ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026
EMS PROUD S P E C I A L
E D I T I O N
Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD Community Magazine
287NorthLiving.com
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LEAVE ROOM FOR MILK Leave Room for Milk Crossword by Flower Mound resident Jennifer Marra | Solution on page 23 Visit JenniferMarra.com for more puzzles
DOWN
1. Suits perfectly 2. Handle for entry 3. Forebearer 4. Summer hrs. in Chicago 5. "Pick me!" 6. Old Russian leader 7. Director Wellles 8. Author Hermann 9. " O Sole ___" 10. Nobody special 11. Dog : barked :: cat : ___ 12. Grown-ups 14. Reggae forerunner 19. Professor's goal 21. Basic beliefs 26. Watercolor and pastel 31. Post-op program 32. "Star Wars" princess 34. Spanish aunts 36. Honey-yellow color 37. Signs of a budding romance 39. Come to attention 40. Get rid of shampoo, say 41. Surround 44. Dairy council ad campaign unlikely © Jennifer Marra 2026 to feature circled entries in 18A, 38A, ACROSS 38. Where the sun never set 61A, and 1D 1. Pharmaceutical Down 45. Director Bergman Across watchdog org. 42. Yoga pose 4. Foldable bed 43. Sheep noise 46. Repair, as a shoe 1.7. "Wowza" 1. Suits perfectly Pharmaceutical watchdog org. 45. Retirement options 47. Changes, in a way 13. Charged particles 48. More capable 49. Like library books 4. Foldable bed 2. Handle for entry 15. Uno + Uno 50. Sgt. or cpl. 52. Fire ___ 16. Pulled (in) 7. 3. Forebearer "Wowza" 51. Nickname for Edward 53. Kind of code 17. Tick follower 52. Piece of concert equipment Competition between two 13. 4. Summer58. Charged hrs. in Chicago 18. Dressing roomparticles encouragement 54. Home to Mork heavyweights 20. Pick up the tab for 55. Use a chair 15. 5. "Pick me!" Uno + Uno 60. Rank below cpl. 22. Cookie made kosher in 1977 56. Cookie org. 62. ___ de parfum 16. 6. Old Russian Pulled leader 23. "Wise" bird(in) 57. Oodles of 63. Pop 24. Approves 59. Kind of whale or bank 17. 7. Director Wellles Tick follower 25. Moody music genre 61. Bored teens do this 27. Opposite of SSW 18. 8. Author Hermann Dressing room encouragement64. Hubs 28. Take home amount 65. Places for priests Jennifer Marra's new novel, 20. 9. " O Sole ___" Pickpest up the tab for 29. Picnic 66. ___ culpa The Days Between is now available on 30. ___ jacket 22. 10. Nobody special Cookie made kosher in 1977 67. Gather Amazon! It follows Samantha Ryan as 32. The lights in fairy lights 68. Curriculum vitae she copes with her new identity as a 33. Honked 23. 11. Dog : barked "Wise" bird :: cat : ___ 69. Not even young adult in 1987. Read more here: 35. Clear of chalk, say 70. Sci-fi drug 24. Approves 12. Grown-ups tinyurl.com/ybtbw566
25. Moody music genre
14. Reggae forerunner
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 04
Crossword Puzzle
07
Superintendent’s Letter
11
More Than a Number
13
07
Pathway to Possibilities
17
ON THE COVER EMS-ISD SPECIAL FALL EDITION SECTION PAGES 07-18
The Bond Election
18
Women of Influence
20
Local Buzz
24
No One Needs to Know
08
A Canvas of Distinction
16
26
Lights, Boots, Action!
10 Hot Ways to Make Fall Fabulous
30
Home Decor Trends
We Welcome Community Story Ideas & Photos! Let’s Come Together to Celebrate & Strengthen our Community
15
Growing the Future
www.287NorthLiving.com
28
American Freedom Honors
Cindy Deming | 817.875.6196 cindy@287northliving.com 1939 Golden Heights Rd. Ste. 100 Fort Worth, TX 76177
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 5
Publisher of 287 North Living cindy@287northliving.com
SRD PUBLISHERS
Publisher & Editor Cindy Deming
Administration
It’s Finally Fall,Y’all!
A
fter such a hot dry Summer, it was so good to get some rain and cooler temperatures. The leaves are starting to change; the air is a little crisper and soon the days will be shorter. It’s time
to move away from the high energy of Summer and the back-to-school rushes toward a cozier pace of life. Now is the time to think about that Fall refresh. We have a great article on the Fall Home Trends for 2026. It’s also a great season to hit up the Farmer’s Markets. Our “5 Things to Try” page gives some great local ones for you to visit. There are also some great local festivals and crafts shows coming up — check them out on The Local Buzz pages. October is our EMS Proud Edition. We love partnering with EMS ISD to produce this feature twice a year. It’s a great opportunity to let the residents that call this area home see the great things that are happening in our school district. I will leave you with this final thought — Thanksgiving is only six weeks away, and Christmas is just a mere four weeks after that. Let that sink in!
Managing Editor Jana Melton Brenda Higgins Assistant Editor Bobbi Byrne
Advertising Inquiries
brenda@287northliving.com
Production
Graphic Designers Ronny Duwe Steve Wulf Shannon Robb Randee Paraskevopoulos
Writers
Steve Gamel
Photography
Kacee Anderson Photography
Letters
287 North Living Magazine invites reader feedback, story suggestions and general comments. Email cindy@287northliving.com All submissions become the sole property of SRD Publishers, LLC.
