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Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

November 2016

Vol. 26, Issue 11

features

40 Years of sports and community The first official sport played under the ASA umbrella was football in 1976, played at the fields on Jupiter Road while dogs barked from the old dog pound behind it.

54 sleuthing Out the crafty

Twisted Threads, a group for anyone involved in thread or yarn crafts, was created three years ago by Kara Phillips, a senior adult services librarian with the Allen Public Library for over eight years.

special sections

20 sports korner 21 CALENDAR 46 KIDS KORNER

Fitting in Fitness with a Dash of Fun

58 PET PAGE

Stella

38 58

24 6

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30 32

10 17

INSIDE THIS ISSUE civic forum

library

education

10 Christmas Hits Live! 2016

30 Veterans Day

48 Homecoming

12 Finding Help for Allen’s Fixer

The Women of Sherlock Holmes

JFK’s Final Hours

JFK Assassination Photographer

Ten Gallon War

Appalachian Folk Duo

Uppers

14 Veterans Day 16

Nativity Exhibit

Civil War Encampment

Let’s Have a Tea Party—with the Sugar Plum Fairy!

helping hands

St. Jude Craft Fair

Dallas Repertoire Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

cooking

People’s Choice Art Exhibit

42 Fabulous Fall Pies

51 Collin Student Serves Country In and Out of Uniform

Give Where You Live this Holiday Season

42 publisher/editor Barbara Peavy

office administrator Carrie McCormick

advertising sales Liz DeBoe

cover photo Larry Fleming

on the cover John, Julia, Kirk, Carter and Jack Evans

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48 contributing writers Chelsey Aprill Marjorie Vaneskahian Burr Matt Cobb Kirk Dickey Deborah Dove Tom Keener Peggy Helmick-Richardson Keith A. Taylor

51 Allen Image © 2016 by Moonlight Graphics. All rights reserved. Allen Image is published by Moonlight Graphics and individually mailed free of charge to the residents of the Allen area. Subscriptions are available to residents outside the delivery area at a rate of $2.50 per issue—$30 per year. Subscription and editorial correspondence should be sent to: Allen Image, P.O. Box 132, Allen, TX 75013, 972.727.4569, fax 972.396.0807, visit our website at www. allenimage.com or email us at contact@allenimage.com.

civic forum

Christmas Hits LIVE! 2016

The Midtown Men

by Matt COBB

Four stars of a hit Broadway musical and a ‘60s pop-rock sensation are hosting a special holiday concert in Allen to help rock in the festive season.

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Christmas Hits LIVE! 2016 will feature performances of ‘60s hits and holiday favorites by The Buckinghams, who are best known for the 1967 number one song “Kind of a Drag,” and The Midtown Men, four stars from the original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys, on December 9, at Allen Event Center. “Allen Event Center has always been a destination for great holiday shows the whole family can enjoy, and this year will be no exception,” says David Angeles, general manager of Allen Event Center. “Christmas Hits LIVE! 2016 allows us to take the tradition further by joining two incredible acts to create a one-of-a-kind holiday concert experience.”

Kicking off the evening will be The Buckinghams, one of the most popular and respected Midwest pop rock bands from the ‘60s and ‘70s. In addition to the hit “Kind of a Drag,” The Buckinghams also had three songs in the Top 10 simultaneously (“Don’t You Care,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” and “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song”). In 2009, The Buckinghams released The Joy of Christmas, a collection of both Christmas classics and new holiday tunes written by original band member Carl Giammarese. For the past three decades, The Buckinghams have successfully toured the nation with their signature pop music, featuring founding members Giammarese (lead vocals, guitars) and

Nick Fortuna (bass and vocals). Their show is filled with harmony, spontaneity, humor and a musical strength that appeals to not only their loyal fans, but forges new links with younger generations as well. Joining The Buckinghams on stage will be a three-piece horn section from the Allen Philharmonic. “We’re excited to add a local component to the show with the horn players from Allen Philharmonic,” said Brian Nickerson, marketing coordinator for Allen Event Center. “This unique performance is not just happening in Allen—it’s also featuring members of our community.” As original cast members of Jersey Boys, The Midtown Men took the world by storm in one of the biggest Broadway hits of all time. Now they are together again becoming real rock stars in their own right. Tony Award winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer star in an electrifying show celebrating the incredible sounds of the ‘60s. The Midtown Men recently released their first radio single, “All Alone on Christmas,” written and produced by rock icon, and Sopranos and Lilyhammer star, Steven Van Zandt and backed by Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. They were honored to perform the song at the White House for the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C. “All ages will enjoy a rockin’ good time,” Nickerson said. “This truly is a show that will put you in the holiday spirit.” Tickets to the performance can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com, charged by phone at 800.745.3000 or at Allen Event Center Box Office, 200 E. Stacy Road #1350. For more information about upcoming events at Allen Event Center, please visit AllenEventCenter.com. v Matt Cobb is the senior marketing coordinator for the City of Allen.

Allen Image | November 2016

Finding Help for Allen’s Fixer Uppers by Chelsey APRILL

Monica Fields had encountered a problem every Texas homeowner dreads: her air conditioner suddenly stopped working. It was the latest problem to plague her Allen home, from cracks in the chimney to electrical issues. Not knowing where to turn, she approached the City of Allen’s community development department. “I feel extremely blessed,” says Field. “They walked me through the whole process, from reviewing bids to a final walk-through.” Fields is among hundreds of residents—including two dozen in the 2015-2016 budget year—who found relief from repair woes in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The money comes entirely from federal funding, but is administered by Allen’s community development department. “It helps low- to moderate-income homeowners avoid housing code violations. As an added benefit, it helps neighborhoods maintain safe and affordable housing,” says Erin Jones, a senior planner who helps administer the

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program. “Attracting new development is very important. But you also want aging areas of the city to thrive, in order to create communities of lasting value.” Among the programs funded by CDBG is the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program. It’s available to residents in five neighborhoods containing some of Allen’s oldest—and typically most affordable—housing stock. Eligible families may receive up to $25,000 for repairs and improvements, such as replacing

rotting siding, installing energy efficient windows or providing a walkin shower to improve accessibility. The repairs, if approved, are intended to bring residents up to “minimum standards.” “We’re not paying for handscraped hardwood or granite countertops,” explains Jones. Qualifying homes must be owneroccupied, not rentals. To prevent house-flippers from turning a profit, residents must agree to live in the home for five years following the

BEFORE AFTER

rehab or repay a portion of the grant funding if they move. “People are very appreciative,” says Jones. “They’re proud of their homes and want to take good care of them. This program helps them do that.” CDBG funding also helps eligible residents with up to $5,000 in emergency repairs, regardless of their neighborhood. Recently Jones and fellow planner Luisa Melgarejo helped a family navigate the frustration of a broken water heater. Tapping into a network of cityapproved contractors, Jones quickly located a plumber while Melgarejo helped the couple with paperwork. A new water heater was installed in less than 24 hours.

Unlike many cities, Allen doesn’t have a long waiting list for repairs. Most projects are addressed within six months; urgent repairs take only a day or two. The city spends only 1% of its CDBG funding on administrative costs—one-tenth of the allotted amount. Though CDBG programs remain their focus, Melgarejo and Jones try to address each resident’s need—even if their income or project is outside CDBG guidelines. They keep a digital

rolodex of referral organizations, from food pantries to veterans’ organizations to discount appliance outlets. “A lot of what we do is not in our job description,” adds Jones. “But we do it because it’s the right thing.” Learn more about CDBG-funded programs at CityofAllen.org/ HousingHelp. v Chelsey Aprill is a marketing specialist for the City of Allen.

Melgarejo once worked in the mortgage industry, but has since dedicated her career to homeowner education. She knows all too well how a single crisis—from a hospitalization to a hailstorm—can lead to foreclosure. “In some cases, we’re helping someone stay a homeowner,” says Melgarejo. “Allen has anextremely low foreclosure rate, thanks in part to this program. The whole community benefits.” Allen Image | November 2016

veterans day by Matt COBB

With 2016 being the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, a commemorative event is being held on Veterans Day at Allen Senior Recreation Center to honor those who have served—past and present. The Allen community is invited to attend the Veterans Day Celebration at 9 a.m., on November 11, at Allen Senior Recreation Center to show support and honor our great country’s servicemen. The program is free to the public and all ages are welcome to attend. Also, all veterans are invited, regardless of age, location of residence or membership status at Allen Senior Recreation Center. “This event is a way to respect and support those who have served our country and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom,” said Denise Fenner, the event’s organizer. “We owe so much to our veterans and want to recognize what they’ve done to keep us free.” The event will begin with donuts, coffee and socializing, giving attendees an opportunity to meet and show appreciation to those who have served in the armed forces. At 9:30 a.m., the celebration’s program will begin with a presentation of the flags by the Allen High School Jr. ROTC Color Guard and a musical performance by the Marion Elementary 6th Grade Choir lead by music teacher Shelly Diana.

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Afterward, the Veterans Support Group, an organization dedicated to bettering the lives of those who have served in the military, will give a presentation and then veterans will be recognized by branch. “The goal is to make sure all the veterans really know how much we appreciate them,” Fenner said. “Every veteran in attendance will receive a Vietnam fiftieth anniversary pin.” A veterans support table will be set up to offer information and support services to those who have served in the military. In addition, there will be an opportunity for veterans to leave their mark on Allen Senior Recreation Center—all veterans can sign a veterans poster, which will be hung in the facility’s community room. Also, a group photo will be taken of all veterans in attendance. “In America, we have so much to be thankful for,” Fenner said. “So be sure to come out and show thanks to those who have given so much to the country and bettering our lives.” To learn more about the Veterans Day Celebration and Allen Senior Recreation Center, please call 214.509.4820 or visit AllenParks.org. v Matt Cobb is the senior marketing coordinator for the City of Allen.

living area more than a doctor’s office, with wood floors, a sofa and a book called Tell Me So I Know, where patients share memories, life stories, favorites and advice.

The latest technology

Dr. Carla Spann For Dr. Carla Spann, dentistry is the place where technology and healthcare meet compassion. Dr. Spann began her professional life with a degree in electrical engineering from Duke University, but decided to go back to school and reinvent herself in a career where she could marry science with her natural compassion for others. After receiving her dental degree from the Texas A&M College of Dentistry, formerly Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, she practiced dentistry in private dental offices in the Dallas area, briefly taught at Baylor College of Dentistry and provided care for low income patients. She purchased an existing Allen dental practice, and established Bethany Heights Dental Care in 2012.

Patients are like family “I always wanted to treat patients in my own community,” says Dr. Spann. “I love seeing my patients at church, school functions, the grocery store or gym.” “I care about each and every one of them. It’s important to listen to where they’re coming from and learn about their life experiences as well as past dental experiences. It’s important to establish that connection and find common ground,” she says. It quickly becomes difficult for even her staff to differentiate between her personal friends and family and those she has gotten to know initially through their visits as patients of the practice. The atmosphere of Dr. Spann’s office reflects her warm and genuine nature. The inviting waiting area resembles a cozy

Dr. Spann brings more than just compassion to her practice; she brings a commitment to using technology to benefit her patients. She incorporates a digital impression system that uses 3D technology to take images of various angles of the tooth to make crowns, impressions, implants and Invisalign. The technology eliminates the need for taking molds with the soft, goopy stuff of old, and the impressions are more accurate. Dr. Spann also uses the latest laser technology for minor gum surgery, to treat gum disease and other oral conditions. A proponent of preventing oral health issues, she uses VelScope, an oral cancer screening device that uses ultra violet light to help detect oral cancer before it can be seen on a routine visual oral cancer screening. Bethany Heights Dental Care provides comprehensive dental care for all ages. When it comes to some often referred treatments such as wisdom teeth extraction and root canals, Dr. Spann prefers not to refer patients out, instead bringing other dentists who have advanced training in those treatments to her office. “My patients are most comfortable here in their dental home,” she maintains. When a referral is necessary, Dr. Spann only refers to specialists with whom she has the greatest professional respect for and works in conjunction with those specialists as a team that is focused on the best interests of her patients. Dr. Spann’s reviews and testimonials tell the story:

“As always, Dr. Spann is a star in my eyes…as well as her staff. I wish everyone could have a dentist as kind and professional as she is.”

