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Ladybird Lake Lake Austin Lake Travis Lake Marble Falls Lake LBJ Lake Buchanan

Spring 2013

New Look! New Feel! New Selection! NEW LOCATION!


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2901 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757

Finest and largest selections of Contemporary Transitional and traditional


Call for a free consultation: (512) 452-2211 -or- www.rugsbybijan.com

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Why Choose Us

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Waterways Magazine

Spring
2013

604 Peterson Lane; Lakeway, TX 78734


waterwaysmag@gmail.com
www.waterwaysmagazine.com
Editor/Publisher: Cathie Parssinen 512.785.6313
Designer: Sheila Parr waterwaysdesign@gmail.com
Contributors
Editorial: Linda Holland, Jarret Mallon, Izzy Neusch
Photography: Brandi Nellis Photography, David
Stewart, Jen Davis, Joe Bain, Josh
Brewster Photography, Karla Ent
Photography, Michael Hydanus, Shelia
Parodi, Nicole Pearson

ABOUT THE COVER


Graphic artist and Waterways designer Sheila Parr
posed for our creativity cover with her four-month
old daughter Violet at Jacobs Well in Wimberley.

Cover photo by Brandi Nellis.


Wardrobe by Maria & Kyndals Boutique
(Top by Splendid, Page jeans).
Hair by Molly Runkle at Elite Studio.
Makeup by Nisa Nicole.

10
Creative Spirit: Graphic Artist Sheila Parr
12
Masterpiece by Masters Touch

12

18
Hills of Lakeway Grand Opening
22 Greatest Little Tea Party in Texas
26 Skyfall Party
28 Our Schools: Lockdown Lessons Learned
32 Putting on the Ritz: ACS Gala
38 2012 Dancing with the Stars Austin

28

42 2013 Austin Boat Show


44 Dell Childrens Gala
48 Creative Party at Zachs Topfer Theatre
50 Party on the Plaza
51 Benefit for the Helping Hand Crisis Ministry
52 Winter Formal
54 TexARTS Stars Shine Bright

18

44

55 Making A Splash
56 Sing Along!

38

58 Triumphant

32
52

Spring 2013 | Waterways

Cover model Sheila Parr with her daughter Violet

Creative Spirit
About the Cover: Graphic Artist Sheila Parr
story by cathie parssinen | Photos by brandi nellis

Water, sustainer of all life, is the other creative element in our cover
he conceptfor our cover story is an examination of creativscene, photographed at Jacobs Well in Wimberley. Jacobs Well is one of
ity not only as it relates generally to Austin as a dynamic city that
the most significant natural geologic treasures in the Texas Hill Country.
supports the work of the creative people who live here but also the
An artesian spring, thousands of gallons of water per minute surge through
creative power displayed in the pages of Waterways. A University of Texas
Jacobs Well. It is the headwater for Cypress Creek and also recharges the
at Austin graduate, Sheila Parr is an award-winning book designer and art
Edwards Aquifer. The spring ceased flowing for the first time in recorded
director who oversees the creative work of in-house and freelance designhistory in 2000 and again in 2008. Joe Nick Patoski wrote an excellent
ers at Greenleaf Book Group, an independent book publisher and distribuarticle about Jacobs Well in the July 2011 issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife
tor that was established in Austin in 1997 by Clint Greenleaf. In her eight
Magazine. You can read more about threats posed by the current drought
years at Greenleaf, she has worked on hundreds of books and designed or
on the next page.
art directed numerous best-selling covers. Sheila and her team have been
recognized numerous times for their design work in various design publications such as HOW and Print. Since the
Ballet Austin dancers perform The Rite of Spring for Valentines Day.
fall of 2007, she has also been responsible
for the design of Waterways Magazine,
and it is her artistic vision that creates
the vibrant face within these pages,
offering our readers a true visual treat.
Brandi Nellis, another creative power at
Waterways, photographs Sheila with her
latest creative masterpiece, four-month
old Violet McAllister Cann. (Sheila admits
she did have a little help from her husband and co-creator, Angus Cann.)
For a small city, Austin has an ambitious footprint that takes up a lot of
space in the creative world . . . with Ballet
Austin, The Austin Lyric Opera, The
Austin Symphony Orchestra, a reputation
as the live music capital of the world and a
book festival that is legendary nationally.

10 Waterways | Spring 2013

Water, Source of Life


Story by Izzy Neutsch, Central Texas Water Coalition
It is not news to most Texans that we are in a drought. However, drought is not the only factor
that has critically limited our water supply and caused the low lake levels. Central Texas is home
to over 1.5 million people and is steadily growing. Austin was just named the fastest growing city
in the nation for three years running. As the Hill Country experiences extreme growth and longterm dry weather conditions, the management of our water supply has to change.
In November 2012 the LCRA board voted to send water downstream for agricultural irrigation
if combined storage of Lakes Buchanan and Lake Travis was above 775,000 acre-feet by March
1st, 2013. The current combined storage is 834,000 acre-feet, meaning water would have been released to downstream
irrigators to flood rice fields and would have required the City of Austin to cut back its water usage by 20%. After some
political push back from Senator Watson, Senator Fraser, and municipalities, and in view of the continued lack of rainfall/inflows into the lakes, the LCRA Board decided to revise the Emergency Drought Order (EDO) at the January 8th
meeting this year. Their current EDO has raised the combined storage number to 850,000 acre-feet before water can be
released to irrigators. Although the EDO provides a little more safety for the citizens of Central Texas, we need a better
water management plan that adapts to the new normal and does not require Emergency Drought Orders.
A sound water management plan must take into account both lake levels and inflow conditions. The current and proposed water management plan ignores the drought data and uses historic averages that skew the modeling results. There
is also no respect for the legal requirements to guarantee supplies for the millions of central Texans who depend exclusively on the lakes for their drinking water.
There are many conservation practices that both cities and agriculture can utilize to protect the states water supply. Agriculture crops such as rice use two
times the amount of water that municipalities use. However, an LCRA study (2003) has shown that through drip irrigation, water use can be cut in half. We
may have reached the point in the drought where climate appropriate crops should be used and water wasting crops discontinued. Conservation practices and
accountability are needed basin-wide. Cities and urban areas can do their share through water restrictions during drought and promoting incentive programs
for xeriscaping, the use of native grasses rather than St. Augustine, and rain harvesting. A state-wide funded education program is needed to help people
understand ways they waste water and how they can help conserve this natural resource. There are also multiple options for finding new water supplies from
desalination, reuse, and aquifer storage recovery with excellent research and studies available from State universities. Texas needs to become proactive about
our water scarcity. We cannot financially afford to keep wasting this limited resource.

