The Prodigal Depot Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory: Serving Sweet Reminders of Home Hewitt Tops in the Nation Four Tips to Boost Productivity
101 Third Street P.O. Box 661 Hewitt, Texas 76643 254.666.1200 254.666.3181 fax To advertise in the Hewitt Chamber Express, call (254) 666-1200. Issues are published in January, April, July and October. chamber staff Executive Director Alissa Cady alissa@hewittchamber.com Public Relations Coordinator Laura Beaty laura@hewittchamber.com 2015 EXECUTIVE officers President • Frank Thomas Vice President • Jeff Stubbs 2nd Vice President • Ian Dawson Secretary • Suzi Pagel Treasurer • Lindsey Skinner Past President • Regina Martinez
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Pat Breen Donna Muhlman Lauren English Adam Price Roxanne Franks Jared Story Wayne Gartman Davis Thigpen Nancy Gupton Cassie Thomas Scott Hedges Alee Walker Jean Ann Hoover Christopher Watkins Carlena Lesso Lane Westerfield John Maddux Rick Winters
2015 HONORARY MEMBERS Adam Miles
Parker Pieri
LIFETIME BOARD MEMBER John Holder
hewittchamber.com
You have no idea how many people would love to have what you’ve got.
UPCOMING EVENTS
OCTOBER 12 Build Your Business Workshop Series: Marketing Strategy by Josh Hightower, Empire Business Coaching at Waco Hippodrome • 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 21 Sometimes Spouse Ribbon-Cutting • 1604 W. Spring Valley Road in Hewitt • 11:45 a.m. 22 Business After Hours sponsored by HOT Goodwill Industries • 5:00–7:00 p.m. 29 Greater Hewitt, Bellmead and Lacy Lakeview Chambers Business Luncheon at Hampton Inn Waco North, 4259 N IH 35 in Waco • 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 30 Creekside Spooktacular at Warren Park, presented by Regent Care Center • 6:00–9:00 p.m.
NOVEMBER Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s “Fudge for Our Troops” and Business After Hours, Richland Mall in Waco • 5:00–7:00 p.m. Build Your Business Workshop Series: Tax and Accounting Tips by JRBT at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Waco South • 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. NAFE Holiday Sip n’ Shop Holiday Expo at the Carleen Bright Arboretum • 4:00–7:00 p.m. 17 Business Luncheon sponsored by Clear Vista Financial • DiamondBacks, 217 Mary Ave. in Waco • 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. 20 Greater Hewitt Chamber Scholarship entry deadline 26–27 Thanksgiving Holiday • Greater Hewitt Chamber office closed 2 9 12
DECEMBER 4 Portraits and Pancakes, SpringHill Suites by Marriott • 8:00–9:00 a.m. 12 Inside Santa’s Workshop Christmas Parade at 4:00 p.m. with tree-lighting immediately following at Hewitt Park • 5:30 p.m. 24-25 Christmas Holiday • Greater Hewitt Chamber office closed 31 Happy New Year’s Eve! ©2015 Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce • Photo on this page courtesy of Brad Turner
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HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 3
As the largest health insurer in the state, we serve more than 5 million members. Our purpose—to do everything in our power to stand with our members in sickness and in health—informs how we deliver solutions that curb rising health care costs; supports a customer-first culture; and improves health outcomes and quality. From the products we offer to our deep engagement in communities, we are committed to encouraging healthy behaviors that improve the health of all Texans. Call (210) 558-5162 for more information.
ES CREDIT DOCTOR
Boss Cleaning Services is a thriving and growing cleaning service. Although their first year in business, the owner has over 10 years of experience. The team keeps all customers in mind, whether it is your home or office. Boss Cleaning offers residential and commercial cleaning, regular and deep cleaning, make ready, and move-in/move-out services, while also offering long- or short-term cleaning services within the Central Texas area. At Boss Cleaning Services, we clean your worries away. Follow Boss Cleaning Services on Facebook and book your service by calling (254) 981-1235.
ES Credit Doctor helps you repair, restore, rebuild and establish new credit lines. For those having any credit issues from bankruptcy, student loan debt or foreclosures, ES Credit Doctor can help to find a solution to improve your financial situation. Owner Evelyn Seastrunk has years of experience helping clients regain their confidence and sense of security, while repairing their credit. The ES Credit Doctor office is conveniently located at 235 N. Hewitt Drive, Suite 6 in Hewitt. Call (254) 721-7314 to schedule your complimentary consultation and restore your buying power today. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a national mortgage company and a Top 10 Correspondent Lender doing business in 47 states. Even though we closed over $5.5 billion in business in 2014, we operate with the heart of a smaller company. Our passion is helping people—whether that is assisting in the purchase of their first home, refinancing their current home, or moving into the home of their dreams, Fairway’s experienced team leads the industry in response time. Fairway’s financial strength in mortgage banking makes loans effortless, while our focus on homebuyer’s needs creates a stress-free environment you can trust. Visit www.sarahjamar.com or call Sarah at (336) 413-6590.
