Guy Mezger
It’s not being a six-time world champion combat athlete. It’s not being considered one of the greatest mixed martial arts fighters of all time, having won both the UFC and King of Pancrase titles for Mixed Martial Arts.
The Teng Family (Owners of Jeng Chi Restaurant in Richardson’s Chinatown)
It’s tough to catch Mei “Mama” and Yuan “Papa” Teng when they aren’t working. At 89, Papa is supposed to be retired from the day-to-day operations of Jeng Chi, the restaurant he and Mama founded in Richardson’s Chinatown back in 1990. But “rest” doesn’t seem to be in either of their vocabularies.
RISD Educator’s Corner
RISD 2022-2023 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR RISD celebrated the close of the 2022-2023 school year by naming Mary Altmann and Ernie Huben as Elementary School Teacher of the Year and Middle School Teacher of the Year, respectively. Mary, a sixth-grade math and science teacher at Prestonwood Elementary, grew up in Plano and now lives in Addison with her husband, Sean. She has been teaching for eight years. Ernie is an eighth grade algebra teacher at Liberty Junior High School who lives in Richardson with his wife Janet, an instructional coach at Lake Highlands Elementary, and their two children. Ernie has been teaching for twenty-seven years. We asked Mary and Ernie to share a bit of wisdom with us in the form of advice or stories. As you send your own children or grandchildren back to school this year, know that they are in good hands with teachers like Mary and Ernie in the classroom. ERNIE HUBEN The seeds, and revel in the results. Staying in Richardson has allowed me to see the fruits of my labor, the success stories of my former students who come back to visit long after they have graduated. I never judge success by financial gains, but rather by those who do what makes them happy. I have talked to teachers, doctors, lawyers, auto mechanics, veterinarians, and more with one thing in common: they all had me as a teacher. I continually have my “George Bailey moments,” thanks to my students. I am truly blessed to have grown up in Richardson and now make my living in some of the same schools I attended. It is an honor to give back to the community that made me feel safe, valued, loved and excited about learning, all at the same time. In the summer of 1977, my mom moved us to Richardson after my father passed away. I was enrolled in Springridge Elementary in kindergarten and spent all seven years of elementary school there. I then went on to Liberty Junior High and graduated from Berkner High School in 1991. I attended Angelo State University, the longest time I have ever spent away from Richardson. While preparing to take the MCAT, I met a girl who was in the middle of student teaching. Several conversations later, I changed my major and my future. I remember calling my mom and telling her, “I’ve decided to be poor for the rest of my life!” After graduating in December, I received a phone call from my childhood principal asking if I’d want a teacher’s aide position for the remainder of the year…at Springridge, the same elementary school I had attended. At that moment, Richardson became my Bedford Falls, the fictional town that is the setting for George Bailey’s journey in the movie It’s a Wonderful Life. I admired the character of George Bailey—the fact that he poured so much into making Bedford Falls a better place to live, with no regard for himself. Ernie teaching at Liberty Junior High I spent seventeen years of my teaching career at Springridge Elementary. To be able to teach beside many of my former teachers was an absolute thrill. To walk down the halls of the building which I had walked so many years before warmed my heart. Throughout my career, I had been in contact with the principal at Liberty Junior High. I finally decided the time was right to make the move to middle school and I have taught ever since at the same place I attended—Liberty Junior High. My classroom is the tiny part of Richardson in which I can emulate George Bailey. While George Bailey was concerned with affordable housing, I concern myself with the futures of those I teach. My classroom is my garden and the environment I create is the soil. I’m able to cultivate the soil, plant Mr. Potter couldn’t convince me to go elsewhere despite his millions. While I do need a new fence and a new car, Richardson is the district where I will remain. I heard a little girl once say, “Every time the bell rings, a teacher gets his or her wings.” Okay…I may have changed the ending a bit, but I believe this to be true. I can pass on those “wings,” which will raise my students to heights they had never imagined. And there is not a better job in the world than that. Ernie and Mary, RISD Teachers of the Year MARY ALTMAN Teachers, administrators, parents, families and the entire RISD community all have one very important thing in common: we each want the best for students. As an educator, I have witnessed hundreds of students experiencing personal and academic growth each year. Parents can help teachers ensure student success with their own actions, which are crucial for a child’s personal and academic growth. In class your students may hear me use the phrase, “I love you, but I’m not going to help you, yet.” When our students say they don’t know, we must remind them that they just don’t know, yet. They need to give themselves a chance: to use their notes, their resources, their strategies. More often than not, they’re able to take a step in the right direction. If students try but fail, part of our job is help them realize that failure is simply a part of the process. We learn from every error and we take that knowledge and move forward. By creating a safe space where taking risks and failing is encouraged and accepted, we empower students. We show them how capable they are and how to take that first step without fear. Mary Atlman on far right Create Experiences A lifelong love of learning is not built from textbooks and routine notes, but rather through experiences that make learning engaging and memorable: singing, dancing, movement, art (yes, even in math!), technology, robotics and so much more. Students in my classroom are exposed to new skills such as coding or
