Train enthusiasts and families are invited to climb aboard for the return of Sachse Train Day, a free community event hosted by the Sachse Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25.

“This is our third year to host Train Day, and it is absolutely getting bigger each year,” said Tricia Lindsey, president of the Sachse Historical Society. “The LEGO layout is new… and everyone is excited to see what the North Texas Brick Society is going to create.”

This year’s event follows the same popular format as previous years, encouraging visitors to travel between four “depot” stops, collect stamps on a map and redeem a completed passport for a prize.

The new exhibit, located in the Sachse Library meeting room, joins returning attractions including model train displays, caboose tours and interactive activities at each location.

Aside from the meeting room, activities will take place at the Sachse Historical Society Museum, 3033 6th Street; the Sachse Community Center, 3815 Sachse Road and the historic caboose. 

Guests can enjoy N-scale model train displays presented by North Texas T-TRAK Modular Railroad Club, caboose tours and opportunities to build their own train mini modules while learning about the important role railroads played in Sachse’s history.

Choo Choo Express trackless train rides will once again be available for purchase on-site.

The Sachse Historical Society’s museum features railroad artifacts and exhibits highlighting the city’s heritage, while the historic caboose offers visitors a glimpse into early Sachse through a detailed diorama depicting the community during its railroad era.

“It’s easy to forget how transformative the railroad was to America,” Lindsey said. “It didn’t just move crops and products to market faster. The railroad gave people the freedom to travel, experience new places, and helped shape the growth of cities. I hope visitors can catch a glimpse of that as they explore the different depot stops.”

For more information, visit the Sachse Historical Society website or call 972-496-6577.

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The Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) program is a nationally recognized course that provides realistic, hands-on self-defense instruction for women of all fitness levels. According to organizers, the goal is to provide practical defense options participants can use in real-world situations.

The course consists of four three-hour sessions scheduled from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 14, 21 and 28 and Nov. 4 at 3815-D Sachse Road.

To register, participants must be Sachse residents and at least 16 years old. Space is limited.

For more information about the national R.A.D. program, visit rad-systems.com. To register for the Sachse course, visit cityofsachse.com/RADTraining.

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By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]

Wylie Acting Group (WAG), a nonprofit community theater organization, is gearing up for two weekends of performances of “Newsies.” The musical will be presented July 24-26 and July 31-Aug. 2 by a cast of 42 teenagers and a six-member crew. 

Co-directors Barb Holder and Melissa Johnson said many of the young cast and crew members have already gained experience through WAG or their schools. 

“Their passion and dedication shine in every performance,” the directors said. 

Read the full story in the July 23rd edition. Stay informed — subscribe to The Sachse News.

By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]

The Wylie East Solar Car Team set out on a cross-Texas journey in their newly built vehicle Sunday, July 19, for the annual Solar Car Challenge. The five-day competition sent 24 high school teams on a cross-Texas journey of up to 619.8 miles from Fort Worth to Fort Stockton.

After winning the Advanced Classic division national championships the past two years, the Wylie East team built a new car, “East Beast 2.0,” from the ground up to comply with updated rules for the 2026 competition. 

Planning for the competition started 18 months ago, with construction beginning at the start of the 2025-26 school year. The team has worked continuously, spending two to three days a week on the car this summer and adding in extra workdays over the past month. 

Students contribute to every aspect of the project, from welding and fabrication to aerodynamics, electronics and other critical systems.

Ten of the team’s 16 members competed in this year’s Solar Car Challenge. 

While the 2025 event took place at Fort Worth’s Texas Motor Speedway, students from around the country will travel through several Texas cities this year. Team adviser Matthew Karlsen said there will be three days of tech inspection, called “scrutineering,” before the race. Each race day includes a route with two rest stops and a lunch break.

This year, the team faced challenges during their tech inspection. 

“After two days of repair for an incident that happened on day two of scrutineering, we are ready to start the race,” they relayed on social media,

“Teams can only drive from 9 to 5, so if you don’t get all the way, you must trailer to the destination,” Karlsen said. “Only the miles they drive in the solar car get counted towards their total.”

The winner is determined by total miles driven, with the fastest overall time serving as the tiebreaker. Solar cars are preceded on the road by a truck and trailer and followed by two chase cars with lights and large signs to alert other drivers of the car’s presence. The first chase car also transports a judge who keeps track of mileage and ensures rules of the road are followed. 

Preparation for the cross-Texas race differs from what is needed for the track event. 

