Time really does fly when you’re having fun. That’s how I feel about launching the first print section of West Plano neighborsgo on Aug. 4, 2007, and now celebrating the one-year anniversary.

Time really does fly when you’re having fun. That’s how I feel about launching the first print section of Plano/Murphy neighborsgo on Aug. 4, 2007, and now celebrating the one-year anniversary.

Below is a story I wrote about Ralph and his son Jacob Ripple, who are currently training together in Louisiana to leave for service in Iraq from November to August 2009, that was originally published in the Metro section of The Dallas Morning News. Missy Ripple, Ralph's wife, was a contributor of mine when I was the editor of the former Wylie/Murphy/Sachse neighborsgo edition, which was my position before becoming editor of the Plano/Murphy and West Plano neighborsgo sections.

We recently had several end of the school year stories come in that appear in Saturday's Plano/Murphy neighborsgo print edition. This is the last week any 2007-08 classroom stories will be published as we change the focus to all things summer-related.

In this edition you’ll find photos of adorable Bright Beginnings Preschool students at their graduation, submitted by parent Laura White.

Two stories were submitted about Mathews Elementary by parents Rachel Tran and Susie Anderson. One is about the school’s Field Day and the other is the high school senior reunion for Mathew’s “2001 Leagues under the Sea” classmates.

You may have read in a previous issue about Murphy Middle School’s speech and theatre team having an undefeated season and receiving the title of Plano City Champs. Teacher Judy Fenton sent in photos of the teams performing at a Murphy City Council meeting.

Teacher Cindy Woods submitted a story about Williams High School science teachers challenging students to eight weeks of tasks to complete in class. If students completed the challenge, they were rewarded with a progressive dinner at three Plano restaurants.

The classroom briefs section has information about a John Paul II High School graduate accepting a scholarship to the University of Texas at Dallas and a Shelton School student from Murphy who received an honors award.

NOTABLE EVENTS

In this week’s calendar, you’ll find some particularly interesting and unique events happening in Plano. Some of these include the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog-Eating Competition qualifying round for the Dallas area at a Plano Sam’s Club June 21. The winner will compete at the original Nathan’s Famous on New York’s Coney Island July 4 for the “Mustard Yellow Belt.” If you can stand watching people stuff their faces, go cheer on our local eating experts.

Douglass Community Center will celebrate Juneteenth on June 21 with a basketball tournament, dominoes tournament, talent showcase, live music and more.

History buffs won’t want to miss seeing the Bible George Washington used during his presidential oath of office on display at the North Texas Masonic Historical Museum and Library June 28 and at the Plano Centre June 29 for a gala and banquet that will include Washington memorabilia up for auction. Make sure to buy discounted tickets in advance.

We recently had some end of the school year stories come in that will appear in Saturday's West Plano neighborsgo print edition. This is the last week any 2007-08 classroom stories will be published as we change the focus to all things summer-related.

In this edition you’ll find photos of adorable Bright Beginnings Preschool students at their graduation, submitted by parent Laura White.

Dia Epstein, who resides in the area of Far North Dallas within the West Plano neighborsgo coverage zone, sent us a story about Akiba Academy eighth graders from West Plano and Far North Dallas participating in a parent-graduate dinner.

The classroom briefs section has information about a Carrollton Christian Academy student from West Plano accepting a Heart of the Saint Award and Shelton School students from West Plano and Far North Dallas who received honors awards.

NOTABLE EVENTS

In this week’s calendar, you’ll find some particularly interesting and unique events happening in Plano. Some of these include the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog-Eating Competition qualifying round for the Dallas area at a Plano Sam’s Club June 21. The winner will compete at the original Nathan’s Famous on New York’s Coney Island July 4 for the “Mustard Yellow Belt.” If you can stand watching people stuff their faces, go cheer on our local eating experts.

Douglass Community Center will celebrate Juneteenth on June 21 with a basketball tournament, dominoes tournament, talent showcase, live music and more.

History buffs won’t want to miss seeing the Bible George Washington used during his presidential oath of office on display at the North Texas Masonic Historical Museum and Library June 28 and at the Plano Centre June 29 for a gala and banquet that will include Washington memorabilia up for auction. Make sure to buy discounted tickets in advance.

With Plano ISD students finishing their last day of the school year June 4, have you decided what to do to keep your kids busy this summer?

If not, there’s still time to enroll them in several fun summer camps and activities in Plano.

Rover Dramawerks will offer two summer camps, called “All the World’s a Stage!” and “Break a Leg!”, in June and July at the ArtCentre of Plano. The camps will help young thespians learn theatre fundamentals, teamwork, imagination, improvisation and more. Read more about the Rover camps in Saturday's West Plano and Plano/Murphy neighborsgo print editions.

Repertory Company Theatre will also offer theatre camps at Plano’s Courtyard Theater and the Promenade Theatre in Richardson. Several musicals will be produced for different age groups, including Footloose, My Fair Lady, Mother Goose, Seussical and more. Additional information about camp sessions can be found at rcttheatre.com and in the Plano ‘Noteworthy’ blog at neighborsgo.com/blog/planonoteworthy.

Basketball, drama, gymnastics, dance, crafts and swimming camps will all be at FaithLutheranChurch and School in June and July. The swimming camp will be offered by Faith Lutheran physical education teacher Cathy Johnson, who also runs the pool at the Plano Swim Club. Find out more about these camps in the Plano ‘Noteworthy’ blog.