Editorial Inquiries Call 817.875.6196 or email cindy@287northliving.com Address: SRD Publishers, LLC. 1939 Golden Heights Rd., Ste. 100 Fort Worth, TX 76177 287 North Living Magazine is published monthly by SRD Publishers, LLC. Some articles and/or content may be sponsored by advertisers. Opinions expressed in articles or advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher. 287 North Living Magazine is not responsible for omissions or information that has been misrepresented to the magazine. Advertisers and its agencies assume all liability for advertising content. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without the permission in writing from the publisher. © 2026 SRD Publishers, LLC
'til next month,
Cindy Deming 6 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
Publishers www.287NorthLiving.com
FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT by Jerry D. Hollingsworth, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD
The Joy of Witnessing Growth and Discovery!
Dear EMS ISD Community,
That same belief comes to life in the stories of our students and gradu-
One of the greatest joys of serving as superintendent is seeing the
ates. A Saginaw High School graduate is now sharing her talents as a
become. Sometimes that discovery begins with a paintbrush, a new
school while managing the daily challenges of type 1 diabetes. Their
seen in themselves. Across Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, those mo-
has a story worth knowing and aspirations worth encouraging.
many ways our students discover who they are and what they can
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. Another student is excelling in middle
challenge or a teacher who recognizes a talent a student has not yet
experiences are different, but each reminds us that every student
ments are happening every day, and we are grateful to share some of them with you in these pages.
This issue also includes information about EMS ISD’s Voter-Approval
Tax Rate Election, or VATRE, and Bus Bond propositions. I encourage
Welcome to the October edition of EMS Proud!, published in part-
you to read the information, ask questions and visit emsisd.com/
the people and opportunities that make our schools such a mean-
information so you can make an informed decision. Please take time
nership with 287 North Living. This magazine offers a glimpse into
vatre to learn more. Our responsibility is to provide clear, factual
ingful part of this community.
to participate in the election and make your voice heard.
You will read about EMS ISD being named a District of Distinction
Behind every story in this magazine are people who care deeply
the creativity of our students and the educators who help them ex-
munity members who offer their time, encouragement and expertise.
by the Texas Art Education Association, a recognition that celebrates
about children, including families, teachers, support staff and com-
press it. You will also explore our new agricultural science facility and
Thank you for being part of that support. Whether you have a child in
the opportunities it will provide for students to connect classroom learning with their interests and futures. www.287NorthLiving.com
our schools, are an EMS ISD graduate or simply call this community home, you are part of our story. Together, we remain EMS Proud!
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 7
8 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
www.287NorthLiving.com
Bustillos also credits his teachers
with pushing him beyond what he
would have attempted on his own.
Finding Their Voice For Jo, one of those opportunities was
the Visual Art Scholastic Event, or VASE. Encouraged by Eagle Mountain High School art teacher Lynsi Fletcher, he
submitted Freedom in Solitude, a charcoal and chalk pastel piece exploring his personal relationship with art.
Jo admits he initially lacked confidence in both himself and his work. Fletcher saw something more.
His first VASE experience resulted in recognition for two works, including
a photography piece he created after taking up the medium for the first time in class.
Saginaw High School art teacher Tara Croft has watched Bustillos develop his skills and confidence over the past three years.
“He has become more willing to
experiment, take creative risks, accept feedback and work independently,”
Croft said. “His growth reflects his dedication, curiosity and willingness to challenge himself as an artist.”
Gavin Bustillos - VASE Artwork titled Keyboards
“There is an ethereal quality to his linework that he uses to capture emotion and movement,” Fletcher said. “He often researches other artists and then takes what he’s learned to merge it with his own style.”
That growth is at the heart of what Hardy believes makes visual arts education so valuable. The District of Distinction is not simply about winning competitions or producing what someone might consider “good artwork.” It is about exposure, experiences and giving every student opportunities to create, grow and be celebrated.
Gavin Bustillos
- Saginaw High School
“
“They make a path for our kids to have a voice that can be quiet in person, but loud on the page,” Hardy said. “I’m grateful for what they do for a lot of kids who maybe at times could go unseen or unheard.”
They make a path for our kids to have a voice that can be quiet in person, but loud on the page.”
- CARLA HARDY
EMS ISD Executive Director of Fine Arts
www.287NorthLiving.com
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 9
10 | 287 NORTH LIVING |- SEP 18 - OCT 16, 2026 | ISSUE 09
www.287NorthLiving.com
More Than a Number KELSEY MOTLEY SHOWS THAT DIABETES DOESN’T DEFINE HER. IT’S JUST PART OF HER STORY.
K
elsey Motley’s world revolved around school, gymnastics and competition season. But after weeks of not feeling like herself, a visit to a new pediatrician revealed something was seriously wrong: her blood sugar was nearly 900, more than four times the level used to diagnose diabetes in someone with symptoms. Kelsey and her family gathered their things and headed straight to Cook Children’s Hospital. She was in diabetic ketoacidosis and spent nearly two weeks in the hospital. When she finally left, she brought home a new daily reality: Type 1 diabetes. Five years later, Kelsey is now an eighth grader at Marine Creek Middle School who refuses to let the condition define what she can accomplish. As a multi-sport athlete and advancedcourse student, Kelsey balances practices,
games and academics while constantly monitoring her glucose levels. A continuous glucose monitor and insulin pump help, but diabetes is unpredictable. “It’s like a roller coaster,” Kelsey said. “I’ve had to sit out so much because my sugar has been low, and then it’ll go high, and it’ll go low again.” At school, Coach Zach Haseman and nurse Aimee Britt help monitor her glucose levels, while her teachers understand when she needs to step away. This commitment to student success is just one example of how EMS ISD accommodates every student, no matter the challenge, so they can fully learn, participate and pursue the vast opportunities the district has to offer. At home, her dad, Mike, intentionally carries more of the load. “I told her when she was first diagnosed that I will manage it and take care of it as long as I can because this is something she’ll have forever,” Mike said. “If I can take that burden off of her, I will.” This summer, Kelsey found a community that understood firsthand at Camp Sweeney in Whitesboro, where she spent 19 days with other children with diabetes. There, pump alarms that often draw attention at school were simply part of everyday life.
www.287NorthLiving.com
by Brittny Sanchez | photos courtesy of EMS ISD
Since camp, Kelsey said she has felt more confident with her diabetes “because I know I’m not the only kid that has it.” Sharing her story also gives her an opportunity to clear up a common misconception. “It’s not my fault that I got it,” Kelsey said. “I was a nine-year-old little girl that was just trying to live life.”
