Call: 214-526-2800

Email:Info@turtlecreekassociation.org

Web: turtlecreekassociation.org

Greetings!

Every family has a holiday tradition that starts out magical… and then, somehow, becomes a full-time, overtime, benefits-eligible job.

For us, that tradition was Sparkle Love — our daughter Sydney’s Elf on the Shelf.

In the beginning, it was pure Christmas magic. Sydney would bolt out of bed like a tiny caffeine-fueled detective, eyes wide, searching for Sparkle Love’s latest hiding spot. We were creative, enthusiastic, and convinced we were basically winning at parenting. Then came Year 2… Year 5… and — because life is funny — Year 11.

After eleven years, we had officially exhausted every idea, every hiding place, and every ounce of sanity. The internet became our co-parent — with its blogs, “expert” elf tips, and absurdly tiny elf outfits (because nothing says Christmas like a 4-inch pair of overalls). At one point, I’m pretty sure I googled “Can an Elf take a sabbatical?” I’m also convinced there is an Elf-on-the-Shelf support group out there… and if not, I’m prepared to start one.

And let’s be honest: last year, eleven-year-old Sydney pretending to still believe was adorable… but also 100% an elaborate scheme to keep us suffering. When your kid winks at you while the elf sits exactly where you left it the day before, you know the jig is up. That’s when we realized: Sparkle Love had earned her retirement.

No more midnight scrambling.

No more emergency, half-asleep elf relocations.

No more frenzied searches for “elf ideas that require zero effort.”

Looking back, the chaos was worth it. Those elf years gave us joy, laughter, and memories we’ll never forget… especially the day Sparkle Love survived the dog and a hot-glue rebuild.

As we celebrate Sparkle Love’s much-deserved rest, I realized something important: just like Sparkle Love brought magic to our home, you bring it to Turtle Creek.

You clean the creek.

You restore bridges.

You return wildlife to their natural habitat.

You make our community healthier, safer, and more beautiful.

Sparkle Love might be retired, but your magic shows up year after year — no hiding spot required. Thanks to your support in 2025, Turtle Creek is more vibrant than ever: cleaner water, beautifully restored bridges, renewed wildlife activity, and even more beautification projects underway. You made all of this possible.

From our TCA family to yours, thank you for being the real magic in our community.

Happy Holidays — and here’s to a bright, sparkling (elf-free!) 2026!

President|CEO

Turtle Creek Association

Last week, TCA had the joy of celebrating our incredible patrons at the exquisitely decorated home of Dr. Diana and John Foster. With over seven Christmas trees and every nook and cranny beautifully coordinated in holiday splendor, the Fosters’ home was nothing short of a winter wonderland. Each of the four floors welcomed guests into a festive, magical atmosphere brimming with the Christmas spirit.

From the moment guests arrived, the evening sparkled. Fresh flowers, the warm greeting of Santa, and champagne at the front door set the tone for a night of celebration. The hors d'oeuvres delighted every palate, from bacon-wrapped figs to decadent chocolate desserts. One guest summed up the evening in a single word: "perfection".

The purpose of the party was to thank our patrons, the heart and soul of TCA. Without their dedication, none of the work we do to preserve and enhance Turtle Creek would be possible. As a token of our gratitude, each guest received a TCA-commissioned Challenge Coin. Challenge coins honor commitment, loyalty, and achievement—making it the perfect symbol of 40 years of stewardship and of each patron’s ongoing dedication to protecting and beautifying the Turtle Creek Corridor.

It was a night of laughter, connection, and holiday cheer—a heartfelt reminder that our community thrives because of the generosity, passion, and support of our patrons.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and especially to Diana and John Foster, for opening their home and making the evening unforgettable.

Click the video of the event below:

As the year comes to a close, many of us pause to reflect — on the memories we’ve made, the challenges we’ve overcome, and the things in our lives that matter most.

For Turtle Creek Association, this reflection is deeply meaningful. Because this year, we saw what happens when a community comes together with determination and heart.

Men at Work beautifying the Bridges of Turtle Creek.

We restored bridges once covered in rust and graffiti — bringing back beauty, safety, and pride.

We cleared green spaces that had been hidden and overgrown for years — and watched them flourish again.

We addressed illegal encampments that once threatened the health and safety of the corridor — giving the creek back to the community and the wildlife that calls it home.

These are not small victories. They are transformations. And they happened because of you.

But here’s the truth:

Progress isn’t permanent — not without care, vigilance, and resources.

What we’ve restored can fade. What we’ve reclaimed can be lost again. The illegal encampments we addressed can return if we don’t stay the course.

That’s why our Annual Campaign matters so deeply.

This December, our goal is $70,000 — funds that set the tone for 2026 and ensure we can protect everything we’ve worked so hard to achieve.

Your support helps us:

• Preserve our beautifully restored bridges and keep them graffiti-free.
• Maintain the green spaces we reclaimed, ensuring they stay open, safe, and thriving.
• Keep the creek clean, healthy, and cared for — month after month.
• Continue monitoring and addressing illegal encampments before they re-establish.
• Protect the wildlife that has returned because of our shared effort.

When you give, you’re not just donating — you’re preserving a legacy.

You’re ensuring that the progress we fought for doesn’t slip away.

You’re keeping Turtle Creek beautiful, safe, and vibrant for everyone who walks its paths, crosses its bridges, and calls this community home.

Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for standing with us. And thank you for helping us carry this momentum into 2026.

Please give today — and help us protect the place we all love.

TCA proudly celebrates a truly extraordinary woman — Dr. Ann Stuart, beloved TCA Board Member, trailblazer, educator, leader, mentor, and dear friend.

Dr. Stuart’s legacy is as deep and inspiring as her commitment to service. Before joining the TCA Board, she spent a distinguished career shaping the future of higher education. She became the first Chancellor of Texas Woman’s University and served as its President for an impressive fourteen years, from 1999 to 2014. Prior to her transformative leadership at TWU, Dr. Stuart served as President of Rensselaer at Hartford, and held key academic leadership roles at Alma College, East Stroudsburg University, and the University of Evansville.

Her academic journey is equally impressive, with degrees from the University of Florida, the University of Kentucky, and a doctorate in English from Southern Illinois University.

Dr. Stuart’s influence extends far beyond titles and achievements. To those fortunate enough to know her, she is a source of wisdom, graciousness, strength, and unwavering support. I am honored to call her a mentor — and even more grateful to call her a friend.

On behalf of the entire Turtle Creek Association family, we wish Dr. Ann Stuart the happiest 90th birthday. Thank you, Ann, for the decades of leadership, courage, and brilliance you bring into the world and into our organization.

Here’s to celebrating an extraordinary life — and many more beautiful years ahead.

Being a member of the Turtle Creek Association means playing an active role in preserving one of Dallas’s most beautiful and historic treasures. Membership dollars directly fund the projects that keep Turtle Creek safe, vibrant, and thriving—from restoring historic bridges to enhancing landscaping, public art, and lighting. More than just a contribution, membership is a partnership that ensures this unique urban oasis will continue to inspire and welcome generations to come.