Call me for more details on this special waterfront property.

Masterpiece by Masters Touch Custom Homes


story by cathie parssinen | photos by David Stewart

asters Touchcompleted this stunning custom, just off Hamilton Pool Road, in August. The project included the main house, with
7,900 sq. ft. of heated and cooled space; a 400 sq. ft. casita; a luxurious, stand-apart garage and basketball court, as well as a pool and multiple outdoor living areas. The exterior of the home, with its square roofs and parapet walls, recreates the look of an old Italian farmhouse or
villa. The 12,000 sq. ft. of exterior wall is 100% solid stone. The choice of a beautiful rubble rock, shot through with quartzite, lends a rich, dramatic quality
to the stonework that is entirely dry-stacked, creating a seamless face of stone, unbroken by defacing veins of grout. The dry-stack process contributes
an altogether unique characteristic to the stonework that is
reminiscent of old world construction techniques.
The homeowners brought a number of architecturally
unique pieces to the project, including bricks that had been
salvaged from a kiln in Colorado. Built in the 1790s, in a
period that predates the Civil War, each brick was handstamped with the name of the slave that made it.
The breathtaking windows, featured in the photo
above, adorned an 18th century French church. Originally
constructed with leaded glass, Masters Touch completely
restored the windowsrebuilding the jams, replacing
the glass and refinishing the frames. These very unusual
windows, with their gothic arches, contribute to the showstopping impact experienced upon entering the enormous
gathering space. Two custom fireplaces, each 30 tall and
10 wide and carved from Carrera marble, stand as majestic
sentries at opposing corners of the room beneath a threelayer, tongue-in-groove timber ceiling.

12 Waterways | Spring 2013

Sandy Cary
BUYING or SELLING
Consistent Top Producer and Real Estate Expert
I take great pride in working diligently on your behalf.
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Lakeway, Texas

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Pool Remodels | Concrete Decks | Pebble Finishes | Quartz Finishes | Stone Work | Waterfalls
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Some pools were designed by Design Ecology &


The Swimming Man, Greg Smith.

Native Texan Michael Gotcher founded Masters Touch Custom Homes in


2005, along with partner and son-in-law
Matthew Bailey. Together they combine
unique strengths and a record of experience that spans 57 years in the homebuilding industry. They focus exclusively
on building custom homes of the highest
quality ranging in price from one to four
million.
As a design-build company, they handle
every aspect of the design and construction
process. They can assist with the selection
of the right building site and work handin-hand with the architect retained for the
project to insure the design accommodates
expressed needs and preferences of the client. According to Matt Bailey, The highest
level of involvement by Masters Touch in
every design decision that is made ensures
that our homes are exemplary in their
design. We collaborate with our clients to make sure the best design decisions
are made, from the layout of the cabinets, to natural stone designs and the
selections of lighting, to achieve the style of home they desire. We work tirelessly with our subcontractors until the client is fully satisfied, and we feel we
have achieved the absolute best design solution for every space in the home.
Our customers rely on our experience and uncompromising attention to every
detail in the home, which inevitably supersedes our clients expectations.
Our company is acutely conscious of environmental concerns, and this
drives some of the extra steps we take to minimize our impact on the environment. The sheer volume of trash and construction waste produced on many
construction sites can be detrimental to the environment. We take pride in
the fact that we recycle a majority of our construction remnants that can be
converted to bark, used for erosion control or used for composting. The same
is true for our rock and stone remnants which can be recycled and used for
road base. We save an average of four tons of trash per job site. Energy conservation is another theme that drives our product selections. We use lb.
spray foam insulation on all exterior walls, as well as the attic, making the attic
conditioned. We use compact, florescent, LED lights throughout the house to
minimize energy consumption. Our window panes have glass with a air

14 Waterways | Spring 2013

space, and the glass has three coats of low


emittance coating that effectively blocks
97% of the suns UV rays. Consulting
closely with our vendors allows us to be
aware of the highest quality products on
the market which consequently leads to a
higher efficiency home.
Matthew Bailey is naturally curious
about the evolution of design trends and
also about product built by others in his
field. There is a certain level of fatigue
about the continued dominance of old
world, a restlessness to see something
new and fresh, particularly among some
Realtors and trade contractors. But the
leading custom builders, who build more
than a dozen customs a year, share that
nearly all of their clients want some version of old world. Every client we have, and
were working with over a dozen right now,
all want a variation of old world, notes
Matt. Luis Juardequi, a leading architect
builder, is among those in the industry that
Matt respects and admires. He is a great
design enthusiast and sits at the pinnacle
of design trends and is an amazing builder.
He also says that every one of his clients
typically wants some version of old world
architecture. So, although it is transitioning, the accomplished custom builder
focuses on creating a home with the same
kind of truly authentic old world elements
that were used in Europe 200 years ago.

16 Waterways | Spring 2013

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Libby Lambdin, Katie Berglund, Cameron Byber

Jenny and Pierce Cokins

Hills of Lakeway
Grand Opening

Ive a feeling were not in Kansas anymore! Alexis Magee

story and Photos by cathie parssinen

t was as ifmembers had stumbled into the Emerald Kingdom in the Land of
Oz. Celebrating the multi-million dollar transformation of the Hills Clubhouse, the
crowd definitely got the feeling they were not in Kansas anymore! The reconfiguration of space was dramatic and includes a new sports bar, a spacious new outdoor terrace
with fire tables overlooking the golf course, a new media lounge and mixed grille with
cabana seating and a new space for private dining. It was what members had been waiting
for, and their satisfaction was apparent in the smiles on their faces.
Who can forget the classic novels of Anthony Trollope, including his six brilliant
Steve Price, Bill Majkut, Dan McKenna
Palliser novels of the mid-19th century, that present in such intimate detail the powLinda Grimsley, Tere McKenna, Marlene Massa, Sandy Price
erful setting and influence exerted by the gentlemans club? Evelyn Waugh gave the
Lindsey and Elise McCrea

Dan Holland, Javier Escobar, Ronnie and Kathie Platt, Lynn Holland

18 Waterways | Spring 2013

Rick Wilsey, Mike Hydanus

Sue Ellen and Guy Knolle

Natalia and Susie Moceri

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same fascinating portrait of the prominence of the


private gentlemans club in Brideshead Revisited. The
club culture has been transformed in modern times
to include women and all the modern amenities of
contemporary life, especially sport and fitness. What
endures is a special sense of exclusivity and the privilege of unique amenities that bind a privileged community together.