Snippets Nativity Exhibit

Civil War Encampment

The Allen Nativity Exhibit, “Let Him In,” will take place Friday, December 2, 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m.7 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1324 W. Exchange Parkway. Admission is free and all are welcome.

A Civil War Encampment will be held at Heritage Village, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, November 5. Activities include the Battle of Cottonwood Creek, medical demonstrations, skirmishes, musket firing, sewing on a button, learning drum cadences, antique sale, quilt display and balloon art. Page Thomas and the North Texas Blacksmith Assoc. will be demonstrating blacksmithing skills.

This decade-long tradition marks the beginning of the Christmas season. Families and children of all ages return year after year to pore over the delicate details of over 400 nativity sets, each artfully arranged and beautifully lit. The exhibit represents artistry and craftsmanship from all corners of the earth. Featured this year is an impressive array of rare Bibles and historical artifacts on loan by former Allen resident Reid Moon and includes the following: • First-generation English Language Geneva Bible from 1589, brought to the Americas by the pilgrims • Large 1696 illustrated pulpit Bible (King James version) • Greek New Testament printed in 1703 • Two large illustrated Victorian Bibles printed in the 1800s • One of the world’s smallest complete Bibles, measuring 1-inch-tall, complete with its own 6-inch wooden pulpit

Sponsored by the Allen Heritage Guild, entrance is free except for food and souvenirs. Collin County Living Historians will be camping on the grounds from Friday to Sunday and will perform daily tasks, drills, medical tent, mock trial, etc. Activities are available throughout the day. Visitors are welcomed to ask questions. Call 214.726.5970 for further details. Schedule for Battle For Cottonwood Creek:

Also on display is a large-scale Fontanini nativity from Tuscany, Italy. Highly valued for their detail and craftsmanship, Fontanini collections are rarely displayed on such a large scale. This particular set, which features over 2000 pieces, depicts the entire village of Bethlehem, including hand-crafted details of the Three Wise Men, a flowing creek and more than 150 villagers. Attendees may enjoy the quiet serenity of the live nativity, featuring youth from the Allen area. Others come for the live musical performances scheduled throughout the event. Community groups, schools and various church choirs from the Allen area lend their voices and musical talents to enhance the feeling of the event, spreading “good tidings of great joy.” v

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Drills and Soldiers Daily Life Medical tent Speeches Lunch—Civil War era food—beans and cornbread, bring a blanket Notably North Texas will sing during lunch 1:15 p.m. March to the library grounds 1:30 p.m. Skirmish on grounds of Allen Public Library, corner of St. Mary Drive and Allen Drive 2:30 p.m. Mock Trial 3:30 p.m. Mourning Rituals at St. Mary Church by Colleen Swafford Melodrama v 7 p.m. 10 a.m. 11 a.m. 11:30 a.m. Noon

Snippets

Let’s Have a Tea Party—with the Sugar Plum Fairy! It’s never too early to start marking the calendar for your favorite holiday traditions, especially ones presented by Allen Civic Ballet. This year, your chance to have Tea with the Sugar Plum Fairy promises all of the grandeur and treats from the Snow Queen’s Kingdom on Saturday, December 3, at the Hilton Garden Inn, in Allen. There will be two tea times—11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Guests will be served tea, lemonade and sweet treats while Mother Ginger tells the story of The Nutcracker. Allen Civic Ballet dancers will be in full costume ready to visit each table, pose for pictures and sign autographs on anything from toe shoes to Christmas ornaments. Guests will even have the opportunity to purchase their very own commemorative nutcracker figurine in anticipation of The Nutcracker presented by Allen Civic Ballet on December 17 and 18 at the Performing Arts Center. The cost is $20 per person, or $25 for preferred seating. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Make sure to visit AllenCivicBallet.org or like them on Facebook.com/ AllenCivicBallet to get the latest information and updates. v

St. Jude Craft Fair Make your list and check it twice! It’s time again for the annual St. Jude Craft Fair. For 31 years this event has been a holiday shopping tradition. Bring your Christmas list and purchase unique handmade gifts for those special people in your life while enjoying the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of the Christmas season. This year’s craft fair will host 90 vendors whose booths will be located throughout the St. Jude Parish Hall and Education Building. Included in the wares: artisan jewelry, home décor, pottery, soy candles, crocheted items, seasonal wreaths and centerpieces, and baby clothes and toys. Take a break from shopping and enjoy a homemade meal prepared by the Women of St. Jude. Try one of our famous baked potato lunches or enjoy one of our specialty soups. A raffle will be held and tickets sold for a chance to win prizes donated by the craft fair vendors. The drawing will be held on Saturday afternoon (winners don’t have to be present to win). Proceeds benefit the charitable works of the Women of St. Jude including Bereavement Ministry, scholarships for students attending local Catholic schools, speakers and workshops. So in addition to getting a jumpstart on your holiday shopping, the proceeds help our community! Mark your calendar and bring a friend for a festive day of shopping and dining. St. Jude Craft Fair is located at 1515 N. Greenville Avenue, between Exchange Parkway and Stacy Road. Join us on Friday, November 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, November 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, contact 972.727.1177 or visit www. stjudeparish.com. v Allen Image | November 2016

Snippets Dallas Repertoire Ballet presents “The Nutcracker” Dallas Repertoire Ballet presents the beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker, December 9-11, at the Eisemann Center in Richardson. Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince in this fast-paced production, perfect for younger attention spans, as they fight the Mouse King and his army, dance with snowflakes in the sparkling Land of Snow, and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her handsome Cavalier in the enticing Kingdom of Sweets. Celebrating 24 years of presenting this family-friendly performance, audiences can expect to see brilliant costumes that rival that of many professional companies, exciting choreography and spectacular dancing from a cast of over 150 dancers, featuring students from the Allen-based Academy of Dance Arts, the official school of Dallas Repertoire Ballet. This year’s production also welcomes special guest artists from the renowned Bruce Wood Dance Project as part of the principal cast. In addition to the performances, Dallas Repertoire Ballet will host a “Mother Ginger Tea Party” in November, which is open to the public. Children will have the magical opportunity to meet and interact with all of the major cast members. Definitely a can’t-miss for the little ballerinas in the making! Performances are Friday and Saturday December 9 and 10 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday December 11 at 2 p.m. The Eisemann Center is located at 2351 Performance Drive in Richardson. For tickets, please visit www.eisemanncenter.com or call 972.744.4650. v

People’s Choice Art Exhibit The 8th Annual People’s Choice Art Exhibit and Sale will be held November 12-19, at the Allen Depot Heritage Center, 100 E. Main St. in Allen. As always, the show and sale is a fun event where visitors to the show become the jury. Exhibit hours will be from noon to 6 p.m. daily. This year’s theme is “Inspired.” Sponsored by Like Minded Friends, the Allen Heritage Guild and Market Street at Watters Creek. The exhibit and sale closes with a Grand Reception at 7 p.m., on November 19. Music will be provided by Jeanie Clark Fisher. Musical interludes, fine wines and hors d’ oeuvres will be offered at no cost. During the Grand Reception, cash awards will be presented to first, second and third place works receiving the most ballots cast by exhibit visitors, and ribbons will be presented to the winners in each category including oil, watercolor, acrylic, pen/ink, mixed media, photography, three-dimensional and fiber art.

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Credit card sales (Visa/Mastercard) can be processed on site. For more information or to join the exhibit, contact Steve Warrick at 214.499.1012. v

sports page

ASA Sports 950 E. Main • Allen • 972.727.9565

www.allensports.org

ASA UPCOMING REGISTRATION DATES BASKETBALL Winter—September 1-October 24

INLINE HOCKEY Spring—December 15-January 31

SOCCER Spring—December 1-January 15

City Of Allen Adult Athletic Leagues • 214.509.4810

www.cityofallen.org/1190/adultathletics

UPCOMING REGISTRATION DATES Rudolph Run & 1-Mile Fun Run December 3, Downtown Allen 1-Mile Fun Run—8:15 a.m. Register Online—$15 for pre-reg. 9/19-11/20 (Race shirt included); $15 for reg. 11/21-12/02; $20 for race day reg. 5K Rudolph Run—8:45 a.m. Register Online—$25 for pre-reg. 9/19-11/20 (Race shirt included); $25 for reg. 11/21-12/02; $30 for race day reg.

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calendar

november events 1

Assistance League of Greater Collin County fundraiser, Half Shells, Shops at Legacy, 5800 Legacy Drive, Plano. Dine in anytime from 11am10 pm. and Half Shells will donate 15% of the food purchase to Assistance League. This nonprofit, all volunteer organization needs your help to clothe nearly 1,300 children who don’t have proper school clothes this year. For more info: call 972.769.2299 or visit www.algcc.org.

CITY OF ALLEN Allen Event Center Tickets on sale now through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com), charge by phone at 800.745.3000 or at the Allen Event Center box office. For more information, visit www.alleneventcenter.com. 5 Allen Americans vs Alaska Aces 6 Allen Americans vs Alaska Aces 12 Dallas Sidekicks vs San Diego Sockers 18 Dallas Sidekicks vs Tacoma Stars 19 Allen Americans vs Rapid City Rush 23 Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream 25 Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream 26 Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream 27 Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream

parks and rec events

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY Youth Services

For more information about Parks and Recreation events, visit AllenParks.org. 11 SNAP Dance (Texas Country Night Theme), Allen Senior Recreation Center. SNAP your fingers and shuffle your feet at this Special Needs and Adapted Program! Enjoy music, a fun theme and snacks. Theme is Texas Country Night! Register early, fee increases to $15 at 5 p.m. the Wednesday prior to each dance. For more info, contact Lisa Potvin at lpotvin@cityofallen.org or 214.509.4707. Age: 18 years+. Cost: $10. 11 Veterans Day Celebration, Allen Senior Rec Center. Please join us as we celebrate Veterans Day honoring all who served. Enjoy coffee, donuts, the Color Guard and special Patriotic Music by Marion Elementary Choir. Learn more at AllenParks.org. Cost: Free. 21 Letters to Santa, Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium/ Joe Farmer Recreation Center. Children can write a letter to Santa and drop it in one of his mailboxes located at JFRC or DRN. Letters will be delivered to Santa and he will send a personal letter to your home! Letters must be received by Dec. 12. Age: 1-12 years. Cost: Free. 26 The 5th Annual Great Turkey Skate, Allen Community Ice Rink. Join the fun on the ice for various Thanksgiving-themed, on-ice games and activities, including Turkey Bowling. All on-ice participants must wear skates. Bring a nonperishable item and receive a free skate rental. Age: All ages. Cost: $5 entry/$3 skate rental.

Weekly story times are held in the Children’s Program Room. They are free and no registration is required. For more information, call 214.509.4906. Baby and Me—Pre-walkers w/caregiver, Thur., 10:15 am. Fun Ones & Twos—Ages 1 & 2 w/caregiver, Mon., Tue. & Thur., 10:15 am. Together Time—Ages 3-5 w/caregiver. Mon., Tue. & Thur., 11:15 am. All By Myself—Ages 4-5 without a caregiver. Wed., 11:15 am Pajama Story Time—Ages 3-5 & family. Tue. & Thur., 6:30 pm (Note the new start time!)

Events for familes/children/ tweens For more information about any of the events below, call 214.509.4906. All events are free and no pre-registration is required to attend. 2

American Girl Club, 4-5 pm, Children’s Program Room. For ages 7-12. This month we’re celebrating spunky Kit Kittredge with crafts, games, and fun!

4 Paper Plate Crafts, 10:30-11: 30 am, Children’s Program Room. Ages 3+ with an adult. Make fun crafts out of paper plates! 6

Family Game Day, 2:30-4 pm, Children’s Program Room. All ages. Strengthen family bonds and build critical skills with games—pre-readers to adults. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult.

