Obituary

Abbey on Lovers Lane offers visitors a place for prayer, solitude

LANDSCAPE ILLUMINATION “The Magic of Moonlight”

Worshipers gather to bless The Abbey on Lovers Lane. (PHOTO: TOM HOTCHKISS) (214) 630-7751

By Emilea McCutchan

People Newspapers

The urgent honking of cars darting through the busy intersection of Interstate 75 and Lovers Lane might make the bordering small blue house dedicated to prayer and solitude seem out of place.

For the Rev. Thomas and Marcia Hotchkiss, it is the perfect environment for their urban abbey, The Abbey on Lovers Lane.

The center opened last August to promote contemplative spirituality, a way of prayer. Although it neighbors Saint Christopher’s Episcopal Church, The Abbey on Lovers Lane is open to all.

“They don’t have to be Episcopalian, and they don’t have to go to any church,” Marcia Hotchkiss said. “They just have [to have] a desire to come.”

Right as you step inside the little blue house, the guiding belief of the abbey is apparent. Welcoming you in is a picture of blossoming tree branches emblazoned with Psalm 46:10.

“[The Psalm] says, ‘Be still and know that I am God,’” Hotchkiss said. “That’s our outstanding belief. We think that people need slowing, silence, solitude, and time to quit having this frenetic activity that most of us have.”

To help accomplish this, The Abbey on Lovers Lane offers spiritual direction and programs. Some upcoming programs include a young mothers’ half-day retreat, a series about what to do when you have unanswered prayers, a clergy spouse retreat, and a class dedicated to teaching the basics of prayer.

OBITUARY BETSY GESSELL LARKIN

1942– 2022

Betsy Gessell Larkin, 80, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on May 1, 2022 - the 29th anniversary of her father’s death. Mother of three, Cookie Grandma to six grandchildren, and great-grandma to one, she lived 80 years and deserves to be beautifully remembered. She was a military spouse, a firefighter’s wife, and a widow. Betsy worked for 30 years at Chicago Title in the Park Cities office. She beat cancer twice before but was recently diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer

“It’s going to be called ‘Prayer: A Simple Guide for Normal People,’” Hotchkiss said.“It’ll be three or four weeks [about the] basics of how to pray. We’ll follow that up in Advent with a retreat on how to listen to God.”

The center is open for those seeking silence and solitude, including plush futons and comfy armchairs framing each of the two bedrooms converted into spaces for quiet and reflection. There is also a living room with plenty of comfy seating like a sofa and two armchairs, a dining room, and a functional kitchen complete with a coffee-maker. Flyers W hole Earth Provision C o. about upcoming programs are scattered on side and coffee tables, and religious reading materials are gently stacked in several bookcases for visitors to peruse. Outside lies a quiet garden space with seating and a model of Jerusalem’s Western Wall, where visitors may place prayers written on slips of paper into the wire mesh for prayer team members to bless and consecrate.

Eventually, Hotchkiss said she hopes to expand The Abbey on Lovers Lane into a nonprofit.

“We’d like to meet the needs of as many different types of people as possible,” Hotchkiss said. “We feel like it’s one person at a time.”

AT A GLANCE

The Abbey on Lovers Lane 7816 Lovers Lane Open Monday-Saturday (groups by appointment) abbeyonlovers.org WATSONLIGHTING.COM

Make a Splash

WholeEarthProvision.com

Common unknown reasons why people fall or have balance problems. It’s never because of age...there’s always A REASON! Now what to do about it?

By Leading Balance Expert, Dr. Jeffrey Guild, Physical Therapist

and chose to live out her remaining days at home, in hospice care. She graduated from Highland Park High School in 1959 and later attended Hendrix College and Southern Methodist University. Her family would like to extend special thanks to Chicago Title’s Craig Penfold and Shayla Bell for all of the extra kindness and care they have given our mom over the past year.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer T. Gessell and Betty Strickland Gessell of Dallas, TX, and her husband Pat Henderson of Presque Isle, Maine, T.W Larkin of Melissa, TX, and John Kerr of Fort Worth, TX. She is survived by her son John Kerr Larkin of Dallas; son Scott Kerr Larkin, his wife Gerri Ellen and step-daughter Ryann Adams of Collierville, TN; grandsons Nick Larkin and Chris Larkin of Collierville, TN; grandson Jonathan Larkin, his wife Taylor and their son Koda of Tulsa, OK; daughter Julie Henderson Niehoff and her husband CJ Niehoff of Austin, TX; step-granddaughter Jade Niehoff of Arlington, TX; grandson Calen Niehoff and granddaughter Grace Niehoff of Austin, TX. She was laid to rest next to her mother and father at Restland Cemetery in Dallas on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in the section Whispering Waters.

Are you worried about losing independence because of falls? Are you seeing your friends around you falling and losing their independence? Are you becoming frustrated with your doctors and kids telling you not to fall (without telling you HOW). Here are some common unknown reasons why people fall, and a SOLUTION to prevent it from happening. 1: Vertigo/Inner Ear Balance Problems: Vertigo and dizziness are symptoms of problems that put older people at risk of falling. These symptoms are very common. In fact, one-third of people over the age of 70, and one-half of people over the age of 85 are experiencing dizziness and/or vertigo right now! The good news is that now that you know to look for them, these conditions are usually very treatable!

