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Taking care of your Loved One Is What We Do BEST!

It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Hext, TX

Home Care Hext, TX

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Fort McKavett State Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Hext, TX is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Hext, TX

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“My experience with these amazing home care professionals is as close to perfect as it gets! I have a dear friend that is in hospice and needed a little extra home care. Ken, the owner, was fast to respond to my call and started home care right away. I can't say enough good things about my experience with Always Best Care Senior Services' staff and owner.”

Edward C.
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TESTIMONIALS

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Tsholofelo M.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I work for this team and it's a wonderful team , great communication and support for our clients, their family members and our caring team of staff .”

Antoinette G.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I am a past client of this provider Ken and Bonnie were wonderful to work with. They were able to provide my mother with care and a very short notice. Their staff was some of the most caring people that I've ever met. Not only were they wonderful to my mother but also to my family. I would highly recommend using them.”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken and Bonnie are wonderful people to help care for your loved ones. their staff was so caring to my mother and so nice to my family I highly recommend them to take care of your loved ones. I think there ought to be more than just five stars to give them”

Mark A.
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TESTIMONIALS

“For those who are searching for qualified caregivers for their loved ones, contact Ken Thomas at Always Best Care Senior Services. Mr. Thomas provides an authentic and professional guiding hand when discussing available services for your precious senior family members. When it is time for a beloved senior to receive assistance, Mr. Thomas understands the importance of providing trustworthy and quality support.”

Melissa C.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Ken leads his Always Best Care Senior Services Agency with compassion for his clients and their families. He is a local senior care expert and leader in his community. If you are need of assistance in navigating your local senior care options, then do not hesitate to give Ken a call!”

Kelly B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is kind, patient, experienced and knowledgeable. We are thankful to him for all his efforts and for going above and beyond.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Very professional and welcoming people so I would definitely recommend my friends and family to Always Best Care in Boerne.”

Laurie K.
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TESTIMONIALS

“The owner is so understanding and supportive of how I want my loved ones cared for. He and his staff actually listen to what I would like done for my parents. Very thoughtful, very professional and very caring. It’s such a relief to have help in caring for my loved ones”

Kristen B.
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TESTIMONIALS

“Kenneth is knowledgeable and trustworthy. I can’t recommend him enough. You’re in good hands with Kenneth.”

Chae S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“ALWAYS BEST CARE is certainly a warm & caring business owned & operated by Ken Thomas. I certainly would recommend them for you or your loved ones excellent care.”

Shirley S.
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TESTIMONIALS

“I will be forever grateful for the love you showered upon us and my grandmother”

Jill &.

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Hext, TX?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Hext, TX

Types of Elderly Care in Hext, TX

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Hext, TX
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Hext, TX
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Colorado Bend State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Hext, TX
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Hext Trading Post & Cafe or visit Historic Fort Phantom Hill, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Hext, TX

Benefits of Home Care in Hext, TX

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Hext, TX, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Hext, TX

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your TX's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Hext, TX

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Hext, TX understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Hext, TX

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Hext, TX

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Maxine's Personal Care Home
  • Oak Haven Assisted Living
  • Green Acres retirement living
  • HopeSpring Assisted Living Facility
  • Healing Haven Homes Assisted Living
  • The Whitestone Assisted Living
Home Care Hext, TX

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Hext, TX

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Hext, TX 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Hext, TX

Latest News in Hext, TX

Dallas Opera’s Mega Supporter Looks to Laura Bush as a Role Model, Loves the City’s Giving Spirit and Can’t Wait for First Sight

How Kim Hext Makes a DifferenceBY Caroline Lidl // 10.01.19 Save ArticleIn its third year, NorthPark Center’s Luxury Ambassador program boldly merges the worlds of fashion, art, and philanthropy, by way of celebrating the city’s top influencers and the nonprof...

How Kim Hext Makes a Difference

BY Caroline Lidl // 10.01.19

Save Article

In its third year, NorthPark Center’s Luxury Ambassador program boldly merges the worlds of fashion, art, and philanthropy, by way of celebrating the city’s top influencers and the nonprofits they support.

NorthPark’s chosen few embody a rare-air kind of style — a droup that contains equal parts fashion sense, civic leadership, and larger-than-life personality. Now, we spotlight Kim Hext and her love for the Dallas Opera — and one of the most unique arts and fashion partnerships out there.

That would be First Sight, the Dallas Opera’s opening weekend celebration that takes place at the Winspear Opera House on Thursday, October 17. The next night is First Night at the Dallas Opera with The Magic Flute premiering.

