FSM May 2012

BEST OF FRISCO • MAY 2012 • VOL XVI, ISSUE 12 • $2.50
Promoting Community & Commerce since 1995

LET’S GO TO THE LAKE! | GETTING THE VOTES





FEATURE

50

BEST OF FRISCO 2012

Why do we love Frisco? Take a look at some of the
exceptional qualities that we feel make Frisco such
a wonderful place.

By Chris Martin

On the cover:
Embark on a journey through local
history at the Frisco Heritage Museum.

Photo by: Chris Fritchie

D E PA R T M E N T S

15 B U S I N E S S

Inspiration & Determination | By Maria Leahey

35 FAM I LY

W hat Floats Your Boat | By Allison Harrell

35 71 D I N I N G

N ever Fear, Poh is Here! | By Heather Rodriguez

79 79 E D U C AT I O N

On and Off the Field | By Caren Austen

Frisco STYLE Magazine proudly sponsors the Celina Balloon Festival, Christmas in the Square,
Clothe-A-Child, Frisco Arts, Frisco Community Parade, Frisco Family Services, Frisco Freedom
Fest, Gary Burns Fun Run, ManeGait Therapeutic Horsemanship, 2012 Mother & Daughter
Tea and Style Show, Plano Balloon Festival, Prosper Arts & Music Festival, Prosper Christmas
Festival, Silver Dollar Ball and is a member of the Frisco Chamber of Commerce.

4 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO



85 94 BEST OF FRISCO
MAY 2012
COLUMNS
publisher
21 Business Report CHRIS JOHNSON
23 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
editor
Getting the Votes | By Allison Harrell ANDREA HIKEL

27 I N S I G H T S art director
LEAH RATLIFF
A Hidden Jewel | By Mike Simpson
staff photographer
42 Streets of Frisco CHRIS FRITCHIE
45 HOME & GARDEN
manager, account services
Conservation Road Blocks | By Allison Harrell ANDREW JOHNSON

73 Small Bites staff writers
85 TR AVEL ALLISON HARRELL

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! | By Lesa Swimelar CHRIS MARTIN

91 NOW & THEN director of business development
GEORGE RODRIGUEZ
Old vs. New Frisco | By Bob Warren
advertising sales
94 PROFILE LESA SWIMELAR

Putting the Unity in Community | By Carolyn Cameron AD SALES: 972.335.1306

9 9 Did You Know Style Publishing Group,
100 Community calendar P.O. Box 1676, Frisco, Texas 75034
10 2 O n e D ay i n F r i s c o | By Chris Fritchie
Phone: 972.335.1181
Toll Free: 877.781.7067

Fax: 214.722.2313
[email protected]
www.friscostyle.com

No portion of this publication may be
reproduced without express written permission

of Style Publishing Group, LLC.
©2012 All rights reserved.

WANT TO KNOW MORE about this month’s topics? We’ll have additional www.friscostyle.com designed and
information on planning your summer activities on Lake Lewisville, the Frisco managed by Internet Marketing Images.
Heritage Museum and much more at friscostyle.com.
www.4imi.com • 877.469.9322

Look for us on:

6 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved.



LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

dining LOVE YOUR ARTICLE about our Frisco
firefighters! Every word was so true ... they
love to joke, love to eat and love when WELL YOU DID one dianyfrisco...PicturePerfect
desserts magically appear at the station IT AGAIN! This
-- especially ice cream. I participated in photo by Chris FritChie
the Frisco Citizen’s Fire Academy. The
guys at Central served us dinner and it was is the best issue
wonderful. But more importantly, they are
professional and dedicated to their work. yet. We received
They are very serious about what they do.
Firefighters John Stewart and it in the mail today
Jim Johnson put the final touches Becky Poole

on the chicken pasta.

Dining Visiting the grocery store can be a had to leave our cart due to a call. When and I sat down
daunting task for even a small family we returned, someone had paid for all our

Hot Spot of four, but these men are gathering groceries!”
ingredients for six meals that will feed 15 Upon returning from the store, mr.
to 17 hungry firefighters each. “We enjoy
Johnson and mr. Laventure begin

grocery shopping because we get to preparing lunch. Chicken pasta and

BY AndreA hikeL interact with the public. We are even on a garlic bread are on the menu today. mr. and read it cover
first name basis with the store personnel,” Laventure begins slicing the onions, while

FireFighter Jim Johnson picks up says mr. Laventure. “We always get asked mr. Johnson carefully chops the uncooked

the receiver to the firehouse intercom and ‘What’s for dinner’ by other shoppers and chicken breast and lays it on the grill to

begins to dial. the crewmembers of shift it always makes our day when kids think it’s cook. the three men work in unison; clearly

A at the Frisco Central Fire station have cool we shop at the same store they do.” showing they have worked together in the

been waiting anxiously for mr. Johnson’s normally, the same two or three kitchen many times before. there is little

announcement, their stomachs in knots firefighters do all the grocery shopping, discussion on the meal they are preparing; to cover. What a

with anticipation. the intercom mimics because they know exactly how much everyone knows their job and when to do

the sound of numbers being dialed and of each ingredient to purchase. “if a new it, just as they do in the field. the pasta is

everyone stops to listen closely. mr. person goes, we usually end up short on poured into a large stainless steel stockpot

Johnson raises the phone to his ear and food,” says mr. Laventure. “We pay for our to boil and the garlic bread is placed in the

with a deep tone he says, “Let’s eat.” own food. each person pays $10 each shift, oven to warm.

With a busy morning of 10 emergency which covers breakfast, lunch, dinner and the firehouse fills with a delicious aroma, quality magazine

calls, the men of shift A finally return from of course midnight snacks.” on this day, alerting the crew of shift A that lunchtime

the grocery store around 11 a.m., equipped the men spent $253 for two shifts. isn’t far away. Firefighter d. Cote stands

with ingredients for the six meals they will Yes, the firefighters do have to respond by observing his fellow crewmembers

prepare in their next two 24-hour shifts. to calls even when they are grocery whipping up lunch. When asked if he

“due to the high price of fuel and wear shopping. “When we get called out while ever helps with preparing meals, he says

and tear on equipment, we will shop for shopping, the store is good about letting with a chuckle, “they do such a great job with interesting

two shifts at a time,” says firefighter Jason us leave our cart in the cooler until we get that i stay out of it. i don’t want to throw a

Laventure. back,” says mr. Laventure. “one time, we monkey wrench in there.”

April 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 67Friscostyle.com

articles, and

reflections Chris Fritchie’s picture of the Blue Bonnets at Zion Cemetery

Full Steam Ahead! outstanding.  I bet many folks in Frisco didn’t even know about
By Minnie Payne

that hidden treasure. Keep up the good work.

