For the Love of Rockwall, January 2015

ROCKWALL, TX (March 10, 2015) It seems appropriate that Blue Ribbon News chose its Valentine’s edition to introduce my “For the Love of Rockwall” social column. After all, there is much to love about the people of Rockwall County.

I like to surround myself with the company of friends during special times, which is why I want to reflect on the recent holiday party at my home.

December 20, 2014 was a great day – the day of my annual Christmas present to myself. More than 130 people attended my holiday gathering – many of whom were my classmates and teachers in grade school. Yes, “Old Rockwall” turned out in droves for the celebration, and they mixed and mingled with many of our friends that have moved here over the last few decades. 

I was thrilled when Judge David Rakow and his wife, Amy, arrived around the time Treska McDaniel and Alanna Childress arrived with their husbands. Amy, David, Treska, Alanna, and I attended Dobbs back when it was the only elementary school in town.

Betty (Klutts) Barton was in attendance with her husband Wes. Betty was my fifth grade teacher. I’ve known her not only as a teacher, but as lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Rockwall. She and Wes sit a couple of rows in front of my husband, Joe, and I at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sundays. Betty’s father, the late Ben Klutts, was a former Rockwall mayor. The Klutts’ own real estate from historical downtown to the rural farm areas that still remain in the county.

I was brought to tears by the presence of another couple that is special toRockwallCountyand to my family. In the late 1970’s, as the Shah fledIran, J.R. and Kathy Rahmanzadeh moved here with their son and three daughters. Their children went to Dobbs with me. My dad – Jimmy Wade Williams, namesake of JW Williams Middle School and former Superintendent – hired Kathy as a teacher. Kathy recently retired from RISD.

Several months ago, I received a call from J.R. letting me know he’d been thinking of my family – my dad in particular – and how much my dad had done to help them assemble into our then small community. The Rahmanzadehs’ have become loved and respected by so many. My stepdaughter played on a tennis league with them a few years ago.

Although my parents have passed, I thought of them all evening as I visited with guests whom they also knew and loved. Everyone was blessed to be able to enjoy and celebrate with each other, as the attendees were so diverse. There were young professionals in their 20’s alongside pillars of the community who were many decades older – and all ages in between.

Public officials and community leaders also attended, as well as plumbers, bankers, electricians, teachers, business owners, doctors, lawyers, firemen and policemen. Superintendent Jeff Bailey was there (just like my dad would have been years ago). As I watched my home fill inside and out, my heart swelled as I thought “for the love of Rockwall” I had this party; this is the Rockwall I know and love.

By Blue Ribbon News guest columnist Kim Timpa, who has been practicing family law in this area for more than 20 years. The Timpa Law office is located on the downtown square.

  for the love of rockwall, kim timpa