Allen Image | November 2016

Art in Action! 4:30-5:30 pm, Children’s Program Room. For ages 7-12. Create your own work of art using fun techniques!

8 Homeschool Nonfiction Club, 1:30-3 pm, Children’s Program Room. Recommended for ages 8-10, all ages welcome. We read a nonfiction story and create a project based on what we’ve learned. After our project, homeschool families can enjoy some social time. This month’s book: Balloons over Broadway by Melissa Sweet. 8 How-To Draw, 4-4:30 pm, Children’s Program Room. Ages 5-8. Learn a new technique and create a new character every month! 11 Sensory Play Day, 10:30-11:30 am, Children’s Program Room. Ages 0-3 with an adult. Join us for a relaxed morning of stimulating sensory play stations. 12 Family Story Time, 10:30-11:30 am, Children’s Program Room. All ages. Enjoy stories, songs, rhymes and crafts for the whole family. Each month features one of our favorite storybook characters or authors! Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. 19 Lego Family Fun Day, 10:30-11:30 am, Children’s Program Room. For ages 5+ with an adult. Bring your parents and create amazing structures with Lego blocks at the library! Children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult. 21 Thanksgiving Story Time, 10:30-11:30 am, Children’s Program Room. Ages 2+ with an adult. Celebrate Thanksgiving and things that make us thankful at this family story time. 21 Disney Princess Party: Moana! 2-3 pm, Children’s Program Room. Ages 5-8. Party with us as we welcome in the newest Disney princess, Moana, with games and crafts during this comeand-go event. 22 Harry Potter Party: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, 2-3:30 pm, Children’s Program Room. Ages 9-12. Make crafts and play games inspired by the newest Harry Potter movie during this come-and-go event.

TEENS 10 Healthier You—Freemotion, 1-2 pm, 2nd floor Program Room. Ages 12+, younger children welcome with an adult. FreeMotion focuses on big movement exercises, a total body boxing workout and building core strength to regain stability and balance! Our FreeMotion members are all ages, and live with parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, Essential Tremor Syndrome, lupus, have had a stroke or are looking to stay active with lower impact workouts. Presented by Heidi Weimer, Janelle Carpenter and Michelle Currier. 10 Teen Anime Evening: Trivia Night! 6:30-8 pm, 2nd Floor Program Room. For teens, ages 12-18. Join us as we watch anime, eat Japanese snacks and have fun!

ADULTS Adult services programs are held in the 2nd Floor Program Room unless otherwise indicated. All events are free, and there is no registration unless noted. Please call 214.509.4905 or 214.509.4913. 2 Noontime Pageturners—The Aviator’s Wife by Melanie Benjamin, 12 pm. Bring a lunch and a friend and join us for a lively discussion! We offer a relaxed environment where you can share the joy of reading.

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Learn to Knit, 2:30 pm. Learn the basics of knitting. Supplies are limited. For best selection, please bring a pair of bamboo needles (size 13 or larger) and a skein of Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn. (The yarn can usually be found at any craft store. ) Ages 12+

9 Twisted Threads—A Fiber Craft Circle, 6:30 pm. Do you knit? Or crochet? Or make spectacular things with thread and yarn? Twisted Threads is a social group for knitters, crocheters, felters, quilters and any other crafters who use thread or yarn! All skill levels are welcome! Meets the 2nd Wednesday each month. Ages 16+ 10 Discover a Healthier You—FreeMotion presented by Heidi Weimer, Janelle Carpenter and Michelle Currier, 1 pm. FreeMotion focuses on big movement exercises, a total body boxing workout, and building core strength to regain stability and balance! All ages that live with parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, Essential Tremor Syndrome, lupus, have had a stroke or are looking to stay active. Ages 12+; younger children welcome with an adult. 15 Let’s Talk Dewey: Keep Calm and Read On! 7 pm. Penguin Random House rep Robert Haddock shares the latest buzz about forthcoming nonfiction books and gives readers the inside scoop on 2017 titles. Advanced readers copies, book catalogs and “Keep Calm and Read On” tote bags will be available for attendees. 16 DIY@APL—Advent Calendars,10 am. countdown to Christmas or the New Year with a handmade calendar filled with daily inspiration, activities or ideas for making memories. All supplies provided. Ages 16+. 17 Trivia Night @ Nine Band Brewing Co., 6 pm, off site at Nine Band Brewing Co., 9 Prestige Circle, Allen. Team up with friends to compete for first place—test your knowledge of beer, literature, history, science and more! The tap room has draft beer for purchase; the library will not be providing alcohol. Age 21+ 29 Armchair Travelers Visit China, 7 pm. Come explore the world, without ever leaving Texas! Join Farida Shipchandler as she shares stories and pictures from her travels through China. Chinese pastries and tea will be available to sample. Ages 16+; younger children welcome with an adult. 30 Food for Thought: Holiday Cookie Exchange, 7 pm, 1st Floor Meeting Room. Join APL staff and Food for Thought Market and Café for a Holiday Cookie Swap! Bring two dozen favorite cookies and copies of the recipe to share. Everyone will get a variety of cookies to take home. Wassail made by Food for Thought. Ages 16+; younger children welcome with an adult

CLUBS 2ChangeU Toastmasters, meets every Tuesday, 7 pm, Plano Family YMCA, 3300 McDermott Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.2changeu.org. Allen Area Patriots, meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday each month, 7-8:45 pm, Faith Fellowship Church, 415 West Lucas Road, Lucas. Local Tea Party presents speakers, encourages citizens to participate. For more info: www.AllenAreaPatriots.com.

Allen Garden Club, meets the first Thursday each month, 7 pm, gardening talks by area experts, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. For more info: Denise Webre, 972.390.8536 or www. allengardenclub.org. Allen Heritage Guild, meets the first Wednesday each month, 6:30 pm, Allen Heritage Center, 100 E. Main. Programs feature guest speakers on topics of historical significance. For more info: 972.740.8017 or www.allenheritageguild.org. ALLen Reads meets the second Monday each month, Board Room, Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Dr. For more info, www.allenfriends.org. Allen Retired Educators meet the third Monday each month, 10:30 am, Heritage Ranch Country Club, 465 Scenic Ranch Circle, Fairview. RSVP: Sondra Long, billysondralong@tx.rr.com. Allen Toastmastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club, meets every Monday, 6:30 pm, Train Depot, 100 E. Main, Allen. Guests welcome. For more info: Joe Nave at 214.566.3100. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, every Tuesday, 7:30 am, 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., #102, (Inside Stacy Furniture). $1 member/$10 non-members 1st visit free. For more info: 972.727.5585. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon, meets fourth Tuesday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. American Association of University WomenPlano/Collin County Branch, meets 2nd Monday each month, 6:45 pm, 2nd Floor Conservatory, Senior Living Center, 6401 Ohio Dr., Plano. Open to anyone with assoc. or bachelors degree interested in helping women. For more info: Carol, 972.862.3460. Art History Brown Bag Series, meets first Wednesday each month, 12:30-1:30 pm, Heard-Craig Carriage House, 205 W. Hunt St., McKinney. Lectures presented by Annie Royer. Bring lunch. For more info: 972.569.6909 or www.heardcraig.org. Bible Study, meets every Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am, Community North Baptist Church, 2500 Community Avenue, McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Luke. Reg. req. For more info: katpf@att.nett or mckinneyallen.cbsclass.org. Collin County Aggie Moms, meets the third Monday each month Sept-May, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, 17360 Coit. For more info: 972.382.3124 or www.collincountymoms. aggienetwork.com. Collin County Archaeology Society, meets second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Texas Star Bank, McKinney. For more info: archaeology@netzero.net. Collin County Genealogical Society, meets the second Wednesday each month, 7 pm, Haggard Library, 2501 Coit Rd, Plano. For more info: ccgs.programs@gmail.com. Collin County Libertarian Party meets every second Wednesday, most often at 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., Allen. For more info: collinlp.org or email collinlp.org@gmail.com. Collin County Master Gardeners tour of Myers Park, meets the first Wednesday each month, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Reservations req. For more info: 972.548.4232 or mgcollin@ag.tamu.edu. Allen Image | November 2016

Collin County Republican Men’s Club, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, locations vary. For more info: www.ccrmc.org. Dallas Dog Lovers, events for dogs and owners in the Dallas area. For more info: www.dallasdoglovers.com Department 56 Village Collectors Club second Saturday every month, in the Plano/North Dallas area to share ideas. For more info: www.bigd56ers.com. Ericsson Village Toastmasters Club, meets every Monday, 12-1 pm, Ericsson, 6300 Legacy, Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: Per Treven, 972.583.8273 or per.treven@ ericsson.com. First Nighter African Violet Society, meets third Monday each month, 7-9 pm, Collin Higher Education Center, 3452 Spur 399, McKinney. Promotes interest in African violets and study of growth habits. For more info: 972.398.3478. Friends of the Allen Public Library meets the third Wednesday each month, Board Room, Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Dr. for more info, www.allenfriends.org Greater Collin County Kennel Club, meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Ctr, 1201 E. Bethany, Allen. For more info: www.greatercollinkc.org. Legacy 4-H Club (Allen & Lucas), meets first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Lovejoy High School, Lucas. For more info: kathrin_esposito@asus.com or 214.616.2460. Live @ 5 Business After Hours, meets the third Thursday each month, 5-6:30 pm at various member businesses. Free. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com. Lone Star Parliamentary Unit, meets 2nd Monday of each month September thru May 10:30 am, Allen Public Library. Promotes parliamentary education. For more info: 972.727.3090, Mae Shaw, Pres. Lovejoy Preschool PTA. Monthly meetings at Creekwood UMC, second Thursday each month, 261 Country Club Rd, Fairview. Different topic and speakers each month. Free lunch; babysitting available for nominal fee. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup.com/LovejoyPreschool-PTA/. McKinney Amateur Radio Club, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Spring Creek Bar B Que 1993 North Central Expressway, McKinney. For more information: 972.814.4190. McKinney Area Newcomers’ Club, meets third Tuesday, 9:30 am, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. Program: Lori Burke, owner of Lori Lynn Designs, will give a presentation on Interior Design trends. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com. McKinney Area Republican Co-Ed Club, meets second Thursday each month, 7 pm, Collin County GOP Hdqts., 8416 Stacey Rd., #100, McKinney. Location varies. For more info: collincountyconservativerepublicans.com. Moms in Prayer, join worldwide prayer movement— bringing mothers together and seeing God change children through prayer. For more info: MomsInPrayer.org or Amy Guthrie at amyguthrie@verizon.net.

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NARFE Chapter 559, meets third Monday of each month at 1:30 pm at the Village of Stonebridge Assisted Living, 3300 S. Stonebridge Drive, McKinney. All current government employees and retirees invited. Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, meets the second Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, SMU in Plano, 5236 Tennyson Pkwy., Plano. Program: Officer Christopher Bianez, “Property and Home Safety,” offers safety information and cost-effective suggestions for making residences and property burglar-resistant. Guests welcome. For more info: www.newcomerfriends.org. North Dallas Newcomers, meets first Thursday each month, 11 am, various country clubs. For more info: www.northdallasnewcomers.net. Open Forum, meaningful discussions, meets first Saturday every month, 3 pm, Delaney’s Pub, 6150 W. Eldorado Pkwy., McKinney. For more info: Charlie, 214.585.0004. Plano Amateur Radio Klub, meets the third Monday each month, 7 pm, FUMC of Plano, 3160 E. Spring Creek Pkwy., Plano, all welcome. For more info: www.K5PRK.net. Plano Photography Club, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, W. Plano Presbyterian Church, 2709 Custer Rd., Plano. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.planophotographyclub.com. Plano Republican Women’s Club, meets 3rd Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, Southfork Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expy., Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen.com.

