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PHOENIX In order toRISE
from its own ashes, a
firstmustBURN.
INAUGURAL EDITION
A DASH OF CAJUN
PARTY IN SLOW MOTION
124 14
COVER STORY
PK NEIGHBORS
15
P5
Possum Kingdom
2015 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER
Possum Kingdom Vistas can be found at
these establishments:Water Ski America
375 Oakridge Blvd,
Lewisville, TX 75057
972-221-2377
www.waterskiamerica.com
1490 N. Stemmons Fwy. • Lewisville, TX, 75067
(972) 436-9979 • www.marinemax.com
Texas Master Craft
2177 E loop 820 N
Fort Worth, TX 76118
817-589-7547
www.texasmastercraft.com
Fun N Sun Sports
320 W. Hurst Blvd.
Hurst, Tx 76053
817-280-0303
www.funnsunboats.com
Fish and Ski Marine
1750 E Lone Oak Rd.
Valley View, TX 76272
940-726-6388
www.fi shandski.com
1520 N Stemmons Fwy. • Lewisville, TX 75067
(972) 436-3581 • www.phildillboats.com
Eddie Hill’s Fun Cycles
401 N. Scott Ave.
Wichita Falls, TX 76306
940-322-4121
www.eddiehillsfuncycles.com
6212 River Rd. • Amarillo, TX 79108
(806) 378-9595
2 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
INSIDEISSUE
COVER STORYDeluge of rain brings respite
from devastating wildfires
and the deathgrip of drought/5A LITTLE CAJUN MAKES IT ALL BETTER
Todd Artigue’s menu at the Cliffs’ Chaparral Grill
is influenced by his Bayou upbringing
and a passion for food. /12He puts Funday back into every day of the week
Jay Naylor takes to the water like a duck,
well, takes to the water. His floating palace
party barge was the hit of the lake this summer./14/15PK
NeighborsPKHappenings
/18
PKVISTASVOLUME1NUMBER1
Custom Home Design and Construction
ARCHITECTURE
lonestararchitecture.com
LONEstar
89267
Upcoming events…
Great Outdoors BBQ & Chili Cook-off
Live & Silent AuctionCooks Awards VENDORS Food & Drinks
–Benefit Drawings–
The Big GREEN EGG
Where do I find PK Lake information?
NEWS
BUSINESSES BOATING
Fishing
Camping MAPs eeuuOr call us at
89866
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 3
The Cliffs Resort offers Deluxe Lakeview Accommodations, Championship GolfCourse and Pro Shop, Full Service Marina with Watercraft Rentals, Upscaleand Casual Dining, Spa & Fitness Center, Conference Center and much more.
Visit www.thecliffsresort.com and find us on Facebook for more info & events!
89922
4 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
EDITOR’SNOTE
PUBLISHER/VICE PRESIDENT Robert L. Krecklow
EDITOR Wayne Hodgin
STAFF WRITER Mary Richardson
PHOTOGRAPHY Chase Fountain
Wayne Hodgin
Tom Pennington
Mark Qualding
Mary Richardson
Dean Treml
PRODUCTION Cheryl Adams
Donna Jo Burgess
CREATIVE | DESIGN Wayne Hodgin
POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS is a bimonthly publication of
Lake Country Newspapers
617 N. Farm-to-Market Road 2353,
Suite 4, Possum Kingdom Lake,
Graford, Texas 76449
(940) 779-3040
Copyright © 2015 Lake Country Newspapers
and Graham Newspapers Inc.
All rights reserved. Copies or reproductions of this
publication, in whole or in part, are strictly prohibited
without the expressed written authorization from the
publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy
of the information contained herein. Advertising is
subject to omission, errors and other changes without
notice. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume li-
ability for the content of all advertisements printed, and
therefore assume responsibility for any and all claims
against Possum Kingdom Vistas, Lake Country News-
papers and Graham Newspapers Inc. The publisher
reserves the right to accept or reject any editorial or
advertising material. Opinions set forth in Lake Country
Vistas are those of the writers and do not necessarily
reflect the publisher’s viewpoint. Advertising rates and
guidelines available upon request.
The inaugural editionIt’s a time of change and rebirth,
both in newness and spirit.
On behalf of all these people
whose names you see over here on
the right, including yours truly, we
are thrilled to be back with our fam-
ily here at Possum Kingdom Lake.
Outside of any speculative water-
cooler talk among col-
leagues at any particular
time in the past, Vistas is
not the realization of any
long-held dream or the
culmination of a long-
range goal any of us at
Lake Country Newspa-
pers really ever had. It just
sorta happened.
It was borne out of a
perfect storm of unfortu-
nate economic circum-
stances, certainly within
our own media con-
glomerate but also that of
the industry and the stran-
glehold of a multi-year drought.
Although it’s been just a few short
weeks since the Sun newspaper
published its final weekly edition,
here we are with our first edition of
a new lifestyles magazine for Pos-
sum Kingdom Lake. It was time for
something different. It was time for
a change.
We’re thrilled to be able to bring
our readers this publication and
excited about the possibility of
bringing new readers into the fold.
For our most loyal advertisers, we
thank you for hanging with us, be-
lieving in us and in our product and
continuing to support us. In return,
we promise to support you with a
hyperlocal media vehicle that will
help bring renewed growth to your
business and the lake community. I
most sincerely welcome reader and
advertiser participation in helping us
provide this area with a publication
that meets your wants and needs
and very much look forward to
forging new relationships with all.
We’ve all come through crip-
pling experiences here in the Lake
Country — both the business and
residential communities, alike —
that will take years from which
to recover. That recovery won’t
just be a financial one, but also an
emotional one.
Through devastating wildfires of
2011 and 2012 and the deathgrip
of drought that plagued the entire
region for years before and years
after, we survived to see a new day
last spring when those first drops
of life-giving, thirst-quenching rain
began falling ... and falling ... and
falling ... and falling. Like the phoe-
nix that must consume itself on a
fiery pyre to rise once again from
the ashes, the Possum Kingdom
Lake community has emerged with
renewed youth and vigor.
