nowmagazines.com » Southwest

Crowning Cause

marshallhinsley — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:17:04 +0000

CEDAR HILL, TX – When Lacey Trevino participated in her first pageant, she could not have known how the contests would eventually impact her life. When her mother, Angela, was diagnosed with breast cancer, it led to a ready-made platform for Lacey, who was named Miss Teen Cedar Hill International 2012.

“My platform, about which I am very passionate, is based on the early detection of breast cancer and breast cancer awareness due to how severely it has impacted my family with my mother’s diagnosis,” Lacey said. “I believe participating in this pageant will open up opportunities for me to help in the education of many women, as well as men, of the importance of early detection, and to heighten awareness about this disease.”

Angela Trevino was well-known in Cedar Hill for her work with PTA and as parent liaison for the school district. She was diagnosed in January 2007 with stage 4 cancer. By that time, the disease had spread to her lymph nodes, lungs and bones. She immediately started treatment and survived five years Duncanville NOW despite going blind in both eyes before longer than expected, never losing hope, her passing February 26 of this year. “She was such a strong woman that she made such a big difference in our community. Everyone knew her, and she knew everyone!” Lacey said. “If her disease had been detected earlier, her survival rate would have increased by 85 percent. Some people’s survival rate goes up to 98 percent, with early detection.”

While grieving her mother’s death, 18-year-old Lacey said it also pushes her in her pageant endeavors. “I feel the pageant has kept me on my feet. It has occupied me, so I won’t dwell on my mom’s sickness and passing,” Lacey said. “My mother is in heaven now, but I know she is so proud of me and wouldn’t want me to give up on my dream to win Miss Teen Texas International 2012.”

To that end, Lacey must not only raise pageant participation funds, she must also refine her pageant skills to win over teen contestants from around the state. The full-time Northwood University student has learned to juggle her educational workload with the responsibilities of her pageant title.

“I have invested all hours of the day. Whether it’s at school informing my professors and fellow Knights about my pageant to help raise money for my expenses or going out during the week and weekends making appearances during community events,” Lacey said, “I’m determined to show that a small-town girl can make a difference, and how staying in school and making good grades can open up so many doors throughout your life.”

Involved in the pageant system since childhood, Lacey was Petite Miss Country Day 2005 and Little Miss Ellis County in 2006. Miss Teen Cedar Hill International is her most prestigious title to date.

“When I was selected Miss Teen Cedar Hill International 2012, I was tickled pink! I believe I was picked based on my community service, honors and academics, as well as my overall belief system — for what I stand for as a young woman,” Lacey said.

Admitting she is actually a shy person,

Lacey finds pageant participation has helped her mature. “Even though I’m very passionate about breast cancer awareness, I didn’t always have the confidence it takes to step up and speak out for a cause. Pageants have helped me mature. I’m more responsible and poised because of these experiences,” Lacey noted.

The lifelong Cedar Hill resident fondly recalled other experiences in her hometown, including attending Bray Elementary, West and Joe Wilson intermediate schools, Permenter Middle School and Cedar Hill High School, from which she graduated on the A/B Honor Roll and as a Texas Scholar.

“One of my fondest memories is when my mom was room mother at Bray, and we would create jewelry or make gingerbread houses. That was my favorite part of attending Bray!” Lacey recalled. “I also remember staying up late when Country Day on the Hill ran until midnight. My sister and I would line dance and listen to all the great bands play.”

Country Day on the Hill and the Holiday Tree Lighting are two of Lacey’s favorite Cedar Hill pastimes, and she still loves the friendliness she feels when walking around town. She also admires the local library’s effort to involve residents in community events.

“Being in pageants teaches you the importance of community support. I’ve received so much assistance from the people of Cedar Hill, and I just want to give back as a role model and educator,” Lacey said.

Written by Angel Morris.

Unmasking Ray

marshallhinsley — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:29:48 +0000

CEDAR HILL, TX – Cedar Hill resident, Ray Schufford, is a master multitasker, juggling family, career, writing, upstart business and his charity. He is a firefighter and a paramedic for Dallas, a profession he truly feels blessed to have been able to do for the last 17 years. Twelve years ago, Ray met and married the love of his life, Terri. Together they have three children: Tommy, a 20-year-old student at Texas A&M University; Asia, 10, who attends Joe Wilson Intermediate; and Jade, 8, who attends Plummer Elementary.

Ray grew up in the Metroplex, graduating from Kimball High School in Oak Cliff. He spent two years at the University of North Texas before graduating from the University of Central Missouri. He attended UT Southwestern for his paramedic training. Because of his strong ties to this area and the people here, he strives to make a difference in communities around him that are struggling. “When I see something broken, I just really want to fix it. This is our world. If not us, then who will?” Ray asked. He began his journey with a simple book based on a simple, but powerful, story.

Ray’s first book, Bells Beneath My Pillow: a Fireman’s Chronicle, is based on his experiences with men in his life who have mentored him, given him direction and served as confidants when he was in need. “One of my good friends had a son who died as an infant. I used that baby’s name as the name of the main character,” Ray explained. “Although there are only two main characters, every one of their traits and life lessons were ones I learned from people in my life who have helped me.” For that reason, the story has been called “touching, relevant and powerful.”

Ray recently published his second book, Take it Off: Unmasking the Hero Within You. This nonfiction book focuses on Ray’s idea of what truly makes a HERO: Hearing the call and doing something about it, Encouraging others in times of need, Relationship building and Obeying the opportunities when they present themselves. He believes everything that happens is meant to trigger something else, and it is each person’s responsibility to recognize what he or she is being led to do.

Ray had a moment of clarity when he was a teenager. He witnessed a man, shot and dying, and no one stopped to help. Ray offered the man a hand and watched the power of simply giving a man in need a little peace. “From that moment,” Ray said, “I realized it didn’t take much to make someone’s life better, just a presence or a kind word.”