Cherie and Bert Brown


Dana Slaughter with twins Joseph and William and proud Mimi Bonnie Boone

Andy and Hayden Draughn

Julie and Bill Strong, Joy and Bob Pashby


Joan Reeves, Cameron and Gary Magee

Gene Savoie, Eric Blackburn

GM of The Hills of Lakeway,


Jeff Muller, Sherrie Muller

Keith Burnett, Andrew Raynor


Joe Trombley, Phil Southerland, John and Margaret Herman

Vivian and John Craft, Bob and Niece Laws

Lorraine and Wally Tallent

Dan and Diana Hall, City of Lakeway Mayor David DeOme, Linda DeOme

Glen and Kelly Brynteson

George and Brooke Cato

20 Waterways | Spring 2013

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Previews International Home Specialist
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. . . We put birdies in your back yard.

info@swgaustin.com
512.433.9658

www.southwestgreens.com

Standing: Famous Women of Texas! Jackie Lloyd, Linda Kephart, Mary Ann Funk, Paula Tye,
Donna Kumar, Barbara Bembrey, Sharon Gilmore. Seated: Cherie Harris, Nancy Clayton,
Leanne Dupay

Paulina Travera, Karen Schaefer

Dee Ann Burns Farrell, Brooke Toeller,


Dottie Stevenson

Greatest Little
Tea Party in Texas!
story and photos by cathie parssinen

Best of Show!

he LakewayAssociates of the Seton Development Board held their annual tea party
benefitting Seton Shoal Creek Psychiatric Hospital at the Hills of Lakeway Clubhouse.
Various clubs and groups of friends entered the friendly competition with the presentation of themed tablescapes. An audience vote determined the following winners:
Best of Show: Famous Women from Texas (Donna Kumar)
1st Runner Up: Out of Africa (Jean Edwards of the Lakeway Garden Club)
2nd Runner Up: Peppermint Sparkle (Philomena Rowlands)
3rd Runner Up: Mad Hatters Tea Party (Jenny Buschhorn and the Mamas of Wonderland)
Sister Gertrude Levy, Director of Patient and Guest Relations, Seton,
shared the following quotation during the course of her remarks and blessing:
I slept and dreamt that life was joy.
I woke and saw that life was service.
I acted and, behold, service was life.
This is a sentiment that informs the actions of so many in our community, including all those on the Board and the Co-chairs of the event (Barbara
Beebe, Sue Cornett and Cindy Kotrady) who worked tirelessly to make it all
Kim Nearburg; President,
come together. Take a bow!
Lakeway Associates of
Seton Development

Out of Africa: 1st Runner Up!


(Lakeway Garden Club)

22 Waterways | Spring 2013

Sister Gertrude Levy

Out of Africa: Back: Maureen Mulrooney, Diana Hall, Jan


Shulman, Carlisle Pearson, Susan Mullens. Front: Jean
Ford, Jean Edwards, Carol Hudson, Jill Ukeiley

Peppermint Sparkle: 2nd Runner Up!

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Previews International Property Specialists, serving Lake Travis area

Mel Reese, Karen Atwell, Emily Champ

Carol Dann, Jan Rouse

The Lakeway Associates of Seton Development Board with Alan Issacson, VP


& Chief Operating Officer of Seton Shoal Creek Hospital. Standing: Beth Maher,
Carol Sawin, Cindy Kotrady, Barbara Beebe, Sally Barto, Sue Cornett.
Seated: Jean Hennagin, Kim Nearburg, Pat Evans

Polar Bears and Ice by the Babes of Lake Travis


Mad Hatters Tea Party

Mad Hatters Tea Party, Mamas


of Wonderland: Traci Miller,
Jenny Buschhorn, Geri Byler,
Wendi Baldin, Christine Bech

Carol Mitchell, Suzie Leggio


Maureen Gunderson,
Donna Overly

Leona Renfroe, Beverly Gould


Ella Alexander, Lara Bell

Linda DeOme,
Shelley Smith
Co-chairs Sue Cornett, Barbara Beebe, Cindy Kotrady

Gretchen Nearburg, Sharon January, Margaret Kilgo, Diane Jackson

24 Waterways | Spring 2013

Kay Beasley, Katie Levy, Sherrie Bettis, Kirsten Nelson, Dianne Haeg

Alice Fontaine (Birds of a Feather)

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Bill Szelag, Sonny and Karen Morgan of


John Eagle European, Mike and Betty Ann Courtney

The 2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

Sunshine Ford-Diedmonte, Chris Diedmonte


Jan Saunps, Brian Greenstone

Robert Meyors, Sue McCann

John Eagle European


Hosts SKYFALL Party
story by cathie parssinen | Photos by Shelia Parodi

Holly and Tommy Head

he Aston Martinhas been a Bond staple since the Sean Connery era, and the latest release of
Skyfall created a renewed surge of proprietary pride in Aston Martin owners across the planet. For the 15
years he has been an Aston Martin dealer, Sonny Morgan of Austins John Eagle European has been able
to secure the new Bond movies just prior to their public release in order to throw private screening parties for his
Aston Martin owner base. Sonny partnered with GM Mark McLaughlin of Galaxy Theatres on FM 620 to host 300
Aston Martin owners for the screening of Skyfall on Nov. 7th. To applaud the event, 300 Aston Martin simultaneously fired up their engines in a celebratory roar of approval in the parking lot before the movie!

Karen Morgan, Danielle Awtrey, Sonny Morgan, Ann Jacobson

Travis and Sherri West

Mike Reese, Ira Yates, Scott Black

Brian Barth Epitacio Resendez V, John Haggard III

Gary and Bonnie Johnson

Tom and Gaye Fedesna

26 Waterways | Spring 2013

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District officials Dr. Brad Lancaster, Superintendent; Sean Casey, Asst.


