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Denton County Magazine

Seeing the increasing need for foster families across the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, Flower Mound resident Lisa Bethea felt called to support children in care. She began fostering, a journey that ultimately led her to adoption.

According to Tommy Jordan, Director of Family and Community Engagement for Our Community Our Kids, the need for foster families remains urgent. “Around 47 children are currently in foster care in Denton County,” Jordan shared. “We need 25 to 50 more homes willing to open their doors and hearts.”

Our Community Our Kids is a child welfare collaborative that supports foster parents and helps children find safe, loving homes across Metroplex West — including Cooke, Denton, Erath, Hood, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Parker, Somervell, Tarrant, and Wise counties.

If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time. Learn how you can make a lasting difference by visiting https://ourcommunity-ourkids.org/ to explore foster care resources, training, and support services. To read more about Lisa’s story visit: Denton County Magazine.

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Fred Armisen from Life is BeautifulFestival. Photo Photo Credit: Rolling Stone Magazine

 

Dallas VideoFest is proud to reveal comedian, writer, producer, and musician Fred Armisen as this year’s recipient of the coveted annual Ernie Kovacs Award at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov.22, at the historic Texas Theatre (231 W. Jefferson Blvd. – Oak Cliff, Dallas). A curated selection of Armisen’s TV work will screen after the presentation. Tickets available at VideoFest.org.

The weekend long celebration of the groundbreaking work of Ernie Kovacs and his legacy begins the evening prior on Friday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 pm, also at the Texas Theatre, with a screening of Buster Keaton’s The Cameraman (1928), accompanied live by silent film accompanist Ben Model, archivist/historian for the Ernie Kovacs Television collection. Also screening that night will be Kovacs’ own silent Baseball Film short.

“I am absolutely honored to be a part of Ernie Kovacs’ world in any way,” said comedian Fred Armisen.

“The very first program of our festival in 1987 featured Edie Adams (Ernie’s wife and creative partner) talking about the work of Ernie Kovacs,” said Bart Weiss, founder/artistic director of Dallas VideoFest. “Ernie’s innovative spirit has been with us these 38 years. The Ernie Kovacs Award celebrates those who, much like Kovacs, redefine TV and video as an art form. His comedy constantly bends form, defies expectations, and reimagines how we experience performance and television.”

“Fred Armisen’s unique, off-the-wall comedy is rooted in Ernie Kovacs whacked out characters, snippets of music, bizarre sounds, terminally clueless alter egos and eccentric weirdos,” said Joshua Mills of Ediad Productions, which runs the estate of Ernie Kovacs. “His humor is rooted in cockeyed yet lovable eccentrics, just like the comedy of Ernie Kovacs, which is why he’s so deserving of the 2025 Ernie Kovacs award.”

The Ernie Kovacs Award events coincide with the tragic anniversary of the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy in Dallas on Nov. 22 in 1963. The Texas Theatre, where both weekend events are held, is also the location of the apprehension of assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.

 

ERNIE KOVACS AWARD WEEKEND PASSES & PACKAGES WITH FRED ARMISEN
$23.50 — Friday night: The Cameraman with Ben Model
$28.75 — Saturday night: Fred Armisen Kovacs Award presentation & Screening
$30 — Fred Armisen album 100 Sound Effects
$75 — Both nights with VIP reception
$100 — Both nights with VIP reception + Fred Armisen album 100 Sound Effects Record

ABOUT FRED ARMISEN

Fred Armisen is a comedian, writer, producer, and musician whose career began in the Chicago-based post-punk band Trenchmouth and with the Blue Man Group.

An 11-season veteran of Saturday Night Live, Armisen co-wrote and co-starred in IFC’s Emmy®-nominated series Portlandia, created with Carrie Brownstein; co-wrote, co-starred in, and executive produced HBO’s acclaimed Spanish-language series Los Espookys; and co-wrote, co-starred in, and produced IFC’s celebrated parody anthology Documentary Now.

Currently, he stars in season 2 of Netflix’s Wednesday and voices Elliot Birch in the eighth and final season of Big Mouth. In film, he recently voiced a character in The Super Mario Bros. Movie and appeared in Judd Apatow’s The Bubble. On stage, he tours his innovative live show “Comedy For Musicians But Everyone Is Welcome” and recently completed his Broadway debut in All In: Comedy About Love.

