🐉 Dragon Boats + a Husky Named Goose

Howdy, y’all!

The lake hands us a big one this weekend. The Lake Lewisville Dragon Boat Festival pulls into Copperas Branch Park Friday and Saturday, crews drumming and paddling those long forty-foot boats right out on the water. We're planning to walk down Saturday morning, coffee in hand, catch a few heats, and grab a bite by the lake. It's free to watch, and the money raised goes to Serve Denton, so a lazy morning out there actually does some good. Go early though. By noon out here in June, the heat means business. Bring a chair and find some shade.

If your weekend skews more grown-up, Toyota Music Factory has free live music on the plaza Friday night. Easy parking, a good patio scene, and no tickets to mess with. A nice slow way to kick the weekend off.

We've also got a 1-year-old husky named Goose looking for a home, a Flower Mound massage studio worth knowing about, and a handful of jobs hiring close by.

- Jason

Copperas Branch Park
101 Copperas Branch Rd, Lewisville, TX
Friday & Saturday, June 26-27
Races from 8:00 AM
Free to watch
Learn More

Forty-foot boats. Paddlers packed in shoulder to shoulder, a drummer at the bow pounding out the pace, and the whole thing happening right out on our lake. That's the Dragon Boat Festival, and it pulls into Copperas Branch Park this Friday and Saturday.

Teams race in heats all day while the shoreline turns into a little festival of its own. Food. Music. A crowd hollering for crews they've never laid eyes on. And it's free to come watch, which makes it an easy yes for the whole family.

Best part? The whole thing raises money for Serve Denton, so a lazy morning by the water actually does some good. Bring a chair. Find some shade. Plan on staying longer than you meant to.

When we want a big no-fuss meal and nobody can agree on what they're hungry for, we go here.

It's an American spot in Old Town Denton, about 20 minutes up the lake, with an open kitchen and the kind of friendly service that gets remembered by name in the reviews.

Breakfast runs all day, so it works whether you're rolling in at 8 o’clock in the morning or showing up starving at 6 PM.

The chicken fried steak is the thing here, and it earns the reputation. People also rave about the burgers, the brisket queso, and the chili fries, and the portions are no joke.

Bring an appetite or plan on leftovers, because more than a few folks mention sharing a plate. Kids do fine here too, and somebody in the reviews specifically asked us to mention the mac and cheese burger.

If you’re looking for breakfast this weekend, just know it's a popular place, so mornings can fill up quick. The easy fix is to go a little before or after the rush.

Price: $$
Hours:
Mon-Sat 7:00 AM-8:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM-2:00 PM

If you've been hauling your stress around in your shoulders, this is the Flower Mound spot worth knowing about. Essence Massage opened in 2022 and got named one of the top three spas in Denton County not long after.

That's a fast climb for a small, family-run place. It's woman and minority owned, and the therapists have a combined twenty-plus years between them.

What sets it apart is how much they actually tailor things. This isn't a one-size massage shop. They do deep tissue, lymphatic, and prenatal, plus an Ashi-Thai fusion that mixes barefoot compression with assisted stretching.

There's an infrared sauna, a cold plunge, and an oxygen bar if you want to turn it into a whole afternoon.

Regulars ask for therapists Myeisha and Selencia by name, which tells you the care is personal. Walk-ins are welcome, and same-day spots open up more often than you'd think.

One more thing: teachers, law enforcement, and first responders get 10% off. Just know they're closed Tuesdays and run by appointment.

Hours:
Mon, Wed- Thu 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Fri 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sat-Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tue Closed

4 beds
4 baths
3,963 sqft lot
0.23 acre lot

A) $749,000

B) $799,000

C) $849,000

D) $899,000

A little East Coast polish is headed to our side of the lake. Hudson House, the Dallas darling known for its cheeseburger, a world-famous martini, and oysters flown in daily, plans to open at The Shops at Highland Village in fall or winter 2026. It's taking over the old Corner Bakery Café and pilates studio space, and a state filing pegs construction to wrap in November.

Parent company Vandelay Companies, the same crew behind the original 2017 Highland Park location, says to expect the brand's signature leather booths, a big wraparound bar, and a patio out front. Been hunting for a new date-night spot close to home? Keep an eye on this one.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

If you mourned those blue-and-white coupons, here's some good news. Bed Bath & Beyond is coming back to Flower Mound, this time through a rebrand of the Kirkland's Home store on FM 2499. The new name out front: Bed Bath & Beyond Seasonal Living. The company says the same team stays, and so do the seasonal decor, gifts, and home accents you already shop. Only the sign above the door changes.