Superintendent for Technology; Susan Bohn, Asst. Superintendent and
General Counsel; Marco Alvarado, Director of Communications; Jim Ratcliff,
Officials with the Travis County Sheriffs Office Senior Director for Facilities and Construction; and Dr. Chris Allen, Deputy
sweep through Lake Travis High School during an Superintendent; deploy a coordinated response to a simulated active shooter
active shooter training exercise in Aug. 2012. emergency at Lake Travis High School in Aug. 2012.

Our Schools

Lockdown Lessons Learned


story by cathie parssinen | Photos by Michele Wu, LTISD Communications

e live in avery different world as it pertains to


school safety, said Marco Alvarado, Lake Travis ISD
Director of Communications, referring to the districts
second multi-campus lockdown in 13 months. Unfortunately, our district
crisis response team is getting better and better at this.
According to Lake Travis ISD officials, on January 16, a parent
reported to have seen a man with a weapon in the vicinity of the Districts
Educational Development Center (EDC) located at the corner of Ranch
Road 620 North and Kollmeyer Dr., adjacent to Lake Travis Elementary
School (LTE). Immediately, LTE and the EDC were placed on lockdown.
Upon completing a one and a half-hour sweep of the facilities, law enforcement officials determined there was no immediate threat to students and
staff and the lockdowns were lifted.
On December 9, 2011, a school custodian claimed to have seen a man
carrying a gun inside Lake Travis Middle School, prompting the lockdown
of that campus as well as neighboring Lake Travis High School and the
Districts main administration building.
Fortunately, neither incident resulted in any harm to students or staff.
And while the claims were unsubstantiated in both cases, Alvarado says the
district has learned many lessons in crisis management.
Aside from doing everything possible to keep students and staff out
of harms way, our next priority is keeping our parents informed of whats
happening during the crisis, said Alvarado. One of the biggest differences
between the two lockdowns was the speed and accuracy of information

A first responder with the Travis County Sheriffs


Office combs through Lake Travis High School during
an active shooter training exercise in Aug. 2012.

28 Waterways | Spring 2013

being sent to parents. Back in December, our first message to parents was
sent approximately 50 minutes after the 911 call was placed. During last
months lockdown, that time was cut in half to roughly 25 minutes. And
while its important for parents to know that district officials must obtain
accurate and verifiable information before we can put out our first message,
we know we can be even faster with our messaging the next time around.
Well cut those 25 minutes down to about 10 or so.
Alvarado credits the efficiency of the districts crisis communication
plan to the recent implementation of SchoolMessenger, a new service that
provides the quick dissemination of information via voice messages, email,
social media, and SMS text messaging.
Managing the speed and accuracy of the information flow is critical
during an emergency, continued Alvarado. During the LTE and EDC lockdowns, the SchoolMessenger system delivered more than 14,000 phone
calls, 13,000 emails, and 15,000 text messages during a seven-minute time
frame. Thats pretty fast. We didnt have SchoolMessenger during the LTMS
and LTHS lockdowns. Needless to say, weve made a vast improvement in
our crisis communication. Our parents expect nothing less, and rightly so.
We are very appreciative of our parents and their response during these
lockdowns, allowing us and our first responders to do our jobs. The safety of
our students is truly a school-community effort.
Aside from improved communication, Alvarado credits teachers and
students across the district for the effective implementation of their respective crisis response plans.
We know these were frightening events for our students and
staff, admitted Alvarado. Our teachers were charged with keeping
our students secure and calm, and they did a great job of providing
structure and reassurance.
According to Alvarado, the recent lockdowns have also afforded
district and law enforcement officials the opportunity to closely examine their processes and procedures.
At the campus level, we are identifying areas of concern such as
entrances, exits, pick up and drop off locations, securing doors and
assuring that all visitors go through our Raptor system. (Editors
note: Raptor software scans visitors identifications to screen out sex
offenders.) We will also be increasing the frequency of both table
top and field exercises at the district and campus level in conjunction with our law enforcement officials. We hope we never have to
go through this again, but if there is a next time, our parents can rest
assured that we will be that much more prepared.

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Sherri West, Teri Potts

Maddy Mendicino, Courtney Groos

Paul and Debora Ferrand

Zack and Ashley Jackson

Christy Irwin, Kaitlin Riley

ACS Julie Burch, Austin Police Chief and


Emcee Art Acevado and Tanya Acevado

Co-chair Shannon Schmitz, ACS CEO Kelly White,


Co-chair Andrea Valko with 1931 vintage car,
courtesy of the Munday Automotive Collection
Charlie Chaplin mingles
with guests Yvette and
Jonathan Boatwright

Putting On the Ritz


story and Photos by cathie parssinen

ver thepast decade, the presentation of the charity gala in Austin by various nonprofit
organizations has become both more creative and increasingly lavish, offering generous
supporting patrons not simply a party but an extravaganza. The 570 guests attending
the Austin Childrens Shelter gala, Putting on the Ritz, at the Hilton Austin Hotel were treated to
a themed party that immersed them in the prohibition era of The Great Gatsby and the Americana
of the 1920s and 30s. Ah! And what is dearer to the heart of every sensitive American woman than
the excuse... no... the obligation!... to
Kelly and Ronda Gray
Melissa Goertz, Kristen Girard, Bridget Ramey
dress up in costume for a cause! Haha! The
women were beautiful, their gowns were creative, and they and their men, also inspired,
rose to the occasion by pledging a net sum
of $450,000 to support the programs and
services of the Austin Childrens Shelter, for
which the Shelter is deeply grateful!
Bill McClellan, ASC CEO Kelly White
Ryan and Keri Berg

Sponsors Bill and Pat Munday

Tara Rumaner, Annette Renaud, Mindy Bakker, Deborah Corbin

32 Waterways | Spring 2013

Mandy Lauderdale sings songs of the era

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1931 vintage car, courtesy of the


Munday Automotive Collection

Eric and Debbie Wildmann

Andrew and Marissa Hopper, Josh and Katie McKay, David and Mandy Andrews,
Liz and Sean Busch, Cygi and Gregory Grammer
April and Matt Womack
Sara and Dick Rathgeber