From 2014 to 2024, Armisen served as bandleader for the 8G Band on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers. This fall, Armisen adds a new chapter with the release of his record, 100 Sound Effects. This playful and experimental audio project blends humor and sound in ways that nod to Kovacs’ own absurdist sensibility.

ABOUT THE ERNIE KOVACS AWARD

The Ernie Kovacs Award honors the career and creative achievements of television’s greatest visionaries. Kovacs’ groundbreaking work in the 1950s and early 1960s captured the essence of innovation and elevated television’s artistic possibilities.

The Dallas VideoFest and the Video Association of Dallas introduced the first Kovacs Award at the 1997 festival. Comedian Joel Hodgson of Mystery Science Theater 3000 was the inaugural recipient. Subsequent honorees have included Al Franken, Terry Gilliam and John Cleese (Monty Python), Robert Smigel, Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens, Martin Mull, Mike Judge, George Schlatter, Harry Shearer, Michael Nesmith, Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald (Kids in the Hall), Amy Sedaris, and last year’s awardee, Gerald Casale of DEVO.

Actress and Ernie Kovacs’ wife and creative partner, Edie Adams, hosted the award annually until her passing in 2008. Today, her son Joshua Mills oversees Ediad Productions, preserving the legacies of Ernie Kovacs and Edie Adams.

ABOUT DALLAS VIDEOFEST

Dallas VideoFest is one of the longest-running festivals celebrating the art and innovation of video and media. Founded in 1987 by Bart Weiss, the festival showcases experimental, documentary, and narrative works from both emerging and established artists. In addition to screenings, panels, and workshops, Dallas VideoFest honors visionaries in television and video through the Ernie Kovacs Award, recognizing creators who push the boundaries of storytelling, comedy, and visual media. For more information, visit VideoFest.org.

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Soulman’s Bar-B-Que is proud to announce the 10th Annual Thanksgivaway, a beloved tradition that has brought warmth, comfort, and full plates to families across North Texas for the past decade. What began as a heartfelt effort to ease holiday burdens has now become a cornerstone of Soulman’s year-round commitment to community.

For the tenth consecutive year, Soulman’s Bar-B-Que will provide families in need with a complete Thanksgiving feast at no cost. Each selected family will enjoy a meal featuring Soulman’s signature hickory-smoked meats and classic Southern sides, carefully prepared to feed and bring together entire households. Holiday favorites include spiral sliced ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread dressing, and King’s Hawaiian® rolls.

“Reaching the 10-year mark of Thanksgivaway is incredibly meaningful to our team,” said Brett Randle, CEO of Soulman’s Bar-B-Que. “This tradition represents the heart of who we are as a company—serving our communities, honoring the importance of family, and sharing great food with those who need it most during the holidays.”

Working alongside local organizations and community partners, Soulman’s invites North Texans to submit nominations for families who could benefit from the gift of a holiday meal. Nominations are accepted at www.soulmans.com/thanksgiveaway beginning November 1st. Entries must include the recipient’s name, reason for nomination, and contact information. Winners will be notified the week of November 17th, with meals available for pickup on November 24th and 25th.

Since its start, the Thanksgivaway has grown into more than just a meal—it’s a symbol of gratitude, hope, and togetherness. “Each year, the response reminds us that the spirit of Thanksgiving goes far beyond our tables,” added Randle.

In addition to the Thanksgivaway, families across Texas continue to enjoy stress-free celebrations by pre-ordering from Soulman’s popular holiday catering menu, featuring bone-in hickory smoked turkey, spiral-sliced holiday ham, savory sides, and homemade pies. Details are available here.

 

About Soulman’s Bar-B-Que

For 50 years, Soulman’s Bar-B-Que has satisfied the hardest to please bar-b-que lovers….Texans!  Founded in Pleasant Grove, Texas in 1974, Soulman’s had only a few simple goals—serve great Texas-style BBQ and offer friendly, sincere service.  Soulman’s original family recipes are still the foundation for the company’s success from their 8 different types of meat that are smoked “low & slow” over only hickory wood to their famous homemade sides, including Ranch house beans and Texas style cream corn! Throughout the years, this family-owned and operated company has remained true to its original strive for success and customer satisfaction and is honored to be considered one of the Best Roadside Restaurants in America (2024), Top Bar-B-Que Chains in America (2024), the Best Bar-B-Que in Dallas for Takeout  & Delivery (2020) and one of the Best Bar-B-Que Chains in America (2018).

