Early Life

Born in 1940 in the midst of World War II, many of Madame Poole’s early memories were shaped by the events of the city around her. Her father worked as an architect for the Ministry of Works in the middle of London, and her mother, fluent in French and English, translated for the war effort. During the days, their nanny would walk young Suzelle and her brother to Kensington Park where they would sit and play in the same little spot every day. Madame Poole still recalls the day when they went on their daily outing, only to find a large crater in the ground where their play spot had once been. Yet despite the violence of the world around them, Madame Poole’s parents still made sure to expose their children to the beauty found in the worlds of art, music and ballet.

Suzelle Poole’s family remained in London until 1946, when they went to visit her paternal grandmother in Canada and ended up staying for ten years. While in Canada, Suzelle’s father designed sets for the opera and taught as a professor at the University of Toronto, and Madame Poole began her training in ballet at age 7.

Houston, Texas

One of the main themes that Madame Poole emphasized in our conversation together was the profound impact that her teachers made upon her. While in Canada, Suzelle Poole studied under Betty Oliphant and Celia Franca, wonderful English teachers who brought her up in the Cecchetti method of ballet. However, after her move to Houston at age 16 (her father was a professor of architecture at the University of Houston and helped design three buildings for NASA), she could no longer find a teacher of this method. It was during this time that she met and began training under Madame Tatiana Semenova, a Russian-born ballet dancer, teacher and founder of the Houston Ballet Academy. Trained by Prima ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska, Madame Semenova’s own dancing career came to an abrupt halt during World War II, when she was severely injured while on tour dancing for the troops throughout Europe.

Despite not being able to perform, Madame Semenova continued to teach. It was she who gave Madame Poole the part of Cupid in Mozart’s ‘Les Petit Riens’ and began training her to teach. She soon became Madame Semenova’s assistant, writing bills, interviewing pianists and teaching children ages 6-11, as well as a few teenagers and adult beginners. Debbie Allen of Fame became one of her early students during these years. During this period in Houston, she performed in Madame Tatiana Semenova’s world premier of Enigma with the Houston Ballet.

Teacher and Performer

A dancer’s performance career is typically rather short-lived. At age 26, when she thought her career with dance was nearly over, Suzelle Poole came to the realization that she did not want to give up her life of performance. Rather than hang up her pointe shoes, she resigned her job as head mistress at a Montessori school in London, and continued on her path as performer and teacher. In the years following this decision, she found herself cast as a fairy godmother alongside John Inman, who played one of the ugly stepsisters, and danced with Nigel Lythgoe in the national tour of ‘The Merry Widow.’

Madame Suzelle Poole met her husband in London, where they were married in 1973. Together, their teaching and performing obligations took them to Germany, Cape Town and eventually to Dallas in 1986, where Madame Poole remains to this day.

On an average day, you will still find Madame Poole hard at work, practicing ballet for one to three hours each day. She has found it important to keep her technique up, as she finds it most useful to be able to demonstrate the moves to her students. She still believes that ballet is the best exercise, helping to build the body and teach discipline in a supportive environment. Recently, Madame Poole took an upper level RAD exam with 13 year old children, taught by Angela Sham, director of the Royale Ballet Dance Academy. She is also currently taking French lessons under the tutelage of Serge Schragin from Paris to help fulfill her lifelong dream of learning to speak French as fluently as her mother. She often dances to her husband’s voice at local nursing homes, performs in recitals alongside her dance partner Daniel De Cordóba, and has published a series of beautiful poems which is available to purchase here (1, 2, 3):

Madame Poole has discovered recent fame, as her story has been featured by the BBC, Ted Talks, Washington Post, and Fox 4 News, among many other features. As an individual who has never stopped doing what she loves to do and teaching others to do the same, she is continuing to inspire future generations. While so many people find themselves giving up many things they love to do with age, she says she believes that “people should always go on with what they want to do.”

Thank you so much, Madame Poole, for sharing your story and for inspiring so many of us by the way you continue to daily go on doing what you love to do.

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If you turn on the television for a few seconds or flip through the pages of a magazine, it doesn’t take long to recognize that much of our society glamorizes youth. Yet while we often feel the pressure to hang onto so many aspects of our younger years, there is a beauty in aging that goes far beyond what is skin-deep. As the photos that fill our memory-books can attest to, there is a deep richness to life that can only come with experience. And if life is made of experiences, there is no one richer in Anna, TX than Ms. Georgia Mosier.