Jack Hirschfield, Jason Citrin, Dan Kraus,


Cory Newhouse, Adam Kruger
Debbie and Tom Stevenson

Will Hardeman, Anna Anami

Scott and Pat Stark

Liza Calymayor,
Dan Hamre

John Patterson, Andrea Valko

Kent and Melissa Ferguson

Jasper Bullock, Ali Gray

34 Waterways | Spring 2013

As ACS CEO, Kelly White notes: Texas has the unfortunate distinction of
having the most murders of children as a result of abuse or neglect in the nation.
The numbers are staggering. Last year, 226 Texas children were
murdered; more than 64,366 children were confirmed victims
of child abuse in Texas; and 16,972 children were removed from
their homes as a result of abuse. What will it take, what amount of
money, coordination, messaging, to stop it, once and for all? One
potential bright spot happened in January, when the Protect Our
Kids Act was signed into law. This law, sponsored by Rep. Lloyd
Doggett and Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), will establish a two-year
national commission to study data and develop recommendations
for how to reduce the epidemic of child fatalities. The commission
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current prevention methods and the adequacy of existing programs and
data collection methods. They will then make recommendations on next
steps to implement a national strategy for reducing child maltreatment
deaths. Hard work lies ahead. Creation of the new national commission
wont ensure that services to kids wont be cut in the budget battles to
come. But for the first time in decades, a Congressionally-sponsored
panel will be collecting information and making recommendations on
child abuse issues.
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36 Waterways | Spring 2013

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Co-Chair Mary Herr Tally, Director and Emcee Sabrina


Barker-Truscott, Co-Chair Maria Groten

Susan and William Rodriquez

Michael Torres, Center for Child Protection CEO Sandra Martin,


Co-Chair Mary Herr Tally, Board of Directors President Karen Shultz

Dancing with the Stars


Austin 2012
story by cathie parssinen
photos by Shelia Parodi

Rose Marie Hagman, Patti Obenhaus


Austin City Manager Marc Cott,
Ben Bentzin

ancingwith the Stars Austin pulled out all the stops in the annual benefit for The Center
for Child Protection, a nationally accredited childrens advocacy center. The organization is
the first stop for children in Travis County who are suspected victims of sexual abuse, physical
abuse and neglect, and for children who have witnessed a violent crime. The Center is a child-friendly,
specially-equipped facility where children go for recorded forensic interviews, medical exams, counseling and intervention during the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases. It is the only nonprofit in Travis County involved in the investigation of crimes against children. All services are provided
to children and their protective caregivers at no charge and most are available in English and Spanish.
We are grateful to our co-chairs Maria Groten and Mary Tally for making tonight successful, said Karen Shultz, board President for the Center
for Child Protection. They, along with our dance director Sabrina BarkerTruscott, the devoted professional and celebrity dancers, Lexus of Austin and
this generous community, have made this a wonderful event that supports
the Centers efforts to end the cycle of abuse of children in Travis County.
Dancing with the Stars Austin has helped make our community aware
of the silent cries of the children served by the Center for Child Protection.
Funds and awareness raised through Dancing with the Stars Austin make it
possible for child victims to begin the journey of healing. Were grateful for
the wide community support of this event, said Michael Torres, Executive
Director of the Center for Child Protection.

Aaron Wolber, Deanna Brooks, Cassie Lamere, Jackie Harris, Jordan Martin, Jonathan Newton

Celebrity and professional dancers with


Maria Groten, Sabrina Barker-Truscott
and Mary Herr Tally

Teresa Finney, Sherrie English

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Pro partner JesAnn Nail with David Garza, Personal Trainer for Camp
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Pro dancers Sarah Berens,


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Alex Winkelman,
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Pro Angel Figueroa

Andrew Fish, Andra Liemandt, Drummer for The Cover Girls; Gary McIntyre
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Pro Amanda Warren with Tanuj Nakra, Cosmetic


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Wendy Harvey, Development Specialist


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Ginny Jones, mother, philanthropist and


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Emcee Sabrina Barker-Truscott

Carol Adams, President of Animal Trustees of Austin; Matt Stewart

40 Waterways | Spring 2013

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2013 Austin
Boat Show

Ellie Roberts

story and photos by cathie parssinen

shleyKidd, pictured below, is a three-time national wake surf champion. Originally from
Corpus Christi, she is moving to Austin specifically to train on Lake Austin which, in her opinion, is the ideal lake for wake surfing. She is sponsored by Tige Boats. Boats are still selling,
but the emotional and financial impact of the continued drought and the sight of Lake Travis in its current condition hurts both boaters and non-boaters alike.

Doug Powell of Emerald Point Marina,


Jerry Mudd of Ericsen Marine

Boat Town owners, Karen and Clayton Raven


Joe Bendetti, Jeff Misch, Chris Zoller, Paul Zelbecq

Roger Duffee (l), Travis Holland of Lake LBJ Dock Service

Roger Duffee and Buzz Watkins from Sail & Ski

Brady Hunter Jones, Taylor Hicks, Cade Jones, Teresa Jones, Tori Hicks

Ashley Kidd

Carter, Jason, Addi and Will Ripple

42 Waterways | Spring 2013

Evan and Kali C.

Laine Trotter, Daisy McDowell,


Mary Elizabeth Potts

Maureen Wood with the Dell Childrens Medical Center Foundation


introduces Co-chairs Mary Miles and Owen Temple

Ronda Gray, Bobbi Topfer

2013 Dell
Childrens Gala
story and Photos by cathie parssinen

C
Jennifer, Cole, Skylar and Blake Salle

o-chairsMary Miles and Owen Temple led the planning and production efforts for this
years Dell Childrens Gala, the annual fundraising event that supports the Dell Childrens
Medical Center of Central Texas. This state-of-the-art facility is the only pediatric trauma
resource in a 46-county area and one of only 17 Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Centers in the United States.
Last year alone, Dell Childrens saw 72,000 patients, admitted 8,000 children to the hospital and
performed 10,000 surgeries. The concept for his
Wilson McCann, Charles Teeple
years gala was You in honor of the individuals
and communities that together, through giving,
make the specialized, expert care provided by this
special place of healing possible.
Each year at the Gala, one family is asked to
share their story with guests. This year, parents
Blake and Jennifer Salle took the stage along with
their children, Skylar and Cole. This years gala
was held one year to the day that the medical team
at Dell was able to end the 11-day, induced coma
that allowed them to fight for Skylars life. Her

