The Woodlake Garden Club, founded in 1957 with 25 neighborhood members, has adopted a park at Northwest Highway and Classen Drive in an effort to improve its appearance, says Kay Miller, publicity chairman of the group.

In 1959, the group – since renamed the Woodlake Study Club – planted 46 trees and numerous shrubs in the park and erected the Lake Highlands Estate sign at the neighborhood’s entrance, Miller says.

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In recent years, however, the park’s condition has deteriorated, and the City is financially unable to properly care for the park, Miller says.

Recently, group members began soliciting donations from area residents and merchants to replace some of the park’s shrubs and trees, which will be maintained by the City.

If you are interested in making a donation, write to the Woodlake Study Club, President Stephanie Fontana, 10053 Woodridge, Dallas 75218, or call 348-1157.

LH Pre-School PTA Fashion Show Held

The Lake Highlands Area Pre-School PTA recently held its 11th annual Fashion Show/Brunch at the Royal Oaks Country Club, says Jane Offenbach.

Merchants from throughout the neighborhood donated more than 50 gifts, which became part of a live and silent auction or were distributed as door prizes. Harold’s of Highland Park Village provided fashions for the show.

The group is comprised of approximately 300 mothers of pre-school children, infants through age 5. The organization hosts monthly membership meetings that include nursery care, organized children’s field trips, parent education seminars, adult interest groups, play groups for stay-at-home and working mothers, and a monthly newsletter.

For information concerning membership, call 680-1260.

Home Tour ‘Renaissance’ in Hollywood Heights

Katy Bussy has trouble identifying anyone in her neighborhood who won’t prosper from the fledgling Hollywood/Santa Monica Home Tour.

When seven of the historic, 1920s-era homes near Samuell-Grand Park in East Dallas open their doors to the public Sunday, April 18, a long list of people and organizations will stand to benefit.

Start with the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas which will receive half of the proceeds to help stage its summer performances at Samuell-Grand.

Then there’s the Hollywood Heights Homeowners Association which will use its share to renovate aging Lindsley Park in the center of the neighborhood.

But it will be the owners of the area’s 700 homes who will be smiling the widest. Not only have their property values surged as a result of the initial tour last year, Bussy says, but a previously little-known neighborhood in the shadow of Swiss Avenue will continue to enjoy its own renaissance.

The tour, which is co-sponsored by Advocate Community Newspapers, is scheduled from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 on the day of the event.

The tour’s success – it attracted 700 participants last April – surprised even Bussy, a Hollywood Heights resident and real estate agent who co-chairs the event.

Organizers are predicting a turnout of 1,000 visitors this year. Last year’s tour drew people from as far away as Fort Worth and the Mid-Cities, Bussy says.

What they will find is a walking map of seven homes and an English garden, as well as refreshments and guides who will describe the history and background of the vintage bungalows. This year’s roster of homes will be entirely different from last year.

For more information concerning the home tour, call Bussy at 328-8267.

It’s Back: Forest Hills Neighborhood Garage Sale to be Held April 17

The second annual Forest Hills Garage Sale is scheduled April 17 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and is expected to include merchandise from numerous neighborhood homes, says Heidi Crowell, vice president of the Forest Hills Homeowners Association.

Last year’s sale included items sold at more than 30 homes, with more than $15,000 in merchandise sold.

Sales benefit neighborhood projects such as delivering meals to new parents, hosting a luncheon for senior citizens, Easter and Halloween festivities for neighborhood children, and projects by the Forest Hills Beautification Committee.

Merchandise will be sold at individual homes in the neighborhood; look for signs near the Arboretum on Garland Road. The neighborhood is bounded by Garland, Lakeland, Highland and the Santa Fe Railroad tracks.

Maps of all sale locations, including breakdowns of types of merchandise available at each home, will be available as you enter the neighborhood.

Clements, Realtors, Hosts Annual ‘Blooms’ Tour April 4

The third annual Lakewood Blooms Home Tour is scheduled from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 4, according to tour sponsor Clements, Realtors’ sales manager Ray Hardin.

Flower seeds, bedding plants and prizes will be given away at each home on the tour, and a drawing for a large potted plant will be held at each home, Hardin says. All home visitors are eligible for the prizes.

“Admission is free for the home tour,” Hardin says. “The public really enjoys seeing these interesting homes and getting free spring flowers and seeds.”

Tour information is available at each home on the tour. Call 823-2600 for information.

Lakewood Library Hosts Organic Gardening Program

A program entitled “Don’t Waste Your Waste” regarding lawn-waste disposal is scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon April 10 at the Lakewood Branch Library, 6121 Worth.

Primary topic is what to do with lawn waste now that the City has banned collection of grass clippings at curbside or alley pickup areas.

Organic gardening author Howard Garrett and Bert Whiteside will lead the discussion. The event is sponsored by the Lakewood Library Friends, the Dallas Gardening Club and the North Texas Herb Club.

Kathy Glenn is chairman of the Library Friends committee.

J.L. Long Choir Show April 10 at the Granada

The J.L. Long show choir, “Expectations,” has scheduled a 2:30 p.m. performance Saturday, April 10, at the Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville, says choir director Beverly Hirsch.

Popcorn and soft drinks will be served by choir members prior to the performance; doors open at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door; advance tickets also are available at the school or by calling 327-4037.

The choir is performing to raise money to attend a May 1 choir competition in San Antonio, Hirsch says.

