Halloween Decorations 2016

video by Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com

Our Halloween decorations are ready for trick-or-treaters at our home in Frisco on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. I composed the soundtrack with various music loops in GarageBand.

2011 Fall Cottonwood Festival

Photos and music © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Attendees rest in the shade near the Cottonwood Boutique and a fountain during the fall Cottonwood Arts Festival in Richardson on Oct. 1, 2011.


Attendees view, purchase and participate in art during the fall Cottonwood Arts Festival in Richardson.

Corpus Christi Shoreline Blvd.

Photos & music © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

A vendor awaits customer during the Buc Days carnival in Corpus Christi on Sunday, April 25, 2010.


Activities happen from sunrise past sunset along Shoreline Blvd. in Corpus Christi during the annual Texas International Boat Show and Buc Days Festival.

Scarborough Faire 2010

The Flaming Idiots (Gyro, Pyro and Walter) returned from New York to perform a special anniversary act at Scarborough Faire Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie on Saturday, April 17, 2010.


Photos © Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com


Scarborough Faire villagers participate in activities during the annual Scarborough Faire Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie.

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Named in this slideshow are: The Flaming Idiots, Pyro, Gyro, Walter, Don Juan, Miguel, King Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn, Suellen Moline and Fayrouz Hancock.

Christmas Eve dinner

Various specialty cheeses await guests during Christmas Eve dinner at our home in Plano on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011.


Photos Mark M. Hancock / © DFWmark.com


Appetizing dips included Mark's guacamole, onion dip and salsa during Christmas Eve dinner at our home.


Appetizers are available for guests during Christmas Eve dinner at our home in Plano


Various specialty cheeses had a little action during Christmas Eve dinner in Plano.


Smoked chicken, barbecue sauce and smoked brisket are some of the meat choices during Christmas Eve dinner at our home.


Corn salad and mango salad are among the dinner choices during Christmas Eve dinner in Plano.



Deserts included a chocolate mousse Yule log, fruit tart, pecan tart and pineapple upside-down cake during Christmas Eve dinner at our home.






Desert included a chocolate mousse Yule log during Christmas Eve dinner at our home in Plano.

Texas vs. OU football

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News Oklahoma wide receiver Ryan Broyles (85) takes a hit from Texas cornerback Quandre Diggs (28) during a college football game in Dallas on Oct. 9, 2011. See a larger version of this slideshow. The University of Texas battles Oklahoma University in the Red River Rivalry during a college football game at the Cotton Bowl during The State Fair of Texas in Dallas. Named in this slideshow are:   Austin Dunlap, Peyton Wyatt, Bevo, Hayley Gurwitz, Tim Lucas, Ashlea Poirot, Gabe Ikard, Malcolm Brown, Tony Jefferson, Landry Jones, Fozzy Whittaker, Blake Gideon, Ryan Broyles, Kenny Stills, Adrian Phillips, Quandre Diggs, Case McCoy, Travis Lewis, Ronnell Lewis, David Ash, Mike Davis, Jaxon Shipley and Demontre Hurst.

REACH Christmas Carol

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Carolers move quickly between homes during the annual REACH Christmas Carol in northwest McKinney on Monday, Dec. 13, 2010.


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Carolers move quickly between homes during the annual REACH Christmas Carol in northwest McKinney. Third through 5th graders caroled door to door and then gathered at a neighborhood park for hot chocolate and cookies.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Nick Blaskovich, Julia Gaughan, Courtney Camella and Mike Blaskovich.

Christmas Play

A cross stands outside the St. Ann Catholic Church before the annual Christmas Play in Kaufman on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2010.


photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic


J.D. Avila , 6, (right) and Anthony Avila, 5, (left) wait for their angel wings before the Christmas Play at St. Ann Catholic Church in Kaufman.



J.D. Avila , 6, waits to play his role as an angel before the annual Christmas Play.



Joley Oliver, 4, collects song sheets before the Christmas Play at St. Ann Catholic Church in Kaufman.



Mary (Vivian Glick left) talks with Elizabeth (Andrea Gandara, right) during the Christmas Play.


Mary (Vivian Glick, 11, left) holds Jesus (Christian Glick, 3 months) alongside Joseph (Patrick Mitchell, 10, right) as they are surrounded by angels during the Christmas Play.


Mary (Vivian Glick, 11, left) hands Jesus (Christian Glick, 3 months) to Joseph (Patrick Mitchell, 10, right) as he sits next to the wise men during the Christmas Play.


