Allen ISD and Park Place Lexus Plano recently recognized Allen Independent School District Teachers of the Year Laura Nguyen and Misty Gallo.  Nguyen teaches 1^st grade at Vaughan Elementary and was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. Gallo teaches 11^th grade at Allen High School and was recognized as Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Each teacher received a deluxe detail and tank of gas for their vehicle, as well as two tickets to a Texas Rangers game, parking pass and access to all you can eat and drink buffet at the Lexus Lounge, four passes to the Dallas Arboretum, $100 gift card to Shops of Legacy, and Park Place swag bags.  

“We value our teachers who work hard every day to enrich the lives of their students,” said Chris Brunner, General Manager of Park Place Lexus Plano. “It is an honor to celebrate these teachers and we hope they can enjoy their gifts this summer as they take a much needed rest.”

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 eight full-service dealerships representing luxury brands including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Park Place BodyWerks Collision Centers in Fort Worth and Dallas, and the Park Place Auto Auction, round out the company’s offerings. For more information, visit parkplace.com. 

As Hawaiian Falls prepares to open the waterparks for the summer, they will process season passes from 4 pm – 7 pm Monday May 2 thru Thursday May 5, May 9 – 12; and again Wednesday May 18 – Thursday May 19 in Roanoke, Mansfield and Waco. 

“We’re putting the finishing touches on our parks as we get ready to host families for a great summer,” said Hawaiian Falls Managing Director Ryan Forson. “We’ve spent more than $1 million on improvements on our Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco parks. Guests will enjoy more shade, seating, and private cabanas. We’re also introducing new food and beverage options at each park. Of course, we will continue to allow coolers inside the parks for a nominal fee. Factory sealed water bottles are allowed at no charge, and complimentary ice water is always available at our snack stands\.””

The family friendly waterparks are offering complimentary admission into Hawaiian Falls waterparks in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco Saturday, May 7 and Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, for all mothers and grandmothers when accompanied by a child with a Big Kahuna day ticket or a season pass. If Mom or Grandma already has a 2022 season pass, she can invite one guest in free without having to use one of her Buddy Passes. Kids 2 and under are always free. 

The Hawaiian Falls 2022 season pass offers a summer-long staycation for the entire family to embrace the refreshing pools, adventurous waterslides, lazy rivers, play structures for the little ones and special events and activities for everyone in the family. The season pass gets passholders all three parks with over 60 attractions. A season pass pays for itself in just two visits and features exclusive benefits and incredible value. The current season pass offers expire May 8^th. 

Currently, the My Island Pass is only $69.99 and includes two (2) “Bring a Friend Free” tickets (over $70 value); 20% off food & beverages all summer; access to Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco parks; early entry to the parks (30 minutes before opening) and a special walk-up rate of $50 for private cabanas (while supplies last.) 

For added benefits, guests can purchase the Pineapple Pass, which offers ALL the perks of the My Island Pass PLUS an extra two (2) “Bring a Friend Free Twilight” tickets for use after 4 p.m.; and 25% off food & beverages, totaling more than $200 in value.

More information about Hawaiian Falls, including hours, directions, attractions, tickets and season passes, visit  hfalls.com.

Being a parent can be challenging and when it came time for a single Frisco dad with four children to mark one of his kids’ birthdays, he wanted to do something special. But it didn’t turn out the way Bill Hockensmith planned. 

“I will never forget the day my son bought a DQ Cake for his 15-year-old daughter Grace because it was her favorite,” said Grandmother Sharon Hockensmith of McKinney. “When he got home, he put the cake in the refrigerator instead of the freezer. When the big day came, he hauled it out only to realize it was melted flat. We put candles on the rather lop-sided cake and sang "Happy Birthday" anyway. Then we spooned the melted cake into bowls and ate it up. Even melted, it was almost as delicious. Grace especially loved it because she had a good laugh at her dad's expense!”

Mrs. Hockensmith said Grace is a freshman at Frisco Independence and plays on the junior varsity soccer team.

“My husband is a Vietnam veteran, and a retired USAF fighter pilot,” she explained. “His last aircraft was the F-16. I am a retired research manager and former teacher at the University of Texas at San Antonio. We settled in McKinney to be near our four grandchildren: Chase 17, Grace 15, Caitlin 13, and Colton 10, who live in Frisco with their dad.” 

DQ® restaurants in Texas are celebrating their 75^th anniversary of the DQ brand in Texas and invited fans to share their favorite memories and stories. Fans can share their favorite stories and photos by visiting dqtexas.com/anniversary. 

“We love to hear stories like this from our fans,” said Lou Romanus, CEO of the Texas Dairy Queen Operator’s Council. “With nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas, it seems everyone I meet has a wonderful story to share about visiting their local DQ restaurant. For generations, DQ restaurants are the places Texans go for their favorite hot food and cool treats, and they will be the first to say, “That’s what I like about Texas.” 

DQ restaurants in Texas have a unique food menu that includes the Dude® CLASSIC Chick’n Fried Steak Sandwich, the Hungr-Buster®, the BeltBuster®, and the truly awesome Triple-Buster®. Then, there’s the Texas T-Brand Tacos®, the Steak Finger Country Basket®, and Chicken and Dumplings, based on a homemade recipe from a DQ restaurant franchise owner’s mom. 

