Arboretum Annie, Dallas' Favorite Groundhog Meteorologist, Returns to Predict When Spring Arrives in North Texas

As the Dallas Arboretum prepares for Dallas Blooms, the Southwest's largest floral festival, many may wonder when spring arrives in 2021. What better way to find out than to bring in everybody's favorite meteorologist—the groundhog!

The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden hosts its third annual Groundhog Day celebration on Tuesday, February 2, 6:30 to 9:00 a.m., in A Tasteful Place, which overlooks White Rock Lake and the Dallas skyline. Those interested in joining the festivities and shadow-watching are welcome to attend the event for free with paid garden admission. 

General garden admission is $5 from now until February 19. Tickets must be pre-purchased online at dallasarboretum.org or by calling 214.515.6615. Masks are required for the duration of one’s visit. 

Guests are invited and encouraged to wear any type of hat (Texas-style for Groundhog Day) for a hat contest. Materials are provided on site, and attendees are welcome to further embellish their hats. At the end of the event, a hat contest winner is selected and receives a prize.

Jim Ryan, Dallas Arboretum board chairman, said, “As a garden and outdoor venue that’s open 362 days a year, the Dallas Arboretum revolves around the weather. That said, we want to know whether we'll have an early spring or not, so our groundhog, Arboretum Annie, helps us predict the weather.”

According to folklore, if a groundhog comes out of hiding and sees her shadow, she is scared and runs back inside, meaning six more weeks of winter. If she doesn't see her shadow, spring arrives early, which for the Arboretum would be just in time for Dallas Blooms. 

For Groundhog Day, guests are encouraged to come as early as 6:30 a.m., where there are breakfast and beverages items available for sale and a free hot chocolate for each guest. The program begins at 7:15 a.m. in time for sunrise at 7:21 a.m. when the Arboretum officials release Arboretum Annie to see if she sees her shadow. After that, visitors are welcome to take selfies with the famous groundhog until 8:30 a.m., make groundhog crafts, visit the science activity tables conducted by our Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden staff, and watch the iconic “Groundhog Day” movie with Bill Murray at 9:30 a.m.

Virtual Dallas Puzzles

Does being at home have you missing some of your favorite Dallas neighborhoods and attractions? Explore the beauty of Dallas through these new virtual puzzles from Visit Dallas!

https://www.visitdallas.com/things-to-do/dallas-now/2020/03/dallas-puzzles.html

Get on the Water with Dallas United Crew

Looking for an exciting activity that gets you fit and into nature while on the waters of gorgeous White Rock Lake? Then sign up now for the rowing and dragon boating classes offered this spring by Dallas United Crew (DUC), Dallas’ largest youth oar and paddle sport organization in North Texas that offers comprehensive programs for all ages. Beginner and intermediate classes for adults and youth begin as early as March 4 and are offered at various times throughout the spring season. Online registration is available at dallasunitedcrew.org.

 

Ideal for people of all athletic backgrounds and ages, adult rowing uses eight-man sweep boats instructed by DUC coaches who teach basic rowing technique and boat handling and safety while conducting effective physical and mental workouts. Founded in Southern China centuries ago, dragon boating consists of 20 paddlers in a 46-foot-long boat with a steers person, moving to the beat of a drummer and paddling to cross the finish faster than their competition. No experience is required; however, boats will be organized based on skill level. Experienced rowers are welcome.

White Rock Beach Party

Beach Party of the Century
at The Bath House

Put on your flip flops and sunglasses and join us for a beach bash as we celebrate the Grand Finale Weekend of the Comerica White Rock Lake Centennial Celebration. Party is hosted by For the Love Of The Lake with support from White Rock Lake Foundation and Friends of the Bath House, in appreciation of Ebby Halliday as Honorary Chair of the Centennial Celebration.

