Palo Pinto County

Resources and Services

Newcomers Guide
Mineral
Wells
Index
June 2012
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June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 2
YOU FIRST
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June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 3
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Cities
Mineral Wells, Palo Pinto County have a deep, colorful history
If you are a new resident, welcome to
Mineral Wells and Palo Pinto County.
You have to come to a place with a color-
ful and fascinating past few other cities
and counties can hold a glass to.
Its a story that naturally flows. Lets
tap into that story ...
Settlers arrived in the area that would
become Palo Pinto County in the mid-
19th century. In 1856, the Texas
Legislature carved the county out of parts
of two other counties: Bosque and
Navarro. The following year, white set-
tlers began to put down roots in the wild
country.
The area was ranching country, and in
the 1850s and 60s became home to such
notable cowmen as Charles Goodnight
and Oliver Loving, who served as charac-
ter models for Larry McMurtrys
Pulitzer-prize-winning novel Lonesome
Dove.
Together, Goodnight and Loving pio-
neered a cattle trail swinging west then
north and are considered pivotal in the
development of the Texas cattle industry.
Both these men gathered range cattle
and lived and ranched in the area.
Ranching pioneers like Goodnight and
Loving, the Slaughters, Cowdens and
Curretons set the rural tone of the coun-
ty; but in 1877 a man destined to change
the area forever, wandered into the area.
James Alvis Lynch and his family had
been living near Denison, Texas, but had
loaded up the wagon and rolled west in
search of a better climate, one less con-
ducive to malaria. Most of the Lynch
band suffered from this disease.
Initially hauling water from the near-
by Brazos River, in 1878 Lynch tried to
dig a well. He ended up with a dry hole.
Back to the long haul.
Then, in July of 1880, an itinerant well
driller stopped in the valley and Lynch
negotiated a trade: a yoke of oxen for the
drillers completing the well. This time
the hole was wet, but the water found at
the bottom stunk and tasted foul.
At first the Lynch family shied away
from the mysterious water. But soon they
began to drink the water, first cautiously
then freely. Their malarial symptoms and
See HISTORY, page 4
The founder of Mineral Wells James
Alvis Lynch.
For more information, contact:
Bill McGaha, General Manager
Highway 180 East
Mineral Wells, Tx. 76067
(940) 325-9442
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 4
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Join us for B-I-N-G-O
Palo Pinto Nursing & Rehab Center
invites you...
Date: 2nd Wednesday of every month
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: Palo Pinto Nursing & Rehab Center
In addition to fun & prizes, we will also be
providing a boxed lunch to every attendee!
Please R.S.V.P. your spot immediately!
Caller to be Announced
call 940-531-2875 for transportation
B
I
N
G
O
Palo Pinto Nursing & Rehab Center
200 SW 25th Ave Mineral Wells, TX 76067
Phone: (940) 325-7813 Fax: (940) 234-7230
[email protected]
HISTORY
From page 3
rheumatism are said to have abated
miraculously!
Mineral Wells blossomed around
Judge Lynchs well, and others were
quick to get in on the mineralized bonan-
za. By the 1890s some 200 wells had been
drilled in the burgeoning town of Mineral
Wells and healthseekers from near and
far were swarming the area.
Under the banner Where America
Drinks Its Way to Health, Mineral Wells
exploded onto the national scene, draw-
ing a wide variety of visitors. A casual
perusal of the Baker Hotels guest list
would reveal such noteworthy names as
Ronald Reagan and Roy Rogers, Lyndon
Johnson and Clark Gable. Also
early western star Tom Mix, the
Three Stooges, iron-duked Jack
Dempsey, blonde bombshell Jean
Harlow, Marlene
Dietrich, Will Rogers and Helen Keller.
The Crazy Hotel, which preceded the
Baker, was oil-money lavish and the cen-
tral landmark of the City Built on
Water. But when the 14-story Baker
rose across the way and opened in
November 1929, it left the Crazy, at
seven stories, below the clouds. And
with 400 rooms and space for some 50
apartments, the Baker more than dou-
bled the accommodation potential of the
Crazy, which was built in 1912.
Today the second Crazy (fire destroyed
the first in 1925) sits vacant after recently
operating as a retirement home.
The Baker, though boarded up to the
public, still looms above the city and its
little mountains like a great, sculpted
monolith, a monument to a splen-
did past. It is, indisputably, a
landmark, and one which
can be seen from
miles away
in many directions.
Mineral Wells water days were, of
course, numbered, but one business,
Famous Water Company on N.W. 6th
Street, established in 1904 by Ed
Dismuke, still bottles and sells the water,
having purchased the Crazy appella-
tion. Nowhere else can you step back in
time and sample the water that made
Mineral Wells famous.
Mineral Wells may have been built on
water, but the town received quite a
shot in its economic arm when the
military located here. That story is told
elsewhere in this special publication.
Mineral Wells today is a place
that has survived the comings
and goings of water and oil
booms and the military. Since
the base closed the city
has worked to
diversify its
eco-
nomic base.
The city through most of the past
decade experienced welcome growth in
various business and economic sectors
that was stunted with the economic crisis
beginning in 2008, similar to almost every
other city and town, large and small,
throughout the nation. Recent trends
show new signs of recovery of growth as
we move through the early stages of this
decade.
Cities
The iconic Baker Hotel towers
over the local landscape, visible
for miles and still a draw for
people who want to take a clos-
er look. While it has seen better
days, an effort is under way to
renovate the historic building.
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 5
Specializes in treatment of:
Kidney stones
Prostate cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, testis cancer
Incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine)
Prolapse of vagina
Impotence
Complex urinary tract infections
Vasectomy
Microscopic reconstructive surgery
Male infertility
Prostate problems
Investigations of urinary system/problems
400 SW 25th Ave Mineral Wells
925 Santa Fe Suite 112 Weatherford
866-968-6051
Avi Deshmukh, MD, FACS, MBA
Diplomat of American Board
of Urology
~~
Fellow of American College of
Surgeons
MBA
25 Years of Personalized Dental Care
301 NW 3rd Ave.
940-325-4909
Welcome To Mineral Wells
City of Mineral Wells
Website: www.mineralwellstx.gov
Type of government: City council /city
manager
City council
Comprised of a mayor elected at-large,
two council members elected at-large and
four council members representing four
city wards. Mayor and council members
are elected to two-year terms. The council
meets the first and third Tuesday evening
of the month
Mayor: Mike Allen,
manufacturing.
At-Large Place 1:
Rick Bennett, juvenile
probation officer, pastor.
At-Large Place 2:
Margaret Colton.
Ward 1: Thomas
Lively, restaurant manag-
er.
Ward 2: Tammy Underwood, cus-
tomer support director.
Ward 3: John Upham, inventory
manager.
Ward 4: Kevin Harrison, Corrections
Corporation of America.
Administrative
City Manager: Lance Howerton,
(940) 328-7703.
The city manager is
responsible for adminis-
tering all city depart-
ments, city policies and
ordinances with the
advice and direction of
city council.
City Clerk: Juanita
Formby, (940) 328-7702.
The city clerk is sec-
retary to the city coun-
cil, conducts city elections and certifies
returns, acts as city records management
officer and is local registrar of birth and
death records.
City Finance Director: Kathy Bannon,
(940) 328-7712.
The finance director is responsible for
accounting and financial reporting,
municipal courts and city utility service.
Director of Public Works: Bobby
Baker, (940) 328-7775.
The director of public works adminis-
ters city departments responsible for
streets, water, sanitation and sewer ser-
vices and maintains city vehicle fleet and
cemeteries.
City Attorney: George Gault, (940)
325-6973.
The city attorney advises city council
and city staff and represents the city in
legal matters.
Building Official: Robert Turk, (940)
328-7716.
The building official issues certificates
of occupancy and inspects all construc-
tion, electrical, plumbing and mechanical
work performed within city limits. He
also supervises personnel responsible for
food service inspection and code enforce-
ment.