Shadow Shine
A New Nonprofit with Big Plans for the Future. By Michael Belvin & Patti Otte When Evie Belvin arrived, parents Katie and Michael Belvin were overjoyed; however, the doctors quickly swept Evie away for additional evaluation. It was in those initial days that the Belvins’ journey with Evie began. Evie spent 227 days in the NICU before finally being released in July of 2015. Over the next few years, Evie underwent countless overnight hospital stays, procedures, surgeries, tests and outpatient visits. As her health challenges continued, Evie’s medical care became the family’s top priority. Her older sister, Charlotte, was too young to fully grasp the gravity of Evie’s situation and her parents’ need to give extra attention to her little sister. Like so many siblings of children with special healthcare needs, Charlotte felt frustrated and overlooked at times. One day, Charlotte verbalized to her parents that she felt as if they cared about Evie more than her. Although that concern couldn’t have been further from the truth, Charlotte was indeed living in the shadow of her sister due to circumstances beyond the family’s control. Michael shared Charlotte’s worry with his good friend Chad Ray. The two discussed ways in which they might be able to help not only Charlotte, but other siblings facing similar situations within their own families. As Michael and Chad searched online for programs to help Charlotte feel less alone, nothing appeared outside of traditional therapy. The statistics they discovered were staggering: one in five children in the US under the age of eighteen has a special healthcare need, which meant that Charlotte truly wasn’t alone. In that moment, it dawned on them that the existence of young adults who had been through Charlotte’s situation was a real possibility—the challenge was finding them. And that’s when Michael and Chad came up with the idea for Shadow Shine, a nonprofit whose goal is to build connections between the siblings of children with special healthcare needs. They want to help siblings in the shadows feel loved and special by building bridges between families with the same dynamic. The nonprofit’s mission is to create a safe space for the siblings to have their voices heard through constant support, meaningful relationships, and leadership opportunities. “Developing something from the ground up is always tough, with no compass to guide you on the path, but it has been incredible to see the excitement people have displayed towards the idea of this organization and what it can accomplish,” states Michael. By design, the nonprofit plans to pair a high school aged sibling mentor—the “Scout”—with a younger sibling from a different family—the “Sidekick.” A unique attribute of the program is that both the Scout and Sidekick must have siblings with special healthcare needs. “Truly an ‘I have walked in your shoes’ approach,” says Michael. Shadow Shine is a grassroots, geography-based program. Michael and Chad want Scouts and Sidekicks to be able to easily interact and spend time together without distance being a factor. To date, the organization has relied solely on word of mouth at local schools, pediatricians’ offices, and children’s hospitals to spread the word about their brand-new nonprofit. The men enthusiastically share that they “have some incredible self-proclaimed dreamers on our board, and we could see Shadow Shine growing to help serve families across this country as time goes on!” Charlotte and Evie Belvin Shadow Shine held a kickoff event in March, at which time the Shadow Shine board shared their dreams for the organization with members of the community. Up until that point, their work had transpired behind the scenes. After the event, Shadow Shine began receiving inquiries from people wanting to get involved with the organization. States Michael, “We are excited to put together our first pairings this year, ideally in August as the school year commences. We are not setting a specific limit to the initial number of pairings right now, but we do want to make sure to nurture these initial relationships. We are also looking to hire an Executive Director to help guide the growth of the organization.” “The heart of Shadow Shine stems from a firsthand need experienced by our family and is rooted in the place we call home. The people of Richardson mean so much to us, so we wanted Shadow Shine to start in the community that has supported us throughout the years. We are also looking forward to building relationships and partnering with schools, counselors and physicians in Richardson,” states Michael. For more information about Shadow Shine and its mission, visit http://shadowshine.org.