Understanding TYPE 1 DIABETES November is National Diabetes Month, a time to raise awareness and understanding about diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It is not caused by eating too much sugar or by lifestyle choices. In people with Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin, requiring daily insulin and regular blood sugar monitoring.
Type 1 diabetes often develops in children, teens and young adults, but it can occur at any age.
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 11
Texas Aviation STEM Magazine STEM magazines, written for teachers and parents as a resource and teaching aid, trigger a child’s curiosity in Aviation. The content is diverse, engaging, inspirational and cutting edge, covering a wide range of educational and career development articles appropriate for all ages.
Most Touchable Warbirds in North Texas
Scan to read one today!
Our vision is to celebrate and showcase the people and aviation accomplishments in North Texas with a museum and science center that can preserve and display our heritage, educate our community and inspire our young people to stay in school and achieve their full potential.
3300 Ross ave., Fort Worth, TX 76106 | 855.733.8627 | FortWorthAviationMuseum.com
HAVE A LONE STAR CARD/EBT?? DOUBLE YOUR SNAP DOLLARS FOR FRESH PRODUCE WITH DOUBLE UP FOOD BUCKS
Use DOUBLE UP at these Farmers Markets:
8am - Noon 1st & 3rd Saturdays 225 Church St. azlefarmersmarket.org To find other locations accepting DUFB across North Texas, visit DoubleUpTexas.org or call 512-730-1807 (Mon-Sat, 9am-12pm)
12 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
Use your Lone Star Card and receive a matching amount, up to $30 a day, to spend on fruits and vegetables. No registration required.
Member of the North Central Texas Farmers Market Corporation
8am - Noon Every Saturday Veterans Park - 8901 Clifford St. Cowtownmarket.com This work is supported by the Double Up Food Bucks Texas program, project award no. 2024-70415-43711, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
O
UP T
$PE3R D0AY
8am - Noon 2nd & 4th Saturdays 752 S. Knowles Dr. Saginawmarket.org
Supported by
www.287NorthLiving.com
Premier Pathway opens doors for EMS ISD students to earn college credit, save on tuition and get an early start on their future.
S
by Jeri Fink | photos by EMS ISD
tarting high school comes with plenty of firsts: new classes, new experiences and new opportunities. For Suzie Ramirez, a Saginaw High School freshman, one of those opportunities is giving her a head start on something most freshmen still see years away - college.
Through Tarleton Today dual credit courses, students can complete Texas’ 42-credit core curriculum plus three dditional college credits. Launched in August 2026, Premier Pathway will expand through 2028, adding more college-level courses each year.
Ramirez is among the first students participating in EMS ISD’s new Premier Pathway, a district-wide collaboration with Tarleton State University that allows students to earn up to 45 college credit hours while in high school. EMS ISD is the only school district in North Texas offering this type of program through Tarleton.
For Ramirez, who will be the first in her family to attend college, the program is bringing that future closer. She is beginning her freshman year with advanced core classes and a Tarleton Today public speaking course.
“I wanted to get a head start on college while still in high school so I can reach my future goals sooner,” Ramirez said.
“It’s going really well,” she said. “They are a bit challenging, but in a good and stimulating way.” Premier Pathway also makes college credit more affordable. Courses cost $50 per
credit hour, while FAST-eligible students pay nothing. Completing all 45 credits costs approximately $2,200, potentially
saving families more than $6,000 compared with earning the same credits at Tarleton after graduation. Ramirez hopes to attend Tarleton or Texas Tech University and pursue a career in the medical field. As she works toward those goals, she encourages other students to make the most of opportunities like Premier Pathway.
“Take the opportunity and take it seriously because it can help you so much in the future,” she said. “Work hard, but have fun with it, too.” For Ramirez, Premier Pathway is more than college preparation. It’s a head start on the future she’s already working toward.
Scan to find out more about the EMS ISD Premier Pathway Program. www.287NorthLiving.com
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 13
DENTAL CARE YOU CAN
BY DENTISTS WHO LISTEN GENERAL, COSMETIC, AND SEDATION DENTISTRY
Dr. David Ballard, DDS Dr. Scott Ballard, DMD
22
03/15/2027.
817-367-6453 14 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
www.287NorthLiving.com
G N I W O R G the FUTURE
New Dick and Heidi Elkins Agricultural Science Complex will expand opportunities for EMS ISD students when it opens this fall by Jeri Fink | photos courtesy of EMS ISD
W
hat began with a visit to the Fort Worth Stock Show has grown into a passion and a future for Amelia McIlroy, a Boswell High School senior. Since joining EMS ISD’s Agricultural Science program, McIlroy has raised livestock, competed in FFA events and earned honors at livestock shows. Soon, students following in her footsteps will have even more opportunities to learn and grow. Opening in late November, the new Dick and Heidi Elkins Agricultural Science Complex will serve as a hub for student animal projects with a livestock barn,
instructional space, new equipment and a multi-use arena for shows and events. Made possible through voters approving the 2023 bond, this facility will provide a modern, dedicated space for hands-on agricultural education. “We have a good facility, but it lacks certain equipment that we need.” McIlroy said. “The new building will bring us an advanced learning environment.” Wyatt Tribble, a Chisholm Trail High School sophomore, knows firsthand where those opportunities can lead. Inspired by helping his sister care for her FFA lamb, Tribble now shows lambs and a pig with hopes to become a livestock judge.