The original Flower Mound store opened in 2014 and closed in 2023 after the company's bankruptcy. So for longtime shoppers, this one's a bit of a homecoming.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

The 75-acre Pilot Knoll Park on the Lake Lewisville shore is still getting a refresh. But the 16 rental cabins once planned for the site? Off the table. At a June 9 council workshop, parks director Phil Lozano laid out revised plans after the council decided the cabins' projected revenue didn't justify the cost. Cutting them trims as much as $1.4 million off the job, down from the original $3.745 million approved under the 2021 Park Bond.

Here's what's still coming: a new gatehouse and entry, parking and trail upgrades, a paddle-sport launch and courtesy dock at the boat ramp, better lighting, more ADA access, and updated restrooms. Design is about 70% done. If you camp, kayak, or launch a boat out there, the bones of the park are about to get a whole lot better.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

Families at Durham Middle School in Lewisville will see a new face this fall. Lewisville ISD named John Engel principal at its June 8 board meeting, and he'll lead the campus for the 2026-2027 school year. Engel brings 29 years in public education, all of it in Fort Worth ISD, most recently as principal of Southwest High School from 2015 to 2026.

Durham is one of three LISD campuses in the district's Project RISE initiative, a tiered model that steers extra support and resources to Title I schools where it'll do the most good. Superintendent Dr. Lori Rapp pointed to Engel's track record of building strong campus cultures as the right fit for that work.

Source: Cross Timbers Gazette

There's a year-old husky at the Lewisville shelter named Goose. If you've ever wanted a dog who treats every single walk like the best idea anybody's ever had, this is your guy.

He's about 52 pounds and sits right in that young-adult sweet spot. Done growing but still plenty of puppy left in him.

The shelter hasn't posted a write-up on Goose yet, so we won't go putting words in his mouth about his personality. Here's what we can tell you.

He's a husky, and that should mean he comes with a motor. These are working dogs at heart. He'll want real exercise, room to move, and a person who's up for the daily job of wearing him out. Do that, and a husky gives you years of company and a whole lot of opinions along the way.

Since there's no bio yet, the smart move is to go meet him in person. See how he does with your household, your kids, your other pets. The shelter staff can walk you through what they've seen from him so far.

Goose is at the Lewisville Animal Shelter (the Gene Carey shelter). Adoption runs $90 all-in, and that covers his neuter, microchip, vaccines, heartworm test, and city registration. Just walk in during open hours and ask to meet him.

Lewisville Animal Shelter (Gene Carey Animal Shelter)
995 E Valley Ridge Blvd, Lewisville, TX 75057
(972) 219-3478
Hours:
Mon by appointment
Tue 12:00 - 7:00 PM
Wed-Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Sun Closed

🏊 Sun Valley Aquatic Center - 801 S Valley Pkwy, Lewisville, TX | 12:00-7:00 PM | Under 2 free, Resident $4, Non-Resident $8 | More: playlewisville.com
Lazy river, two double-loop slides, and a lily-pad walk. The twilight rate drops to $3 from 6 to 7 PM if you just want to cool off.

💦 Heritage Park Splash Pad - 600 Spinks Rd, Flower Mound, TX | 9:00 AM-8:00 PM | Free | More: flower-mound.com
Shaded splash pad with sculpted boulders, fourteen water features, and a toddler zone. Swim diapers required for the little ones.

👶 Music, Motion and Play - Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound, TX | 11:15 AM-12:15 PM | Free | More: fmlibrary.libnet.info
Toddlers and preschoolers sing and dance, then stick around for open playtime. An easy, air-conditioned morning.

📚 Baby Story Time - North Branch Library, 3020 N Locust St, Denton, TX | 9:30-10:00 AM | Free | More: denton.bibliocommons.com
Stories, songs, and early-literacy bonding for the 0 to 18 month set. A preschool Story Time follows at 11:00 AM in the same spot.

🎬 Galaxy Summer Fest: Dog Man - Galaxy Theatres Grandscape, 5740 Grandscape Blvd Ste 100, The Colony, TX | 9:45 AM and 12:15 PM | $3.50 per ticket | More: grandscape.com
The animated Dog Man plays as part of Galaxy's weekday budget series. Cheap seats and a frigid theater on a hot afternoon.

💧 Doubletree Ranch Park Splash Pad - 310 Highland Village Rd, Highland Village, TX | 10:00 AM-8:00 PM | Free | More: highlandvillage.org
Three wet-play zones and a small waterfall built to look like a creek. Plenty of shade and picnic spots.

