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January 2008

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE PAID

FT. WORTH, TXPERMIT NO. 711

At Home With

Rusty and Linda Rudd

At Home With

Rusty and Linda Rudd

Art onthe WingArt onthe Wing

Benefits Beyond the Game


Lift Off forLifesavingLift Off forLifesaving

TransformingObstacles IntoOpportunities

TransformingObstacles IntoOpportunities

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www.ennisnow.com 1 EnnisNOW January 2008

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EnnisNOW is a NOW Magazines, L.L.C. publication. Copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. EnnisNOW is published monthly and individually mailed free of charge to homes and businesses in the Ennis zip codes.

Subscriptions are available at the rate of $35 per year or $3.50 per issue. Subscription and editorial correspondenceshould be sent to: EnnisNOW, P.O. Box 1071, Waxahachie, TX 75168. For advertising rates and other information,call (972) 875-3299 or e-mail us at: [email protected].

Publisher, Connie Poirier

General Manager, Rick Hensley

Managing Editor, Becky Walker

Editorial Coordinator, Sandra McIntosh

Creative Director, Jami Navarro

Art Director, Chris McCalla

Sales Assistant, Jessica Vasquez

Ennis Editor, Kelly Kovar

Contributing Writers, Stephanie Brewer

Dia Catalani . Nancy Fenton

Angie Wingo-Juenemann

Photography, Dia Catalani . Rod Cordsen . Ivey

Photography . Sandra McIntosh . Terri Ozymy

Contributing Editors/Proofreaders, Pamela Parisi

Jaime Ruark . Beverly Shay

Advertising Representatives, Lacy Hightower

Will Epps . Carolyn Mixon . Linda Moffett

Terri Ozymy . Steve Randle . Terri Yates

Graphic Designers, Julie Carpenter

Allee Brand . Dale Frie . Marshall Hinsley

Arlene Honza . Steve Koldjeski . Brande Morgan

On the Cover: With basketball season in full swing, the Ennis Lady Lions are hoping to make the play-offsagain this year.

Photo by Terri Ozymy.

ContentsJanuary 2008, Volume 5, Issue 1

35 OutdoorsNOW

36 Around TownNOW

38 Who’s CookingNOW

40 FinanceNOW

42 HealthNOW

44 Community Calendar

ArtsNOWArt on the Wing

6

20SportsNOW Benefits Beyond the Game

24BusinessNOWThe InternalConnection

30EducationNOW TransformingObstacles IntoOpportunities

32

12

Lift Off for Lifesaving

A Restorative JourneyAt Home With Rusty and Linda Rudd


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Dear Readers,

Here we are — beginning another exciting seasontogether. Whatever 2008 holds for you, I hope we canfrequently give you an entertaining break as you readthe articles and ads in EnnisNOW Magazine.

Start January off on a high note by finding out whois manning those helpful helicopters that are providingemergency aid for our area. Speaking of aircraft, did youknow that a world-class airplane painter makes his home in Ennis? Turn toArtsNOW to read more.

Flapjack Fever is here again! Buy your Flapjack Fever tickets from local fifth-gradestudents as a continued show of support for Intermediate Principal Lori Redning.She is meeting the challenges of this school year with a smile on her face. Whenyou read about how much fun her innovative Weekly Kids News Network group ishaving, you may wish you were in fifth grade again. Shall we all try to turn ourchallenges into opportunities this year?

Happy New Year! Kelly KovarEnnisNOW Editor [email protected]

Editor’s Note


DDon Coker has spent many years in rewarding fields such

as law enforcement and corporate helicopter piloting. Hiscurrent undertaking, as the Ennis Air Evac Lifeteam basepilot supervisor, is the most gratifying of his career. “It is avery rewarding job,” Don said, “We opened here atthe Ennis hospital in mid-July and it is a goodexperience starting up a new base.”

As one of four Ennis-based helicopter pilots, Don teams with four registered nurses and fourparamedics to provide rapid transport when there isa critical medical situation. “Pilots work 12-hourshifts, seven-days-on and seven-days-off,” Donexplained. “The medical crew works 24-hour shifts.As a result, I get to work with all of the nurses andparamedics. We really operate as a team.” Don’smain interest is flying. “I love to fly, and I’m kindof a workaholic, so on my days off, I like to pick upextra shifts when they are available. With 11 otherbases in Texas, there are often shifts when peopleneed to take vacation.”

Don is used to traveling around Texas. “I amfrom Corpus Christi, and I started out at age 20working for the Texas Department of Public Safety (TDPS)as a state trooper in the Houston area.” He first spent eightyears as a highway patrolman. “I really wanted to learn to fly,

Lift Off Lifesaving

but I thought flying was a rich man’s sport. My DPS partnerhad a pilot’s license, and he told me that I could finance flyinglessons with a second job. So, [I] got a job as bank securityand I earned money for lessons.” After Don got his pilot’s

license, he became a statetrooper helicopter pilot.“As a pilot/inspector for DPS, I flew rescuemissions. You get toreally test your skills onrescue missions. I pickedpeople up that weretrapped on roofs fromhurricanes or floods.That is a really greatfeeling.” He also wasassigned to fly dignitarieson occasion. “One of myvery first assignmentswas to fly the secretary ofenergy to a geothermalwell outside of Houston.

