Brian Kendall, Executive Editor<\/p>\n
It\u2019s always a fun, and even reassuring, exercise to look back on the year and select some faves. I\u2019ll even go down the rabbit hole of rereading a 5,000-word piece just to nod and say aloud to myself \u201cyou know, that was pretty darn good.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0One such piece, a feature that is no doubt worthy of multiple rereads that I\u2019ll go ahead and call the article of the year, was my colleague John Henry\u2019s heartfelt \u2014 and\u00a0award-winning<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 longform essay that advocates for the preservation of Farrington Field, \u201cSave It, and They Will Come<\/a>.\u201d Like rewatching a Stanley Kubrick flick, I find something new and fascinating about the story with every read.<\/p>\n John also hit a home run with \u201cDelivering Jameela<\/a>,\u201d our April cover feature. Part story on a historic birth at the Fort Worth Zoo, part profile on obstetrician Dr. Jamie Erwin, and part piece on the resilience of a baby gorilla, it\u2019s engrossing, educational, and uplifting. But reader beware: I recall getting a bit misty-eyed when first reading it. And in October, John went outside the box with his interview subjects and shot the shit with some dead historical figures at\u00a0Oakwood Cemetery<\/a>. It\u2019s classic John humor.<\/p>\n Our main dining writer, Malcolm Mayhew, also had a trio of incredible pieces. His feature on\u00a0local soul food<\/a>\u00a0has me licking my chops just thinking about it, and his annual piece on the city\u2019s\u00a0best new restaurants<\/a>\u00a0is a masterclass in food writing. Yet perhaps my favorite story he wrote this year went outside the realm of dining and beautifully sermonized\u00a0framing and art restoration<\/a>\u00a0at the iconic Dow Art Galleries.<\/p>\n For my last couple of selections, I guess I\u2019ll stroke my own ego and include my profiles on\u00a0Shane McAnally<\/a>, a Mineral Wells native who\u2019s written 50 Billboard-topping country songs, and\u00a0Adan Banuelos<\/a>, who I argued was the sport of cutting\u2019s first superstar. Thoroughly enjoyed chatting with and writing about both of them.<\/p>\n John Henry, Fort Worth Inc. Executive Editor<\/p>\n Ever since I dipped my toe into the genre of horse writing, I\u2019ve been intrigued by the idea of the Mongol Derby, a 621-mile race inspired from the days of Genghis Khan, who lived \u2026 a long time ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n Eight hundred years ago, in fact.\u00a0<\/p>\n Well, anyway, riders jump on the backs of Mongolian horses and take them on a more than 600-mile journey of the Mongolian Steppe, figuratively retracing Genghis Khan\u2019s long-distance system to send messages. This is no over-the-river-and-through-the-woods-to-Grandma\u2019s-house-we-go-type thing. It\u2019s more like across arid desert terrain, over vast plains and through craggy mountain passes \u2014 get out your Rosary beads, cross your fingers, and hope for the best.\u00a0<\/p>\n It requires a unique toughness. Writer Tyler Hicks\u00a0introduced us to Josh Edwards<\/a>, a tough guy, who got in the Mongol Derby in 15 days. Hell of a read to kick off the new year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Speaking of grit. In September, Brian Kendall told\u00a0the stories of four women<\/a>\u00a0who work in male-dominated professions, including a landman \u2014 a real landman \u2014 and a firefighter.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Back to horses. This man was born to ride. Brian Kendall also introduced us to cutting horse trainer extraordinaire\u00a0Adan Banuelos<\/a>\u00a0in November in advance of the NCHA Futurity. Banuelos was born in the saddle \u2014 quite literally \u2014 and has spent his life translating the unspoken language between horse and rider into championships, artistry, and a legacy. He is today the sport\u2019s first true superstar \u2014 with a supermodel as a girlfriend. Genghis Khan was right: It\u2019s easy to conquer the world on the back of a horse.\u00a0<\/p>\n Of those I penned,\u00a0\u201cA Love Letter to a Stadium\u201d<\/a>\u00a0in August was my favorite, simply because of the topics of history, places, and preservation are favorites. And Farrington Field is particularly a favorite. My story on Jamie Erwin became a favorite the instant I sat down with the engaging medical doctor who brought the\u00a0miracle of Jameela<\/a>\u00a0into the world through C-section at the Fort Worth Zoo.