NEW MEMBER
SP TLIGHT
Bentwood Realty was established in 2011 by brokers Kim Galvan and Rick Hines. Since its inception, Bentwood Realty has poised itself as a real estate firm filled with high-achieving associates who desire to make a positive impact in the real estate field as well as our local community. We believe in delivering the highest level of service, staying actively involved in all aspects of each real estate transaction, and living by the belief that “It is in giving that we receive.” Our mission is to give our customers, clients, and community our utmost level of service and dedication. Call us at (254) 300-4800 or visit www.BentwoodRealty.com.
4 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
Our State Farm agency has over 65 years of combined experience. For stellar products and service, please visit our agency. State Farm is the #1 Auto, Home and Life insurer in the United States. If you would like service from an agency that is available to you 24/7, we are the one for you! Contact Richard Kruger by calling (254) 776-4593 or visit richard.kruger.pkib@statefarm.com.
Uncommon Healthcare is Waco’s first Direct Primary Care (DPC) family medicine practice—an insurance-free, hassle-free practice providing personalized, high-quality care to patients of all ages. We focus on the care of our patients who enjoy the benefits of a strong patient-physician relationship and extended office visits. Unlimited care is provided for a flat monthly fee—including annual preventive visits, care of new illnesses, chronic conditions, procedures and more. Contact us by calling (254) 339-1360, visit Uncommonhealthcare.com and follow us on Facebook at Uncommonhealthcare. At Yoga8 we are committed to 1) physical fitness, 2) integrity, 3) selfdiscipline, 4) extending life through breathing exercises, 5) directing attention internally, 6) concentration, 7) meditation, and 8) being one with God. God is our root and foundation—both in our lives and through our time here in the studio. Classes are designed to realign your body, strengthen your physique, establish a mind-body connection and bring laughter. We care about pushing your endurance to new limits. Yoga is about concentrating your mind, flexibility, working on personal and feeling God’s presence. Visit Yogaeight.net.
NEW MEMBER
Propes Realty Group announces the opening of our new corporate office in Waco! We’ve served College Station and Brazos County for years and are eager to bring our exceptional services to Central Texas. PRG is an independent, family-owned and operated brokerage firm including Wacoans Tricia (Grisham) Propes, Pat Propes and Ashley Brown. We’ve joined the Waco Association of Realtors and specialize in residential, farm/ranch, land, investment properties and 1031 exchange. If you or someone you know is ready to buy or sell, or is considering the purchase of investment property, give us a call! We’re Wacoans at heart and glad to be home. Contact Tricia at (979) 393-8410, Pat at (979) 393-8411, or Ashley at (254) 349-3709.
SP TLIGHT
Get Noticed Promotions offers corporate apparel, school and business uniforms, custom screen printing, custom and professional embroidery. In addition to apparel, we offer promotional products, corporate gifts, trade show supplies and accessories. We have a large database of products at competitive pricing that we will research to find you the best quality item with the price you’re looking for. Visit our website at getnoticed-now.com.
Letting you stay local when cancer hits home. Diagnosed with cancer, JimBob Berry had choices to make. He wanted treatment near family, but not if it meant compromising his care. Trusted doctors spoke highly of Baylor Scott & White McClinton Cancer Center. A visit convinced him. “And in treatment, I experienced real caring for me as a person—from the front desk all the way through the clinic. They’ve been so great to me and my family. They even helped my wife out personally. You don’t ever see that anymore.” We promise you will here.
To learn more about our unique approach to care, or to register for our FREE men’s health education event on Nov. 5th at the Cancer Center, visit mcclinton.sw.org.
Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers, Baylor Health Care System, Scott & White Healthcare or Baylor Scott & White Health. © 2015 Baylor Health Care System
W
alking into the Richland Mall, visitors often comment about an enticing, rich aroma filling the air. Almost as soon as they finish the comment, their eyes spy the source— Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, a gourmet chocolate company that works hard daily at hand-making a variety of delectable treats. For some, the smell of caramel bubbling in the store’s traditional copper kettle and rows of alluring trays of caramel apples, divinity, and marshmallows lining the store window prove irresistible. They walk into the Chocolate Factory and are immediately greeted by the friendly staff offering samples of treats in flavors like German Chocolate or Rocky Road. “I knew I did the right thing by opening the store when a young boy came in and said ‘I love this place,’ ” said co-owner Sue Leonard. “When I asked him why, he replied, ‘It always smells so wonderful, the treats are always yummy, the people in here are always nice, but most of all, it’s magical!’ Well, enough said. I knew then that is why I moved to Waco. If a child thinks the store is magical, who could ask for more?” Sue was working at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s corporate headquarters in Durango, Colorado in the franchise development department in 2009 when the Waco location closed after only being open for 18 months. Sue was interested in owning a store and made her first trip to Waco in late November that year. Continued on next page...
HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 7
In less than three weeks, she had reopened Waco’s Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory along with her business partner, Barbara Crowder. “I took a chance on Waco, and Wacoans proved me right,” said Candy Slinger Sue. “They’re great folks.” Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory’s wide variety of items mean they have something to satisfy every sweet tooth, whether it’s a quick snack, a present for a special occasion, or a business gift to show customer appreciation. From walk-in customers to regular standing orders, Sue and her staff regularly exceed customer expectations with their product knowledge, hospitality and prompt service. “Sue has the most innovative ways for marketing your business,” said Natalie Morphew of Bentwood Realty. “All of my clients love her chocolates and sweets, and her service is always exceptional.” Sweets that customers may choose from include gourmet truffles in a variety of flavors, from Champagne to Café au Lait, buttery English toffee made with milk chocolate and almonds, divinity, fresh strawberries dipped in chocolate daily, fun and flavorful caramel apples, and a wide assortment of gourmet chocolates, including dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and sugar-free options. Unique selections like chocolate-covered Twinkies and chocolate-dipped potato chips also line the shelves. The Chocolate Factory even has hand-dipped dog bones made with a creamy, cocoa-free confection safe for pets. However, among the many delicious treats the gourmet chocolate store offers, their famous handmade fudge is the star. Made fresh with the highest-quality ingredients and cooked in the store’s copper kettle, flavors include Plain Ole-Fashioned, Chocolate Pecan, and Chocolate Peanut Butter to name a few. Even more exciting than the many flavors, though, is how the store has used their famous fudge to serve others. “While working at the Chocolate Factory headquarters, I heard of a store owner in Illinois hosting a ‘Fudge for Our Troops’ drive,” said Sue. “I knew if I ever owned my own store,
I would definitely want to do the same.” Fudge for Our Troops is an annual drive held every November 1st through 15th when Waco’s Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory donates one pound of fudge to troops for every pound of fudge sold. Since the inception of the local Fudge for Our Troops drive in 2010, the Chocolate Factory—along with Hewitt’s VFW Post 6008—has sent over 2,000 pounds of fudge to troops overseas. The store’s goal for the 2015 drive is to mail at least 555 pounds to those serving in the military. This year’s Fudge For Our Troops drive will kick off with a special event on Monday, November 2nd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The event, open to the public, will include delicious samples and a special ceremony that is a treat in itself. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in the Richland Mall is the number one destination in the greater Waco area for chocolate-lovers and those who love chocolate-lovers for good reason, from their mouthwatering treats, to their heart for service, to their friendly and knowledgeable staff. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.Facebook.com/WacoChocolate, www.WacoChocolate.com, or call the store at (254) 776-7623.
(Left) Retired U.S. Army Brigadier General George Brinegar talks with U.S. Marines Chief Warrant Officer-3 Jeff Fisher. (Below) Members of the military literally got in on the candy-making action at the Fudge for Our Troops event at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
8 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
How Fire-Safe Is Your Home? You won’t know until you do a fire safety walkthrough
Conduct a fire safety walkthrough of your home on a regular basis. Use the following tips to help you in your walkthrough: • Keep clothes, blankets, curtains, towels, and other items that can easily catch on fire at least three feet from space heaters and away from stove burners. • Place space heaters where they will not tip over easily. • Have chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a professional. • Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces and leave glass doors open while burning a fire. • Never leave cooking unattended. • Be sure your stove and small appliances are off before going to bed. • Check for worn wires and do not run cords under rugs or furniture. • Never overload electrical sockets. • Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children.
In the event of a fire, remember time is the biggest enemy and every second counts! Escape first, and then call for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it frequently with your family. Designate a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room. Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke, and try to keep your mouth covered. Never return to a burning building for any reason: it may cost you your life. Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire.
THANK YOU!
Bush’s Chicken would like to thank Hewitt, Woodway, Lorena, Waco and surrounding communities for your years of continuous support.
10 a.m. to 10 p.m. | 1301 Hewitt Dr. | (254) 666-1100
Bank with folks you know.
Hewitt Drive and Panther Way • 701 N. Hewitt Drive thenationalbanks.com • (254) 666-1280 National Bank dba The National Banks of Central Texas. Member FDIC. An Equal Opportunity Employer.
1 0 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
SP TLIGHT city
Hewitt in Nation’s Top 20 by Adam Miles, Hewitt City Manager
H
ewitt was recently recognized by Money magazine as the 20th best place to live in our nation. We’ve been nationally ranked before, but never this high, and we should all be proud of this recognition. Hewitt is unique and we are part of something special. When I think about what this means to us, many things come to mind. First is how great an honor it is that we are on this list! Just being considered a “best place to live” is really special, but to be ranked so high among so many other worthy places is truly remarkable. With this in mind, I pause to appreciate the moment, celebrate our success and reflect on what it has taken for us to get to this point. Money utilizes 39 data points to help determine the rankings. Examples of its criteria include local tax burden, educational interest and attainment, unemployment, purchasing power, foreclosure rates, number of doctors and hospitals in the area, population density, commute times, etc. This data and more is analyzed and evaluated for cities across the United States. What is even more interesting is that while we were ranked Money’s #20 Best Place to Live, we were also ranked #1 in affordability based on the cost of living index, and #2 as a great place for an affordable home.