First Sight/First Night is chaired by Kim Hext and her husband Greg Hext. Hext talked to PaperCity about it all:

Why The Dallas Opera?

NorthPark has been a long term partner with the Dallas Opera and a true advocate for the arts. It is an honor to highlight Dallas’s world-class opera with a world class partner like NorthPark.

A benevolent memory.

Working with The Dallas Opera has given me an insight to the “business of the arts.” Getting to take a peek behind the curtain has made me appreciate the scope of the work that goes into bringing world-class productions and talent to Dallas.

Philanthropic influencers.

Even in high school, I always felt a sense of purpose when I volunteered. There have been so many people that I have had the opportunity to work with that always serve with enthusiasm. Every one of of those volunteers have shaped my perspective.

Role Model.

Laura Bush, for her grace and for her commitment to literacy. She is a true role model for giving back and working to create a better world.

NorthPark Center is at the center of combining art and fashion. Describe your own art and fashion interests.

I enjoy following trends and watching the careers of designers. I am drawn to classical styles and great fabrics. My art interests have grown over the years. I am really drawn to Impressionism and sculpture.

The perfect day.

I love to travel. . . I really love to travel. The perfect day would be waking up in a new location ready for a new adventure.

Your day job.

I have never had a traditional career. For 13 years I was the feature correspondent for Scuba World TV Series that was syndicated to the Travel and Discovery channels. Then, I spent 20 years as the national spokesperson for Buick Motor Division of General Motors, before retiring eight years ago.

Now, I have the most rewarding career, even though it is not a paid position — community volunteer. Giving your time and experience to better our community can be more than a full time job.

Looking forward.

Dallas is a vibrant city. There are so many wonderful events and nonprofits doing so much for our community.

I am really excited to see our plans for The Dallas Opera’s First Sight/First Night come to life. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Winspear Opera House. I am thrilled that the Winspear family will be serving as the honorary chairs, and during the event we have the opportunity to thank them for their gift to the city.

It is also the 30th anniversary of one of Dallas’ nonprofits that serves the homeless and at-risk children of North Texas, Hope Supply Co. It’s hard to believe that every night in Dallas 1,110 children don’t have a home to return to. I am really looking forward to their year-long celebration and helping them raise awareness.

There is so much else to look forward to in 2019: welcoming a new music director to The Dallas Symphony; saluting the advancement of the cure with the Leukemia and Lymphoma society during the annual St. Valentine’s Luncheon and Fashion Show; serving the Aging Mind Foundation seeking the cause of Alzheimers; shopping for a cause at the Salvation Army Auxiliary’s Fashion Show and Luncheon; applauding the Texas Ballet Theater world premiere of Pinocchio taking the stage; honoring the advancements of the American Heart Association during the GoRed Luncheon and Cotes du Coeur Gala; working with the world class Dallas Zoo to further their mission; helping TACA support the arts in Dallas during the Silver Cup Luncheon and Party on the Green; seeing Cattle Baron’s Ball continue to support the American Cancer Society; and ending the year celebrating the work of The Crystal Charity Ball Committee.

The highlight of the year. . . celebrating our son’s graduation from Southern Methodist University in May. Pony Up!

NorthPark memory.

We have a family tradition of spending the first Sunday afternoon of December shopping at NorthPark, enjoying the beginning of the holiday season. We still love stopping to see Scrooge, the trains, and enjoy my only Starbuck’s gingerbread latte of the season! Every Santa picture of our son, Preston, has been taken with the iconic NorthPark Santa.

The hustle and bustle, the ringing of the Kettle bell, the Angle Tree, and spending time together. . . thank you NorthPark for a perfect holiday setting.

Advice to your younger self.

Enjoy every day. Work hard, be positive, show up, and be present!

On the horizon.

I hope to take one day at a time, celebrate my friends and family, and smile!

Living the Dream: My Experience Conducting the Dallas Symphony Orchestra

A few months back, I was asked to be a guest conductor for a special Dallas Symphony Orchestra performance. My musical experience is limited—piano lessons as a child and a couple of years playing the French horn in my high school’s band. But I was assured by Kim Noltemy and her team at the DSO that I wouldn’t have to read music or actually, you know, conduct.When I learned the holiday concert would raise funds for the symphony’s Young Musicians program and Southern Dallas Residency, which provide free instrumen...

A few months back, I was asked to be a guest conductor for a special Dallas Symphony Orchestra performance. My musical experience is limited—piano lessons as a child and a couple of years playing the French horn in my high school’s band. But I was assured by Kim Noltemy and her team at the DSO that I wouldn’t have to read music or actually, you know, conduct.

