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PRESTON HOLLOW ADVOCATE VOL. 24 NO. 7
PROFILE
11 Girls Inc. CEO Beth Myers
DINING
13 Ralph & Rose
FEATURES
8 10 femalepowered businesses
14 Dr. Rachael Haverland
18 The art of nature
21 Kate’s Books
A lot of Kathryn Vermillion’s artwork blends abstract art with history. Photography by Yuvie Styles.
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ABOUT THE COVER
Jim Dine’s bronze sculpture titled The Field of the Cloth of Gold. Displayed at Northpark Center. Photography by Lauren Allen.
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WOMEN-LED. WOMEN-OWNED. WOMEN-RUN.
Here’s 10 femalepowered businesses in Preston Hollow
Compiled
by
VARSHA JHANAK
ASIAN MINT
Created by Hockaday graduate and Preston Hollow neighbor Nikky Phinyawatana, Asian Mint’s menu is composed of Asian-fusion cuisine mixed with modern Bangkok-style dishes. Since 2004, Asian Mint has served Thai classics such as pad thai and inventive fusion dishes like their green tea ice cream cake. 5450 W Lovers Lane Suite 222.
TROVA WINE + MARKET
This elegant shop and bar owned by Michelle Bonds aims to make wine accessible. Offering a variety of wines and cheeses, Trova Wine + Market sells a carefully curated selection of international wines and locally produced foods. 4004 Villanova St.
HILLCREST INTERNAL MEDICINE
Run by Renee Stock and Shalaun Hawkins, Hillcrest Internal Medicine provides a diverse range of services for patients. With over 20 combined years of experience, they cover a variety of services from annual physical exams to acute care. 12720 Hillcrest Road #625.
APPLES TO ZINNIAS
Owned by Nisha Patel, Apples to Zinnias brings a unique collection of flowers suitable for any occasion. This flower shop has everything from flowers to candles, silks to potpourris. 4024 Villanova St.
CARLA MARTINENGO BOUTIQUE
Carla Martinengo brought her fashion sense and European flair to Dallas following a 10-year modeling career in Europe. The boutique holds the latest trends, with pieces from top designers including Balenciaga, Chloe and Dolce & Gabbana. 8300 Preston Road.
LOVERS SEAFOOD & MARKET AND SHINSEI
Opened by Tracy Rathbun and Lynae Fearing, Lovers Seafood & Mar ket serves classics like Hawaiian poke bowls and cajun-spiced shrimp cocktail. Around the corner, the pair owns Shinsei, a modern Pan-Asian fusion dinery with a sushi bar, lounge and private dining room. 5200 W Lovers Lane, 7713 Inwood Road.
LIBERTY BURGER
For a sustainable twist on all-American classics, Forestwood’s family-owned and locally-based Liberty Burger serves up specialty burgers like the NAPA Burger with a custom beef-blend patty topped with gorgonzola, wild arugula, oven-roasted tomatoes, green olives, red onion and basil garlic aioli on a toasted brioche bun. 5211 Forest Lane.
UKIE STYLE EMBROIDERY ART
This store sells family clothes and accessories with traditional Ukrainian embroidery, symbolics and traditional techniques like petrykivka, a decorative painting art style that is rich in symbolism. Ukie Style is owned and operated by Olena Jacobs. 12817 Preston Road #124.
BETTY REITER
Since 1994, Betty Reiter has been selling beautiful luxury pieces from across the world. Reiter also carries her own collection of clothing, aiming for everyone to find their personal style. 4030 Villanova St.
CYL SAUNA STUDIO
CYL Sauna Studio ditches the steam and uses infrared light for their saunas. Infrared saunas pose many benefits such as detoxification, improved circulation, pain and stress relief. 11700 Preston Road #632.
LEADING NEXT GENERATIONS
From a young age, Beth Myers’ female role models weren’t seeking education or careers, but by defying that status quo, she became the first woman in her family to graduate from a university.
“You can do anything the boys can do,” Myers says. “I didn’t have a lot of females who were showing me that was possible, so I just did it anyway.”
Myers has been a longstanding champion of community service, driven by a desire to address injustices in the world. This commitment led her to pursue a career focused on helping those living on the margins.
In 2017, Myers became the CEO of Girls Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, one of the largest affiliates in the nonprofit organization. Girls Inc. provides a safe place for girls ages 6-18 to attend afterschool and summer programs that help them become confident and courageous young women. Under Myers’ leadership, the organization has expanded its support to women 18 and older, preparing them for college and career opportunities. Myers and the board’s next goal is to grow to 10,000 and eventually 25,000.
for the national organization. I’ve also done some consulting kind of in between there, but I took an executive role with the national organization.
WHAT WAS IT ABOUT GIRLS INC. THAT
MOTIVATED
YOU TO BE PART OF IT?
Beth Myers serves as the CEO of Girls Inc. Dallas, helping girls become changemakers
Story by KELSEY SHOEMAKER
Photography by GABE CANO
good place so that they can be there for the girls. Our girls come from families who are really struggling. The majority of them are low-income and from low-income neighborhoods. Their struggles are even greater and everything is compounded for them. They’re losing their childcare place, their safe space and their sisterhood.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER MILESTONES YOU’VE HAD OR SEEN IN YOUR CAREER?
I think it’s important to be a role model for people in general, but especially for girls. You’re going to face hurdles and there’s going to be lots of hardships, but those are the things where you learn the most that will prepare you for the next big accomplishment. My mother passing away, and what I went through over the course of that journey with her stage four pancreatic cancer diagnosis gave me the tools that I embrace.