For me, however, the data doesn’t tell the whole story. Hewitt is more than just numbers and a formula. While I believe the City Council rightfully deserves credit for their work in keeping tax rates and utility expenses low, I also believe it is the community itself that makes Hewitt a great place to live. Our #20 ranking reveals a lot about our community, which can be defined in many ways. Ask 100 people what community means to them, and you will probably get 101 different answers. One definition of community is an interacting population of various kinds of individuals. Another definition states that community is people with common interests living in a particular area. Community may also be defined as a unified body of individuals. I think I like a little of all three. When I put them all together, it sounds a lot like Hewitt. We are a great community. Your involvement and your actions are truly what make Hewitt one of the best places to live in the nation, and our ability to move forward together for our common betterment makes us great. Hewitt is a vibrant growing city with many opportunities and a very bright future.
1 2 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 13
READY FOR FALL?
ARE YOU MOTIVATING YOUR EMPLOYEES?
KEEP YOUR BRAIN HEALTHY
Summer is over, and many of us are preparing to stay at home more in the coming fall and winter months. Settling into the fall can be tough, especially if you ignored your house all summer. Sometimes Spouse has a few tips to help you have a more enjoyable fall and winter in your home.
Jack Of All Trades Personnel Services has been dedicated to the growth and productivity of our clients and their employees since 1986. It is very evident that a company is made by its employees—every business depends on its people for success. This makes hiring a crucial part of your company’s operations. This is also where we come into the picture. JOAT is at your service to support and partner with you in Human Resource Pooling, Job Matching and Employment. We screen our applicants and sort them according to experience and specialization—making it more efficient for us to provide you with the staff that you need when you need them. Once you hire them, how do you keep the good ones working for you? Here’s a few helpful tips:
The more you challenge your brain, the more brain cells and nerve connection pathways you form. Instead of gray matter simply dying as you age, new cells can be activated to grow at any age. These brain workout routines are recommended to help curb mental slowing:
1. Walk around the outside of your house and see what has been going on all summer. Do you have some new cracks, dry rot or has a squirrel taken up residence in your attic? These are all items that need to be taken care of ASAP. 2. Have you changed your fire alarm batteries, HVAC filter, or checked your fire extinguisher percentage? It’s important to make sure all of these items have been taken care of before winter sets in.
NON-MONEY MOTIVATORS: Call an employee into your office to thank him or her.
3. Check the trees and bushes around your house. Are the trees hanging over the roof? Are bushes growing up to your house? Trees are a vessel for critters to get into your home, so trim them back. Bugs and lizards love to use bushes to get into your home, so trim them back (and keep only your family warm in the winter months).
Coordinate a surprise celebration.
Sometimes Spouse can help with all of the above. We now offer monthly home maintenance plans, so give us a call at (254) 315-1922 today to set up an appointment.
Name a continuing recognition award after an outstanding employee.
Give an outstanding employee a three-day weekend. Send a birthday card to an employee at home. Acknowledge an employee’s achievements by using their name on status reports.
Wash the employee’s car in the parking lot. Encourage your employees by challenging them. True professionals like to be challenged. Furnish the best tools so that employees can accomplish their tasks. Provide employees with continual, timely and up-to-date information.
• Learn a new skill (like playing an instrument) • Complete crossword puzzles and Sudoku • Participate in regular brain games (color match, word find) • Play cards, dominos, or board and computer games • Sharpen your vocabulary through a daily words calendar or by reading • Continue to socialize and verbalize by talking with others about world events and issues important to you and your community Right at Home In-Home Care and Assistance is a licensed home care agency that provides services to assist individuals with activities of daily living. We can help with everything from housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, medication reminders, as well as personal care needs such as bathing, dressing, and toileting assistance. Right at Home Central Texas is familyowned and operated, making them the choice for family caregivers, respite services and care for individuals with dementia. Whether you or your family member needs one visit a week for a couple of hours or 24/7 care, Right at Home’s trained caregivers are ready to serve. Call us at (254) 399-0788 today for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your special care needs.
Have a question for an expert? Get it answered! Call 254.666.1200 or email laura@hewittchamber.com and your question may be featured in the next issue.
1 4 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
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The Missouri Kansas and Texas (MKT “Katy”) Railroad Lines built the Hewitt Depot in 1882, which became one of only two surviving historic structures within the city limits. The building’s standard floor plan and MKT’s signature colors of green and yellow served the community as a passengerplus freight terminal for
by Charlie Turner
miscellaneous transport to Waco.
