A Rotary Moment

For 08/21/09

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

 

      Rotary District Governor Fred Sandberg and his special friend Winona Moore were guests of The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe last week, and the lake folks made sure he understood why "And Is It Fun?" has been added as  RCLC's "5^th Test" of the things we think, say or do.

     The merriment began at a Wednesday evening reception at the home of Rotarian Christina Rathbun and her sweet hubby Bill. In attendance were many club members and spouses, along with special guests District Youth Exchange Chair (and Past District Governor) Glen Mattingly and his lovely wife and Rotary partner Carol.

     Those in attendance were introduced to Lake Conroe's inbound Youth Exchange Student

Loraine Kahlmeier of Germany, and Huntsville's student Anna Preijde of Sweden. This was the first time the two inbound exchange students had a chance to meet, but it will not be the last. The District plans events throughout the year for the kids, giving them time to get to know one another, exchange ideas and share their experiences while here.

     Thursday morning Gov Fred and Winona attended the club's breakfast meeting, where Fred shared that he arose that morning about the time that he was usually going to bed! In spite of that, he was gracious and entertaining, as he told the group about Rotary International's plans for the year and shared some of the District's upcoming special projects too. After breakfast, he was treated to a VIP tour of Memory Park.

      While Governor Fred was recovering at home from his week on the road, the District Youth Exchange Leadership Team spent the weekend on a retreat in Livingston at the beautiful lakeside guest house of Rotarian Phil Palmer. Saturday during the day Youth Exchange Chairs from the clubs joined the district team to chart the course for this important Rotary program. Along with accomplishing a great deal, Rotarians had the opportunity for great fellowship and some drop-dead gorgeous sunrise and sunset watching!

     Save The Date - The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe has recently announced that the Annual Prayer Breakfast, sidelined last year because of Hurricane Ike and its aftermath, will return for 2009 on Wednesday December 2^nd.  Details will be provided soon.

     News from Magnolia Rotarian Jude Bode from their exciting meeting last week: " On Aug. 18^th The RC of Magnolia welcomed the Magnolia high school football coaches in what has become an annual event.  This year becomes a milestone as both Magnolia High School and Magnolia West High School are both offering grades 9-12 and have equal programs for the upcoming season. 

     Coach Sexton from Magnolia High School won the coin toss and choose to speak first.  He said that the last few weeks have been busy with two-a-day practices for their over 100 kids who came out.  He quoted that, ‘Last year was the most successful year in Magnolia football history' and he seems anxious to start this season!  He mentioned that he had not lost any coaches and that would be a plus this season.  Coach Sexton said one of the fundamental things he tells his teams are, ‘The main thing is the main thing' He expects his team to be focused and to deliver by running the ball.

     Coach Joiner from Magnolia West spoke next and reminded us that these two teams were really only rivals on one night (when they play each other).  All of the Magnolia coaches are great men and they have mutual respect for each other.  Joiner is excited to see this season through with some of the kids that he has coached since 7th grade.  Since this is the first year that Magnolia West has a senior class, he said it was, "Nice to finally have seniors with whiskers" around.  He also said that having seniors added the dynamic of giving the younger boys the mentors that they needed on the field. 

 

The Rotary Club of Magnolia holds their annual Spaghetti Dinner prior to the game when the two Magnolia High School compete.  This year that game is Friday, Nov. 6th at Magnolia High School.  Proceeds from the dinner benefit Scholarship and other community programs throughout the area.  Watch for more information."

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Rotary Moment

For  8/10/2009

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

 

    We have a celebrity amongst us!

     Every month since 2006, The Rotary Global History Fellowship has published a feature on its website called “Why I Am A Rotarian”. Rotarians from around the world have submitted their stories to the fellowship, and the list of those who submit stories reads like a who’s who of Rotary – many past Rotary International Presidents, Zone Officers and District Governors have all told their stories. When selected, the story is permanently posted on the fellowship’s website and also sent via email to many thousands of Rotarians worldwide. The story for August 2009 is none other than our own Rotarian Extraordinaire Doris Lockey!

     Doris submitted her story last year, before transferring from The RC of Conroe to Lake Conroe and in it she tells of volunteering for a RCLC workday to support her Lake Conroe friends. I remember this day well, and it was certainly something above and beyond the call of duty after putting in many hours working for her own club. In it, Doris expresses how many of us feel about the joy of service.

    You can read Doris’ story on The RCLC website at www.lakeconroerotary.org and you can read the prior stories and Rotary’s history at www.whyiam.org, part of the Global History Fellowship’s website. Atta girl Doris!

    The Exchange Students are arriving! Rotary in Montgomery County welcomes Loraine Kahlmeier of Germany, hosted by the RC of Lake Conroe, who arrived August 1^st and

Ananda deOliveira of Brazil, hosted by The RC of The Woodlands, who arrives August 16^th. We look forward to getting to know these two young women during their stay with us.

     We also want to say Bon Voyage to Outbound Exchange Students Heidi DeMaret, a junior at The Woodlands HS, who is going to Ecuador and Larysa Krujis, a junior at The Woodlands Christian HS, who is going to France. We’re hoping to keep you informed about these two teens and their adventures abroad.

     Save the date! The RC of Conroe has a new fundraiser this year. The club will host its annual raffle within a new event, a Fish Fry, on October 27^th. Raffle tickets will remain at $100.00 each and the grand prize will be a “Cruise Of  A Lifetime” worth $5,000.00, plus other big ticket items for 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th prize. Each $100 ticket buys two fish dinners and the raffle entry. Proceeds will fund the wonderful work of this grand ol’ club, one of the first clubs charted in our district.

