Robin, one of my best friends back in Rockford, Ill., sent me this shirt last year for my sole Christmas in Waco (not quite a winter wonderland, but close).Poffertjes -- for the record -- are Dutch pancakes; and the shirt's correct: pancakes do, indeed, make my day. Pancakes were always on the menu when Robin and I would meet up at greasy spoons, truck-stop diners and Denny's. Pancakes also are my specialty in the kitchen (check out my cooking blog for confirmation), and "Pancake" is among my 26 nicknames. Anyway, I will wear this shirt until it's just a couple of threads. It reminds me of some great memories with an equally great friend.

What makes your day?

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So, remember that amazing vending machine that, um, amazed us West Zoners? Well, it was replenished today (and much to Kandace and Emily’s delight, our soda machine now has a full supply of Diet Dr Pepper).

Yes, there’s much rejoicing on this Halloween. But, how do you explain this trash can filled with expired munchies? Most items are a week or so past their prime, and all of them are still vacuum-sealed and appropriate for consumption.

So, neighborsgo nation, I ask, what do y’all think about this? The West Zone crew is perplexed (and hungry -- we spent a chunk of the morning discussing snacks around the overburdened receptacle). Anyone have a problem digging through the trash, cuz we West Zone editors sure don’t!

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Loyal readers of neighborsgo (thousands) and my editor’s note (well, not quite thousands), I write to say adieu.

First, I am not actually going anywhere. I still will live and work in Lewisville. My job duties are just changing. I will be handling more behind-the-scenes matters at neighborsgo. You will still be able to chat with me on the Web site; you will still be able to call and e-mail me with your concerns. I will continue to have great interest in this region, and I will be involved in making sure we share your news on neighborsgo.com and in the newspaper.

Since I am relinquishing my role as editor of Southern Denton County, who will steer the SDC ship? An old friend to many of y’all: Ruth Haesemeyer. You may know her as the Helpless Housewife and editor of Carrollton/Farmers Branch/Addison neighborsgo. She is adding the SDC editorship to her plate. Southern Denton County neighborsgocouldn’t be in more capable hands. Ruth has served SDC as assistant editor, and some of her videos, blog posts and stories have covered people, events and groups located in SDC. Please say hello to her and add her as a friend.

So, fair readers, it has been a fun six months getting to know y’all and sharing your stories through neighborsgo. I will continue to read your stories about our dynamic and unpredictable communities with great interest. 

 

Robert Tracy, assistant managing editor with neighborsgo, isn’t big on farewell shout-outs or Bible verses; but, he respects family tradition — Proverbs 26:11.

 

 

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BY ROBERT TRACY
neighborsgo editor

Coralee Lennert and Greta Snow sure do know how to talk trash.

As executive director and treasurer of Keep Lewisville Beautiful, respectively, they know Lewisville could be a lot cleaner, and they’re not content to sit around and do nothing. Their passion for the community and environment pushes them and the rest of KLB to educate others and create programs that get people involved in improving their city.

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It’s a busy time of year for all of us, isn’t it? Clubs are looking for members, sports teams are taking to the fields and courts, and of course, school is in session.

This fall frenzy is exciting (and a bit tiring), but I love it. Why? Well, life is more fun when you have a few things cooking on the stove. It’s tastier, too. What’s on your frontburner these days? What’s your passion? Now, hold that thought … OK, now write about it. Document it in pictures or a video. Turn that passion into a blog. And, definitely share it with your neighbors on neighborsgo.com. Sure, it’s just one more thing to keep you busy. And, it’s just one more thing that will make your day and our communities a little bit sweeter, richer and vibrant.

So, what is keeping me busy these days? One word: sports. To be specific, two words: your sports. This edition of neighborsgo represents our second week of featuring stories and photos of your varsity sports teams and organizations in HSGameTime.

The Web site, hsgametime.com/dfw, couldn’t be busier, and it’s my job to keep an eye on this vibrant community of rival teams, talented marching bands and energetic spirit organizations. The best contributions make it into the paper every Friday. You don’t have to take my word for it. The proof is in Friday's paper.

Reading stories submitted by HSGT members, watching their videos and looking at their photos is a fun job. Communicating with y’all over the phone and through e-mail further proves Southern Denton County’s enthusiasm for sports.

Robert Tracy, assistant managing editor for neighborsgo, says 30 is neither the new 20 nor the old 40; it’s just 30.

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I hope y'all don't have too much trouble finding neighborsgo this Friday. I thank you in advance for checking out the paper on its new day. I think printing on Fridays is pretty cool. It means you can read about Southern Denton County’s upcoming events and news a day earlier. And, the really big news is the addition of HSGameTime, a four-page pullout section featuring your best high school sports photos and stories. Every photo and story comes from readers. So, be true to your school and post your pics, stories and videos at HSGameTime. This week's standout stories and photos come from Marcus Maurader dad Paul Lebon, Marcus sports editor Patrick Iversen and Flower Mound Jags supporter Roxanne Ramirez's halftime photos.

And don’t forget, SportShots is a great place for you to post photos of your young athletes in action. It’s the section where you can see future HSGameTime stars. I especially like this week's photo of Rae Williams sparring at Texas Karate Center.

Also, you will start to notice more stories about people and places you know. The first of these features is about teen court in Lewisville and Flower Mound.

With any change, there are bound to be questions and comments. Send any and all to community@neighborsgo.com.

Robert Tracy, assistant managing editor at neighborsgo, says there aren’t any great songs about weekdays. Disagree? Tell him about it.

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BY ROBERT TRACY
neighborsgo editor

When teenagers in Lewisville and Flower Mound make bad choices and break a law, they have to face the consequences just like adults. In many cases, these young offenders choose to let their peers determine their punishment in teen court.

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Last week, I mentioned -- in so many words -- that the “death of summer” is essentially the birth of fall.

The idea of there being a season for everything should not strike anyone as revelatory, especially if you’re keen on Ecclesiastes, Pete Seger and/or The Byrds.

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Oh, where, oh where did our summer go?

While we lounged around the pool — perhaps with a good book in one hand and a cool beverage in the other — autumn creeped onto our front porch. It’s too late to jump in the pool and play “Marco, Polo”; though the official start of fall is a couple of weeks away, come Monday, summer is as good as gone. And you’ll know it when the several thousand Lewisville ISD students return to school.

But it’s not all bad. The temperatures eventually will dip below triple digits; the Friday night lights will flicker at the stadiums; fall concerts will resonate through auditoriums; and homecoming dances will take over gymnasiums.

And, yours truly will eagerly wait to see every last drop of your school news on neighborsgo.com. If it’s a school event or accomplishment, it’s a neighborsgo story, calendar item or classroom brief waiting to happen. And, be sure to check out our live blogging this Back-To-School Monday. Parents, teachers, coaches, directors, students and staff, have a wonderful school year.

Robert Tracy, assistant managing editor of neighborso, wishes his two favorite teachers — his father and sister — a fantastic 2008-09.

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Let's just say the inhabitants of 131 W. Main St., are really excited to have a new vending machine. Say hello to our glowing box of trans-fat goodness, Vendeth Paltrow. She's approximately 65 inches, 200 pounds and was delivered at about 3:07 p.m. Aug. 21, 2008. In lieu of traditional baby shower gifts, the proud neighborsgo West Zone parents will accept quarters, nickels, dimes and crisp dollar bills.
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