Ray speaks to groups elsewhere in hopes of helping everyday people find their inner hero and the courage to make a real difference in the world. He uses inspirational messages mixed with humor to make his point accessible to all who hear him speak. He has spoken to book clubs, high schools, colleges and corporate offices. Branching off from his motivational speeches, Ray is also starting an Internet television show where he will be interviewing everyday heroes. “I think there are ordinary people doing extraordinary things everywhere. Sometimes people want to be heroes, but they have no idea how. I am hoping to provide them real life examples,” Ray explained. He gave some examples of seemingly ordinary things that can make a huge difference. “Go to a shelter one day and just talk to people, play games with them. Go to a nursing home and play the piano for them. Absolutely anything that makes someone’s life better is worth your time.”

With Ray’s ideas in place, he and Terrance chase started Mentoring Brother 2 Brother, Inc. (MB2B), a faith- based organization, 13 years ago. MB2B programs are designed to support the social, emotional and cultural well-being of youth who are often targets of peer pressures toward risky behavior, which can sometimes be life-threatening. Based out of the south Dallas area, MB2B works with minority young men who are in need of a positive male role-model by teaching skills like maintaining positive relationships, focusing on academics and making good decisions. From the conference room at Concord Church in Dallas, they also help the young men with job-search skills and college applications. “Last year, three of our boys went to college,” Ray said.

The idea of MB2B came from a simple observation. “I saw these kids just had a need to have someone who believes in them and cares for them,” Ray admitted. “That is what we offer.” The kids and mentors also get the opportunity to do some team and morale building by going on outings together. Recently, they went to a Dallas Mavericks game, an activity several kids would not otherwise have the opportunity to do. He also has taken them to museums, and they work on proper etiquette in different social situations.

In 2011, for the first time, MB2B fielded an academic decathlon team for a competition in Dallas open to public teams. They will have two teams competing in the 2012 Dallas Academic proud of. Right now, there are eight Bowl, an accomplishment Ray is very to nine mentors at a given time and, unfortunately, a waiting list for kids to get into the program. Training mentors is extensive, and Ray is hoping even more of the men who went through the program return as mentors.

“Sometimes I feel a little crazy,” Ray said. “I love my job as a firefighter and paramedic. I could not imagine doing anything else. I also feel passionately about my HERO concept and the need that people have to hear about it. Mentoring is a calling — it is what I found within myself that I could do to be a hero myself.”

Sometimes, Ray struggles with the financial part of it, wishing he could give everything for free to those who need it. Unfortunately, there is a cost associated with the books, speaking and mentoring. He works from donations. Not exasperated, but energized, Ray knows that this juggling act takes a team to keep everything in the air. His wife, kids, volunteers, co-workers and friends help Ray follow his dreams. “I feel like I can do anything at all. I can do so much more than I even think I can. I push myself every day to do more. I look around, see a need and want to fill it,” Ray said. “My family and I thank God every day for our many blessings.” Judging from the results of the thousands of people touched by his spirit, he is making a difference. He is their hero.

Written by Cindy Malone.

Finding the Song Within

marshallhinsley — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:58:04 +0000

DUNCANVILLE, TX — An unknown person once said music is what feelings sound like. If this is indeed true, then the symphony of love and dedication that flow from the heart of Jarrod Johnston should definitely not be missed. Jarrod, who was born in Houston but reared in the Metroplex, is the worship pastor of First United Methodist Church in Duncanville. Like many of those who are compelled to take on faith-based leadership positions, Jarrod didn’t quite see the call coming. He thought he would end up singing in an opera or working in musical theater, which were both his first loves.

Although Jarrod’s parents were active in church while he was growing up, he admitted that when he was younger, being active in the ministry was not something he was, well, “fired up” for. But even then, his love of music kept him anchored to his faith. “I started singing as a child in church,” he said. “It was always kind of my conduit to the church. It’s what kept me connected.”

When he was an undergraduate student at Tarleton State University, Jarrod felt his heart turning him to a different path, as he found himself struggling for direction. He knew he wanted to teach, but not in a traditional school setting, and life on the road as a musician was not as appealing as he once thought it would be. “While I was there, I felt the call to ministry. So, I did my research and decided on the Perkins School of Theology,” he said, referencing the widely known theology school at Southern Methodist University, from which he graduated in 2008. “It’s a really great melting pot of denominations, and it was a great school.”

After graduation, Jarrod was seeking a job and was offered one as director of music ministries in Slidell, Louisiana. The job was offered to him by a Perkins classmate’s parents. “I had no intention of leaving Texas, ever,” he admitted. “But I had an opportunity to do something kind of wild, so when they offered me the job and it ended up being that experience you need to have when you’re off on your own for the first time, I took it.”

Though Jarrod was on his own in a new state, he had left a bit of his heart behind with the one who would become his future wife — Leanne, also an SMU graduate and the best friend of one of his Perkins classmates. Leanne currently works as a conference coordinator for youth ministries in the Methodist church, but at that time she was exploring the Perkins school to further her goal of working with youth ministries. “We went out to lunch, but we didn’t really hit it off, or anything,” Jarrod laughed.

However, the tides changed when both were attendants in a mutual friend’s wedding two years after their first meeting. “We couldn’t stop talking to each other. She came to visit me in Slidell a week after the wedding just to see if there was something we wanted to pursue.” Married for almost three years, the couple recently welcomed their first son, Wesley, to the family.

Jarrod jokes that he made Leanne come to Louisiana kicking and screaming, where she found work in disaster recovery after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area. “Our church, because it didn’t flood, became a gathering place,” he explained. “When people here complain about what they have and don’t have — that job gave me a real perspective, as we were working with people who really had nothing. Church members just moved in together while their houses were being worked on. That’s what the church is all about, to me. Making family and taking care of each other.”

While the couple enjoyed their life in Louisiana, they knew they wanted to return to Texas someday. They had decided that they would move for whoever got the first job. “We were so blessed that we both got our dream jobs,” Jarrod said. “I accepted my job, and she got her job around the same time.”

At his dream job at First United Methodist in Duncanville, Jarrod faces the joys and challenges of working with various age groups and coordinating musical selections and arrangements for every worship service. In the environment of the church’s deep,
rich musical heritage, Jarrod leads several choirs, including a youth choir, two children’s choirs, an adult choir, a hand bell choir and a church band. He also plays guitar in the church’s band, Crossroads Praise Team, which he says is a dream to work with.