Parks and Recreation
Superintendent: Donnie Hoover, (940)
328-7805.
The superintendent administers city
recreational programs and maintains the
city pool and gym and all park facilities.
Municipal Court Judge: Robert F.
Watson, (940) 328-7733.
Municipal Court Clerk: Annette
McAllester, (940) 328-7733.
The court clerk collects fines and war-
rants, administers court proceedings and
maintains police department records.
Animal Control and Animal Shelter:
101 Farm-to-Market Road 2256, (940) 328-
7752.
Animal control officers are responsible
for enforcing laws regarding stray and
unwanted animals. They also oversee
shelter operations, investigate animal
cruelty complaints and administer the
adoption program.
Emergency Services
Emergency calls: 911
Non-emergency calls: (940) 328-7770
Chief of Police: Dean Sullivan, (940)
328-7760
The chief of police
supervises law
enforcement officers,
code enforcement
department and ani-
mal control officers.
Fire Chief: Robin
Allen, (940) 328-7730
The fire chief super-
vises firefighters and
emergency medical service technicians.
The department operates and maintains
city ambulances and coordinates helicop-
ter ambulance service.
See CITY, page 6
Cities
Council-manager form of government oversees local municipal operations
Allen
Howerton
Sullivan
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 6
Neil Bealka, MD
Eye Exams
Cataract Surgery
Glaucoma Treatment
Treatment of Eye Disease
940-325-3295
2801 Hwy 180 E Suite 6
Mineral Wells
Mineral Wells Eye Clinic
CITY
From page 5
Facilities
Municipal Airport
5300 Airport Road
(940) 328-7808
Airport Supervisor: Bobby Bateman
The airport supervisor directs staff
responsible for fueling and sheltering air-
craft and maintaining hangars, grounds
and other airport facilities.
City Gym
734 Warren Drive
(940) 328-7803
Hours of operation: Monday-
Thursday, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-7
p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (9 a.m. - 3
p.m. during summer)
Fees: 20 visits for Mineral Wells resi-
dents - $30; non-residents - $35; $3 daily.
Family rate $40 for 20 visits for residents
and $45 for non-residents.
Aquatic Center-West City Park
1200 W. Hubbard St.
(940) 328-7860
Opens last week of May
Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday,
12 p.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday closed.
Fees: $3 per person or 20 visits for $45.
Mineral Wells Fossil Park
2375 Indian Creek Road
Gates open: Friday-Monday, 8 a.m.
Dusk.
Woodland Park Cemetery
2600 Hwy 281 South
Gates open: 8 a.m. Dark
Convenience Station
401 FM Road 2256
(940) 328-7833
Hours of operation: Tuesday, Thursday
and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Materials accepted: Plastic, glass,
metal, newspaper, cardboard, brush,
couches, mattress and roofing materials.
Material not accepted: anything with
Freon, paint, tires, batteries or hazardous
materials.
Cost: Prices vary depending on city or
county residency and the material dis-
carded.
The City of Mineral Wells has contract-
ed with Emergency Communications
Network Inc. for its CodeRED high-speed
telephone emergency notification servic-
es.
The CodeRED system gives city offi-
cials the ability to deliver recorded emer-
gency telephone information messages to
residents in a timely manner.
This system allows city officials to tele-
phone all or targeted areas of the city in
case of an emergency situation that
requires immediate action, such as an
evacuation, contaminated water, hazard-
ous chemical spill, etc. The system is
capable of calling everyone in the entire
city within minutes.
The system delivers a recorded mes-
sage describing the situation to a live per-
son or an answering machine in the
affected area, possibly including instruc-
tions requiring immediate action on the
part of the recipient.
A list of landline telephone numbers of
individuals residing inside the city limits
of Mineral Wells has been added to the
CodeRED system. However, it is likely
that not all phone numbers of residents
and residential and business property
owners within the incorporated limits are
included. No one should automatically
assume his or her phone number is regis-
tered. All businesses should register, as
well as all individuals who have unlisted
phone numbers, who have changed their
phone number or address within the last
year, or those who use a mobile phone as
their primary home phone.
Additional phone numbers, including
mobile phones, can be added to the list.
You can add phone numbers online by
visiting the Mineral Wells CodeRED web-
site off the homepage at www.mineral-
wellstx.gov or by calling the Mineral
Wells City Clerks office at (940) 328-7700
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
to give information over the phone.
Required information includes first
and last name, street address (physical
address, no PO boxes), city, state, ZIP
code and primary phone number. If a
mobile phone is given as the primary
phone number, the name of the service
provider is also required.
When registering you can opt to
receive CodeRED weather warnings.
Residents can receive local weather, public
emergency alerts through CodeRED system
mineralwellsindex.com
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 7
Cities
Boyce Ditto Public Library, a public
library serving Mineral Wells and Palo
Pinto County, has a total of 45,000 items.
Hours are: Sunday and Monday
closed; Tuesday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.;
Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Thursday
and Friday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 10
a.m. - 1 p.m. The phone number is (940)
328-7880.
Contents
The library contains 50,000 volumes,
including audio books and books. It
offers childrens services, genealogy,
large-print books, outreach programs,
paperback exchange, periodicals, refer-
ence materials, meeting room, tours of
the library, Internet access, photocopier,
displays, inter-library loan, VHS/DVDs,
pre-school story time, summer reading
club and local history section and lec-
tures on CD.
Cardholders may also download
ebooks by visiting mineralwellspublicli-
brary.org or ntexlibrariesonthego.org.
Registration for the Summer Reading
Club for children, teens and adults
begins in early June and the last program
is in late July. Call for times. Children
attend story hour and read on their own
time to achieve certificates and other
awards.
Facility
The citizens of Mineral Wells have had
a library since 1907, founded under the
auspices of the Library Committee of the
Friday History Club. The club continued
its support for many years. From its orig-
inal location in the Elks Club, the library
moved to Dr. Eastlands office in the
Crazy Water Pavilion, to City Hall in
1947 and then to the corner of S.W. 1st
Street and S.W. 1st Avenue in 1969.
Boyce Ditto worked as a soda fountain
jerk at the Crazy Water Pavilion for many
years. Mr. Ditto left the proceeds of his
estate in 1969 to improve the quality of
library service to the citizens of Mineral
Wells.
Also in that year, the library became a
city department with a seven-member
advisory board. The library board makes
policy recommendations to the city coun-
cil for their consideration.
The present facility, dedicated in 1986,
was constructed in part with federal
funds, matching Boyce Ditto Trust Funds
and City of Mineral Wells bond funds.
The librarys automated catalog and
circulation system was installed in 1996.
Computers connected to the Internet
were added in 1998.
Registration
To check out materials and use select-
ed library equipment, the applicant must
become a registered borrower and must
present his/her Boyce Ditto Public
Library Borrowers Card each time he/
she borrows library materials, selected
equipment or uses the public access/
Internet computers. Library borrowers
cards are nontransferable.
Up to 20 items can be borrowed at a
time.
To obtain a Library Borrowers Card
and become a registered borrower, the
applicant must supply one of the follow-
ing showing their current place of resi-
dence:
See LIBRARY, page 8
Boyce Ditto Public Library offers much more than books
Waddy Pharmacy
106 SW 6th Ave., Mineral Wells
(940) 325-0734
www.mybestvaluerx.com
Voted #1 Pharmacy and
#1 Pharmacist in Palo Pinto County
www.mybestvaluerx.com
Eddie Ramsey, R.Ph.
We can fill your new prescriptions in 10 minutes or less in most cases.
We are a family-owned pharmacy group. We believe we have something unique:
convenience, fast service, and a caring attitude. Our copay is the same as
the chains and we accept most insurance.