Nicole Gregory (Owner of Staycation)
What is your name, and how long have you had Staycation? Is that the full name of the shop? Nicole Gregory, yes, that is the full name. I opened Staycation in November of 2021. Tell us about Staycation. What makes it unique among coffee shops? I think what makes any concept unique is the heart and energy of the people who gave life to it. The heart and energy behind Staycation is simply about the enjoyment of simple yet beautiful things, moments, and conversations alongside other humans. Does Staycation have a motto? If so, what is it and why did you choose it? Our tagline is “stay awhile.” I think it speaks for itself, especially in tandem with the brand name. I felt like coffee shops were becoming more geared towards the remote worker and by association, this age of productivity that we live in, and I wanted a space that was geared towards “staying awhile” with a friend, with yourself, in conversation, in contemplation, in a moment—slowing down enough to maybe do nothing but savor the present moment and sit with it. Who is your typical customer? One of the special qualities about Staycation is that it is a space for ALL, and that is truly what we get. All age ranges, all life backgrounds, all social statuses. It’s a mixing pot of beautiful life. What inspired you to open Staycation, and what is the inspiration for the name? This question is a complex one for me because I did not set out to be a sole business owner when this project began. I was in a partnership with an individual, and when that partnership came to an end, I made the decision to build the company and give it life. The inspiration behind the name comes from the ethos I’ve operated within throughout my time in the coffee industry: it’s an idea around living a life that we do not have to “vacation” from in order to find rest. An idea around balance, around honoring the “new” in the middle of lives that we so often equate to ‘normal’ and ‘mundane routine.’ Life is magical, and being alive is material enough to always be in wonder and curiosity—if we are willing to slow down our pace and experience and savor it. After sharing these ideas with my ex-business partner, he said, “Staycation fits that,” and so Staycation it became. Do you live in Richardson? If so, what brought you here? If not, what made you decide to locate your business in our city? I lived in Richardson until I was 11 and now live in East Dallas. Richardson came up through a series of events, and when the little house on the corner was proposed, I knew it fit well with everything that rang true to me for a coffee shop brand. I have also been a longtime fan of Richardson’s diversity in its population and its food and cultural scene. I wanted to be a part of that. What made you choose the house where you located the coffee shop? Through a series of introductions, I met the developers who own the house, and discussions began for a coffee shop. Because I tend to love what most would label “the simple way of living,” having an old house as a backdrop for the brand seemed absolutely fitting. What is your background? Have you always been an entrepreneur? My background is a simple life. I grew up within the Mennonite community and spent my childhood in the garden, exploring the woods on our property, cooking, sewing, and learning about LIFE. Due to that free and untethered way of growing up, I believe I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit in me and even though I’d go on to work for corporate companies, I’ve always operated within a certain rogue mentality, if that makes sense. What are three adjectives that describe you? Passionate, Creative, Authentic What skills do you find most necessary in running a new small business? I believe the skills I’ve found most necessary for me have been the ability to say “no” and perseverance. What do you look for in a team member…especially in a barista? Authenticity and life-giving energy. Are there certain menu items that are unique to Staycation? What is your best-selling drink? Our Ginger Turmeric latte is unique to us. I make all of our syrups, and that one is made from boiling down ginger and turmeric root into a syrup and it is absolutely delicious. Our top seller is probably our Dulce De Leche latte. Share with us a funny or awesome story of having a business in Richardson. The amount of awesome stories I have is unending. Probably the one that has stuck with me most is when our back communal table got taken over by a Bible study group and a Muslim group, both on opposite ends. They were all regulars, but I was so curious how that seating union was going to pan out. After about an hour and a half of listening to them laugh together, open their Bible and Koran and share stories and similarities, I realized that THIS is what makes Staycation IN Richardson so special: this interfacing of diversity that supports, nurtures and encourages conversation/interaction outside of where our normal routines take us. Anything else you’d love for your neighbors to know about Staycation or you? Life is the most precious gift we’ve all been given and to spend it here— on this planet that’s teeming with magic and organic complexities (that we still cannot fully comprehend)— is truly special and I hope that as a person and as a brand, I never stop inspiring people to honor and take part in its beauty. Nicole and Friends at Staycation Staycation Interior Evening at Staycation A Perfect cup Staycation’s backyard