That was an experience. I just thought, ‘Here am I, a regularguy, taking a United States cabinet member in my helicopter.’”He even flew Bing Crosby’s wife once. “I picked her up at the

— By Kelly Kovar


for

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airport and took her to a charity event.” After six years as a DPS pilot, Don

made the leap to the corporate world,as a helicopter pilot for GrantCorporation and then Mac-CareyProperties. He was drawn to this areawhen he accepted a pilot position with

R. E. Hable Construction Company inCorsicana. “We moved to this area,and bought a house in BloomingGrove.” Don reared twin daughtersand a son there. “They turned out tobe great kids. I am extremely blessed,”Don said. Don decided to go back intolaw enforcement, since he really wantedthe stability of a long-term job whilehe was rearing the children. “I spent14 years with the Navarro CountySheriff’s Office. At the same time, Idid maintenance for the BloomingGrove Independent School District,helping build the baseball and footballfields, and working security for ballgames.” While the children weregrowing up, Don was vice president ofthe Corsicana Girls’ Softball League.“My twins, Brittney and Courtney,played high school softball and theywent to state all four years. Theygraduated second and third in theirsenior class and went to college onacademic and softball scholarships. Ireally like getting to see my son, Clay,


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and his wife, a school teacher, a lotnow, because he lives close to me. Clayenjoys working in the Avalon area as aheavy equipment operator.”

With the young Cokers on the wayto adulthood, Don began to explorehis flying options again. “I thought I

had put that behind me. I really neverexpected to fly again.” Then, a formerDPS state police pilot recommendedDon as a helicopter pilot with an airambulance service called Critical Air.“They hired me, and I really likedworking for Critical Air; they are goodpeople.” After three years, when AirEvac Lifeteam bought Critical Air,Don stayed on and eventually becamea base pilot supervisor in West, Texas.“Air Evac Lifeteam told me they weregoing to open the Ennis base, andasked me if I would like the job,” hesaid. Don is happy for the shortercommunte to work. His wife, Terri,also works in Ennis, at Alliance Data.Don and Terri have just been marrieda few years, and Don is now the prouddad of two grown stepdaughters,Jennifer and Corey.

“Air Evac is very safety conscious,”Don said. “We are very community-minded. What makes it possible for usto do our job is our cooperation withlocal firemen, policemen and medical



personnel.” The team’s base-life at theEnnis hospital functions much like afire station. “We each have our owncrew-quarter room, and we have a living area where we have a refrigeratorand a microwave. During off-times,we can work on continuing education,but when a call comes in, which isusually from one to three times a day,our job is to be ready to go.”

The team makes transports fromhospital to hospital whenever a patientneeds to be moved quickly. They alsoanswer emergency calls, especiallyproviding rapid transport for people inrural areas. “I like scene calls the best.It may be at night, and we go intodifferent kinds of loading zones (LZs).I have an 875,000 candlepower lightto use for illumination to watch forwires, cell towers and obstacles. Wemove into the LZ and orbit a couple oftimes to make sure it is safe to land.Then, the medical team gets outquickly and goes to work.”

Some calls are especially gratifying.“We got a call to transfer a lady fromHillsboro to Waco. I landed, and themedical crew went inside the hospital.Before transport, she went into cardiacarrest. The Air Evac medical crewsaved her life.”

“Flying is a passion for me. I’ve reallyenjoyed it — this is a good occupation.I am working with true professionals;it is a great experience to be involvedin seeing someone’s life saved.”



Lfence, unsure of purchasing the 2,000-square-foot house that came with twoovergrown acres, a two-car garage andwood floors which he described as “wavy.”That same picket fence kept calling Lindaback. “The setting just felt like home,”she explained. “The flagpole and unevensidewalks, which still remain untouched,add character, while the jonquils, when infull bloom, line both sides of the driveway.

Living in a rental home onHighway 34 for a year while theirnew home was being refurbished toits original state was part of theplan for Rusty and Linda Rudd. Inretrospect, settling into the three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bathhome, originally built by the fiveSanger brothers of Sanger-Harrisdepartment store fame, turned outto be the easy part of their journeythrough the restoration process.“This is our 10th home together.I’ve designed and we’ve built ninehomes from the ground up sincegetting married on [a] Valentine’sDay,” Linda said. “The styles haveranged from log cabin to Victorian,traditional and rustic western. Thisis the first home we’ve ever refurbished,and it feels the very best.”

The long driveway leading to the homekept drawing Linda back time and timeagain. As a natural decorator, she couldenvision the “diamond in the rough,”although Rusty was unable to wrap hismind around what he considered to be aninsurmountable undertaking. For severalmonths, Rusty remained on the “picket”

At Home With

Rusty and Linda

A Restorative

Journey


Rudd

— By Sandra McIntosh

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It’s a warm home that takes me backto my roots.”

Linda made several trips to the housebefore she seriously began talking toRusty about the possibility of one daycalling it home. It was during theseearly visits that she mapped thehome’s layout on a grid. “I drew outthe floor plan as it actually was andstarted making changes,” she said. “I

had to know what I was working withso I could get bids.”

Rusty, going against his betterjudgment, gave in to his wife’s wishes.“I followed her,” he said, smiling at hiswife of nearly 27 years. When asked ifhe would do it all over again, heanswered quickly and firmly in thenegative. It was at this point thatLinda got the chance to smile back ather husband, because she knew whathe was recalling when he said, “No.”Before they were able to gut thehome’s interior, the vegetation andbrush which had overtaken the exteriorfollowing the passing of WilmaNesuda, the home’s former owner, hadto be removed. That, in and of itself,was a daunting task, but it helpedprepare Rusty and Linda for the challenges that followed.

In her schematic drawings, Lindaremoved the “skinny” doorwaysthroughout the home and incorporatedwindows in the formal dining room


Linda did not leave out a single detail when it came tocreating the comfortable, cozyatmosphere she had envisioned

when first driving down thelane nearly a year ago.



