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Allen Image INSIDE THIS ISSUE

October 2018

Vol. 28, Issue 10

FEATURES

42 UNLIMITED

ALLEN COWBOYS BRING HOME STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

The Allen Cowboys, a 7v7 youth flag football team in Allen are no strangers to winning. But, until June, they’d been denied what they wanted more than anything—the state championship title.

SPECIAL SECTIONS

KIDS KORNER

Halloween Costume DIY

PET PAGE

Finlee

18 CALENDAR

58 40

24 4

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE CIVIC FORUM

LIBRARY

EDUCATION

Arbor Day Celebration

The Cloudbuster Nine

Chinese Story Time Draws Crowds to Allen Public Library

History of White Rock Lake

Own Your Dream Career!

Concerts for Young Audiences

Celebrating Differences

The War That Saved My Life

Join Us at the Mart!

Ladies of the 80s—Debbie Gibson, Lisa Lisa and Tiffany

Tucker Hill Hosts Fall Concerton-the-Lawn

FUMC Fall Bazaar

Sherri Russell

COVER PHOTO Larry Fleming

ON THE COVER Brian Spann

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(Re)Making It Your Own

Bourbon Street, Voodoo and All That Jazz

ADVERTISING SALES

TRAVEL

Barbara Peavy

INTERIORS

Psycho

PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Collin College—It’s a Family Thing

36 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chelsey Aprill Matt Cobb Kirk Dickey

Allen Image © 2018 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:

Deborah Dove Tom Keener Dawn Bluemel Oldfield

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

Arbor Day Celebration by Matt COBB

In order to promote trees and their importance, the City of Allen is holding a morning of tree plantings at a local park where there will also be educational booths, live music and fun festivities for all ages. The Allen Parks and Recreation Department’s annual Arbor Day Celebration, sponsored by Keep Allen Beautiful, is happening from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, October 27 at Country Meadows Park, which is a free event that is open to the public. “The Arbor Day Celebration is a fun way to encourage and support tree planting and care right here in the local community,” said Jesse Simmons, Allen’s city forester. “This year, we’ll plant around 50 trees throughout Country Meadows Park, while also having great educational booths to learn about trees and plants that grow well in Allen’s environment.” This year’s Arbor Day Celebration will have a performance of the national anthem and other music by the Allen Community

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Band, along with a presentation of the United States flag. Educational booths will also be available throughout the park from organizations such as the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary with information about plants, animals and how to support the local environment. “At the event, we’ll also have fun craft tables available for children, and local vendors will be on-site with information about products that are available to support trees and plants,” Simmons said. “Allen’s forestry staff will conduct a tree climbing demonstration, and there will even be an appearance from our favorite tree mascot, Oaky Loaky the Talking Tree, who will be available for pictures and to promote environmental causes.” Prior to the event, the City of Allen’s forestry staff will dig holes for the trees, and during the event, attendees will have the opportunity to help set and plant them, which will not only enhance the park, but also contribute to the ongoing mission of beautification and conservation of natural resources in Allen. Some planting equipment will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own shovels and gloves. The Arbor Day Celebration will also mark the sixteenth-consecutive year for the City of Allen receiving the Tree City USA designation, a national honor sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation, which is given to communities that show a commitment to effective urban forest management. The criteria to receive the Tree City USA designation requires a dedication to tree planting and care and the observation of Arbor Day. Originally constructed in 1993 and renovated in 2009, Country Meadows Park has a range of amenities that include a pavilion, swings, playground, open play area, hike and bike trail, and picnic tables. Youth sports use the park for soccer and football practice throughout the year.

Country Meadows Park is located at 1511 Home Park Drive in Allen. To learn more about the Arbor Day Celebration, please visit AllenParks. org or call the Allen Parks and

Recreation Department at 214.509.4700. v Matt Cobb is the senior marketing coordinator for the City of Allen.

Allen Image | October 2018

Chinese Story Time Draws Crowds to Allen Public Library by Chelsey APRILL

iny shouts and the twang of rubber bands ricochet from the Children’s Department at Allen Public Library. Flip-flops and stroller wheels scoot along the fish-print carpet, forming a loose line between the bookshelves. Toddlers strum guitars made from paper plates as their parents clutch tickets to one of the hottest shows in town. For nearly two years, volunteers with the DFW Chinese-American Storytelling eGarden (CASE) have attracted families from Allen and across the metroplex with their engaging, giggle-inducing story times presented entirely in Mandarin Chinese. The group visits Allen Public Library once every two months with a free program geared toward ages 3-5. “Many Chinese parents want to teach their children to appreciate our language,” says Ya Wen, a local mom who helps organize the program. “But, simply reading Chinese characters can be boring.” That’s where DFW CASE steps in, lifting words off the page and into a whimsical hour of fun. More

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than twenty parent volunteers help plan each program by selecting stories, sourcing props and scheduling special guests. “We usually choose two stories with a subtle connection,” says Wen. Today’s theme is music. A visiting violinist performs Brahms’s “Lullaby” as children listen to the story of a mole that learned to play his own instrument. Not only does the program help kids learn, it also gets them moving. Preschoolers stretch to the ceiling and touch their toes while belting out their “do-re-mi”s. What started with a few dozen attendees has blossomed into one of Allen Public Library’s most popular events. Parents spread the word on Facebook and WeChat, an app popular with the Chinese community. Most attendees are Chinese, but all families are welcome. “We have a long history with rich culture,” says Wen. “We hope this group inspires Chinese children to learn about their heritage from a young age and helps others learn to enjoy Chinese culture.” Their work is already having an impact. In 2018, the program earned the Branding Iron Award for Community Engagement from the Texas Libraries Association. The award is given to libraries with programming or events designed to meet community needs or done in partnership with community organizations. As the program has grown, Allen Public Library staff has noticed a greater diversity in daily visitors. “The parents who wanted to share their culture with their own children are now sharing it with other parents and children,” said Allen Public Library Director Jeff Timbs.

“When we learn more about each other, who we are and what we have in common, we can become a stronger community.”

The program’s grand finale—a puppet show— begins. A pony takes the stage, soon joined by three traditional Chinese instruments: a bamboo flute, a suona horn and the bowed erhu. The smallest members of the audience leap to their feet. Rows of bobbing heads go still, enchanted by the pony’s adventure. Do they understand the words? It’s hard to tell. But, judging by their delighted faces, they understand enough to know they love it. To find a schedule of all Allen Public Library story times and events, visit CityofAllen.org/Calendar. v Chelsey Aprill is the Senior Marketing Specialist for the City of Allen.

Allen Image | October 2018

Join Us at The Mart! by Dawn Bluemel OLDFIELD

As gardeners eagerly await autumn and cooler temperatures and landscapes resplendent with colorful mums and pansies, it’s not too early to think about spring. Join the Collin County Master Gardeners Association on Saturday, October 13, in the Show Barn at Myers Park & Event Center in

McKinney, for the 2018 Bulb & Perennial Mart event, from 9 a.m.3 p.m. (or until sold out), to learn more about, and purchase, the best selections of bulbs, iris and perennials for North Texas. These Texas-tough plants will add color and beauty to the garden throughout the year.

Returning this year is a limited selection of bearded Iris, chosen for their beauty and “wow factor.” They’re all visually striking, and are dependable and tolerant of most soil types. CCMGA will also be selling a beautiful garden-themed 2019 calendar with colorful photographs and timely gardening tips—great holiday gifts for the gardeners on your list! Additionally, CCMGA will be offering compost and mulch from Texas Pure Products for sale. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about the benefits of these nutrient rich products and best practices on how and when to apply them to the garden. August pre-sale orders may be picked up from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and tours of Myers Park Research and Demonstration Gardens will be available from 9 a.m. until noon. The Bulb & Perennial Mart is an indoor event so come rain or shine! Join us for a day of fun, education and the joy of gardening. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer questions. The event is free and there is no sales tax. Cash or check, Visa, MasterCard and American Express accepted. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own cart. Proceeds from the sale benefit community outreach programs and horticultural and water conservation education throughout Collin County. For more information about the 6th Annual Bulb & Perennial Mart visit the CCMGA website: ccmgatx. org, or call 972.548.4232. v Dawn Bluemel Oldfield is the CCMGA Public Relations Chairperson.

