Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

We hope you've found plenty of ways to stay cool this summer because this Texas heat isn't letting up anytime soon! This week's edition is packed with fun things to do, local business updates, community news, and a few reminders (including one that many of us parents have been avoiding... school enrollment!).

^{THE DIGEST}

We hope you had a chance to get out and enjoy the community this weekend—whether you stopped by the Justin Farmers Market, grabbed breakfast at the Chuck Wagon Breakfast at Master Made Feeds, or simply spent some time with family and friends. Summer weekends always seem to go by too fast!

Now that we're halfway through July, back-to-school season is just around the corner. Before the backpacks come out, what's still on your family's summer bucket list? Maybe it's one more trip to the pool, an evening at the splash pad, an ice cream run, or finally visiting Explorium Denton Children's Museum before it pauses operations at its current location after August 9.

Northwest ISD: Annual enrollment is required every year for all students, including returning students. Need help? The district will host an Enrollment Assistance Event on Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Northwest ISD Administration Building (2001 Texan Drive). Bring your child's birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residency. Transportation, Aramark, AlphaBEST, and an on-site immunization clinic will also be available.

Argyle ISD: The first day of school is Tuesday, August 11. Registration, school supply lists, transportation information, and other back-to-school resources are now available.

Krum ISD: School starts Wednesday, August 12. Returning student online enrollment opens July 13, and free back-to-school haircuts for Krum ISD students will be offered on August 10.

Ponder ISD: Meet the Teacher events, orientations, and other campus activities begin in late July and early August, so be sure to watch your campus communications for upcoming dates.

Enjoy these last few weeks of summer, and let us know—what's still on your family's summer bucket list? We'd love to hear what adventures you're squeezing in before the first school bell rings!

_{THE MAYOR’S CORNER}

Ponder is growing, and growing thoughtfully. As we welcome new development like McPherson Farms, led by Don Dykstra and Bloomfield Homes, we're intentional about preserving the small-town feel that makes Ponder special. It's currently the only housing development inside our town limits, and our team has enjoyed a strong working relationship with Don's group throughout the process.

We're also seeing progress on Anderson Farms Parkway, a partnership with Denton County that will improve connectivity as our community grows. Projects like these show what's possible when local and county leaders share a commitment to doing growth right.

In Downtown Ponder, Ranchman's by Marty B officially opened its doors on July 1st, and the excitement has been well worth the wait. Add in the steady work of the Ponder Chamber of Commerce, connecting local business owners through events like Frontier Days and community drives, and you'll see why economic development here isn't just about new buildings. It's about relationships!

That's the heart of Ponder: honoring our roots while making room for what's next. Come see for yourself: shop local, get involved, and get to know your neighbors.

-Mayor Nick McGregor~ Ponder Tx

_{BUSINESS BUZZ}

Sometimes you meet someone and can tell right away they're opening a business for all the right reasons. That's exactly how we've felt getting to know Dr. Narmeen Syed over the past few months.

Imagine having one place in Justin where you can take your child for a checkup, have your own annual physical, get blood work done, have an EKG or ultrasound, get stitches after an accident, or have a suspicious mole checked—all without driving from office to office. That's the vision behind Justin Primary & Pediatric Care.

Dr. Syed's goal is to create the kind of healthcare she would want for her own family: a place where patients are cared for, not rushed, where questions are welcomed, and where as many medical needs as possible can be handled in a single visit.

That philosophy started long before medical school. Growing up, she watched her father care for his community through his own medical clinic, where families could receive a wide range of medical services under one roof. That experience shaped the physician she is today and inspired her to bring that same patient-first approach to Justin.

As a dual board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Dr. Syed will care for everyone from newborns to grandparents. Her practice is designed to make healthcare simpler for busy families by offering routine primary care alongside services like on-site lab draws, ultrasound imaging, EKGs, mole evaluations, minor fracture care, stitches, wellness exams, chronic disease management, pediatric care, women's health services, and more. And when specialized care is needed, she's already established relationships with local specialists to help patients get the care they need as quickly as possible.

She also understands that life doesn't always fit into a traditional schedule. That's why the office plans to offer extended hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and both scheduled appointments and walk-in visits.

