By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, new reports are examining just how much of a kick the arrival of soccer fans from around the world will bring to North Texas’ economy.
AT&T Stadium, dubbed Dallas Stadium for the World Cup, will host nine matches, the most of any venue. In Dallas County, Washburne Stadium at SMU and the Cotton Bowl will serve as training sites, Fair Park will host a Fan Festival, and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center has already begun setting up to be the International Broadcast Center.
Monica Paul, president of the North Texas FWC Organizing Committee and executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission, said ticket sales for World Cup matches also remain strong, particularly for group stage matches, and SMU will be an important training site for teams playing in North Texas.
Paul said efforts are still underway to connect local businesses with opportunities created by the arrival of the World Cup to provide products and services.
So just how much economic impact is the flurry of soccer activity expected to generate?
A report from Colliers projected an estimated economic impact of $2.1 billion — a big jump from the $600 million footprint the World Cup left when it was last hosted by Dallas in 1994.
A recent Oxford Economics report says that while Dallas and Houston are expected to see a bigger economic boost than host cities already popular with tourists, such as New York, Miami, and Boston, the impact may be more modest than anticipated.
The report cites Bureau of Labor Statistics data that forecasts a 2.6% GDP increase in Dallas’ leisure and hospitality sector this year. But it predicts that the World Cup will not impact overall job growth or GDP gains outside the hospitality sector.
“Healthy consumer spending by mainly high-income consumers, strong productivity gains offset by lower immigration, the war in Iran, and its hit to spending power will have a far greater impact on these metro economies than the 78 games across the 11 cities,” according to the report.
A new report from The American Hotel & Lodging Association found that 70% of Dallas and Houston respondents reported a booking pace below World Cup expectations, but still in line with a typical June or July.
Cullum Clark, director of the George W. Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative, also expects a modest economic boost.
“(The World Cup) is exciting and fun for people who are really into soccer (but) it’s easy to exaggerate the actual economic significance for the region or for the city of Dallas,” Clark said. “For a limited time, there will be, for a great many restaurants and hotels, fantastic business.”
He said one change could have a bigger economic impact — cities could permanently behave as if they were trying to attract major events.
“If it’s a nice place to visit, pretty good chance it’s a nice place to live too,” Clark said, “and maybe a nice, fun place to do business.”
Drivers Targeted by Toll Payment Scam
The Texas Department of Transportation has issued a warning about a scam involving residents who received text messages claiming to be from Texas toll agencies requesting payment.
The warning comes after mobile carriers reported a rise in scams using direct messaging to defraud people out of money.
The messages, which appear to come from the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) or TxTag, tell recipients they owe money for unpaid tolls and must pay immediately to avoid late fees or penalties. Many include a link directing users to what appears
to be a payment site but is designed to collect personal or financial information.
A specialized unit of the Dallas Police Department (DPD) Financial Crimes Division, the Swindle Squad, has been assigned to investigate financial fraud offenses for DPD, including lotto, home improvement, traffic violations, jury duty, municipal court, and pigeon drop and switch scams. The unit also probes purchase order fraud, impersonating a public servant, and the exploitation of an elderly individual.
Officials from NTTA said they do not request payment through unsolicited text messages and encourage customers to ver-
Crime Reports April 13 - May 10
April 13
Reported at 11:28 p.m.: A thief tried to steal a truck in the 4800 block of Abbott Avenue, damaging a door handle, but sped away in another vehicle as the owner went to investigate the truck’s alarm sounding.
Reported at 5:18 p.m.: A jerk stole a student’s bicycle from a school on Emerson Avenue during school hours.
April 14
Reported at 1:03 p.m.: A mischief maker damaged property on Rosedale Avenue.
April 15
Reported at 8:10 p.m.: A burglar got into a vehicle at The Plaza at Preston Center.
April 16
Reported at 2:18 p.m.: A thief took stuff from a home on Purdue Street.
April 17
Reported at 6:10 a.m.: A porch pirate stole three packages of baby formula from the front door area of a home on Greenbrier Drive.
Reported 10:21 a.m.: A troublemaker damaged a motorized wooden gate in the 3200 block of Drexel Drive.
April 20
Reported at 1:59 p.m.: A pair of ne’er do wells broke two windows at a home in the 3500 block of Gillon Avenue before fleeing in an alley after being confronted.
Reported at 10:02 a.m.: A fraudster used the information of a resident of Hanover Street.
Reported at 2:29 p.m.: A pilferer took a package from a home on Amherst Street.
Reported at 7:26 p.m.: A thief stole tools and equipment from a trailer on Caruth Boulevard.
April 22
Reported at 7:55 a.m.: A stealer took stuff from a home on Granada Avenue.
Reported at 8:33 a.m.: A burglar got into a vehicle on Stanford Avenue.
April 24
Reported at 4:20 p.m.: A burglar got into a Ford F-150 parked in the Whole Foods parking lot in the 4100 block of Lomo Alto Drive by breaking a window and stole a bag containing a $1,500 laptop. The bag was later found with the laptop still missing.
Reported at 8:14 a.m.: A thief drove off in a Mercedes-Benz from a home in the 4900 block of Abbott Avenue.
April 26
Reported at 1:09 p.m.: Shoplifters stole merchandise from a CVS store on Mockingbird Lane.
Reported at 10:59 a.m.: A ne’er do well lifted a license plate from a vehicle on Lovers Lane.
April 27
Reported at 6:54 p.m.: A swindler used the information of a resident in the 3100 block of Mockingbird Lane to open a Visa account.
April 28
Reported at 1:21 p.m.: How easy was it for a burglar to steal a laptop from a vehicle on Asbury Avenue ? The vehicle was left unlocked.
April 29
Reported at 8:58 a.m.: A porch pirate picked up two packages from the front steps of a home in the 4400 block of Southern Avenue containing $500 worth of Lululemon and Fendi clothes.
April 30
Reported at 7:42 p.m.: A thief stole two tool chests containing nail guns, a jig saw, a multitool saw, two Dewalt cordless hand sanders, a Dewalt battery charger, a heat gun, and various hand tools from a trailer in the 3300 block of Drexel Drive and fled the scene.
May 1
Reported at 4:27 p.m.: A crook got into a GMC Yukon Denali in the 4400 block of
ify account activity through official websites and secure accounts only.
City officials have emphasized that scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into acting quickly and encourage residents to take a moment to verify any unexpected claims before responding.
Authorities recommend residents avoid clicking on any unverified links or responding to unexpected payment requests via text messages.
Instead, law enforcement suggests deleting suspicious messages, blocking the sender, and reporting the text as spam through
mobile carriers.
NTTA customers can report suspicious activity at ntta.org.
Consumers who believe they may have provided personal or financial information should contact their bank or credit card company and monitor accounts for unauthorized activity. Incidents can also be reported to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.
On DPD’s website, residents are advised to “Stay alert. When in doubt, verify directly with City of Dallas sources.”
Edmondson Avenue and stole a Smith & Wesson 9mm Equalizer handgun.
May 2
Reported at 11:11 a.m.: An opportunistic thief stole a makeup bag with about $200 worth of makeup inside as well as a North Face backpack worth $150, a MacBook Air laptop, a Venmo debit card, and a Target credit card from a Lexus that’d been left unlocked in the 3500 block of Cornell Avenue.
May 5
Reported at 1:31 p.m.: A brazen burglar broke into a garage apartment in the 4200 block of Lorraine Avenue and rummaged through various drawers, boxes, and stacks of clothes.
Reported at 6:47 p.m.: How easy was it for an opportunistic thief to get into a garage on Windsor Parkway and take stuff? The garage was unlocked.
May 6
Reported at 8:18 a.m.: A crook drove off in a Chevy Tahoe that was parked at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Cornell Avenue that was later found, but stole a set of golf clubs and bag, some shirts, and a key fob from inside.
May 8
Reported at 9:26 a.m.: A sneaky thief took two catalytic converters from a Buick LeSabre that was parked near the corner of Mockingbird Lane and Preston Road in the Highland Park Village employee parking lot.
May 9
Reported at 1:49 p.m.: A purse pilferer took a purse from a BMW X5 that was parked in the 4200 block of Oak Lawn Avenue which contained a $9,000 Cartier bracelet, a $5,000 tennis bracelet, $5,000 stud earrings, bank cards, makeup, and various children’s toys.
May 10
Reported at 6:41 a.m.: A vandal broke a $500 vase on a porch in the 4600 block of S. Versailles Avenue.
-Compiled By Claudia Carson-Habeeb
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Concern About Northway Christian’s Plan to Host Compass School of Texas
By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
Neighbors have raised questions about plans that would permit the Compass School of Texas to operate a private school on the Northway Christian Church campus — particularly regarding potential traffic issues and future uses of the space.
The proposal still has hurdles to clear. The permit request will have to come before the Dallas Planning and Zoning Commission, which will make a recommendation to the Dallas City Council.
Northway Christian board chair Paul Schmidt recently announced that the church at 7202 W. Northwest Highway, next to Boone Elementary, is planning to shutter its Day School, which serves children from 6 months to 5 years old, in May of 2027 and host The Compass School of Texas. The Day School has operated at Northway Christian for more than six decades.
The Compass School of Texas is a private school for children in Pre-K to fourth grade. It opened in 2023 and is slated to expand to serve students up to eighth grade. Compass Head of School Shelly Sender said the school plans to move to the church from its current campus at 5414 W. Northwest Highway in the fall of 2027.
“The location includes more classrooms and dedicated administrative offices in addition to ample outdoor space, while we build on our current campus,” Sender said. “We look forward to building a positive relationship with Northway and the beautiful surrounding neighborhood.”
Some neighbors and parents of students at Boone Elementary have raised concerns about the potential traffic impacts of having a K-8 private school so close to Boone — concerns those involved in the proposal sought to address at an April 30 meeting.
At the meeting, in a video obtained by People Newspapers, a presenter outlining the project said the maximum enrollment for Compass’ school is 340 students, and that its operating hours will differ from those at Boone Elementary.
The presenter also said a storm shelter is required for the school by law, and that a shel-
ter around 5,000 square feet has been proposed. District 13 Planning Commissioner Larry Hall said the storm shelter is the only external structure that would be added as part of the project.
Hall explained that the 5,000-squarefoot shelter proposed will accommodate Compass’ long-term enrollment, as well as Northway Christian Church employees and Sunday service attendees.
Some parents and neighbors, though, aren’t convinced that Boone and Compass’ dismissal times are sufficiently staggered.
They also want additional study of traffic management plans, the special use permit to expire after no more than three years, the ability to review storm shelter plans, an enrollment cap of 340, and a cost-sharing agreement with Highland Park ISD for crossing guard coverage on Wentwood Drive and Northwest Parkway. Those requests were outlined in a letter to Dallas planning staff for addition to the record of the case.
Highland Park ISD said the district has made similar requests, which include staggering arrival and dismissal times by at least 30 minutes from Boone’s schedule and capping enrollment at 350 students for any school operating at the Northway site.
Katelyn Clinton, a Boone Elementary and Northway Christian Day School parent, said she was disappointed to hear about Northway’s plans from a neighbor instead of the church.
After attending the community meeting, she remained concerned that the traffic study had been conducted in an atypical month (January) and may not have considered the impact of bikers or pedestrians coming to or from school or the future growth of Compass and Boone.
But she praised the healthy discussion and dialogue, remarking that “The community, I felt like, really showed up.”
Another Boone parent, Katy Jane Halpin, said she’s hopeful about the plans and would like to see collaboration between the neighborhood, HPISD, Northway, and Compass.
“There’s work that needs to be done. Let’s not be mad, let’s go do the work, saving the viability,” Halpin said. “Maybe there’s a good outcome here where we come up with a better traffic plan.”
Some area residents have placed signs in their yards opposing the proposed permit that would allow Northway Christian Church to host the Compass School of Texas. RACHEL SNYDER
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Home & Business
DEBATE CONTINUES OVER PRESTON ROYAL PROJECT
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
Aproposed $800 million mixed-use development at the southwest corner of Preston Road and Royal Lane is generating both support and opposition as developers seek zoning changes for the 7-acre site in Preston Hollow.
The project, led by Burk Interests and Greenway Investment Company, would include a hotel and condominium tower rising to approximately 299 feet, an apartment building at 250 feet, and an 11-story office building. The site is currently zoned for buildings up to 54 feet tall.
Developers say the proposal would transform what they describe as an auto-oriented intersection into a more walkable, mixed-use district with residential, office, restaurant, and hotel space centered around landscaped public areas and pedestrian improvements, and would include funding for additional traffic lights.
“We’re never going to see the eastern sky again.”
John Tynan
“We’ve been listening to the neighbors. We’ve been listening to staff at the city. And we will continue to listen,” said developer Leland Burk.
Architect Evan Beatty said the revised proposal reflects changes made following community feedback, including reducing the height of the tallest tower from earlier concepts and shifting taller portions of
the development toward the center of the property. Beatty said portions of the southern edge of the site would remain at 54 feet, consistent with existing zoning allowances.
Plans for the development include underground parking, 188 on-site trees, expanded landscaping, pedestrian improvements, and a central green space spanning more than half an acre.
Opposition to the proposal, however, has remained organized as residents raise concerns about height, density, traffic, and the project’s impact on nearby single-family neighborhoods.
Yard signs reading “No Skyscrapers, No
Rezoning at Preston & Royal” are posted throughout nearby neighborhoods, and Preserve Preston Hollow, a group opposing the proposal, says more than 2,600 residents have signed a petition against the rezoning request.
area and neighborhood views.
“The problem with the scale of this project being so massive … is we can never mitigate it. It’s permanent,” he said during the meeting. “Those of us at 5800 Royal, we’re never going to see the eastern sky again. And those of you over on Orchid, you’re never going to see the northern sky again.”
Tynan also said the proposed towers would reshape neighborhood sightlines.
“Many of us are going to get a daily solar eclipse, and it’s going to rotate all the way over from past the library on Royal and circle all the way around over to St. Mark’s,” he said.
On April 28, around 200 residents attended a community meeting at Northaven Methodist Church hosted by Preserve Preston Hollow.
John Tynan said the scale of the project would permanently alter the surrounding
Doug Hazelbaker said the debate centers on building height rather than land use. “This is all about height. This has nothing to do with uses,” Hazelbaker said, adding, “They’ll also be digging the world’s biggest hole there for a long time,” referring to plans for underground parking.
Developers have said the project could take about 30 months to complete and that they plan to coordinate with city officials and nearby neighborhoods on construction staging and traffic management.
The proposal remains under review by city staff. A hearing before the City Plan and Zoning Commission has yet to be scheduled. A community meeting and discussion on the zoning, hosted by Mayor Pro Tem Gay Donnell Willis, was scheduled to be held May 18, after this article’s publication.
Area Grows Skyward, But Cafe Madrid Isn’t Going Anywhere
By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
As development continues to move vertical in the Knox neighborhood, one small business owner is keeping her feet on the ground.
Donica Jimenez opened Cafe Madrid, a tapas restaurant known for its cozy setting, Spanish classics, and unique wine list, in the 4500 block of Travis Street in 1990.
The business combined two of her longtime passions — food and Spain. She studied Spanish and Iberian Culture and History at SMU, but her interest in the region began years earlier while she was a student at The Hockaday School.