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MARKET PLACE

Allen Image | October 2018

Snippets Ladies of The ‘80s—Debbie Gibson, Lisa Lisa and Tiffany

Tucker Hill Hosts Fall Concert-on-the-Lawn

100.3 JACK FM presents “Ladies of the ‘80s” with Debbie Gibson, Lisa Lisa and Tiffany on Thursday, October 18, at Allen Event Center. Enjoy a totally awesome night of ‘80s hits like Gibson’s “Only in My Dreams,” Lisa’s “Head to Toe” and Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com and at the Allen Event Center Box Office. These iconic female vocalists of the ‘80s have combined for eight platinum and gold selling albums, over 20 Billboard Top Ten hits and seven Billboard #1 singles. v Join us on Saturday, October 20, for a free Concert-onthe-Lawn featuring Six of the Matter. This popular Dallas-area cover band plays everything from country and classic rock to current hits. The concert goes from 5 p.m. until sunset on the grassy Lawn Chair Amphitheatre, near the intersection of State and Percy. Bring your own refreshments along with lawn chairs or blankets. Or, plan to purchase drinks and gourmet sliders from Arete’s Gourmet Sliders Food Truck! For more details, including parking and inclement weather plans, visit www.TuckerHillTX.com. v

FUMC Fall Bazaar Come shop with your neighbors, grab some great food and support the ministry of First United Methodist Church Allen’s Women in Missions at their annual Fall Bazaar, Saturday, October 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year our bazaar will feature Origami Owl, Scentsy, Wow! Great Lips!, Thirty One, Mary Kay, LulaRoe, Pampered Chef and Paparazzi Accessories, just to name a few! Other non-commercial vendors will include jewelry, home and garden décor, handmade greeting cards, ceramics, floral arrangements, skin care, inspirational items, sewn items and pecans. One hundred percent of our bake sale and hand-crafted items made by our Women in Missions go to support international and local missions. Something for everyone! If you need a booth, contact bazaar@fumcallen.org. We have a few spaces still available. First United Methodist Church of Allen is located at 601 S. Greenville Ave. in Allen. v

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LIBRARY

The Cloudbuster Nine

by Tom KEENER

Anne Keene

During World War II a number of professional athletes—many in the prime of their careers—enlisted in the military. Anne Keene, author of The Cloudbuster Nine: The Untold Story of Ted Williams and the Baseball Team Who Helped Win World War II, will share one exciting saga involving baseball icons in a free program at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. October 11, at the library. Come early to enjoy old-fashioned baseball music. In 1943, the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals were in the World Series, but another of the nation’s most capable baseball teams practiced on a college field in North Carolina. Ted Williams, Johnny Pesky and Johnny Sain were among the dedicated fighter-pilot cadets who donned Cloudbuster Nine baseball jerseys at an elite Navy training school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. With the help of rare images and insights from World War II baseball veterans such as Dr. Bobby Brown and Eddie Robinson, the story of this remarkable team is brought to life for

the first time in this recently published book. Anne Keene will participate in the 2018 Texas Book Festival in Austin. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, National Geographic Books, Dallas Morning News and a host of national sports publications. The Cloudbuster Nine currently ranks among Amazon’s top 25 baseball/ sports books for teens and adult readers. Anne serves as an advisor to Texas Our Texas, a Texas PBS documentary and education network, and is a board member supporting the Friends of Libraries and Archives of Texas. She is currently interviewing Major League Baseball’s surviving WWII veterans—a rare fraternity of fewer than 45 men who paused their professional baseball careers to serve their country. The library is located at 300 N. Allen Drive. Call 214.509.4911 for additional information. v Tom Keener is the cultural arts manager with the Allen Public Library. Allen Image | October 2018

The Library presents…

by Tom KEENER

History of White Rock Lake

Own Your Dream Career!

A long-time popular recreation destination in East Dallas, White Rock Lake has a rich heritage. Learn the story of this historical body of water with Sally Rodriguez in a free program at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, October 25, at the library. Dallas city leaders approved the damming of White Rock Creek to create a new water source in 1909. The project was completed in 1911. Later, the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration constructed stunning amenities that still adorn the landscape. Sailing, rowing, hunting and fishing were soon enormously popular at the site. World War II brought increased military uses to this locale, including a prisoner of war camp for German officers. In 1943, the government used the barracks at Winfrey Point to house German prisoners of war who had served in Rommel’s Afrika Corps. White Rock Lake is the source for one Dallas’ most famous folk stories—the Lady of the Lake— which involves a woman in a soaked white dress spotted somewhere along the edge of the lake. After pleading for and getting a ride home—always in the back seat—she vanishes before reaching the destination. A puddle of water on the seat is the only visible evidence that she had been in the car. The Bath House Cultural Center, Audubon Bird Watching Center, hiking and picnic areas are among the many attractions that draw over a million visitors a year. Author of Images of America: White Rock Lake and Images of America: White Rock Lake Revisited, Sally Rodriguez worked for the City of Dallas Parks Department for over 32 years, served as district manager and promoted the historic legacy of the Dallas park system. v

Want a new job? Access the hiring manager and be appointed to a new position. Competition and the impersonal hiring process make the effort a daunting task. Listen to Jack Bick, author of Mission Critical, Own Your Dream Career at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, October 25, in the library’s 2nd Floor Program Room. Even though many companies are presently hiring, Jack will demonstrate a successful strategy to overcome hiring obstacles. Jack declares, “If you offer yourself as ‘Mission Critical’ to the corporate needs, the company will find a place for you.” A former publisher of Inside Collin County Business and the Dallas Business Journal, Jack is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and is a Certified Career Coach. Jack served as a combat photographer/ reporter during the Viet Nam War and he currently serves as a coordinator of the Career Alliance at St. Jude Parish. v

Concerts for Young Audiences Join us on Sunday, October 7, as the Allen Philharmonic presents the Fall Concert for Young Audiences program at the library with music designed to reinforce the themes of the 2018 ALLen Reads book selections. Arrive at 2 p.m. and learn about the instrument families of the orchestra with our petting zoo. Then enjoy the free concert at 3 p.m. in the Civic Auditorium with music from Spider-Man, Moana and Coco who, like the characters in the ALLen Reads books, put others’ needs before their own. v

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Celebrating Differences

The War That Saved My Life

Local experts will discuss coping strategies for families involved in caring for loved ones who have special needs in a free community event, at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 4, at the library’s Civic Auditorium. Topics will include effective alternatives for disciplining children, financial planning and helping children transition into adulthood. This is a “Resource Fair” where families will find additional information from a variety of local businesses offering special services for these kids. In addition, the children’s section of the library will have “play stations” that introduce library resources to our families. Our speaker panel: Aimee Benfield, certified life quality coach, licensed marriage and family therapist-associate of Serenity Family Therapy, will discuss how special needs impact family functioning and how to overcome the stress; Monica Piper, board certified behavioral analyst and owner of Stepping Stones ABA Therapy, will talk about Dawn D. Hallman handling difficult behavior; A representative from 29 Acres will discuss this proposed housing community for adults who have special needs; Dawn D. Hallman, JD, a nationally recognized estate and tax planning attorney, will present an overview of the essential estate planning tools for individuals with special needs. All supervised kids are welcome! For further details, call 469.667.1185, or email bonniebjay@gmail.com. v

In a previous era, often children with challenges were hidden in cellars, closets or attics, depriving them of an education and social life. This year’s ALLen Reads selection, The War That Saved My Life, is an engaging story about a girl born with a clubfoot who was hidden from public view and abused. In a free program at 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, at the library, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley will discuss her book that garnered a Newberry Honor Medal and a Kirkus Best Books of the Year designation. This will be followed by a light reception and book signing. Although majoring in chemistry at college, Kimberley enrolled in a number of writing classes as part of her curricula. One of her writing teachers was Newberry medalist Patricia MacLachlan. While planning and researching her book, Kimberley traveled to England. She soon discovered that the story of the courageous evacuees is routinely taught in schools in the UK. Ordinary people kept diaries, which now offer a treasure trove of insights into the daily aspects of living during this frightening period of British history. Copies of The War That Saved My Life, and its sequel The War I Finally Won, will be available for purchase. v

Psycho During filming and production, Alfred Hitchcock insisted that the plot for his masterpiece Psycho (1960) be kept under a cloak of secrecy. Find out why at 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 31 at the library. Alfred Hitchcock was captivated with the study of psychology and various Freudian principles were loosely applied to the story line. Paramount studios rejected Hitchcock’s proposal for this film. In response, Hitchcock financed the film and waived his director’s fee for a 60% stake in the sales. A wise choice since the film grossed over $50,000,000, a huge amount for 1960. Starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh and Vera Miles. v

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. Allen Image | October 2018

CALENDAR

OCTOBER 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. 3

Allen Americans Shotgun Scramble @ The Courses at Watters Creek

Allen Americans Preseason Game

18 Ladies of the ‘80s with Debbie Gibson, Lisa Lisa & Tiffany 20 Allen Americans vs Wichita Thunder 24 Health Hustle 2018 27 Chalk the Walk 30 Russ: I See You Tour Part 2

PARKS AND REC EVENTS For more information about Parks and Recreation events, visit AllenParks.org. Every Friday in October—Pumpkin Derby Workshop, 5-7 pm, ages 6-18. Need help building your Derby Racer for the Pumpkin Derby on October 27? The Edge Visitor Center will be offering free workshops to help install axles on your Derby Racer. Free workshop; Derby kits $20.

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Spirit Park Grand Opening 5-9 pm, all ages, free. The public is invited to the grand opening, first pitch and public art dedication for the new Spirit Park. There will be live music and entertainment, food and beverages, activities, games, and much more! For details, visit AllenParks.org/SpiritPark.

27 Pumpkin Derby, noon-2:45 pm, ages 6-18. A funspirited event with side-by-side races featuring handcrafted, decorated Pumpkin Racers in a display of American ingenuity. Excitement builds as Derby Racers battle head-to-head. Awards will also be given for Best Design. Cost: $10. Register online at AllenParks.org.

12 SNAP Dance, 7-10 pm, ages 18+. SNAP your fingers and shuffle your feet at this Special Needs and Adapted Program at Allen Senior Rec Center! Enjoy music, a fun theme and snacks. This month’s theme is Halloween! For more information, contact Ryan Patterson at rmpatterson@cityofallen.org. Cost: $10.

27 Halloween Bash at the Nat, 7-10 pm, ages 3+. Join us for a night of Superhero fun and adventure! A superhero costume contest will be followed by the movie “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.” Prizes awarded to the best female/male costumes. Cost: $5/ages 3-17; $7/ages 18+.

13-14 Family Night: Campout & Movie, 3 pm-9 am, all ages. Families are invited to camp out under the stars and enjoy an evening full of nighttime fun with camp traditions. After setting up camp, enjoy your own picnic, play in the park and join us in the amphitheater for a movie starting at dusk. Free for age 2 & under/$10 per person/$60 family cap.

