Dallas History Message Board - Frequent Poster's Biography

DISCLAIMER: Although this site contains many of the regular users of the Dallas Historical Society history Message Board, it is not a part of the Dallas Historical Society Web Site, and is not sponsored by that Organization.

This page contains the Photos and Biographies of themost Frequent Message posters on the Dallas Historical Society Message Board. If you are interested in Dallas, Click on the Message Board link above, and JOIN US!

The most frequent posters on the Dallas Historical Society Message Board felt that it would be nice to be able to put a face to the many Regular message submitters. Hence this web page was built, and is maintained to allow the Photos and Biographies of those willing, to be posted.

If you are a regular submitter to the message board, and would like to be included on this page, please submit your favorite self-photo, and a brief Biography to Jerry Dealey (invokes your eMail program). I will try to get it included as soon as I possibly can.

DHS regular PeterK has built a link to a USA map that allows us to put the part of the country we live in: Dallas History USA Map.

The Newest updateed Profile on the board is: Scott Dorn! (11/05/2007) Isn't it time to submit your Biography?

The Regulars of the DHS Message Board - (of course, "regular" is a relative term....)

(YOUR name goes here.)

(plenty of room!)

(what are you waiting for?)

Jerry "Mickey" Dealey - page editor: A distant member of the Dealey family, on the poor (Kidnapper's take NOTE!) side of the family. Born in Dallas in 1955, and moved with mother and step-family to Denver in 1963, although he always came back in the summer to stay with his father. Returned with his own family in 1984, and lives in a Dallas suburb. Volunteers about 200 hours a year to the Dallas Historical Society, including being a Docent/Tour Guide for the beautiful Hall of State building. Usually a greeter at the front door of the Hall of State for most weekend days during the State Fair of Texas. Interested in the JFK Assassination, and have written a book ("D in the Heart of Texas") on the history of Dallas, Dealey Plaza, and the Dallas Morning News. Now an Insurance Agent. in the Dallas Area. I also collect Mickey Mouse / Disney stuff, and have used the nickname "Mickey". (And I have just as many muscles as that Tejas Warrior on the top of this page!)

Alan Struble:I was born in Morris town, New Jersey in 1951. Our family moved to Oak Cliff in 1957. In my years of growing up in Dallas I have lived in different parts of Oak Cliff from Singing Hills to Both ends of Davis Street winding up in East Dallas graduating from Bryan Adams in 1971. During my years of growing up in Oak Cliff I watched my brother Glenn Struble playing Drums in the “ Mystics” where in 1966 had a #1 hit on the local radio stations from KLIF, KBOX to KFJZ the song “ Didn’t we have a Good Time”. While watching my brother play his music I followed along and learned from him. I learn to play the Bass Guitar and have played for Gene Summers from 1971 – 1981. I also played in the band Starfire from 1982 – 1996 where I gave up playing music and now I bowl. I recall growing up in 1966 when our family lived on the corner of Davis & Crawford streets and having a paper route as a boy of 13 throwing papers to the house on Beckley where Lee Harvey Oswald once lived. This is my story and I am sticking to it…(Alan informs me that he is the larger guy on the right in these photos {Mickey})

Alan also knows this guy in a big red suit that appears around December, who you might recognize, and has a web page for Collin County's "Hope's Door" Operation Santa. (new window).

Art Hoffman:Art Hoffman: Born in Dallas on April 21, 1952 (San Jacinto Day - a real Texan) at Florence Nightingale Hospital (now Baylor). Lived in several areas of North Dallas for most of my life. Met my lovely future wife at Rusk Jr. Hi (born 3 weeks after me at the same hospital). Started playing bass in 1970. Played in several mostly unknown bands throughout the 70's. Except for maybe Southern Cross and T.T. Taylor and The Rice Paddy Raiders who held court at The Annex on King's Road (1972-73) and the Greenville Ave. General Store (1973). Got married and bought our first house in Lakewood in 1974 ($15,000!). Had a short 7 year career in the retail music industry. Got out of the business way before the Internet and file sharing became popular (thank goodness)! The last 25 years I've been manager of a technical publications department for a major air conditioning and furnace manufacturer developing engineering specifications for all of our products. My wife and I just celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary! She sure puts up with a lot! I started collecting old linen postcards on a trip to New York during our 20th anniversary. I now have quite a collection that features old roadside establishments long gone (Motels/Hotels, Diners/Restaurants and Fairs and Expositions). My postcard website is www.snazzyjazzypostcards.com. I am particularly fond of Fair Park and try to go there several times a year just to walk around. I never get tired of the history and the beautiful buildings. I collect a little bit of everything (I told you my wife puts up with a lot). For the last 18 years I've played with the local band "The Fins" (www.dws.org/fins). We play a mixture of Motown, Rhythm and Blues, Old Rock and Roll, 'Nawlins type music and "anything else we want to". It's my "golf on the weekends". Except sometimes I actually get paid! But any money I do make goes to "you-know-who" for putting up with me!

