Texas skies were smiling as American Idol finalist and recording artist Jason Castro performed live on stage and former First Lady Laura Bush cut the ribbon at last Friday’s opening of the 123^rdState Fair.

Many fair-goers took advantage of the new DART light rail Green Line to the fairgrounds, sampled deep-fried butter and soaked up the new Pirates of the Caribbean dive show.

Oprah Winfrey will be taping her show at the fair Oct. 12. And yours truly, as a member of the Pan American Committee, will be serving up some Texas hospitality for the international livestock show exhibitors.

The fair runs through Oct. 18, so there’s still plenty of time to share your favorite State Fair photos at neighborsgo.com, for a chance to get in print and win our “Hit Us With Your Best Shot” photo contest.

Headed to tonight’s cross-town match-up at Wilkerson Sanders Stadium? Don’t miss the tailgate party sponsored by Hudson Financial Group and Baker Brothers Plumbing. As Hudson’s founder Randy Hudson said, “Even in the midst of the competitive atmosphere of high school football, supporters of both teams [Rockwall vs. Rockwall-Heath] should come together and have a great time before the big game.”

The community-wide tailgate party will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the stadium. For $5, fans can arrive early for the game, enjoy food catered by Saltgrass Steakhouse, and help support the RHS and RHHS football booster clubs.

To round out the weekend, stop by Bar S Arena in Royse City to watch some of Texas’ finest cowgirls rope and ride for cash prizes and belt buckles. You’ll get a few laughs, too, as I join fellow neighborsgo staffers in the Cowgirl RoundUp celebrity event, set for around 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Spectators are admitted free, and concessions will be served up by the 4H Rockin’ Riders Horse Club.

As one-year-old Annslee-Hope discovers the joy of dipping her fingers into her first birthday cake, her parents, David and Linda Allen of Rowlett, are counting their blessings.

On Sept. 13, The Center at Rockwall CityPlace was the site of a birthday celebration that also honored the Rowlett Fire Rescue paramedics and LakePointeMedicalCenter personnel who saved Linda’s life and helped bring Annslee-Hope into the world.

It was a year ago that David awoke to his pregnant wife crying out for help, asking him to call 911. She was 31 weeks along and hemorrhaging.

That Linda was experiencing a problem pregnancy was nothing new to David; their first daughter, Annelise, was born premature. Linda’s second pregnancy resulted in miscarriage. Now, on bed rest awaiting the arrival of another child, Linda was losing blood and losing consciousness.

Linda pleaded with David, “Take care of my baby.” She meant their firstborn, because Linda assumed that she and the baby she carried would not survive.

Rowlett Fire Rescue arrived within three minutes; Station No. 1 was less than a mile away. Firefighter paramedics Troy Ottinger and Eric Zimmerman reacted quickly; a few precious moments were spent stabilizing Linda and calling ahead to LakePointeMedicalCenter where the expectant mom was taken by ambulance.

An emergency C-section was performed, and miraculously, David received word within 30 minutes that Mom and baby pulled through. Dr. Gloria Moody said that the baby, weighing 4 pounds 9 ounces, was in the best condition she could have hoped for at nearly 9 weeks premature. Linda faced a long recovery period, but would be fine.

One neo-natal intensive care nurse called Annslee-Hope, whose name means “Trust in God’s gracious shelter in the storm,” a “miracle baby.” Another explained that neonatologist Dr. Moody and obstetrician Dr. Cheryl Potter were not usually onsite at the same time; usually, one or both would have to be paged. What they typically see in situations like this, the nurses said, is that they lose the baby but are able to save the mother – and sometimes, it’s only a matter of seconds.

On July 15, a year after that miraculous day, Annslee-Hope and her older sister Annelise were delivered by their parents to Rowlett Fire Station No. 1, where paramedics Ottinger and Zimmerman were introduced to the baby they helped save.

“I never knew that one day on the job would make an impression that might last a lifetime,” Ottinger later wrote to the Allens.

On Sept. 13, which marked Annslee-Hope’s original due date, the Allens hosted a second celebration at The Center at Rockwall CityPlace  Although Ottinger and Zimmerman were faithfully on duty that day, friends, family and NICU nurses showed up to rejoice in the miracle of life, and to enjoy birthday cake – decorated with a Dalmatian in a fireman’s hat.

THE CROSS

Linda Allen suffered from placenta previa, a complication of pregnancy in which the placenta grows in the lowest part of the womb, covering the opening to the cervix.

