Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

We're back this week after a little time away with family, enjoying some sunshine, slower mornings, and a much-needed change of pace. It's great to be back and catching up on everything happening around town as we head into the heart of summer.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Father's Day celebrating the dads and father figures who make a difference in our lives. This week also brings National Hydration Day on June 23—a good reminder in this Texas heat—and Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 26.

Summer is officially here, the calendar is filling up fast, and we're excited to bring you the latest local events, news, and community happenings. Let's make it a great week!

THE DIGEST

As families in Justin and surrounding communities head into pool season, water safety becomes one of the most important parts of summer. Drowning risks are real, but most incidents are preventable with active supervision, basic skills, and simple safety precautions.

Why Water Safety Matters

According to the CDC:

While children are at highest risk, anyone around water is vulnerable without proper supervision and skills.

Active Supervision Saves Lives

The best water safety tool is attentive adult supervision.

Most drownings happen quickly and quietly during momentary lapses in attention.

If someone is struggling in water:

If a swimmer is struggling, they may survive longer by floating on their back to rest and conserve energy.

Swimsuit Color & Visibility

Visibility can make a difference in emergencies:

Local Swim Lessons & Water Safety Near Justin

Families in the Justin area have several nearby options for instruction and safety training:

Water safety is not about limiting summer fun—it’s about layers of protection working together. Active supervision, swim skills, barriers, visibility, and emergency readiness all reduce risk. Staying alert and prepared is the best way to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer around water.

While students are enjoying summer break, school districts across our area are still hard at work preparing for the year ahead—making decisions on staffing, growth, facilities, and student services to ensure a strong start to the 2026-27 school year.

Argyle ISD

The Argyle ISD Board approved a 3% midpoint pay raise for all teachers and staff for the 2026-27 school year, along with an additional $50 monthly health insurance contribution, expanded free Pre-K for employees, and increased Special Education stipends. The district also approved Phase 3 of its staffing plan, adding approximately $5.2 million in new positions to support continued growth.

Northwest ISD

Enrollment remains open for the 2026-27 school year, with district leaders encouraging families to complete enrollment early. Free summer breakfast and lunch will continue through June 30 at Love Elementary and Prairie View Elementary. The district is also accepting new backpack donations for its annual Back-to-School Fair through July 23. Construction continues on Dr. Leigh Anne Romer Elementary School, which is scheduled to open this fall, while Northwest High School's Cooper Lutkenhaus continues to make international headlines after setting another age-group world record in the 800-meter run.

Krum ISD

Beginning this fall, Krum ISD will launch its own in-house Special Education Department following the dissolution of the Denton County Special Education Co-op. The change will allow the district to provide services directly to approximately 550 students, while keeping funding within the district to support local programs. Tracy Walls has been named the district's new Director of Special Education.

Ponder ISD

Ponder ISD is moving forward with major expansion projects after voters approved Propositions A and C in the district's bond election. Plans include two new elementary schools, expansion of Ponder High School, campus renovations, technology upgrades, a new transportation center, expanded agricultural facilities, and the purchase of land for future schools as the district prepares for continued growth.

DO SOME GOOD JUSTIN

Animal rescues and environmental organizations across the area rely heavily on volunteers and donations year-round.

Apollo Support & Rescue in Justin rescues abused and abandoned dogs and cats and is always in need of volunteers, foster homes, blankets, towels, pet food, cleaning supplies, and donations for medical care.

Nearby organizations like Denton Animal Services and Fort Worth Animal Care & Control also welcome volunteers for dog walking, socialization, adoption events, and fostering.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, Clear Creek Natural Heritage Center offers opportunities to help maintain trails, assist with environmental education, and support habitat management projects.

Community members can also volunteer with Keep Denton Beautiful, Stream Clean, sustainability programs, and local beautification efforts.

If you're planning a trip to Hawaiian Falls this summer, it’s worth knowing it’s located in Roanoke—about a 25-minute drive from Justin.

A GetOut Membership is just $79.95 per year and includes one FREE Hawaiian Falls admission per member, plus access to dozens of attractions, activities, and family experiences across North Texas all year long.