Photos courtesy of Charlie Turner and Brad Turner
T
rains traveling southbound received dispatching operating orders to other Texas cities such as San Antonio, Austin and Houston. In 1893, John Allison Warren paid $4,911.64 to the Katy Railroad Company for land to establish a township with six inhabitants, which he named “Hewitt” in honor of MKT Director, George A. Hewitt. The Hewitt Depot provided growth to a young Hewitt community through transportation and shipping, which encouraged families to purchase additional lands for homes. The increasing popularity of affordable automobiles throughout the Hewitt area eventually caused the decommissioning of the Depot during the 1950s, where it temporarily sat vacant until the Katy Railroad donated the structure to serve as a home for the Hewitt Volunteer Fire Department; which it did until 1971. Once the Hewitt VFD moved, the Depot again sat abandoned until 1982, when a private buyer relocated the structure out of the city limits to private property adjacent to Interstate 35. Here the once-proud depot sat in neglect until its move to Woodway, where it caught fire, destroying part of the internal structure, façade and roof. Several more years passed, and eventually, Mr. Bill Dozier donated the depot back to Hewitt in 1996. In 1997, the city created the Hewitt Historical Preservation Society whose primary task was to “Repo the Depot” and return the building to its original appearance as the birthplace of Hewitt. A nucleus of citizens planned fundraising campaigns to retrieve the structure from Woodway (though the structure had been gifted back to Hewitt, the city had no means available to transport the edifice back home). The committee accomplished a major milestone by acquiring sufficient funds to reinforce the fire-damaged building in preparation for its relocation. Due to extensive fire damage to both structural interior as well as the external façade, repair workers faced a more monumental task—transporting
Hewitt Depot
HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 17
a structurally-damaged super centenarian. Weather delays, plus the scheduling of workers necessary to move telephone as well as electrical lines from over the roadways continued to augment the moving date. Finally, on May 19, 1998, the relocation occurred, involving a two-hour, meandering journey from Deb-Broad Street, to Highway 6 exiting at Bagby, then to Sun Valley Boulevard, where it eventually traversed Hewitt Drive to reach its final destination on Warren Street— near where it stands today. July 4, 1999 initiated the quest to promote the “Back on Track” root beer float party, after which the Hewitt Community Center hosted the “Back to School Station Break” barbecue in August. The barbecue was a huge success, reigning as the top fundraiser featuring Grand Hostess Emma Boiles, the last-known living employee of the Hewitt MKT Depot (pictured below) who regaled those in attendance with memories from her daily duties. With tears in her eyes, she relived one memory of running to her car, racing ahead of the train, as she arrived at the next station to deliver the mailbag that was not “grabbed” from the Depot’s mail hook. The Hewitt Foundation was organized to solicit grants or State historic funds with the intent to purchase land adjacent to the depot to become a future “Depot Park”, but because of monetary shortfalls, the land became a housing development. News arrived announcing that construction of the new depot was to begin after the installation of a chain link fence. After an asbestos-free test of the original shingles, construction crews labored to salvage the undamaged original materials, starting the restoration process. Warren Street and Hewitt Drive mark the final location for the prodigal Depot’s return home. There will be no historical marker from the State of Texas because its location is not the Depot’s original lot. The beautifully-restored Hewitt Depot—owned by the City of Hewitt—now proudly houses the Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce. If one wishes to visit during business hours to view the structure inside and out, do not leave without peeking at the small museum display cabinet housing railroad memorabilia and remaining Hewitt Depot artifacts.* *On a curious note, members of the Society retrieved these artifacts from behind a water-damage wall: a hammer, a mousetrap, an ink bottle, a telephone insulator, a railroad poster and an 1891 silver dollar.
Midway High School • 761-5650 8200 Mars Dr • Waco 76712 Principal: Jeff Gasaway Grades 9-12 Midway Middle School • 761-5680 800 Hewitt Dr • Hewitt 76643 Principal: Dr. Herb Cox Grades 7-8
Clip and save this page for handy reference!