THANK YOU for the very nice article on the Sandy Simpson
Frisco Heritage Association and its activities.
Children enjoyed climbing up into a restored locomotive at Frisco’s 110th anniversary celebration, above. Heritage Association member and former
mayor Mike Simpson and city councilman Bob Allen spoke at the anniversary celebration, below. Susanne Kerley

Just 10 short years ago, frisco was symbol of our city. on february 7 and 8, was dug and provided water for the steam

gearing up for a yearlong centennial 1902, Blackland town site co., a subsidiary engines.

celebration. Many were reminiscing of the railroad, not only auctioned off lots to and coming up with a name also

about the growth of frisco, amazed the residents and merchants from surrounding proved to be a challenge. residents first

population had already reached 44,555. communities that had no rail service, but named their community emerson after the

little did we know our city would surpass to buyers as far away as chicago, st. louis owner of the farm where the town site was

all expectations by celebrating its 110th and Kansas city. located. But when application for a post

anniversary with more than 124,000 office was made, authorities ruled against
residents. it because it was too similar to another

according to native frisconian, former town in lamar county, emberson.

mayor and local historian Bob Warren, up erudia Post office, about two miles
until the early 1930s, everything that came northwest, was transferred to the new

into frisco was carried by rail, making town site and for some time the office

the railroad an important factor in the operated under the erudia name. in 1904,
development of the city. Merchants were residents selected the name “frisco city”

supplied with products to sell, farmers in honor of the founding railroad. shortly

shipped grains for sale and the city relied thereafter, it was shortened to “frisco,”
on passenger trains for mail and a means and the u.s. Postal service approved.

of travel. “the railroad was the mother on March 3, 1908, residents elected

of frisco,” says Mr. Warren. “it’s what put to incorporate frisco. that same month,
frisco where it is, and it’s what caused the first municipal government was

the city to grow. it’s what gave the city its as with any developing project, there elected, which consisted of a mayor, four

name.” were challenges. the steam locomotives aldermen, an alderman at large and the
required water every 20 to 30 miles to move city marshal. today, frisco is known as a

a little history them, and since water was not available on home rule charter city, with a mayor and

in 1902, the st. louis-san francisco railroad higher ground along Preston ridge, the six city council members. in 1911, george
began operating in emerson, now known railroad searched four miles west to lower robertson was elected as the first fire

as frisco, making the railway car a key ground. frisco lake, on stewart creek, marshal, but it wasn’t until 1914 that the

78 Frisco sTYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. homE & gardEn

8 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO





DON’T MISS FROM THE EDITOR

FRISCO FARMERS Why do you love Frisco?
MARKET will take place
every Saturday from May 5 to Is it the shopping, entertainment and sports venues? Or maybe it’s the arts and culture
October 20 at Frisco Square. that peaks your interest. No matter what lured you to this ever-growing city, we live and
Visit www.friscofarmersmarket.org for work here because there are numerous things that make Frisco a desirable place.
more information.
Our annual Best of Frisco issue highlights attributes that we believe represent the
THE SILVER DOLLAR true character of our city. They were not chosen by vote or pole, but simply by sitting
BALL on May 12, together, as a team, and discussing memorable experiences. Chris Martin pulls them all
7-12 p.m. at the XO together in our feature, “Best of Frisco.”
Ranch in Aubrey, will
feature entertainment, food Personally, if I had to choose one “best” thing about Frisco, I would have to say it’s
and beverages, casino games and people’s willingness to help those in need. When a family is down on their luck, a child
silent and live auctions. Funds raised needs a playground that caters to their special needs or a church group needs to raise
will help fund research and service money for a mission trip, Frisco residents always seem to come together, at the drop of
programs benefiting cancer patients a hat, to help in any way possible.
and their families throughout North
Texas. Visit www.silverdollarball.org. Speaking of giving to those in need, I had the great honor of volunteering for the
Frisco Family Services 2012 Gala, collecting silent auction items. It was amazing to see
Approximately 2,000 the tremendous generosity local businesses showed toward this event. Most businesses
visitors will come to didn’t even think twice about donating; they knew it was a great cause and happily gave
Frisco May 3 - 8 for the what they were capable of giving. They couldn’t have picked a better slogan for this year’s
2012 NAHL ROBERTSON gala: ONE community, coming together for ONE purpose, making ONE big impact.
CUP NATIONAL CHAM-
PIONSHIP. Five teams from across Our profile article this month will show you yet another example of our community
the country will compete for the title rallying together to help a local family. Local businesses and individuals donated their
in 12 games. The Robertson Cup time, money and resources in order to make the Borst’s home handicap accessible
crowns the NAHL’s playoff champion and a truly comfortable place to live. It was amazing to see so many people coming
and represents USA Hockey’s Tier II together, as one team, to ensure this family could live life with a few less worries. It is a
Junior A national champion. Visit www. very inspiring story, which I feel will motivate even more members of the community to
robertsoncup.com. help someone in need. We are sure you will find this story to be not only heart-warming,
but a true testament to the generosity of Frisco residents.
COMING UP
Another reason to love Frisco this time of year is the easy access to Lake Lewisville and
PERSON OF THE YEAR • JUNPEro2m0o1ti1ng•CoVmOmlunXiVtyI,&ISCSoUmEm0er1ce •sin$ce21.59905 the plethora of summer activities it has to offer. This month’s family article will help you
locate the best picnic areas, boat ramps, summer events and other activities that your
2011suFnrdisacYos insToYlLdE fMriascgoaz| itnhEe rPaerilsrooando’sfatchoemYine’a! r family is sure to enjoy. Summer time is right around the corner!

IN OUR JUNE ISSUE, we’ll announce Many things make Frisco an amazing place. As you flip through this issue, we hope
our 2012 Person of the Year! Our Health you enjoy reading about our picks for the “Bests” of Frisco. If you think of some “bests”
& Beauty article will give you a glimpse that aren’t included, we’d love to hear from you. Let us know some of your favorite things
into the life of a family raising two about Frisco and maybe you’ll see them next year in “Best of Frisco 2013!”
children with cystic fibrosis. And, we’ll
explain the amazing healing power of a
therapy animal.

MAY 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 11FRISCOSTYLE.COM





14 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

BUSINESS

Nikki Simon beats the odds as
founder of Simon Engineering.

Inspiration &

Determination
BY MARIA LEAHEY

IN 2002, eleven percent of all civil dates back to her elementary school years. greatest impact to society. And while

engineers were women, according to While many parents push reading over the some students change their majors, Mrs.

Rutgers news source. Five years later, the summer, Mrs. Simon’s father made sure Simon stuck with her first choice. And

percentage dips even lower for this branch she practiced her math. He would leave she stuck with the first acquaintance she

of engineering: in 2009, a mere seven a sheet of math problems on the kitchen made in college: Mrs. Simon met her

percent of all civil engineers were women. table for her in the morning and expect husband, Blake, on the first day of school,

Such a staggering statistic can be a her to have them finished by dinnertime. in chemistry class. She completed her

deterrent for many women thinking about As a result, she came to love numbers. degree in civil engineering in 1993.

starting engineering companies, especially It’s a family affair, math is. Nikki Simon After starting her engineering career

in economically recessed times such as comes from a family of math teachers. Her in Houston, Mrs. Simon moved to North

these. Fortunately, Nikki Simon, founder father had a civil engineering degree and Texas with her husband. In 1998, just

of Simon Engineering and Consulting, her granddad and uncle taught math. as Frisco’s population was picking up,

Inc., is not one to be deterred. If anything, As much as she is fond of numbers, Mrs. Simon started to hear about the

it motivated her to break into the industry Mrs. Simon loves helping people even town. Its excellent location attracted her

and to buck the long-time trend. more, so when it came time to declare a professionally and the affordable housing

That same determination is the reason college major, she flirted with the idea of and family-friendliness of the town was

why her planning, design and roadway a psychology degree. Looking into her perfect for her, her husband and then-18-

construction management company daughter’s future, her mom realized that month-old son, Andrew. Just as the City of

was recently named a 2012 Top Business this would not adequately feed that love Frisco, Mrs. Simon would soon change.

by DiversityBusiness.com. This honor is of math. “Since I trusted her,” says Mrs. Simon built her experience while

prestigious; it recognizes the country’s Simon, “I listened and started down the employed as a civil engineer with Hunter

top privately held companies, ranging in path of engineering.” & Associates, Inc., a civil engineering firm

revenue from under $1 million to more Mrs. Simon enrolled in Texas A&M once located in Frisco. While working for

than $3 billion. and chose civil engineering. Of all the Hunter, one of Mrs. Simon’s many projects

Where does determination like that engineering disciplines, this field seemed included the civil design of improvements

come from? For Mrs. Simon, her tenacity to help people the most and provide the to the city’s First Street: widening and

MAY 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 15FRISCOSTYLE.COM

Mrs. Simon’s
firm provides
support in design
for developments
across the DFW
Metroplex.

