Winnsboro Center for the Arts (WCA) invites you to raise a glass and savor creativity at the 16th Annual Art & Wine Festival in historic downtown Winnsboro. This FREE, two-day celebration perfectly blends fine art, Texas wines, irresistible food and rich Texas music, making it the ideal fall weekend escape - and it's just two hours from DFW! The festival returns to The Bowery in downtown Winnsboro on Friday, November 7, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, November 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year's festival features several DFW artists, including Dana Brock and Linda Donaho from McKinney, Hanna de Volska and Bethany Klein from Fort Worth, Daniel Dziuba from Carrollton, Essie Graham from Plano and Sandy Shiroma from Arlington.

The weekend event offers festival goers a remarkable juried showcase of 45 artists, from Deborah Bartlett’s shimmering fused glass mosaics to Brock’s vivid watercolors, Bettine Godwin’s bold oil paintings and Kyle Jordan’s nature-inspired woodworking. Guests can stroll among fine art in a variety of mediums, handcrafted ceramics, elegant hand-dyed silk fashions and more, each piece as unique as the artist behind it.

And what pairs better with art than a good pour? Guests can sip wines from nine Texas wineries, including Landon Winery, Cicada Ridge Vineyard and Maydelle Wines, or sample seasonal craft brews from Winnsboro’s own Cypress Creek Southern Ales. 

No festival is complete without good eats, and this year’s lineup is as tempting as ever, offering both decadent specialty food vendors and fun food truck options. Specialty offerings include Grazed & Co., with individual gourmet charcuterie boxes and D&R Gourmet Blends olive oils. Winnsburger food truck will be on site with legendary burgers and tots, and La Doña Cocina Móvil will spice things up with street tacos. 

Ambience for the festival will be provided by The Kirbys, Eve’s Road, Stacey Knight-Finley, and Kevin Tinney and Chase Glover, ensuring the Bowery is filled with live music as well as art and wine.

For those who want a taste of cowboy culture, don’t miss “Cowboy Tales,” a free juried art exhibit in the gallery at Winnsboro Center for the Arts, which celebrates the traditions of the American West.

“The Art & Wine Festival has become a cherished tradition for both locals and visitors,” said Cyndie Ewert, festival coordinator. “It’s the perfect way to experience our East Texas culture and sense of community while celebrating creativity in all its forms.”

WCA plays a key role in bringing cultural programming, exhibitions and entertainment to Winnsboro and East Texas. WCA is supported in part by grants from the Texas Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, Wood County EDC, Winnsboro EDC and Christus Mother Frances Health Systems. Winnsboro’s Cultural Arts District is recognized by the Texas Commission on the Arts for its vibrant arts scene. Winnsboro is also recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a Texas Main Street Community and an accredited member of Main Street America for its successful downtown revitalization. 

For more information about the Annual Art & Wine Festival, and other cultural events, visit the website.

ABOUT WINNSBORO CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Winnsboro Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Winnsboro, Texas. As a multi-disciplinary arts center, it serves communities throughout Northeast Texas, engaging people in educational programming, cultural experiences, and entertainment. All scheduled programs are subject to change.

Themed: Texas Preservation the Luncheon is presented by Highland Park Village

The Preservation Park Cities Distinguished Speaker Luncheon presented by Highland Park Village happens on Monday, October 27th at a local private club and features Brent Hull, an award-winning builder, as the featured speaker.  Honorary Chairs are Jan and Bruce Harbor. Lauren Cooper and Porter Fuqua are chairs. Jason Morski, President, PPC.

Brent Hull is an award-winning master builder and expert in historically accurate architectural millwork and moldings. For over thirty years his craftsmanship has enhanced nationally registered properties and homes across the country. Hull honed his expertise at Boston’s North Bennet Street School where he trained in the art of traditional building and historic preservation prior to founding Hull Millwork & Hull Homes in Fort Worth, Texas. When Brent is not working with his teams, speaking or consulting about how to build better and more beautifully, he enjoys reading and writing about historic architecture. He has authored five books on historic millwork; his most recent book released this spring, Millwork: The Design and Manufacturing of Historic Millwork from 1740-1950.

The morning begins with a reception and passed hors d’oeuvres followed by the luncheon and presentation from the featured speaker. The event also includes important updates from a Preservation Park Cities representative. 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. D Home is media sponsor.

Individual tickets start at $300 each. Table Sponsorships start at $3,000 up to $10,000 with varying benefits. Marketing Sponsorships start at $5,000 up to $7,500. All are available here: https://www.preservationparkcities.org/luncheon

Contact for more information: Office manager. Phone: 214-528-0021. Email:  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

Social Media: Facebook @preservationparkcities     Instagram @preservationparkcities/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_swSPVCjY5RaWXbpHTXxTMUqLtKcY8sl
                                                            

Photo of PPC VIPs by Rob Wythe, Wythe Portrait Studio

Other photos courtesy PPC

On Saturday, October 4, 2025, Dallas’ music lovers gathered at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 Symphony Gala. This year’s glittering event celebrated the DSO’s 125th anniversary. More than 400 distinguished guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening that included cocktails, dinner and a live auction. An additional 800 guests joined the celebration at the Gala concert and after-party. Vanessa and David Cain served as the 2025 Symphony Gala Chairs along with Honorary Co-Chairs Erin Mathews and Ruth Ruhl and Host Committee Chairs Dr. Courtney and Andrew Nall.