Woodgate Intermediate • 761-5690 9400 Chapel Rd • Waco 76712 Principal: Nick Smith Grades 5-6 River Valley Intermediate • 761-5699 4750 Speegleville Rd • McGregor 76657 Principal: Sarah Holland Grades 5-6 Castleman Creek Elementary • 761-5755 755 South Hewitt Drive • Hewitt 76643 Principal: Shelley Polk Grades K-4, Employee Pre-K Hewitt Elementary • 761-5750 900 Panther Way • Hewitt 76643 Principal: Diane Gough Grades PK-4 South Bosque Elementary • 761-5720 #1 Wickson Rd • Waco 76712 Principal: David Everett Grades PK-4 Speegleville Elementary • 761-5730 101 Maywood • Waco 76712 Principal: Christopher Eberlein Grades PK-4 Spring Valley Elementary • 761-5710 610 Spring Valley Rd • Hewitt 76643 Principal: Jay Fischer Grades PK-4 Woodway Elementary • 761-5740 325 Estates Drive • Woodway 76712 Principal: Aaron Peña Grades PK-4 Alternative Education Center •761-5678 901 Old Hewitt Rd • Waco 76712 Administrator: Brad Shelton DAEP: Age 6 – Grade 12 (Separate Facilities) Success Lab & Pep Program located at MHS
OCTOBER 2 Midway vs. Harker Heights (away) 8 Early dismissal day 9 HOMECOMING - Midway vs. Killeen Shoemaker (home) 16 Midway vs. Copperas Cove (away) 23 Midway vs. Killeen (home) 30 Midway vs. Belton (away) NOVEMBER 6 Midway vs. Killeen Ellison (home) 23–27 Thanksgiving Break DECEMBER 18 Early dismissal day 21 - Jan. 4 Winter Break Football games begin at 7:30 p.m. For more school information, visit www.MidwayISD.org.
MIDWAY FALL SPORTS NOW UNDERWAY!
Football • Volleyball • Cross Country • Team Tennis • Swimming • Basketball Visit www.midwayisd.org/athletics for complete schedules
HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 19
More Than Free Banking
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s your current checking account costing you more and giving you less? With More Than Free Checking from Incommons Bank, you get more. More value, more flexibility, more control. All with NO monthly service charge, NO per check charge, and NO minimum monthly balance requirement. We’ve done our homework. Come in and let us show you the difference between our More Than Free Checking and others banks’ so-called “free” checking accounts.
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Open an account now and you’ll also get a FREE Coleman® Cooler as our way of saying thanks. We’ll even pay you up to $10 for your debit cards and More Than Free Checking — Get a FREE first order of checks, unused checks from your current bank! Just bring unlimited check writing, no monthly service charge, no per check them in when you open your new account. charge with no minimum balance requirement. And it’s FREE! Kasasa Cash Back Checking — Like cash back? This is the account for you. A FREE first order of checks, no minimum balance requirements or monthly charges, plus you’ll get ATM fee refunds nationwide and 3% cash back on qualifying check card purchases!† Interest Checking — If you have direct deposit or an automatic payment from your account, here’s your chance to earn competitive interest with a FREE first order of checks, unlimited check writing, no monthly service charge, and no minimum balance requirement.
Four new money-saving accounts, a FREE gift and up to $10 for your debit card and unused checks—all great reasons to visit us today! Other fees such as non-sufficient funds, overdraft, sustained overdraft fees, etc. may apply. See fee schedule for details. We reserve the right to substitute an item of similar value. Free gift may be reported on a 1099-INT or 1099-MISC. Free gift provided at the time of account opening. † Ask a banker for details.
More Than Free Checking and Business Accounts If your current bank is costing you more and giving you less, you have a choice! Let us show you what a real community bank is. Open a new account with only $50 and get a FREE Coleman® Cooler. Refer a friend and you both get a FREE gift!
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NO Minimum Monthly Balance Requirements We’ll buy back your debit cards and unused checks! Bring in your debit cards and unused checks from your current bank when opening any new checking account. We’ll buy them from you for up to $10. Other fees such as non-sufficient funds, overdraft, sustained overdraft fees, etc. may apply. See Fee schedule for details. Offer good on personal accounts only: ask a banker for more details on outstanding options for your business or organization. Bank rules and regulations apply. Minimum opening balance is only $50. We reserve the right to substitute an item of similar value. Free gift may be reported on 1099-INT or 1099 MISC. Free gift provided at the time of account opening.
20 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
Visit HewittChamber.com for news from your Chamber!
Hewitt Happenings (Top) Raising Cane’s Ribbon Cutting – Greater Hewitt Chamber members and Hewitt city leaders came out to celebrate the grand opening of Raising Cane’s on Hewitt Drive with a ribbon cutting ceremony on June 25. –Alissa Cady photo (Center Left) Greater Hewitt Chamber members (l to r) Mary Ellison, Dr. Felicia Macik and Latricia Griffin enjoyed visiting after the Tee Off Luncheon on July 29. –Laura Beaty photo (Center Middle) Students from Central Texas Family Karate perform at Hewitt Police Department’s annual National Night Out event held on July 30 at Midway Middle School. –Nicholas Germain photo (Center Right) Greater Hewitt Chamber director Chris Watkins won the Leadership award for leading this year’s successful chamber membership drive resulting in 54 new members. –Laura Beaty photo (Bottom Left) Greater Hewitt Chamber volunteers (l to r) Scott Hedges, Patricia Dungan, Gregg Dungan, Nancy Gupton and Royce Berger had fun making root beer floats for the Chamber’s booth at National Night Out on July 30. –Laura Beaty photo (Bottom Right) Greater Hewitt chamber members welcomed Dr. Felicia Macik and her team at Uncommon Healthcare to the Chamber with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 7. –Alissa Cady photo
HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 21
Four Money Tips for Newlyweds to Live Happily Ever After B Y
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oing to weddings is a blast! My wife and I got married a little over a year ago, and for us, attending other weddings is not only a reminder of how much fun our wedding was, but it also provides perspective on just how much we’ve grown in our relationship over these last two years. When you get married, there are a lot of things you simply can’t prepare for. And, one of the biggest things that can create tension in a marriage is money. Many newlyweds enter their marriages with their own spending and saving habits. Once your paycheck becomes our paycheck, it’s a different ballgame. From personal experience, though, I can tell you that— if you commit to following these four money tips—you can help ensure that money will cause few issues for you and your spouse. Don’t avoid the money talk. Most people don’t like to talk about money. Think about how uncomfortable the average person gets when they visit with their boss about their salary. Yikes! I can think of a ton of other things I’d rather do than talk about money—and I work for a bank! Having the money talk is, without question, one of the first things you should do as a married couple. As a team, you should form a plan, set goals and make decisions together. Build a budget. And stick with it. When you’re single, you can get by without having a monthly budget, although I don’t recommend it. When it’s just you spending your money, your spending doesn’t really have an impact on anyone else. If you spend too much, you only have yourself to blame, but when you’re married, your finances are dependent on one another.
