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‘Home for the Holidays’ are magical words around our house during this special time of the year • By Judy Zuckerbrow

My earliest Christmas memory is from 1953. That was when my parents, two brothers, and I celebrated in our new home in Arlington. I was two years old. Since both parents had large families, we were always surrounded with joyful love and celebrations with family. Many Christmases have come and gone since then, but I still carry the love and joy for this glorious season of our Messiah’s birth.

My husband Howard and I have been married 44 years and have developed many traditions – always with family and always in our home together. When our sons were small, this season was so special. We saw the excitement on their little faces. Our hearts were warmed with love for our little family. The joy of family and Christmas has been a part of our lives that lives on in the homes of our two sons and their wives, as well as our six grandchildren.

Our festivities begin in our neighborhood on Christmas Eve’s eve with Dalworthington Garden’s fnest parade of fretrucks, motorcycles and cars, all with fashing lights and sirens driving throughout the city. Santa arrives to visit with kids of all ages. Last year the Grinch was forced to ride on the back of the truck. Hopefully, he won’t be there this year. Prepping for our family Christmas dinner begins early on the 24th. Our grandchildren bake chocolate babkas, pies, cookies and sides, and decorate the table. Everyone brings their own special dish, and we gather for prayer holding hands, so thankful. When the presents are opened, our eyes are full of love, and the little ones are anxious for bed. Howard and I drive to midnight services at First United Methodist Church in Cedar Hill. Singing the songs in a candlelit sanctuary is such a beautiful way to welcome Christmas.

LAST MONTH, we introduced people, places and entities that earned our editorial nods in more than six dozen categories. Here is a closer look at three of the Editor’s Choice selections.

LUNCH

MaryLou’s

MaryLou’s restaurant and coffee shop operates out of the J.H. Harrison historic home built in Mansfeld in 1915, and it offers a unique experience and ambiance not found in new construction buildings. Patrons can enjoy the comfort of indoor seating spaces or venture outside on the shaded wrap around porch and appreciate the peaceful atmosphere while having lunch or a cup of coffee. On the lunch front, MaryLou’s scores with the likes of chicken salad, tuna salad, egg salad and pimento cheese – all family recipes – and deli meats that are sliced on location to maintain freshness and favor.

For more: marylous.net

NATURAL SETTING

River Legacy Parks

There’s a whole lot to love about practically every view you fnd in Arlington’s River Legacy Parks, the 1,300-acre urban oasis following the curves of the Trinity River. The Parks’ ecological diversity of bottomland forest, wetlands and prairies provides abundant habitat for countless birds, fsh, mammals and native plants. Whether you’re a hiker, biker, kayaker or simply a lover of nature, you’ll be routinely enthralled by what the city’s largest natural setting has to offer. And we can thank the River Legacy Foundation working hand-in-hand with the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department to ensure that we can continue to enjoy this local treasure.

For more: riverlegacy.org

PHOTOGRAPHER Bruce Maxwell

If you’ve lived or worked in Arlington over the past three decades, there’s a great chance you’ve met our selection in the photographer category. Bruce Maxwell, owner of BMAXX Enterprises and Bruce E. Maxwell Photography, has likely shot an event you’ve attended in the recent past, be it a wedding, sports contest, civic gathering or the proverbial more. He’s so affable that you’ve likely spoken to him, as well. The longtime photographer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Arlington offce also has roots in civic matters himself, serving as a mainstay in Arlington’s long-standing sister city relationship with Germany’s Bad Königshofen.

For more: brucemaxx77@yahoo.com