Your Compounding
Specialists
Fast-
Friendly
Service
OPEN
8AM - 6PM
M-F
8AM - NOON
SAT
L-R: Front: Jason Carter - CPhT, Brianne Gillespie - Cashier, Tonya Gregg - CPhT
Back: Jeff Southern - CPhT, Linda Pierce - CPhT, (Not pictured: Kathy Tatem - Cashier)
Voted #3
Pharmacist
Voted #1
Pharmacist Robert Waddy, R.Ph.
601 N. FM 1821
940-325-7808
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 8
FUNERAL HOME
Since 1892
Insured or Non-Insured
Pre-Need Arrangements
Traditional or Contemporary Services
Free DVD Service (in chapel only)
VOTED #1 FUNERAL HOME IN PALO PINTO COUNTY
940-325-4422
302 W. Hubbard St., Mineral Wells, TX
www.bcbfuneralhome.com
B
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- Carlock - B
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PRICE
SURVEYING
MICHAEL PRICE, RPLS
MATTHEW PRICE, RPLS PHILIP COLVIN, RPLS
All Types of Land Surveying
(940) 325-4841 (940) 325-8090 fax
www.pricesurveying.com
213 South Oak Ave., Mineral Wells, TX 76067
LIBRARY
From page 7
A valid Texas drivers license.
A valid Texas Department of Public Safety photo identification card.
A valid out-of-state drivers license.
A valid Weatherford College ID card.
A valid United States military ID card.
(If the address on any of these is not current, then the patron must supply two of
the following alternate forms of proof of current residence.)
Utility bill with the name of applicant.
Rent receipt or apartment lease receipt paid within the last 30 days.
Ad valorem tax receipt.
Voter registration card.
Texas Automobile Liability Insurance Card.
Personal pre-printed check with number sequence beginning in the four digits.
Cancelled mail with postmark within the last 30 days.
The applicant, 18 years of age or over, must complete the Registered Borrowers
Application Form.
The information required on the form includes:
Applicants full name.
Applicants full address.
Applicants telephone number.
Applicants birth date.
Applicants business telephone number.
Full name of contact person not living with the applicant.
Contact persons full address.
Contact persons telephone number.
Applicants signature.
If the applicant is under 18 and unmarried, a parent or legal guardian must com-
plete the Registered Borrowers Application Form.
Anyone living in Palo Pinto County may apply for a free card.
Cities
MW Senior Center offers
programs, classes and more
The Mineral Wells Senior Center offers the communitys more mature citizens
opportunities to have fun, socialize, stay fit and eat nutritionally.
The center is located at 102 N.W. 6th Ave., and the phone number is (940) 325-
6470. The director is Vivian Conrad.
The center is open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Mineral Wells
Senior Center is a non-profit organization supported by the United Way of Palo
Pinto County and hosts annual fundraisers such as Taste of Palo Pinto County on
the third Saturday of July, a garage sale and more.
Senior Expo Health Care held the first Friday of September, offering work-
shops and health screenings provided by area health-care agencies.
Computer classes are held every Monday from 9-11 a.m. for beginners and 1-3
p.m. for more experienced users.
Art classes are held each Thursday at 10 a.m.
The center hosts line dancing each Thursday from 9-11 a.m.
General exercise held 11-11:30 a.m. each Thursday and Wii bowling held 9:30-
11 a.m. each Tuesday.
Monthly activities:
Diabetic foot care first and third Friday.
Health education classes third Wednesday.
Dances second Friday from 6:30-9 p.m.
Movie night third Monday from 6-8 p.m.
Birthday party last Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Health check day second Tuesday.
Each day the centers cooks serve up a delicious meal, usually a hot plate with
a meat entree and vegetables and dessert, but some days a salad plate is served,
or even breakfast for lunch occasionally. A $3 donation is asked for lunch, except
on fried fish days (third Friday of each month) when a $4.50 donation is asked. If
you are going to eat lunch at the center, call by the day ahead to help them plan
ahead.
Services for senior citizens in Palo Pinto County began in the early 1970s with
a program meeting in the Crazy Water Hotel. Lunch was served and activities
such as table games were enjoyed. In the early 1980s the program found a home
at the North Oak Community Center under the direction of the Palo Pinto
Committee on Aging.
Due to financial difficulties the program was combined with Parker Countys
for about three years. A group of interested individuals worked to bring the man-
agement of the senior center back into local hands. In November 1993 the City of
Mineral Wells, with support from Palo Pinto County, assumed operation of the
program on an interim basis. Work was completed on the current location and the
facility moved into the building in April 1994. Daily operation responsibilities
were turned over from the City of Mineral Wells to the independent Cross
Timbers Senior Citizens Task Force Inc. board on Oct. 1, 1994.
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 9
Welcome to
Palo Pinto County
Check Out Our Specials!
2103 E. Hubbard St.
Mineral Wells
940-327-0985
We are commited to giving our customers the highest level
of food quality at a fair price. Come experience the freshest
quality, convenient, fast and affordable food of Taco Casa.
BOOKSATCHELL
Headquarters for Readers
940-325-8441 Tues.-Thur. 10-6 Fri. & Sat. 9-6
800 E. Hubbard Mineral Wells
New & Pre-read Books Special Orders
Mineral Wells Puzzles Audio Books MP3 CDs
Books on Area History Childrens Books
willowlakeweddinggardens.com [email protected]
Mineral Wells isD
The Mineral Wells Independent
School District is committed to excel-
lence, and academic achievement is
the top priority for MWISDs 3,500-
plus students. It is truly a place where
the interests of the children come first.
MWISDs faculty and staff work to
engage all students using innovative
teaching methods and technology to
provide a rigorous learning experi-
ence.
Mission statement
Mineral Wells Independent School
District is committed to building a
community of life-long learners in a
student-centered climate of acceptance
and responsibility.
State accreditation ratings
In 2011 every school and the district
were Academically Acceptable. The
district and high school received a
gold performance acknowledge-
ment from the state for college-ready
graduates from the class of 2010,
which graduated 208 seniors.
Administration
District Services Complex
906 S.W. 5th Ave.
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
(940) 325-6404
Fax: (940) 325-6378
www.mwisd.net
Superintendent: Dr. Gail Haterius.
Director of Curriculum: Carolyn
Cooper.
Director of Public Relations: Mary
Creighton.
Board of Trustees:
Joe Ruelas president.
Scott Aaron vice president.
Scott Elder secretary.
Maria Jones.
David Bullock.
Mike Tincher.
Joel Hardeman.
Facilities and staff
The children of this historic com-
munity attend three elementary
schools, one junior high, Mineral
Wells Academy (alternative by choice
campus), a disciplinary alternative
education program and one 3A classi-
fication high school. A total district
staff of 478 (238 teachers) provides a
quality education for students. Five
full-time nurses and seven counselors
are an important part of this team.
Programs
Mineral Wells Independent School
District offers the community a well-
balanced curriculum with highly qual-
ified teachers. Grounded in the four
core curriculum areas English/
Language Arts, Mathematics, Science
and Social Studies it also provides
opportunities for students to grow in
the fine arts, excel with career and
technical classes and participate in
various academic and athletic
University Interscholastic League
Contests.
The district works hard to meet the
needs of all students through state-
required programs, such as Gifted-
and-Talented education, dyslexia
classes, early childhood education,
pre-kindergarten and a Limited
English Proficient program. In addi-
tion, MWISD provides certified health
professionals, librarians, and counsel-
ors at every campus. Dual-credit
classes provide opportunities for high
school students to earn college credit
before they graduate.
MWISD also reaches into other dis-
tricts in Palo Pinto County through
the administration of the Special
Education Palo Pinto County Shared
Services Arrangement Cooperative.
The cooperative serves special educa-
tion students in Graford, Palo Pinto,
Strawn, Gordon and Santo ISDs.
An initiative recently begun in the
district is the use of a comprehensive,
customizable, user-friendly curricu-
lum management system. The MWISD
curriculum ties all units and lessons
of the core instruction areas directly
to the Texas Essential Knowledge and
Skills required by the state of Texas.