Ms. Georgia was born on June 2, 1919, exactly 100 years ago today. A lot of things happened that year. Teddy Roosevelt passed away, the Greenbay Packers were founded, Babe Ruth was sold to the NY Yankees for a record-setting $125,000. Prohibition began with the passing of the 18th amendment, WWI ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, and women won the right to vote just two days after Ms. Georgia’s birth. While many aspects of life in 1919 would be unfamiliar to us today, there were many events that feel eerily similar: a wave of mail-bombings that began in April struck fear throughout the nation, becoming some of our nation’s first organized acts of domestic terrorism; meanwhile, many of the worst race riots in American history were breaking out throughout the country.

Ms. Georgia’s childhood was shaped by the roaring 20’s and Great Depression of the 1930’s. Shortly after high school graduation, Ms. Georgia moved to Anna in 1939 and has lived here ever since. It’s hard to imagine what it must be like to grow up in one place and watch it change before your very eyes. According to Ms. Georgia, back then everyone knew everyone and she misses that. A few things have remained the same, though. She still attends the very same Methodist church building that she has attended for 80 years, where she still sings some of her favorite songs: Rock of Ages, Amazing Grace and the Old Rugged Cross.

Even though I only briefly met Ms. Georgia, it was apparent that she is a woman of strength. This strength has been passed down through generations and lives on in the women in her life today. Her legacy, kindness and faith have continued to impact our little community for good, as some of her friends have attested to:

“Georgia is the meaning of Anna to me. She has been a person I have known and gone to church with all my life. Always kind and gracious to everyone. A true Christian lady.” –Brenda Hammack

“She is an amazing lady. Truly a woman of God. We could all learn a thing or two from this sweet woman. Happy 100th birthday, Ms. Georgia.” –Charlotte Gladden

“Ms Georgia makes me laugh every time I visit her. I tell her she’s beautiful and she tells me that I need to get my eyes checked. She’s so sweet and smacks me every time I see her. I guess it’s called a “loving pat”. Ms Georgia is one of a kind.” –Carol Chapman

Ms. Georgia, it was such a pleasure getting to meet and photograph you. From all of the Anna community, we wish you the very happiest of birthdays and thank you for all you have done for this community over the past 80 years. Happy 100th birthday!

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Christina Freeman is an award-winning family photographer in Anna Texas, specializing in families, newborns and children in Collin County including Anna, Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Centenarians in the DFW will always receive a complimentary 100th birthday portrait session, so please feel free to contact her if you know of an eligible loved one!

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….which means if you’re anything like me, you’re probably scrambling for things to do with them in the months ahead. I will be featuring more great local activities to do with kids in the weeks ahead, so be sure to follow me on facebook to stay up to date with those ideas. For now, here is an A-Z Guide to Summer in McKinney, TX!

A: Al Ruschhaupt Park
Located on 96 acres, this wheelchair friendly playground has hike and bike trails, soccer fields and a splash pad. Friendly for kids of all ages.

B: Bonnie Wenk Park
This beautiful park spans over 200 acres and includes a dog park, hike and bike trails and a 5-acre fishing pond. June 15 will mark the grand opening of its phase 2, which will include 4 additional play structures for kids of all ages. A personal review will be coming soon!

C: Chestnut Square
The Heritage Village at Chestnut Square offers tours of its historical homes and sites, in addition to hosting weekly McKinney’s Farmer’s Markets.

D: Dress-up at Sugar & Spice
If you have a little girl celebrating a summer birthday, or simply have an itch to have your own girls’ night out, check out the dress-up party offerings at Made of Sugar and Spice in downtown McKinney.

E: Erwin Park
Located on more than 200 acres, Erwin Park is home to more than 10 miles of mountain bike trails and natural wooded areas.

F: Farm Museum
The Collin County Farm Museum is dedicated to developing a better understanding of Collin County’s rural heritage from its earliest settlements through the 1960s. Be sure to follow their facebook page to stay up to date with their pop-up workshops!

G: Gourmet Pops
Cool off at Frios Gourmet Pops located in historic downtown McKinney! Their creamy gourmet popsicles are made from real fruit, milk, cream and organic cane sugar.

H: Heard Museum
The Heard Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is one of my personal favorite places to frequent in McKinney. The Heard is a private non-profit 289-acre wildlife sanctuary with plenty of trails, a butterfly exhibit (opening June 1), and an outdoor pioneer village for the kids. The inside of the museum is home to a dinosaur dig sandbox and multiple exhibits including native Texas snakes and even a Mosasaur skeleton found in Garland.