     For more information, contact event Chair Scott Weisinger at 936 756-7721, or consult the RCC website at www.conroe-rotary.org.

     The RC of Magnolia will meet the next two weeks – August 11^th and 18^th - at Pesquera’s Restaurant. The club just hosted new Rotary District Governor Fred Sandberg for one of his first official visits of his term. He will call on all 41 clubs in the district over the next few months. While at the club, Fred helped present 4 Paul Harris Awards to Charlie Thacker, Doug Rush, and Rosemary Mooney, all as Past Presidents of the club, and  Glenn Addison, former Rotarian and Board member. What a great way to begin a Governor’s term!

     The RC of The Woodlands also has 8 new Paul Harris Fellows in their midst - Attorney Mark Cole; Steve Scheffler, Lone Star-Montgomery; Carol Carter; Rey Sarmiento - Edward Jones received his second; Attorney Sharon Conway received her second; Jim Fredricks, The Courier; Marilyn Laidlaw, Perry’s Restaurant and Dr. Lyn Randolph, retired. Congratulations to one and all.

     The RC of The Woodlands will host their quarterly blood drive August 27^th. The donor coach will be at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information, contact long-standing Blood Drive Chair Sharon Conway at SConway@SConwayLaw.com

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

 

A Rotary Moment
For 7/27/2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride    

       It is going to be a busy and fun filled fall for Rotarians this year – and all in the name of supporting our community!
      Save the Date – Saturday, November 7th at Walden Yacht Club The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe will host an as-yet-unnamed Fall Fundraiser. Last year, the event was a wine dinner; this year, it’s a “1920’s Speak Easy”, complete with dancing to the tunes of the era, food stations and a Martini Bar, serving the classic drinks of the period. Many more details are to come, but plant this date on your calendar right now and start looking for a zoot suit or flapper dress, for sure! This will be great fun.
     As announced last week, the Rotary Club of The Woodlands will host their first ever Woodlands Oktober Fest on Saturday and Sunday September 26th and 27th in Town Green Park along The Waterway, adjacent to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Food, fun and plenty of libations will make this a great family event. Vendor booths are available and applications must be received by August 31st. Sponsorships are available at many levels too. Festival details are now available at http://www.oktoberfestthewoodlands.com/schedule.
     Event Chair Rotarian Mike McDougal sends his heartfelt thanks to his fellow Rotarians and the community at large for their support of the annual Burn Your Burns Bike Ride to support Bridgewood Farms. The ride was held July 4th, and this year more than 300 hearty souls biked between 20 and 60 miles, depending upon the course chosen, to support Bridgewood.
    As always, my hubby Michael and I had the honor of hosting the must-stop-big-daddy rest stop at our place (our big circular driveway comes in really handy!), assisted by Rotarian Doris and Wally Lockey. We always have a great time handing out Mimosas and energy bars to the riders as they come in for a break from the heat and sun. What an awesome group of people these cyclists are! We look forward to seeing them again next year.
     And, a quick note of apology to Mr. McDougal and Bridgewood – it’s my privilege each year to publicize the ride within this column, and, I hope, help to boost the number of riders and sponsors. I fell down on the job this summer, too caught up in my medical recovery and the resulting exhaustion. I owe you guys a double whammy next year, for sure!
    Thank You – Two little words with such great power – “Thank You”. A visitor to our club board meeting earlier this month reminded us of the many unsung heroes amongst us in all of our Rotary Clubs. Our Board members are recognized, our fundraising chairs congratulated, our presidents applauded, our sponsors thanked – all well deserved, for sure.
     But in each club, as in our daily lives, there are those who toil behind the scenes, often forgotten, doing the jobs that are less than fun but essential to the organization’s well being and success – the member who sets up the meeting room and then picks through what’s left on the tables after the meetings, looking for anything important left behind; the member who dutifully puts together the newsletter week after the week; the one who schedules the programs and worries if the speaker will show; those who pick up the club mail, do the books, collect the money, pay the bills, maintain the websites, keep the club history, gather the news for publication, take the photos. These members are the essence of “Service Above Self”, doing their jobs so well we sometimes forget that these things don’t just “happen” week after week; someone was there at the meeting before us, after us, at home working into the night for us, and more often than not, these members take on these club administration jobs for many years at a time, rather than for a 12 month elected term.
    Rotarians, please take a moment at your club meetings this week – let these members know you appreciate their service; pat them on the back and say “Thank You”.  It will be a Beautiful Thing!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org




 