Dick and Heidi Elkins Agricultural Science Complex - September 2026
“I’m especially looking forward to the new show arena and state-of-the-art equipment because it will give us additional resources to develop our skills,” Tribble said. And in addition to developing those skills, students from across EMS ISD will now have the same opportunities to be a part of these experiences that offer lessons for life. “Students will have the opportunity to raise and show livestock through FFA while learning valuable skills like time management, responsibility, and strong work ethics,” Bryce Gerhardt, EMS ISD Agricultural Science Coordinator, said. For future students, the new center will provide a place to discover their passion, develop their skills, and pursue possibilities that extend far beyond its doors. Scan to learn more about the Dick and Heidi Elkins Agricultural Science Complex.
www.287NorthLiving.com
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 15
LIGHTS, BOOTS,
N O I T C A
EMS ISD alumna Brenley Herrera reflects on the opportunities, educators and experiences that helped prepare her for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. by Brittny Sanchez | photos courtesy of Brenley Herrera
L
ong before Brenley Herrera ever performed under the lights at AT&T Stadium, she was a student in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, building the skills, confidence and resilience that would eventually take her from Saginaw High School to the Texas Tech Pom Squad and finally to the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Herrera attended EMS ISD from kindergarten through graduation, beginning at Northbrook Elementary, continuing at Prairie Vista Middle School and graduating from Saginaw High School in 2021. Along the way, she found opportunities that challenged her and educators who saw her potential and encouraged her passions. A lifelong dancer, Herrera joined the
gymnastics program in seventh grade because she wanted to try something different. She continued through her sophomore year at SHS, where Coaches Courtney Parker and Eric Briley pushed her beyond her comfort zone. “They saw potential, and they saw the passion in me, and they pushed me,” Herrera said.
In 2025, Herrera earned a spot on the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as a rookie and returns again this year for her second season. She hopes the students coming behind her will pursue their own dreams with the same determination.
EMS ISD also worked with Herrera during high school to provide flexibility for the intensive dance training she pursued outside of school. She credits those experiences with developing the work ethic and resilience she needed for what came next. Herrera said opportunities like gymnastics give students the chance to explore something they may discover they love and “want to do forever.” At Texas Tech, Herrera earned a spot on the Pom Squad, competed nationally and became a Game Day Captain. There, becoming a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader went from something she admired to a dream she believed she could achieve.
16 | 287 NORTH LIVING | SEP 18 - OCT 16, 2026 | ISSUE 09
“Your dreams are not too small and they’re not too big,” Herrera said. “Believe in yourself. Things take time. Have patience. ... Figure out who you are and figure out your dreams and go for them.”
www.287NorthLiving.com
Understanding EMS ISD’s VATRE and Bus Bond Election
A
pproval of both propositions in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD’s
Nov. 3 election would provide approximately $9.1 million annually
for students and teachers through additional revenue and a shift in existing bus payments. District projections show the measures would preserve jobs and provide an additional salary increase while giving lawmakers two more regular legislative sessions to address school funding before deeper staffing cuts become necessary. The voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE, and bus bond will appear separately on the ballot. Together, they would generate $6.1 million in additional annual operating revenue and move approximately $3 million in annual bus payments out of the operating budget.
“For our families, the financial numbers ultimately come back to the people working with their children every day,” Dr. Jerry D. Hollingsworth, EMS ISD Superintendent, said. “These proposals
would allow us to retain more employees
and provide an additional raise while giving the Legislature more time to address the funding challenges facing our schools.”
EMS ISD projects 57 job cuts by the 202728 school year with the VATRE, compared
with 197 without it. By 2029-30, projected reductions rise to 282 with the VATRE and 392 without it. Those later figures
VOTER INFORMATION www.287NorthLiving.com
represent total reductions by that year, rather than additional cuts.
The VATRE would authorize four additional copper pennies on the
The projections illustrate that the
measures would reduce staffing losses but would not eliminate the district’s longterm financial challenges. The Legislature’s regular sessions in 2027 and 2029 would provide opportunities to increase the basic allotment, a foundational part of the state’s school funding formula. The Legislature only increased the basic allotment by $55 per student since 2019, while inflation since that time has greatly increased the cost for EMS ISD’s daily operating expenses.
“Our projections show fewer job reductions with the additional operating
capacity, but they also show that a funding gap remains,” said Robb Welch, chief financial officer. “The election would affect how much time we have and how many positions we can maintain as we plan for future budgets.”
maintenance and operations (M&O) tax rate, equal to 4 cents per $100 of taxable
property value. This budget pays daily expenses, including salaries, supplies and utilities. For a $250,000 home receiving the homestead exemption, the VATRE would add approximately $44 annually. The $20 million bus bond would refinance existing bus debt through the interest and sinking (I&S) fund, which repays voterapproved debt. The approximately $3 million in M&O relief would come from changing the source of bus payments, rather than creating new revenue.
EMS ISD employees received an approved 1% salary increase for 2026-27. If both propositions pass, an additional 1% increase would apply retroactively to the beginning of the school year, bringing the total to 2%.
The district is not just waiting for the Legislature to act. The EMS ISD Financial
The voter registration deadline is October 5. Register to vote, or check your voter registration status, at www.votetexas
recommended and the District took action
propositions, ask questions and vote.
Integrity and Transparency Team, made up of teachers, parents, students, School Board members and other district leaders, on $4.5 million in budget improvements through measures including energy
controls, enrollment initiatives, attendance increases and high school scheduling changes.
gov. Early voting runs Oct. 19-30, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Residents are encouraged to learn about both The presentation, explainer video, tax calculator and additional
election information are available at www.emsisd.com/vatre.