NONPROFITS?
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED WORKING IN
WAS THERE A CERTAIN EXPERIENCE OR INFLUENCE THAT GUIDED YOU?
Early in my college days, I got exposed to and learned about the injustices in our country that different people face as a result of the income or the zip code that they were born into that charts a different path. That awakened me to the situation of what people are faced with when they’re marginalized and that drove my direction into the study of social work. I grew up in a really small town, not exposed to many others and I thought it was a relatively easy life and as I learned more, not everybody has the same opportunity.
WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE GIRLS INC.?
Early after graduate school, I was with Big Brothers, Big Sisters and I led an affiliate in South Texas and then went and worked
Early in 2016, my mother passed away and that was a big loss for me. Hillary Clinton was running as the first female candidate for president. Those two big losses in my life happened. I’m frustrated as a female, women in general just continuing to struggle and having to work twice as hard and not accomplishing some of the achievements that we should be. I’ve always been passionate about helping young people and trying to eliminate barriers to their achievements and help them reach their potential. (Girls Inc.) crosses my path, not once, but a couple of times and after looking at it, I was like maybe I should. The idea of this path of female-driven empowerment and navigating and breaking down some of these barriers really appealed to me. It excites me that I can take something that has a really strong foundation and help energize and bring some perspective and leadership and take it to a place that they didn’t think was possible.
WHAT ABOUT THE PANDEMIC MADE IT HARD AND HOW DID YOU GET THROUGH IT?
It was impacting everything within the organization. When you think about a company going through the pandemic, they have experts in HR, legal experts and crisis teams who could come together and brainstorm. We didn’t have that. It was just me, my staff and the board and we had to figure out everything for all the facets of the organization. Not only was I having to support the staff, but we needed to see how we were going to be able to serve the girls and be there for them. We didn’t know what was going to happen with the economy, what was going to happen with our donors, but we were going to make it through this. The other thing was asking ourselves how do we keep our team’s mental health in a
In November, I personally received a breast cancer diagnosis and being faced with, ‘What does this mean? And how am I going to lead the organization while navigating through my own cancer diagnosis?’ I’ve got the strongest board and the strongest team and we are going to face it.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO BE INVOLVED IN NONPROFITS?
The nonprofit work is so needed. It gives others in the community an avenue to impact their community in ways that by themselves, they can’t do. Whether that’s volunteering or donating to an organization, we can just help more collectively than we can do by ourselves. In my 34-year career, I have been fortunate to see firsthand the impact a nonprofit can have in the community for the people they’re serving and it’s just been a game changer. And you see that every day, it just motivates you. There’s so many philanthropic people who want to volunteer and it just shows you a sense of humanity and greatness within people.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
(Above) The boutique inside Ralph & Rose sources from local artists and includes pots, home decor and accessories. (Left) The cafe has a full coffee menu and sources from Tweed Coffee Roasters. (Right) The flatbreads are among some of the cafe’s most popular items such as the G.O.A.T, a flatbread with homemade pesto, mozzarella, chévre, cherry tomato, arugula and a balsamic drizzle.
A ROSE BY ANOTHER NAME
North Haven Garden’s Ralph & Rose
Story
RALPH & ROSE CAFÉ doesn’t want to be the garden’s secret.
Tucked inside North Haven Gardens, the cafe grew from the debris of the 2019 tornado. Regulars might brag that they knew it when it was named The Cabinet, the former cafe that was destroyed. The Pinkus family had been waiting to rebrand it for some time.
“It was kind of a blessing in disguise,” Aaron Pinkus says.
For the Pinkus family, it wasn’t about starting over, it was about looking forward. The new cafe reopened in 2021 as Ralph & Rose, named after Ralph Pinkus, the garden’s grandfather.
“Right after the storm, when we were walking through the debris, there was one wall that had a picture of my grandfather,” Aaron says. “It was perfectly intact. Everything else was thrown all over the place.”
The “Rose” in the name isn’t from the popular Rose Week but from Aaron’s eldest daughter, Tera Rose.
In 1951, Ralph and his wife Muriel Pinkus opened North Haven Gardens and in the ‘70s, incorporated their sons Jon and David, blossoming into a family business.
Aaron, now at the helm of the garden, recalls his earliest days spent among the plants, where he would eagerly assist customers with their carts in exchange for a quarter. Later, he would work with the fam -
and photography
by KELSEY SHOEMAKER
ily’s landscaping business. Now, he oversees the garden’s operations.
Going into a new project meant finding new inspirations that fit into North Haven Gardens’ history without breaking tradition. Aaron and his wife Pamela, avid travelers to Napa Valley and Europe, wanted to bring a pocket of California back to Texas. During their trips, they would see that nurseries had a cafe. The cafe and boutique takes inspiration from Farmstead in Napa Valley and Tiny Box in Houston. Pamela intentionally chose the tiles, furniture and decor to welcome some of that West Coast inspiration. Together, it marries the rustic comfort of Napa with the verdant garden.
“It just seemed like a way for me to be part of the business,” Pamela says. “All the women in the family have contributed (to the garden) in some way or another. His grandmother was involved in garden clubs, his mom ran the landscape department and I was like, ‘What’s mine going to be?’ And then the tornado happened and I was like, ‘Here’s how I can help and how I can be part of it.’”