A Rotary Moment
For 07/20/2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     Exciting news from South County this week, as the Rotary Club of The Woodlands announces plans for a wonderful new fundraiser and community event, The 2009 Woodlands Oktoberfest!
     The festival will be held September 26th and 27th in Town Green Park along The Waterway, adjacent to The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. There will, of course, be loads of great food – including all of the well known German treats – plenty to drink, and lots of entertainment. Oktoberfest beer mugs and Bavarian souvenirs will be available in the festival’s craft fair area. Doesn’t this sound like a great family outing?
     Vendor booths are available and applications must be received by August 31st. Sponsorships are available at many levels too. Woodlands Rotarians have received enthusiastic support of this endeavor from the South Montgomery County Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, the Woodlands Convention and Visitor Bureau and other civic and governmental agencies. 
     Festival details are now available at http://www.oktoberfestthewoodlands.com/schedule. All proceeds will benefit The Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation, a 501 c (3) organization, raising funds for student scholarships benefitting local students and their families. The WRC Foundation has awarded almost $1,000,000 in scholarships in its 34 years of service. Save this date - this is not an event you’ll want to miss!
     TWITTER – The Rotary Clubs of Conroe and The Woodlands are both on Twitter now.
You’ll find RCC at http://twitter.com/conroerotary and WRC at http://twitter.com/WoodlandsRotary.
I must admit that social networks are still very foreign to me, but I am fully aware I am behind the times! Ron Saikowski, who has recently transferred from RCW to RCC (because of a change in business locations) tells us that “Social media, such as Twitter and Facebook can raise our clubs profiles. Blogger Beth Kanter, a regular contributor to http://mashable.com, shares her insight into why nonprofits are choosing to use social media for direct outreach. You should check it out. Social media allows nonprofits to raise their profile and expose their ideals to a new audience online.”
     DISTRICT 5910 SEEKS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS FOR A GROUP STUDY EXCHANGE TO BRAZIL – Montgomery County Rotarians are seeking four outstanding professionals to visit São Paulo, Brazil in the spring of 2010 as part of the Group Study Exchange program of The Rotary Foun¬dation of Rotary International.
     Since 1965, the Rotary Group Study Exchange (GSE) program has provided inspiring vocational, edu¬cational, and cultural experiences to more than 32,000 NON ROTARIAN men and women from communities around the globe.  Teams comprised of one Rotarian (team leader) and four young professionals from the community spend approximately one month in another country sharing vocational information, techniques and ideas related to their profession, as well as focusing on the more creative aspects of culture.  The exchange occurs between any two Rotary districts from two different countries.
     Starting in the fall of 2009, Rotary District 5910 will be selecting and begin preparing a GSE team to send a team to District 4430, one of three Rotary districts located São Paulo, Brazil.  Located 45 miles from the Atlantic coast, São Paulo is an amalgam of the various cultures that shape the face of this modern, bustling Brazilian metropolis. São Paulo overwhelms the senses with its sheer size. With over 18 million inhabitants, it is the world's third largest city and the largest in South America. São Paulo's attraction lies in its people and its vibrant cultures.
     Team members will experience São Paulo’s institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships and exchange ideas.  All GSE related costs are paid by Rotary International and participating local Rotary Clubs. Team members pay for personal and incidental expenses.

     Because of the extended leave from their jobs, local Rotarians work closely with employers to help them recognize the business benefits of having one of their employees on a GSE team.  The purpose of The GSE Program is to promote international understand¬ing and goodwill through personal connection. While abroad, team members stay in Rotar¬ians’ homes and have the opportunity to meet their professional counterparts. They also give presentations to Rotary clubs and other groups about their home country.
     Applicants must live or be employed in District 5910, which of course includes Montgomery County.  For an application or more information, please contact Conroe Rotarian Kenne Turner, kennetu@sbcglobal.net. Applications are due July 31st.  This is truly the experience of a lifetime!


To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org


 

A Rotary Moment
For June 29,2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride

      It began as a small but heartfelt tribute to a departed spouse. Then a casual conversation with a local landowner changed the direction of the little project. Within a matter of weeks the stars aligned and a bed of roses became a garden, and then the garden became a 4 acre park that encircles a large pond. The rest, as they say, is history. Happy 1st Anniversary, Memory Park!
     On June 28, 2008 Lake Conroe Rotarians hosted a day long Dedication Celebration at MP, adjacent to The Charles B Stewart Library in Montgomery. By day’s end more than 750 people had joined in, including 150 local children who dipped their hands in paint to make handprint tiles for the future children’s wall. Accompany me on a virtual stroll through MP today; just remember to relax and really take in what is all around you. There are benches, so you can sit a spell. Don’t forget to read the educational signs along the way.
     Enter the park via the Shane Carter Rose Garden and Fountain, just behind the library. This is the above mentioned “bed of roses” that was the starting point for the park, donated by Don Carter to honor his late wife Shane. While you’re in the rose garden, be sure to read the tributes on the pavers that encircle the fountain.
     Exit the rose garden to the left, cross the bridge, and meander over to the Doris Childress Smith Memorial, donated by her sons and their families. As the Drake Elms there mature, they will canopy the bench and provide a blanket of shade – a perfect spot for a bit of reading.
     The crushed granite trail continues up the ridge. Stop here for a minute at the top of the trail and you’ll be standing at the future entrance to MP. If we’re blessed, the spot where you now stand will eventually have the Montgomery County Soldier’s Memorial to the left and a Gazebo over the water to the right.
    As you walk along the ridge, look to the left and down. There you’ll see the pathway below. Like the trail along the pond’s edge, it’s ADA compliant, so that the park is accessible to one and all. Now, put your imagination in gear – picture along that lower walkway an art wall, in twenty five foot sections, with the sections separated by beautiful red bud trees. This will be the Children’s Wall, each section an individual work of art with thousands of handprint tiles. Once again, the loss of a loved one for Don Carter will produce something of lasting beauty. Don’s younger sister, Janet Wagner, passed away last week, and Don will fund the building of the first panel of the wall in her honor.
    Across from where that first panel will be built is The Garden of Two Stephens, donated by Bob and Debby Evans and Ellen Silverman to honor their grandson and husband, respectively. The plaque in the garden will soon tell the touching story of the friendship between the boy and the man. Just beyond there, the memorial for Rotary District Governor John Germany, where the first Magnolia Tree in MP is thriving.
     You’re on the naturalist side of MP now, left intentionally “wild” – here you’ll find all manner of rare and native plants and trees and wildlife; recently a Bob White Quail was heard and then finally spotted. There are open spots for naturalist gardens here – on the drawing board are butterfly, pollinator and carnivorous gardens. As the pathway narrows, your eye catches a glimpse of what is to come. Suddenly, as if you just happened to catch him as he emerges from the woods, a small boy and his dog are perched upon the rocks. This is the new garden built to honor McKay Everett and Mrs. Imo Aurea Castro. Across from the garden is the Charles B Johnson Arbor, a cool, shaded pergola over the water, where you can spot the Koi and other aquatic life in the pond.
     There’s more to explore, but we’re out of space, so we’ll complete our walking tour of Memory Park next week, and, we’ll introduce you to “Tatanka”…