Early Voting: October 19 - 30 Election Day: Tuesday, November 3 ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 17
18 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
www.287NorthLiving.com
5
Things To Try
Fall Farmers
Markets to Explore
by Local Results Media
A
s fall arrives in North Texas,
farmers markets offer a pleasant retreat to enjoy cooler
mornings, shop and support
local farmers and ranchers, and
find fresh ingredients for seasonal meals.
Cowtown Farmers Market
Saginaw Farmers Market
Veterans Park Grand Pavilion
752 S. Knowles Drive, Saginaw, TX saginawmarket.org Second and fourth Saturdays, 8 am-noon Open March - mid December.
8901 Clifford St., White Settlement, TX cowtownmarket.com.
Saturdays, 8 am-noon, year-round.
To find locally grown produce, specialty
For Fort Worth area shoppers, Cowtown
all) of these five popular farmers markets in
tablished in 1986, it is Tarrant County’s only
foods, and handcrafted goods, visit one (or Tarrant County.
Farmers Market is a standout option. Esproducer-only farmers market, meaning
Azle Farmers Market
vendors sell foods they grow or make
Feed Lot Food Truck Park
high-quality meats, baked goods, and a
225 Church St., Azle, TX
dfwfarmersmarkets.com
First and third Saturdays, 8 am-noon March through November
themselves. Expect seasonal produce, strong connection to local agriculture.
Watauga Artisans Market
Keller Farmers Market
7300 Denton Highway, Watauga, TX fourseasonsmarkets.com Saturdays, 9 am-1 pm, year-round
Bear Creek Park, 400 Bear Creek Pkwy.,
Located northwest of Fort Worth near Eagle
Keller, TX | kellerfarmersmarket.com
fers fresh produce, farm products, prepared
Keller Farmers Market remains one of the
Mountain Lake, the Azle Farmers Market of-
foods, and local goods twice each month. Its location at the Feed Lot Food Truck Park makes it easy to pair
market shopping with
breakfast or lunch, creat-
ing a relaxed outing for families and visitors.
Saturdays, 8 am-noon; year-round
best-established options for northwestern Tarrant County, and is especially conve-
nient for residents of Keller, Trophy Club,
and Roanoke. Shoppers can find seasonal produce, baked goods, prepared foods, plants, and handmade products, while
families can enjoy the park setting and community atmosphere.
www.287NorthLiving.com
Held at the Market at Saginaw Switch-yard, this farmers market remains a practical choice for fresh produce, artisan goods, and locally made products. The twice-monthly schedule makes it easy to plan around, and the market’s community-focused atmosphere reflects Saginaw’s strong ties to local farmers, artisans, and small businesses.
The Watauga Artisans Market offers a convenient option for residents of Watauga, north Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, and nearby communities. The market features locally sourced foods, handmade products, artisanal goods, and a variety of vendors in an accessible setting. Its year-round schedule makes it particularly useful for holiday shopping after many seasonal markets
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 19
theLocal Buzz All photos courtesy of the organization’s website or social media
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Join us for Lord’s Acre at Saginaw United Methodist Church, 209 S. Bluebonnet Street, on Saturday, November 7, from 10 am - 3 pm. Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch, country store, bake sale, exciting live and silent auctions, and kids’ activities. There will be fun for the whole family! Bring your friends and family and join us for a wonderful day of fellowship, food, and fun!
SAGINAW STARSTEPPERS CRAFT SHOW Shoppers begin preparing for the holiday season by searching for unique gifts, handcrafted items, home décor, specialty foods, fashion accessories, and more. This is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your business to new customers and connect with shoppers who love supporting local vendors. It will be at Saginaw High School at 800 N. Blue Mound Rd, Saginaw, TX 76131, on October 31 from 9 am - 3 pm.
NATIONAL PTA SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE For the first time in Eaton High School’s history, Eaton was named a 2025–2027 National PTA School of Excellence. Out of PTAs across the country, Eaton High School was one of only 321 schools and among just 65 high schools to earn this designation for building strong family-school partnerships. EHS administration, PTSA leaders, and student representatives celebrate earning the 2025–2027 National PTA School of Excellence designation.
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR The Eagle Mountain High School Lady Knights Basketball Team is hosting our 1st Annual Holiday Craft Fair, Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 2 pm-6:30 pm at Eagle Mountain High School. We would love to see our community come together to support local businesses and our Lady Knights.
20 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
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LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS, UPDATES, SCHOOL UPDATES & NEW BUSINESSES
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BAND EXPO HITS HIGH NOTES EMS ISD celebrated student musicians at the annual Band Expo on October 7 at Chisholm Trail High School. The event featured UIL marching shows from all four high schools, along with special performances by middle school bands. The evening showcased talented musicians from across the district, with proceeds benefiting EMS ISD band private lesson scholarships.
TEEING UP 4 SCHOLARSHIPS Golfers will hit the green for a great cause at the EMS Education Foundation’s Annual Charity Golf Tournament on October 22 at The Resort Golf Club. With a 9 am shotgun start, the event brings together golfers and community supporters to benefit scholarships for EMS ISD students. Special thanks to this year’s title sponsor, the Autry Family, and raffle sponsor, Pogue Construction, for their support.
REGIONAL LEADERSHIP RECOGNIZED EMS ISD Superintendent Dr. Jerry D. Hollingsworth received the North Texas Commission’s 2026 Regional Education Leadership Award after being nominated by State Senator Taylor Rehmet. The honor recognizes Dr. Hollingsworth’s leadership in connecting student opportunities with the needs of a growing regional workforce through college partnerships, career preparation and experiences that help prepare students for what comes next.
CONNECTING FUTURES AT COLLEGE NIGHT Students and families can explore what comes next at the EMS ISD College Night on October 29 at 6 pm at Chisholm Trail High School. College, university, and military representatives will be on hand to share information and answer questions about admissions, scholarships, programs, and opportunities after high school. It’s a chance to explore options, make connections, and start planning for the future.