Richardson 150th
Celebrating Charles Smith, Richardson’s Very Own Centenarian By Patti Otte On September 24, 2023, Charles Smith will turn 103 years young. Mr. Smith’s mind is filled with vivid memories of a time when Richardson was mainly farmland and the best mode of transportation was the Interurban Railway. Mr. Smith is one of the oldest—if not THE oldest—citizens of Richardson, having been born in 1920. He still has a sharp mind and loves sharing stories of the past. To put his age in perspective, 160,000 people lived in Dallas in 1920, versus 1.3 million today, and eighteen presidents have served during Mr. Smith’s lifetime. Back then, Richardson was just a bedroom community of farmland and oak trees, with a half dozen houses in the area between Campbell, Arapaho, Jupiter and Greenville. Born in Richardson, Mr. Smith remembers walking from his grandparents’ house on Interurban Street south of Beltline, where he lived for a short time while his parents’ home was being built, over the Interurban railroad track to school. According to city records, the Interurban, an electric railway, commenced service in 1908 and ran north to Denison, south to Waco, southeast to Corsicana and west to Fort Worth. By 1910, 600 people lived in Richardson and the newly built (in 1914) schoolhouse Mr. Smith attended on Greenville Avenue eventually became home to the RISD administrative offices. The offices are still located there today. Thomas F. McKamy was Richardson’s first mayor, elected in 1925, and he owned the local Cash Dry Goods, another of Mr. Smith’s frequent stops in his boyhood. It housed the original Richardson library. In 1927, just before the Great Depression, Mr. Smith moved into his parents’ home at 324 Huffhines Street, which still stands today. The home looks just like it did then, with the exception of the now blue exterior; originally, the Smiths had it painted white. The area where Richland College now stands was “Roy Chick’s farm, prime dove hunting land,” according to Mr. Smith. He hunted there often in his youth. During those early years, Mr. Smith met a girl named Rose Ann Julian, who would eventually become his bride. He and Rose Ann were classmates and both graduated in the Class of 1938 from Richardson High School. According to Mr. Smith, Rose Ann’s father was “the best cotton and wheat farmer in Dallas County.” Around that time, Mr. Smith’s dad owned Western Auto in McKinney, where the young Smith worked. Mr. Smith recalls riding the Interurban from McKinney to Richardson after work. He’d then “clean up and get the car and drive over to Addison to pick Rose Ann up at her farm.” Fun fact: Mr. John Elbert Julian owned the farm where Addison’s school was located and that building is now the Magic Time Machine on Beltline Road. Mr. Smith married Rose Ann on March 11, 1944, while he was on leave from the Navy. Prior to their marriage, Three generations of Smith men Mr. Smith served his country as a Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Junior Grade, during World War II. He joined the US Navy in September of 1942 and went to pre-flight school in Athens, GA. Now known by his military nickname, “Smitty,” he transferred later that year to Grand Prairie, where he started flying Stearman airplanes with open air dual cockpits Smith Home in Huffhines St. After a transfer to Pensacola, FL, in 1943, Smith did his advanced flight training in a North American SNJ, widely known as the Yellow Peril for its yellow color. He earned his wings in June 1943. He moved between Florida and Georgia a couple of time to receive Instrument flight rating training. He soon received orders to go to Alameda, CA, and in March 1945, he was transferred to Honolulu, HI. During the war, Lt. Smith was a co-pilot on an R5D—a 4-engine plane—delivering personnel and supplies from Honolulu to the Philippine Islands. Thankfully, he never saw any combat as the Hawaiian Islands were secure. Mr. Smith thinks back and remembers that he “never saw so much water in [his] life.” World War ll Memorabilia Naval Aviator Certificate Mr. Smith can recall the families who built Richardson, one of which was the Campbells. Passersby can still