COMING HOME OCTOBER

Days before making an incredible catch that led to a victory against the Seattle Seahawks last October, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams stopped by his alma mater, W.T. White High School. Students asked him via Twitter to visit the campus and, just like that, he did. He even had dinner with the kids before the Longhorns’ Friday-night football game. Williams graduated from W.T. White in 2008. After an impressive run with the Baylor Bears, he was drafted to the Cowboys in spring 2013. Sports writers and analysts have been buzzing about the athlete ever since, but he hasn’t forgotten his roots in our neighborhood. This photo originally ran online and became the Advocate’s most-read post of the month. PHOTO BY LARRY YOUNG

United Methodists March

After 53 years of courtship, two men were married in our neighborhood, if only symbolically. Jack Evans and George Harris, longtime members of Northaven United Methodist Church, exchanged vows at the nearby Midway Hills Christian Church because such ceremonies are prohibited from occurring inside Methodist walls. The Rev. Bill McElvaney, a retired Northaven UMC pastor, officiated the service while seated, as he was in poor health, and risked losing his credentials. McElvaney, 86, died of liver cancer several months later. Just before television news crews swarmed the wedding reception at Northaven UMC for comments from the couple, Evans and Harris (pictured in the embrace near the center) shared some tender and less chaotic moments with loved ones.

PHOTO BY DANNY FULGENCIO

All The Pretty Hats March

Linda Humphries, pictured at center in the gray suit, sashays to the old jazz tune “A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody” during the Easter parade portion of the Mad Hatter’s Tea at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. “We were all parading and prancing around,” Humphries says. “Most everyone wore hats. This year, I happened to have an old fedora. I took a man’s hat and bestowed it with flowers and ribbons.” The annual event features handmade hat contests and a silent auction to raise money for missions. More than 230 women turned out for the occasion — the highest attendance yet. The cause is one near to Humphries’ heart: the Vickery Meadow Learning Center. Decades ago she chaired the committee that decided VMLC would become the church’s flagship mission.

PHOTO BY JAMES COREAS

Breaking A Sweat February

Nothing keeps these athletes from their sport, not even Mother Earth. Each winter, Jesuit College Preparatory School brings rowing indoors for the Southwest Ergometer Amateur Tournament (SWEAT). The event attracted more than 500 high school, college, master and adaptive rowers from across the region. Although the competition lacked the outdoor elements of a traditional race, it was no less intense. Exhausted Jesuit rower Eddy Calderon, who has since graduated, is at the center of the photo. The man shouting commands over Calderon’s shoulder isn’t the coach. It’s his fellow crew member, Conar Ehring, who is now a Jesuit Crew captain. Athletes chose a peer coach to motivate them through the competition.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER SHERTZER

Baby Blue July

I thought I’d just be photographing a baby floating in a pool, as if in wait of rescue. Then Preston Hollow resident Linda DeSanders, Dolfin Swim School owner and director of the Texas Drowning Prevention Alliance, said, “Should we push her under?” My first thought was, That’s not a very nice thing to do, but then I heard myself say, “Sure!” Watching this adorable infant frog-kicking underwater was a sight to behold. But shooting underwater isn’t easy. Simply finding the camera’s viewfinder is a challenge; fumbling with controls, even more so. This is to say nothing of the anxiety of submerging a $6,000 camera in little more than a glorified Ziploc bag. In the end, there were few tears — from either our semi-aquatic talent or the photographer watching her — and we came away with more unique photos than we could run, including this one. WORDS AND

PHOTO BY DANNY FULGENCIO

Beads Of Splendor

Bead Boutique & Gift Gallery

9047 Garland Rd. Dallas, TX 75218 214.824.2777 beadsofsplendor.com

FOSSIL RIM’S SWEETHEART SAFARI

There are two lasting GIFTS we can give our children: One is ROOTS and the other is WINGS.

Skate on Over & Check Out Our School!

CLAIRE’S CHRISTIAN DAY SCHOOL

8202 Boedeker Dr., / (214) 368-4047 / clairesdayschool.com At CCDS, we encourage a child’s sense of exploration and discovery in a loving, nurturing, and safe environment. We offer a parent’s day out program with a play-based curriculum fostering socialization, motor skill development, and an introduction to academics for children aged 4mo – 3yrs. Our preschool for children aged 3-5 further develops these skills, along with a more focused approach to pre-math and prereading. At CCDS, we have developed our own science, math, and reading enrichment classes to ensure kindergarten preparedness for every child. We make learning fun!

Highlander School

9120 Plano Rd. Dallas / 214.348.3220 / www.highlanderschool.com

Founded in 1966, Highlander School offers an enriched curriculum in a positive, Christian-based environment. Small class sizes help teachers understand the individual learning styles of each student. Give us a call for more information.