“Drivers need to practice driving without cruise control to keep a steady foot, study driving hills and getting through multiple stops and starts without consuming precious energy,” Karlsen said. 

The competition began Sunday in Fort Worth and includes stops in Palestine, Round Rock, Fredericksburg, San Angelo before concluding in Fort Stockton. At each stop, community members can view the solar cars during public displays held from 4 to 9 p.m. For more information and race updates, follow the Solar Car Challenge or Wylie East Solar Car Team on Facebook. 

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While many North Texans are planning Fourth of July cookouts and looking forward to fireworks, Danielle Girdano is already thinking about Christmas.

Applications opened July 1 for the 2 Fishes Project’s annual holiday assistance program, kicking off months of planning, shopping, wrapping and organizing to ensure local families in need can experience the joy of Christmas.

Registration remains open through Aug. 1.

“The logistics just takes time,” Girdano said. “We provide Christmas for families who otherwise would not have it.”

Founded by Girdano after nearly years of quietly helping families during the holidays, the 2 Fishes Project became an official nonprofit as its mission continued to grow. Last year, the organization helped families throughout the area, including in Farmersville, and this year hopes to serve as many as 2,000 families.

Girdano said applications open in the middle of summer because creating personalized Christmases for hundreds of families is a months-long effort.

“We have families that are nominated to us. It’s overwhelming. We have to turn people away,” she said. “I think the need in this area is much greater than what people may realize.”

The nonprofit works with an extensive network of community partners, including local food pantries, outreach organizations, veterans groups, Meals on Wheels and other nonprofits that help identify families facing financial hardship.

Rather than focusing solely on children, the organization provides gifts and essentials for entire households.

“We take care of the whole family,” Girdano said. “It’s not just about the kids. It’s about mom or dad, maybe grandma lives with them. We do everything from decorations to Christmas trees to bicycles, toys, clothes and school supplies.” 

The organization also provides household items, outdoor games, tools and even gifts for family pets. Each family completes a questionnaire that helps volunteers personalize the gifts based on favorite colors, hobbies, interests, needs and holiday wishes.

While many families receive their gifts through the project’s “Reindeer Families” delivery program in November, others are invited to a Christmas Eve celebration at Girdano’s home.

The event includes a live nativity, Santa Claus, food, activities and the presentation of larger gifts such as bicycles. Adults receive gifts as well, something Girdano said often becomes one of the evening’s most meaningful moments.

“Santa knows their names,” she said. “When he walks up to an adult and hands them a gift, it is the most magical thing ever.”

The project has grown so much that Girdano’s home in Lavon once became overwhelmed with donated items before volunteers helped construct a storage building on her property in 2024. Today, the nonprofit continues seeking additional retail partners, donated merchandise and volunteers to meet increasing demand.

As of July 1, just hours after registration opened, Girdano said she had already received more than 100 requests for assistance.

She said the organization’s mission is to restore hope, renew faith and relieve some of the financial stress families face during the holidays.

“We want Christmas to be joyful and be a celebration, not be a time of stress or worry,” she said.

Families needing assistance through the 2 Fishes Project can request an application by emailing [email protected]. Registration is open through Aug. 1. Applicants are vetted through the organization’s network of community partners, and Girdano encourages those experiencing financial hardship to apply as early as possible.

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Garland Summer Musicals will close its season with the Broadway and movie musical “Hello, Dolly!”

Audiences are invited to the Granville Arts Center to see Patty Granville star as Dolly Levi. Performances will be held weekends from July 17-26.

Set in 1890, “Hello, Dolly!” follows the story of matchmaker Dolly Levi. Hired by wealthy Horace Vandergelder to arrange his marriage, Dolly soon realizes she might be a better match for him herself.

The musical features memorable songs, colorful costumes and energetic dance numbers.

“I think Dolly Levi is my all-time favorite role,” Granville said. “She is a matchmaker, and I have been matching people up my whole life, starting in junior high! This will be the fifth time I have done the show and the second time with James Williams as my leading man.”

The production is directed by J. Alan Hanna, with music direction by Chris Widomski, choreography by Kelly McCain and set design by Kelly Cox. Sachse High School’s Joe Murdock serves as master carpenter.

James Williams plays Horace Vandergelder. Patrick Pevehouse, a Broadway actor, portrays Cornelius Hackl. Andrew Cave plays Barnaby Tucker, Kayla Bryan appears as Irene Molloy and Zoe Roberts plays Minnie Fay.

Garland Summer Musicals Board Chairman Stan Luckie said the board felt  “Hello, Dolly!” was the perfect production to close the theater before its scheduled 2027 renovation, especially with Granville returning to the title role.

