By Amy Morgan
ISensational Songstress
Johnson Senior Student Stars in School’s Musical, Earns Joci Scholarship Award
t was the role she was born to play. Johnson High School senior Kendall White could not believe her good fortune when the 2026 spring musical was announced. She had been “singing the songs from Legally Blonde since middle school” and hoped she’d be perfect for the lead character, Elle Woods. Kendall spent last summer perfecting her vocal and acting skills, and when she auditioned in October – she nailed it! You might have seen her starring in the JHS show last month, complete with a live dog playing her sidekick Bruiser. This wasn’t the first time Kendall had earned a coveted spot in a JHS production. She also won the headlining role of Sophie in Mamma Mia when she was just a freshman. Performing in musicals allows Kendall to combine her love for acting and singing.
This year Kendall sings Soprano One in both the Varsity Mixed Choir, Cantare, and the Encore show choir. One of her highlights was performing at elementary schools and retirement homes on Encore’s Christmas Tour. “I’ve wanted to be in Encore since Elementary School because they always came to sing (at Bulverde Creek),” she said. She also serves as president of the JHS Choir Council, where she assists the directors and plans monthly social events to connect choir members across grades. Events have included a potluck dessert and gingerbread house decorating contest. They also fundraise to defray costs for annual group trips. Kendall is looking forward to traveling with other JHS students to New York City this summer. They’ll attend several shows and participate in workshops to learn new technical theater skills and choreography techniques.
Kendall has worked diligently with her voice coach to prepare for auditions for the All-State Choir that will sing at the Texas Music Educators Association conference held in San Antonio this month. This is the first year Kendall has advanced through the rigorous competition to be chosen for the TMEA Treble All-State choir. She also joined the JHS theater group that attended the Texas Thespians conference in Corpus Christi last fall. Kendall missed a perfect score in her solo musical competition by just one point, she said.
Last year, Kendall’s talent earned her a San Antonio Joci Award, which culminated in her participating in a performance billed as a one-night showcase of rising stars, presented by the Majestic Empire Foundation. As part of the experience, Kendall was able to perform a solo song during the show. “I’ve grown up going to the Majestic, so being able to sing on that stage was surreal,” she said. Several dozen performing arts students auditioned for the Award that included the opportunity
to participate in free workshops and a prize toward future tuition in addition to a spot in the show. The Joci is one of the largest performance arts scholarships in the country, she noted.
Kendall hopes to apply that scholarship money toward a marketing degree from either Baylor or Texas A&M. She enjoys the creative aspect of marketing and hopes to pursue a career that allows her to combine a business degree with her passion for music and theater.
This year, Kendall’s poise earned her the title of Queen of the San Antonio Lutheran Coronation. She will attend Fiesta events as a representative of the non-profit organization honoring Christian young women and men. Several years ago, she was invited to be a page for a family friend, where she, “looked up to the older girls and fell in love with the sparkly gowns.” Her mother hand sews Kendall’s gowns each year, recently incorporating multiple foot-long lion heads to represent the biblical story of Daniel in the den. Her Prime Minister, Sean Parsons, also a JHS student, has stood by her side as her escort for the past three years Kendall served as duchess. More than just glitz and glamour, the court members perform community service projects throughout the year – highlights included spending a day at the Food Bank and decorating the CAM shelter for the holidays.
Next on her playbill – Johnson’s UIL one-act play competition, where Kendall and three other JHS ladies will enact, The Sweet Science of Bruising, a story of women who join an underground boxing ring in 1860s London. Bravo, Kendall, Break a Leg!
Romance,
Wherever You Go (With a Little Expert Touch)
By Dionne Roberts
When we think of romantic travel, the same destinations often pop into our heads—Paris cafés, overwater bungalows, sunset gondola rides. Gorgeous? Absolutely. But romance doesn’t actually live on a map. It shows up in the way you travel, the little choices you make, and the moments you share along the way.
