Living

RECEPTIONIST TO EDITOR: A JOURNALIST’S UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

enclaves” and “high society.” I decided the job probably wasn’t a good fit for me. Nonetheless, I interviewed with owner and publisher, Reid Slaughter. Not long after, he offered me the job. A few months later at a company party, I mentioned that I wrote fiction in my spare time. Slaughter asked to see my work.

Icame to Dallas in 1985 looking for some- After reading a recently published short thing, although I wasn’t sure what. story, he told me to let him know when I

Although, taking a job as the Park Cities wanted to write for the paper. People receptionist didn’t feel like a life-chang- My answer was immediate: “How about ing experience, little did I know. now?” I just needed a My first assignment was for an advertisjob. The economy ing section on the antique stores in Forney. — thanks to the oil I spent an entire day wandering from shop industry — in my to shop, interviewing owners and customhome state of Okla- ers for my article. I was hooked. homa was in the I was still the receptionist but was able GLENDA VOSBURGH dumpster. Businesses were closing almost to write articles, too. After proving myself, publisher Tom McCartin made me a fullhourly in the town where I lived. Dallas — too time reporter. I was ultimately promoted to big, too impersonal, seemed the last place I’d end senior writer, then managing editor. up — yet here I was. One of the best I’d answered a help wanted ad. Opportunity doesn’t things about my job was the variThe word newspa- often come with a neon ety. My duties inper got my attention. I’d worked in sign. Sometimes, the cluded covering Highland Park advertising sales most benign situations schools and Uniand production for a daily paper turn out to be the most versity Park police, fire and municiand, after working profound. pal news. I wrote briefly in another about high-profile industry, wanted to return. murder trials, school board and city council

The woman at the employment agency elections, non-profits, community leaders, told me excitedly that the job was in the school carnivals, and the list goes on. I also Park Cities. served as the movie reviewer, allowing me

“What’s the Park Cities?” I asked. to interview celebrities.

She answered with phrases like “wealthy One thing I’m most proud of, along

Seldom has our reporting tackled more unsettling or graver concerns than with the suicide of Elisa

McCall, who struggled with an eating disorder and depression. (PHOTOS: PEOPLE NEWSPAPERS ARCHIVES)

with fellow reporters and long-time friends Carolyn Tillery and Janet Ragland, is winning a Katy Award from the Dallas Press Club for the series Elisa’s Story. It focused on a young woman, Elisa McCall, whose personal struggle with eating disorders drove her to end her life. The Elisa Project, founded in her memory, helped others embroiled in the same battles. It was a privilege to have a role in telling her story.

One of my favorite interviews was with the Grande Dame of real estate, Ebby Halliday. She was witty, entertaining, and incredibly gracious.

My plan was to stay a year at the paper, maybe two. It turned into more than 13 years. Opportunity doesn’t often come with a neon sign. Sometimes, the most benign situations turn out to be the most profound.

John Wesley’s Traveling Pulpit Gets New Home at SMU

SMU will house collections of the closed World Methodist Museum, including John Wesley’s traveling pulpit, Frank O. Salisbury’s portrait of John Wesley, The Scholar, and a Henry Perlee Parker painting of the child

Welsey’s rescue from a fire. (PHOTOS: COURTESY SMU)

The World Methodist Museum’s historical and theologically significant collections are moving in May to SMU’s Bridwell Library, where public exhibits and opportunities for study will ensure their long-term integrity and accessibility.

The collections tell the story of Methodism, which began in England with brothers John and Charles Wesley meeting as a small student group at Oxford University in the early 18th century before their mission work carried their beliefs to the American colonies and beyond.

Portraits of the early founders are included, plus rare books, manuscripts, letters, and the traveling pulpit of John Wesley.

One painting depicts the young John Wesley’s rescue from a fire that consumed the family home in Epworth, England. “Is not this a brand plucked as from the burning” became a verbal and visual motif and mantra for Wesley’s life.

“We are very proud to assume the responsibility for these collections, which tell the very human stories behind the faith and vision of the Wesley brothers and illuminate the impact they have had on Christianity,” said SMU President R. Gerald Turner.

The World Methodist Museum in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina, closed in February,

Part of the collections focuses on Charles Wesley, who wrote more than 9,000 hymns and poems, including such interdenominational favorites as “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” and “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.”

Craig Hill, dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology, said the acquisition would enhance Bridwell’s standing as a global center for students of Wesley and the world Methodist traditions.

“Wesley Studies has always been a strong point of Perkins, and this gift creates new and undreamed-of prospects for its future,” he said. – Staff report

Fabulous flowers for life ‘s most precious moments!

Wedding Days, Birthdays, Any Days

parkcitiespeople.com | May 2021 39 How Musician Ben Rector Fell In Love With Dallas Artist enjoys golf at Trinity Forest, lunch at Honor Bar, and shopping at The Village

By Riley Farrell

People Newspapers

During any other year (sans-pandemic), Dallas would serve as one of Ben Rector’s most popular tour stops.

From Toyota Music Pavilion to various college concerts, the singer-songwriter has played around 30 shows in North Texas, and Dallas ranks among Rector’s top streaming markets, according to Spotify analytics.

The affection is mutual with the musician considering Texas “like a second home” – perhaps a bit puzzling for a Tulsa-native and University of Arkansas graduate based now out of Nashville.

But Rector has friends in the Dallas area, and his wife is from just down I-35, in Waco. He also briefly interned at Metropolitan Capital Advisors, a Dallas-based real estate capital provider, and recorded here half of his second album, Something Like This.

“My history with Dallas is deep,” Rector said. “I can honestly say I always look forward to playing there. Kind people and good venues is a tough combination to beat.”

Rector feels a backyard pride in how Dallas has grown and calls the city “a Texas-flavored Los Angeles.” He means that as a compliment.

The proliferation of cultural amenities and culinary hotspots relates to his favorite memory of North Texas. The moment came

Ben Rector served as a mentor on the April 4 episode of American Idol. Learn more about his

music and watch for future events at benrectormusic.com. (PHOTO: AVERY KING/ ELICITY PUBLIC RELATIONS)

near the end of his 2015 Brand New Tour after a South Side Ballroom performance.

“It had been a long run, and we were all pretty tired, so after the show, we decided to celebrate by going to Velvet Taco,” Rector said. “It was so delicious - most of the guys hadn’t been and were all blown away - I think for a minute we all forgot about the road weariness and felt lucky to be there.”

His ideal Dallas day?

“I’d play an early round of golf at Trinity Forest, then head over to Honor Bar, get a Kale salad and try to talk my lunch mates into splitting Ding’s Crispy Chicken Sandwich with me,” Rector said. “Post lunch, I’d walk around Highland Park Village and window shop. For dinner, it’s tough, but I’d either head to Uchi for some sushi or, if I felt like reliving my college days, I’d head to Campisi’s for lasagna with red sauce.”

I can honestly say I always look forward to playing there. Kind people and good venues is a tough combination to beat. Ben Rector

In the 15 years since releasing a self-titled EP record while in college, Rector has gotten married, parented three children, and released seven studio albums.

American Idol featured Rector’s music recently. The Southern artist mentored contestants who performed his hits, “Love Like This” and “Brand New” for the “AllStar Duets” April 4 episode.

And Rector doesn’t plan on slowing down soon.

Rector, who hinted he is working on a new record for later in 2021, plans to release a single in May, and, of course, is looking forward to touring again and returning to Dallas.