It was important to Linda to keep the home’s integrity intact,while restoring it to its original, primitive, cottage-like state.“I wanted the home to look and feel like it did when it wasbuilt in 1920,” she said, referring to the salvaged beadboardand the white octagon tile floors in both the master bathand the utility room she was successfully able to incorporateinto the home. The original pine floors were replaced withsalvaged oak flooring. Doorways were also enlarged. “Werecycled the baseboards that we removed from around thedoors,” Linda said, as Rusty gave a heavy sigh, rememberingtoo well the job of cutting those baseboards into 36-inchlengths to create wainscoting in the weight room located at

designed from mission doors that had once been found inan old mansion in Fort Worth, Texas. She opened up thedining room and kitchen by removing a large portion of themain wall which separated the two rooms prior to themakeover, turning it into a serving bar with aged, blackgranite countertops matching those found throughout thekitchen and butler’s pantry. Most of her ideas remainedintact, even after she got a local involved. “The only wayRusty would agree to buying and restoring the house was ifwe hired someone to do the work,” Linda said. “Thankfully,the home had good bones, and we were able to keep theskeleton of the home intact.”



the north side of the garage. Linda’s love for red and black is

found in every room throughout thehouse, from the Ralph Lauren red wallsin the dining room to the touches ofblack and red found in the master

bedroom. On first glance, the masterbedroom appears to be all white.“Some people have said the masterbedroom is too feminine,” Linda said.“I’m a romantic, and I think it’s aromantic room.” Always the jokester,Rusty laughingly replied, “Me, too!”

Several very special wall hangings inthe dining room, as well as the familyroom, add a touch of red and blackwhile also holding great sentimental



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value to the couple. “Six of the framedmagazines belonged to Rusty’s latemom, Robbie,” Linda said, fondlyremembering the mother-in-law whowas more like a best friend. “I’vemixed Robbie’s 29 cent magazines,with the mailing labels still attached,with a couple of framed magazinecovers dating back to 1908 and 1910that I found on a shopping trip toRound Top, [Texas].”

So many wonderful things are foundat the Rudd home from the dining roomtable which was handcrafted exclusivelyfor the room, to the cabinetry in thekitchen and the unique wall treatmentin the master bath. Linda did not leaveout a single detail when it came to

Rudd triplets, Linda has worked veryhard at keeping the family unit together.“Family is very important,” she said,adding that if you were to look theword “mother” up in the dictionary,her name would be there. A new yearbrings resolutions which Rusty said aremade to be broken. This year, Lindasaid things will be different. “We’vealways said we were going to slowdown,” she explained. “I believe this is the year we are going to make goodon our promise.”

creating the comfortable, cozy atmosphereshe had envisioned when first drivingdown the lane nearly a year ago. Thebackyard is also a place where memoriesare being made. “We removed thescreened-in porch and added the patio.We drink our morning coffee withChip and Dale,” Rusty said, referringto the wildlife that makes dailyappearances. “When weather permits,we eat our evening meals out here, too.”

As a blended family with five grownchildren, three being the well-known


FFrancis Poplawski, like his father

Frank before him, is a renowned artist.He paints right here in Ennis, and hiswork can be seen all over the world.You will not find it in museums, oreven hanging on the walls of finehomes, because the canvases for Francis’extraordinary talent are airplanes. “We’vebeen painting airplanes for 50 years,”he said. “We’ve painted airplanes fromBolivia to Alaska to California.”

Francis just finished painting a1976 Beechcraft P58. The owner chosea paint design that is typical of anewer model Beechcraft, in a lightblue and silver. “This one took aboutseven weeks to paint,” he said.“Beechcraft is a high-dollar aircraftbuilder and the company spends goodmoney on designers, and they do apretty good job. So, when people havetheir Beechcrafts repainted or restored,

they usually go with a standard colorcombination, because it sells better,”Francis explained.

“But, on experimental aircraft, peoplechoose whatever they want; everyone

tries to outdo everyone else. Peoplecome in and I start pulling color chartsout. Some people know what they want;others don’t. So, I take pictures of airplanes that I have painted, showingdifferent color combinations.” He keeps

photo files of all his painted planes, andthere is an amazing variety. One lookslike a spaceship, in bright red, yellowand blue. One is lime green, anothercalypso red with white and blue trim.

Maroon and blue are themost popular colors. “It isimportant that the designof the paint complimentsthe design of the airplane,”Francis commented.

His specialized artistry isin such demand that he hasa two year waiting list. Thevariety of customers is as wideas their design choices. “One

guy from Round Rock is a military pilot;he teaches formation flight and he doesair shows,” Francis said. One planeFrancis painted has traveled far and wide.“That plane has been around the worlda bunch of times. It holds four people,

Art on the Wing— By Kelly Kovar


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and he has flown people all over.”Francis’ office walls are lined with

photographs bringing to mind thedifferent clients Francis has donepainting for, such as Columbia spaceshuttle astronaut David Brown. TomLandry, former Dallas Cowboys coach,had his plane painted by Francis.

“Tom Landry was flying across Ennisin bad weather,” Francis remembered.“He burned a hole in one of the pistonsand lost all his oil. The engine quit,and he landed behind the new highschool. It was raining and muddy, buthe got down safely.” They brought theplane to the Ennis Airport, whereFrancis has had his studio for 40 years.Landry’s mechanic used the Poplawskishop to put a new engine in the plane.“Tom Landry talked to us and said,‘I’d like to get it painted someday.’ So,he came back in a year or two, and wepainted his plane.”

Francis painted for aviation pioneerEdna Whyte. “She used to race airplanes.She and Amelia Earhart used to runaround together. We’ve known herforever, and we painted, I guess, fiveairplanes for her — pink on every oneof them! Edna got famous in her Cessna140; then she got into Pipers andBonanzas, flying cross-country races.”

Francis has to get high-grade urethanepaint for his work. “Some of the paintis $1,000 a gallon,” he said, since itcontains ultraviolet barriers. When aplane comes in, Francis strips it downto the metal. “You do a section at a


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time; then you clean it. After it iswashed, you have to make sure theseams are dried well, or the paint willpeel. Then you prime it with epoxy.We try to make everything just likenew again,take care of allthe dents andfill them. Youhave to workon the dentsafter youprime it. Youcan’t messwith it toomuch whenthe metal isexposed, orthe aluminumwould get contaminated.” On theexperimental planes, there is a lot offiberglass, as well as aluminum to bepainted, and that takes extra care inthe priming [stage]. “It is a lot ofwork. You could paint an airplane inprobably half the time if you wantedto, but I like to get them nice.”