The coffee bar complements the cafe’s menu with traditional creations brewed with beans sourced from local roasters. Alongside the cafe, the boutique houses curated home goods and garden-inspired decor.
“I’ve always said, ‘I want another business that doesn’t have perishables.’ Well,
we started a restaurant, which has far more perishables,” Aaron jokes. “The restaurant is a very difficult business to run, but I’ve been impressed. It was difficult at first for me to understand what traits I needed from each position. We’ve got a great staff now. It’s just a whole different ball game.”
During the summer, their children Chandler and Tera Rose will be at the garden, continuing the family legacy. Tera will usually sit on the counter and write personal thank you notes to the customers and Chandler likes to find rollie pollies and help fill cups of ladybugs to spread across the garden.
“They actually love it,” Aaron says. “It’s funny because when I was younger, I had a hard time coming around just because I was an athlete and wanted to go play basketball with my friends. They love coming around here. They’re friends with everyone and the staff.”
In the future, Ralph & Rose hopes to add more space for an outdoor patio in the back for more scenic seating, live music and drinks.
“(We want to) turn this into more of a community environment,” Aaron says. “To the neighborhoods outside, come in and enjoy the day in nature.”
Ralph & Rose, 7700 Northaven Road, (214) 3601555. shopralphandrose.com
WOMEN, FOR WOMEN
Rachael Haverland’s rare specialty aims to treat a not-so-rare disease
Story by ALYSSA HIGH | Photography by AMANI SODIQ
IIt’s one of the most painful chronic illnesses in the world, sneakily causing debilitating pain for millions of women. You can almost never see it on an ultrasound or other scans. It often takes 10 years for a woman to get diagnosed with it, and even longer, if ever, to receive treatment. And even though it’s estimated that one in eight women will be diagnosed with the condition, few doctors know how to diagnose it. Even fewer can effectively treat it. Though not considered a fatal condition, the pain felt from endometriosis is known to greatly impact quality of life, and often leads to mental health struggles when left untreated.
One of these rare doctors is Rachael Haverland, a pelvic surgeon and endometriosis specialist at Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine in the Preston Hollow area.
“I always knew I wanted to be involved in women’s health. From the very beginning, when I went to med school, I just knew that was my calling,” Haverland says. “I felt very comfortable in the space.”
While in her obstetrics and gynecology residency, Haverland learned a lot about obstetrics — the field of study concerning
pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum care — but found that other women’s health issues were not focused upon as much.
“I felt like it was a space that was very underserved and I felt like I could treat people surgically and through other modalities rather than just focusing on pregnancy,” she says.
Haverland then did a fellowship at the Mayo Clinic under Javier Magrina, a former oncologist who is known as a pioneer for endometriosis surgery, demonstrating that removing the disease rather than burning it delivered better outcomes.
“It was so rewarding as I got into it,” Haverland says. “I realized that my job was actually very easy. I just listen and believe women and believe their symptoms and then we come up with a treatment plan together.”
Haverland met her now-husband in medical school, got married one week after graduating and the pair moved to Phoenix together for their respective residencies — Rachael’s in obstetrics and gynecology and Joshua’s in pediatrics.
The Haverlands live in the White Rock Valley with their three sons, aged 6, 3 and 1½, where they spend their weekends playing
soccer and enjoying the outdoor amenities that the area has to offer.
“I always dreamed of having this strong daughter that I could raise to be independent,” Haverland says. “Now, I just do that through my work and I’m going to teach my boys how to treat women with respect … When everybody is advocating for the same purpose and the same cause, whether men or women, you get better outcomes when everybody helps.”
first degree relatives or second-degree relatives to have endometriosis and usually women that have a genetic predisposition are diagnosed with more aggressive disease and more advanced disease because it’s more aggressive.”
While research on fertility with endometriosis has been more extensively studied, endometriosis can reduce the likelihood of becoming pregnant by up to 50%, according to Massachusetts General Hospital.
“I JUST LISTEN TO WOMEN & BELIEVE THEIR SYMPTOMS”
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Endometriosis is a disease in (mostly) women where cells similar to those growing inside the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grow outside of the uterus on other organs.
Usually, these cells will grow on pelvic organs such as the bladder, outside of the uterus or the colon, but endometriosis has been found on nearly every organ in the body. These cells cause chronic inflammation, which causes pain, and the longer the cells are there, the more that they grow and the more permanent damage is caused to the surrounding nerves and muscles.
“A lot of endometriosis can be genetic,” she says. “There’s a strong propensity with
“One of my goals in my career is to try to advocate for women and endometriosis and pelvic pain and hopefully decrease that time where you can come up with symptoms and get a diagnosis and ultimately treatment,” Haverland says. “The younger we can treat endometriosis, the better your outcomes are.”
PATHS TO DIAGNOSIS
Endometriosis is “vastly underdiagnosed,” and about one in eight women are diagnosed in their lifetime.
According to Haverland, there are many factors contributing to underdiagnosis, like a lack of knowledgeable doctors, stigma surrounding discussing periods and women’s health and absence of research on the disease in general.
“Knowledge is power,” Haverland says. “We can bring this issue to the forefront and let people know that their symptoms are not normal … and when people talk about it, it’s OK to give them support and validate their symptoms. The more that we do that, the more women understand what’s normal and what’s not normal and the quicker that we’re going to be able to get to the point where more people have access and more people have quality care for endometriosis and treatment.”
