Instead, head over to Reverchon Park for the 12th annual Reverchon Roundup.

What will you have to do? Oh, nothing hard. Just help remove trash, clear underbrush, clean up playground equipment, paint, spread mulch, and plant flowers.

Yes, you had planned to do that around your place, but this will be a lot more fun and you won’t be working the entire time.

Here’s a breakdown of the schedule:

• 8:30 to 9 a.m. – Registration and orientation
• 9 to 11:30 a.m. – Reverchon Roundup (that’s when you work)
• 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. – Short program and picnic lunch courtesy of those wonderful folks over at PlainsCapital

And you’ll be in good company with the likes of the Friends of Reverchon Park, City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department – West Region, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children staff and volunteers, Dallas Mavericks representative, Arborilogical Services Inc., PlainsCapital Corporation, Dallas Police Department, Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Starbucks, and ExxonMobil.

The next morning I called our neighbors and asked how much the puppies were. They said “$250, but they would sell her to me for $200.” At that time they might as well have said a thousand, but I decided that my rainy day fund could help me out this one time and paid the full $250. I wasn’t going to treat this pick of the litter with anything but top dollar.

While Chauncey was still not very happy about our new roommate, she adjusted because the puppy hero-worshiped her. I always thought that I trained the puppy, but looking back I realize now that it was Chauncey who taught the puppy how to raise a human.

Eventually after many name tries (Clancy, Mary Posa, etc.), we settled on Faux Marble because her coat looked like fake marble. Over the years, she grew from an adorable puppy to a rather beautiful Aussie (pictured). Yet, she retained her Miss Congeniality title with everyone and every dog that she met.

She excelled in her puppy obedience, so much so that she moved up in the ranks to advanced, super duper obedience. There was talk of her competing in trials, but I decided that she wasn’t meant for that.

Then one day I read a notice in the paper that Baylor University Medical Center‘s animal-assisted therapy program was testing candidates for its program. It sounded interesting and I thought it would be nice for Faux to have people pat her on the head. After all, what more does a therapy dog do, but visit people in the waiting room? So, we signed up for the test.

While the test for the program is different each time, the Baylor test under the direction of Linda Marler is right up there with facing the Supreme Court. As we waited in the outer room for our turn, we watched other canine/human partners leave the testing area looking like they had just weathered the Iditarod. What had I gotten us into?

As we were called into the room filled with veteran teams of the therapy program, I hesitated but Faux pulled the leash and headed into the room as if she knew exactly what to do. During the test, they did all types of things to rattle us. I was a bit shell shocked, but Faux never wavered. It was as if she had been studying for this opportunity all of her life. At the end of the test, Linda announced to the veteran therapy program teams that Faux had passed the test with flying colors. I think they let me in because Faux was so outstanding.

That day led to a journey taking us far beyond the waiting rooms. We would work in various areas of Baylor — the Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation, the psych unit, the transplant floor, and Our Children’s House. Faux would do tricks to entertain both patients and staff. She especially loved the staff who always greeted her with special pats and knew just the right spot to scratch.

But it wasn’t all tricks like shake, sit, and down. No, the dogs were expected to work with the patients and therapists. While at home the canines were just regular pooches, but once inside Baylor they became working staff demonstrating patience and showing no apprehension of the equipment, noises, and smells in the facility. They proudly wore their uniforms of blue bandannas, leashes, and collars. You got the impression that these dogs knew they had a talent and an awareness like the rescue dogs in Haiti or the service dogs that aid the blind. They were simply cut out for this type of work and thrived on it.

What amazed me about Faux and the other dogs in the program was how time and time again they would sense a patient who needed a certain type of attention. They tended to gravitate to the patient who had left a pet at home weeks ago and needed some “unconditional medicine” that wasn’t in medical books. Simply by putting her head on the knee of someone, or letting a child pull a little too long on her ear, she just knew how to handle those moments without a word being said.

I would kiddingly say that she was the volunteer and I was simply her escort.