replacing the existing asphalt road and she heed his advice. “I was only partially a resounding yes. “I just fell in love with

removing the bar ditches in favor of paying attention and was thinking to project meetings and client relations. It’s

concrete curbs and gutters. The project myself ‘this is not my passion’,” she says. my favorite part of what I do,” she says.

also meant installing a storm sewer system “Then, as if he heard my thoughts, he said, Mrs. Simon describes the atmosphere

and replacing an existing sanitary sewer ‘And if it’s not your passion, it’s a means to she creates and leads at SEC. “Our focus

system. “This project was particularly your passion.’” is not on ourselves but our clients. We do

challenging because of the limited fall in “Sometimes, the plan or purpose of not adopt a ‘what’s in it for me’ stance. We

elevation to existing outfalls,” she said. your life is revealed to you … this was one focus on the value we can provide to our

“This made developing a proposed of those times. In theory, if your brain has clients and the people they serve.”

profile, meeting current design criteria and all these compartments in your head, with Among its current projects, Mrs. Simon’s

providing proper coverage over the storm lights going off and on as you get ideas, firm is the prime design team for the Fort

sewer and sanitary sewer rather difficult.” there was this compartment in my brain for Worth Transportation Authority’s new

How then did Mrs. Simon start her own starting my own firm and the light simply Sierra Vista Transit Plaza. From the first day,

firm? The genesis of her award-winning turned on in that moment.” she and her team won over the Fort Worth

enterprise, Simon Engineering and Mrs. Simon realized, with her own firm, staff. “My firm and I really enjoy working

Consulting, Inc. (SEC), is not something she could interact more with people – with the team at Fort Worth TA,” says Mrs.

Mrs. Simon aspired to do. clients and potential clients – and feed her Simon. “Motives come across and, since

“I had a co-worker who drilled into me passion for being with and helping people. our motive is to help them, they see that in

the idea of my own firm,” she recounts. She started the paperwork immediately everything we do to serve them.”

“He kept after me about the incredible after that workday. In addition to the Sierra Vista project,

opportunities for minorities and women.” Her co-worker-turned-mentor, Maurice her staff provides support in design

At first, the determined Mrs. Simon was Gilkey, died less than a year later from management for the development of new

not ready for this news. At the time, she felt diabetes complications; however, the DFW Metroplex toll road corridors and in

she was passionate for people and felt she message was delivered and SEC was improvements to the existing toll roads for

was not feeding that passion. Finally, the launched. the North Texas Tollway Authority.

co-worker pulled her aside in a meeting When asked if her work feeds that Having her own firm means that Mrs.

room, sat her down and was insistent that passion for people now, Mrs. Simon gives Simon can also feed her passion for her

16 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

MAY 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 17FRISCOSTYLE.COM

employees. “I can provide the atmosphere to improve student performance. “One The Frisco Chamber of Commerce is the
I want with my own business,” notes Mrs. Voice was introduced to the community, first in Texas to launch the program. The
Simon. “I can nurture, teach and mentor. with overwhelming response, before we talented group of kids meets weekly for
I can see value in people whom others really had an established structure,” says approximately 30 weeks to develop their
have failed to notice, and I can give them Mrs. Simon. “We are currently working own business ideas. They write business
opportunities with SEC to practice their to get that structure in place. Although plans, conduct market research and pitch
talents. That’s the vision and direction for this is a much-needed organization, I am their plan to possible investors. Plus, they
my business.” still surprised by the number of parents also get to tap the knowledge of local
standing ready, waiting to be given entrepreneurs who visit the group as
“I can provide the direction and next steps. We expect to guest speakers and mentors. Mrs. Simon
really begin to soar during the 2012-2013 serves as YEA’s selection committee chair
atmosphere I want school year.” and as a business mentor. “I often check
up on the students through the program
with my own Mrs. Simon also contributes her time leaders, who are good friends of mine,”
to Mind Bender Academy, a week-long, she says. “I enjoy hearing stories about
business,” notes Mrs. hands-on, interactive summer camp that how the kids have progressed from the
introduces sixth through eighth-graders interview process to now. This is another
Simon. “I can nurture, to science, technology, engineering and amazing program that highlights the
mathematics skills and careers. Mrs. talent we have in our students here in
teach and mentor.” Simon serves on the planning committee Frisco.”
and as a volunteer during the camp. One
Outside of work, Mrs. Simon drenches of the activities last year was to reinforce Most of her volunteering opportunities,
her passion for people and shares her love Newton’s three laws of motion. The Mrs. Simon observes, come from being a
for numbers. She is the current president campers built a structure out of blocks graduate of Leadership Frisco (Class #13)
of the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter in which they had to use all they were “My classmates and I recently had a laugh
of the Women’s Transportation Seminar given. The design had to be creative, but that we thought we would go through the
(WTS), an international organization ultimately they had to be able to drop a class, learn about the city, meet leaders
dedicated towards the advancement of marble at a location on the structure that and be done with the program,” says
women in the transportation industry. would travel the length of the structure Mrs. Simon. “But we found out that the
and land in a plastic cup. “It is remarkable leadership needed in a great city like this
She is heavily involved in Frisco how technically savvy our kids are and comes from ourselves, so Leadership
ISD’s One Voice. One Voice is an effort how quickly they catch on,” she marvels. Frisco reaches out to professionals like us.
targeting African American parents and “The designs some of these kids came up Really, we are called upon to do wonderful
students with a goal of preparing the with were unbelievable.” things to serve our community.”
students to excel academically and to
become college or career ready. One Mrs. Simon also volunteers with Young Maria Leahey is a freelance writer in Frisco.
Voice is committed to building community Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA). YEA is a She has driven the Tollway and Frisco’s 1st
program through chambers of commerce Street without giving a thought to how
across the nation that introduces middle complex these roadways are … until now.
and high school kids to entrepreneurship.

18 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

MAY 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 19FRISCOSTYLE.COM

According to court records, the 380th Court hears approxi-
mately 55% family law, 35% civil trial and personal injury
matters and the remainder felony criminal cases. Terri
Green has been licensed for 22 years with extensive
experience in all three areas. What sets Terri apart
from other candidates is her experience and back-
ground in trying family law and civil trial matters in
both State and Federal Courts to Juries. Further,
she is uniquely qualified for the bench as the only
candidate in her race licensed in both the 5th Cir-
cuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans and the U.S.
Supreme Court, Washington, D.C., the highest
Court in the land.
Her endorsements include: ● State Sena-
tor Florence Shapiro ● State Representa-
tives Jerry Madden and Jodie Laubenberg
● Numerous Mayors and elected officials
countywide

www.TerriGreenForJudge.com

BUSINESS REPORT

USING ANXIETY FOR GOOD
“What colleges should I apply to? What do my friends think?
Will I ever get married? What should I do with my life?” There
are plenty of choices in life that cause anxiety, but Rhett Smith,
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Plano and author of
The Anxious Christian, is raising a different question, “What if
anxiety is like the warning lights on the dashboard of our car
that tells us when something is going on inside of us? What if
God has put anxiety in your life as a way for Him to say, ‘Hey, pay
attention to Me.’“ Speaking from Scripture, his life experience,
and his counseling practice, Rhett examines the way God uses
anxiety in our lives to reveal an astounding truth: that welcoming
healthy anxiety allows for God to step in and lead us. The
Anxious Christian is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.
com or christianbook.com.

NOW OPEN
The Shops at Willow Bend is the premier destination for stylish
home decor. Z Gallerie, a unique lifestyle retailer offering a
variety of high quality, reasonably priced merchandise for the
home, will open this spring. The Shops at Willow Bend also
welcomes Restoration Hardware is now open. Restoration
Hardware is a luxury brand in the home furnishings marketplace,
offering product assortments across a number of categories,
including furniture, lighting, textiles, bath ware, décor, outdoor
and garden, as well as baby and child products. For more
information call 972-202-4900 or www.shopwillowbend.com.