Mineral Wells ISD welcomes the
opportunity to share more about our
district and encourages people to visit
the districts website at www.mwisd.
net.
The students
MWISD offers numerous extra-cur-
ricular activities and athletic pro-
grams to involve the youth of the
community. Service organizations,
clubs, and academic contests provide
for a well-rounded school experience.
Junior high and senior high students
See MWISD, page 10
More than 3,500 students attend Mineral Wells schools
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 10
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SALES
Rentals
Service
Campers
Clubs
Welcome
(817) 279-7500
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Saturday: 8-5
MWISD
From page 9
participate in competitive academics and
sports governed by the University
Interscholastic League (UIL) such as foot-
ball, basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis,
volleyball, powerlifting, track, cross-
country, softball, golf, One-Act play, com-
petitive speaking and writing events and
math and science competitions. In 2012,
Mineral Wells ISD saw the following:
A team of six students took fifth
place at Destination ImagiNation global
competition. The team also won first
place in the Instant Challenge.
20 students advance to regionals in
2012 UIL Class 3A One-Act-Play competi-
tion. Two drama students qualified for
national competition at the International
Thespian Festival.
19 students advance to the regional
academic UIL contest in Lubbock.
All three MWISD choirs high
school varsity mixed and treble choirs
and junior high treble choir receive the
highest sweepstakes award. At state
solo and ensemble competition, students
medaled in seven of their eight events.
One choir student was selected as out-
standing performer for the entire state
contest. Choir students attend summer
camp and perform at Fort Worths Bass
Performance Hall.
Three FFA teams advance to state
judging contests, where 25 students com-
peted in contests for nursery/landscape,
floriculture and poultry-judging. About
half of these students were active mem-
bers of the Mineral Wells Young Farmers.
One MWISD and MWYF member won
her breed division at the Houston
Livestock Show with her steer and
received a $10,000 scholarship.
The Ram Band receive a first divi-
sion at UIL marching competition, a
first division at UIL concert competi-
tion on stage and performed locally at
events like the Medal of Honor ceremony
and Veterans Day celebration.
MWHS students advanced beyond
district competition in football, tennis,
powerlifting, golf, track, cross country,
boys basketball, softball, baseball and
boys and girls soccer (see Sports and
Recreation).
In addition, 21 of MWHS class of 2012
graduates finished on the states distin-
guished academic program, an accelerat-
ed program of study in which students
complete four challenging measures
including an original research project. In
2011, MWHS had 15 students finish as
DAP graduates.
MWISD schools:
Mineral Wells High School
3801 Ram Blvd.
(940) 325-4408
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: 917
Principal: Doug Rice
Assistant principals: Jeffrey Smith and
Jim Yancey
Mineral Wells Junior High School
1301 S.E. 14th Ave.
(940) 325-0711
Grades: 7-8
Enrollment: 520
Principal: Jay Walsworth
Assistant Principal: Melissa Murphy
Travis Elementary School
1001 S.E. Martin Luther King St.
(940) 325-7801
Grades: 4-6
Enrollment: 831
Principal: Natalie Griffin
Assistant principals: Randy Gover,
Mary Laigle
Houston Elementary School
300 S.W. 13th St.
(940) 325-3427
Grades: 2-3
Enrollment: 573
Principal: Kelly Wilkerson
Assistance Principal: Dianna Leggett
Lamar Elementary School
2012 S.E. 12th St.
(940) 325-5303
Grades: Pre-kindergarten-1
Enrollment: 688
Principal: Parisa Lerma
Assistant Principal: Lesa Whaley-Davis
Special Education/Special Program
906 S.W. 5th Ave.
(940) 325-6404
Mineral Wells Academy
(alternative education by choice)
3810 Ram Blvd.
Enrollment 15
(940) 325-3033
Director: Jim Yancey
District Alternative Education
Program
1806 N.E. 1st Ave.
(940) 328-0479
Finances and tax rates
Tax rate per $100 value was $1.29.
2011-2012 Budget $28,574,778.
Per pupil expenditures were $8,033.
Career Information
Please address all inquiries and com-
munication to:
Assistant Superintendent of Human
Resources
c/o Mineral Wells ISD
906 S.W. 5th Ave.
Mineral Wells, Texas 76067
Phone: (940) 325-6404
Fax: (940) 325-6378
All professional application forms may
be accessed through the Web site at
www.mwisd.net.
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 11
Voted
#1 Builder
STATE BANK WWW.STATEBANKTEX.COM
MINERAL WELLS BANKING CENTER 940-325-7821
PK LAKE BANKING CENTER 940-779-4061
WEATHERFORD BANKING CENTER 817-599-4321
County
Palo Pinto County, with a population of 28,111 (2010
U.S. Census), is located in the Cross Timbers region of
North Central Texas.
The county covers 951 square miles. Land uses in the
county include forage, wheat, sorghum, pecans, cattle
grazing and recreational.
In addition, the county has over 33 square miles of
water. Possum Kingdom Lake, Lake Palo Pinto, Lake
Mineral Wells and the Brazos River provide opportuni-
ties for fishing and other water sports.
William Alexander Anderson Bigfoot Wallace sur-
veyed the frontier in 1837. In 1856 the Texas Legislature
established Palo Pinto County from lands formerly
assigned to Bosque and Navarro counties. The county
was organized the next year, with the town of Golconda
chosen to be the seat of government.
The town was renamed Palo Pinto in
1858.
The county has offices in both Palo
Pinto and Mineral Wells. The Mineral
Wells annex offers services from pay-
ment of property taxes to motor vehi-
cle and voter registration.
Important contacts:
County Courthouse
County Judge David Nicklas, (940) 659-1253
County Commissioners:
(940) 659-1210, court assistant
Precinct 1 Beth Ray, (940) 328-2273 or (940) 659-1210
Precinct 2 Louis Ragle, (940) 659-1257 or (940) 664-
2050
Precinct 3 Mike Pierce, (940) 659-1258, (254) 672-
5851 or (254) 631-2041
Precinct 4 Jeff Fryer, (940) 682-6952 or (940) 769-2524
County Attorney Phil Garrett, (940) 659-1278
County Auditor Sharon L. Allen, (940) 659-1276
County Clerk Janette Green, (940) 659-1277
County Treasurer Tanya Fallin, (940) 659-1260
Tax Assessor-Collector Linda Tuggle, (940) 659-1271
District Attorney for 29th Judicial District Michael
K. Burns, (940) 659-1251
District Clerk Janie Glover, (940) 659-1279
District Judge Jerry D. Ray, (940) 659-1274
Sheriff Ira Mercer, (940) 659-2085 or ira.mercer@co.
palo-pinto.tx.us
Emergency Management/Fire Marshal Keiffer
Buddy Harwell, (940) 325-5762 or keiffer.harwell@
co.palo-pinto.tx.us
Public Works David McDonald, (940) 659-1240
Community Supervision and Corrections
Department/Adult Probation Office, Jim French, (940)
659-1280 or [email protected]
Juvenile Probation, Robert Kimbrell, (940) 325-9232 or
[email protected]
Veterans Services Office, (940) 659-1275
Victims Assistance Coordinator, (940) 659-1652
Voter Registration and elections administration,
(940) 659-1212 or (940) 659-1217
911 addressing coordinator, (940) 659-1268
Vehicle Registration:
In Mineral Wells, citizens can register vehicles or
boats at the satellite office in the old Postons building at
107 North Oak Ave., or call (940) 325-6180.
Appraisal District:
The Palo Pinto County Appraisal District is responsi-
ble for assessing property values throughout the county.
The Chief Appraiser is Donna Rhoades and the number
is (940) 659-1281.
