MAY 2015 GETTING TO KNOW YOU Ladonia resident Aurora Marquez Hernandez is not just a hair stylist, she’s an instructor too. Aurora moved to Ladonia in 2001 and commuted to Dallas for many years. A 1983 graduate from Arlington’s Aladdin Beauty College, Aurora went on to earn an advanced degree, and was awarded an Instructor’s license from Aurora Marquez Neilson Beauty College in Dallas. Hernandez Aurora began styling hair at age thirteen. “I used to corner my brother in the bathroom and cut his hair,” she remembers joyfully. Chamber of Commerce of Ladonia P.O. Box 44 Ladonia, TX 75449 www.ladoniachamber.com [email protected] (972) 757-8920 TABLE OF CONTENTS A Funny Thing Happened Pg.10 Aurora was able to perfect her technique and master the “art” of customer communication by working in area salons and cutting hair at Mexican bazaars in the Dallas area. Boyd Music Festival Pg.11 Congratulations Pg. 10 Expert Advice Pg. 6,7 “What makes you a good stylist,” I asked? Aside from having years of experience, Aurora believes that her talent begins by really listening to each client and taking into consideration a persons personality, face shape, and hair texture to know what type of cut will look best. “It is important to look from the customer’s perspective, she states, to create that perfect style.” Garage Sale, 20 Mile Pg. 5 Getting to Know You Pg. 1 Good Works Pg. 4 Historically Speaking Pg. 8 Join the Chamber Pg.12 Open for Business Pg. 2,3 Top Five Pg. 7 Touch of Humor Pg. 12 When do hair types come in to play? Apparently scissor cutting is very precise and great for blunt cuts, bobs or layering to create volume for people with thinner hair. Razor cuts, on the other hand, look the most natural. You can walk out of a salon looking like you’ve had a weeks worth of growth; no new-cut awkwardness when a razor, not scissor, is used. Continued on pg. 6 Join us at the next Chamber Meeting! Meetings are held on the first Saturday of each month at the “This and That Retail Shop” on the square. Meeting starts at 9:00 a.m. 1 Brookshire’s of Commerce 1603 Culver St. Commerce, TX 75428 (903) 886-3252 HOURS: 7 a.m. - 10 p.m. Is it possible to save big AND buy superb quality groceries? It is if you shop at Brookshire’s. The minute you walk in the door at Brookshire’s in Commerce on 1603 Culver street the experience begins. Gone are the motion detector talking screens that force product information on walkers-by. Isles are roomy, brightly lit, and super clean. The store is stocked with first-class produce—fresh from the fields of our own local growers. Brookshire’s CEO believes that purchasing locally grown produce positively impacts each community’s economy and ensures the customers get the freshest seasonal produce available. The truth is in the tasting. Brookshire’s opened it’s doors in 1928 in Tyler, TX. The Commerce location opened in 1977. Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC), owns and operates 151 stores in Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. They also own three distribution centers and five manufacturing plants. This enables BGC to deliver products fast and stock stores affordably. What does this mean to Brookshire customers? Lower Prices. Not only do they compete with large mega grocery stores, Brookshire’s often beats their prices too. Choosing from fresh, locally grown produce is a pleasure. BGC also hand-cuts and packages much of their our own beef, pork, and poultry products. Brookshire’s Meat Market offerings are exceptional. So what could be better than great tasting food and affordable pricing? How about service? Brookshire’s philosophy is “people first, profits will follow.” It’s no more apparent than in the ready smiles and greatly appreciated offers of assistance with carry out items. Brookshire’s “people first” philosophy doesn’t stop there. Men and woman who work for Brookshire’s aren’t called employees, they’re called Partners. The company is adamant about this distinction. “Brookshire’s is a great place to work,” stated Broc Hohenberger, Commerce Store Director. Broc is a hands-on Director, never hesitating to help the staff wherever he’s needed. This conciliatory and supportive environment fosters long-term working relationships. Broc Hohenberger Commerce Store Director Brookshire’s strives to help communities flourish with more than just groceries. They sponsor a multitude of drives, fundraisers and events with proceeds going to charity. In 2014, they donated $111,000 to Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas. A Christmas drive provided 16,000 Meals on Wheels to families in Tyler. $170,00 was awarded to 124 high schools throughout Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Just last March, more than $100,000 was raised in Brookshire’s second annual FRESH 15 road race. One of the charities on the receiving end is the Tyler-based Bethesda Health Clinic. There’s never been a better time to save on groceries. Visit Brookshire’s in Commerce, Greenville, Paris or Sulphur Springs. 