Joy Donovan

Joy Donovan is a contributing writer for CandysDirt.com covering the Midcities and Fort Worth.

Where to Celebrate the Fourth of July in Tarrant County

By Joy Donovan / June 26, 2026 /

Expect some extra sparkle this Fourth of July as the U.S. of A. puts 250 candles on its birthday cake, and communities across Tarrant County are doing their part to celebrate with several days of parades, concerts, food, and fireworks to celebrate. From Fort Worth’s annual Panther Island celebration to Arlington’s downtown festivities, Southlake’s Stars…

Peek Inside This Stand-Out $4.4 Million Estate in Southlake

By Joy Donovan / June 23, 2026 /

The house at 4413 Saddleback Lane in Southlake has a curb appeal that makes it a showstopper in a neighborhood meant for show-stopping custom homes. Of course, Southlake has captured a Texas-sized share of attention with its homes, its schools, and its commercial developments. Finding a beautiful house in this Tarrant County suburb is easy…

North Texas Growth Is Slowing, But Housing Pressures Aren’t

By Joy Donovan / June 19, 2026 /

House hunters, apartment seekers and highway warriors know well how popular North Texas has become these days. North Texas continues to add residents at a remarkable pace — making Dallas the ninth largest and Fort Worth the 10th largest cities in the U.S. — but the growth that has defined the region for decades is…

After Tragedy, a Remarkable 88-Acre Johnson County Estate Seeks Its Next Chapter

By Joy Donovan / June 16, 2026 /

Julie Shaw and Craig Kuykendall took their time designing their forever home on more than 88 acres in Johnson County. The land had been in Shaw’s family for decades, and she and her husband carefully designed the French-inspired residence to reflect the way they lived. Before construction began, they built a barndominium on the property…

Small-Town Living Starts at $425,000 in Cleburne

By Joy Donovan / June 11, 2026 /

Big-city hustle and bustle can wear a person down, and the fix for some among us is to purchase an abode in a small town. For those, Cleburne should be under consideration. Even though the population is roughly 34,000, Cleburne packs a lot into a small town. Without leaving the Fort Worth suburb, residents can…