Saturday, April 20, 2024

Embrace the Spirit of Oktoberfest Southlake 2023: A Jovial Celebration in Southlake Town Square

Get ready to don your lederhosen and raise your beer steins, because Oktoberfest Southlake 2023, hosted by the Southlake Chamber of Commerce, is just around the corner! On the weekend of October 13 to 15, the beautiful Southlake Town Square will transform into a lively hub of German culture, music, food, and of course, plenty of frothy beverages. Get ready to immerse yourself in the spirit of Oktoberfest and experience a weekend of unforgettable fun in the heart of Southlake, Texas.

One of the highlights of Oktoberfest Southlake is undoubtedly the mouthwatering German cuisine. Indulge in authentic German delicacies like bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel, sauerkraut, and more. Savor the rich flavors and experience the true taste of Bavaria right in Southlake Town Square. Prepare to be swept away by the lively sounds of traditional German music and entertainment.

Oktoberfest Southlake features talented live bands performing upbeat, waltzes, polkas and folk songs that will have you dancing along. Submerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and let the music lift your spirits! Raise a glass and toast to the spirit of Oktoberfest with a wide selection of beers in Festival Hall. Be sure and stop in to hear from the head brewer for the German-inspired Altstadt Craft beer Craig Rowen.

Oktoberfest Southlake is a celebration for the whole family. Engage your children in the fun with activities designed specifically for them. From face painting and carnival rides to bounce houses and petting zoo, there’s something to keep the little ones entertained throughout the weekend. Create lasting memories as a family in the joyous atmosphere of Oktoberfest Southlake!

Get ready to participate in exciting contests and competitions that add an extra dose of excitement to Oktoberfest Southlake. Test your strength in the stein-holding competition or showcase your skills in the Ultimate Smash Bros video game competition on Sunday. Two of the most popular contests are the Wiener Dog races and costume contest! Be sure to register your wiener dog online at OktoberfestSouthlake.com or in person by 8:30 AM Saturday morning. Cheer on the competitors or join in the fun and experience the thrill of friendly competition.

Explore the charming vendor booths that line Southlake Town Square during Oktoberfest Southlake. Discover a wide range of unique products, including German-themed merchandise, arts and crafts, unique jewelry, and more. Support local artisans and find special treasures to commemorate your Oktoberfest experience.

Oktoberfest Southlake 2023 in the picturesque Southlake Town Square promises a weekend filled with German charm, delectable cuisine, lively music, and fun festivities. Embrace the spirit of Oktoberfest, raise your steins, and join the community in celebrating German culture right here in Texas. Go to www.OktoberfestSouthlake.com for additional details.

Where Community Grows: The Recreation Division

It wouldn’t be Park and Recreation Month without celebrating the world-class efforts of our Recreation Division.

The Recreation team is the largest division of the Community Services Department. Their work makes our community stronger. From Athletics to Aquatics, these individuals go above and beyond to create life-long memories for our residents.

The City of Southlake boasts premier recreation facilities and programs, and the recreation professionals in charge of them take pride in delivering the best possible service. Whether you visit the Bob Jones Nature Center, Champions Club, or enroll in one of our programs, you’re bound to run into someone from the Recreation Division. Let’s learn more about their day-to-day.

Athletics: This mighty team runs our athletic leagues, hosts athletic clinics, programs, camps, and partners with our athletic associations to provide recreational athletics services to the Southlake community. They are naturally excellent teammates!

Aquatics: Our top-notch staff manages the award-winning Aquatics Center in Champions Club. Their priority is everyone’s safety while ensuring Champions Club members have access to fun aquatics programs.

Fitness and Performance: This energetic group is all about helping people develop healthy habits. They are happy to help Champions Club members on their fitness journey and always do it with a smile. Their can-do attitude makes everything they do look easy!

Guest Services: This team represents Champions Club to members and visitors daily. They care deeply about forming meaningful connections with our members and take pride in representing our premier recreation facility. Greet them at the Front Desk, and they will surely return the smile!

Marq Maintenance: You don’t become an award-winning facility without a fantastic maintenance team. This dedicated group of staff is responsible for facility safety, maintenance, contract management, and the custodial needs of The Marq Southlake.

Programs: This team is about creating outstanding programs for the entire community to enjoy. From Club Metro to Camp Mania, the Programs team is committed to creating world-class experiences for people to enjoy during their free time.

Happy Park and Recreation Month to the Community Services Recreation Division! This team represents where our community grows every day!

 

Where Are They Now? Minute with the Mayor Checks In with Odyssey of the Mind

This week, Mayor John Huffman gets an update from Noor Mithwani, President of the Southlake Odyssey of the Mind Board, about their incredible successes since coming on the show in August.

