Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo, founders of the Lone Star Monarchs (LSM), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, worked together with the Dallas Police Association and DISD to provide 250 clear backpacks full of school supplies to students at the James S. Hogg Elementary School.
        
The team of Lone Star Monarchs’ supporters contributing to this project also included Anna Berman, Laurie Drazner, Kelly Harris, Jeanne Lewis, Bodii Lim, Kunthear Mam-Douglas, Diane Moten, Debbie Murray, and Elizabeth Smith.   
        
“While the start of a new school year is an exciting time for most families, many parents struggle to provide basic school necessities for their children.  That is why Lone Star Monarchs is proud to partner with these organizations to provide 250 clear backpacks filled with educator-requested school supplies, because we believe every child deserves to have the tools necessary for a fun and successful school year,” Regina said. “In addition to the backpacks, we presented them a check for $2,500 so educators can also purchase additional supplies as needed.  Together, we support them and the important work they are doing to help these children learn and do well in school and in life.”
        
Jaime Castro, President, Dallas Police Association, says that he knows all too well how having the right tools to start the school year strong allows students to show up and engage in the classroom without unnecessary barriers to success. He further stated that he is "grateful to Lone Star Monarchs for partnering with the DPA to provide these 250 backpacks filled with school supplies as well as other supplies teachers at Hogg Elementary School need to further the educational needs of their underserved students in the classroom. Donating school supplies is one way to support our teachers while helping to give them the respect they deserve.” 

“I am deeply grateful for the collaboration between Lone Star Monarchs and the Dallas Police Association to provide our students with the supplies they need to start the school year.  Having their own supplies contributes to their overall excitement and motivation to learn.  These essential donations help make sure our students walk into their classroom prepared and confident to thrive in their learning environment," said Toni Molina, Principal, Hogg New Tech Elementary School.

Lone Star Monarchs’ mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit, as together, members build an effective network of individuals and organizations to support a broad spectrum of charitable organizations in Dallas and throughout Texas.  LSM’s purpose is exclusively educational and charitable to connect people and enrich lives.  www.lonestarmonarchs.org

Dallas Independent School District’s mission is to educate all students for success. www.dallasisd.org 

Dallas Police Association:  Founded in 1959, the DPA is the oldest and largest police employee organization in Dallas. The sole purpose of the DPA is to represent Dallas Police Officers in matters relating to employment, benefits and general well-being.  Located in Dallas’ historic Cedars Neighborhood, the DPA facilities are member-owned and include administrative offices, conference/training facilities and a party space, with ample and secure on-site parking.  Membership is open to all active and reserve Dallas Police Officers only.  The DPA is the original and largest police employee group for Dallas Police Officers and has over 4,000 active and retired members.  www.dallaspa.org

James S. Hogg New Tech Elementary School’s mission is to Motivate. Inspire. Prepare.  We empower students to become co-designers of their education through project-based learning. https://www.dallasisd.org/hogg

Photos by Danny Campbell

Turtle Creek Association Annual Gala Celebrating Turtle Creek Presented by Teresa Byrd

Join us in support of Turtle Creek Association's Annual Gala presented by Teresa Byrd on Friday, October 18 at Virgin Hotels Dallas. Elyse and David Walthall are honorary chairs for both the gala and Tour of  Homes. The Tour of Homes happens on the following Sunday, October 20 and is sponsored by Kyle Crews and Ani Nosnik with URBAN Team, an Allie Beth Allman, Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate. Sharon Ballew, Chair. JD Trueblood is President and CEO, Turtle Creek Association. 

The gala promises an extraordinary evening filled with elegance, excitement, and entertainment. Guests will enjoy a champagne reception, a delectable three-course seated dinner, live and silent auctions, and an unforgettable finale of dancing to the captivating tunes of the renowned Emerald City's Limelight Band. 

Individual tickets begin at $375. Sponsorships, underwriting, and tickets can be purchased at https://TCAgala24.givesmart.com.

Contact for More Information:  Sharon Ballew, Vice President of Development, Sharon@Turtlecreekassociation.org  or call (214) 526-2800. More information: www.turtlecreekassociation.org

About Turtle Creek Association

The annual Gala is a key fundraising event benefiting the Turtle Creek Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  TCA’s core mission is to serve as the foremost guardian, advocate, and leader dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the Turtle Creek corridor.