Better days are ahead for all.
Wayne Hodgin is editor of Vistas magazine and welcomes comments from readers and ad-vertisers. Email [email protected] or write to 617 N. FM 2353, Graford, Texas, 76449.
Wayne Hodgin
VistasPossum Kingdom
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 5
COVERSTORY
From most any roadway
into Possum Kingdom Lake
you can catch a glimpse of
ghastly looking tree trunks,
some still charred with the black
scar of fire, jutting up out of the
earth like the bony hands of an
underworld creature grasping for
redemption. Outside of the memo-
ries of those whose lives were
touched in some way, those craggy,
gnarly fingers are the last vestiges of
the 2011-2012 wildfires that raced
hill over hill, crossed roads, forded
streams, engulfed homes and incin-
erated everything in sight without
regard to life or income.
The fires came during the apex of
a drought so intense that weather
experts and old-timers alike still
argue whether it rivals that of the
1950s. According to the Texas For-
est Service, over the past quarter
century there have been 18 wildfires
that each consumed more than
50,000 acres of Texas land. Twelve
of those fires occurred in 2011. Yet,
the drought lingered on through
2012, and again fires would flare
up even stronger than ever. In
the midst of rebuilding from the
losses of the year prior, more than
200 homes around the lake were
destroyed by wildfires in April and
again in September.
In all, 133,000 acres in and around
picturesque Possum Kingdom
Lake were reduced to smoldering
embers and blowing soot. The fires
destroyed 167 homes, with property
damage estimated in the hundreds
of millions.
In the midst of the Great Depres-
sion, in days much like were expe-
rienced in 2011 and 2012, the heat
was intense, the wind unrelenting;
millions of Americans were out of
work and eager to earn wages that
would feed their families and maybe
keep them sheltered. For residents
who made their homes and their liv-
ings in and around the Brazos River,
drought was as common as time of
flood when the rain-gorged Brazos
swelled beyond its banks, devastat-
ing the immovable and forcing the
mobile into flight. Decades before
any serious, concerted effort was
made to corral the lordly Brazos,
projects were devised to address
the persistent flooding only to
see the high flows of the red-clay
waters wrought its power over steel,
cement and wood.
During the 1930s, newspapers
would begin to extol the urgent
necessities of dams to even out
the inconsistent flow of the river
and limit loss of life and property.
After much political ballyhoo that
even had the attention of President
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the newly
formed Brazos River Conserva-
tion and Reclamation District, in
conjunction with the State Board of
Water Engineers and the Ambursen
Engineering Corp., proposed the
first large-scale dam project in 1936,
a plan simply known as the Brazos
River Project.
Advocating the construction of 13
dams, the Brazos River Project was
the first master plan for the river and
the first coordinated dam project
for the Brazos River Basin. Focusing
on the Upper Brazos region, five
large-scale dams were tentatively
sited along the river’s main course
and eight along its tributaries.
The estimated cost of the project
encompassing the major dams was
$35 million and an additional $15
million was estimated for the minor
dams. To qualify for federal funding,
let along Public Works Adminis-
tration funds, a lone objective of
“flood control” couldn’t justify such
extensive expenditures. As it were,
the Brazos River Conservation and
Reclamation District, which from its
start envisioned an agency that was
completely financially self-sustain-
ing, has already established those
objectives: water conservation for
irrigation, industrial and municipal
purposes; soil conservation and
Photos of Hell’s Gate Cove pre- and post-wildfires of 2011-2012. In all 133,000 acres burned, destroying 169 homes and causing millions of dollars of property loss. PHOTOS BY MARK QUALDING
Phoenix risingPossum Kingdom Lake emerges from multi-year drought
and devastating wildfires to a wildly successful summer
A running wildfire threatens a home in Strawn on April 19, 2011. Dozens of area homes have been destroyed in the wildfires that have been fueled by dry conditions, high winds and low humidity. PHOTO BY TOM PENNINGTON
Story by
WAYNE HODGIN
8992889928
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• RV, Camping & Boating Supplies
• Hardware Section
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1712 Park Road 36 — Open 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a Yearon the peninsula - 1.6 miles west of Park Road 36 & N. FM 2353
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6 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
COVERSTORY
reclamation; and hydroelectric
power production. Each objective
promised at least temporary jobs for
those who most needed them.
With a location that lent itself
to a large-scale structure with its
towering limestone cliffs that would
provide the vertical and lateral sup-
port for the dam, developers chose
the Possum Kingdom project as
its top priority. Authorized in 1935,
construction began in 1938 and
was completed in 1941, ushering
in the era of big dams along the
Brazos. Federal funds in the amount
of $3,001,598 were earmarked for
the project; however, construction
of Morris Sheppard Dam, which
impounded Possum Kingdom Lake,
would soar to three times that
amount to nearly $9 million.
Upon completion of the dam, en-
gineers estimated Possum Kingdom
Lake would need several years to
reach full level. A number of stories
abound about how quickly the
lake filled, including one in which
it filled in 24 hours, so fast, in fact,
that many residents escaped with
barely their lives. A tall tale as epic
as PK’s story is in Texas would be no
more fitting, but the truth is it really
took about a month, and, though,
if you’re particular about what
constitutes “full,” it would be seven
months before the lake was at 100
percent capacity.
Even though flood control along
in the upper to middle Brazos
regions was at the heart of the PK
dam project, harnessing the shear
power of the Brazos — especially
once the heavens opened up to a
good-sized rainfall — has really yet
to be achieved.
Mother Nature pays no mind feast
or famine, and notable floods and
droughts continued their fierce
cycle through the years. Within
a decade of reaching capacity,
Possum Kingdom Lake would see
its lowest-ever levels during the his-
toric 1950s-era drought — the years
most often compared to the most
recent event.
Drought occurs when an area
receives, in a given year, less than
75 percent of its average rainfall.