His attention to detail pays off. Outof several hundred airplanes, one of theplanes Francis painted won first place incraftsmanship at Oshkosh, a large airplanecompetition in Wisconsin. Anotherplane he painted won for its paint jobat Fun in the Sun in Florida. “We wonan international award at Randolph[Randolph Paint Company] for a paintjob we designed.”

“I paint one side of a plane freehand,and then I make paper templates, soboth sides of a plane are the same,”Francis explained. “My favorite part iswhen you get to the part where youpull all the paper off, get your stripescleaned up, put it together, and youcan just see it blossom out.” APoplawski-painted plane is widelysought after by private airplane owners,and valued the world over. “In the aviation world, we have really putEnnis on the map.”


D


David Kilpatrick is the Lady LionsGirls’ Basketball Varsity Coach. “Ourteam motto is play hard, play smart andplay together,” David said. “That camefrom Dean Smith when he was coachingin North Carolina. It encompasseseverything that we are trying to do.”Last year, the Lady Lions went 20 and13, finished third place in the districtand made play-offs. “I think we canmake a nice run for the play-offs thisyear if everything falls into place. Thegirls on the team have a real good relationship with each other and theyhave very positive attitudes.”

When David attended Texas A&M,he began with a business/finance major,but soon realized accounting was notwhere he wanted to spend his life. “At the time, I was coaching a youth

— By Kelly Kovar


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basketball team and also, in the summers, a youth baseball team. I said,‘This is what I like to do. Why not behappy?’” David switched to education,getting a double major, so he is certifiedin secondary English and history andin physical education and health.

David played high school basketballfor his hometown of Hillsboro and reallyenjoyed it, but it did not become acareer goal until he had the opportunityto work with an inspiring head basketballcoach. “He just did a really good job,and after assisting him, basketballbecame my passion.” David began hiscareer 14 years ago as head baseballcoach at Bynum High, a small 1Aschool, and has also coached softball.Coming to Ennis brought David a better opportunity with a bigger schoolthan he had taught in before. “I loveEnnis; the people are good and theadministration is really supportive.They really buy into what we are tryingto do with the basketball team.”

“I really enjoy coaching girls becausethey are eager to learn,” David said.This year’s team has about eightreturning players and there was a goodfield to select the rest of the team from.



“There is a great junior high basketballprogram,” David said. “Girls in thejunior high get a good foundation. Wewould like to get them even earlier. Wehave plans to get in with the fifth- andsixth-graders in the spring and get themstarted on basketball. We are talkingabout putting together a team that

could travel and do tournaments. Forthese kids to get to the highest level,they really need to learn as much asthey can.” Traveling to tournamentsprovides really good competition forthe players.

One of David’s students from lastyear, Shabrina McAdams, is playing atRanger Junior College now. “There arenot a lot of opportunities for girls inbasketball after college. But, basketballgives them the opportunity to get aneducation for free if they are on a basketball scholarship,” David explained.“It is not really hard to get a basketballscholarship for girls; there are lots ofopportunities. You have to go to sometryouts and get your name out there.You just have to be willing to put inthe effort. We drove Shabrina to


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Ranger so she could try out with theirteam and the coach could see her.”

David encourages the girls to beinvolved in league games, when theschool team is out of season. That keepstheir skills up so they are ready for theLions basketball season. “I stay busyyear-round,” David said. “The kids needto know I am behind them, so I go totheir league games. Most of the varsitygirls have played in between 30 and35 games since last season. Games goon spring, summer and fall. Basketballis a very competitive sport comparedto where it was 15 years ago.”

The first 2007 - 2008 Lady Lionsbasketball varsity game was November6, and the last regular season game isFebruary 5. Games, between 30 and35 a season, are on Tuesdays andFridays, with tournaments on weekends.The girls practice during the athleticperiod, and after school, every day exceptgame days and weekends. “Practice ispretty balanced between regular drillsand scrimmaging,” David pointed out.“At the beginning of practice, I blowthe whistle and all the girls come tothe center of the court and high-fiveeach other. I told them that all theSupreme Court chief justices shake handswith each other before a case. I tell thegirls that these gestures symbolize thatthey may have a difference of opinion,but they are putting all that behindthem and working for the commongood of the team.”

“I learned early in my career, thatthe relationship end of it is the mostimportant part of coaching. You haveto let these kids know, on a personallevel, that you care about them,”David said. “The things that we aretrying to do, go far beyond basketballgames. We try to teach these kids discipline, loyalty — and we try toinstill the work ethic that will benefitthem far beyond school. You spend somany hours with those kids; coaches canreally have an impact on them.”


DDiet and exercise. These two things, as simple as they

sound, can make a marked difference in the way you feel,look and live your life. Add a dose of preventative health careto the mix, and you are on your way to living life to itsfullest — no matter what age you are right now.

John D. Abdulian is an internal medicine doctor who specializes in the digestive system, which plays a key role ina person’s overall health. As a gastroenterologist withSouthwestern Digestive Health Physicians, Dr. Abdulian canhelp you understand why healthy foods and maintaining anactive lifestyle are good for you, and diagnose and treathealth problems that are associated with the digestive tract.“Most times, a person will have already seen their familydoctor before they see me, and possibly eliminated other possible causes for their problem,” Dr. Abdulian said. “I consult with other doctors who have referred their patient tome for various tests, procedures or treatment plans, anddetermine a course of action based upon those findings.”