With all of these moving parts and people, Jarrod has to keep schedules on his mind and practices on task, with some choirs practicing on the same night, back- to-back with one another. “I’m a real taskmaster in practice,” he said. “There’s always a little time for chitchat, but I’m really there to work, and our choirs are there to work. Thankfully, there are really hardworking people in our choirs. They want to do the very best and have the best ministry they can. With everyone we work with, we make sure their primary responsibility is to lead worship on Sunday mornings. They’re not there just to sing pretty music. They’re there to lead hymns and get the congregation involved as we lead the congregation together.”

Since the church is celebrating more than 135 years of existence, Jarrod acknowledges things tended to lean a little more toward the traditional before he began overseeing worship services. As to his style of music, Jarrod believes in being a bit edgy, but he maintains an edge can be infused into both traditional and contemporary music styles. He also embraces the idea of incorporating more international music into worship services, embracing ideas and musical influences from across the globe. At times, he is a bit nervous about bringing in such influences, but he believes taking a risk with enthusiasm makes it that much more exciting. “You can do edgy things in traditional worship and still have your traditional kind of high-church feel,” he said. “It’s also super important in contemporary worship to stay edgy, because that’s where you get a lot more of your young families and your youth.”

Ultimately, when it comes down to it, music is the one language that unites us all, especially in a worship service. No matter the denomination, music style or instrument, it all comes down to one thing: “It’s all about people. And you can’t be an effective music minister if you don’t feel that pastoral calling to just care for and love people,” Jarrod shared. “We’re praying together when we sing together.”

Written by Katrina D. Lewis.

A Man and His Dog

marshallhinsley — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:12:27 +0000

DESOTO, TX — One overcast day, not too many months ago, Lowe’s was the scene of an unusual field trip. Various autos disgorged their owners, along with several people in polo shirts and khakis and three dogs. One man in a wheelchair worked at backing down the ramp from his van, a woman settled onto a motorized cart, while the other man spoke quietly to his dog. Several dry runs in and out of vehicles attracted curious, yet hastily averted glances from onlookers. The group in polo shirts worked at handing out pamphlets, explaining their affiliation with Patriot Paws, a nonprofit, service dog training organization for military veterans. The whole event was filmed by Mark Birnbaum, who has spent the past two years chronicling an extraordinary story — the story of Marshall Allen, the one with the wheelchair. Marshall’s story will be a feature-length documentary.

Marshall has always liked dogs and has owned several. But he never dreamed he would one day be cared for by a dog. By mutual agreement, Marshall and his dog, Wilson, feel they have not only a workable plan, but an enjoyable one as well. Truth be told, Marshall never thought he would need anyone to care for him. He was a strapping Fort Worth firefighter of some renown, until a bicycle accident left him a quadriplegic. After a lot of work, Marshall has regained limited use of his arms and hands with the aid of braces. He continues to work for the Bureau of Fire Prevention Fort Worth Fire Department, where he is in charge of commercial inspections, driving to work in his specially equipped van seated in a motorized wheel chair. But there are some things he can’t quite manage. Enter Wilson, a beautiful, two-year-old white Labrador.

“Wilson can open and close doors, pick up things and even bring me drinks from the refrigerator,” Marshall explained in the van on the way to Lowe’s. “He can identify water, juice or sodas. And best of all, he can help me if I fall, by pressing a panic Duncanville NOW calling 9-1-1.” Once parked, Marshall

button, getting ‘his’ phone for me or even leaned down to pet Wilson, murmured words of encouragement and gave him treats. While service dogs are trained to certain commands, the owners also customize vocal and hand commands. “Wilson will relieve me of quite a few challenges. Isn’t that right, Boy?

“I thought I knew dogs, but the things Patriot Paws has taught Wilson are really quite impressive,” Marshall remarked. Wilson opens or closes doors that have a braided cord hung on them, while ignoring doors without the cord. Following an 18-month to two-year initial training period, four service dogs at a time meet with four potential owners. Within about three months, the dogs learn their owners and know what constitutes normal behavior for them, as well as their particular needs. Wilson received extra training to familiarize him with the braces Marshall wears. Other dogs may need to be familiarized with prosthetics.

Lori Stevens, who has trained service dogs for over 20 years, founded Patriot Paws specifically to work with veterans at the request of the VA hospital. Patriot Paws provides service dogs free of charge specifically for veterans. “This trip to Lowe’s was the first outing for the dogs and their owners. While the dogs already know what to do, the new owners need to be trained,” Lori explained. “We teach them all the hand signals and cues, along with nutrition and animal behavior.

“At Lowe’s, the owners learned how to indicate which direction they wanted to go. For Marshall, since he is in a wheelchair, this was even more crucial. Both he and Wilson needed to know on which side of the wheelchair Wilson needed to be.”

The outing went well. Even though service dogs are not trained to defend their owners, Wilson did find a cutout cardboard man unsettling. “It’s because he can’t read the eyes,” Lori explained. The store agreed to let the group take the cardboard man with them to use in further training.

The new owners learn to balance work and playtime for their dogs. The dogs know that when they are wearing the service vests, they are “on duty.” So during their downtime, the vests are removed. They also wear a Gentle Leader (a guide strap across their face), which affords the owner additional control. Because food is used as a reward for service, their “treats” are part of their daily healthy food intake. They are never allowed to eat food from the table. Each owner wears a fanny pack with treats. Verbal praise and play are also used to reinforce behavior.

When Marshall’s previous dog passed away in May, his friend, Alex Allred, contacted Lori about Marshall and presented his case. Lori was eager to meet Marshall and find a dog for him. The dogs come from various sources, but mostly from breeders. Labrador Retrievers, other Retriever breeds, Poodles and Labradoodles make great service dogs. Their initial training, begun when they are 9 weeks old, is done by women incarcerated in the Gatesville Christina Melton Crain and Dr. Lane Murray units, with whom Lori has been working since 2008. At the prison, dogs are trained to respond to up to 42 various hand and verbal cues. Then Lori takes them to Patriot Paws, located in Rockwall, for further specific training. All of the dogs learn to work with people

in wheelchairs. Once the dogs have “chosen” their new owner, several days are spent together in training, and then they begin training in public places, such as Lowe’s or Bass Pro Shop. “It’s always interesting to see how the dogs ‘pick’ the person they can best relate to,” Lori said with a smile.