Guests arrived in the main lobby of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, which David Kimmel Design had transformed into a lush, futuristic garden, complete with shimmering water features and ethereal mist — the perfect setting for a champagne reception. The Dallas Symphony Chorus entertained with a medley of songs from the Meyerson’s radial staircase.

Honorary Co-Chairs Erin Mathews and Ruth Ruhl welcomed guests for dinner and introduced auctioneer Charlie Caulkins from Sotheby’s, who led the night’s spirited live auction. Highlights from the auction included a Napa Wine Country Getaway, a Porsche track experience in Atlanta and a luxury stay at Four Seasons in Vail, Colorado and the Mandarin Oriental Ritz in Madrid, all generously donated by sponsors.

Capital One Head of Navigator Products Annie Fallows presented Young Strings student Elias Gonzalez with the first-ever Capital One Outstanding Student Award, which includes a $5,000 scholarship for Gonzalez to invest in his musical future. Designed to support continued artistic growth, juniors and seniors in the DSO’s Young Strings and Young Musicians programs were encouraged to apply for this award. The funds can be used toward the purchase of a new instrument, enrollment in a summer program or masterclass, college-related expenses and more.

After dinner, guests moved into the Eugene McDermott Concert Hall and were welcomed by Ross Perot President & CEO Michelle Miller Burns, Dallas Symphony Association Chair of the Board of Governors Roger Gault and Gala Chairs Vanessa and David Cain. The Cains then welcomed Music Director Fabio Luisi (Louise W. & Edmund J. Kahn Music Directorship) and the musicians of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra to the stage. The evening’s concert with the DSO was led by Luisi and featured Artist-in-Residence Leonidas Kavakos. The program included Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont. The Beethoven work was a special nod to the DSO’s history; the legendary Georg Solti conducted the piece on his first subscription concert as DSO Music Director in 1961.

After the performance, guests returned to the Meyerson lobby, which had been magically transformed once again, into a whimsical, futuristic “soiree in the celestial garden” for an after-party experience where guests enjoyed savories, desserts and dancing to live music performed by Groove Sinfonico with DSO trumpet Elmer Churampi.

The annual Symphony Gala is one of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s largest annual fundraisers, benefitting the DSO’s life-changing education and community outreach initiatives, allowing the DSO to continue inspiring and changing lives through musical excellence. The DSO touches the lives of more than 200,000 North Texas residents each year.

Empowered Women Empowering Young Girls Presented by Westwood Wealth Management

Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 13, 2025

Lynn McBee, CEO of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network, announces a new fundraiser for the organization, The EmpowerHER Dinner, Empowered Women Empowering Young Girls presented by Westwood Wealth Management.      

Chaired by Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo, the theme includes this inspirational tagline, “Like a monarch transforming from a caterpillar to a butterfly – Empowering young girls to soar on their journey into adulthood.”         

Signing on as honorary chairs are the women of the Lacerte family: Joyce Lacerte, Quincy Lacerte, Madison Lacerte, Monroe Lacerte, Megan Barrie-Schwarz and Harriet Lacerte.     

Slated for Thursday, November 13, 2025 and happening in a private home in the Park Cities for up to 125 attendees, this exclusive dinner will feature a top team of acclaimed and accomplished female chefs from local Dallas restaurants. The evening will begin with a cocktail reception including passed hors d’oeuvres, auction of some one-of-a-kind items, entertainment, announcements, and a few surprises followed by a multi-course seated gourmet dinner. Each chef will create her own featured item.       

Regina and Carla agree: “We are delighted and honored to chair this new fundraiser which will bring together our most compassionate supporters for an unforgettable evening of impact, connection, and community in support of single gender, college-preparatory education for underserved girls in Dallas County.”    

“Westwood Wealth Management, founded by Susan Byrne over 40 years ago, is proud to sponsor The EmpowerHER Dinner,” said Brian Casey, CEO and President of Westwood Wealth Management. He continued, “We are deeply committed to the mission of educating young women, a cause that resonates with our values and history. Inspired by our long-time friends and founders of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network, Lee and Sally Posey, we are honored to support this event. We look forward to celebrating with the women of the Lacerte family and enjoying a fabulous menu curated by four talented female chefs. Together, we can empower the next generation of women leaders.”  

“The EmpowerHER Dinner is more than a fundraiser—it’s a powerful investment in the future of our girls. I’m especially grateful to Regina Bruce and Dr. Carla Russo for their leadership, to the Lacerte family for their unwavering support, and to Westwood for making this event possible. Together, we’re opening doors to opportunity,” said Lynn McBee, Chief Executive Officer.     

