Food + Beverage

Where Families Gather

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

Life + Culture

Second Chances

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

Life + Culture

One More Summer Adventure

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

Travel

Historic Waters, Modern Revival

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

Travel

Where Railways and Wilderness Meet

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

Travel

Beyond the Tasting Room

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

Life + Culture

Celebrating 250 Years of the American Spirit

Independence Day Events Across the Community Article by Rebekah Giddens This July 4th marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As Americans across the country prepare to mark this milestone in our history, we’re putting the spotlight on local celebrations—especially those incorporating and supporting small businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit that’s forever ingrained in American history and culture. So get ready for a fun-filled evening of activities...

Health + Wellness

More Than a Policy

The Kral Insurance Group Approach Article by Jessica Crandall Lawrence | Photography by Provided At first glance, Kral Insurance Group may appear to be a trusted neighborhood agency, but a closer look reveals something far more distinctive. Owners Casey and Trisha Kral have built their business on a model that goes beyond the expected by blending vast experience with a personal approach.   What sets the Krals apart isn’t just their knowledge of insurance. Together they offer a powerful...

Life + Culture

Coworking, Community, and Connection in Willow Park

Kings Gate Offers a Refined Workspace for Parker County’s Entrepreneurs and Remote Professionals Article by Rebekah Giddens | Photography by Provided Work schedules have changed dramatically over the last several years, with more companies and working professionals choosing hybrid or fully remote work locations. This development played a big part in the creation of Kings Gate Coworking Space.   “At Kings Gate, we believe in the power of connection,” says Josh Wilks, the company’s Executive...

Education

At the Helm of Weatherford College

How the Tenure of President Tod Allen Farmer has Expanded the Historic Institution of Higher Learning Article and Photography by Jessica Crandall Lawrence Weatherford College is burgeoning into a season of unprecedented growth. With nearly 8,000 students, this historic academic institution was built in 1869 and stands as the oldest continuous community college west of the Mississippi River. It is also the single largest economic driver in Parker County. In recent years, the college has...