In a 2023 qualitative review of doctors and patients’ knowledge of endometriosis, many doctors reported that they hadn’t learned about the disease at all or that it was only briefly mentioned in medical school. Others said that women’s health wasn’t a required curriculum when they were training.
Awareness of the disease has increased vastly in the last five years, according to
a recent UCLA Health article, in part by growing discussions among those diagnosed in online communities.
Many in the online community have focused on spreading the mantra, “periods are not supposed to be painful,” as painful menstruation, or dysmenorrhea, is a key symptom to endometriosis.
“Most doctors tell patients that painful periods are normal, that painful periods are something that all women deal with and that some people just have a lower pain tolerance,” TikTok creator @endometriosisem said in a post earlier this year. “You know your body best, don’t let anybody convince you otherwise.”
“There’s a little bit of patriarchy hidden in medicine,” Haverland says. “[There is a belief that] women are more likely to be histrionic and have anxiety. There is an emotional component associated with endometriosis, but it’s more related to when you’re in chronic pain, how could it not affect you emotionally? … If you just treat anxiety or depression and you don’t treat the underlying etiology, you’re not going to get any better.”
PELVIC REHABILITATION MEDICINE
Haverland joined the Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) team in 2022. PRM has 14 locations across nine states, with Texas offices in Dallas and Houston.
“It’s a specialty that is niche in this space where I get to do what I love and take care of a population where I feel really rewarded,” Haverland says. “It’s a very cool job and I love coming to work every day … I feel humbled and very honored.”
The clinics specialize in office-based pelvic pain treatment through direct treatment of inflamed pelvic nerves and spastic pelvic muscles to reduce symptoms in conditions in men and women, including endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory diseases, erectile dysfunction and hernias.
“They have a different way that they address and evaluate pelvic pain, so they use nonnarcotic options for pain relief,” Haverland says. “[We are] downregulating what we call the central sensitization of pain. When your nerves have been in pain for years and years, all they know is to send pain signals to your brain, so we’re trying to reset that and let the nerves heal.”
Haverland is joined by pelvic pain specialists Rucha Kapadia and Myesha Banks and integrative nutritional health coach Monique Bogni at PRM’s Dallas location,
aiming to provide comprehensive care in reducing and eliminating pelvic pain.
HAVERLAND’S MARK
Even with places like Pelvic Rehabilitation Medicine cropping up all over the country, the Endometriosis Foundation of America finds that out of over 40,000 OB/GYNs in the United States, there are only about 100 endometriosis specialists skilled in the most up-to-date treatment options.
One hundred specialists. And more than six million women with the condition.
“It’s really unfortunate, but with fellowships becoming more prevalent, hopefully we’ll get more people that really dive into the endometriosis space, because it is so needed,” Haverland says. “If it’s one in eight women, it’s very common and more people need help.”
To guide those who suspect that they have the condition, resources like Nancy’s Nook, an online learning library centered around the latest endometriosis research, are growing in members. Nancy’s Nook’s Facebook group itself has over 200,000 members worldwide.
Here, many women share their experience with Haverland and other Nook-verified experts and note the difference in their quality of life after getting diagnosed and having surgery to remove the endometriosis itself. Haverland often shares research and images from surgery with the group.
Aside from patient care, Haverland has participated in research that has helped define standards of care in the field with several published works in the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology on pelvic reconstruction, deep infiltrating endometriosis, longitudinal vaginal septum and practices to mitigate the opioid epidemic, among articles in other journals.
On top of educating and researching standards of practice for other doctors, Haverland attends forums and conferences like The Endometriosis Summit and works with nonprofits like The Endo Forward Foundation.
She also frequently posts to online forums regarding various topics related to the disease, including YouTube videos on Pelvic Rehabilitation’s YouTube channel answering frequently asked questions to educate the public.
“There’s a lot of boundaries to care right now for women, but hopefully, as we talk more about endometriosis, advocate for more treatment options and for more affordable options, more people will be able to get treatment easier.”
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THE ART OF NATURE
Paintings that map out Texas’ roots
Story by KELSEY SHOEMAKER
Photography by YUVIE STYLES
Someone from Texas might say the requirement for dubbing oneself a ‘Texan’ is being bred and raised here.
Perhaps a marker of being a true Texan is appreciating its legacy and its land.
Preston Hollow-based artist Kathryn Vermillion believes being a true Texan means appreciating the state’s legacy and lands. Through her work, she studies Texas’s ecosystem and wildlife.
Born in San Antonio, Vermillion moved throughout Texas during her childhood and lived in several other states, including Colorado, Wyoming, Mississippi, Louisiana and Oklahoma, before settling in Dallas in 1988.
Where Are the Monarchs? is both an art series and an educational bilingual children’s book highlighting Texas wildlife. A heartfelt collaboration with her sister-in-law Patricia Vermillion took two years to research, paint 32 pieces, translate and publish.
“The story has so much to say,” Vermillion says. “It’s bilingual because that’s the reality of our lives right now. I love the diversity of culture, flowers, plants and animals throughout Texas and of course, throughout our country. I’m worried that children are losing that.”
Vermillion has been pulling at her origins as inspiration for the basis of her work. Growing up in Colorado, her father would often pile her and her brothers into the car before school, taking them up to the mountains for breakfast and always making it back in time for classes. Those morning escapades laid the blueprint for her lifelong love of nature.
There were also the times she and her friends would sit around and ask the typical question: what do you want to do with your life?