Furthermore, the Turtle Creek Association takes on a range of vital responsibilities.  This includes orchestrating seasonal color transformations along the creek, managing irrigation and watering systems, overseeing litter and trash removal from the creek, and upkeeping 25 beautifully landscaped medians. We play a crucial role in sustaining 2,600 trees that offer a haven for wildlife, and we’re instrumental in providing essential amenities such as drinking fountains, trash receptacles, and benches throughout the parks. Remarkably, all of these efforts are achieved through the generosity of our donors.

For more information and to join our cause, please visit our website at www.turtlecreekassociation.org. Your support fuels our commitment to preserving the urban sanctuary that is Turtle Creek.  

Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

Preservation Park Cities 2024 Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Living With Art Will Feature An Insightful Panel Discussion

 Join us on Monday, October 21!

Lindsey Doramus and Cate Ford, chairs of the Preservation Park Cities Distinguished Speaker Luncheon Living with Art, are delighted to announce the panel of speakers for the luncheon are Thomas Feulmer, Curator, The Warehouse Dallas; Robyn Siegel, Advisor, CCS Fine Art; Ashley Avrea Cathey, Founder and Principal, Avrea and Company. Moderator is Joyce Goss, Phillips Regional Director, Texas.  Jenny and Richard Mullen are honorary chairs.

          
Slated for Monday, October 21, 2024 the featured speakers will discuss how art is valued and how to create a more exciting, thoughtful connection with works of art when artworks enter the most important space in our lives – our home. From the perspective of their roles in the art world, they will share their insight about the practical matters of acquiring and owning art, as well as the bigger question of how a relationship with art might evolve and deepen over time.
          
The Distinguished Speaker Luncheon celebrates historic preservation and is designed to generate awareness of the role history and preservation play in enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives and works in the Park Cities communities.  Alisa Sell is president of Preservation Park Cities. Presenting sponsor is Highland Park Village. Presenting magazine sponsor is D Home.
          
Individual tickets are $300 each and are available now. Table sponsorships start at $3,000 up to $7,500 with varying benefits. Marketing sponsorships start at $5,000 up to $10,000. All are available here: https://www.preservationparkcities.org/luncheon

For more information, contact the office manage via phone: 214-528-0021 or email at info@preservationparkcities.org

Overview:

•  The Historic Home Tour, Distinguished Speaker Luncheon and the Park Cities Car Show are the organization’s only fundraisers each year. The proceeds are allocated to help further our mission to celebrate and promote the preservation of Park Cities architecture, history, aesthetics, and cultural traditions.

•  The purpose of the annual Historic Home Tour is to showcase architecturally and historically significant homes of the Park Cities and illustrate how these homes have been restored or remodeled to serve the lifestyle needs of families today.

•  The organization landmarks architecturally and historically significant homes in the Park Cities, some of which are on the Historic Home Tour.

•  Members of the organization enjoy historic and preservation oriented educational programs.

Preservation Park Cities Mission:
Preservation Park Cities mission is to preserve and promote the history, architecture, aesthetics, and cultural traditions of the Park Cities. Proceeds of the Distinguished Speaker Luncheon, Historic Home Tour and the Classic and Antique Car Show will be used to fund:

• Property Landmarking
• Stewardship of the PPC archives at the UP Library
• HPISD Architecture/History Student Scholarship Award
• The Distinguished Chair for History at HPHS
• The “Save the Top 100” campaign and the new book: The Houses of the Park Cities: An Architectural Guide to the Historic Houses of Highland Park and University Park Texas
•  Membership in PPC is open to the community. For more information visit www.preservationparkcities.org              

Photo by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

At Home in the Garden – A Floral Finale was the theme of the Annual Meeting of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden which featured Carla Fonts, founder of Dunbar Road Design, as the headline speaker.
        
It was a gorgeous day as everyone came together at A Tasteful Place at the Dallas Arboretum.  Tables were draped with rich orange tablecloths topped with gold chargers, fuchsia linen napkins and striking centerpieces of Delft-style pottery filled with orchids and fresh fruit echoing the color palette.
        
Chaired by Brenda Shute and Brenda Cary Brown, 5^th VP of Programs, the reception featured passed hors d’oeuvres and sparkling wines. Presentations began with Karen Sargent, 2023-2024 president, welcoming the crowd and bringing board members to the podium to give their reports. Allison Brodnax, chair of the Mad Hatter’s Luncheon, announced the sold-out event netted $314,496.66 and presented Karen with a huge ceremonial check.  Karen also presented Allison with a lovely thank you gift.
        
