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I asked my neighborsgo colleagues this week to share some of their favorite stories that were posted online and then published in our print editions in January.
If you didn't have a chance to visit our Web site or pick up our newspaper this month, here's what you missed.
Beauty from Ashes
Kathy Hoster of Flower Mound reminded everyone what the word "community" means with her description of a Christmas Day house fire and how it helped bring a neighborhood closer together. Kathy's story | Our update
Defying the odds
Rockwall/Rowlett neighborsgo editor Dawn Redig profiled Rockwall native Jo Eshelman, who survived cancer seven times over 55 years. At age 89, she was diagnosed with uterine cancer and given four
months to live. She not only survived another year, but she cut the ribbon at RockwallCounty’s Relay for Life (at left, with her son, Larry) and lived long
enough to see her story featured in neighborsgo.
It ran Jan. 8; she passed away Jan. 9. "I think she was waiting to go until it was published," said a member of her church. "She was thrilled knowing her story was going to be in the paper, and she
miraculously held on through Christmas when the doctors were sure she would be
gone by this past summer." Story
Updates from Haiti
Mesquite resident Vivien Ingram was already helping in Haiti when the earthquake hit. She e-mailed Mesquite neighborsgo editor Jenice Johnson on-the-scene updates and gave her permission to post them on her behalf. They added a local connection to this story that brought the tragedy home in a very real way. Vivien's e-mail
The spirit of "think globally, act locally" was alive and well, as neighborsgo editors compiled stories and resources for area residents to help Haitians in their hour of need. Helping Haiti: Story | How to help
There was also the sweet story about Susan Zeff's daughter, Isabella, and her lemonade stand. Susan posted the story online, and we ran it on one of our covers. "The best part is," Susan e-mailed, "we have heard that others have been inspired to help as a result. And that's the whole idea, isn't it?" Post online, get in print: Seeing is believing
The Winter Games of Texas in Frisco
The annual event draws thousands of amateur athletes of all ages. Frisco neighborsgo editor Ann Marie Shambaugh collaborated with ace photographer/contributor Mathew Lewis on this photo page. The design is clean, the photos show the diversity of the events and the cutlines help tell the story and include links for additional coverage online. More photos
Focus on Faith summit
On Jan. 22, neighborsgo editors hosted a meeting with members of the faith community throughout the area. This was a two-way conversation on how we can benefit from one another. Those who attended were highly engaged and asked a lot of questions. Just as our Web site is the starting point for your news, this event was a starting point for future relationships and collaborations. We'd love our next Focus on Faith weekly feature to be about your church or house of worship. FAQ and event handout (PDF)
Joyner returns to home church, now as leader
First United Methodist Church of Coppell associate pastor Ashleigh Joyner was a good Focus on Faith profile this month. Through a tip received on Twitter, Coppell/Valley Ranch neighborsgo editor Greg Tepper discovered that the Rev. Joyner had returned to FUMC as pastor after attending the church throughout her childhood. Story
The Deep End's local connections
Area talent making it big in Hollywood is nothing new. But Hollywood coming to the area also happens, thanks to folks like Justin Muller, the 28-year-old studio executive who brought ABC-TV’s new show The Deep End to the movie studios in Las Colinas. Story
Sharon Price, a Plano native and White Rock resident, plays a role in the TV show, and she was profiled in one of our weekly Know Your Neighbor segments. Story
Living the Dream: Civil rights movement shaped activist's past, future
Garland neighborsgo editor Marcus Murphree shone the spotlight on Annie Dickson, a longtime Garland resident and NAACP activist. It so inspired one resident that she asked Marcus whether she could use his story to help teach Garland students about Black History Month in February. (We said, "Of course!") Story
Former Scout helps Cubs build Pinewood Derby cars
Carrollton resident Pat Hardage, a high school teacher by day and former Boy Scout helping Cub Scouts with their Pinewood Derby cars by night, took time to talk with neighborsgo reporter Lindsay Bever about his passion for giving back to the Scouts. His story was sent to us by a Scout mother who called him the "Santa Claus of Cub Scouts." Story
Puppy Love
Staff Sgt. Hannah Schlegel, who grew up in Highland Village, rescued a puppy, named Wylie, while serving in Afghanistan. She is working to raise money to send Wylie to the United States so that she can keep her. Schlegel’s mom contacted us with preliminary information on this story. Neighborsgo reporter Lindsey Bever followed up with her and eventually got to talk to Schlegel (at left, with Wylie and fiance Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Koegler) via satellite phone about her efforts. After the article was published, Lindsey was inundated with calls from people wanting to donate funds to help bring Wylie home. Story
Special election in Plano
Did you vote in Saturday’s special election to fill the vacant City Council seat in Plano? Did you even know there was a special election? We provided a look at the three candidates, their views and platforms. Story
Update on Abby's Corner
Park Cities/North Dallas neighborsgo editor Allison Wisk wrote an update on Will and Mary Kearney, who launched Abby's Book Corner at Medical City Children's Hospital last March to honor their late daughter, Abigail. The effort has expanded greatly - from a hundred or so books to more than 4,000 - and it recently received attention from First Lady Michelle Obama and former First Lady Laura Bush. Story
Longhorns recovering from wreckage
Bad things happen to good people - but good people always win in the end. Best Southwest neighborsgo editor Loyd Brumfield documented the Cedar Hill baseball team’s field house getting vandalized and the area's response to it. The Texas Rangers and the Flower Mound baseball team, among other groups, donated equipment to make up for the team’s losses. Story
Monthly events calendar
Readers told us they wanted more events - and more time to plan attending them - so we've started running a two-page calendar every month. It looks like this:
In addition, we've restored the full page of community events every week:
For a chance to get your stories, photos and events in our newspaper, please post them on neighborsgo.com and flag our editors at neighborsgo.com/connect or community@neighborsgo.com.