Bill Shaw: Guess I shouldn’t be so reluctant, or cautious….and that’s strange, too, because I’ve always been out front, eager for recognition, being a ”performer” / ”entertainer” / ”personality”/what have you for so much of my life. Movies, tv, stage, radio deejay, moderator, emcee….that is, once I overcame my natural childhood timidity sometime during my four years at Adamson High in Oak Cliff. It all began with small cast roles in a couple of one-act plays, then playing the lead in our 1947 Senior Play, and then the even more stirring singing role of Sir Joseph Porter KCB in H..M.S. Pinafore. Pretty tame and ordinary stuff these days, but back then it was heady stuff for a still-wet-behind-the-ears teenager who hadn’t yet fully emerged from his shell.

Saw service in Korea, 1951-2, but mostly in the relative safety of an AFRS disc-jockey’s mike in Seoul once we’d pushed the Reds back above the 38th Parallel.
A year-plus of college at North Texas State College [as it was known before becoming the full-blown university it is today]…recalled by the Air Force in 1957,which became my ticket to Europe via Morocco, and all sorts of travel to foreign lands, From Scandinavia to South Africa and Iran….

Two years behind the Iron Curtain in West Berlin as civilian foreign correspondent for the AFN [American Forces Network, Europe]. I remained in Europe several years after leaving “gummit” service to freelance my acquired talents. Divorced and married again, had several other romances in Europe and later in the U.S. Had a daughter in England, brought her to Texas several times in her childhood and teen years, now futilely try to maintain contact with her in Bavaria but with little if any reciprocation.

Living again in U.S. since 1975, returned to acting and voice work in films and tv in Dallas. I finally tired of the whole scene and took off for the desert and mountains of the southwest to backpack and cycle, settling in New Mexico for about 10 years, during which time I had a mild stroke and developed prostate cancer [thank my lucky stars for the VA!].

Then about 3 years ago, discovered a former high school classmate back here in the Metroplex, with whom I am now happily sharing life here in DeSoto. Still like to travel but don’t do it so well or easily as once….my avid bicycling days are over, and skiing is quite out of the question, like tennis and golf….so writing poetry and my memoirs seem my best focus now. In case you’re wondering, I just turned 76 this year. (Editor: Photo is 7 years old, in New Mexico.)

Bill Strouse: The first pictures show me as an 18 year old kid at Ft. Lewis, getting ready to ship to Korea in 1957. The other picture is me holding my Cousin, Otto Erler's Flag he carried thru several Japanese POW camps in WW2. The Flag is at the Dallas Historical Society and that is where the picture was taken.

I was born in Dallas, in July of 1938. I lived off and on in Dallas (Oak Cliff) till 1964, when I moved to Irving. I now live in Bedford. The Schools I attended in Dallas were Lida Hooe, James Bowie, Cockrell Hill Elem. and W.E.Greiner (mostly Lida Hooe). I went to High School in Danville, Indiana. The rest of my Education includes the School of Hard Knocks, many Army and Air Force Schools and Courses, and three years at Arlington State College.

My Military Career was from Feb. 1957 to Jan. 1996 and included tours in the Regular Army, Army Reserve, USAF and the Texas Air National Guard. I also worked many years for Central Freight Lines on Inwood Rd., and later in Irving. I was the Supv. of the Rate Dept. there.

My many interests include Travel, Photography and History (Dallas & Texas & History in General & Military History, etc.). I have quite a few pictures on Webshots covering numerous subjects including, Family, Military, Dallas, Texas Centennial/Pan American Exposition, Korea, Aircraft and several others. If anyone is interested it is at: my community webshots page. (new window)

I have been posting on the DHS Board since June of 2000.