28 Howl-O-Ween Barkin’ Bash,1:30-3:30 pm, all ages. Dress up your dog and join the fun at Howl-O-Ween Barkin’ Bash! You and your furry friends will be treated to raffles, games, “arfs” and crafts, costume contest, and more! Free.

20 Pumpkin Splash Patch, noon-3 pm, ages 3-12. Come to the Natatorium and pick your Halloween pumpkin from our floating pumpkin patch! Swim and and stay to decorate your pumpkin. Children 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult in the water. Cost: $5. 27 Arbor Day Celebration, 9 am-noon, all ages. Join Allen Parks and Recr for our annual Arbor Day Celebration. Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Tree plantings and educational arts and crafts are part of celebration activities. Free. 27 Halloween Skate, 11:45 am-1:45 pm, all ages. Get in the spirit of Halloween at Allen Community Ice Rink’s Halloween Skate. There will be candy, raffles and much more. All on-ice participants must wear skates. Those who dress up in their costumes will receive a free skate rental. Cost: $5 entry/$3 skate rental.

ALLEN PUBLIC LIBRARY YOUTH SERVICES Story Times are held in the Children’s Program Room. All story times are free and no registration is required to attend. For more information, call 214.509.4906. Fall 2018 storytime runs September 4- November 18 Baby and Me, pre-walkers with a caregiver, Wednesdays at 10:15 am. Fun Ones & Twos, ages 1 & 2 with caregiver, Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10:15 am. Together Time, ages 3-5 with caregiver, Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays at 11:15 am, All By Myself, ages 4-5 w/o caregiver, Wednesdays at 11:15 am. Pajama Time, ages 3-5 with caregiver, Tuesdays at 6:30 pm.

EVENTS FOR FAMILIES & CHILDREN For more information about events below, call 214.509.4906. All events are free and no pre-registration required. Events are in the Children’s Program Room except where noted. 8-16 In-N-Out Cover to Cover Reading Program, ages 4-12 only. Register at the Library’s Children Desk starting October 9. Children read five books to earn a coupon for a free In-N-Out treat. See Children’s Desk for full program details. 5

Sensory Play Day, 10:30-11:30 am, ages 0-3 with caregiver. Join us for a relaxed morning of stimulating sensory play stations.

12 Messy Art, 11 am-noon, ages 2 & up with caregiver. Get messy and enjoy some hands-on art projects! 16 How To Draw, 4:30-5 pm, ages 5-8. Learn to draw something new each month. All materials provided. 19 Music and Movement, 10:30-11:30 am, ages 2 & up with caregiver. Join us as we sing, dance and make music! Limited to 80. A free ticket required to attend. Free tickets available at the Children’s Desk 30 min. before program starts. 20 LEGO Family Fun Day, 10:30-11:30 am, ages 5 & up. Make a new structure each month! Children under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult. 22 Who Was Party, 3-4 pm, ages 8-12. Join us for a party based on the ‘Who Was?’ series, celebrating the lives of famous people throughout history! Come dressed as the person from your favorite ‘Who Was?’ book to get a special prize! 23 First Chapter Book Club, 4:30-5:30 pm, ages 5-8. Have you read every Magic Tree House book and need something new? Each month, we’ll read aloud the first chapter of a new series and enjoy a project inspired by what we read. 26 Starting Out WILD, 10:30-11 am, ages 1-3 and caregiver. Each month we explore a different environmental theme utilizing songs, stories, finger play, sensory discovery and hands-on activities. This month’s theme: Why I Recycle. Presented by Community Services Education Specialist Andrea Smith. Limited to 20 toddlers plus caregivers. A free ticket required to attend. Free tickets available at the Children’s Desk 30 min. before program starts. 26 Halloween Story Time, 2:30-3 pm, all ages in the Auditorium. Enjoy a festive story time featuring not-sospooky stories, songs, rhymes and fun! A free ticket required to attend. Tickets available at the Children’s Desk 30 min before program starts. 30 Dash and Dot Robots, 4:30-5:30 pm, ages 8-12. Participate in challenges using our robots Dash and Dot. This program is sponsored by Shubha and Vatsa Ramanathan in memory of S. Ramanathan.

TEENS (AGES 12-18) 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. Ages listed are firm. 11 Anime Evening, 6:30-8 pm, in the Upstairs Program Room. Come enjoy an evening of anime, Japanese snacks and crafts!

HOME SCHOOL STUDENTS All special events for home school students are held in the Children’s Program Room unless noted otherwise and are free. No registration is required to attend. For more information, call 214.509.4906. 3

Explore Horizons Workshop: Young Mathematicians Award, 1:30-2:30 pm, ages 8-12. Inspire and challenge yourself by participating in the 5th Annual Young Mathematicians’ Award. One team of four children will progress to Round 2 for the Regional Final!

Allen Image | October 2018

10 It’s in the Bag! Environmental Education, 1:302:15 pm, ages 5-12. This three-month series focuses on recycling, litter prevention and waste management. The Litter Bag. This environmental education activity is from “Waste in Place” curriculum developed by Keep America Beautiful. Presented by Community Services Educator Specialist Andrea Smith. 17 STEM Challenges, 1:30-2:30 pm, ages 5-12. Put your creativity and problem-solving skills to the test as you complete these STEM-based challenges! 24 Art Sparks: Art at Work, 1:30-2:30 pm, ages 5-12. ArtSparks is an art appreciation and visual literacy program designed by the Allen Arts Alliance. Children interact with and explore great works of art, participate in engaging discussion, and reinforce concepts with hands-on activities.

ADULTS Adult services programs are held in the 2nd Floor Program Room, free with no registration—ages 18+ unless otherwise indicated. Call 214.509.4905 or 214.509.4913, or check AllenLibrary.org. 3

Noontime Pageturners Book Club, The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley 12-1 pm. We offer a relaxed environment where, you can share the joy of reading. New members always welcome.

Trivia Night @ Nine Band Brewing Co., 6-8 pm, ages 21+, off site at Nine Band Brewing Co., 9 Prestige Circle, Allen. Team up with your friends to compete for first place—test your knowledge of beer, literature, history, science and more! Please keep teams to 6 or less. The Library does not provide alcohol.

TheArts@APL—Calming Salligraphy, 2-3:30 pm. Practice the strokes and lettering of beautiful writing in a tranquil setting with peaceful background music. All supplies provided. Leave anxieties at the door and plan for a stress-free afternoon of calming calligraphy. Limited to 20. Free tickets available in the 2nd Floor Program room 15 minutes prior to the program.

Let’s Talk Dewey: ALLen Reads The War That Saved My Life, 7-8 pm. Join us as we discuss the 2018 ALLen Reads selection The War That Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Copies available to borrow from a cart by the Information Desk. If you prefer to read nonfiction, choose any book about WWII (940.53940.548673). Feel free to ask a reference librarian for help. You’re welcome to attend even if you haven’t had a chance to read a book.

10 Twisted Threads—A Fiber Craft Circle, 6:308:30 pm. Twisted Threads is a social group for knitters, crocheters, cross stitchers, quilters and any other crafters who use thread or yarn. All skill levels welcome! Ages 18+; no childcare provided 14 TheArts@APL—Knitting in the Round, 2-4 pm. Have you mastered the basics of knitting? Learn how to knit in the round. Bring 16” circulars or set of double pointed needles, size US 7 and 8 and we’ll provide yarn and cable needles. This is an advanced beginner level project. You must know how to cast on, knit and purl— these will not be taught. Limited to 30. Free tickets available 15 min. prior to program at Reference Desk. Sponsored by McKinney Knittery. 16 Travel Like a Pro!, 7-8:30 pm. World travelers George and Denise Bouhasin share more tips and tricks they’ve learned from many trips abroad. Focus is on independent travel planning and how to get around without a tour group. 17 Ladies Night Out Book Club, 7-8 pm. Come join us in a discussion of The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman. 17 DIY@APL- Suminagashi (Japanese Marbling), 10-11:30 am, First Floor Meeting Room. Try your hand at creating marbleized paper for greeting cards, book marks, and more. All supplies provided. Ages 16+.

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30 Nonfiction Book Buzz!, 7-8:30 pm. Join us and learn about new and upcoming nonfiction books being added to the Library this fall. Free advance reader copies available for attendees. 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. A Place To Go (APT G), meets the third Saturday each month, (Sept-May), 7-9:30 pm, 1st UMC, 601 S. Greenville, Allen. Volunteers, high school age and up are paired with a special needs teen/young adult. Eat, play games and make crafts in a parent’s night out environment. Free. For more info: 214.385.8850 or email specialkids@fumcallen.org. Allen Area Patriots, meets the fourth Thursday each month, 7-8:45 pm, Allen Municipal Building, 301 Century Pkwy., Allen. 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. 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 Drive. 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 Toastmasters’ Club, meets every Monday, 6:30 pm, Train Depot, 100 E. Main, Allen. Guests welcome. For more info: Joe Nave at 214.566.3100. American Association of University Women-Plano/Collin County Branch, meets second 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 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 Ave., McKinney. Bible study for women and children. Studying Luke. Reg. req. For more info: katpf@att.net or mckinneyallen.cbsclass.org. Collin County Aggie Moms, meets the third Monday each month, 7 pm, Texas A&M Ext. Center, 17360 Coit Road. 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 second Wednesday each month, at 5th Street Pizza, 111 Central Expwy., Allen. For more info: collinlp.org or email collinlp.org@gmail.com. Collin County Master Gardeneers tour of Myers Park, meets first Wednesday each month, 10 am, 7117 County Rd. 166, McKinney. Reservations required. For more info: 972.548.4232 or mgcollin@ag.tamu.edu. Collin County Republican Men’s Club, meets 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 meets second Saturday each month in Plano/North Dallas 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. For more info: www.beautifulviolets.com. Friends of the Allen Public Library meets third Wednesday each month, Board Room, Allen Public Library, 300 N. Allen Dr. For more info, www.allenfriends.org. Gaslighters Book Review Club meets third Wednesday each month September thru May at Heard Craig House, 205 W. Hunt Street, McKinney, refreshments noon, speaker 1 pm. For more info: LaRue Whatley, 423.585.4983.