“Patriot Paws, which has a paid staff of six and 40 volunteers, receives 100 percent of their support from the public. We don’t receive any financial aid from the government,” Lori informed. So far, Patriot Paws has placed 29 dogs with vets who have mobile disabilities and have about 44 on their waiting list. “We don’t provide seeing-eye dogs,” she said. “Our motto is ‘service for those who have served.’”

One of Patriot Paws’ most unique trainers is their cat, Eli. “It’s important for the dogs to know they can’t take off and chase a cat or squirrel, so Eli really
is a dog trainer,” Lori laughed. “We find that caring for a service dog that is also caring for them, gives the vets even more reason to relearn functions they may have lost through injury. Both the dog and their owner learn to read each other’s stress levels and alleviate them. It’s a win-win situation.”

Written by Beverly Shay.

Editor’s Note: For more information about Patriot Paws, visit http://www.patriotpaws.org.

Seek and Ye Shall Find

marshallhinsley — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 01:22:47 +0000

DESOTO, TX – When one door closes and another doesn’t open, Job Seekers Ministries will help you find a window. During a time when landing jobs is more competitive than ever, a group of volunteers from DeSoto’s First United Methodist Church is dedicated to helping locals find employment. “I had been laid off from two teaching jobs in two years when I heard of a job ministry in Spring, Texas, where my daughter lived. I visited, and what I saw was a positive, Christian setting touching on all the fundamentals of job hunting,” Job Seekers Ministries coordinator, Sharon Weyker, said.

Early in 2010, Sharon brought the idea back to her home church, where Reverend Kevin Strempke told her to hit it! “There was some discussion and approval procedures to go through, but once I got the volunteers together, things happened pretty quickly,” Sharon said.

By January 2011, the group was ready to begin. As a support ministry providing encouragement, information and job-search skills training in a Christian setting, meetings are open to job seekers of all backgrounds and religions.

“This is a nondenominational, nonpolitical thing. We are not left wing or right wing. We want the whole bird!” Reverend Strempke said.

One participant, Francine Holowak, is proof positive that Job Seekers works. The 85-year-old DeSoto resident had attended just a few meetings when Sharon referred her to a job. “I was at the dentist, and I overheard them talking about needing office help,” Sharon recalled. “I immediately thought of three ladies in the ministry and called Francine first.”

Francine made an appointment to drop off a résumé with the dentist the next morning, and by that afternoon had the job. “I had no experience in dental offices, but my background was sufficient for what they needed, and I convinced them I’m a fast learner.” Francine’s positive attitude may be one of the most important trait’s a job seeker can offer a potential employer. “I had been unemployed for two years when I saw information about Job Seekers and came to a meeting. I met people here and showed that I enjoyed everything. I really think that cheerfulness came across in my interview, and that’s what got me hired,” she said.

Volunteer Alina Esquivel explained putting one’s best foot forward can indeed make all the difference in job searching. “There will be days when you don’t feel optimistic, and that’s OK, but you cannot let yourself dwell on that. You have to practice positive self-talk and concentrate on what’s within your control,” she said.

Alina described some key areas job seekers should tend to, including health and relationships.

Guests at a recent ministry meeting
did just that when allowed to share what they felt would most help them in their job searches. From those suggestions, Job Seekers set agendas for meetings focusing on résumé production, job search skills, interview techniques and networking. “The concept is to set up the ministry in modules through which people can filter for the specific help they need. Each of our volunteers has an area of expertise that they present to the group,” Reverend Strempke noted.

Curtis Johnson, who first came as an attendee, is now a volunteer who focuses on interview skills. Linda Tate, who
has reviewed thousands of résumés in her career, brings that expertise to the ministry. Other volunteers are Linda Harris, who assists with cover letters and mock interviews, and William Weyker, who covers personal presentation.

“We had 16 people attend our first meeting; now 40 have gone through the program. About 17 of those have found jobs,” Sharon counted. “And we are all always listening for jobs to refer each of the program members to. Networking
is so important, and being part of Job Seekers is doing just that.

Ultimately, Sharon would like to
see the group expand beyond just its members. “I would also like to work with economic groups to try to get businesses to come to the DeSoto area,” Sharon said. “We had an angel tree at Christmas with names of the unemployed and what career they were interested in. Members of the congregation took a name with the promise of mentorship and assistance finding a job.”

Although Francine has already found a job, she continues to attend Job Seeker meetings. “You can always learn something new, and as we all know, jobs don’t last forever anymore,” she said. “I love what I’m doing now, but I figure it never hurts to keep on top of things by coming to these meetings.”

Current participants range in experience from janitorial to law. Other positions now sought include security, journalism, secretarial, teaching, yard work, truck driving, nursing, collection agents, dental assistants and administrative.

“No matter one’s professional experience, unemployment can be a challenging time for many as they question professional worth, job skills and even their faith,” Reverend Strempke said. “We are here to help. That’s all we’re here to do. There’s no commitment [required of attendees] other than what you’re willing to put in toward better preparing yourself to find a job.”

Meetings open and close in prayer as volunteers ask God’s favor over those in attendance. “If nothing else, the folks who attend our meetings can expect to leave feeling better about themselves. They find they are not alone and that someone cares,” Reverend Strempke said. “We’re here to offer help and hope. Plus, we have cookies.”

The snacks, like participation in the group, are free. If that’s not enough, Reverend Strempke encourages folks to attend just one meeting to decide if it’s for them. “Try us. You’ll like what you see. Besides,” he said, “if closed doors have been blocking your job search, opening a new window never hurts.”

Written by Angel Morris.