Bob Johnston: A life-long Dallasite, I grew up in Oak Cliff and attended John H. Reagan School and W. H. Adamson High School, graduating in January 1959 (last mid-term class). Earned B. S. and M.Ed. degrees at UNT, while working in radio business in Gainesville and Dallas as a DJ and newsman at KGAF, KCPA, KIXL, KVIL, and KLIF. After 6 years as a teacher (at Adamson) and 32 years as a central office administrator at DISD, I now work for the Dallas County Judge where part of my job is as liaison with the Dallas County Historical Commission, Sixth Floor Museum, and Old Red Foundation. Historical interests are the schools (of course), local radio-TV, Dallas in general, old Oak Cliff, East Dallas and downtown. Certainly not a professional researcher, but enjoy searching out internet material. Live in White Rock area and have a beautiful wife, four adult children and four grandchildren. (The photo’s five years old—my mustache now matches my hair).

Cee Cee:I'm just Cee Cee...I'm afraid I don't have much of a resume...unless a Mom and Grandma count.
I was born at the old St. Paul Hospital in 1943...and lived in Dallas for 62 of my 62 years. Actually, I've lived in Oak Cliff for 62 of my 62 years. I attended Trinity Heights Elementary, Boude Storey Jr. Hi and SOC High School (graduated in 1961)... and college in west Texas.

Clyde Howard: Born in 1943 at Methodist hospital, in the "Old" building, that was pretty new then. Dad (Clyde w. Howard Jr) was an Oak Cliff boy born at home at 506 N. Barnett in 1921, Mom a Waco girl that Dad met on a blind date.

Lived in Dallas until Dad's company sent him to Houston in 1950, and we were on the Gulf Coast till 1959. Mom and Dad bought a house on Searcy and lived there until their deaths February, 2005.

Graduated from Sunset in 1961, went to Texas A&M and then the Army. Couple of years in Germany, a year in Vietnam, back to the States to Fort Knox, then out. Got a job I didn't like, went to law school (Baylor) and then back into the Army as a JAG for a few years at Fort Hood, then out again.

Married in 1974, to a girl I met in Waco-McLennan County Library, and we've remained so ever since. Don't know that we'll live long enough to match Mom and Dad's 62 years, but we'll try.

After I got out of the Army, I lawyered either for myself or the State (was an Assistant AG for few years) until earlier this year when I decided to retire from that particular form of servitude. So - I'm no longer an attorney, and am retired (sometimes just "tired").

I am an amateur historian, emphasis on military history, know a bit about firearms, and like trains (no surprise to folks who've read some of my posts I guess).

We live in East Texas and visit Dallas when the opportunity arises.

Another of the folks with Oak Cliff connections, I guess. Just something special about Cliffies...

Debby Massie Lacy:I was born in Dallas at the old Florence Nightengale hospital in 1951. (later had two children at the same spot)

I grew up in Walnut Hill and raised in Cochran Chapel Methodist Church. While at Stephen C. Foster elementery school, I spent all my summers barefoot and falling out of trees or at the Walnut Hill pool. I went to the opening of Stemmons Freeway and met Sky King! While at Edward H. Cary Jr. High I was the vice president of the Dallas Beatles fan club. Then came the late 60s, Lee Park, Mother Merrels, concerts and all kinds of stuff i wont go into here.

I met Jimi Hendrix after the concert at Moody. I saw Kennedy come in at Love Field. I was one of the people you see on the tarmac behind the chain link fence. I saw the Beatles come in there too and again was one of the ones behind the fence.
I was behind fences alot wasnt I...?

Moved to beautiful Lakewood in 74. I was a docent at the Hall of State in the '70s.
And then I became a figure sculptor (you can see my work at www.debbylacy.com).

Gene Morris:I'm a graduate of Sam Houston Intstitute of Technology (good old S.H.I.T.). Seriousness aside...I have never done anything I can brag about,except raise, with the help of my beautiful wife of 51 years: 4 sons, 14 grandkids and I dont know how many great-grandkids. Respectfuly..Gene Morris

Holly Valadez:Like some others here, I was born in Dallas, raised in the suburbs, only to wake up one morning and discover that I'm a country girl at heart. My parents graduated from Sunset and Hillcrest High Schools during the late 1950s. I hold a great debt to them for their memories and support, and also to my grandparents, who moved to Dallas during the 1930s. Several of my ancestors settled in Texas while it yet lay beneath the Mexican flag.