But it wasn’t all work. There was the infamous annual Pink Pooch Parade at Baylor’s Plano facility in October. Each of the poor therapy dogs was humiliated by being dressed in various pink outfits and then paraded through the hospital as part of breast cancer awareness month. It was at this time that Faux thought I was akin to a stage mother of a baby beauty contestant.

One of the lessons that I learned from the program was the phrase, “crossing the rainbow bridge.” I had never heard of it. But every now and then I would get an email from Linda that one of the dogs in the program had died, or “crossed over the rainbow bridge.” It was a painful email that all the program teams dreaded. Not only for the loss of a marvelously giving animal, but also because we knew that one day it would hit our team.

This morning Baylor lost one of its volunteers. Faux crossed the rainbow bridge.

“Easy” because Bobby is the prototype for which the award was created by the Volunteer Center of North Texas — “to recognize individuals in North Texas area, who have dedicated themselves to the betterment of the community through the donation of their time, talent and resources.” To say Bobby fits the description is to understate his accomplishments. From the Salvation Army to the Boy Scouts of America to SMU, he has not just contributed his time, money, and effort. No, Bobby has taken on each task and relationship with a commitment that would stagger even the most accomplished CEO.

On the other hand, honoring Louisiana-born Bobby was going to be “tough” because he has a tricky way of shying away from accolades. Perhaps that’s why his name is unfamiliar to those who aren’t down in the trenches. As Jack Furst put it, “Bobby allows others to take the credit for what he’s done.”

So, Tuesday when guests gathered at the Anatole for the award presentation/luncheon, the room looked like a joint meeting of the Salvation Army, the Boy Scouts of America, SMU, Communities Foundation, and numerous philanthropic and community leaders like Ruth Altshuler, John Crawford, Nancy Halbreich, Cindy and Chuck Gummer, Lyda Hill, Caren Prothro, Kern Wildenthal, Linda Gibbons, and Bess and Ted Enloe. Why Communities Foundation’s Brent Christopher (pictured) kiddingly even knelt before Bobby. Mayor Tom Leppert and his lovely bride Laura made time for this lunch from meet and greet til the final speech was done.

After a showing of the flags, the national anthem, the invocation provided by Salvation Army’s Major Ward Matthews, VCNT Chairman of the Board John Withers welcomed the group. Then VCNT CEO Julie Thomas introduced a video and luncheon chair Lynn McBee, whom Bobby later described as the Energizer Bunny Rabbit. Following marvelous tributes by luncheon co-chairs Charles Wyly, Jack Furst, and Gerald Turner, Gerald introduced a video describing Bobby’s accomplishments and personal involvement in helping others achieve greatness. Perhaps Dean of the SMU Lyle School of Engineering Dr. Geoffrey Orsak (pictured) put it most succinctly, “Your success means more to him (Bobby) than it does to you.”

Then last year’s recipient Erle Nye (pictured) eloquently presented Bobby with the award saying, “He is a true renaissance man. . . We are all blessed that he chose Dallas as his home.”

That’s when it happened. Bobby turned the tribute around extolling Dallas’ present accomplishments and future possibilities — the AT&T Performing Arts Center, the Trinity Trust, the Bush Library, The Visiting Nurses Association, the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts, the Center for Nonprofit Management, the amazing joint effort being undertaken by the Red Cross, North Texas Food Bank, Salvation Army and Communities Foundation, and on and on.

But he couldn’t continue with praise. Now it was time for a little levity.

He told how impressed he had been with The Bridge, where he had “flipped 845 hamburgers” on Martin Luther King Day. . . “I’ve put that on my resume.”

Getting back to the need for involvement, Bobby told group how he advises young people not to wait til they’re older to get involved. Bobby likened it to a game saying, “You’ve got to get going when you hear the whistle blow (starting the game).”

In gallant and chivalrous style, he applauded the amazing contributions made by the nonprofit community, “You are truly amazing.” To back his words, he dutifully reported that the area nonprofits work with budgets adding up to $12 billion annually, employee 52,000 people, and utilize hundreds of thousands of volunteers. Like a proud chairman of the board, he reeled out more facts and figures about the people and efforts so vital to the community resulting from philanthropic activities.

