GREENVILLE - BELMONT - HENDERSON - CENTRAL - GOODWIN

P.O. BOX 720192 DALLAS, TEXAS 75372 VOICE MAIL: (214) 967-5134 WWW.VPNA.ORG

We also thank Vickery Place resident, Morris Smart, for pulling it all together. Our fantastic neighborhood meetings are becoming occasions to look forward to each month.

After the meeting there was a short business meeting. President Candy Hearn encouraged everyone to begin the holiday with the Henderson Avenue Candlelight Tour on November 20 and the Vickery Place Shopping Day at the Nest on December 3. The last order of business was electing officers for the 2003 year of Vickery Place Neighborhood Association.

Happy Holidays

VICKERY PLACE FAMILIES GATHERED FOR THE NOVEMBER MEETING TO ENJOY BALLET FOLKLORICO

Children and adults were entertained by these traditional Mexican dances with beautiful, colorful costumes performed by the junior troupe of the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico. Over thirty dancers performed dances from Chihuahua, Zacatecas, Veracruz and Baja California. Muchisimas Gracias to Company Maestro Al Rosales, Event Coordinator Suzette Constantine, and announcer Richard Franco.

The performance was held in the auditorium of the John F. Kennedy Learning Center. Those attending had the opportunity to tour this wonderful, new facility located at the corner of Henderson and Ross Avenue. For their generous hospitality, many thanks to the staff at JFK, including Principal Carol Leon, Community Liaison Jesus Guzman, and Carol McGaughey. Our thanks to Gloria's Restaurant on Greenville Avenue for their part in making the evening possible. Their generous donation helped fund the event.

Congratulations to our officers:

President, Morris Smart

Vice President, Leslie Farrell

Secretary, Shelia Huffman

Treasurer, Todd McCavit

Members at Large:

Candy Hearn

Amy Brillhart

Jennifer Bryarly

Eric LeBlanc

Bruce Thomas

BALLET FOLKLORICO TO PERFORM AT EASTFIELD COLLEGE

The Children and junior ensembles of the Anita N. Martinez Ballet Folklorico will stage two performances at Eastfield College during the Holiday season. Experience the beauty and culture of "Las Posadas" through Mexico at the Eastfield College Performance Hall, 3737 Motley Drive in Mesquite on December 20^th and 21^st, 8:00PM. These dancers thrilled VP residents at the November general meeting of VPNA with their colorful performance. Don't miss this opportunity to see these wonderful performers. Call 214-828-0181 for more information.

VOLUME 30, ISSUE 12

December, 2002

CRIME STATS

EVENING AT THE NEST

The Nest hosted a special shopping day for Vickery Place residents and their friends that included a discount on purchases and refreshments while shopping. The delicious pizza served was prepared by next-door neighbor, Alfredos. What a great way to Christmas shop!

Fraud 9/30/02 56XX Belmont

Burglary 9/30/02 52XX Vickery

Tel Harassment 10/11/02 51XX Miller

Vandal 10/12/02 53XX Miller

Runaway 10/1602 53XX Miller

Burglary 10/17/02 51XX Goodwin

Theft 10/28/02 55XX Richard

Theft 10/29/02 52XX Goodwin

Auto Theft 10/31/02 52XX Vickery

Vickery Place President, Candy Hearne, visits with The Nest owner, Robin Brown, Robin's daughter, Alex, and Dana Tanner.

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTORS

VPNA is looking for your help to get the

news out. What is asked of the volunteer is to

distribute the newsletter once a month, usually the weekend before the general meeting. The general meeting falls on the second Thursday of each month so getting the newsletter out the weekend before is essential. We are looking for volunteers to cover one or more of the following blocks:

5100 Miller

5200 Miller

5200 Willis

5300 Willis

Please contact 214-967-5134 and leave a message

STORK VISITS VICKERY PLACE

Don and Maureen Stager received an early treat on October 30 with the arrival of Meaghan Clare.