I am a great admirer of Sam and Margaret Houston, Quanah Parker, the Spanish-Missions era of Texas, and of Dallas as it began to rise from the bluffs of the Trinity. I generally love anyone and anything old, and am thankful to have a place like the DHS message board wherein to discuss and pursue such passions and devotions!

Also, come join me at my: Lone Star Heritage Forum

({mickey} One of our regulars creatively said she was going to post a Bio that was a cross between Mother Teresa, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Maya Angelou, with a photo of a young Kim Novak. I combined those BIO's and originally added it for this individual, but it was unfair.....cause I didn't want these people outdone by that individual's REAL entry! Hence, it is now "Jane Doe".
I almost didn't post Jane's bio, cause it was so atypical of almost all of us on the DHS message board, that it is boring. (Yawn.))

Jane Doe (sample): At the age of 18 Jane left her parental home in Skopje and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India. After a few months' training in Dublin she was sent to India. From 1931 to 1948 Jane taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta, but the suffering and poverty she glimpsed outside the convent walls made such a deep impression on her that in 1948 she received permission from her superiors to leave the convent school and devote herself to working among the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. After many years, John F Kennedy asked her to serve as the first woman on the United States Supreme Court. Over the course of nearly a quarter-century on the Supreme Court, Jane became, in the eyes of many, the most powerful woman in America. A moderate conservative on an ideologically polarized Court, she often cast the deciding vote in 5-4 decisions dealing with some of the most important and contentious issues of public debate. After an early retirement from the court, she continued doing tours of public service. Jane is a remarkable Renaissance woman who is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature. As a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, she continues to travel the world, spreading her legendary wisdom. She has gotten a little older; however, while looking the same (or better), she's still modest and humble!

Jim Foster: Born at Dallas, Texas in 1943, he is a fifth generation Dallas County native. His great, great, great-grandfather settled in northeastern Dallas County in 1856, and later served in the civil war. A US Army Veteran, having proudly served during the Vietnam era, although he had no tours in Vietnam itself. He received his police training through Dallas Baptist University's Police Academy, and became a licensed Texas peace officer in 1988. He enthusiastically served on the Dallas County Historical Commission for a two year period from 2002 until 2004. He has served as president of the Dallas County Pioneer Association since 2004. He is an active member of Oak Cliff Lions Club. He has served as president of the historic pioneer cemetery at Pleasant Valley since 1993, and president of the historic pioneer cemetery at Cottonwood. Both cemeteries are located in northeastern Dallas County. He has authored five books in addition to serving as chairman of the Dallas County Pioneer Association's book entitled Proud Heritage, Volume III and the Rowlett Historical Society's book entitled A History of Rowlett. Jim was the manager of manufacturing for Johnson & Johnson from 1969 thru 1979 and has been a business owner since that time. His independent alarm company, Paramount Alarm, installs and monitors burglary and fire alarm systems throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

Jim Foster is also running for Dallas County Judge, and you can view his info at his Elect Jim Foster Website.

John Little: I was born in Everett, Washington, to Native Texan parents. My Father was stationed at Payne Field there during 1944.

I am a graduate of Adamson High, class of 1962 (photo), and attended North Texas State University. I have led several 'lives' including drug store management, carpenter, and house builder.

Left Texas in 1973 chasing the Dollar. (Actually, more like running from minimum wage. :) Haved lived in Jackson, Miss., Alexandria, LA., San Antonio and St. Louis. My wife of 25 years, and I have been living in Boca Raton, FL, for the last 20 years. Ever since leaving Texas, I have been in various positions with the old Rexall Company, and it's ownership changes.

Have always been interested in the history of my native state. I had no idea of the rich history of Dallas, until I discovered the DHS Message board, and the wealth of knowledge that lurks there.