“I had an incredible high school Spanish teacher, and she used to bring us back her slides of her trips to Spain, and she brought the country to life for me,” Jimenez said. “I fell in love with (Spain) before I ever went there.”
The Cafe quickly proved that Jimenez, who lives in University Park, wasn’t the area’s only aficionado of Spanish cuisine.
“On day one, I had 11 people, and then on day two, I had 55 people,” she said. “It just took off.”
Meanwhile, a Houston-based developer had been buying property in the neighborhood.
One day, Jimenez’s landlord came to her about selling the building.
“I said, ‘Well, you know I have right of first refusal in my lease,’ and he said, ‘Yeah, but this is for a lot of money, there’s this big developer, they’ve been buying all this land since the 1980s,’” Jimenez said. “This piece of property was the last one that they were trying to get.”
She bought Cafe Madrid’s building 12 years ago.
“To me, it was worth it because I’m in it for the long term,” Jimenez explained. “Even with all the construction going on, we’ve definitely seen an uptick in business because so many people are moving not just to the neighborhood, but to Dallas in general.”
More than three decades after she installed Cafe Madrid’s brandnew commercial kitchen, Jimenez’s
homage to Spanish culture still stands in its original spot. Other restaurants and businesses, meanwhile, have come and gone.
At the start of April, the former Chuy’s restaurant on McKinney Avenue near Knox Street was demolished to make way for a future 12-story tower.
That project is expected to include 280,000 square feet of office space and 20,000 square feet of ground floor retail and dining space. The building by BDT & MSD Partners, Trammell Crow Company (the owners of Highland Park Village) and The Retail Connection, dubbed Knox & McKinney, is scheduled for completion in 2028.
In February, the same joint venture partnership topped out on a mixed-use project that includes a 27-story apartment tower, 100,000 square feet of retail, 150,000 square feet of office space, a park, and the Knox Hotel and Residences operated by Auberge Collection.
The 27-story multifamily rental tower, dubbed The Lora, is ex-
pected to open this summer, and the Knox Hotel and Residences is set to debut later this year.
Jimenez attributed her business’ staying power to the support of its customers, who have championed Cafe Madrid for the past 36 years.
“People, customers are very appreciative of the fact that we’re still there,” Jimenez said, “and that we’re keeping some of the original history and the charm of the neighborhood.”
The Knox neighborhood has developed, but Cafe Madrid has remained the same. Owner Donica Jimenez said some customers were even disappointed when the tapas restaurant upgraded its televisions. RACHEL SNYDER
The back bar at Dunston’s Steakhouse has set the stage for some memorable moments over the past seven decades.
But it likely didn’t make its way into a work of fiction until Park Cities writer, artist, musician, and former GameStop executive M.F. Hamlin released his debut novel, Skinny Dipping at Low Tide, this January.
I met Hamlin at the dimly lit hangout to discuss what he calls “A Rollicking Dive into Corporate Absurdity and MemeStock Madness.” Having served as GameStop’s Chief Customer Officer, Hamlin got a front-row glimpse as the gaming empire caught fire amid a legendary short squeeze in the spring of 2021.
“I guess you could say I became the executive who could never grow up.”
M. F. Hamlin
“I love it here,” said Hamlin. “It’s been around forever, and they haven’t changed a bit. It’s one of those places you wouldn’t even know was there, but once you step inside, you don’t want to leave.”
DIVE DEEPER
To
and called him back into the fray.
The book details the ensuing drama in a fictionalized account that’s part Margin Call and part Catch-22
Places like Mia’s Tex Mex and Dunston’s Steakhouse serve as settings. Hamlin’s prose is quick-witted, and his narrative is as compelling as it is comically absurd. With an opening limerick to set the stage, chapters titled after classic rock tracks, and an author-illustrated flipbook running across the corners, it has the quality of a manic magnum opus. But to Hamlin, it’s just a debut.
“Providence and the gods made it okay for me to leave the corporate world,” he said. “So, this is what I want to do now. I want to hang out at places like this. I want to write, make music, and work on my art. I know I’m lucky to be at this place in life, so I want to make the most of it.”
“I moved to Nashville to become a songwriter,” said Hamlin.
“After about eight months, I realized I was the least talented guy there. So, I went into the business side of the music industry.”
Hamlin was born in Atlanta but moved to Dallas when his dad took a job at Electronic Data Systems. He went to Highland Park High School, where he worked on the yearbook and was a cartoonist for the school paper. Eventually, he graduated from the University of Virginia with a music degree.
At the intersection of high art and upper management, Hamlin found his footing. However, he felt more like a comic outsider than a corporate overachiever.
“I guess you could say I became the executive who could never grow up,” said Hamlin.
“When I came into GameStop, they were rolling up AT&T stores and looking to diversify. I got crosswise with them on that and ended up getting fired.”
After CEO J. Paul Raines died of brain cancer, the board canned all of Hamlin’s critics
For his next book, Hamlin thinks he might detail his father’s story. Through his first publishing process, he’s established an agent, a healthy writing habit, and an audience that appreciates the absurd — all are awaiting his next act.
purchase Skinny Dipping at Low Tide and learn more about its eccentric author, visit www. mfhamlin.com.
Park Cities writer, artist, musician, and former GameStop executive M.F. Hamlin has penned SkinnyDippingatLowTide. CAROL VIG PHOTOGRAPHY
Why Is My Pet Suddenly So Itchy?
You are not imagining it: your pet is scratching more than usual right now. Now that we are in the throes of North Texas springtime, I have seen a predictable rise in pets’ skin issues driven by environmental changes, parasites, and ancillary infections. The tricky part? Many of these conditions look nearly identical at first glance.
The most common culprit of the scratching is seasonal allergies. Pets, just like their humans, can react to pollen, grasses, and blooming plants. In addition to red, itchy eyes, and sneezing, many animal allergies present as skin issues and ear infections. You might notice your pet licking his paws, corn-cobbing his hindquarters, head shaking, redness on his belly, bum shuffling, or constant scratching. In North Texas, spring allergens can be particularly intense, and pets who were perfectly comfortable all winter can suddenly become miserable seemingly overnight.
But allergies aren’t the only possibility. Fleas are another major cause of itching, and they’re often harder to spot than you’d think.
Even if you have an immaculate home and yard, it is nearly impossible to prevent your pet from encountering fleas and ticks as she moves through her daily routines. North Texas winters simply do not get cold enough to kill back our flea population. Even a single flea or tick picked up on a hike, at our neighborhood parks, or even just on a walk around your block can trigger significant discomfort for her. This is even more evident when she develops allergic dermatitis from these common pests. Even if she is beautifully groomed, she can experience relentless itching with just one or two fleas. This is why consistent, high-quality, year-round flea and tick prevention is essential instead of just during the summer months.
Then there are skin infections. These frequently develop secondary to scratching from allergies or contact with pests. Bacterial and yeast infections thrive in warm, moist environments (think paws that are constantly licked, ears that stay slightly damp, or broken skin from heavy scratching). These infections can escalate quickly, turning mild irritation into something far more uncomfortable. Be on the lookout for unusual odors, greasy or flaky skin, or thickened areas of skin from chronic inflammation.
So how do you know when your
HOUSE OF THE MONTH
pet’s condition is something you can handle at home versus when it’s time to call a veterinarian?
Mild, occasional itching can sometimes be managed with simple interventions, especially if your pet is otherwise not in discomfort. Reasonable first steps to prevent this condition include making sure his paws are thoroughly wiped down after being outside; bathing him on a regular basis with a gentle, vet-approved shampoo; and ensuring he is on year-round flea and tick prevention. If the itching persists or worsens after more than a few days or is accompanied by redness, hair loss, ear issues, or changes in behavior, it is time to make an appointment with your veterinarian quickly.
What starts as a minor allergy flare can quickly spiral into a full-blown infection that requires more intensive treatment. Early intervention not only keeps your pet more comfortable; it often makes her treatment simpler, faster, and less costly.
Spring should be a season your pet enjoys just as much as you do. If you notice increased itching, don’t ignore it. With the right approach, your pet care team can identify the cause, relieve the discomfort, and get your pet back to feeling like herself again. That way, your entire family can get back to enjoying these beautiful spring days.
Dr. Katie Morgan, a Park Cities native and Hockaday graduate, is the owner and medical director of White Glove Pet Care, White Glove Pet Ranch, and White Glove Pet Valet, which together provide concierge veterinary care, luxury boarding, and in-home pet services for dogs and cats throughout the Park Cities and Preston Hollow. Learn more about Dr. Morgan by visiting whiteglovepetcare.com.
Comings and Goings
OPEN
Caffe Lucca
4445 Travis St.
The Sicilian-style restaurant by Julian Barsotti, who is known for renowned eateries Barsotti’s and Nonna, and former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett opened in the heart of the Knox Street area this spring.
Jetsetters
6911 Lemmon Ave.
The new coffee lounge serves java from award-winning Cultivar Coffee, sweet and savory pastries from Sugar & Sage Bakery, and, on Mondays through Saturdays, breakfast tacos from Tacodeli within the Frontiers of Flight Museum.
The North Face
Galleria Dallas
The outdoor clothing and gear store has trekked to a new location on level 2.
COMING
Kilo
Snider Plaza
The specialty coffee café with a pour-over coffee menu is set to join the University Park neighborhood this summer.
a French-inspired menu of pastries, coffee, and more is opening in late 2026 to early 2027 in conjunction with the opening of a mixed-use development called The Seam.
CLOSING
Anchor Sushi Bar
6025 Royal Lane
The sushi restaurant by Vandelay Hospitality, the company behind Hudson House, DL Mack’s, East Hampton Sandwich Co. and others, will close May 31. El Molino, a Mexican concept by Vandelay that opened in Snider Plaza last year, is expected to open in its place in July.
Adelmo’s Ristorante
Preston Valley Shopping Center
The beloved, longtime Italian spot is relocating after closing in Inwood Village late last year.
Adelmo’s Ristorante is preparing to reopen in a 3,750-square-foot location in the Preston Valley Shopping Center at the corner of Preston Road and I-635, near Maple Leaf Diner, India Palace, and Le Reve Gelato & Patisserie.
Maman
1444 Oak Lawn Ave.
The daytime cafe and bakery with
PCLOSED
Kate Weiser Chocolate NorthPark Center
The renowned Dallas chocolatier has closed after 12 years.
The Oprah-approved chocolate brand still has a location in Trinity Groves.
Perch Bistro and Bar 7709 Inwood Road
The restaurant serving woodfired pizza, pasta, and other Italian fare, has closed.
Pottery Barn
3212 Knox St.
The home decor and furniture store has closed its Knox Street location.
—Compiled by Rachel Snyder
ositioned equidistant from Quitman, Winnsboro, and Gilmer, this 348±acre legacy ranch stands as one of East Texas’ rare offerings – where luxury living, natural beauty and exceptional land stewardship converge. The landscape unfolds in a striking blend of coastal bermuda pastures and mature hardwoods, with a lake fed from prolific springs serving as the crown jewel. It’s a setting that is both visually captivating and remarkably functional. At the heart of the property, a 5,037-square-foot Mediterranean-style residence features a private courtyard, sparkling pool and an independent guesthouse. The estate’s versatility shines through its 1,167-square-foot guest house and a massive 3,200-square-foot barn, catering to both high-end recreation and working-ranch needs. Robust water volume and premier fishing add recreational allure. With dual frontage on FM 2869 and State Hwy 154, this ranch represents a rare opportunity to own a meticulously curated piece of the Texas landscape where every detail balances beauty with purpose.
DR. KATIE MORGAN
Dr. Katie Morgan examines a furry patient. VANESSA VANDIVER, THE RESCUE PHOTOGRAPHER
Maman COURTESY
Jetsetters COURTESY FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT
Schools
LILA BONNER AND ELOISE PECK’S MEMORIES LIVE ON IN BRADFIELD LEARNING GARDEN
By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
Ttheir smiles as they entered the classroom each morning.
“They would always have a hug for me, and just an eagerness to learn,” Ulrich said. “Lila and Eloise will always be in our hearts.”
Lila and Eloise’s first-grade teacher, Yvonne Lewis, remembered the girls as a “ray of sunshine.”
Kim Sweaney was Lila and Eloise’s kindergarten teacher, and in her first year of teaching at Bradfield at the time. She said she learned that year alongside the girls.
“Everything was new for us, and we all grew together that year,” Sweaney said. “Lila and Eloise grew into such kind, confident leaders at Bradfield. They were always so sweet to their friends. That’s why this garden feels so special. I had the privilege of watching them grow, and now every time we see something grow in here, I know we’ll think of them.”
Bonner’s sisters, Scarlett and Wynn, and Peck’s brother, Holden, were then invited to lead a butterfly and ladybug release.
Hilton said the garden itself will continue to grow, with a redesign slated to take place over the summer.
Lila, who was 9, and Eloise, who was 8, were among the 27 Camp Mystic campers and counselors who were lost in the floods.
Nearly a year later, the Bradfield Elementary community
he memories of Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, who were lost in the devastating Texas Hill Country floods last July, are at the heart of a new garden blooming at Bradfield Elementary.
celebrated the dedication of Lila and Eloise’s Learning Garden, formerly the Bronco Learning Garden, on May 12.
“This garden stands as a lasting tribute, a place of learning, remembrance, and love,” Bradfield Elementary Principal Ai -
mee Hilton said. “Our hope is that this garden will reflect the memories that they created, the friendships that they shared, and the joy that they brought to our campus every single day.”
The girls’ second-grade teacher, Leigh Anne Ulrich, recalled
Landscape architect and former Bradfield mom Melissa Gerstle will design the garden, with some help from Dallas sculptor Larry Whiteley.
“We were trying to (create) something that was lasting and something that would be here for future generations,” Hilton explained, “because (Lila and Eloise) are such a big part of our school.”
Boone First Graders Take Audience on Deep-Sea Adventure
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
What happens to sailors who fall overboard during a storm? If they’re smart, equipped with scuba gear, and the subjects of Boone Elementary’s first-grade musical, they explore the deepest depths of the ocean.
The sailors were “a little scared at first,” Boone Elementary’s first graders told their audience on May 7. But the seamen managed to overcome their fear and encountered an octopus, some chill sea turtles, a few toothy sharks, a crab, and other beautiful and mysterious creatures before returning to dry land.
The journey wasn’t always easy for the sailors, and neither was staging the Under the Sea program for the first graders. The production involved singing complex pieces, playing instruments such as thunder drums and glockenspiels, and executing creative movements. But Boone’s students rose to the challenge.
“Show days are always my favorite. They are so excited to show the people that they love what they’ve done,” said Boone’s music specialist Hannah Crowley. “Working towards a show that’s hard is really rewarding, for both them and me.”
Bringing the sailors’ adventure to life was a
team effort. The program itself was inspired by a student’s love of the song “Under the Sea.”
Crowley wrote the show’s script, the first graders created some choreography themselves, and a class of third graders drafted rhythmic compositions that Crowley used to tell the story of the sailors’ octopus encounter.
sharks, and fish during their under the sea unit. Teachers, staff, and parents helped with everything from getting students back on beat during rehearsals to covering up windows on production day.
“It is a community effort, always,” Crowley said.