2 George Skellham, owner of MLS Drywall & Paint, is a man of his word. Specializing in interior and exterior painting, Mr. Skellham has a seven year track record of fair pricing, good customer service, and on-time completions. The entire crew is friendly and courteous, with a no-nonsense work ethic that delivers quality work and gets the job done. Whether painting, repairing drywall or finishing every homeowner’s handyman to-do list, MLS Drywall & Paint is ready to surpass expectations and restore your home to its previous glory. There’s never been a better time to beautify your home! Call for a free estimate today. Owner of Liberty Farm Landscaping, Robby Cox, is ready to help area residents spruce up for spring. Robby opened his landscaping business in 2001. He is an experienced landscaper who is also licensed through the Texas Department of Agriculture to provide pesticide application. Born in College Station, Mr. Cox moved to Wolfe City in 1977 to be closer to family. He and his wife, Amy, have two children; a girl 11, and a boy 4. “I love the outdoors,” Robby replied when asked why he chose this profession. Landscaping is his passion—it shows in his quality of work. With a crew of three and multiple tractors, Liberty Farm Landscaping provides tree trimming, pasture maintenance, lawn mowing, tree and shrub planting and yearround expert, lawn care. Many of his commercial and residential customers have been with him his entire working life; 14 years. “Why is your business so successful?” I ask. “I’m reliable,” he replied confidently. New customers signing up for Liberty Farm’s Full Package Lawn Care Service will receive 10% off. It’s time to…. MLS DRYWALL & PAINT (214) 690-9822 (903) 450-5996 If you’re doing business in our area we’d like to share your story too. Email [email protected] 3 Good Men Doing God’s Work in Ladonia. Assistant Pastor Ray Godfrey and Men’s Ministry member Johnny Crosby, are blessed to be a part of the mentoring program at the Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. They’ll tell you that mentoring is all about the children. “We need to give the youth the tools to succeed in life,” stated Ray Godfrey, Assistant Pastor. Children need to experience what’s beyond they’re limited vision and see Assistant Pastor what the world can really offer them. It’s hard for a child raised in rural Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church poverty to imagine the possibility that through perseverance and God’s Ray Godfrey direction, ALL things are possible. These talented male mentors are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of Ladonia youths. They’re living proof that through biblical devotion and hard work, anyone can realize success and live a fruitful life. Johnny Crosby, a professional truck driver, is also a landlord and owns multiple rental properties. He knew as kid that he wanted to be a truck driver. He’s living that dream. Assistant Pastor Ray Godfrey graduated from Ladonia High School and served for thirty years in the Texas Army National Guard becoming a Command Sergeant Major. Ray got a job sweeping floors at Frito Lay. Thirty two years later he held the Plant Manager position, after working his way up through the ranks. It is possible to achieve success with determination and effort. Now the owner of a day care business in Commerce, Assistant Pastor Ray Godfrey has returned to the area in hope of helping others. Men's Ministry Outreach Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Johnny Crosby Mt. Pisgah’s Mentoring Program plans day trips in the future, beginning with a trip to Fair Park Museum in Dallas. The African American Museum at Fair Park is the only museum in the southwestern US devoted to the preservation and display of African American artistic, cultural, and historical materials. It has one of the largest African-American folk art collections in the US. Youths in the program range in age from seven to seventeen. Direction is provided by professional educators and teachers with an added biblical focus. Kids are taught life and career development skills, and benefit academically as well as spiritually. If you or your child would like to know more about Mt. Pisgah’s Mentoring Program call (903) 367-7009 or attend Youth Sunday School at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and a loving heart. What an excellent job these talented mentors are doing! To help with day trips, workshops or mentoring opportunities contact Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church today. Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church C.W. Pruitt, Pastor 301 TX-34 Ladonia, TX 75449 (903) 367-7009 4 20 Mile SATURDAY, MAY 2 8a.m - 4 p.m. Sale locations include Ladonia, Pecan Gap and Ben Franklin. For more information contact Debby Frey at (972) 757-8920 or Peggy Durham at (903) 359-6544. Maps will be available at the This And That Resale Shop , Granny’s Place and various shops along the way. 5 Stylist Aurora Continued If you’ve lived in Fannin County perhaps you’ve had the opportunity to meet an Oncor professional. Oncor is a regulated electric distribution company which provides electric to our area. “It’s the largest in Texas,“ David Collier, Oncor’s Area Manager stated proudly. David has worked with Oncor for 43 years and truly enjoys visiting this area and meeting his customer base. With seven million consumers and over 100,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines, it’s no wonder Oncor is a household name. “What advice can you give Ladonia residents,” I asked Mr. Collier. He replied, “ Know your premise number.” I then asked, “What’s a Premise number?” I didn’t know. Apparently, it’s like a customer number and allows Oncor to find your location or service. If you’re calling from a phone to report a problem that is not listed on your account alternative verification is needed. That is what a premise number is for. With razor cuts the ends are tapered, which allows the hair to lay naturally. If you want a casual hair style that looks effortless, a razor cut is the style to choose. Aurora is extremely good at either technique. The good news is that Aurora makes house calls and also appoints out of her home. The cost is $15 for haircuts at her home, and $20 if Aurora drives to you. Taking care of your hair has never been easier. Aurora recommends shampoos containing coconut oil, as its a great moisturizer and not too heavy. Creamy shampoos are better for most hair types. Remember to always rinse with cool water, not hot. Don’t use conditioners with balsam if you have thin hair. If you have brittle, dry, hair try egg or mayonnaise treatments. Aurora believes that natural conditioning products are better. Why do people call Oncor? Outage problems, streetlight malfunctions, downed power lines, and even meter tampering are a few of the reasons a resident would pick up the phone. Properties undergoing electrical upgrades will also require Oncor’s involvement. For people of color who need additional moisture, Aurora does recommend products with balsam and cholesterol, as they condition more deeply and deliver much needed moisture to the hair follicle. Here are two numbers you need to know: What new styling trends are popular today, I ask? “Perms are BACK, she replies. Thank goodness, now maybe we can throw out our curling irons! To Report an Outage: (888) 313-4747. Service Requests (tree limb removal or electrical upgrades) (888) 313-6862. For more information about energy efficiency and upcoming job openings go to www.oncor.com. Aurora has just a few openings to fill, so call today to schedule an awesome cut and scalp massage. You won’t regret it. To make a styling appointment call (903) 458-5194 6 Brenda Stewart Real Estate Professional 40 East Side Square Cooper, TX 75432 phone: 903.395.0210 mobile: 903.243.0379 BEST PARENTS IN LITERATURE By Linda Rodriquez McRobbie / Mental Floss ATTICUS FINCH // TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD BY HARPER LEE ALEX AND KATE MURRY // A WRINKLE IN TIME BY MADELEINE L’ENGLE THE WEASLEYS // HARRY POTTER SERIES BY JK ROWLING MA AND PA INGALLS // LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE BY LAURA INGALLS WILDER. MR. AND MRS. QUIMBY // RAMONA SERIES 7 By Doug Franklin Lake Ralph Hall Idea Originated at Ladonia Town Hall Meeting Part THREE At its next meeting, the Ladonia Lake Team scrapped the plans for previously proposed 600 