Like leaving a mint on a  pillow, he ended his acceptance speech humbly and graciously saying, “I am accepting this honor on behalf of Tom Leppert and the thousands of volunteers of Dallas who have heard the whistle blow.”

SIDE NOTE: Dee and Charles (pictured) may be the perfect hosts. Their home is a divine party venue blending elegance and comfort while still managing to be a home. (The mini-glass palace atrium just off the entry is the centerpiece of the partying that can handle any type of weather. Dee admits that their original tent years ago caused them to take a long stick to prevent sagging during downpours.) Their menus are masterpieces that have guests lining up for seconds and thirds. The serving staff seamlessly provides for every need. The pianist’s selection is perfectly suited for this occasion and never upstages the conversations taking place during the reception and dinner.

But what truly is the piece de resistance of the Wylys’ entertaining talents is their own graciousness. As you enter the door, there is Charles immediately greeting you with a smile and handshake. He can recall little moments of past meetings that would challenge the greatest memory banks. There is a true sense of fellowship in his eyes.

Then there is Dee to greet you like an old, dear friend. No guest is secondary in her book. With twinkling eyes, an adorable Dutch-boy haircut, and a homecoming queen smile, she has never met a stranger.

But back to the party.

Black-tied guest wrangler Frank Keenan smoothly herded guests from the reception to the buffet stations at just the appropriate time. There was no clanging of bells or whispers in ears. Just Frank calmly suggesting that guests might like to visit one of the buffets set up in the dining and sitting rooms. In the meantime, Wyly chef Darren “The Royal Chef” McGrady (pictured) was in the spotless kitchen smiling and surrounded by staff. He was having so much fun, it was a pity that he couldn’t have joined the guests. When told that there were a couple of guests who wanted to kidnap him, he smiled with a twinkle in his eye. Why does one suspect he’s heard those rumors before?

But what a feast he had prepared. Allan McBee‘s plate looked like it was a geological layering of beef, vegetables, and breads; Bobby Leach (pictured), when asked how he would like his meat by the server, said, “Rare as rare can be” and he got his wish; and, alas, Carol Seay‘s plate was only lightly filled, but she had a very good excuse — “we have another stop.”

While the torrential rain continued, the guests adjourned to tables in the atrium hardly noticing the rumblings of thunder and water cascading down the sides of the building. At one table were Ruth and Ken Altshuler with Lyda Hunt Hill, Mary McDermott Cooke, Cindy and Chuck Gummer, and Linda Gibbons. At the only reserved table were the Wylys with honoree Bobby, Lottye, co-hosts Jack, Lynn (with husband Allan), and Gerald (with wife Gail).

After dinner was finished, the music stopped and Charles was handed a microphone.

Charles officially welcomed the group to the Wyly home and then turned his attention to the honoree. “I’ve known Bobby Lyle for decades, mostly with the Salvation Army. We both come from Louisiana, and we’re both graduates of Louisiana Tech University. He’s an unsung hero, so honoring him is appropriate and wise.”

He then handed the mic to luncheon chair Lynn, who told the group that when first approached about chairing this year’s Hearts of Texas luncheon, she said no way. Then she learned it was honoring Bobby and she was hooked. “Bobby quietly goes about and does the most amazing things.”

It was then time for Jack (pictured) to give Bobby some gentle ribbing: “I’ve known Bobby since the mid-’80s. He’s a man of wisdom and persistence, and does a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Bobby didn’t go the Nancy Reagan School. He does not know how to say ‘no.’ He’s got me involved with Boy Scouts of America.” (Jack is the team leader of Project Arrow and a member of the BSA’s National Executive Board and an officer of the National Council. And you did know that that Boy Scouts of America, based in Irving, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, didn’t you? It was incorporated on February 8, 1910.)

Jack handed the mic to Gerald, who really should have his own late-night show. The man knows how to entertain. “If everybody who came from Louisiana were like Bobby Lyle and the Wylys, we’d take ‘em all!”