FORE!
Accolades continue to be awarded to Old American Golf Club.
This exquisitely designed course was recently featured in the
Dallas Morning News having been voted 12th Best Course to
Play in Texas and Golfweek magazine’s 5th Best Course to Play
in Texas. The USGA Local US Open Qualifier will be played May
14 at Old American, where the top golf professionals will test
their skills. The club recently completed building the Golf Shack,
an indoor instructional facility to compliment the instruction
offered by renowned putting expert Marius Filmalter and the
Marius golf team. For more information, please call director of
sales Geraldine Doran at 972 370 4653.

BEST ER PHYSICIANS
Legacy ER & Urgent Care, a freestanding full-service Emergency
Room and Urgent Care facility, is proud to announce that Dr.
Jay Woody and Dr. Steve Martz were selected, by their peers,
and published in D Magazine as one of the Best Emergency
Room Physicians in the DFW region in 2011. This is Dr. Woody’s
third time and Dr. Martz’s second time to be selected for this
award. Legacy ER has also won the Frisco Style Magazine Best
of Business Award for Lead Generation Machine in 2011 and was
selected to receive the Star Community Newspaper Reader’s
Choice award for Best Urgent Care in town for the past four
years and Best Emergency Room in 2012. For more information,
visit www.legacyer.com.

DOES YOUR BUSINESS have some exciting news to
share? Email [email protected].

MAY 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 21FRISCOSTYLE.COM

22 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Getting
theVotes

BY ALLISON HARRELL

As a campaign manager, Isabel Sem
spends her time planning, delegating

and networking.

IT’S THAT TIME of year in Frisco ‑ when ago. “I had no idea how to run a campaign,” Before any neighborhood meetings

the political signs representing various Mrs. Sem recalls with a laugh. A mother of are scheduled, yard signs are ordered or

candidates are almost as numerous as the two young boys, Mrs. Sem was motivated flyers are printed up, Mrs. Sem says that a

bluebonnets lining the local roads. The to enter politics as she observed the needs timeline must be set in place. “Once the

City of Frisco will hold a general election on of Frisco elementary students at that time, candidate decides they are going to run,

May 12 to elect two new Councilmembers such as the need for crossing guards, a they must decide when and how they will

and the FISD school board, and on May library and a playground. As she recalls announce.” A team must be assembled,

29 the primary election will take place. her first foray into politics, Mrs. Sem says, says Mrs. Sem. “It varies, but there are

As local candidates enter the final weeks “It was much simpler because Frisco was usually about 10 people. It is important to

of their campaigns, there is much activity so small back then. There weren’t any sign find a treasurer, and you want somebody

behind the scenes as volunteers diligently companies, so my late husband got some who is good at doing a database.”

work to help their candidate eke out every wood and made signs to put in different Additional team members are needed

possible vote. areas. We also made up some flyers and for tasks such as creating ads, putting

Longtime Frisco resident Isabel Sem walked door to door.” out signs and leading volunteers in jobs

is well acquainted with the behind-the- Years later, as she helmed friend Kathy as varied as stuffing envelopes, handing

scenes action of a local political campaign. Seei’s mayoral race, Mrs. Sem recognized out brochures and hosting neighborhood

A veteran of the Frisco political scene, Mrs. that a candidate in a growing city such meetings. Once a team is in place, Mrs.

Sem was a member of the Frisco school as Frisco should encourage citizens to Sem says that she helps her candidate plan

board in the late 1970’s and was campaign voice their hopes and dreams. “The city out their campaign. “It is really important

manager for Kathy Seei, who served as was starting to grow at that time, and we to have a plan and stick to it,” she says.

mayor of Frisco from 1996 to 2002. Mrs. decided to hold neighborhood meetings. “Sometimes your opponent will throw

Sem now serves as campaign manager for We met in almost every neighborhood in something out there that’s different and

Bob Allen, currently running for reelection Frisco.” These neighborhood meetings, people will say you need to react to that,

to Frisco City Council Place 1. As she says Mrs. Sem, have been an integral part but my advice is no--we need to stay on

reflects on her political experience, Mrs. of Bob Allen’s campaigns as well, allowing the offense and let them play defense, if

Sem says that much has changed in terms the candidate to meet voters and hear that’s what they want to do.”

of running a campaign since the days of firsthand about their concerns and their As campaign manager, Mrs. Sem

her own school board race almost 25 years suggestions for the betterment of Frisco. says that, in addition to planning and

MAY 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 23FRISCOSTYLE.COM

your own campaign completely. If you’re

not able to convince someone to give you

money to run, you’re probably not going to

be able to convince them to vote for you.”

Beyond the logistics of campaigning,

Mr. Hardin says that it is also important for

a candidate to understand the impact that

his race will have on his family. “An election

is hardest on the candidate’s spouse.

When a candidate loses, at least they can

say they tried hard and they can decide

whether or not they want to run again. The

spouse has to watch this person they care

about get beaten up. It is really hard on

families.”

For someone who is interested in

jumping into the world of local politics, Mr.

Hardin says opportunities for involvement

abound, from volunteering for someone

else’s campaign, to attending City Council

meetings, to serving on various City

boards. For those interested in partisan

Andrew Hardin has spent the last 30 years politics, Mr. Hardin says Collin County
behind the scenes of local politics. Democratic and Republican organizations

offer opportunities for involvement. And

seeking out those in office is always a good

delegating, much of her time is spent City Council, school boards and bond option. “I’ve never known anyone involved

networking. “I’m a people person, and I elections,” says Mr. Hardin. Prompted by in politics who won’t talk your ear off,” he

love getting to meet so many wonderful his wealth of experience in the political says with a chuckle. “When you decide you

people. We go to the neighborhood arena, Mr. Hardin decided several years want to run, call the mayor’s office, the City

gatherings and I may know two or three ago to create a course on campaigning that Council or the school board and offer to

people at the start of the night, but by received a statewide award from the Texas buy them a cup of coffee and ask about

the end of the evening you feel like you’re Chamber of Commerce Association and their experiences.”

friends with everyone. is now offered as a continuing education

Despite this, Mrs. Sem says there course at Collin College. “I fashioned this Allison Harrell is a staff writer of Frisco

are certainly challenges to running a course as kind of a ‘Campaign School STYLE Magazine, mom of four and an

campaign; chiefly, the amount of time, 101,’” explains Mr. Hardin. “It helps people aspiring blogger.

effort and expense required. “I think who are interested in running for office

people would be surprised to know how really understand why they want to run,

much work goes into a campaign, and how how running is going to affect them as well

expensive and time-consuming it is,” she as their families, and other implications.”

says. Mrs. Sem says that in the last few years Mr. Hardin’s course also focuses on the

some candidates have spent an average of basic information that a candidate needs in

$30,000 to $60,000. “In my opinion, I think order to run successfully, such as designing

campaigns spend too much on things they yard signs and creating timelines. “I have

put in the mail. I have gotten as many as always told people that if they choose to

ten or more mailers from one candidate, run, they should run to win.”

which is too many, in my opinion.” One basic thing that a candidate needs

Another Frisco resident who is well in order to win, says Mr. Hardin, is a clear

acquainted with the challenges inherent understanding of why they are running.

to running a political campaign is Andrew “It needs to be something you can clearly

Hardin. Born and raised in McKinney, communicate in 30 seconds,” he says.

Mr. Hardin grew up in a politically active He says that another key ingredient of a

family and has spent the last 30 years successful campaign is the ability to ask

behind the scenes of local politics, running people for things. “You have to be able to

various campaigns. “I have served on ask people to vote for you. You have to be

the City Council in McKinney and had able to ask people for money. I don’t think

the opportunity to run campaigns for it is necessarily a positive thing if you fund

24 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

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INSIGHTS

Exhibits give the students a dramatic contrast
to the modern conveniences of today.

to operate as a 501c3 non-profit in 1998,
the Heritage Association started with Dr.
Pink as President and Mr. Warren as Vice
President. Other long-time residents,
such as Ruby Nichols, Clara Bacchus,
Linda Sutton, Jane Whitledge, Sharon
Weinberg, Sammy Vaughn, Elisabeth
Pink, Callie Morgan, Ruth Borchardt,
Audie Adkins and former Mayor Harold
Bacchus served the association.

