December 16, 2024

Old Town Christmas, Justin’s Growth, Local Events, NISD Signing Day & a Dash of History!

Author

Amber Hill
December 16, 2024

Good morning, Justin readers! 

Old Town Justin was sleighing it this holiday season with Santa, live reindeer, and a whole lot of festive cheer. As we unwrap exciting growth in our town and look forward to more events to help you savor the season, we’re also celebrating the big moment for NISD’s National Signing Day. Stay tuned – there's so much to enjoy in our Hometown as we jingle all the way into the new year!

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THE DIGEST
Old Town Christmas Recap, Festive Wordsearch, and Fun Ways to Enjoy the Rest of the Holiday Season

Old Town Christmas Recap & A Fun Find!

Hope you were able to join the community at Old Town Christmas this weekend! While it’s evolved over the years, there was no shortage of festive fun with s’mores, live reindeer, face painting, and more. While waiting for the trolley, you might have noticed the bell in front of First Baptist Church Justin. If it sparked your curiosity, be sure to check out our previous newsletter where we dive into the fascinating history of that bell—dating all the way back to the Icarian times!

And don’t forget, we’ve got a special treat for you! Grab a copy of this month’s Old Town Christmas-themed word search and test your holiday cheer! It’s a fun way to keep the festive spirit going.

2024 Old Town Christmas Word Search1.51 MB • PDF File

Looking for fun ways to celebrate the remainder of the holiday season? Check out our previous newsletter for some festive ideas and activities to make this time of year extra special. From local events to creative holiday traditions, we've got plenty of suggestions to help you spread joy and cheer!

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LOCAL BUSINESS
Exciting Growth for Justin, TX – A Bright Future for Small Businesses!

Justin, Texas, is experiencing rapid growth, and this expansion brings incredible opportunities for both residents and small businesses. From a population of 1,913 in 2000 to 5,892 in 2023, Justin’s community is thriving and is projected to keep growing, with expectations to reach over 7,000 residents by 2026. This surge in population creates a fantastic chance for small businesses to flourish as more people are drawn to the area.

The ongoing development in Justin, including projects like Timberbrook Crossing, adds to the excitement. Timberbrook Crossing, a 10-acre commercial development located at FM-407 and FM-156, is in Phase 1 of its development. The first phase will feature the Academy Child Education Center, set to be completed by April 1, 2025. Phase two, breaking ground in the middle of 2025, will bring restaurants and service retail spaces to the area. This development will serve not only the growing Justin community but also nearby neighborhoods, including Ladera retirement community (156 homes), The Preserve (1,000 homes), and the Hillwood Community (2,500 homes), with an overall projection of 8,000 new homes in the area.

As Justin continues to expand, small businesses have the opportunity to connect with a larger, engaged customer base. Our goal is to help local businesses thrive by sharing local events and business updates, fostering stronger connections between businesses and residents. By working together, we can grow a dynamic, supportive community. Let’s build a bright future for Justin, one small business at a time!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just fun info we wanted to share.

EVENTS
December Happenings

📅Tuesday~ Dec. 17

  • When: 8-9AM

  • Where: Justin Coffee & Trading

  • When: 6:30PM

  • Where: 415 N College Ave

  • When: 7PM

  • Where: Whites Chapel Methodist Church

📅Wednesday~ Dec. 18

55+ Lunch and Games

  • When: 9:30AM-12PM

  • Where: 415 N. College Ave

  • When: 12:30-1:30PM

  • Where: Justin Coffee & Trading

  • When: 7:00 PM

  • Where: Three Wide Brewing 16230 Three Wide Dr

📅Thursday~ Dec. 19

  • When: 6-8PM

  • Where: The Right Way Nutrition Shack

📅Friday~ Dec. 20

NISD No School until Jan. 8

Breakfast with the Mayor
Join the mayor for small talk and breakfast every Friday morning.

  • When: 6:00 AM-8:00 AM

  • Where: Lonesome Spur Cafe 218 S FM 156, Justin

  • When: 10AM-12PM

  • Where: Cheeky Monkeys~ Highland Village

  • When: 6:30-11PM

  • Where: Cinnamon Creek Ranch

📅Saturday~ Dec. 21

  • When: 9-11AM

  • Where: 2001 Texan Dr

  • When: 10AM-1PM

  • Where: 18014 J Cheshier Rd

  • When: 11AM-3PM

  • Where: Ace Hardware Justin (The Greenhouse)

  • When: 6-9PM

  • Where: Three Wide Brewing

📅Check out our Online Calendar for Future Events

LOCAL HISTORY
John B. Denton

John Barnard Denton (July 28, 1806 - May 22, 1841) was born in Tennessee and moved to Texas in 1837 as a minister.  In 1828 Mr. Denton began to study law was called to be a volunteer in the local miltia in 1839. Denton quickly rose to the rank of captain in Brigadier General. Edward H. Tarrant's Fourth Brigade.