Soulman’s currently owns and operates 21 North and East Texas locations in Allen, Cedar Hill, Fort Worth, Forney, Garland, Greenville, Hurst Grapevine Highway,  Lancaster, Lewisville, Mabank, Mansfield, Mesquite, North Richland Hills, Quinlan, Red Oak, Rockwall I-30, Rockwall Goliad, Royse City,  Sulphur Springs, Terrell, and Van. To learn more about Soulman’s Bar-B-Que, visit them online at http://www.soulmans.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/soulmansbbq.

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Copy of Application of Pit Fissure Sealants for D

Numerous accounts of dental assisting’s roots as a profession credit New Orleans dentist C. Edmund Kells with employing his wife in 1885. So helpful was her work that he soon hired the first full-time assistant, Malvina Cueria, a teenager, in his practice.  

While it may seem unimportant today, two women working in a dental office was revolutionary in the late-19th century. Convention dictated that women didn’t receive dental treatments without spousal permission, but the presence of two women in Kells’ office offered comfort and security to many women in his community. Kells’ helpers were so popular, other dentists soon advertised that “ladies in attendance” were working in their practices for the safety of female patients. 

Before long, dental assistant societies grew across the country. The American Dental Assistants Association, incorporated in 1925, continues to lead the profession. Although regulations vary by state, ADAA lists dental assistants’ responsibilities as including, but not limited to, assisting dentists during a variety of treatment procedures, taking and developing dental x-rays and providing patients with instructions for oral care following surgery or other dental procedures. 

Among their many duties, dental assistants administer sealants – thin plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of premolars and molars – under the supervision of a dentist. The sealants serve as protective barriers against bacteria that cause decay and cavities. 

For the first time, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry will offer Applications of Pit and Fissure Sealants for Dental Assistants. The TSBDE-approved certification course includes two live, interactive webinars and one hands-on session. The first webinar is from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. The second webinar is from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. The hands-on session is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Administrative Education Building’s simulation lab of the dental college, 3302 Gaston Ave. 

The course is offered to alleviate preventive care gaps, enhance the dental teamwork flow and improve access to dental care services – especially in underserved communities, said Dr. Raghad Obeidat, assistant clinical professor in public health sciences, who will present the course with Dr. Amal Noureldin, clinical professor and director of the predoctoral program in public health sciences. 

Participants must complete the webinar sessions before attending the hands-on component. Registration is $350. For more information, go to https://reg.learningstream.com/reg/event_page.aspx?ek=0069-0031-2bf8baee4ca740669fc31bf3037c1e7c.  

“This certification allows dental assistants to play a more active role in preventing cavities, the most common chronic disease among children,” Obeidat said. “By expanding their clinical competency through continuing education, we can bring preventive care to more families and reduce disparities in oral health access.” 

The course is open to dental assistants with a minimum of two years of experience. Those who complete the course will earn eight hours of continuing education credit. 

“We built this course to go beyond compliance,” Obeidat said. “It’s about confidence and clinical precision. Participants will leave with the skills to perform sealant applications effectively and safely, making them indispensable members of the preventive dental team.” 

Being trained in the latest practice techniques can pay off for dental assistants. The median pay for dental assistants was $47,300 in 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There were 381,900 dental assistant positions nationwide in 2024, and the number is projected to increase by 6% within the next decade. 

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This Thanksgiving Day, gather with family and friends for an unforgettable holiday brunch buffet at the Pyramid Restaurant in Fairmont Dallas in the acclaimed Arts District. Indulge in a lavish culinary experience featuring chef-crafted classics from roasted turkey and rich seasonal sides to elegant carving stations and decadent desserts.

With exceptional service, festive décor, live music, and a menu that embraces the very best of the season, it’s the perfect way to give thanks to and celebrate the ones you love, effortlessly. Create cherished memories and make Fairmont Dallas a part of your family’s Thanksgiving tradition.

Seating times are 11 AM, 11:30 AM, 1 PM, and 1:30 PM. Adults are $89 per guest. Children ages 6–12 are $45, while children 5 and under are Free.

Reservations are strongly recommended. To book your spots, please visit Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1825861323369 

The Pyramid Restaurant is located in the Fairmont Dallas at 1717 N Akard St.

 

THANKGIVING BRUNCH BUFFET

Thursday, November 27, 2025

The Prelude: Hors d'Oeuvres

  • Veal Terrine, delicately layered with herbs and fine spices.