Greater Collin County Kennel Club, meets third Wednesday each month, 7:30 pm, Joe Farmer Rec Center, 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. Lone Star Parliamentary Unit, meets second Monday 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, meets second Thursday each month, Creekwood UMC, 261 Country Club, Fairview. Different topic & speakers. Free lunch; babysitting available for nominal fee. For more info: www.lovejoypa.org, meetup.com/Lovejoy-PreschoolPTA/. McKinney Amateur Radio Club, meets second Tuesday each month, 7 pm, Spring Creek Bar B Que 1993 North Central Expressway, McKinney. For more information: 972.814.4190. 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. McKinney Newcomers’ Club, meets third Tuesday each month, 9:30 am, social; 10 am meeting, Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5871 W. Virginia Pkwy., McKinney. October program: The Texas Storm chasers will speak on their experiences chasing Texas weather. For more info: www.mckinneynewcomers.com. NARFE Chapter 559, meets third Monday each month, 1:30 pm, Village of Stonebridge Assisted Living, 3300 S.

Stonebridge Drive, McKinney. All current government employees and retirees invited. Nar-Anon Family Group, meets every Wednesday, 7:308:30 pm, at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 750 W. Lucas Road, Lucas. Fellowship for those affected by someone else’s addiction. For more info: Jerry or Carla, 972.837.6558 or pony100k@icloud. com. Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano, meets second Tuesday each month, refreshments 9:30 am, meeting 10 am, Noah’s Event Center, 5280 Towne Square Dr., Plano. October program is An entertaining book review about Debbie Reynolds. All welcome to join. 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 each 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 the third Tuesday each month, 11:30 am, Reflections on Spring Creek, 1901 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano. For more info: www.planorepublicanwomen.com.

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Prelude Clubhouse, community center for adults living with mental illness meets at Collin Creek Church, 1905 E. Parker Rd, Plano. Open Mon., Tue. & Thu., 10 am-4 pm. For more information, please call 469.301.6639 or www. preludeclubhouse.org.

Reasonable Faith Collin County Chapter, meets second and fourth Thursday, 6:45-8:30 pm, Cottonwood Creek Church, Rm B202. For more info: www.RFCCTX.org and email: ReasonableFaithCollinCO@gmail.com.

United Methodist Women’s Reading Group, meets 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.

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.

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.

Volunteer Master Gardeners offer landscaping and gardening advice, every Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am-4 pm. Texas A&M’s Co-op Extension, 825 N. McDonald #150, McKinney. For more info: 972.548.4232 or 972.424.1460.

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..

Texas Nationalist Movement-Collin County Chapter, meets first Tuesday each month, 6:30 pm at Scotty P’s restaurant in Allen, 109 Central Expy N #501, Allen. If you love Texas and value our independent spirit, come join us! Toastmasters SpeakUp Allen, meets every Wednesday, “Become the Speaker and Leader You Can Be,” 7 pm, IHOP, 315 Central Expwy, Allen. For more info: Bill Peterson, 972.523.9425.

Voyagers Social Club of McKinney, meets 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.

ART/MUSIC/THEATRE Allen Folk Music Society, meets third Saturday each month, 7-10 pm, The Blue House, 102 S. Allen Dr. Bring snacks to share. For more info: www.twiceasfar.com/news. Allen Symphony Chorus rehearsals, every Monday, 7-9 pm, choir room at First UMC. For more info: Henry@WealthManagementGroupLLC.com.

CRAFTS Allen Quilters’ Guild, meets the third Thursday each month, 6:30 pm, Blue House Too, Watters Creek. For more info: www.allenquilters.org. Common Threads of Allen, meets the first and third Tuesdays 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 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. American Cancer Society Road to Recovery needs volunteers to drive cancer patients to appts. If you have a car and have time 9 am-5 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. Cancer Support Ministry, meets second Sunday each month, 4 pm, 1st Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm E101. For more info: Jimmy Smith, 972.727.8241.

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Heart Link Women’s Networking group, women only business networking. Monthly meetings. Days & locations vary. For more info: www.75013.theheartlinknetwork.com. National Alliance of Mental Illness (for Collin County) Support Groups meet every Thursday, 6:30-8 pm at Custer Road UMC in the basement, 6601 Custer Road, Plano. There is one support group for persons with a mental illness and another group further down the hall for friends and/or family. For more info: NAMI Dallas, 214.341.7133. 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 & 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. Collin County Hobby Beekeepers, meets second Monday each month, 6:30 pm, Collin College, Central Park Campus Conference Center, 2200 W. University Dr., McKinney. For more info: www.cchba.org.

Fit and Funky Fit Club, meets every Monday, 7:30 pm, & 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. Proceeds donated to local charities. For more info: email cattaneo.ray@gmail.com.

The Experiment Aircraft Association, Chapter 1246, meets first Saturday each month, McKinney National Airport. Everyone interested in aviation is invited. For times and directions: eaa1246.org.

MOM’S CLUBS

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.

Allen Early Childhood PTA, support for parents and care givers of kids age 0-5. Fun activities. Play groups, park days, lunch w/friends, field trips, Mom’s Night Out, Dads & Kids, etc. For more info: www.aecpta.com or information@aecpta.com.

McKinney Chess Club, every Saturday, 10:30 am-1:30 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.

Allen/McKinney Area Mothers of Multiples, new and expectant moms’ forum, meets third Thursday each month, 7 pm, First Christian Church, 1800 W. Hunt, McKinney. For more info: www.amamom.org or 972.260.9330.

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. Stroller Strides Classes. For class information, check out Fairview.fit4mom.com. First class Free. For more info: Fairview.fit4mom.com, email Lolo@fit4mom.com.

Collin County Early Childhood PTA, meets second Monday each 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, meets the first Friday each month (Sept.-May), 10 am-noon, at Grace Church, 2005 Estates Pkwy, Allen. For moms of preschool children. Relax with hot brunch and speaker. Childcare-$3 per child/$6 max. For more info: www.grace-efc.org/womens-ministry/. 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 and more. For more info: momsclubofallentx@gmail.com. MOMS Club McKinney Central, support group for stay-athome moms. Play groups, daytime activities, Mom’s Night Out, parties, babysitting co-op. For more info: MckinneyMoms@yahoo.com.

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Moms in Prayer, join prayer movement—bringing mothers together and seeing God change children through prayer. For more info: MomsInPrayer.org or Amy Guthrie at amyguthrie@ verizon.net.. 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. For more info: 972.727.8241. MOPS of Hope Plano, Hope Community Church, meets the first and third Wednesday each month, 9:30-11:30 am, 3405 Custer, #200, Plano. For more info: 214.762.0037. Walking by Faith, offers prayer and practical support for mothers of children with special needs. Meets third Wednesday of each month (during the school year), 6 pm, First Baptist Church Allen, 201 E. McDermott, Rm B214. Childcare provided with advance reservations. For more info: Stacie Smith, staciesmithslp@gmail.com.

MUSEUMS/PRESERVES ALLEN HERITAGE GUILD MUSEUM Open second and fourth Saturdays, 10 am-2 pm, 100 E. Main St., Allen. Permanent and rotating exhibits, DVD programs on Allen history and historic photo collages. For more info: www.allenheritageguild.org.

CONNEMARA MEADOW PRESERVE Bird Walk at the Connemara Meadow Preserve, 3-hour walk, monthly alternating first Saturday and first Sunday, 8 am, Oct thru Apr; 7 am, May thru Sept., Alma and Tautm Rd., Allen. Bring binoculars and field guides; wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and insect repellent; learn habits, calls and characteristics from Gailon and Rodney, Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society. All ages. For more info: www.connemaraconservancy.org.

HEARD MUSEUM Saturday Bird Walk Educational Program, 8 am. Learn more about birding! These walks are intended to help beginning and intermediate birders with bird spotting and identification techniques. 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. Heard Museum Native Plant Society, meets first Tuesday each month, 7:30 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566. Heard Museum Nature Photography Club, meets the second Saturday each month, 1:30 pm, Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

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.

Allen Rotary Club meets every Wednesday, noon, 1st United Methodist Church, 601 S. Greenville, Allen. For more info: www.allenrotary.org.

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

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

Singles Mingle 60+, meets first Monday each month at Delaney’s Irish Pub, 6150 Eldorado Pkwy, McKinney. Provides a social forum for active men and women singles who 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. Xtra Years of Zest Seniors Luncheon, meets third Thursday each month, 11:30 am, Sept. thru May, First UMC Allen, 601 S. Greenville, Fellowship Hall. Lunch ($5), fellowship, speakers and entertainers. For more info: jgarling@swbell.net.

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS ALLEN/FAIRVIEW CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Visit www.allenfairviewchamber.com for more information. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Eggs & Issues Breakfast meets quarterly at Hilton Garden Inn, 8 am. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce MOB (Men of Business), meets second Monday every other month, 11:30 am-1 pm, Kelly’s at the Village at Allen, for networking. $20 mem; $25 non-mems/general public.