In April 1841, the Ripley family homestead near Clarskville was attacked by a Native American raiding party, who killed the family and stole their horses. The militia was tasked with finding the raiders. In May of that year the militia's scouts found the suspected raiders. While General Tarrant's Fourth Brigade of the Texas Militia captured two villages however, the third village led to intense fighting. John Denton was killed early in the fight and the unit quickly withdrew.

A group later returned to recover Denton's body. The brigade retreated and buried his body under a tree near Justin where Denton Creek meets Oliver Creek.

In 1856 some local boys playing near Oliver Creek stumbled upon a grave. Denton County rancher John Chisum heard of the grave that was found and remembered the story of the Battle of Village Creek and the burial of John Denton and went to investigate. He found the grave in poor condition and decided to move the bones to protect them. He buried the remains of John Denton in the corner of his property until someone could claim them. When Chisum sold his property later he wrote a letter to the new owner with a written account of the grave.

In 1900 the Old Settler's Association of Denton County wanted to bury John Denton properly within the town that bears his name. The association placed an advertisement in the paper looking for facts leading to the burial location of Mr Denton. The new owner (J.M. Waide) replied and shared the information regarding the burial on the property including the handwritten letter that Chisum wrote up. TThe association confirmed that the remains were indeed Denton's and arranged for a formal reburial. On November 21, 1901, Denton was laid to rest in a large ceremony on the Denton County Courthouse lawn.

SPORTS NEWS
Northwest ISD Celebrates National Signing Day

Northwest High School Sporting Events

Northwest ISD proudly recognizes 34 student-athletes from Byron Nelson, Eaton, and Northwest High Schools who signed letters of intent to play collegiate sports. Three students signed in December, and 31 signed in November, marking an exciting milestone for the district.

Byron Nelson High School:

  • Leo Almanza — Baylor University — Football

  • Ezra Malamura — Columbia University — Football

  • Tucker James — United States Military Academy West Point — Football

  • Hunter Ortiz — Weatherford College — Baseball

  • Jacob Sivak — Dallas College, Eastfield Campus — Baseball

  • Ryleigh Murray — Friends University — Basketball

  • J’Lynn Orozco — Midwestern State University — Basketball

Eaton High School:

  • Logann Coil — Lyon College — Softball

  • Addison Simmons — Oklahoma Wesleyan University — Softball

  • Chloe Blanchard — Southwestern University — Volleyball

  • Keely Shearer — Morrisville State College — Volleyball

Northwest High School:

  • Cooper Davidson — Rose State College — Baseball

  • Ricky Morgan — Rose State College — Baseball

  • Isabel Agudelo — Benedictine College — Soccer

  • Natalia Rivera Lorenzo — Youngstown State University — Soccer

  • Jayla Adams — Northwestern Oklahoma State University — Volleyball

  • Reyna Heisserer — Creighton University — Cross Country/Track

  • Chase Hope — Dallas Baptist University — Cross Country/Track

  • Emily Nelson — Southwestern Oklahoma State University — Cross Country/Track

  • MJ Novelli — University of Houston — Cross Country/Track

  • Matthias Peterson — Western Carolina University — Cross Country/Track

  • Connor Nelson — North Central Texas College — Golf

  • Brooke Cross — University of Central Arkansas — Soccer

  • Emma Jeffiers — Northwest Missouri State University — Soccer

  • Lydia Fickle — Southwest Baptist University — Soccer

  • Sophia Moore — University of Louisiana at Lafayette — Soccer

  • Katie Nguyen — University of Tulsa — Soccer

  • Nadia Ortiz — University of Houston — Soccer

  • Tano Uzezi-Itesa — Arizona State University — Soccer

  • Zino Uzezi-Itesa — University of Texas Dallas — Soccer

  • Madison McBride — Maryville University — Softball

  • Maya Pardue — Northeast Texas Community College — Softball

  • Sydnee Peterson — Rice University — Volleyball

  • Dylan Sterna — McNeese State University — Volleyball

These 34 dedicated athletes will continue their athletic journeys at the collegiate level, and their hard work and commitment serve as an inspiration for the entire Northwest ISD community. Congratulations to all, and best of luck in the next chapter of their careers!