In August 2022, Mayor John Huffman met with Noor Mithwani in the STEAM Lab at Carroll High to discuss the Odyssey of the Mind program and the yearly international competition. CISD has participated in Odyssey of the Mind for over a decade. Many schools nationwide and worldwide participate yearly in fun challenges encouraging team building, critical thinking skills, and having fun with peers

The last time we checked in with them, the Odyssey of the Mind group began its season, and they were looking for students to join. Mithwani says, “We started with 26 teams participating in our regional tournament at Carroll High School in Southlake. From then on, we have brought home 21 trophies — nine in first place, eight in second place, and four in third place.”

Twenty teams from CISD have advanced to the state tournament, where they will compete for one of two spots in the World Finals. Congratulations to the talented students in the Odyssey of the Mind program.

To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.

The Southlake Senior Activity Center Invites You to the Legends Hall Dance

The Southlake Senior Activity Center cordially invites you to join them for the upcoming Legends Hall Dance.

Every year, the Legends Hall team works tirelessly to plan an extravagant night of music, dancing, and celebration for its Senior Center members and their special guests. This year is no different. Save the date for Thursday, March 23, at 7:00 PM at the Traditions Ballroom in Legends Hall for the Spring Legends Hall Dance.

All community members aged 21 years or older are invited to join in the celebration. Let’s cut a rug and dance the night away! The Now and Then will provide the entertainment. Now and Then is a world-class band specializing in all your favorite hits from yesterday and today. You won’t want to miss this event! As always, light refreshments and a great time are a given!

Legends Hall is always bustling with activity, but the Legends Hall Dance is one of our favorite events because it provides an opportunity for intergenerational connection. It’s a chance for the Southlake community to come together and celebrate with and get to know our outstanding members. Everyone from our hard-working staff to our dedicated volunteers enjoys the camaraderie this fun event provides.

“The Legends Hall Dance program is organized by the Southlake Senior Activity Center with the purpose of bringing our community of all ages together. We know from experience that our Active Adult members are always delighted to see the community’s support, and there’s no better way to show support than while enjoying the great music and dancing. We hope you can join us even if you have two left feet. The music and people-watching will surely bring joy to your evening,” stated Senior Services Coordinator Soheila Phelps.

Don’t miss your chance to join in the fun. Reserve your spot today! Tickets are $6.00 per person and will also be available at the door for purchase by credit card only.

See you on the dancefloor!

Former Public Works Employee Bill Hollings Named Star of Texas Recipient

Former City of Southlake Public Works employee Bill Hollings was named a Star of Texas recipient by Governor Greg Abbott.

Mr. Hollings, a traffic supervisor, passed away in August of 2020 due to his injuries from a July 2020 traffic accident believed to be caused by a drunk driver. At the time of the accident, he was aiding the Southlake Police Department in keeping an intersection safe after the traffic signals lost power.

Gov. Abbot present Star of Texas Award to Ms. Hollings

Governor Greg Abbott presents the Star of Texas award to Vivian Hollings on behalf of her late husband, Bill Hollings.

The Star of Texas Awards honor all Texas peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical first responders, and federal law enforcement officers who are seriously injured or lost in the line of duty. Private citizens who were seriously injured or passed away while aiding or attempting to aid a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency first responder in the performance of their duties are also eligible to receive a Star of Texas Award. Southlake Police Chief James Brandon nominated Mr. Hollings in the private citizen category.

“The City of Southlake is pleased that Bill could be honored in this way. He was devoted to his beautiful family and his faith. We are lucky to call him one of our own,” said Southlake City Manager Shana Yelverton.

Chief AshleighCasey with Ms. Hollings

Southlake Assistant Police Chief Ashleigh Casey with Vivian Hollings, wife of the late Southlake Public Works employee Bill Hollings who died while assisting the City’s traffic patrol in keeping an intersection safe after the traffic signals lost power.

Forty-six Texans were honored this year. Governor Abbott started the ceremony with remarks telling the families and audience: “We pray with gratitude for you and your families. The service of your loved ones will never be forgotten.”

The entire ceremony can be viewed here- https://control.resi.io/webplayer/video.html?id=a030e9e1-8d02-484b-ab74-56b50f7a3e50. Mr. Hollings’ family is seen accepting his Star of Texas Medal at 2:32:36.

Troop 168 Carries on Tradition of Placing American Flags at Town Square

With dew on the ground, the sun peeking through the horizon, shadows begin to scatter around the front of Town Square, as members and leaders of Boy Scout Troop 168 begin placing American flags around the perimeter of the front lawn one by one, paying homage to the United States of America.

