Suzanne Daniel and Valerie Hughes have been friends for the past 48 years.
But it was only a few weeks ago that they first met.
ÒItÕs like a dream come true,Ó says Hughes, who lives in Cheshire, England.
ÒWe used to say: One day weÕll meet. But it was a dream in those days Ñ people donÕt travel like they do now.Ó
The ladiesÕ friendship began with the draw of a hat.
Hughes was a fourth-grader in England when her teacher announced that each student would begin writing to an American pen pal.
Hughes pulled DanielÕs name out of the hat, which is how Hughes ended up recently visiting Lake Highlands.
As the ladies passed each other several weeks ago in a corridor at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (Daniel was at the wrong gate because Hughes plane was late) they instantly recognized each other, Hughes says.
ÒThe neatest thing was that it was like seeing an old friend on a regular basis. It was so natural and comfortable,Ó Hughes says through a thick English accent.
As young girls, they told each other about everything from boyfriends to siblings via the mail, corresponding at least three times a month.
During the days of Òshow and tell,Ó both girls had an advantage because they had a good friend in another country who sent them foreign trinkets, Daniel says.
ÒSuzanne was bombarded with the Royal Family,Ó Hughes laughs.
But after the ladies were married and started raising families, they slowly started to drift apart. Finally, they lost contact with each other.
For the next 15 years, neither reached for pen and paper.
In 1990, Daniel and her husband, owners of DanielÕs Dirt on Skillman, took a trip to Europe. At the end of the trip, they found themselves less than an hour away from HughesÕ address, which Daniel knew by heart. But the Daniels had a train to catch and couldnÕt make the jaunt.
After they returned to the United States, Daniel tracked down Hughes, and they immediately caught up with each other through letters. They finally talked with each other over the telephone on Christmas Day 1995.
Both women were pleased Ñ yet not surprised Ñ to discover they get along in person as well as they do on paper.
ÒYou canÕt make it happen, it just has to be,Ó Hughes says.
Having been pre-empted by the precariously perched pornographic perils of P.T.Õs erched pornographic perils of PT (whew!), the second installment of my exclusive investigative report into Audelia Manor was bumped from last month to this month. Although I personally felt I should do another column on , potentially requiring personal visits to enhance my research, I know you all have been on the edge of your lawn chairs wanting to hear the rest of the story about Lake HighlandsÕ very own public housing complex.
Although perceived by the neighborhood from its beginning in 1984 as a complex for elderly residents only, Audelia Major was just officially designated as a complex for the elderly in 1995. Prompt decision-making can be hazardous to a government agencyÕs health.
The Dallas Housing Authority defines ÒelderlyÓ as anyone 62 or older. Before 1995, there was no such official limitation, which is why there are more than 22 residents under 62 currently living in the complex. Although a new resident will have to meet the definition of Òelderly,Ó those under 62 who were living there at the time the age requirement went into effect will be allowed to stay (and presumably Ògrow intoÓ compliance).
DHA requires each resident to pay at least $25 a month in rent. To the extent their income permits, Residents must also pay 10 percent of their gross income or 30 percent of their net income, whichever is greater.
DHA disclosed that there are some residents at the complex who are mentally or physically disabled. However, I have been assured by the DHA that, contrary to rumors, Audelia Manor is not being used as a halfway house for mental patients discharged from Terrell Hospital. Those folks go straight to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C.
In response to one of my questions, DHA said that there is no crime problem at the complex. I checked with the Northeast police station, and their records indicated that, so far in 1997, there have been five reported crimes; however, residents have called 911 more than 70 times. Either someone at Audelia Manor thinks there is a crime problem, or calling 911 must be one of their organized activities.
I spoke with one resident who has lived at Audelia Manor for several years, and she generally gave the complex high marks. She conceded that there was once a crime problem at the complex, but she said it has since been addressed by better security on the premises. (like calling 911 every other day). She also admitted that there have been a number of mental patients and alcoholics living at the comlex in the past, but they all have since become professional athletes.
I also learned that one of our neighborhood churchs, Lake Highlands United Methodist, has an outreach program to Audelia Manor, which has been active for almost a year and includes weekly church services and Bible studies, as well as a Ògame dayÓ and other activities.
As with most situations with which we are unfamiliar, ignorance permits perceptions that can often be inaccurate. Knowing more sometimes means fearing less. Sometimes our fears are justified, but sometimes they are dispelled. In the end, knowledge is a good thing; at least, thatÕs what the encyclopedia salesman told me. Unlike todayÕs Army, we should not be hesitant to ask or reluctant to tell about what is going on in our neighborhood.
Instead of viewing Audelia Manor as an isolated complex within the Lake Highlands community, perhaps we should follow the lead of Lake Highlands United Methodist Church and make the residens feel like they are a part of our neighborhood. If nothing else, it is a community whose housing is subsidized by taxpayers. Go by and look at your investment. Meet the people. Make a few 911 calls and break the ice. Who knows, you might make a friend.
I, for one, enjoy a good game of bingo.
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Bill Keffer, a Lake Highlands resident, writes about neighborhood issues each month. Editorial cartoons are drawn by neighborhood resident Brad McMillan. Their opinions are not necessarily those of the Advocate or its management. Send comments and ideas to them at 6301 Gaston, Suite 820, Dallas 75214, or FAX to 823-8866.