📖 Family Story Time - Lewisville Public Library, 1197 W Main St, Lewisville, TX | 11:00 AM | Free | More: library.cityoflewisville.com
All-ages stories, songs, and movement in the Bennett Program Room. Grab a first-come ticket at the Youth Services desk.

🦅 Live Raptors with Blackland Prairie - Flower Mound Public Library, 3030 Broadmoor Ln, Flower Mound, TX | 2:00-3:00 PM | Free | More: fmlibrary.libnet.info
Hawks, owls, and falcons up close. Note: showing full with a wait list, so arrive early and ask, or just put it on the radar.

⚽ Summer of Soccer: Panama vs England - Corona Stage and Lawn at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 4:00-6:00 PM | Free | More: grandscape.com
Free big-screen match viewing out on the lawn. Bring a blanket, with indoor viewing at the Grandscape restaurants if the heat wins.

🎬 Lights, Camera, Lawn: Hoppers - The Lawn at The Lakefront, 125 Main St, Little Elm, TX | 7:00-9:00 PM | Free | More: lakefrontlittleelm.com
Free outdoor screening of the animated Hoppers down at the lakefront, with treats from local vendors.

🥕 Farmers Market at The Lawn - The Lawn at The Lakefront, 125 Main St, Little Elm, TX | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM | Free | More: lakefrontlittleelm.com
Lakefront-district market with local vendors, and free all-ages yoga right after at 10:30 AM.

🎣 Beyond the Basics: Fishing 201 - LLELA, 201 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX | 1:00-3:00 PM | $10 plus $5 per vehicle, registration required | More: cityoflewisville.com
A hands-on next-level workshop on knots, bait, reading the water, and fish anatomy. A good indoor session before you hit the lake.

🌊 The Cove at The Lakefront - 417 Lakefront Dr, Little Elm, TX | 12:00-6:00 PM | Under 2 free, ages 2-14 and 50+ $20, ages 15-49 $24 | More: thecoveatthelakefront.com
Indoor water park with a zero-depth splash ground, a FlowRider surf simulator, and a lazy river. Everyone needs a pass.

🏊 Water Works Park - 2400 Long Rd, Denton, TX | 12:00-7:00 PM | See site for admission | More: dentonwaterworks.com
Denton's municipal water park with a wave pool, lazy river, splash pad, and slides. Open daily through August 9.

🏊 The Colony Aquatic Park - 5580 N Colony Blvd, The Colony, TX | 1:00-6:00 PM | $7, or $5 for residents with photo ID | More: visitthecolonytx.com
An outdoor leisure lagoon with a shaded wading pool and a preschool splash zone. Kids 6 and under need an adult in the water.

🥃 BENDT Distilling Co. Tour and Tasting - 225 S Charles St, Lewisville, TX | evening, reserve online | $10 per guest, 21+ | More: bendtdistillingco.com
Walkable from Old Town, a small-batch craft distillery doing solid whiskey and gin. The guided tour ends with a tasting.

🎶 Sounds of Summer: Tin Man Band - Corona Stage and Lawn at Grandscape, 5752 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 8:00-10:00 PM | Free | More: grandscape.com
Free outdoor lawn concert. Bring a blanket or chair; no outside alcohol or coolers, and parking is free in the Crest garage.

🎸 Oz Noy at Windmills Craftworks - 5755 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 7:00 PM | Ticketed | More: grandscape.com
The Israeli-born guitar virtuoso plays his genre-bending jazz at the design-forward brewpub. Dinner, craft beer, and serious musicianship.

🎸 Factory Fridays: Live Music on the Plaza - Toyota Music Factory, 316 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | 6:30-8:30 PM | Free | More: prekindle.com
Free live music on the plaza with food and drinks to start the weekend. Easy parking, good patio scene, no tickets needed.

🎶 Jason Hatch (Acoustic) at Truck Yard - 5959 Grove Ln, The Colony, TX | 4:00-7:00 PM | Free | More: truckyard.com
Truck Yard's backyard hangout brings early-evening acoustic sets. Bring the dog, grab a food-truck bite, and settle in.

🎤 Taylorville: A Tribute to Taylor Swift - The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, 300 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | 7:30 PM, doors 6:30 PM | from about $30 | More: ticketmaster.com
A full-production Eras-style tribute under the open-air pavilion. An easy girls' night or couples' outing.

🎤 Acoustic Jam Session - Medical City Lewisville Grand Theater, 100 N Charles St, Lewisville, TX | 6:00-9:00 PM | Free | More: lewisvillegrand.com
A relaxed recurring open jam in the Grand. Bring an instrument or just settle in and listen.