Linda Sue:Hi Friends~ I 'm originally from Orlando, Fla. and we came to Texas in 1981. I went to Martin High in Arlington, and UTA after. I only lived in Dallas for 7 short years, but fell in love with the place! My interest in History is very general and broad. Not quite sure what to say about that! I help other people get started with genealogical research, and I can often be found in 1 of several libraries in the metroplex. I no longer work but have enjoyed working in the past for 2 outstanding companies: UPS & SWA. I loved both, and maintain friendships from both. My husband is an Irving Police Officer and my kids are McKenna 7 and Grayson 4. We live quite simple, but very comfortably.

M C Toyer
Vitals: Born in North Carolina in 1944 during my father’s WWII service. Mother is a native Dallasite whose ancestors arrived in 1842. Father was born in Idaho, joined the U S Army in 1938, and was later stationed in Texas. His grandfather was born in Montreal, Canada and came west with the transcontinental railroad in the 1870s.

Residences: East Dallas / South Dallas / Oak Cliff 1946-58, Irving 1959, Grapevine 1960-63 and 1966-83, California / Oregon 1964-65, Pilot Point 1983 to present

Schools: Trinity Heights 1951-52, Wheatland 1952-53, Margaret B Henderson 1953-54, Roger Q Mills 1954-57, W E Greiner JHS 1958-59, Bowie JHS (Irving) 1959, Grapevine HS 1960-63

Occupations: U S Army Infantry / Company Commander in Panama and Vietnam 1966-72, Comptroller / CFO in Apparel Industry 1972-78, Carpenter 1978 to present

Family: Married 42 years, 1 daughter, 1 grandson

Interests: Historical Research, Writing, Public Speaking, Photography, Outdoor Adventure

Motto: "The historian, essentially, wants more documents than he can really use; the dramatist only wants more liberties than he can really take." (Henry James, The Aspern Papers, 1909)

Mike Shannon:I was born in Dallas on December 29, 1964 at St. Paul Hospital. As a tot, I lived on Eastern Ave (on the Dallas side, when the Tollway was still a railway) from 1964-65, then to Loma Garden Dr in Pleasant Grove from 1965-67, to Yucca Dr in the Grove from 1967-73, then to Garland thereafter. My great-great grandfather, Otway Bird Nance, came from Illinois in 1851 and bought 620 acres from Peters Colony, settling in DeSoto. The Texas Historic Landmark plantation stayed in the family until 1951 when it was sold to Mickey Mantle. I attended John Ireland Elementary from 1971-73, until moving to Garland and attending Garland schools. My father was a 1958 Sunset grad who still lives in the Oak Cliff area. After attending college at The University of North Texas and Texas A&M, I finished up my BA at The University of Texas at Dallas in 2001. Currently, I am the webmaster of "The History of Dallas-Fort Worth Radio and Television" at www.dfwradiohistory.com which tracks the evolution of local and radio TV. I am employed as a traffic reporter for WBAP-AM and WFAA-TV in Dallas, and was recently nominated for a Katie Award and for the Texas Radio Hall of Fame. I've had an ongoing interest in local geography since childhood. I have a decent collection of local photos, old maps and Mapscos, local memorabilia, and good research skills when my memory fails me!

Randy Carlisle:I was born at Methodist Hospital in Oak Cliff. August 9, 1960. I was raised in or around Oak Cliff all of my life. My GrandParents (My Dads' Parents) lived on Kiest Blvd. My Great GrandParents (My Moms' GrandParents) lived on Salerno Drive. As a Baby, We lived in Dallas until I was about 3 years old, when we moved to Lancaster Texas. From there it was Balch Springs. I was 10 when My parents divorced. At 15, I moved in with My Mom and Step-Dad who Lived in Garland. High Schools consist of Mesquite High, South Garland, and Lakeview (Garland) where I graduated in 1978.!! I took Broadcasting from C. S. of B. in 1987. But never got to use it. DARN IT! I've ALWAYS wanted (& would still love) to be a DJ... My 1st & Main Hobby is Music. But now I've added Photography too! Altho it started out as taking pictures (About 9 years ago) of Walk In & Drive In Theatres, (Open or Closed), I'm now into the Historical Buildings as well. As you can view on Scott Dorns' website! Still live in Dallas. In the very SouthEast Corner. I have 4 of the most Beautiful Daughters! 26, 24, 21, & almost 12 yrs. 4 Grandkids with 2 more on the way!! 2 Brothers & 4 Sisters!! And certainly not least, a beautiful Lady for 10 years, named Cecilia. And She has 2 Kids also.

