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Look for these stories in an upcoming print edition or find quick links to all of them right now – right here:

‘Margo Nielsen Day’

Heath Mayor John Ratcliffe (left in photo above) and Juana French, owner of Heath Salon and Spa, present Helping Hands director Margo Nielsen with a proclamation declaring Nov. 14 “Margo Nielsen Day.” Assistant city manager Kim Dobbs posted the tribute to Nielsen at neighborsgo.com/stories/46384.

>>ROCKWALL/HEATH

Local ladies take their cues in Grandbury http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46260

Bella’s House, artist Jeanne Bruce, give to Kindred Hearts http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46273 

Grant allows Joy to help patients at TerrellStateHospital http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46422

Heath honors Helping Hands director Margo Nielsen http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46384

Plans underway for Daddy/Daughter Dance http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46370

Veteran, rocket scientist at DAR luncheon http://neighborsgo.com/stories/46093 

Tridents end season as water polo champs  

Lakeside Civic Chorus hosts evening of wine, song http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46328

Health fair at Lake Pointe Church, Nov. 21 http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46205

Water polo players selected for Olympic camp ttp://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45903

Rockwall RACE swims to finish http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46183

Build a house with candy canes, gum drops ttp://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46018

>> ROWLETT

‘Good Morning Texas’ welcomes mompreneurs http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46250

Meet Rowlett shelter’s VIP pets http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46195

Artists ’Round Texas to host framing demo http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45885 

Meet Rowlett shelter’s VIP pets for November http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/46195

>> ROYCE CITY 

Scouts honor veterans at Davis Elementary http://neighborsgo.com/stories/46061

Post your news, photos, videos and blogs at neighborsgo.com. Then look for them in our neighborsgo print edition Fridays in home-delivered copies of The Dallas Morning News and our local Starbucks.

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help. 

At precisely 12:20 p.m., a bell sounded, the floodgates opened, and nearly 250 ravenous fifth-graders poured into the lunchroom at Harrison Intermediate School in Wylie.

I stood in the cafeteria with a video camera, donning my “volunteer” name badge – a sure sign that I was somebody’s mom. A torrent of ten-year-olds surrounded me to find out who I belonged to.

It was book drive day, and I signed up to help with the monthly fundraising effort as part of Harrison PTA’s “Three for Me” program – a way for busy, working parents to stay involved at their children’s campus by committing to at least three hours of  volunteer time over the course of the school year.

 “I can do this,” I told myself, scanning the 200-plus chapter books that Nobue Jansen, Harrison’s PTA student enrichment chair, arranged neatly across the length of three lunch tables.

PTA president Shannon Williams explained that students could donate $1 per book or bring two gently used chapter books in exchange for one. All I had to do was help the children with their selections and the transaction.

What happened next amazed me. I discovered that these fifth-graders were not only capable of devouring a loaded cheeseburger in less than two minutes, but they also hungered for the written word. Many didn’t even want to wait until they cleaned their plates to pick out their next mystery novel or work of historical fiction.

The PTA collected more than four times the amount of donations than it did in its sixth-grade book drive an hour earlier, I was told.

“These fifth graders love to read,” Nobue said.

And that, I learned, was really the point. The book drive wasn’t so much a fundraiser, as it was a way to feed the students’ need to read.  

I picked out a few books for my own kids, and felt rewarded and happy to help out. I was able to eat lunch with my son, too.

 “Put me down to do this again next time,” I said.

Kelly Burian is Harrison PTA's volunteer chair. To help, call  972-429-3300.

The next book drive will be Jan. 8, and will continue the second Friday of every month until the end of the school year.

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Finding herself in the unemployment line in November 2008, Linda Nigh of Rockwall decided it was time for a career change. 

With a passion for the elderly and a desire to provide options to institutional care, Linda and her husband, Phil, opened Essential Living Residential Care.

“We want to care for our residents through life’s journey, providing rehabilitation services, wonderful home cooked meals, and most of all allowing each resident to live life to its’ fullest right here in the comforts of home,” Linda said.