Also in October, nine-month-old Ella brought joy into the lives of Leslie Ezelle and Marissa_Diotalevi. Another Vickery Place couple got a special delivery. Jay and Debra Rhodes welcomed Welsey Robert.

Welcome babies and congratulations parents!

If you have a new arrival in your household and want mention and a picture in the newsletter, please e-mail us a photo and short article to info@vpna.org.

Meaghan Stager

Ella Diotalevi

Welsey Rhodes

PAINTED SUGAR COOKIES

1 roll of Slice and Bake Sugar Cookie Dough

1 Box of Powdered Sugar

Meringue Powder (This can be purchased at Michael's or M J Design..)

Edible Colored Markers (These can be purchases at a culinary store like Sur La Table in our neighborhood.)

Slice and bake cookies according to package directions. Prepare Frosting with powdered sugar, water and meringue powder according to directions included with Meringue Powder for Royal Icing. Slowly add extra hot water to thin frosting while you are beating it if necessary. Ice cookies with a smooth coat of frosting. You are going for almost a glaze. Set cookies aside for several hours or overnight. Frosting will hardens to a smooth surface ideal for drawing. Use the markers to draw and color designs. I used them as "place cards" for a holiday dinner. I passed out cookies and markers at Thanksgiving dinner so that the children could decorate their own dessert. Added bonus, by the time the kids get the cookies, the frosting has hardened so there is no messy frosting to clean up. And obviously, they make really cute ornaments for a tree or wreath.

~ Contributing Editor Shelia Huffman

3

A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR HOST

The Vickery Place website would not be possible without the generous hosting services from Lem.Net. Lem.Net has been hosting www.VPNA.org for a couple of years now, and we are excited to announce the launch of our new website coming early 2003!

Lem.net is dedicated to bringing web hosting to businesses as well as home users for as little as $9.95 per month!

Lem.net also offers the following services:

· Shopping Carts for your Online Store

· Cold Fusion Support

· Active Server Pages (APS) Support

· Multiple Email Accounts

· List Servers to Stay in Touch

· Domain Name Registration

· Search engine submissions to over 1,000,000 sites

Email (sales@lem.net) or call Lem at 972-578-2524 for additional information and make sure you thank him for supporting Vickery Place!

James B. Bonham Elementary School Calendar

December 19: Bonham Students Violen Concert 19 Diciembre: Estudiantes de Bonham

At Scottish Rite Hospital 2:30 p.m. Concierto de Violen 2:30 p.m.

December 20: Bonham Students Violen Concert 20 Diciembre: Concierto de Violen por

At North Park Mall 2:30 p.m. Estudiantes de Bonham 2:30 p.m.

December 23 to January 3: Winter Break Dic. 23 a ene Vacaciones de invierno

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS FROM THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT

Here are a few tips that will reduce your chances of becoming a crime victim this holiday season:

VEHICLES:

· Keep your vehicle locked at all times.

· DO NOT leave valuables in plain view inside your vehicle.

· Park in well lit areas.

· Have car keys ready to open your vehicle as you are approaching.

· Be especially alert in parking garages.

· Spend as little time as possible in your vehicle; drive away quickly and safely.

WALKING:

· Avoid alleys and deserted parking lots

· Try not to walk alone.

· Carry your purse close to your body with a shoulder strap.

· Carry wallets in your front pockets.

· Be cautious of people who stop you and ask for directions.

· Try to plan ATM visits during the day.

· Use an ATM in a busy area.

HOME:

· Do not let presents be in view from the outside.

· Make sure the exterior of the house is well lit.

· Do not put boxes of expensive gifts in your alley for trash pick up (i.e. TV's and VCR's)

· Clearly display your house number so Police can see it.

REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE AND ACTIVITY BY CALLING 911 IMMEDIATELY!!

If you have any questions, contact Crime Prevention Specialist Al Solis at the Central Patrol Substation at:

214-670-5061

BEST WISHES TO JIM CLARK

Many of you may know Jim Clark as the friendly "beer man" at National Night Out, dispensing complimentary beer and cadging tips for VPNA. Or, you may have helped him spread mulch when we planted trees on Belmont. You may not know that Jim has been the webmaster for www.vpna.org, keeping newsletter updates current.