The easiest way to sprinkle romance into any trip? Slow down. It’s tempting to cram in every sight, tour, and activity, but some of the best memories come from simply lingering. Sip coffee together at a quiet café in Savannah, take a leisurely evening stroll along the beach in Carmel-by-the-Sea, or watch the sun dip behind a skyline from a park bench in Chicago. Those unplanned, unscripted moments often turn into your favorite stories.
Another secret? Focus on experience over checklists. A fun cooking class in a Tuscan villa, a spontaneous picnic in Central Park, or a scenic drive along California’s Big Sur coast can feel far more meaningful than a formal dinner reservation. These little adventures are personal, memorable, and sometimes delightfully unexpected.
Where you stay can also set the mood. Thoughtful accommodations—whether a cozy boutique hotel in Charleston, a historic inn in Savannah, or a charming vacation rental near Lake Tahoe—make a trip feel comfortable and special. Look for the details: a balcony for morning coffee, soft lighting at night, or service that anticipates your needs without being intrusive.
And don’t forget surprises! Flowers in the room, an impromptu spa treat, or a scenic detour “just because” instantly elevate any
getaway. Often, it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest impression—like a handwritten note tucked into your room or a favorite dessert waiting after a long day of exploring.
Above all, romance thrives when you’re truly present. Put the phones down, laugh together, and soak in the moments. With a little intention—and maybe a few tips from someone who’s been there—any trip can become a joyful, romantic story that’s all your own.
Dionne Roberts, MCC, VTA
Foster Perry Travel
888-878-5863 (888-TRVLTME) www.fosterperrytravel.com
By Amy Morgan
TDental Hope
Improved Schedule Gives Patients Flexible Access to Free Care
he old adage rings true – it’s better to give than receive. And the professionals at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics agree and literally “put the money where the mouth is.” While they strive all year to make dental care affordable and accessible for families across the San Antonio area at their now 11 offices, for the past 12 years the practice also dedicated an entire day to providing free dental care to adults. More than 120 people 18 and older in need of teeth cleanings, fillings and extractions eagerly anticipated the day titled Dental Hope, on which 7to7’s professionals performed those services for them at no cost.
This year, rather than host Dental Hope at 7to7 Dental’s Braun Road office on just one day as usual, the practice has decided to spread the love. The free dental care for adults will be offered throughout February at 7to7 Dental’s two newest offices – Spring Branch, located at 427 Singing Oak, adjacent to Walmart, which opened in May, and the Mission Oaks office on 16350 Blanco Road that opened December first.
Rather than jostle for a position in line on one specific day, people are invited to schedule their free appointment anytime in February. They can select the date and time of their convenience using the Dental Hope tab on 7to7 Dental’s website, https://www.7to7dental.com/dentalhope.
“We decided to make Dental Hope even more accessible by doing it throughout February for those that cannot attend on a single Saturday,” said Director of Marketing, Travis DeZuba.
“Now patients can come at their scheduled time rather than wait for several hours,” echoed Mandy Dennis, RDH, who directs 7to7 Dental’s Hygiene Operations.
The new procedure will allow 60 people at each of the two offices to be served in a more relaxed manner, avoiding waiting in long lines and overloading one location on a single day. In the past, people had begun sleeping in their cars overnight to secure their spot.
“We didn't have enough space to accommodate the large turnout each year and felt awful for those who had to wait several hours outside in February. This allows them to be seen at their convenience and for us to still give back to the community,” said Co-owner Justin Coke.
Samantha Gonzales, RDH, has participated for 12 years and says Dental Hope is one of the reasons she enjoys being part of the 7to7 Dental professional family. “We touch so many people,” she said. She remembers a woman who needed a tooth extracted. The patient broke down in tears when Samantha walked her out after the procedure. She was so utterly grateful, Samantha said, because she had been in so much pain.
The Spring Branch office is managed by Sierra Anderson, RDA, who’s joined by dentist Stormy Lopez, D.D.S. Dr. Lopez graduated from dental school at UTHSC in San Antonio in 2014 and has been with 7to7 Dental for almost four years. Former dental assistant and treatment coordinator Melissa Obregon oversees the Mission Oaks office. She’s been with 7to7 Dental since 2013. Patients will be treated there by managing dentist Diego Bonilla, D.D.S., who graduated from the School of Dentistry at UT Health San Antonio.
