Monica Winters is a lifelong Irving resident and Irving High School graduate who continues to give back to the Irving community. In addition to teaching in Irving for 10 years, she has also served on the board of the Arts District Neighborhood Association, attends Holy Family Catholic Church and is a member of the Irving Art Association. She now teaches art history and International Baccalaureate Visual Arts at Coppell High School. — Cassie Clark

IN HER OWN WORDS: 

Name: Monica Marcellus Winters
Occupation: Teacher and wannabe artist
Hometown:  Irving, of course!
High school/college: Irving High School, Duquesne University, University of Dallas, and currently Texas Women’s University
How long have you lived in Irving? All but eight years of my life (seven years in Pittsburgh after college and one year in Florida).
Family: Lots! The world’s best husband, Rick; fun-loving daughter, Alli;  beautiful step-daughters Scarlet and Holly; six brothers and five sisters scattered around the Dallas area; one great mom who still lives in Irving; nieces, nephews, and I could go on …
Pets: None. No other dog could replace my running partner for years, Smoo.
Hobbies/activities: Traveling, hiking, clay sculpting, painting, calligraphy, cycling, reading, cooking, going to graduate school, to name a few
Favorite movie: I have several, but the one movie that I watch most is the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice
Favorite music: Classical (the original long-hair music), occasionally some alternative rock and classic country thrown in for variety
Favorite TV show: The last favorite TV show I had was The Red Green Show on PBS
Favorite thing about Irving: Diversity of people and the location. I can get on any highway easily and get anywhere in the Dallas area. Campion Trails for biking. The pocket parks around town: They are anecdotes of repose and add whimsy to the cityscape of Irving, giving the impression that the people of Irving care about their town.
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere I haven’t been before. I love to explore new places. That said, I can’t deny the impossible beauty of the Tetons in Wyoming, and I have seen mountains from all over the world. It used to bother me that every available piece of land here has a strip mall on it and fields of bluebonnets and mesquite trees were becoming extinct. Then I drove from one end of Wyoming to the other and saw plenty of open land there; I’ve decided that they can build all they want to in Texas.
Favorite food: Rustic, homemade bread. And chewy cookies. I’d be really skinny if it wasn’t for these two foods. And don’t forget the Devil Rolls from Sushi on McKinney.
Celebrity I’d like to meet: I’d just get tongue-tied and forget what I wanted to ask.
My greatest accomplishment: In art, a little sculpture I made called “Breaking Free.” As a Japan Fulbright Scholar, I spent three weeks exploring schools and culture in Japan, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It opened my eyes to ways of being and culture I had never before considered.
Best part about my job: The students. I love ’em. They are full of such possibilities, even the difficult ones.
Worst part about my job: Grading and documentation — so time-consuming. The fact that I have to make my students make art. I would love to make more art if I had more time.
Something people might be surprised to learn about me: I’m terribly shy and tongue-tied; small-talk and conversation are a struggle for me. I’m addicted to computer Scrabble and Mahjong .
Favorite fellow Irving artist: My niece and godchild, Emmy Blake
Any other information you’d like our readers to know? I’m a really good calligrapher, even though my everyday handwriting is scribbly.

I am an editor with neighborsgo and can be reached at 972-436-5551 ext. 3011 or via e-mail at cclark@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video you'd like to share? Post them directly on neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to me directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

 

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Allen artist Pamela VanLaanen says that though she paints both abstract and realist pieces, she enjoys the challenge of drawing her viewers in with purely the color and composition of the abstracts. VanLaanen, who draws her inspiration from cubist artists, will exhibit her works, which range from $25 to $295, in The Blue House Gallery, 102 S. Allen Drive, starting today with an opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m. The exhibition runs through Nov. 30.