Tickets - $15 adults, $5 kids, kids 5 and under free
Free offsite parking at Norbuck, Flag Pole Hill
and White Rock DART station with shuttle service to event

SATURDAY, JUNE 25 ~ 10 am to 10 pm
Brunch, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Cocktails and Dinner at Veranda Lounge
on Terrace Level at The Bath House (Limited Seating, Additional Cost)
10:00 am Antique Car Show
2:00 pm Antique Car Awards
3:00 pm Antique Car Parade
7:00 pm Awards and Birthday Celebration
9:00 pm Fireworks

SUNDAY, JUNE 26 ~ 9 am to 4 pm
Sunset Inn Breakfast until 10:30 am & Gospel Music until noon
12:00 pm Ice Cream Social
Chef ’s Picnic at the Lake until 3:00 pm (Tickets sold separately)

For more information, please contact Susan Hello
info@whiterocklake.org / 214-660-1100

Howl at Hillside

HOWL AT HILLSIDE

is a dog adoption event to benefit the White Rock Lake Dog Park

Saturday, May 14th
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hillside Village Shopping Center - 6465 East Mockingbird Lane

Dallas Animal Services, DFW Rescue Me, Metroplex Mutts, & Operation Kindness will have dogs available for adoption.

David Woo, author of Top Dogs and Their Pets, will be signing and selling copies of his book. There will be a silent auction of the following prints:
· Nolan Ryan's 5,000th strikeout pitch, signed by Nolan Ryan and David Woo
· Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. This is the only image of these two famous golfers together since 1947, which is signed by both golfers and David Woo
· Caesar Millan with his dogs, signed by Caesar Millan and David Woo
· Dr. Phil, signed by Dr. Phil and David WooThe Peninsula Neighborhood Association, Inc. (the Taste of White Rock Dinner Club Books) will donate 1/2 of the $10 sale price of the books sold at this event to the Dog Park (up to $500). If you would like to become a vendor or a sponsor at this event, please contact Allison Stapleton at 214-989-4152 /allison@twinroseinvestments.com OR Ashley Watson at 214-989-4155 / ashley@twinroseinvestments.com

Trees for Threes

Trees for Threes

The Dallas Mavericks have agreed to plant one tree for each Three Point basket made by the MAVS at all home games this season. Bring your shovel and join other community volunteers and For the Love of the Lake to help plant trees this Friday.

FRIDAY, March 25th, 2011

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
T&P Hill at White Rock Lake

This marks the second season of the Mavericks commitment to plant trees in the Dallas area. Last year, 55 trees were planted in Reverchon Park as part of Trees for Wins.

Click here for more information

Event Contact: info@whiterocklake.org

2010 Buddy Walk

Sunday, November 7, 2010
Flag Pole Hill at White Rock Lake
Activities begin at 11:00 am
Walk begins at 1:00 pm

The Buddy Walk® is an incredible day of celebration with family and friends to raise awareness, raise funds, and raise the hope of a better world for all people with Down syndrome.

Join us for a fun filled day that includes bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides, music, a petting zoo, food, and most of all friends - old and new - all in support of the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas.

Contact: (214) 267-1374 or dsged@sbcglobal.net

Lady of the Lake Fall Benefit

Lady of the Lake Fall Benefit

October 16, 2010

7:00 - 11:00pm

Lakewood Theater

Benefiting For the Love of the Lake and

The Bath House Cultural Center

Tickets: $75

Valet Parking included

Paddle for the Cure

Come out to White Rock Lake on July 17th for Hoewa'a Outrigger Canoe Clubs first ever Paddle for the Cure from 10 am to 4 pm. Their goal is to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. All of the proceeds will go to a breast cancer research foundation.

The event welcomes all non-motorized water crafts (kayaks, canoes, etc). Two courses will be offered: a one-mile race and a 4.5 mile race. So get yourself ready for a fun-filled day at gorgeous White Rock Lake to paddle away for breast cancer.

There will be live perfomances throughout the day for those who are there to cheer on their friends. Bring blankets, picnics and have a great time!

$55 registration fee after June 1st, 2010.

For more information, contact: keahau@hdocc.com or Nancy@hdocc.com