Think family outings, date nights, mini road trips, and weekend fun without constantly buying individual tickets.

Even better, Justin Journal readers can save an extra $5 off by using promo code JUSTINJOURNAL at checkout.

Monday~ June 22

Tuesday~ June 23

Thursday~ June 25

Friday~ June 26

Saturday~ June 27

_{Plan Ahead:}
^{7/1~ Red White & Lewisville
7/2~ Treeline Fireworks Justin
7/3~ All American Fireworks & Festival Roanoke
7/4~ Roots and Sprouts Farmers Market
7/11~ Justin Farmers Market}

What was life like in Justin nearly 100 years ago? If you ask lifelong resident and retired teacher Nita Gay Hardeman Judge, the answer is simple: family, hard work, and plenty of fun.

Born at home on November 11, 1931, just two miles south of Justin, Nita grew up on the Hardeman family farm surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and endless adventures. Every summer, her grandfather's home became the gathering place for the entire family as eight daughters and three sons returned home with their children.

"We had a wonderful time," Nita recalled. "The aunts would really entertain us, and we had fun. It was a good time."

Summer officially began the day her mother gave permission to go barefoot.

That meant climbing into the hayloft, turning old abandoned cars into race cars, playing in piles of cottonseed, making mud pies, digging hideouts, and even having playful "corn cob fights." “We played outside. We played hard…We could make hideouts, and we just had real fun. We really did have fun.”

There were no televisions, tablets, or vacations. Entertainment came from imagination, neighbors, and the outdoors. Even winter didn't slow them down.

"We didn't have rubber boots or gloves," she laughed. "We put socks on our hands if it was real cold, but we stayed outside and played."

Life centered around family. The Hardemans operated a dairy farm, and everyone pitched in to milk cows. Even after leaving for college, Nita returned home on weekends to help because, as she put it, it was simply her job.

Growing up during the Great Depression meant money was tight, but Nita never felt poor.

Her mother made nearly all of her clothes, and when she once begged for a beautiful dress at Leonard Brothers department store, her father gave her advice she never forgot. “Listen, young lady, if we could afford that, you would already have it.” It's a lesson she carried with her throughout her life.

Simple outings became treasured memories. Every now and then, if her father had a little extra money, the family would drive to Fort Worth for a movie. If they were lucky, they'd stop afterward for a giant soft drink they called a "belly washer." If they were really lucky, they'd visit Pangburn's Candy.

One of those movie trips became unforgettable. While sitting in the theater, an announcement came that Pearl Harbor had been attacked. “Everything was rationed. Sugar was rationed…It was scary. Real scary.” She remembers making fudge becoming nearly impossible because sugar was rationed during World War II.

Community life was different, too. Justin was so small that strangers didn't go unnoticed. “You knew if there was a strange car or strange family, you knew who they were visiting.”

Friday nights often meant piling into a neighbor's car and heading to the Ponder Rodeo, one of the biggest events around. Trips to Denton included a stop at John's Well for a cold drink, and downtown Justin was filled with familiar landmarks like Brad's Confectionery, Pierce Grocery, the old movie theater, and the railroad depot.

Nita still treasures two wooden cabinets rescued from the depot before it was torn down—a small piece of Justin history preserved inside her home.

Today, at 94 years old, she's watched Justin grow from a quiet farming town into one of the fastest-growing communities in North Texas.

She's amazed by the pharmacies, doctors, restaurants, grocery stores—and even the idea of having a Walmart. “I didn’t think I’d live long enough to see a Walmart in Justin.”

While traffic is one change she could do without, she believes the heart of Justin remains the same. “It’s home…I think people care. You’ve always got help if you need it.”

After teaching for 34 years, raising four children, and seeing generations of Justin families grow up, Nita's story reminds us that while buildings, roads, and businesses may change, the things that truly define a town—family, neighbors, kindness, and community—never go out of style.

^{A special thank you to Lisa Cate for taking the time to interview Nita Gay Hardman Judge and preserve these priceless memories. Conversations like these help ensure Justin's history isn't just remembered—it continues to be shared with future generations.}