“I first saw Hello, Dolly! as the movie starring Barbra Streisand and fell in love with the storyline,” Luckie said. “I have seen Patty play Dolly Levi for GSM three times, and audiences have loved every performance because Patty brings Dolly Levi to life. Hello, Dolly! was made for Patty Granville and vice versa.”

Since 1983, Garland Summer Musicals has provided entertainment and educational opportunities for North Texas audiences through its annual summer productions. The organization brings professional guest artists together with aspiring performers of all ages, creating educational opportunities while producing large-scale musicals at the Granville Arts Center in downtown Garland. Each season, GSM entertains more than 6,500 patrons.

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By Patty Mathis | Special Contributor

Known since its start in the 1970s as general aviation airport TKI, the facility will now be known to passengers as DTX, said Ken Carley, aviation director.

“TKI is still our FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] three-letter code,” Carley said. “The IATA [International Air Transport Association] assigned DTX as the code after Avelo applied.”

Houston-based Avelo, which already serves Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), said it will begin service to McKinney with Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 aircraft flying nonstop to Las Vegas (LAS) and four cities in Florida: Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), Orlando (MCO) and Tampa (TPA).

In announcing its schedule, budget carrier Avelo [rhymes with yellow] said certain introductory one-way tickets purchased before the end of Friday, July 31, would be priced at $99 and each passenger would be allowed one free checked bag.

The discount fare applies only to specific travel dates and fees will be charged for additional checked luggage, the airline said.

Avelo’s flights from DFW and Houston’s two airports, Hobby (HOU) and George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), connect to more than 30 other destinations through its hub in New Haven, Connecticut (HVN).

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Sachse residents will have a chance to kick off their celebrations early as the city’s annual Red, White and Blue Blast returns to Heritage Park on Friday, July 3. The event is one of several Fourth of July festivities planned locally, offering fireworks, live entertainment and family-friendly activities throughout the holiday weekend.

The Red, White and Blue Blast will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at Heritage Park, 4408 Hudson Drive. The celebration features live musical performances by Kendall Shaw and Party Machine, along with stage games, a petting zoo, a Ninja Nation obstacle course, booth and food vendors, yard games, spirit awards and a splashdown hosted by Sachse F-R.

The evening concludes with a fireworks display scheduled for 9:30 p.m.

In Wylie, Founders Park, 851 Hensley Lane, will host the city’s annual fireworks celebration beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 3. Attendees can enjoy live music by Midnight Traveler, food trucks, eight bounce houses and a Wylie Fire Rescue water spray zone. The 17-minute fireworks display, launched from the Birmingham Agricultural Center adjacent to Founders Park, is scheduled to begin at 9:45 p.m. and will feature fireworks reaching heights of 250 to 500 feet.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. Parking will be available at Founders Park, Wylie High School, Cooper Junior High and Draper Intermediate. The event is hosted by the city of Wylie, Wylie Parks and Recreation and Wylie Fire Rescue.

Earlier in the day, the Brown House, 301 N. Ballard Ave., will host “The Party Starts at the Brown House,” an America 250 community celebration from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities include yard games, refreshments, a costume contest and trivia honoring the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

Rockwall’s annual Fourth of July Celebration also returns July 4, beginning with a downtown parade at 11 a.m. Activities continue at Harry Myers Park from 5 to 9 p.m. with food vendors, live entertainment and a fireworks show to cap off the evening.

For a patriotic event with a different twist, In-Sync Exotics in Wylie will host its annual Watermelon Toss on Sunday, July 5. The event gives visitors a chance to watch rescued big cats enjoy watermelon treats while supporting the nonprofit sanctuary’s ongoing rescue and care efforts.

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What began as an effort to tell a story about one cadet’s struggle to find his place has evolved into a student-produced short film that is drawing praise from educators, military instructors and viewers across the region.

Recent Wylie High School graduate Tuan Nguyen and fellow student filmmaker Phaolo Le teamed up to create “New Beginnings,” a short film highlighting opportunities for students to experience growth, leadership and success through the school’s Air Force Junior ROTC program.

The project was entirely student-led and produced with limited resources, relying on school equipment, faculty guidance and the dedication of students balancing filming schedules with academic and extracurricular commitments.

Nguyen, who served on the AFJROTC Public Affairs team throughout high school, said the idea grew from a desire to help others better understand the program.

“Recognizing this and remembering that I did not fully understand what JROTC was when I first signed up, I dedicated myself to this project in hopes of helping others succeed as I did and understand that JROTC is more than a class,” Nguyen said.