The digestive tract is a complicated organ, responsible forand affecting a wide array of vital functions. Many of us areunaware that the digestive system has an effect on vitalorgans, including the skin, eyes, heart and liver. People who

experience unexplained symptoms are often referred to a gastroenterologist, who has specialized training in internalmedicine that can pinpoint an exact cause of an illness, diseaseor life-threatening condition.

Dr. Abdulian works closely with other specialized andprimary care physicians to provide the best diagnosis andmost effective treatment based upon each individual’s healthcare need. Many times, a gastroenterologist will perform anendoscopy or colonoscopy to examine the gastrointestinaltract. Dr. Abdulian is the only physician in this area to utilize a non-invasive, in-patient procedure called a capsuleendoscopy. A pill-sized, passable video capsule that has itsown lens and light source is swallowed, and displays its imageson a video monitor. The procedure is especially helpful indetermining bleeding from an unknown source. “We arealways available and try to accommodate everyone as quicklyas possible. We strive to provide a very high level of serviceto our patients at all times,” Dr. Abdulian said. “We alsowork with an electronic medical records system, whichenables doctors to receive a consultation the same day thatthe patient is seen.”

Southwestern Digestive Health Physicians offers a full


— By Dia Catalani

Pictured above are Laura Garcia, Gina Chavez and Terrie Martinezstaff members with Southwestern Digestive Health Physicians.

The Internal

Connection

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range of services which manage issuesthat are directly associated to the gastrointestinal system. Indigestion,abdominal pain, colon cancer screenings,liver disorders, poor appetite or unexplained weight loss and frequentheartburn are just a few of the reasons aperson sees a gastroenterologist. “I liketo talk to people, take our time learningabout the problem and put the personat ease,” Dr. Abdulian said. “We have

good feedback from patients who saythey appreciate knowing that they cantake their time in talking to me andlearn how certain procedures, followedby lifestyle changes, can help them feelbetter physically and mentally.”

Dr. John Abdulian is a graduate ofSt. Louis University. The Ennis residentcompleted postdoctoral training atLoma Linda University Medical Centerand completed his internal medicineresidency at San Diego’s Mercy Hospital& Medical Center. Dr. Abdulian andhis wife, Linda, have two children.

Ask your doctor if a consultation witha gastroenterologist is recommended.Southwestern Digestive HealthPhysicians has an office in Ennis at 601S. Clay St. in Suite 108, and inMidlothian at 1441 MidlothianParkway in Suite 100. Most healthinsurance programs are accepted. Dr.Abdulian is affiliated with EnnisRegional Medical Center, BaylorHospital in Waxahachie and MethodistMansfield Medical Center. To set anappointment with Dr. Abdulian, call(972) 875-1800.


“We strive to provide a very high

level of service to our patients at all times.”

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TThis year, Intermediate School

Principal Lori Redning has risen tothe challenge of providing a positivelearning environment for her students.With only a two-week window afterthe Ennis Intermediate School (EIS)was deemed structurally unsafe, thefourth-graders were relocated to theelementary schools. Lori and the fifth-graders, after a brief stay in alocal church, were all housed in theSixth Grade Center (SGC). “Half ofthem are in the building, and half ofthem are in portables which weremade available by high school teacherssharing classrooms,” Lori said.

She attributes much of the successof the transition to the school districtand the community. “We have learnedthat we can survive difficult situations,and work together to accomplish agoal. It has been a district-wide effort.Pretty much everybody kicked in. Alot of people have done a lot to makethis successful.”

“I so miss the fourth-graders. They

come in really little and you get towatch them grow up. Mostly, I missthe teachers that I have worked withfor 10 years. But, forthis year, I think weare settled.” Sharingspace in the SGCmeans four lunch periods, sharing nurses,art teachers and computer lab andoffice people. “Wealready shared librarian,Penny Boston. Sheworked the SGC andthe EIS. Penny and herteam divided the EISbooks, shipping someto every elementaryschool and bringingthe fifth-grade typebooks to the SGC.She is somebody elsewho did a big job very quickly.”

Lori is no stranger to transformingchallenges into opportunities. While the

single mother of teenagers Amanda andJared, Lori took tae kwon do in order tohave something fun to do with her son.

“I got my orangebelt, and I met myhusband, Lonnie, at tae kwon doclasses.” Lonnie andLori, married sevenyears now, have a 6-year-old daughter,Audrey, who is inkindergarten at theEarly ChildhoodCenter. Amanda andJared are now grown.

Lori’s motherJoAnn Muirhead, aSGC reading teacher,mentioned thatstudents had troubleadapting to thesixth-grade bell

schedule. So, Lori phased in a teamteaching approach at the EIS.“Students have a math, language arts,


— By Kelly Kovar

Principal Lori Redning enjoys working with her Weekly Kids News Network (WKNN) team.

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and a science/social studies teacher. Eachteacher has students for 90 minutes,”she explained. “It has helped kidsbecome more organized and more prepared for sixth grade and for juniorhigh, and enables teachers to becomemore expert at their area of teaching.And with TAKS [Texas Assessment ofKnowledge and Skills], that is critical.”

This is Lori’s 18th year in education,and her 10th as a principal. Seeing the

need to provide leadership to her teachers,she implemented a new program. “Ihave a retreat with all my teachers beforeschool starts. It gets us focused and getsus ready for the school year.” Each year,they go somewhere different. “We did therope training a couple of years ago, whereyou have to really trust your teammates.It was an incredible experience.”

When EIS was first established andthe time came to determine what to dofor an annual PTO fundraiser, Lori,who was then the assistant principal,was there for the birth of the pancakebreakfast. “We came up with FlapjackFever from a brainstorming group,”she recalled. “The first year, we set offevery fire alarm in the building. Wehad people lined up for miles outsidethe front door. We couldn’t make pancakes fast enough. It was seriouslythe most stressful morning of my life.It was basically a disaster that turnedout to be great, because everybody lovedthe new building and loved the pancakes.