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ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 21
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ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 23
No One Needs to Know
(
What to Make, Buy & Fake this Thanksgiving
(
by Local Results Media
T
hanksgiving dinner has a way of turning perfectly reasonable
people into overachievers.
Suddenly, we're making three kinds of
bit of trickery can make everyone think you worked much harder than you did.
wondering whether homemade cranberry
In other words: Make it, buy it, or fake it. Choose wisely.
zest. We see beautiful holiday tables filled
MAKE IT
there were probably three days of cooking
Start with the dishes that actually matter to your family. If everyone spends the other 364 days talking about Aunt Linda's stuffstuff ing, Thanksgiving probably isn't the time to replace it with something trendy involvinvolv ing quinoa.
potatoes, baking bread from scratch, and sauce really needs freshly grated orange
with seemingly effortless food and forget — and a sink full of dishes.
It doesn't have to be this hard. The secret to a
great Thanksgiving isn't mak-
ing everything yourself. It's
knowing where homemade
matters, where store-bought
works beautifully, and where a tiny
24 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
Choose two or three dishes worthy of your time and attenatten tion. Mashed potatoes are relatively
simple to make and noticeably better homemade. The same goes for a treasured family casserole, stuffing, or dessert that's part of your Thanksgiving tradition. This is also where you should put your effort if cooking is something you genuinely enjoy. Love making pies? Make the pie. Have a roll recipe you've perfected over the years? Ignore everything we're about to say about buying them. The point isn't to avoid cooking. It's to stop cooking things from scratch simply because you think you're supposed to. Save your energy for the foods that make Thanksgiving taste like Thanksgiving at your house.
BUY IT There are some things professional bakers, grocers, and food companies make extremely well. Let them. Dinner rolls are an easy place to save time. Buy good ones from a bakery or grocery www.287NorthLiving.com
store, warm them just before dinner, and
serve them with real butter. Nobody is go-
ing to pause halfway through the meal and demand to see your yeast.
Appetizers are another excellent opportunity to outsource. Cheese, crackers, nuts,
olives, prepared dips, and a few pieces of
fruit can become a beautiful grazing board in minutes. Your guests have something to
nibble on, and you haven't spent the morning stuffing mushrooms.
And then there's pie. If you're a baker, by all means, roll out that crust. If pie dough has betrayed you repeatedly over the
years, however, Thanksgiving is not the
day to repair the relationship. Find a great bakery, order ahead, and move on.
The same rule applies to anything you
don't enjoy making. Thanksgiving dinner is a big enough undertaking without assigning yourself culinary homework.
or crumbled sausage. Add enough of your
pears, toasted nuts, dried cranberries,
naming rights.
It's not cheating. It's assembling.
own touches, and you've practically earned Purchased gravy can be upgraded with
turkey drippings, a splash of good stock,
fresh herbs, and a little black pepper. Let it simmer for a few minutes, pour it into your own gravy boat, and absolutely no one
away from tasting — and looking — much more
homemade. Start with the
your own serving plate. Warm it slightly
cake gets considerably more impressive
apple, or a handful of fresh cranberries.
chocolate shavings.
Stir in orange zest, chopped pecans, diced
topped with berries, caramel drizzle, or
Prefer the canned version that slides onto
Presentation does a surprising amount of
Serve it proudly.
or two additions
pie out of its plastic container and onto
Cranberry sauce is equally easy to doctor.
Here's where
foods are only one
for harmless deception. Move that bakery
vanilla ice cream. A store-bought cheese-
the plate with
Plenty of prepared
Dessert offers even more opportunities
and add freshly whipped cream or good
needs to see the jar.
FAKE IT things get fun.
crumbled cheese, and a good vinaigrette.
the ridges intact? Some Thanksgiving traditions are sacred.
Even vegetables
work. Put dips into pretty bowls, bread into a napkin-lined basket, vegetables onto a serving platter, and anything that arrived in plastic into something that didn't.
Nobody needs to know which dishes took
three hours and which took three minutes.
can benefit from
Because Thanksgiving isn't a cooking
trimmed green
buy the things that don't, fake the rest, and
a head start. Buy
competition. Make the things that matter,
beans and sauté
save enough energy to actually sit down
them with butter,
stuffing. A good boxed or prepared version
garlic, and toasted almonds. Dress up pre-
sautéed onion and celery, fresh sage or
Parmesan, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
and enjoy the people you did all this for.
becomes something entirely different with
pared roasted vegetables with fresh herbs,
And if someone asks for your pie recipe?
thyme, toasted pecans, dried cranberries,
Start with bagged salad, then add sliced
That's between you and the bakery.
www.287NorthLiving.com
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 25
10
Hot
Ways to Make Fall
Fabulous N
by Local Results Media
orth Texas may not deliver weeks of crisp
temperatures or forests ablaze with autumn hues,
but it offers something just as inviting — the freedom
to finally savor the outdoors. Cool mornings and comfortable
sunny afternoons are cause for celebration and ample reason to gather with family and friends. From refreshing your home with warm seasonal décor to embracing autumn traditions, here are 10 ways to make fall fabulous. Plan a Picnic at the Park Fall weather is just the inspiration you need for a leisurely walk, bike ride, or easy hike at your favorite local park. Make a day of it by turning your visit into a picnic. Pack a blanket and bring a basket full of sandwiches, seasonal fruit, baked goods, and a thermos of cider or coffee. Find yourself a cozy place to spread out, and enjoy a cool fall morning or afternoon.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Fall Farm Pumpkin patches offer more than pumpkins. Look for farms with hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos, games, seasonal treats, and activities for all ages. Pumpkin Fall Days in Cleburne, Nash Farm’s Fall Round-Up in Grapevine, and similar events provide classic autumn atmosphere while giving families an easy excuse to spend the day outdoors.