About 20 students had speaking parts during the musical. The first graders audi-
tioned for the roles, and those who didn’t end up behind a microphone were given other special tasks, such as playing the contra bass bars, whose fuzzy mallets are beloved by students, or assisting with choreography.
The students’ melody about “super cool sharks,” which featured special shark sunglasses, was a hit with their audience. In another sequence, students explored the deepest part of the ocean thanks to black lights, glow-in-the-dark tape, and jellyfish with fairy lights.
First-grader Lilly Womble said that her speaking role was her favorite part of the production. She had worked hard to learn her lines.
“I had a sheet of paper that I took home and I practiced,” she said.
Musical programs are annual events for every grade of Boone students. The school’s fourth graders stage the most complex performance, which involves costumes and sets.
Parents Vanessa and Terry Thanos said that they were impressed with the first-grade show and called performing a valuable experience for students.
“It gets them out of their shell,” Terry explained. “And makes them feel like they’re part of a bigger group that supports them.”
Sailors had a “narrow toothy escape” from sharks during Boone Elementary’s first-grade musical. SARAH HODGES
A learning garden at Bradfield Elementary was dedicated Lila and Eloise’s Learning Garden May 12 in honor of Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, who were lost in the devastating July 4 floods in the Texas Hill Country. RACHEL SNYDER/GRIFFIN BLACKBURN
Ready to grow.
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Armstrong Elementary Grads Give Future Eagles a Place to Nest
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
Armstrong Elementary’s fourth graders have graduated, but their impact on the oldest campus in Highland Park ISD will only continue to grow.
The students partnered with Fannin Tree Farm to give their school a towering thank you gift — a 30-foot-tall live oak tree. The class planted the tree next to Armstrong’s main entrance on Cornell Avenue, where principal Betsy Cummins could view it from her office window.
“The kids will walk by it every day as they enter the school,” said Laura Price, who co-coordinates fourth grade special events with Lauren Clyce. “It’s a beautiful way to remember our class.”
A graduation gift is a tradition for Armstrong fourth graders. Past classes have donated benches, artwork, and a spirit tunnel that students can run through at special events.
Armstrong’s class of 2026 planned for almost a year to make its beautiful addition a reality.
Last May, parents began discussing the possibility of planting the live oak, which replaced an older tree that had died and needed to be removed for safety reasons. Both principal Cummins and the Highland Park ISD board of trustees had to greenlight the gift.
The 20-year-old live oak, meanwhile, was waiting for the right home at Fannin Tree Farm’s growing operation in Sherman. The tree wasn’t small, and neither was the process of bringing it to Highland Park ISD. That in-
volved closing streets and was accomplished during spring break.
Armstrong’s fourth graders became part of the action on April 22, when they donned bright-yellow hard hats, picked up gardening
ing,” fourth-grader Rania Shah said during the dedication, “to show that you loved the school, and you loved the principal and staff.”
Fourth-grader Ellie Barnes said that future students will look up to her class when they see the tree, and that she will probably visit it when she moves on to middle school.
The tree’s dedication was timed to coordinate with Earth Day, the annual global celebration of the environmental movement.
“The trees in this neighborhood and the tree that was here make our spaces special and unique,” explained vice president of volunteer coordination Brooke Garner, whose family owns Fannin Tree Farm. “It was a loss to have the one that was here prior go.”
tools, and posed with a rendering of the tree’s future plaque before the live oak’s official ribbon cutting.
“It’s important to give your school a gift to show how much you care when you’re leav-
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Later in the afternoon, Armstrong’s eagle mascot helped celebrate the new place to nest during a pep rally for third-and fourthgrade students. The Highland Park Middle School drumline, coaches from Mustang Cheer, and the fourth graders themselves all performed to cheers and applause.
Garner said that her father, Mike Fannin, was proud to help make the fourth-grade gift possible. Four of his grandchildren will graduate from Armstrong Elementary, including twins who finished fourth grade this year.
“It’s something that you can come back and see time and time again,” Garner said. “That touched his heart.”
The Education Gap: What schools don’t teach but life demands
Too many young people leave school feeling unprepared, uninspired and uncertain of who they are or what they value. That’s why Parish puts an emphasis on helping students become their best, not just with test scores or GPAs, but by recognizing their unique potential and developing them as good human beings: intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically, spiritually and morally. This holistic approach ensures every student is equipped with skillsets to navigate complexity and learn continuously; can discover what excites and energizes them; and is grounded in enduring values, helping them create an impact that is more far-reaching than academic achievement alone.
FROM TOP: Fourth graders pose with a rendering of the tree’s future plaque. Armstrong’s grads perform onstage during the pep rally. SARAH HODGES
PARISH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Congratulations to Parish’s 20th graduating class on their college acceptances. We celebrate these 112 graduates, who have grown in Wisdom, Honor and Service, as they look toward the future as bold leaders and creative learners set to impact our complex global society. Congratulations, Class of 2026!
College Acceptance List from our Class of 2026
Abilene Christian University
American University
Appalachian State University
Arizona State University
Auburn University
Austin College
Austin Community College
Babson College
Bates College
Baylor University
Belmont Abbey College
Beloit College
California State University, Long Beach
Chapman University
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Clemson University
Coastal Carolina University
Colgate University
College of Charleston
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Colorado State University-Pueblo
Cornell College
Dallas College
Davidson College
Denison University
DePaul University
Drexel University
Duke University
East Carolina University
East Texas Baptist University
Elon University
Emory University
Florida International University
Florida State University
Furman University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgia Southern University
Glenville State University
Grambling State University
Hendrix College
High Point University
Hofstra University
Houston Christian University
Illinois State University
Indiana University, Bloomington
Kansas State University
Kuyper College
Liberty University
Louisiana State University
Loyola University Chicago
Malone University
Mercer University
Merrimack College
Miami University
Michigan State University
Millsaps College
Mississippi State University
Montana State University
Morehead State University
Newman University
New Mexico State University
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern University
Ohio University
The Ohio State University
Oklahoma Christian University
Oklahoma State University
Old Dominion University
Oral Roberts University
Ouachita Baptist University
The Pennsylvania State University
Pepperdine University
Pittsburg State University
Pitzer College
Princeton University
Providence College
Purdue University
Queen’s University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rhodes College
Rollins College
Rutgers University
Saint Anselm College
Samford University
San Diego State University
San Jose State University
Santa Clara University
Seattle University
Sewanee: The University of the South
Skidmore College
Southern Methodist University
Southwestern University
St. Edward’s University
Stephen F. Austin State University
Stetson University
Syracuse University
Tarleton State University
Temple University, Japan Campus
Texas A & M University
Texas Christian University
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Union College
United States Air Force Academy
Universidad Iberoamericana
University of Aberdeen
The University of Alabama
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Arizona
University of Arkansas
University of Arkansas at Monticello
University of California, San Diego
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Denver
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Galway
University of Georgia
University of Iowa
University of the Incarnate Word
The University of Kansas
University of Kentucky
University of Maryland
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
The University of Mississippi
University of Missouri
University of Nevada, Reno
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Texas
The University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon
University of Pittsburgh
University of Portland
University of Richmond
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Tampa
The University of Tennessee
The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Dallas
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity University
Tufts University
Tulane University of Louisiana
University of Toronto
University of Toronto Mississauga
The University of Utah
University of Vermont
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin, Madison
University of Wyoming
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St. Louis
West Virginia University
Wofford College
Xavier University
Yale University
Student Entrepreneurs Pitch Business Ideas
By Rachel Snyder rachel.synder@peoplenewspapers.com
Pitching a business idea to a panel of community leaders sounds nerve-wracking, but it looked like no sweat for the winners of this year’s Scots Tank competition at Highland Park High School.
The students confidently and professionally presented their wearable adhesive patch during the Moody Advanced Professional Studies (MAPS) program’s annual Shark Tank -inspired competition. The SweatPatch, they explained, changes color based on how hydrated the wearer is, providing athletes with real-time insight.
“Uniquely with SweatPatch, they’ll be able to look down and see their results anytime, anywhere because the data is entirely visual,” Grady Cothrum said during the team’s presentation.
The students made it look easy, but Spencer Chernock said that a lot of time went into testing the product and preparing for the pitch. The students gained insight into how to design the product from Pool Warehouse, and learned about how to best help athletes by speaking with Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd, who recently visited
the MAPS program and shared his leadership journey and experiences as an athlete and coach with the community.
“He gave really good insight,” Cothrum said of Kidd. “He was really supportive, and even when he was talking about what we
could do to improve it — it was kind, it was really helpful.”
This year’s second-place winning pitch was TableTalk, an app that helps groups decide where to go out to eat. The app will even make reservations based on each group member’s preferences
and dietary restrictions.
The third-place winner was team Flow Guard. Its members created smart valves that can automatically shut off water to properties in the event of leaks or burst pipes.
“What an amazing Scots
SCOTS TANK 2026 WINNERS
First
Second
Third
Tank ’26! Our incredible teachers, Jean Streepey, Jill Lewis, and Bridget Myers, working with Polly McKeithen created an unforgettable experience for everyone involved in this project,” a post on the MAPS program’s Instagram page read.
Moody Innovation Institute
Executive Director Geoffrey Orsak said 75 professionals from outside the school district volunteered to work with students or serve as Scots Tank judges this year.
“Special thanks go out to the 75 external professionals who gave of their time to either work directly with our student entrepreneurs or serve on one of our many judges panels, and to the Dad’s Club for contributing the prize money again this year,” a post on the MAPS Instagram page read. “No doubt, this year was the best Scots Tank yet!”
place: FlowGuard (JJ Broer, Bauer Gale, Miller Rhine, and Blake Neumann)
The winning team of Highland Park High School’s Moody Advanced Professional Studies 2026 Scots Tank entrepreneurial pitch competition. POLLY MCKEITHEN
ENROLL NOW!
Excellence lives at Dallas ISD, where students are prepared to lead in college, careers, and their communities. With strong academics, career pathways, and college credit opportunities, Dallas ISD is shaping the next generation of leaders.
• 18 nationally ranked high schools
• 163 A- and B-rated campuses
• College credit opportunities that save families millions
• Full-day pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 at no cost
480 acceptances to 160 colleges and universities in merit scholarships earned by 100member class $13M community service hours representing $523,734 in economic impact 19,260 Advanced Placement artists presented 21 completed AP exams across 32 AP courses 100% chapel services attended over four years 600+ college-bound student athletes SIX
Abilene Christian University . Adelphi University . American University . Arizona State University - Tempe . Auburn University Austin College Austin Community College . Baldwin Wallace University . Bard College . Baylor University . Belmont University . Binghamton University . Boston College . Butler University . California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo . Case Western Reserve University . Chapman University . City St George’s, University of London . Clemson University . Colgate University . College of Charleston . College of the Holy Cross . Colorado School of Mines . Cornell University . Creighton University . Dallas College Dartmouth College . Drexel University . East Tennessee State University . East Texas A&M University . Elon University . Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott . Emory University . Florida State University . Fordham University . Furman University . Georgetown University . Georgia Institute of Technology . Hamilton College Hampshire College . Hampton University . Hardin-Simmons University . High Point University Howard University Indiana University Bloomington . Kansas State University . King’s College London Lafayette College . Louisiana State University . Loyola Marymount University . Loyola University Chicago . Marymount Manhattan College . Miami University-Oxford . Michigan State University . Midwestern State University . Missouri University of Science and Technology . Montclair State University . Morehouse College . Muhlenberg College . North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University . Northeastern University . Northern Arizona University . Northwestern University . Nottingham Trent University . Oberlin College . Oklahoma City University . Oklahoma State University . Oregon State University . Pace University . Penn State University Park Pepperdine University . Pitzer College . Prairie View A & M University . Providence College . Purdue University . Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute . Rice University . Rider University . Rollins College . Rutgers University - New Brunswick . Rutgers University - Newark . Santa Clara University Savannah College of Art and Design . Seton Hall University . Sewanee: The University of the South Southern Methodist University . Southwestern University . St. John’s University . Stephens College . Stony Brook University . Syracuse University . Texas A&M University Texas Christian University . Texas State University . Texas Tech University . The American University of Paris . The Catholic University of America . The George Washington University . The Oberlin Conservatory of Music . The Ohio State University at Columbus . The University of Alabama . The University of Austin . The University of Kansas . The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Tennessee . The University of Texas at Arlington . The University of Texas at Austin . The University of Texas at Dallas . The University of Utah . Tufts University Tulane University University College London . University of Arkansas . University of California, Berkeley . University of California, Davis . University of California, San Diego . University of California, Santa Barbara . University of California-Los Angeles . University of Charleston . University of Chicago . University of Cincinnati . University of Colorado Boulder . University of Connecticut . University of Dayton . University of Denver . University of Edinburgh . University of Florida . University of Georgia . University of Hawaii at Manoa . University of Houston . University of Liverpool . University of Maryland, College Park . University of Miami . University of Michigan . University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Campus . University of Mississippi . University of Missouri . University of North Texas . University of Oklahoma University of Oregon University of Pittsburgh . University of Portland . University of San Diego . University of San Francisco . University of South Carolina-Columbia . University of Southern California . University of St Andrews . University of Virginia . University of Washington . University of Wisconsin-Madison University of York . Vanderbilt University Wake Forest University . Washington & Jefferson College . Washington and Lee University . Wichita State University . William & Mary . Yale University
Bold indicates where students plan
CULTUREFEST BRINGS WORLD OF FLAVORS, SIGHTS, AND
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
From Namibia, there were trays of homemade malva pudding.
Mexico brought plates heaped with guacamole, chips and salsa, sweet breads, and sugar cookies with cinnamon. Children licked creamy Indian ice cream on sticks, did the limbo with Brazilian samba dancers, and tried their skill at the Turkish version of backgammon.
Twenty-seven countries and regions were represented at this year’s HP CultureFest on April 18, a massive celebration of the rich and varied traditions of Highland Park ISD families that drew more than 1,100 participants to Highland Park Presbyterian Church.
SOUNDS TO THE PARK CITIES HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN
The festivities included performers onstage, tables filled with treats, cultural treasures from around the world, art displays, and activities. It simply wasn’t possible to try, taste, and experience all that CultureFest had to offer.
“Until you see it, it’s hard to imagine that it’s going to be this big,” said Joakim Soederbaum, who shared his Swedish heritage at the festival. “We saw some pictures, but we didn’t really know what to expect. It’s a lot of fun.”
Park Cities students took to the stage to sing, recreate Bollywood and K-pop dances, and play western United States and Native American music.
“It’s always a great honor to perform and demonstrate my culture,” said Hockaday seventh-grader Iris
Zhang, one member of a group of Kung Fu performers. “I have a lot of fun doing it.”
The Culture Club at Highland Park High School helped organize craft tables, including one based on the Korean thriller Squid Game that challenged participants to carve a shape out of brittle, caramel-colored candy. (If contenders broke the candy, students sprayed them with a water gun.)
At the Namibia table, Highland Park High School senior Athena Akwenye taught guests about her family’s tribe and the importance of cows to her culture. In addition to the traditional malva pudding Akwenye helped her mother bake, the table included translations of common expressions, such as “Are you
Young Artists Showcase Their Work
kidding me?,” “Hello,” and “Great!”
