Park Cities Fourth of July Celebration Recap 2020 Special Section

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PHOTOS BY: RACHEL SNYDER, SAMANTHA PONCE, SHAYE WATTSON, AND DALEY KAPPENMAN

2B August 2020 | parkcitiespeople.com

PRIDE, OPTIMISM, AND COLORING CONTEST WINNERS

E

ven in this summer heat, my thoughts keep returning to a beloved Christmas tale.

After all, W I L L I A M TAY LO R those of us who live, work, and/or otherwise love the Park Cities recently endured our Whoville moment.

The oh so Grinch-like COVID-19 pandemic stole away the beloved Fourth of July Parade, leaving behind no candy tossed from red, white, and blue floats, no bicycle decorating contest, and no picnic full of freebies in Goar Park.

With apologies to author Theodor Geisel, no puzzler is needed to explain what happened next.

With leadership from the Rotary Club of Park Cities, residents proved, as Dr. Seuss might say, that, “Maybe (Independence Day), perhaps... means a little bit more!”

This section celebrates the community spirit and patriotism demonstrated by all who showed off their Stars, Stripes, and Service by participating and supporting a modified 2020 Fourth of July Celebration.

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to those who voted online to choose the newspaper’s People’s Pick.

It looks like you and Rotary’s volunteer judges agreed.

Annually, the Rotary Club uses the parade to bring in donations for the North Texas Food Bank, and this year’s paradeless celebration helped the cause, too.

“We raised $32,150 on behalf of the North Texas Food Bank, and when combined with the matching partners of NTFB, a grand total of 283,650 meals were provided for those in need,” parade committee chair Sarah Oliai announced.

If you missed the 2020 July Fourth of July Broadcast, you should check it out at parkcitiesrotary.org or on the Park Cities Rotary YouTube channel. It showcases Girl Scouts, music, youth, and timely thoughts from elected leaders.

Finally, the sacrificing we make “to rid ourselves of an oppressive foe, in this case, a devastating virus,” shouldn’t diminish community pride and optimism, Rotary Club president Barbara Jeffries said recently. “I am hopeful we will be celebrating Independence Day together next year and every year after.”

I am, too.

AGE CATEGORY 2 - 4 WINNER: Teresa Roglan (3 years old)

AGE CATEGORY 5 - 7 WINNER: Mikayla McCleskey (7 years old)

AGE CATEGORY 8 - 10 WINNER: Margaux Viguerie (10 years old)

AGE CATEGORY 11 - 13 WINNER: Elsa Meck (12 years old)

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PEOPLE’S PICK AND FIRST PLACE WINNER 3745 STANFORD AVE.

Lady Scots Cross Country /Track & Field Team decorated the home of the Cochran Family.

(PHOTOS: DALEY KAPPENMAN)

4B August 2020 | parkcitiespeople.com

Rotary Club Announces Kids Patriotic Art Competition Winners

UNDER 6 CATEGORY: 1st - Eleanor M.

UNDER 6 CATEGORY: 2nd - Harrison and Colette M.

UNDER 6 CATEGORY: 3rd - Harper W.

7-12 CATEGORY: 1st - Mateo C.

7-12 CATEGORY: 2nd - Rebecca M.

13-18 CATEGORY: 1st - Lydia E.

7-12 CATEGORY: 3rd - John C.

From the Parade Committee: “The kids art competition was fierce, fun, and a pleasure to see what stars, stripes and service meant to them.” (COURTESY PHOTOS)

Spirit of Service Award No team floats, no problem.

Highland Park High School sports teams held fundraisers for the North Texas Food Bank as they competed for the Fourth of July Sprint of Service Award.

The Lady Scots Track/Field and Cross Country Team won by raising $4,000 with a relay.

The Boys Basketball Team earned runner-up status by raising $2,500 by shooting baskets.

The food bank is the annual charitable beneficiary of the parade.

Lady Scots Track/Field and Cross Country Team. (COURTESY PHOTO)

parkcitiespeople.com | August 2020 5B

Chalk It Up To Family Fun, Community Spirit

Rain washes away patriotic art, not Independence Day enthusiasm

Walkers along Purdue Street encounter a variety of colorful characters. (PHOTOS: SHAYE WATTSON, COURTESY)

By Rachel Snyder People Newspapers

Chalk drawings in the 3200 block of Purdue Street depicted a wide range of characters from Disney princesses, Star Wars, to Sesame Street this spring and summer.

Neighbors found sidewalks adorned with Disney princesses like Belle from Beauty and the Beast next to inspirational quotes and Chewbacca from Star Wars next to perhaps less discernible quotes.

“I’m a stay-at-home mom, so the chalk drawings kind of started just for something to do with the kids,” Cara Geyser said. “We just were looking to spend some time outside, and we started with rainbows and stuff and... kept going.

“Sometimes we’d watch a movie, and they’d say, ‘Hey, could you draw that on the sidewalk?”

She said her background is in apparel and textile design, so she has experience in creative fields.

Her family, including their two children,

have lived in the neighborhood for about eight years.

“We just really enjoyed having people stop by and enjoy the work, too, so it was just a way that we could make our neighbors happy and spread a little joy,” Geyser said. “It’s just so sweet; everybody is so kind, and they just pass by and say, ‘Keep going; we love your art,’ and it just brings a smile to my face and warms my heart because I’m very grateful that they enjoy it,” While rain washed away the art before

the Rotary Club of Park Cities’ patriotic yard decorating contest July 4, Geyser’s home was among those vying for the distinction of the best decorated as judged by voters on our website and by the Rotary Club.

“My youngest daughter wanted to join the competition,” she said, adding the parade is a big family tradition.

“We spent a lot of time decorating with the theme, which we thought was amazing,” Geyser said. “That was just such a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July.”

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T H A N K YO U F O R PA R T I C I PAT I N G !

3745 Stanford Avenue 4224 San Carlos 3308 Colgate Ave 2840 Daniel Ave 3541 Caruth 3517 Cornell 3141 Purdue Ave 3649 Haynie Ave 3712 Southwestern Blvd 3701 Purdue Ave 4001 Bryn Mawr Drive 3201 Purdue Ave 3133 Greenbrier Drive 6000 Preston Road (Moody Family YMCA)

8B August 2020 | parkcitiespeople.com