Telling the group that Bobby had recently drafted him on to a committee, Gerald (pictured) admitted, “I’ll stay on this committee as long as people vote for me–and as long as Ruth (Altshuler) tells me to!”

He went on to remind the group of Bobby’s involvement with the Bobby Lyle School of Engineering at SMU, the Cary Maguire Center, and numerous other SMU success stories. “The person who goes in and makes your organization better is Bobby. He’ll turn it inside out, look at it strategically … It was a good day for Dallas when Bobby Lyle decided to move to Dallas.”

Finally it was time for the man of the evening to speak. In typical Bobby fashion, he proved once again why so many follow his lead, “I have no illusion about who I am. I appreciate the opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to you. I remember when Lyda Hill (pictured) was honored … She said, ‘My goodness, I didn’t know it was the end! I thought I was revisiting my own funeral!’ But, it is a milestone, a crescendo event. But tomorrow we get up and go back to work to make this a better city.”

With that last comment, the table of Volunteer Center staffers all nodded in agreement.

Following Bobby’s words the mic was returned to Charles, who invited all to have coffee and desserts, which filled a large round table. At the top of the tray with petit fours (complete with the Volunteer Centers symbol) was a gold frame with honoree Bobby’s picture (pictured). How touching. How surprising when you discovered the frame was made of chocolate and the picture was a cookie.  One guest was heard to say, “I normally don’t do desserts, but I’m definitely not going to miss these.”

As guests departed in their cars from Wyly World to the real world, they took home the memory of a excellent night for Bobby and were looking forward to the luncheon that once again will honor him.

As part of the 35 members of the AmericCorps (pictured), they started work this morning to rehabilitate and weatherize two houses in the Fair Park area. Their work included repairing the existing roofs, installing kitchen cabinets and countertops, and making improvements that will help weatherize the houses.

Who is the razzle-dazzle, hardworking twosome? Follow the jump!

Pat (pictured) and Emmitt (pictured) Smith of the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities!

The attire is “hands dirty and clothes stained,” and they would love it if you would bring new or gently used books and/or toys (sorry, no stuffed animals).

This one is an easy one. Just drop by, help, and feel good.

For the past 28 years, the group has put aside the dusty artifacts and historic treasures to celebrate community leaders in various fields at its “Awards of Excellence” luncheon. Somehow the DHS members manage to pick the cream of the crop each year–some well-known to the world and others unknown to most of us. Why just a couple of years ago photographer Andy Hanson, who died a year ago this week, was recognized for his capturing Dallas on film for decades.

Under the expert direction of honorary chair Erle Nye and event co-chairs Lynn and Allan McBee (pictured), the DHS’s luncheon on November 10th at the Fairmont is headed for a big success. After all with Dr. Gail Thomas (she of the Trinity Trust) supervising the selection of this year’s recipients, how can one lose? Who are the recipients? Hold on to your reading glasses–