THE HERITAGE CENTER AND MUSEUM

The organization’s original mission

statement read: “The Heritage

Association of Frisco, Inc. will research,

preserve and share Frisco’s rich heritage

in a manner that honors the past,

builds a bridge between generations

and leaves a legacy for the future.”

One of the early objectives was the

collecting and documentation of Frisco’s

history, establishing a central place for

conducting business and storing artifacts.

Other goals included developing

historical publications for education and

promotion of Frisco’s history, working

with other organizations to establish a

Heritage Museum and encouraging the

preservation of historical buildings and

HAVE YOU EVER wondered how a city board for Frisco STYLE Magazine were sites.

begins to preserve its heritage and why meeting at the La Hacienda Restaurant A key objective was to emphasize the

it is important? Who are the people when they noticed bulldozers working history of the entire region, not just Frisco.

with the foresight A Hidden on Preston Road All cities surrounding Frisco grew because
and the passion to Jewel of their history as farming communities.
make certain as a city near some historical Once cotton and the railroad made its
grows its residents, way to this area, many towns began
especially the children, houses and the old to see major growth. The Association
understand what made began to collect all kinds of artifacts
their city what it is Lebanon Baptist and memorabilia storing it in houses

Church. Mr. Warren,

Sharon Weinberg

and Linda Sutton

today. In Frisco, it’s the BY MIKE SIMPSON discussed forming a and businesses all over the city. Led by
Heritage Association, Heritage Association Dr. Pink and Mr. Warren, the Association

the creation of the of Frisco. This group began working with the City of Frisco on

Heritage Center and especially the contacted Elisabeth Pink, member of the the concept of a Heritage Center in the

Heritage Museum. Collin County Museum and wife of long- heart of the city, which would feature a

In 1997, according to former Mayor and time Collin County Doctor Erwin Pink, Heritage Museum as the main building.

life-long Frisco resident Bob Warren, a to help form the new Frisco association. During the years leading up to a major

group of residents serving on an advisory With lots of work in 1997 and approval bond election in September of 2002, the

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On the second floor, visitors learn the
significance of our railroad history.

Heritage Association and the City of Frisco museums and heritage centers to get Center began. The main building, the

worked together to develop a plan for the ideas of exhibit space and programming Museum, would not see construction

Heritage Center that would first build a needed for the museum. Dr. Pink and started until 2007. The City had another

museum and the necessary infrastructure Mayor Warren were the chief drivers of bond election in 2006, and this time it

to ultimately include historic homes, a getting items donated. A key meeting covered 12 different items for a total of

church, railroad depot, blacksmith shop with Perry Bolin of the Bolin Family in $198 million. While the majority of the

and one-room schoolhouse. The Citizen McKinney resulted in that family donating bond election items included millions

Bond Committee, established to work with a collection of antique cars and trucks, old for roads, fire stations, additional parks

the City Council and staff on prioritizing service station equipment and signage and trails and the acquisition of land and

the items to be in the bond election, and rooms of furniture and appliances initial development of the Grand Park, the

included the Heritage Center as one of from their family museum. Once it was Citizen Bond Committee included in their

10 bond propositions to be presented known there was a place for historical recommendations another $2 million for

to the voters. The Heritage Center was items, donations began appearing for old the Heritage Center. This second election,

a $3.5 million bond proposition in a total farm equipment, cotton industry items coupled with the $3.5 million from 2002,

package of $197.5 million. All 10 bond and railroad memorabilia, to name a few. enabled the construction of the Museum

propositions were passed by the voters, The Heritage Center began to take to start and the ribbon cutting occurred

including a new city hall, library, police shape with the donation of the Crozier- in May 2008. Dr. Pink, who had been a

facility, fire stations and equipment, in Sickles house and its movement to the driving force for the Museum had passed

addition to the Senior Center expansion, Heritage Center in 2002. It was a site to away, but it was my honor as the Mayor of

parks and trails, recreation and aquatic see the big, old house on trucks moving Frisco to thank his widow, Elisabeth, who

center, performing arts center and roads. from Preston Road, down city streets and was there to see the dream come true.

Work began on designing the museum across fields to get it to the site where “If it had not been for Dr. Pink and

and the initial infrastructure. Members it is today. Then, the Lebanon Church Elisabeth and their love for preserving the

of the Heritage Center, City staff, the was established, followed by the Smith- past, we may never have had the Heritage

Mayor and Council members visited other Muse House. From there, the Heritage Association or the Museum,” stated Mr.

28 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

Read all about it! A printing A 1913 Model T Ford Touring car
press is on display. takes you back in time.

Warren. “His leadership made it happen.” a Mobil Gas Station from the same era. white silent movies and gives us an

Wanting to ensure activity in the Heritage Also on the Main floor are living rooms appreciation for the kind of entertainment

Center after 5:00 p.m., the Heritage from homes in 1910 and 1960 showing we had more than 70 years ago. A beauty

Association, working with City Manager the thousands of students who tour the parlor display makes our ladies appreciate

George Purefoy, helped bring “Babe’s museum each year what it was like back the modern day hair salon, displaying

Chicken Dinner House Restaurant” to its then. A tiny black and white TV gives the a hair-curling machine you have to see.

site next to the Museum. Mr. Purefoy has students a dramatic contrast to the large An old kitchen and dining room exhibit

been a long time supporter and visionary HD TVs of today. A gift shop offers visitors plus wedding dresses from 50 years ago,

for the Heritage Center and states “It is the opportunity to buy shirts and hats round out the displays.

difficult for a city to go gracefully into the with Frisco logos, books and all types of

future unless it honors the past.” memorabilia. EDUCATIONAL VALUE

The second floor offers a history lesson Each year, thousands of visitors come to

A LOOK INSIDE THE MUSEUM in the importance of cotton to this region. the Heritage Museum and the Center

Entering the Museum, you see a covered Docents explain to wide-eyed children to tour the historical homes, one-room

wagon or antique vehicle. There is a how cotton is grown, picked and taken schoolhouse, old Lebanon Baptist Church,

huge mural painted by Janice Hart, an to a cotton gin where it was baled and the railroad depot, Engine #19 with a

artist from Allen, depicting the history shipped all over the world from Frisco coal tender and caboose, blacksmith

of Frisco from the Indians and buffalos cotton farms. You see how cotton was shop and the replica of a log cabin. The

to the wagon trains, cattle drives and the spun into thread and yarn and how a Museum is a favorite of FISD students,

railroad that all had an influence on our loom works to make products like cloth other school districts and private schools.

history. There is an old printing press like or quilts. Another section shows railroad Each year, over 3,600 third graders visit

the type used to print Frisco’s first paper equipment and discusses the origination the museum and hear the history of each

in 1902. A 1913 Model T Ford Touring car of the Frisco logo (a stretched raccoon exhibit by volunteer docents. While a

sits in front of a 1915 Mobil Gas Station. skin) and its significance to our railroad typical year may see around 9,500 visitors

There is a 1930 Model A Ford Coupe and history. An old theater runs black and to the Museum, the goal of the Heritage

MAY 2012 No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. 29FRISCOSTYLE.COM

A mural by local artist Janice Hart depicts
Frisco’s history. An old theater runs black

and white silent movies, left.