I: Ice Cream ( Paciugo Gelato)
If you’ve never treated yourself to gelato, do yourself a favor and get over to Paciugo Gelato in downtown McKinney. Once you’ve had this traditional Italian ice cream, you’ll never be able to go back.

J: Jump Into Art
This downtown art studio offers it all: children’s classes, adult classes, pottery and clay classes, adult workshops, events for children with special needs and more! Be sure to like their facebook page to stay up to date with their many offerings this summer!

K: Kids Workshops at Home Depot
I only just learned that Home Depot offers workshops for both kids and adults–I had no idea! Be sure to enter your zip code to find the classes offered at your nearest store.

L: Library
Okay, this one is a no-brainer, but make sure you check out the McKinney Public Library website to see their many offerings throughout the summer. See this page for their summer reading lists by age level, and be sure to stop by to sign your little ones up for their Summer Reading Program!

M: Mom & Popcorn Co.
If you love popcorn, you need to visit Mom & Popcorn on the square! This nostalgic shop offers over 50 flavors of gourmet popcorn, as well as old-fashioned glass bottled drinks, homemade fudge and a wide assortment of nostalgic treats. Be sure to download their treasure hunt list for your visit with the kiddos!

N: Nature Camps
Okay, so I already mentioned the Heard Museum, but it’s worth mentioning again to bring attention to their many summer camps! Available for ages 3-16, these camps help kids delve into the wonder of nature. Art camps are also available for kids ages 6-16.

O: Obstacle Warrior Kids
If your family happens to be fans of American Ninja Warrior, get over to Obstacle Warrior Kids to test their abilities in their indoor obstacle courses. Ages 2 and up.

P: Puppet Anatomy 101 Workshops
This is another shop that I just discovered in downtown McKinney, and it’s amazing! Stop by the shop to be amazed at the handmade sculptures and kinetic art, and be sure to check out her puppet making workshops for kids, teens and adults!

Q: Quiet Time
Okay…this is a bit of a cheat, but sometimes you just have to get out of the house and take in some quiet time! My personal favorites have already been mentioned: getting the kids to the library, or simply enjoying some alone time on some of the many hiking trails in McKinney.

R: Rock Out at School of Rock
Get your kids into music this summer with School of Rock’s many lessons, camps and workshops. Most camps end with a live performance where your kids can show off what they have learned on their instruments of choice.

S: Storytimes at Heard Museum and Local Libraries
Okay…another no-brainer is storytimes. Be sure to check out your closest library to see their schedule, or visit the Heard Museum on Fridays to be a part of their nature story times!

T: Towne Lake
Oh, how I love Towne Lake. This 108-acre park has so much packed into it: bike trails, playgrounds, sand volleyball, horseshoes, fountains, a fishing pier, even an 18-hole disc golf course. Such a fun way to spend an afternoon. Bonus: if you love long-distance hiking or biking, these trails connect through Al Ruschhaupt and Bonnie Wenk parks!

U: Urban Air Adventure
If you need something to do on a rainy day, consider checking out Urban Air Adventure. This adventure park has indoor trampolines, a warrior course, indoor rock-climbing, a sky-rider coaster and so much more!

V: Vacation Bible Schools
Each church near you will have their own unique offerings as far as Vacation Bible Schools go!

W: Walls of Clay
This downtown studio offers pottery painting, glass fusion and more! The last Saturday of each month offers Kids Create! for school aged kids; be sure to also check out their summer camp offerings for kids ages 6 and up.

X: Exotic Animals at Cathy’s Critters in Princeton
This one is a bit of a cheat, as it’s actually located up the road in Princeton, but take your little ones to Cathy’s Critters to let them fall in love with the farm animals! Check out her schedule to see more details on open farm days as well as their week-long summer camp.

Y: The Yard
If all of your McKinney activities have worked up an appetite, look no further than The Yard to satisfy your hunger. With an outdoor (pet-friendly!) patio, ping pong and play areas, The Yard is perfect for kids and grown-ups alike.

Z: Zen Kids Yoga
Help your kids build their concentration while reaping the physical benefits of yoga at Zen Kids Yoga. Classes are available for ages 4-12.

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Christina Freeman is a family photographer in Anna Texas, specializing in families, newborns and children in Collin County including Anna, Melissa, Van Alstyne, McKinney, Plano, Princeton, Farmersville, Prosper, Frisco, Wylie, Celina, Little Elm and other Dallas suburbs. Contact her to start planning your session today!

The post A to Z Guide to Summer in McKinney, TX appeared first on Christina Freeman Photography.