• Pedro Aguierre (Business) Category sponsored by American Airlines – Pedro founded his architecture firm in 1960 and developed it into a full-service corporation engaged in architecture, engineering, construction, and project management. In service to the community, Aguierre has served as a Dallas city councilman; been a member of the Board of Directors as Chairman of the Operations Committee when DFW Airport was built; and has also worked with the Hispanic community through banking, housing and education on both the city and national level. 
• Diane and Hal Brierley (Philanthropy) Category sponsored by Mary Anne and Richard Cree -- Diane and Hal have been passionate about the Dallas art scene for more than 20 years. The culmination of their most recent volunteer and philanthropic efforts has been the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to serving on the Center’s Board of Directors, the Communications Grand Opening Planning Committee, the Center’s President’s Advisory Council, and the Wyly Theater Facilities Committee, they have given a total of $5 million toward the Center and they are single-event sponsors for the first 4 years of the Brinker International Forum. 
• Dr. Anne Bromberg (Education) Category sponsored by Irvin Levy and John Eagle – During her 40-year career at the Dallas Museum of Art, Anne has become a legend, first training docents and later as the Director of Docent Programs. Now she is the Cecil and Ida Green Curator of Ancient and Asian Art and was the curator for Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, her latest exhibition. 
• Bess Enloe (Arts Leadership) Category sponsored by Linda and Bill Custard, and The Vin and Caren Prothro Foundation – An energetic leader and supporter of many Dallas arts groups through the years, Bess is currently on the Executive Board of the Meadows School of the Arts and the Dallas Museum of Art Presidents Council. She has been instrumental in the development of the new Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, serving as the chair of The Charles and Dee Wyly Theatre Facilities Committee since 1999.
• Dr. Eugene Frenkel (Health/Science) Category sponsored by Baylor Health Care System – Gene continues to have a legendary career at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.  From 1966-1990 he was Professor of Internal Medicine and Chief, Division of Hematology-Oncology, for the department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern.  Dr. Frenkel has been honored with Chairs in Cancer Research by funds of Patsy R. and Raymond D. Nasher, A. Kenneth Pye, John Bunker Sands, Elaine Sammons, and T. Boone Pickens. 
• Michael Rawlings and Dr. Bruce Buchanan (Humanities) Category sponsored by Stephanie and Hunter Hunt -- Bruce is the Associate Pastor for Community Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church.  When he arrived in Dallas in May of 1987, the Stewpot was already more than just a soup kitchen. Since then Dr. Buchanan has expanded and added programs, including the Community Courts Project in volunteer partnership with the Texas Young Lawyers Association, for which he received the Liberty Bell Award, the most prestigious award given to a non-lawyer. In 2005 Michael was appointed “Homeless Czar” by then-Dallas Mayor Laura Miller.  Community efforts became a reality with Rawlings’ vision and determination. The Bridge, the Dallas Homeless Center, is a national model.  Rawlings currently serves as Chairman of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. He is also on the boards of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the Jesuit College Preparatory School and has been an adjunct professor at SMU. 
• JoAnne and Tony Roosevelt (Volunteer Leadership) Category sponsored by Ruth and Ken Altshuler -- JoAnne and Tony have dedicated their lives as active volunteers. Tony is a Life Trustee of St. Mark’s School of Texas, a member of the Salvation Army Board of Directors and presently is on the advisory board of the Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Area Command. JoAnne is the recent past chair of the Salvation Army DFW Luncheon.  She is a board member of Victims’ Outreach and a founding and still active member of the March of Dimes Mother-Daughter North Texas Society. The Roosevelts have organized an event to honor each year a member of the Dallas Police Force injured in the line of duty. 
• Clarice Tinsley (Creative Arts) Category sponsored by Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers/Mary Kay Inc. – Clarice celebrated her 30-year anniversary at KDFW – FOX 4TV in November 2008. Ms. Tinsley created the popular series, “Hometown Heroes”. She was awarded the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award in 1984 for a story involving the use of the emergency 911 that influenced a change in Dallas 911 procedures. Other awards she has won include an Emmy, a DuPont-Columbia Citation, the Texas Headliner Award, the Dallas Press Club Katie Award, and an Award from the Texas Associated Press.

A special award, the Jubilee History Maker Award, was created in recognition of “Jubilee Dallas”, the celebration of the first 150 years of our city and is given to honor those individuals whose service to the city extends to more than one category. This year’s Jubilee History Maker recipients include:

• Mary Suhm (Jubilee History Maker) Category sponsored by Mary McDermott Cook and Ruth O’Donnell Mutch -- As the City Manager for the last several years, Mary Suhm has been responsible for the day-to-day operations of Dallas.  She has worked diligently to build a strong business environment to create growth and excellence for the Dallas community.  She has sponsored innovative programs such as the 3-1-1 Non Emergency Response.  Besides her day job, Ms. Suhm is an advocate for the advancement of women and hosts mentoring programs for women in mid-level management positions.  She received the award Woman of the Year by the Women’s Council of Dallas County.
• The Visiting Nurse Association (Jubilee History Maker) Category sponsored by The Lyda Hill Foundation – 2009 marks the 75^th anniversary of the Visiting Nurse Association.  Today the VNA is the most recognized name in home health care and hospice in Dallas County with a staff of over 800 including nurses, therapists, social workers, chaplains and home health aides.  In 2008 there were 50,000 home care and hospice visits.  Meals on Wheels volunteers delivered 1,000,000 meals and volunteers dedicated over 150,000 hours of service.