A Parade of Christmas Spirit

marshallhinsley — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:42:12 +0000

DUNCANVILLE, TX — The Masters Academy is located behind The Bread of Life Church, nestled in a residential neighborhood of Duncanville. The private school has a 23-year history of catering to the needs of children with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia and academic deficiencies. Each student lucky enough to attend school there

gets a personalized curriculum fitted to his or her exact needs. But with such a small student body (approximately 25-30 right now), sports and many other extracurricular activities enjoyed by other schools are just not feasible options.

“Without football or cheerleading or the normal things kids participate in, we needed something in which we could compete,” Kristi Morales, assistant administrator, explained. “We needed some way to sharpen our competitive edge, have fun as a group
and give our kids a chance to win at something.” Her perfect answer came in the form of making a float for the Annual Duncanville Christmas Parade. After winning the school’s first trophy in 2009, the students, teachers and parents were hooked.

Each year in October, students are told what the theme of the parade will be by the city planners. The themes can be anything from Santa’s Workshop to Candyland Christmas. They then have a little less than two months to develop an idea, sketch it out, build and decorate the float and make costumes. Kristi praised the students’ parents and grandparents. “We couldn’t do this without them.”

When Kristi first plans the idea, she sends a letter home to the parents with a list of supplies and jobs she needs done. This can be anything from painting, to sewing, to stringing lights. The parents, understanding the importance of the project to the school and their children, are usually more than happy to help and give anything they can.

Every day after school for those few months, the students saw, hammer, paint and nail the design that is sketched out and hung up all over the school. Thanks to the small student body, the teachers are familiar with each student’s special gifts and talents. All the students get to contribute to the project in the way only they can. “If there is a student who shows promise in engineering, for example,” Kristi explained, “he or she works on the measurements and blueprints.”

The teachers also use the project, along with their normal teaching, in a way that makes normally mundane or boring lessons come alive. When building a float, physics and geometry lessons can be taught using real-world applications. The Master’s Academy also focuses on preparing their students for life after high school. Some will go into the workforce and some into college. These students need the same social and organizational skills as all other students. “The Christmas float project really helps teach those fundamental skills like sharing, planning, teamwork and community,” Kristi added.

Every student enrolled at the school has a part in making the float, and every student also takes an active role in the parade. In the past, students have walked alongside the float dressed like candy bars throwing out candy. The students have ridden on a carousel dressed as toys themselves. “The float building, parade and contest really bond our students together,” Kristi shared. “Every student, no matter their ability or age, can work together. And more than that, they are having fun together. It is our football.

It is our volleyball. It is our chess club. This is what we do. And every student participates in our sport. It’s something they can be really proud of. Sometimes, when a student struggles academically, they need something outside of books to boost their self-esteem. For most of our kids, this is it.”

Because they only have the eight-by- eight trailer, on which the float is built, for one weekend, the entire float must be assembled in the cafeteria area of the school until the parade weekend, when they can attach it to the trailer. Their very first parade was in Duncanville, in 2009. The parade was on a Friday night, and the trailer, which belongs to a local rancher, was brought to them only a few hours before the parade. Kristi remembered that first year, with a laugh. “We were literally stapling lights to the plywood while driving down the road on our way to line up.”

With every student participating in the float and parade, bringing home a trophy means that every student has won. And trophies they have! In every parade they have entered since 2009, which includes Duncanville, Desoto and Cedar Hill’s annual Christmas parades, they’ve won. Each trophy is displayed in the main area of the school next to photos, so every student can see them every day.

When asked why she chose Christmas parades as the school’s biggest project, Kristi answered, “To begin with, we are a Christian private school so, of course, we celebrate Christmas in a huge way every year. Also, right now, community is becoming more and more important. We not only would like the community to know who we are, but we want to be more involved in the community, as well. Most of our students live close, and without the networking of a normal public school, our students and staff need another way to commune with our neighbors. With all three parades, thousands of people see our float, hear our name and see our amazing kids each year.”

Financially, building a float complete with costumes can be hard. A small group of students make up the student council. They spend all year raising money for the float. The rest of the material is either donated by parents or grandparents or is funded by teachers, at their own expense. They borrow the trailer and generator that power the thousands of Christmas lights, which light up the float itself, and James and Janet Harris from Justin Moving allow them to park the float in their building between parades. However, giving students the sense of pride and recognition they need, makes all the sacrifices and hard work worth it.

As for this year, Kristi hopes that whatever the theme, they can use some of the supplies she already has. She loves the middle of the parade, so she hopes their float is lined up somewhere near the middle. But perhaps more important than that would be for them to be placed “somewhere in front of the horses.”

Written by Cindy Malone.

Scene of Tragedy

marshallhinsley — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:03:44 +0000

DUNCANVILLE, TX — How many times have you heard the question, where were you on …? Mary Sue (Sue) Randall Bennett will never forget where she was on Friday, November 22, 1963. She was on the curb in front of the Texas School Book Depository in Dealey Plaza. She worked on the fifth floor for Allyn and Bacon Publishers, one of the many publishing firms in the building. “I was so excited to be on the street that day. And then,” Sue paused, “the motorcade drove right in front of me, well us,” she amended. “I was looking at the handsome, young president, admiring his lush hair, and he looked right at me! My heart fluttered, and I knew I was part of history in the making. I just didn’t know how intently a part of history.”

As she was making eye contact with the president of the United States, several things occurred at once. She heard what she thought were fire crackers, which initially seemed so celebratory, but then he slumped forward. Sue realized something was very, very wrong, but her mind refused to process it. “People screamed and ran, but it all seemed to be in slow motion. I remember turning and walking back toward the building, noticing one of my associates was still standing near the front door as he had been when I came out. I don’t know if it had even registered with me yet that the president had been shot,” Sue stated, as dazed now as she had been then.

Sue’s eyes teared even after all these years. “We didn’t know what to do. I called my brother, but really, what could you say? It just didn’t seem real. We weren’t allowed to leave the building until we were questioned. The police came office by office, floor by floor, wanting to know what we had seen and heard and where we had been,” Sue remembered. “Maybe that was when I realized I may have been the last person the president saw — he was looking right at me …” Sue faltered to a stop. “I remember it like it was yesterday. Later, my friend, Mary Lee, and I went to the office where the shot had been fired. We saw the lunch bag on the floor. When they did the reenactment, we looked through the scope. You could see exactly where the president’s car drove through. You could also see where I had been standing,” she remarked soberly.