acre lake on Caddo National Grasslands. Mayor Hurse provided a USGS elevation map of the area, and Bob Bledsoe overlaid it with mylar. The team began work to lay out a much larger lake, this one on the North Sulphur River. The dam on the new Lake Ralph Hall proposal was to be located west of the Highway 34 bridge north of Ladonia. The consulting engineer for Upper Trinity Regional Water District made a trip to Ladonia, viewed the map and went to the Highway 34 location of the proposed dam. The new location was still too small. The dam needed to be further east. Together, Ladonia and Upper Trinity Regional Water District set out to establish a new site that would be further downstream on North Sulphur River. A new site was agreed upon. lt was eastward on a hill overlooking but not including Baker Creek. The new proposal optimized the lake size by adding the Merrill Creek arm of water that extended north and westward from the North Sulphur River. In 2002, more than ten years after starting the initial project, the Ladonia team reached a milestone as Thomas Taylor, Executive Director of Upper Trinity Regional Water District, and other District officials met in Ladonia to tour the proposed dam site and discuss the long term prospects for a partnership on Lake Ralph Hall. Subsequently, there were several meetings with the City of Ladonia and with Fannin County officials to develop a cooperative Memorandum of Understanding for proposed Lake Ralph Hall. When it appeared that a Memorandum of Understanding would not be executed by all parties, it was decided to enter into separate contract agreements. An agreement was negotiated with the City of Ladonia and approved December 12, 2004, signed by Mayor Leon Hurse. The separate agreement with Fannin County is dated March 24, 2008, and signed by County Judge Butch Henderson. The agreements provide that 5% of the water from Lake Ralph Hall be made available to local customers, with no up-front costs. An additional 5% could be provided at cost. Once construction commences for the Lake, nominal fees for water users will be applicable, to help support the Lake. The water left for local customers is to be managed by City of Ladonia for use within the North Sulphur River Basin. Based on engineering studies, Lake Ralph Hall is expected to produce (yield) approximately 30 million gallons of water per day. The City of Ladonia calculated the 5% of water for local use to be 1,500,000 gallons a day and a potential total of 3,000,000 gallons per day untreated water in the lake. The local water users would need to provide for treatment and distribution of the water. The amount of water to be available for local use was estimated to be enough to serve a population of 20,000 people; most people who live in Ladonia now probably would not want to grow nearly this much. Continued pg. 9 8 By Doug Franklin In March 2015, with the project about half way through the process of lake completion for UTRWD and about two-thirds complete for Ladonia, who marks its beginning for the lake project as 1991, a milestone was celebrated. Upper Trinity RWD officially opened its LRH Land Office. Representatives from the City of Ladonia, the Ladonia Chamber of Commerce, the Fannindel School District, Fannin County, and Upper Trinity Regional Water District gathered for a ribboncutting to mark the official opening of Lake Ralph Hall Land Office. Cutting the ribbon from left to right are Ladonia Chamber of Commerce President Debby Frey, Ladonia Mayor Chris Burch, Fannindel School Superintendent H. L. Milton, Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter, and Vice President of Upper Trinity Regional Water District Board of Directors Lance VanZant. Ladonia awaits the next major milestone as UTRWD obtains the 404 Permit from U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, expected within the next two years. Anticipated completion of Lake Ralph Hall is in the 2025 to 2030 time frame. 