\u00a0<\/p>\n Stephen Montoya, Digital Editor\u00a0<\/p>\n As 2025 winds down, some stories linger longer than others \u2014 the ones that make you pause, reflect, or smile long after you\u2019ve closed the magazine. This year, the stories that stayed with me spanned personal essays, historical explorations, culinary celebrations, and bold visions for the future of our city. From the enduring charm of Farrington Field to the smoky brisket of a family-run barbecue spot honoring a late son, these features captured the heart, history, and promise of Fort Worth.<\/p>\n A Love Letter to Farrington Field<\/a><\/p>\n Topping the list is John Henry\u2019s homage to Farrington Field, one of Fort Worth\u2019s most cherished sports monuments. Long before the story was greenlit, John had immersed himself in research and storytelling, blending personal reflection with historical detail. The result is a piece that feels both intimate and enduring \u2014 the kind of story that keeps conversations alive long after the cover story has left newsstands.<\/p>\n Table for One, And Proud of It<\/a><\/p>\n Malcolm Mayhew explored what it\u2019s like to dine alone in a city built for company, turning solo meals into a quietly revealing experience. His commentary captures the subtle rhythms, social cues, and unexpected freedoms of eating alone, balancing humor with a touch of poignancy. For anyone who\u2019s ever wondered whether dining solo feels lonely, Malcolm\u2019s insight hits home \u2014 and makes you think twice about that empty chair at your table.<\/p>\n Cowgirls of the Chisholm Trail<\/a><\/p>\n In September, Shilo Urban chronicled the women who blazed trails \u2014 literally \u2014 along the Chisholm Trail. Part of a magazine issue dedicated to women in male-dominated jobs, the piece honors those whose grit and determination reshaped the history of the West, offering a vivid portrait of courage that feels both timeless and urgently relevant.<\/p>\n A Look at Arlington\u2019s New National Medal of Honor Museum<\/a><\/p>\n In April, Shilo Urban delivered a masterful feature on the newly opened National Medal of Honor Museum. She begins with a lede that humanizes extraordinary heroism: ordinary people from diverse backgrounds, connected by courage, sacrifice, and service. Her reporting strikes the perfect balance between historical rigor and empathetic storytelling, creating a reverent spotlight of not just the building but the people it was built to honor.\u00a0<\/p>\n True Grit: No Job Is Off Limits for These Leading Ladies<\/a><\/p>\n In September, our Executive Editor Brian Kendall put together a cover story that involved four women who currently work in male-dominated industries with poise and respect \u2014 his reporting was an illuminating read that put the spotlight on the shattering of the glass ceiling. From pioneering culinary entrepreneur Lucille Elizabeth Bishop Smith to modern trailblazers in firefighting, athletics, and the energy sector, Fort Worth women have consistently defied societal norms and transformed careers into legacies and sources of personal empowerment. Their stories show that success in male-dominated fields is not about fitting in \u2014 it\u2019s about excelling on one\u2019s own terms.<\/p>\n What Will Fort Worth Look Like in 2050?<\/a><\/p>\n By 2050, Fort Worth is set to become a thriving, world-class city while preserving its cowboy roots \u2014 with a growing population, walkable urban villages, expanded transit, and emerging hubs for aerospace, technology, and film. Watching Brian Kendall craft this cover story \u2014 juggling multiple sources over several weeks to cover every angle \u2014 reminded me of my early days in journalism, where in-depth, localized reporting was the gold standard, and this article embodies exactly that. From AI-driven city planning and booming industries to education, healthcare, and cultural preservation, Cowtown\u2019s future promises a balance of progress and heritage that feels both ambitious and authentically Fort Worth.<\/p>\n A Walk in Oakwood Cemetery<\/a><\/p>\n In October, John Henry brought Fort Worth\u2019s past vividly to life in a unique exploration of Oakwood Cemetery, telling the stories of some of the city\u2019s most notable figures from a bygone era. Through encounters with the spirits of pioneers, civic leaders, artists, and athletes, he writes these individuals back into the present in a way that both engages and informs readers. The cemetery becomes more than a resting place \u2014 it is a living chronicle of memory and legacy, showing how the people who shaped Fort Worth continue to resonate today.<\/p>\n