Both offices include 12 patient rooms stocked with state-of-the art technology, on-site X-ray equipment, and television screens in the ceiling to keep patients entertained.
The locally owned and operated practice has since grown to number 262 team members since 7to7 Dental opened the doors of their first office 17 years ago – with concern for their patients and community being their hallmark. Here’s to the new and improved Dental Hope!
Mandy Dennis RDH, Director of Hygiene at 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics
Community Calendar
Presented by Frost
Activities at the Walker Ranch Senior Center – Monday - Friday, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m. Hot meals served daily from 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. for qualifying seniors and their spouses. Exercise, field trips, bingo, loteria, movies, arts and crafts, free health and wellness screenings vary daily. 835 W. Rhapsody 78216; 210-207-5280.
Stone Oak Rotary Club – Tuesdays, noon-1 p.m. Guest speakers weekly. Dona Tota, 923 Loop 1604 W. #115 78232; www.stoneoaksarotary.org.
Culinaria’s Titans of Tailgate – Sunday, Feb. 1, 1- 4 p.m. Titans’ feast at the Rock where chefs engage in a worthy battle of grills in partnership with Chef Jason Dady. The Rock at La Cantera, 1 Spurs Way 78256; www.culinariasa.org
The Prince of Egypt presented by Reagan Stage Theater Thursday, Feb. 5 - Saturday, Feb. 6, 7 p.m., Feb. 7, 1 p.m. Based on the award-winning 1998 DreamWorks Animation film which captivated audiences across the world, the musical journeys through the wonders of ancient Egypt as two young men find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. Gloria Jennings Robinson Auditorium, Ronald Reagan High School, 19000 Ronald Reagan 78258; www.reaganstage.org
Single Professionals Networking Meeting – Friday, Feb. 6, 4-6 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for conversation, libations and food in a relaxed, social setting. DJ’s Cover 3, 1806 N. Loop 1604 W 78248; www.spn-sa.org
13th Annual San Antonio Coffee Festival – Saturday, Feb. 7, 10 a.m.3 p.m. Taste fresh coffee, learn about beans and roasting, enjoy live music and food. Civic Park at Hemisfair, 623 Hemisfair Blvd. St. 78206; www.sacoffeefest.com.
Love in Bloom: Create Hand-lettered Valentine’s Cards at the Botanical Gardens – Saturday, Feb. 7, 10-11:30 a.m. Make your own Valentine’s cards incorporating pressed flowers from the garden and learn basic calligraphy. San Antonio Botanical Garden, 555 Funston Place 78209; www.sabot.org
National Marriage Week Celebrations – Saturday, Feb. 7-Saturday, Feb. 14. Broadcasts at 7 p.m. Join people worldwide in celebrating marriage. Livestream online with nationally recognized leaders nightly; www.marriageweek.org.
San Marcos Half – Sunday, Feb. 8, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m., 13.1, 10k, 5K, staggered starts. The second of the Texas Hill Country Challenge Series. Start at the Tanger Outlets, 4015 IH 35 N., San Marcos 78666; www.scallywompus.com
Mornings with Misty – Tuesday, Feb. 10, 9-10 a.m. Meet and share an inspiring community conversation with D9 Councilwoman Misty Spears. Eventbrite sign up required. Pan & Coffee, 19298 Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 1101 78258; www.eventbrite.com/e/mornings-withmisty-tickets-1980410223289?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Glass Menagerie – Wednesday, Feb. 11 - Sunday, Feb. 22, times vary. The haunting, beautifully crafted play by Tennessee Williams. Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, Carlos Alvarez Studio Theater, 100 Auditorium Circle 78205; www.tobincenter.org
Single Professionals Networking Meeting – Wednesday, Feb. 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join other 55+ widowed, divorced and single mature professionals for conversation, libations and food in a relaxed, social setting. Milano’s, 19239 Stone Oak Parkway 78258; www.spn-sa.org
77th annual San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo – Thursday, Feb. 12 – Sunday, March 1. Established in 1949, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo has grown to one of the largest, most prestigious events in the city. AT&T Center, 1 AT&T Center Parkway 78219; www.sarodeo.com
Valentine’s Day Show with Doc Watkins and his Orchestra Friday, Feb. 13, Saturday, Feb. 14, 7 and 9:30 p.m. Featuring the music of Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and all the romantic hits. Jazz TX, 313 Pearl Parkway 78215; info@jazztx.com.