Preston Persuaders Toastmasters, meets every Monday, 7:15 pm, Champions School of Real Estate in the Rangers Room at 3721 Mapleshade Ln, Plano. For more info: Ed Meissner, 469.323.0538 or Todd Richardson, 214.497.4495 or www.prestonpersuaders.org. Random Events Dallas, laid back, fun, diverse social group with meetups in Dallas area. For more info: RandomEventsDallas.com. Reasonable Faith Discussion Group, meets every Tuesday, 11am-12:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church Rm B1116. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org. Reasonable Faith Collin County Chapter, meets 2nd and 4th Thursday, 6:45-8:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church Rm B202. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org and email: ReasonableFaithCollinCO@gmail.com Single Side Up, meets the third Saturday each month, 7 pm, This Side Up Family Center, 1100 Capital Ave., Plano. Single parent support group. Low cost childcare. For more info: www.singlesideup.org or info@ thissideupfamily.org. Singles Mingle 60 +, meets first Monday each month at Delaney’s Irish Pub, 6150 ElDorado Parkway, McKinney. Social forum for men and women singles who are active, enjoy meeting new people and like getting together. Various social activities. For more info: For meeting information on the third Monday of the month at 5:30 pm, call Bill, 214.544.5835. The MOB (Men of Business), meets second Monday each month, 11:30 am-1 pm, TopGolf USA, Allen, for networking. $20 mem; $25 non-mems/general public. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com.

Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, meets each Wednesday, “Become the Speaker and Leader You Can Be,” 7 pm, IHOP, 315 Central Expwy, Allen. For more info: Bill Peterson, 972.523.9425. United Methodist Women’s Reading Group, meets the first Sunday each month, 2 pm, FUMC, 601 S. Greenville. Book discussion & refreshments. We encourage women of all faiths to participate. For more info: http://www.fumcallen.org. Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping & gardening advice, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am4 pm. Texas A&M’s Co-op Extension, 825 N. McDonald #150, McKinney. For more info: 972.548.4232 or 972.424.1460. Voyagers Social Club of McKinney, meets the fourth Thursday each month, 10 am, Eldorado Country Club, 2604 Country Club, McKinney. Social club open to women in McKinney and surrounding areas. For more info: voyagersofmckinney@gmail.com. W.I.S.E. (Women in Support of Enterprise), meets second Thursday each month, 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking and discussion of women’s issues. $20 member/$25 guest. For more info: www.allenfairviewchamber.com.

ART/MUSIC/THEATRE Allen Folk Music Society, meets third Saturday every month, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Dr. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com.

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Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, every Monday, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@WealthManagementGroupLLC. com Sweet Adelines, NoteAbly North Texas Chorus meets Monday at 7 pm. New director, Richard Light! Visit us at Blue House Too, Watters Creek, 934 Market St., across from DSW Shoes. Guests always welcome. Women of Allen and surrounding area invited. For more info: nntchorus@hotmail.com or www.nntchorus. org.

CRAFTS Allen Quilters’ Guild, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, 1st Presbyterian Church, 605 S Greenville. For more info: www.allenquilters.org. Common Threads of Allen, meets the first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Whole Foods Market Café, Stacy Rd. Share needle-work projects, learn techniques, etc. For more info: contact Debi Maige at 214.704.0994 or debik@verizon.net.

HEALTH Allen AA meets every Monday-Sunday, 601 S. Greenville. Mon.-Fri., 7 pm; Sat., 9 am; Sun., 7:30 pm. For more info: Joe, 214.564.9403 & Tina, 214.566.7561. Allen-Frisco-Plano Autism Spectrum Parents Group meets the third Tuesday each month. Offers support and resources for parents of children with autism and other related developmental disabilities. Join online group at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/ group/autismparentsupport. Allen Serenity Al-Anon Family Group, meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 7 pm, 1st UMC, Wesley House, 601 S. Greenville. For friends and family of alcoholics. More info: 214.363.0461 or www.al-anon.alateen.org.

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American Cancer Society Road to Recovery needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to appointments. If you have a car and have time 9 am5 pm, you can help. For more info: Debbie Moen, 972.712.5711. Baylor Health Care System support groups, medical info and events. For more info: www.BaylorHealth.com. Breast Cancer Support Group for patients, family and friends, meets the third Monday of every month, noon, N. Central Medical Center, 4500 Medical Center Dr., McKinney. For more info: Kelly Finley Brown, 972.540.4984. Cancer Support Ministry, meets third Thursday each month, 7 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: James Craver, 972.727.8241. Collin County ADD/LD Parent Support Group, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7-9 pm, parlor, 1st UMC, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. For more info: Shirli Salter, sscaroline@aol.com. Heart Link Women’s Networking group, women only business networking. Monthly meetings—days and locations vary. For more info: www.75013.theheartlinknetwork.com. Take Off Pounds Sensibly, meets every Tuesday, 6:15-8 pm, Good Shepherd UMC, 750 W. Lucas Road, Lucas. For more info: 1.800.YEA.TOPS or www.tops.org. Texas Health Presbyterian, variety of events. For more info: www.texashealth.org. The Shores AA Group, every Monday-Friday, noon, Raceway Prof. Bldg., 200 W. Boyd, Suite C, Allen. Open AA discussion group. All welcome. For more info: 469.854.9593. Weight Watchers, meets every Thursday, 12:15 and 6 pm, 1st United Methodist Church, 600 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. South entrance, 2nd floor.

HOBBIES SPORTS/FITNESS Allen Classic Cars, meets every Thursday, 7-10 pm, 103-111 N. Central, parking lot of Stacy Furniture. Fit and Funky Fit Club, meets every Monday, 7:30 pm, and every Sunday, 7 pm, Unlimited Success Martial Arts, 604 W. Bethany #208, Allen. Work out to p90x, Insanity, etc. Free. For more info: fitandfunky@att.net. Infinity Personal Fitness Charity Workout, meets every other Saturday at 9 am, 1201 W. McDermott, Suite 106, Allen. Min. donation $5. All proceeds donated to local charities. For more info: email cattaneo.ray@gmail.com. McKinney Chess on the Square, meets every Wednesday, 4-7 pm, Downtown McKinney Performing Arts Center. Open play & lessons. For more info, 214.620.0527 or mckinneychess.org. McKinney Chess Club, every Saturday, 10:30 am1:30 pm, McKinney Public Library, 101 E Hunt St. Free. And every Friday, 2-5 pm, Senior Center, 1400 South College Street, McKinney. Adults 50+(Free). For more info: 972.547.7491. Plano Bicycle Association, club rides, social activities, monthly meetings, newsletters. For more info: Chris Mathews, 972.964.2869 or www. planobicycle.org. Plano Pacers run at Schimelpfenig Library parking lot, second Tuesday each month, 5024 Custer, Plano, 7 pm., and at Bob Woodruff Park on San Gabriel Rd., Plano, the last Saturday every month, 8 am. For more info: Bob Wilmot, 972.678.2244, or www. planopacers.org. Skilled Motorcycle Riders Association promotes motorcycle safety through rider training. Monthly practice courses, social activities, etc. For more info: www.skilledmotorcycleriderassociation.com. Zumba/Cardio Dance Fitness, every Tues., 10:3011:30 am, and every Thurs., 9:30-10:30 am, USA Martial Arts, 505 W. McDermott. 1st class free. For more info: 469.854.6872 or Facebook.com/ TrueBlueDanceCrew.

MOM’S CLUBS Allen Early Childhood PTA, support for parents & caregivers of kids age 0-5. Fun activities. Play groups, park days, lunch w/friends, field trips, Mom’s Night Out, Dads & Kids, etc. Come play with us. For more info: www.aecpta.com or information@aecpta.com. Allen/McKinney Area Mothers of Multiples, new & expectant moms’ forum, meets the third Thursday each month, 7 pm, First Christian Church, 1800 W. Hunt, McKinney. For more info: www.amamom.org or 972.260.9330. Collin County Early Childhood PTA, meets second Monday of every month, 9:45 am, Parkway Hills Baptist Church, 2700 Dallas Pkwy., Plano. Nursery reservations required. For more info: Suzanne Judkins, 972.712.3634. MOMS Club of Allen, for moms and children in Allen, Fairview and Lucas. Monthly playgroups, kid field trips, business tours, special events, Mom’s Night Out & more. For more info: momsclubofallentx@gmail.com. MOMS Club McKinney Central, support group for stay-at-home moms. Play groups, daytime activities, Mom’s Night Out, parties, babysitting co-op, etc. Monthly bus. meeting. For more info: MckinneyMoms@yahoo.com. MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), support group for moms with kids 0-5 years, meets every other Friday, 9:30-11:45 am, First Baptist Church, Allen. Childcare provided. For more info: 972.727.8241. MOPS of Hope Plano, Hope Community Church, meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month, 9:3011:30 am, 3405 Custer, #200, Plano. For more info: 214.762.0037.

mUSEUMS/preserves allen heritage guild museum

Open 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, 100 E. Main Street, Allen. Permanent and rotating exhibits, historic photo collages and DVD programs on Allen history. For more info: www.allenheritageguild.org.

Connemara Meadow Preserve Bird Walk at the Connemara Meadow Preserve, monthly alternating first Saturday and the first Sunday, 8-10 am, Allen. Bring binoculars and field guides; learn habits, calls and characteristics from Gailon and Rodney, Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society. All ages. For more info: www.connemaraconservancy.org.

HEARD MUSEUM 2nd Saturday Bird Walk Educational Program, 8 a.m. Learn more about birding! These walks are intended to help beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identification techniques. 3rd Saturday Nature Talks: Nature Journaling. Learn new ways to experience nature through nature journaling! An intro to journaling techniques thru hands-on activities. Blackland Prairie Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists, meets the second Tuesday each month, 7-9 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.bptmn.org or email info@bptmn.org.

Allen Image | November 2016

Heard Museum Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, meets second Monday each month, 7 pm, Heard Craig Center, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566 or www. northtexasbeekeepers.org. Heard Museum Native Plant Society, meets the first Tuesday each month, 7:30 pm, One Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Heard Museum Nature Photography Club, meets the second Saturday every month, 1:30 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society, meets the fourth Tuesday each month, 7 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

SENIORS Allen Senior Citizens Luncheon, meets second Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville. For more info: 214.509.4820.

Assistance League® of Greater Collin County, meets every third Wednesday at 10 am at Stonebriar County Club, Frisco. Guests welcome. For more info: www.algcc.org or call 972.769.2299. Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter, meets third Tuesday each month. For more info:txshawm@sbcglobal.net. Fairview Rotary Club, meets 2nd and 4rth Thursdays of every month, Stacy Rd, Fairview. For more info: 214.893.5360. Knights of Columbus, meets the third Thursday each month, 7:30 pm, St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen. For more info: Steve Nagy, 469.569.3357 or www. stjudekofc.org. Knights of Columbus Council 13044 meets every 4th Thursday, 7:30 pm, Our Lady of Angels, 1914 Ridgeview Drive, Allen. For more information contact Jason Beckett,Jason. beckett.1@gmail.com, or visit us at https://kofcknights.org/ CouncilSite/?CNO=13044.

Classic 55+ Game Night, 1st and 3rd Friday each month, 6:30 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E104. Snacks, fellowship and games. For more info: 972.727.8241 or Eddie Huckabee at huckgolf@hotmail.com.

Sons of Confederate Veterans, William H. L. Wells Camp, No. 1588, meets the second Monday each month, 7 pm, Tino’s Too Restaurant, 2205 Ave. K, Plano. Speakers, programs, etc. Open to anyone interested. For more info: Lloyd Campbell, 972.442.5982.

Singles Mingle 60 +, meets first Monday each month at Delaney’s Irish Pub, 6150 ElDorado Parkway, McKinney. This group is to provide a social forum for men and women singles who are active, enjoy meeting new people and like getting together twice a month. We have various social activities throughout the month. For more info: For meeting information on the third Monday of the month at 5:30 pm, call Bill, 214.544.5835.