One of the worst droughts in
Texas history occurred in 1884–86,
causing most of the farmers to fail
and to return to the East. The most
Morris Sheppard Dam. FILE PHOTO
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 7
COVERSTORYcatastrophic one affected every part
of the state in the first two thirds
of the 1950s. It began in the late
spring of 1949 in the lower valley,
affected the western portions of the
state by fall, and covered nearly all
Texas by the summer of 1951. By
the end of 1952 the water shortage
was critical; Lake Dallas for instance
held only 11 percent of its capacity.
March 16, 1953, was the date that
records Possum Kingdom Lake’s
lowest-ever level at 38.6 feet. The
early to mid-1970s also was noted
for extended periods of no rainfall.
The most recent drought was
plagued by a media frenzy and
reports all across the state of lakes
that were, or were on the brink, of
running out water, most of which
serve as a particular area or region’s
only source of potable water. Com-
ing on the heels of wildfires of 2011-
2012, and, well, PK just got caught
up in the drought’s hyperbole. Yes,
the region saw no significant rainfall
events for extended periods of time.
Yes, the lake dropped to levels of
which the youngest of the baby
boomers and those of Generation
X and later had never seen. In those
terms, it was epic. But, as Mark
Twain, coined the phrase, “Reports
of my death have been greatly
exaggerated.”
Then this spring, the tide, so to
speak, began to change, when
those precious drops of water
began falling. Within days, Texas,
which at one point 80 percent of
the state was considered under
drought conditions, would be
declared drought-free. Fortuitously,
that rain event coincided with the
start of the summer season.
“We have had a lot of the visitors
coming in that are newcomers to
PK Lake and that, in part, is due to
the flooding that took place over
the spring,” said Gayla Cham-
bers, the executive director of the
Possum Kingdom Chamber of
Commerce. “Many of those lakes,
at the time, were inundated with so
much water that they were closed
for public use. So, we have seen an
influx of people coming here for the
very first time. Of course, once they
see how great it is here, they will
most likely return.”
Chambers said Carolyn Land, sec-
retary of the Possum Kingdom Lake
Association, came by just the other
day, and they were talking about
how much traffic has increased
around the lake.
“Vehicles at the four-way stop at
Park Road 36 and Highway 16 were
backed up at least four deep three
ways and six the other,” Land said.
A deluge of rain would fall from the storm clouds gathering over this church May 29. PHOTO BY DEAN TREML
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A D V E R T I S Ein the next issue of Possum Kingdom Vistas
Call The Graham Leader Advertising Department at 940.549.7800
8 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
COVERSTORY “We have had an extremely busy
summer,” said Pam Wheat, executive
assistant for the Chamber. “We’ve had
a lot of calls about tent-camping and
people inquiring about cabin rentals
and other accommodations; many of
those people call because they can’t
get in to their usual recreational spots
because they’re full.”
Selina’s Seafood & Mexican Cantina,
Rockin’ S Bar & Grill, Sam’s One Stop,
Sam’s Dock and PK Speedway opened
during the “mad rush” of the late
spring/early summer crowd.
Most of those places were closed
during the winter months, and it was
questionable as to whether or not
some of them would even be opening
at all — until it started raining.
In early spring, Selina LeComte said
they did not expect to open Rockin’
S Bar & Grill at PK with the water level
being so low due to the ongoing
drought.
Instead, Selina and her husband, Sam
LeComte, a Lewisville contractor who
owns businesses on PK’s East side, had
planned on opening a Rockin’ S Bar
& Grill at Lake Grapevine, near Dallas.
But, the flooding waters made that
impossible.
Since the reservoir at PK had begun
to show signs of recovery, they saw
the opportunity to reopen at this
location. Selina’s and Rockin’ S Bar &
Grill at PK draw a crowd every time
the doors are open, offering live music
most weekends. Managers at both
locations have given good reports for
the season.
The Facebook page of the Lake
Grapevine location is warning its
friends that it is still closed due to high
lake levels and the closure of Murrell
Park.
PK Lake Time Donut Shop, on the
corner of Park Road 36 and La Villa
Road, is new to the lake this year. The
shop is owned by Lisa and Tod Pawley.
Lisa said business has really picked up
since the lake has filled. The couple
also help manage Bonitaville restaurant
located on Farm to Market 2951 on
the peninsula at PK Lake. Lisa said they
have been “super busy” there as well.
Kim Miller, owner of PK Pizza Pro at
457 N. FM 2353, said she has a lot of
regular customers but that her busi-
ness has improved quite a bit since the
lake filled up.
“I’ve seen a lot of new faces, espe-
cially on the weekends, and it has truly
been a blessing for me.”
Jan Verdi, manager of Boondock’s
PK Bar & Grill, said their business has
increased dramatically over the past
few months. Verdi and her husband,
John, took over ownership of Boon-
dock’s on June 1 and business has
really been very good.
“We are one of the few places that
will be open at PK Lake seven days a
week, all year long,” Jan added. “Most
other places close during the winter
months or reduce their hours.
“The lake coming back has been
such a blessing and we are happy to
be able to be here for our customers.”
Boondock’s offers a lunch and din-
ner menu. Plus, there’s Karaoke on Fri-
day nights and live music on Saturday
nights during the summer. Wine, dine
and have a great time out in their beer
garden.
(TOP) Texas 16 is closed at the historic Works Progress Administration bridge about a mile downstream from Morris Sheppard Dam during the Memorial Day Weekend flooding of the Brazos River. (ABOVE) The mighty Brazos flexes its strength as its waters quickly spill over its banks and head toward Dark Valley. PHOTOS BY DEAN TREML
89921
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89913
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 9
COVERSTORYcelebrated its one-year anniversary on
July 28. Nycole Tootie Hickman, of
Possum Kingdom Lake, said it had long
been a dream to be the owner of her
own business. “I have had a lot more
business since PK is full. I’ve seen a lot
of new customers, but I have also had
great support from regular patrons in
the community as well. After all, this is
home.”
