Finance + Legal Services

Homegrown Harmony

A Heart-to-Heart Conversation With a Local Country Musician Helping Families Find Their Happy Place Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Provided On any given Thursday at Smitty’s honky tonk in Aledo, you’ll find Kristin Carroll perched upon the stage bathed in the glow of neon lights. With a classic six-string guitar in tow, her sound is unmistakably country.    Legendary songwriter Harlan Howard once aptly described this genre as “three chords and the truth”.    "For me...

Arts + Culture

Restoring Lasting Beauty

How a Second-Generation Craftsman Is Preserving Quality in a Disposable World Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Provided The steady hum of industrial sewing machines, towering walls of fabric swatches, and the unmistakable scent of leather are part of the ambience at Collins Custom Interiors. For owner Rick Collins, these surroundings are home.  Founded in 1960 by Rick's father, Jackie Collins, the family business has been restoring and reinventing furniture for more than...

Style + Beauty

A Brighter Autumn Palette

Personalized Color Analysis and Trending Styles for a Confident Fall Wardrobe Article by Rebekah Giddens | Photography by Provided As the weather begins to cool and subtle autumnal colors appear in the canopies of trees, it’s time to swap the summer styles for fall fashion pieces. Whether your wardrobe could use an update or you’re searching for styles that make you feel confident and fabulous, finding your perfect color palette may be the solution. Alyce Bixby’s journey toward becoming a...

Style + Beauty

Styled Local

Fashion Retailers Around the Community Offer Unique Autumn Styles Article by Rebekah Giddens | Photography by Provided Whether your style preference is western wear, bohemian, or vintage, clothing and accessories provide a way to showcase your personality to the world. The fashions seen around Parker County and our surrounding communities are as unique as the people who model them in daily life. A short drive through our local towns will show just how much our communities have to offer...

Food + Beverage

Where Families Gather

The District at Willow Park Blends Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment Into a Destination Imagined for All Ages Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Provided It’s Friday night. Stage lights twinkle and dance about. An orange sherbet-tinged Texas sun teases the horizon. Children skip and sway to music as it drifts down from an outdoor stage. Parents and grandparents sip cold drinks that ease a late summer thirst. It’s the kind of moment you hope stretches into tomorrow.  On...

Life + Culture

Second Chances

These Local Rescues Help Animals Find Safety, Healing, and Homes Article by Rebekah Giddens Pets bring a lot of laughter, purpose, and joy to our lives. In fact, we often grow to consider our furry friends as members of the family, going above and beyond to give them the care and love they deserve.   The expansive, open land in Weatherford and Parker County is the perfect home for pets of all types. It’s also an ideal location for animal rescues and nonprofits to provide love and care to...

Life + Culture

One More Summer Adventure

Keep the Seasonal Fun Going With a Day of Family-Friendly Attractions & Sweet Treats Article by Rebekah Giddens Summer brings plenty of opportunities for kid-friendly activities—vacations, camps, outdoor adventures, and more! However, as summer winds down, the focus shifts to preparing for another school year. Just because it’s time to start marking items off the school supply checklists doesn’t mean the fun has to end. We’ll help you discover exciting attractions and sweet treat shops that...

Travel

Historic Waters, Modern Revival

A New Generation of Dreamers Is Breathing Life Back Into One of Texas’ Most Iconic Wellness Towns Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Brittany Brown The fascinating story of Mineral Wells unfolded in the late 19th century when settlers discovered that the area’s mineral-rich waters appeared to have rejuvenating properties. According to local legend, a woman suffering from illness once drank from a well on the Lynch family property and claimed her health inexplicably improved...

Travel

Where Railways and Wilderness Meet

Exploring History, Trails, and Breathtaking Views at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Article by Rebekah Giddens | Photography by Sara Giddens Jacobs Less than an hour from Weatherford lies an expansive area of rugged terrain now known as Palo Pinto Mountains State Park—the first state park to open in Texas in 25 years. Though the remote region was once used for farming and ranching, an abundance of natural resources—combined with the opportunity to distribute them throughout the country—drew...

Travel

Beyond the Tasting Room

Exploring a Different Side of Fredericksburg Through Wildlife, Wine, Design and Local Makers Article by Caroline Heiberg | Photography by Provided It’s easy to think a Fredericksburg weekend follows a familiar pattern with wine tastings, shopping and a walk down Main Street. Over the course of a few days, exploring reveals something less predictable. The weekend begins in a house, a cozy space with wine and chocolate passed between guests. By the next morning, it shifts to a warehouse filled...