9 A FUNNY THING HAPPENED By Janice Sterling “I never promised you a rose garden,” Lynn Anderson sang in the 70’s. I know the feeling. When it comes to gardens, I don’t make promises either. Ladonia’s Doug Franklin, winner of the Citizen of the Year Award! Ronnie and Virginia Russell celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on March 19th! I make no apologies for my brown thumb and lack of gardening expertise. When you grow up in the city you learn about buses, trains, and subways– not compost and potting mix. Apparently, I’m not a total failure; my onions are still alive. I’m told they can withstand freezing temperatures, massive flooding and fire ant infestation. God saw fit to send all three to Ladonia this spring. I’m not saying God singled me out or anything. My neighbors are just as challenged by their soggy, slippery, muddy yards and flooded driveways. We’re in good company though; residents of Vermont actually replaced the word “spring” with “mud hole.” Summer doesn’t start until the day the mud hole cakes over. Not so in Texas. Our mud holes cake over a little faster. It only takes a day or two of temps in the high 90’s, to dry out the ground and move the house foundation. Where there is no vision, the people perish. —Proverbs 29:18 Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart That may not save my garden, but the bathroom door could start closing again. The Chamber is looking for a GREAT deal on Ten (10), Direct Burial RV 50 amp Pedestal Electrical Boxes for the Boyd Music Festival. If you’ve got power, please email [email protected] with contact information, product information and price. Sponsorship opportunity for discount is possible. Thanks. 10 Willie Collins Band LIVE 6-8 p.m. Bonham Community Band Bonham Big Band Express Dan Grobe Shoot Low Sheriff LIVE 8-10 p.m. Show the LOVE Become a Boyd Music Festival Sponsor today. For more information contact Gail Levey at (903)486-8912. Please join us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ BoydMusicFestival, for more information visit our website http:// www.boydmusicfestiv al.com 11 By Janice Sterling Puppies are gifts, at least that’s what the breeder said when he handed me the 8 wk. old adorable, furry ball. This renown German Shepherd breeder wiped tears from his eyes and pretended that giving up this puppy was the most excruciatingly painful thing that he’d ever had to endure. Stuffing the wad of cash I just paid him into his jeans, he catapulted off my porch and ran to his car as fast as his arthritic legs would take him. INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP Today Ladonia is a small, peaceful town. Its friendly Residents take pride in the past, and while we embrace progress and growth, area citizens want to ensure that the history, quality of life, and devotion to cultural, educational, and economic advances benefit ALL. Join the Ladonia Chamber of Commerce today. An Individual Membership is $10. BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP The Ladonia Chamber of Commerce is looking for area Entrepreneurs who wish to build long-term relationships, increase visibility in the Ladonia marketplace, and grow their businesses now. Let the Chamber’s dedication to serving the community and promoting local businesses, education, and entertainment benefit you and your company today. Business Basic Membership VIP Business Membership $25 $150 www.ladoniachamber.com/membership The puppy watched as the only constant she’d ever known disappeared down the driveway. With a pitiful cry the little, furry ball snuggled close in my arms and fell fast asleep. Awww. While she slept, I daydreamed, imagining many perfect, possible scenarios. My little puppy will one day grow up to be healthy, happy and above all else—obedient. She’ll be the perfect dog; no chewing, barking or peeing in the house. She’ll sit attentively by my side; the perfect watchdog and ideal companion, and wait for me to utter a command. I’ll teach her to fetch the ball, bring in the newspaper, attack the intruder, and guard my house . She’ll wag her tail like mad every time I walk in the door. She’ll sing for treats, and never, ever, dig in the trash or steal food off the counters. She’ll love children and be as gentle as a lamb with elderly neighbors and adoring friends. My little puppy will love me whether my hair is combed, my clothes are changed or my house is clean. She’ll romp in the yard, not the house, and never, ever, jump on the furniture. I must have dozed off for a moment. I awoke to the sound of shattering glass. While I slept my little, furry ball ventured down the back of the sofa and jumped on to the window sill. She gleefully preceded to push my entire crystal goblet collection crashing to the wood floor below. I took a step forward to rescue my pup and stepped in a pile of poop. I should have seen it, as it was right next to the pond of urine she left by my chair. My daydream was over. 12
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