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Lorraine Taylor is a name you may recognize. She is a civic volunteer who is involved with several organizations that aim to enrich Irving’s art scene and preserve its beauty and heritage.
In addition to being the chair of the Irving Arts Board, she’s also the co-founder and president of the Heritage District Neighborhood Association. Her passion for preserving the charm and the centuries-old trees of Irving’s old downtown area led her to a place on the Heritage Crossing Advisory Committee last year, which helped to write the ordinance that will govern redevelopment of the area.
Taylor recently spearheaded an effort to take inventory of every single tree in the public right-of-way in the Heritage District (more than 600) in order to urge the city to develop an urban forestry program and earn a Tree City USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation. (The city is now working toward both of those goals.)
In August, she received the Schulze-Brown Individual Leadership/Lifetime Achievement Award/from the Keep Irving Beautiful organization for her work.
Neighborsgo caught up with Taylor at her home, dubbed “The Mayor’s House” because it was once owned by Irving’s first mayor, Otis Brown, and subsequently by his son Lynn, who also become mayor, and mayor Morris Parrish.
—Cassie Clark


Name: Lorraine Taylor

Hometown: Morgan City, La.

How long have you lived in Irving? I’ve lived in Irving for 11 years, and have lived in The Mayor’s House for eight years.

Activities: I do yoga twice a week, play tennis twice a week, and swim occasionally. For my 50th birthday, I completed a triathlon, and I hope to do another one eventually, though at this time, my knees are not cooperating.

Hobbies: [My husband] Craig and I started a couples’ book club in April 2003, and are still going with the original four couples. I am also interested in textile arts. I have been weaving for about six years.

Kids: I have an 8-year-old daughter, Grace, who is in second grade at Redeemer Montessori School in Irving. I am active at her school and in the parent/teacher group.

Pets: Two dogs: Tank and Spunky. Two cats: Katy and Indy.

Favorite thing about Irving: The people. The people are really nice here.

What upcoming show or exhibit are you most looking forward to at the Irving Arts Center? In 2011, we’re bringing a Genghis Khan exhibit, which will be really exciting.

Latest thoughts on Heritage District redevelopment: It hasn’t happened as quickly as I thought it would, so I guess I still don’t know what to think. But am also still optimistic that it’s still going to be good for the neighborhood.

Favorite vacation spot: We like to travel a lot, and I have knocked two items off my list of must-do trips. Last December, we went to the Aransas Wildlife Refuge near Corpus Christi to see the whooping cranes. They are magnificent birds, and it was my third trip to see them, though the first time that I was successful. In August, we went to Glacier National Park, in Montana, which I have wanted to do for many years, ever since I read that you could sleep with your head in Canada and your feet in the United States there.

Favorite food: I like steaks, fish, and a good home-cooked country meal. And I like chocolate.

Last book you read: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran. A favorite is A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean.

Favorite movie: The Sound of Music. When I’m sick, I always watch it because it’s long and it’s upbeat and it makes me feel better.

This is your last year as chair of the Irving Arts board, so what’s next for you? My goal is to bring good public art to Irving—original, commissioned pieces that the city can be proud of.


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After selling homegrown vegetables from her front porch one summer, Flower Mound resident Jan Balekian started a pumpkin patch for her customers. It offered approximately 200 pumpkins.

Now, the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch, in its 18th year, boasts not only thousands of pumpkins, but also thousands of visitors — Balekian said 120,000 people a year.

“We just never dreamed it would be something that would have caught on this way,” she said.

Balekian said the event is a “community effort,” put on by herself and a staff of about 30 people, with the help and support of her husband, Bob.

Open daily in October, the pumpkin patch is much more than a place to buy the pumpkins that (hopefully) fund the event. It’s a free, family friendly destination with lots of activities, from hayrides to hay-bale mazes.

It’s also a tradition for many; Balekian has lots of regulars, including her five grandchildren.

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Lynn Ojeda is the newest addition to Coppell ISD, joining the district as the principal at CoppellMiddle School North. Ojeda graciously answered neighborsgo’s questions.

 

What path let you to Coppell?

