression. While the moment may be uncomfortable, and as a mom or dad you might want to swoop in and fix everything, try to picture your kid five years from now. In my case, I teach seniors, and they are so close to adulthood they can taste it. They often act out to test those boundaries between childhood and adulthood. Personally, I’d rather see them fail now while you are still very present to help them navigate failure rather than next year when they are in college or the work force or military and there’s no soft place to fall. 4 5Please remember I am not here for the paycheck. I have 130 kids every day in my classroom, and I genuinely care about each one. Each kid comes to school with their own anxieties, learning issues, medical needs, and friend drama. Some of them come to school hungry, or neglected, or have learning disabilities that I am responsible to address, or are gifted students that I’m supposed to challenge. Some have mental problems, and they might scream at me or throw things, or tell their parents things that are not true about my classroom. I spend many, many hours trying to learn the most current technology to keep them engaged in the classroom. I try to reach out to the quiet kid I worry about, and to encourage the kid who’s given up. Sometimes I have angry parents call and I do my best to let them know I’m doing all I can. I love my job, but it’s often very taxing. † I spend many, many hours trying to learn the most current technology to keep the students engaged in the classroom. I wish you knew your kid lights me up. That we have silly moments where we lip synch and talk about current issues and she shows me a drawing she made that blows me away. I wish you knew that your kid, no matter how he might roll his eyes when you speak to him, brags about you to the class. I wish you knew your kid left a sweet note for me when I was having a bad day. I wish you knew. 55 hometown living at its best
e Journey of Hope... Hospice of Wichita Falls o ers many support services to the families and communities we serve. Our support team consists of Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, Chaplains, and Bereavement sta . Our Grief Support Groups address topics such as how to deal with grief, managing new roles in the household, and taking care of yourself as well as other grief related issues. ere are many di erent groups to attend including: Wednesday Noon Zoom Group - For anyone su ering a loss Wings of Hope - For families grieving the loss of a child COVID Loss Support Group - For those su ering a loss due to COVID-19 Coping with Grief - 4 Week Grief Support Group - Focuses on education and other grief related issues Hospice of Wichita Falls o ers support groups to families, caregivers, and community members at no cost. Hospice of Wichita Falls 940-691-0982 Fax 940-687-1294 4909 Johnson Road, Wichita Falls, Texas 76310 August 25 - August 28 www.hh100.org HOTTER’N HELL 56 wichita falls living
57 hometown living at its best
MORGAN ADAMS photos provided by the adams family WHERE DO YOU LIVE? Iowa Park MORGAN ADAMS, 17 YEARS OLD PARENTS: BEN AND ANGIE ADAMS HOWLONGHAVE YOU BEENA PART OF THE PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED BYWICHITA COUNTY 4-H? This is my eighth year. 4-H Spotlight WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE 4-HACTIVITY? IamcurrentlyenrolledintheVeterinaryScienceCertificate Program (VSCP). Once I complete the program, I will be a Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA). The knowledge and hands-on experience that I will have with becoming a CVA will help as I continue my education to Pre-Vet School. 58 wichita falls living
WHATWOULDYOUTELLSOMEONETHINKING ABOUT JOINING 4-H TO PERSUADE THEM TO JOIN? Join!!! Youwill definitely find something you love todo and are so passionate about. You will learn many life lessons and skills to help you in the future; along with meeting amazing people who will become your best friends. WHERE HAVE YOU COMPETED AND WHAT AWARDS HAVE YOUWON? IhavecompetedfromJackpotsall thewaytotheState level inmanyofmy4-Hprojects. AlthoughVetScienceismymain focus, I havealsocompetedwith/inthe following: rabbits, goats, lambs, trap shooting, livestock judging, Product Ag ID, Food Challenge, photography, welding projects, and currently have a commercial steer project. HOW HAS BEING A PART OF 4H PROGRAMS PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE/GOALS? I have had the opportunity to hold different offices at the club and county levels. These offices, along with Leader Labs I’ve attended, have helped with leadership skills, communication, public speaking, time management, and