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment
For 6/22/09
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe’s “Name The Buffalo” Contest ended  last Wednesday, and Thursday morning I made the trip to The Charles B Stewart Library to pick up the box with the entry forms. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to find it FULL! The community’s interest in naming Mr. B.  has been a wonderful surprise! The winner will be announced in this column next Monday.
    If you were by the library and park last weekend, you saw lots of busy folks there.  A sizeable group was on hand to work on the bridges and general maintenance, including a massive effort to clear the pond of the pond scum and weed. Anyone who lives on the lake knows this is easier said than done, especially when an organization is committed to remaining eco-friendly in the process. Rest assured, we’re working on it.
    The Memory Park Committee thanks Peter and Chris Wakefield, Jason and his crew from Anchor Boat Lift, Rick Adams and Walden Yacht Club (for lunch and refreshments) and all the volunteers who braved the heat and humidity to take one more step forward for Memory Park.
     Lots of news from South County this week - The Rotary Club of The Woodlands presented a check to Sheila Dowell of The Montgomery County Food Bank for the club’s annual donation which will purchase more than 27.5 tons of food for the organization.
     RCW also presented a check for $3500.00 to Dr. Joel Kirshenbaum of the South Montgomery County Community Clinic in support of the clinic’s ongoing community outreach programs. Congrats RCW on your efforts on behalf of both of these important organizations!
     Save The Date! RCW’s “Not So Annual” Golf Tournament is ON for 2009, to be held on Monday, November 16th at the Players Course in The Woodlands. Additional details will follow as they are available.
     The Woodlands Club is looking for a Part-Time Executive Secretary. If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact Bob Schucker at rcschucker@transionics.com.
     It’s been said that we never know when we are making memories, and such is certainly the case with Lone Star Honor Flight. The organization continues to touch many lives. This story is an entry in the “small world” department.
    As I mentioned in this column recently, my husband Michael and his Dad were on this year’s flight. In conversation with one of his business associates, a winemaker from California, Michael mentioned the trip and how emotional it was for both he and his father.
      Shortly thereafter, Jim, the winemaker, forwarded to Michael a weekly e-news letter he receives from the President and CEO of Continental Airlines:
     “…This week, for employee of the week, I'm recognizing IAH Hub Manager Peggy Slay. On May 9, we had a special charter flight that took more than 100 World War II veterans, their guardians and organizers to Washington, D.C., to visit the World War II memorial.
     The program is called Lone Star Honor Flight, and a local junior high school raises money for the veterans to go. The group included 54 wheelchairs and required coordination with Flight Ops, Inflight, System Control, ATO, Ramp and TSA. Peggy went beyond her normal job responsibilities serving as liaison between Continental and the group in organizing the trip, and also traveled along with the veterans. The co-worker who nominated her said that, when she returned to Houston at 11 p.m., ‘she assisted with pushing wheelchairs up the jet way and was still laughing and flirting with the guys.’
     Peggy, on this Memorial Day weekend, I'm happy to salute you for helping to make this trip meaningful for what's been called our greatest generation. And to the pilots, flight attendants and those of you at IAH and at Dulles who helped make this trip special for the veterans, thank you for recognizing this group's service to our country.”

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

A Rotary Moment
For 6/08/2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     District Governor Roger McCabe and First Lady Sharon made a surprise visit to The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe’s meeting last Thursday, to present the club with a special award for Memory Park from Rotary International, RI’s Significant Achievement Award (SAA). This is the first time a club in our District has received this international recognition.
    In order to qualify for the SAA the project must “address a significant problem or need in the local community, involve most or all the club members in personal rather than merely monetary service, be commensurate with the size of the club and the resources available, and must enhance the image of Rotary in the community, and be able to be emulated by other Rotary clubs.”
     Lake Conroe Rotarians were, of course, proud and honored. Virtually every member of the club has been involved in the park over the course of the last year, so the project has been a real team effort. Special kudos though must go to Peter Wakefield and his family and staff, who have devoted countless hours to the design, construction and maintenance of the facility. The rose garden has now matured and is nothing short of stunning, and the waterfall is such a calm and serene place. We thank Peter and his crew, once again, for his masterful touch. Peter’s creative vision has been an inspiration for everyone.
     The Koi launch into Memory Pond last week was a great success, with more than 250 vibrantly colored Koi now calling the pond home. The hungry little buggers are now hard at work eating their way through the pond weed. Now, if Mother Nature will just help us out with some much needed rain to bring the pond back to normal levels, the pond will look amazing!
    Remember also – only two more weeks to enter our “Name The Buffalo” contest. The Buffalo resides at the top of the waterfall and he needs a name! Entry forms can be found inside the Charles B Stewart Library. The contest deadline is June 17th.
     The Rotary Club of Conroe has distributed their “I Like Me” Books to selected elementary schools in the Conroe School District again this year. "What a fantastic program we have in our Rotary Club" said club member Dale Brunswick, a sentiment surely echoed by the students who receive the books. These books are personalized for each child, with their names and the names of their friends and family. Conroe Rotarians not only donate the books, club members spend time with the kids and read with them. Bravo Conroe Rotarians!
     Channel 13 anchor Art Rascon will be the guest speaker at The Rotary Club of The Woodlands this Thursday, to speak on “The Aftermath of Hurricane Ike”. If you’ve been thinking of visiting The Woodlands club, this will be a great time to do so. The club meets at noon at The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center.
     June is the end of the Rotary year, and new officers and directors will be sworn in throughout the month.  If you plan to visit one of our clubs as a guest or visiting Rotarian, be sure you check with them first, as some will have altered schedules to accommodate their Installation Banquets.
The RC of Conroe will forgo their usual luncheon on June 23rd, and will instead meet that evening at McKenzie’s BBQ; the RC of Lake Conroe will skip breakfast at Walden the morning of June 25th and will meet there that evening instead; The Woodlands club will host their installation at
their usual luncheon time on June 25th; installations for The East Montgomery County and Magnolia Club weren’t available at press time.        
      