Wise men bring gifts to Mary (Vivian Glick, 11, left), Jesus (Christian Glick, 3 months) and Joseph (Patrick Mitchell, 10, right) during the Christmas Play.


Mary (Vivian Glick, 11, left) adjusts her scarf as Jesus (Christian Glick, 3 months) sleeps in the arms of Joseph (Patrick Mitchell, 10, right) during the annual Christmas Play at St. Ann Catholic Church in Kaufman.

St. Ann Community Carnival

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Visitors partake in the food and rides during the St. Ann Community Carnival at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010.


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Visitors partake in the food and rides during the St. Ann Community Carnival at St. Ann Catholic Parish in Coppell.

Named in this slideshow are: &nbsp Alison Major, Audrey Major, Abigail Major, Ashlynn Jones, Karl Vanzant, Eileen Littel, Faith Ayres, Frank Rusch III, Radu Cernat and Matt Cook.

Independence Day Children's Parade

Strollers, bikers, carters, wagoneers and walkers begin the Independence Day Children's Parade on Timber Creek Road on July 3, 2010 in Flower Mound.


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News


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Strollers, bikers, carters, wagoneers and walkers begin the Independence Day Children's Parade on Timber Creek Road in Flower Mound.

Also named in this slideshow are:   Skylar Witte, Linley Phillips, Maggie Phillips, Amelia Ryan, Thomas Ryan, Aiden Morris, Genevieve Robins, Schadle Landry, Alex Alexandrov, Pat Alexandrov, Justin Alexandrov, Yohanna Garcia, Claire Henderson, Lindsay Henderson, Josh Bennett, Ella Bennett and Eve Bennett.

Buddy Walk

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Notre Dame School of Dallas cheerleaders Chelsea Waits (left) and Georgi McNutt (right) play with pompoms before the 9th annual Buddy Walk at Flag Pole Hill Park on White Rock Lake in Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. The event benefits the Down Syndrome Guild of Dallas.


Jesuit High School head coach Bob Wunderlick (right) leads coach Luke O'Brien (left) through an obstacle course drill before the Buddy Walk at Flag Pole Hill Park in Dallas.




Participants leave the start line for a one-mile walk during the Buddy Walk at Flag Pole Hill Park on White Rock Lake.


Notre Dame School of Dallas cheerleaders perform a cheer during the Buddy Walk at Flag Pole Hill Park.


Frank and Charlotte Cherry watch proudly as the Notre Dame School of Dallas cheerleaders and sign language choir perform during the 9th annual Buddy Walk at Flag Pole Hill Park on White Rock Lake in Dallas.

University of Dallas Ministry Conference

Cristian Barragan, a Capuchin monk from Our Lady of Lourdes, has a laugh with other attendees during the annual University of Dallas Ministry Conference at the Dallas Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009.



photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic


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Faithful attend the annual University of Dallas Ministry Conference at the Dallas Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009. The event seeks to make the University's academic resources available to Catholic and wider communities through lectures, workshops and meetings. The conference is sponsored by both the Dallas and Fort Worth dioceses.

Named in this slideshow are (in order of appearance):   Mariachi Real Tecalitlan; Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Dallas Diocese; Jonathan I. Lunine; Fr. Patrick J. Madden, Shreveport Diocese; Fr. Robert Hater; Bishop Kevin W. Vann, Fort Worth Diocese; John L. Allen, Jr., senior Vatican analyst for CNN; Augustine Jalomo of the Happy Hour band; Sr. Maria Thu Nguyen; deacon Joseph Nguyen; Sr. Emmanuela Le; Vanessa Llanas; Bailey Chandler; Bishop Alvaro Corrada del Rio, Tyler Diocese; Fr. Anthony Nguyen Van Quyet; Kenneth Louis; Richard Cheri; deacon Hugo Salina; Cristian Barragan; Mike Patin and Dr. Arturo Chavez.

Bishop's Breakfast with Boy Scouts

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Ryan LeGrand, 16, of Boy Scout Troop No. 285 (right) listens to Bishop Michael G. Duca of the Shreveport Diocese (left) during mass before the annual Bishop's Breakfast at St. Rita in Dallas on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009.


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Bishop Michael G. Duca of the Shreveport Diocese (left) conducts mass before receiving the Scout's highest diocesan award during the annual Bishop's Breakfast at St. Rita in Dallas. The event is sponsored by the Diocese of Dallas Committee on Scouting and recognizes significant contributions of individuals to scouting in the diocese.