Vermillion always knew the answer. She wanted to travel the United States, coast to coast, to capture more of the country’s natural beauty, with a particular goal of hitting as many national parks as possible along the way.
“I’ve seen our old beautiful country and incredible land that we have and I’m just in love with the land and landscapes and nature and art,” Vermillion says.
Growing up in New Orleans during high school, she was inspired by the city’s vibrant colors and energy. Private lessons with a local artist were the beginnings of her love of art, which eventually led her to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts from Oregon State University and later, got her Master of Fine Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design for graduate studies.
“My heart just found it,” Vermillion says. “It gravitates towards what it loves.”
After school, Vermillion began working in the energy industry, specifically with land and maps. This experience, dovetailed with her artistic pursuits, became her graduate thesis Mapworks, a series of collages combining maps and watercolors that reflect her love for nature and her work in land management.
Her next project, Legacy and Legends , delves into her personal history. While researching her grandmother, who married a man from Marfa, Vermillion discovered that one side of her family still owns a ranch in the Sierra Viejo Mountains of Presidio County. There, she visited a cousin, and learned about the family’s lifestyle and the ranch’s history. “Texas Tree,” is a homage to her family. Her great-grandfather planted an acorn that grew into a tree, still standing at 65 feet tall. In, “Taking Chances,” Vermillion explores her family’s history of gambling, dating back to 1613.
“I’m so aware of the legacy that we leave for our children,” Vermillion says. “I hope to leave a legacy in my art that speaks to people about the beauty of this creation that we live in.”
Vermillion’s artistic philosophy rejects minimalism, opting for a more layered, process-oriented approach. Her work has been recognized by the American Association of Professional Landmen and featured in a United Nations exhibit in Geneva, Switzerland. As an educator, she focuses on the transition of being an artist in the digital age.
“Minimalism has gotten to be such a thing because we have such data overload where we are bombarded with data 24 hours a day,” Vermillion says. “Minimalism was a reaction to that, but in art with minimalism, you lose the painter, you lose the layers and you lose the process. You lose the accidents that happen in the process.”
Creating Where Are the Monarchs? was a labor of love and discovery for Vermillion. It was her first time working on children’s illustrations and her first time collaborating closely with someone else. Vermillion and Patricia worked together, researching Texas state parks and selecting the ones to include in their book to ensure the monarch’s journey was comprehensive.
“It was a process of discovery,” Vermillion says. “I think you have to be willing to jump into cold water and just start there.”
Kathryn Vermillion’s artwork uses mostly watercolor to illustrate Texas’ history and wildlife.
Kate’s Books works with Dallas Police Department, Dallas ISD and Dallas Libraries to collect books for undeserved children.
FICTION TO FACT
Nonprofit spreads the word
Story by KELSEY SHOEMAKER | Photography by VICTORIA GOMEZ
“WHAT ABOUT THE BOOKS?”
KATE NORDYKE ASKED HER MOM.
It was a question prompted by Nordyke around the holidays where her mother, Angela, was working as a Dallas police offer during the annual Santa Cop Toy Drive. In 2015 at 8-years-old, Ursuline Academy student Nordyke was single-handedly opening a conversation.
Nordyke’s nonprofit, Kate’s Books, began with a story. Inspired by Nicola Yoon’s Everything Everything, a book about a girl allergic to the world, Nordyke found a way to make the book feel more personal.
“I read that when I was younger and felt a new perspective on life that I hadn’t really seen before,” Nordyke says. “I realized life is different for everybody.”
In March 2016, Nordyke answered her own question with a mission. She filed for a 501(c)(3) status for her nonprofit Kate’s Books. Her organization would provide new and gently used books to less fortunate children in the community. Nordyke reached out to local organizations like the Dallas Police Department, Dallas Public Libraries, schools and other nonprofits
for support. Friends, family, and the community contributed.
Through those efforts, the first year saw around 500 books donated to Santa Cops.
“Every time I’ve given books to kids, they’re elated,” Nordyke says. “It feels like Christmas Day for them. One of my love languages is gift giving and it makes me so happy to see them lit with joy and happiness. It’s made me very grateful for what I do have.”
Kate’s Books began with book drives at her elementary and middle schools and has since expanded to include other schools. The organization partners with Refuge City, a nonprofit supporting victims of human trafficking, as well as Forest Slash, Delia Youth, boxing gyms, and recreation centers. In 2017, Kate’s Books collaborated with Dallas Public Libraries to set up a temporary library after Hurricane Harvey. Donations come from school libraries, friends, and the community, with requests also coming through their website and Facebook page.
Books are stored in Nordyke’s parents’ garage, and her mom has been a constant source of support, attending events, helping at donation drives, and driving Nordyke around Dallas for drop-offs.
“She’s really taken the reins and made it her own,” Angela says. “It’s been fun to watch the progression from my perspective as her parent.”
Nordyke collects 5,000 annually, totaling nearly 30,000 books since starting.
“Kate’s Books has been amazing, allowing me to serve my community,” Nordyke says. “It’s made me a better person, and it’s been wonderful to see others become better through it too.”
Now eight years later, a sophomore at Ursuline and two years from graduating, Nordyke believes the future of Kate’s Books is in its purpose: the community of readers that have surrounded the organization since the beginning.
“It’s made me feel more fulfilled and has been a way for me to serve my community which is really important to me. It’s made me a better person,” Nordyke says. “My life would be completely different without it.”