Two incisions were made during Linda’s C-section, David explained in a thank-you letter to friends who delivered meals and offered support to the family. “Once, horizontally, just to get in. Then, because the placenta was in the way, the baby was breech, and there was no time to spare, they cut vertically as well.”

“When Annslee-Hope is old enough,” David added, “I hope to share with her that she was brought through a ‘cross’ to save her from physical death. And that there is another cross that is provided to save her from ultimate, spiritual death.”

- Dawn Redig

 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.

BY KAY MAXWELL and DAWN REDIG

Before starting his senior year in 2008, Rockwall-Heath student Jacob Way journeyed to South Africa on a mission trip with LakePointe Church.

Jacob witnessed the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and was inspired, along with his teen ministry group, to return to the village of KwaZulu-Natal this summer.

KwaZulu-Natal is an area that, according to the World Health Organization, has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world.

While the goal was to reach out to villagers with Christian love and compassion, Jacob had yet another mission in mind: to drill a well that would provide clean drinking water for the people who had remained on his mind and in his prayers since his first visit.

Jacob had seen the villagers take long walks each day to collect water for drinking, cooking and bathing. When the women returned with 50-pound jugs atop their heads, the water they carried was often contaminated, causing illness or death.

This compelled Jacob to begin fundraising efforts that would make his goal of returning to build a well a reality.

His first stop was the Themba Foundation (pronounced Tim-ba, the Zulu word for hope). Themba, a faith-based non-profit in Rockwall, was established by Pastor Steve Stroope and local businessman Ken Hickman to provide God’s grace, mercy and hope to the people of South Africa, in partnership with South African ministries. Themba, LakePointe and its partners across the globe proceeded to work diligently to coordinate the details involved in digging the well.

As a busy senior, Jacob worked tirelessly to raise funds. His goal of $5,000 – the cost of drilling a simple well from which water could be hand-pumped – seemed a lofty one. He recruited teens from RHHS, Rockwall, Sachse and Community high schools, as well as LakePointe. Parents and community members got involved. There was a fundraising dinner, T-shirt sales and a Hawks Care campaign.

As the school year ended, those who rallied to the cause raised an astonishing $16,000.

The drilling site was identified in advance of the group’s return. Because of the village’s location on a hillside, the task was projected to take days. Pray, the South African partners advised, that the well would deliver at least 1,000 liters per hour – the minimum required to meet the village’s needs.

While Jacob and the teens made their way to South Africa this July, an adult team from LakePointe was already on the ground, ministering to villagers and finalizing details. The adult team’s last ministry day in the village happened to be the day that drilling would begin. Sadly, it seemed, they would not see water brought up from the well.

As the drilling rig rolled in, team members gathered alongside curious villagers to watch in anticipation. By late afternoon, the effort began to unearth moist soil. The team decided to video the end of their visit, commemorating the hopeful news.

But as filming began, the videographer was distracted by sounds from the drilling area. He panned to the source of the noise – and captured the first glorious, breathtaking moments when clean water surfaced from the well. 

A water strike on Day One? Incredible. Water spilled out of the hole, spread across the dry earth, ran along the ground, and then began to shoot up into the air as drillers worked to put a cap in place. Joyful tears flowed with the water.

'THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN'

After the adult ministry team’s departure from KwaZulu-Natal, Jacob and the LakePointe teen ministry visited the completed well. It was a time of almost unbearable joy and hope.

Jacob later wrote, “It was the most beautiful thing I have and will ever see on this side of Heaven. I dipped my hand in the cool water. After our team prayed around the well, I crumbled back to the ground and wept. And I’m not at all ashamed to admit that. I am proud to say I was a complete mess.”He added, “Truly our community has radically changed and saved the lives of another community for generations to come. This is the greatest act of love we can do. Give the extra that we have to improve the lives of others. And love our neighbor – even on another continent – as we love ourselves.”

The well produces 5,000 liters per hour, well beyond the 1,000 for which they prayed. The original design called for a labor-intensive hand pump, but fundraising supported installation of an electronic pump. Villagers have water, ease of access and hope for good medical care.

Plans are underway to build a clinic funded by LakePointe Church. It will assist HIV/AIDS victims who cannot travel the long distance to the nearest hospital.

WATER FACTS

• More than half of Africa’s people lack access to safe drinking water.
• Of all the renewable water available in Africa each year, only 4 percent is used – because most Africans lack the necessary wells, canals, pumps, reservoirs and irrigation systems.
• More than 80 percent of the disease in developing countries is related to poor drinking water and sanitation.                                  

Information provided by dropinthebucket.org.