🎸 James Cook Band at Dan's Silverleaf - 103 Industrial St, Denton, TX | doors 2:00 PM, show 3:00 PM | $12 advance, $15 day-of | More: prekindle.com
An afternoon set at Denton's beloved listening-room bar. A Texas-troubadour matinee with a cold beer in hand.

🎶 Acoustic Sessions with Rachel and Adam - Tande Craft Kitchen and Cocktails, 5754 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 4:00-6:00 PM | Free, food and drink for purchase | More: grandscape.com
A weekly Saturday-afternoon set from the acoustic duo. Grab a cocktail and slow down.

🎤 Karaoke at Yellow Dog Art Bar - 219 E Hickory St, Denton, TX | evening | Free | More: yellowdogartbar.com
Karaoke with DJ J Doubles at a downtown art bar with local brews on tap. A laid-back Saturday night in Denton.

📖 LLELA Lecture: Changing Weather, Changing Gardens | 201 E Jones St, Lewisville, TX | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | Free with $5 per vehicle | More: llela.org
Retiring CBS 11 meteorologist Jeff Ray on North Texas weather and what it means for gardens, with real data and some humor. Space is limited.

🎶 Saturday Sips and Sounds + Tribute to Summer - Toyota Music Factory, 316 W Las Colinas Blvd, Irving, TX | live music 6:30 PM, party 9:00 PM | Free | More: prekindle.com
Early live music on the plaza while the sun drops, then the Tribute to Summer party cranks up at nine. Easy to make a whole evening of it.

🎶 Sunday Serenades with Savannah - Tande Craft Kitchen and Cocktails, 5754 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony, TX | 4:00-6:00 PM | Free, food and drink for purchase | More: grandscape.com
Weekly Sunday-afternoon live music from Savannah Low. Handcrafted cocktails and an easy slide into the week.

🤘 Lungburner, Hot Ram, Sons of Gulliver, Lotus Lords - Rubber Gloves, 411 E Sycamore St, Denton, TX | 8:30 PM | Cover at door | More: rubberglovesdenton.com
Denton's beloved dive-y rock room closes out the weekend loud with a four-band local bill. Bring a little grit.

There's something about a movie outside that a living room just can't touch. The screen glows. The lake breeze finally kicks in after a hot day. And the kids get to stay up a little past bedtime without anybody making a thing of it.

This Saturday night, Little Elm puts the animated movie Hoppers up on a big screen out on the lakefront lawn. Starts at 7 PM, runs till about 9 PM. Local vendors will be out with snacks, so you don't have to pack much. We'd still bring a blanket, a couple of camp chairs, and bug spray if your crew is the kind that gets bitten. Ours is.

And it's free. Not free-with-a-catch. Not free-if-you-buy-something. Just a good summer night by the water that won't cost you a dime past the drive over.

Get there a little early. The good grass near the screen goes quick, and the lakefront at sunset is worth showing up for all on its own.

Learn more about Lights, Camera, Lawn

Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound has a Charge RN opening in its NICU. Full-time nights, and it's sign-on bonus eligible. This is the area's first acute-care center in Flower Mound, with a small, tight-knit Level II NICU team, self-scheduling, and a strong unit-based council. You'll need your RN license, at least a year of acute-care nursing, and NRP certification within 90 days. Benefits include a student loan repayment program and paid parental leave.

👉 View the posting

City of Lewisville Parks & Recreation is staffing up the pools for summer. Lifeguards start at $15.66 an hour (returning guards move up to $16.16 and climb from there), and you only have to be 16 to apply. Built for a teenager or a college kid home for the break. The season runs May through September.

👉 View the posting

City of Lewisville (Assistant Pool Manager) is the step up if you've got a little leadership in you. Same May-through-September seasonal schedule, with new hires starting at $16.67 an hour and returning managers at $17.17. Good fit for a returning lifeguard ready to run a deck, or a teacher chasing summer hours with the city.

👉 View the posting

Lewisville ISD is filling roles for the 2026-27 school year across its campuses, with active openings in Special Education and Safety & Security, among others. Worth a look whether you want classroom support work, a campus aide role, or something on the operations side. And district jobs come with a schedule and benefits that actually fit family life.

👉 Browse current openings

Bonus help (free): Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas runs a no-cost career center in Denton with job search help, resume coaching, training referrals, and hiring events open to anyone in the region. If you're between jobs, or helping somebody who is, this is the door to knock on.

👉 Find the Denton office