HOMES
AC & HEAT
WHERE CAN I FIND LOCAL ...?
ALEXANDER HOME REPAIR. AC/HEAT Repair & Install. LIC#28052 469-226-9642
CONCRETE/MASONRY/PAVING
CONCRETE, RETAINING WALLS 25 yrs exp. T&M Construction, Inc. 214-328-6401
HOUSE PAINTING
FLOORS Epoxy
AIR SHIELD LLC AC/Heat Repairs, Installs Airshieldpros.com. 214-394-1788 TA CLA67136C 214-710-2515 dallasheatingac.com
EDMONDSPAVING.COM Asphalt & Concrete Driveway-Sidewalk-Patio-Repair 214-957-3216
THE HEATING & AC EXPERTS Installations & Repairs Emergency Services 24/7 On-Call 100% Satisfaction Guarantee
ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!
APPLIANCE REPAIR
JESSE’S A/C & APPLIANCE SERVICE
TACLB13304C All Makes/Models. 214-660-8898
BUY SELL TRADE
I BUY USED CARS
Sam. Dallas. 469-609-0978.
!!OLD GUITARS WANTED!! Gibson, Fender, Martin, Etc. 1930’s to 1980’s. Top Dollar Paid. 1-866 -433-8277
SALE: FULL SIZE BED. $400. Bed frame, headboard, box spring, mattress, Good Condition. 469-363-2480
CABINETRY & FURNITURE
SQUARE NAIL WOODWORKING
Cabinet Refacing, Built-ins, Entertainment/ Computer Centers. Jim. 214-324-7398 jhholbert2@att.net
CLEANING SERVICES
ALTOGETHER CLEAN
Relax ...We’ll Clean Your House, It Will Be Your Favorite Day! Bonded & Insurance. Free Estimates. 214-929-8413. www. altogetherclean.net
CINDY’S HOUSE CLEANING 15 yrs exp. Resd/Com. Refs. Dependable. 214-490-0133
GOLDEN CLEANING SERVICE
Move In/Out. Basic Clean.Res/Com goldencleaningservicetx.com. 214-500–6998.
WANTED: HOUSES TO CLEAN, Organize, De-clutter, or Pack. Sunny 214-724-2555
WINDOW CLEANING Power washing No Job To Small. 30 Yrs exp. 214-360-0120
WINDOW MAN WINDOW CLEANING.COM Residential Specialists. BBB. 214-718-3134
COMPUTERS & ELECTRONICS
CONFUSED? FRUSTRATED? Let a seasoned pro be the interface between you & that pesky Windows computer. Hardware/Software Installation, Troubleshooting, Training. $100/hr. 1 hr min. Dan 972-639-6413 / stykidan@sbcglobal.net
NEED HELP WITH YOUR COMPUTER, Smartphone or Smart Home? My Tech Guy Harvey. 214-770-2598. harveymccall@gmail.com.
CONCRETE/MASONRY/PAVING
ADVANCE STONE ART CREATIONS
Decorative Concrete Overlays. 214-705-5954
CONCRETE, Driveway Specialist Repairs, Replacement, Removal, References. Reasonable. Chris 214-770-5001
FLAGSTONE PATIOS, Retaining Walls, BBQ’s, Veneer, Flower Bed Edging, All Stone work. Chris 214-770-5001
JOHNSON PAVING Concrete, Asphalt, Driveways. New or Repair. 214-827-1530
R&M Concrete
Concrete • Driveways Retaining Walls Stamped Concrete
214-202-8958
ELECTRICAL SERVICES
ANTHONY’S ELECTRIC
Master Electrician. TECL24948 anthonyselectricdfw.com
50 Yrs. Electrical Exp. Insd. 214-328-1333
BRIGHT LIGHT ELECTRIC • 214-553-5333 TECL 31347 Brightening Homes and Businesses
LAKEWOOD ELECTRICAL Local. Insured. Lic. #227509 Call Rylan 214-434-8735
TH ELECTRIC Reasonable Rates. Licensed & Insured. Ted. E257 214-808-3658
WHITE ROCK ELECTRIC All Electrical Services. Lic/Insd.TECL-34002 214-850-4891
EMPLOYMENT
BENJAMINS PAINTING Hiring:18-26Yr.olds, Top Pay- Will Train. In Advocate since 2007. 214-725-6768
EXPERIENCED NANNY 2 months-6 Years Great References.15 Years Experience warconie@gmail.com. 469-987-2172
EXTERIOR CLEANING
G&G DEMOLITION Tear downs, Haul. Interior/Exterior. 214-808-8925
FENCING & DECKS
4 QUALITY FENCING • 214-507-9322 Specializing in Wood. YourWoodmaster.com
AMBASSADOR FENCE CO. Automatic Gates, Fences/Decks, Pergolas, Patio Covers, Arbors. AmbassadorFenceCo.com 214-621-3217
FENCING, ARBORS, DECKS oldgatefence.com 214-766-6422
LONESTARDECKS.COM 214-357-3975
Trex Decking & Fencing, trex.com
All Wood Decks, Arbors & Patio Covers
HANNAH WOODWORKS
•Decks • Pergolas •Patio Covers Hannawoodworks.com 214-435-9574
Foors Many colors to choose (flakes optional) Call Nick for bid 214-341-5993 hastingsfloors.com
HARDWOOD INSTALLATIONS Waterproof, hardwood, carpets, tile laminate, & vinyl click. 214-440-6244 . aaa-texas-floors.com
FOR SALE
FOR SALE 6 pc Queen bedroom set (solid wood). Separately or together. Good Condition. $1200 for set. 956-645-1747
FOUNDATION REPAIR
Slabs
Pier & Beam
Mud Jacking
Drainage
Free Estimates
Over 20 Years Exp.