Named in this slideshow are (in order of appearance):   Lucas Eddy, Bishop Michael G. Duca, Msgr. Mark Seitz, Ryan LeGrand, Grace Davidson, Msgr. R. James Balint, Fr. Josef Vollmer-Konig and Ed Carpenter.

Wish 100 Bike Rally

photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Travis Armayor of Dallas talks with friends before the inaugural Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters in Plano on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. The rally was organized to raise funds and grant 100 wishes to North Texas children with life-threatening medical conditions through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.


Tommy Thompson of Plano adds air to his tires before the Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters.



Bikers roll past traffic waiting to get to the Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.


Gracie, a 9-year-old long-haired Chihuahua owned by Gene and Annie Carleton of Wylie, watches activities atop a table before the Wish 100 Bike Rally.


Camille Smouse of Keller basks in a brief ray of sunlight before the Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.



Mechelle Armstrong of Dallas waits for the start of the Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters.


Riders organize before the Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.


Members of the Frito-Lay "Cheesy Riders" assemble in the second start position before the Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters.


Riders leave the start line during the inaugural Wish 100 Bike Rally in Plano.


A long line of riders wrap through the city during the inaugural Wish 100 Bike Rally at the Frito-Lay corporate headquarters in Plano.

Holy Spirit's Fall Festival

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Corina Cerrone, 14, (top) encourages Kelly Redmond, 14, (left) to climb a rope in an inflatable maze during Holy Spirit's Fall Festival in Duncanville on Sunday, September 27, 2009.


Knights of Columbus representatives Barry Barksdale (left) and Mike Rumsey (right) turn burgers during Holy Spirit's Fall Festival.


Martin Svatek rotates turkey legs in the smoker during Holy Spirit's Fall Festival in Duncanville.


Rianna Duvall, 8, lets an albino rat climb up her arm in a petting zoo during Holy Spirit's Fall Festival.


Catherine Walker, 5, selects a prize-winning duck in the game area during Holy Spirit's Fall Festival.



Chris Edward, grand knight of the Knights of Columbus No. 8157, (left) tunes his guitar before playing with Thrillbilly bandmates Jimmy Duvall (right) and Cody Duvall (center on drums) during Holy Spirit's Fall Festival in Duncanville.

Holy Sepulcher Mass

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Fr. Michael Dugan (left) and Bishop Kevin J. Farrell (right) celebrate during the annual Holy Sepulcher Mass at Christ the King Catholic church in Dallas on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.


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Attendees celebrate the annual Holy Sepulcher Mass at Christ the King Catholic church in Dallas.

Named in this slideshow are: Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Msgr. Donald Zimmerman, Fr. Michael Dugan, Fr. Tony Ruiz C.M., Harold Meier, Esther Tobar and Rudy Tobar.

State Fair of Texas

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

The Texas Star dominates Fair Park during the State Fair of Texas in Dallas on Saturday, September 26, 2009. The wheel first spun through the Texas sky in 1985.


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Fayrouz, my sister and I went to the State Fair of Texas. We didn't stay long, but it was a nice day, and we had fun.

This weekend is the final weekend for the fair as well as Texas/OU weekend. If y'all haven't gone and gotten some fried butter or a corny dog, it'll be crowded, but it's your last chance.

Please also see the "Women & Spirit exhibition" slideshow before you go.

GrapeFest Peoples Choice

© Mark M. Hancock / DFWmark.com

Wine glasses await judges during the 23rd annual GrapeFest in Grapevine on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009. The event featured the 2009 People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic.


Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau board member Luann Chapman Gatts wears a weekend's worth of People's Choice pretty colors um rock bands armbands during the 23rd annual GrapeFest in Grapevine.



After many gargles sips of wine, I remembered documented that we brought our own snakes um snacks palette cleansers to use between wine gulps samples during the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic.



Suellen Moline of Plain Old Plano makes fishy faces um walks sideways umm... does some verbby thing during the cage match GrapeFest Wine Tasting Classic.


Wheeee!


After swigging sampling everything select um (some winey-sounding noun with an "s" goes here), John, Suellen and Fayrouz balance against a table um munch on snacks confer to determine which wine had alcohol um rules the world should win the People's Choice Wine Tasting Classic at GrapeFest in Grapevine.

Please also see:
Historic Grapevine
GrapeFest flame worker
GrapeFest blacksmith
GrapeFest sculptor