The film follows cadets as they navigate uncertainty, pressure and personal obstacles, emphasizing the mentorship and support available within the program. While many people associate JROTC primarily with military preparation, Nguyen said the film was designed to showcase its broader impact.

“There are many misconceptions about JROTC, so one of our goals was to show what the program truly represents and its positive impact,” he said. “JROTC is meant to help students develop leadership skills, confidence, character and a sense of purpose within a supportive environment that encourages growth.”

The film’s lead role is played by Wylie High graduate Miles Whitmire, whose own experience in AFJROTC inspired much of the story.

According to Nguyen, Whitmire considered leaving the program during his freshman year because he did not see its value. Instead of accepting his decision, an instructor encouraged him to stay and become more involved.

The conversation changed the course of Whitmire’s high school experience. He remained in the program for four years, eventually serving in two of its highest leadership positions. He also enlisted in the Army National Guard, attending basic training in his junior year and is currently completing Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia, as part of his training as an indirect fire infantryman.

“If it wasn’t for the instructor to recognize his potential, he wouldn’t likely be where he is today,” Nguyen said. Le, an Audio Visual student at Wylie High, helped bring the story to life through film. Nguyen said he was impressed after seeing one of Le’s earlier projects and invited him to join the production.

Together, they worked to create a film that would resonate with both cadets and those unfamiliar with the program.

Producing the film presented several challenges.

Most filming took place within a single week as cadets prepared for the year’s final drill competition. Weather also created obstacles, with strong winds affecting audio quality and changing lighting conditions forcing the crew to work quickly.

“We used our bodies to shield the microphones from the wind and attempted to get all of the shots before sunset,” Nguyen said.

To create authentic scenes, the filmmakers coordinated with drill team leaders and filmed portions of practices while minimizing disruptions.

The finished product debuted May 1 during the AFJROTC annual awards banquet, where it was viewed by more than 200 cadets, family members and guests.

Nguyen said the reaction exceeded expectations.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” he said. “Many teachers approached our actors, director and instructor to tell them how much they loved the short film. Some even shared that they became emotional while watching it.”

Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Lt. Col. Darren James praised both the film and the students who created it.

“The cadets that created this video have taken our PA program to new heights, and the thought-provoking concepts of those in the short film emulate what we hope any cadet can realize about the confidence they need to go out into this world,” James said. “Reflection is a powerful tool for success, and the family atmosphere that our corps continues to maintain each year is emulated within this story.”

The film’s reach has since extended beyond Wylie.

After being shared with an AFJROTC regional director, “New Beginnings” was distributed to instructors across the region. Nguyen said several instructors have expressed interest in showing the film to incoming cadets as an example of how the program can influence students’ lives.

For Nguyen, that impact is exactly what he hoped the project would achieve.

“Some characters are portrayed as pursuing the military path, while others pursue a more normal [traditional] career path,” he said. “No matter their desired destination, they can all benefit from the mentorship, friendships and leadership opportunities the program provides.”

Editor’s note: Nguyen will be attending Texas A&M this fall as a communications major and joining the Corps of Cadets in August.

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In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center will host The Great Catsby: ROARing ’20s Casino Night Saturday, June 27, at the Cotton Mill in McKinney. The fundraiser will transform the historic venue into a 1920s-inspired speakeasy featuring casino-style gaming, live entertainment, auctions and other interactive experiences.

Guests can enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres served throughout the evening, a premium open bar and opportunities to win prizes while supporting the sanctuary’s mission. The event will also feature curated silent and live auction items, along with surprises designed to capture the spirit of the Roaring Twenties.

Based in Wylie, In-Sync Exotics is a nationally recognized sanctuary that provides a permanent home for rescued lions, tigers, cougars, bobcats, servals and other exotic felines. Many of the animals arrive from situations involving neglect, abandonment or unsafe living conditions.

Through rehabilitation, specialized care and educational programs, the organization works to provide a safe environment where the animals can live out their lives with dignity.

The fundraiser plays an important role in helping the nonprofit meet its annual operating budget of nearly $2 million. In-Sync Exotics relies on donations, grants, corporate sponsorships and fundraising events to support the care, feeding and medical needs of its residents.

Organizers say every ticket purchased, auction bid placed and donation made directly supports the sanctuary and the animals in its care.

For tickets and additional information, visit In-Sync Exotics’ event page. To learn more about the sanctuary, or make a donation, visit www.insyncexotics.org.

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