Park Cities People April 2026

CELEBRATING STORIES AND RETURNS

Telling stories as a career is a privilege.

People in the Park Cities work hard and enjoy a good story. I shared lots of compelling stories while working for Park Cities People and Preston Hollow People from 2019 to 2023. Temple Emanu-El cantor Vicky Glikin told me about traveling to Poland to support Ukrainian refugees during Passover, and Kunthear Mam-Douglas spoke to me about retracing her family’s escape from Cambodia while the country suffered under the Khmer Rouge regime.

I watched Park Cities families struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic with the decision of how to balance their children’s safety and ability to learn.

I interviewed candidates for office, tracked down the source of a controversial mailer during a contentious school board race, and met with an explorer who D Magazine dubbed “the most interesting

of my work and witnessed this community’s support for its local paper.

I rejoined the team as managing editor of Park Cities People in February, and one of the first community events I covered was the Highland Park Literary Festival — a celebration of storytelling that

welcome I’ve received from community members, like newly promoted editor Sarah Hodges, and Highland Park ISD school board members. (I think I’ve annoyed some of them in the past, but they seemed happy to have me back!)

I’ll work to continue to earn our read ers’ trust by asking questions about issues that they care about, and by telling people’s stories in a way that honors the spirit of how they were told to me.

I’m excited to invite you to read on to find pieces such as the LitFest article on page 10, coverage of impactful local elections, and recaps of community events.

My story continues, and my inbox is always open for ideas and content you’d like to see in these pages.

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.

Jewelry Store Ylang 23 Continues to Shine After Burglary

By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Burglars shattered the door and about a dozen jewelry cases at Ylang 23 during a January break-in. Now, the family who owns the store is determined to pick up the pieces.

“The strongest act of resilience is dusting yourself off and getting back to it as quickly as possible,” said Alysa Teichman, who runs Ylang 23 with her parents, Charles and Joanne. “And that’s what we’ve done.”

Three masked, gloved burglars used a sledgehammer to break into the Teich-

mans’ store on Jan. 23. They caused around $500,000 in damage and losses, according to local media reports.

The family immediately began making repairs and picking up broken glass. Rebuilding Ylang 23’s inventory has been a longer process. But the store’s jewelry cases will be fully restored in the coming weeks, and the family is planning a slate of spring events that it hopes will bring back crowds.

Alysa said that she and her family were grateful for the support of the community, which reached out immediately after the burglary and has continued to

Crime Reports Feb. 9 - March 7

Feb. 9

Reported at 1:27 p.m.: A flying fraudster stole 900,000 miles, which is equivalent to $9,000, on Jan. 21 from the American Airlines account of a resident of the 4200 block of Potomac Avenue.

Feb. 10

A brazen burglar broke into a garage in the 3500 block of Marquette Street.

Feb. 11

Reported at 7:50 a.m.: A thief exhibited unsportsmanlike conduct when they pilfered golf and ski equipment from an unlocked garage on  Rosedale Avenue after entering the yard through an unlocked alley gate.

Feb. 12

A discerning deviant stole a backpack containing a laptop, AirPods, pencil case, and Canon Powershot G7 X Mark III digital camera from an unlocked Maserati in Highland Park Village at about 9:30 p.m., then dumped all the loot except for the camera and pencil case near Highland Park High School.

Feb. 13

Reported at 11:08 a.m.: A crook cruised off in a Lexus RX 350 on Villanova Drive.

Reported at 11:56 a.m.: A crafty crook stole 100 sheets of 4-by-8 plywood siding from a new home construction site on Centenary Drive.

Feb. 14

Reported at 12:07 p.m.: A foolhardy thief took property worth between $100 and $750 from  Snider Plaza  florist Holidays in Bloom.

Feb. 15

Reported at 4:47 p.m.: A porch pirate stole a package on Stanford Avenue.

Reported at 5:12 p.m.: An opportunistic thief stole items from an unlocked Mercedes-Benz C30 on Villanova Drive.

Feb. 16

Reported at 10:11 a.m.: A crafty criminal

stole trowels, baseboards, and pieces of trim from a construction site in the 4400 block of Arcady Avenue.

A pilferer pedaled away with a Trek bicycle from an open garage in the  4800 block of Auburndale Avenue before 5:41 p.m.

Feb. 17

Reported at 2:15 p.m.: A flagrant fraudster charged almost $200,000 worth of items on the credit card of a Highland Park resident during a shopping spree at Christian Dior, NorthPark Center, and Highland Park Village.

Feb. 18

Reported at 10 a.m.:  An incompetent crook tried to steal a phone and bicycle at Hyer Elementary on  Caruth Boulevard, but the victim chased the thief and retrieved the items.

Feb. 19

Reported at 12:36 p.m.: An opportunistic thief drove off in a Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 from the rear driveway of a home in the 3400 block of Harvard Avenue between Feb. 9 and Feb. 19 while the car’s owner was out of town.

Feb. 20

Reported at 1:45 p.m.: A mischief maker stole paint spray equipment from a house undergoing a major renovation on  Haynie Avenue.

Feb. 22

Reported at 11:49 a.m.: A theft-in-progress at CVS on Preston Road.

Feb. 23

Reported at 12:23 p.m. A bold burglar tried to take a tool from the bed of a pickup truck in the  3500 block of Gillon Avenue but jumped back into the BMW he’d arrived in when the owner of the truck got out to confront him.

Feb. 24

Reported at 2:13 p.m.: An auto thief may have taken a vehicle from a parking lot on Hyer Street used by Highland Park High School.

stand with the Teichmans.

“The community, especially the community in the neighborhood, has stepped up to support us through shopping, which is really what we need at this time,” she explained. “After it happened, I have never received more phone calls and texts and emails — the same can be said for my family and for our team.”

The investigation into the burglary is ongoing.

“We’ve been working very closely with the Highland Park police,” Alysa said. “Obviously, there’s been no closure, and

that’s been incredibly hard.”

The burglary occurred shortly after the designer jewelry brand celebrated four decades in business.

Charles and Joanne Teichman opened Ylang 23 in 1985 in Galleria Dallas. The jewelry shop relocated from Preston Center to its current location near sister store Wildlike in The Shops at Highland Park in 2024.

Ylang 23 is known for supporting upand-coming designers and was an early adopter of e-commerce, launching a website in 2000. Alysa joined the family business in 2016 and opened Wildlike in 2021.

Feb. 25

Reported at 11:45 a.m.: A thief took a vehicle from Airline Road.

Feb. 26

Reported at 7:14 p.m.: A burglar got into a vehicle in the  3400 block of McFarlin Boulevard but didn’t take anything of value.

Feb. 27

Reported at 12:21 a.m.: A stealer took a vehicle from Westminster Avenue.

Feb. 28

Reported at 9 p.m.: A thief swiped a bicycle from a carport in the  6600 block of Hursey Street.

March 1

Reported at 11:49 a.m.: A mischief maker threw paint on a home on  Stanford Avenue.

March 2

Reported at 2 p.m.: A package pilferer stole parcels from a place on  Hanover Street.

March 3

Reported at 10:19 p.m.: A daring driver stole a vehicle from a driveway in the  3900 block of McFarlin Boulevard.

March 4

Reported at 6:30 a.m.: A burglar broke into a construction trailer/temporary storage building in the 4500 block of Abbott Avenue and took at least six Milwaukee batteries.

March 5

Reported at 8:59 a.m.: A fraudster used the information of a resident on  San Carlos Drive.

March 6

Reported at 3:17 p.m.: A sneak broke into a vehicle on Mockingbird Lane.

March 7

Reported at 5:10 p.m.: A crook took things from a vehicle in the  8300 block of Preston Center Plaza.

SHADY PURSE

Luxury

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INSPIRED VOICES

Our residents are one of the best reasons to join us at The Tradition. Here is one perspective on why moving to our community was an easy decision:

“I came to a point one day where I thought, I don’t want to take care of this house anymore. I don’t want the maintenance, and I don’t want to worry anytime a storm comes over—is it going to affect my garage? My yard? My roof? And it was very easy to give that up, and I came here to The Tradition, and if a storm rolls in—I don’t worry anymore.”

I hope that you consider a new way of living and join us at The Tradition. Please make an appointment to tour our beautiful community, meet residents firsthand, and learn more. I look forward to welcoming you home!

Founder & CEO The Tradition

Spring Will Bring New Faces to Park Cities Government

By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Park Cities voters can expect big changes to local government in May, along with the opportunity to weigh in on the future of public transit.

Because no University Park city council seats are contested, the city will not have a general municipal election. But there will still be several new faces among city leaders this spring.

University Park Mayor Tommy Stewart, who was first elected in 2020, then re-elected twice, didn’t file to run this year. Attorney Randy Biddle will succeed Stewart. Biddle filed unopposed for the mayoral seat.

Melissa Rieman, who was elected to the city council in 2024, will remain in her seat, as will attorney Phillip B. Philbin.

Rieman is a former president of the Friends of the University Park Public Library and member of the parks advisory committee. She was named University Park’s Citizen of the Year in 2022 and chaired the centennial celebration planning committee.

Philbin served as a member of the planning and zoning commission and zoning ordinance advisory committee and chaired the legislative committee before his election to the city council.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PARK CITIES MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Election Day: May 2

The mayor of Highland Park and five town council members are elected at large to twoyear terms.

University Park’s mayor and four city council members are also elected at large to two-year terms.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)

Highland Park became the first of DART’s member cities to call for a vote in November. University Park’s city council also voted unanimously to hold a special election on the issue in January.

Neither the city nor the town has been persuaded to call off its vote by efforts to reform DART’s governance and return some tax dollars to member cities.

Farmers Branch, Irving, and Plano, however, have opted to cancel their DART withdrawal elections following the changes.

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Current Mayor Pro Tem Mark Aldredge and city council member Bob Myers won’t be returning to the city council. They’ll be replaced by attorney Alex Bell, who was Citizen of the Year in 2024, and property manager Darrell Lane.

In Highland Park, incumbent Mayor Will Beecherl filed unopposed to run for re-election. Six candidates are vying for five seats on the town council.

Current town council members Don Snell, Leland B. White, and Alan Friedman filed to run for re-election, while Lydia Novakov and Marc Myers won’t be returning to the town council.

The additional town council candidates who will appear on the May ballot are Mike Tibbals, Margaret S.C. Keliher, and Mark P. Marynick.

Voters in both Highland Park and University Park will also decide on May 2 whether the municipalities will re -

A plan approved by the DART board recently would return 5% of annual sales tax collections to its 13 member cities in fiscal year 2026. The refunds would increase by 0.5% annually to a maximum of 7.5% over a span of six years.

Cities that approve the plan could use returned funds for projects that support local mobility needs, according to the agenda packet for a Feb. 20 DART board meeting. The Regional Transportation Council has agreed to match a portion of the funds DART would return in the amount of $75 million over six years.

Before the DART board greenlit its offer, the Dallas city council approved giving up the city’s majority control of the transit agency’s board for the first time in its history.

Visit peoplenewspapers.com for more election news, including a complete roundup of March primary election results for races impacting the Park Cities. For primary races in which no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a runoff election is set for May 26.

STANDING STRONG

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More Than Just a Cup of Coffee

Morning meet-ups foster meaningful connections between friends

After school most Fridays, my friends and I text. Our backand-forth messages go on for 30 minutes or so. We are not texting randomly. There is a point to our messages: we are coordinating Saturday’s meetup for coffee.

For sure, my friends and I “talk” via social media, but our most meaningful interactions happen in person.

On a Saturday morning, the three of us each drive from our homes to a coffee shop, where, free of the stresses of the school week, we bask in the aroma of coffee and, boosted by caffeine, talk and laugh — face to face — catching up on our lives.

My love for conversation over coffee began back when it started to be an acceptable drink for my age — around 12 years old when I was in sixth grade. I’d order the sweetest caffeinated beverage on the menu, a grande iced white chocolate mocha with vanilla sweet cream cold foam and extra caramel drizzle.As more of my friends also began to take pleasure in a cup of coffee, we started to meet up and compare our favorite orders. This time at our favorite coffee shops made me realize how beneficial in-person communication is. And coffee makes it so much more fun!

Meeting friends at a coffee shop is a much more rewarding experience than simply having a conversation through a screen. When I

am sitting across the table from a friend, I see their genuine smile, the enthusiastic nodding of their head, or the furrow of their brow. Seeing and hearing them in person makes a conversation heart-to-heart. Face-to-face relationships play a big role in adolescent development. Unfortunately, over the past several decades, fewer teens have met regularly for face-to-face interactions with friends. Nearly half of teens in the United States say they are online almost all the time according to research from the Pew Institute.  Technology can help us reach out to others, but online connections are often not enough to stop a teen from feeling lonely. Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and an expert

on youth mental health and the impact of technology, sees a correlation between the decline of adolescent gatherings and the rise of teenage loneliness. Around 21% of teens reported being lonely much or all of the time according to recent data from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Twenge considers loneliness to be an alarm system, telling you when you need to seek social connection. Even a brief conversation with a stranger can ease loneliness.