VFW “Lone Star Post 2150,” meets the second Monday each month, 1710 N. Church St, McKinney. Post Members, 6:30 pm; Ladies Auxiliary, 5:45 pm; Men’s Auxiliary, 6:30 pm. For more info: 972.542.9119, gmlsp2150@gmail.com or visit on web: www.vfwpost2150.org.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS Allen High Noon Lions Club, meets the second and fourth Thursday each month, 5th Street Pizza (inside Stacy Furniture), 111 Central Expwy. S. For more info: Peter Young, 972.849.4952. Allen Kiwanis Club, meets every Thursday, noon, Café Del Rio, on 75 just south of McDermott. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.allenkiwanis.org. Allen Lions Club, meets the first and third Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Kelly’s at the Village, 190 E. Stacy Rd., #1204, Allen. For more info: Bob Schwerd, Secretary, 214.402.0982.

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Allen Sunrise Rotary Club, meets every Wednesday, 7 am, Warm Springs Hospital, 1001 Raintree Circle, Allen. For more info: 972.673.8221 or www.allensunriserotary. com.

Allen Seniors Genealogy Club, meets fourth Monday each month, 1 pm, Allen Seniors Center. Must be member of ASRC. For more info: www.asgconline.com or Richard Henry, 972.390.7402.

Xtra Years of Zest Seniors Luncheon, meets the third Thursday each month, noon, First UMC Allen, 601 S. Greenville, Fellowship Hall. Lunch, fellowship, speakers and entertainers. For more info: griflkl@sbcglobal.net.

Allen Rotary Club meets every Wednesday, noon, First United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville, Allen. For more info: www.allenrotary.org.

VFW “Lone Star Post 2150” Motorcycle Group 33, meets first Saturday every month, 10 am, 1710 N. Church St., McKinney. For more info: “Driveway John” 971.822.4483, gmlsp2150@gmail.com or visit www.vfwpost2150.org. VFW Post 2195, meets second Wednesday each month, 7:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church, 1015 Hwy. 121, Allen. For more info: Larry Nordgaard, 972.727.9956 or www. vfw2195.org. Vrooman’s Regiment, Children of the American Revolution, teaches children to serve their community, meets the second Saturday every month. For more info: 972.396.8010.

Please keep us informed of any local activities or events of general interest to our readers by fax to the Allen Image at 972.396.0807 or email to contact@allenimage.com.

library

The Library presents… by Tom KEENER

Veterans Day World War II B-24 pilot Lt. Tom Faulkner, Sr. and Pearl Harbor Survivor James Hardwick will be introduced by County Judge Keith Self and will share their stories of World War II at 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 11, at the library. The Allen Community Band will perform a medley of patriotic songs for the event.

Faulkner began training for bombing missions in Europe at age 18. By age 19, he was flying daring raids over the Alps—flying 28 missions from southern Italy over the Alps to targets in German-occupied territory. He kept a diary of his combat missions and incorporated his story into a book, Combat Missions from Italy.

Petty Officer James Hardwick celebrated his 18th birthday on December 5, 1941, and two days later, at 7:55 a.m., he was startled awake by the sound of thunderous explosions. Assigned to the USS Honolulu, Hardwick eventually participated in twelve deadly naval battles. James Hardwick was discharged from the Navy in 1947 as a highly decorated MM1c (Machinist’s Mate 1st Class). During the program, veterans will be invited to present the colors and stand when the theme song of their branch of service is played. General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will provide refreshments after the program. Any veteran in need of transportation to this event may call 214.509.4911 to arrange for a ride. v

The Women of Sherlock Holmes Listen to Sherlock Holmes’ enthusiasts analyze the women of Sherlock Holmes at 6:30 p.m., Monday, November 7, at the library. • The Villainesses of Sherlock Holmes— Liese SherwoodFabre, PhD, currently works for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. An award-winning writer, her pieces have appeared in national magazines and include a collection of short Liese Sherwood-Fabre stories and a novella.

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• The Female Versions of Sherlock Holmes—Tim Kline is the author of The Game of Sherlock Holmes II: A Study in Variants-A Collector’s Guide and three other books on collecting Sherlock Holmes games. • The Modern Irene Adlers—Do They Live up to the Original?—Cindy Brown became interested in British literature as a young teen and was enthralled with murder mysteries. After joining the Crew of the Barque Lone Star, she discovered that Sherlock Holmes never disappoints. • How did Holmes Really Feel about Women?—Steve Mason is the president of the local Sherlock Holmes Society. His articles and original radio plays have been published in various Sherlock Holmes journals. With fellow Crew Members Joe Fay and Rusty Mason, Steve creates a weekly comic strip “Baker Street Elementary.” • Mystery Contest: The Hound of Pinchin Lane—Sivley Hutchison. v

JFK’s Final Hours Julian Read, former aide to Texas Governor John Connally, will share what it was like to be in Dallas on a day that significantly changed America’s history at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 10, at the library. As national media representative for Texas Governor Connally in 1963, Julian Read is one of the few remaining eyewitnesses to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. His memories of this event were released in his book, JFK’s Final Hours in Texas, an Eyewitness Remembers the Tragedy and Its Aftermath, in 2013. Read was traveling in the White House press corps bus as part of JFK’s motorcade in downtown Dallas on the fateful day. When the mortal shots were fired, he witnessed the President and Governor Connally slumping in their seats and then being rushed to Parkland Hospital. As Governor Connally’s press secretary, Read was afforded access to Trauma Room 2. As he walked in, Nellie Connally and Jackie Kennedy were waiting to hear the fate of their husbands. The President was in Trauma Room 1. White House assistant press secretary Malcolm Kilduff made the first public announcement of the death of President Kennedy, but Julian Read was the first person to deliver his testimony of President Kennedy’s assassination to the media. He was the first person who learned the last words spoken to President Kennedy were Mrs. Connally’s: “Mr. President, you certainly can’t say that Dallas doesn’t love you.” Residing in Austin, Read serves as senior counsel for Cohn and Wolfe, a global communications and public relations company. v

JFK Assassination Photographer Eamon Kennedy provided the public a front row seat to watch one of the most tragic chapters in American history—the drama that followed the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Hear his recollections at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 17, at the library. Kennedy (no relation to the late President) is a former Dallas Times Herald photographer who took one of the most iconic images captured during that sorrowful weekend. His photo of a 12-year-old student tearfully praying after learning the news of JFK’s death on November 22, 1963, was a global sensation. In the days that followed the assassination, Kennedy’s amazing pictures of Marina Oswald, Jack Ruby and Ruby’s attorney Melvin Belli became part of the historical record. As the President and Vice President hastily departed in the ill-fated motorcade from Dallas Love Field, Eamon Kennedy stayed behind. While dining with other journalists at a nearby restaurant, a waitress asked, “Are you guys with the newspaper? The president just got shot.” They made a dash to Parkland Hospital and the famous picture was taken. “I knew it was the biggest story I was ever going to cover, that’s for sure,” Eamon Kennedy recalls. A couple of weeks after the assassination, Kennedy got

a call from a Russian-speaking woman who connected him with Marina Oswald, the wife of the president’s assassin. Kennedy had an exclusive interview with the reclusive widow. At Jack Ruby’s trial, the defense attempted to prove that their client was insane. While Ruby was being transferred for psychiatric evaluation, Kennedy snapped a sardonic image of Ruby that was carried in LIFE magazine. v Allen Image | November 2016

Ten Gallon War Sportswriter and historian John Eisenberg will speak at the library at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, November 16. John is the author of Ten Gallon War: The NFL’s Cowboys, the AFL’s Texans and the Feud for Dallas’ Football Future and Cotton Bowl Days: Growing Up with Dallas and the Cowboys in the 1960s. In Cotton Bowl Days, a fan’s memoir, Eisenberg sets the early years of the Cowboys against the backdrop of a fateful decade in Dallas and his own childhood. Pro Football Weekly has rated it as one of the 25 best books ever written about the sport. The Ten Gallon War describes the tense dispute in Dallas during the early 1960s between franchise owners Clint Murchison, Jr. and Lamar Hunt. Booklist named it one of the top 10 sports books of the year. John is a columnist at baltimoreravens.com, the official site of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League—winner of Super Bowl XXXVII. Historic sports moments that John has witnessed include Cal Ripken’s 2,131st straight game in 1995; Tiger Woods’ barrier-busting triumph at the 1997 Masters; Michael Jordan’s career-ending buzzer-beater against Utah in 1998; and the Ravens’ improbable Super Bowl triumph in January 2001. A native Texan, John spent five years with the now

defunct Dallas Times Herald, where he covered high school sports and the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. For most of the past quartercentury, John was a Baltimore Sun columnist, traveling the world to cover the Super Bowl, World Series, Kentucky Derby, Final Four, Masters, Olympics, Wimbledon and soccer’s World Cup. He has also written for Sports Illustrated, Smithsonian Magazine and Details, and taught an upper-level sports journalism class at Towson University. v

Appalachian Folk Duo Treat yourself to an old-time musical experience with Beverly Smith and John Grimm at 7:30 p.m., Friday, November 18, at the library. Award-winning musicians, this duo travels the world playing the music of the southern Appalachians. Beverly Smith is a singer, fiddler and dance caller.

Besides her three highly praised recordings of early country duets with mandolinist Carl Jones, her guitar playing has also been featured on recordings of amazing fiddlers. Beverly has taught guitar, fiddle and dance at many music camps. Featured in Acoustic Guitar Magazine, Beverly was a guest on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage and Voice of America. An award winning fiddler and multi-instrumentalist who has played with old-time bands such as The Georgia Mudcats, The Georgia Potlickers and Rural Radio Company, John Grimm is a recent recipient of the Dr. Gene Wiggins Award in recognition of significant contributions to traditional music in N. Georgia. Dr. Wiggins was the author of the book Fiddling Georgia Crazy, a biography of fiddler John Carson. Playing the role of John Carson in the PBS film The People vs. Leo Frank, Grimm has also appeared in the Atlanta production of The Cotton Patch Gospel. John and Beverly have compiled two CDs, The Sound of the Whip-poor-will and For the Sake of Days Gone.

Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Call 214.509.4911 for more information.

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helping hands

by Marjorie Vaneskahian BURR

They say thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no poverty in Allen. Looking at the mega-mansions popping up in our area and the affluence we see all around us in Collin County, it is easy to make that assumption. But, spend a day in the lobby of Allen Community Outreach and quickly your opinions may change. Each month, more than 150 families are seen by ACO caseworkers. These families are in financial crisis, about to lose their homes, living without utilities and with no food for their children. 34

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How can this be in Allen? It’s because poverty can affect anyone, and many of us are literally one paycheck away from financial disaster. Losing a job, suffering a debilitating illness, or simply a lack of planning for the future can put so many families in disastrous situations. Allen Community Outreach is the only local agency available to help these families through their crisis, provide assistance and a path out of poverty through programs and services. Hundreds of families depend on ACO for assistance during the holidays. Thanks to our generous community, families don’t have to face these issues alone. Only with the support of neighbors and friends and ACO’s programs for holiday assistance can we ensure that no family faces an empty pantry on Thanksgiving Day and no children wake up Christmas morning without new toys and gifts. November is ACO’s largest food drive of the year. We collect “holiday

dinner type” groceries and staples for families to prepare a celebratory meal for Thanksgiving, Christmas and the holidays they celebrate. Beginning in early November, food donations begin coming into the ACO Food Pantry and collection spots around town. We need your support with a few extra

groceries when you go shopping, or when looking for a holiday project for your group to collect food items. Please see a printable shopping list of grocery items needed on our website. The week prior to Thanksgiving, hundreds of volunteers work to sort donations and box up the food. The

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Monday of Thanksgiving week, families pick up a turkey and a bag of groceries. Hundreds more bags are stored to be distributed a few weeks later in time for Christmas. Just as folks are clearing the dishes on Thanksgiving Day and planning their shopping for Black Friday, ACO volunteers are preparing to kick off the ACO “Toys for Our Tots” drive, which begins the day after Thanksgiving. Allen Fire Stations, ACO offices and other drop