Sue was born in Ferris in November 1931. Two brothers were older and a younger sister came along six years later. “When I was 7, our house burnt. My daddy was badly burned around his head. We rebuilt,” Sue stated simply.

“I grew up in Kaufman County, about four miles from Kemp. I graduated from high school when I was 16, and then, well then I eloped,” Sue said. Somehow it was no surprise she ended up working for the Book Depository, since she always loved books. “I got my love for reading from my father. Before I even went to school, he taught me math and reading and writing — printing and cursive!” she emphasized with a smile.

Sue enjoyed a successful career as a businesswoman. She remembers well the days of IBM Selectric typewriters. “When I was first hired at the Book Depository, I knew it would be a happy place to work because of all the books. The Depository was a warehouse for school textbooks and other related items. The schools would place their orders through us. We would receive all the books and distribute them to the schools. The other publishers had their books shipped there as well,” Sue explained, “and the Depository received a percentage of their sales.”

Sue knew most of the people who worked in the two buildings that housed offices and warehouse space. Twenty- four-year-old Lee Harvey Oswald had been hired as a temporary employee in the warehouse. Although Sue knew him, she hardly ever saw him. “We were questioned by the police, the FBI and, later, the Warren Commission. Initially, they suspected my associate, whom I had seen near the door. Thankfully, I was able to tell them it couldn’t have been him, because there wouldn’t have been time for him to be outside, go up and shoot the president and come back by the door,” Sue remarked with a sigh of relief. Undoubtedly, she has replayed that day and the days that followed over and over in her mind multiple times. “Because I had been right there in front of the president when he was shot, I was questioned countless times, not only about that day, but also about anything I had observed in regard to Lee Harvey Oswald,” she said, nearly out of breath.

“And then came the reporters and the book writers and, later, the film makers. Oh, the ideas they came up with and the theories! Even before the assassination, there was such a fear of communism — new authors of textbooks had to sign affidavits testifying they were not communists before we could use their textbooks in Texas. Not just anybody could even come into the Depository. Some people even thought everyone who worked for the Depository were communist. There was a lot of money involved in the bids. I guess that was considered suspicious,” Sue reflected.

Sue felt the Warren Commission conducted a very thorough investigation. “My goodness, they interviewed just everyone. We were given a copy of our testimony and asked to make any changes and then verify and sign it. They wanted to know where everyone had been, who was inside and who was outside.” She wanted to help, even though it was all very upsetting. “But not answering was considered suspicious, so I did my best. I just didn’t want to remember seeing him slump forward. It was such a sad, sad situation.”

When the Depository moved out of the building to Carrollton in 1970, Sue went with them and began working for D.C. Heath, another publisher. “I chose to work for them because they had newer equipment. I was even sent to school to learn how to use the computers — offices were just beginning to use them then, so I learned and then taught others in our office,” Sue recalled.

Just last year, Sue made her first visit back to the former Depository, since her company moved away. “I hardly recognized the building; they have made so many changes. I went to the sixth floor museum — I had been told I could go anytime for free, but I had never had any interest. I don’t need a museum to recall the events of that day. It’s something I will never forget.”

Written by Beverly Shay.

Town Clown

marshallhinsley — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 17:08:56 +0000

DUNCANVILLE, TX — In 1975, at age 49, the late-blooming creative soul finally put her talents to good use, first as an artist specializing in portraits of clowns, and then as an entertainer herself, appearing across North Texas as “Honey the Clown.” Eventually proclaimed Duncanville’s Town Clown, Lou enjoyed a long run as the city’s favorite performer. She turned up with her crazy wig and big red nose at civic events to make kids smile and cheer. “It was exciting to represent the city in a fun way like that,” she said. “I was also the official Easter Bunny for two years, which was another great opportunity to be incognito and put on an act for the kids.”

Lou was first drawn to painting clowns because of their bright costumes. “They were just so vibrant,” she recalled. “That must be what interested me
at first.” Lou admitted to having an interest in art when she was younger, but she never thought she had an aptitude for it.

Joined by her husband in her avocation (Robert preferred painting Indians), Lou traveled to circuses and fairs to capture performing clowns with her Instamatic camera, images that she then transferred to canvas. Husband and wife worked well as a team in their newfound craft. “We loved painting together,” she recalled. “Robert was better at sketching subjects, so he would usually draw them for me. I would then come in and paint them.” For her part, Lou helped Robert mix his colors. The couple regularly attended Metroplex clown shows, and at a stand-up act put on by a popular clown called “JoJo Jingles,” they met the star backstage where he consented to be painted by Lou. During the session, JoJo suggested the pair join Clowns of America. They did, and the decision opened up a whole new world for the Duncanville artists.

From painting clown faces, Lou graduated to applying her own by greasepaint, blossoming forth as “Honey the Clown.” In quick succession, adoring Robert transformed himself into zany “Boppo the Clown,” and the flamboyantly outfitted, balloon- dispensing couple was soon in demand, headlining seasonal events at the State Fair of Texas, Traders Village and Six Flags Over Texas. One of Lou’s first regular gigs was replacing JoJo Jingles in his traveling show. After that she and Robert joined other area clowns in forming a volunteer activities program called Clown Alley, the first Texas branch of Clowns of America, which presented free entertainment for charitable organizations, hospitals and orphanages. Chartered in 1978 as Texas Mid-Cities Clown Alley 85, the group networked with the Dr Pepper Circus and partnered with famous clown, Emmett Kelly Jr., with whom Lou and Robert became close friends. Lou served in an advisory capacity with the new group, while Robert took on public relations. Meanwhile, the Stoddards and their troupe performed all over North Texas, celebrating National Clown Week (August 1-7) at Lee Park in Dallas or at major shopping centers like Red Bird (now Southwest Center) and Valley View malls. In addition, Lou still enjoyed acclaim as an artist and was asked to showcase her paintings at the Women’s Building (now known as Grand Place) at Fair Park. “It was a great honor being invited to display there,” Lou remembered. She was in her element according to her niece, Jeanette Sanders, who followed Lou’s example by becoming a professional clown. In an article she wrote about Lou, Jeanette described the occasion as a high point in her aunt’s career, saying, “The public strolled by, stopping to admire her brush stroke technique.”