My grandmother was a teen back in the mid-1900s, when friends gathered at chrome counters for milkshakes and ice-cream sodas, rock ‘n’ roll playing on juke boxes. For her generation, soda fountains were the social heart of American youth culture, a place

WHY DID SHE CHOOSE THIS TOPIC?

Sarah believes in-person communication is vital to well-being. She thinks a healthy balance between screen and real interactions could help adolescents dealing with depression and anxiety find a more meaningful life, filled with rich conversations.

where teens could feel independent, connected, and secure.

My grandma’s favorite spot back in those days was F.W. Woolworth Co., in Preston Center, where Hopdoddy stands today.

“Just like y’all going to Starbucks, we would go to Woolworths,” says Grandma.

Coffee shops can be thought of as the modern-day soda fountains. My friends and I are fortunate to have such a selection of nearby coffee shops: Drip Coffee, LDU, Sugar & Sage Bakery, La La Land Kind Café, Merit Coffee, Village Baking Co., Foxtrot, multiple Starbucks, and many more. Away from the coffee shops, my friends and I do spend a lot of time on our phones. But our Saturday meet-ups for coffee have made us realize how good we feel and that a healthy balance of online and offline is possible. In-person interactions are important — coffee can help!

Sarah Skinner is a junior at Highland Park High School. She is on the staff of the Highlander Yearbook, where she is the clubs section editor. Sarah also participates in varsity cheer and varsity track and field.

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Schools

HYER CELEBRATES RECORD-BREAKING READING RODEO

By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com

They read Roald Dahl in their driveways and devoured Elephant & Piggie at their dinner tables. They pored over books on park benches on sunny days and by reading light under their covers after dark. They decoded early readers, flipped through picture books, and cracked the spines of modern classics.

The students at Hyer Elementary read a whopping 166,780 minutes during their weeklong reading rodeo, a new record for the annual Read on Hyer fundraiser. Their efforts wrangled up more than $117,000 to support their school.

“Reading is really special to our school and to our teachers, and a lot of our students are already really passionate about reading,” explained Jen Lavelle, who cochaired Read on Hyer with Katrina Bolin.

But Lavelle added that she hadn’t expected students to clock such a large number of reading minutes. “We were just absolutely shocked by how much our students read.”

Hyer celebrated its bookworms’ success during an assembly on Feb. 20. Students danced along with their husky mascot, Balto, clapped, and cheered as the top readers in each grade received trophies and yard signs.

“They were just so excited,” Lavelle said. “And it’s not for a sport. It’s about reading.”

The student who read the most in each classroom was awarded a

From Pages

By Rachel Snyder

rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

medal, and the class in each grade that logged the most total minutes earned a pizza party. The teachers whose classes had read the most minutes and raised the most money also received gift cards.

“Every minute mattered. Every book that you read mattered. Every one of you students that picked up a book and read last week made

this event a huge success,” said the event’s emcees, Hyer dads Houston Bolin and Kevin Lavelle.

Fourth-grader Blair Hunt read 4,233 minutes to win her grade’s top-reader trophy. Hunt canceled some activities and woke up daily at 6 a.m. to squeeze in extra reading time. On the competition’s final day, she started reading even

earlier, at 5 a.m., to maximize her minutes.

It was hard to find time to read so much, but Hunt loves books and was driven to win the top reader trophy.

“People should read a lot,” she said. “It’s very fun.”

The school’s top second-grade reader, Simon Robbins, focused

TOP HUSKY READERS

The students who read the most at each grade level were:

Pre-K: Nishant Narayan

Kindergarten: Paul Dougherty

First Grade: Rosalyn Campbell

Samade

Second Grade: Simon Robbins

Third Grade: Sheridan Campbell

Samade

Fourth Grade: Blair Hunt

primarily on chapter books, including one of his favorites, The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary.

Robbins started reading immediately when he got home from school every day and continued until dinner.

Almost all of Hyer Elementary’s students participated in this year’s reading rodeo. There were some additional prizes for enthusiastic fundraisers and readers, including the opportunity to win a life-sized stuffed husky and prize bundle in Balto’s Big Rodeo Raffle.

Missing this year were smaller prizes that students used to receive when they hit fundraising goals. It turned out that families didn’t need trinkets and toys to persuade them to support their school. Even though the event was focused on encouraging students to read, it also surpassed fundraising records.

“The Hyer community is so festive and fun. And I think that really comes out in an event like this,” Lavelle said. “Everybody just naturally, magically, is ready to achieve, and have fun, and celebrate.”

to Podcasts: HP LitFest Celebrates Power of Storytelling

The power of storytelling was on full display on Feb. 20 at the Highland Park Literary Festival.

Professionals representing a range of media — from journalism and literature to poetry, visual storytelling, podcasting, and more — spoke to Highland Park High School students during the popular annual LitFest workshop day.

“LitFest is just a great opportunity to build networks or talk to people who I normally would not have access to,” senior Olivia-Sophie Keijsers Koning said.

Keijsers Koning, who serves as editor-in-chief of Highland Park High School’s student newspaper, The Bagpipe , and co-hosts The Lazy Feminists podcast, called the workshops inspiring.

She said she particularly enjoyed Bubble Lounge podcast host and People Newspapers contributor Martha Jackson’s workshop.

“She was talking about her podcast, but also the courage and the will it took just to do it and go,” Keijsers Koning said. “It really spoke to me personally because I’m running my own podcast as well.”

Novelist and screenwriter Blake

Crouch gave the Feb. 19 community keynote address, which drew a crowd of more than 200, and spoke with students during the workshops.

Crouch, who serves as head writer and showrunner of the hit Apple TV+ adaptation of his science-fiction novel Dark Matter , gave keynote attendees insight into his writing process.

“I don’t like to over-plan because I want to be surprised. I want to surprise myself in the

storytelling and leave room to diverge from what I think it’s supposed to be,” he said.

HPHS student Biviyana Bhattarai, who attended Crouch’s workshop, said she’s a voracious reader herself and enjoyed his discussion of the storytelling process.

“We just got such a big insight into how his stories play out, and you can see his personality meshed into his work,” Bhattarai said. “It’s cool to really analyze that because when you’re reading a book, you don’t think

LITFEST’S STORY

The Highland Park Literary Festival has grown to be a community-wide event since its founding in 1995. The annual festivities start with Flick Fest, which is LitFest’s primary fundraiser. This year, Flick Fest featured literary agent David Hale Smith, who shared clips from shows he’s worked on, including the Apple TV+ adaption of community keynote speaker Blake Crouch’s book ‘Dark Matter’. LitFest also includes a community keynote speech, workshops for Highland Park High School students, a student-run open mic night, and student writing contests. HP LitFest will present scholarships to two seniors on May 21.

of the author, you think of the story.”

LitFest was founded in 1995 and now includes a slate of events, including student writing contests, a student open mic night, parent and student book clubs, a keynote speaker, and workshops led by celebrated literary professionals.

Ashley Blanchette co-chaired LitFest this year with Haley DeVault.

“I hope HP LitFest leaves our students with a lasting spark of inspiration,” Blanchette said, “opening their eyes to new possibilities and career paths they hadn’t previously considered.”

HPISD Destination Imagination Teams Soar at Regional Tourney

Highland Park ISD students imagined their way to top finishes this February in a competition that challenged them to use their creativity and critical thinking skills to problem-solve.

The students found solutions to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) based dilemmas during the regional Destination Imagination tournament, which was held in Carrollton on Feb. 21.

The #Huskies from Hyer Elementary won first place in the Becoming Super/Fine Arts Challenge and will represent their school at the state tournament in April. In the team’s superhero and supervillain origin story, a plane accidentally dropped radioactive slime on a farmer and turned him into a supervillain, the King of Sludge. The farm animals persuaded another farmer to be their desperately needed superhero, Farmgirl Fury.

The members of the #Huskies were third-graders Jack Sontag, Evelyn Howe, Avery Layman, Conrad Clark, John Wall, and Jack Lavelle. Their team manager was Misty Wall.

The Dragon Dreamers from Highland Park Middle School brought home a win in the DI eXtreme Challenge for the Middle Level. They received their challenge and materials on competition day. Without any costumes,

props, or real way to prepare, they had to rely entirely on teamwork to achieve success.

The members of the Dragon Dreamers were seventh-graders Emily Kerr, Alina Manhas, Violet Rockow, and Olivia Stanwood. Their team manager was Amanda Rockow.

The Dragon Dreamers placed third at the state competition last year, and will represent HPISD at the contest again in April.

The Potato Pandas from Boone Elementary placed second in the Scientific Category. In their performance, a kitty at an adoption center

realized that a bird she saw in a cage was actually her kitty friend being kidnapped. The team designed and created a giant spinning birdcage using a pulley system.

The members of the Potato Pandas were third-graders Caden Brown, Clara Droege, Emily Sutton,

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George Betancourt, Parth Manhas, and Vivienne Rosas. Their team manager was Atisha Manhas.

Boone Elementary’s Peanut Butter & Jellyfish Sandwiches finished in the top ten in the highly-competitive Technical Challenge. The team created a game show led by Poseidon, who took contestants through a series of challenges: the angelfish, swordfish, and catfish with an identity crisis (who thought she was a dogfish). The team’s technical design elements included 3D holograms, pulley systems, and camouflage effects.

The members of the Peanut Butter & Jellyfish Sandwiches were fourth-graders Lucy Jones, Addy Harrison, Mason Wright, Bryson Hall, Rohan Singh, and Brij Shori. Their team manager was Chandrika Shori.

The Stuntsmen proudly represented Hyer Elementary in the Helping Hands/Early Learning challenge. They wrote a script, designed a set, and constructed costumes to tell the story of a robot chef who caught fire and needed to be rescued by two firemen and an electrician.

The team included second-graders Simon Robbins, Warner Clark, Sammy Morrison, Ace Narayanan, William Bagby, and Charlie Sontag. Their team manager was Sharon Clark.

—Compiled by Sarah Hodges

Prep’s commitment to hands-on, experiential learning. The evening highlights student creativity, research, and presentation skills in an engaging, interactive format.

A hallmark of the event is the 5th Grade Wax Museum. Each student selects and researches an American historical figure, studying their life, accomplishments, and lasting impact. On the night of the event, students, in period-appropriate costumes, are stationed in thoughtfully designed vignettes that represent their chosen figure. With the tap of a finger, each “historical figure” comes to life, delivering a memorized speech, writ ten by the student, that shares their story with visitors.

In addition to their performance, students complete a research paper exploring the historical significance of their individual. This immersive, project-based experience strengthens critical thinking, writing, and public speaking skills while bringing history vividly to life.

Camps

SPEND SUMMER IN THE DEEP END Highlander Summer Swim Team starts its second year

By Daniel Lalley Special COntributor

In the wake of one of the Highland Park swim team’s most successful seasons of all time, its coaches plan to keep making waves this summer.

Led by coach Jason Pullano, the Scots earned four podium finishes at this year’s UIL Swimming & Diving State Championship — double the team’s medal count from the prior year.

Pullano and his staff at Highland Park High School aim to build a foundation for future success during the Highlander Summer Swim Team’s second season.

“I’m excited to see the kids get plugged into aquatic sports and the community that comes with it,” Pullano said. “Our hope is that a lot of the kids continue through the school year, whether that’s in a club or in YMCA programs, then eventually they come to me as ninth graders ready to swim for the Scots.”

Last summer, between 60 and 70 young athletes participated in the program. Days after this

year’s registration opened on March 2, the number of participants had already exceeded 20% of the team’s goal.

For the first time this year, the team will host its own meets in the Highland Park High School natatorium, providing

swimmers with opportunities to showcase their skills and prepare for competition.

This year, the program will offer three levels.

Level three is for high schoolers and middle schoolers. It aims to improve biomechanics, technique,

and race strategies, although it’s open to all skill levels.

Level two focuses on fourth through eighth graders and will introduce different swim styles and strokes.

Level one is for younger kids with little to no background in

DIVE IN

swimming. These swimming newbies will work on fundamentals and becoming safer around water.

“My five-year-old daughter started at level one last year with no experience in swimming whatsoever,” said Pullano. “By the end of the year, she was able to compete in the 50 freestyle at our last meet.”

While competition is part of the package, community is at the heart of this program.

“My brother is one of the assistant coaches, I get to teach my daughter, and we’re able to meet some really great people along the way,” Pullano said. “I say the ultimate goal is to get kids plugged into a community, get them safer around water, and then develop skills. If we can do the first two, the third comes naturally.”