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off locations will be collecting toys for Collin County children. ACO assures donors that children in our area in need of gifts will be given your donations. All we ask is that you drop off a new, unwrapped toy or gift item. Don’t forget gifts for teens. It’s easy to overlook our 12- to 17-year-olds who also want to be remembered at Christmastime. Want to get even more involved this holiday and help a family? ACO’s Christmas Adoption Program gives you that opportunity. Every year, ACO sees families through our doors who just don’t have extra funds for gifts for their children. It’s heartbreaking for a parent who struggles to barely pay the rent and keep the electricity on, to have to face the holidays knowing they can’t provide toys and gifts for their families. Through ACO’s program, parents can come in and sign up their children, teens and seniors in their families. They fill out a wish list for each “adoptee.” You can go to ACO’s website and register to adopt a child, teen or senior. You’ll be matched and given the wish list of that person. Then you’ll shop and return the gifts to ACO by the deadline. ACO will distribute your gifts to the families the week before Christmas. We even provide giftwrap, tape, bows and boxes to wrap it all up! The average cost of an adoption is about $100 and we ask that you provide all new, unused items as gifts. Many wish lists have much-needed coats or clothes listed with sizes. Each child can request

a special item or toy as well. All of the information and more details about the program and volunteer opportunities are on the ACO website. It’s hard to live in an affluent area like Allen and struggle financially, and it’s hard to recognize a hungry child in our town. But, families in our neighborhoods struggle to make ends meet, to find a job and feed their children. This holiday season help ACO help these families with food and gifts. Make it a family project and have your kids help grocery shop for food donations. Take them with you to select toys and gifts for the person you adopt or toys you drop off at Toys for Our Tots. Share the joy of giving to others with your own family. What better way to take a break from your own holiday stress than to help a family in need. If you are a family facing stress and financial crisis this season and need assistance with food and gifts for your family, please contact Allen Community Outreach. A special thank you to all of our donors and volunteers who give generously and work tirelessly to make sure that programs are supported and families are cared for. You make a difference in many lives. You are a form of stress relief to parents facing real crises. Allen Community Outreach is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency, funded locally by individuals and businesses in our community. For a list of items needed and drop off locations, go to ACO’s website at www.acocares.org. To volunteer your time, make a financial donation, or for information on food items needed, go to our website or call 972.727.9131. ACO Resale Shop and the ACO Food Pantry are located at 801 E. Main Street in Allen. We hope you have a happy holiday season! Remember to “Give Where You Live!” v Marjorie Vaneskahian Burr is the deputy executive director of ACO.

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feature

When John and Julia Evans moved from Oklahoma to Lucas in 1968, there were three thousand people living in Allen, along with a Dairy Queen, Rodenbaugh’s, a bank and the Royal Drive-In at the corner of Allen Drive and the northbound Central Expressway access road. What there wasn’t…any kind of recreational sports league for kids.

2004

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1977 by Deborah DOVE

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With four boys born in the space of seven years, the Evanses really needed one! Although the older boys went to Plano to play soccer, dad, John, and his friends with similarlyaged children agreed—there was a need for something local that would serve the whole community. At the time, there were no real facilities for sports in either Allen or Lucas. The elementary school in Lovejoy ISD, which was one of only two Common School Districts in the state, had to hold a carnival each year to raise money just to keep the doors open, and it wasn’t uncommon for a game of Donkey Basketball—a variation on the standard game of basketball, but with the players on

donkeys—to be played in the Allen middle school gym instead of basketball and volleyball tournaments. All of that changed beginning the summer of 1976. That summer, the kids of Allen, Lucas and Fairview started playing organized

baseball somewhat informally. “There were two age groups and the older kids would pitch for the younger kids,” remembers John and Julia’s second oldest son, Kirk Evans, now a fifth grade teacher at Olson. Everyone brought coolers of drinks and snacks, although eventually John and Julia opened and ran a tiny concession stand that sold snow cones, Cokes and candy to pay for sports equipment. Their team shirts were the button-down kind reminiscent of the Sandlot times or The Bad News Bears, and according to the Evanses, you’d spend all day at the fields and see everyone you knew. When baseball season ended, the parents decided to create an official sports league and the Allen Sports Association was established on November 24, 1976. Don Crowder, an attorney who lived “on the other side of the

trees” from the Evanses, wrote the articles of incorporation and by-laws setting forth the organization’s mission statement and ensuring no one would be liable. “We wanted something to last for a community that was growing,” explains John Evans, whose signature was on the original by-laws and who was one of the

seven original members of the board of directors, along with Donald Robison, Gary Koch, Don Brazeal, Dale Williams, David White and Don Lewis. Evans modestly waves away any suggestion that founding the league that would shape childrens’ sports and lives for generations was in any way extraordinary. “We just did it,” he says. “It was just part of raising kids.” The first official sport played under the ASA umbrella was football and Kirk Evans laughingly remembers his team, the Raiders, playing at the fields on Jupiter Road while dogs barked from the old dog pound behind it. After football season was over, they moved on to soccer. Parents, many of whom had formed the league, were coaching. “Whatever season was up, we moved on to that,” remembers John. Any prior knowledge of the sport wasn’t necessary, and there was no coaches meeting or guidelines. “I’d never seen soccer before in my life,” laughs John, who coached all four of his sons’ teams in various sports. “I had to go to the library and read the rule book.” For the first few years, there was only football, baseball, soccer and basketball. Local businesses sponsored the teams, buying the uniforms and equipment, and Mike

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Williams, who owned the sporting goods store in town, supplied the equipment and uniforms to them at a discounted rate. With a total of 70-100 kids, there were only five or six teams with about fifteen kids per team, so everybody played both sides of the ball, the girls were the cheerleaders, and when your team won, you got to go to Dairy Queen. Each new season there was a draft and the kids were shuffled around onto new teams to make the teams balanced. When the kids got out of elementary school and ASA and transitioned to playing middle and high school sports, they still stayed involved with ASA, coming back to referee soccer games for the younger players. “It was a community,” says Kirk Evans. “It was about taking care of all the kids, having a place to play and being organized.” The league had doubled in size by its second year and before long, ASA offered more sports than McKinney. “We were way ahead of the times in terms of letting kids play sports,” says John. Today, ASA offers ten sports—baseball, softball, basketball, football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball, inline hockey, girl’s lacrosse and track— and has over 16,000 registered players, 6,500 volunteers and a paid staff of seven. While ASA still follows the seasons as it did in the beginning, they have now added two playing seasons for all but two sports, and basketball is currently offered in the fall, winter and spring. The baseball fields where the first players stood at home plate have been replaced by Blue Sky, an indoor sports facility where ASA currently offices. And although football games are still sometimes played at the old field off Jupiter Road, thanks to close partnerships with the City of Allen and the Allen Independent School District, ASA players now practice and play many sports in stateof-the-art facilities, including Celebration Park, Allen Station Park, Craig Ranch and school gyms. In May, over seventy percent of Allen voters approved a bond that will fund a new indoor recreation center on the west side of Allen where ASA will office and run programs, and which will provide an additional eight to ten indoor basketball/volleyball courts, an indoor sports turf field, and classrooms where ASA can provide camps and clinics. The league also plans to add new sports such as arena football, indoor soccer and box lacrosse, and expand the basketball program to allow four seasons. The organizational structure of ASA has also evolved over time. Originally run by the commissioners of each individual sport, in 2002, ASA became governed by a board of directors which includes representatives from the City of Allen, Allen Independent School District and Lovejoy Independent School District, in addition to parents, volunteers and members of the community. This change freed up the commissioners to run their sport while allowing the board to take care of the finances, fundraising and management. The league has seen other changes over the years, especially as the community has grown, and one large high school means kids can’t always play every sport in school. According to ASA Executive Director Ken Geest, who coached teams for ASA and was the president of the association before becoming director in 2001, the league’s role in the community is even more important now. “It’s important to our community to offer an option to play sports,” he says. “Every child should have a place to play and a sport to call their own.” Kirk Evans, who still lives in Allen and now has two sons of his own, agrees it’s a different environment from when he and his brothers grew up playing every sport for ASA. He’s told his sons, Carter (now a freshman at

1980 Allen High School) and Jack (age 11), to focus on one sport. They both chose basketball, which they have played through ASA. As first a player with the league, and now a parent and coach, he says community is still key, although it looks different. “Back then the whole association was the community. Now it’s the team.” However, despite all the changes ASA has seen in the last forty years, the Allen Sports Association’s mission statement—to provide leadership, structure and sports programs to prepare kids for life—remains the same. Every child is still guaranteed fifty percent playing time, and as it was forty years ago, most kids start off playing soccer, which is still the organization’s most popular sport, along with basketball. Kids who once played on the field still come back and ref. And when your team wins, you still go to Dairy Queen. It just looks a little different. The legacy of what ASA has provided to the kids of the community is summed up by the Evans boys, whose lives have been positively impacted by the values instilled by the sense of community that ASA created. All four boys have become teachers, and all of them are married to teachers. “I was influenced by being raised like that,” says Kirk. “Everything they (my parents) did was to build community for their

2012 kids.” His mother, Julia Evans, who attends all of her grandson’s basketball games, concurs. “Community. That’s what kept it together. It still feels like community.” Although ASA celebrates its fortieth anniversary on Thanksgiving Day, stay tuned for information regarding a drop-in celebration the

2006 week of November 15 for players, both past and present, to share stories and memorabilia. The league will also expand its Volunteer Appreciation Banquet in January to include past members of the community who were integral to the program. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen.

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cooking

Fabulous Fall Pies by Deborah DOVE If pies have a season, it has to be fall. Nothing signifies the change in seasons like the smell of hot apple pie fresh from the oven, or the sight of a Thanksgiving or Christmas table laden with pumpkin, chocolate and pecan pies. Furthermore, nature’s bounty during the autumn months—apples, pears, pumpkins, pecans and sweet potatoes—are even tastier when enveloped in a warm, flaky crust. You can purchase prepared pie crusts at the grocery store, but the best pies start with a homemade pie crust. If you’ve never made your own, don’t be intimidated. Below is a basic crust recipe that uses butter (to yield a tender, flaky crust) and flour that is dependable and simple. If you plan to make a pie with a top crust, double the recipe. When it’s time to chill the dough, divide it in half and shape into two disks to put in the fridge. The dough will also keep for three months in the freezer if you want to stash a few disks there. Defrost in the fridge overnight.

Basic Butter Pie Crust 1-1/4 c. all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt 10 Tbs. unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes 2 to 4 Tbs. ice water, as needed In a food processor, pulse together the flour and salt. Add butter and pulse until the mixture forms lima bean-size pieces. Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough just comes together. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gather into a ball. Flatten into a disk with the heel of your hand.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie This recipe is from New York’s Four & Twenty Blackbirds 1 recipe of your favorite (2 crust) butter pie crust 1 c. plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/4 c. water 1/4 lb. (1 stick) unsalted butter 1/2 c. heavy cream 2 lemons

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6-7 baking apples (about 2-1/2 lbs.) use a mix of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious or Honeycrisp 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters 1 c. raw sugar 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground allspice A pinch of ground nutmeg One grind of fresh black pepper 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 2 Tbs. unbleached all-purpose flour 1/4 tsp. flake sea salt, plus more for finishing Egg wash (1 large egg whisked with 1 tsp. water and a pinch of salt) Demerara sugar, for finishing Prepare one 2-crust batch of your favorite pie crust. Roll the bottom crust to fit a 9-inch pan, and cut the top crust as a lattice, approximately 1-inch in width or as desired. Chill the rolled crust while you prepare the salted caramel and apple filling. Cook sugar and water together over low heat until just dissolved. Add butter and bring to a slow boil. Continue cooking at a low boil until the mixture turns a deep, golden brown color, almost copper (do not overcook). Once mixture has turned a copper color, remove it from the heat and immediately add heavy cream— the mixture will bubble rapidly and steam—be cautious, the sugar will be very hot. Whisk final mixture together well over low heat and sprinkle in sea salt. Set the caramel aside while you prepare the apple filling. Juice the lemons into a large mixing bowl. Core, peel and thinly slice whole apples. Dredge each apple slice in freshly squeezed lemon juice. Set aside. In a large measuring cup or small mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and Angostura bitters. Sprinkle this mixture over apples in the mixing bowl. Use your hands to gently mix and coat apple slices. Preheat the oven to 375º F. Layer 1/3 of the apples in the bottom of crust so that there are minimal gaps. Pour 1/3 of the

caramel over the apples. Repeat for a total of three layers of apples and caramel, saving a small bit of caramel to pour over the top. Assemble the lattice crust and flute the edges of the crust. Pour the last bit of caramel on top. Brush the crust with the beaten egg and lightly sprinkle with raw sugar and sea salt. Bake the pie on a baking sheet larger than the pie pan for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 325º and bake for 25 to 35 minutes. You can test the apples for doneness with a long toothpick or small knife. The apples should be just soft.