Phil has been a registered nurse for more than 15 years; Linda comes from a financial/facility management background – recently completing her Assisted Living Manager certification. They have partnered with a visiting physician, home healthcare and hospice agencies. Through these partnerships, Essential Living will offer 24/7 skilled nursing care.

The Nighs are active members of Lake Pointe Church. They are involved in a variety of local and international ministries. With a desire to bring dignity into the lives of seniors, Linda and Phil have been reaching out to nursing homes in their community for the last three years – earning the nickname “the donut man and his wife.”

The Rockwall Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at Essential Living, 489 Bending Oaks Trail, at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

For more information about Essential Living, visit essentiallivingcare.com.

Information provided by Linda Nigh of Essential Living. Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Families, friends and community members gathered in the memorial garden at Rowlett Health and Rehabilitation Center Wednesday for a sunset ceremony honoring United States veterans.

“Americans have been blessed so many times by our dedicated veterans who won our freedom, who have kept freedom and peace on our shores, and who are now protecting our country from terrorists. Our thankfulness seems so little for the sacrifices our veterans have made for us,” said Sandra Moore, who coordinated the event for the fourth time.

The center is home to several veterans who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam – “veterans who deserve recognition every day, year round,” Moore said.

Across town, 13 residents of Summer Ridge Assisted Living in Rockwall – representing each branch of the armed forces – were honored in a special Veterans Day observation.

With your help, neighborsgo hopes to profile these and other local servicemen and women, past and present, as part of our ongoing “Faces of the Military” feature.

Rockwall resident Kay Maxwell seized the opportunity already; she posted a tribute to her friend and neighbor, Frank Tyminski, at neighborsgo.com.

In true hero fashion, Tyminksi remains humble about his 20 years of military service; he insists that his dedicated wife, Carmen, is the one who deserves all the recognition. Maxwell’s homage to these hometown heroes is featured in this Friday's print edition. 

Coming soon, neighborsgo will profile retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jerry Hogan of Heath – the Military View columnist who dedicates so much of his own time writing about America and the men and women who serve and sacrifice on our behalf.

So, this week and always, as we continue to pray and pay tribute to our nation’s heroes, help us shine the light on those who have touched your life. Share your “Faces of the Military” stories at neighborsgo.com, so we may salute them in upcoming print editions.

Look for these stories in an upcoming print edition or find quick links to all of them right now – right here: 

Food for 500

HeritageChristianAcademy presents its 2009 blessing box mission project, to fight hunger in Rockwall for the holidays. Here, Jenna Huckabee helps with face painting during the kick-off event. Help fill the need by Dec. 15, by visiting heritagechristianacademy.org and learning more at neighborsgo.com/stories/45582.

>>ROCKWALL/HEATH

RHHS Class of 2010 hosts Heath Holiday Tour of Homes http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45698

Does your group need a gathering place?http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45678

Girl Scout Troop 2003 has an excellent ArtVenture http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45678

Rockwall Community Playhouse board to sponsor ‘Rockwall’s Got Talent’ http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45678

>> ROWLETT 

Pauline Stoffel named ‘Class Act of the Week’ http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45642

Southern Belles help with Breast Cancer Awareness http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45572 

>> ROYCECITY 

Mystery prize to be auctioned at Lord’s Acre Bazaar http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45752 

>> GO BLOGS  

EcoLiving: Tips on sealing your home neighborsgo.com/blog/ecoliving

Rowlett Lions Club                                    neighborsgo.com/blog/RLC

Faces of the Military                                  neighborsgo.com/blog/faces

What’s Up!                                neighborsgo.com/blog/astronomy

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Look for these stories in an upcoming print edition or find quick links to all of them right now – right here:

Service with a smile

Victoria Van Vleck, a member of the Lone Star Chapter of the National Charity League, shows young artists how to create colorful fall masterpieces. NCL is a mother-daughter organization, and the seventh- through twelfth-grade girls, known as Ticktockers, serve many hours annually at Rockwall’s Pumpkin Patch. See Amy Van Vleck’s story and more photos at neighborsgo.com/stories/45168.