Forget the Desk Job. Grab a Lifeguard Chair at a Park Cities Pool

By Josh Hickman

People Newspapers

As the slow burn of summer approaches, preparations for the long-standing tradition of Park Cities pool season unfurls in the lengthening days.

Highland Park’s pool opened to the public on May 17, 1924. I learned to swim there (sort of) in the late ’70s, and it still retains a comforting level of classy consistency.

“I’ve heard that that’s what people love about it,” said HP Administrative Assistant Sofia Tarango. “It’s so quiet, so quaint, so traditional. They don’t want it to change.”

The University Park pool, aka the Holmes Aquatic Center, likely opened at the intersection of Lovers Lane and Dickens Avenue sometime in the 1920s. And ever since, a steady stream of lifeguards and snack shack attendants has been trained and hired from Highland Park High School, SMU, and other locales, the summer job ritual sometimes passing down through generations.

“Some of the staff are returning from last year,” UP Aquatics Coordinator Robert Coleman said of the needed eight managers, 15 head lifeguards, 45 lifeguards, and guest services staff.

“I graduated from Highland Park in ’88. Every year that I’ve worked here, there have been kids or nieces and nephews of people that I was in school with,” he added. “This year, I’ve got one staff person whose uncle I’ve known since elementary school. A good 95-plus percent of the lifeguards come from Highland Park High School.”

The lifeguard certification course in -

READY TO GET WET?

To find out more about employment at a Park Cities pool, visit www.uptexas.org and click on the “employment opportunities” link, or stop by www.hptx.org and search for the newsflash “HP pool now hiring.”

cludes CPR, first aid, and AED training, with a simulated emergency visit from members of the University Park Fire Department and an ambulance. Lifeguards also teach the Shark School, Baby Sharks, and Mako Swim Team programs.

“A friend recommended it,” Coleman said is the usual answer when he asks interviewees why they want to lifeguard there. “They said it was a lot of fun, a very good summer job.”

There’s never a shortage of lifeguard candidates at HP’s pool, Tarango said. “For a lot of the students, that is their summer — coming to work for the Highland Park pool.”

Many older Highland Park homes were constructed without swimming pools, so the local dipping spot remains popular, particularly among families and retirees. In an average summer, the pool employs about 40 to 50 people, including head lifeguards, managers, swim instructors, and concession attendants.

“Lap swim is still super popular,” Tarango observed. “It’s earlier and later; it bookends the season. And, of course, there’s the open swim at 10 a.m. for all ages.”

Periodically, Highland Park hosts emergency response system training at the pool, an exercise that involves practicing

how to move a patient into an ambulance, said HP Community Relations Officer Lt. Lance Koppa.

“My son wants to be a lifeguard for his

“He

Summer Travel and Pet Boarding: What Pet Owners Should Consider

Summer travel season is right around the corner. As fami -

lies begin planning beach trips, mountain escapes, and weeks out of country, there’s one important detail to settle before packing the car: where your pets will stay while you’re away.

Choosing the right boarding arrangement isn’t simply about making sure your pet is fed and supervised. A thoughtful plan ensures your dog or cat remains comfortable, safe, and well cared for while you’re gone — and gives you peace of mind so you can actually enjoy your vacation.

Here are several important factors pet owners should consider when making summer boarding plans.

In-Home Care vs. Boarding Facilities

Will your pet be happiest staying at home with a sitter or spending time in a boarding facility?

In-home care can be a wonderful option for pets who thrive on routine or familiarity. Senior pets with mobility issues, cats who dislike travel, and households with multiple animals often do best remaining in their own environments. Professional pet sitters can maintain feeding schedules, medication routines, and familiar surroundings while you’re away.

Boarding facilities, on the other hand, can provide structured care, socialization, and supervision. If you’re considering a facility, it’s always wise to schedule a tour beforehand. Pay attention to cleanliness, odor control, noise levels, and how staff members interact with animals. A reputable facility will welcome your questions and happily show you how pets are cared for day-to-day.

Health Requirements and Veterinary Access

strict health standards to protect every pet in their care. Most will require up-to-date vaccinations and parasite prevention, and many perform a brief wellness screening when pets arrive.

It’s also worth asking about veterinary support. While problems are uncommon, knowing that medical care is readily available provides important reassurance.

If your pet takes medications or has ongoing health conditions, be sure to discuss those details in advance. Clear written instructions can help ensure continuity of care while you’re away.

Enrichment, Staffing, and Security

Boarding should mean more than simply housing pets overnight. The best facilities provide daily enrichment, exercise, and attentive supervision.

For dogs, look for appropriate staff-to-dog ratios (6:1 being ideal and 10:1 being acceptable) and structured activity schedules. Active dogs benefit from supervised playtime or walks, while older or more reserved pets should have access to quiet rest areas.

Cats should be housed separately from dogs in calm, low-stress environments. Ideally, feline boarding areas include climbing shelves, cozy hiding spaces, and daily oneon-one interaction with staff. Clean litter boxes and a quiet setting go a long way toward keeping cats comfortable during their stay.

Security is another important consideration. Ask about monitoring systems, overnight staffing, and protocols for safely handling pets during feeding and playtime.

For pets who have never boarded before, a short trial stay can be very helpful. Pets who visit a facility before a longer trip tend to settle in much more comfortably during extended stays.

Preparing for Texas Heat Summer boarding in Texas comes with an extra layer of responsibility. Reliable climate control is essential.

Outdoor activity should be carefully managed during

Heat-sensitive breeds, particularly short-nosed dogs such as bulldogs and pugs, require special attention when temperatures climb. Even highly active dogs should have access to shaded areas, water, and indoor cooling breaks.

Plan Ahead for Peak Travel Season Summer is one of the busiest times of year for pet boarding, particularly around holiday weekends. The most reputable facilities often book weeks in advance.

Consider scheduling tours early, confirming vaccination records, and sharing feeding or medication instructions ahead of time.

With a little preparation and thoughtful planning, boarding can be a positive experience for both pets and their owners. When you know your pet is safe, comfortable, and receiving attentive care, it’s much easier to

After all, peace of mind is the best travel companion.

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.

Camp Balcones Springs has been creating unforgettable summer experiences for campers in the Texas Hill Country since 1993! Located just 45 minutes outside of Austin, our overnight summer camp gives boys and girls the opportunity to unplug from screens and connect with friends, mentors, and the outdoors. Campers spend their days swimming, sailing, climbing, playing sports, and building confidence through adventure and teamwork! Our experienced counselors and long-standing traditions create a supportive environment where kids grow, build lifelong friendships, and develop confidence. Summer 2026 enrollment is now open, and families can learn more or reserve a spot at campiscool.com

Beyond the Trail: Leadership Lessons From Philmont

A 50 pound pack. Eleven nights on the ground. Blisters. Altitude sickness. Freezing mornings and exhausting climbs. At first glance, Philmont sounds less like an opportunity and more like something to avoid. I’ve served as a crew leader on two treks and helped guide other scouts through every challenge the trail threw at us.

So why would someone want to spend nearly two weeks hiking through remote wilderness under those conditions?

Philmont Scout Ranch is a New Mexico scout camp offering 7, 10, and 12-day backpacking treks that stretch participants and push them far beyond their comfort zones. Crews carry everything they need on their backs while navigating rugged terrain,

limited water access, high elevations, and unpredictable weather. The challenge is constant — but so are the opportunities that come with it.

Philmont demands physical endurance. On my first trek in 2023 as a rookie crew leader, our crew covered nearly 150 miles, including a hike rated as “12.7 miles” that stretched much longer by the end of the day due to terrain and navigation. Each day brought steep climbs, long descents, and heavy packs. On my second trek, I again served as crew leader, helping guide a younger crew through 125 miles of mountainous terrain, including a nearly 3,000-foot ascent of Baldy Mountain, which tested both stamina and mental toughness. Cold nights, sudden rainstorms, and dry heat made recovery just as challenging as the hiking itself.

Beyond the physical strain, Philmont creates continuous leadership situations. Crews are re-

sponsible for their own navigation, campsite setup, food management, and daily planning. During the first two to three days of each trek, a Philmont Ranger teaches essential backcountry skills — hanging bear bags, setting up dining flies, and navigating trails — but soon steps away, leaving the crew to manage on its own. From that point on, decisions are made by the scouts, and mistakes have immediate consequences. Things rarely go exactly as planned. Camps sometimes lack water (or it’s difficult to find), requiring crews to haul extra liters for miles. Blisters can slow progress. Fatigue affects morale. On my first trek, one scout developed altitude sickness as we climbed higher. As a crew leader, the situation required quickly adapting and changing plans, hiking additional miles to safely descend to a staffed camp. Experiences like that highlighted how teamwork, communication, and calm decisionmaking are just as important

as physical strength.

Philmont also offers moments of enjoyment that balance the difficulty. Crews rotate through staffed camps where scouts can participate in activities such as black powder shooting, archery, blacksmithing, and conservation projects. Some of my greatest memories involved kicking back, exhausted after a day of hiking, and playing card games and sharing stories with my crew mates. This built bonds that are hard to replicate elsewhere.

In 2025, I returned to Philmont for a second trek. One reason was to help guide a crew that was younger and less experienced than me through the challenges of the trail. Another was the opportunity to share the experience with my brother, Jackson, who joined the trek for the first time. Hiking together added a new layer to the experience, turning difficult days into shared memories and reinforcing the sense of connection that Philmont fosters.

“Philmont was really hard, especially the climb up Baldy, but making it to the top with my brother made it worth everything. Standing on top of that mountain, exhausted, is a memory I’ll always have, and it showed me how the hardest parts can lead to the best moments,” Jackson said.

By the end of each trek, you start to forget about the mileage, elevation gain, and exhaustion. What remains is an understanding of how sustained physical challenge builds discipline, how leadership and teamwork emerge under pressure, and why Philmont is often compared to a varsity level endurance activity rather than just a typical camping trip.

James Slade is a junior at Highland Park High School. He is an Eagle Scout who formerly served as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 518. He serves as trombone section leader in the Highlander Band.

Sports

HP LEANING ON EXPERIENCE ENTERING PLAYOFFS

By Justin Thomas People newspapers

Highland Park’s boys soccer team hasn’t lost a playoff match since March 29, 2024, when it was still a Class 6A program.

The team had a perfect run through the 5A playoffs a year ago, and the Scots are hopeful a contingent of returning seniors from the 2025 squad will lay the foundation for another successful spring.

If regular season results are any indication, HP could be primed for just that. The Scots (13-5-1) entered the final week of the season ranked sixth in the state and having already secured a playoff spot in a highly-competitive District 12-5A.

Senior captains Davis Hooks and Jake Rhine believe the team’s challenging slate, coupled with last year’s postseason experience and success, could have the Scots competing in Georgetown again come April.

“I’d say the season has been going pretty well,” Hooks said. “Even though we have a few losses in district, there are some really good teams in this district, so it’s not anything we’re really worried about. I think they’re actually going to make us better.”

“We definitely might have started off a little slow,” added Rhine. “But our chemistry has continued to grow the more and more we play. I think it’s been a great experience so far, and hopefully it’s prepared us well for the playoffs.”

Hooks, Rhine, and fellow captains Trey Shamburger and Brian Gurtowski know firsthand how much preparation means to postseason success, as do the other three returning seniors on the

HP roster.

Hooks and Rhine are also relishing their roles as captains during their final campaigns with the Scots while providing the on-field production HP fans and coaches have become accustomed to seeing.

“A lot of the kids up from JV aren’t state champions. And we aren’t state champions anymore, either, because we’re a totally new team,” Rhine said. “I think that it was important to notice

Martinez Named District’s Top Newcomer

By Justin Thomas People newspapers

When freshman Chris Martinez earned a spot on Highland Park’s varsity basketball roster, head coach David Piehler knew he could be an impact player for the Scots.

But even Piehler didn’t envision the type of season Martinez would produce.

The 5-foot-10 guard was recently rewarded for his outstanding debut campaign. He was unanimously selected as District 12-5A Newcomer of the Year.

“Of all the freshmen I have coached, which there haven’t been a lot on varsity, he made the most impact by far,” Piehler said. “I knew he was going to be good, but I was not expecting the year he had.”

In district, Martinez finished second for HP in scoring at 14.2 points per game and second in rebounding (3.1) while also pacing the squad in assists (6.1).

“The thing about Chris was not only his stats, but the composure that he was able to play with,” Piehler said. “He just played with a maturity you don’t typically see from someone his age. Even in our playoff loss to Heritage, you could see the way he was able to stay calm and poised and played like a seasoned veteran.”

Joining Martinez as a first-team selection

that going into the season and that gives us a new hunger and motivation.”

“I think we also have the mindset to get back what we deserve and make another great run,” Hooks added.