When I learned the holiday concert would raise funds for the symphony’s Young Musicians program and Southern Dallas Residency, which provide free instruments and music lessons to hundreds of students each year, I pushed aside my fears and said yes. Also on the lineup were EarthX Founder Trammell S. Crow, philanthropist Lynn McBee, Bishop T.D. Jakes, and Chad Houser of Café Momentum.

Despite my lack of musical expertise, I did have an advantage: Billingsley Co.’s Lucy Billingsley. She had conducted the songs I was assigned—“March” and “Trepak” from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker—in a 2019 C-Suite Christmas program, and she agreed to be my coach.

I met her at her home a couple of weeks before the Dec. 8 performance for lessons. She was, in a word, prepared—with highlighted sheet music, notes, and links to YouTube videos of various conductor performances. “The DSO will teach you the mechanics of conducting, but you need to find your muse,” Billingsley advised.

She went through where different orchestra members would sit on stage and when to focus on various string and horn sections. She also loaned me her beautifully crafted baton. Later that night, I watched a video of her 2019 performance and realized I had a lot of work to do if I wanted to get up to her level.

Next came a lesson with Maurice Cohn, assistant conductor for the DSO. He explained that “March” had a 4/4 count and that “Trepak” was 2-count. Starting at the top, the baton movement for the 4/4 was down, left, right, and back up. “Floor, window, door, ceiling,” he said.

I told him I had three priorities: stepping up to the conductor stand without tripping, getting everyone to start on time, and nailing the landing (i.e., ending when the orchestra did). Cohn did an exceptional job of teaching me the conducting basics and also got me up to speed on protocol, such as when to bow and the ritual of shaking the hand of the concertmaster (first chair violinist) at the start of the performance.

I created a Tchaikovsky playlist on Spotify and found my YouTube muse—Volker Hartung of the Cologne New Philharmonic Orchestra—and practiced, practiced, practiced. On the morning of the concert, the other members of the cast and I met with Lawrence Loh, music director of Symphoria in Syracuse, N.Y., and the West Virginia Symphony, who was joining as a special lead conductor. We did a run-through of the program; I learned I’d be up first.

Stepping up to the conductor platform in the beautiful Meyerson Symphony Center that evening and standing before the DSO’s amazing musicians took my breath away. In the hours leading up to that moment, I went over all the things I had been taught—”Floor, window, door, ceiling.”

But as I raised the baton, I just let the music take me and gave into the thrill and joy of the experience. (My sister would later tell me she was afraid someone would have to drag me off the stage, as I looked like I was having so much fun and didn’t want to leave…She wasn’t wrong.)

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One of the great things about being first was that I was able to sit back and relax and enjoy the rest of the program once I was finished. Bishop Jakes did a phenomenal job of narrating “The Night Before Christmas,” set to music arranged by Anthony DiLorenzo. Crow and McBee did a fun baton hand-off, track-meet style, as they co-conducted “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson. And Houser joined Soprano Ava Pine and Baritone Reginald Smith Jr. to lead a singalong of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” to close the show. The moment was made even more magical with a gentle cascade of indoor “snow” that fell from above.

I’ll be forever grateful to the DSO for giving me this bucket-list opportunity. If you’d like to watch the full holiday concert, it will air on Bloomberg TV at 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve. Read on to learn the story behind the couple that stepped up to chair the 2021 program.

Meet C-Suite Christmas Event Chairs: Kim and Greg Hext

Kim Hext began studying classical ballet at the age of 4. By the time she was in middle school, her dance teacher, recognizing her talent, suggested that she move on from her small Texas hometown and take classes in Dallas, nearly two hours away. Hext’s family made the commitment, and she excelled. “I owe the arts a lot,” Hext says. “Studying ballet taught me discipline and how to work in a group and it created so many opportunities. The ballet studio was my football field.”

Dance led to involvement with the Miss America program; scholarships earned through that funded Hext’s college education. Today, as a Dallas philanthropist, she especially loves giving back to the arts because she saw the doors it opened for her.

She has long been familiar with classical music because it plays such a prominent role in ballet. So, aligning with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra made perfect sense. Hext is a member of the organization’s board of directors and development committee. Stepping up with her husband, Greg, to chair the 2021 C-Suite Christmas aligned with the couple’s four philanthropic priorities: education, healthcare, children’s charities, and the arts.

The Hexts also liked that it included a collaboration of nonprofits, with a scholarship for the DSO’s educational program being named in honor of Café Momentum’s Chad Houser. (In the past, The couple chaired a Dallas Opera performance of The Magic Flute and collaborated with the Dallas Zoo.)