“We wanted to show everyone our beautiful country,” Akwenye said. “There aren’t a lot of Namibians in Dallas.”
Nearby, the British table displayed the nation’s famous tea, chocolates, biscuits, and children’s comics. Along with the treats, there was information on the greatest Britons of all time, such as Queen Victoria and Charles Darwin, and the three crosses that, in combination, create the United Kingdom’s flag.
Volunteer Birte Fehse said that she hoped visitors had fun as well as connected with neighbors. Her favorite table had been Korea, which in her opinion had by far the best cuisine. “We win on the tea. They win on the food,” she remarked with a laugh.
HP CultureFest hosted its inaugural student art competition this year for high schoolers who live in Highland Park ISD.
Young artists were challenged to submit works that captured elements of culture or a cultural experience that had impacted them. Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges.
Highland Park High School junior Chris Lu won first place in the competition. Her colorful character design was inspired by the cultural significance of flowers. White lilies, she explained, are found at both funerals and weddings, while
HP CultureFest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to celebrating the cultural heritages of Park Cities families, fostering intercultural understanding, and strengthening community relationships. To learn more or support CultureFest, visit hpculturefest.com.
CultureFest’s sponsors include CMB Regional Centers, NHK Capital Partners, the He Family Foundation, and the Moody Family YMCA.
Since the inaugural HP CultureFest in 2022, the group behind the event has grown from the organizer of a one-day celebration into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to strengthen community bonds throughout the year.
CultureFest participants volunteer together in schools and continue to connect through lunches, clubs, and parties. The group has also teamed up with the Moody Family YMCA and Park Cities libraries to bring the community LunarFest, an annual celebration that showcases Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese Lunar New Year traditions.
“The ultimate goal is to make our community stronger and more peaceful by getting to know each other and making these connections,” explained HP CultureFest chair Esther Choi. “We want our kids to be equipped to navigate this world. There’s so much richness right here.”
marigolds can be used to symbolize passing, as well as joy and energy.
“I wanted to celebrate the diversity of the world,” Lu said, adding that there’s beauty in recognizing how symbols can be interpreted differently.
Other winning artists were:
James Hu – Second Place
Serena Liu and Xuanhe Zhang –Third Place (tie)
Sarah Murray, Eliza Miller, Constance Olvera Irigoyen, and Kate Bodwell - Honorable Mentions
-Compiled by Sarah Hodges
HP CultureFest featured tables showcasing traditions and treats from around the world, along with stage performances that captivated younger audience members. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Jenai Talkington, Highland Park ISD’s fifth-to 12th-grade visual arts coordinator, with art competition winners Chris Lu, James Hu, Serena Liu, and Constance Olvera Irigoyen, and HP CultureFest board member Wendy Zhao. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Civic Leaders Reflect on Past, Look to Future
By Claudia Carson-Habeeb claudia.carson-habeeb@peoplenewspapers.com
With the nation nearing its 250th anniversary, historians, civic leaders, and journalists convened at the ninth annual Bush Center Forum on Leadership for discussions on democracy, civic engagement, and conservation.
Held at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on April 16, “The Heart of America” series examined the ideals, institutions, and public lands that have shaped our nation’s identity.
During “The Land That Unites Us,” panelists explored the significance of America’s national parks and public lands in preserving both natural landscapes and the country’s collective history. The discussion carried added significance with Former First Lady Laura Bush in attendance.
Grace Lee, executive director of the National Park Trust, and Jeff Reinbold, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation, reflected on Mrs. Bush’s longstanding support of conservation initiatives and programs that encourage families to experience the nation’s parks and outdoor spaces.
“I assume you still take your girlfriends on trips to national parks?” Reinbold asked the former first lady, sitting in the front row.
“We’ve all gotten too old,” Mrs. Bush said, drawing laughter from the audience.
New York Times columnist David French joined moderator Anne Wicks, Don Evans Family Managing Director for Opportunity and Democracy at the George W. Bush Institute, for a conversation about protecting differing viewpoints and the role of open dialogue in sustaining democracy.
“Civic cohesion comes from shared responsibility,” Wicks said during a private interview. “Voter engagement is enhanced through personal and proximate, not obscure, connections.”
“Read your local paper; take a neighbor to meet a candidate,” she added.
Rounding out the discussions, “In Pursuit of a More Perfect Union” was moderated by Bush Institute Executive Director David Kramer. Panelists, including presidential historian Mark Updegrove, filmmaker Michelle Ferrari, and faith leader Richie Butler, discussed defining moments in American democracy and examined the role civic participation plays in shaping our country.
Butler, referring to himself as “an eternal optimist,” reflected on history repeating itself when its teachings go unheeded.
The senior pastor shared wisdom imparted by his mother.
“(She) always told me: ‘Baby, lessons are taught until they’re learned,’” he said.
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SMU Marchers Draw Crowds in Solidarity Against Antisemitism
By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
Some walked under America’s stars and stripes. Others carried flags bearing Israel’s Star of David, or Iran’s red, white, and green. But the marchers at SMU on a sunny Saturday were united in their purpose — to honor survivors of the Holocaust and stand together against antisemitism.
Rabbi Heidi Coretz, executive director of Hillel at SMU, estimated that 200 Muslims and Christians joined their Jewish classmates and neighbors on April 19 at the fifth annual March of Remembrance, which was hosted by The Nathaniel Foundation and Hillel at SMU.
March of Remembrance Dallas is a local chapter of March of Life, an organization created as a response to the Holocaust. The marches have grown into a worldwide movement of Christian leaders and universities in partnership with the Jewish community. The march is held during the season of Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).
This year’s event at SMU featured testimony from child survivor Rosian Zerner.
“We were forced to go to the ghetto, which was the holding place where we were told we were just there for a while, and nobody knew what was happening,” Zerner remembered.
She also recounted her escape from the Lithuanian ghetto, recalling that, “My father’s secretary was waiting for me in the shadows. I was crying my eyes out, I didn’t know what was happening.”
Among the dignitaries present was Nicola Bremer, honorary consul of Germany in Dallas.
“More than 55 million people lost their lives (in World War II), and an additional 35 million were left disabled,” Bremer said. “These numbers are etched into the German collective memory and im-
pose a lasting responsibility never to tolerate injustice and never to look away again.”
As part of the program, seven candles were lit in remembrance of the six million Jews and many
others killed during the Holocaust.
As they marched around campus, program participants carried flags and signs with messages including, “I will not be silent” and “never again!”
UP Mayor Tommy Stewart Made Residents Feel Heard
By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com
During his six years as mayor, Tommy Stewart helped lead University Park through the COVID-19 pandemic, largescale projects at Snider Plaza and the Miracle Mile, and the city’s 2024 Centennial Celebration.
Residents and fellow community leaders, though, say they’ll remember Stewart most for his intangible skills — his warmth and knack for making people feel heard.
Stewart was elected mayor in 2020 after serving on the city council from 2010 to 2016, including as chair of the Public Works Advisory Commission.
“Over time, I’ve learned that progress is built on collaboration, working with residents, staff, and fellow councilmembers to find thoughtful, balanced solutions,” Stewart wrote. “What may surprise people is how complex even small decisions can be, and how important it is to take the time to understand different perspectives before moving forward.”
Stewart’s openness to diverse views drew
praise from his current and former colleagues on the city council, as well as former mayors. Well-wishers crowded the city council chambers to say goodbye to Stewart during his final meeting as mayor on May 5.
Former City Councilmember Liz Farley said Stewart taught her “how to be a more patient leader.”
“He was always willing to have more conversations and meetings before a vote, if it meant citizens would feel heard,” she noted.
Farley said she was impressed by Stewart’s work to bring Park Cities faith community leaders from more than 13 organizations together. The leaders considered how best to support the community, including through mental health initiatives. The effort was a first for a University Park mayor.
Roy Coffee Jr., who served as University Park’s mayor from 1976 to 1982 and has since become a noted city historian, praised Stewart’s progress toward resolution of issues that have long bedeviled past mayors: Snider Plaza and Miracle Mile.
“All of the mayors worried about two things, generally, and that was basically
Miracle Mile and Snider Plaza, and you took care of those, basically,” Coffee told Stewart at the May 5 meeting.
Highland Park ISD school board president Maryjane Bonfield said Stewart prioritized the partnership between the city and the school district during his tenure.
“Mayor Stewart understands the value excellent neighborhood schools bring to the city and has prioritized this partnership during his tenure,” Bonfield remarked. “He has been a champion for HPISD’s interests, and we are incredibly grateful for his leadership.”
Reigning University Park Citizen of the Year, Bubble Lounge podcast host Martha Jackson, said she’ll never forget when Stewart called to inform her that she had received the honor.
“Mayor Stewart was incredibly warm and gracious, and it was clear he understood what that recognition meant to someone who truly loves this community,” Jackson said. “I was reminded of that same warmth recently at the children’s fishing derby at Caruth Park. In the middle of a very ordinary and very special Park Cities
ABOUT THE MARCH OF REMEMBRANCE
The March of Remembrance is an international organization that honors survivors and victims of the Holocaust while promoting healing and reconciliation between victims, perpetrators, and their descendants.
At SMU, it’s put on by The Nathaniel Foundation, Hillel at SMU, and other community partners. Scholarships were awarded to seven SMU students who participated in an essay contest centered around this year’s theme: building bridges and allies.
2026 Scholarship Winners
1st Place – $3,000 – Rachel Rodgers
2nd Place – $2,000 – Rose Herwitz 3rd Place – $1,500 – Benjamin Kaplan
$1,000 winners: Grace Alexander Ethan Eliasson
Christy Marunza
Elizabeth Rips
In keeping with tradition, attendees placed stones with survivors’ names on a tombstone. The march was followed by a reception.
“I hope people learned the importance of doing their part to speak up and act against hatred,” Rabbi Coretz said of the event.
Participant Grace Lee said events like the March of Remembrance are key to preventing future atrocities.
“I strongly suggest spreading the word and participating each year so that history will not repeat itself,” she said.
Another attendee, Marian Ganjali Dashti, noted that trauma from the past has a lasting impact.
“A lot of wounds, trauma, sadness that people carry from the past, it’s affecting the present,” he said.
morning, Mayor Pro Tem Mark Aldredge and City Manager Robbie Corder waved me over to say hello to Mayor Stewart, and there we all were talking fishing stories while children proudly ran trout to the measuring table nearby.“
Tommy Stewart KEVIN BROWN PHOTO
The fifth-annual March of Remembrance at SMU memorialized those who died in the Holocaust. RACHEL SNYDER
Sports
SPRING FORWARD
Productive camp has HP optimistic for 2026
By Justin Thomas People Newspapers
Four weeks of camp came to a close for Highland Park’s football team on May 11 with a series of spring games at Highlander Stadium.
The games were a fun fin ish to what was a produc tive camp, and one that gave the Scots a better feel for what the 2026 varsity squad may look like.
“The kids enjoy just get ting out there and playing and it’s a good way to finish for them,” said Randy Allen, HP head coach. “We just want to come out of it healthy and start getting ready to open against Lewisville in the fall.
“Between the practices and the couple of scrimmages we had, I feel like we got a lot better. We lost a real strong senior class after graduating 55 players, so the spring is a great chance for us to get out there and evaluate guys and get a better feel for the depth chart so we’re ready to roll in the fall. Even though we had about 16 or so guys out rehabbing injuries or playing other sports, I feel like we did that and really saw some guys step up.”
Allen added that having a third-year starting quarterback in Buck Randall returning helped ramp up the process.
“That’s really big for us,” he
By Justin Thomas People Newspapers
said. “With Buck returning, we really focused on improving the running game and developing some depth at receiver. I feel like we did a good job of that and were really throwing the ball.”
The Scots are also looking to solidify things on the offensive line where three new starters are needed.
But the performances of Colton Williams, Benton Weathersby, Luke Swaner and Henry
Peterson, alongside returnees Trey Lander and Cooper Alt, has Allen and the staff optimistic.
Allen credited defensive lineman Nick Van der Westhuizen, linebackers James Hamilton, Benton Gordon and Beckett Curtis, and defensive backs Tashaun Stewart, Levi Steffan, Cotton Patterson and Max Green for strong showings.
Cornerback Dean Dulin and defensive lineman Charlie Flint
also returned for the final week on the field after missing much of camp competing for HP’s lacrosse and baseball teams, respectively.
Allen also noted HP benefited from having much of its coaching staff from 2025 intact.
“We only had one opening and it was at the middle school level,” he said. “That type of continuity is very important. We were all on the same page in terms of what we are expecting
and what we are wanting to see.”
With spring camp in the books, HP’s players will continue the offseason with their typical strength and conditioning programs and 7-on-7 action. Fall camp is a mere three months away.
“The guys understand the grind it is and I was happy to see the focus and for them to finish on such a high note this spring,” Allen said.
Dynamic Duo of Muenker, Hu Take Gold at State Tennis Tourney
Highland Park’s boys doubles team of Collier Muenker and Steven Hu picked the right time to play their best tennis of the year. Despite not taking first at the district or regional tournaments, the pair had a celebratory ride home from San Antonio on May 8 after claiming the HP tennis program’s first gold medal since 2022 at the Class 5A State Championships at the Northside Tennis Center.
Muenker and Hu dropped just one set over four matches en route to their win, becoming the first HP boys doubles team to capture a state championship in 20 years.
“What a run,” said HP second-year head coach Vince Sharp. “I’ve had some kids win before at previous schools, but this one feels different. It was just awesome.”
With Muenker fully healthy after dealing with a wrist injury in previous postseason tournaments, the pair reached peak form in San Antonio and capped their run in emphatic fashion, defeating Frisco Centennial’s Aarohan Sharma and Akshay Kommineni in the finals in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) and avenging a previous loss in the process.
Sharp noted the senior Muenker carried the load during the first set with sopho -
more Hu taking command in the second. He added Muenker, in particular, played with a desire rarely seen.
“Being a senior, I’ve never been so motivated,” Muenker said. “I was out there 4 to 6 hours per day getting ready. I didn’t care what happened in the past or what the rankings were, I was just so confident. And I knew if we did happen to lose, it was going to be by leaving everything out there on the court. To win it all just feels like a
weight lifted off my shoulders.”
“To see how hard Collier was working and how much work he had put in, it was inspiring for me,” Hu added. “Of course I wanted to win, but I wanted it for him even more. Hopefully this experience and seeing the work put in will drive me in the future and show me what it takes.”
HP’s team reached the finals after getting through their toughest match of the tournament in the semifinals.
Facing another team they had previously lost to, Muenker and Hu needed three sets to get past Frisco Memorial’s Zachary Belyea and Sohan Chintala (6-4, 4-6, 6-2).
“Both Centennial and Memorial had great teams,” Muenker said. “They’re probably 5050 matches against them, but I think being completely healthy made a big difference.”
Hu concurred, noting that the duo improved with each passing match.
“I’m more of a singles player and this was our first season playing doubles together,” he said. “The more we played and with Collier getting healthy, we just started clicking and figuring out what we are both best at and how to play together.”
In the opening rounds, the duo cruised to wins over Zach Graham and Brycen Morales of Flour Bluff (6-2, 6-1) and Hayes Clark and Krew Luxton of Wichita Falls Legacy (6-4, 6-2) to reach the semifinals.