Classic Pumpkin Pie 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin 1 (4 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk 2 eggs 1 tsp. ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp. salt 1 9-in. unbaked pie crust Preheat oven to 425º F. In a medium pan over low heat, heat the canned pumpkin, spices and salt. Pour the mixture into a bowl and let cool. Add the condensed milk and eggs and whisk until smooth. Pour Allen Image | November 2016

into pie crust and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350º F and continue baking 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted 1 inch from crust comes out clean. Cool. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream. Store leftovers covered in refrigerator.

Ice Cream Pecan Pie Crust 3⁄4 c. pecans (or peanuts) 1⁄4 c. sugar 1-1⁄2 c. flour 8 Tbs. butter, cubed and chilled 1 egg yolk 1⁄4 c. cold water

Filling 1-pt. vanilla ice cream 1 egg white 2 c. whole pecans, plus more to garnish 2 Tbs. sugar For the crust: Combine pecans/ peanuts and sugar in food processor and process until finely ground. Add flour and process to combine. Add butter and pulse until pea-size crumbles form. Add egg yolk and 1/4 cup ice-cold water and pulse just until combined. Transfer to counter and knead into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Heat oven to 375° F. On a floured surface, roll dough until 1/8” thick. Line a 9” pie plate with dough and prick the bottom with the fork tines; bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes, and then let cool completely. Whisk egg white in a medium bowl until frothy and loose; add pecans and sugar and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet in an even layer, and bake until lightly toasted and dry, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.

Stir candied pecans into the ice cream. Transfer ice cream to pie crust, smoothing the top with a rubber spatula. Decorate with more pecans and freeze until set, at least 4 hours.

Pear Crumble Pie 1/3 c. sugar 3 Tbs. flour 6 c. sliced peeled fresh pears 1 unbaked pastry shell 1/3 c. flour 3 Tbs. brown sugar 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 Tbs. cold butter In a large bowl, combine sugar and flour; add the pears and toss gently to coat. Spoon into pastry shell. In a small bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over pie. Bake at 400º F for 45-50 minutes or until pears are tender and topping is golden brown. Cover edges loosely with foil during last 30 min. to prevent overbrowning. Cool on a wire rack. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen.

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kids korner

Fitting in Fitness with a Dash of Fun by Deborah DOVE It’s easy for kids to stay active during the summer months when swimming, bike riding and playing outside are the fabric of daily life. The winter months are harder (but on the plus side, it’s not 100 degrees), so following are some options to keep kids active until summer’s here again.

Train for and Run a 5K (or a one-mile fun run) Kids (and parents) can build up their endurance to run a 5K by following the online couch25k program. Sign up for one of the following family-friendly events to stay motivated. Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot—Make room for Thanksgiving dinner with the largest Thanksgiving Day running event in the country. Participants can run individually or sign up with a team of 4-6 runners, including separate categories for boys and girls 18 and under. The race begins at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (November 24) at Dallas City Hall, with refreshments and activities after the race. Registration is $35, with a reduced “Tot Trot” fee for kids six and under. Looking for something closer to home and not on Thanksgiving? The Plano Pacers Turkey Run Off is November 26 at Bob Woodruff Park. If you need more time to train, December brings the City of Allen’s Annual Rudolph Run on December 3 on Main Street, with a fun run and 5k, Rudolph, and more. Registration is $15 in advance or $20 on race day.

Climb the Walls Try rock climbing at Canyons Rock Climbing Gym in Frisco. Helpful staff shows kids the ropes (literally), then you can spend the day on various different ropes courses and climbing routes offering all levels of difficulty from very easy for beginners to advanced. There’s no minimum age to climb, but kids must be at least 30 pounds to wear the harness. One day passes run $18-$23 with equipment rental. First time visitors can take $4 off the day pass, and memberships are available.

of trampoline themed attractions such as trampoline basketball courts, dodgeball tramps, jump houses, tumble tramps and more starting at $12 for two hours for ages 8 and up and $8 for ages 4-7. Kids 3 and under are $5 all day, every day. Cosmic Jump offers a similar experience for $12/two hours, with the longest freestyle trampolines in Texas, dodgeball, basketball and more.

Tumble, Climb and Jump Gymnastics is good for burning energy and building motor skills, muscle, balance and flexibility. Metroplex Gymnastics offers preschool open gym every Friday from 10-12 where preschoolers can play in the tree houses, jump in the foam pit, swing on a trapeze, bounce on one of 22 in-ground trampolines or test their skills on the balance beam or bars. Eagles Wings also offers preschool open gym on the first and third Fridays of each month from 9:30-11:30 a.m., with Friday night open gym times for kids six and older to practice their skills, jump on the trampoline, or just play in the foam pit.

Disc Golf If you catch a nice fall or winter day, head to Bethany Lakes park and take advantage of the free nine-hole disc golf course located on the 40-acre park, with the trees, shrubbery and water features offering plenty of hazards to avoid. There’s also the playground, plenty of trails for biking, walking, rollerblading or riding a scooter, as well as an indoor basketball court and racquetball courts for a small membership fee.

Swim Thanks to the indoor pool at the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium, kids can swim even when it’s cold outside. Practice strokes, burn calories and build endurance in the lap pool, or just play in the lazy river, slide and leisure pool.

Roller Skate

Play a Team Sport

If fitness on four (or two) wheels is how your kids roll, they’ll love Thunderbird Roller Skating Rink in Plano, complete with a disco ball and music. Open skate times are Fridays, 6-10 pm; Saturdays, 11 am-10 pm. (with skate lessons on Saturdays from 10-11 am); and Sundays, 1-5 pm, with cheap skate ($4 admission) on Tuesdays, 6-8 pm. Regular admission is $8-$10 with skate rental.

Sign your child up through ASA to play a recreational sport such as soccer, basketball, football, baseball, inline hockey, softball, volleyball, cheerleading, golf, track, lacrosse or rugby.

Jump on It Trampoline parks are a great way to get active when the weather outside is less than ideal. Jump Street offers a variety

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Fitness Challenge Fitness begins at home. Buy pedometers for each family member and challenge everyone to take 10,000 steps a day. Keep sports equipment on hand for an impromptu soccer game, or take walks as a family. You can also check out online fitness challenges for kids, such as flymovement.org or free workout videos for kids at fitnessblender.com. v

education

Homecoming Represents a Time to Remember by Keith A. TAYLOR Fashions come and go, fads fade in and out, but one thing remains constant at Allen High School in the fall—Homecoming. With the 2016 homecoming game and dance just over a month ago, some Allen former students reflected on the occasion and student life in general during each decade spanning the past 50 years. 1961—Annette (Bolton) Shearer and Anita (Wright) Walters Homecoming was a big occasion for the school in the 1950s Annette said, but it was not a large event. “We only had 18 kids in the senior class,” she said.

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Although the Allen High School was small, they both said students enjoyed watching the 8-man football team as much as fans at bigger schools. “The football team was the center of everything. We always had fun when we went together at the football games, especially homecoming,” Anita said.“ We didn’t have a dance back then. We didn’t have a homecoming king or queen either. That was when we crowned the Football Sweetheart,” Anita said. The Football Sweetheart that year was Annette. “It was quite an honor,” she said.

Annette (Bolton) Shearer

class; the first to go triple digits,” she said. “We had 105.” The school also now had a band—and the Tallenettes. “I went to homecoming every year because I was a Tallenette,” she said. “I think being part of that group made homecoming a special memory,” she continued. “We had a pep rally and dance. The seniors didn’t have to go to school on Friday—it was Senior Day. The seniors would all go out and look for

firewood because we had a homecoming bonfire back then.” Like the times, Michelle said their mums were a little simpler then. “We had mums, but they were not like today. They were real flowers and we would take pipe cleaners to make an “A” to go on it. If we had a boyfriend that was a football player, we would fashion the pipe cleaners into their football jersey number. It would have white streamers on it, but nothing like they have now.”

Anita (Wright) Walters Since the school was so small, there was no band. There were other activities to keep students busy including the Eaga-letts—majorettes, cheerleaders, drummers and flagbearers. “Only the majorettes and cheerleaders had mums and they were not big at all,” Annette said. After the game, kids drove up to McKinney to hang out at Steffi’s Drive-In, home of the Jiffy Dog. “That’s where everybody went, not just Allen kids,” Anita said. “If you wanted to see anybody you would find them at Steffi’s.”

Michelle (Barton) Oestreich 1978—Michelle (Barton) Oestreich “My class was a record-breaking Allen Image | November 2016

Ron Rodenbaugh 1980—Ron Rodenbaugh When the ‘80s rolled around, homecoming still had the bonfire, pep rally and dance. “All the classes and clubs would put together floats,” Ron said. “We would have a parade downtown. It was quite a big deal.” Ron also remembers his senior homecoming for personal reasons. “There was a businessman named Jack Decatur who ran the Box Factory right there at the railroad tracks and McDermott. Jack had antique cars. He had a ’72 El Dorado convertible that we used to drive on the track around the football field to carry the king and queen.”

1994—Stacy (Art) Polk “I was in the band all four years of high school,” she said. “I always remember the homecoming game being a special game.” As the town was growing, so were the mums. “We all had big mums, but not as big as they have today,” she said laughing. “I certainly didn’t need a harness or a neck brace to wear mine.” Stacy knew most of the people in her class. “Allen was and still feels like a small town,” she said. “It definitely felt like a small town in the mid-90s until the explosion of developments. Even though it was a 5A school, you still knew most people. Homecoming was a more festive game. “After the games, we normally went to Chili’s in Plano. We went to the dance the next night at the Southfork Ranch. We always go to the homecoming, even to this day.”

Maggie Beck

Amber (Baker) High

Stacy (Art) Polk 50

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wore to football games. The shirts were white with a big sparkly “A” on front and our nicknames on the back.” The bonfire and parade were gone by 2000. “Back then the games were in the old stadium. The student section really didn’t have seats. We all just gathered close to the north end zone, near the old concession stand. Or we hung out under the bleachers. We never sat down during any game.”

2000—Amber (Baker) High “Homecoming was a very, very big deal,” she said. “A lot of my friends were on the football team, so I went to most of the games. I only had a mum during my senior year, though. It was one large mum with a bear, little footballs, lace and a lot of sparkles.” Amber and about 20 of her friends also got together for a new tradition. “A group of girls got together to make senior shirts and jeans that we

2010—Maggie Beck “The mums were pretty big,” Maggie said. “Mine had three flowers, blue and silver streamers and a bell. It covered my front.” Homecoming was one of the first dates for Maggie and her future fiancé. “We had met in physics class and had only been out a few times,” she said. “We went to the Macaroni Grill with four other couples. Then we went to the dance. Homecoming was a pretty big deal. We packed a lot of people into the high school cafeteria.” Maggie said she went to all the homecoming games during high school and plans to continue going for a long time to come. “I still go to the homecoming games to catch up with people who I haven’t seen in a while,” she said. “ I still think it’s a lot of fun.” v Keith Taylor is a public relations specialist for Allen ISD.