Palo Pinto County Agrilife Extension Office:
The extension office, under the direction of County
Agent Scott Mauney, coordinates a number of agricul-
tural programs and services, especially those involving
youth agricultural services and adult education. Contact
them at:
221 South 5th Ave.
P.O. Box 130
Palo Pinto, TX 76484
(940) 659-1228
[email protected]
County offices provide variety of services for residents
Nicklas
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Comet Cleaners
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SPRINGTOWN
817-220-7111
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WEATHERFORD
817-596-4811
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June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 12
County
GORDON
Gordon City Hall (254) 693-5676.
Gordon Community Library and
Museum gordonlibrary.org, (254) 693-
5680.
Development Corporation of Gordon
www.gordontexas.com, (254) 693-5818.
Gordon is a small town with a popula-
tion of close to 516. It is located two miles
north of Interstate 20, half-way between
Dallas and Abilene. The original town
site was called Hampton but was moved
to the current location and named after
H.L. Gordon, an engineer for the railroad
at the time of its construction through the
area in 1880. Gordon began to prosper.
The first school was held in 1882 with
Miss Mollie Shelton as its first teacher.
The first post office was moved from
Hampton and opened on Oct 17, 1883.
Attractions include the Gordon
Community Library and Museum at gor-
donlibrary.org, (254) 693-5680, Lake Palo
Pinto and the downtown area, built in
1900. Gordon is home to the oldest oper-
ating Ford dealership in Texas, which
began in 1910.
GRAFORD
Graford City Hall, (940) 664-2125
Graford is on State Highway 254 and
Farm Road 206 in north central Palo
Pinto County, midway between Graham
and Weatherford, the towns from which
it takes its name. In 1854 George R.
Bevers surveyed a homestead at Flat
Rock Crossing on Big Keechi Creek, three
miles east of what was to become the
town site; in 1855 he built a home that
became a stopping place for travelers
between Fort Belknap and Weatherford.
The store of Ansell Russell and Willis
Mills on the Fort Worth-Fort Belknap
Road was the communitys first business.
In 1894 William S. Green became
Grafords first postmaster. By 1920 the
community had a population of 313, and
by 1940 it had incorporated and had a
population of 804 and a bank. In 1980
Grafords population was reported as
495, and in 1990 it was 561. Graford is 12
miles east of Possum Kingdom Lake, a
popular recreation center.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Kathleen E. and
Clifton R. St. Clair, eds., Little Towns of
Texas (Jacksonville, Texas: Jayroe Graphic
Arts, 1982). Claudia Hazlewood.
MINGUS
Mingus City Hall, (254) 672-5995
W. K. Gordon Center for Industrial
History of Texas (just south of Mingus in
Thurber, Texas), www.tarleton.edu/gor-
doncenter
Mingus is on Gibson and Palo Pinto
creeks at state highways 193 and 108, and
the Missouri Pacific line in southwestern
Palo Pinto County. It was named for
William Mingus, an 1856 settler, and
developed because of the 1881 construc-
tion of the Texas and Pacific Railway
through the area. Original settlers includ-
ed J.R. Graves, Frank Bolen, B. H. Stewart
and A.T. Crawford. The community
served local farmers and ranchers. The
Mingus population was estimated at
1,110 in 1920 and 1930; 25 businesses
were reported there in 1930. By 1940 the
number of residents had declined to 570.
The population was down to 212 in 1980,
but the post office was still open. In 1990
the population of Mingus was reported
as 215.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Mary Whatley
Clarke, The Palo Pinto Story (Fort Worth:
Manney, 1956).
William R. Hunt
PALO PINTO
Palo Pinto County/Courthouse,
www.co.palo-pinto.tx.us/ips/cms, coun-
ty judge (940) 659-1253.
Old Jail Museum Complex, www.
palopintohistory.com/palopinto.htm,
(940) 769-2503 or (940) 659-2555.
The unincorporated Palo Pinto County
seat is full of history. Palo Pinto houses
the Palo Pinto courthouse and county
offices, the county jail and the Old Jail
Museum Complex with buildings and
hands-on history from around the county.
SANTO
The unincorporated town of Santo is at
farm roads 4, 129 and 2201 and the
Missouri-Pacific Railroad in southeast
Palo Pinto County. It was founded by
J.D.T. Bearden between 1850 and 1860
and was originally called Grand Ranch.
See TOWNS, page 14
Countys towns also have deep, rich histories
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OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Open Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 13
(940) 328-1176 (800) 350-3024
317 Lee Road, Mineral Wells, Texas 76067
(Located on the old Ft. Wolters Base)
Partners With Palo Pinto Co. for A Clean Environment!
WELCOME TO
PALO PINTO COUNTY
Countys towns also have deep, rich histories
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 14
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Weatherford
817-594-2736
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TOWNS
From page 12
A nearby makeshift fort provided protec-
tion against Indians around 1865.
About 1870 the community moved to a
site a mile east of the present site on
Sunday Creek, and its name was changed
to Calgando. Calgando had a mill and a
gin. In 1880 the community was moved
to its present site and was renamed
Cresco.
Following a nearly disastrous train
wreck caused by confusion of Cresco
with Cosco, the town was renamed
Sparta. The post office rejected the name
Sparta in favor of Santo, derived either
from John Santo Statti, an agent for the
Texas and Pacific Railway, or from a pio-
neer, John Adam Santo.
In 1920 Santo had a population of 500
and a post office. In 1936 the population
remained the same, but the town had 15
businesses and a bank. By 1940 the popu-
lation had decreased to 350 and by 1980
to 312, where it remained in 1990.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: Kathleen E. and
Clifton R. St. Clair, eds., Little Towns of
Texas (Jacksonville, Texas: Jayroe Graphic
Arts, 1982).
William R. Hunt
STRAWN
Strawn City Hall, (254) 672-5311.
Strawn ISD, www.strawnschool.net,
(254) 672-5776.
Strawn Historical Museum , www.
strawntexas.net.
City attractions include historic ceme-
teries, a lake and park and historic homes
and buildings throughout downtown.
Strawn restaurants bring customers from
all parts of Texas and the world for menu
items like Chicken-fried steak.
Strawn was one of several towns
developed about 1880 when the Texas
and Pacific Railway began service.
Located at state highways 16 and 108,
Farm Road 2372 and the Missouri Pacific
Railroad in southwestern Palo Pinto
County, the site was originally known
North Fork for its location on Palo Pinto
Creek. The town was laid out on the land
of two early ranchers, Stephen Bethel
Strawn and James N. Stuart. Stuart built
the areas first house in 1875. A commu-
nity to the west, Russells Pocket, and one
to the east, Davidsonville, were merged
to form Strawn. The population was 400
in 1891.
The first Palo Pinto County oil was
discovered near Strawn in 1895, but
development awaited the interest of the
Strawn Coal Mining Company and the
Texas and Pacific Coal and Oil Company
in 1915. Twenty wells were producing
near Strawn before the end of the year.
The Strawn field is made up of three sep-
arate pools extending over an area six
miles long and two miles wide. The
Strawn Oil Company drilled its first nat-
ural gas well in the area in 1924. In 1903
the Johnson brothers sank the Mount
Marian coal shaft at Strawn. They sold
the mine to Fort Worth interests that
opened the Strawn Coal Mining
Company; this company merged with
another mine at Lyre, three miles north of
Strawn, in 1914. By 1920 the payrolls of
the two mines totaled $75,000 a month,
and the mines produced 1.6 million tons
between 1910 and 1920, most of which
was sold to railroads. When the railroads
converted to diesel, production fell dras-
tically, although the Strawn mine sur-
vived until 1946.
Strawn was incorporated in 1940 and
had a bank, a post office, many business-
es, and a population of 1,107. The popu-
lation was down to 817 in 1960, 786 in
1970, and 694 in 1980. The town is a cen-
ter for local farmers and oilfield activity.
In 1990 the population was 709.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: J. C. Koen, A Social
and Economic History of Palo Pinto
County (M.A. thesis, Hardin-Simmons
University, 1949).