GARAGE SERVICES
UNITED GARAGE DOORS AND GATES Res/Com. Locally Owned. 214-251-5428
GENERAL CONTACTING
A2H GENERAL CONTRACTING,LLC Remodel, Paint, Drywall/Texture, Plumbing. Electrical, Siding, Bathroom/Kitchen Remodels Tilling, Flooring, Fencing. 469-658-9163. Free Est. A2HGeneralContactingLLC@gmail.com
GLASS, WINDOWS & DOORS
LAKE HIGHLANDS GLASS & MIRROR frameless shower enclosures • store fronts replacement windows • mirrors 214-349-8160
PRO WINDOW CLEANING prompt, dependable. Matt 214-766-2183
ROCK GLASS CO Replace, Repair. Single, Double Panes. Showers, Mirrors. 214-837-7829
HANDYMAN SERVICES
BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730
DANHANDY.NET Repairs Done Right For A Fair Price. References 214-991-5692
HANDY DAN The Handyman. ToDo’s Done Right. handy-dan.com 214-252-1628
HANDYMAN SPECIALIST Residential/Commercial. Large, small jobs, repair list, renovations. Refs. 214-489-0635
HANDYMAN WANTS your Painting,Repairs, To Do Lists. Bob. 214-288-4232. Free Est. 25+yrs exp.
HOME REPAIR Doors, Trim, Glass. Int/Ext. Sheetrock, Windows, Kitchen, Bathroom 35 yrs exp. 214-875-1127
HOMETOWN HANDYMAN All phases of construction. No job too small 214-327-4606
BENJAMINS PAINTING - Professional work @reasonable price. In Advocate since 2007 214-725-6768
HECTOR PEREZ PAINTING
Commercial/residential. Intrior/ Exterior. Fair Rates. 214-489-0635
RAMON’S INT/EXT PAINT Sheetrock, Repairs. 214-679-4513
TEXAS BEST PAINTING LLC Resd,Interiors 30Yrs. 214-527-4168
TOP COAT 30 Yrs. Exp. Reliable. Quality Repair/Remodel. Phil @ 214-770-2863
VIP PAINTING & DRYWALL Int/Ext. Sheetrock Repair, Resurfacing Tubs, Counters, Tile Repairs. 469-774-7111
TILE James Sr., Installer, Repairs. 40 Yrs. Exp. MelroseTile.com 214-384-6746
REMODELING 972-533-2872
Full Service Repairs,
ONE CALL WEEKEND SERVICES
Contractor & Handyman. Remodels, Renovations . Paint, Plumbing, Drywall, Electrical. 469-658-9163
Let Us Tackle Your To-Do List!
• Tubs, Tiles or Sinks • Cultured Marble • Kitchen Countertops
ORGANIZATION
A CHARMING HOME
Decluttering + Organizing + Styling acharminghome.co 214-794-6382
REMODELING
RENOVATE DALLAS renovatedallas.com 214-403-7247
SERVICES FOR YOU
S&L CONSTRUCTION All Home Services & Repairs. 214-918-8427
LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES
#1 WHITE ROCK TREE WIZARDS Professionals, Experts, Artists serving Dallas 15 years.Trim, Removals. Tree Health Care services. Insured. Arborwizard.com. Free Est. (972) 803-6313.
A BETTER TREE MAN Trims, Removals, Insd. 18 Yrs Exp. Roberts Tree Service. 214-808-8925 Lawns, Gardens & Trees
DAVIS LAWN CARE, LLC 580-222-4909 or davislawncare214@yahoo.com
Serving Lake Highlands & Lakewood.
HOLMAN IRRIGATION
Sprinkler & Valve Repair/ Rebuild Older Systems. Lic. #1742. 214-398-8061
MAYA TREE SERVICE Tree Trim/Remove. Lawn Maintenance. Resd/ Commcl.Insd. CC’s Accptd. mayatreeservice.com 214-924-7058 214-770-2435
MONSTER TREE SERVICE DALLAS
Certified Arborists, Fully Insured 469.983.1060
NEW LEAF TREE, LLC
Honest, Modern, Safety Minded. 214-850-1528
PAT TORRES 214-388-1850 Lawn Service & Tree Care. 28 Yrs. Complete Landscape Renovation. New Fence Install & Brick Repair. Concrete Removal and Gutter Cleaning.
RED SUN LANDSCAPES • 214-935-9779 RedSunLandscapes.com
TAYLOR MADE IRRIGATION Repairs, service, drains. 30+ years exp. Ll 6295 469-853-2326. John
WALTON’S GARDEN CENTER
Stop in for home decor, candles, house plants, succulents and more. It’s time to plan for spring. Call us for design, prep and plantings! 8652 Garland Road 214.321.2387
DALLAS KDR SERVICES
service
PEST CONTROL
MCDANIEL PEST CONTROL
Prices Start at $85 + Tax For General Treatment.