Rickie Clinton Wright:On the DHS message board, I sometimes present a view of Dallas history from a different perspective. I was born in Pinkston Clinic which was located on Central Expressway near Hall Street in the summer of 1955. An only child, I grew up watching TV, listening to KRLD, and reading which is probably why I love History and Trivial Pursuit. (I was a true nerd) I attended J W Ray, B F Darrell, and Ben Milam Elementary Schools, Spence Jr. High and North Dallas High School. I used to spend my Saturday afternoons, reading the microfilm copies of old Dallas Morning News, Times Herald and Dallas Express newspapers in the Dallas Library on Commerce Street. I am proud of the education that I received in DISD and continue to support it. I am the proud mother of twins who both graduated from DISD schools and are now in college. (Yea!!) My greatest asset is my memory and my friends are so glad that I discovered the DHS message board so I now have other people to share my many memories of Dallas. (So that I won't be boring them, probably). I have a degree in Political Science from SMU and am presently praying about going to SMU Evening Law School in the Fall of 2007. I've always loved History and people say I should have been a History teacher. I did teach History briefly when I was laid off from work. I enjoy visiting cemetaries (for non funerals) and reading the various tombstones. I believe that a lot of history can be learned by just reading them. As my nest is now empty, I am so glad to have discovered this message board. It has revived my interest in tracing my family tree and locating the gravesites of my family. I also want to get involved in Black Dallas Remembered.

Robert T Paige:I was born in Dallas in 1931 at Baylor Hospital. We lived for a short time thereafter at 2219 Alabama in Trinity Heights, then moved back with my Paternal Grandmother at 812 Glasgow Drive [just a few blocks from Woodrow Wilson High School] in Dallas, and then I lived at 2306 Maryland in Trinity Heights from 1936 until I married and moved to Irving in 1966.

I attended Trinity Heights Elementary (now Harrel Budd), Boude Storey Junior High and graduated from Sunset High in the class of June, 1949.

Attended Arlington State College (now UTA) from 1949 to 1951, with an interruption due to Naval Service and finished up two year terminal course with Associate in Science in Industrial Electrical Engineering in January, 1956. I also attended a Summer Session at Texas A&M University. I have written articles for the Sunset Stampede ; The A.S.C. Shorthorn, where I was the reporter for The Engineering Society and for the TAMU Battalion.

I enlisted in the U.S. Navy on June 25, 1951. Completed "Boot Camp" at San Diego and Electronics School at Treasure Island. Served aboard the Escort ["Jeep'] Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Sicily (CVE-118) for a brief period operating off the Korean coast and then transferred to the Seaplane Tender U.S.S. Kenneth Whiting (AV-14)...operating on the Sea of Japan and about as far removed as you could get from the action.... until my "separation" on May 11, 1955 .(you didn't get a "discharge" in those days until you had completed a total of 4 years active duty and 4 years inactive duty in the "Ready Reserve) . Finally got my "Honorable Discharge" on June 25, 1959.

I retired from the Federal Aviation as an Electronic Technician in January , 1999 after 38 years service at the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center, located just south of Hwy. 183 and west of Hwy. 360. Worked previously for a few years with I.B.M in Poughkeepsie, New York and Collins Radio at Red Bird Airport and Addison.

Other hobbies and interests include Amateur Radio [W5TBC]....I got interested in "ham radio" while listening to the late Professor "Joe" Howell - W5FBL - operate the ASC station -W5EUY. Prof. Howell was also instrumental in getting my "ticket". I have also operated W5AC at TAMU. Still other interests include travel [in particular "Route 66"], photography and in addition to the DHS Message Board a frequent contributor to the Route 66 Forum, Nitpickers and Encyclopedia Titanica Websites. I have had one article published in "CQ-The Amateur Radio Journal" in the June, 1960 issue entitled "Going Mobile the Easy Way" in reference to an Amateur Radio transmitter I once constructed.

I have been a member, docent and contributor to the Message Board for the DHS for the last few years and I have helped out on the annual State Fair Exhibits and school group tours at the Hall of State during the rest of the year.