Ford and Lindsay Smith, Susan and Michael Dell


Jeannette and John Williams, Gabe and April Perlaza

Michelle, Matthew and Dean Buschick

44 Waterways | Spring 2013

Ryan Buchanan, Christin Coughlin

The Ruins
of Us

Debut novel of Lake Travis High


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of wealth, privilege, and intrigue is unforgettable. Powerful storytelling that is
refreshing and entertaining. Anthony Swofford, author of Jarhead
While she portrays the physical and social landscapes with the precision of
an impassioned expat, Parssinen also limnswith a wisdom that belies her
agethe culture-transcending contours of the human heart.
National Geographic Traveler
An intelligent, complex story of interfaith marriage. . . . that balances nailbiting tension with lyrical intent. The Guardian
Absorbing. . . . A testament to Parssinens literary talent, this woven narrative
moves seamlessly, chapter by chapter, as the suspenseful story escalates.
The Boston Globe
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Patrick and Kathy Terry, Corey and Cannon Breed, Crary and Hal Jagger, Kristi and David Moriarty

story was mentioned in Waterways Winter 2012 issue in


the feature on the Cheyanna Foundation. This perfectly
healthy 7 year old became a victim to a rare form of strep
A infection that settled in her hip, resulting in septic
shock and necrotizing fasciitis, commonly known as flesheating disease. Blake Salle walked the audience through a
chilling narrative of their daughters confrontation with
this nightmarish illness and a heartfelt,
Hub and Kathryn Scarborough Bechtol
glowing testimonial to the incredible care
they received from Dell Childrens. He
and his wife Jennifer toasted gala guests
for their donations that helped to save
Skylars life and those of other children
in Central Texas.
Carley McCaw, Marcella Maxwell

Lindsey Majors, Carly Edgar


Jamie Bagnan, Christine Messina,
Dells Armando Zambrano, Liliana Patino

Ellen and Steve Miura, June Chandler

Jen and Erich Dahlke

Marlon Davis, Victoria Tucker


Kelly and Ronda Gray

Warren and Suzanne Chirhart

46 Waterways | Spring 2013

Maureen Wood; Judy Waxman, with the


Dell Childrens Medical Center Foundation

Mary Ann and Andrew Heller

Creative Party at Zachs


New Topfer Theatre
Mary Briggle, Bertina Schreiber, Eunice Martin, Terrie Kunik, Ann Kimbriel

story and Photos by cathie parssinen

Kathy and Randy Taylor

Christy and Chad Mahagan

remember receiving an invitation to attend my first Moreland party


in the late summer of 2006. A small bottle filled with sand, seashells and
a rolled piece of parchment arrived in my mailbox. The note in the bottle
read, Should this message reach you . . . It was an invitation to attend a client
appreciation party on the Flagship Texas. At the time, I remember thinking, How
creative! Since then, Moreland Properties has hosted dozens of parties for agents,
staff, clients and friends at novel locations in Austin. In December, Moreland
Properties welcomed guests to the 2012 holiday party at Zachs new Topfer Theatre
that opened in October. One of the great outcomes of hosting parties at these interesting locations has been to expose agents to Austins crown jewels so that they
may better inform newcomers of
Debbie Gainer, Rita Keenan
Austins treasures.

Mark and Jocelyn Johnson, Emily Moreland, Sandy and John Greenwood

Carmen Baker, Dale Jean

Niece and Bob Laws

48 Waterways | Spring 2013

Mary-Jane Williams, Amy Hur

Keri and Greg Walling

Victoria Wilson, Steve Balch

Robert Johnson, Debby Jensen, Dianne Johnson

Earl Vaughn, Kathleen Nelson

Pianist Jason Connor


Vocalist Amy Downing

Paula Boldt, Emily Moreland, Debi Howden

Rick and Max Hardeway


Porky and Pat Haberman

Eric and Kay Moreland

Barbara and Dale Erker


Doug Roberts, Clay McLaughlin, Wende Parks,
Sandy Bowman

Eric and Maria Groten

Johnny Coutrup of Harrisons Jewelers


visits with a customer.

Susan McQuade, Maureen Gunderson, Kim Somerville,


Barbara Schaefer, Dawana Downey

Leslie Trammell, Liza Happle at Adorn

Party on the Plaza


story by cathie parssinen
Photos by Shelia Parodi

Faith Meyer, Kelsey Boulter, Lauren Stone at Adorn


Service with a smile from Hailey Cohan and
Jessica Berry at Fresh & Fruiti

or the secondyear in a row, the interesting mix of businesses,


professionals and restaurants who share space as tenants at Lakeway
Center II presented a blow-out pre-holiday block party. This years Party
on the Plaza spoiled customers with food and drink, a fashion show, live music and
a lavish assortment of raffle gifts. (I have been told that the ladies in the top middle
picture made off with lots of raffle booty!) Shopping venues tend to assume a unique
personality profile that sets them apart from other comparable destinations, and
the ambiance at Lakeway Center II has created a distinct niche of its own. A visit is
highly recommended!

Andrea Mann and Grace Ward of The Sassy Spurs

Deborah Sheldon of Strandz Salon, Tania Soto,


Anne Marie Pyle, Cindy Pollack

Alex Sizemore and Carley Crow

Dr. Gregg and Michele Wood, April Dur, Jason Conrey at Wink Med Spa

50 Waterways | Spring 2013

Chris Klein, Dana King,


Cindy Langle, Joni Langle

Laurie Garrick, Liz Nadler

Ron and Debbie Hinkle

Benefit for
Helping Hand at
Poodies Hilltop

Ty Grimes, BB Morse, Danny Hawk

story and Photos by cathie parssinen

oni Langle,Lisa Janacek and Sharon Burke, the owner


of Poodies Hilltop, organized a benefit to raise money for The
Helping Hand Crisis Ministry of Spicewood. The Helping Hand
provides humanitarian services to those in difficulty in the Spicewood
area. Services offered include spiritually-based counseling, basic food
items, home repair, transportation, medical expenses, and housing and
utility assistance. The Capital Area Food Bank and local businesses and
charitable organizations donate foodstuffs for the Ministry.
In addition to the musicians pictured above, other musicians who
donated their time were Chris Reeves, Jon Napier, Tessy Lou & the
Shotgun Stars. Several of them have also formed their own group,
Musicians against Famine (www.jamminforsalmon.org).