PK Lake’s convenience stores and it’s
only grocery store all reported that it
has been a great season.
Rebecca Lightner, an employee at B
& C North Forty, said the store on N.
FM 2353 at PK Lake has been “crazy”
busy, especially on the weekends, it’s
been swamped.
Sabrina Penney, an employee at Mr.
C’s at PK Lake, said they had been
extremely busy, probably because it’s
in such a great location there on Park
Road 36 and N. FM 2353. She said
someone was just saying the other day
that there’s been a lot more traffic this
year than last year.
Martin Collins owner of The Trading
Post on Park Road 36 at Possum King-
dom Lake said that this has been one
of the best seasons yet for he and his
wife,Tracy Collins.
“Since the lake has filled back up, we
have been super busy just trying to
keep the shelves stocked,” said Martin.
Christina Naylor, of Naylor by the
Water, said the rental business has
been doing pretty well, especially on
the weekends. With the lake full, more
people are ready to get out on the
water. She said retail sales have been a
little slow, but boat rentals have been
good this season. With the large selec-
tion of watercraft and accessories, the
store has just about anything anyone
could want in their convenient location
at 461 N. FM 2353 at PK.
Sharron Kay Fires, of Ranch Brand
Jewelry and Gifts at Possum Kingdom
Lake on N. FM 2353, said there seemed
to be a spirit of renewed hope since
the water level at PK Lake has returned
to full capacity.
“It seems that everyone anticipated
a great summer here at the lake,” said
Fires, who has run the store for the
past seven years alongside her hus-
band, Alan. “Business certainly picked
up after the lake filled up. Of course,
we always see more business around
this time of year. But, the lake filling up
has certainly been a blessing.
“We have always sold knives, but
those with lock backs and belt clips
have been selling very well,” she
added. “The knives have always been
a great-selling item and a major draw
for male shoppers. And, it makes it
easier for women to shop when their
husbands or significant others are
preoccupied.”
The most significant of signs, how-
ever, that the PK Lake economy has
picked back up are local real-estate
sales.
“The market has certainly bounced
back, especially the first few weeks
right after the lake filled up,” said Jacky
Fewell, marketing director at Pondera
Properties.
Mike Powell of Mike Powell Real
Sunsets at Possum Kingdom Lake are always a vision. PHOTO BY WAYNE HODGIN
Estate summed up the general
feeling of everyone at the lake
this summer from visitor to resi-
dent to business owner.
“Happy days are here again.”
MARY RICHARDSON CONTRIBUTING
10 Possum Kingdom Vistas September/October 2015
89914 PONDERA
DOUBLE TRUCK PG 1/MODIFIED TAB
September/October 2015 Possum Kingdom Vistas 11
89914 PONDERA PROPERTIES
DOUBLE TRUCK PG 2/MODIFIED TAB
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12 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
GOODEATS
Todd Artigue, a Louisiana native, has
blended his heritage and culture with
his knowledge and expertise in the
technique of preparing Cajun cuisine for
the patrons of the Chaparral Grill at The
Cliffs Resort at Possum Kingdom Lake.
He said his passion for cooking was
inspired at a young age, growing up
with his family in Jefferson Parish,
Louisiana, about 30 miles south of New
Orleans.
“It only seems natural, being raised
by a Cajun French father and an Irish
mother,” Artigue said. “Fine food was
an integral part of my life, and I knew I
wanted to become a chef when I was
about 17 years old.”
Artigue began pursuing a culinary arts
education while working at Maximo’s
Italian Grill, a fine dining Northern Italian
Restaurant in the French Quarter of
New Orleans, in 1994, and, in 1997, he
completed his training at the Culinary
Arts Institute of Louisiana.
Artigue gained a wealth of experience
working at places like the Camelot
Club, Club Corp of America in down-
town Baton Rouge.
And, after graduating from CAILA, he
worked as the sous chef under Chef
John Folse at the White Oak Plantation
in Baton Rouge, where he prepared
food for catered events on- and off-site
and assisted Chef Folse with live dem-
onstrations.
In 2000, Artigue returned to CAILA as
the kitchen lab instructor and taught
the application of French method and
technique to culinary arts students.
In 2002, he became the market chef
at Maxwell’s Market, a gourmet market
in Baton Rouge.
Then, in June of 2006, he moved to
Texas and became the sous chef at the
Chaparral Grill. And, in September 2009,
Artigue was promoted to the position of
Executive Chef at The Cliffs Resort.
“After 22 years of being a chef, I am
doing what I love to do,” he said. “Being
able to cook most of the time is great.
I spend about 20 percent of my time
doing administrative work and the rest
of the time I spend cooking. Most chefs
spend more time doing administrative
duties than cooking.”
Q: “Who does the cooking at home?”
A: “I do 100 percent of the cooking
at home. I do not hesitate to say that,
and my wife would agree. I also love
to bake. I make paleo muffins every
weekend.”
Artigue said his favorite food is a ham-
burger, and, if it’s done right, he could
eat one every day. He said he really
loves to grill at home.
Q: “What five foods could you not live
without?”
A: “Besides a hamburger – I could
not live without chocolate, a crawfish
sandwich, a roast beef po’boy and
brownies.”
Q: “What five ingredients could you
not survive without?”
A: “I must have chocolate, flour, corn
flour, vegetable oil and Louisiana hot
sauce.”
Artigue said he enjoys cooking “Chick-
en PK,” a favorite among his many regu-
lars at The Cliffs’ Chaparral Grill, and
anything that’s Cajun, like étouffée, but
his absolute favorite is gumbo. “It always
reminds me of home,” he said.
When asked about creating his own
recipes, Artigue said it would be hard to
take credit because he’s learned many
things along the way from so many
others.
“Putting your own creative twist on a
basic recipe doesn’t necessarily qualify
it as an original,” he replies modestly.