To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment
For May 25, 2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     The Conroe Rotary Club hosted students from their Runyan Elementary School Mentoring Program at their club luncheon on May 5th.  An annual event, a great time was had by all.
     The Rotary Club of Conroe is now on Twitter! Twitter is a free service that lets you keep in touch with people through the exchange of quick, frequent answers to one simple question: What are you doing? Join today to start receiving updates and stay connected with members. Larry Adams and Kenne Turner are currently following the Conroe Rotary on Twitter. http://twitter.com/conroerotary.
      We’ve got the Buffalo – now he needs a name! Reminder to all that a life size Buffalo sculpture has been installed at Memory Park at the Charles B Stewart Library, just above the waterfall, and The RC of Lake Conroe is having a contest to name him. Entries must be dropped off at The CBS Library before June 17th.  The winner and the name will be announced in this column on June 29th. The winner will receive a paver in the rose garden, and recognition on the ol’boy’s official name plaque.
    The Buffalo has become quite the celebrity already. The library staff reports that rarely a day goes by that people aren’t at the park taking photos – from senior class pictures to bridal shots – news we’re really excited to hear.        
     Rotary sends a big Congrats to Lake Conroe Rotarians Babette Eikenberg and Bobby Morris, who have recently been promoted to new positions within MISD. Dr Eikenberg will become the new Associate Superintendent of Instructional Services and Principal Morris will move from Montgomery High School into the administrative offices of the district as Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services. Both awesome Rotarians, we know Babette and Bobby will flourish in their new positions.
     Success is measured not just in terms of dollars and cents and profits within the world of business, but by the lives we touch and the impact we make upon our communities. In that vein, Rotary this week says a fond farewell to two very successful people who have served the community well for more than nine years now. John Scifo and Darlene Gold, owners of the Italian Grille in Conroe, have sold their interest in the restaurant and are moving into new careers. Whenever anyone in the community has knocked on their doors for donations large or small, John and Darlene have always said yes. Their daily presence will be missed, and we can’t wait to see where life leads them. If we’re lucky, it will be in a direction that will still allow all of us to partner with them in service to our community.
    The Italian Grille continues in operation under the capable hands of long time restaurateur Imad Elaffour, formerly with the well known Cavatori’s in Houston for more than 20 years. Imad assures me we can still count on The Italian Grille being a big contributor to our charitable work. He and wife Rebecca are eager to meet those involved in Community Service, so we invite everyone to join us for a Welcome Reception at the restaurant this Wednesday, May 27th from 4-7 p.m. There will be Happy Hour pricing, and a drawing for a special gift donated to the charity of your choice by the restaurant to kick off their community involvement. Nice deal. Thanks Imad!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org
 

A Rotary Moment
For May 18, 2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     Many stories have already been written about the amazing Lone Star Honor Flight and more will come as Memorial Day nears. A huge debt of gratitude is owed to LSHF Founder Brenda Blevens, 2nd in command Duane McFadden, and the many volunteers who made LSHF a reality. Today we tell you the story of just a few involved in this recent trip, those from Rotary. 
     Long before the dawn of day on May 9th, hundreds of people gathered in the parking lot of the Target store in Conroe. Hours later, more than 100 Veterans of World War II would land in Washington D.C., to visit the War Memorials there that honor their service to our country so many years ago.
     In the crowd of well wishers were many Rotarians, there to participate in the send off. Among them was Woodlands Rotarian Congressman Kevin Brady, who thanked the Vets and shook the hands of hundreds of people. Lou Freitas (retired RC Lake Conroe member) and Jerry Irwin (spouse of former RCLC member Marsha Irwin) made us proud as members of The Patriot Guards.
    Each Veteran was assigned a Volunteer Guardian to assist them each step of the way during their 22 hour journey. Serving as Guardians from the Lake Conroe Family of Rotary were Dr Bob Smith, Jon Smith (son of Dr Bob), Amy Katherine Eikenberg, and Rotarians Pam Tipton, Don Carter and of course Malcolm Pepper, documentarian for Honor Flight, who produces the Honor Flight videos.
     For two Lake Conroe Rotarians serving as Guardians, the flight had special meaning – Peter Wakefield accompanied his father in law, Charles E. Hagan, Jr. and Michael McBride (yes, my handsome hubby) traveled with his father, Thomas McBride. These two Dads, like so many men there, called this one of the most memorable days of their lives, made even more special because they were traveling with “their boys”.
      Private First Class Hagan was born in 1920 and resides in New Iberia, Louisiana. He was drafted into the Army in December of ‘42, and was sent overseas in 1944. He served in 5 major battle zones. PFC Hagan told Peter many stories, and I wish there was space to tell them all, but he wrapped up with this one:
     “As the war was ending, we were with the Anti-Aircraft to defend Ramagan Bridge. We followed the 29th Infantry to the Elm River near Pilson. We had to stay to police and disarm the area before we could head home. We shipped out the end of November and I was discharged in December ‘45. When we arrived home we were promised the parades and a steak dinner, but my company had to police the ship when we landed and we missed out on the Welcome Home Parade. It was 2:00 a.m. when we got off the ship and we never got our steak dinner either.”
     History repeated itself May 9th – in one of the few glitches of the trip, the steak dinner planned for the return flight home had to be scrapped and chicken was served instead. Mr. Hagan has returned to New Iberia already, but we want him to know that Debby’s Prime Steakhouse and Rotary are buying him that steak dinner the next time he is in town to visit his family!
     Army Air Corps Vet Tom McBride was one of the “youngsters” among the Vets on the flight. At “only” 81 years old, Tom had lied about his age and entered the service at 16 in 1945. He was discharged in 1948, but reenlisted only months later as The Korean Conflict erupted. PFC McBride was trained in refueling F80’s and bomb loading on B-29's. Stationed first in Okinawa, then Korea, Tom made the military his career, providing a life of adventure for his family. Michael’s Mom Lillie was the consummate military wife, adept at moving and settling in at the drop of a hat. Michael and his brother Larry (now deceased) had traveled the world by the time they were young adults. Tom and Lillie now reside in Portland, Texas. They hosted the Annual Reunion of his 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing in San Antonio last year.
      Rotarians were privileged to have played a small part in Honor Flight 2009 – it has been a Beautiful Thing for all involved. For more information about Lone Star Honor Flight, see the website at http://www.misd.org/lshonorflight.