And as the district season comes to a close, Hooks and Rhine continue to see trends that emerged during their April run a year ago.

“I think we had a confidence among the team last year when

was senior guard Canon Wyatt.

HP’s leading scorer at 17.6 points per game, Wyatt also distributed 3.5 assists and was praised by Piehler for his work ethic, which led to improved all-around offensive play.

“He’s a self-made scorer,” Piehler said. “Early in his career, he was really just a 3-point shooter. But he put the work in and the effort in and this year he was scoring in the mid-range and with a floater and by attacking. He could score at all three levels,

we got on the field,” Rhine said. “I wouldn’t say we expected to win, but we knew we were going to perform well together. As it went game-by-game, it just started flowing.”

“I think you can see that in the team this year the more we’ve played,” added Hooks. “We have seven players back from that team and we’re playing really well together. So I think we have what it takes to make it really far again.”

and of course he was still a great shooter from three.”

Following on the second team was senior forward Will Saunders.

Despite battling an injury for much of the year, Saunders led the team in rebounding, including three double-doubles.

“He did it all while he was never really healthy,” Piehler said. “Most of the time he wasn’t even practicing, but he always stepped up and was ready for the games.”

In addition to his rebounding prowess, Piehler credited Saunders for his unselfishness and for doing things that don’t show up in the stat sheet.

“He was one of our captains, too,” Piehler added. “I think if the other coaches knew what he was dealing with every week and toughing it out … well let’s just say he’s a first-teamer to me.”

Honorable mention selections for HP went the way of senior guard Cade Kaplan, senior forward Spencer Omundson and senior forward Conrad Noble.

“Those were the glue guys for us,” Piehler said. “When you lose three starters before the season starts basically, you need guys to step up and they absolutely did. They’re the reason we were able to go from .500 to 11-3 in a very strong district.”

One Last Salute to Standout Lady Scots HP Girls Basketball Players Selected to All-District Team

By Justin Thomas People newspapers

Highland Park’s girls basketball team qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive year in 2026, and some of the best players in District 12-5A helped it earn a spot.

Members of HP’s squad were recognized recently for their performances on the hardcourt with places on the all-district team. The honorees include a trio of first-teamers.

Senior Kate Danner’s selection to the top team caps off a standout career at Highland Park. The San Diego signee scored more than 1,250 points during her tenure with the Lady Scots.

In district, Danner averaged more than 17 points per game, including multiple 30-point outbursts.

But it was her toughness that drew praise from head coach Todd Monsey.

“She really battled through injury all year for us and was still able to make an incredible impact,” he said. “She just battled and battled and continued to tough it out. And the times when her body was feeling a little better, you could see her play take off even more.”

Another senior garnering first-team honors is post Cate Young.

In her final campaign with the Lady Scots, Young pulled down 900 rebounds — quite the uptick from the 24 she was credited with as a freshman.

Oddly enough, though, it was Young’s

ball-handling that may have had the biggest impact on HP’s success.

“For a 5 to be able to handle pressure and bring the ball up and initiate the offense, it’s just such a luxury to have,” Monsey said.

“Cate has been the anchor of our team for a

on, first-teamer Ellington Heis still has one more year left with HP.

The junior guard combined with Danner to form a dynamic one-two scoring punch for the Lady Scots. Monsey is hopeful for even more strides from Heis as a senior.

“She really made a huge jump from the end of her sophomore year to her junior year and I’m looking for her to continue doing so,” he said. “She could really carry us not only offensively, but with her defensive intensity.”

Second team all-district selections from the Lady Scots are junior guards Palmer Jones and Mimi McMahan.

Monsey praised Jones, a point guard, for her ability to run multiple sets and control the tempo offensively. He described McMahan as HP’s biggest surprise in 2026. She was often tasked with guarding the best opposing player.

Rounding out HP’s selections with honorable mention nods are senior captain and forward Avery Sambrano and junior guard Sterling Williams. The pair brought energy to the floor any time they were inserted in the game.

few years now, and she has a great grasp of what we’re looking to accomplish both offensively and defensively. She helps fill holes you aren’t even aware are there because she has such a high basketball IQ.”

While Danner and Young will be moving

“We had a great season,” Monsey said. The Lady Scots (22-12) finished in a tie for second place in District 12-5A (10-4), qualifying for the 5A Division I playoffs where they were eliminated in the bi-district round by Frisco Heritage.

“We’re certainly excited about the players we have coming back next year,” he added, “and to see what we can accomplish.”

Community

LITTLE ANGLERS HAVE LUNKER-SIZE FISHING ADVENTURES

By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com

Young anglers reeled in a whopper of a catch on Feb. 28 — a morning of fun in beautiful weather during the children’s fishing derby in Caruth Park.

The City of University Park stocked the pond with over 400 pounds of rainbow trout in preparation for the event. On fishing derby morning, hundreds gathered to enjoy some family time, munch on hot dogs — or use them as bait

— and put their fishing skills to the test.

Prizes were given at the top of each hour between 9 a.m. and noon for the largest and smallest catches. The winners received trophies or medals before posing for photos with University Park Mayor Tommy Stewart, who is an avid bass fisherman himself.

Eight-year-old Henry Phelps won the award for largest fish at 10 a.m. with his 11-inch catch. Phelps had been patient. He’d fished for about 30 minutes before snagging his winning fish, then had slowly

reeled in his prize.

Brayden Passes, who was awarded runner-up for smallest fish at 10 a.m., relied on “regular worms” to lure his tiny catch. The 6-year-old was surprised by his win.

“I actually thought I just caught a plant,” he said. “But I caught a fish!”

Jacob Houlik, who is 7 years old, used more unconventional bait — hot dogs and tortillas — to catch the 11 a.m. runner-up for smallest fish. The fishing derby has become more popular each year,

his mom, Jennifer, remarked. “The kids love it. They have so much fun,” she said. “They love fishing in general.”

Eight-year-old Luke Arvesen snagged the 11 a.m. prize for smallest fish. His goldfish-sized winner measured just under an inch-and-a-half. One day, Arvesen said, he hopes to be on a bass fishing team.

Volunteers from University Park’s youth advisory commission and anglers from Highland Park High School’s bass fishing team, who unhooked and mea -

sured the fish, helped make the event possible.

Junior fishermen can look forward to some even bigger catches at the next fishing derby. University Park plans to stock the Caruth Park pond with catfish for its upcoming tourney on Saturday, June 6.

“We love just getting everyone in the community together. We love the community feel,” recreation manager Kaylon Jackson said. “Just having everyone out, just having a good time enjoying the parks, enjoying this good weather.”

Letter to the Editor

I’m writing in regards to the article “UP Voters to Consider DART Withdrawal.” I fervently believe that the council and mayor are misrepresenting many of the facts surrounding the DART situation. In a spirit of charity, I would describe council member Philbin’s call for “equitable service” misinformed.

On the issue of value of service, city officials have continued to repeat values that purposely exclude the two rail stations within 300 meters of UP’s border, Mockingbird and Lovers stations. If the mayor believes those stations do not serve the city, which development within city limits does the council plan to knock down to run a rail line and station into it?

The figures also exclude DART bus route 20 along Northwest Highway, which will lose eastbound stops along the University Park border. DART’s Route 20 connecting Preston Center, NorthPark Center, and Park Lane station is the fourth busiest bus line in the DART network.

On the issue of paratransit, the council’s claim of being able to guarantee service is ridiculous on its face to any transit rider. In addition to the burden of having to transfer between services at every city boundary, riders may lose most access to the existing 700-square-mile DART paratransit network. DART paratransit is limited to 21 days annually for passengers who do not reside in a member city or do not have a reciprocal contract with DART.

In calling for a referendum prior to having a comprehensive replacement plan for paratransit, the council is sending a very clear message to our disabled neighbors: they are not an actual concern.

Other cities calling for elections have created laughable lists of demands. Highland Park and University Park can’t be bothered to publicly state their demands. Per DART’s Committee of the Whole meeting in January, the Park Cities have made requests of DART over the past few years that range from sensible to vague wish-casting.

According to a recent Highland Park community survey, the number one issue among town residents is “cut through traffic and congestion.” Neither Highland Park nor University Park has requested the reinstatement of the Hillcrest bus line or the introduction of a line on Mockingbird Lane or Lovers Lane. Highland Park leaders have instead asked DART to construct parking at the new Knox developments, but DART does not own the land around Knox. University Park has asked DART to address SMU game day traffic, but thousands of people already use DART trains and shuttles to access the university. These shuttles are to be cut if University Park pulls out.

Peter Young

DART Debate Leaves Park Cities Residents Split

By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

The question of whether to remain part of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has sparked heated debate among Park Cities residents.

Proponents of staying in DART argue that withdrawing from the transit agency would cut access to transportation, particularly for low-income people and people with disabilities who are unable to drive themselves.

Those who support leaving DART argue that the value of services residents receive from it is dwarfed by their cost.

Wheelchair-user Francis Zalace relies on DART’s paratransit services to attend First Unitarian Church of Dallas, where she participates in the choir.

“That community provided me the support I needed when I became handicapped,” Zalace said. “Without having access to paratransit, it makes it very difficult, if not almost impossible, for me to continue to maintain my connection to that community.”

“There are so many people here that support the economy of this area that don’t live here,” she added, “but they’re not going to be able to get here.”

University Park resident Kevin Norfleet said during a March 5 community meeting that the Park Cities remaining part of DART would benefit the entire Dallas region.

“I strongly believe that for the Park Cities to continue to be successful, to be strong, we need a strong Dallas,” he said, “and a strong Dallas comes from having good, affordable transportation options.”

Former Highland Park Mayor Pro Tem Steve Rogers posited during the meeting that the services the town receives don’t justify the cost.

“Highland Park contributes approximately $8 million annually to DART, and in exchange, the town receives one bus line,” he said.

WHAT TO

THE ELECTIONS ON DART MEMBERSHIP

from DART amid cost concerns. He suggested that Highland Park could save funds by independently contracting with a rideshare company to accommodate the needs of those who rely on DART services.

“Unlike other member cities, Highland Park is a fully developed city with no, and by no I mean zero, undeveloped land tracts to provide new sales and use tax sources,” Blackwell said. “Given this funding constraint and the rapidly escalating cost of providing essential municipal services to its residents, specifically public safety, police, fire, EMS, and public parks, Highland Park must carefully examine every expense.”

A group of Park Cities interfaith leaders, including representatives of First Unitarian Church of Dallas, University Park United

Mayor Will C. Beecherl:

By Will C. Beecherl

Special Contributor

As Highland Park approaches the May 2 special election, where residents will decide whether to continue DART membership, it is important to explain how we arrived at this point and why the town council placed this decision before the voters.

In 1983, the Legislature created funding for DART. The DFW region was smaller, municipal finance was more flexible, and DART was envisioned as the transit system to serve the greater DFW area.

Before DART was created, state law limited cities to a 1% local sales tax. In 1983, the Texas Legislature allowed an additional 1% sales tax to fund DART.

Fifteen cities, including Highland Park, opted in to establish DART as an area transit system for its members. The expectation was that the system would evolve and deliver long-term value pro -

portional to the cost.

Methodist Church, St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, and Christ Lutheran Church, also called on residents to support DART.

“We stand in utter disbelief at the prospect that the very foundation of one of the most important human rights movements in the last century — bus service — will not simply need to be fixed or made more fair. It could vanish,” the group said in a statement. “The great teachers of all faiths urge us to look to the vulnerable among

communities and how they are treated to determine the measure of that community’s blessedness and love.”

The DART board has offered to return some sales tax to member cities in hopes of swaying them to call off withdrawal elections. The transit agency has persuaded Farmers Branch, Irving, and Plano to cancel their votes. Highland Park, University Park, and Addison have opted to continue with their withdrawal elections.

Why Highland Park Is Re-Examining DART

Between 1989 and 1991, the Legislature reshaped municipal finance in ways that widened the gap between DART cities and those outside the system. Lawmakers expanded cities’ ability to levy additional local sales taxes for economic development and other priorities, up to the state’s 2% cap. Cities that weren’t part of a transit authority could devote that capacity entirely to local uses. DART member cities, having already committed one cent to transit, had limited flexibility. As a result, no new cities have joined DART in four decades, and two original members withdrew, leaving 13 member cities today.

The challenge to grow is compounded by DART’s governance and regional imbalance. DART continues to rely on just 13 member cities, even as the region it purports to serve has expanded far beyond those boundaries. In the next 10 years, North Texas is projected to grow to 10 million.

The 2023 Ernst & Young report

shows significant disparities between what some cities contribute and what they receive. In fiscal year 2023, Dallas received service value from DART that equated to 169% of the sales tax it contributed, a $283 million surplus subsidized by other member cities. Compare that to Highland Park, which received service value that equated to only 30% of the sales tax it contributed, and the disparities between “donor” cities like Highland Park and “recipient” cities like Dallas are clear.