Collin Student Serves Country In and Out of Uniform by Kirk DICKEY

Eric McCrory works a few hundred feet from the Oval Office. Well, it isn’t THE Oval Office. It is a full-scale replica at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which serves as a public resource dedicated to the study of the life and career of the 43rd president of the United States and the understanding of the American Presidency, American history, and important issues of public policy. McCrory works in the library’s archives as an audiovisual archive technician, a position he sees as a continuation of his work as an audiovisual director/supervisor for the White House Communications Agency. An Army veteran and current Collin College student, McCrory was stationed in the White House from 2009 through 2014. That assignment was just a five-year stint in a 25-year military career that took him around the United States and to Europe and Afghanistan. In Washington, D.C., McCrory’s main responsibility was ensuring a reliable satellite signal was routed correctly within the White House and the adjacent Executive Office Building. But, it was his other duties that more closely relate to his current job with the Bush Presidential Library. McCrory was part of the team that helped stage and record all public statements by President Barack Obama. When the president made remarks on the road, McCrory was Allen Image | November 2016

often responsible for running sound and lighting. He recorded events for both the president and vice president, coordinating with administration staff, the press corps, and contractors helping with production. “It could be amazingly stressful,” McCrory said. “There was a lot of pressure in a no-fail environment.” Still, the position afforded him opportunities very few people get, including being part of the rehearsals for the State of the Union and scrolling the speech on a teleprompter for the president during the nationally-televised address. Another of his White House duties was to use a microphone and

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mini-disc recorder to document the president’s statements. “It’s interesting because I now work for the National Archives and Records Administration and I actually see the tapes we would record at each one of these events,” McCrory said, noting he began work at the White House after the Bush Administration; and therefore, did not create the tapes he now works with. McCrory works in the archives section of the Bush Presidential Library, a secure area about the size of a football field that houses original documents and recordings—audio, video and still photos—from President Bush’s term in office,

making it the primary research location for documentarians, historians, and anyone else who is interested in that period of American history. McCrory’s job is to pull materials to meet public records requests in accordance with the Presidential Records Act and Freedom of Information Act, as well as arrangement, description and preservation. He says he sees this work in much the same light as his work in the White House Communications Agency. “I work for the American people, because this is their information,” McCrory said. “I don’t really think about this as a job. We are preserving history because we safeguard the records of one of our nation’s presidents.” McCrory balances his work in the Archives with classes at Collin College, where he is pursuing an associate of arts degree with a communication field of study, advertising/public relations. He plans to graduate in the spring of 2017, then follow up with a bachelor’s at another nearby institution. “Collin College has allowed me to round out my education,” he said. “I had more than 100 credit hours, from underwater basket-weaving to you name it, and I have lived all over the world, but I had never really put anything together fully.” McCrory said his classes at Collin have helped him further develop the communication skills he learned in the on-the-job training he received in the Army. He said he really enjoys working with converged media, which includes multiple media and communication platforms. As a non-traditional student, he said he takes a bit of ribbing. “There are people who look at veterans in school as being these mean, crusty guys in the back of the class, but I have no shame in my game whatsoever,” he said. “I love every day that I go into class.” McCrory said part of the reason

he can appreciate it is a network of other veterans and the veterans’ services he’s found at the college. “There is a place at Spring Creek that you can go and do your homework, get some coffee, get some information about your veterans’ benefits,” he said. “It may not be all about school, but it definitely helps ease your mind about other things running around in your head distracting you.” McCrory pointed to Meredith Martin, history professor and Student Veterans of America advisor, as someone who reassured him at a time when he was not sure his veterans’ benefits were going to come through in time to meet his financial obligations. “That is what the SVA is here for,” Martin said. “If someone is struggling, we can point them to the right resources. “There is camaraderie, a connection. When you are on campus, there is someone who had the same type of experience.” Now the communications officer of the SVA, McCrory said the group and various other services at the college helped ease his transition into civilian life. “It was a great conduit, having the veterans group there, because it allowed me to talk to other people and say ‘Hey, it isn’t just me,’” he said. After a life of service, McCrory plans to continue being of service and looks forward to giving back to the larger community. It isn’t just history he is interested in; it’s also the future. For more information on the Bush Presidential Library, visit www. georgewbushlibrary.smu.edu/. For information about Collin College’s SVA chapter, contact Meredith Martin at mmartin@collin.edu. v Kirk Dickey is a public relations writer for Collin College. Photos by Nick Young, Collin College photographer. Allen Image | November 2016

feature

Sleuthing Out the Crafty by Peggy Helmick-RICHARDSON

Kara Phillips

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Could it have been an act of passion? The upstairs room at the Allen Public Library was eerily quiet as the Plano Police Department crime scene investigator carefully studied the metal instrument with a hook on one end. The other 11 women in the room silently kept their eyes downcast as they assiduously stabbed pointed objects at the items in their laps. Ask anyone in the room that dark Wednesday night if a crime had been committed and you would have received myriad responsesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;overflowing a designated yarn stash storage area, misplacing a crochet pattern or possibly dropping a stitch. Several brazenly confessed they were certain to be spending way too much while travelling across North Texas to visit area yarn stores during the annual DFW Yarn Crawl. And to all witnesses that hot summer night, Heather, the forensics professional from Fairview, was clearly making sure that the only evidence she left behind was that of a carefully crafted shawl. Twisted Threads, a group for anyone involved in thread or yarn crafts, was created three years ago by Kara Phillips. A senior adult services librarian with the Allen Public Library for over eight years, Kara had learned

to knit the previous year and saw a need for a space for other crafters to meet and share support and ideas. On this night, the 12 women in the room were knitting, crocheting or cross-stitching. Kara pointed out that other skills practiced during the monthly meetings include spinning yarn, quilting, latch hook and cord braiding. “It’s a great way to make new contacts in a safe environment,” Kara noted. “And it brings people into the library.” The new participants concurred, noting that they had just relocated to the area, saw the group on the library calendar and came to check it out. Moving from Plano to Allen last March, Linda discovered Twisted Threads when searching for another Allen Public Library program. “My grandmother tried to teach me how to knit when I was six, and she worked a lot with fiber, including needlepoint, crochet and knitting,” she explained. “I’ve tried to get past advanced beginner, but life gets in the way. Now I am working towards retirement and have a goal to make knitting a priority in my life.” Having knit washcloths, scarves and blankets, Linda hopes to take those skills she’s learned and move forward into making more complex items like sweaters. “Gauge, blocking and finishing is critical to end up with a nice garment—and with a blanket, you can fake that,” she laughed. For Linda, there are multiple advantages to participating in the library group. In addition to the “automatic tactile and visual connection” the participants have with yarn and their suggestions for yarn stash management, she also found an advanced knitter who could teach her the skills she was aiming for. Sheryl, who moved from St. Louis to Murphy two years ago, was the lone cross-stitcher that evening. Describing herself as a “professional

grandma,” she was carefully crafting a design with a monkey hanging from a tree that would be a granddaughter’s birth announcement. Another Allen newcomer, Eileen sat next to her, sans project, there simply to check out what the group was like. Both crocheters and knitters, mother Carolyn sat next to her daughter Wendy. Carolyn was busy crocheting slippers without benefit of a pattern, explaining that she learned the craft from an aunt when she was 13 and much preferred it over knitting. Wendy was working on camouflage hats for her husband and sons.

with a hemorrhagic stroke four years ago, she learned how to crochet as part of her treatment. “It’s really very therapeutic for someone who has had a stroke,” she explains. “Any kind of needlework helps build your mental capabilities back.” Several long-time Twisted Thread members were also on hand. Susan, who was knitting two socks simultaneously on a circular needle that night, teaches both knitting and crochet at a local Micheals and also offers private lessons. When another crafter mentioned arm knitting, Susan

Penny, the most recent transplant, had just moved from Kentucky to Princeton. A crocheter for four years as well as a needlefelter, Penny learned the craft at her local Kentucky library and was thrilled to discover the Allen library offered similar programs. Since learning to crochet, Penny has made sweaters, blankets, hats, fingerless mitts and a Yoda doll. She sees the craft as far more than an artistic expression and a chance to meet up with others with a similar interest. For her, it has also served as a form of medical therapy. Afflicted

laughed about teaching one girl how to arm knit because she wanted to make a hammock (and did so!), and instructing 12 other girls how to arm knit for a birthday party. Liz knits, crochets, embroiders and quilts, and on this particular evening, she is using leftover yarn from other projects to crochet mayflower squares. She explained these eventually will be sewn together to create a lap blanket. A retired federal employee from Allen who has been yarn and fiber crafting for over 50 years, Liz also participates in the

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City of Allen Senior Center’s Stitchin’ Time group as well as a gathering in McKinney that creates hats, scarves and gloves to donate to a project that serves children in Northern India. Allenites Connie and Janet have attended Twisted Threads since its inception, and both also participate in the Senior Center’s Stitchin’ Time. Crocheting “since I could hold a hook in my hand,” Connie noted that she added knitting to her crafting repertoire about 15 years ago. That evening, she brought her recently completed lace cardigan knit with a deep purple silk yarn. Connie pointed out that many of the Stitchin’ Time members not only craft creations for themselves and grandkids, but also items such as blankets,

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gloves and hats to donate to an area homeless veterans organization as well as blankets for children in need through the Linus Project. Janet, who emphasized that she is a knitter only, taught herself the craft from a book over 50 years ago. Her last two projects were blankets donated to Warm Up America, and this night she was knitting a cabled purse for herself. She also takes her projects over to a local senior living home to knit with friends there. For those who want to learn a fiber craft, the library recently started offering a quarterly learn-to-knit class, with Kara serving as the instructor. Although possessing some basic crochet skills, she does not feel qualified to teach a class in that, but Twisted Threads participant Susan has lead two beginning crochet classes at the library. Kara hopes these will also develop into an on-going quarterly opportunity. First taught how to crochet by her mother years ago, Kara found herself annoyed with the “weird shapes” she was creating and gave up in frustration. So when she decided to teach herself how to knit, she relied on the obvious resources. “I learned mostly through YouTube videos and some books and by doing it over and over and then ripping it all out and starting over again,” she recalled. Today, in addition to the instructional YouTube videos, she advises any yarn crafter to utilize the resources available through Ravelry.com, especially when it comes to finding specific patterns for their skill level. The most complicated knitting pattern Kara has tackled is a pullover sweater, made earlier this year. “It’s all one color and has cabling in the front, and it actually fits!” she boasted. She also tried her hand at a challenging lace knit scarf made for her mother. Bolstered by these accomplishments, she has decided to take the plunge and knit the same lace cardigan pattern that Connie recently finished. So she doesn’t get bored working on the same project or too tired from over-concentrating on a complex pattern, Kara usually has at least three projects on needles at any one time. Free to the public, Twisted Threads meets 6:308:30 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month in the upstairs program room at the library, 300 N. Allen Drive. Kara emphasizes that only two “rules” are in place for participation—bring a project to work on and have fun. The next beginning knit class is scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Saturday, November 5, at the library. For more information and dates for the next beginner’s classes, go to the City of Allen calendar at cityofallen.org/calendar or call 214.509.4905. v Peggy Helmick-Richardson is a freelance writer.

For Your Health

Allen Image | November 2016

pet page

“Stella”

Stella is a German Shepherd mix who is about 9 months to a year old. She is a smart, inquisitive and friendly girl. She is a very happy dog with the sweetest, natural smile and she lights up when she sees children and new people. She is learning basic obedience and is picking it up very quickly.

Stella is looking for her forever home. Stella is very observant and attentive of what her foster mom is doing especially when she is talking to her. She is learning to love to play fetch and play with other toys. She does great with young children and people of all ages. She loves other dogs, but does not do well with cats. She is current on all her vaccines and she has been spayed and microchipped. You won’t be disappointed when meeting this girl!

To meet this beautiful girl with the sparkling personality, please complete an online application: http://legacyhumanesociety. org/adoptfoster/adoption-application/.

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