But it was Lou’s performance art as Honey and the camaraderie she shared with other Clown Alley members that brought her the greatest satisfaction. “The time I spent with my clown friends will always be a bright spot in my life,” she said. “I’m proud of the hard work, energy and heart Alley members contributed over the years.” Lou was also devoted to the Texas Clown Association, which she cofounded in 1982, serving variously as director, treasurer and editor of the group’s membership journal. Robert also came into his own during this time as a journalist, writing and editing for a series of magazines, from Circus Report and Carnival News to The Calliope.

For all her dedication to the business of clowning, Lou never lost her love for live entertainment, especially the intimate connection she forged with youngsters who attended her shows. The mother as well as artiste in Lou was always present in her Honey impersonations on stage, and she also exhibited her understanding of children during photo ops at other public events, never allowing a pushy parent to foist a screaming child off on her. “I would hand them right back, and say, ‘Maybe next year; they’re not ready for me yet.’” Her rapport with kids was something special. “I used to squat down near the child and hold my finger out and wiggle it,” Lou explained. “If the child took hold of my finger, we were friends.”

Lou got a chance to share her passion for clowning in a big way in 1990 when the Universal Pictures comedy, Problem Child, starring John Ritter and produced by Ron Howard, cast her and a number of other Clown Alley staples in a scene filmed at the State Fair. Lou found the eight days she spent filming both exhausting and exhilarating. “We all had fun in spite of the long hours,”
she admitted.

Appearing in a Hollywood movie was certainly a treat, Lou granted, but she insisted she’s more proud of the local tributes she has received, such as the 1991 plaque the mayor of Duncanville presented her for her years of community service and the memorial tablet that honors her at the Duncanville Public Library for the eight years she sat on the facility’s board of directors. “But the greatest reward,” Lou said, “was seeing the smiles of all the little children over the years. That’s what kept me going.”

Written by Randy Bigham.

Golden Oldies

marshallhinsley — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 04:01:44 +0000

CEDAR HILL, TX – While called the Silver Serenaders, many members of this senior adult choir are well into their golden years. A concert at Dallas’ Meyerson Symphony Center September 18, in fact, marks the 30th anniversary of performances by the group whose members’ average age is 74.

“We will perform a marvelous new work by composer Charles F. Brown entitled “I Shall See Thy Face,” written especially for our choir,” artistic director, Jim Palmer, said. “The second half of the concert will be lighter fare featuring all the styles of pop music the choir has sung during the last 30 years.”

The Silver Serenaders of Texas was established September 17, 1981, at Cliff Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, when only a few other senior adult choirs existed in
the U.S. Jim and his wife, Betty, approached their church with the idea of forming the group, after attending a Southern Baptist Convention conference where Jim heard his first senior choir perform.

“At that time, we called them the Sunset Serenaders because the church was on Sunset Street, Sunset High School was just up the street and because ‘sunset’ represented our senior years. We had 52 people come out for our first rehearsal,” Jim recalled.

In 1995, the group changed its name to Silver Serenaders, as it evolved from a church to a community choir, inviting members of all denominations, with Jim remaining at its helm. A singer since his days at Sunset High School, Jim had been in glee club at Baylor University, where he earned a master’s degree in history. He later earned a master’s of church music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“During this period, I became minister of music at a church in Richardson, where I remained for seven-and-a-half years,” Jim said. After a move to Oak Cliff brought him to Cliff Temple Baptist, Jim led the junior high choir, the college and career choir and then the Templos Junior Choir for a decade.

Joining the choir involves “showing up, filling out a card and being faithful to rehearsals,” Jim said. Rehearsals take place each Monday from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church in Cedar Hill. There is no audition involved. “Just give me a warm body and a willing, dedicated person, and I do the rest in teaching music,” Jim explained. “We invite those who have never sung in a choir and, of course, those with vast musical experience and all those in between.”

Even following this loose format, Jim said the group continues to improve. “When people realize we are a serious choir, not an ‘old folks’ choir,” he explained, “they want to be a member. We attract more and more seasoned musicians,” he continued. “Secondly, those who joined years ago have grown in confidence and become fine musicians.”

Perhaps it’s the three-fold mission that affords the group continued success: to witness for Christ through musical arts, to promote U.S. patriotism and to encourage community service. “We’re a nonprofit Christian choir and, on purpose, we sing all kinds of music. Our concerts consist of 50-percent sacred music and the other half is patriotic or jazz, country or pop, classic western or rock — whatever our mood is,” Jim said.

Notable performance sites include New York’s Carnegie Hall; the National Christian Church in Washington, D.C.; Carpenter Hall in Irving; and Hawaii’s largest Catholic senior center. The list also includes a number of hotels, more than 100 churches and at least 10 colleges and universities.

“But one of my favorite performances was at a small church in East Texas, with no choir loft and seating for 100 people. We decided to surround the audience by making a circle around the four sides of the little sanctuary,” Jim recalled. “I stood in the middle directing and our sound enveloped the audience. It was surreal.”

While their songs bring listeners to their feet, Jim notes that a number of choir members sit during every concert. “Some are on walkers or in wheelchairs and are unable to stand for any length
of time … so they sit,” Jim said. “This inspires me to give my all for these seniors who have overcome physical issues and continue to be faithful and make genuine contributions to our group.”

With the advanced age of many in

the choir, the group has shared some 100 members’ deaths. The deceased are

dubbed Golden Serenaders by remaining group members, who insist the departed now sing in “our Father’s heavenly choir.”

“More than one member has chosen to be buried in their choir uniform,” Jim noted. “I will never forget the first time this occurred, and it led me to believe the Silver Serenaders Choir was a most important part of their lives. I knew then that my work was not in vain … that we really made a difference.”