Jim is recovering from chemotherapy treatments. He had a rough Thanksgiving, but is feeling better. If you would like to drop him a line or a Get Well card, send it to him c/o VPNA, P.O. Box 720192, Dallas, TX 75372. I'm sure he would appreciate hearing from you.

Additionally, Jim's doctors are searching for a bone marrow donor who would be a good match. If you want to consider being tested as a potential donor, you can learn more by going to www.marrow.org/DONOR, or call

1-800-MARROW2.

HOLIDAY YARD OF THE MONTH

December's Yard of the Month highlights holiday decorations in the neighborhood. While many homes are worthy of note, the award for YOM goes to 5532 Richard, home of Mary Ann Degataire, a six year resident of VP. Over 4000 bulbs accentuate the architectural features of this wonderful craftsman style home. The four large porch columns are wrapped in lights of pink, green and white, echoing the paint scheme of the house. A pink neon flamingo on the porch reminds you that in VP, we like to have a little fun in everything we do.

Other bright spots of neighborhood cheer are pictured below, including 5200 Richard and 5600 Willis.

5532 Richard

2002 Board of Directors

Candy Hearne President

Shelia Huffman Secretary

Todd McCavit Treasurer

Board Members at Large

Amy Brillhart

Sunny Potter

Leah Holly

Kelly Jennings

Jennifer Bryarly Editor

The Vickery Place Neighborhood News is published by the Vickery Place Neighborhood Association.

For advertising rates and information, call the VPNA voice mail at

214-967-5134.

THE WAY IT WAS….

Photo donated by Virginia Champion Belcher, of her mother in their first car, 1919 Ford Sedan, with the house in the background.

5330 Richard

Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Champion lived here from 1919-1938. Their daughter ,Virginia was about 6 yrs. old when they moved into this home. Richard Avenue was a dirt road and there were very few trees. The house has since been torn down.

Virginia started at VP School when it was at McMillian & Miller (where the Bella Vista Apts. stand now). It was a County school, not part of DISD. This area was Dallas County.

Gracious Craftsman Two Story

w/ Rented Garage Apartment

$411,000 5404 Miller Ave

214-828-2213 Appointment

A crack in the mouth for Christmas?

Why not? In France you would be getting the traditional Crème Puff confection known as a Croquembouche. Small, filled cream puffs are stacked on top of each other to form a pyramid and held together by a web of caramelized sugar. When eaten, the sugar causes crackling in the mouth, thus the name Croquembouche.

Europe also brings us the Buche de Noel, a jellyroll cake, iced to resemble a Yule log and decorated with mushrooms made of meringue. England gives us the plum pudding of Dickens fame, a steamed cake like dessert of currants and suet. Visions of sugarplums are certainly conjured up with Germany's Gingerbread Houses topped with candies and gumdrops.

Buche de Noel

Mexico celebrates 12^th Night with Rosca de los Reyes, a ring shaped bread with a tiny favor baked inside.

Here at home, we have borrowed from all of these sweet traditions, but the sugar cookie, cut in shapes of stars, trees and reindeer probably brings back memories of Santa and Christmas for most of us.

Croquembouche

In Vickery Place we have residents representing many nationalities and religions. We would like to share foods and customs with one another in our monthly recipe column. Do you have a traditional recipe or holiday food that you would like to have printed in the newsletter?

For our February issue, do you have a favorite chocolate recipe? If so, we would like to print it for Valentine's Day.

Please send or e-mail your traditional recipe or your chocolate recipe along with where it came from and any interesting story about it to VPNA, P. O. Box 720192, Dallas, TX 75372, ATTN. Shelia or e-mail info@vpna.org. Please have your chocolate recipe for Valentine's in by January 20.

~ Contributing Editor Shelia Huffman

Gingerbread Houses