see JW Campbell’s home on the northwest corner of Arapaho and Plano Roads. It’s now barely visible behind a jungle of trees and overgrowth, but Mr. Smith remembers it well. He also remembers Richardson being known as “the community with the most Ph.D’s.” He and Rose Ann were founding members of the Canyon Creek Country Club back in 1963. At the time, a membership cost $15-18 per month. They loved golfing and were members until 2000. Mr. Smith lost his beloved Rose Ann in May of 2001. The Smith’s 50th Anniversary When asked to describe his dad with three adjectives, Mr. Smith’s son Charles, Jr. said Mr. Smith is steadfast, honest and trustworthy. His grandson Jason, who lived with his grandparents for many years and then next door to them later, describes him as kind, generous and loving. The man I had the privilege of meeting fit those descriptors well. When a Richardson reporter interviewed Mr. Smith recently for Richardson’s 150th celebration, Mr. Smith told him he thought he’d live till at least 105. For all of our sakes, let’s hope he lives even longer as he still has so many stories to share. Charles Smith, Class of 1938 Rose Ann Julian, Class of 1938 Class of 1938 high school reunion Richardson Highschool girls’ basketball team Graduating class of 1938 Keepsake photo of Charles and Rose Ann and classmates Author’s Note: The remarkable part of this story is that almost every single historical references included here came directly from Mr. Smith. He can still vividly recall tiny details of the past—like a talking history book—and I feel so privileged to have had the chance to share a small part of his story with you.
Network of Community Ministries
Editor’s Note: In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine, we will focus on philanthropies that are making a difference in our community. If you would like to nominate a nonprofit to be celebrated in the pages of the magazine, email pmotte@hylogroup.com. NETWORK OF COMMUNITY MINISTRIES Offering Respect and Dignity to Our Richardson Neighbors By Ben Jones Since 1985, Network of Community Ministries (a.k.a. Network) has been working to provide important resources for our neighbors in need. The organization has become deeply intertwined with the Richardson community, partnering with Richardson ISD and the City of Richardson to better meet the needs of its citizens. However, Network’s services don’t stop at providing food and clothing for those within Richardson’s city limits. This organization’s services reach much further and deeper than many know. Network’s service area consists of the fourteen zip codes that make up Richardson ISD, which means helping families from parts of Dallas, Garland and Plano in addition to Richardson. With a service area spanning from White Rock Lake to the President George Bush Turnpike and consisting of more than 400,000 individuals, Network impacts a diverse population coming from a variety of circumstances. Additionally, Network’s neighbors may not be what people expect. More than half of those receiving services are employed, retired, or on disability. With the economic difficulties of the past two years, many neighbors who were scraping by are no longer able to make it on their own. “The day that you have to walk into a food pantry and ask for help is not a good day,” said Abbie Kauffman, Network’s President and CEO. “A big part of our mission is listening to our neighbors, treating them with the respect and dignity that they deserve, and working with them to improve their quality of life.” Although Network is most closely associated with the Community Food Market and Clothing Closet, the organization also works to provide deeper and more personalized care. Network offers stabilization programming to help neighbors in need and to improve their situations—including budgeting, career readiness, job fairs, childcare assistance and a continuing education fund. Stabilization coaches meet with neighbors and assess barriers to success. Whether neighbors need childcare, job skills training, GED classes, or a variety of other resources, stabilization coaches make the connections that change lives. “Our neighbors all have unique stories and this program allows us to sit with them, understand their situations, and connect them with resources to improve their quality of life,” said Kauffman. Of the 26,000 individuals served by Network in 2022, a quarter were retired. Many retirees are on a fixed income and, while costs have risen over the past few years, their income has not. Network knows that this age group has unique needs and serves them through the Seniors’ Net program. In addition to access to basic needs assistance and stabilization services, neighbors over the age of sixty benefit from Seniors’ Net programming, including home deliveries for those who are homebound, companion