  • Mousse de Volaille en Pot. Silky chicken mousse with artisan crostini.

  • Prosciutto-wrapped Figs, finished with aged Pedro Ximénez reduction.

  • Wild Mushroom Tartlets, with Parmesan crème, trout roe, and chive blossom.

  • Chickpea Butter, with Ras el Hanout, cucumber ribbons, and crisp lavash. (Vegan)

From the Sea: A Celebration of Coastal Elegance

  • Ice Globe Display. Lobster salad and chilled prawns presented on crystal ice.

  • Beef Tartare. Hand-cut tenderloin with capers, chimichurri, and lavash crisps.

  • Whole Poached Salmon. Lemon-dill crème, watercress, and citrus garnish.

The Garden Table: Harvest Soups & Seasonal Greens

  • Roasted Beet Salad, with citrus, whipped goat cheese, mint, pistachio, and honeycomb.

  • Endive Salad, with sourdough granola, pecorino, toasted walnuts, Spanish anchovies, and Chardonnay vinaigrette.

  • Arugula & Poached Pears, with Roquefort, candied pecans, and Banyuls vinegar reduction.

  • Winter Kale Salad, with pomegranate, pepitas, Asian pear, marinated tofu, and apple cider vinaigrette. (Vegan)

  • Classic Caesar, with crisp romaine, parmesan, and herb focaccia croutons.

  • Pumpkin Soup en croûte. Velvety spiced pumpkin bisque baked under golden pastry.

  • Mushroom Bisque, with sherry reduction and wild herbs. (Vegan)

The Feast: Carving & Seasonal Accompaniments

  • Black Truffle Roasted Turkey, with sauce périgueux and traditional pan gravy.

  • Skuna Bay Salmon Wellington, with mushroom duxelles, crêpe, arrowleaf spinach, and golden puff pastry.

  • Herb-Crusted Prime Rib, served with fresh horseradish and Bordelaise sauce.

  • Pan-Roasted Caraflex Cabbage, with celeriac purée, saffron, Honeycrisp apple, and toasted pecans. (Vegan)

  • Traditional Thanksgiving Stuffing. Brioche, herbs, and roasted vegetables.

  • Sweet Potato Casserole, topped with meringue and toasted pecans.

  • Green Bean Casserole, with wild mushrooms and crispy shallots.

  • Cranberry Relish, with orange zest and winter spice.

  • Black Truffle Mashed Potatoes, made with Yukon gold potatoes and truffle essence.

  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts, with double-smoked bacon and Banyuls vinegar reduction.

  • Heirloom Carrots, with an agrodolce glaze and crushed pistachios.

The Finale: Patisserie & Sweet Indulgence

  • Classic Pumpkin Pie, topped with whipped cream and spiced crumble.

  • Southern Pecan Pie, topped with bourbon caramel and toasted nuts.

  • Sticky Toffee Pudding, topped with butterscotch sauce and vanilla chantilly.

  • Rustic Apple Pie, topped with brown sugar crumble and cinnamon glaze.

  • Assorted Petite Pastries. Chef’s seasonal selection.

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Wednesday, November 19 | 5–10 PM 25% of all dinner food sales donated to Friedreich’s Ataxia Research

At McRae’s, we believe in good food, good company, and good causes — especially when they begin close to home.

When McRae’s owner Mike McRae met Alexis and Richard Penn, longtime guests who shared the story of their daughter Emily, he was deeply moved. Emily was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) at 15, which is a rare, progressive neurological condition that affects balance, coordination, and muscle strength. The diagnosis turned their world upside down, but what followed has been nothing short of inspiring.

Instead of retreating, the Penn family stepped forward — choosing to live with purpose, optimism, and grace. Now 32, Emily is married with four children, and her parents have dedicated themselves to helping other families through the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

Since joining FARA, Alexis has watched remarkable progress unfold. What began as a small grassroots movement in 1998 has grown into a global research network funding more than a dozen clinical trials and supporting the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for FA. About 95% of all funds raised go directly to research, driving innovations in gene therapy, protein restoration, and other promising paths toward a cure.

As Alexis shared, “We fundraise because we know research is advancing. When scientists meet our patients face-to-face, it stops being abstract. That human connection motivates the work.” She added, “We’ve been riding this train for 17 years, and we’re not stopping. I tell Emily, ‘You’re going to see a cure in your lifetime.’”