Association is to grow this number of negotiation by City Manager George Upcoming Events
dramatically with new exhibits, special Purefoy and his staff, an agreement to

events, family reunions, birthday parties move the railroad museum to Frisco at The Heritage
and through greater publicity. Additions was signed in April 2008. Bringing this

to the Heritage Association from Collin high-quality, nationally known railroad Center and Heritage
College and Frisco ISD ensure an even museum to Frisco was an ideal tie into

greater tie to the educational value the Frisco’s Heritage Center and Museum. Museum
museum provides. This would provide a synergistic effect

“We are fortunate to have so many on the entire heritage district and to the APRIL 11 – MAY 27
members of the Heritage Association of Frisco Discovery Center that opened in Quanah Parker: Last Chief
Frisco who are dedicated to ensuring we the fall of 2010. of the Comanches
preserve our heritage,” said Mayor Maher A collection of photographs
Maso. “The Frisco Heritage Center and “A goal of the Heritage Association of Cynthia Ann & Quanah
Museum are hidden jewels where our and the city is to link these three venues
together through a mini railroad that

families, students and visitors can enjoy would allow visitors to travel from the MAY 17
and experience Frisco’s past.” Heritage Center and Museum, to the Frisco Chamber Business After Hours
Museum of the American Railroad and hosted by the Heritage Association
An exciting new exhibit will be featured Frisco Discovery Center,” said Buddy
from April 11-May 27, with the “Quanah

Parker, Last Chief of the Comanches” Minett, President of the Heritage JUNE 23
exhibit, which will feature a photo Association of Frisco. A private fund “Gone to Texas” Day Camp for Children
collection that is a chronicle of the life raising program is being put together to

of the chief and also includes knives, help accomplish this goal. JULY 10
arrowheads, beadworks, Indian clothing The Heritage Center and Museum Teddy Bear Picnic for Preschoolers
and other artifacts. Two movies with
operate with volunteers. If you wish

Chief Quanah Parker influence will show to help, please call 972.292.5665. For SEPTEMBER 29
in the old movie theater. Families will tours of the Museum, call Pete Hosp, Antique Faire
enjoy seeing this phase of our American Heritage Center/Museum Coordinator

History. at 972.292.5111. Pete works with the OCTOBER 27
Heritage Association and manages the Shawnee Cowboy Day & Harvest
THE FUTURE LINKING THE MUSEUMS Heritage Center for the City of Frisco. Celebration
With the Heritage Center moving The Heritage Museum and Center is a

forward, the museum under construction wonderful venue for our residents, and an

and some of the historic buildings in excellent tourist’s attraction for visitors.

place, the City of Frisco learned in 2006 of Take time to visit the Frisco jewel so your

The Museum of the American Railroad’s family can learn more about our city’s

long-term plans to expand their venue history.

and ultimately build a new museum. With

space issues for expansion in Dallas, talks Mike Simpson is the former

began with Frisco in 2007. After months Mayor of Frisco from 2002-2008.

30No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style PublFishRinISgCGOrouSpT, YLLLCE. © 2012 • All rights reserved.

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34 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

FA M I LY

Go fish!

What Floats Your Boat

BY ALLISON HARRELL

AS TEMPERATURES RISE and the number and striped/hybrid bass, Lewisville Lake and continuing through the evening.

of remaining school days dwindles, all has been the site of four major bass Local artists will bring their creations,

signs point to summer’s imminent arrival. fishing tournaments since 2005, and has such as paintings, sculptures, woodwork,

For many in the Frisco area, that means been home to the Collegiate Bass Fishing quilts and crafts to be sold to the public,

days and nights spent on Lewisville Lake, Championship since 2006. and children will enjoy creative activities

with swimming, boating, fishing and many For those who want to be near the such as face painting, clowns, magicians

other water-related activities just minutes lake without getting in too deep, there and crafts. A headlining band will wrap up

away from home. are more than 20 parks that surround the festivities.

Surrounded by 9,000 protected the lake and offer camping, hiking, Little Elm Park is also the home of a

acres of natural habitat, Lewisville Lake biking, picnicking, horseback riding and popular event called Summer Rhythms,

spans 29,000 acres and has 233 miles of golf. Swimmers can enjoy public swim hosted by the Little Elm Chamber of

shoreline. With an average depth of 25 beaches located along the shoreline at Commerce. Missy Meador, Administrative

feet, Lewisville Lake is large enough to several locations, including Copperas Assistant and Senior Programmer for

accommodate a wide variety of water Branch Park, East Hill Park, Hickory Creek, the Town of Little Elm, says that on each

sports and outdoor recreation. Lewisville Lake Park, Stewart Creek Park Friday evening during the month of June

For the bait and tackle set, Lewisville and Little Elm Park. a different band performs in the park.

Lake offers plenty of diversion. Named Later this month, Little Elm Park will be “Families come with their folding chairs,

the “Urban Bass Fishing Capital of home to the first annual Arts and Sounds blankets and ice chests and sit out in the

Texas,” it is a favorite of area fishermen for by the Lake event, presented by the Town park listening to bands play. We’ve been

large-mouth bass, crappie, catfish, white of Little Elm Public Arts Committee, Little doing it for several years and it gets a

bass and spectacular hybrid white striped Elm ISD and the Lakeside Arts Foundation. pretty big turnout.” Another popular

bass. Rated as “excellent” by Texas Parks A one-day festival celebrating the arts, event hosted at Little Elm Park is the July

& Wildlife for catfish, crappie and white Arts and Sounds by the Lake is scheduled Jubilee, celebrating the Fourth of July. “It

bass, and “good” for largemouth bass for Saturday, May 19, beginning at 11 a.m. usually gets started around 5 p.m.,” says

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Ms. Meador, “with fireworks happening manager Jennifer Morris, “We operate

after dark. The company that puts on the an environmentally safe marina. Our

fireworks has them choreographed to waste water is managed, our boat washes

music—it’s a really good show.” Vendors use managed materials and we have a

fill the park, and families swim and play. storm drain system in our parking lot that

“It’s really a huge event. Last year, we separates oil and other foreign materials

had about 10,000 people.” Boats fill the from going into the lake.”

cove at Little Elm Park, says Ms. Meador.

“The lake is a great spot to watch the Because lakes and boats go
fireworks.”

Because lakes and boats go hand-in- hand-in-hand, Lewisville
hand, Lewisville Lake offers public access
to the lake at many locations, with boat

ramps available from surrounding towns,

Lake offers public access tosuchasLewisville,HickoryCreek,Highland

Village, Oak Point, Little Elm and The the lake at many locations,
Colony. Several marinas along the shores
of Lake Lewisville offer boat storage and

other boating amenities. Located on the

with boat ramps availablenortheast shores of Lewisville Lake in Little

Elm, Cottonwood Creek Marina opened from surrounding towns...
to the public in 2003. With its most recent
phase of construction scheduled for

Makin’ waves at Lake Lewisville, above. completion in June, Cottonwood Creek Cottonwood Creek is a full-service
Parks surrounding the lake provide much will offer 249 slips that range from 24- to marina, says Ms. Morris, with eight full-
more than just swing sets and slides, top. 50-foot lengths. Named “Marina of the service fuel pumps that are open year-
Year” by the Texas Marina Association in round. “We are completely full-service on

2004, 2007 and 2010, Cottonwood Creek our gas stocks, meaning when a customer

is a Certified Clean Marina. Explains comes in we will completely take care of

36 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

them. We’ll fuel them up, pump out their
toilet and remove their trash.” Customer
service is a huge focus of Cottonwood
Creek, says Ms. Miller. “Our mission is
to provide a safe, clean facility for you
to store your boat. Our staff wants to be
able to accommodate you in any way we
are needed to get your boat running and
out on the water.” Among the specialized
services available to their customers, Ms.
Morris says the Cottonwood Creek staff
will work to maximize their customers’
time out on the water. “We know their
time is limited, so if a customer needs us
to fuel their boat up and stock it so that
it’s ready when they arrive, we are willing
to do anything to make things as stress-
free as possible.”

Boat maintenance and repair supplies
are available at the Cottonwood Creek
Marina Ships Store, as well as sundries,
marina apparel, snacks, drinks and
packaged food in the summertime.