Limited seating up to 125. Individual tickets start at $500. Patron tickets are $1,000 with different benefits. Sponsorships begin at $5,000 up to $25,000. Visit the website for more information: www.youngwomensprep.org/empowerher-dinner/  or contact Cindy Ryan, Chief Development Officer. Email: cryan@ywprep.org or call (214) 824-1400

About Young Women’s Preparatory Network:
Our mission is to support single-gender, college-preparatory, public education in Texas and beyond, giving young women the academic and leadership skills to achieve success in college and in life. https://youngwomensprep.org/

Shelton’s 50th anniversary Homecoming on Sept. 26 turned into a show-stopping celebration when the skies lit up with a dazzling drone show capped by the reveal that Grammy Award-winning country group Little Big Town will headline Shelton’s Stampede Auction on April 11, 2026. The halftime celebration also announced that Shelton’s Varsity football team will play Covenant on Nov. 8, 2025, at The Star in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys, as part of the school’s 50th anniversary festivities.

As the largest independent school for intelligent students with learning differences, Shelton marked its 50th year of transforming students’ lives with a celebration that reflected both school pride and community spirit. The evening began with a lively Shelton Parents’ Association tailgate on Charger Plaza featuring food trucks, BBQ by Shelton parent John Lynch, a dunk tank and bounce houses. Alumni gathered for a happy hour at La Hacienda Ranch before heading to campus for the big game.

Before kickoff, longtime Shelton leader Gary Webb was honored as the evening’s honorary captain in celebration of the school’s 50th anniversary. Webb has served as a Shelton board member since 1998 and as chairman of the board from 2010 to 2024. During his time as Board Chair, he was instrumental in leading the way for Shelton’s new campus. He was joined on the field by his family: son Adam Webb (Shelton Class of 2000) with wife Tiffany and granddaughter Birdie; daughter Samantha Wynne (Shelton Class of 2004) with husband Beau and grandchildren Caden and Presley; and daughter Malley Armstrong with husband TJ and grandchildren Ella and Amelia. Webb participated in the coin toss to officially open the game.

The Varsity Chargers football team, led by Head Coach Ed Barry, then took the field against Newman International Academy at 7 p.m., following a Middle School football game at 4:30 p.m. The Varsity team won 49-14, and the Middle School team earned a 33-6 victory.

At halftime, the Shelton Parents’ Association delivered a show unlike any other. The Shelton Drumline teed off the show with a drumroll before the skies above the scoreboard came alive with a choreographed drone show created by Antonio Liska of Robota. Images of Shelton’s blue and white, the Charger logo and the school’s 50th anniversary emblem lit up the night, all set to the music of Little Big Town.

The Chargerettes then took the field, each holding a letter to spell out the band’s name, as Nate Nelson of LeForce coordinated the lights and sound: Little Big Town will perform live at the Stampede Auction on April 11. Parents JoAnna Sudbeck and Mandy Evans, co-chairs of the Stampede Auction, and Shelton Director of Volunteer Relations & Events Shelly Lloyd helped coordinate the reveal.

“Once we were told we’d be announcing the entertainment at the Homecoming game, we knew we had to go big,” said Evans. “Shelton is known for thinking outside the box and embracing new technologies, so the drone show felt like the perfect way to surprise our Shelton families.”

Also announced at halftime was another milestone event for Shelton’s 50th celebrations. On Saturday, Nov. 8, Shelton’s Varsity football team will face Covenant at 4 p.m. at The Star in Frisco, home of the Dallas Cowboys. The game will also serve as Senior Night. More details on tailgating will be shared soon. Special thanks to the Dallas Cowboys and the Gene and Jerry Jones family for making this opportunity possible.

After the announcements, Shelton’s cheerleaders, Chargerettes and Drumline performed before the presentation of the Homecoming Court:

• Seniors: Heston Dios, Hudson Ramsey, Brock Rogers, Elinor David, Stevie Hickman, Effie Maguire
   
• Juniors: Tanner Smith, Kate White
   
• Sophomores: Joe Moody, Adelynn Andras
   
• Freshmen: DeShawn McClelland, Chace Smith

The Homecoming King and Queen are seniors Hudson Ramsey and Stevie Hickman.

Shelton Homecoming Week also featured Upper School dress-out days, two pep rallies, a ninth-grade Homecoming dinner and the Upper School Homecoming dance on Sept. 27. In addition, alumni planned to gather for the Sept. 27 Alumni Football Breakfast hosted by Coach Chuck Locke, former Middle School and Upper School football coach and Shelton’s former director of alumni relations.

Homecoming and the halftime show offered alumni and guests a glimpse of the spectacular year ahead, capturing Shelton’s spirit of community and 50th anniversary celebration that unites students, families, staff and alumni.

“Little Big Town built their success on four-part harmony, which felt like the perfect complement to Shelton’s four stars in our logo — the school, the Evaluation Center, the Outreach & Training programs and the Speech Center,” Evans said. “It’s such a meaningful connection.”

View Shelton Homecoming video at this link. For information about the Stampede auction, including sponsorship opportunities and ticket sales, go to this link. Information about Shelton’s 50th anniversary is at this link.