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do whatever you can, and you move up the ranks to do junior high games, and then J.V. and varsity, and you just keep moving up,” he says. “I’ve been in the college ranks for about 15 years.” The DART employee travels every Saturday during football season. He recently was in Lafayette, La., one of his favorite towns to visit, working a Ragin’ Cajuns game. “I’ve seen really good football, and it’s taken me to some really neat places that I wouldn’t have gotten to see otherwise,” he says. Referees must look anonymous they’re not supposed to have facial hair, and when they have a meal together before a game, they’re on their best behavior, Miles says. They know they’ve done a good job when no one talks about the officiating, he says. No news is good news. Miles says he will miss his ref buddies, but “it’s a young man’s game,” he says. As a side judge, he has to run backwards to look for pass interference, which is hard on the body. And travel isn’t as fun — he would rather stay home with his grandkids and watch football from the stands. “I always enjoyed football, and it’s been a way to stay a part of an athletic endeavor,” he says. “In this state, Friday night is a magical endeavor.”

—RACHEL STONE

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Every September, Marissa Dawson’s home starts filling up with model trains. About 11 years ago, she started painting the trains for NorthPark’s annual Ronald McDonald House of Dallas fundraiser.

“In 1998, a family friend asked me if I would be interested in painting a couple just because she knew I like painting and drawing,” says Dawson. “So I did three trains the first year, and I’ve been doing it ever since.” Now she paints as many as 100 trains per year. Sponsors can pay $175 per train, and at the end of the season, they get to keep the train. And they can specify in the order what design they want, such as a corporate logo. “My favorite train of all times is when a woman wanted Garfield in a Santa hat,” she says. “A guy last year wanted a snowman in cowboy boots.” She tries to make each one unique, which can become difficult for Dawson, who admits she’s not an artist. “My designs aren’t that great,” she says. “But if I see something, I can kind of copy it and make it my own.”

The trains at NorthPark are on display through Jan. 3. Admission prices are $6 for adults, $3 for children and adults older than 65.

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