“My dream is to find a way to ensure that old buildings/homes, historic or not, are always given another chance and
to find a way to support those who live in and love these structures,” she said.
She learned her respect and adoration of old homes from her father, a third-generation master carpenter. According to
Hamessley, “I guess in the end watching my dad has inspired me to preserve the history of this county through preservation of its buildings and homes.”
V.A. Littleton Outstanding Artist Award Hannah Nather
Fourteen-year-old artist Hannah Nather has been a resident of Parker County
for about two and a half years since moving here from Chicago with her
parents. From the beginning she loved drawing. “When I was little, my par ents
had these college kids coming over and they would draw with me,” Nather
recalled. “I had all these people encouraging me and my art.”
When she gets older she wants to be a teacher. “A dance or art teacher,” she
said. “Something that deals with the arts.” And, her artwork sells. The first
time someone offered her money for one of her paintings, she was taken by
surprise.
“I took it in to show one of my friends and they wanted to sell it because they
thought it was so good,” Nather said shyly. “It sold really quickly.”
Her favorite artists include Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. “I like the
styles,” she said. “I can’t paint like Van Gogh but he was the first painter that
ever did anything like he did. And Monet is very peaceful but also joyful and
colorful.”
Besides art and school, Nather volunteers at homeless shelters and this
summer is going to work at a Bible Camp in Kansas.
Patsy Hooks Pet Rescue Award Jackie Ortiz
Jackie Ortiz is a Vet Tech at the Weatherford Animal Shelter. Growing up in
Mineral Wells, she has been around animals all her life and loves learning and
being involved in shelter medicine. Having been there six years, she has seen
a lot of changes, but they are all for the better.
Jackie is the go-to-girl if you need help. When she isn’t busy being a fulltime mom, she is dedicated to the shelter’s needs. Jackie is bi-lingual and is
occasionally called at home to translate.
She is very committed to the shelter and has even taken her “work” home
to care for.
MAY 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
Dr. Noel Bryan Veterinarian Excellence
Award - Dr. Stacy McLeod
This year’s winner of the Dr. Noel Bryan Veterinarian Award knew at age 5
she wanted to be a vet.
“Yes, I knew from a very young age,” Dr. Stacy McLeod said. “I knew
what I had to do, I got it done, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.”
Dr. McLeod and her husband and three girls (4, 8 and 10) moved to
Parker County last November, leaving the far-northern-Panhandle town of
Spearman to work with doctors Craig Sweatt and Tom Hutchins at North Texas
Veterinary Hospital on FM 920 near Weatherford.
Saying she appreciated getting the nod for this award, Dr. McLeod told PCT
she sees herself in Parker County for some time to come.
“I’d like eventually to become an owner in North Texas Veterinary
Hospital,” she said. “I want to serve the community. I think there are a lot
of ways we can enhance the lives of animals [as well as] humans, via their
animals.”
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