In 2025, Highland Park’s sales tax contribution of $8 million was just 1% of DART’s $900 million sales tax revenue, or 0.44% of DART’s full budget. The 2026 projection has Highland Park contributing approximately $9 million in sales tax to DART.  Highland Park has no rail service. Since 2014, three of four bus routes have been removed, leaving a single fixed route along Preston Road that largely duplicates nearby rail service along Central Expressway. According to DART, the remaining route

of 66 daily bus trips averages roughly 12,000 annual boardings, or about 33 riders per day.

Sales tax revenue has become critical for cities like Highland Park. In 2019, the state began tightening municipal budgets, whereby Senate Bill 2 capped effective property tax revenue growth at 3.5% without voter approval. For fully developed communities like Highland Park, this cap functions as a de facto salary and service limit, particularly for public safety and an aging infrastructure, leaving sales tax as the only meaningful flexible revenue source. Dedicating half of that capacity to DART significantly constrains our ability to meet essential local needs for town residents.

DART uses third-party providers for its GoLink service. Highland Park is prepared to explore third-party transit providers and other flexible options to meet the modern transportation needs of our residents while maintaining regional connectivity.

After 43 years, the Texas Legislature should consider creating a fully restructured regional transit authority for the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area, supported by an equitable, region-wide funding model.

At the Legislature’s explicit direction, the town council determined that the responsible course of action was to place the decision to remain in or exit DART with voters. The May 2 election ensures the issue is decided openly, locally, and democratically by the residents who, through their elected officials, are accountable for every dollar allocated in the budget.

Rest assured, if the voters choose to exit DART, they can take solace in knowing that Highland Park has played a meaningful role in building a regional transit system, ultimately contributing approximately $150 million.

Will C. Beecherl is the mayor of the Town of Highland Park. These are his personal views and do not represent official town policy or positions.

Home & Business

‘WE’LL DEFINITELY MISS IT’

New York Sub fans savor last day of Park Cities staple

By Rachel Snyder rachel.snyder@peoplenewspapers.com

Generations of New York Sub fans lined up on Feb. 24 for one last meatball sandwich or their final BLT with crispy bacon and fresh tomatoes.

The beloved neighborhood sub shop was sold out by noon, ending a more than five decade run on Asbury Street.

“We like to come here after games,” Lesley Thompson said as she picked up sandwiches for her children. “This is my son’s favorite restaurant, so if you ask him where he wants to come eat, it will always be New York Sub. He likes to play the games, but also … Andrew and his family are so welcoming.”

Kelsey and Mat Hency said they’ve relished eating at New York Sub for about five years.

“I eat the Italian (sandwich) every chance I can get. I love it. We would bring people here from out of town when they came to visit,” Kelsey said. “We’ll definitely miss it. It’s got so much charm and character that’s missing in this part of Dallas.”

Charles Cole said he’s been eating at New York Sub since he lived on Granada Avenue around 2000. He credits Kelley and his family, who reopened the shop in 2016, for turning him from a casual diner into a New York Sub evangelist.

“The difference was Andrew,” Cole said. “Because when he bought it, it changed. The quality just went up ... after that, I be-

Comings and Goings

came a disciple. Every chance I could get I would come over here with my wife or with a friend because it’s great.”

He said he’s confident people will continue to support Kelley in his next chapter.

“People will follow him if he ends up somewhere else pretty nearby,” Cole said. Kelley called the support he received on the shop’s last day “amazing.”

He explained that he needed to close the shop’s doors due to rising costs in a social media post toward the end of February.

“We were in the middle of negotiating another 10-year lease when our landlord sold the building, and while the new owners have been kind, we simply can’t

WHAT’S

NEXT FOR NEW YORK SUB?

The brick-and-mortar location in the 3400 block of Asbury Street has closed. But sub enthusiasts can follow New York Sub on social media to find out more about how to order their

make the new financial terms work. This neighborhood has been our home,” the post read.

The post indicated that the Kelley family was interested in finding a new location for the shop or someone who wanted to take it over.

In the meantime, Kelley invited fans of the shop to follow New York Sub on social media for what’s next and how they can order their favorites on Uber Eats or DoorDash.

NOW OPEN

Cantina La Rosa

4347 W. Northwest Highway, Suite 100

The team behind Smoky Rose has brought its fresh take on Tex-Mex to Preston Hollow in a gathering place designed to combine great food, margaritas, and hospitality.

Helzberg 1915

Galleria Dallas Shoppers can turn their dream engage-

ment rings into reality on level one near A|X Armani Exchange. The retailer offers a shopping experience centered on bridal and custom jewelry, with an expert-staffed custom bar.

The Shops at Park Lane

Various Stores

Crème + Crepe is blending American comfort with French flair, and offering a menu of sweet and savory crepes, baked goods, and ice cream options in its new space next to Chipotle.

Female-founded wellness and fitness

studio Connect Studio DFW is empowering guests to tap into their inner strength through the mindful practice of pilates and yoga.

Swedish home furnishing and home goods retail giant IKEA began serving up its famous meatballs, along with a se lection of other morsels and 3,200 articles for immediate takeaway, on March 11.

Intuit Turbo Tax has opened between Dyson and J. Crew just in time for tax season. It’s provid ing personal and small busi ness tax filing that combines the power of an agentic AI-driven consumer platform with human intelligence.

Snarf’s Sandwiches

6630 Snider Plaza

COMING

Galleria Dallas

Various Stores

Snarf’s has started serving up oven-toasted, made-to-order sandwiches in Snider Plaza. Its subs include premium, hand-sliced meats and cheeses, a proprietary blend of giardiniera peppers, and signature bread.

Vancouver-based Aritzia, will bring its extensive profile of exclusive brands to level one near Sephora this fall. Bella Hadid, Jennifer Lopez, and Sabrina Carpenter are all fans of the Aritzia’s elevated and effortless essentials.

Patissery, which celebrates French baking by using only the finest ingredients and traditional techniques, plans to open its first retail location in April on level one near ALO.

CLOSED

New York Sub

3411 Asbury Street

Customers said goodbye to this Park Cities staple in February. While the brick-and-mortar store has closed, fans can follow New York Sub on social media to find out more about how to order their favorites.

—Compiled by Sarah Hodges

Take Your Interiors to the Next Level With Decorative Mirrors

Mirrors are one of those interior design tools that no home can really do without.

MARGARET CHAMBERS

They offer many benefits, such as reflecting more light into a space or making a room feel more expansive. If you’d like to add more mirrors to your home but aren’t sure what kind to buy or where to hang them, read on for my personal tips.

Choosing Mirror Size

As far as size goes, you should usually go for the largest mirror you can afford. Because mirrors tend to recede into the background, you can get away with a large mirror even in a space where a large painting of the same size wouldn’t work. Don’t forget that mirrored walls are an option too — they really open up a small space, like a bathroom.

often have sculpted frames with intricate details, are best for traditional houses. If you have a brand-new mirror that you want to include in a traditional room, you can always have it antiqued. Contemporary or modern mirrors tend to have simpler frames.

Hanging Your Mirror

“Once you’ve learned about the different kinds of mirrors available and how to utilize them effectively, adding an extra touch of luxe to your home will be that much easier.”

A hallway mirror should be at eye level so you can check your reflection before you leave the house. If you’re hanging your mirror above a piece of furniture, the mirror should be closer to the furniture than it is to the ceiling. A nice way to fill a large wall is to hang one mirror in the center of a group of small individual paintings or prints. Remember that mirrors need to be hung with at least two wall hooks or picture hangers. Always have very heavy mirrors hung by professionals.

Selecting Mirror Shapes

Mirrors come in a lot of shapes besides rectangular, so consider your options carefully before buying. It’s possible that a round, oval, bull’s-eye, square, or sunburst mirror would be the perfect shape for your wall. At my firm, we sometimes use beveled mirrors with small medallions in the corners.

Finding the Right Mirror Style and Frame

Traditional mirrors, which

Please reach out if you could use some help with sourcing antique or custom mirrors for your home. I work with a wide variety of interior design styles, so I have a lot of experience with using both traditional and contemporary mirrors. Once you’ve learned about the different kinds of mirrors available and how to utilize them effectively, adding an extra touch of luxe to your home will be that much easier.

For more ideas and articles, follow us on Instagram at @chambersinteriors, or visit our website at www.chambersinteriors.com.

Exquisite craftsmanship and timeless elegance define this majestic Tudor-style manor in the heart of Old Highland Park. The final project designed by the late, great classicist Cole Smith of Smith, Ekblad & Associates, 3711 Lexington Avenue is a piece of Dallas architecture history. The home, completed in 2012, was built by Cole Smith Jr. of Crowbar Constructors, with interiors by Sherry Hayslip Smith. Thoughtfully designed to emphasize its lush surroundings, the home features expansive views of the greenbelt and scenic trails along neighboring Hackberry Creek.

Sited on a 1-acre corner lot, this four-story residence offers five bedrooms, seven full baths and six half-baths across

20,485 square feet. Anchoring the house is a two-story great room with walnut-paneled walls, built-in bookcases, alcoves, hidden pocket doors, intricate crown moldings and a coffered ceiling. The dramatic great room opens onto a screened porch, which overlooks the adjacent creek and park. The double-island kitchen features marble countertops, double ovens, a Wolf gas range, a Miele steamer and a double Sub-Zero refrigerator-freezer. The basement level houses a catering kitchen, pub and playroom. Other highlights include multiple living and dining rooms, seven fireplaces, a commercial-grade elevator, a conservatory, a butler’s pantry, a heated indoor pool, a six-car garage and a four-car porte cochere.

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.

Don’t we look great for 398?

And, at that age, we’ve only just begun. In a world of start-ups and shake-ups, we are brazenly flaunting the fact that our brand affiliation is almost 400 years old. Think about that: four centuries! Not four years, not four decades — four centuries. Let’s do the math. The one and only Sotheby’s auction house was founded in 1744 and is now the world’s premier destination for art and luxury objects. It’s a trusted marketplace supported by an industryleading tech platform and a network of brilliant specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories, including art, jewelry, watches, wine, cars and design. For 282 years and counting, Sotheby’s has believed in the transformative power of art and culture. Now, fold in the world’s only truly global real estate brand, Sotheby’s International Realty ®, the worldwide network of top residential brokerages. An all-knowing 50 years old this year, Sotheby’s International Realty is built on the centuries-long prestige of the world’s preeminent auction house. That history and its own unmatched reputation for excellence give Sotheby’s International Realty listings the best-in-class exposure they deserve and assure buyers they are working with a trustworthy partner. Its offerings reach a highly qualified global clientele, and its buyers receive access to remarkable properties and advisors everywhere. And, now, our favorite part. Us. You. For 66 years and counting, the agents of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty have guided the people of North Texas to great success — financial, emotional, all of it. A place you can’t wait to get home to. A neighborhood you absolutely love. That has made us the leading luxury brokerage in one of the most exciting metroplexes in the world. Our expert advisors serve clients across the region and have achieved multiple consecutive years of multibillion-dollar sales of homes, high-rises, ranches, land and more. So, allow us a little bragging as we celebrate 398 years of wow and woo-hoo. The best part? Our brand is your benefit — then, now and the next time. We can’t wait. Let’s do this.

Living

LUNARFEST BRINGS SIGHTS, SOUNDS, AND TASTES OF NEW YEAR TO PARK CITIES

By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com

About 2 billion people around the world celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse in February. But when organizers began planning Lunar New Year festivities for the Park Cities community, they never expected the event to be this big.

The second annual LunarFest on Feb. 21 attracted about 500 celebrants to the Moody Family YMCA for a festival that was overflowing with mouthwatering Lunar New Year treats, showstopping performances, crafts, and games.

The entertainment ended with a Lion Dance, a traditional Chinese performance featuring oversized, furry lions that were each controlled by two artists who caused them to jump, dance, and even chase a toddler or two around the gymnasium.

But the lions’ dramatic performance was only a small piece of

the Park Cities’ festivities, which combined elements of the Chinese New Year, Korean Seollal, and Vietnamese Tết in a single, joyful spring festival.

“We’re incorporating all the festivals into one,” said Cristina Samson, who co-chaired the event with Angie Nouanesengsy. “We created LunarFest to celebrate different cultures and to spread joy and love and prosperity to everyone in the community.”

Organizers started preparing for this year’s LunarFest immediately after last year’s celebration at the University Park Public Library, which Samson said filled to capacity less than a week after registration opened.

More than 100 volunteers helped out on the day of the event in its new, more spacious venue at the YMCA.

Uyen Pham and other volunteers shared Vietnamese Lunar New Year favorites, including egg rolls, sweet, sticky rice covered

with peanuts and sugar, and traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year rice cakes, which are filled with pork belly and mung beans and wrapped in banana leaves.