That set the stage for the semifinals and finals, where Muenker and Hu avenged previous defeats and hoisted gold.
“I don’t think I’ve cried in probably 10 years,” Muenker said. “But the second we won the last point, the tears were coming.
“Then it was nothing but smiles and jokes the whole ride home. There wasn’t a dull moment.”
Collier Muenker and Steven Hu claimed Highland Park’s first state gold medal in boys doubles in 20 years. VINCE SHARP
Buck Randall will be back under center for Highland Park’s football team in 2026 CHRIS MCGATHEY
Special Athletes Shine at Buddy Bowl
MCGATHEY
Champions were crowned on May 16 at the 2026 HP Buddy Bowl, an event that brings together young athletes with special needs and their community of fans.
This year’s game began with a walk down the red carpet and into Highlander Stadium, a tradition for Buddy Bowl athletes.
During the action-packed football match, athletes and their buddies took on the competition while family, friends, and Highland Park High School students cheered from the sidelines and stands.
The event is now in its 10th year of bringing Friday Night Lights to children and young adults with disabilities from any North Texas school district.
-Compiled by staff
Dazzling on the Diamond HP softball players named to all-district team
By Justin Thomas People Newspapers
While Highland Park’s softball team came up just shy of its ultimate goal of qualifying for the playoffs, instead falling to The Colony in a one-game tiebreaker for the final berth out of District 12-5A, it was still a successful year for a senior-laden Lady Scots squad.
Fellow 12-5A coaches certainly took note of the talent on HP’s roster. Seven Lady Scots were recently named to the all-district team.
But while HP boasted a veteran roster, it was freshman Maryn Muntz who took home a superlative honor — the infielder was named the district’s Newcomer of the Year.
Muntz produced a season in which she paced the team in batting average (.516), OPS (1.668), slugging percentage (1.031), home runs (six), runs (41) and even stolen bases (11).
Following with first-team selections were senior pitcher Cecilia Knutson, senior infielder Shannon Hart, and sophomore
outfielder Emma Hyde. Knutson battled injuries throughout the season but still managed to earn all-district honors in part because of her toughness.
On the field, Knutson posted an 8-3 record with a 3.34 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 69 innings in the circle to go with a .466 aver age and 19 RBIs at the plate.
Hyde was another two-way player for HP, pacing the team in hits (36) and RBIs (39) to go with four homers, a .462 average, and an 8-6 record with 54 strikeouts as a pitcher. Hart, meanwhile, hit .351 with a team-high 13 doubles, 19 RBIs and 36 runs.
Receiving second-team nods from HP were senior infielder Taylor Gilliam, freshman infielder Lara Meghrabi, and senior catch er Lili Rodriguez.
Rodriguez excelled defensively behind the plate while also hitting .286, while Meghrabi racked up a .435 average with 24 RBIs. Gilliam was also praised for her defensive ability while hitting .314
CHRIS
storied senior corps moving on, he said he knows the work ethic and joy for the game left behind
will fuel future HP squads led by returners Muntz, Hyde, and Meghrabi.
When your family, future, and finances are on the line, you need more than legal advice—you need a team that knows how to fight for you. At Mueller Family Law Group, we combine compassion with unrelenting advocacy. From complex divorces and high-asset property division to custody disputes and mediation, our mission is clear: protect what matters most. Led by Jim Mueller—Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a member of The American College of Family Trial Lawyers (An organization consisting of the nation’s top 100 family trial lawyers) — our team brings proven skill, efficiency, and focus to every case. Clients trust us to deliver results while safeguarding both emotional and financial well-being. At Mueller Family Law Group, we don’t just handle cases. We stand beside families through life’s toughest transitions.
Camps
THE ARTS SHINE AT MEADOWS MUSEUM SUMMER CAMPS
By Bridget Reis Special Contributor
Summer campers will find inspiration everywhere during programs from the Meadows Museum at SMU, as well as have a chance to make masterpieces of their own.
The museum is offering two unique, weeklong summer camp experiences focused on creativity and self-expression for rising fourth through eighth graders: Sensational Sculptures and Printmaking Palooza.
Sensational Sculptures is sched-
uled for June 1 to 5, and Printmaking Palooza will occur from June 22 to 26. Both camps will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The price of each camp ranges from $125 to $200. Participants receive discounts if they are children of Meadows Museum members at the individual level or above, or of SMU students, faculty, or staff. Laura Mancini, Assistant Director of Education at the SMU Meadows Museum, said the camps are designed to give students authentic artistic experiences rather than simple artsand-crafts lessons.
“Our summer camps are immersive process-based art experiences,” she said. “Instead of following a step-by-step craft project, everyone makes their own thing. They explore their own ideas, experiment with materials, and develop their own creative voice.”
One reason the museum camps stand out is the opportunity for students to work inside an art museum. Campers can study exhibitions up close, learn from professional artists, and even go behind the scenes to view artwork normally kept out of public display.
“We get to look at and learn
Why Unplugging at Sleepaway Camp
directly from the objects and exhibitions and artists in ways that you can’t do if you’re not in the museum,” Mancini explained.
The sculpture camp also includes a special partnership with artist and professor Emily Budd at the Meadows School of the Arts. Students will participate in a collaborative art project and experience an aluminum pour at the university’s foundry.
Museum staff say affordability and accessibility are also key priorities. With support from the Fichtenbaum Charitable Trust, the camps remain more affordable
LET YOUR CREATIVITY RUN WILD
To learn more about the Meadows Museum at SMU or sign up for camp, visit meadowsmuseumdallas.org.
than many comparable summer programs, and scholarships are offered each year to help families participate.
Whether chiseling, carving, or screen printing, students are encouraged to think creatively, solve problems, and discover new passions that could shape their futures.
Is the Best Gift We Can Give Kids
In a world where screens are almost always in our kids’ hands, sleepaway camp offers something rare — a real break from all of it. No phones, no social media, no constant scrolling. And while that might feel a little scary at first (for both kids and parents), it ends up being one of the best parts of the sleepaway camp experience. It’s very different from home, where “dinner’s ready” is often followed by “hold on” from behind a screen.
HELENE ABRAMS
At sleepaway camp, unplugging isn’t just encouraged — it’s built into the day. Without screens, something simple — but powerful — happens. Kids start looking up. They connect more with the people around them. In cabins, at the dining hall, on the fields, and during evening activities, conversations aren’t interrupted by notifications. Meals are full of talking and laughing, not si-
lence. Kids learn how to look someone in the eye, join a group, and work through little disagreements. It’s a big shift from what many families see at home — kids sitting next to each other, but each on their own screen.
Unplugging also gives kids room to be creative. At sleepaway camp, the days are full — but not in a rushed way. When there’s downtime, kids don’t reach for a phone — they figure things out. They make up games on the field, put on skits in the cabin, write songs, build things, and try activities they might not choose at home. Camp shows them that fun doesn’t have to come from a screen — it can come from their own ideas. That little bit of boredom usually turns into something great.
There’s also a noticeable difference in how kids feel. Being constantly connected can be a lot. At sleepaway camp, that all fades into the background. Kids aren’t thinking about likes or what they’re missing. They’re focused on what’s right in front of them — morning activities, team games, campfires, and late-night
talks in the cabin. A lot of kids come home from sleepaway camp seeming more relaxed, confident, and happier.
Sleep tends to improve, too. At sleepaway camp, kids are active all day — swimming, playing sports, exploring, and just being outside. By the time lights out comes around, they’re ready for bed. Without screens at night, they fall asleep more easily and sleep more deeply. It’s a natural reset that many families find hard to create at home.
Maybe most importantly, sleepaway camp helps kids feel more independent. Being away from home — and away from regular communication — gives them the chance to figure things out on their own. They make decisions, solve small problems, and take healthy risks, all with the support of counselors and a structured environment. It’s often where kids realize, I can do this.
For parents, not hearing from your child as often can feel a little uncomfortable at first. But that space is part of what makes
sleepaway camp so meaningful. It gives kids the chance to work through things on their own and grow in ways they might not if they could reach out right away. And when they come home, you can usually see it — more independence, better communication, and a stronger sense of self. Even the little things, like sitting together at dinner or hearing them share stories without being asked, feel especially meaningful.
Sleepaway camp isn’t just a way to fill summer — it’s an experience that sticks. When kids unplug, they reconnect — with others, with themselves, and with the world around them. And in today’s always-connected life, that might be one of the most valuable things we can give them.
Reach Helene Abrams with Tips on Trips and Camps, a free advisory service that helps parents find enriching summer overnight experiences for their children, ages 7-18, at 214-6939259 or Helene@TipsonTripsandCamps.com.
Students think creatively, discover new passions, and create their own masterpieces at Meadows Museum summer camps. COURTESY GUY ROGERS III
Beat the Heat: Indoor Summer Camps for Dallas Kids
By Bridget Reis Special Contributor
Beating the heat this summer doesn’t have to mean slowing down. At indoor camps across Dallas, kids can stay cool, make friends, and discover new interests, all while creating memories that last long after temperatures drop.
Creativity takes center stage at the Dallas Museum of Art’s MAKE Summer Art Camps. With 32 half-day camps for kids ages 4 to 12 in June and July, families can choose morning, afternoon, or even full-day options.
Campers explore real artwork in the museum’s galleries before heading into the studio to create their own pieces. With small group sizes and a focus on imagination, kids aren’t just looking at art, they’re experiencing it.
“Our philosophy is that time in an art museum should spark curiosity, foster joy, and give children the opportunity to make choices,” explained Leah Hanson, the museum’s director of family, youth, and school programs. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously and have fun creating connections between what kids are interested in and works of art from around the world.”
For a well-rounded experience, the YMCA provides indoor-focused summer camps at locations throughout Dallas. These camps blend fun and learning with
summer camps summer camps
activities such as STEM projects, arts and crafts, group games, and character development. While there are occasional outdoor moments and field trips, most of the
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAMPS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT:
• Dallas Museum of Art MAKE Summer Art Camps: dma.org
YMCA Summer Camps: ymcadallas.org
Cross Cheer cheerleading camps: crosscheer.com
day is spent inside.
“Working at a YMCA indoor summer day camp means creating a space where kids can laugh, learn, and stay cool, all while still having the time of their lives,” YMCA staff member De’Armanoryea L. Hall explained. “From engaging activities inside to exciting field trips and weekly swim days, every moment is an opportunity to make memories. The best part?
Knowing that what we do truly matters. Making an impact in a child’s life is what makes this work so exciting.”
The YMCA also offers financial assistance, helping to ensure every child has access to a safe and enriching summer.
Children who prefer high-energy fun will appreciate Cross Cheer indoor camps, which are packed with movement and excitement. Designed for girls ages 3 to 12, these programs teach cheer basics, including jumps, chants, and dance routines, in a supportive, upbeat environment. Beyond the routines, campers enjoy crafts, games, and music in cool indoor spaces in multiple locations across Dallas and Fort Worth.
Calling all girls & boys entering grades 3-8: Join the fun this summer at Ursuline’s Adventure and Athletic Camps! Camps run weekly from June 1 - July 31. WWW.URSULINEDALLAS.ORG/CAMPS
TOP: Campers get out their energy at a Cross Cheer camp. Campers stretch their STEM muscles and make furry friends at camp from the YMCA. BRITTANY CAVENDER, CROSS CHEER/ALLYN MEDIA
Dallas Trinity FC Plays It Forward to Next Generation of Soccer Stars
By Daniel Lalley Special Contributor
Fans have embraced Dallas Trinity FC, which showcases women’s soccer at the highest level. Now, the family behind that team is on a mission to turn its momentum into a movement for future female athletes.
“Nearly half of our roster has some connection to North Texas,” said Charlie Neil, president and co-founder of Dallas Trinity FC. “So, in a way, we hope this team is a gift to those athletes and to the next generation.”
Since its inception, Dallas Trinity FC has called The Hockaday School its training headquarters. During practices and team meetings, Daisies have had an opportunity to see the sport’s top players put in the work necessary to compete.
In June, the team will host a summer camp for boys and girls of all ages and ability levels. Beginners will learn fundamentals, experienced players will sharpen their skills, and everyone will benefit from professional coaching from Dallas Trinity FC staff in a positive, encouraging environment.
Charlie explained that bringing the team to Dallas has been the fulfillment of a longtime dream. The entire Neil family has
been involved in introducing professional women’s soccer to their hometown.
“Our mom runs the foundation, our father, Jim Neil, serves as CEO, my brother, Trip, is COO, my sister Dori runs our marketing team, and my little sister Jenny handles special projects,” said Charlie. “We’ve all loved this sport for a long time, but there was nothing like this when we were growing up. We felt like the time was right and knew the Dallas market would embrace a women’s professional soccer team.”
“We hope this team is a gift to those athletes and to the next generation.”
Charlie Neil
By many indicators, the Neils’ instincts were spot on. Last October, Dallas Trinity FC set a record for women’s sports in Texas, attracting 22,838 spectators to the State Fair Clásico at the Cotton Bowl.
“It was the largest crowd for a women’s sports event in Texas,” said Charlie. “We hosted América
Femenil from Mexico and even invited competitive eating superstar Joey Chestnut to set a record of his own during halftime.”
In a landscape like professional women’s sports, where funding and opportunity don’t typically mirror what’s available to men, the possibilities created by Dallas Trinity FC are crucial.
“Growing up, we loved supporting all of the Dallas men’s teams like Burn, Sidekicks, and now FC Dallas,” Charlie said.
“But my sisters didn’t have anything like that. That never sat right with us. So, we wanted to give the next generation something they could aspire to and create what we call a club for all.”
K-Pop Takes Center Stage This Summer at Preston Hollow Dance
By Lisa Petty Special Contributor
Aspiring princesses, demon hunters, and tap dancers will all find their place this summer at Preston Hollow Dance. In addition to the classics, the studio is offering a unique, pop-culture inspired spin on the camp experience.
Owner and artistic director Belinda Richardson was particularly excited about her 2026 camp lineup.
“We are a small studio with a big heart,” she said. “Every family that walks through our door is welcomed with a smile and a sense of community.”
The studio’s offerings include a June Princess Camp and July KPop Demon Hunters Camp. Read on for the details, including an Oscar-winning soundtrack and magical mentors.
Princess Camp (ages 3-5)
June 15–19
Inspired by popular animated royal role models, including Mulan, Belle, and Cinderella, PHD Princess Camp will include dance lessons, games, and crafts. Classic movie clips will also make a cameo appearance, and the week will conclude with a special in-studio dance presentation for parents.
“This camp will focus on foundational ballet technique, sprinkled with creative movement,” Richardson said. “We will also introduce basic ‘princess etiquette’ in a fun and age-appropriate way.”
KPop Demon Hunters Camp (ages 4-7+)
July 13-17
A second camp is inspired by the
mythical and empowering world of the KPop Demon Hunters . Elementary-age campers will learn two routines set to “Golden” and “How It’s Done” from the Oscar-winning animated adventure’s soundtrack. The week will wrap up with a
showcase starring the newly-minted honorary pop stars and is all centered on a meaningful message.