“We have learned that we can survive difficult situations, and work together

to accomplish a goal. It has been a

district-wide effort.”


After it was all over, we realized wehad fed 7,000 people,” she said.Average sales are usually $25,000,with a $20,000 profit. The event alsoboasts up to 50 raffle prizes which aredonated by various businesses aroundtown. This year’s event is January 26,

and for two weeks prior to that, childrenwill be scouring the community selling$6/adult and $4/children breakfasttickets and $1 raffle tickets. “We awardthe students for selling, because withoutthem, we can’t have it.” Funds raisedfinance field trips, teacher appreciation,school improvements and acceleratedreading (AR) incentives. “Reading isone of the most important life skills. Ilove to read. You have to be able toread if you are going to be successful,”Lori stressed.

Of all the challenges Lori has met,her most original solution has been theestablishment of a student group to makethe morning announcements. “One dayit just came to me, ‘The kids shoulddo the news!’ So, I talked to my giftedand talented teachers, Mrs. Walker andMrs. Burns, who became co-sponsorswith me of a student news group. “Wehad tryouts; we did a workshop, andWeekly Kids News Network, WKNN,was begun.” This is the third year forWKNN, and the students really likeit. “They are having to learn to speakin [public] and it lets me be involvedwith a group of kids that belong tome and are excited about what theyare doing. I love it.”



A

14 essential nutrients. When we paveor add soil, it really fouls up theabsorption. Protect the tree from thosebig machines by creating a barrierwith that ugly, but effective, orangefence as far out from the trunk as youcan. A four- to six-inch layer of mulchover the area will protect it from thecompacting of large machinery thatknocks down your fence. Avoid the filldirt around the tree as much as possiblesince it will slowly strangle the treeover a period of several years. Thosepavers with holes in them offer somehelp in getting the moisture and airdown to the roots if you must coverpart of the area.

If you are putting in irrigation orunderground lines, tunnel two to fourfeet below the surface rather thantrenching. It will avoid most of thefeeding roots. Root pruning is a last-gapmeasure, but necessary if you want a

level surface area. It will promote arush of new growth and reduce thechance of root rot.

The tree canopy of the earth isquickly diminishing. We can see it aswe drive down the highway and noticethe dozers knocking down second growthtrees in preparation for yet anothershopping mall or housing addition.When the rains have no place to beabsorbed, they tend to run into ourhomes, etc. Not a pretty thought! Lessnoticeable is the oxygen that thosedestroyed trees were producing andthe CO2 they were taking out of theatmosphere. Let us all do our share byplanting trees, taking care of the oneswe have, and encouraging the buildersto think before bulldozing buildingsites with trees.

Nancy Fenton is a Master Gardener inEllis County.

— By Nancy Fenton

Are you planning some remodelingor new construction for your home thisyear? Let us consider how to do itwhile protecting those big trees youlove. If you are thinking aboutexpanding your home or your drivewaythis year, consider looking at it fromthe tree’s point of view. Our gracious,old trees have had a lifetime to put outthose roots past the edges of their dripline using them to absorb water and

’08 Resolution —

Save a Tree!


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Czech Heritage Folks, top left and top center, from the Ennis Czech Heritage Society offer information and history to visitors at the FallFestival, including demonstrations of a Czech post hole digger. In November, Jennifer Fiedler, Miss Teen Ellis County, 2008, top right on theleft,and Lana Luise Thomas, Miss Ellis County 2008, appeared together in Ennis in November. Several girls have a “dancing good time”bottom left, while manning the girls’ volleyball booth at the Ennis Fall Festival. Karlan and Jayci Hightower, bottom center,along with their little Aunt McKenna Moffet, dressed in black, enjoyed face painting, hair painting and snowcones at the Fall Festival. Chrisand Melony Rebuck, bottom right, enjoyed an outing with daughter, Megan.

A


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Peggy Hunter, top left, greeted guests to her home for a Christmas home tour. Kelly Kovar,Dana White, Diane Barker and Jennifer Colburn, top center, enjoyed the holiday decorationsat Sondra Bennett’s home. Rachel Bishop and friends, top right, manned a Women’s ResourceCenter booth to encourage community support. The Circle of Friends Home Tour, bottom left,had delightful surprises for visitors including an authentic 1950s soda fountain. Ennis CareCenter, bottom center, hosted a retirement party for 40-year employee, McBeth Spencer. EnnisRegional Medical Center’s Dr. Basem Jassin, middle right, welcomes new CEO, DavidAnderson at a reception in Anderson’s honor at Ennis Country Club. Friends Randell Kelly,Guy Pierce and Greg Brown, bottom right, wear matching “Kelly Manor” shirts depicting theKelly’s haunted house.


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juice, bacon and chopped chicken breast.Salt and pepper to taste. Heat thoroughlyand serve.

CORNMEAL MEATBALLS

1 lb. ground beef2 Tbsp. chopped onion1 tsp. chili powder1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard1 1/2 tsp. salt1 1/2 tsp. pepper1/2 cup milk1 egg1/4 cup cornmeal1/2 cup cornmeal (to roll meatballs)2 cups V-8 juice

Combine first 9 ingredients. Mix well andform into 1-inch balls. Roll meatballs in

CHICKEN TOMATO SOUP

6 mushrooms sliced or 1 4-oz. can sliced mushrooms

1 medium onion, chopped3 - 4 stalks celery, chopped2 - 3 Tbsp. chicken broth2 10 3/4-oz. cans tomato soup1 pt. half-and-half1 pt. whipping or heavy cream1 tsp. lime juice4 - 5 slices crisp bacon, crumbled3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

(cooked, cooled, chopped and/or shredded)

salt and pepper to taste

In Dutch oven, sauté mushrooms, onionsand celery in chicken broth until tender.Add soup, half-and-half, whip cream, lime

IN THE KITCHEN WITH NINA WALKER

Look Who’s

Cooking

cornmeal and quickly brown on all sides inlightly greased pan. Remove meatballsfrom skillet and place in saucepan. Add V-8juice and simmer on low for 45 minutes.