Shop a Local Farmers Market Fall offers one of the best times to visit a farmers market, especially for pumpkins, gourds, winter squash, greens, apples, baked goods, jams, flowers, and locally made gifts. Shop for ingredients, build a holiday gift basket, or simply enjoy your morning 26 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
while supporting regional farmers, bakers, artisans, and small businesses.
Refresh Your Home with Autumn Décor You do not need dramatic foliage to embrace autumn. Add warmth and texture with fall-colored throw blankets, woven baskets, amber glass, wood accents, dried flowers, pumpkins, gourds, and accent pillows. For an easy update, create a frontdoor display or refresh the dining table with natural elements that can transition from Halloween into Thanksgiving.
Host an Outdoor Football Party Football is a time-honored fall tradition in Texas, so make game day the centerpiece of an outdoor gathering. Set up comfortable seating around the television, add decorations, and serve grilled meats, sliders, chili, cornbread, dips, and hearty side dishes. Texas craft beer and wine make natural pairings, with a few nonalcoholic options to ensure everyone can join the celebration.
Take a Fall Day Trip A short road trip can make autumn feel like a true getaway. Granbury offers laketown charm, shopping, dining, and historic appeal. Glen Rose combines quirky smalltown atmosphere with outdoor attractions. www.287NorthLiving.com
Also consider downtown Grapevine, Pilot Point, or Fort Worth’s Stockyards for local restaurants, seasonal events, shopping, history, and distinctive Texas character.
Attend a Late-Fall Festival As we transition into November, late-season fall festivals offer plenty of outdoor entertainment and seasonal fun. Denton’s Day of the Dead Festival, Flower Mound’s Smoke & Whiskey Fest, or Trophy Club’s Harvest Festival all provide memorable ways to celebrate the final days of October. Check your calendar and make the most of the season while you can.
Create a Seasonal Cocktail or Mocktail Party Turn a seasonal drink into a full gathering. Invite friends to bring a signature cocktail or mocktail featuring apple cider, cranberry, pear, ginger, cinnamon, citrus, bourbon, tequila, or sparkling water. Add small bites, charcuterie, fall desserts, and a playlist that suits the occasion. Introduce a game or activity to make the party interactive and easy to personalize for families and friends.
Visit Autumn at the Arboretum Autumn at the Arboretum in Dallas delivers fall scenery North Texas does not always provide naturally. Visitors can enjoy elaborate seasonal displays, pumpkins, themed installations, gardens, walking paths, and photo opportunities galore. A visit works equally well as a family outing, a date, or a leisurely afternoon with visiting guests.
Stage a Costume Party Costume parties do not have to be limited to Halloween night. Invite guests to dress as favorite characters, historical figures, movie icons, or anything inspired by the season. A costume party can be kid-friendly, adults-only, or designed for all ages, with themed food, music, games, and décor, blending seamlessly with Halloween, Day of the Dead, or a broader harvest theme. www.287NorthLiving.com
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 27
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE American Freedom Honors will bring veterans, military families, supporters, and the community together to recognize extraordinary service — and give back to those who give so much. by Colleen McCullough photos courtesy of American Freedom Honors
IN
2010, while watching the Academy Awards, Kurt Schwab found himself thinking about the men and women who serve our country. As he watched actors receive recognition for their accomplishments, a simple question came to mind: Why isn’t there an awards show for our veterans and those who serve in uniform? Why not recognize an outstanding officer, enlisted service member, military unit, military spouse, or the people and organizations that dedicate themselves to supporting our military and veterans? That question never left him. After years of working to turn that idea into reality, Schwab’s vision is becoming American Freedom Honors, an annual gala dedicated to honoring the extraordinary men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation.
28 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
WWW.AMERICANFREEDOMHONORS.COM
AMERICAN FREEDOM HONORS
Awards Gala
a salute to service
A 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Scan to Learn More & Give
HONOR SERVE INSPIRE
The inaugural Gala Awards Program will take place September 30, 2027, with approximately 600 guests expected to attend. The event will be open to the public and will bring together veterans, military families, community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and supporters who believe that service and sacrifice deserve to be remembered.
www.287NorthLiving.com
The mission is simple: Honoring those who serve. Recognizing those who support them. Giving back to those who give so much. Nominations will open November 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027, giving the public an opportunity to nominate deserving individuals and organizations. Tickets will go on sale February 1, 2027. One of the most meaningful features of the evening will be the Wall of Honor. Each branch of the military will have a dedicated display where families and friends can honor a veteran with a 5x7 name plaque. The plaques will be displayed during the Gala and then returned to the person who requested the tribute. Honor them on the wall. Or nominate a hero. But American Freedom Honors is about
more than recognition. The Gala’s goal is
also to give back to community service organizations that support our military, veterans, and their families. The organization plans
to recognize the important role of military spouses with a special award.
As part of the nomination application, recipients will be asked an important question: If you win, what organization
or organizations would you like to contribute to?
In this way, an honor can become an opportunity to help someone else.
American Freedom Honors is also seeking partnership opportunities with both small
and large companies that want to support the evening and its mission. Businesses,
nonprofits, community organizations, and individuals can all play a role in helping make
this inaugural Gala a meaningful celebration of service and sacrifice.
For Schwab, this journey began with a
question while watching television more
than a decade ago. Today, that question has become a mission.
Honor those who serve. Recognize those
who support them. Give back to those who give so much.
www.287NorthLiving.com
This gala is proudly supported by Ghostwood Whiskey, one of our top sponsors. We encourage local businesses and organizations to become sponsors and join us in supporting and celebrating our community through this year’s Gala. To learn more about nominations, partnerships, sponsorships, or fundraising opportunities, contact: Kurt Schwab kurt@americanfreedomhonors.com (817) 896-0040 Terri Hammond thammond@hpnglobal.com (214) 476-8669
www.ghostwoodwhiskey.com
Know a hero who deserves recognition? Honor them. Tell their story.