“Sometimes, it is just preference, or a
matter of taste.”MARY RICHARDSON
Todd Artigue relies on his Cajun heritage when he prepares dishes for
customers at The Cliffs. ‘It only seems natural, being raised by a Cajun
French father and an Irish mother.’ PHOTOS BY MARY RICHARDSON
Just a dash of CajunA signature dish is as
simple as putting your
own twist on an old
recipe.
899291119 Marina Point Drive, Strawn, TX 76475 – www.bluffcreekmarina.com - In Sportsman’s World on Possum Kingdom Lake - Tel 940.779.3911 - Cell 940.507.0862
K A Y A K I N G
ff k i 507 00862
88916
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940.779.2600, offi ce
940.779.2601, fax40.779.29 601, f, ax
1406 Park Rd. 36
East Side PK Lake
Graford, TX 76449
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 13
1½ pounds butter
4 cups quality baking chocolate,
unsweetened
9 large croissants, day-old or staled
3 ½ cups (about 15) eggs, whole
2 ½ cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 quart milk, warmed slightly
Cut croissants into 1- to 2-inch squares. Set out to stale for 1 day.
Spray pan with pan coating then line with parchment paper and
spray paper with more pan coating, make sure to spray corners well.
Place cut croissants in pan and set aside. Melt butter and chocolate
together set aside. In large container, blend eggs, sugar and vanilla
together well. Blend in chocolate mix and warmed milk. Pour mix
over croissants let sit overnight to absorb custard mix.
The next day, when you’re ready to bake, cover the pan with foil
and bake in a 300-degree (F) oven for 45 minutes. Remove from
oven and let cool. Turn out to remove parchment paper.
Servings: 24
Custard Sauce3 eggs, whole
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ whole milk
Put eggs in medium-large bowl set aside; measure out sugar set
aside.
In a large pot, heat milk to medium high temperature to a light
simmer, about 180 degrees. While milk is coming up to tempera-
ture, whip together eggs and sugar until light pale in color. When
milk is ready, remove from burner and whisk in about a quarter of
the hot milk to egg mixture to temper eggs.
While stirring with a heatproof spatula, add egg mixture into
hot milk mixture. Return to burner on medium-high heat, stirring
constantly until mixture reaches 180 degrees. Remove from heat
put on ice bath, stir until cooled.
Serve over warmed-up bread pudding.
Todd Artigue readjusts a napkin for a table at The Chaparral Grill before the popular restaurant at The Cliffs Resort
opens for customers.
FROM THE KITCHEN OF ...Todd ArtigueExecutive chef, the Chaparral Grill at The Cliffs Resort, Possum Kingdom Lake
Chocolate Bread Pudding
GOODEATS
Chef Todd
Artigue
prepares des-
serts
for guests
at The Cliffs
Chaparral
Grille.
Courtesy photo
Chef Todd
Artigue
prepares des-
serts
for guests
at The Cliffs
Chaparral
Grille.
Courtesy photo
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14 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Jay Naylor, of Possum Kingdom Lake,
built Naylor’s Party Palace with his own
two hands in 2011.
“I started building it in the parking lot
of the store,” said Naylor. “It only took
about three months on dry land, and
then another couple of months in the
water to finish it.”
He said he worked on it 4 or 5 hours
most days and it was a lot of fun to build.
With guidance from Russell Mad-
den and help from some of his friends,
including Tim Smart and Mike Swafford,
and his brother, Bryan Mims, he said
it seemed like it came together pretty
quick.
As he explained how he built it, he
made it sound like it was easy and
anyone could do it. But, the truth is that
he has a keen sense of calculating and
a knowledge for structural design and
an associate degree from TSTI in Waco
in maintenance and overhaul and, also,
a genuine love for boating and living at
the lake.
Naylor said he was an aircraft mechan-
ic for American Airlines in Fort Worth for
about 16 years, a welder and that he’d
had a lot of construction experience
prior to that.
“The barge is 16-feet wide and 47-feet
long and the floor on both decks is stan-
dard construction procedure,” Naylor ex-
plained. “It has a steel frame, a wooden
floor and two aluminum pontoons.
“It weighs about 25,000 pounds when
it’s fully loaded and 18,000 pounds when
it’s empty. It has the capacity to carry 70
people, which includes the captain and
PKVENTURES
Party in slow motionJay Naylor’s floating Party
Palace makes waves with
lakegoers throughout the
summer
two deckhands. It has twin 115 Yamaha
outboard motors to power it; it’s cruis-
ing speed is about 6 mph and its top
speed is 11 mph.”
Naylor said it actually does pretty good
on fuel; only taking about 10 gallons to
get to Hell’s Gate Cove and back.
He said after the season is up, he was
probably going to add a third pontoon
for stability, because when people use
the slide, everyone wants to be on that
end of the boat watching.
Naylor said the first two years after the
barge was completed, it was only out
on the lake a few times, partly because
of the fires that devastated the area in
2011.
But since then, the party barge has
usually gone out about 40 times a year.
When asked why he built it, he replied
that everyone kept requesting some-
thing bigger. Something “they” might
use for weddings, receptions and dinner
cruises for large groups to enjoy party-
ing on.
“I think we’ve only had two weddings,
but we have had numerous receptions
and dinner cruises,” he said,
Naylor has lived at PK for more than 10
years and loves it here because of the
people and the whole community.
MARY RICHARDSON
Jay Naylor and deckhand Keith Long work the Party Palace recently for a
crowd at Hell’s Gate Cove. PHOTOS BY MARY RICHARDSON
The floating Party Palace.
89923
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 15
PKNEIGHBORS
At CHARLIE’S ANGELS SENIOR CENTER, people come to eat twice a week
and also to enjoy the company of others. Left to right are MARIE JONES, DUB BAKER, DON RICHARDSON, RASSA LEE NANNEY, NICA BAKER and
TOM NANNEY playing chickenfoot. The group said they meet there quite
often. MARY RICHARSON
Chickenfoot at Charlie’sNew water chiefJeremiah Gore is now the
general manager at Possum
Kingdom Water Supply Corp.
On July 16, Jeremiah Gore was appointed
as General Manager of the Possum Kingdom
Water Supply Corporation.