APPLE SALAD

1 cup sugar2 Tbsp. flour1 egg, beaten3/4 cup water1/4 cup vinegar2 bananas, sliced3 apples, cored and sliced1/2 cup chopped pecans

Mix sugar with flour. Add egg, water andvinegar. Mix with dry ingredients in saucepanand heat on medium heat. Stir as mixturecomes to a boil and thickens. Let cool and

— By Stephanie Brewer

Nina Walker first discovered a love for cooking during her 4H participation as a child. A farm girl from

Perryton, Texas, she was first in her family to attend college. She graduated from Texas Women’s University inDenton with a degree in home economics. Nina still teachestoday in the Ferris ISD. “Most of my inspiration came frommy high school home economics teacher; that is when Ireally knew what I wanted to do,” she said. “I like to eat,and so does my family. I love to see their faces filled withenjoyment and the sense of warmth and family.” Soupdishes are some of her favorite to prepare, but as Nina said,“I’ve no real preference; I just love to cook.”


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refrigerate 1 hour. Pour cooled sauce oversliced bananas and chopped apples andtoss. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.

SESAME BREAD

1 pkg. dry activated yeast1 1/2 cup warm water1/4 cup sugar1 tsp. salt3 1/2 cups flour2 eggs (set in warm water to bring to

room temperature)1 stick margarine1/2 can sesame seeds

Mix yeast and water together and set asideaccording to directions. Add sugar, salt andflour to yeast mix. Let rise one hour. Stir down.Pour into greased 9 x 13-inch pan. Meltmargarine and pour over top. Sprinkle with1/2 can sesame seeds. Let rise 30 minutes.Bake 20 minutes in preheated 400 F oven.

RITZ CRACKER PIE

3 egg whites, beaten1 tsp. vanilla1 cup sugar20 Ritz crackers, crushed1 cup pecans1 cup Cool Whip

Mix egg whites with vanilla and sugar. Addcrushed crackers and pecans. Pour intopie pan and cook 20 minutes at 325 F.Cover with Cool Whip to top.

CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIE

1 1/4 cup margarine, softened2 cups sugar2 eggs2 tsp. vanilla2 cups unsifted flour3/4 cup cocoa1 tsp. baking soda1/2 tsp. salt1 cup finely chopped nuts

Cream margarine and sugar. Add eggs andvanilla. Blend. Add remaining dry ingredients.Drop onto greased baking sheet and bakeat 350 F for 8 - 9 minutes. Cookies will puffand then flatten during cooling. Cool atleast 1 minute on cookie sheet.


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AAs you are no doubt aware, 2008 is

a presidential election year. As a citizen,you may well have a great deal ofinterest in the election. But how aboutas an investor? How does an electionyear affect the investment climate?And — again from the perspective ofan investor — does it matter who wins?

To begin with, let us examine how thestock market reacted in the past to theselection of a president. The Dow Jonesindustrial average rose in nine of thepast 11 presidential election years, withan average gain of slightly more thannine percent. So it is clear that, for themost part, the market has done prettywell when America goes to the polls.


Will PresidentialElection Year

— By Angie Wingo-Juenemann

Does the election or re-election of apresident just make us more optimistic,leading us to invest more heavily andthereby drive up the markets? Probablynot. In reality, many factors — such ascorporate profits, geopolitical concerns,interest rates and inflation — drivestock prices. This is true in all years,whether an election is held or not.Consequently, stock returns from pastpresidential election years, whileimpressive, cannot serve as a reliablepredictor of what the market might doin 2008.

Now, let us turn to the next question:As an investor, how will the outcomeof the election affect you? There is notreally a simple answer. In the past, thestock market has performed well —and performed poorly — under bothDemocrats and Republicans. Of course,candidates of both parties will havedifferent priorities and try to enact different economic agendas, and thesepriorities may have some impact —although one that is notoriously hardto predict — on different market sectors. In short, no one can accuratelyforecast the effect of this November’selection on the financial markets, andthat will not change even after the

nominees are known.Instead of pondering the “what-ifs”

involved in a presidential election, youare much better off following sometried-and-true investment strategies.Here are a few to consider:

• Keep on investing.

World events may be good or bad,and the stock market may be up or down — but no matter what happens,the most successful investors stay in themarket. Look for quality investmentsand hold them until either your needschange, or the investments themselvesundergo some type of transformation.

• Know your risk tolerance.

If you are losing sleep at night overyour investments, you are probablytaking on more risk than the amountwith which you are comfortable. Atthe same time, if your investments areputting you to sleep, they may be tooconservative, which could mean theyare not providing the growth necessaryto help you meet your goals. Strive for a balance that fits your investmentpersonality.

Affect Investors?

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HHeart Disease is the number one

killer of American women. One outof three women dies of heart disease.I hope that I now have your attention.We are women, the fairer sex. Men arethe ones who die of heartattacks, are they not? Sorryladies! And for those of us who were told that it isunfashionable to sweat,sweat should now be yourgoal! Teach this mantra toyour children (especially yourdaughters) so that we maydelay/prevent cardiovascularfatalities and disabilities.

Let us learn some commonfacts of heart disease, and letus begin by addressing this problem at its beginning: young women andpre-adolescent girls. Physical activitydrops dramatically as girls becometeenagers, and about 14 - 15 percent

of girls, teenagers and young womenare physically inactive. Of girls ages 6 - 19, almost 15 percent are overweight.Did you know 30 percent of girls ingrades nine — 12 reported using

tobacco products in2001 and that 80 percent of currentsmokers began beforethe age of 18? Parents,it is time to have atalk with your girls.