Tenants of Cottonwood Creek Marina
enjoy various private events throughout
the summer, but one Cottonwood Creek
Marina event that is open to the public
this summer is a Christmas in July boat
parade on July 21, benefiting the Little

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You are here! Map provided by
AID City Maps.

Lake Ray Hubbard, Lewisville

Lake and we’re rolling out one

at Eagle Mountain Lake in Fort

Worth. Our members have

a login and we handle their

reservations online.”

Just as a golfer would make

a reservation for their tee time,

Mrs. Kitchen explains that Big

D Boat Club members make

an online reservation for their

watercraft, with a huge fleet

to choose from. “We offer

ski boats, wakeboard boats,

fishing ski boats, pontoon

boats and wave runners,

and we also provide all the

life jackets and water toys—

wakeboards, inner tubes, skis,

things like that.” Mrs. Kitchen

says that when a client shows

up after making a reservation

online, they find a clean boat

in the water, gassed up with

all of their requested toys,

equipment and life jackets. “All

the customer has to do is pay

the marina for the gas that they

use. This is a great concept for

busy people who want to enjoy

boating without the hassles,”

says Mrs. Kitchen. “They can

put in a full day at work, go

Elm Angel Tree. “This will be a lighted passengers.” Ms. Miller says that rentals out on one of our boats for a couple

parade of boats out on the water, from through Cottonwood Creek are priced at hours and then go home. They are able

our Marina and park shoreline over to two, four and six hours, with longer rental to actually enjoy the boat more than if

Little Elm Park,” explains Ms. Morris. “It times paying less per hour. they owned it, because they don’t have to

will be visible for people to come sit on For those who want to enjoy the worry about things like cleaning it, storing

the shoreline and see, and it is open for benefits of boat ownership with none it or trailing it.” For those interested in

anyone with a boat to participate or just of the hassles, another Lake Lewisville enjoying this level of service from Big D

park and watch from the water.” business provides an ingenious solution. for a few hours without the commitment

For boat lovers who aren’t boat owners, Big D Boat Club offers a hassle-free of a membership, the Kitchens offer Big D

Cottonwood Creek now offers boat alternative, allowing members to reserve Water Sports at the same three locations.

rentals as the newest addition to their a vessel and gear online and get all the “The club is for someone who wants to

services. Cottonwood Creek Boat Rental enjoyment of boat ownership without any enjoy boating over and over again, and

manager Ryan Morris says there are many of the responsibility. Big D Boat Club co- Big D Water Sports is for someone who

options for interested renters. “We’ve owner Capprice Kitchen and her husband, only wants to be on the water a couple of

got a brand new fleet of boats that are Monty, started their business after seeing times a year,” Mrs. Kitchen explains.

all 2012 models, including Waverunners, a similar concept succeed in their former For fun out on the waters of Lewisville

185 Sea Rays and 22-foot Sunchaser home of Nashville, Tenn. “Big D Boat Club Lake, local boat dealer MarineMax of

pontoon boats that are rated for up to 12 provides a fleet of boats with locations on Lewisville offers some special summer

38 FRISCO STYLE No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved. BEST OF FRISCO

events. Their Pirate Poker Fun Run on June
9 benefits the Make a Wish Foundation
of Texas. The event will start and end at
Pier 121 Marina. Lauren Weaver of Marine
Max explains, “Entrants will go out on
the lake and have four different stops. At
each stop they get a poker chip, and at
the final stop they turn in their chips and
draw their cards, which are judged just
like a normal 5-card poker hand.” Prizes
will be awarded for categories such as
Best Decorated Boat, Best Costume
and Best and Worst Tans. “We’ll have a
silent auction, food, drinks and a big get-
together and awards ceremony at the
Dinghy Bar and Grill at Pier 121 Marina
afterwards,” says Ms. Weaver. “It’s a great
event that benefits a great cause, and it’s
open to anyone with a boat.”

Another major event sponsored by
MarineMax is Aquapalooza, scheduled
for August 25 at Pier 121 Marina on
Lewisville Lake. Details are still in process,
but Ms. Weaver says the all-day event
promises to be a great party, with live
music and many fun activities. “It’s our

way of thanking boaters for being part of
the lifestyle,” Ms. Weaver says of the free,
annual event. “Last year we had over 350
boats at Aquapalooza with three bands,
and this year we hope to make it even
bigger.”

Of course, with hundreds of boats on
the water, safety is a big concern. Chris
Riley, owner of Flagship Towing, helps
provide peace of mind for Lewisville Lake
boaters. “We’re a marine towing and
salvage company, kind of like AAA for
your boat,” Mr. Riley explains. For $100
a year, Flagship Towing members enjoy

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All aboard! Lake
Lewisville provides
various amenities for
boat lovers.

In Honor of
Mother’s Day

unlimited towing, gas drops and jumpstarts. Pricing is available AS AN ASSIGNMENT, Rachel Kuers, a senior at Hebron High
for non-members as well, and Flagship Towing also services School, was to write a poem about someone she admired.
Lake Ray Hubbard and other surrounding lakes within an hour Proud and honored that her daughter chose her, her mother,
of their base at Cottonwood Creek Marina on Lewisville Lake. Lisa, submitted her poem to share with our readers. To all the
moms out there, we wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day!
“ Lewisville Lake has a lot of areas with
stumps and sticks. If someone is new to A MOTHER’S LOVE
boating or new to Lewisville Lake, they From early on, you have been there for me
should stay in the main body of the lake.” Loving, comforting, ridding life of fright
Your words, hugs and smiles sweet as can be
Those young years with you were such a delight
I never wanted you far from my sight
Playing make-believe in that special way
And tucking me into bed late at night
Life was as simple as each day by day
But nevertheless life must go on as they say

Mr. Riley has seen his share of boating headaches, and says As the years passed on, our lives grew apart
that one of the main things boaters should do to avoid trouble I grew into a feared terrible teen
is to be aware of their surroundings. “Lewisville Lake has a lot My emotions and remarks like a tart
of areas with stumps and sticks,” says Mr. Riley. “If someone is Evolving into the role, drama queen
new to boating or new to Lewisville Lake, they should stay in the Still your love for me was easily seen
main body of the lake.” Another tip Mr. Riley offers for boaters Teaching right from wrong so that I could change
is to have their boat serviced on an annual basis. “I see a lot of Gain control of my world and be serene
lack of maintenance with boats — a lot of service problems. To As a teen, my behavior was not strange
keep from having to call us, boat owners need to make sure they But I still hope I did not cause too much derange
have had a good mechanic look at their boat before they head

out on the water.” Now my life faces a brand new chapter
As families head to the lake this summer, one final question Though nervous I might be, I know she’s there
She will let me go, not be a captor
remains: is their destination called “Lake Lewisville” or Offering her presence when I need care
“Lewisville Lake?” Says Cottonwood Creek Marina manager Sharing in my joy, triumph, and despair
Jennifer Morris, “You’ll hear it both ways, but it’s Lewisville Lake. I hope to become a woman like her
That’s how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers publishes the A force to reckon but not without flair
name, so that’s the name we use.” Whatever local families call it; Remembering her lessons that spur
Lewisville Lake always means summertime fun.

Allison Harrell is a staff writer of Frisco STYLE My need to fulfill my potential to occur

Magazine, mom of four and an aspiring blogger. Rachel Kuers

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STREETS OF FRISCO
FSM’S ANDREW JOHNSON ASKS

What one thing does a political
candidate have to do to get your
vote?

“ I would say, for the most part,
they have to agree with most of
the viewpoints I have. I just did
a project on the environment,
so I would say taking care of the
environment is important to me
as well.”

TAYLOR WILLIAMS

“T he candidate has to earn my
trust. They must follow through
with what they say they’re going
to do”

RO BEL BEFER AWO RK 

“ I would have to say honesty and
consistency.”

