Special thanks to Smith’s for sponsoring the official FTWtoday homecoming mum. | Photo by FTWtoday
It’s here, y’all. Last month, we asked readers to design a homecoming mum for Editor Elizabeth, but make it entirely Fort Worth-themed. With help from Smith’s Homecoming Mums & Party HQ, your ideas came to life — and the result is one-of-a-kind.
Although we couldn’t execute every one of your 100+ responses, here are some of our favorite suggestions:
“Make it play music — something by Willie Nelson.”
The term “house” would be an inaccurate description for this home for sale. This palace on Boat Club Road hit the market last week. The 6,561-sqft castle was modeled after the dilapidated Buchanan Castle in Scotland. But wait until you see the inside.
Health
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a nationwide campaign focused on education, early detection, and support. You can step up by attending several community events around DFW. Shop Kendra Scott Southlake this Thursday, Oct. 9. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
Seasonal
Stocking up for trick-or-treaters? In Texas, you can’t go wrong with Sour Patch Kids — it’s the most popular candy in the state, according to a new Instacart study. And let’s be honest: We’ll be sneaking sweets all month long — a little sugar rush pairs perfectly with October’s nonstop festivities.
Shop
Crafters, you need(le) to hear this. Shuttered retailer Joann is sort of back. Michael’s bought Joann and will launch The Knit & Sew Shop, a co-branded “shop-in-shop” across its 1,300+ stores. Cutting tables for fabric sales by the yard are planned for 650 stores by mid-October. Find your local Michael’s.
Sports
In case you missed it, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is set to headline Super Bowl LX’s halftime show. The big game is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California — until then, we’ll keep cheering on the Dallas Cowboys in hopes that they make it. (Variety)
Congrats to our friend Paul Livengood at WFAA — who became a dad recently. He shared adorable photos to X of himself and his little mini.
Listen
This Thursday, Oct. 9, the Dallas Stars take on the Winnipeg Jets in Manitoba during their first regular-season game. Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Stars with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Fact or Fiction
You can earn 4.25% APY on a six-month Share Certificate with an initial deposit of $50. Fact or fiction?Find out.*
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietician with Nourish. Find a dietician covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan.*
Biz
Need to get your business’s message out ASAP? We created our advertiser dashboard just for you. It takes less than five minutes to browse our promo offerings, pick one that fits your goals, and checkout — no long-term contract required. It’s that easy. Try it now.
The Buy
Start speaking a new language in just weeks with Babbel’s expert-made lessons. For a limited time, get lifetime access for only $239 — their best deal of the year. Hurry — these savings end tonight.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Shoutout again to Mario and his wife, and the whole Smith’s team that contributed ideas and worked on my first ever homecoming mum. The enthusiasm and excitement to collaborate on this project are what make my role at FTWtoday fun. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Something I wanted to point out is that Smith’s isn’t just a mum store, it’s also a party supply store. They have all kinds of plain and themed party supplies that you would ever need, like cards, balloons, decorations, and more.
Check out Smith’s on Lancaster the next time you’re planning a special event. And don’t forget to check out the brand new mural behind the building for your next photo opp.
Editor Elizabeth poses with the designer of the FTWtoday homecoming mum, Lucy.
}})
