May Day
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May Day is always one of my favorite days–associated with wildflowers, May baskets, and a festive mood halfway into spring. What better way to celebrate May Day than with vibrant friends who celebrate Dallas all year with their accomplishments. What better place to celebrate May Day than dinner on the garden patio of Cafe Pacific on a beautiful evening. Notre Dame was also celebrated, which is fitting since the day has tributes made to Virgin Mary. The former Notre Dame student council president, now owner and Chief Wagoneer of Radio Flyer, upon hearing that fellow transportation titan from Notre Dame was celebrating May Day along with progeny of a Notre Dame All-American football player, sent miniature Radio Flyer wagons as May basket table favors. May Day also is the first day of Preservation Month. Who better to celebrate Preservation Month with than Amy and Les Ware who have accomplished the most important home restoration of the century in Highland Park and Dallas. On a massive lot this English-style architecturally significant home designed by C.D. Hill was doomed for destruction. In the good hands and aesthetic sophistication of the Wares, the 100-year-old home on Beverly was restored and seen at the Patron Party of the Park Cities Preservation Tour. May Day also has a more ominous meaning, one of warning. A splendid celebration at Cafe Pacific reminds one of the fragility of time-honored places and institutions deeply engraved in our lives that need to be preserved. Is there anywhere in Dallas that embodies the grace, elegance, sense of perfection and fun that Highland Park homeowner Jack Knox has created at Cafe Pacific–a restaurant as relevant today as 30 years ago? Also in the house on May Day, were the 3 best chefs in Dallas: Dean Fearing and Stephan Pyles as guests and Chef Terry Cook in the kitchen, along with dignitaries, Highland Park families, young couples, all treated like royalty and longtime friends. As we think about Preservation in May, may we devote time to think about preserving the magic of Cafe Pacific and its contributions to Highland Park for years to come. *May Day