“This camp encourages dancers to embrace their full identity — imperfections included — while celebrating their indi -
PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES
All summer camp sessions take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and are priced at $285. Prices and schedules vary for additional summer classes. Camps and classes are taught by Preston Hollow Dance’s owner and staff. All students are required to bring their own lunch and water bottle. Visit prestonhollowdance.com for more information.
viduality and building resilience in overcoming both internal and external challenges,” Richardson said.
Summer Classes (ages 2.5-18)
PHD will also host additional classes throughout the summer for students of all levels and interests. Richardson noted that tap is a popular choice in the summer months, as well as pre-ballet, which combines basic techniques with fun elements in a lively setting. In addition, Mommy and Me classes for mothers and toddlers will teach motor and social skills as well as beginning music concepts.
More on Preston Hollow Dance
Founded in 2008, PHD offers yearround classes for students of all ages and skill levels in a friendly and supportive environment. In addition to instruction in ballet, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and more, the school hosts private lessons, parties, and recitals.
Owner and artistic director Richardson brings a wealth of experience to her role, including a lifelong study of ballet and a master’s degree in dance from Texas Woman’s University.
Dallas Trinity FC training at The Hockaday School. DALLAS TRINITY FC
GET IN YOUR KICKS
Dallas Trinity FC will bring energy, excitement, and elite-level coaching to Hockaday during its Summer Soccer Day Camp. Full-and half-day options for boys and girls in first through 10th grade are available from June 8 to 12.
A second
Dancers can sharpen their skills, pretend to be princesses, or become demon hunters at Preston Hollow Dance this summer. COURTESY PRESTON HOLLOW DANCE
Three Cheers for Spirited Scots Summer Camp! Inclusive, joyful camp welcomes area students with and without disabilities
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
Every child has a place on the mat this summer at a camp from Highland Park High School’s Spirited Scots, the inclusive cheer squad known for its energetic performances at games, community events, and pep rallies.
The group will host four days of cheer fun in June for students with and without disabilities ages 10 through high school transition programs.
Campers do not need to live in Highland Park ISD to beat the heat while they cheer with the Spirited Scots. During last year’s inaugural summer of camp, one participant even flew in from North Carolina to join the fun, explained Tyler Robins, who sponsors the Spirited Scots with fellow special needs educator Abbie Vela.
“Last year it just went so well, and it was so much fun. The feedback was so positive,” Robins said. “Getting students of all different ages together to feel like a Spirited Scot for a few days was really, really cool.”
During its first summer, Spirited Scots camp was limited to students with disabilities. This year, Robins and Vela expanded the program to include general education students interested in learning about Spirited Scots mentorship.
By the end of April, the camp had already more than doubled its enrollment from last summer
and reached its 20-student capacity. Robins and Vela opened a few additional spots. They explained that camp options for students with disabilities and those who want to support them are limited.
“There are so many students that have a passion for the special needs community,” Robins said. “In the summers, there’s not a whole lot of opportunity to volunteer.”
Afternoons at Spirited Scots Cheer Camp will include games, activities, cheers, dances, adapted jumps, and adapted stunts. On the final day of camp, students will perform cheers, along with an adapted jump or stunt, for their families and friends.
Camp will be guided by Robins, Vela, and about a dozen Spirited Scots mentor cheerleaders, who are volunteering their time to make the program a success. Campers will start the afternoon with stretches and get-to-knowyou questions before transitioning to high-energy games, cheers, and skills.
“It’s all about making them feel included and connected, and making it fun for them,” Robins said.
Clara Erwin, a Spirited Scots mentor and senior at Highland Park High School, said she’s enjoyed watching campers come out of their shells.
“It’s such a joyful environment where everyone’s supporting each other,” she said. “You can mess up. You can learn. You can grow
BRING THE SPIRIT
Spirited Scots Cheer Camp is scheduled for 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. from Monday, June 1, through Thursday, June 4. All students with and without disabilities ages 10 through high school transition programs can join the fun. Camp costs $300 and includes a special performance for family and friends on June 4.
Visit scotsillustrated.com/htcamps to register. Please contact Tyler Robins, robinst@hpisd.org, or Abbie Vela, velaa@hpisd.org, with questions.
All campers with and without disabilities are welcome at Spirited Scots camp, a summer offering from Highland Park ISD’s inclusive cheer squad. COURTESY SPIRITED SCOTS
and just have fun while you’re doing it.”
For spirited athlete Emerson Schorr, the best parts of camp are jumping and doing the cheers.
“You can mess up. You can learn. You can grow and just have fun while you’re doing it.”
Clara Erwin
Vela and Robins said they hope that camp builds connections and reaches those with a passion for the special needs community.
“It’s a way for students of all ages with or without disabilities to come together and learn cheers,” Robins said, “and feel the joy that is being a Spirited Scot.”
‘Sesame Street,’ ‘Barney’ Illustrator Shines at 80 in North Dallas Studio
By Josh Hickman Special Contributor
In a career spanning more than 50 years, Preston Hollow artist Mary Grace Eubank brought Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, Barney, and their friends to colorful life in children’s books, boardgames, and a variety of other mediums.
Now retired, Eubank has happily returned to her roots in painting. At almost 81 years old, she blends the joy and curiosity that animated her cheerful characters with the perspective and insight shaped by her lifetime of experience.
These days, her large oils are loose, colorful, and express a feeling of unfettered feminine freedom. Sporting titles like Follow Your Heart, Leap of Faith, and Circle of Life, her impressionistic work explores female empowerment, the beauty of nature, and a hopeful outlook.
“When I started painting, everything morphed into something smiley and cute,” Eubank chuckled of her initial return to the art. “I’m finally developing a distinctive style.”
After graduating from SMU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Eubank worked as a designer for The Drawing Board in Dallas. That experience led the single mom to freelancing and creating educational materials for the Children’s Television Workshop.
Following an entre into Sesame Street in the mid-1970s, Eubank worked with another educational children’s favorite, The Electric Company, as well as the locally-spawned Barney & Friends, a television series that sent youngsters on learning adventures with a purple dinosaur and his pals.
Her partnership with the Children’s Television Workshop was a springboard for her career, Eubank explained. She worked primarily in Dallas for New York publishers including Random House and Simon
& Schuster, and on games for companies including Milton Bradley, Mattel, and Fisher-Price.
“I went through coloring books and everything they give to the bottom of the
Standing Up for Your Loved One in a Nursing Home
Placing a loved one in a nursing home or an assisted living facility is one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. Once that transition happens, many families assume the hard part is over. But concerns about care quality, how a resident is being treated, or whether needs are truly being met can arise at any time. When they do, it is important to know that you are not powerless and do not have to navigate those challenges alone. Under federal law, nursing home residents are entitled to personalized, dignified
care. When those standards fall short, here are steps you can take.
1. Talk to facility staff. Start with the staff member most directly involved in your loved one’s care. If that conversation doesn’t resolve the issue, escalate to a supervisor, department head, or the facility administrator.
2. Request a care plan meeting. Every resident is entitled to these meetings, which bring together the resident, family members, and staff to discuss concerns and map out solutions. If the matter is urgent, you can request a special meeting rather than waiting for the next scheduled one. Facilities are required to have these meetings quarterly.
3. Use the formal grievance process. Every nursing facility is required to have one. Ask for a copy of the policy and follow it. This puts your concerns on record and obligates the facility to respond in writing with the steps it has taken or plans to take.
4. Get involved with the resident or family council, if one exists.
These councils give residents and families a collective voice in addressing concerns directly with facility leadership.
5. Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at The Senior Source serves as the designated
KEEP LEARNING
To find out more about Mary Grace Eubank’s career path and current work, visit marygraceart143.com.
pole, but I worked with so many incredible artists,” she recalled of Sesame Street. “It goes full-circle as to why I’m painting, because it’s so restrictive to do licensed characters. It’s very confining.”
Eubank felt an urge to return to oil painting when she made the decision to retire.
“It’s just so much fun,” she grinned, pointing to works on the walls that she’s finished in the last few months. “That freedom is gradually coming.”
For the last several years, Eubank and her friend, neighbor, and fellow artist Polly Gessell have participated in the North Dallas Artist Studio Tour, which this year occurred on April 25 and 26.
The 2026 tour invited art enthusiasts, collectors, and the simply curious to view recent works by neighborhood artists and artisans in their home studios, as opposed to the typical gallery setting.
“Most of my clients are primarily collectors, or I like to work with real estate agents who are staging homes,” Eubank commented. “And we have a wonderful place in Colorado. I’ve got a studio there, and I have a show there in the summer.”
Not showing signs of slowing down any time soon, the enthusiastic creator admitted there is still much she wants to do.
“Well, it’s my joy,” Eubank said of her daily painting habit. “I mean, I think it’s what keeps me young.”
ombudsman program for Dallas County, advocating for residents in local nursing homes and assisted living facilities at no cost to residents or their families.
6. File a complaint with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
This state agency has oversight responsibility for nursing homes and assisted living facilities and the authority to investigate complaints on behalf of residents and their families. Filing anonymously is an option.
The ombudsman program can help you think through your options, suggest strategies, and connect you to helpful resources, as well as address complaints on a resident’s behalf. Our services
are confidential and we must have the consent of the resident or their legally authorized representative before taking formal action. Our goal is always to empower residents and families to have a voice in their care.
Suzanna Sulfstede has served as the director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at The Senior Source and the managing local ombudsman for the Dallas County program for 19 years. She was previously appointed by Texas Governor Rick Perry to serve on a Nursing Facility Advisory Committee. If you have questions or concerns, contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at The Senior Source at www.theseniorsource.org or 214-823-5700.
FROM LEFT: Preston Hollow artist Mary Grace Eubank with her work. Eubank’s ‘Soul Sister.’ JOSH HICKMAN/MARY
GRACE EUBANK
A Senior Living Group’s Decade of Serving and Creating Community
By Celie Price Special Contributor
At CC Young, an East Dallas senior living community, a group of residents meets every Monday morning with one shared goal: turning trash into treasure.
The group, humorously named the “Happy Hookers,” recycles plastic bags and crochets them into sleeping mats for unhoused individuals. Over the last decade, its members have made more than 300 mats and rescued more than 180,000 plastic bags from being discarded in landfills.
The Happy Hookers marked their monumental 10-year anniversary in March, celebrating not just their achievements, but the closeknit community that has made it all possible.
“It’s relaxing. We share news, we share our health problems, we share whatever we’ve done,” said Judith Banes, a longtime member of the group. “But the main foundation is that we are doing something for somebody else.”
The name “Happy Hookers” is a playful nod to the crochet technique. Originally pitched as an inside joke, the moniker continues to draw laughs and spark conversation, which is a large part of the group’s foundation.
“We laugh a lot; the ‘happy’ part is really important,” Banes said. “You cannot help but love these people. They’ve had interesting lives, and they would do anything for you.”
Each mat takes about 600 plastic bags and more than 60 hours to complete. The process requires multiple steps, and every member has their own role to play. Once the bags are flattened, they are cut into strips, looped into yarn and then crocheted into six-foot-by-three-
foot mats.
“You don’t have to know how to crochet,” Banes said. “There’s something for everyone to do, and that makes it more welcoming.”
After the process is completed, the mats are distributed to shelters and outreach organizations across North Texas, including Oak Lawn United Methodist Church, Austin Street Center, and The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center.
“When it’s freezing and some-
body calls and says they need mats, and we’re able to take them down — and they’re so excited — that’s just so rewarding,” Banes said.
The project was started in 2016 by Briana Brown to help her mother, then a resident at CC Young, stay active after an injury.
The first meeting had five attendees, but the group quickly grew in popularity among the residents, as well as friends and volunteers from outside the campus. Brown’s
mother, though initially unenthusiastic as she was not a skilled crafter, eventually took to the idea and found a new community in the last years of her life.
“It is amazing that it was supposed to be just this little project for my mom,” Brown said. “I was like, I think we can do that here, because there are a lot of people who are wanting to use their hands. And so it became a community project, and people came from outside of CC Young, and we kept growing.”
The COVID-19 pandemic created major obstacles for the Happy Hookers, who were unable to hold their weekly in-person meetings. Still, the group persisted through it all. Members worked on their projects in quarantine until their gatherings could resume, all while maintaining a sustainable production pace and preserving the fun and relaxing nature of the activity.
Beyond the mats, the Happy Hookers has become a source of connection among the local senior living community and a weekly social outlet for members. Ten years later, the group is as strong as ever, and the work continues every Monday — one bag at a time.
“It gives you a purpose,” Brown said. “You’re doing something meaningful, and you’re doing it together.”
It’s the friendly people, hometown flavors, and the many shared values and traditions that bring us together. That’s why we make it easy to stay immersed in all those familiar comforts of home.
From exceptional dining and exciting activities and events, to health & wellness opportunities and so much more, it’s all right here at The Forum at Park Lane Active Independent Living and Assisted Living.
Explore all that our community has to offer, schedule a personal tour today and experience a place where connection comes naturally.
The Happy Hookers at CC Young have spent a decade making mats for the unhoused and forging connections for the senior living community. CC YOUNG SENIOR LIVING RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Edgemere Residents Stay Frugal and Look Fabulous in Derby Day Hats
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
The colors were bold, the styles original, and the details handmade. But residents of Edgemere didn’t need to splurge to stand out in their eye-catching Kentucky Derby hats.
Store-bought headwear wouldn’t buy more fun on Derby Day, ladies in the senior living community remarked as they crafted their own headpieces with tulle, pearl strings, and even mini horse figurines.
“I just love colors,” 92-yearold Aysel Gursel said as she added feathers to the bright yellow hat that she’d decorated with flowers in shades of pink, blue, green, and red.
Gursel added that she wouldn’t waste her money gambling on the race — she’s more interested in riding horses than betting on them. But she still planned to join the fun at Edgemere’s Kentucky Derby celebration.
The senior living community’s Derby Day festivities included a showing of Seabiscuit , a hit film about a legendary racehorse, culinary treats, such as rich derby pie and hearty hot brown sandwiches, and a fancy hat parade and competition.
Almost all the fashionable hats residents wear on Derby Day are homemade, and some are elaborate, said Layla Barron, Edgemere’s assistant director of lifestyles. One year, a resident turned her hat’s brim into a track and put miniature horses on it, and another memorable hat-competition entrant decorated her brim with a white picket fence and roses.
“It’s a social event and we love to socialize here,” Barron said. “We love any excuse to have
a party, bring everyone together, and cheer for a greater cause.”
On race day, residents planned to view the Kentucky Derby and place bets on the winning horse.
Those who chose correctly would be entered in a prize drawing.
Linda Waterman said while adding pastel pink flowers to her off-white hat’s brim that she
would definitely tune in for this year’s Run for the Roses.
Waterman has been a Derby fan ever since she watched her first races on her family’s Zenith blackand-white television. She was nine years old when her family became the first on the block to get a TV.
“My parents used to love horse races,” she remembered.
Dorothy Black chose to decorate a hat that was pink, one of her favorite colors. While she was planning to wear her fancy headwear on Derby Day, she didn’t think she would bet on the race.
Black said that she’s never had much luck at games like Bingo.
But she’s been lucky in life.
“I’ve never been to the Ken -
tucky Derby, so I doubt that I would buy a hat for the occasion,” she remarked. “But when I saw that they were doing this, I thought, ‘How fun. Good idea.’”