“We want our kids to be able to be proud of their culture and to be able to share their culture with the community,” Pham said. “Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday for us, the Vietnamese people.”

Caroline Annette Liu, a sixth grader at McCulloch Intermediate School, kicked off the afternoon’s entertainment with a Chinese New Year song. Her performance was followed by a group of tiny Korean fan dancers and Nanta Korean Drummers whose pieces included a version of “Soda Pop” from the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters.

The audience gasped with surprise during Bian Lian, a face-changing act featuring a dancer who seemed to instantly shift from one brightly-colored mask to another.

Highland Park High School

freshman Campbell Phan, who came to the celebration as a volunteer, said her favorite activity was Bâu cua cá cọp, a Vietnamese game played with animal-sided dice and a matching, brightly colored game board. Phan’s family also plays the game of luck at their Lunar New Year gatherings.

“If it’s fun for us, then it’s probably fun for other people,” she said. “We just want to share that as a community.”

The event was cosponsored by the Moody Family YMCA and HP CultureFest, a nonprofit organization that celebrates the rich traditions and cultures of Park Cities families. The LunarFest Committee partnered with the University Park Public Library and Highland Park Library to bring the event to fruition.

LunarFest’s many sponsors included the He Family Foundation, Xumath.org, award-winning Indonesian restaurant Bali Street Café, and University Park favorite Chip’s.

LOVED LUNARFEST?

Save the date for LunarFest 2027 on Feb. 7 at the Moody Family YMCA. (Reserve your free ticket early! This year’s LunarFest filled to capacity.)

Organizers want to know how to make next year’s celebration even better. If you attended LunarFest 2026, scan the QR code below to access a feedback form.

The festival’s organizers hope that the event continues to grow. As it came to a close, volunteers circulated the QR code for a LunarFest feedback form.

“Our foundation is our family, and we want to extend that to our bigger family, which is the Park Cities community,” co-chair Samson said. “It’s a celebration of everyone in the community, because we are one big family.”

A Standing Ovation for the Arts Educators and Advocates Behind the Scenes

By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com

It’s just their first year as educators in Highland Park ISD. But Highlander Band director Marc Nichelson and middle school orchestra director Shelby Dickey have already elevated their programs to a new level of excellence.

“I think he’s made a huge difference,” Romi Segal, a junior brass captain in the Highlander Band said of Nichelson. “He does a really good job of motivating everyone and improves morale. The rehearsals he runs have a really good energy and vibe to them, and it makes everyone want to work a lot harder and have more fun.”

Dickey and Nichelson were recognized on Feb. 19 as fine arts teachers of the year by HP Arts, a nonprofit that was created nearly four decades ago to support arts education in HPISD schools. Dickey won the award for K-8 students, and Nichelson for high school. Both teachers were selected based on a community vote.

Dickey has raised performance standards at McCulloch Intermediate School/ Highland Park Middle School, as well as strengthened students’ sense of community and pride in their program. Under her leadership, a record-breaking 28 students earned All-Region honors.

Dickey has also created new performance opportunities for students. The Raider orchestra partnered with the Highlander orchestra at its winter concert and will perform at this year’s HP CultureFest for the first time, Segal and Highlander Band drum major Kaden Rice said during the awards presentation.

ment. Parents share that she has made strings cool.”

In Nichelson’s first year as the high school’s band director, he has piloted the Fill the Trailer Initiative, which challenges band families and community members to fill the band trailer with donations for Interfaith Family Services. Nichelson’s leadership has renewed the band’s proud tradition of excellence and inspired every student to do their best work each day, Segal and Rice said.

“Their dedication and impact are powerful.” Deirdre Deignan

“Families describe Mrs. Dickey as inspiring, knowledgeable, energetic, and deeply caring,” the students continued. “They praise her ability to balance high standards with warmth and encourage -

“Mr. Nichelson goes above and beyond for his students. He encourages them to become better musicians, scholars, and people,” Rice said. “Families have described Mr. Nichelson as a gift to the program, a fabulous mentor for the students, enthusiastic and caring, and a phenomenal inspiration for our students.”

Elaine Barden, who has spent more

than a decade championing the arts in HPISD, was recognized as this year’s Arts Advocate.

Barden served as a band booster officer for many years and twice as the organization’s president. She has also been a member of the band’s Blue Crew, a job that requires loading equipment, props, and instruments. She has compiled invaluable records and statistics for the band, and has served as an officer and president of HP Arts.

“You fought for our arts. You have fought for our band program,” HP Arts president Deirdre Deignan said. “And we are so grateful for you.”

After the awards ceremony, Deignan described the evening as an opportunity to reflect on the life-changing impact of arts educators, who work tirelessly on behalf of students and their families.

“HPISD produces first in state winners year after year in the fine arts, and it is important that these teachers are given the recognition that they deserve,” she said. “Their dedication and impact are powerful.”

Dial In, Dine Out: Restaurants Are the Fabric of Our Community

For this month’s column, I drafted a story suggesting spring break alternatives to Mexico after last month’s unrest in Jalisco.

Halfway through writing, I realized no one’s talking about that anymore, though it consumed our psyches for days. We have collectively moved on to something else.

The news cy cle, the continuous process of generating, reporting, and consuming news, where stories are rapidly produced, updated, and replaced, has shifted from the days of smokestacks and carrier pigeons to morning and evening editions of local newspapers to 24-hour cable news to, now, getting alerts on our mobile devices every few seconds.

The Dallas restaurant news cycle is almost that frenetic.

Each month, I receive at least a dozen press releases about new restaurants opening in the com -

ing days or months.

Social media feeds show images of new dining rooms, grand opening party pics, and the hot spots of the moment. It’s hard to keep up.

When people ask me what my favorite restaurants are “right now,” I often blank. I think “What’s the right answer? What have I written about recently?” My favorite restaurants, the ones I visit most regularly, are those that have been open a few

years or even a few decades. Honestly, I feel a bit dusty when I recommend a restaurant that isn’t the current hot spot.

Dallas is a notoriously difficult place to operate a restaurant, and restaurants are notoriously unprofitable, yet local hospitality companies expand and imports flock here like moths to a flame. The local economy is strong, yet qualified hospitality labor is in short supply and rent and food costs are high. That’s why my favorites are always going to be locally owned. It’s an

uphill climb for them, and they are my neighbors. Our neighbors. I want to support them, and I want you to as well.

Though there are plenty of others, here are some locally-owned hospitality groups that operate restaurants in our community: Travis Street Hospitality (Knox Bistro, Georgie, Frenchie); Duro Hospitality (The Charles, Norman’s, Mr. Charles), Katz Brothers Hospitality (Beverly’s, Green Point Seafood, Claremont); Big Dill Hospitality (Casa

Brasa, Muchacho); Imperial Fizz (TJ’s Seafood, Ramble Room, Escondido); and Western Addition Restaurant Group (Il Bracco, Bobbie’s Airway Grill).

It’s vital to support “mom and pop restaurants” that only have one or two outlets such as Parigi, Written by the Seasons, Sachet and Gemma, Mot Hai Ba and Pillar, and Roots Southern Table. Not for nothing, these are among my favorites.

Deep pocketed out-of-state restaurants such as Carbone, Catch, Nobu, and Avra add color, texture and value to our restaurant culture. While these out-of-state concepts are excellent, rarely do they make “Best of” lists or earn big-star awards. Our independently owned restaurants do.

The ideal restaurant ecosystem contains more locally owned places than glitzy out-of-state chains. As growth continues and the restaurant news cycle spins faster, we risk being so distracted by the new and shiny that we lose the mainstay places that form our community. Eat local when you can, it matters.

Kersten Rettig, a freelance writer with leadership experience in the food and travel industries, resides in the Park Cities, where she is known as “the restaurant sherpa” for her expert recommendations. Follow her on Instagram @KerstenEats.

10A - 7P

10A - 5P

Stars Hollow Has Nothing on the Park Cities

If you’ve ever watched Gilmore Girls , you know the town. Stars Hollow, the kind of place that feels almost too good to be real.

A charming little town where everyone knows each other. Where the mayor shows up at community events. Where quirky festivals pop up on the calendar and neighbors stop to chat in the middle of the street. A place where kids grow up surrounded by familiar faces and shared traditions.

When my kids were younger, we used to watch the show together, and I remember thinking the same thing a lot of people did. If only a place like that actual-

ly existed. It always felt a little too perfect to be real. Turns out, it does exist. You just might not realize it until a moment sneaks up on you.

I had one of those moments a month ago at Caruth Park.

It was the annual children’s fishing derby, and if you’ve never been, let me set the scene. The pond dotted with little bobbers, the grass lined with folding chairs, golden retrievers trying very hard to understand why they are not allowed to “help,” and parents crouched down whispering instructions like they’re coaching Game 7 of the World Series.

This year I spent most of my time near the measuring table, where kids sprinted up clutching slippery trout to have them officially logged. Two volunteers from the Highland Park Bass Team

carefully recorded each catch while the announcer called out the children’s names over the speaker. Every time a name rang out, you could see a little chest puff up with pride.

I was filming the excitement when I drifted into conversation with Mayor Pro Tem Mark Aldredge and City Manager Robbie Corder. Fishing stories were being traded, although in my case it was more of a warning.

I told them about my one and only deep-sea fishing adventure, miles off the coast of Cabo, violently seasick and counting the seconds until I could get back on land. I’ve always imagined myself as someone who loves deep-sea fishing. That trip may have permanently altered that storyline.

Then Robbie and Mark waved me over.

“Come say hello to Mayor Tommy Stewart.”

And there I was standing beside a pond full of children and bobbers, laughing about fishing mishaps with the Mayor of University Park.

Watching the derby felt a little like stepping into an episode of Gilmore Girls if Stars Hollow had a Texas accent and a few more labradoodles. It had that same smalltown charm, where everyone seems to know each other and the mayor might wander over to say hello.

Except here, he actually does.

Twenty years ago, when we moved here, I never would have imagined moments like that. Not because they’re grand or flashy. They aren’t. They’re simple. But that’s what makes them extraordinary.

On the surface, a fishing derby is just a Saturday activity. A line

in the water. A worm on a hook. A prize for the biggest and smallest catch.

But underneath it is something deeper. A reminder that community isn’t built in big, dramatic moments. It’s built in the ordinary ones. Some towns exist on a map. Others exist in the way they make you feel.

And some days in the Park Cities, it feels an awful lot like we’re living in our own little Stars Hollow — only with better barbecue.

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.

It’s City vs. Town in Fun and Friendly Mahjong Competition

By Sarah Hodges sarah.hodges@peoplenewspapers.com

Is Highland Park better than University Park? The issue will be settled on April 18, at least when it comes to the game of mahjong.

Players from the town and city plan to battle it out during the first-ever mahjong tournament hosted by the Highland Park Library and University Park Public Library. The winner will receive a trophy that will reside in their home library and the right to call themselves the Park Cities’ top-ranked mahjong player.

The play action began on March 7 with a tournament at the University Park Public Library to determine who would represent the city and town in April. The stakes were high, but the atmosphere was friendly.

“Everybody has a kind attitude,” said Highland Park resident Bonnie Chadwick. “I loved it. And that the two libraries did it together is fabulous.”

Players didn’t need to win to be a winner. The libraries gave away raffle prizes donated by the event’s sponsors. Drinks and treats were available, including a fruit tray and cookies from real estate agent Holly Davis and chocolate mahjong tiles made by Highland Park adult services librarian Pamela Skjolsvik.

Skjolsvik was inspired to hold a mahjong tournament after seeing how popular the game is at the

Ship to Shore Culinary Theater

Highland Park Library, which hosts open play twice a month.

“It’s an opportunity for people to socialize, and make new friends, and compete,” she said. “They like to compete.”

The mahjong tournament is one of several friendly competitions for adults that have been organized by the libraries. The Highland Park Library holds a semiannual jigsaw

puzzle competition, and the libraries hosted a city vs. town spelling bee in 2025.

(This reporter’s team finished runner-up in the University Park spelling bee. She has no comment on the number of participating teams. The new mahjong tournament was much more popular, attracting about 30 participants from the city and town.)

I love the creativity, challenges, and energy of cooking on a cruise ship — developing recipes reflective of ports of call, preparing them in the galley or in a cooking class while swaying back and forth as waves swell, and always the enthusi-

asm and warm smiles of guests as they watch me cook in the dining room, followed by accolades as they taste each dish.

There are standouts — recipes that surprise and delight guests, leaving a wonderful lasting impression. One of those is Portuguese Green Risotto.

During a transatlantic cruise, my husband and I sailed from Miami to Lisbon, our first visit to Portugal. After a few days of exploring Lisbon, we rented a car and headed north.