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org




 

A Rotary Moment

For May 11, 2009

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

 

     The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe's 4^th Annual Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete Banquet was held last Wednesday. More than 500 people poured into The Lone Star Convention Center for the banquet, where the nominated students, their family and friends and school staffed gathered for the affair.

    The banquet is named in honor of the late General Mike Ogg, one of RCLC's most cherished members, who was the principal of Montgomery Junior High School for many years. General Ogg was a shining example of all that is good in the world. He would be so proud of what this event has become.

     More than 110 local high school seniors from all parts of Montgomery County, and each a star in their own right, were honored. From that group, male and female winners were named in each sport, and from those finalists were named the two overall winners - Candace Virgadamo (Basketball), Conroe HS, and Sean Finney (Football), The Woodlands HS. Candace and Sean each received a $1500.00 scholarship and other gifts. Congratulations to all of the talented scholar athletes, and to the SA Committee for a job well done!

      In Conroe, the big question is --- Who will eat steak, who will eat beans?  That's because The Conroe HS Interact Club has challenged the members of The RC of Conroe to a battle - who can gather the most food to benefit the Montgomery County Food Bank. The winner will be determined by weight. The payoff event is scheduled for Thursday, May 21st 6-9pm at the Entergy Retreat on Lewis Creek Reservoir on FM 1097 West, with the losers eating beans, of course. Conroe Rotarians are encouraged to bring food to the weekly luncheons, RSVP attendance to the event and consider bringing a potential new member to be a part of this fun social event.

    It's time again for The RC of The Woodlands quarterly Blood Drive. It will be held on Thursday, May 14, in a donor coach in the Resort & Conference Center parking lot. RCW's blood drives are always a great success. To donate, or for more information, contact Blood Drive Chair Sharon E. Conway, (281) 681-2230, SConway@SConwayLaw.com.

     Congratulations to former Lake Conroe Rotarian Lou Freitas, who has recently been promoted to Texas State Captain of The Patriot Guard Riders, making Lou THE man in charge of all the guard riders in the state. We are so proud of Lou, who remains a dear friend of Rotary.

     District 5910 Rotarians said goodbye to the Argentinean Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team last week with a send off party on The Kemah Boardwalk . The Team has been in Texas for the last few weeks, soaking up some local culture and teaching us a bit about their home country in the process. We had a chance to meet the Team and their Rotarian Team Leader while at District Conference, and all agreed these young business men and women were amongst the best we have ever hosted -" Friendly, polite, eloquent, full of life, inquisitive, responsible, reflective", to quote GSE Chair Kenne Turner - and we were sad to see them go.

     MEMORY PARK UPDATE ----- Our buffalo needs a name and we need your help! Go by the park, check out our Buffalo at the top of the waterfall, then saunter into the library (Charles B Stewart West Branch only) and submit your entry before June 17^th.  The winner and the name will be announced in this column on June 29^th.

      Park Committee members Peter Wakefield and Tony Westlake announced the kick off of Memory Park's "Adopt a Koi" project last week too.

      More details on the above next Monday. In the meantime, for a full recap of Memory Park events and projects, check out RC Lake Conroe's website at www.lakeconroerotary.org.