meeting people in different areas from farmers to county officials. My livestock projects have also helped prepare me for the future with teaching responsibility, patience, nutrition for livestock, and raising quality livestock for both market and breeding. I feel all of these things will help with my future goal of becoming a veterinarian and raising my own cattle. WHY IS BEING IN 4-H IMPORTANT TO YOU? I have been in 4-H since 4th grade and have met so many amazing people who have become like family, but being in 4-H has helped me grow so much as a person. WHO IS YOURMENTOR? I have had many mentors over the years. Currently, my biggest influences are David Graf and Katrena Mitchell (my Ag and 4-H agents.) They both have always pushed me to grow as a ‘4-H-er’ which I feel has helped with all the opportunities I have had with my 4-H career. I have recently started job shadowing both of them and have learned so much. WHEREDOYOUWANTTOGOTOCOLLEGEAND WHATWILLYOUSTUDY?ORWHATTODOYOU WANT TO DOWHEN YOU GROWUP? I want to attend West Texas A&M University studying Veterinary Medicine. I hope to attend the 2&2 year vet school program....meaning I will spend my first two years of vet school at WTAMU and then transfer for the final two years at A&M University. Once graduating, I hope to openmy own large animal practiceworkingwith farmers/ ranchers and their livestock. 59 hometown living at its best
TELLUS A FUNNY STORYABOUT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED WHILE CARING FOR YOUR ANIMAL OR DURING A COMPETITION. My very first time in the showringwithmy goat,my anxiety got the best of me and him. I apparently had a pretty good gripontheshowchainmaking itdifficult forhimtobreathe. We made one round and then he laid down. I stood there, looking over him, thinking he would get up at any minute. The judge continued judging the class, looking back at us everynowand then, butwewerebothstill inthesameplace. He would have to be carried out of the show ring and back to the pen. Even though this wasn’t funny, it was a learning experience. The judge came tome and toldmehewas proud of how I handled the situation. WHAT ARE YOURHOBBIES/ INTERESTS? Studying and practicing vet medicine, being in the barn with my animals, and spending time with my family. COMMENTS/WORDS OFWISDOM OR ADVICE: It’s okay if you fall down and lose your spark. Just make sure you remember to get back up and when you do, rise as a whole fire. 60 wichita falls living
61 hometown living at its best
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63 hometown living at its best
W R I T T E N B Y S A B R I N A F O R S E | P H O T O S P R O V I D E D B Y T H E R U B Y FA M I L Y Legacy of Kindness LLOYD RUBY 64 wichita falls living
MARY ANN BAILEY, DAUGHTER OF THE LOCAL FAMOUS RACE CAR DRIVER, LLOYD RUBY, SHARES THE OFF-TRACK STORY OF A RACING LEGEND. he Gentleman fromWichita Falls. The Greatest Driver Never to Win the Indy 500. Racing Legend. Hall of Famer. These are all titles that many bestow upon Lloyd Ruby. “He would say all he did was drive in circles for a living and always downplayed it,” said Mary Ann Bailey. Mary Ann is the daughter of the late Lloyd Ruby, who recorded 176 wins in his twenty-year racing career. In the spring of 2022, a historical marker will honor Ruby’s legacy near the Interstate 44 overpass also named in his honor. 65 hometown living at its best
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It’s in Wichita Falls where Ruby was born, lived and died leaving a legacy worthy of not only his racing prowess but of his kindness. Many considered him a best friend. “When dad died at the age of 81, there were a lot of people who called the funeral home to leave their condolences and somany said that dad was their best friend. Dad probably didn’t know them that well but that is the kind of guy he was. He made everyone feel special.” The Ruby family has a special history of its own. Lloyd’s father owned the WP Ruby Building. It was the first auto shop in town to work on electric cars. “Dad had a Harley Davidson and wore a black leather jacket in high school but when he was about 17or 18 years old he went to a dirt track just outside of Wichita Falls. There was a car owner who looked nervous because the driver hadn’t shown up. Dad said he would give it a whirl and drove the car and won the race and that’s how he got started.” Ruby started racing at that dirt track every week. It’s where he met the woman who would become his wife. “Mom worked at a bank and they asked her to present a trophy at the race. She said he winked at her and she winked back.” The couple later married and had two children, John and Mary Ann. The Rubys lived in Wichita Falls but traveled across the country along the racing circuit. “In the 60’s and 70’s racing was pretty dangerous and there were a lot of fatalities. You didn’t want to get too close to other drivers but Dad was good friends with the Unser brothers, Parnelli Jones and A.J. Foyt. They would tie their arms to the steering wheel because if the vehicle started to roll it would force their arms out. They were a brave bunch,” explained Mary Ann. “People would always ask my mother if it scared her that dad was a racecar driver. She would say, ‘I knew he raced before I married him. God’s grace is sufficient.’ When we would cheer Dad on, I think she would be half cheering, half praying.” 67 hometown living at its best
“People would always ask my mother if it scared her that dad was a racecar driver. She would say, ‘I knew he raced before I married him. God’s grace is sufficient.’ When we would cheer Dad on, I think she would be half cheering, half praying.” - Mary Ann Bailey
Ruby’s big break came when he met J.C. Agajanian, a racecar owner and promotor. “Dad was working up a reputation for being an aggressive driver and was winning a lot. Agajanian offered him the chance to ride in one of his Indy 500 rookie test cars. He tested and passed the first year and finished the race.” Ruby would go on to race in the Indianapolis 500 eighteen consecutive times from 1960 to 1977, finishing in the top ten seven times, with a third place finish in 1964. He partnered with Ken Miles to race and won the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1966 and the World Sportscar Championship. “My brother and I would spend most of May at Indianapolis as it was a month of race celebrations including lunches and style shows. It was pretty exciting.” WhenMary Ann earned her driver’s license, she found that she inherited her father’s love of speed. “My brother and his buddy were racing a Mini Sprint car at theWichita Falls Speedrome. Once a year, the track did a Girls Powder Puff race which John let me drive the racecar he drove built by his friend, Randy Herrell, if I wouldn’t wreck it. So, I was going as fast as I could and saw Randy’s dad, Hambone Herrell, on the track waving his hands about two feet apart. I thought that meant go faster, so I started going as fast as I could. I saw him again on the next lap and thought I had to speed up again. I was so excited by the time it was over and I had won. Hambone asked why I didn’t slow down when he signaled to slow down. I told him, I thought that meant speed up.” 69 hometown living at its best
Ruby never slowed down off the track either. “He was always giving back to the community. He was very involved with the Boys and Girls Club and was a charter member of the Mavericks in the 60’s. It’s a group of local businessmen who grill and cook dinners for events around Wichita Falls.” Mary Ann says her father wasn’t a talker but a doer. “One time, a motor home had broken down on the side of the road. Dad hauled the motor home to the shop and started fixing it. When the owners got to the garage, they were flabbergasted when someone told them it was Lloyd Ruby who had helped them. He never told themwho he was. He just wanted to help them get back on the road.” In 2019, Lloyd Ruby was depicted in the film Ford vs Ferrari. “The movie was mostly about Caroll Shelby and Ken Miles, but my son contacted the actor who played Dad in the movie. They started talking and the actor said that since he played Lloyd Ruby in the film, he learned somany great things about himandwas sad they didn’t include any of it in the movie.” However, it was Carroll Shelby who called to express his condolences when Ruby died. “He
said, ‘Listen, your dad was the best driver ever. He just didn’t have the equipment or the super team around him.’” Now, drivers speed along the overpass named in honor of the racing legend. “Joe Raines was very instrumental in getting the overpass named before Dad died. He went through the red tape to get it taken care of and has worked with the historical society for the historical marker.” Mary Ann is once again living near Wichita Falls and serves on the Texas Motor Speedway Charity Board. Some memorabilia from Ruby’s career can be found inside the Crazy Cars Museum. Whether she’s in Wichita Falls or at the Indy 500, Mary Ann is proud that her father’s legacy lives on. “Dad treated everyone the same whether they were a homeless person or Mr. Firestone. He was kind to everyone and I think that’s why everyone remembers him. It thrills me that Dad hasn’t been forgotten.” † 73 hometown living at its best