Linda Spina, 7th VP Donor Development and Dave Forehand, Vice-President of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, presented slideshow renderings depicting exciting new announcements of three significant projects. Linda said, “Through the fundraising efforts of the Women’s Council and donations by generous benefactors, we are excited to announce the construction of three gardens in A Woman’s Garden. These garden areas represent an additional investment of over $2 million by the Women’s Council and our donors.  Construction is about to begin, with garden completion of at least one project expected as early as later this year.”
        
Briefly, Linda said, “A re-envisioning for Pecan Parterre was completed by our landscape architect Warren Johnson and Dallas Arboretum VP Dave Forehand.   An exciting new feature in this garden is a walkway that extends from the upper level of the garden to the perimeter path at the lower level.”  Improvements include refurbishing existing hardscapes and new plantings.
        
The Burgess Serenity Garden plans were also revealed. “Pier and Glenn Burgess were captivated by an undeveloped area in our garden that was planned as a cloister or meditative space.  The area is one in a series of garden vignettes in A Woman’s Garden that provides views toward the lake,” Linda said.  Plans for that garden include new and existing plantings that will take advantage of the forest canopy, offer shade, green spaces and more year-round.
        
The Mother-Daughter Water Gardens Walkway is a new garden donated by Patty Dedman Nail and her family. Linda stated, “This garden will connect The Meadow, donated in honor of Patty’s mother Nancy Dedman, and The Woodlands and The Cliffside, donated by the Patricia Dedman Family Foundation.  It will serve as a living tribute to their very special mother-daughter relationship.”
          
Karen said that this year her theme of A Garden of Possibilities - Cultivating a Brighter Future has certainly come to fruition. Beginning with welcoming Sabina Carr, the new president and CEO of the Arboretum as the 600^th member of the Women’s Council, she thanked membership chairs Mary Ellen Winborn and Claire Catrino for their efforts in growing the membership to over 625, as well as to Dorothea Meltzer, chair of the Lisianthus Society, for guiding patron membership to a record 341 members.
        
Heartfelt thanks also went to A Writer’s Garden 2023 chairs Mari Epperson and Sharon Ballew with honorary chairs Ann Barbier-Mueller and her daughter Niña Tollette and daughters-in-law Bridget Barbier-Mueller and Kaitlyn Barbier Mueller.
        
Karen thanked the chairs of the many special events offered by the Women’s Council, their volunteers and committees.  She said that overall, the combined fundraising efforts of the Women’s Council, with additional donations from donor naming, memorials and honorariums brought in total income of $606,941.

        
Special recognitions included the presentation of the Leadership Award to Karen Keith for her work these past two years as treasurer and the Service Award to Carolyn Tobin for her many years of guiding the Women’s Council in technology.
        
In closing Karen said, “From these experiences grow the treasured friendships our members value and cherish. I am grateful for your friendship, your generous support and the gifts of your time and talents.”
        
Carla Fonts, as the featured speaker, spoke about the history of the name of her company, Dunbar Road, and shared her fresh approach to design in some of her recent projects and the art of bringing nature inside the home through color, texture and design.
        
Luncheon was served and included a first course of sweet corn chowder, main course of a trio of hearty salads and for dessert, a delicious and imaginative white chocolate lemon shell shaped like a lemon and filled with lemon cheesecake.    

Learn more about the Women’s Council and membership benefits at www.wcdabg.org
        
(Linda Spina contributed to this press release with quotes from her Updates on A Woman’s Garden, which contains more details on the Pecan Parterre, the Burgess Serenity Garden and the Mother-Daughter Water Gardens Walkway.) 

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL: Celebrating its 42^nd Anniversary.
Since 1982 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, a principal garden at the Dallas Arboretum. A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. Celebrating its 42^nd year, the support of over 600 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  www.wcdabg.org

ABOUT A WOMAN’S GARDEN: Celebrating its 27th Anniversary.
A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden sits majestically as a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future.

Photos by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio

Themed “Star Style Glamour for the Home & Garden” and presented by the Weber Foundation, the event happens on Wednesday, November 13, 2024

The speakers for the 18^th Annual A Writer’s Garden Symposium and Luncheon themed “Star Style Glamour for the Home & Garden” were revealed at a soirée hosted by Becky Burgett in her home which was chaired by Tammany Stern.
        