For Greg, CEO of Hext Financial, the business tie of C-Suite Christmas was appealing, too. “To have a strong, growing, thriving business community, you have to have a strong arts community,” he says. “It’s a big part of what it takes to attract the kind of people and talent we want in Dallas, people and professionals at all levels and in all different industries are interested in the arts.”

The educational tie gave the Hexts even more of a reason to get involved. At this point, about 500 students are involved in the DSOs young musician programs. The goal is to get to 750, and then 1,000, Kim says. “For these children in southern Dallas to get connected to an instrument and have a mentor they work with every week, the impact is profound,” she says. “Research shows the graduation rates of these kids are not just a single-digit higher but double-digit. That impact isn’t just on the child; it impacts generations down the road.

“C-Suite Christmas touches the arts, education, and a partnership between nonprofits,” Kim continues. “It’s innovative and showcases the collaborative spirit of people in Dallas. When we’re able to bring people together, we end up with a more vibrant city.”

Walker leads at Billy Hext Road church

Travis Walker had big shoes to fill with the example of his late father Dann, who worked as a minister at a series of churches in California and Oregon, but he has answered that challenge by emphasizing the supremacy of God’s word.Minister of Billy Hext Road Church of Christ, Walker cites Acts 2:38 and Romans 12:2 to say the Bible tells “about how we can have a relationship with God and the kind of life he wants us to have.“We look forward to the promise of the life that we can have after this life is over,&rd...

Travis Walker had big shoes to fill with the example of his late father Dann, who worked as a minister at a series of churches in California and Oregon, but he has answered that challenge by emphasizing the supremacy of God’s word.

Minister of Billy Hext Road Church of Christ, Walker cites Acts 2:38 and Romans 12:2 to say the Bible tells “about how we can have a relationship with God and the kind of life he wants us to have.

“We look forward to the promise of the life that we can have after this life is over,” said Walker, 49. “Paul told Timothy to preach the word and what I preach is what I see in the word.”

Acts 2:38 says, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

And Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Born in Salem, Oregon, Walker graduated from high school in Tustin, Calif., and attended Florida College in Temple Terrace before interning with the late Minister Billy Moore at the Fulton Street Church of Christ in Butler, Mo., and earning a certificate in religious studies. He served churches in Dallas, Ore., and Brea, Calif., and preached for nine years at the Clovis, Calif., Church of Christ near Fresno, Calif., before arriving in Odessa four years ago. Walker and his wife Beth have three children. His mother’s name is Michele.

His 3451 Billy Hext Road church’s average attendance, including members who participate on Zoom, is 85-100 at 10 a.m. Sunday.

“One of the greatest commandments is to love our neighbor as we love ourselves,” Walker said. “That comes about by learning, growing and being transformed by the word, which is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. When the word is in our hearts, it’s going to change us.”

Nick Byrd of Fresno, who was a deacon at the Clovis Church of Christ when Walker was there, said he “is a man who walks around with great integrity.

“Our 20-year-old son came down with gastroparesis and then mitochondrial disease seven or eight years ago and Travis has been there consistently,” Byrd said. “He is always praying and trying to help us. He is a man of the Lord.

“His dad was an outstanding Gospel preacher and it can be hard to live up a father’s legacy. One of the things I have always admired is that Travis is never afraid to stand for the truth. He doesn’t back down. Oftentimes preachers preach over your head, but he has a good knack of teaching something complex and making it easy to understand.”

Out & About: Crystal Charity Ball Theme Reveal Party

The 71st-annual Crystal Charity Ball is shaping up to be a “Masterpiece in the Making” if this year’s theme is any indication.Art collectors Betsy and Jim Sowell opened their Volk Estates home for the Crystal Charity Ball Committee’s “Reveal” party April 11, where ball chair Angie Kadesky and decorations chair Kim Hext revealed the “Masterpieces in the Making” theme. The ball is set for Dec. 9 at the Hilton Anatole and benefit seven children’s charities: After School All Stars, Buc...

The 71st-annual Crystal Charity Ball is shaping up to be a “Masterpiece in the Making” if this year’s theme is any indication.

Art collectors Betsy and Jim Sowell opened their Volk Estates home for the Crystal Charity Ball Committee’s “Reveal” party April 11, where ball chair Angie Kadesky and decorations chair Kim Hext revealed the “Masterpieces in the Making” theme. The ball is set for Dec. 9 at the Hilton Anatole and benefit seven children’s charities: After School All Stars, Buckner Children Family Services, Fair Park First, Family Gateway, Metrocare Services, Salvation Army of North Texas, and YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas.