Up until this point, I’d always thought of

WHO MADE IT HAPPEN?

Sponsors helped make the March Madness Mahjong Tournament a success. They were: The

and Sunshine Miniature Trees.

While the spelling bee is unlikely to return, the libraries plan to make the mahjong tournament an annual event. Players at the March competition said that they’ll be back, and that they expect the tournament to grow.

“Mahjong is so popular right now,” Highland Park resident Linda Gardner said. “If more people knew about it, there’d be tons more people

risotto as an Italian dish, so I was surprised to discover it on nearly every menu throughout our stay in Portugal. Though often prepared with wild mushrooms, the menu in our Porto hotel featured green risotto. I had to try it. The risotto was perfectly al dente, definitely green, and gloriously delicious. But what made it green?

Upon our return home, I did an online search for green risotto. Most recipes incorporated asparagus, but I knew that wasn’t what I had tasted. Finally, I saw an article that mentioned spinach. After a bit of experimentation, I hit upon a simple, foolproof cooking method that provided the same flavor and rich green color I fell in love with while in Portugal.

For your next gathering of family or friends, consider adding green risotto to the menu. It’s ideal for guests who ask how they can help, because risotto requires constant stirring as wine and broth are slowly absorbed by the Arborio rice. It also provides culinary theater as guests take turns at the stove, leading up to the dramatic moment when spinach puree is added, and the risotto turns a vibrant green. For Easter celebrations, Mother’s Day, and springtime al fresco dinners, it’s easy to fall in love with Portuguese Green Risotto.

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.

here. It would be great.”

Although Skjolsvik has learned to play mahjong, she called in an expert to help with the tournament’s logistics and coordination — Mary Sutherland, co-owner of All Things Mahj.

“I am huge on connection,” said Sutherland, who volunteered her services for the event. “I hope that these people are able to connect outside, whether it is through mahjong or through reading, and develop friendships.”

After two hours of play on March 7, Betsy Rosen and Crystal Johnson were crowned Highland Park champions. They’ll take on Tracy Venable and Suzanne Duda from University Park in April.

Highland Park’s champs already play mahjong together once a month. They attributed their success to excellent instruction from Rosen’s mother, Saranee Newman, along with the friendship and experience they’ve gained in their regular mahjong group.

Their tournament strategy involved staying calm during play and focusing on the fun of the experience. After the Highland Park tournament ended, the pair greeted University Park players as they arrived at the library.

“They look like they could be some formidable competition for us,” the HP team said with a laugh. “We’ve got to go home and practice.”

Irish Stew

Spinach Puree

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups fresh baby spinach, rinsed and spun dry ¼ cup chicken stock or broth

Directions:

Place spinach in a food processor, add chicken stock, and process to form a smooth puree. Set aside.

Risotto

Ingredients:

5 to 6 cups chicken stock or broth

¼ cup unsalted butter

½ cup sweet onion, peeled and finely chopped

1 ½ cups Arborio rice

½ cup dry white wine

½ teaspoon coarse kosher or sea salt

⅛ teaspoon white pepper

Parmigiano Reggiano, for garnish

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, heat the stock over medium-high heat until it is hot, reduce heat to low, and keep it warm. In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter, add onion, and sauté 3 to 4 minutes until it is soft. Add the rice, stir until it is coated with butter, and cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour in wine and cook until it evaporates, stirring constantly.

Add ½ cup of the stock, stirring the rice mixture until the liquid is almost absorbed. Continue adding stock, ½ cup at a time, stirring until the liquid is almost absorbed before adding additional stock. Cook 20 to 25 minutes until most of the stock has been used and the rice is creamy and cooked al dente.

During the final 5 minutes, stir in the spinach puree and season the risotto with salt and white pepper. If the risotto appears too thick, stir in a little stock during the final minutes.

Serve the risotto immediately in large shallow bowls and garnish with grated or shaved Parmigiano Reggiano.

Yield: 6 servings

Chef’s Note: If preparing at high altitude, you will need 6 to 7 cups of stock and the cooking time will be 35 to 40 minutes for al dente texture.

PATRICIA LOVE STEPHENS

Patricia Love Stephens, cherished mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, after a long life filled with love and laughter.  Patricia was born Patsy Ann Love on March 23, 1935, to Louise and Charles Love in Columbus, Mississippi. After graduating from S. D. Lee High School, she settled in New Orleans, LA. There, she met and married General Walter Harold “Steve” Stephens, the love of her life.

Patricia and the General moved to Dallas, where she devoted herself to raising their three daughters. Patricia volunteered in numerous community activities over the more than 50 years she lived in the Park Cities. She was instrumental in establishing the pavilion in University Park where July 4th celebrations have

OBITUARY PATRICIA LLOYD CASEY

Patricia Lloyd “Pat” Casey passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026. She was born at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, TX on July 17, 1930.

In 1952, she received a BA in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology from Mary Baldwin College, Virginia. In 1954, she received a MT degree from Parkland Memorial Hospital School of Medical Technology.

In 1952-1961, she worked at Parkland Hospital, ending up as Head Technologist: Pathology Laboratory.

In 1980-1996, she worked in Medical Records at SMU Memorial Health Center. She was a member of Beta Beta Beta Honorary Biological Society at Mary Baldwin College. She was an active Member of Mary Baldwin College Alumnae,

been held for decades, an active participant in the Highland Park Schools and loyal member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church. She was a faithful patriot and a staunch defender of the United States, and her passion for genealogy combined with her love of country led her to join multiple patriotic ancestral organizations. She organized and was founding regent of the Highland Park Chapter, Daughters of the American Resolution from 1984-1986 and served on the National Resolutions Committee for 20 years. Along with founding the Dallas Chapter of the Colonial Dames of America, she served as president of the Charles S. Taylor chapter, Daughters of the Republic of Texas from 1982-1985. She later served as the Senior National President of the Children of the American Revolution during their Centennial celebration and continued to serve on the National Board for decades. She used her knowledge to instill the importance of teaching history and pride in being American to local schools.

Her other great love was the Dallas Cowboys. Patricia and the General attended Cowboys games beginning in the early 1960s at the Cotton Bowl and shortly before Texas Stadium opened, she memorably insisted on waiting in line throughout the night to choose their season tickets. When the Cowboys won their first Super Bowl in 1972, she and her daughter, Sutton, welcomed the team home in the middle of the night at Love Field. She continued to attend games in the last years of her life, and when cheering on America’s Team, proudly wore a “Fan Since ’60” jersey. Patricia loved to entertain and was known to do so at a moment’s notice. Her home was always available for any group needing a location for an event. She particularly enjoyed

Dallas Chapter. Member of American Association of University Women (AAUW). Involved with Texas Kennel Club. Member of SMU Staff Club. Active member in her Friday Night Group. As great-granddaughter of Alphonso Chandler, the founder of Chandler TX, she was a member of Chandler Historical Society.

Pat is pre-deceased by her mother Corrie Chandler Casey, father Dr. Lloyd E. Casey, DVM and half-brother Sgt. William Chandler Griffitts. She leaves behind a daughter Patricia L. Bauer and husband Anthony J. Bauer, Jr. of Dallas TX, daughter Charlotte Del Rose of Los Angeles, CA; two grandsons, Anthony J. Bauer, III and Everett L. Bauer of Dallas, TX. She leaves behind cousins Nancy Bertholf of Chandler, TX and Reuben H. Chandler of Lexington, SC.

Pat was a world traveler especially enjoying cruises. She loved Galveston, TX and her small beach house in Crystal Beach, TX. Her many hobbies and interests included; reading, movie-going, antiquing and estate sales, historic home tours, genealogy, all animals and local history. She was a wonderful hostess and home decorator. She was loyal to life-long and new friends. She was popular, kind, open, knowledgeable; generous to many causes and her family was most important. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Chandler Historical Society, PO Box 63, Chandler, TX 75758, in Patricia’s name.

A memorial service will be held at 2pm, Saturday, April 11th in the Wildwood Chapel at Restland Memorial Funeral Home, 13005 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75243. Burial at Restland.

annually hosting the FOOICMAs, a family gathering of her grandmother’s female descendants. Each March, extended family would descend upon her home for several days. The festivities were always marked by laughter, sharing of favorite stories and a variety of adventures.

Patricia cherished her friendships and was always developing new ones, never limited by age, interest, or geography. Known to be a night owl, she regularly stayed on the phone with her friends until late into the night. She always made herself available to a friend in need, whether to help in an emergency or to simply lend a compassionate ear. To her daughters, she was always available to assist with a school project, retype an accidentally deleted term paper or deliver a college application. She was generous in all her relationships and to those she loved.

Patricia’s boundless energy was perfectly suited for travel. With her first trip aboard happening in her late 40s, she eventually travelled to over 80 countries and all 50 states. She treasured her adventures with family and friends and passed the “travel bug” on to her children and grandchildren. Always wanting to take advantage of the opportunities presented, she danced all night in Paris, white water rafted in Pennsylvania, ballooned over Turkey and dog-sledded in Colorado. She rode donkeys in Santorini, toboggans in Spain, camels in Egypt and elephants in Thailand. She decided to learn to ski in the 1970s, passing on her love of the mountains to her entire family and spending every Christmas in Colorado. There, she spent countless hours with the family playing Continental Gin and dominoes.

Patricia prioritized family above all else, and her grandchildren were her absolute pride and joy. A doting and affectionate grandmother, “Mimi” was an active participant in her grandchildren’s day-to-day lives, innately understanding what made each of them tick and steadfastly supporting their endeavors. The family has adopted the motto “Live Like Mimi” to honor how invested she was in each and everything she did, not wanting a single day to go to waste.  Known for her energy, loyalty, and zest for life, Patricia enthusiastically embraced every new interest or hobby, be it genealogy, gardening, cake-decorating, needlepoint, photography or volunteer activities. She was a master storyteller and her face lit up as she always identified the humor in every anecdote. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Steve, and her parents, Louise and Charles. She is survived by her sister, Mary Frances Pruner, daughters Sutton Stephens Hamlin and Heather Stephens Mendoza and step-daughter Sheryl Stephens in addition to her nine grandchildren: Winborne Leigh Hamlin, Parker Davis Hamlin and his wife Emily Spangler Hamlin, Jefferson Turner Hamlin and fiancée, Mackenzie Lee Mountain, Cooper Stephens Hamlin and fiancée, Brooke Elise Mazyn, Isabella Katherine Mendoza, Reeves Elizabeth Hamlin, Caroline Elizabeth Mendoza, Hunter Stephens Mendoza, and Spencer Woods Mendoza, along with many cherished cousins, nieces, and nephews. Her family wishes to express profound gratitude to all the dear friends and family who continually blessed and enriched Patricia’s life.

DAVE PERRY-MILLER REAL ESTATE

Top-to-Bottom Renovation in Preston Tower

Priced at $749,900, Unit #601 at Preston Tower (6211northwest601.daveperrymiller.com) offers a rare opportunity to own a completely reimagined home in one of Dallas’ most established high-rise communities. Taken down to the shell and meticulously rebuilt, the sophisticated two-bedroom residence (plus dedicated office) features elevated finishes typically found in luxury new developments. Every surface, system, and detail has been thoughtfully redesigned, creating a modern, gallery-like interior ideal for both daily living and stylish entertaining.

Walls of newly replaced glass open to two spacious balconies with electric shades and sweeping southfacing views of Downtown Dallas, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities Baptist Church and Preston Center. The open-concept living areas flow effortlessly around a designer kitchen and refined architectural elements.

Amenities at Preston Tower include 24-hour concierge and valet service, tennis and pickleball courts, pool, fitness center, library, dog park, salons and more – all with HOA coverage for utilities and HVAC maintenance.

To schedule a showing, contact Cynthia Paine Drennan at 214-675-5350 | cynthia@dpmre.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.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Beautiful Offerings, Beautiful Neighborhoods

Well-priced homes in desirable neighborhoods are in high demand, according the agents at Allie Beth Allman & Associates.

Dallas is brimming with stunning residences. Drive around the Park Cities or Preston Hollow, and you’ll quickly be in awe.

Of course, they’re not all available and you have to stay alert to know when treasures hit the market. Allie Beth Allman & Associates is a real estate leader in DFW’s most sought-after areas. Discover three homes up for sale with the firm in three highly desirable neighborhoods.

Preston Hollow is renowned for its tree-lined lanes, large estates and top private schools. It’s no wonder the neighborhood has been home to famous faces like Mark Cuban and George W. Bush over the years. Looking to follow suit? Set on 1.2 acres, the 13,151-square-foot home at 4700 Dorset Road showcase a dual-level primary suite, an amenity-filled backyard and a kitchen any chef would love.