For his dedication to the group, Jim has never taken remuneration. “To be paid for my loving hobby,” he said, “would have spoiled everything.” October 1, he will retire as Serenaders’ artistic director but continue on as a choir member alongside his wife. He calls Betty “the real musician of the family” and notes she has performed on keyboard at every Serenaders’ concert. “She is the reason

I have been able to direct this choir all these years,” Jim said, encouraging others to be part of the group that has brought them both such joy.

“The Silver Serenaders of Texas Adult Choir is a wonderful, friendly, loving organization. If you have wanted to be
a part of a group like this, do not delay,” Jim said. “Join us, and before long a spark will ignite in you, making you a living flame of performance and a choir member of merit and joy. It will change your life!”

Written by Angel Morris.

Nature at Our Fingertips

marshallhinsley — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 23:23:57 +0000

CEDAR HILL, TX – Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill is pretty excited to be opening its 205-acre facility next month, and no one is more excited than center director, Dr. Patty McGill. “We now have the facilities to connect children and families with nature, providing an opportunity to appreciate animals and plants within their habitats. This area is unique for several reasons: Because of the pristine, intact ecosystem already in place, we won’t need to control many exotic plants. Really, this region is like no other in the United States,” Patty remarked. “Plant species from the North, South, East and West are mingled together here, attracting birds and animals to cohabit as they do nowhere else.”

Patty grew up in the Arlington Heights area of Chicago. Her father was a doctor, and Patty wanted to be a doctor also. A love for nature and the outdoors was instilled during her childhood, which was filled with camping and lots of physical activities. She received early acceptance to Newcomb College in Tulane, Louisiana, to study pre-medicine, but she had also applied elsewhere. When she was accepted at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, she decided to go there so she could experience four seasons, a decision that changed the course of her career. “I met so many field biologists and was exposed to a variety of ecological and outdoor sciences that changed my interests. We had one three- and-a-half-week block class at a time, with lots of outdoor study. I majored in biology and completed grad school at Cornell University, with a master’s degree in wildlife sciemce,” Patty explained. “I was looking for a project and ended up on an island marine biology station jointly owned by Cornell and the University of New Hampshire.

“Originally planning to study the muskrat population, I actually studied the competition between two species of gulls: great black-backed gulls and herring gulls. I did my thesis field work, taught lectures and worked in the kitchen,” Patty said. She then began doing biological surveys with Fish and Wildlife Ecological Services in Southeast Alaska, including a study of molybdenum mining — a mineral used in steel production. This, in turn, involved a short stint in Colorado and New Mexico for further mining education. Patty finished her Ph.D. at Cornell, which included more gull field study, with a slight diversion into hairy-nosed wombats. She spent summers in Maine and September to January in Tasmania, Australia, for three years.

“Although I enjoy teaching, I didn’t want to pursue traditional academia, so I leapt at the opportunity to be the curator for birds at the Chicago Zoological Society (Brookfield Zoo) once I finished my doctorate. I worked with the zoo for 22 years, participating in disease studies and learning of birds’ ability to see the ultraviolet spectrum humans cannot,” Patty related. Because of her work with seabirds, she was also asked to manage the program for Humboldt penguins in the Americas, focusing on Chile and Peru. She still coordinates the census for Humboldt penguins every January.

Actually, Patty’s work with the zoo indirectly led to her arrival in the Dallas area. “Zoo people meet other zoo people — which is how I met my husband, Lynn Kramer. Lynn was overseeing animal management at the Denver Zoo when we met. One of us needed to move, so I quit my job with Brookfield Zoo. Then we found out the Dallas Zoo was looking at privatization, and Lynn took a job with them as deputy director of animal conservation and science. So we were looking at a move,” Patty stated. Lynn’s job with the Dallas Zoo started in October 2009.

Finding the opening with the Audubon Society at Dogwood Canyon was perfect — not only because of the Dallas area location, but because it allowed Patty to combine all of her experience with what she loves most but had never been able to combine before: conservation administration, project coordination and education and birds. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to use my own personal passion to serve the community and the center, while promoting the Audubon philosophy,” Patty admitted. She began working at the center in March 2010.

“I came in on the ground floor, so to speak. The land, purchased 10-12 years ago by David and Kim Hurt, was originally intended for a personal home site, but as David explored the canyon and discovered the mix of bird and plant species, he wanted to see it conserved,” Patty said. The Dallas chapter of the Audubon Society was able to secure options on some of the land, which opened the door for the National Audubon Society to purchase additional land and manage the center. Of the 300-acre canyon, some eighty or so acres are still privately owned. Another great partner has been the city of Cedar Hill.

With no access roads into the property, the site for the center was up for debate. Creating this site, off FM 1382, seemed the most practical because the land had already been scarred by a satellite dish setup (no longer technically current) from the ’70s or ’80s. The cement depression, where the dish once was, is becoming a deck-lined area with various native trees, flowers and grasses where bird- watching will be taught. Behind it is the 6,000-square-foot center set on piers, so water can flow under it. The building was designed around a huge red oak, and the backside is mostly windows with views right up the canyon and overlooking a prime trout lily bed.

“I had no idea when I came on board I would be learning contracting and building specs and wearing a hard hat,” Patty grinned, eager to show off the center, and even during construction, the are was abundant with bird calls.

The center features two classrooms: the Cedar Elm Room and the Red Oak Room; a reception area; offices; a retail/ nature store and information area;
and an upstairs observation/canyon viewing room with slanted, floor-to- ceiling windows overlooking the creek. “Birdfeeders outside the window will bring the canyon almost right inside for those who are not able to hike it,” Patty remarked. A large reception/gathering room, the Trout Lily room, can be rented for corporate retreats, showers or any number of public events. Seating for 70-75 at tables or 100 in chairs affords a clear view of many fine Texas plants and trees, judiciously managed, as well as the rare mix of the canyon’s unique ecosystem.

“We will provide trails of various hiking levels and lengths, including a partial, handicap-accessible trail and children’s areas,” Patty said. “The front of the center will be restored to Blackland Prairie. Bird watchers and bird listeners (blind birders, who find bird species by ear) will all be delighted with the natural authenticity of the environment.”

Written by Beverly Shay.