Average Home-Interior/Exterior & Attached Garage. Quotes For Other Services. 214-328-2847. Lakewood Resident
MOSQUITO SHIELD 972–850-2983
Imagine A Night Outside Without Mosquitoes NATURE KING PEST MANAGEMENT INC. Squirrels, Racoons, Skunks, Snakes, Possums, etc. Pest & Termite. Neighborhood Resident 30+ Yrs.exp. 214-827-0090
TK REMODELING 972-533-2872
Complete Full Service Repairs, Kitchen & Bath/Remodeling, Restoration. Name It- We Do It. dallas.tkremodelingcontractors.com
New Construction & Remodels
Kitchens, Bathrooms, Windows, Doors, Siding, Decks, Fences, Retaining Walls, New Construction
DENTAL INSURANCE- Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Covers 350 procedures. Real insurance -not a discount plan. Get your free dental info kit! 1-888-623-3036 www.dental50plus.com/58 #6258
DIRECTV STREAM - Carries the most local MLB Games! ChoicePackage $89.99/mo for 12 mos Stream on 20 devices at once.HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/Choice Package or higher.)No contract or hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS 1-866-859-0405
DONATE YOUR CARS TO VETERANS TODAY. Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800 -245-0398
"Keeping Children & Pets in Mind"
Termite Specialist - Mosquito Mister Systems Licensed · Insured · Residential · Commercial · Organic 214-350-3595 • Abetterearth.crw@gmail.com abetterearth.com
PLUMBING
AC PLUMBING Repairs, Fixtures, Senior Discounts. Gary Campbell. 214-321-5943
Years of Excellent Service
• Water Heaters • Water Leaks • Sewer Backups
• All Plumbing Repairs 24/7 On-Call
972-379-4000 staggsplumbing.co ASK ABOUT DISCOUNTS!
POOLS
CERULEAN POOL SERVICES Family Owned/ Operated. Weekly maintenance, Chemicals, parts & repairs. CeruleanPro.com 214-557-6996
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
C.A.S. BOOKKEEPING SERVICES
Personal/Small Business. Payroll, Accounting, Organizing, Consult. Cindy 214-577-7450
WHERE DID YOUR MONEY GO? Bookkeeping Services for small businesses & Personal. Financial organizing. Quicken & other programs. Sharon 214-679-9688
FiferCustomHomes.com• 214-727-7075
ROOFING & GUTTERS
BERT ROOFING INC.
Family owned and operated for over 40 years
• Residential/Commercial • Over 30,000 roofs completed • Seven NTRCA “Golden Hammer” Awards • Free Estimates www.bertroofing.com 214.321.9341
ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-402-0373
FREE HIGH SPEED INTERNET if qualified. Govt. pgm for recipients of select pgms incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet. Android tablet free w/one-time $20 copay. Free shipping. Maxsip Telecom! 1-833-758-3892
GENERAC Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator $0 Down + Low Monthly Pmt. Request a free Quote. Call before the next power outage: 1-844-334 -8353
GET DISH SATELLITE TV +INTERNET Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-479-1516
REAL ESTATE
ESTATE HOME NEEDS TO BE SOLD?
Facing forclosure? IG Heron Homes Call Ricardo Garza @ 469-426-7839
FOR RENT Little Forest Hills 2/1 Single Family Home w/fence. $1,600mo. $1,600 deposit. Cheryl. 214-235-1399
GARDEN OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT
Walnut Hill @ CENTRAL.3 Smaller Suites Avail. Flexible Terms 214.915. 8886
REMODELING
OFFICE SUBLEASE In Bishop Arts. Cool, Quiet.
1,179 Sq ft. 4 rooms + kit / bath, parking. $2,950 + NNNs. 713.302-7722.
BO HANDYMAN Specializing In Historic Home Renovations & Pro Remodels. Custom Carpentry, Doors, Kitchens, Baths & more. 214-437-9730
FENN CONSTRUCTION Kitchens And Baths. Call Us For Your Remodeling Needs. 214-343-4645. dallastileman.com
Roofing iding utters Joe Clifford www exteriorscc.net 469·291·7039
HUGHESNET Finally, super-fast internet no matter where you live.25 Mbps just $59.99/mo! Unlimited Data is Here. Stream Video. Bundle TV & Internet. Free Installation. Call 866-499 -0141
PROFESSIONAL LAWN SERVICE: Fertilization, weed control, seeding, aeration & mosquito control. Call now for a free quote. Ask about our first application special! 1-833-606-6777
INSURED LOCAL Residential • Commercial (214) 503-7663 www.scottexteriors.com
SERVICES FOR YOU
AGING ROOF? New Homeowner? Got Storm Damage? You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing Available.1-888-878-9091.
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 855-761-1725
BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. We want to read your book! Dorrance Publishing trusted since 1920. Consultation,production, promotion & distribution. Call for free author’s guide 1-877-729-4998 or visit dorranceinfo.com/ads
For complete terms and conditions, visit advocatemag. com/advertisingterms.
REPLACE your roof with the best looking & longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! 3 styles & multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer up to 50% off install + Additional 10% off install. (military, health &1st responders.) 1-833-370-1234
SAFE STEP North America's #1 Walk-in tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our free shower package & $1600 off - limited time! Financing available. 1-855-417-1306
THE GENERAC PWRCELL, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services WATER DAMAGE cleanup & restoration: A small amount of water can lead to major damage and mold growth in your home. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your family and your home's value! Call 24/7: 1-888-872-2809
TUTOR/LESSONS
WANTED: OBOE TEACHER needed for 14 year old student. Call 214–235-7429