So, make a budget, but don’t just include the boring stuff. Be sure to include set amounts for fun and for savings. As a newly-married couple, you want to have fun and enjoy each other’s company, right? Whether it’s going to restaurants during the week or going out on the weekends, allocate a certain amount each month for this purpose. You’ll have fun while being financially responsible. Welcome to the exciting world of adulthood! Establish an emergency fund. If you haven’t learned already, life is full of surprises, both good and bad. One of the most important things you can do to prepare for those unexpected situations is to establish an emergency fund to fall back on (for when your wife decides it’s time for a new sofa…and dining room table). Kidding aside, the sooner you establish an emergency fund (for legitimate emergencies), the less of a financial burden those surprises will be when (not if) they arise. Don’t carry credit card debt! Many people, especially those who have graduated from college in the past few years, have student loans and credit card debt. Credit cards have extremely high interest rates, and carrying a balance on these cards requires unnecessarily high interest payments. A better option is to get an unsecured loan from a bank to pay off the credit card balance. This will save you money with a significantly lower interest rate, give you a regular low monthly payment to account for in your budget, and it will also improve your credit score. If you haven’t figured out by now, I’m not a licensed marriage counselor, but I do know that by implementing these four financial principles into your marriage, both your marriage and your future financial situation will be better off. So, start making great financial decisions today. You’ll be glad you did. Mark Benning is a credit analyst and bank officer at Central National Bank in Waco, Texas. In addition to being a Baylor sports fanatic, he enjoys hunting, fishing and attending Lorena High School football games, where his wife, Lindsay teaches and serves as the cheerleading coordinator.
22 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
6802 Broad Ave. in Waco (254) 666-3439 www.GGAPest.com • GGA Pest
IT’S TIME TO PLAN!
Cool weather is not far away! Every year, we receive calls throughout the winter with people stating they are hearing scratching or other sounds in their walls and attics. I cannot stress enough that now is the time to prepare your home for those unwanted guests (of the four, six and eight-legged kind) from making your home their home for the winter. Rats, mice, squirrels, raccoons, spiders, wasps and many other pests will be trying to find nice comfortable places to spend the winter, and your home is a perfect place. Many times it is just a place to survive the harsh winter weather, and sometimes it can also be a place to find and/or store food and raise their young. You may think that hole on the side of your house is too small, but in many cases it doesn’t take much for a pest to enter. Squirrels and raccoons can chew or tear open a hole on the side of the house and then enter. Wasps and other insect pests require just a small crack to enter and hibernate, only to emerge on warm days.
We recommend that homeowners call a Pest Management Professional (PMP) company like ours for a free inspection of their home to identify any areas which pests may enter. A PMP will be able to point out those locations which need to be sealed or repaired to keep pests out. Why is this important? Pests such as rats and mice will come inside, eat and destroy food items left out—such as dog and cat food—as well as boxed items in the pantry. They also leave their droppings and urine everywhere they go! Many carry diseases, and can be the cause of allergies and asthma. Larger pests entering the attic also carry many of the same diseases as well as press down the insulation in attics, causing a loss in energy efficiency and the need to replace the soiled insulation.
GGA PEST MANAGEMENT SERVICES 6802 Broad Ave, Waco, Texas 76712 (254) 666-3439 • www.ggapest.com
HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 23
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24 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
VFW POST 6008 WELCOMES YOU TO HEWITT Serving Friday night meals for a minimal donation (call 254-666-6008 for meal specials) Hall rentals • Annual/Life memberships available Get on our email list for notification of special events VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
HERE TO SERVE VETERANS OF THE GREATER HEWITT AREA
725 Sun Valley Blvd. (next to DQ) • I-35 @ Exit 328
254-666-6008
1.6+ million members worldwide...making a difference every day in their local communities. Visit www.LionsClubs.org to learn more.