Okay, so you areno longer a girl. Youhave reached middleage. Welcome to lifeat/after menopause.This is a huge

milestone! It is also where your heartdisease risk starts to rise significantly.Read carefully. Approximately 88,000women ages 45 - 64 have a heart attackeach year. About half the women who

Heart Health for Women: have a heart attack before age 65 diewithin eight years. Heart disease incidence rates are two — three timeshigher for postmenopausal womenthan for those who have not yetbegun or are undergoing menopause.

Here are some statistics about olderwomen and those who have alreadyhad a heart attack. About 372,000women aged 65 and older will have aheart attack each year. Most have theirfirst at about 70. About 35 percent whohave a heart attack will have anotherin six years. Women are more likely todie than men within weeks of a heartattack and about half of those wholive will be disabled with heart failure.

Take Home Lesson:You cannot change your genetics or

your age, but you can exercise at least30 minutes three times a week (pleaseconsult your physician first). You can

The Cold “Heart” Facts


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watch your diet. You can get yourcholesterol checked and take activemeasures to lower it, i.e. the first twomeasures written above. If you do notsmoke, do not start, and if you do —stop. You can get your blood pressuremeasured and take active steps tolower it, i.e. the first two measureswritten above. (Getting the picture?)If you are overweight or obese, and62 percent of women fall into one of those categories, see the first tworecommendations! Last, but neverleast, if you are a diabetic, controllingyour blood sugars is of paramountimportance. Taking an active role in thiswith diet and exercise can help reduceblood sugars, and in those who aregenetically predisposed, these measuresmay prevent or delay onset.

Medical Staff Physician, Navarro Regional Hospital


ENJan08p42-43Health.qxd 12/18/07 9:27 AM Page 43


January 2008 Community Calendar

Every MondayLadies’ Bible Study, “Redeeming the Tears”; Men’s“Round Table Bible Study and Topical Discussion”;Arena Barrel Practice (weather permitting), 7:00 p.m.,Cowboy Church of Ennis.

Every WednesdayYouth Group (grades 7-12) and Pre-teens (grade 3-6),7:00 p.m., Cowboy Church of Ennis main church area.

Every ThursdayTeam roping practice, 7:00 p.m., Cowboy Church ofEnnis outdoor arena, weather permitting.

Every Friday and SaturdayLive Bands at Red Moon Cafe. For upcoming events goto www.theredmooncafe.com.

Every SaturdayMen’s Saturday morning breakfast, hosted by theCowboy Church of Ennis, 7:00 a.m. Location: TheRanch House Cafe, I-45 at Exit 242 in Rice.

Tuesday – SaturdaysEnnis Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, 8:00 p.m., 1301 S. Kaufman.

DailyGrace Recovery Group, 8:00 p.m., 107 S.W. MainStreet. This is a support group for recovery from drugand alcohol addiction. (972) 921-3275.

January 2“Live Karaoke With Doc,” 8:30 p.m. – 12:00 a.m., RedMoon Cafe. For more information, log on to their Website at www.theredmooncafe.com.

January 3Circle of Friends monthly meeting, 7:00 p.m. Circle ofFriends is an Ellis County Women’s Group that meetsthe first Thursday of every month. New membersenthusiastically welcomed. To confirm date and locationcall (972) 878-0740.

January 5Corsicana Opry at Martin’s Music Hall. Dining: 6:00p.m. Show: 7:00 p.m., 201 South Beaton in Corsicana.Spotlighting: Zanada Tally, Dave Young, Matt Siwinski,Roy Sykes, Michael McCluney, Billy Lewis and VirginiaMartin. Show tickets $10. For more information call(903) 872- 8226.

January 7 and 21Ennis City Commission. Workshop: 6:00 p.m.Meeting: 7:00 p.m., City Hall Commissioner’s chambersat 115 W. Brown St. Open to the public.

January 8Ennis Masonic Lodge # 369 Monthly Stated Meeting.Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Meeting: 7:30 p.m., 209 N. DallasStreet.

Ennis Independent School District Board of Trusteesmeeting, 7:00 p.m. Citizens welcome. Notify KathyWillingham at (972) 875-9027 if you wish to address the board.

January 9Curbside Recycling second Wednesday of each month. Obtain free yellow recycling bags at City Hall.(972) 875-1234.

January 12Ennis Brotherhood Breakfast (Interdenominational

men’s group), 7:30 a.m., Baylor Baptist Church. Visitorswelcome. For more information contact GeorgeSchneider at [email protected].

January 15Ellis County Republicans monthly meeting. WaxahachieChamber of Commerce building, 102 YMCA Drive. Call(972) 937-2390 for time of meeting.

January 17Lodge SPJST No. 25 members meeting, 8:00 p.m. Formore information, call (972) 875-5571.

January 19Ennis’ Martin Luther King Celebration. Community Fest and Health Fair. 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., BowieElementary School, 501 Jeter Drive. For more information, contact Ennis Convention and Visitor’sBureau (972) 878-4748.

January 24Ennis York Rite Bodies. Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Meeting: 7:30 p.m.,209 N. Dallas Street.

February 1 - 2Always, Patsy Cline. 7:30 p.m. each evening, PalaceTheatre in Corsicana. To purchase tickets from theWarehouse Box Office call (903) 872-5421. Ticketsprices: $30 for orchestra, $20 for lower balcony and$15 for upper balcony.

February 1 - 3CASI-sanctioned chili cook-off benefiting the EllisCounty Children’s Advocacy Center and GingerbreadHouse. Ellis County Expo Center in Waxahachie. Lotsof activities and fun. For more information contact Kay Lefler at (972) 646-5159 or Theresa Haskovec at(972) 938-0075.

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