Shakespeare Festival Needs Volunteers

The Shakespeare Guild needs individual and group volunteers to assist with this summer’s Shakespeare Festival of Dallas productions at Samuell-Grand Park in East Dallas, says Carol Winkelmann.

Volunteers will provide assistance with gate/admission, parking, seating, security and souvenir sales, Winkelmann says.

Approximately 25 volunteers are needed each night for the 30 nights of performances.

Shows and dates include “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” June 15-20; and “King Richard III,” July 6-11, 13-18 & 20-25.

Call 828-4188 for information or to volunteer.

St. Thomas Mothers Completes Fashion Show

The St. Thomas Aquinas Mothers’ Association recently held its annual fashion show, says member Mary Beth Harrington.

The event included lunch, a fashion show featuring neighborhood mothers and children as models, and prize drawings.

Event organizers included Julie McNulty, Maureen Patton, Chris Gresback, Kathi Child, Lupe McCauley, Susan Swanfeldt, Ann Seifrick, Crystal Manganiello, Elise Lakey, Laura Graham, Marian Bebeau, Cynthia Dunson, Jill Zanetti, Robbie Behmier, Jennifer Ducote and Mary Alys Lillard.

Also, Joell Bosse, Maroy Merino, Alison Mackey, Joan Kimber, Medora Koenig, Sandy Stansbury, Pam Woodiel, Debra Leopoldi, Ydalia Martinez, Susan Briscoe, Melissa Melton, Don Stevenson and Kevin Alewine.

Event sponsors included J.C. Penney, Tom Thumb, Albertson’s, Minyard’s White Swan Cafe and North Texas Liquors.

Service League Party Raises $35,000

More than $35,000 was raised during the recent Lakewood Service League fund-raising auction party, says publicity co-chairman Margie Artieschoufsky.

Nearly 400 people attended the annual event, which raises funds for neighborhood charitable organizations.

Top live-auction item was a trip to San Francisco donated by John and Vickie Thompson, Southwest Airlines and Old Town Travel, which was auctioned for $1,025.

“A Day of Pampering,” donated by Mary Ellen’s of Snyder Plaza was auctioned for $1,000, Artieschoufsky says, but an unsuccessful bidder later approached league members about purchasing another “Day of Pampering.” After discussing the proposal with Mary Ellen’s, yet another “Day” was donated, and the league added another $1,500 to its collections.

Among league members active in planning and staging the party were Cindi Coats, Rene Estrada, Sheila Dohm, Peggy Mason, Susie Baresh, Sherryl Thomas and Genevieve Dittmar. Dittmar’s husband, Gregg, chipped in with creative design work for the party’s invitation and party book.

News & Notes

STUDENT HONORED: Lauren Elizabeth Fink, daughter of Stephen and Amanda Fink, recently was honored as Miss Junior North Dallas. Fink also was a finalist in the America’s National Teenager Pageant, held recently at Texas Christian University. Fink is a member of the Girls’ Service Club, Speech Club and Spanish Club at Lake Highlands Junior High.

RESIDENTS AID GROUP: Lake Highlands residents Theresa Tharp, Libby Deaton, Ron Weiss, Steve Cumming, Ruth Hernandez and Jeanne Evans recently participated in the North Texas Taping and Radio for the Blind show and fund-raiser, benefiting the taping of textbooks for print-handicapped students.

BANK EXPANDS: First Lakewood National Bank, 1824 Abrams Parkway, has acquired two locations in Preston Center and one in Allen from Benchmark Bank, says bank chairman Edward D. Phillips. The bank also has changed its name to Texas Community Bank, N.A. The new bank has $80 million in assets, Phillips says.

ORGANIC PRODUCE: The Good Earth Farm Community Supported Agriculture alliance is seeking new members interested in supporting organic agriculture, says farm owner Paul Magedson. Members contribute $425 per share in return for the opportunity to harvest produce grown on the farm in Hunt County northeast of Dallas. Call 827-4490 for information.

STUDY BUDDIES NEEDED: Lakewood Elementary is seeking “study buddy” volunteers who can help children complete academic activities, says principal Karen Rogers. The school will work around your schedule and will be able to use virtually any amount of time, great or small, that you have to help their students, Rogers says. Call 841-5250 for information.

QUEEN SELECTION: Portia Watson Elmer has been selected as a finalist for Texas’ 13th annual Homecoming Queen Contest. Elmer is Hockaday/St. Mark’s homecoming queen, as well as being active in debate, orchestra, gymnastics and other extracurricular activities. Elmer’s parents are neighborhood residents Frank and Maelissa Elmer.

ALPHA PHI GATHERING: Alpha Phi alumnae and collegians from throughout Texas participated in the group’s recent District Day, which attracted a number of neighborhood residents. The group raises money to benefit research concerning heart disease.

GIRLS SCOUTS NEED HELP: The Daisy Girl Scout Troop 1704 of kindergarten students at Robert E. Lee Elementary in East Dallas needs a troop leader able to meet twice monthly from 3-4:20 p.m. in the school’s library. For information, call Theresa Brown or Angie Sosa at 841-5240.

THERAPIST ELECTED: Neighborhood massage therapist Helene A. Rose has been elected secretary/treasurer of the American Massage Therapy Association.

STUDENT HONORED: Tricia Sumerford recently was honored as San Marcos Baptist Academy’s Freshman Class Favorite during Parent Day festivities. Sumerford, who was voted the honor by classmates, also was recognized as a member of the Semester Honor Roll. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Sumerford.