Park Place Lexus recognized Allen Independent School District Teachers of the Year, Sonja Brock and John Garrott. Brock was named Elementary Teacher of the Year and Garrott was recognized as Secondary Teacher of the Year. 

The two Allen ISD teachers were offered a Lexus IS or Lexus NX for the summer; two tickets to a Texas Rangers game with parking pass and access to the Lexus Lounge which includes all you can eat buffet and cocktails; four passes to the Dallas Arboretum; a $100 gift card to the Shops of Legacy; and a Park Place insulated bag with Park Place swag.

“We have partnered with Allen ISD for many years,” said Chris Brunner, General Manager of Park Place Lexus Plano. “We are honored to continue the tradition of recognizing those teachers who are exceptional in their profession and go above and beyond to inspire students.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com. 

Does the Biggest DQ Fan Live in Dallas/Fort Worth? 

For more than seven decades, Texans have been enjoying the delicious Treats & Eats® at DQ® restaurants. Memories have been made with family and friends throughout the Lone Star state on the first day of school, after a football game, on a family road trip or celebrating a special milestone. Along the way, Texans became big fans of DQ classics such as Blizzard® Treats, the Hungr-buster®, the Steak Finger Country Basket®, and the Dilly® Bar among others. Now, the hunt is on to find “The Biggest DQ Fan in Texas.”

Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council is scouring the state in search of “The Biggest Fan in Texas” and the winner will receive free Treats & Eats for a year, Josh Abbott Band swag, DQ swag, Dr Pepper® swag and more! 

DQ fans can make their case as to why they are “The Biggest Fan in Texas” by visiting dqtexas.com/biggestdqfan. Whatever their story, the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council wants to find the number one fan in Texas.

“DQ restaurants in Texas have been enjoyed by fans for more than 75 years,” says Lou Romanus, CEO of the Texas Dairy Queen Operator’s Council. “We love to hear all the stories and see the photos of our fans enjoying their favorite Treats & Eats. As we search the Lone State, where will we find The Biggest DQ Fan in Texas? Who is it? And more importantly, what makes this person The Biggest Fan? We are looking forward to hearing from our fans as they tell us why they should be chosen.”

No purchase is necessary to enter or win. The contest is open only to legal residents of Texas, 13 years of age and older. Entries must be received by 8 am CST on August 6, 2023. The Official Rules can be found on the dqtexas.com/biggestdqfan website. The winner of the contest will be announced on August 14, 2023.  

For generations, DQ restaurants are the places Texans go and they will be the first to say, “That’s what I like about Texas.” 

Texans are drawn to DQ restaurants for the unique, Texas-centric menu featuring items that can’t be enjoyed anywhere outside of Texas. There’s the Dude® CLASSIC Chick’n Fried Steak Sandwich and the Hungr-Buster, the BeltBuster® with two quarter-pound patties, and the truly awesome Triple-Buster®. 

Don’t forget the Texas T-Brand Tacos®, the Steak Finger Country Basket with the best cream gravy anywhere and Chicken and Dumplings, based on a homemade recipe from a DQ restaurant franchise owner’s mom. 

But the full DQ lineup of treats has always been the sweetest of reasons to visit the restaurant with friends and family. Fans of all ages have made sweet memories while dipping into a sundae, savoring a Blizzard Treat or biting into a delicious Dilly Bar. 

The memories created at DQ restaurants in Texas over the years are precious and for one lucky fan, it could earn them the top prize and bragging rights. So, who is The Biggest DQ Fan in Texas? 

About Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council 

There are few brands as iconic as the DQ brand. Innovative DQ treats and eats, along with the unique DQ restaurant concepts, have positioned DQ restaurants in Texas as a leader in the quick service restaurant industry. The Texas Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The Council develops the advertising and marketing program for DQ franchisees in Texas and controls the Texas Country Foods menu along with managing supply/distribution for the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. 

For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

All participants, as a condition of participation in this Contest, agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless and indemnify the Contest Parties, American Dairy Queen Corporation, and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively, “Released Parties”) from and against any and all liability, claims, costs (including attorneys’ fees), losses, damages, fines, or actions of any kind whatsoever for injuries, damages, or losses to persons or property which may be sustained, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, in connection with: (i) participation in any aspect of the Contest (including travel to/from any Contest activity), (ii) the receipt, ownership, use or misuse of the prize awarded, including any travel or appearance associated with any prize or prize award, (iii) the Released Parties’ violation of rights of publicity or privacy, claims of defamation or portrayal in a false light or based on any claim of infringement of intellectual property; (iv) participant’s registration material on any related website, or (iv) any typographical, human or other error in the printing, offering, selection, operation or announcement of any Contest activity and/or prize. 