FEDERAL
President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. 20500
(202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461
[email protected]
U.S. SENATORS
Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Dallas)
Room 284, Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-5922
Fax: (202) 224-0776
Home offces:
961 Federal Building
300 E. 8th St.
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 482-5834
10440 N. Central Expressway, Ste. 1160
Dallas, Texas 75231
(214) 361-3500
Web: http://hutchison.senate.gov/
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Austin)
Room 370, Russell Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
(202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
Web: http://cornyn.senate.gov/
U.S. CONGRESSMAN
Mike Conaway (R-Midland)
2430 Rayburn House Offce Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
(202) 225-3605
Fax: (202) 225-1783
San Angelo District Offce
33 Twohig, Ste. 307
San Angelo, TX 76903
(325) 247-2826
E-mail: www.house.gov/writerep
STATE
Gov. Rick Perry
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, TX 78711
(515) 463-2000
Fax: (512) 463-1849
E-mail through www.governor.state.tx.us
STATE SENATOR
State Sen. Craig Estes (R-Wichita Falls),
District 30
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-0130
District offce:
2220 San Jacinto Blvd., Ste. 318
Denton, TX 76205
(940) 898-0331
Fax : (940) 898-0926
E-mail: [email protected]
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
State Rep. Jim Keffer (R-Eastland), District 60
Offce No. E2.802
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(512) 463-0656
(800) 433-1716
District offce:
(800) 433-1716
[email protected]
PALO PINTO COUNTY
Palo Pinto County Courthouse
P.O. Box 190
Palo Pinto, TX 76484-0190
Phone: (940) 659-1253
Fax: (940) 659-2590
Web: www.co.palo-pinto.tx.us/
County Judge David Nicklas (940) 659-1253
Comm. Beth Ray, Pct. 1 (940) 659-1210
Comm. Louis Ragle, Pct. 2 (940) 659-1257
Comm. Mike Pierce, Pct. 3 (940) 659-1258
Comm. Jeff Fryer, Pct. 4 (940) 659-1259
How to ContaCt Your representati ve
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 15
Palo Pinto General Hospital
400 S.W. 25th Ave Mineral Wells, TX 76067 (940) 325-7891 (800) 442-2811 www.ppgh.com
Anesthesiologist
Dr. Kelly Matlock
Cardiology
Dr. Jay Puppala
Emergency Medicine
Dr. Robert Allensworth
Dr. Michael L. Bailey
Dr. Robert Campbell
Dr. John Jones
Family Practice
Dr. Ty Gore
Dr. Sat Gupta
Dr. Patrick Hisel
Dr. Kevin Jones
Dr. Alice Ramsey
Gastroenterology
Dr. S.R. Boya
General Surgery
Dr. Ralph "Trey" Brookshire
Hospitalist
Dr. Earl Clement
Dr. Robin Knight
Dr. George Thomas
Neurology
Dr. Daalon B. Echols
Nurse Practitioners
Vicki Brooks
Sharla Carver
Carla Hay-Perdue
Coleen Hendrix
Susan Potter
OB/GYN
Dr. Glena Davis
Dr. Richard Hoefelmann
Dr. Tim Tarkenton
Ophthalmologist
Dr. Neil Bealka
Orthopedics
Dr. Eric Brock
Dr. Buck Rose
Oncology
Dr. Gregory Friess
Pain Management
Dr. Ved Aggarwal
Dr. R. Herrara
Dr. K. Mitchell
Pediatrics
Dr. Anantha Bhandari
Dr. Tom Tarkenton
Podiatry
Dr. John Lockyer
Dr. Wm Warren
Radiology
Dr. Nanette Evans
Dr. Chuck Myers
Urology
Dr. Deshmukh
Vascular/Thoracic
Dr. Ralph "Trey" Brookshire
Dr. J.P. Reddy
"Our Family Taking Care of Your Family"
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 16
Edwards Funeral Home
A full service funeral home serving Strawn, Gordon and the surrounding
communities since August of 1963.
The Edwards family has been helping families at their time of need for
almost 50 years and that has not changed.
Jerry Edwards - Funeral Director
115 Watson Place Strawn, TX 76475
(254) 672-5231
Our family will help your family in a friendly sort of way.
Brazos
Animal
Hospital
Mon-Fri-7:30-5:30 Sat. 8:00-Noon
801 E. Hubbard
940-325-CARE (2273)
Phones Answered 24 Hours
Dr. Tad Jarrett
Clarence (Mac) McDonald
LOWER RATES
(940) 325-1303 109 S.W. 1st St.
(Inside Grantham Adkins Ins.)
Mineral Wells
BUSINESS LIFE HOSPITAL
ANNUITIES MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT
RETIREMENT CANCER BURIAL
J & S Salvage & Repair
24 Hr. Wrecker Service & Storage
Cheapest Used Parts
WE REMOVE JUNK CARS FREE
We Buy Scrap Iron Of Any Kind
Scotty OShield, Owner 940-682-5838
Mineral Wells is a great place to partic-
ipate in youth sports and adult recre-
ational programs as there is no shortage
of ball parks and local athletic programs.
The following is a look at what
Mineral Wells has to offer for athletes of
all ages:
MINERAL WELLS PARKS AND
RECREATION DEPARTMENT
The Mineral Wells Parks and
Recreation Department offers youth and
adult basketball, softball, swimming. vol-
leyball leagues as well as karate and
water aerobic lessons.
Parks & Rec also offers a number of
youth summer camps each year.
The City Gym offers handball and rac-
quetball courts and a weight room.
City softball league play is held at two
softball fields located at Wolters
Industrial Park.
City basketball and volleyball league
play and summer basketball, volleyball
and cheerleading camps are conducted at
the City Gym, located at 734 Warren St.
The Mineral Wells swim team operates
out of the City Aquatic Center in the
West City Park.
The summer track program calls the
Jackie Harvey Track Complex at Mineral
Wells High School home.
For information about any of the city
youth and adult programs, camps and
leagues, call Donnie Hoover, 328-7803.
For information about the youth track
and field team, call Jackie Harvey, 325-
4408.
MINERAL WELLS LITTLE LEAGUE
The Mineral Wells Little League
includes youth baseball and softball
leagues for players between 5 and 16
years of age.
The Mineral Wells Patsy Schneider
Little League Complex is located at West
City Park and features five baseball and
softball fields, batting cages, restrooms
and concession stands.
More than 600 players were involved
in the league this summer.
For more information about the
Mineral Wells Little League program, call
league president Shawn McDougal (940)
745-1760 or spokesman Jeff Fryer (940)
682-6952.
UPWARD
Upward is a national youth sports
program, an evangelistic sports ministry
specifically designed for kindergarten
through sixth-grade boys and girls.
It promotes salvation, character and
self-esteem in every child. It offers boys
and girls basketball in the winter. In
Mineral Wells it is sponsored through
First Baptist Church. For information,
contact Kayla Buchanan, (940) 325-2523,
or visit the national organizations Web
site at www.upward.org.
MINERAL WELLS ISD
Mineral Wells High School and
Mineral Wells Junior High School offer
programs in football, basketball, volley-
ball, track and field, golf, tennis, cross
country, powerlifting, soccer and cheer-
leading.
The Rams and Lady Rams compete in
District 6-3A, which includes Fort Worth
Diamond Hill, Fort Worth Castleberry,
Lake Worth, Springtown and Kennedale.
The football home of the 2010 defend-
ing district champion Mineral Wells
Rams is the 7,000-seat Ram Stadium on
the high school campus.
The MWHS gym, located at 3801 Ram
Blvd., is home to the MWHS basketball
and volleyball teams. The MWHS gym
seats 1,200 and is one of two gyms at the
high school.
See SPORTS, page 18
sports
Mineral Wells offers several youth sports, adult rec programs
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 17
WELCOME TO PALO PINTO COUNTY
Voted #1 Nursing Home
Come See Our State of the Art 2500 Sq. Ft. Physical Therapy Gym
Lynn Porter- Administrator Lori Craig- Director of Nurses
www.palopintonursingcenter.com
200 SW 25th Ave Mineral Wells
940-325-7813
Palo Pinto Nursing & Rehab Center Staff
Advanced Healthcare Solutions
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 18
Voted #1
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When Experience Counts ...
