vive la France

Uphill climbs, heavy winds and Texas summer heat won’t hold this 60-something back. Lake Highlands’ Zoltan (please call him “Z”) Zsohar rides most mornings preparing for the June 2011 National Senior Games in Houston where he will race the 5- and 10-kilometer time trials and a 20- and 40-kilometer road race. But that’s just a precursor the really exciting part: The following month, the avid cyclist is off to tackle the Tour de France. OK, so he’s not actually racing in the world’s most famous bicycling event, but he will be there during the final two weeks of the 21-day tour. “This is something I’ve dreamed of doing since I started riding,” Zsohar says. “A bucket list item, you could say.” Post college, Zsohar began running to knock off a few pounds and improve his health. He eventually ran 10 marathons (and lost 50 pounds), but gradually decided that riding in the Texas summer was far more enjoyable than running — and he was good at it, too. His wife, Shirley, a former Lake Highlands High School teacher, won’t join Z on his European vacation because she’s not an experienced cyclist, but she encouraged her husband to follow his heart. He will join a tour group just outside the Pyrenees Mountains. Each day he and his group will ride 20-60 miles along oftenchallenging mountainous terrain, and at least once a day, they will stop to watch the professionals pass. “I am very excited. I even splurged and got a seat at the finish podium. It cost extra, but it will be worth it.” On the topic of cost (which Z says he wishes we hadn’t asked about), it can run as much as $10,000, all told, to mark this item off your bucket list. How does his better half feel about the expense? “She’s got a pricey hobby of her own, quilting, so we just don’t discuss the expenses of either,” he says through a smile. “We only have ourselves to support these days. Our kids are on their own, so why not?”

—Christinahughes BaBB

Family Fun Weekend

Saturday: Fitness Extravaganza at Flag Pole Hill, 11am-4pm; Water Wise Landscape

Tour: Save Dallas Water at White Rock Pump House, 9:30am-3pm. Join us with your horse for a trail ride around WRL. Meet at Norbuck Park at 10am.

Sunday: Kite Flying Day at Norbuck Park, 11am-4pm.

WRL Centennial Bike Ride hosted by Greater Dallas Bicyclists. Join us for a ride around the lake with refreshments and fun afterwards. Gather at T&P Hill at 9am. www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com

WRL Bass Fishing Tournament. Register your team at www.whiterockdallas.org. Limited boat space available.

Sailing Clubs Open House and Wooden Boat Show.

Last month of Centennial Celebration . . . lots of great events for you and your family to enjoy! You especially won’t want to miss the Centennial Concert at the Arboretum with Hard Night’s Day on June 26.

The Comerica White Rock Lake Centennial Celebration Pave the Way campaign allows families and businesses to forever commemorate their love of the lake on pavestones that will permanently grace the plaza at the spillway. Visit www.whiterockdallas.org to Pave the Way today.

We would like to extend a special thank you to our partners, volunteers and participants who helped make the White Rock Lake Centennial a spectacular celebration.

Beach Party of the Century at the Bath House Cultural Center hosted by For the Love of the Lake with support from The White Rock Lake Foundation and Friends of the Bath House.

Centennial Concert at the Arboretum with Hard Night’s Day. Limited seating - buy your tickets early at www.whiterockdallas.org.

WHAT GIVES?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for neighborhood nonprofits

THIS MONTH,HONOR DAD and support the Lake Highlandsbased Urology Research and Education Foundation when you participate in Dadfest at Galatyn Park (2341 Performance Drive in Richardson), June 18. The event includes a 5k, a dad-kid look-alike contest and free prostate screenings, to name a few. Register for the race at runontexas.com and preregister for the prostate screening at dadfest.com. The UREF is dedicated to prostate cancer research, intervention and treatment, and offers preventative services and support groups. Find more information about the foundation at 214.580.1420.

CELEBRATETHE CENTENNIAL (LASTCHANCE) ...

June 25 and 26 on the hot sands of White Rock’s temporary “beach” at the Bath House Cultural Center. The For the Love of the Lake Beach Party wraps up the White Rock Lake Centennial Celebration with sun and sand, a car show, fireworks, beer, and food. All of the proceeds benefit lake-improvement projects. Friends of the Bath House and the White Rock Lake Foundation, organizations also dedicated to beautifying the lake, will co-host the bash. Get tickets at Highland Park Cafeteria in Casa Linda (1200 N.Buckner) or visit whiterocklake.org.

KNOW OF WAYS that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@ advocatemag.com.