Park Place Jaguar Land Rover recognized Carroll Independent School District Teachers of the Year, Stefan Benedetti and Sharon Mooring. Benedetti, a teacher at Walnut Grove Elementary, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year with Mooring, a teacher at Eubanks Intermediate School, recognized as Secondary Teacher of the Year. 

The two Carroll ISD teachers were offered a Land Rover to drive for the summer, four passes to the Dallas Arboretum, a $100 gift card to Southlake Town Square, and a Park Place insulated bag with Park Place swag.

“As the school year comes to an end, we love recognizing teachers who commit their life to educating the next generation of leaders” said Matt Woolsey, Park Place Jaguar Land Rover General Manager. “It is an honor to partner with Carroll ISD and these talented educators who bring out the best in our kids and community.”

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com. 

Waterparks Open to the Public Mother’s Day Weekend 

Moms are the heart of every household. They know what we need before we even ask. And they rarely ask for anything in return. To honor them, Hawaiian Falls in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco are inviting Moms to enjoy complimentary admission Mother’s Day weekend when the waterparks open to the public.

In addition to free admission, Moms will receive a special Hawaiian-themed gift (while supplies last) Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14.

“We’re inviting mothers of all ages to come enjoy a day at the park to thank them for their selfless roles as cook, chauffeur, activity director, nurse, and countless other tasks they do for their families,” said Hawaiian Falls Marketing Director Ron Mckenzie. “We want Moms to enjoy a carefree day where others can wait on her. Float down the Lazy River and feel the stress melt away or recline in the shade and enjoy a cold drink while Dad races the kids down a slide. We want Mom to take away memories she’ll never forget.”

Hawaiian Falls will officially kick off the summer season with free admission to all active duty and retired military personnel with a valid Military ID Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 – May 29. The parks will be open daily beginning Friday, May 26. 

Other special events planned throughout the summer include:

• Father’s Day weekend – Dads get in free June 17 – 19
• Champions Day – June 20 and July 22 Champions (individuals with special needs) and their families will have exclusive access to the park from 9 am -10 am. Champions tickets are FREE and family companion tickets are only $10 (limit 4).
• World’s Largest Swimming Lesson – June 22
• Independence Day weekend – Active duty and retired military personnel as well as first responders receive free admission.
• Aloha Fest – July 15 in Roanoke, July 22 in Mansfield, and 
  July 29 in Waco.
• Family Fun Fridays throughout July with Ohana Games led by Hawaiian Falls Activity Director.  

Season passholders can visit their home park to process their passes from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. May 8 – 12 at the park’s front gate.

Hawaiian Falls Waterparks are located in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco. More information about special events, operating hours, directions, tickets and season passes, are at hfalls.com.

In the spirit of teamwork, Park Place Dealerships members collected more than 100 baseball bats and gloves to donate to the Texas Rangers MLB Youth Academy. Located in West Dallas, the Academy serves the community year-round by providing baseball and softball instruction, league play, travel, and tournament opportunities, along with providing academic, social and emotional support to under-served kids ages 8 - 18.

“Each year, more than 20,000 young people participate in the Texas Rangers Youth Academy programming,” said Justin Henry, Director of Development for the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. “The gifts Park Place members made touch the lives of the children and help us to engage the community in a meaningful and powerful way.”

Park Place Dealerships invited their team members, families, significant others and friends from across Dallas/Fort Worth to Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, for the annual Park Place Member Celebration Sunday, April 16th.

“It was a treat to see so many of our members laughing and playing together,” said Tony Carimi. Park Place Managing Director. “Gathering away from work for relaxation and fun is an integral part of building and maintaining our culture. Our members truly care about each other, and this was an opportunity to share the day with spouses, friends, significant others and children alongside our work family.”

Outdoor games and giant inflatables were spread across the outfield where guests could laugh, jump and play together. They also had the opportunity to run the bases around the infield. Inside the Lexus Lounge, guests enjoyed casino games and a Park Place trivia game. Texas Rangers staff gave behind-the-scenes tours of the stadium. 

Guests also enjoyed a buffet of traditional baseball food and drinks, including hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream.

Park Place Dealerships was founded in 1987 and has been engaged in the community through its support of the arts, medical research, children’s advocacy, and education. Park Place employs more than 1,400 members and operates nine full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Acura, and Sprinter Vans. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth, Dallas, and Plano and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. Park Place was acquired in 2020 by Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., a Fortune 500 company headquartered in Duluth, GA. For more information, visit parkplace.com.