ISSUE 10 | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | 287 NORTH LIVING | 29
MAKE YOURSELF at HOME
Fall Home Décor Trends for 2026
F
More Color, Character, and Personality
or a while there, you could scroll through photos of beautifully decorated homes and wonder if everyone in America
had somehow hired the same interior
designer. White walls. Beige sofa. Pale wood. A strategically draped throw blanket. Perhaps an olive branch
bravely standing alone in an enormous vase.
Pretty? Absolutely. Personal? Well … whose house are we in again?
Thankfully, fall 2026 is bringing per-
sonality back home. The biggest decorating trends are less about creating
picture-perfect rooms and more about
creating spaces that actually say something about the people who live there. Color is returning, collections are
coming out of hiding, and rooms are be--
coming warmer, richer, and considerably more interesting.
Even better, you don't have to redecorate
the whole house. A few thoughtful changes can take your home from "very nice" to unmistakably yours.
1. Rooms With Personality Perhaps the biggest trend of
2026 isn't really a look at all. It's
permission to stop worrying quite so much about whether everything "goes."
30 | 287 NORTH LIVING | OCT 16 - NOV 20, 2026 | ISSUE 10
By Local Results Media
Today's rooms tell stories. Family
photographs mingle with original
art. Grandma's china gets displayed instead of waiting patiently for
Thanksgiving. Books are on the
bookshelves. Souvenirs, quirky finds, children's artwork, and collections become part of the décor rather than clutter to be hidden before company arrives.
Here in Tarrant County, look for pieces that connect your home to the
life you actually live. Display artwork from a local artist, frame a favorite photo from the Tarrant County
Courthouse or Eagle Mountain Lake, give a child's school artwork the full gallery treatment, or incorporate
something picked up at a local festival, boutique, or artisan market. Even a
stack of books by Texas authors or a
vase made by a local potter can make a room feel rooted here without
announcing, “WELCOME TO TEXAS”
in six-inch metal letters.
The goal isn't perfection. It's walking
into a room and knowing something
about the people who live there.
2. Meet Midimalism If minimalism says, "Take one thing
away," and maximalism says, "MORE
PILLOWS," midimalism lands happily somewhere in between.
www.287NorthLiving.com
3. Color Is Back After years of beige, greige, cream, and "Is
that technically a different shade of white?" color is making itself comfortable again.
For fall, earthy greens, deep blues, warm
browns, burgundy, rust, ochre, and muted
plum create the cozy feeling we crave when temperatures finally begin cooperating.
Even softer colors are getting richer and muddier rather than bright and sugary.
You don't need to paint the entire living
room burgundy to participate. Try a saturated color on built-ins, a powder-room wall,
kitchen island, or front door. Bring smaller doses into neutral rooms through pillows, rugs, lamps, artwork, and throws.
And because North Texas fall occasionally means turning down the air conditioner while drinking pumpkin-spice something, these colors can
create autumn long before the This increasingly popular approach keeps
thermometer gets the memo.
5. Patterns Are Playing Together Matching is out. Mixing is in. Pattern is
having a moment in 2026, but rather than
choosing one print and repeating it around the room, decorators
are getting more comfortable combining
florals, stripes, checks,
4. Natural Materials
geometrics, and other
sured objects into the room. Think collected,
for 2026, but the look is becoming
from the same family.
rug beneath a neutral sofa, add interesting
Wood, stone, woven fibers, leath-
them something in
shelf without covering every available inch
pieces bring warmth and texture
color — so the finished
the intentional feel of minimalism but allows more color, pattern, art, texture, and trea-
Natural materials remain strong
patterns that aren't
not crowded. You might layer a patterned
more layered and sophisticated.
The trick is giving
pillows, hang a gallery wall, and fill a book-
er, linen, pottery, and handmade
common — usually a
of space.
without turning your living room
room looks collected
It's particularly easy to
into a woodland retreat.
rather than chaotic.
incorporate into the
Fall is the perfect time to introduce
This is also one of the easiest trends to try
found throughout
handmade pottery, bring in a chunky
with a patterned pillow on a striped chair,
County. Instead
or wool, or add a wood side table
contemporary furniture, or introduce print
furniture, use rugs,
Local artisan markets and antique
textiles to give differ-
grounds for pieces with imperfec-
open-concept homes
them. Swap a sleek accessory for
without making a major investment. Start
northern Tarrant
woven basket, layer linen with velvet
layer a vintage-inspired rug beneath more
of adding more
with visible grain and character.
through curtains, bedding, or even wallpaper
lighting, artwork, and
shops are particularly good hunting
ent areas their own
tions — the good kind.
personalities while
maintaining enough repetition to make everything feel connected.
Basically, your house can have stuff again. Just make the stuff count.
For seasonal decorating, take the
same approach. Branches, acorns, dried
grasses, gourds, and pumpkins can look
beautiful without requiring your home to become Pumpkin Headquarters.
in a powder room. If mixing patterns makes you nervous, keep the larger pieces quiet
and let two or three smaller elements talk. In a Tarrant County home where finishes may have been selected to appeal to as many
buyers as possible, pattern is an easy way
to erase a little of that builder-basic feeling without replacing perfectly good floors, cabinets, or countertops.
Ensuring Your Equipment Stays Reliable and Ready • Lawn Mowers • Small Tractors • Pressure Washers • Rototillers • Skid Steers
• Generators • Weed Eaters • Chain Saws • Tune-ups • And More
Ask about our pickup and delivery service
Robert C. Lee, Jr.
682.551.3983
939 Private Road 4732, Rhome, TX 76078