>>ROCKWALL/HEATH

Hawk varsity senior cheerleaders host Initiation Day for juniors

Rockwall’s loss is San Diego’s gain

Rockwall grad to perform in UTD’s Best of Broadway II

 >> ROWLETT 

Free Medicare info session for seniors http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45221 

Remembering Private Elston Samuel http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/45330

 >> GO BLOGS  

EcoLiving: Tips on sealing your home

neighborsgo.com/blog/ecoliving

Rowlett Lions Club

neighborsgo.com/blog/RLC

Faces of the Military

neighborsgo.com/blog/faces

neighborsgo.com/blog/dietisa4letterword

NeighborsGhosts

neighborsgo.com/blog/ghosts

What’s Up!

neighborsgo.com/blog/astronomy

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

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Finding herself in the unemployment line in November 2008, Linda Nigh of Rockwall decided it was time for a career change. 

With a passion for the elderly and a desire to provide options to institutional care, Linda and her husband, Phil, opened Essential Living Residential Care.

“We want to care for our residents through life’s journey, providing rehabilitation services, wonderful home cooked meals, and most of all allowing each resident to live life to its’ fullest right here in the comforts of home,” Linda said.

Phil has been a registered nurse for more than 15 years; Linda comes from a financial/facility management background – recently completing her Assisted Living Manager certification. They have partnered with a visiting physician, home healthcare and hospice agencies. Through these partnerships, Essential Living will offer 24/7 skilled nursing care.
 

The Nighs are active members of LakePointeChurch. Phil teaches an Adult Bible Fellowship class while Linda volunteers as their class coordinator. They are involved in a variety of local and international ministries. With a desire to bring dignity into the lives of seniors, Linda and Phil have been reaching out to nursing homes in their community for the last three years – earning the nickname “the donut man and his wife.”

The Rockwall Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at Essential Living, 489 Bending Oaks Trail, at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19.

For more information about Essential Living, visit essentiallivingcare.com.

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Rest Haven Funeral Home has a history of supporting local veterans and their families. Recently, Rest Haven partnered with Cell Phones for Soldiers, as a designated drop-off location for the Lake Ray Hubbard community.

Cell Phones for Soldiers is a nonprofit organization that collects old cell phones and turns them into prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas. 

Each donated phone is enough to provide one hour of talk time to soldiers abroad. Old cell phones may be dropped at Rest Haven in Rockwall, Rowlett or RoyseCity.

“This is just one way that we can show our appreciation and support not only for troops serving overseas, but also for their families who miss them every day,” said Dewayne Cain, Rest Haven’s president and founder.

Rest Haven also teamed up with Veterans and Family Memorial Care for Operation Sweaters for Veterans. Through Wednesday, Nov. 11, Rest Haven will collect new or gently used sweaters and gloves to donate to veterans in VA hospitals or those who live in veterans’ homes.

At RestHavenMemorial Park, there is a special Garden of Valor created for the interment of military veterans.

Information provided by Sharon Connor of Rest Haven Funeral Homes.

FOR MORE INFORMATIONabout Rest Haven’s services and programs for veterans and their families, visit resthavenfuneral.com or call 972-771-8641.

Rockwall Chapel 2500 Hwy. 66 East  8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Rowlett Chapel  3701 Rowlett Road 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Royse City Chapel 141 W. Main St 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday

ARMISTICE DAY

Nov. 11 is the anniversary of the Armistice signed in the Forest of Compiegne by the Allies and the Germans in 1918.

The day began with the laying down of arms, blowing of whistles, impromptu parades and the closing of places of business – just a few examples of many joyous demonstrations throughout the world on this historic occasion.

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson issued his Armistice Day proclamation. The last paragraph set the tone for future observances: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation.”