Have a heart for helping others? Join us.
HEWITT LIONS MEET ON THE 2ND & 4TH MONDAY AT ROSATI’S PIZZA • 6:30 P.M.
HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS • 25
NAFE & The Hewitt Chamber of Commerce
SIP‘NSHOP proudly presents
THURSDAY N O V. 12 T H
4-8 PM
CARLEEN
BRIGHT ARBORETUM
Join us for Happy Hour refreshments, shopping and information about over 30 local businesses, including: jewelry, clothing, skin care, banking, restaurants, wellness, candles, handbags and more! Sponsored by NAFE, the National Association for Female Executives, celebrates 12 years of promoting women and business in Waco. For more information or to reserve your booth space*, contact:
Merry Bruner, NAFE Director 254.230.2988 Diane Castello, NAFE Co-Director 254.716.9280 *booth space is very limited and will sell out quickly.
Royalton Village property has 164 units in Hewitt, and we’ve been family-owned and operated for more than 20 years. Once you move to Royalton Village, you’re family, too! Our staff genuinely cares about you and we take great personal pride in how your home and surrounding areas are maintained. We strive to make this a great place to live, and we invite you to come by and see Royalton Village for yourself. We have one-, two- and three-bedroom townhomes, apartments, duplexes and homes—ranging in size from 720 to 1,700 square feet. Visit our website at www.royaltonvillage.com to see property photos and floor plans. Royalton Village is only a two-minute drive from H-E-B Plus and Wal-Mart, both located on Hewitt Drive. We’re also less than five minutes away from Highway 6/Loop 340 and I-35, and only 10 minutes from Downtown Waco...convenient to just about everything!
Our amenities include: • Two reserved covered parking spaces • 24-hour emergency service • Fireplaces • Washer/Dryer hook-ups • Two car garages (houses only) • Extra storage space • Fenced-in backyards
Our onsite leasing office is located just off Royal Drive across from Midway Middle School on Hewitt Drive (behind AutoZone), and we’re open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Large walk-in closets
Let us treat you like royalty!
• Solar-screened windows
• Single and double patios
26 • HEWITT CHAMBER EXPRESS
Four tips to boost productivity by Laura Beaty, Public Relations Coordinator, Greater Hewitt Chamber of Commerce
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’ve always enjoyed reading personal development articles, but lately my interest in productivity has hit an all-time high. I’m willing to bet it has something to do with the time of year, since the fourth quarter is our busiest time at the Chamber. If we don’t stay organized and on-task, we can very quickly get behind. It’s easy for work projects, volunteering for church events, and family and social commitments to quickly pile up. Below are four of my favorite tips and tricks for staying on top of things.
The Getting Things Done System
I recently read something in Getting Things Done by productivity guru David Allen that has enabled me to work more efficiently and effectively: “Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” The Getting Things Done (GTD) System is essentially an organization method based on immediately capturing any “to-do” items in one place, whether it’s a spiral, planner or task management app (I like Nozbe). Once you have all of your tasks captured, organize them by category and assign due dates when possible so that you can see which items should take priority. If needed, set reminders on your phone or calendar. The GTD system is flexible to allow you to personalize it so that it best serves you, so periodically review the system and make improvements as you see fit.
Brain dump
You probably have ideas or tasks that have crossed your mind, but that you’ve never actually written down. Doing an exercise called a “brain dump”—getting all of those ideas out of your head and written down on paper—will allow you to focus and avoid feeling like you’re forgetting something important. Set aside at least an hour in a quiet location, and then write every single “to-do” that pops into your head. When you’re done, go back through and categorize/prioritize. For the items that are immediately actionable, you may need to transfer these items to your “capture” place and then assign due dates and set reminders as needed. Doing this exercise regularly—whether weekly or daily—will help you
avoid wasting energy on trying to remember random ideas as they pop into your mind.
Two-minute rule
We often procrastinate doing simple things that come up because we’re too busy to deal with it at the moment; however, if you can take care of the task in two minutes or less, do it. This will save you time and energy over and over again. For example, sending a quick reply to an email then moving it to the appropriate folder (or deleting it) will save you from having to remember to take care of the email later, hunting it down and then replying before deleting or filing it.
Saying No
This is the one I have the hardest time with, and I think it’s the same for most people. Know your limits and be realistic about how much time you actually have to spend on extra activities or projects. Guard your leisure time with friends or family when considering taking on something new to avoid burnout. If and when you do decline, be sincere. Thank them for thinking of you or for the opportunity, but be firm. Explain that you don’t want to commit to something unless you can give it your best effort. Most will appreciate and respect you for being honest.
Your answers are just a phone call away. Now that's banking the FIRST way! Contact Ron Nelson at (254) 761-6118 for a quick response to your home loan needs.
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