Sue Cathey is currently Business Operations
Manager and will remain in a support role.
Gore said he appreciates all the hard work
Cathey has done over the years.
I have made a few administrative changes, but
it’s nothing that will affect everyday operations.
He said the transition should be
seamless, since the office staff will
remain the same. Cassie Marshall
has worked there for 11 years and is
the Administrative Assistant. Cathy
Pearson has been there for two
years and is the Billing Administra-
tor.
Gore has been employed with
the PKWSC for the last 12 years,
most recently as Systems Opera-
tions Supervisor.
“I am very familiar with the entire
day-today operation, it has been
my life,” said Gore. “I have worked
in production and distribution and
been responsible for everything
outside.”
The corporation has a nine mem-
ber Board of Directors that hold
rotating three year terms. New
directors are elected at the annual
member meeting, held in March. PKWSC Board
of Directors for 2015-2016 are Ted Lewellen,
President; Frank Foster, Vice President; Russell
Madden, Secretary/Treasurer; Monty Jasper,
Frank Neve, Kevin Groves, Merton Fewell, Ruth
White and Mike Patton.
“I look forward to working with the Board,”
Gore added. “They do a great job.”
Monthly board meetings are scheduled on
the third Wednesday of each month and are
open to the public. The only board meetings
restricted to the public are those concerning
personnel, pending litigation, and acquisition of
real estate.
All meeting agendas are posted by PKWSC at
the Stephens County Courthouse, Palo Pinto
County Courthouse, and the PKWSC office on
Willow Road. As a corporation, annual finan-
cial audits are conducted and the reviews are
shared with members at the annual meetings.
Justin Burney is the Lead Distribution Opera-
tor. Renee Daniels and T. J. Ranft are both Utility
Technicians.
PKWSC is a member-owned, not-for-profit
water supply corporation.
MARY RICHARDSON
Jeremiah Gore has
been appointed general
manager for Possum
Kingdom Water Supply
Corp. He most recently
served the district as
operations supervisor.
Born on Aug. 1, to ADAM (not pictured) and TIA ROWAN, BRIELLE ELIZA-BETH ROWAN, came to visit her great-grandfather CHARLIE SELF at Charlie’s
Angels Senior Center at Possum Kingdom Lake. ELON ROWAN, 2, is her
Brielle’s big brother. Grandparents are Tami and Hal Brown of Graford. Brielle
weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces. PHOTO BY MARY RICHARDSON
Charlie’s newest Angel
89912
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
juice
milk
pancakes
sausage
bacon
Fuel up without the clean up as you celebrate with family & friends this Labor Day weekend.
7 A.M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5at the Chamber of Commerce building, 362 N. FM 2353
PK EMS Members Eat FREEMinimum Donation: $7/Adults • $4/Children 10 & under
— NO advance purchase necessary —
All proceeds benefitthe PK East Women’s Club —
“Community Assisting Community.”
16 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
The POSSUM KINGDOM WOMEN’S CLUB recently elected a new slate of officers for the organization’s 2015-
2016 year. Pictured MARILY BLAIR, parliamentarian; DEBBIE ZAHN, co-vice president; JAN KINCER, co-vice
president; KAREN HUTSON, secretary; BILLIE DAY, treasurer; SUE MCCORMICK, president; and JO LYNN MILLER, historian/reporter. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JO LYNN MILLER
PKNEIGHBORS
Possum Kingdom Women’s Club
As outgoing president of the Possum Kingdom Women’s Club, MARILY BLAIR presents
her gavel to incoming President SUE MCCORMICK.
DARLENE CARNLEY recognizes MARILY BLAIR as the PKWC
Woman of the Year.
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 17
PKNEIGHBORS
PKWC donations benefit local charities
JANICE MILLIGAN of the YMCA CAMP GRADY SPRUCE and CHARLIE SELF of CHARLIE’S ANGELS SENIORS CENTER recently accepted $1,200 donations to each of their respective organizations from the Possum Kingdom
Women’s Club. Club members conduct popular fund-raisers throughout the year for their scholarship campaign
to be able to give back to other community organizations. The campaign also funds a scholarship for a Graford
High School graduating senior in the spring, and a donation is usually made to the United Cooperative Service
benevolent fund around the holidays. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JO LYNN MILLER
Flea market funds at workPK East fire/ems pays off bal-ance of new ambulance
Members of the PK EAST AUXILIARY re-
cently made a donation of $25,000 from
the proceeds of its monthly flea market
sales to the POSSUM KINGDOM EAST EMER-GENCY MEDICAL SERVICE and will be used
to pay off the balance of $19,000 owed
on a new ambulance. Auxiliary President
KATHY HARDIN said the remainder of the
funds will go toward the purchase of
something for the PK EAST VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. Chief RONNIE RANFT said he
hopes they can get a brush truck. Those
on hand for the recent donation were
GARRETT BRITTINGHAM, DEBBIE BIRD, MIKE SMITH, RASSA LEE NANNEY, RITA NIESWIAD-OMY, SCOTT PARRISH, MARY LEE GRANBURY,
KATHY HARDIN, KOWA CROW, DORIS KING,
DEBRA SMITH, VANN HICKS, KARA MURPHY,
DOUG HUTSON, LYNN KINKEL and RONNIE RANFT.
MARY RICHARDSON
PK EAST AUXILIARY DONATIONSThe POSSUM KINGDOM EAST VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT AND EMS AUXILIARY welcomes
those who have a few hours a week to volunteer.
Donations for flea market sales are accepted 9
a.m. to noon on Saturdays at the PK LIONS CLUB COMMUNITY CENTER, at 142 La Villa Road. Do not
leave items outside the fire station or Lions Club
building.
To make arrangements to donate, call RITA NIESWIADOMY, 940-452-0052; KATHY HARDIN,
940-468-2178; LYNN KINKEL, 940-779-2768.