S.T.A.G.E. Theater presents If the Good Lord’sWilling and the Creek Don’t Rise – Feb. 19-22, 27-28, March 1, 6-8. 8 p.m., matinees Sundays 2:30 p.m., doors open one hour prior. Zany comedy about an eccentric retired judge, presented by the Bulverde Community Theatre. STAGE, 1300 Bulverde Road 78163; www.stagebulverde.org.
Concerts at Stable Hall – Friday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Mardi Gras Mambo. Enjoy blues, Cajun, New Orleans soul, zydeco and R&B from Louisiana legends The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Cha’s. Stable Hall, 307 Pearl Parkway 78215; www.stablehall.com
Send your upcoming events to StoneOakInfo@gmail.com.
Does Your Dog Miss You?
By Camp Bow Wow Staff
February is a month filled with reminders about love: flowers, cards, heartfelt gestures. Love doesn’t only count between humans. Pet parents share a deep bond with their furry family members. What else would motivate them to overlook the inevitable accidents and mischief? Along with love comes responsibility. Although loving pup parents ensure Fido is well cared for when they must be absent, they may worry about his feelings. Pet parents often wonder, “Does my dog miss me when I’m gone?”
The honest answer may surprise you. While dogs form deep bonds with the people they love, their emotional security isn’t grounded in the presence or absence of their humans. Rather, they rely most on routine.
Humans often express love through emotion and attachment. Dogs, however, experience safety through predictability. Regular timing, familiar environments and clear expectations help dogs understand the world around them. When those factors remain steady, dogs tend to feel calm and secure even when their favorite human isn’t physically present.
That doesn’t mean dogs don’t care. It means they care in a different way. The difference between attachment and anxiety is that a securely bonded dog can move comfortably between independence and connection. They enjoy affection. They also feel capable when left in trusted hands.
Structure always matters in settings where dogs are cared for professionally. Routine becomes an anchor. Dogs learn:
• When play happens
• When rest is expected
• How to interact with others socially
• What behaviors are appropriate
In professional daycare and boarding environments, we often see dogs settle in faster than owners expect. Not because they don’t notice the absence of their human, but because the structure feels familiar. Mealtimes happen on schedule. Play is supervised and predictable. Mental stimulation keeps their minds as well as their bodies healthy. Rest periods are consistent. Other dogs follow similar rhythms.
This clarity builds confidence. Routine is reassurance. Consistency tells a dog’s nervous system one important message — that they are safe. And confidence for dogs is the emotional equivalent of love.
Dogs that struggle during separations aren’t usually experiencing “missing” in the way humans think of it. Instead, they may be reacting to a disruption in routine or uncertainty about what comes next.
Anxious behaviors such as pacing, vocalizing, or destructiveness are not signs of “too much love.” They’re often a reaction to the unclear structure in an unfamiliar environment, overstimulation or lack of predictability. That’s why thoughtfully designed daycare and boarding environments emphasize routine just as much as play. When routine returns, whether at home or in a well-run boarding setting, most dogs regulate quickly. Good caregivers spend extra time and move at a slower pace to help dogs that are having trouble settling acclimate, most commonly among those who have never been outside their environment or are new to daycare and boarding.
Do dogs miss their humans? Dogs absolutely recognize their people. They show excitement upon reunion. They form bonds of trust and familiarity. But they don’t spend their days emotionally counting hours. When a dog’s environment is stable, enriched and predictable, they’re far more likely to focus on the present moment.