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org 

 

A Rotary Moment
For May 4, 2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride

    
     My fingers aren’t exactly flying across the keyboard and my thesaurus will be put to good use until I get the creative side of my brain working again, but I am back! After three months of recovery from an accident that was very nearly my swan song, I am grateful to be here again to spread the word of Rotary. 
     First I must once again thank Doris Lockey, who took over for me these many months. If there ever was a true friend, it is Doris. I love you sister! And, to everyone who came to our aid and helped Michael and I through this difficult period, know that we will never forget your many kindnesses. We will be forever in your debt.
     Members of the RC of Lake Conroe are putting the finishing touches on the Annual Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet slated for this Wednesday, May 6th at the Lone Star Convention Center. This banquet was the dream of former Rotarian Dave Wilson. Dave shared his vision with his friend and fellow Rotarian Peggy Apple, who worked and slaved and finally made it happen five years ago. Since that time, the event has grown into a truly 5 star night to honor more than 100 of the finest scholar athletes in Montgomery County. Adult tickets are $30 and students are $20. For additional information contact Peggy Apple at 936-647-2155 or via email at papple@cebridge.net. 
     District 5910 Rotarians gathered in Bryan-College Station last week for our annual District Conference. As always, RC Lake Conroe hosted one of the 4 hospitality rooms at the conference, where hosts Gary Milleson, Alfred Anderson, Wally Lockey and Michael McBride maintained RCLC’s reputation as the best visiting spot of the conference! And why not? Montgomery County Rotary Clubs had much to celebrate. Again this year MC Clubs and their members racked up an impressive number of awards, proving that while we play hard, we work even harder!
     Conroe Rotarian Kenne Turner was awarded Rotary International’s “Service Above Self Award” for his many years of work in the four Rotary Avenues of Service ---- International, Vocational, Club and Community. Congratulations Kenne for this well deserved honor.
     The district’s highest individual honor is the District Roll of Fame. All five of our clubs had honorees – Conroe, Harold Cryar; East Montgomery County, Andy Dill; Lake Conroe, Bobby Morris; Magnolia, RoseMary Mooney and The Woodlands, Ron Rogers.
     One of the most important aspects of Rotary International is The Rotary Foundation (TRF). It is through TRF that Rotary is able to continue its important work around the world improving and saving lives through its fight to end hunger, bring clean water to all humanity, and eradicate Polio. Much of the money raised for TRF comes from individual Rotarians and Rotary Clubs. The RC of Lake Conroe took top honors in the district for per capita contributions, donating more than $535.00 per member to TRF.  The RC of East Montgomery, a small club, also won an award for its contribution efforts. Assistant Governor Rose Austin, of the East MC Club, was honored as a charter member of The District’s Paul Harris Society.
     Four of our clubs won RI’s Presidential Citation – Conroe, East Montgomery County, Lake Conroe and Magnolia. The recognition of individual Rotarians from MC for their work at the district level are too numerous to mention here – what a Beautiful Thing!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

GSE Team from Egypt Visits Rotary Club of East Montgomery County

 

Editor's Note: Doris Lockey is writing
the Rotary column for Kris Nordstrom McBride
while Kris continues her recovery
from an automobile accident

GSE team members Noha Ghaly and Wael Amer of District 2450 (Egypt) visited the Rotary Club of EMC last week.  Part of a GSE team from our sister District, 5890, Ghaly and Amer first visited Lone Star College-Kingwood as part of their Vocation Day requirement and later visited Rotary Club of East Montgomery County.  Ghaly is an ESL faculty member from the American University in Cairo, and Amer is an evaluation manager in the Leadership for Education and Development program at the same University.  They both enjoy American food and culture.  They were presented the club banner by President Tim Baker.

District 5910 Rotarians will gather in Bryan/College Station on Friday April 24 the 2009 District Conference.  Rotarians will join together for a weekend of F.U.N. --which stands for Fellowship, Updates, and Notables.  Rotarians will exchange ideas and find common goals, all to fulfill our Rotary motto of Service Above Self.”
“Rally In the Valley, District 5910 Conference” was held this past weekend in Bryan/College Station.  Bill Leigh President The Woodlands, John Denton President Conroe, Tim Barker President East Montgomery County, Guy Andrews President Lake Conroe and Frank Parker President of Magnolia all lead their respective clubs in the Rotary 2008-2009 year.  Next week’s column will highlight the honors and recognitions presented to our clubs at the conference.
Don’t forget the up-coming Rotary Club of Lake Conroe fourth annual Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet.  The event is scheduled for May 6, 2009 at the Lone Star Convention Center.  One hundred and ten outstanding young men and women student athletes from our area high schools who have brought honor and respect to our community in both competitions and the classroom will be honored.  At the banquet the Montgomery County Male and Female High School Scholar Athlete will be named, in addition to honoring the top senior male and female performers in each varsity sport.

Montgomery County high schools nominate athletes in each sport and a selection committee representing each school district narrows that list to a group of five finalists in each sport.  Each male and female individual sport winner will be announced, and presented with a plaque.  The two Athletes of the Year will receive trophies and a $1,500 scholarship.  For additional information you may contact Peggy Apple at 936-647-2155 or via email at papple@cebridge.net.  Adult tickets are $30 and children are $20.

Rotarian Rebecca Thurman’s mother passed away last week.  Family of Rotary extends heartfelt condolences to Rebecca and her family.

Great news, Kris McBride will return as the writer of this column next week!  She is doing much better each week and hopefully with physical therapy she’ll be as good as new in the next few months. 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

Steak and Beans Anyone?

 
Editor's Note: Doris Lockey is writing
the Rotary column for Kris Nordstrom McBride
while Kris continues her recovery
from an automobile accident

District 4920 GSE Team from Argentina and their Rotary Club of The Woodlands hosts joined Rotary Club of Lake Conroe for the annual “Steak and Beans” event.  Walden’s Chef Rick cooked delicious steaks at Entergy Park located on Lake Conroe.  This casual event proved to be a great opportunity for the GSE Team to get to know the RCLC Rotarians and their spouses.  Many members of the GSE Team are teachers and very early in the evening the Team learned that many others in attendance were also teachers.  The Team wrapped up their evening with photos around the lake. 