Story inspired by Kay Maxwell of Rockwall, a friend of the Way family. To read Kay’s account of “Jacob’s Well of Hope” in its unedited form, visit neighborsgo.com/stories/42627.

SEE THE VIDEO

As water sprang forth from the dry ground, tears flowed and smiles spread across every face. Watch the video at http://tinyurl.com/wellofhope.

We never know quite to what expect when neighborsgo editors host bi-monthly meet-and-greets.

From standing-room-only crowds with live musical entertainment to intimate conversations and online demonstrations, “Coffee with the Editor” takes on a personality of its own as community members stop by to share stories, exchange ideas and ask questions about neighborsgo.com and the print edition.

Last Friday’s gathering at Starbucks in Rockwall drew many new faces and several old friends, too.

Sueretta Todd with the Rockwall Art League dropped in to learn how to post events online. See her artwork on exhibit, along with other local artists, at the Tuesday, Sept. 29 artists’ reception at the Hilton BellaHarbor.

Mary Coon with Covington’s in Rowlett discovered new ways to spread the word about the nursery’s gardening classes.

Linda Trahan with Nebbie Williams Elementary and Linda Price-Appelwick with Pullen Elementary came by to share their school news.

Military View columnist Jerry Hogan said hello, and I finally got to hug Jeannette Keton and thank her for sharing all those recipes on behalf of the Rockwall Women’s League. 

Our youngest visitor, Nicholas, couldn’t wait to get out of his stroller and join the party. Patty Pinsonnault brought a schedule of activities for the Rockwall Preschool Association. Barb Coleson invited everyone to the final Farmer’s Market of the season in downtown Rockwall tomorrow.

Although I couldn’t get her to reveal her award-winning recipe, chili cook-off queen Christine Kiefer and her mom, Carolyn Gibson, promise to share their contest experiences.

And Brenda Rozinsky, who contributes on behalf of the Company of Rowlett Performers, told us about Equest in nearby Wylie. I knew Equest offered an amazing therapeutic riding program for those with physical, mental and emotional disabilities, but I didn’t know that included therapeutic vaulting – a combination of gymnastics and dance on a moving horse. I also wasn’t aware that candidates come from around the world to train with Equest to become certified, therapeutic riding instructors. More to come on these stories in a future issue!

Speaking of horses, I hope you’ll come out to Bar S Arena in Royse City on Oct.3 as neighborsgo staffers try our hand at team penning. Plano/Murphy editor Angela Chambers, Richardson editor Lisa Zimmerman and I have been invited to ride in celebrity portion of the Cowgirl Roundup. That’s the part of the show where we embarrass ourselves for your amusement, and it becomes painfully obvious that we know much more about community news than we do cattle.

"A Rockwall ISD bus was involved in an accident around 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 21. The bus was transporting 19 members of the Rockwall-Heath High School swim team from the RISD Aquatic Center, located on Townsend Drive, back to their home campus in Heath. On F.M. 549 in the Heath area, the bus veered off the roadway and came to a stop in a shallow retention pond. No other vehicles were involved and the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

"Emergency vehicles and district personnel immediately responded. The students were able to evacuate the bus via rear exits. The driver was removed from the bus with assistance. Initial reports indicated that there were no visible traumatic injuries to students; however, five were transported to area hospitals to check for possible head, neck and back injuries. The driver was transported to Baylor Hospital.

"As the safety and security of students is the primary concern of the district, district personnel have worked closely with local emergency response teams to assess the status of the students involved in the accident. Parents were immediately notified of the incident, and students who were not taken to the hospital or picked up at the scene by a parent were transported back to school.

"The district will continue to closely monitor the students and maintain communication with their parents. An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way.

"As the safety of our students is our utmost concern, the district is grateful for the area neighbors that offered assistance as well as to the City of Heath’s emergency personnel for their quick response time."

“Fresh Picks” features top stories, videos and blogs posted at neighborsgo.com about your neighborhood. Look for them in an upcoming print edition or find quick links to all of them right now – and lots more – on the editor’s blog at neighborsgo.com/blog/lightofdawn.

_________________________________________________________

>>>FEATURED STORY – ONLINE NOW

A playful evening in the park was topped off by slushy snow cone treats, making it a perfect end-of-summer celebration for Nebbie Williams Elementary families at ShoresPark. The school’s PTA sponsored Family Picnic Night on Sept. 8, and Linda Trahan posted a follow-up and another photo at neighborsgo.com/stories/41994.