PK WEST THRIFT STOREThe PK WESTSIDE VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY SERVICES is accepting donations for its GARAGE SALE THRIFT STORE, which will be open LABOR DAY WEEKEND. All donations are tax deductible,
and sales benefit the volunteer fire department and
ambulance services. For more information or to
make a donation, call SUE TOLLESON at 940-549-
6526 or LINDA KLEIN at 940-549-8101.
The Possum Kingdom East and Possum
Kingdom West volunteer fire and EMS organiza-
tions are equipped with fire trucks, pump trucks,
brush and structure trucks, along with fully
stocked and staffed ambulances.
The first responders who operate the equip-
ment and tend to those in need are experi-
enced and certified women and men trained to
protect lives on the lake and in the surrounding
areas. They voluntarily risk their lives 24 hours
a day.
Each organization is non-profit and depends
on donations to keep them running and to keep
the communities safe. They do not charge for
their services.
Therefore, the donations given to the flea
market and garage sale thrift store help to pro-
vide the funds given back to each organization.
All donations are tax deductible and sales
benefit the volunteer fire department and ambu-
lance services.
MARY RICHARDSON
People helping people
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18 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
Non-profit organizations can submit an
upcoming event by sending complete
information, including time, day, date, and
location along with a first and last name
of a contact and at least one publishable
phone number and/or email address.
Emailed submissions are preferred to
[email protected]. Call 940-779-
3040 to set up event coverage.
Mother’s Day OutThe Abundant Life Church in Graford is
offering the Mother’s Day Out preschool
program for children ages 3 -5 from 9 a.m.
to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.
Register now for Fall classes which will
open Sept. 30 and run through Dec. 18.
For more information, contact 940-745-
8875 or AbudandantLifeMDO@hotmail.
com.
Golf ScrambleThe 2015 Graford Ex-Students Association
will host a Scholarship Golf Tournament
on Sunday, Sept. 13, at The Cliffs Golf Club
and Resort. Teams must be registered by
Sunday, Aug. 30. Cost for the four-person
scramble: $75 per person or $300 per
team. Shotgun start is 1:30 p.m. Awards
will be given after the meal at 6 p.m. at the
pavilion. Lots of prizes. For more informa-
tion, call Tommy Brown at 214-455-9123
or email: [email protected].
PK West Thrift StoreThe PK West Volunteer Emergency
Services will hold its annual Labor Day
two-day sale on Friday and Saturday, Sept.
4 and 5, at the fire department, FM 1148
and Green Acres Road on the west side of
PK Lake. There will be a large selection of
furniture, appliances and miscellaneous
kitchen and household items. Clothing
will be 10 cents each. Big items include
a Sea-Doo and ladder and slide. All pro-
ceeds benefit the PK Westside Volunteer
Emergency Services. Call Sue Tolleson at
940-549-6526.
Pancake BreakfastThe Possum Kingdom Women’s Club will
host a pancake breakfast beginning at
7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Possum
Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, 362 N.
FM 2353 at PK Lake. The minimum dona-
tion is $7 for adults and $4 for children 10
and younger. PK EMS members eat free.
All proceeds benefit the PK Women’s Club
scholarship fund. No advance purchase
is necessary. For more information, call
Karen Hutson at 940-393-6676.
Golf ContestThe Possum Kingdom Women’s Club will
host its Closest to the Pin Golf benefit
Saturday, Sept. 5, at The Cliffs Golf Club
and Resort. All proceeds from the event
will benefit the organization’s scholarship
fund. Pondera Properties has donated
a prize of $200 to the winner. For more
information, contact Billie Day at 940-
452-8220.
Senior Expo 2015To promote healthy living for adults 50
and older, the Mineral Wells Senior Center
will have its Senior Expo 2015 from 8:30
a.m. until 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at the cen-
ter, located 102 NW Sixth Ave. in Mineral
Wells. Health screenings and workshops
offered. Exhibit booths, entertainment,
door prizes and refreshments. For infor-
mation, call 940-325-6470.
Golf ContestThe United Way of Palo Pinto County
will conduct a golfball drop contest
Saturday, Sept. 12, to raise funds for it’s
$120,000 campaign goal this year that
runs through the month of October. Grand
prize includes a $500 gift card and other
prizes including a 40-inch flat-panel TV
and golfing for three people with use of
cart. For information, call Marily Blair at
940-325-4848.
Fair-Livestock BarbecueThe third annual barbecue cookoff event
benefiting the Graford Fair and Livestock
Association will be Sept. 18 and 19. (Rain
or shine.) Entry fees are $15 per division,
with seven total divisions, including beans,
chili, dutch-oven desserts, chicken wings,
pork ribs, pork butt and brisket. Check-in
time is from 1 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 and 6:30
to 8 a.m. Sept. 19. Tolbert sanctioned.
For a registration form, a complete list of
rules, contact Robert Ray at 940-445-1639
or at [email protected]. (No electricity is
provided.)
Septemberfest-Jackrabbit RunThe 30th annual Septemberfest and Gra-
ford Jackrabbit 5K Run will begin at 8:30
a.m. sharp Saturday, Sept. 19, in downtown
Graford. Proceeds pay premiums for
Graford ISD 4-H and FFA student livestock
show projects at the Palo Pinto County
Youth Fair & Livestock Show. Awards will
be given. First 100 to register early will
receive a T-shirt. For more information call
779-2636 or 664-2012.
PKHAPPENINGS
The Trifecta Triathlon at Possum Kingdom Lake, benefiting the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce
will be Sept. 20. PHOTO COURTESY POSSUM KINGDOM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
89919
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833 Park Rd. 36Located ½ mile east of the 4-way stop at FM 2353 and Park Rd. 36 on the east side of Possum Kingdom Lake
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To Advertise in the next edition of Possum Kingdom Vistas, call The Graham Leader Advertising Department at 940.549.7800
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS 19
PK East Flea MarketThe PK East Volunteer Fire Department
and EMS Auxiliary flea market will be
open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday,
Sept. 19, at the PK Lake Community
Center, 142 La Villa Road. Drop-off do-
nations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to
noon Saturdays. Call Rita Nieswiadomy
at (940) 452-0052 or Kathy Hardin at
(940) 468-2178 to make donations of
items. Also, visit pkfire-ems.com for
information.