The opportunity to join the CISD family was one I could not refuse. This district has a highly regarded reputation in educational excellence and in forward thinking, and I want to be part of this team’s legacy not only in Texas, but also in our nation. I tried to explain to my children that changing schools is a lot like sitting down with new friends at a table to play a new game. The game I was playing before was fun and exciting, and I love the people with whom I was playing. Yet, the chance to do something new and work with new people is exciting, too. I know that wherever I am, there is a greater plan for me to serve students in education. I felt spiritually led to this campus and know that this is exactly where I am meant to be.

 

Where did you go to school?

After I graduated from Pine Tree ISD in Longview, Texas, I was selected to be an exchange student through Rotary International and lived for a year with a family in Barcelona, Spain, studying at El Sagrado Corazón. I returned from Spain to study Spanish, English and secondary education at StephenF.AustinStateUniversity. As a Spanish teacher, I later attended University of NorthTexas to obtain a master’s degree in education with emphasis in secondary education, English linguistics and second language acquisition. After 13 years in the classroom, I began my journey in school administration, returning to UNT for a second master’s degree in educational administration. I am so fortunate to have attended universities with excellent programs in education.

 

What are you most looking forward to about being at CoppellMiddle School North?

I am most excited about building relationships with the students, staff and families at North. We are already getting to know each other and composing a school climate of spirit, trust and warmth that will accompany us on our path to continued outstanding academic achievement and 21st century global learning. And as a bonus, red happens to be my favorite color!

 

Any anxieties about your new job?

My daughter started high school at a new campus this year and told me before school started that she didn’t know who she was going to hang out with or eat lunch with, and I replied that I didn’t either! Any time you change the circle of people with whom you spend the majority of your day, it takes time to find your place. I also had some concerns about joining a new community and school family, because the people that need to be able to trust me to lead their school didn’t know me well; I don’t have a longstanding reputation as an educator in this community. This is an exciting new beginning for me and for our school, and we’ve gotten off to a great start!

 

Tell me about your family.

My nickname for my husband, Homero, is Mr. Wonderful. Since my third child was born four years ago, we have been fortunate to have my husband as a stay-at-home-dad. It is a role reversal, but it works for us. We made a decision to focus on quality in our home rather than quantity, and with the time and energy demands of school administration, I feel so blessed to know that all on the home front is under control. I have three children: Maya, my heart; Joey, my joy; and Jacob, my peace. My daughter, Maya, is a ninth-grader who enjoys socializing and marching as a trombone player in the band. She would like to be a music teacher one day. As a fifth-grader this year, Joey is the family entertainer and delights in jokes, card tricks and creative storytelling. The caboose is Jacob, now 4, who is thinks he’s a big kid. This week, we found him behind a closed bathroom door armed with kiddie scissors and our dog, Felix, who was sporting a very short haircut on his tail.

 

What do you do in your spare time?

As a family, we love to travel and delight in finding quiet outdoor places near the water. We also enjoy music, writing silly song lyrics and playing together. We all can play a little piano and guitar — just enough to have fun. As soccer fans of a Mexican team, the Tigres, we enjoy watching the games wearing our team jerseys, too!

 

How have you been getting accustomed to Coppell?

Coppell is a beautiful community, and what I appreciate most about being here is its small-town feel. Everyone is very connected and very invested in each other. There is a great deal of pride here, and a desire to make Coppell the best place to live and raise a family. I still don’t know my way around very well yet, but when I saw my favorite hamburger restaurant just blocks from the school, I knew I was home!

 

What’s your favorite place to eat in the area?

Mooyah!

 

What is something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

People are usually surprised to learn that I know how to prepare roti, an Indian flatbread, or that my music collection consists mostly of music from Central and South America and the Caribbean. I have always been very intrigued by other countries and languages. I love to explore and spend time with people to learn more about their culture. I’m always asking how to say things in other languages, listening to music from around the world, and trying new foods. People that learn another language discover that there is a whole world associated with that language … it’s like having a membership card that gains you access to literature, movies, music, arts and more that I find so life-enriching!

 

Any final thoughts?