>> ROCKWALL/HEATH

FaithBridge Church to launch public worship Oct. 11

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42072

Musician born without arms to perform at Our Lady of the Lake

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42023

Join the Daylily Growers program, Sept. 19

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42019

Heritage ChristianAcademy Eagles fly high at high school retreat

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42091

Heath grad stars in ABC’s “10 Things I Hate”

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/41843

>> ROWLETT

Troop 57 leads Garland Jaycee’s Labor Day Parade

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42166

Hunger lingers on for homebound elderly, disabled

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42064

‘Mobile office hours’ with Congressman Sam Johnson, Sept. 24

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42058

Coyle cheerleaders show spirit in Labor Day Parade

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42142

Kimberlin Academy hosts ‘Love and Logic Toolbox’

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42208

>>ROYSECITY

‘Made with Love’ at FUMC-RoyseCity

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/42217

>> NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS

New sports facility to open in Forney

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/41564

Sauza Tex-Mex in Fate re-opens under new ownership, management http://neighborsgo.com/stories/41369

>> HOT BLOGS

What’s UP! Astronomy Day is Oct. 24

http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/41417

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.

 Coyle students will be showing their Cougar pride this Friday by wearing black and orange, as the Rowlett middle school hosts a Back-to-School Bash and Dance from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Sept. 18.

There will be an award for the student who dresses with the “Most Cougar Spirit.” Party-goers will enjoy pizza and drinks, games and prizes while a DJ spins the students’ favorite tunes.

It’s easy to show school spirit after the Coyle Cougars opened football season by pouncing the competition. Both the seventh and eight-grade football teams captured big wins over the Bussey Owlets on Sept. 8 at RowlettHigh School stadium. The seventh-grade athletes claimed a 32-8 victory, while the eighth-graders shut down Bussey, 38-0.

Although the Sept. 15 game vs. the Sam Houston Colts was cancelled to due adverse weather and field conditions, the Cougars are on track for success as they face the Lyles Lumberjacks this Tuesday at RHS stadium. During “Operation Beat the Jacks,” students are encouraged to show support by wearing camouflage. The seventh-grade game kicks off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the eighth-grade match-up at 7.

Home of the Cougars

CoyleMiddle School, located at 4500 Skyline Drive, was the first middle school to be built in Rowlett. The year was 1973, and the school was named after Ed Coyle, one of Rowlett’s founding fathers.

Ed Coyle was known for his strong community spirit and service to others. Coyle students carry on a tradition of academic and athletic excellence with Cougar pride and commitment to their hometown.

Coyle families will be supporting Rowlett’s local heroes as Rowlett police officers and firefighters meet on the diamond at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26 for the fourth annual Shoots and Ladders Softball Classic at CommunityPark.

Coyle Football Schedule

Seventh-grade games kick off at 5:30 p.m.; eighth-grade games at 7.

Sept. 22           Lyles Lumberjacks at RHS Stadium

Sept. 29           Hudson Hawks at Sachse Stadium

Oct. 13            Jackson Vikings at RHS Stadium

Oct. 20            Schrade Falcons at Homer B. Johnson Stadium

Oct. 27            B’Burg Braves at RHS Stadium

Nov. 3             OBanion Bison at Rowlett Stadium

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.

Everyone is invited to the grand opening celebration of the 21^st Annual Pumpkin Patch. The ribbon-cutting ceremony and family festivities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.

Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Rockwall County Library and the Council of Catholic Women of Our Lady of the Lake Church, the Patch will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Oct. 3 to 31. It will be in the same location as last year – at 1019A Ridge Road, in the Ridge Road Shopping Center near Brookshires.

A cornucopia of planning meetings and work sessions has been underway for the past several months, to ensure the success of this annual tradition. 

Patch-goers can shop for traditional favorites like carving pumpkins, pie pumpkins, hay, corn stalks, gourds of all shapes and sizes, Indian corn and ornamental squashes. There will also be deli treats like pumpkin butter, jalapeno jelly, peppered pickles and candied jalapenos.

Special children’s activities are planned for each Saturday, including 11 a.m. storytelling events by children’s librarian, Doreen Miller.

Organizers say there is still a need for volunteer workers – particularly day workers who can handle three- to four-hour shifts and assistance, both young and adult, to unload the pumpkins and supplies. To volunteer at the Patch, call Becky Achenbach at 972-772-3203 or Bonnie Keese at 972-772-3704.  For general information, contact Patch coordinator Carolyn Duckworth at 972-772-0752 or carolyn_smu76@sbcglobal.net. 