Be Sure Its Yours
ELLIOTT & WALDRON
ABSTRACT CO.
of Palo Pinto, Inc.
Abstract & Title Insurance
940-325-6564 FAX 940-325-1036
[email protected]
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All Makes & Models
940-325-1234
Independant Dealer TACLB012804E
First National Bank
Albany/Breckenridge
Strawn Branch
P.O. Box 338 254-672-5211 Strawn, Texas
SPORTS
From page 16
The MWJHS gym is located at 1301
S.E. 14th St.
MWHS soccer teams play their home
games at Ram Stadium, which is located
in front of MWHS.
The home of the defending district
champion and regional semifinalist
MWHS baseball team and MWHS bi-dis-
trict champion softball team is Pratt Field
and Kessler Field, respectfully, both locat-
ed in the same complex on Ram
Boulevard across from the street from
Ram Stadium.
Pratt and Kessler Field both feature
high-quality playing fields and fine seat-
ing which makes them among the best
places in Texas to play, and many playoff
games are scheduled at the two fields.
The MWHS and MWJHS track and
field teams workout and host numerous
meets at the Jackie Harvey Track
Complex.
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN
SCHOOL
Mineral Wells Community Christian
offers programs in football, volleyball,
basketball, cheerleading, drill team, cross
country, soccer and baseball.
The Warriors and Lady Warriors com-
pete in District 1 of the Texas Christian
Athletic Fellowship six-man, which
includes Christian Life Prep, Fort Worth
Harvest Christian, Heath Fulton and
Weatherford Christian.
The football home of the Warriors is
Miller Stadium.
The CCS basketball games are played
in the Mineral Wells City Gym, located at
734 Warren St.
For more information call the school at
(940) 328-1333.
MOUNTAINEER LANES
Mountaineer Lanes features leagues
for all ages, a number of tournaments.
Mountaineer Lanes, featuring 16 bowl-
ing lanes, is located at 2801 U.S. Highway
180 East.
For more information, call (940) 325-
6568.
YOUTH SOCCER
The Mineral Wells Soccer Association
holds fall soccer league play for kids
between 5 and 14 years of age.
League games are played at soccer
fields located at Miller Stadium.
Signups for Fall League will begin in
mid July. Signups for Spring League will
be in mid January.
For more information about the associ-
ation, contact president Hebron Burkhall
at (832) 444-4964.
YOUTH FOOTBALL
MW Optimist Club Pee Wee Football
League. The cost to play in the tackle
football league $100 per player.
The cost to play in the flag football
league is $60 per player.
The participation fee for cheerleaders
is $150 for third and fourth-graders and
$100 for flag football cheerleaders in
Pre-K through second grade. A $30
deposit is required for players and cheer-
leaders.
Fundraisers for both girls and boys are
used to help offset the remaining cost of
playing football or cheering and out-
standing balance due before uniforms are
ordered.
For more information on football, call
league president Charlotte Logan at (940)
328-4128, or league secretary Rene
Radford at (940) 452-1606.
For information concerning cheerlead-
ing call Beth Ethridge at (940) 452-4102.
DIRT TRACK RACING
281 Speedway promoter David
Crenshaw; Cell phone (817) 721-5204;
Track (254) 965-3092; 281 Speedway
E-mail: [email protected]
Track Info: Quarter-Mile, Semi-
Banked, Clay Oval; IMCA Modified
Gears - 543 or 567, 600 to 620; Location:
approximately 3 miles north of
Stephenville on U.S. Highway 281.
Admission: Adults $10; Children
(6-12) $3; Children (0-5) Free. Pit Pass
$25. No pets allowed. No glass contain-
ers allowed. Small ice chests can be
brought in. Saturdays Gates Open at 6
p.m. Racing starts at 8 p.m.; Driver
Registration is $25. Prices and times are
tentative and subject to change without
notice.
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 19
POWELL FAMILY
OF DEALERSHIPS
940-325-2551
4316 Hwy. 180E, Mineral Wells, TX
Powell Auto Center
940-325-1331
1418 SE 1st Street, Mineral Wells, TX
Jack Powell Ford
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June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 20
Quality Body & Paint Work Auto Glass Installed
Unibody & Frame Repair Pinstriping & Accessories
4600 Market St., Mineral Wells TX 76067
940-325-1152 Fax: 940-325-4224
Mini Storage & Climate Controlled
Controlled Access & Security Lighting
940-328-6060
3101 M.H. 379 Mineral Wells
(On Corner of S.E. 25th Ave. & South Loop)
Assortment of Sizes Available
SECURITY
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First Month
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Climate Controlled
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FIRST TRAVEL
Your Professional Hometown Travel Agents
940-325-4418 800-940-1045
[email protected] www.awesometravelbabes.com
Airline Tickets Car Rentals
Hotel Reservations All-Inclusive Packages
Tours Cruises Train Theme Parks
Family Travel Groups Honeymoons
Ski Packages Reunions Escorted Tours
Servi ng Mi neral Wel l s & Surroundi ng Areas For Over 20 Years
Submersible Pumps Pressure Tanks Repair & Service New Pumps
940-325-7293
Lic#5009
FREE ESTIMATES
Personal - Fri endl y - Servi ce
outDoors
Area offers scenic park and waterway recreation
Mineral Wells and Palo Pinto County
are home to some of the most exquisite
and scenic outdoor recreation areas in
Texas.
From boating to fishing, camping to
hiking and even rock climbing, outdoor
enthusiasts can always find plenty of
activities in this the heart of Cross
Timbers.
Heres a look at the outdoor recreation-
al activities available:
LAKE MINERAL WELLS STATE
PARK AND TRAILWAY
Web site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish-
boat/fish/recreational/lakes/mineral_
wells/
Located on U.S. Highway 180 four
miles east of Mineral Wells in western
Parker County, Lake Mineral Wells State
Park and Trailway consists of 3,282.5
acres, encompassing Lake Mineral Wells.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is locat-
ed along Rock Creek, a large tributary of
the Brazos River.
History
This area was an early home to several
Native American tribes including the
Comanche. The city of Mineral Wells
became too large for Lake Pinto, the town
water supply, so in the late 1910s, plans
were laid for another lake east of town.
In 1922, Lake Mineral Wells was complet-
ed.
World War II demanded an increase in
activities at Fort Wolters, a military base
located adjacent to the lake. This, coupled
with the growth of the city of Mineral
Wells, required the city to raise the height
of the dam, thereby increasing the water
supply in the lake.
In 1963 the city of Mineral Wells
ceased using Lake Mineral Wells as the
citys main water supply.
In 1975, after the closure of Fort
Wolters, the City of Mineral Wells donat-
ed 1,095 land acres and the 646-acre lake
to the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department. The U.S. Government trans-
ferred some of the remaining acreage
from the former Fort Wolters Army Post
to the State of Texas for use as parkland.
The park was opened in July 1981.
Park activities
Activities include camping; lake swim-
ming (unsupervised); fishing; boating
(boat, canoe, paddleboat rental no ski-
ing, jet skis, or tubing permitted); rock
climbing (climbers and rappelers must
check in at headquarters); mountain bik-
ing; equestrian camping, horseback rid-
ing (visitors must provide their own
horses); and hiking. Note: trails may be
closed during wet weather.
The park has a privately operated store
for the convenience of visitors. The store
offers groceries, ice, deli, firewood, sou-
venirs and T-shirts, fishing and camping
supplies, and a variety of bait. Boat rent-
als include pedal boats, rowboat with or
without an electric trolling motor, canoes,
and kayaks. The store offers in-house
seating with great lakeside views for
those desiring a break between the many
activities offered in the park. The store
accepts checks, Master Card and Visa.