Our theme this year at North is Engaging Learners through Imagination and Innovation. As Walt Disney stated, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” The teachers assembled on North’s campus are outstanding and are dedicated to providing stimulating learning experiences for our students. This truly will be an unforgettable year at North where together our staff, our students, and our community will advance our school academically, culturally and globally.

 

Know a member of the community who deserves to be spotlighted in neighborsgo? E-mail Coppell/Valley Ranch editor Greg Tepper at gtepper@neighborsgo.com or call him at 972-436-5551, ext. 3006. (more)

Nancy Medina is as vibrant as her paintings.
The multi-talented artist is also the director of a medical journal; keeps people updated on her work and life on her blog; and uses her artistic ability to support the work of DFW Pug Rescue Club Inc, among other pursuits. She and her husband, Carlos, are the parents of three pugs, Howard Pee Pugpants, Anniebelly Bossybritches and Java Cheesybritches, which often accompany her to her studio, Flower Mound Art Studio. (more)

Carly Patterson, 2004 Olympics champion gymnast, has been busy lately.

She was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame on Aug. 14, but gymnastics hasn’t been her focus lately.

Since the 2004 Olympics, she’s been pursuing a music career and on Aug. 25, her debut album, “Back to the Beginning” was released on iTunes.

She also just returned from performing at a Wichita Falls event, Hotter ’N Hell Hundred Race.

So last week, I caught up with the 21-year-old Allen resident, whose musical influences include Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera and Taylor Swift.

Having grown up watching her dad singing in church, she says that music has always been a passion of hers. Retiring from gymnastics in 2006 gave Patterson the perfect chance – and time – to begin her second career.

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Professional title: Marketing Specialist-MISD Community Education

How long have you lived in Mesquite? 38 years, born in Detroit.

What’s the greatest thing about living in Mesquite? As big as Mesquite has grown, it still has that "small-town" feel to it. And it has a thriving, active arts center.

The most memorable thing that’s happened in your neighborhood? The Poteet High School Pirate Marching Band receiving so many honors and awards in the past couple of years, including being the current UIL Class 4A State Marching Band Champion (back-to-back titles for 2005 and 2007), as well as receiving the Sudler Flag of Honor.

What do you enjoy most about your job? I love interacting with people, especially kids in our summer camps. I have really great coworkers, too.

About my family: I have a close-knit including my parents, Bobbi & Rick Mank, my son Mitchell Mank, four sisters, one brother, three brothers-in law, and 15 nieces and nephews.

About my pets: Spot, our elderly kitty, actually is my son’s cat.

About my hobbies: Cooking, reading, crocheting, working with our youth program at St. Michael the Archangel in Garland, volunteering

What I’m passionate about: I am passionate about many things, but especially the concept of lifelong learning. This is the whole idea behind community education programs, including MISD Community Education. Anybody can learn anything at any time in their lives.

A book, movie or song that best describes my life: "Our House" by English pop group Madness. Growing up, our house was always the "kool-aid house" because my mom was a great mom, even to all of our friends who became extended family. Mom always made everything fun.

"I can’t live without …" Music of almost any kind. I almost always have a radio, CD or iTunes on wherever I am.

The person who inspires me most and why: On a personal level, my mother, because she has always supported me in whatever I do. She is my rock and my cheerleader.

 

At age 82, Irving resident H. M. “Smoky” Eggers is still sticking to the lessons and values that he learned as a Boy Scout.
He exercises daily, volunteers in the community, loves to meet new people and knows almost everything there is to know about the outdoors from hiking up a mountainside to blazing trails through Irving. (He got his nickname after leading several backpacking expeditions through the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee.)
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MICHELLE MORRIS: dedicated parent, teacher, leader

As neighborsgo shines the spotlight on teachers who make a difference, we’d miss the mark if we failed to focus our attention on veteran educator Michelle Morris.

Michelle began her career with Rockwall ISD 22 years ago, when Rockwall High was located at the current site of UtleyMiddle School. That’s the same building where Michelle’s son Will now prepares to enter seventh grade; and her oldest son Joe, a recent University of Arkansas graduate, attended class when it was the Rockwall Freshman Center.

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