calls to ensure their connection to the community, and access to seniorspecific items in the Community Food Market. After moving to its new facility in 2021, Network began hosting Senior Day every Thursday. This program provides a chance for seniors to get connected with the community, make friends, and enjoy a hot meal! Each Senior Day features some sort of entertainment, whether it be a presentation on emergency preparedness, a local choir, or a troupe of tap dancers! Network’s Mobile Market Community Career Fair Senior Day at Network “For many of our attendees, this is the only chance they get during the week to socialize,” said Jane Kovacs, Seniors’ Net Coordinator. “We want to make sure that they know we are here to serve them as a vital part of our community.” “The past few years have really shown the importance of organizations like Network,” said Kauffman. “When times are hard, it’s important to know that your community is there to support you. To me, Network is a symbol of how deeply our neighbors care about each other. As we look to the future, Network is excited to serve the community in even deeper, more rigorous ways.” To learn more about Network, visit http://thenetwork.org or call 972-234-8880. YOU CAN HELP TODAY!!! Big Meals for Little Kids Network’s Big Meals for Little Kids Program supplies school-aged children with healthy and convenient food options during the summer months when they are no longer receiving breakfast or lunch from their school’s free or reduced cost meal program. You can support this critical program by donating school-age appropriate items like individually wrapped snacks, shelf-stable kid friendly meal items like Macaroni and Cheese or Chef Boyardee, or a monetary donation to support purchasing different items for our youth! Volunteer opportunities are available to assist with both the Summer Snack Pick-Up and Mobile Market that distribute these items to children throughout the summer at http://thenetwork.org/volunteer. Big Meals for Little Kids recipient Tools 4 School Network’s Tools 4 School Program provides backpacks filled with supplies for school-aged children. Send or bring donations of your new school supplies to 1500 International Parkway in Richardson, Texas 75081. You can also make a donation online at http://thenetwork.org/donate to support Network’s sponsorship of the RISD Backpack Bash! Tools 4 School volunteer School Supplies REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF THE YEAR, NETWORK IS ALWAYS IN NEED OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: Food: Hygiene products (Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) Diapers Canned Meat and Fish Baking Items (Oil, sugar, flour, etc.) Single Serve Snack Items Clothing: Toddler Clothes Baby Clothes New Socks New Underwear Kids’ Shoes
Old 75 Beer Garden Brings Patio Vibes To the Richardson
Brand New Richardson Hot Spot Now Open By Raquel Henry Richardson’s newest casual retreat for the Holy Trinity of a Texas good time—live music, great food and cold beer—Old 75 Beer Garden is now open for business. Located just off Central Expressway between Beltline and Spring Valley, the 20,000-square-foot beer garden and venue celebrated its Texas-sized grand opening in April. The tables were filled all weekend long and live music set the tone for a perfect weekend retreat. Showcasing Texas hospitality from the moment guests enter to the second they leave, Old 75 prides itself on warmth, friendliness and community within its Texas-style beer garden. With two bars featuring the ‘friendliest bartenders in DFW,’ a stage with regular live music performances, an open lawn area with backyard games, a variety of seating options for kicking back, and themed private cabanas, including a She Shed, He Shed, Ski Shed and Cowboys Cabana which are available to rent for any guest’s party needs, Old 75 is an excellent spot to take a load off and escape the everyday. “Old 75 embodies the pride of Texas with Matthew McConaughey vibes— cool, casual and designed to simply unwind, no matter the occasion—and we hope guests enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it,” says Kirk Hermansen, owner and founder of Old 75 Beer Garden. “Pick your poison… all in all, and not coincidentally, we have over 75 drinks to choose from.” Both the Drink Bar and the Tap Bar feature covered and outdoor seating, designed to encourage guests to put phones down for a while and talk to their neighbors. With 34 beers and six specialty drinks on tap (and a large variety of canned and bottled beverages), guests are sure to find something to wet their whistle. And the kitchen offers a handcrafted menu rooted in South Texas flavors with a touch of New Mexico personality. Old 75’s specialty Coctails “Don’t let our easygoing vibe and casual hospitality fool you…Old 75 