Store hours vary with the seasons.
Main park phone number: (940) 328-
1171
Park store: (940) 325-7152
Interpretive programs
The Lone Star Amphitheater provides
a great venue for a variety of natural and
cultural interpretive programs, which
includes cowboy history through music
and poetry, astronomy programs, story-
telling, ranger talks and other programs.
The park also offers programs like Kids
Wilderness Survival, Guided Trail Walks,
Wildflower Walks and other nature pro-
grams. Also provided are talks and activi-
ties to school, scout, church and youth
groups. Arrangements can be made by
contacting David Owens, park interpret-
er.
Park facilities
Facilities include restrooms with show-
ers; picnic sites (tables, grills, water fau-
cets and lake access by trails); backpack
campsites (primitive 2.5-mile trail; no
ground fires; no sanitary facilities; no
water); campsites with water (equestrian
use permitted); campsites (back-in) with
water and electricity (premium sites are
available); 15 screened shelters; a park
store; a boat ramp; fishing piers; a trailer
dump station; and the Lone Star
Amphitheater.
Horseback riding, hiking and bicycling
are permitted on the main trail (nine
miles); hiking trails (lake trail five miles)
and backpacking/hiking trail (2.5 miles)
do not allow horses or bikes (There is a
total of 16.5 miles of trails.) Note: Trails
may be closed during wet weather.
See OUTDOORS, page 22
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 21
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Area offers scenic park and waterway recreation
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 22
Open Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm
BOUDREAU
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5545 Hwy. 281 North
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
940-325-8674
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940-325-6983
700 SE 1st Ave Mineral Wells Mon 10-3 Tues- Sat 10-9
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Carpet & Flooring Center
We Do Embroidery Too!
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OUTDOORS
From page 20
Flora
Lake Mineral Wells State Park is locat-
ed in the Western Cross Timbers of Texas,
which supports such plant life as Post
Oak, Live Oak, Blackjack Oak, Box Elder,
Sumac, Ash Juniper, Mesquite, Pecan,
Walnut, Mulberry, Texas Ash, Wild Plum,
Willow, Cedar Elm, American Elm,
Hackberry, Milkweed, Engelmann Daisy,
Sunflower, Coreopsis, Indian Blanket,
Mexican Hat, Golden Rod, Spiderwort,
Morning-glory, Bluebonnet, Wild Onion,
Yucca, Prickly Poppy, Standing Cypress,
Indian Paintbrush, Prickly Pear,
Horsecrippler cactus, Lace Cactus and
Maiden Hair Fern.
Fauna
Wildlife observation includes white-
tailed deer, turkey, raccoons, waterfowl,
squirrels and a variety of songbirds.
Popular fish include bass, catfish, crap-
pie, bluegill and sunfish.
Fishing
Fish the edge of the water willow and
dam with spinner baits in the spring for
largemouth bass. Later on in the summer
and into fall go to worms and crank baits
for bass.
Crappie fishing is best in the winter
and early spring. In the winter they are
deep in schools near cover. In the spring
they move into the shallow shoreline to
spawn. Jigs or minnows are baits of
choice.
Channel and blue catfish are best from
late winter through the fall. Drift fish
using liver, blood bait, crawfish or cheese.
POSSUM KINGDOM STATE PARK
Possum Kingdom State Park, located
14 miles northwest of Mineral Wells in
Palo Pinto County on State Highway 16,
encompasses 1,528.7 acres adjacent to
Possum Kingdom Lake
Some of the rock facilities at the park
were constructed by the Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early
1940s. The area was acquired by deed
from the Brazos River Authority in 1940
and was opened to the public in 1950.
Activities
Activities include camping, picnicking,
lake swimming, fishing, hiking, biking,
nature study, boating and water skiing.
Facilities
The park has four cabins that accom-
modate four in each and one that accom-
modates eight; campsites with water and
electricity (premium campsites are avail-
able); campsites with water; walk-in
primitive campsites (50-100 yards, fire
ring only); a trailer dump station; picnic
tables; a fishing pier; restrooms with
showers; a fish-cleaning facility; a con-
crete boat ramp with a courtesy dock;
playgrounds; and 2 miles of hiking/
nature trails.
Special conditions
Any cabin reservation for either Friday
or Saturday must include both nights.
Hotel/motel tax is added to cabin rates.
Boating
Store/marina: The park has a privately
operated store and marina. The store car-
ries groceries, bait, tackle, miscellaneous
camping supplies, firewood, and a large
assortment of T-shirts, and souvenirs. The
marina offers both motorized and non-
motorized boat rental, covered slip rental,
and a gas dock. Reservations are strongly
recommended for motorized boat and
slip rentals. Store hours vary with the
seasons. (940) 549-5612 for boat or slip
reservations. Link to more information on
type of boat rentals available.
Flora/fauna
The park is located in the rugged can-
yon country of the Palo Pinto Mountains
and Brazos River Valley, and is adjacent
to Lake Possum Kingdom featuring
20,000 acres of the clearest, bluest water
in the southwest.
Numerous white-tailed deer make
their home in the park.
Fishing
The predominant fish species are large-
mouth bass, white crappie, striped and
white bass and channel and blue catfish.
Largemouth bass can be found
throughout the lake and can be caught on
any of the typical bass baits. Be prepared
to fish 10- to 25-foot depths. In this clear
water, try using as light a line as possible.
Concentrate on submerged vegetation
when you find it. Striped bass anglers
look for birds feeding on bait driven to
the surface by schools of hungry stripers.
Use live shad or artificial bait.
White bass action can be very good
during pre-spawn and the spring spawn-
ing run, especially up towards the river
mouth. Jigs and spoons or slabs are rec-
ommended baits.
Catfish action can be good for all spe-
cies. Costello Island and above are likely
spots. Use cut bait, chicken livers, pre-
pared stink bait, live shiners or sunfish.
Crappie can be found around brush
piles and docks. In spring, fish the backs
of coves for spawning fish. Crappie will
be found at different depths depending
on time of year and water conditions;
be prepared to search for them.
Most of the lake shore is made of
large- to cobble-size rock. The lower end
has scenic rock cliffs and bluffs, while the
upper end spreads into shallower areas
with shoreline vegetations. Points and
drop-offs can be found throughout the
lake. Many docks provide habitat for fish,
and so do standing timber and lay-
downs. At certain times of the year,
aquatic vegetation is also found.
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 22
Open Wednesday-Saturday 10:00 am-5:00 pm
BOUDREAU
Herb Farm
Making the world
better with Herbs
Herb Plants Herb Store Classes Landscaping
5545 Hwy. 281 North
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
940-325-8674
Jo Anne Boudreau
We Do Embroidery Too!
We are your One-Stop Location for Trophies, Medals,
Plaques, Gifts, and Monogramming on Your Favorite
Athletic Gear! We can take orders for all types of clothing!
305 SE 3rd Ave. Mineral Wells 940-325-4299
www.awards-n-more.com
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 23
Connie
Parker
Independent
Scentsy
Consultant
940-325-7105
306 SE 3rd Ave.
Mineral Wells, TX 76067
Order Online
Anytime:
wwwscentsy.com/cspark72
306 S.E. 3rd Ave.
Mineral Wells, TX
Master
Electrician
Lic.No.30307
RV Repair
Bucket Truck
Welding
Dirt Work
Tractor w/Loader
Dump Trailer
All Types of
Construction
and Repair
Monty Parker
Owner
940-452-3678 Cell
Email:
[email protected]
940-325-7105 Ofce
940-325-7144 Fax
TECL23609
Parker & Sons
June 29, 2012 NEWCOMERS GUIDE Page 24
OUR FAMILY KNOWS
YOUR FAMILYS NEEDS.
WE WILL HELP YOU FEEL BETTER.
D I A MO N D P H A R MA C Y
100 SE 17th Ave. 940-325-2541(inside Metro)
HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9-9 Sat. 9-8 Sun. 10-2