2. The Legs Not Knowing Where They Are (Proprioceptive Loss): As a balance specialist I see

this problem ALL THE TIME. Although this problem is very common, most people don’t realize they have it at all. I often see this when people are falling or having balance problems for what seems like NO APPARENT REASON. It’s simple to find out whether or not you face this problem, and there are many ways around it if you do.

3. Walking Slowly & Furniture Walking:

Some people think walking slowly and carefully reduces the risk of falling. This is NOT the case.

Like riding a bicycle, slowing down greatly increases the risk of falling, and is a dangerous thing to do for somebody with balance problems.

Touching furniture and walls while walking is a sign that something is wrong and immediate action is needed to prevent this from becoming a fall! Want more information & solutions? My new special report provides actionable tips that will help you keep or regain your independence. And the best thing is it’s 100% FREE, and you’re under no obligation to buy anything when you call.

IMPORTANT: For obvious reasons, my offer to send you this report FREE must come with a restriction on the number I can mail out… so it’s critical that you call TODAY and request your free report now.

What To Do Next? Call: (214) 712-8242 (Leave a Message 24/7) & Choose:

· Option 1: Have your FREE Report mailed or emailed to you · Option 2: Free Report + FREE Balance/Fall Screen Or Discovery Visit · To learn more about Balance, Falling, Dizziness, Vertigo, and MUCH more, listen to our podcast! Visit www.Podcast.OptimoveDFW.com, or search for ‘Optimove Podcast’ wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Author Dr. Jeffrey Guild, Physical Therapist is owner of Optimove Physical Therapy & Wellness. You can contact him at (214) 712-8242 or email at J.Guild@OptimoveDFW.com

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Private Offerings Abound in Today’s Real Estate Market

Gone are the days when a simple internet search could yield a comprehensive list of available homes on the market.

Neither can a download of data from the Multiple Listing Service.

Today, you need a well-connected agent who knows about the homes being offered offmarket, sometimes called hip-pocket listings. These homes won’t be marketed online or in other advertising – you must work with an agent to learn about them.

Currently, the luxury real estate experts with Allie Beth Allman & Associates are representing more than 25 private offerings across DFW. These homes are located in neighborhoods from University Park to Preston Hollow.

There’s a a five-bedroom Highland Park home within walking distance to Highland Park Village and Bradfield Elementary.

Just completed on a picturesque, Preston Hollow lane is a contemporary home with design details you don’t want to miss. Just a short distance from the private school corridor, a Texas Hill Country contemporary home sits on 1.27 acres dotted with shady trees.

Find the right home with the help of an Allie Beth Allman & Associates expert. Call an expert agent to see the luxury brokerage’s private list of homes on the market: https://www.alliebeth. com/associates/int

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN URBAN

5335 Meaders Lane 6 Bedrooms | 6.2 Baths | 12,612 SqFt Offered For $9,130,000

Designed by architect Elby Martin, a Tuscan- inspired stone-clad estate home with Italian barrel tile roof, manicured 1.1-acre site with mature trees and landscape by Harold Leidner. Gourmet kitchen topped by a barrel brick ceiling is open to one of several family rooms. Custom Knotty Alderwood cabinetry with White Castle hardware provides storage. Two full-size SubZeros refrigerators, two Asko dishwashers, two gas Wolf ovens and warming drawer. Outdoor Kitchen equipped with a Wolfe outdoor grille and Subzero undercounter refrigerators, and electric screens. Resort like pool, cabana, turfed back yard, private guest house. Home is equipped with Geothermal HVAC and natural gas generator.

For more information please contact Kyle Crews (214) 538-1310.

THE PERRY-MILLER STREIFF GROUP

Coveted Ground Level Home at the Mondara in Highland Park

4502 Abbott #106 at the Mondara is being offered for $1,995,000.

This stunning one-level luxury condo located at the prestigious Mondara in Highland Park was designed by SHM Architects with recent designer appointments by David Cadwallader. 4502 Abbott #106 is being offered for $1,995,000 lives more like a single-family home with a coveted ground level, rear corner location just steps off of the Katy Trail.

Three outdoor living areas, two on the common courtyard with custom planters for privacy, and one with a private patio and grassy area, are ideal for pets and entertaining.

The open floor plan features a gourmet kitchen with quartz counters, Porcelanosa tile, and SubZero and Wolf appliances flowing into a dining room that could double as an office.

Spacious primary suite includes a sitting area and opens to a private courtyard. A custom walkin closet is located just off the gorgeous bathroom with separate shower and tub.

Split guest bedroom suite, powder bath and rare laundry room complete this desirable floor plan. Other features include: Ralph Lauren lighting, motorized window treatments, and Control4 automation. Three underground parking spaces are included with 110 and 220 chargers.