Along with the regular summer school courses, Plano ISD will also offer a summer care program called PASAR and summer music camps. PASAR includes weekly field trips, arts and crafts and academic time to help children maintain their skills. Crafts and games will help students learn about the various “Wonders of the World.” Information about PISD summer programs can be found at pisd.edu/students/summer.school. This link also gives a list of activities kids can do, including building a worm house, growing a crystal garden and creating a serial story.

Are you going on vacation or have another camp or activity planned for your children? Submit photos and a story about your summer to neighborsgo.com for a chance to see your family in an upcoming print edition.

A Gold Star mother, whose son died in service in Iraq, and others will share their stories about family members who have served and other hero stories. Read more about the event in this Saturday's Plano neighborsgo print edition.

Do have a personal story or one about a family member who served in the military? Share it with us at neighborsgo.com for a chance to appear in an upcoming print edition.

With the warm weather already in full force, it’s time to look toward several outdoor activities happening in Plano during the summer.

The Komen North Texas Race for the Cure, scheduled for June 7 at the Electronic Data Systems campus in Plano, is still accepting registrations for participants at komennorthtexas.org. Jennifer Hernandez, Komen North Texas affiliate board president, will send us a story by a Plano breast cancer survivor that will appear in the May 31 edition.

I’ve participated in five Race for the Cures, three in North Texas, one in San Antonio and another in Oklahoma City. My aunt and two grandmothers all had breast cancer, so this event is particularly meaningful to my family. There’s nothing like seeing thousands of people come togetherto find a cure.

Plano Community Band will kick off its summer concert series June 2 in HaggardPark near downtown Plano. The concerts, which continue through July 28, are free. Bring the kids or make it a date night with a picnic basket.

Another upcoming concert is Plano Stages’ “Rock ‘N’ Roll in the Bowl” June 7 in the Amphitheater at OakPointPark as part of the Concerts in the Park series. Featured performers are Voodoo Blue, a Stevie Ray Vaughn tribute band, and Carolyn Wonderland. More information can be found at planostages.com.  

Planning any summer happenings with your club, church, arts group, sports team or other organization? Post your event now.

Below are headlines and links to the best stories of the week posted by our contributors for and about the Plano and Murphy areas.

City of Plano swimmers break national record http://neighborsgo.com/stories/13054

Plano East Senior High theatre captures fifth consecutive district title http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12872

February saw increase in home sales for Plano http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12855

Plano Dance Festival wows the audience http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12841

Chamberlain Performing Arts spring fashion show http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12926

Plano professional honored by Phi Kappa Phi honor society http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12901

CEO of largest women's business network speaking in Plano http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12896

Collin County Genealogy Society meeting (April 9) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12885

Excitement is building at Habitat for Humanity of South Collin County http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12960

Plano Civic Chorus 35th anniversary celebration http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12956

Christ Church Plano youth work hard in New Orleans http://neighborsgo.com/stories/13070

Faith Lutheran Church youth group to conduct rummage sale (April 5) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/13115

Faith Lutheran Church to host banquet in honor of Lutheran radio show (April 11) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/13114

Boy Scouts visit Plano Animal Shelter http://neighborsgo.com/stories/13102

Northwood Woman's Club to participate in Dine by Design http://neighborsgo.com/stories/13132

Cross Timbers Youth Orchestra performs spring concert (April 13) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/13096

You, too, can post your news or blogs at neighborsgo.com. Then look for them here or in our neighborsgo print edition Saturdays in home-delivered copies of The Dallas Morning News and local Starbucks locations.

Below are headlines and links to the best stories of the week posted by our contributors for and about West Plano.

Plano Retired Teachers Association book project http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12355

Plano Early Lions hear about Texas Lions Camp http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12354

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny (Journey of Hope) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12372

Plano Senior tops Rockwall hockey http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12358

Faith Lutheran third-graders participate in annual egg drop project http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12343

Collin College hosts Earth Day celebration April 15-16 http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12332

Presbyterian Hospital of Plano wins national restaurant industry award http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12319

Big D Re-Gals celebrate St. Patrick's Day http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12301

Plano gymnasts are winners (Eagle's Wings Athletics) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12229

John Paul II High School to break ground on new athletic field & track http://neighborsgo.com/stories/12190

You, too, can post your news or blogs at neighborsgo.com. Then look for them in our print edition Saturdays in home-delivered copies of The Dallas Morning News and local Starbucks locations.

Below are headlines and links to the best stories of the week posted by our contributors for and about the Plano and Murphy areas.

PTA Volunteers Honored with Life Membership http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11712

March 4th Democratic Caucus (Murphy) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11715

EC Athletics teams Win at CheerPower's Small Gym Championship http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11628

January Saw Increase in Home Sale Prices for Plano and Surrounding Areas http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11480

Many Thanks to Our Generous Community (Exchange Club of Murphy) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11669

Seussical The Musical (Teatro delle Muse) http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11641

John Paul II High School Academic Decathlon Team Advances to National Level http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11653

Faith Lutheran Church Plano Announces Holy Week Schedule of Services http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11502

Envy Cheer Takes Home NCA NATIONAL TITLE http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11442

Bright Beginnings Preschool Rummage Sale http://neighborsgo.com/stories/11767

You, too, can post your news or blogs at neighborsgo.com. Then look for them here and in our neighborsgo print edition Saturdays in home-delivered copies of The Dallas Morning News and local Starbucks locations.