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Specializing in Long Term Acute Care Hospital Services Neuro/Trauma Recovery Complex Wound Care Advanced Respiratory Recovery Extended IV Therapy Bridge to Rehabilitation Program CONTACT US! Phone (940) 213-9370 Fax (940) 228-4235 1103 Grace Street Wichita Falls, TX 76301 AcceptsMedicare andmost major insurances! 75 hometown living at its best
BUNDLES OF Joy HOMETOWN Join us in welcomingWichita Falls’ newest residents! Have your photographer share your sweet bundle with us for future issues, email office@hometown-living.com. 1 3 2 1. Camden PARENTS: RYLIE & JOHNNY DIAZ 2. Landry PARENTS: BROOK HENNAN & LANDON STEWART 3. Liam PARENTS: YESENIA RIOS & DIEGO CANALES PHOTOS BY CARLA BLANCHARD PHOTOGRAPHY 76 wichita falls living
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{ { travel guide “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” - OscarWilde
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81 hometown living at its best { { travel guide www.VisitLawtonOK.com Learn more at:
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83 hometown living at its best
very little girl loves tea time! This is a chance to set your dolls and stuffed animals in chairs, play dress up, and sip fromyour best china (even though at age 5, it may be plastic.) Dress up and yummy treats are the best part. Most of us would agree, pretending to be an adult ismuch more glamorous than the real thing. It’s a time for parents to step back and use their imagination to help entertain their little ones. As Mother’s Day approaches, this sweet timeless treat is a favorite for mothers and daughters of all ages. Tea Time History InEngland, tea time is amidafternoonmeal completewith tea and small cakes or cookies. For centuries this has been a wonderful excuse to take a break from the hustle & bustle and relax. It is also a social time to invite friends over to discuss the happenings of the day. The popularity of tea time began in the nineteenth century and Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is credited for its increased status. She complained of a ‘sinking feeling’ around late afternoon. During that era many people only ate two meals a day and dinner was not served until close to eight o’clock. The Duchess began inviting friends to take tea with her from two to four in the afternoon, preceding the fashionable time to walk in Hyde Park, and before long all of London was following suit. With Mother’s Day approaching, we want our readers to learn more about Tea Time, where it came from and where it can take you! Written By REBECCA RISTER Photos by RHONDA ELDERS & HMG 84 wichita falls living
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87 hometown living at its best A menu for tea might include finger sandwiches, scones served with preserves, other homemade cakes and breaded pastries, and of course a variety of hot tea withmilk and sugar. Sandwiches would vary from cucumber, egg mayonnaise with cress –although theAmerican substitutionwouldbe something closer resembling egg salad, and a chicken salad or tuna fish. Texans daily enjoy a different kind of tea time. It too is amidday break, but the tea almost always contains sugar and a lot of ice to ward off the Texas heat! I’ve been guilty of the misconception that High Tea is a fancy ordeal, when in actualityAfternoonTeawas for the upper class. High Tea was taken by the working class and is much more casual and practical than the latter. It involved a mug of tea, bread, vegetables, cheese, and meat if they were fortunate enough to have any, variations included potatoes and pies. Did you know tea is the second most popular drink in the world, second only to water? The first recorded consumption of the drink was in China, as early as 10th century BC. It spread from there across Asia. Portuguese exploration and trade discovered the Asian tea. England’s King, Charles II, was married to aCatherine of BraganzaPortuguese, making her the queen consort of England, Ireland, and Scotland. It is said she introduced tea to the UK in the sixteenth century. I’ve often wondered why we do not honor a tea time as strictly as our English cousins. It could be that the Boston Tea Party ended our tea time privileges as a nation. Today tea time is a special occasion; something we do as mothers and daughters, or something we play at as children. Regardless of the timing – it really is fun. So, whether your tea time is served with scones or a more southern version of peach cobbler and sweet iced tea, we should all try and fit a little more whimsy into our daily schedules.
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