Moved by their story, McRae’s is proud to host Families for a Cure: McRae’s Evening for a Cause honoring the Penn family and supporting FARA’s life-changing mission.

On Wednesday, November 19, we’ll donate 25% of all dinner food sales to FARA, helping fund research that brings hope to families like the Penns and to every person living with Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Join us for an evening of good food, warm company, and shared purpose to move one step closer to a cure.

Reservations are recommended to ensure your preferred seating time and table. While walk-ins are welcome, we encourage guests to reserve in advance. Make your reservation online at www.mcraesamericanbistro.com or call (214) 792-9944.

Families for a Cure — McRae’s Evening for a Cause

  • Wednesday, November 19
  • Dine-in only | 5–10 PM
  • 25% of all dinner food sales donated to Friedreich’s Ataxia Research
  • Enjoy dining in our cozy atmosphere or outside on our covered & heated patio.
  • No flyer needed — all dine-in dinner guests count toward the donation. Explore our menu: https://mcraesamericanbistro.com/menu/

Location & Contact:

McRae’s American Bistro 9913 Garland Rd, Dallas, TX 75218 (214) 792-9944 www.mcraesamericanbistro.com

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Around here, community means everything. Dodie’s Rockwall has always been more than a place to eat. It’s where friends gather, families celebrate, and neighbors lend a hand. On Tuesday, November 18, we’re inviting our community to join us in supporting a Forney family whose story of faith and strength has touched our hearts.

Emily was diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) at just 15 years old. FA is a rare, progressive neurological disease that affects balance, coordination, and muscle strength. When doctors shared that Emily would likely need a wheelchair by her early twenties, it was one of those moments that stops time — when life suddenly looks different, yet love and determination grow even stronger. Instead of giving in to fear, Emily and her parents, Alexis and Richard Penn, chose resilience and light.

Now 32 and living near the Forney-Heath area, Emily is married with four children. She lives life fully — cooking, caring for her family, and adapting with remarkable strength and grace. As her mother describes it, “So many people facing disabilities have a choice: to live in darkness or in the light. We’ve always chosen the light.”

Through their involvement with the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), the Penn family has seen extraordinary progress firsthand. What began as a small grassroots organization in 1998 has grown into a powerful research network driving more than 13 clinical trials and the first FDA-approved treatment for FA, released just last year. About 95% of every dollar raised goes directly toward research which includes things like genetic therapy, protein restoration, and other promising paths to a cure.

The Penn's believe strongly in what the community and research can accomplish. “We’ve been riding this train for 17 years, and we’re not stopping,” Alexis said says. “I tell Emily — she’s 32 now — ‘You’re going to see a cure in your lifetime.’” For them, fundraising isn’t just about treatment — it’s about faith in the future and the belief that every small act of kindness brings that future closer.

On Tuesday, November 18, Dodie’s will donate 25% of all dinner food sales to FARA in Emily’s honor, helping to fund ongoing studies and provide hope for families living with FA.

Bring your friends, your family, and your appetite — because every meal makes a difference!

Neighbors for a Cure: Dodie’s Give Back Night

Tuesday, November 18

Dine-in only | 4–10 PM

25% of all dinner food sales donated to Friedreich’s Ataxia Research

No flyer needed — all dine-in dinner guests count toward the donation.

Explore our menu: https://dodiesattheharbor.com/menu/

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When a child enters a cancer battle, families rarely consider how treatments will affect teeth. However, life-saving measures, particularly chemotherapy and radiation, have immediate and future consequences on oral health. 

Dr. Carolyn A. Kerins, associate professor and graduate program director in the pediatric dentistry department at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry in Dallas, said a dental visit should be scheduled before treatment starts. The dentist needs to ensure the child’s teeth and gums are stable and eliminate any potential sources of infection, including cavities. 

“Ideally, all children should have a dental home and see the dentist every six months,” Kerins said. “The dental home includes preventative care services such as fluoride and sealants, restorative services and emergency care.” 

For children facing cancer, it’s imperative. Chemotherapy involves drugs that affect the entire body, and the effects and extent depend on the timing of the cancer treatment and the stage of tooth development. 

“Cancer treatment can halt the cellular division of tooth buds that are responsible for forming the permanent teeth,” said Kerins, who’s also on staff at Children’s Health in Dallas and specializes in complicated pediatric cases. “Calcification of the permanent teeth starts before birth for some teeth, and complete tooth formation up to eruption may take three to five years. 