For dog owners, this can be a relief. Choosing daycare or boarding isn’t a sign of abandonment, it’s an act of care. When dogs are placed in settings that respect their need for structure, safety and social balance, they don’t feel left behind. They feel supported through routines.
This February, it helps to remember that love doesn’t have to look like togetherness. Sometimes it looks like being thoughtful, maintaining routine, choosing trusted care, and understanding your dog’s emotional needs through their eyes, not yours.
Dogs don’t need us to worry. They need us to be wise. And sometimes, the most loving thing we can give them is consistency.
Standing Strong
National Marriage Week Returns Feb. 7-14 as Couples Seek Deeper Connection and Purpose
By Amy Morgan
Strong families start with strong marriages. Brad Wilcox (Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia and Director of the National Marriage Project) wrote in his book, Get Married, that "family-first" marriages characterized by frequent date nights contribute to happier marriages, which in turn benefit children through greater family stability.
This knowledge has been the foundation of National Marriage Week, celebrated every year in the week leading up to Valentine’s Day, February 7-14. The international movement started in the UK in 1996 – making this the 30th year it’s been commemorated. In 2022 the Marriage Initiative, a non-profit located in San Antonio, was asked to take over the administration and promotion of National Marriage Week.
National Marriage Week’s purpose is to strengthen and celebrate marriage. More than just a slogan, National Marriage Week is:
• A movement to unite marriage leaders, supporters, and couples across the United States.
• A public campaign to promote awareness of the positive impact that marriages have on society.
• A place where people can access resources for their own marriage, to offer through their church, or to share with others.
Government officials are beginning to recognize the societal value of marriage. In 2024 Governor Abbott signed a proclamation recognizing National Marriage Week at the state level, and in 2025, the Texas Legislature established a Commission on Marriage and Family to research programs that positively affect family stability and wellbeing.
This year’s National Marriage Week theme is Together with Purpose. Individuals can sign up to watch an online panel discussion at 7 p.m. every night from February 7 to 13 featuring leading experts who’ll share their experiences helping couples grow Together with Purpose. Topics include Discovering Your Goals & Purpose, Building a Shared Life, and Leaving a Legacy with panel guests including Dr. Gary Chapman, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn, Proverbs 31 writer Sharon Jaynes, and HomeWord’s Jim Burns. Couples can learn how to build a strong marriage foundation, create meaningful lives and serve to impact the world when they intentionally align their purposes and vision in marriage. One of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, elements of a strong marriage is purpose. The YouTube broadcasts are free, but viewers need to register to get the link: www.marriageweek.org.
The National Marriage Week website also offers other free resources to help marriages grow and become stronger. Download a Couples Connection Guide, date night ideas or challenges for each day during the week.
Locally, several churches have piggybacked on momentum from National Marriage Week to jump-start their marriage offerings. Oakwood Church, Oak Hills and Summit all
launched a Merge class in January. The course allows engaged couples to seek wisdom and receive counsel about marriage in a safe, fun and authentic environment. Oakwood and Summit, along with Wayside Chapel and Hillside Fellowship, also launched a Re|Engage Marriage Enrichment class. Re|Engage gives couples a place to work on their relationship together. Summit’s course remains open for couples to join any week. As well, the Catholic archdiocese also has been promoting National Marriage Week across its parishes.
What could be more romantic than pledging love, fidelity and commitment to your spouse? Dr. Royce C. Smith, senior pastor at The Fellowship Church in Stone Oak, will hold a special service for couples who’d like to reaffirm a biblical marriage at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 13, in the sanctuary. RSVP to office@thefellowshipofsa.org to reserve your spot.
In the spirit of National Marriage Week, why not follow the suggestion of marriage leaders Greg and Julie Gorman and take just one step to move your relationship toward togetherness. Whether it’s putting a weekly date night on the calendar (and keeping it), reading a marriage book, (Dr. Gary Chapman has a new Love Languages edition out this month), attending one course or conference (FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember comes to San Antonio in November) or planning a no-kids-invited getaway. Don’t miss your opportunity to leave a legacy. Your family is watching, and your marriage is worth it.
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