Knights of Columbus, meets 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 fourth Thursday each month, 7:30 pm, Our Lady of Angels, 1914 Ridgeview Drive, Allen. For more information contact Jason at jason.beckett.1@gmail.com, or visit us at https://kofcknights.org/CouncilSite/?CNO=13044. 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.

VFW “Lone Star Post 2150” Motorcycle Group 33, meets first Saturday each month, 10 am, 1710 N. Church St., McKinney. For more info: “Driveway John” 971.822.4483, gmlsp2150@ gmail.com or visit www.vfwpost2150.org.

Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce W.I.S.E. (Women in Support of Enterprise), meets second Thursday every other month, 11:30 am. Location varies. Networking and discussion of women’s issues. $20 member/$25 guest. Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Breakfast, meets monthly at Rudy’s Country Store & Bar-B-Q, 1790 N. Central Expwy., Allen, 8 am. $15 members/$20 non-members.

Allen Kiwanis Club, meets every Thursday, noon, Bonefish Grill, 190 E Stacy Rd #100. Visitors welcome. For more info: www.allenkiwanis.org.

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FUMC Legal Aid Clinic meets second Thursday each month, 6-8 pm, First UMC, 601 S. Greenville Ave., Allen. Provides legal assistance for civil matters to low income individuals in partnership with Legal Aid of NW Texas. No reservation required. Food & fellowship provided. For more info: kim.klieger@gmail.com or www.lanwt.org.

Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon, meets fourth Tuesday, 11:30 am-1 pm, Hilton Garden Inn, Allen. $20 member/$25 guest.

Third Saturday Nature Talks: Nature Journaling. Learn new ways to experience nature through nature journaling! An intro to journaling techniques thru hands-on activities.

Fairview Rotary Club, meets second and fourth Thursday each month, Stacy Rd, Fairview. For more info: 214.893.5360.

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

Allen High Noon Lions Club, meets second and fourth Thursday each month, 5th Street Pizza (inside Stacy Furniture), 111 Central Expwy. S. For more info: Peter Young, 972.849.4952.

SENIORS

Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR, The General Bernardo de Galvez Chapter, meets third Tuesday each month. For more info:GenBernadoDeGalvez@gmail.com.

Allen/Fairview Chamber of Commerce Tuesday Morning Live networking breakfast, every Tuesday, 7:30 am, Fairview Town Center, 311 Town Place, Fairview (formerly Wyland’s Ocean Blue restaurant). $1 member/ $5 non-member first visit free.

Heard Museum Prairie & Timbers Audubon Society, meets fourth Tuesday each month, 7 pm, 1 Nature Place, McKinney. For more info: 972.562.5566.

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, Greater Collin County Chapter, meets third Wednesday, 10 am at Gleneagles Country Club, Plano. Guests welcome. For more info: algcc.org or call 972.769.2299.

Allen Masonic Lodge No. 1435, meets second Tuesday each month, 7:30 pm at 101 North Allen Drive. Dinner is served at 6:30 pm. For more info: www:allenlodge1435.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 second Saturday each 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.

TRAVEL

Bourbon Street, Voodoo and All That Jazz by Deborah DOVE

There’s something mystical, enchanting and downright seductive about New Orleans. Maybe it’s the markedly French influence on the city nicknamed “The Big Easy” for its slow and easy-going vibe, and “The Crescent City” because of its location at a sharp bend of the Mississippi River. Maybe it’s the lush tropical foliage or the moss-laden trees and old cemeteries. Maybe it’s the romantic other-worldliness of the hidden courtyards, cobbled streets and lacy iron scrollwork displayed on the balconies, fences and gates of the French Quarter or the stately, historic southern mansions of the Garden District that transport you back to a more genteel era. Or maybe it’s the way New Orleans celebrates life with all the things city is known for—the jazz, the food, the festivals, Bourbon Street and the hint of voodoo magic. Fully recovered from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans celebrates its 300th anniversary this year, and there’s never been a better time to visit. Allen Image | October 2018

Where to Stay The French Quarter is the hub of New Orleans and the best place to stay to experience all that the city has to offer. We stayed at Maison Dupuy, a quaint, French-inspired historic hotel on a quiet residential street in the French Quarter with balcony rooms overlooking the beautiful courtyard or the French Quarter. Just two blocks from Bourbon Street, Maison Dupuy is conveniently located within easy walking distance to just about everything, yet removed enough to ensure a quiet night’s sleep.

Food and Drink New Orleans is almost as wellknown for its food and drinks (Bourbon Street, anyone?) as it is for its music scene and Mardi Gras celebrations, and there’s no shortage of restaurants to choose from. Most of them serve up seafood or dishes with a Cajun flair. No visit to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Café du Monde. Located in the French Market area near the Mississippi River, it is known for its dark-roasted coffee (served black or au lait) and beignets—square, French-style donuts dusted in powdered sugar that will change your life. The Ruby Slipper is a local

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favorite for southern-style breakfast or brunch, with to-die-for eggs benedict, biscuits, shrimp and grits and mimosas. For lunch or dinner, Oceana, the Redfish Grill and the Gumbo Shop offer solid NOLA food— primarily seafood with a Cajun flair. For late night eats and breakfast, Daisy Duke’s, located in the French Quarter near Canal Street, is open 24/7 and offers delicious po’boys and gumbo without breaking the bank. Of course, you can’t go to New Orleans without visiting Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter. It extends for thirteen blocks from Canal Street to Esplanade and is legendary for its bars, nightclubs, music and plethora of signature cocktails. Open container laws allow visitors to walk along the pedestrianonly street with a drink in hand while listening to street performers playing jazz or bands from inside bars—most of which are open, allowing the sounds of the city to meld together into a lively hum that is distinctly New Orleans.

Be sure to try to trifecta of Bourbon Street’s signature drinks, all of which come in optional take-home glasses. There’s the world-famous hurricane at Pat O’Brian’s (the large landscaped patio and light-up fountain makes it a great location to take a breather), a lime-green Hand Grenade from Tropical Isle and Resurrection—a blue drink served in a flashing skull cup—at Spirits. Willie’s Chicken Shack serves some of the booziest frozen drinks, and Napoleon House is the best place for a Pimm’s Cup—the city’s sophisticated trademark cocktail. And, don’t miss having a drink at the Carousel Bar at Hotel Monteleone. Once frequented by literary greats such Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Truman Capote, this merry-go-round bar actually revolves and serves up classic cocktails and jazz music in a sophisticated environment.

What to Do The French Quarter The French Quarter is the heart and soul of New Orleans and, in addition to restaurants galore, beautiful architecture and the nightlife scene of Bourbon Street, it offers great live music, including

numerous jazz venues along Royal Street as well as on Bourbon Street. Rent a bike from Bike Rental New Orleans (or go by foot) and explore the shops of the French Market, have your fortune told at one of the many voodoo shops, or step inside the spectacularly beautiful St. Louis Cathedral—the oldest cathedral in North America—where the organ plays while you feast your eyes on an impressive display of paintings and stained glass. Nearby St. Louis Cemetery is the resting place of Marie Laveau, the legendary “voodoo queen” whose tomb many believers still visit to make offerings to her spirit in return for blessings. If you don’t want to risk missing a thing, most of the bike rental companies offer guided tours. In the evening, watch the city go by on a leisurely two-hour jazz cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez, the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River. After disembarking, tempt Lady Luck at Harrah’s, New Orleans’ only casino, which is less than a mile from the dock.

Garden District Of course, there’s more to New Orleans than just the French Quarter. A streetcar ride along St. Charles Avenue (a steal of a deal at $1.25 for a single-ride fare or $3 for an unlimited, all-day ticket) will transport you to the gentility of the Garden District,

with its ancient oak trees and stately mansions. Get off at Washington Avenue and follow the self-guided tour offered by https://freetoursbyfoot. com/self-guided-garden-district/ to see the above-ground tombs at the historic Lafayette Cemetery, where numerous movies have been filmed, the homes of some notable New Orleans residents (including former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning and Confederate president Jefferson Davis), and notable homes featuring the various architectural styles of the city.

Off the Beaten Path For a truly unique New Orleans experience, take a swamp tour. Airboat Swamp Tours is only half an

hour from New Orleans and offers a fast ride through the swamp where you’ll see alligators, egrets, herons, turtles, snakes and more. Cajun Pride Swamp Tours offers a more sedate journey aboard a covered boat with the opportunity to see alligators up close. For an even more up-close and interactive experience, New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours lets you explore the beauty of the swamps by kayak with an eco-guide. Known as the most haunted city in the United States, there’s no shortage of ghost tours in New Orleans. Take a guided tour, or visit https://www. neworleans.com/plan/itineraries/ haunted/ for a list of haunted locales, from Faulkner House Books—the house where William Faulkner wrote his first novel and where people swear they’ve seen his ghost at the writing desk and smelled his pipe—to the Bourbon Orleans, where a lonely ghost can be seen dancing beneath the crystal chandelier. New Orleans celebrates something almost every weekend (it is the Festival Capital of the World, after all), from Mardis Gras to Voodoo Music and Arts to Jazz, so plan accordingly. For more information, visit www.neworleans.com and https://gonola.com/. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen. Allen Image | October 2018

YOUTH SEEN

Allen Cowboys Bring Home State Championship

by Deborah DOVE

he Allen Cowboys, a 7v7 youth flag football team in Allen that has been playing together since 2012, are no strangers to winning. Maybe it’s because they’re named after the Dallas Cowboys. Maybe it’s because several of their coaches are football stars in their own right and know how to impart the critical knowledge young players need to succeed. Or maybe it’s because as multisport athletes, playing everything from lacrosse to basketball and baseball, in addition to football, the boys are accustomed to giving their all. In their five years of playing for Allen Sports Association (ASA), the team has only lost one game, giving them a record of 44-1. In addition to playing for ASA, they also play school-based competitive 7v7 football tournaments through Prime Time Sports, and have won all five championship games in the city league and gone on to the Tournament of Champions—the state championship hosted by Prime Time Sports—every year for the past three years. But, until June, they’d been denied what they wanted more than anything—the state championship title.