      For more info on joining the historic celebration, check with  Nora Lenhart at 214.421.4500 ext. 106.

In case you’re scratching your head wondering what VHA is, don’t give it a second thought. We’ve got the answer for you. Irving-based VHA is the nationwide network of community-owned health care systems and their physicians. Its family of companies includes Novation and Provista. Now you’ll be able to impress your friends with your new knowledge.

So if you see some unfamiliar folks painting, planting, sorting, and just improving

• Brighter Tomorrows,
• Buckner Children and Family Service,
• CC Young Memorial Home,
• Cornerstone Care Center and Park Manor Retirement Center,
• Goodwill in Dallas,
• Keep Irving Beautiful,
• North Texas Food Bank,
• Red Cross,
• Salvation Army in Irving,
• Texas Trees, or
• The Family Place,

don’t call security. It’s just the VHA folks helping out.

By the way, this very pro-active program wouldn’t be happening if it didn’t have the support of Curt Nonomaque (president/CEO of VHA) and Jody Hatcher (president/CEO of Novation).

Thanks, Curt and Jody, for creating and continuing a program that allows your associates to make a difference for good.

The energy, determination, and belief in BB/BS were positively contagious. If you need someone to blame, let’s all point fingers at Don. Without hesitation he championed the belief that unlike many of the party guests, an important part of our society does not have the family or mentors in place to help them. Time and time again, he extolled the importance of individuals stepping up and making a difference for these young people.

He also admitted that funding was an important part of a successful nonprofit organization like BB/BS, but added, if “you haven’t got money, you can give your time. That’s invaluable.”

Don ‘fessed up that one area where BB/BS is in great need is adult members of the African-American community. “We’re working with fraternities and other organizations to get them involved.”

Then he turned his attention to another area facing nonprofits nowadays. The days of nonprofits using a picture of a needy child or an abused animal are oh-so past tense. Today fundraising is a full-blown business and must rely on the same standards, practices, and accountability as any successful corporation. Don pointed with pride to Charles Pierson (pictured), BB/BS of North Texas CEO, who left the for-profit sector to head up BB/BS here, as the key to BB/BS becoming a leader within the national organization.  By the way, Charles started out as a “Big” volunteer in 1993 and became CEO 10 years later.

And since the BB/BS organization is expertly skilled in doing the right thing, they presented their hosts with gifts of thanks. For Don, it was a bottle of 1988 Dominus Estate, Napa Valley. And for Ana, it was a one-of-a-kind hand-signed glass vase from the Molinari Standard collection.

Okay, so you want names? Other Bigs included white-haired standouts like Norm Green and Herb Weitzman with Donna Arp. . . . Kelly Green (pictured) compared notes with Myrna Schlegel about Little Sister Azalea’s lovely violin performance as a sneak preview of the November 14 ball. . . .Kimberly Schlegel-Whitman and hubby Justin Whitman toured the new addition of the Carty house. . . . BB/BS of America CEO Karen Mathis just happened to drop in to congratulate the Dallas bunch for their work. Karen, who just came on board this month, has been in the friendly skies since taking her position. The Dallas stop for the Carty gathering was a must-attend item on her agenda. She couldn’t even stay ‘til the end of the party. Had to be whisked away in a waiting vehicle to catch her flight at D/FW Airport.

 Can’t wait to see what the Bigs pull off for the ball at the Fairmont. It should be very, very big.

Folks, that just one of the activities that the organizers have in store for the opening year. 

If you have the $$ to buy a ticket, you’re oh-so lucky. But if you want to save some cash and do a very good deed, volunteer to help out. There’s a shout out for volunters. Who knows? Perhaps you’ll be asked to help Bruce offstage?

Interested? Check with Kelly.Mccracken@attpac.org. Hey, Kelly, did you know that you’ve just become the most popular person in town?