Guests were treated to a delicious charcuterie spread, hors d’oeuvres and desserts provided by Vestals Catering as everyone chatted about the upcoming big reveal. Therese Rourk, president of the Women’s Council of the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, welcomed the crowd and thanked Becky for graciously hosting the evening’s event.
        
Joni Krieg, A Writer’s Garden chair, then thanked Gold Crown Valet for donating their services for this evening’s event. She introduced Tonya Trest, event artist, who revealed the original artwork she created expressly for A Writer’s Garden and its theme, “Star Style Glamour For The Home & Garden,” to a rousing round of applause.
        
Joni announced the speakers for A Writer’s Garden will be Martyn Lawrence Bullard and Stefani Bittner. Martyn is a multi-award-winning British interior designer, author and television personality based in Los Angeles. Renowned for his broad range of styles and eclectic, yet sophisticated and inviting interiors. Martyn is the author of “Star Style” (Vendome Press, 2023), “Martyn Lawrence Bullard: Design and Decoration” (Rizzoli, 2016) and “Live, Love and Decorate” (Rizzoli, 2011). Stefani is the owner of Homestead Design Collective, a San Francisco Bay area landscape design firm focused on creating beautiful gardens that provide harvests in every season. Stefani is the author of “The Fragrant Flower Garden” (Ten Speed Press, 2024), “Harvest: Unexpected Projects Using 47 Extraordinary Garden Plants” (Ten Speed Press, 2017), “The Beautiful, Edible Garden” (Ten Speed Press, 2013).
        
Then came a most exciting announcement. Joni said, “I’d like to introduce my good friend, Garry Weber, who will serve as this year’s Honorary Chair and Presenting Sponsor. In addition, through his Weber Foundation, Garry has donated $100,000, the largest single donation ever to A Writer’s Garden, which will ensure this year’s event will be the most successful ever. Mr. Weber said he has always enjoyed the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and was honored to make this donation in support of A Writer’s Garden, A Woman’s Garden and the Women’s Council.
        

Dorothea Meltzer, Advisor, said that the recently completed restored and restyled Poetry Garden has a new addition of a mosaic fountain. This beautiful mosaic fountain will be named in honor of Garry Weber and the Weber Foundation in recognition of his most generous donation.

        
Donna Weitzman, Underwriting Chair, announced that there was already over $50,000 in underwriting sponsorships committed. In addition, she and her husband Herb are donating a magnificent sapphire and diamond necklace on behalf of their Cottonwood Market Antique Mall to the event’s live auction.

A Writer’s Garden happens on Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at The Dallas Arboretum’s Rosine Hall. Patrons at certain levels will be invited to a Meet the Authors Patron Party chaired by Jolie Humphrey and C’Mone Wingo with the featured speakers on Wednesday evening, November 12, 2024 at a private residence.

Patron tickets begin at $500 each up to $2,500. A limited number of individual tickets are available at $300. Table sales are available starting at $5,000. Sponsorships and Underwriting are available beginning at $500 up to $50,000 with different benefits at each level. Visit the Women’s Council website at www.wcdabg.org for more details and to purchase tickets, tables, underwriting and sponsorships.

ABOUT THE WOMEN’S COUNCIL: Celebrating its 42nd Anniversary.
Since 1982 the major goal of the Women’s Council has been the design, construction, funding and endowment of A Woman’s Garden, a principal garden at the Dallas Arboretum. A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the United States conceived by women, funded by the efforts of women and dedicated to the spirit of women. Celebrating its 41^st year, the support of over 600 members of the Women’s Council makes possible the continued expansion and development of A Woman’s Garden. The Women’s Council is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  www.wcdabg.org

ABOUT A WOMAN’S GARDEN: Celebrating its 27^th Anniversary.
A Woman’s Garden is the only public garden in the nation conceived, constructed and maintained by the funding efforts of women. Ablaze with color in every season, A Woman’s Garden sits majestically as a living testament to the passion and vision of the Women’s Council founders and the boundless energy and devotion of its members whose commitment to creating a garden dedicated to the universal spirit of women across generations is realized in its inspired design. Our beautiful garden celebrates the power, creativity, resourcefulness, passion and unwavering commitment of the women who came before us and those entrusted with its care now, and into the future.

Photos by Thomas Garza