Scott Dorn:I was Born Oct 13, 1970 at Baylor Hospital and I still reside in East Dallas I am married to a wonderful lady named Pamela K Dorn. My interest started with Dallas History back in High School When I read Darwin Payne's "Dallas" back in the late 1980's. My interest photographing buildings started when I actually took photos Of the Famed Dr Pepper building on Mockingbird back in 1995, before I knew it was going to be torn down. Then later got the demo stage photos, and since then I haven't stopped. I have photographed hundreds of buildings, and get great pleasure to use my camera to capture what we can't phyically save. I photograph these buildings for the next generation of Dallasites, so they may have these images to share with others. I will continue until I can no longer do so. A Dallas Times Herald photographer named Hayes is one of my favorite Dallas photographers. His collection helped to inspire to what I am doing today. I grew up in Oak Cliff for 16 years and lived in Lakewood for another 5. I love photography and love living in Dallas. Photographically Preserving Dallas One Building at a timeor his Flickr website!
({mickey} Scott was highlighted in a Dallas Morning News story on 11/02/07. Check it out.)

Shirley Hickman:I am a long-time lurker of the Board, and I’ve been around since 2002. When Gerald Harris had a get-together at his home, he was kind enough to offer me a room at his home, since I now live in the Houston area. I wasn’t able to attend, but managed to go up the following year to the meeting at the Hall of State. I miss some the old-timers who provided me with knowledge of things that I needed at that time. The Board evolves as life does and I still enjoy reading it daily. I even enjoy the bickering, as it shows how diverse the Board is. From our differences, we solve problems and grow. My passion of Dallas history is Old Oak Cliff. My grandfather was born in 1886 on Hord’s Ridge, one year before the name was changed to Oak Cliff. My grandmother was born in Lisbon, TX. I was born in Methodist Hospital on December 23, 1933; attended John F. Peeler Elementary School and W. H. Adamson. I am active with the alumni of the Adamson Class of 1951. We meet twice a year and are planning our 55th reunion in 2006. My contribution is a quarterly newsletter, The Leopard Spots. This coming issue features ghosts in Dallas, which was discussed here, as I get a lot of subject matter from this Board. Keep on keeping on, Shirley

Steve Westhafer:I was born April 9, 1941. My mom dropped a bomb before the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor! One of my earliest memories was hearing on the radio that FDR was dead. I was about 4 and I remember the shock of all the adults. I had a marvelous mother who worked 3 jobs as my Dad never sent child support having married the day after their divorce was final! Every Sunday we went to Lake Cliff to feed the ducks and ride the paddle boats. I went to several schools in Dallas but graduated from Adamson in 1958. I worked at the Dallas Morning News for 3 and one half years and then went to college at Arlington State and finished my Master's at ETSU in Commerce. I took post Master's classes at UT Austin, ETSU and UT Tyler. I have taught in one 4 year school and 4 Community colleges in Texas and Colorado. I am planning to drop to part-time teaching in January as I have deteriorative spinal disease and am in too much pain to manage 5 classes any more. I will not quit as long as I can get there, as I love teaching and my Family at Tyler Junior College, most of whom in the Speech/Theatre Dept have been friends for 30 to 43 years! I still e-mail and get visits from students from 30 or 35 years ago! I am a very lucky, divorced, childless (except my classes over the years) happy man! (with the school photo {mickey}: WESTHAFER, STEVE, Allied Youth, Art Club, Automobile Club,Radio-TV Club, Library Service Club, Camera Club, Field & Stream Club)

Vivian Skinner:I was born in Ft. Worth, but the family relocated to Oak Cliff when I was 3 years old. I attended Clara Oliver Elementary, Atwell, and Carter (Class of 72). My husband also grew up in Oak Cliff (Winnetka, Greiner, Sunset) and we have stayed pretty close to home as we have raised our own family. We have three grown sons and one daughter.

My interest in the history of Oak Cliff is what led me to this board. I am one of the church historians at Tyler Street Methodist, and I keep toying with the idea of a project of some sort related to all of the "Tenth Street Churches." So far, I am just collecting photos and memorabilia. Dallas and Texas history are intriguing, too.

In addition to serving on the board of Tyler Street Christian Academy, I am a founding board member of Baby Moses Dallas (www.babymosesdallas.org.)

Oh -- and I was at the airport when JFK and Jackie got off the plane. I was in the third grade.