What a delight to be the guest speaker at the Lake Highlands Women’s League Silver Circle meeting, honoring 25-year members (silver) and one 50-year member (gold.)  Congratulations, ladies!
 
The LHWL volunteers hundreds of hours with local schools and non-profits in addition to providing student scholarships and community grants. The energy emanating from this group of community volunteers is infectious.
 
I spoke of my own experience volunteering to champion the building of the Skillman Bridge and shared stories from my book, “Build A Bridge To Somewhere.”  They were interested to learn the backstory of the project, why the bridge looks the way it does, and we chuckled about the way things were.
 
What a joy, to spend the morning with this premier Dallas philanthropic organization!

Last week the Lake Highlands Public Improvement District (LHPID) and the Dallas Department of Transportation treated us to a demonstration of the aesthetic lighting that will illuminate the bridge on holidays.  Who knew there was a city ordinance for decorative lighting on buildings and bridges?  
 
The LED lights on the Skillman Bridge are programmed to provide colorful themes for various holidays: Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. The duration varies, depending on the holiday as specified in the city ordinance.
 
Be sure to say “thank you!” to local businesses of the LHPID who will provide ongoing maintenance and ‘keep the lights on’ for the community to enjoy.

It was an honor speaking to The Kerwin Society at Presbyterian Village North as they celebrated Texas Smoot Day, recognizing Dallas Lutheran School and Dallas College Richland Campus students for extraordinary STEM achievement.
 
The LBJ Skillman Bridge was declared a smoot bridge, officially measuring 51.58 smoots. Oliver Smoot, MIT graduate, centerpiece of the 1958 Harvard fraternity prank, and creator of the nationally recognized unit of measure, joined in the celebration from his California home by phone.
 
A great time was had by all as we celebrated “Building Bridges” in our communities.

It has been an exciting week! Last Thursday, TxDOT held a ribbon cutting ceremony on the bridge. Skillman Bridge officially opened on Saturday, September 20.

I drove across the bridge, like a chicken crossing the road, just to get to the other side. So many of my neighbors admitted doing the same so I wasn’t alone. I made a second trip at night to see the illumination and the most wonderful thing happened.  At ten o’clock at night a couple were strolling safely on the pedestrian walkway, enjoying the evening air in the glow of the bridge's lighting. It was just as we envisioned so many years ago—be still, my heart.

I did get Build A Bridge To Somewhere published ahead of the bridge opening, but I didn’t beat the construction crews by much. It’s hard to believe nineteen years ago I thought it would be fun to pursue the redevelopment of our neighborhood intersection nicknamed The Bermuda Triangle. The hoopla of the ribbon cutting ceremony put a fitting exclamation point on our efforts.

The book tells the complete story behind the LBJ Skillman Bridge project, how I got involved and why it looks the way it does. Part memoir, part how-to guide for anyone considering a volunteer project in the public realm—or any sizeable breakthrough effort—the stories, the knowledge, and the experience captured in the book are meant to inspire others to find their talent and, most importantly, use it.
 
Not that it was a race, per se, but I did beat the opening of the bridge 😊 for which we are still patiently waiting...
 
A big heartfelt THANK YOU from me to all of you who supported me in the project, in the publishing of the book, and to readers who are helping spread my message.
 
The book is available in paperback and eBook. Just click on the Buy Now link to get your copy. Happy reading!

Progress continues, even if you have to squint to recognize it. The bridge looks good from the aerial views posted by TxDOT, but it isn’t open. Traffic, however, is using much of the new pavement surrounding the bridge.
 
The book cover has been decided. The content is being scrutinized for printing. This web site is being tinkered with as we speak.
 
I wonder who will finish first?
 
Like the boy in Chapter 1, the lantern keeps revealing more of the path and I can almost see the outline of the barn.

Sort of a play on words. Yes, the bridge is certainly under construction. The book about the bridge is under construction. And this web site is, well, under construction.

That said, it's a pleasure to share this news. Check back from time to time when we will celebrate the opening of the bridge, launch the book of lessons learned, and be inspired to build the next bridge to somewhere.