The practice is planning to open around July 16 and expects to accept Superior HealthPlan, Allwell, Ambetter, First Health, UnitedHealthcare, Curative, Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, GEHA, Sana Benefits, Cigna, UMWA Health and Retirement Funds, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Aetna, and MultiPlan. Pending approval, they also plan to accept Oscar, TriWest, Wellcare, HealthSmart Complete, and Medicare.

One of the things we've appreciated most while getting to know Dr. Syed is her heart for people. She isn't just opening a medical practice—she's creating a place where families can build lasting relationships with a physician who listens, cares, and wants to make healthcare easier.

We're excited to welcome Justin Primary & Pediatric Care to our community and can't wait to see the difference they'll make for families across Justin.

Justin Primary & Pediatric Care
1110 Timberbrook Pkwy Suite 200
Justin TX 76247
940-946-1800 JustinPPC.com

_EVENTS

Texas summers can be brutal, so if you're looking to beat the heat, PINSTACK in Westlake is worth adding to your family's list. It's much more than a bowling alley—with laser tag, bumper cars, a high ropes course, arcade games, and a full-service restaurant, there's plenty to keep everyone entertained for hours.

Want to save a little money? Arrive early and take advantage of $10 bowling every day from opening until noon (shoe rental extra). If your kids can resist spending all their allowance in the arcade—or you set a game card budget before you walk in—it can be a surprisingly affordable outing.

There are deals throughout the week, too, including Half-Price Games every Tuesday, half-price bowling and appetizers on Mondays, plus Happy Hour specials for the adults. Whether you're planning a family day, date night, birthday celebration, or just need something fun to do indoors, PINSTACK offers a little something for everyone.

Tuesday~ July 14

Wednesday~ July15

Thursday~ July 16

Friday~ July 17

Saturday~ July 18

Sunday~ July 19

_{Plan Ahead:}
^{7/18~ NISD District Enrollment Event
7/25~ MrBeast Swarm Jet Workshop Lowes
7/30~ Peterson Park Grand Opening
8/1~ Back 2 School Bash at Tanger Outlet
8/9~ Explorium Denton Closing Temporarily
8/12~ NISD Back to School}

_HISTORY

Tucked away in downtown Ponder is a small park that quietly tells the story of the town itself. Eddie Deussen Jr. Memorial Park is home to the historic Christal Schoolhouse, a reminder that long before Ponder became the community it is today, its earliest settlers believed education was one of life's greatest priorities.

The first families arrived in the area around 1854, and by 1857 they had already built their first school near Oliver Creek. As the community grew, Silas Christal built another school on his property in 1880. Known as the Christal School, it educated generations of local children before becoming part of Ponder ISD in 1930. Today, that same one-room schoolhouse has been preserved in the park, offering a glimpse into Ponder's earliest days.

In those early years, the schoolhouse wasn't the only place that brought neighbors together. The nearby Shady Grove School, built in 1888, also served as the meeting place for the area's Baptist, Methodist, and Church of Christ congregations. Before each church had its own building, families shared the space for worship, proving that community has always been at the heart of Ponder. As the town grew, each congregation eventually built a permanent home, many of which still stand as part of Ponder's history today.

The park is named in honor of Eddie Deussen Jr., a man whose life reflected those same community values. A 1941 graduate of Ponder High School, Eddie married his sweetheart, Maurie Thomas, just days before leaving to serve as an Army engineer during World War II. The newlyweds spent nearly four years apart before he returned home and dedicated the rest of his life to serving Ponder.

Eddie wore many hats throughout his lifetime. He served as a deacon and music director at Ponder Baptist Church, volunteered with the Ponder Fire Department, led the Denton County Farm Bureau, supported local athletics, and served with several civic and agricultural organizations. He was also well known for his rodeo clown performances, where his quick wit, courage, and even his trained donkeys brought smiles to crowds across North Texas.

Today, Eddie Deussen Jr. Memorial Park is more than just a green space. Between the historic Christal Schoolhouse and the story of the man whose name the park bears, it serves as a reminder that Ponder was built not only by buildings and businesses, but by neighbors who invested in education, faith, service, and one another. Those values continue to shape the town more than 170 years after the first settlers arrived.