Contact Karen Fry (214.288.1391) or Ryan Streiff (469.371.3008) for more information or to set up a private showing. Visit DPMFineHomes. com to learn more or call 214.799.1488.

BEACON HILL AT CEDAR CREEK LAKE

50% of Lots Sold on Beacon Hill’s Interior Lake

Lots at the very popular Lake Ava Rosetta are selling fast. The 9-acre stocked fishing and swimming lake is now 50% sold with 8 of the 16 lots under contract, under construction or having a full-time resident. 5 of the remaining lots offer the opportunity for private fishing docks. Residents are already enjoying the newly added beach area with new outdoor grills, fire pits and more. To find your perfect place of tranquility offering fishing, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming, barbecuing and other outdoor fun, visit us online at www.liveatbeaconhill.com to schedule a tour or call 903-498-LAKE (5253).

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

It Takes an Agent to Match Buyers with the Right Home

In today’s unprecedented real estate market, buyers and sellers are looking for any advantage they can find.

Flashy, high-tech innovations might garner lots of attention or give the gee-whiz factor, but it does not get the deal done. Still, the most important element in finding and buying a home, across the board, continues to be having an experienced real estate agent on your side.

“This is probably the most unique real estate market that we’ve ever seen, with the extremely low inventory. That makes a good agent more vital than ever,” says Allie Beth Allman & Associates Sales Manager Erin Young Garrett. “They are essential to getting a deal done.”

The last thing a seller wants to do is lose momentum or get hung up on unimportant details. According to Allie Beth Allman & Associates President Keith Conlon, the agents that are winning deals today are the ones that the listing side agents want to work with.

“It’s just as important as anything,” he says. “Winning agents are generally well-liked in the Realtor community. They negotiate and maneuver with fairness, and without causing any road bumps that don’t need to be there.”

Connect an expert agent: https://www.alliebeth. com/associates/int

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

Build Your Dream Home in Highland Park

For years, smaller was better for many homebuyers who opted to build a new home.

But that was before the pandemic struck, when it became essential to work, exercise and have dinner nightly in the safety of one’s home.

The trend toward more square footage can be seen in homes coming on the market in Highland Park and nearby neighborhoods. Homes today are being built with more and larger bedrooms and baths. They usually have an exercise room, a designated space to enjoy movies and at least one home office.

The experts at Allie Beth Allman & Associates are representing several new properties in Highland Park.

At 9,500 square feet of living space, the fivebedroom Mediterranean-style home Avida Custom Homes is building at 3900 Potomac Ave. in Highland Park is a perfect example of this bigger-is-better trend.

A building site on one of Highland Park’s most storied streets just came on the market at 3524 Beverly Drive. Adjacent to Armstrong Elementary’s greenbelt, it’s a perfect location for a family home.

Find the right home with the help of an Allie Beth Allman & Associates expert. Call an expert agent to see the luxury brokerage’s private list of homes on the market: https://www.alliebeth.com/associates/int.

ALLIE BETH ALLMAN

A Home with Green Space Can Soothe the Soul

Research has shown time and again that immersing yourself in the outdoors helps us maintain our mental health. Visiting parks, walking a golf course or spending time in a lush backyard increases feelings of satisfaction, happiness and self-esteem.

Ask an expert at Allie Beth Allman & Associates to find you a home with a lovely, green yard to ease life’s pressures. The home you’re looking for might be on an exclusive list of private offerings, so connect with an agent.

The five-bedroom, French estate at 6459 Tulip Lane has extensive green space, including a play area, pool, spa and even a putting green. The home’s manicured front gardens offer a glimpse of the outdoor oasis that awaits.

Wander among the trees dotting the one-acre, park-like grounds of 5460 Northbrook Drive, featuring a pool and sports court, perfect for enjoying the beautiful weather outdoors.

The phrase resort-like applies to a home at 9226 Hathaway St. Set on 1.75-acres, the beautiful Texas Hill Country-style home features is surrounded by lush landscaping, the pool, spa, fire pit and tennis court provide nice distractions from any busy schedule.

Call an expert agent to see the luxury brokerage’s private list of homes on the market: https://www. alliebeth.com/associates/int.

EBBY HALLIDAY

Getting What You Need and Want is Still Possible

The summer 2022 residential real estate market is shaping up to be very competitive. But don’t be intimidated into inaction. Getting what you need and want is still possible with the right mindset … and, more importantly, the right agent.

“Now more than ever, a knowledgeable, tenacious representative by your side makes all the difference, especially with such limited inventory,” says Chris Kelly, president and CEO of the Ebby Halliday Companies. “Going in with a plan is critical. And our experienced agents can help you come up with one that’s right for your situation and increases your likelihood of coming out on top as a seller financially, and as a buyer in a multioffer situation.

“If a no-obligation consultation sounds good right about now, our agents would love to provide one for you along with a free valuation of your home,” Kelly says. “Together, we can beat the odds.”

Ebby Halliday is the leading real estate company in Texas and Oklahoma. To learn more, visit ebby. com and connect with one of our experienced agents today.