Kenny Nadler, Scott Garrick, Jason Churchill, Sherry Mack, Paul Janacek

Susan and Tom Douglas, Marty


and Caroline Miller; all with the
Helping Hand Crisis Ministry

Paul Janacek, Scott Garrick, Jason Churchill

Poodies owner, Sharon Burke, Lisa Janacek, Joni Langle, Joy Shumate, Kristal Robichaux, Laurie Garrick

Spring 2013 | Waterways 51

Clare Ghilarducci, Danielle Carpenter,


Madison Cottett, Jake Babin

Front: Cassidy Lavender, Betsy Welborn, Katie Popejoy, Annemarie Gist, Kelly Larimore, Veronica Perez, Kayla German, Lauren Adams,
Serena Batton, Sofie Locklear; Back: Parker Puryear, Kassie Wolf, Paige Atwell, Katie Thrower, Bailey Payne, McKenna Duncan
Allee Johnson, Lona Parad, Cierra Harris,
Alexandra Brown

LTHS Winter Formal


story by cathie parssinen
photos by cathie parssinen and Nicole Pearson

t was apretty confident, self-assured group of kids who rolled into the Renaissance
Austin Hotel to celebrate the Lake Travis High Schools Winter Formal in mid-January.
Glitz, glitter and plenty of eight-inch stilettos made the crowd look very adult, but it was
the impressively adult behavior that was remarkable. Principal Kim Brents greeted students
as the top of the stairs as they made their way down to the Rio Grande Exhibit Hall. Students
were good-humored as staff and teachers searched pockets and purses upon entry
Cameron Pepe, Chandler Wehmeyer, Carter Johnson, Hailee Harrison,
Hannah Golden, Emma Wischmeyer into the dance hall... and dance they did!
Sarah Stottman, Rose ODeens, Shelbi White,
Tori Hundley, Nicole Kirby, Brittany Bezdek

Anna Tareski, Katy MacManus, Alyssa Thorp, Amarissa Urias

52 Waterways | Spring 2013

Krissy Nolin, Mathew Parker

Dawson Cook, Sean Coyne, Hayden Steves, Marshall Villanueva, Tyler Seymore, Sutton South, Asher Cook

Christina El-Hage, Noah Thompson

Rebecca Keathley, Taylor Provopulos, Savannah Raines

Betsy Welborn, Feno Pearson, Kelly Larimore

Bradi Murphy, River Zapata

Cole Reichle, Danielle Foreman, Allison Krotzer, Hunter Greer, Courtney Fatigato

Spring 2013 | Waterways 53

Elise Grgurich performs the Arabian Dance in TexARTS The Nutcracker

Kiara Dietz and Maddie McKowen perform the Russian


Dance in The Nutcracker

Gracee Street as Clara in The Nutcracker

TexARTS Stars Shine Bright


story by Jarret Mallon
photos by Karla Ent Photography

Kaitlin Street as Dew Drop in Waltz of the


Flowers from The Nutcracker

he starsare shining bright on the TexARTS stage. In the past two months, TexARTS
has wowed audiences with four productions completely staged by youth and one professional cabaret. The Nutcracker, featuring the TexARTS Youth Ballet Company,
and Holiday Extravaganza, starring the TexARTS Broadway Company, both played to packed
houses, and TexARTS Musical Theatre Academys Footloose and Seussical, Jr. each set box
office records. Topping it off, piano man Matt Wilson and chanteuse Courtney Sanchez raised the
TexARTS roof with the cabaret Coming Home for Christmas.
Cabaret performances are set for The Studebakers (Feb. 22) and Austin Haller and Kara Bliss
(March 89). Musical Theatre Academy youth perform in productions of The Wizard of Oz
(May 45) and The Little Mermaid (May 1112). Students ages 7 to 18 may register to participate
in both at www.tex-arts.org.
TexARTS is a nonprofit performing arts academy and professional theatre that has served
thousands of Austin-area students since it opened in
Paula Cossette as the Sugar Plum Fairy and Ian 2006. The organization offers year-round arts educaRafferty as Cavalier in The Nutcracker
tion classes in voice, dance, acting and the visual arts as
well as fully staged professional and youth productions.
Registration is currently open for the 2013 summer
camps and the summer Musical Theatre Academy production of Thoroughly Modern Millie. For information
or tickets, visit www.tex-arts.org or call 852-9079 x104.
Paula Cossette and
Ian Rafferty in The
Nutcracker

The Texettes perform in TexARTS Holiday Extravaganza

The TexARTS Broadway Company perform White Christmas in Holiday


Extravaganza

54 Waterways | Spring 2013

TexARTS Broadway Company performs 12 Days in Holiday


Extravaganza

Making a Splash
Brandy Amstels Film Debuts in Austin
In November, Dress
for Success Austin premiered a short documentary titled In Her
Shoes at Austins historic Stateside Theatre.
Produced and directed
Jennifer Chambers, President of the Board of Directors for by filmmaker and local
Dress for Success Austin; Betty Staehr, Brandy Amstel,
Lakeway resident Brandy
Dress for Success Austin Director Judy Chambers
Amstel, the film documents the journey of Dress for Success client Betty Staehr from homelessness to self-sufficiency. As a homeless woman in Austin, Staehr was
desperate to change the circumstances in which she found herself and
sought the assistance of Dress for Success Austin. She was provided with
professional attire and the support needed to seek and ultimately obtain
employment. In Her Shoes is an inspirational story of triumph told with
compassion. Betty is a true inspiration for all women, and I am very grateful that she has allowed us to share her story, Amstel said.
The film In Her Shoes was recently screened at the Lights, Camera,
Help Film Festival in Austin, as well as at the Dress for Success World-Wide
and Professional Womens Group Global Summit.

Austin Home Builders Association


Honors Zbranek
The Home Builders Association of Greater
Austin inducted Steve Zbranek of Zbranek
& Holt Custom Homes, Ltd. into the
Associations Hall of Honor during the
Presidential Awards and Installation
Dinner in November. This Distinguished
Excellence Award is reserved for a member
demonstrating Outstanding Leadership,
Professionalism and Exemplary Service
to the association, homebuilding industry
and the community.
His accomplishments listed during
the event presentation included 33 years
of work in the building industry, service as President of the Greater San Antonio
Builders Association and the Home Builders
Association of Greater Austin and two time
recipient of the National Master Builder of
the Year award. He is the founder and first
president of the Lakeway Chapter of the
Austin Builders Association. Zbranek continues to serve on the faculty of the University of Housing as a national
instructor for the Graduate Master Builder program. He served as the
Chairman of the Lake Travis Chamber of Commerce and was recognized as
their 2012 Citizen of the Year for his community service.