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“Every year we have either been in the championship game or lost to the champion,” says Allen Cowboys head coach Bob Chipper. Two years ago, they lost in the championship game to Celina by one point. Last year, the Cowboys, along with a team from Mansfield, were considered the top teams contending for the championship title. The two teams met in the first round of the playoffs and the Cowboys lost to Mansfield, who went on to win the championship. Although they’d only been beaten by the champions each year, the team wanted to be the champions. That dream became a reality when they beat the Elite 2023, a team from Houston, 33 to 20 in the 2018 championship game on June 24, in College Station, where the 2018 Prime Time Sports Tournament of Champions was held. “It was a mixture of relief and being ecstatic,” says Chipper of the win. “It was really great.” It was also a lesson in perseverance for the eighthgrade team, which includes Nick Chipper, Andrew Toben, Evan Bullock, Dylan Rhodes, Noah Messervy, Ty Holt, Jake Swift, Aidan Graham, Justin Blancaflor, Malik Dailey, Owen

Johansen, Brock Winsett, Michael Momoh, Larsen Dallmann and Cristian Tellez. Between them, the boys attend all three Allen middle schools, and they all also play tackle football for their respective middle school teams. The competition in the Tournament of Champions is tough. This year, there were twenty-five teams in the eighth-grade division alone. “There is significantly better competition (through the Prime Time League), especially when you get to the Tournament of Champions,” says Chipper. Teams have to place first or second in a regional tournament to even qualify to go to the state championship. Leading up to the tournament, the Allen Cowboys played four to five games a day over the course of five weekends during the regular Prime Time Sports season, which runs from January or February to June. Organized 7v7 leagues grew out of flag football, and is about giving quarterbacks, wide receivers and defensive backs the opportunity to work on skills. “You’re just running the plays without worrying about blocking,” says Chipper. He adds that for his team, 7v7 is about teaching the fundamentals of the game, and about character. “We’re not a showboating team,” he says. “There was a lot of bad sportsmanship shown, especially in the Tournament of Champions, but we don’t go there. In fact, Allen doesn’t go there. We’re trying to teach the fundamentals of the sport, but also to have character and compete for playing times and positions, because that’s what’s going to happen in life.” He adds that there’s a window of time to help the young men develop their skills before turning them over to the high school and colleges, and he’s grateful to be able to coach his own son, Nick, as well as the rest of the boys. Chipper is

assisted by Randy Bullock, who played for the Atlanta Falcons (his son, Evan, is the quarterback for the Allen Cowboys), Rod Toben and Robert Dailey. After playing hard in the regional games, the Cowboys were ready for the championship. The entire month of June leading up to tournament weekend, the boys ran a lot of sprints to get in top conditioning. Then, on June 23, they arrived in College Station ready to play. The team took fifteen players to the championship games, thirteen who had played with the team for the entire season, and two who were added to the roster who will play on the team next year. Five of the players—or a third of the team—have been playing together since 2014. After playing six games over the course of two days in the Texas heat, the Allen Cowboys achieved their goal and brought home the state title. Coach Bob Chipper, who was as excited as the boys about the win, believes the team earned the title. “The team was dedicated, and they showed up. Other teams didn’t do what we did to get here,” he says, recounting the team’s numerous games, practices and drills. “Winning the state championship showed the kids that hard work pays off. We struggled for two years and didn’t quite make our goal, but this showed them that when you stick with it, you can achieve the goals you set yourself. For them to recognize they had to push through… that taught them life lessons along the way. Our goal for the last three years was winning the state championship, so achieving that goal was pretty great.” The boys will no doubt remember those life lessons and the sweet taste of a hard-won victory, forever. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen. Allen Image | October 2018

KIDS KORNER

Halloween Costume DIY by Deborah DOVE No need to fight the crowds or shell out fifty dollars for an outfit your child, tween or teen will only wear once. Some of the best costumes are homemade, and easily pulled together from things you already have with the addition of an accessory or two. Following are a few ideas that are simple but adorable to inspire you. Pint-sized Harry Potter

Nerd

Bumble Bee

Mime

With a pair of khaki pants and white long-sleeve shirt, all a toddler needs to turn into Harry Potter is a pair of round black glasses and a maroon and gold scarf knotted around his neck. Add a small lightning bolt to his forehead drawn on with a black eyeliner pencil, and he’ll be ready for Hogwarts. Make a no-sew costume that’s as sweet as can “bee.” Start with a black t-shirt and black leggings. Add a tulle skirt made by tying strips of black and gold sparkle tulle to a piece of elastic sized to fit around your child’s waist, alternating colors until the elastic is completely covered. Store bought black wings and an antennae headband complete this adorable outfit.

Lego

It’s easy to make a costume based on this popular building toy. Cut off the bottom flaps of a box (approximately 16”W × 29”H × 11”D) with a utility knife. Tape down the top flaps. To create head and arm holes, trace a dinner plate on the top of the box and saucers on each of the box’s sides, and cut out with the utility knife. Lay the box flat on its back. Using a low-temperature hot glue gun, affix eight small round (clean) plastic margarine containers—without their lids—in two vertical rows along the front, open side down. Spray paint the entire thing a glossy red, yellow, blue, or green.

This is a very adaptable costume. You can use a pair of pants or jeans, rolled up to become “high waters,” or a skirt or shorts paired with knee-high socks. Suspenders are a must, along with a bow tie, lopsided pigtails or braids for girls and the requisite thick black glasses taped in the middle. This easy costume works for boys or girls. Start with black bottoms (long pants for boys and a black skirt over black tights for a girl) and a black and white striped shirt. Add red suspenders, white gloves, and a black bowler hat (optional). Don’t forget the white face paint with black eye makeup accents and red kewpie lips.

Sports Figure

The perfect costume for the kid that hates to dress up. Simply repurpose an old sports uniform—football, basketball, soccer, baseball, karate, cheer—or borrow from a neighbor or friend. Or don a favorite professional sports jersey and add a foam finger and face paint in the team colors, and become the ultimate sports fan.

Where’s Waldo

This is another easy and quick-to-pull-together costume—simply jeans, a red and white striped shirt and hat and round black glasses. Add a backpack, binoculars and a walking stick for good measure.

Minion

Candy “Rapper”

Throwback to the 80s

Minnie Mouse

This is another easy DIY costume using things you more than likely already have lying around. Start with a bright yellow shirt and a pair of overalls. Make goggles by cutting two circles from an empty toilet paper roll and spray painting them silver. Use a stapler to attach them to a piece of black elastic sized to fit around your child’s head. Add a yellow hat. There was no style quite like the 80s (thank goodness), and it’s a fun and easy costume for girls of any age. Bright neon colors are key, and the more variety of colors the better! Pair an oversized sweatshirt (cut the neck out so it hangs off the shoulder) with a neon-colored sports bra underneath with a miniskirt or leggings, or go for the athletic look with a leotard, tights and legwarmers, all in contrasting bright colors. Tease her hair for that big hair look and then add some accessories—fingerless lace gloves, big earrings, layered colorful plastic-bead necklaces and bracelets galore.

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This clever costume for a tween makes the most out of a play on words. Use a glue gun to glue brightly colored wrapped hard candies to a white t-shirt (insert a piece of parchment paper inside the shirt to protect the back of the shirt while you glue). Add a few chunky gold costume jewelry necklaces (big dollars signs are good), a baseball cap turned sideways and a microphone. It doesn’t get any easier than this sweet, but sophisticated, costume for a tween girl. Start with a fitted black shirt and a red skater skirt. Add Minnie Mouse ears, red lipstick and a pair of black Converse.

Bubble Bath

Safety pin white balloons to a white T-shirt. Top it off with a colorful shower cap, a loofah, and a rubber duck. v

EDUCATION

Collin College It’s a Family Thing

Photo: Nick Young

by Kirk DICKEY

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he sea of blue graduation gowns bobbed and swayed as Damita Maclin prepared to walk across Collin College’s commencement stage. Excitement, joy and disappointment roiled around her as fellow graduates strained to see their relatives in the Allen Event Center’s stadium seats or lamented the lack of family in attendance. Damita could not see her mother, but she knew she was there. May Parker wouldn’t miss this ceremony for the world. Damita’s brother, Chris Parker, was nearby as well. He had traveled from Tennessee to be there. Damita’s decades-long educational journey had culminated in the opportunity to walk, head held high, across that stage, and her family was there to support her. Of course, May and Chris were there for more than support. They were there to walk across that stage as well, celebrating the associate degrees they had earned alongside Damita, inspired in part by her drive to earn a college degree. “I think I was more excited for them than I was for myself, because I just love my family so much,” Damita said. “(My mother) was on one side while I was on the other, and when I heard her name I just screamed so loudly.” Damita’s journey toward a college degree was sidetracked early. At 18 years old, during her freshman year at her first college, she was injured in a car wreck. Between medical bills and missed classes, she was not able to return to school for two years, by which time the scholarship she had earned would not pay. At 20, she joined the Army,

thinking that the GI Bill would fund her education, but had to leave the military because of medical issues. Over the years, Damita said multiple surgeries, the birth of her two children and even a short period of homelessness kept her goal of earning a college degree just out of reach. “Every time I turned around, something else was happening, but I couldn’t let anything stop me,” she said. “I always thought ‘I’ve got to go back.’ “I wanted to finish this goal, which I started early in life. I wanted to teach my children what you start you should finish.” It took years, but Damita’s unconventional route to degree completion, taking one or two classes per semester, paid off with an associate of applied sciences in office systems technology in the summer of 2018. And while it was her determination and drive which earned her the degree, she credits Collin College with providing a

welcoming environment and the tools to help her succeed. Damita’s return to college began with night and weekend classes, which helped her balance her job and being a parent with her schoolwork. Eventually, she began taking online courses, which gave her even more flexibility, while improving her work profile with the technology department at the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. “I work on the help desk, so as staff members call in with questions, I know what to do because of everything I’ve learned,” she said. Damita was so taken with her Collin College experience that she began recruiting family members. “I bragged so much about Collin College that I got my brother to go and my brother got my mom in,” she said. “When my daughter, Damitia, graduated high school, she wanted to build up her GPA, so she decided to come to Collin College too.”