The Kessler School

Pre K – 6th Grade / 1215 Turner Ave, Dallas TX 75208 / 214-942-2220 / www. thekesserschool.com The Kessler School offers an innovative academic environment that gives students a solid foundation, confidence, and a love of learning. Located just minutes from downtown Dallas; The Kessler School’s mission is to “educate the whole child,” and provides an individualized approach to teaching – meeting the student where their needs are. Students are educated socially through community time, physically through daily PE, academically through a wellrounded curriculum, and spiritually through a fostering of awareness and individual growth.

Lakehill Preparatory School

Leading to Success. 2720 Hillside Dr., Dallas 75214 / 214.826.2931 / lakehillprep. org Kindergarten through Grade 12 - Lakehill Preparatory School takes the word preparatory in its name very seriously. Throughout a student’s academic career, Lakehill builds an educational program that achieves its goal of enabling graduates to attend the finest, most rigorous universities of choice. Lakehill combines a robust, college-preparatory curriculum with opportunities for personal growth, individual enrichment, and community involvement. From kindergarten through high school, every Lakehill student is encouraged to strive, challenged to succeed, and inspired to excel.

Spanish House

4411 Skillman 214-826-4410 / 5740 Prospect 214-826-6350 / DallasSpanishHouse.com

Spanish Immersion School serving ages 3 month - Adults. We offer nursery, preschool, elementary and adult programs at two Lakewood locations. Degreed, nativeSpanish speaking teachers in an “all-Spanish” immersion environment. Call for a tour today!

ST. BERNARD OF CLAIRVAUX

1420 Old Gate Ln. Dallas / 214.321.2897 / stbernardccs.org St. Bernard of Clairvaux School has educated children in Forest Hills, Casa Linda and White Rock neighborhoods since 1948. We encourage each student to develop an inquisitive mind, strong moral character and a love of learning that lasts a lifetime. The experienced teaching staff is dedicated to academic excellence with a challenging curriculum and individual attention. We offer affordable tuition, PK through 8th grade, wireless slate technology, extracurricular activities, and after-school care. Please call to schedule a tour.

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S MONTESSORI SCHOOL

7900 Lovers Ln. / 214.363.9391 stchristophersmontessori.com St. Christopher’s Montessori School has been serving families in the DFW area for over a quarter of a century. We are affiliated with the American Montessori Society and our teachers are certified Montessori instructors. Additionally our staff has obtained other complimentary educational degrees and certifications, including having a registered nurse on staff. Our bright and attractive environment, and highly qualified staff, ensures your child will grow and develop in an educationally sound, AMS certified loving program. Now Enrolling.

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 75218 / 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service.St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom. Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

The Winston School

5707 Royal Lane Dallas, Tx 75229 / 214691-6950 / www.winston-school.org If your bright child struggles with things like Attention and Concentration, Executive Functioning and Dyslexia, The Winston School may be able to help. The Winston School has a robust academic program which prepares a student for college while at the same time developing the whole child. We understand bright children who learn differently and recognize their unique gifts and talents. Celebrating and validating these assets with our students enables them to discover who they are, and empowers them to be consistently successful. The Winston School brings hope for today and a road map for tomorrow. School Preview: January 11th from 2-4 p.m.

White Rock North School

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas / 214.348.7410 / WhiteRockNorthSchool.com

6 Weeks through 6th Grade. Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and state-of-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus.

Zion Lutheran School

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 / ziondallas. org Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 58 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, Extended Care, Parents Day Out, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

our 200,000+ readers with average income of $146,750 want more info about private schools.

Baptist

PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH / 3933 Northwest Pky / pcbc.org

All services & Bible Study 9:15 & 10:45. Trad. & Blended (Sanctuary),

Contemporary (Great Hall), Amigos de Dios (Gym) / 214.860.1500

PRESTONWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH / “A Church to Call Home”

Sundays: Bible Fellowship (all ages) 9:15 am /Service Time 11:00 am

12123 Hillcrest Road / 972.820.5000 / prestonwood.org

WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

Bible Churches

NORTH HIGHLANDS BIBLE CHURCH / www.nhbc.net

Sunday: Lifequest (all ages) 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am

Wed: Student Ministry 7:00 pm / 9626 Church Road / 214.348.9697

Disciples Of Christ

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / THE TABLE Worship 9:30 am

Worship 8:30 & 10:50 am / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

Lutheran

FIRST UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH / 6202 E Mockingbird Lane

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

Methodist

LAKE HIGHLANDS UMC / 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School / 10:30 am Coffee

Worship: 8:30 am & 10:50 am Traditional / 10:50 am Contemporary

Unity

UNITY OF DALLAS / A Positive Path for Spiritual Living

6525 Forest Lane, Dallas, TX 75230 / 972.233.7106 / UnityDallas.org

10:30 am Sunday - Celebration Worship Service

UNITY ON GREENVILLE / Your soul is welcome here!

3425 Greenville Ave. / 214.826.5683 / www.dallasunity.org

Sunday Service 11:00 am and Book Study 9:30 am