ANDREW SINGLETON

“ The candidate will have to be
honest, be one with the people
and do what they say they are
going to do.”

DEBBIE WILKINS

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BEST OF FRISCO

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HOME & GARDEN

ENERGY CONSERVATION is a hot topic, Some of the efficiency measures create energy, and the use of rain water

especially as Texas temperatures begin that homeowners are increasingly harvesting systems.” Mr. Broach explains.

their annual climb toward triple digits. exploring involve solar energy. In fact, Homeowner’s associations do have the

Homeowners were dealt a costly blow the Texas legislature recently passed a ability to govern the ways that those are

last summer, as a record-breaking heat law making it easier for property owners installed, but overall they cannot totally

wave combined with severe drought in neighborhoods with homeowners prohibit them, as they have been able

conditions. Challenged with keeping the associations to install solar energy to do in the past.” Like guidelines for

house cool and the airwave reception

landscaping alive, and satellite dishes,

homeowners are Even with multiple benefits, a Mr. Broach says that
metal roof requires a request if a homeowner
now more than ever for approval. wants to pursue

talking about ways

to conserve energy, installation of an

motivated by thoughts energy-efficient

of going green as improvement

well as saving green. to their home,

Before most Frisco they should read

homeowners make the documents

any such changes, and become

however, they need to familiar with what

remember that there association is

is another viewpoint intending to do as

to consider—that of far as restrictions

their homeowner’s are concerned.

association. “They should also

Kerri Kingsbery become familiar

is the owner of with the new bill

Vision Communities and how it pertains

Management, to what they are

a homeowners trying to do.

association Many times the

management association would

company that require someone

manages communities to get approval for

all over the Dallas-Fort an addition to their

Worth metroplex, home, even if it is

including Frisco. Ms. allowed by state.

Kingsbery is also on The association

the board of directors does have the ability

for the Turnbridge to govern some

Manor community of the installation

in far east Frisco. Conservation procedures, where
“A homeowners Road Blocks
association only has it is located, those
enforcement over
or interest in the kinds of things.”
community’s common
elements,” explains Despite the

energy efficiency

of solar panels and

the new legislation

Ms. Kingsbery, “… BY ALLISON HARRELL that is now on
anything that affects the books, Kerri

the property values of the community systems. Chris Broach is a community Kingsbery says the cost of installation has

from the outside of the home. The manager with SBB Management, been prohibitive for most homeowners. “I

association management company or the overseeing many communities don’t have an individual homeowner that

board of directors doesn’t have anything throughout the Metroplex, including the has gone that route [solar] yet. I would

to do with what’s inside the home. But if Eldorado Fairways and Country Club have thought by now that I would have

there’s something you want to do to the Ridge at the Trails neighborhoods in seen more of it, but the problem is that

outside of your home, that’s where the Frisco. “The law has changed in a couple it is expensive.” Agrees Chris Broach,

association becomes involved.” of key areas—the use of solar panels to “In Frisco, I have two communities with

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a total of about 600 homes, and I don’t

know of any that have solar panels. I know

of a few homeowners that are looking

into it. I think the problem is that they’re

still waiting on the cost of installation for

these systems to be worth the value of its

return.”

Although a widespread move to solar

energy is still in the future, one issue that

homeowners associations are dealing

with in the present is water conservation.

Says Mr. Broach, “I think the thing we’re

seeing the biggest increase in, in terms

of conservation, is concerning water,

because of the recent water usage

restrictions and concerns of going into

even higher restrictions.” As a result of

these concerns, Mr. Broach says the use

of native plants in landscaping has moved

to the forefront of conversation for many

HOAs. “SBB Management will be doing

a leadership forum for all of our board

members on how to install native plants

and emphasizing the use of drip irrigation

as opposed to spraying, where there is

a lot of runoff.” Ms. Kingsbery agrees

that native plants are a hot topic among

HOAs. “As a matter of fact, that is a big

part of what we will be dealing with this

year, because of the drought last year

and the possibility of another this year.

I don’t know that many communities in

the Frisco/McKinney area will be able to

sustain landscape color this year with the

water restrictions we now have.”

One drastic solution that some Texas Are solar panels allowed in your neighborhood?
homeowners are considering in the face

of severe drought and water restrictions

is xeriscaping, a method of landscaping

that minimizes water use. San Antonio homeowner association documents do that white objects absorb less heat than

resident Robert McEvoy wanted to lay still require a traditional type of lawn, dark objects, a recent New York Times

rock, mulch and drought-tolerant plants, “although if we continue with stage three article stated “Studies show that white

but his HOA forced him to keep his lawn. water restrictions, that may be an issue roofs reduce air-conditioning costs by 20

“I had the decency to ask permission, and that changes.” percent or more in hot, sunny weather.”

they point-blank said, ‘No,’” Mr. McEvoy Other structural modifications that In fact, white roofs were the southern

told the San Antonio Express-News. are usually accepted and encouraged by norm until air conditioning was available.

Several other states have already passed homeowner’s associations include attic Although Mr. Broach and Ms. Kingsbery

laws forcing HOAs to allow water-wise fans, says Ms. Kingsbery, while energy- have yet to encounter any white roof

landscapes. A new Florida law prohibits efficient clotheslines are typically not requests from the residents of their North

landscaping requirements that call for allowed—unless they are not visible. Texas communities, Mr. Broach says that

excessive watering or fertilization. It “So many homes are going to an eight there are usually roof color restrictions

also says that homeowners can have foot fence now that if someone wanted in typical association documents. “Every

composting bins, rain barrels and plenty to install one behind an eight foot fence community is different and requirements

of mulched ground, no matter what their and it couldn’t be seen, they could do it.” will vary, but I would think that there are

HOAs say. For local homeowners lured Another energy efficient measure that is some typical color requirements in terms

by the thought pulling up all their grass gaining traction in other warm-weather of what a homeowner can install. The

in favor of rock or a desert landscape, climates is the installation of white roofs. association can also govern the integrity

Ms. Kingsbery says that most Frisco-area Based on the centuries-old principle of the roof and the installation. It would

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have to meet and exceed what a normal that it is important for homeowners to Native plants, such as a
shingle would do, structurally.” remember that their involvement in the mesquite tree, may not be
process is always in their best interest. approved landscaping by
Another new trend in residential “A lot of people see an HOA as a burden some HOAs.
roofing is the move to metal, which is as opposed to an asset, and we can’t
less expensive to install than traditional make the community happy with what’s
wood or composition shingles and has an going on if they’re not involved. Even if an
expected life of up to 50 years ­— twice association doesn’t have things such as a
that of the average composition shingle. pool or a tennis court, it does protect the
The reflective surface of a metal roof can value of the community because it helps
also save 25% in energy costs compared enhance the perimeter of the property
to dark-grey asphalt shingle, according and it governs the maintenance of the
to studies performed by the Florida interior lots.” As for the HOAs, Mr. Broach
Solar Energy Center and Oak Ridge says their approach to energy efficiency
National Laboratory. Ms. Kingsbury should be one of encouragement. “It’s
says she has yet to have a homeowner coming, and there’s nothing we can do
request approval for a metal roof, and about it. We should embrace the new
that ultimately it would rest on the HOA technologies as they arrive and find
Board to weigh those benefits against ways to manage them. At SBB, we’re
the best interest of the community. “All proponents [of energy efficiency]. That’s
exterior modifications are supposed to why we’re providing leadership forums
be approved, and it would just depend for our board members so that they can
on the dynamic of the community, why become aware of the changes and learn
the homeowner wants it and what it how to use them properly.”
would look like.”
Allison Harrell is a staff writer of Frisco
As homeowners and homeowner’s STYLE, mom of four and an aspiring
associations grapple with the blogger.
implications of new types of energy
efficient measures, Mr. Broach says

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FEATURE

No portion of this article may be reproduced without express written permission of Style Publishing Group, LLC. © 2012 • All rights reserved.