This scene has occurred since 2010 as the Troop sets out and takes down the American flags at Town Square on seven holidays each year.

Scoutmaster Simon McLean said Troop 168 takes pride in honoring America and these special holidays with the placement of the flags.

“We’re proud to do so,” Scoutmaster McLean said. “And participating scouts receive service hours when they fulfill this responsibility.”

The Troop places the flags in Town Square each President’s Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot’s Day, Veteran’s Day and Pearl Harbor Day. So, if you ever wondered who ensured a symbol of our City’s pride in the USA was displayed on these holidays, you now know it was an act of service from the Southlake Boy Scout Troop 168.

Southlake Names Open-Space Park in Honor of a Carroll School Founder’s Family

Honoring a founder of the Carroll school and his family’s exceptional contributions to the community, the City has named the new open-space park in the Metairie subdivision the John R. (J.R.) and Ora Graham Shivers Park.

The Metairie development is set on 29 acres of land located at the southwest corner of the White Chapel Blvd/Dove Road intersection. The 2.75-acre parkland was dedicated to the City, offering a vast open space for park-goers to enjoy. The pet-friendly park will maintain natural vegetation with a granite path through the undergrowth and include amenities such as large stone benches, drinking fountains and pet waste-pickup stations.

J.R. Shivers was one of the first three Carroll School trustees and was instrumental in the building of the 1919 Carroll School.
“The developer proposed the name at the request of the Shivers’ family,” said Chris Tribble, City of Southlake’s director of community services. J.R. Shivers is the grandfather of Rebecca Utley, the previous landowner.

According to data collected by the Southlake Historical Society, J.R. Shivers married Ora Grace Graham in 1902. The couple lived in a log house and farmed 100 acres that straddled White Chapel Boulevard to Shady Oaks, north of Hwy. 114. In 1919, J.R. Shivers helped spearhead the building of the 1919 Carroll School, a three-room brick building on N. Carroll and Highland.

The Marq Receives Nominations in Three Categories for Southlake Style 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards

The new year was off to a fantastic start as The Marq at Southlake received three nominations for the Southlake Style Readers’ Choice 2021 awards.

Champions Club at The Marq is competing for best Full-Service Gym as well as best Kid’s Birthday Party Venue. On the other side of The Marq, Legends Hall was nominated for best Event/ Wedding Venue, solidifying its place as a premier wedding destination in North Texas.

Residents nominated businesses in over 100 categories on Southlake Style’s website. Nominations were open from January 11 to January 31. The top five nominees moved on to the voting round which began on February 4 and ended on February 18. The winners will be revealed in the Southlake Style April print issue and online.

The Marq is honored to be nominated in so many categories by its members and the Southlake community. Our goal is to create world-class experiences and foster lifelong memories, and we are grateful for the support we have received. Thank you so much for voting for us in the Health and Wellness and Entertainment categories! Don’t forget to follow us on social media @LegendsHallSLK and @ChampionsClubSLK!

Diamonds and denim made for a dazzling night at the annual Sweethearts Dance!

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but denim is a love that never fades!

Valentine’s Day arrived early in Southlake as families celebrated love and friendship at the annual Sweetheart Dance on Saturday, February 13 at Legends Hall at The Marq Southlake. Crafts, cookie decorating, and dancing ensured that a dazzling time was had by all as Southlake’s finest arrived decked out in denim and diamonds!

While the beloved annual event looked a little different this year, Southlake Community Services employees were determined to put on a fun and safe celebration.

Masks were worn, tables were reserved for individual households, and guests rotated between fun craft activities and dancing to ensure safe social distancing. Two identical dance sessions were held during the night to allow more families to celebrate love responsibly.

“The Sweetheart Dance went very well this year!” said Programs Coordinator, Gretchen Morgan. “We had some very positive reviews from our attendees this year including loving our creative layout and appreciating that food was brought to them. While we were concerned about the weather, we had a large turnout, and it was rewarding to see the event come to fruition. I want to give special thanks to our sponsors: Chick-fil-A, Ethan Allen, and CommunityMed Family Urgent Care! I am also proud of the team that made this event possible. From setting up the decorations, taking guests to their tables, to managing volunteers and getting the party started on the dancefloor, this event would not have been possible without the hard work and support of our incredible staff and volunteers.”

Safe and memorable family programming like the Sweetheart Dance is just one example of how the Southlake Community Services department enriches the quality of life for Southlake residents. Delivering remarkable experiences to our residents is simply the Southlake Way!

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