-Sharon Connor, Rest Haven

Look for these stories in an upcoming print edition or find quick links to all of them right now – right here:

Cyclist Levi Lowry shares an amusing story of meeting George W. Bush on a Rowlett bike trail, only to have his buddy foil the photo opp by covering the camera lens with his thumb. Fortunately, Lowry crossed paths with the former president again the following weekend, and Bush was happy to give it another shot. “Let’s take a couple this time,” Bush said. Read Lowry’s tale of the trail at neighborsgo.com/stories/44652.   

>> ROWLETT 

Rowlett’s homeless pets need your help http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/44739

Circle 10 Scouts receive defibrillators http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/44680

Baylor Garland nurse chooses hospital as wedding sitehttp://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/44703

>>ROCKWALL/HEATH 

Reading for Adults program receives IBM computer grant http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/44633

>>ROYSECITY 

Handmade tutus, dog show at Lord’s Acre http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/44832

Teddies for toddlers are ‘Made with Love’ http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/44831

 >> GO BLOGS  

EcoLiving: Tips on sealing your home neighborsgo.com/blog/ecoliving

NeighborsGhosts                                 neighborsgo.com/blog/ghosts

Faces of the Military                              neighborsgo.com/blog/faces

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

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

neighborsgo.com is filled with news of fall festivals, craft bazaars, costume contests and carnivals. Here are a few hometown events to help your family find fun and safe ways to celebrate.

Don’t see your autumn event listed? Post it at neighborsgo.com and let editor Dawn Redig know at dredig@neighborsgo.com.

While out collecting candy, capture those moments on camera. There’s still time to post your Halloween photos at neighborsgo.com to be part of our 2009 Creature Feature. 

Halloween at The Harbor  Enjoy a Halloween extravaganza from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at The Harbor. There will be free entertainment, carnival games, face painting and a costume contest.

Haunted maze in Rowlett  Rowlett Martial Arts Center, 2212 Lakeview Parkway, will host a haunted maze from 7 to 10 p.m. tonight, and 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $7; $5 if you’re brave enough to do it again. At the end of the frightful journey, enjoy treats, drinks and door prizes. 

Family fun at Pumpkin Patch   Saturdays at the Pumpkin Patch are devoted to children’s programs. Enjoy story time at 11 a.m., crafts and face painting from noon to 4 p.m., and a Rockwall Fire Department display and hay maze. The Pumpkin Patch, located in Rockwall’s RidgeRoadShopping Center, is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; the final day is Saturday. 

Howl-o-ween for pets, owners  Dogs and their owners are invited to Sassy’s Bark and Bath, 8301 Lakeview Parkway in Rowlett, from 5 to 7 p.m. today. There will be a canine costume contest, and beer and wine for pet owners. The event is free; donations for Rowlett Animal Shelter are appreciated. 

Cake walk, auction at Shannon  Shannon Elementary’s fall carnival will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at the school, 3130 Fontanna Blvd. in Rockwall. Enjoy a silent auction, DJ, cake walk and games. Proceeds support the work of Shannon PTA.

Walk-a-thon at Nebbie   Nebbie Williams Elementary kicks off its walk-a-thon fundraiser at 8:45 a.m. today with a parade featuring the Rockwall High Stingerettes, boys’ basketball team and drum line. The Rockwall Fire Department and YMCA will host activity stations. 

Trick-or-treat at the library   Stop by the Rowlett Public Library between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday to receive a Halloween treat. 

Scare on the Square   Don’t miss Halloween fun from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday in downtown Rockwall. Trick-or-treat at downtown shops; enjoy hayrides and face painting. 

Bazaaar at FUMC-Heath First United Methodist Church-Heath, 140 Smirl Drive, will host a Fall Bazaar from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Discover crafts and alive and silentauction. Enjoy sweet rolls and coffeein the morning, followed by a fish fry at noon. Proceeds go to mission work. 

Trunk-or-Treat at Our Savior Lutheran  Our SaviorLutheranChurch, 3003 Horizon Roadin Rockwall, will host a Fall Festival and Trunk-or-Treat event from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. Families will enjoy food, fun and games. No costumes necessary.

 Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.