L to R: Damitia Maclin, Damita Maclin and May Parker, three generations of a family, attended Collin College at the same time in the fall of 2017. Allen Image | October 2018

Photo: Francisco Penalver

L to R: Damita Maclin, May Parker and Chris Parker

Chris, who graduated with a liberal arts degree and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in audio technology, said he was convinced to come to Collin when he saw the courses he could take.

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“It’s convenient. It’s affordable, and the curriculum is a legit curriculum. It’s not just fluff courses,” he said. Chris finished his Collin College degree plan online after moving out of state for a job, but believes the classes he took on campus made an impact in his life. As someone who dreams of one day owning his own production studio, Chris enjoyed classes in songwriting and video editing, but he said an elective class exploring the socioeconomic, political and demographic changes related to natural disasters really opened his eyes and sparked his creativity. “I was honestly just looking to get an associate degree out of the way, but ended up getting a whole lot more,” he said. “I met some great people. I got some great information from the teachers. And it just helps to go through the college process, even in my mid-30s.” At 61, Chris and Damita’s mother, May, said she was glad to improve her education as well. Like her daughter, she had to work around her job to complete her liberal arts associate degree, but she said the writing classes, speech classes and classes in the humanities gave her a better appreciation for communication.

As a corporate receptionist, she supports her office administrative staff, human resources team and other staff members, but is eager to move up the corporate ladder and thinks this degree is a good start. “I have a toe hold on the bottom rung,” she said, “and I’d like to get a grip.” She is now pursuing a human resources degree at The University of Texas at Dallas. Before her name was called to walk across the commencement stage, Damita said she felt at home with the graduates around her. There were young people, old people, people just starting their journeys and people who had rushed to the ceremony with work clothes beneath their graduation gowns, and they had all achieved some measure of their dreams. One young woman was distressed because her family was in Pennsylvania and could not make it to the ceremony. Damita said she told the girl, “I am going to scream for you. I don’t know who you are, but I am excited for you.” She may not have been a blood relative, but that day she was part of the family. v Kirk Dickey is a marketing and communications coordinator for Collin College.

FOR YOUR HEALTH

Allen Image | October 2018

INTERIORS

(Re)Making It

Your Own by Deborah DOVE

When buying a home, many people opt for a new build so they can choose everything they want, from the paint color, kitchen cabinets and bathroom fixtures right down to the flooring. But, that isn’t always possible. Perhaps, like for the Leeson and Morris families, the only homes that are zoned for a desired school are pre-owned. In a tight market, when the only option is a home with the right bones, but décor that is outdated, horrific or just not you, you opt to remodel. As friends and Allen residents Mariah Leeson and Emily Morris prove, it’s possible to take something “as is” and make it your own.

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The Leeson Family Justin and Mariah Leeson had been searching for a new home for six months when they found their current house in Reid Farm. “I loved the floorplan, the porch, the kitchen and that it had more bedrooms and a play area upstairs, but there was white carpet throughout,” say Mariah. “I have three kids!” Dark solar panels made the home too dark for Mariah. And, the game room upstairs was partially open to the family room below, which defeated the purpose of a play area to Justin. Slowly, the couple began making changes to make it their own. “I wanted a style that I personally loved,” says Mariah. “I wanted it to feel cozy, and feel like home.” They removed the majority of the solar screens and the blinds, framing the screenless windows with white floor-toceiling curtains to maximize light. Although they lived with

the white carpet for a year, they eventually installed handscraped engineered wood floors with wider than usual boards. The whole house got a fresh coat of white paint, which also made the house lighter, brighter and airier.

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They hired a contractor to close in the upstairs area, and when they realized the door opening was wider than a standard-sized door, they saved both time and money by installing a barn door, which Justin built. For Mariah, this was a win, since she’d wanted to incorporate a barn door all along. “I like that farmhouse, rustic, modern style,” she says. Her house reflects that in the décor, which she has painstakingly and lovingly added over time. “I started with a neutral, creamy-white background on the walls and furniture, then picked a color that I love, and infused it in every room,” comments Mariah. For her, that loved color is aqua/turquoise, which is sprinkled everywhere— from the throw pillows on her sofa and photo frames to her kitchen appliances. She also likes to mix textures and colors—like the contrast of the caramel-colored jute rug in the living area against the dark wood floors. Because Justin and Mariah are both DIYers, much of what has made their home uniquely theirs (and saved them a lot of money in the process) is the labor of love they’ve put into it. In addition to building the barn door, Justin replaced the white

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wooden stair spindles with wrought iron ones. He also built a few pieces of furniture, including a wood rolling cart/shelf that showcases an eclectic collection of Mariah’s trademark rustic industrial touches mixed with softer, feminine pieces. Mariah, a popular lifestyle blogger and the creative genius behind Giggles Galore, adds a lot of her DIY stamp in the accessories—a sign she created that reads “Collect moments, Not things,” a gallery wall, and in oldest daughter Aubrey’s bedroom, hand-painted furniture, canvas word art, pillows and a gold foil polka dot accent wall. However, it’s the shiplap wall that dominates the living area, which the Leesons installed themselves, that really turned their house from ho-hum to extraordinary and uniquely their own. “I love the idea of simple farm life and I knew shiplap would capture that feel, as well as add texture and interest to an otherwise huge, white, blank wall,” says Mariah. They figured out how to DIY it themselves by watching videos, and ultimately, used quarter-inch raw plywood cut into strips by Home Depot, which they nailed to the wall. Using nickels as spacers, they installed the boards horizontally at staggered intervals, then painted the entire wall the same color as the rest of the house. The accent wall, which took two to three days to complete, has become one of their favorite things about their home. “It made it so much homier than it was before,” says Mariah. In addition to adding visual interest, the twenty-foot shiplap wall also creates the perfect backdrop for the focal point of the room—the fireplace mantle, which Mariah decorates seasonally. A vintage window from Justin’s grandmother’s farm always holds pride of place because Mariah loves incorporating personal pieces that tell a story, even though she changes out the rest of pieces the frequently.

She follows the rule of thirds and decorates with odd numbers, infusing her signature color and combining different textures such as plants, fabric and metal. For example, her fall mantle includes cotton stems mixed with wooden baskets, metal containers and blue fabric pumpkins. Other small upgrades made a huge impact in creating a personalized look, such as adding family photos, replacing the kitchen can lighting with LED lights, and hanging pendant lights over the island and kitchen sink. “It’s like your jewelry after you put on that killer little black dress to make the outfit shine,” Mariah says with a laugh.

The Morris Family When Emily and Moe Morris found their home in Lost Creek Ranch, they fell in love with the backyard that had both a swimming pool and green space. “That’s hard

to find in Texas,” says Emily, who’s originally from Ohio. They also loved the homey feel, the plantation shutters and that there was a home office for Emily, plus a

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playroom and a room each for Noah (now ten) and Josie (now eight). What they didn’t love was the gold-and-white striped wallpaper with raised fleur-de-lis in the kitchen, the dark crown molding and fireplace mantle and the builder-grade powder bath with a white tiled tub. “We knew we wanted to bring in our own taste, and we wanted light colors,” says Emily. Before the Morrises even moved in, they painted all of the black crown molding and the fireplace mantle white, and removed the wallpaper in the kitchen before texturing the walls and painting it a light neutral color. They further brightened the space with a light-colored sofa, pulling in accent colors in blue, yellow and green to add interest to the earth tones. A favorite blanket of Emily’s—which was hand-knitted by her mom and graces the cozy reading nook in the living area—provided the inspiration for the color scheme, along with the glassy blue pool visible from the open living area and kitchen. “It is the prettiest view to me,” say Emily, recalling how when they first moved in, she’d stand at the perfect vantage point to see the pool while she sipped her morning coffee. “Most things in our house have a story,” Emily says.