The full DQ treat lineup is the sweetest reason to visit the restaurant with friends and family. From a sundae to a delicious Dilly® Bar, Dipped Cone or Blizzard® Treat, everyone seems to have their favorite item. 

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.

“Hau?Oli LA MAmA!” is Hawaiian for “Happy Mother’s Day!” Or, as we like to say at Hawaiian Falls Waterparks, “Mothers and Grandmothers get in FREE Mother’s Day weekend!” And what says “I love Mom” more than a day to play together?

The family friendly waterparks are offering all mothers complimentary admission into Hawaiian Falls waterparks in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco Saturday, May 7 and Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, 2022 when accompanied by a child with a Big Kahuna day ticket or a season pass. If Mom has a 2022 season pass, she can invite one guest in free without having to use one of her Buddy Passes. Kids 2 and under are always free.  

Hawaiian Falls will be open weekends starting May 7^th so we’re offering all Mothers (aka Mom, Mama, Ma, Mère, Madre, Makuahine) and Grandmothers (aka Nana, Nonni, Oma, Grandmère, Abuela,  Kuku Wahine or Tutu) a free day pass into Hawaiian Falls waterparks in Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco on Saturday, May 7 and Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 8, 2022.

“We’re honoring all Mothers and Grandmothers with free admission into one of our three waterparks opening weekend to thank them for all the thankless jobs they do for our families,” said Hawaiian Falls Managing Director Ryan Forson. “We want every Mom to enjoy the day with her family at one of our safe and fun pools or spray areas. Or float down the Lazy River to let the stress melt away. Dads are certainly welcome, too. In fact, our goal is to bring the whole family together, and to give Mom a great memory on her special day.”

The Hawaiian Falls 2022 Season Pass offers a summer-long staycation for the entire family to embrace the refreshing pools, adventurous waterslides, lazy rivers, play structures for the little ones and special events and activities for everyone in the family. The Season Pass gets passholders all three parks with over 60 attractions.

Hawaiian Falls will be offering early Season Pass processing at Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco waterparks 4pm – 6 pm Monday April 25^th thru Thursday April 28^th.

Currently, 2022 Season Passes are on sale for a limited time. A Season Pass pays for itself in just two visits and features exclusive benefits and incredible value.

My Island Pass is only $69.99 and includes two (2) “Bring a Friend Free” tickets (over $70 value); 20% off food & beverages all summer; access to Mansfield, Roanoke and Waco parks; early entry to the parks (30 before opening) and a special walk-up rate of $50 for private cabanas (while supplies last.) 

For added benefits, guests can purchase the Pineapple Pass, which offers ALL the perks of the My Island Pass PLUS an extra two (2) “Bring a Friend Free Twilight” tickets for use after 4 p.m.; and 25% off food & beverages, totaling more than $200 in value.

More information, including hours, directions, tickets and season passes, visit hfalls.com.

The 70th Annual Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival, presented by the Ennis Garden Club, will be held in the heart of historic downtown Ennis beginning at 10 a.m. Friday, April 8th and continuing daily through Sunday, April 10th at 6 p.m. The festival will feature food, a beer garden, a wine wander, shopping and live entertainment throughout the weekend. 

Daily admission for the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival is $5 per person with children 12 and under free. There is no fee to enjoy the 40 miles of driving trails throughout the month of April. Activities include a variety of vendors, art and craft exhibitions, children’s activities, food and drinks, bluebonnet souvenirs, and a railroad and cultural heritage museum.

Kick back Friday evening and sing along to songs like “Feeling that Way” and “Don’t Stop Believing” with Infinite Journey, a high energy Journey cover band taking the Main Stage.  The boots will be scootin’ to Rick Trevino’s hits “Honky Tonk Crowd” and “Learning as You Go” Saturday night from the Main Stage. Fireworks will cap off Friday and Saturday night festivities.  A complete lineup of entertainment is online at bluebonnettrail.org/.

Ennis was named the Official Bluebonnet Trail of Texas and the Official Bluebonnet City of Texas by the 1997 State Legislature. Visitors can experience 40 miles of mapped bluebonnet trails during the entire month of April. These trails are the oldest known trails in the state of Texas. Along the route, visitors will enjoy tree-lined country roads, longhorn cows, horses and, of course, bountiful fields resplendent with colorful wildflowers. 

Visitors are encouraged to download the free Ennis Y’all app to get the best route for the specific day of their visit or check online at bluebonnettrail.org. The app also provides recommendations on the best places to shop, dine and stay. A current map and information will also be located at the Ennis Welcome Center, located at 201 NW Main. 

While in Ennis, make plans to visit the Downtown Ennis Bluebonnet Market, located on N. Dallas Street, open every Saturday from 8am to noon April through October.  The market features fresh produce, baked goods, artisan gifts, jewelry, clothing and more.  

The Ennis Welcome Center will be open 7 days a week in April (except Easter Sunday, April 17th) to help guide bluebonnet seekers to get the most out of their visit. 

For daily bluebonnet updates, contact the Ennis Welcome Center at (972) 878-4748 or follow Visit Ennis, Texas on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Bluebonnet fans can also follow Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival on Facebook.    

The staff encourages visitors to call, email, or visit the website for the latest status of the bluebonnets before driving out to the trails. Status updates are available online at bluebonnettrail.org and on the Ennis Bluebonnet Trails Festival Facebook page. 

For everything Ennis, download the free Ennis Y’all app or go to VisitEnnis.org.