serves only premium meats, fresh produce and made-from-scratch Texas dishes daily,” states Hermansen. “Our friendly employees and atmosphere encourage others to do good, which is why we even included a ‘side of nice’ at no charge on our menu.” Old 75 allows guests to book out the entire beer garden or just a specific section. They will also host pop-ups and events throughout the year, including Backyard BBQs, Crawfish Boils, Steak Night and Oktoberfestivities. “We pride ourselves on community and giving back as often as possible,” said Hermansen. “Our goal is to treat every deserving person in Dallas-Fort Worth to an ice-cold beer or delicious burger at some point or another, while also supporting the charities in our community who are doing good.” For more information about Old 75 Beer Garden, visit http://Old75BeerGarden.com or on Instagram @old75beergarden. Live music at Old 75 Opening Day Celebration Fun at Old 75
The Core Theatre
Local Playwright and Performers Celebrating Richardson’s 150th Actors Miracle Lewis and David Keller Photo By Autumn McNamara Not many cities can point to a play based on their history. Far fewer the size of Richardson can make that claim. As part of Richardson’s 150th celebration, the “City of Richardson History” will be performed for local audiences from June 16 – July 16, 2023, at the Core Theatre, a hidden jewel currently in its fifteenth season of performances. James Hansen Prince, founder and creative director, is often the playwright and director of the plays performed at the Core Theatre and the “City of Richardson History” is no exception. For the past fifteen seasons, Mr. Prince has used the theatre, located just around the corner from City Hall on Arapaho Road, to perform more than fifty plays hundreds of times. “I established the Core Theatre to create productions that entertain, educate and elevate society by instilling hope and understanding. We looked around the Metroplex and felt like Richardson was a perfect location to serve the residents of Richardson, Dallas and the suburbs to the north and east especially,” noted Mr. Prince. “We do classic and iconic plays for audiences because we know that people want to see performances and stories they are familiar with, stories like ‘Driving Miss Daisy.’ But one thing that separates us from many theatres is that more of our plays are written and performed by artists from the local area. I am a playwright myself, so many of our plays are ones I have written over the years, such as ‘Inferno! Fire at the Cocoanut Grove’ and ‘Behind the Cotton Curtain: Remembering Medgar Evers.’ These are plays based on important moments in our nation’s history. There is always something for us to learn in the present, by watching plays based on our past,” says Mr. Prince. This passion for history and focus on giving artists a chance to shine on the stage is one of the many reasons the City approached Prince to ask if he would be willing to write and produce a play about the history of Richardson. Prince jumped at the chance and looks forward to performing the play for Richardson audiences. Prince notes that this play will be performed with a twist: “I don’t want to give everything away, but I like doing plays that involve the audience and create a sense that you are part of the story. This play is what we call devised theatre. We did this not long ago when local art patron Charles Eisemann gave us funding to write and perform a play that told the story of international students attending school at UT-Dallas. It was great fun because we used actual students from UTD to perform the play and asked the audience to participate in some things that all international students experience when they come to school here.” Prince’s goal is to entertain, but also to teach Richardson residents about the community’s history. He states, “The history of Richardson play will be performed in the same vein [as the UTD play]; we will ask the audiences to imagine themselves in the story and, with the help of well-rehearsed performers, participate as a way of discovering the history of the city. Richardson’s history is not unlike most cities in the South. We will not shy away from parts of its troubled past, such as the topic of segregation, but in keeping with our mission to instill hope, we are also going to show how Richardson became one of the most diverse and economically vibrant cities in North Texas.” While the Core Theatre is already busy preparing the anniversary play, area residents can attend “Portal to the Keep,” a science fiction “steampunk” popcorn melodrama right now. A lively show, audiences are even invited to throw popcorn at the actors performing in the play! The Core Theatre is located at 518 W. Arapaho Rd. For tickets, dates and times of all upcoming performances, visit http://thecoretheatre.org.