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For example, a framed print in the reading nook by Italian and French poster artist Leonetto Cappiello advertising Italian champagne, plus several other similar advertisement posters that hang in the dining room and master bedroom, are a “family thing,” according to Emily. Her family has collected the distinctive artwork by Cappiello and other artists since her oldest sister first discovered them While she was antiquing. The entire house has a welcoming modern vintage vibe with a cozy farmhouse feel. This is particularly exemplified in the dining room, which is one of Emily’s favorite rooms. Warm gray walls trimmed in gold are accented by a vintage black china cabinet, which Emily refinished herself, keeping the original intricate gold hardware, and a gold bar cart that displays interesting bottles of whiskey and bourbon Emily and her husband Moe have collected over the years. However, it’s the farmhouse style dining room table and unique metal and rope chandelier that are the focal points of the room. “I love the different textures and grains of the table, and how the wood slats in the table are slanted,” Emily says. About a year and a half after they moved in, the Morrises noticed no one had ever taken a shower in the

powder room because it was so uninviting with its red and white wallpaper, white tub and tile and builder-grade sink. They ended up gutting the entire bathroom, down to the studs, and replacing the tub with a stand-up shower. They also added white shiplap up to the chair rail, and replaced the original bathroom counter with quartz. Subway tile and hexagon-shaped tile floor gave the new glass-enclosed shower a timeless, classic look, while the blue-painted cabinetry picked up the blue flecks in the quartz countertop. They added an industrial-looking wall shelving unit softened with glass and plant accents to complete the room. “Now I shower in there every single time,” says Emily. In May, the Morris family put their personal stamp on one of their favorite spots—the backyard—by extending the concrete deck, covering the pergola and creating an extended living area. They added a TV, fan, a rug, comfy sofa seating, armed rockers and the pièce de résistance—a swing chair Emily got for Mother’s Day where she can read under a palm tree while watching the kids swim. “It’s everything we always envisioned,” Emily says. v Debor Dove is a freelance writer from Allen. Allen Image | October 2018

FEATURE

UNLIMITED by Deborah DOVE

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Born with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness, Brian Spann is confined to a wheelchair with 11 percent lung capacity, unable to do anything physically for himself. As a result of a health emergency last December, he now also has a trach and a ventilator. However, none of that has ever stopped him from living his best life. In fact, as Dr. Aaron Roberts, the surgeon who saved Brian’s life earlier this year said, “Brian does more from his chair than most people do with two good arms and legs.” “Just because I’m in a wheelchair doesn’t mean I can’t participate,” says Brian. Of course, by most people’s standards, Brian does far more than participate—he fully immerses himself in all that life has offered, whether it was marching in the Allen High School band in high school, ziplining at camp, becoming an Eagle Scout, earning his college degree or pursuing his calling to pastoral ministry. In the process, he sends a powerful message

to everyone whose life he touches. Regardless of your circumstances, life goes on. It’s still full and meaningful. There’s still a purpose. Brian was born with the hereditary disease on August 5, 1994, but no one realized anything was wrong until he was in kindergarten. He fell a lot and had always been thin, without a lot of muscle tone. His parents, Kathy and David Spann, thought he was just a little behind developmentally. However, his pediatrician suspected Muscular Dystrophy, and right before his sixth birthday, a muscle biopsy confirmed that Brian had Duchenne’s, a severe form of Muscular Dystrophy that only affects boys. In second grade, he fell in the hallway and was unable to get up and had to wait for someone to walk by to help him. A solution was for Brian to begin using a manual wheelchair for long distances. He switched to an electric chair in fourth grade, and stopped walking completely around age eleven. In Duchenne’s, the muscles have no casing to hold them together, so over time they disintegrate. Unfortunately, all muscles in the body are affected, including the heart and lungs, and most people with Duchenne’s don’t live past their late teens or early twenties, although those numbers are changing with new advances in medicine as more is learned about the disease. In fact, within weeks

of Brian’s diagnosis, scientists isolated the gene that causes Duchenne. “This was a huge step,” says Brian’s mom, Kathy. “At the time, our world had fallen apart, and this was confirmation to me that it was going to be okay. I don’t know if there will be a cure in Brian’s lifetime, but there is hope, and certainly more good than bad that has come from Brian’s life with this disease. All of the time there’s confirmation from God that it’s really okay.” Already beating those odds, Brian is now twenty-four years old. However, from the beginning, Brian never felt different. “I just knew I fell a lot,” he says. “My parents raised me like it was just a part of my life. Of course, if affects a lot of things, but we don’t live like that.” Their faith has always been integral to the family (which includes his parents, himself and his sister Bethany), and Brian doesn’t shy away from explaining his disease from that perspective. “As Christians, we often ask, ‘Why would God do this?’ But really, it has provided the opportunity for us to reach people and meet people we wouldn’t have otherwise. A lot of the families that we have met who have the disease don’t know that you can go to college and be successful and have jobs and careers and live Allen Image | October 2018

independently. I’m able to help people overcome those misconceptions and show them that, yes, you can do that even if you are disabled. And even when everything is going wrong, you can find peace and comfort that God has it all in His control.” “The only limitations I have are those I put on myself.” He admits the pain is hard sometimes, but quickly adds, “There’s nothing I can’t do. I may just have to do it differently than others.” And he does it all. During his years in Allen ISD, he not only attended school, but played in the band, was a PAL, served as the MDA Goodwill Ambassador for Texas, earned his Eagle Scout Award, and participated in the International Baccalaureate program—a rigorous and challenging academic program— at Allen High School. He went on to attend college at Dallas Baptist University and, with the help of a health care attendant, he lived in a dorm during his freshman year, and in an apartment with a group of friends the next three years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications and Christian studies in 2017. He has always worked—for Kids Club in high school, in the

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International Office at DBU as the assistant to the director and in the DBU Prayer Ministry office. Currently, he works for an online evangelism ministry called Need Him, where he counsels people going through hard times, answers questions about faith and the Bible, prays for them and shares his story as an example of hope and faith. Currently a student at Dallas Theological Seminary, Brian is pursuing his master’s degree (where he types thirty-page papers on his phone). Brian plans to work in pastoral ministry (in fact, he was just hired as the Special Needs Ministry Coordinator at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church in Dallas), and dreams of writing a book, getting married and having children. Like the story of the footprints in the sand, there have always been people along the way to carry Brian when he needed it. He and his mother recount story after story of people throughout his life who made sure he didn’t miss out on anything, regardless of his physical limitations.

His first-grade teacher, Mary Helen Cornish, who put him on her back and ran the 50-yard dash, so he could participate in field day. His middle school art teacher, Ann Carroll, who figured out a way to put a pottery wheel on the table and guided his arms, so he could experience making pottery. Charles Pennington, who didn’t bat an eye when Brian said he wanted to march in the Allen High School band, but accepted him enthusiastically and made a place for him on the field for every football game for four years. “And not off to the side. In the middle of the formation,” adds Kathy. His clarinet teacher, Judi Altstatt, who rewrote all of his music so he could play with his left hand and “drive” with his right. “Always, if there is anything I want to do, nice people make it happen to make sure I’m not limited by my wheelchair,” says Brian. “There is nothing that I wanted to do that I couldn’t.” With his trademark wisdom

and insight, he adds thoughtfully, “Looking at my Christian faith and learning from the spiritual mentors in my life, I have realized that on our own we are weak, but when we ask, He is there to be our strength.” In the spirit of the God he loves, Brian focuses his effort on helping others, turning his weakness into someone else’s strength. Feeling called to the ministry since his freshman year of college, he feels that God has allowed him to be in his wheelchair to minster to people who are suffering. Burdened by the fact that the disabled are the largest unchurched population, he has devoted his time to volunteering at Joni and Friends, a church training organization program for people with special needs, and has made it a pet project of his to educate churches on how to include people with special needs. He has also volunteered at Cornerstone Ranch—a group home for people with disabilities whose goal is helping them live an abundant and active life—and created a Bible study program for them, and he’s assisted with a special needs program at First Baptist Church in Irving. In some ways, Brian’s presence is a ministry of its own. He explains: “When I get out, it provides people with an opportunity to serve and it fights against prejudice in a way, by showing people what someone like me can do.” Brian’s parents have always instilled in him the idea that he brings people joy by asking for help. As a result, Brian has become something of a collector of people. His relationships

are somehow deeper, and richer. “Brian makes relationships and really loves people well,” his mom says. “People come into my life and stay,” he agrees. On December 28, 2017, tragedy struck. Brian was having difficulty breathing, but that wasn’t unusual. He’d often have to go to the ER to have his lungs suctioned, but usually he’d be given oxygen and a bag of saline and sent home. But, this time, it

Dr. Aaron Roberts, Brian and David Spann was different. Brian stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest on the way the hospital. After several weeks of being hospitalized, Brian was experiencing severe abdominal pain and a CT scan showed that something was wrong with his colon. Less than two hours later, he was in emergency surgery with a twisted colon. The Spann’s were overwhelmed by the kindness showed by the

surgeon, Dr. Aaron Roberts, who went out of his way to get to know Brian and the people who love him both before and after the surgery. “This 37-year-old with a man bun walks in and says ’I’m a praying surgeon. I hope you’re okay with that,’” Kathy recounts with a laugh. “I knew then, he was the perfect doctor for Brian.” Dr. Roberts removed part of Brian’s colon, put in a feeding tube and repaired a hole in his stomach. However, just as Dr. Roberts tied the final knot, stitching up his abdomen, Brian went into cardiac arrest on the operating table. “We had to do chest compressions on him for twenty minutes,” Dr. Roberts remembers. “And we got him back. It’s a miracle that his abdomen was closed.” He explains that when someone codes, when their stomach is open, chest compression is difficult, which greatly decreases their chance of survival, particularly for someone with Duchenne’s. “I was praying the whole time… please God, don’t let this young man die on the table.” Afterwards, nurses who had heard about what happened in the OR came by to meet Brian. No one had expected him to survive. While the Spann’s credit Dr. Roberts with saving Brian’s life, Dr. Roberts is quick to deflect the credit. “I have to give all credit to God. It just wasn’t his time yet.” There is clearly still work for Brian to do in this world. v Deborah Dove is a freelance writer from Allen. Allen Image | October 2018

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