If you want a vibrant social life, Highland Park is an ideal place to plant roots. The area’s green spaces, esteemed country club, and high-end shopping and dining provide spots for making memories for years to come. Moments from the fun of Highland Park Village, 4305 Arcady Ave. is a Tudor-style gem shining with elegant and timeless craftsmanship throughout, from the grand fireplaces to the exquisite woodwork.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Two Incredible University Park Estates to Dive Into

Allie Beth Allman & Associates again led in the sale of homes in Highland Park in 2025, according to the Multiple Listing Service.

If the idea of a luxurious forever home in University Park sends your heart soaring, these sublime estates should be on your radar. Brought to market by Allie Beth Allman & Associates, a known leader in the Park Cities area, they’re exquisite addresses that you can cherish for years to come.

A one-of-a-kind new construction in the prestigious enclave of Volk Estates, 6901 Hunters Glen was designed in a collaboration between SHM Architects and interior designer Erin Sander. The 10,491-square-foot stunner exudes thoughtful sophistication at every turn and is decked out with divine finishes. Welcome guests for casual gatherings by any of the inviting fireplaces, weekend brunches in the glass-clad dining room, or summer pool parties in the resort-like backyard.

Another mesmerizing residence awaits at 6715 Golf Drive, nestled along tranquil Turtle Creek. The amenities and cutting-edge technology at this contemporary, six-bedroom beauty are unparalleled. The climatecontrolled, six-car basement garage with LED lighting is a dream for a car collector. A gym, custom, climatecontrolled wine closet for 700 bottles, and indooroutdoor loggia with an automatic screen and infrared heaters for year-round outdoor leisure are further perks to relish.

MARKETPLACE

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN Fresh on the market in Preston Hollow

The spring real estate market has already started in Preston Hollow, according to the neighborhood experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates.

Preston Hollow continues to be one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Dallas. With demand there always high, working with proven experts is the best way to hear about upcoming listings and gain an edge over other buyers.

To navigate this market confidently, many know to trust the luxury leaders at Allie Beth Allman & Associates. Here are some of their sublime, fresh offerings for spring 2026, but contact an agent to see more.

Delivering sophisticated glamour, the 16,000 squarefoot masterpiece at 9520 Hathaway St. in Old Preston Hollow promises you everything you could want or need. The wow factor starts at the entrance with 30foot ceilings and builds whether you’re in the threestory refrigerated wine room, home theater, spa room or fitness center. The resort-like backyard brims with impressive amenities as well, with its sport court, pool and stylish pool house.

For entertainers who appreciate contemporary style, 6027 Mimosa Lane is a splendid find. Just imagine putting appetizers around the modern kitchen’s sleek island as guests laugh in the connected family room or throwing lively game-day parties on the expansive covered patio, which features a built-in kitchen. With summer in sight, the pool and spa also promise endless moments of fun.

To place your ad in People Newspapers, please call us at 214-523-5239, 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.

Place

9769 Audubon Place in Preston Hollow, represented by Ann Shaw of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; $18,000,000

Gallery Penthouse at HALL Arts Residences

1747 Leonard Street #2601 in the Dallas Arts District, represented by Kyle Richards and Cindi Caudle of 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 fullfloor 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.

The symbol of an era, the setting for a future — Dallas’ most legendary and luxurious estate is ready for its next chapter. Since 1938, this prestigious Preston Hollow property has hosted dignitaries, political leaders and cultural icons like Coco Chanel, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, President Ronald Reagan and actor Jimmy Stewart.

Designed by Swiss architect Maurice Fatio for Italian count Pio Crespi, this palatial French-style chateau is an exquisite composition of marble, gilt, hand-carved woods, graceful proportions and precision. At more than 27,000 square feet, the main home comprises 10 bedrooms, 12 full baths, five half baths, 11 fireplaces, six living areas, five dining areas, a ballroom/salon, conservatory, study, Art Deco bar, paneled library, gourmet kitchen, glass elevator, media room, safe room, gym and two wine rooms. The 3,000-square-foot primary suite includes a bedroom, two baths, two dressing areas and an expansive outdoor terrace.

Enhancements by noted architect Peter Marino include a stately 3,347-square-foot guesthouse and a 4,836-squarefoot entertainment pavilion with a 19-seat theatre. The grounds feature a swimming pool and spa, tennis and bocce ball courts, gardens, greenhouses, walking trails, a creek and a helipad. The estate is 15.68 acres in all, including three platted lots on its north side, at 1.22, 1.22 and 1.3 acres each.

Welcome to Dallas’ most enchanting estate, where nature, architecture and sophistication converge. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac in Preston Hollow, 9769 Audubon Place is a rare, European-inspired masterpiece set on more than three pristine acres. Designed by Robbie Fusch and built by Randy Hughes, this exceptional home blends architectural grandeur with a soul-soothing connection to nature. Inside, soaring ceilings, graciously scaled rooms and warm finishes create a home that is as welcoming as it is distinguished.

A separate, 2,500-square-foot entertaining pavilion with a catering kitchen makes large gatherings effortless, while peaceful garden paths and a vine-draped walkway along the creek invite quiet moments immersed in nature. From the meandering stone pathways and shaded lawns to the serene creek, koi ponds and mature canopy trees, the grounds feel like a private park, an idyllic backdrop for everyday living or unforgettable entertaining.

BRIGGS FREEMAN 3515 Crescent Avenue

3515 Crescent Avenue in Highland Park, represented by Pogir of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty; $19,998,000

On a rare corner lot in Old Highland Park, this custom Mediterranean manse is walking distance to the ever-popular Katy Trail, Knox Street hot spots and multiple parks and greenbelts. Every element of this home reflects impeccable taste and superior craftsmanship, from its graceful facade to its hand-crafted interiors. A grand foyer provides a dramatic welcome, with a statement chandelier, curved staircase and detailed ironwork. The formal living and dining rooms are striking yet warm, with the nearby study featuring handsome woodpaneling and built-ins. At the home’s center, the expansive great room flows seamlessly into the gourmet kitchen and adjacent wet bar and temperature-controlled wine room. Other highlights are a fully equipped home theater, a sizable game room and a secondary living area upstairs. There are seven bedrooms and nine-and-ahalf baths in total — including the sanctuary-like primary suite, which features a sitting area and spa-level bathroom with dual vanities and a giant soaking tub. Outside is equally impressive, with a double-decker terrace overlooking a pool and spa, multiple seating areas, outdoor kitchen, firepit and manicured grounds.

EBBY HALLIDAY

Tucked away on a quiet cul-de-sac in the sought-after Janmar neighborhood, 7435 Kenshire Lane (7435kenshire. ebby.com) offers a rare combination of privacy, thoughtful design and extraordinary outdoor investment. Set on an expansive .63-acre lot, this 4,832-square-foot residence is designed for both comfortable daily living and effortless entertaining.

Inside, oversized living and dining areas are filled with natural light, creating welcoming spaces that flow easily for gatherings large or small. Outside, the property truly shines. The current owner has invested more than $1.5 million in exterior and landscape improvements, including a new metal roof, Marvin wood-clad windows and doors, upgraded exterior sheathing and insulation, and extensive structural enhancements.

The grounds have been equally transformed with a new driveway and limestone-capped walkway, subsurface drainage, updated irrigation and landscaping, a composite deck, refreshed pool equipment and a whole-home generator.

Listed for $2,750,000 by Karen Smiley with Ebby Halliday North Dallas (214-850-4318 | karensmiley@ebby.com), the result is a beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 3.3-bath property where timeless architecture meets exceptional outdoor living. Truly an uncommon opportunity in one of North Dallas’ most established neighborhoods.

Fabulous opportunity to be in the heart of one of Dallas’ most desirable neighborhoods! Ideally positioned along the coveted Katy Trail and just moments from Dallas’ premier shopping and dining destinations, this exceptional corner residence offers unparalleled walkability throughout the Knox District, bordering Highland Park. This expansive twobedroom residence, plus a separate third room ideal for a private office, study, or gym, is wrapped in walls of windows that flood the home with natural light. Two private balconies showcase sweeping views of Downtown Dallas, Highland Park, the Katy Trail, and SMU—creating the perfect backdrop for morning coffee or sunset evenings overlooking the skyline. The chef’s kitchen seamlessly blends elegance and functionality, featuring custom cabinetry, striking quartzite countertops with a matching backsplash, and premium appliances, including a built-in Miele coffee maker and wine refrigerator. The spacious primary suite offers a tranquil retreat with its own private balcony and generous custom closets. An oversized guest suite includes a walk-in closet and a spa-inspired bath, providing comfort and privacy for visitors. Thoughtful upgrades elevate this home even further, including a recently installed high-rise leak detection system, a whole-home water shut-off system, and an electric vehicle charging connection in the garage—offering modern convenience and peace of mind. Residents can enjoy an impressive array of resort-style amenities, including a newly renovated pool, outdoor kitchen, gas fire pit, 24-hour concierge, fitness center, dog run and private storage. This is refined urban living at its finest—where luxury, location, and lifestyle converge. Home conveys with two assigned parking spots. The Travis location is right at the Knox Henderson Intersection with direct access to Katy Trail sitting 17 stories high with 63 residences.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

New for Spring in Highland Park

Highland Park sales leader Allie Beth Allman & Associates has listed this Lakeside Drive home for spring.

Dallas is in bloom and, right on time, exceptional offerings are coming to market. If you dream of spending spring days walking tree-lined streets or dining in style near your home, now is the perfect time to house hunt for fresh finds in Highland Park.

The experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates can introduce you to your ideal property.

Spanning 6,611 square feet with five bedrooms, 4211 Lakeside Drive overlooks Turtle Creek. It’s been reborn with bold sophistication and timeless allure you have to experience in person. A fashion-forward entry hall, magazine-worthy chef’s kitchen, and serene backyard with a koi pond and greenhouse are just a few features.

The enchanting brick façade at 3504 Cornell Ave. screams “forever home” and sets an elegant tone with its covered porch, arbor and stone accents. Vast living areas inside beg for lively holiday parties or family game nights, while the pool and patio can offer years of summer fun.

Set on one of Highland Park’s most beloved streets and surrounded by verdant greenery, 4316 Beverly Drive is picture-perfect inside and out.

The 4,190-square-foot haven’s nearly 100-year-old grandeur is complemented by bright, contemporary updates such as a tasteful white kitchen.

BETH

ALLMAN

New Offerings for Spring in University Park

Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and the luxury real estate market is thriving. Spring is a time of rebirth all around, and often a season in which you can expect to see many new offerings.

Allie Beth Allman & Associates has exceptional properties to show across coveted University Park.

An elegant manor at 4085 Amherst Ave. balances European-inspired architecture with fashionable, contemporary interiors. The heart of the home is a dazzling chef’s kitchen with dual islands, sleek countertops and professionalgrade appliances that wow. This five-bedroom prize even has an elevator and a generous firstfloor guest suite.

If you love the idea of a traditional cottage, then 4428 Southwestern Blvd. might be the perfect find. Though it offers 3,023 square feet of living space and four bedrooms, every corner feels intimate and charming. Just imagine playing board games around the cozy living room fireplace or working in the office, which is adorned with woodwork and built-ins.

Located at 3527 Westminster Ave. and dating to 1935, the full duplex home with four bedrooms makes going out for the day a breeze. Curtis Park’s sports facilities, the Holmes Aquatic Center, and the shops and restaurants of Snider Plaza are all just steps away.

THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP Proximity. Privacy. Peace: Delivered Day One.

211 Deer Valley is currently being offered for $4,950 ,000

Deer Valley stands as one of Cedar Creek Lake’s most distinguished estates, offering refined lakefront living just 55 minutes from Dallas.

Designed with intention at every turn, the home’s thoughtful 4,524 sqft layout offers an elevated yet effortless flow: two downstairs lake-view suites, two upstairs guest rooms, 5.1 baths, and two living spaces that support both quiet weekends for two or gatherings of ten or more.

Inside, the influence of designer Laura Lee Clark is evident in the refined lighting, materials, and textures that create a calming, cohesive aesthetic. The kitchen features a Viking appliance suite, ice maker, and wine fridge, opening to dining and living areas framed by a wall of windows and doors that draw the lake inward. Outdoor living unfolds seamlessly through intentional seating areas, pergola, manicured turf, and Arboretumstyle stonework leading to the shoreline. Within 505 Ranch, owners enjoy boating, an infinity pool and beach, new sport courts, ATV and hiking trails, horseback riding, and a skeet range.

Fully furnished and meticulously maintained, 211 Deer Valley offers immediate enjoyment and a rare peace of truly turnkey lake living.

Contact Ryan Streiff (469.371.3008) or Lori Streiff Decker (214.789.5906) or more information or to set up a private showing. Visit DPMFineHomes.com to learn more.

your next move your best move.

In life, as in chess, forethought wins. Pick a team that will always be three moves ahead.

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