Coffee with the Editor

Join me and other neighborsgo staffers for a meet-and-greet event between 10 a.m. and noon this Friday at the Starbucks on Horizon Road in Rockwall (by Genghis Grill). We’ll listen to your feedback and answer questions about neighborsgo.com and the print edition.

Before the sun rose on Aug. 23, 450 tri-athletes ages 10 to 75 converged upon the Rockwall YMCA to top off their summer with a 300-yard swim, 14-mile bike ride and 2.9 mile run.  

Mayor Bill Cecil presented awards to the top finishers in each category of the TriRock, a racing event presented annually by the Rockwall County Kiwanis Club, and produced by IronHead Race Productions.

The fastest time was turned in by Michael Dawdy of Sunnyvale at 55 minutes and 32 seconds. The fastest female was Doreen Redenius of Mansfield, with a time of 1 hour, 9 minutes and 48 seconds.

More than 50 Kiwanians and friends volunteered as staff for the event.

“You couldn’t ask for a better combination of racers, organizers, volunteers, sponsors and August weather,” said Neil Turner, Kiwanis Club publicity chair. “We have received great responses from everyone and it’s always incredible to watch our how strongly our community supports worthy causes.”

The money received from entry fees and sponsorships by local businesses will help the club fund its community service projects, including student scholarships. Their roster of ongoing projects includes the Terrific Kids Citizenship Program at Rochell Elementary, organizing the Rockwall Christmas parade, mentoring High School Key Club, building wheelchair ramps for those who can’t afford them, and operating a fall and spring session of Angel League – the organized baseball program for special needs children and young adults.

Terri Coleman of Heath was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer on April Fool’s Day, 2008.

Despite the frightening news, the 44-year-old recently told neighborsgo, “I faced this death sentence with a positive attitude and spin.”

Terri likes to shake things up, turn things upside down and spin them around for the better, according to friends and family.

The cancer warrior died her hair hot pink for a head shaving party, glued alfalfa sprouts to her scalp to become “Chia Chick,” donned a Conehead for Halloween and joined “Blisters for Sisters” – a Susan G. Komen 3 Day walking team originally formed in honor of a late friend, Susan Sandlin of Rockwall.

Supporting Terri both on walks and in life are Blisters for Sisters team members Debra Amerson, Monika Amick, Beth Bailey, Cindy Brodnax, Tina Caldwell, Vickie Daniels, Sheri Leeuw, Sheri Martin, Roxie Nilson, Mary South, Holley Young and Joyce Zmolik.

Also by her side is her husband Chris and their twin children, Christopher and Shelby Mae. The family shares Terri’s upbeat attitude and special brand of wit.

“Christopher once wrote ‘Kick Me’ on my bald head while I was taking a nap,” Terri smiles.

She added, “I knew I had to face this ugly monster with my strong faith and sense of humor. Laughing always makes me feel better and we’ve had plenty of belly laughs.”

Even the family dog, Manchester, seems eager to put a positive spin on things. The dog once ran through their Shepherds Glen neighborhood with Terri’s wig in his mouth.

“The neighbors got a kick out of it,” Terri said. “I learned not leave my wig out to dry.” 

And when she arrived at the hospital for a double mastectomy, Terri discovered four of her brothers and another family member in the waiting room with their heads shaved.

“I knew then I wasn’t doing this alone,” Terri said. “They kept their heads shaven through the entire journey.” 

Her journey also included chemo, radiation and the removal of lymph nodes when cancer was found there.

With a benefit golf tournament coming Sept. 18 at The Shores, and October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Terri told neighborsgo she thought her story might help others have a different take on their battle.

“Chemo was pretty tough,” she said. “The one thing I wanted women and men to know is you can still go to your daily gym workout and continue with your everyday life. Yes, you are sick and don’t feel good. But that is when you fight.”

Terri is in remission, but faces more surgery before the end of the year. She continues her training and just completed the Kiwanis Tri-Rock triathlon in August.

Golf Tournament

“Blisters for Sisters” will participate in a benefit golf tournament in honor of Terri Coleman, Cindy Brodnax and in memory of Susan Sandlin, on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Shores Country Club, 2600 Champion Dr. in Rockwall. Each Blisters for Sisters team member seeks to raise $2,300 to participate in the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s 3 Day in November.

There will be an after-golf family pool party with live music from the Fab 45s, dancing and an auction. The party is open to everyone; adult admission is $20; children under 12, $10.

To register for the tournament, become a sponsor or make a donation, contact team captain Vickie Daniels at 972-772-4563.

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.