THE WINNER’S CIRCLE
The top finishers in Edgemere’s fancy hat competition included striking creations from Carolyn Prince and Blanche Cocker.
Residents of Edgemere put their creativity to the test while creating vibrant Derby Day hats. SARAH HODGES/COURTESY EDGEMERE
Everyone’s a Member at The Charleston Club Dallas’ first dedicated mahjong studio connects generations of players
By Lisa Petty Special Contributor
One North Dallas business is bringing a sensation from the Roaring Twenties into the modern era.
The Charleston Club, Dallas’ first dedicated mahjong studio, debuted last October at 4706 W. Lovers Lane.
Its name hearkens to the shuffling of tiles that takes place before a game, which looks a little like the famous Jazz Age dance — a reminder that, although mahjong may be having a moment, it’s hardly an overnight success.
Dating back two centuries or more, mahjong made its way from China to the States in the 1920s. Com bining skill with bit of chance, it took off quick ly during a time of dramatic change and optimism. Soon, players of all ages and backgrounds were coming together to try their luck at an irresistible new pastime that swapped plain ol’ cards for colorful, painted tiles.
tum during a challenging time.
Highland Park neighbor Lisa Rocchio remembers it well.
“In 2020, we couldn’t get together like we had before,” she said. “We started playing mahjong on Zoom and FaceTime to feel connected during the pandemic.”
Fast forward another hundred years, and mahjong again picked up momen -
Rocchio continued playing regularly, as did many across the country, long after life returned to normal. Then, last year, a
chance call from her mom led to a light bulb moment — as daughters can attest they often do.
“My mom’s 84, and she and her friends were looking for a new place for their regular mahjong game,” she recalled. “I thought, what if I created a place where the community and people of all ages could come and play together?”
Drawing upon her finance degree and MBA, as well as a lifelong “entrepreneurial spirit,” Rocchio quickly brought her business idea to life in its joyful and wel -
coming space on Lovers Lane.
Upon entering through its homey front door, The Charleston Club draws visitors through three comfortable, color-themed rooms. Blue, green, and pink, they’re each highlighted by floral wallpaper and coordinating trim. Cozy club chairs surround 15 game tables, mixed-and-matched in complementary styles. Tables for up to four can be booked online ($100 for two hours); solo players are invited to join open play sessions (starting at $30).
Continuing the “at home” feel, guests can help themselves to a kitchen stocked with snacks, iced tea, and lemonade. For an extra kick, they can BYOB. Players may also bring their own equipment, rent what they need, or pick it up from the in-house boutique. Especially tempting retail items include seasonal and collegiate-themed tile sets, clever accessories, and even mahjong-themed apparel.
In the months since its debut, The Charleston Club has become a regular gathering place for many friends in the surrounding neighborhoods. It’s also gaining a reputation as a go-to spot for special events, from birthdays to showers to graduations. Most of all, Rocchio simply wants everyone to feel welcome.
“You don’t need to be a member at The Charleston Club,” she said with a smile. “There are so few activities that you can do across all generations, and I think mahjong is having such a resurgence right now because people want to connect.”
Because No Two Journeys — or Days — Are Alike
Our new Dual Programming offers residents a choice of activities based on their needs, mood, and abilities.
• Meaningful daily connections in groups or one-on-one
• Activities designed around each resident’s strengths and preferences
• Access to our innovative and relaxing Atelier Sensory Room
• EdgemereLife.com For a private tour of Dallas’s most innovative memory care community, contact Jennifer at 214.623.6107 or Jennifer.Wilson@edgemerelife.com
Highland Park resident Lisa Rocchio has brought Dallas its first dedicated mahjong studio. BRUNO, SNAP THE PICTURE
GAME ON. WAY ON.
The world is onto us: North Texas is — unquestionably, categorically — the hottest place to be. And we’re not talking summer temperatures. We’re talking living and playing and companies and culture. We’re talking soccer and sports and shopping and dining. We’re talking the most intriguing neighborhoods and homes in the entire country — and the expert real estate advisors who know them better than anybody.
We’re talking our towns. Welcome to them.
Dallas, Fort Worth and everywhere around and in between.
Big, bold, beautiful, benevolent.
And growing faster than a soccer ball whizzes toward a net.
It’s official: No one knows this marvelous metroplex like we do. Where to live. What to do. Where to hang.
After all, we’ve been getting a kick out of North Texas for 66 years. And counting.
NORTH TEXAS.
Do it like we do it.
Malinda Arvesen
214-354-7029 marvesen@briggsfreeman.com
David Arvesen
214-354-6142 darvesen@briggsfreeman.com
People Newspapers Celebrates Young Difference Makers
By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com
People Newspapers was honored to celebrate 20 young changemakers and two youths on the rise on April 30 at Communities Foundation of Texas.
People Newspapers’ 20 Under 40 for 2026 are: Bridget Myers, Erica Wilkins Webb, Jessica Emanuel, Jordan Griesbeck, Katherine S undby, Katie Kuehl, Kelly Ongena, Lauren Bellemare, Lindsay Davis, Lindsay Poppenhagen, Mary Sutherland, Ross Mulf ord, Shan Zaidi, Taylor Clark, Taylor Frank, Whitney Rowell, Hannah Johnson, Thomas Hand, Sahil Sawnani, and Lauren Mariel.
Youths on the Rise for 2026 are Olivia-Sophie Keijsers Koning and Olivia Zhang.
Our 2026 20 Under 40 Awards Ceremony was emceed by former news anchor/reporter Jeff Brady, who asked honorees to share their goals, advice, and thoughts on the future of Dallas — as well as to answer some surprise questions of his own.
The evening included comments from Pat Martin, publisher of People Newspapers, Calvert Collins-Bratton, chief relationships officer for Communities Foundation of Texas, and Sarah Oliai, president of Rotary Club of Park Cities, which has been a program partner since 2022.
Featured speaker Elizabeth
Just
Phillips told attendees about her journey toward becoming a committed advocate of child protection reform. Her life’s purpose, Phillips said, found her in 2019 when her younger brother died by suicide.
Phillips discovered a deeper calling through her pain. Today, the advocacy organization she founded, No More Victims, honors her
If you’ve driven Highway 287 on your way to and from Colorado, then you’re probably familiar with Monroe’s Peach Ranch near Hed -
ley, Texas. Its family-owned fruit stands have bordered the highway for generations. Each June, when my husband and I make our annual drive to Colorado for the summer, the colorful stands overflow with baskets of ripe, juicy, fragrant, Texas peaches — a tasty travelers’ snack and inspiration for countless summer recipes.
Once we’re in the mountains for the summer, I purchase Pal -
brother and amplifies the voices of survivors of child sexual abuse. No More Victims has successfully campaigned for the passage of Trey’s Law, which has ended the misuse of non-disclosure agreements against child sexual abuse victims in civil settlements in Texas and multiple other jurisdictions.
After the catastrophic July 4
Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
¾ cup cold unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes
4-5 tablespoons ice water
6 medium ripe peaches, rinsed and sliced
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
¼ teaspoon Saigon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 egg, for egg wash
1 tablespoon water
Sparkling or granulated sugar, to garnish pie filling
Directions:
Place flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, and
isade peaches from Forte Farms when strolling through the Dillon Farmers Market. The peaches, grown on Colorado’s Western Slope where the days are hot and the nights are cool, are generally large with a thin, delicate, yellow skin blushed with pink. Super juicy and ultra-sweet, I can feel my mouth watering even as I write about them.
Peach season is relatively short, so moving beyond peach pie and adding this sweet, versatile stone fruit to summer menus can be deliciously rewarding. Perk up green salads with peach slices drizzled with balsamic
flooding at Camp Mystic, No More Victims helped launch and coordinate the Campaign for Camp Safety, which has led to legislative reform in Texas and Alabama. Similar laws are moving toward passage in several other states, and No More Victims has grown into the No More Victims Alliance.
People Newspapers is grateful to presenting sponsor Communities Foundation of Texas, and premier sponsors Baylor Scott & White Health and Nor-Tex Greenscapes, whose support made it possible to recognize these outstanding young leaders.
Visit peoplenewspapers.com to read more about our honorees.
salt into the bowl of a food processor; pulse several times to mix. Add cold butter and pulse until it is pea-size. Add 4 tablespoons ice water and process at low speed until the pastry is crumbly. If the mixture appears dry, add remaining ice water and process just until the pastry comes together. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill at least 30 minutes or until cold.
In a large mixing bowl, gently stir together sliced peaches, 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well blended; set aside.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
On a floured pastry cloth or counter, roll pastry into a 14-inch circle. Fold it in half
vinaigrette, brighten the flavor of grilled fish with a fruit salsa made from cubes of mango, pineapple, and peach seasoned with red pepper flakes, fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime juice, or welcome summer guests with bruschetta topped with goat cheese and juicy slices of fresh peach. On the other hand, there’s nothing quite like peach cobbler or a slice of summertime peach pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. These traditional summer fruit desserts are often connected with memorable gatherings of family and friends. My easy recipe for Rustic Peach Tart
and transfer to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Unfold and spoon the filling into the center of the pastry, reserving some of the peach liquid if the peaches are extremely juicy. Gently fold the edges of the pastry up around the filling, overlapping to form a round tart with an open center. Take care the pastry doesn’t tear around the base or juices will escape during baking. In a small bowl, whip egg and water with a fork, brush the egg wash over the pastry, and sprinkle with sparkling sugar. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Yield: 4 servings
features sliced peaches encased in a buttery, flaky pastry. I leave the skin on the peaches and bake the tart on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper, so preparation and cleanup are almost effortless. Happy Summer!
Christy Rost is a cookbook author, host of Celebrating Home cooking videos, and longtime resident of the Park Cities and Preston Hollow. Her ‘At Home with Christy Rost’ cooking series for Eat This TV Network airs on AmazonFire, AppleTV+, Roku, Samsung TV, and YouTube. Please visit christyrost.com for details and recipes.
Rustic Peach Tart
Peachy
CHRISTY ROST
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Elizabeth Phillips addresses the audience. Our 2026 20 Under 40 honorees. Honorees Bridget Myers, Whitney Rowell, and Lindsay Poppenhagen answer questions onstage. Honorees celebrate with family members and guests. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Soaking Up the Slower Pace of Summer
June in the Park Cities feels a little like the morning after a very long party. Not a bad party. A fun party. A meaningful party. A party with beautiful decorations, personalized water bottles, balloon arches, themed cookies, and at least one SignUp Genius.
But still. We’re tired.
By the time school ends in May, most parents I know are hanging on by a thread. We’ve survived AP tests, sports banquets, team dinners, graduation events, teacher gifts, class parties, and approximately 7,000 group text messages asking who can bring ice, waters, or “just one more thing.”
And somewhere along the way, everything became … elevated.
I don’t know exactly when a simple school event turned into a full-scale production, but it happened fast. There was a time when people brought chips in the original bag and everyone survived just fine. Now every gathering looks like it has a sponsorship deal and a dedicated production team.
And listen, I love beautiful details as much as anyone. We have incredibly creative, generous
moms in this community. But by June, I think many of us are quietly craving something radical:
Less.
Less pressure. Less comparison. Less production. Which is why June feels so glorious.
The group texts finally go quiet. Nobody is “circling back.” Nobody is asking for volunteers. Nobody is creating a spreadsheet to coordinate snacks by color category.
For a few brief weeks, we all collectively exhale.
Of course, summer in the Park Cities comes with its own unspoken rules. Within 24 hours of school ending, half the neighborhood disappears to Europe, Aspen, or Punta Mita. And despite all the passport stamps, you can still count on seeing at least six people you know before your appetizer arrives at Muchacho.
The neighborhood feels calmer. Parking becomes slightly less aggressive. Conversations last a little longer because nobody is racing to the next school event, sports practice, or banquet centerpiece emergency.
That’s not to say summer is actually relaxing. It’s just a different kind of chaos.
Now we’re balancing work while kids wander through the house opening the pantry every 14 minutes like new food might
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Exceptional living in Highland Park
To find your home in Highland Park, talk to the
Built in 1925, the four-bedroom home at 4521 Southern Ave. has been updated with hardwood flooring, large doorways and intricate millwork.
A 400-square-foot, screened porch makes for great indoor-outdoor living.
Across a footbridge to Armstrong Elementary School is a Georgian-style home at 3641 Mockingbird Lane. Perfect for entertaining with plenty of parking, this home has a gracious dining room and a fireplace in the family room. Outside is a resort-style pool and putting green. At 3852 Mockingbird Lane, the home features hardwood flooring and tall ceilings on the first level, with a kitchen that has stainlesssteel appliances. Two bedrooms downstairs have a bath. The upstairs bedroom could be a playroom.
In the heart of the sought-after French streets is a five-bedroom, Tudor-style home at 4305 Arcady Ave. Built by Tatum Brown, the home features a living room with a stone fireplace and a 300-plus-bottle wine closet in the dining room. A loggia overlooks the pool.
Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents lead in the sale of Highland Park homes, according to Multiple Listing Service statistics. Connect with these or other expert agents at: https://www. alliebeth.com/associates/int
have magically appeared since the last time they checked. Blake is home but working most days, Alexis is in Austin but somehow still popping in and out, and I can no longer keep track of who is at Camp Ozark, Longhorn, Europe, or simply asleep until noon.
But even with all of that, June still feels like permission to lower the bar a little.
Dinner doesn’t have to be impressive. Every moment doesn’t need to be documented. Sometimes showing up is enough.
And honestly? After the pace of the school year, enough sounds pretty wonderful.
Because we all know this peaceful little window won’t last forever. Somewhere around late July, the emails will slowly start creeping back in. The group texts will wake back up. And someone, somewhere, is already planning something “simple” for August that absolutely will not be simple.
But for now, I’m enjoying the silence.
Martha Jackson, host of The Bubble Lounge Podcast, has lived in University Park for 20 years. She’s passionate about connecting with fellow moms, supporting local businesses, and finding humor in the chaos. You can find her at bubblelounge.net and on Instagram @ bubbleloungepodcast.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN Making Your Mark in a Brand-New Home
Name your favorite neighborhood, and chances are an Allie Beth Allman & Associates agent is offering a newly built home there.
Talk to the experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates about owning a newly built home like one of these.
On a large lot in the prestigious Fairway of Preston Hollow, the 7, 009-square-foot, Santa Barbara-style estate at 6031 Lupton Drive has five bedrooms and a three-car garage. This architectural marvel blends Spanish Revival and California coastal style. Inside are limestone and plaster fireplaces and decorative cement tiles that contribute to its classic Mediterranean ambiance. Enjoy the backyard with a covered patio beside the pool.
The five-bedroom newly built home at 6632 Azalea Lane, also in Preston Hollow, offers almost 6,700-square-foot of living space on a large lot. Inside, the home has tall ceilings and wide-plank hardwoods. Entertain in a well-equipped kitchen around a stone island. The primary suite features vaulted ceilings and a bath with a free-standing tub and steam shower. Next to the covered patio and pool is a flex room with its own bath that could be a poolside lounge or guest suite.
Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents continue to lead in selling homes at the luxury level in Dallas County and across DFW, according to Multiple Listing Service Statistics. Connect with an expert agent: https://www.alliebeth.com/roster/Agents
To place your ad in People Newspapers, please call us at 214-5235239, fax to 214-594-5779, or email to classified@peoplenewspapers. com. All ads will run in Park Cities People and Preston Hollow People and online. Pre-payment is required on all ads. Deadline for our next edition is Monday, March 3, 2025. People Newspapers reserves the right to edit or reject ads. We assume no liability for errors or omissions in advertisements and no responsibility beyond the cost of the ad. We are responsible only for the first incorrect insertion.
DAVE PERRY-MILLER
REAL ESTATE
Discover a Masterclass in Urban Sophistication
This stunning corner residence at Parkside offers an unrivaled lifestyle overlooking Klyde Warren Park and the iconic Dallas skyline. 2025 Woodall Rogers Freeway #23 (2025woodallrogers23.daveperrymiller.com) is represented by the Gromatzky Group for $2,131,000.
Following a comprehensive 2026 refresh, the 2-bedroom home glows with Level 5 paint, refinished hardwoods, and a fully renovated primary suite featuring a spa-like wet area. The chef’s kitchen is a culinary dream, boasting Poggenpohl cabinetry and premium Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, now accented by brandnew countertops.
Beyond the 10-foot ceilings and walls of windows lies an oversized patio, a rare downtown luxury for seamless indoor-outdoor entertaining. Modern essentials are already handled, from a Jeep e-charger at your three dedicated parking spots to high-efficiency HVAC systems. With a 93 Walk Score, the Arts District’s world-class museums and dining are your backyard.
To schedule a showing, contact Kimberlee at 214.802.5025 | kimg@daveperrymiller.com or Taylor at 214.802.5002 | taylorgromatzky@ daveperrymiller.com.
Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate (dpmre.com) is a division of the Ebby Halliday Companies, specializing in Preston Hollow, Park Cities, North Dallas, Lakewood, East Dallas, Uptown, Kessler Park, plus lake homes and Farm & Ranch properties in the North Texas region.
MARTHA JACKSON
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Sought-after Highland Park neighborhoods never go out of style, according to the expert agents at Allie Beth Allman & Associates.
experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates.
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ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Two divine Dallas estates
This home of Cochran Chapel Road, represented for sale by Allie Beth Allman & Associates, offers grand amenities beyond its gates.
If you’re interested in the ultra-luxury market in Dallas—that is, homes priced at $10 million or above—then you’ve certainly come across Allie Beth Allman & Associates. Trusted by discerning sellers and buyers again and again, the luxury firm often represents the most exquisite estates in and around the city.
Here are two beautiful, elite properties newly up for sale with the brokerage’s expert agents.
Beyond the gates of 4255 Cochran Chapel Road, a majestic French-inspired manor on two acres of gorgeous grounds emerges ready to wow you. As you drive up to the 11,000-square-foot home, you can indulge in visions of glamorous parties in which valets greet guests at a circular motor court centered by a romantic. Inside, the voluminous double-height foyer with a dramatic, curving staircase and show-stopping chandelier further cement the estate’s grand, elegant atmosphere.
Designed by acclaimed architect Robbie Fusch and built in 2017, the fourlevel gem at 6715 Golf Drive is filled with finishes that exude modern sophistication, from Scandinavian white oak flooring to Porcelanosa tile and a state-of-theart Tesla solar roof. The dazzling chef’s kitchen, 90+ built-in speakers, indooroutdoor loggia, and large, sun-soaked living areas all prove that.
BRIGGS FREEMAN
Gallery Penthouse at HALL Arts Residences
Arts District, represented by Kyle Richards and Cindi
Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; $17,500,000
Perched high above the vibrant Dallas Arts District, the Gallery Penthouse at HALL Arts Residences is more than a home: It is the backdrop for a life well-lived. With its harmonious balance between strong architecture and quiet, inviting spaces, the full-floor penthouse on level 26 has been meticulously designed by nationally renowned Abeyta Tibbs Architecture. Within its 7,688 square feet, the residence offers four bedrooms, four full baths, two half baths, thoughtful luxuries and effortless elegance. For those who value both privacy and grandeur, the Gallery Penthouse offers spaces for both. The library, just off the foyer, is a haven for quiet contemplation, in a setting that speaks to your refined taste. The formal living room, meanwhile, stands as the heart of the residence, offering expansive panoramic views of the Dallas skyline, a grand fireplace and a unique bronze floor pinstripe. The kitchen is its own masterpiece, with the finest in German design. Gaggenau appliances and sleek Bulthaup cabinetry ensure that every culinary endeavor is executed to the highest standards. In the primary bedroom suite, complete with a private terrace, wake up each morning to sprawling views of the city stretching out beneath you like a work of art.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN URBAN
3901 Turtle Creek Blvd #15
Place des Vosges
4 Bed | 5.4 Bath | 6,712 SF + 855 Finished Basement
Kyle Crews & Molly Massey | $5,950,000
Located in the prestigious gated and guarded Place Des Vosges community on Turtle Creek Boulevard is this stunning residence representing a rich blend of classical elements that create authentic and timeless interiors. From the cast-stone exterior to the custom finishes throughout, careful thought was given to all the bespoke features of this 6, 712sf home including premium grade marbles, stone and granite finishes. An antique Italian door frame serves as an impressive fireplace surround in the living room alongside French doors overlooking the private courtyard. Dramatic high ceilings, gleaming hardwoods and spaciously proportioned entertainment areas feature hand-finished walls, beautiful wall coverings, deep molding and decorative lighting throughout. Reminiscent of a European villa, the classic design includes a stunning entrance hall with marble stairwell, hand-forged iron rails, crystal chandeliers and sconces. The home has a perfect entertainment flow leading to a private outdoor pool with alfresco kitchen. Enjoy the peace of mind of living in this one-of-akind, luxury residence minutes from Dallas’ Arts District, The Katy Trail, fine restaurants and shopping.
THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP
Completely Reimagined
Half Floor at Museum Tower
1918 Olive Street #3503is currently being offered for $6,995,000
Completely reimagined with an extensive $2 million renovation completed in November, 2025. Positioned on the 35th floor of an iconic luxury high-rise, this extraordinary half-floor residence at Museum Tower offers unmatched sophistication and sweeping views.
Encompassing 4,765 feet with floor-toceiling glass and twin terraces on the North and South caps, this is the only half-floor unit that offers a panoramic view of downtown Dallas. Every inch of this residence, with interiors curated by Studio Thomas James, showcase a seamless fusion of contemporary elegance and timeless materials.
White oak flooring flows throughout, with custom millwork, gallery-finished walls, and full Lutron lighting & window shades. The open-concept living and dining spaces are designed for grand entertaining or intimate living. A striking chef’s kitchen featuring bespoke cabinetry, induction cooktop, multiple refrigerator and freezer drawers, and an oversized island that serves as both centerpiece and gathering space.
Dedicated elevator access with a private entry, residents enjoy world-class amenities, white-glove services, and a premier location in the heart of the Arts District, walkable to the city’s finest dining, culture, and entertainment. Seize this rare opportunity to own a meticulously upgraded residence where design, luxury, and breathtaking views converge in one of the city’s most coveted addresses.
Contact Ryan Streiff (469.371.3008) for more information or to set up a private showing. Visit DPMFineHomes.com to learn more.
BRIGGS FREEMAN
3901 Turtle Creek Boulevard #7
3901 Turtle Creek Boulevard #7 in Place des Vosges, represented by Diane DuVall of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; $8,900,000
Tucked into the gated, guarded enclave of Place des Vosges, just south of Highland Park, this stately, four-floor residence offers a rare fusion of classical sophistication and cutting-edge artistry. Commissioned by prominent art collectors, the home boasts unmatched integrity in design and construction. Built in 1997, it is an homage to French châteaux by noted architect James Langford, complete with radius-cut Lueders limestone, intricate ironwork and a regal, commanding presence. The interior is by renowned designer Paul Draper and is strikingly contemporary, with a mix of materials that includes plaster, rosewood, oak, limestone, sandstone, marble, onyx, gold leaf and brass. A standout feature is the monumental fireplace surround in the two-story living room: an 18th-century chimneypiece of marble and jasper attributed to Henry Cheere, carver to Westminster Abbey.
This home is a work of art — for the enjoyment of art. It offers three sumptuous bedrooms, a media room, chef’s kitchen, formal dining room, breakfast room and perhaps the world’s most unusual library. Housed atop the home’s distinctive turret, the library is also beneath one of the world’s few residential installations of a Skyspace by artist James Turrell. At the touch of a button, the top of the turret’s conical roof rises gently and swings open slowly — a motorized system designed for the home by a NASA engineer — transforming the library into a dynamic, living artwork.
EBBY HALLIDAY
The Pinnacle of Waterfront Living: 505 Ranch Estate
Experience the rare intersection of modern luxury and rugged ranch heritage at the exclusive 505 Ranch on Cedar Creek Lake. Situated just 45 minutes from Downtown Dallas, this extraordinary 3.46acre estate at 111 Sun Valley (111sunvalley. ebby.com) in Mabank is listed by Debbie French for $3,300,000. It offers 131 feet of pristine open water frontage, accessible via a private, wooded drive.
The residence is a masterclass in design, featuring an open-concept great room with soaring ceilings and panoramic lake views.
A chef’s kitchen, equipped with high-end appliances and a wine fridge, anchors the home, while two main-level primary suites offer serene retreats. Upstairs, custom bunk rooms and a sprawling game room provide the ultimate space for hosting guests.
The outdoor oasis is unmatched, boasting a heated and chilled pool, a stone firepit, and a private boathouse with a party deck. As a resident of this gated community, gain access to 400 acres of shared amenities, including clubhouse with pool, guest cottages, private stocked fishing ponds, ATV trails, skeet range, equestrian center and full-time ranch staff with concierge services available.
To schedule a showing, contact Debbie French in the Ebby Cedar Creek Lake office at 903-340-7747 | debbie@debbiefrench.com.
ALLIE BETH
ALLMAN
The perfect Preston Hollow home
Allie Beth Allman & Associates agents have announced new offerings in prestigious Preston Hollow.
It’s no secret that Preston Hollow is one of the most sought-after, prestigious neighborhoods in Dallas.
With the picturesque area’s popularity comes a competitive market, however, so you want to work with the best when house hunting here. Allie Beth Allman & Associates’ seasoned agents have a proven record and reputation to rely on. Here are a few of their stunning current offerings.
At 9435 Inwood Road, a dazzling oneacre estate offers lush scenery, easy privacy and exceptional design. Though it was built in 2004, the property’s unique, 7,000-square-foot modern has been fully reimagined recently with meticulous finishes and updates. Bright, tranquil and move-in-ready, the home serves up sunfilled spaces.
If midcentury moderns have your heart, don’t miss 11116 Westmere Circle. The circa-1958 sits on a rare lake lot and even boasts a boat house. Imagine hosting dinner parties beside the custom architectural slat wall, chatting with friends in front of the new living room fireplace, or meal-prepping in the revamped kitchen.
The five-bedroom gem at 6023 Del Norte Lane draws you in with its blend of contemporary-chic touches and classic elegance. Amid the beauty, you can put on lively gatherings in the impressive great room with a bar or on the covered patio with a fire pit.
520 Orzo Road in Maypearl, Ellis County, represented by Tyler Thomas of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; $16,900,000
Just 40 miles from both Dallas and Fort Worth, Pearl Ranch blends exceptionally refined luxury living with the rugged beauty of the Texas countryside. This 662-acre property is truly unrivaled, encompassing multiple residences, an entertainment pavilion, recreation center, event venue, fishing cabin and equestrian facilities. The setting is equally magnificent, offering a diverse habitat that transitions between expansive improved pastures and densely wooded areas, plus several lakes and ponds, a sunflower field, dramatic viewpoints and a sense of grandeur that is exceedingly rare this close to the nation’s fastest-growing metroplex.
The crown jewel is the custom-built, stone main home with five bedrooms, chef’s kitchen, wine cellar, cigar room, safe room and spectacular living spaces. A luxurious outdoor living area and infinity-edge pool frame panoramic views of a pristine bass lake below — a setting that is spectacular every hour of the day. Pearl Ranch’s gently rolling terrain offers paved and landscaped roads, scenic riding trails, high-fenced and crossfenced portions, seasonal wetlands and seven bodies of water, including a gleaming 5-acre lake with boat ramp and boathouse. The world-class wildlife includes white-tailed deer, fallow deer, elk, oryx, blackbuck antelope, dove, turkey, duck and hog. Most remarkably, the ranch’s proximity to the metroplex means you can be in a blind at first light and back in Dallas or Fort Worth by lunch — a luxury that few properties can offer.
ALLIE BETH ALLMAN
Dreamy homes available in University Park
Allie Beth Allman & Associates has been a leader in selling University Park homes year in and year out.
If you’ve been dreaming of calling University Park’s tree-lined streets home, check out these four sublime offerings up for sale with Allie Beth Allman & Associates.
Moments from Preston Center and NorthPark shopping, 4028 Marquette St. pairs a prime location with a thoughtful, contemporary design. As you stroll through the 6,143-square-foot gem, its spaces are utterly magazine-worthy.
Filled with artful touches, such as unique light fixtures and a masterfully remodeled kitchen, the 5,104-square-foot haven at 3132 Stanford Ave. exudes polish and personality. The home promises a heavenly primary suite, sophisticated pool and spa, and expansive outdoor living areas.
If pier-and-beam architecture and verdant landscaping sound enticing, don’t miss 7503 Caruth Blvd. Strolling up the property’s charming pathway and stepping inside the five-bedroom home, stately fireplaces, oversized windows and wood beams await as well as a large chef’s kitchen any foodie would swoon over.
A four-bedroom stunner at 3420 Hanover St. is an entertainer’s ideal forever home. Not only does it offer multiple chic bars, a huge game room, and a flowing open floor plan, but it also has a putting green and a covered patio with a fireplace so you can host all year with ease.
BRIGGS FREEMAN Westover House by I.M. Pei
Westover House in Westover Hills, represented by Ralph Randall, Madeline Jobst and Ashley Mooring of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; $22,000,000
I.M. Pei designed only three private homes in his lifetime. Westover House is the last and greatest — a significant achievement in American residential architecture. Westover House shares its DNA with Pei’s most celebrated works, including the Pyramid at the Louvre in Paris and the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Commanding a hilltop in Fort Worth’s Westover Hills, the sprawling home is thoughtfully sited on nearly 4 gently sloping acres. It offers a unique garden room — a soaring, lightfilled space with a canted roof of glass and steel that rises above the tree line — a nearly 70-footlong art gallery, multiple living and dining rooms, a sumptuous main suite, six additional bedrooms, den, office, wellness room, heated pool and putting green.
The home’s materials are of the ages. Its thick walls are concrete mixed with an aggregate of rose-quartz granite from Colorado. The unique textural fluting on the walls, inside and out, was painstakingly bushhammered by hand. Interior flooring includes Portuguese marble and Burmese teak, with outside terraces of granite. Westover House isn’t just an architectural triumph — it is a Fort Worth legend, completed in 1969 for a horse breeder, art collector and philanthropist and never available before. At more than 19,000 square feet and a work of modernist art, this is an acquisition of genuine architectural and cultural consequence.