“This year when I was trying to come up with an idea for the ball, what I really wanted to convey was our mission, which is Crystal Charity … [helps] make children’s lives better,” Kadesky said. “It hit me that children are our masterpieces, and what I thought of with that is that throughout history, you have art, literature, theater, dance, you have masterpieces, and you needed patrons to help them thrive.”

Kadesky and Hext also recognized some key players who design, plan and execute the ball under the direction of long-time ball producer Tom Addis, including Junior Villanueva of The Garden Gate Floral Studio, Roberta Robinson with The Hilton Anatole Hotel, orchestra leader Tim Ishii, and more.

More than 170 guests at the April 11 event enjoyed bites from Cassandra Moses’ team from Art2Catering, and music by Serenata Strings.

For more information, visit the Crystal Charity Ball’s website.

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House of DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) recently hosted a preview of the luxury jacket auction collection ahead of the main event May 13.

“We are thrilled to welcome guests to this year’s Patron Preview Party as we toast to this year’s House of DIFFA theme – The List,” said patron preview party event chair Rick Castillo. “The List is all about inclusivity and celebrating cultural creativity, and there’s no better way to achieve that than by kicking off this event in festive fashion.”

Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth will serve as host and performer at the May 13 event at the Hilton Anatole. Chenoweth will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event and will perform two songs for guests.

Chenoweth’s decades-long career spans film, TV, voiceover, and stage. Chenoweth has performed to sold-out audiences across the world and, in 2015, she received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2009, she received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in “Pushing Daisies.” In 1999, she won a Tony Award for “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,” and she was also nominated for her original role of Glinda the Good Witch in “Wicked” in 2004.

The black-tie gala is expected to pay tribute to the likeness of Studio 54, London Punk, Coachella, and more.

For more information, visit DIFFA Dallas’ website.

DIFFA is one of the largest fundraising organizations for HIV/AIDS non-profit service providers and education programs within Texas, New York, California, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Massachusetts, and Washington, and is the only HIV/AIDS organization in Texas that provides non-earmarked funding exclusively to HIV/AIDS service efforts.

GALLERY: Spring Fashion Show at TOOTSIES

The buzz was all about new spring trends and catching up with friends since the holidays as TOOTSIES hosted The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary fashion show.The event highlighted the spring fashions in honor of the Auxiliary’s 2020 Fashion Show & Luncheon Giving In Style happening on May 11 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.Auxiliary president Margaret Hancock joined Major Barbara Rich of The Salvation Army North Texas ...

The buzz was all about new spring trends and catching up with friends since the holidays as TOOTSIES hosted The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary fashion show.

The event highlighted the spring fashions in honor of the Auxiliary’s 2020 Fashion Show & Luncheon Giving In Style happening on May 11 at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

Auxiliary president Margaret Hancock joined Major Barbara Rich of The Salvation Army North Texas Area Command and Kim Hext, chair of the Fashion Show & Luncheon as everyone shopped the beautiful new fashions. The scene was set with a delightful buffet of fresh fruits, cinnamon coffee cakes, coffee and refreshments as members gathered in anticipation of the upcoming fashion scoop from TOOTSIES’ own Nerissa von Helpenstill and Dustin Holcomb.

The American Advertising Federation’s 10th District selected LERMA advertising agency founder and principal Pete Lerma as a Mosaic Champion Award recipient.

The inaugural District 10 Mosaic Awards recognize individuals, companies and agencies within Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas for their commitment to diversity and inclusion. The 2020 awards ceremony will take place on Friday, April 17 at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

“America is a great nation, made strong by the coming together of people to celebrate diversity and cultures,” said Lerma. “I truly am honored to be named a Mosaic Award winner, and I celebrate this recognition with my entire agency team. At LERMA ‘diversity and inclusion’ are not just buzzwords. We welcome and celebrate the diversity of our team and clients, who bring with them diversity in points of view, problem-solving styles and beliefs. This type of thinking is our core business.”

Lerma’s career began at a small ad agency in Wichita Falls. He then moved to Dallas and joined Click Here, The Richards Group’s digital division, where he focused on digital marketing. More than 10 years later, he and Stan Richards launched Richards/Lerma to specialize in Hispanic marketing, which recently rebranded to LERMA.

Lerma’s work in the community extends to serving on the boards of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, Booker T. Washington High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, Big Brothers & Big Sisters International and the Culture Marketing Council. He also chairs the annual Latino fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and serves on the Refugee Services Task Force for Catholic Charities.

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