Yvette and Jonathan Boatwright present check on behalf of Realty Austin to


Foundation Communities, Walter Moreau, Peachy Meyers and Donna Williams.

Realty Austin Unveils Commitment to


Foundation Communities
Last year, Realty Austin and its team of agents rolled out their plan for a
new match fund initiative in collaboration with Foundation Communities,
a local non-profit providing first class, affordable homes and support services for thousands of low-income families and individuals. Realty Austin
co-owners Jonathan and Yvette Boatwright matched $30,000 in contributions made by their agents and staff for a total donation of $60,000. At
Foundation Communities annual fundraiser held at the Salvation Army
Thrift Store last October, this match fund, in turn, served as inspiration
for the nearly 700 guests to become Home Builders, multi-year donors
who help the organization to grow in strategic ways over time. The results
gained Foundation Communities a historic 60% increase in total donations
and a 178% increase in new Home Builders.

LTHS WRESTLING
Thanks in large part to Lake Travis Youth Wrestling Club parents, beginning with the 20132014 school year, the Lake Travis Independent
School District
Administration will
seek to add wrestling as an official,
UIL-sanctioned
sport at the high
school.
Last July, after
having completed
one of the most successful academic
Clark Mannas, Colin Tierney, Noah Eledge
and athletic campaigns in school history, Lake Travis High School earned the UIL Lone Star
Cup for team performance in district and state championships during the
20112012 school year. The prestigious honor is bestowed annually to five
high schools in the state, one in each of the five UIL classifications based on
points awarded for team performance in sanctioned UIL academic/athletic
programs. LTHS received the highest point total of any school in all classifications.

Spring 2013 | Waterways 55

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree: Pat Hydanus, Kathy Wilson, Zoe Burns

We Wish You a Merry Christmas: Mrs. Claus, Maryleeann Bryan; Pat Smith, Judie Brecht

Wilson Smith, Master of Ceremonies

Sing Along!
story by cathie parssinen
photos by Joe Bain and Michael Hydanus

he Sing Alongsholiday show is a bit like the bow on the package or the icing on the
cake. The holiday season wouldnt be quite right without it. It is an annual tradition that I was
disappointed to miss this year because I was in Columbia, MO, hosting a baby shower for my
daughter. I am able to include it in this issue thanks to the generosity of Joe Bain and Michael Hydanus
who captured these great photos of the
Little Saint Nick: Rick Wilsey, Ken DeBower, Bill Walker
show. The committee of toy soldiers,
Mrs. Claus, Rudolph and his elf welcomed guests with the extraordinary
fanfare that we have all come to expect.
Im convinced the whole exercise simply
provides cover for a bunch of otherwise

All I Want For Christmas: Julianne DeBower, Karen Knaus, Pat Doucet (Mother Superior)

Martha Kubala

Nick Renneker

56 Waterways | Spring 2013

O Christmas Time: Joann Anderson, Jerry Hietpas

rational adults to prance around in some


pretty funny costumes while singing their
hearts out. And the singing just gets better
and better, with the expansion of the Sing
Alongs cast in recent years. I would have
loved to hear the nuns singing, All I Want
for Christmas is a One Night Stand! (At
Carnegie Hall!)
The Sing Along Group of the Womens
Club of Greater Lakeway and the City
of Lakeway Activity Center present this
annual performance to benefit Lake Travis
Green Santa.
Mark your calendars for April 25, 26
and 27 for the Sing Alongs Spring Show
that will celebrate 50 Years of Lakeway.

Barbara Helmueller, Joyce Dickinson

Little Saint Nick: Steve Richard

We Need A Little Christmas: Karen Decker


Judy Donahue
As Long As Theres Christmas: Nancy Bain, Tom Sullivan

Judie Brecht, Martha Kubala, Margie Neuenschwander


The Christmas Song: Carol Roettinger, John Madden

St. Nick

Rick Wilsey

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas:


Mike Hahn

Gigi McKeever, Producer and Director

Spring 2013 | Waterways 57

Triumphant
story BY Linda Holland
photos by Josh Brewster Photography

or thethird year in a row under the Artistic Direction of Linda


Holland and Managing Director Lindsay Brewster, Dance Institute
Performance Academy and Street Heat are the Leander Winter
Classic Grand Champions as well as the Grade 46 High Point Champion and
Grade 79 High Point Champion. Out of 23 solos presented, 12 made the finals
with the following results.

SOLOS
NYCDA Reagan, Alexis, Sydney, Ashley, Jessica, Dannon

Grade 4: 1st Taylor Bowman


Grade 5: 2nd Laura Parrish, 4th Jordan Hall, 5th Nick Schroeder
Grade 6: 2nd Parker Rogers, 5th Jenna Simons
Grade 7: 2nd Sydney James, 5th Annika Roberts
Grade 8: 3rd Ashley Norwood, 5th Alexis Stanley
Grade 9: 4th Jessica Bowman
Open: 1st Dannon OBrien
Group dances brought home 14 1st places, 5 2nd places, and 2 3rd places.
Judges Choice Awards were as follows.

JUDGES CHOICE AWARDS

Highest Scoring Dance Remote Remix


Babalu Judges Choice Best Entertainment

Best Showmanship: Party People


Best Technique: Unchained Melody, Forget Me Not
Best Choreography: Small, Forget Me Not
Best Costume: Party People, Babalu
Best Presentation: Other Side of Hansens, Beta
Best Entertainment: Forget Me Not, Beta, Babalu

DI Performance Academy students kicked off their winning season at New York
City Dance Alliances (NYCDA) convention in November. Dannon OBrien received
Outstanding SR. Dancer, Ashley Norwood received the Triple Threat Regional
Scholarship, Jessica Bowman received the Steps of Broadway $800 Stipend, and
Reagan Kowert and Dannon OBrien were recognized and ask to submit head shots
and resumes to the assistant director of Flash Dance the Musical.
In December the Company attended NUVO Dance Convention and again were recognized for outstanding performances. Dannon OBrien won the National Scholarship,
Sydney James won the Die Hard Jazz Faculty Award, Regional Scholarships were won
by Gianna Vallone, Taylor Bowman, Jaden Ceshker, Parker Rogers, Reagan Kowert,
Ashley Norwood, Natalie Wong and Olivia Schuh.
Forget Me Not Reagan Kowert, Alexis Stanley

LWC Champs 2013

58 Waterways | Spring 2013

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