“Since chemotherapy stuns the process, a child may experience delayed loss of primary teeth and formation of permanent teeth and the emergence of those permanent teeth.” 

Radiation’s effects depend on the dose and time. Radiation to the head and neck causes more issues to teeth and mouth, breaking down oral tissue, salivary glands and bone. This can lead to mucositis – inflammation of a mucous membrane – dry mouth, increased cavities and tissue death. 

“If all the permanent teeth are fully formed and erupted, the child is still at increased risk for tooth decay and periodontal disease,” Kerins said. 

If radiation is at a high dose or starts when permanent teeth are developing, teeth can stop growing and likely won’t recover, she said. If a tooth develops, it’s often without a full root and could fall out. In some cases, teeth may be extracted before cancer treatments because they aren’t restorable because of cavities or an infection in a tooth’s nerve. 

Other common dental problems are dry mouth, which can lead to more cavities; mouth sores and ulcers; altered sense of taste; fungal infections; oral pain and jaw tightening. 

“Patients are encouraged to reach out to their dentist if they experience these symptoms,” Kerins said. 

Cancer treatment is a long process. 

“It’s usually a two-year experience,” she said. “Kids are going to miss school… the peer groups may shift, often complicating parenting. A strong social support network surrounded by a team of physicians and dentists will yield the best outcome.” 

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The Melissa Pierce Project marked a major milestone for South Dallas’ Joppee neighborhood on October 22, breaking ground on The Place at Honey Springs, a redevelopment effort that will transform the former Melissa Pierce School into a new community hub.

Dozens of residents, families, and community partners gathered to plant 30 trees on the site. Volunteers were invited to name their trees, which will soon feature custom markers recognizing their participation. The event was organized in partnership with the Texas Trees Foundation and Budd Family Foundation.

“It’s a wonderful experience,” said Shalondria Galimore, CEO and Founder of The Melissa Pierce Project. “It’s been a long time coming, and this is the beginning. We’re building a space the community can enjoy and take pride in.”

Volunteers from TAMKO Building Products from both Dallas and Missouri contributed their time and effort alongside neighborhood volunteers.

“We’re proud to support The Melissa Pierce Project and the ongoing work to beautify and revitalize this historic neighborhood,” said Jason White, General Manager Dallas TAMKO. “These trees will provide lasting shade and a welcoming space for the community to enjoy.”

“There’s one thing to be a sponsor or donor, but to have them show up and work with us means so much” Galimore said. “We’re deeply grateful for TAMKO’s continued commitment to this community.”

The event also drew support from Remembering Black Dallas Inc., City of Dallas Code Compliance Services, and numerous other community members.

Reviving a Historic Space

The Place at Honey Springs, designed by Citizen HKS, the pro-bono studio of Dallas-based architecture firm HKS Inc., will repurpose the 1950s-era Melissa Pierce School into a community and recreation center. Plans include classrooms, a recording studio, gymnasium and pool, community gardens, and spaces for health and wellness programs.

The name “Honey Springs” honors the area’s original identity and reflects the project’s goal of reconnecting Joppee residents with their roots.

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Kitchen Design Concepts

The 49th Annual Lakewood Home Tour is set to return November 8–9, 2025, celebrating one of East Dallas’s most beloved neighborhood traditions. Among this year’s featured homes is a beautifully reimagined residence by the award-winning team at Kitchen Design Concepts.

The home, belonging to designers Mary Kathryn Reese and Katie Bacon, showcases a full interior and exterior renovation with thoughtful detailing, custom furnishings, and timeless styling. Visitors will get an inside look at the design process and craftsmanship that bring this East Dallas gem to life.

Proceeds from the Lakewood Home Tour benefit East Dallas public schools — Lakewood Elementary, J.L. Long Middle School, and Woodrow Wilson High School — supporting local education through community engagement and design appreciation.

Tour Details:

  • When: Saturday & Sunday, November 8–9, 2025

  • Where: Lakewood, Dallas, TX

  • Daytime Tour: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

  • Candlelight Tour: Saturday, 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

 

Tickets:

  • Daytime Weekend Pass – $45

  • Candlelight Tour Ticket – $60

  • VIP Candlelight Tour – $95

Tickets are available now here: https://lakewoodhometour.ticketspice.com/lakewood-home-tour 

This year’s event promises a weekend filled with inspiration, design, and community pride — a true celebration of Lakewood’s spirit and creativity.