Backpack Bash 2023
Editor’s Note: In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine, we will highlight an individual or organization making a difference in the lives of Richardson Independent School District students. If you would like to nominate an RISD teacher, staff member or organization, email pmotte@hylogroup.com BACKPACK BASH 2023 RISD’S Economically Disadvantaged Students Need Our Help By Patti Otte Within the Richardson Independent School District, 57% of all students are economically disadvantaged, which means that more than 20,000 kids go hungry at least part of every day. 20,000 kids depend on getting a solid meal at school…and in some cases, that school lunch may be the only meal they eat each day. Imagine if every single citizen in Celina or Wylie or Stephenville, TX, went hungry every day. Each town has approximately 20,000 residents. That’s how many kids living in RISD’s borders are hungry. Every. Single. Day. And if meals are being skipped due to financial need, school supplies are an even lower priority. Ask any teacher what happens when one of those 20,000 children comes to school hungry and/or lacking school supplies. Anyone who has ever taught in a Title I school—and 31 of RISD’s 55 schools fall in that category— has a story to tell of a student suffering from hunger or a lack of preparedness due to no fault of the child. Four years ago, members of the Richardson community decided to change the narrative and the Backpack Bash program was born. In the years since, the program has grown to two Backpack Bashes each summer, thanks to the generous support of RISD’s invaluable sponsors. States Dr. Carrie Thomas, Director of Community Engagement, “Our donors’ contributions ensure that every student is ready for the first day of school. The two events connect RISD families to programs and services in a festive back-to-school fair atmosphere.” Backpack Bash 2022 “We have a motto in RISD that we serve every student, every day,” Superintendent Tabitha Branum says. “That means we are going to fill in a gap wherever that gap exists. And if 60% of RISD students qualify for free and reduced lunch, that means about 20,000 students need access to backpacks and school supplies to be ready to learn every day. This is hard work, educating and growing 37,000 kids, but our sponsors make it easier for us to focus on that academic growth.” The annual Backpack Bash provides RISD students with a backpack full of school supplies and gives families access to hygiene kits, haircuts and much more in a fun environment. Last year, the program raised more than $120,000 to help fund the event, at which more than 6,000 backpacks and school supply kits were distributed to RISD families. As successful as the program is, approximately 14,000 RISD students still need help each year. With Richardson citizens’ individual and collective sponsorship, donations and volunteer hours, the program will continue to grow and even more backpacks and supplies will be distributed. To achieve that goal and maximize this event’s impact, Dr. Thomas and her team need community support. They can also accept in-kind donations of goods or services. To learn more about this worthwhile program, visit http://risd.org/backpackbash. If you have any questions or would like to set up a meeting to chat about the best option for your participation, contact RISD Director of Community Engagement Dr. Carrie Thomas at carrie.thomas@risd.org Please note that all funds provided through sponsorship or donation are tax deductible. Backpack joy Happy recipients of school supplies