TRIFECTA TriathlonMore than 400 athletes will compete
for a $5,000 purse at the Trifecta Tri-
athlon on Sunday, Sept. 20, to benefit
YMCA Camp Grady Spruce. Sprint- and
Olympic-distance triathlon courses
are set in the three events, including
swimming, biking and running. Call
the Possum Kingdom Chamber of
Commerce at (940) 779-2424 or pk-
Penny AuctionThe United Way will host its fifth
annual Penny Auction on Saturday,
Sept. 26, at Mineral Wells Junior High
School. Doors will open at 5 p.m.,
and the auction will begin at 6 p.m.
Concessions will be available. Prizes
donated from various local merchants.
All proceeds will be distributed to
partnering agencies in Palo Pinto
County. Call 940-325-4848 for more
information.
Possum FestThe Possum Kingdom Chamber of
Commerce, 362 N. FM 2353, will
host its annual Possum Fest & Great
Outdoors BBQ & Chili Cook-Off on
Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3,
to kick off the fall season at Possum
Kingdom Lake. There will be taste test-
ing, vendor booths, a silent and live
auction, a free cook’s dance, a benefit
raffle prize drawing, and even a cow
chip throwing contest. Cooks begin
preparing their entries Friday, and
Saturday they pick up containers and
begin turn-ins for judging. Categoer-
ies include: Bloody Marys, Margaritas,
salsa, beans, ribs, chili, pork butt, bris-
ket, and cobbler. Awards are presented
immediately after the live auction
Saturday afternoon. Call the Possum
Kingdom Chamber of Commerce at
(940) 779-2424 or pkchamber@pos-
sumkingdomlake.com.
Hell’s Gate Bass ClubThe Hells Gate Bass Club will have an
Open Tournament at PK Lake on Sat,
Oct. 3. There will be $3,500 in cash
and prizes, with $1,500 for first-place;
$700 for second; $400 for third; $250
for fourth; $200 for fifth; $175 for sixth;
$150 for seventh; and $125 for eighth
place. Ninth through 20th will also
receive prizes, based on 100 entries.
Headquarters will be at the South D&D
Boat Ramp. Early entry fee is $60 and
Late entry will cost $65. To enter the
Big Bass Pot will cost $10. For entry
form, visitHellsGateBassClub.com or
email tournament director Barry Smith,
King Tut ExhibitThe Palo Pinto County Historical Com-
mission will present the Treasures of
Tutankhamun Egyptian Pharaoh from
Oct. 5 through Dec. 3 at the Old Jail
Museum Complex in Palo Pinto.
Murder Mystery DinnerThe Possum Kingdom Women’s Club
will host a Murder Mystery Dinner
Theatre on Oct. 10 at the Possum
Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, 362
N. FM 2353 at PK Lake. Doors will open
at 6:30 p.m., dinner will be served at
7 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30
p.m. Tickets are available individually
($38) or as a table for eight ($280).
For information, call Debbie Zahn at
940-328-5237 or Sabrina Sparkman at
817-637-8835.
Fall Star PartyTexas Parks and Wildlife will host the
Fall Star Party on Saturday, Oct. 10, at
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. In the
event of inclement weather, Saturday,
Oct. 17, will be the backup date should
weather force a cancelation.
Fall Equestrian RideTexas Parks and Wildlife will host the
Fall Equestrian Trail Ride at the Palo
Pinto Mountains State Park on Oct.
24-25. The trail ride will begin at 9 a.m.
followed by a short lunch and another
ride at 2 p.m. Camping will be permit-
ted for Friday night but no electricity or
water hookups are available. The fee is
$20 which includes a barbecue lunch.
Bring a side dish and join the fun.
Horses must have proof of negative
Coggins test. This event will be limited
to 60 riders due to limited staff. To re-
serve a spot, contact Barbara McKnight
at 254-595-2119.
Possum Gulch The PK Chamber’s annual Halloween
festival will be 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct.
31 at the Possum Kingdom Chamber
of Commerce, 362 N. FM 2353 at PK
Lake.
PK Hike-BikeTrailsThe Brazos River Authority will close
the hike and bike trails at Possum
Kingdom Lake during and sometimes
after inclement weather conditions.
Call (940) 779-2321 or visit brazos.org
for the latest updates.
PKHAPPENINGS
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park will be the backdrop for a fall equestrian ride sponsored
by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. PHOTO BY CHASE FOUNTAIN
Things to do
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Contact Jan Rosandich 940.745.1411 [email protected]
$399,999
455 Turnberry Loop
4 Beds 3.1 Baths 2,622 SqFtThe Cliffs ResortMLS# 13080470
Contact Valerie Klapper 940.452.4865 [email protected]
$879,000
1007 N Mesquite Ridge
3 Beds 2 Baths 1,680 SqFt Gaines Bend MLS# 13179861
Contact Mike Halford 940.452.0274 [email protected]
$800,000
C&M Marine • 350 N Fm 2353
4 Acre Commercial - Inventory IncludedPossum Kingdom LakeMLS# 13207320
Contact Ric Hayward 940.654.0804 [email protected]
$575,000
20 Shoal Creek Court
4 Beds 4 Baths 3,083 SqFtThe Cliffs ResortMLS# 13100537
Contact Anna Koncak 940.328.2333 [email protected]
$997,000
1010 Blue Jay Lane
3 Beds 2.1 Baths 2,319 SqFt Gaines Bend MLS# 13127365
Contact Dee Dee Jordan 817.880.1779 [email protected]
Beautiful Luxury
$2,100,000
5049 Hells Gate Loop
5 Beds 5 Baths 5,500 SqFt Sportsmans WorldMLS# 13160823
20 POSSUM KINGDOM VISTAS SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015