    Last Thursday was a busy day for Rotary Club of Lake Conroe Rotarians.  Prior to “Steak and Beans” the Club put on two Easter egg hunts at Meador Elementary School in Willis.  Mr. Bunny, Aka Rotarian Mike Berger along with his Rotarian helpers visited Ms. Morton and Ms. Spurgeion’s morning and afternoon Pre-K Classes.  Each student was paired with a Rotarian for an egg hunt which was followed by a visit with Mr. Bunny.  Each student had photos made with Mr. Bunny and received a gift bag.  The Rotarians helped their students open their gifts.  Presents were individually selected for student and included a “want” and “need” present.  Each gift bag included a book which the Rotarians read to each student while they enjoyed refreshments and of course those candy filled eggs from the hunt.  This was a truly cool event enjoyed by all!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Sunday, June 14th, for the 4th Annual SOS (Society of Samaritans) Style Fashion Show.  Once again this year the Magnolia Rotary Club will provide support for the annual style show fundraiser.  Event chair, Rotarian Deborah Rose Miller and Anne Sundquist, are busy lining up sponsors for the event’s first model t-shirt.  The cost of sponsoring is only $100.00.  What a great deal for community wide exposure!  There will be approximately 200 models and another 200-300 volunteers.  If you are interested in having your name on the t-shirts or would like additional information regarding this event, you may email djmiller@sbcglobal.net.

Don’t forget the up-coming Rotary Club of Lake Conroe fourth annual Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet.  The event is scheduled for May 6, 2009 at the Lone Star Convention Center.  One hundred and ten outstanding young men and women student athletes from our area high schools who have brought honor and respect to our community in both competitions and the classroom will be honored.  At the banquet the Montgomery County Male and Female High School Scholar Athlete will be named, in addition to honoring the top senior male and female performers in each varsity sport.

Montgomery County high schools nominate athletes in each sport and a selection committee representing each school district narrows that list to a group of five finalists in each sport.  Each male and female individual sport winner will be announced, and presented with a plaque.  The two Athletes of the Year will receive trophies and a $1,500 scholarship.  Individuals interested in being sponsors, underwriters or wishing to attend may contact Peggy Apple at 936-647-2155 or via email at papple@cebridge.net.

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

Argentina GSE Team Arrives in Texas

 

Editor's Note: Doris Lockey is writing

the Rotary column for Kris Nordstrom McBride

while Kris continues her recovery

from an automobile accident 

District 5910's Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team returns from Argentina today.  Arriving with the Team is the District 4920 GSE Team from Argentina.  The team will be hosted by members of the Woodlands Rotary Club.  They will make a presentation at the club's meeting on April 9^th.  They are also invited to the Rotary Club of Lake Conroe's annual Steak and Beans event on Thursday evening. 

The District 4920 GSE Team includes four team members and a Rotarian Team Leader.  Juan Palacio is an English teacher.  Rosana Lis Orienti and Veronica Mabel Pallero are also teachers of English and Maria Paz Satre is a journalist.  Rotarian Team Leader, Maria Cristina Pardo is a teacher of English and French at different levels. 

GSE Receiving Chair, Mary Matteson-Parrish has worked out the details of the team's stay.  The team from Argentina will be with host families in The Woodlands, the Mid-Jefferson County area; Beaumont, Woodville, Nacogdoches, Palestine, and they will celebrate the District Conference with District 5910 in Bryan/College Station.  They will finish their travels in District 5910 with host families in Liberty and League City. 

The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe is having their fourth annual Mike Ogg All Montgomery County Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet on May 6, 2009 at the Lone Star Convention Center.  One hundred and ten outstanding young men and women student athletes from our area high schools who have brought honor and respect to our community in both competitions and the classroom will be honored.  At the banquet the Montgomery County Male and Female High School Scholar Athlete will be named, in addition to honoring the top senior male and female performers in each varsity sport.

Montgomery County high schools nominate athletes in each sport and a selection committee representing each school district narrows that list to a group of five finalists in each sport.  Each male and female individual sport winner will be announced, and presented with a plaque.  The two Athletes of the Year will receive trophies and a $1,500 scholarship.

Individuals interested in being sponsors, underwriters or wishing to attend may contact Peggy Apple at 936-647-2155 or via email at papple@cebridge.net.

Last week the YMCA's Jessica Thomas presented a very informative program at the weekly Rotary Club of Lake Conroe meeting.  Her topic was two of the Club's favorite projects, YMCA Leap of Faith and YMCA Sensory Trails.  Following her presentation, the Club presented a check for $1500 to support these two equine assisted therapy programs.

The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County was one of the sponsors for New Horizons' Retro Ball.  Rotarians dressed as bikers, hippies, and gangsters supported the organization for developmentally disabled adults.  District Governor Nominee Rose Austin received the Kimbrell Award at the event.  The Kimbrell Award is the highest award given by the New Horizons.  Rose was recognized for her 8 years of service as Development Committee Chair of the New Horizons' seven patron's balls.  Congratulations Rose for your commitment to the Rotary Morto, "Service Above Self"!

Family of Rotary sends it's condolences to the family David Weems.  David is the son-in-law of Rotary Club of Lake Rotarian Tony Westlake.  David passed away March 27, 2009. 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

 

 

 

A Rotary Moment
For March 30, 2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     “We are wonderfully linked to the past and brightly bound to the future”
                                                                                          Congressman Kevin Brady
                                                                                          Memory Park Dedication 
                                                                                          June 28, 2008

     Congressman Brady’s words have had a special place in the hearts of Lake Conroe Rotarians recently, with the past, present and future of Memory Park converging in a most magnificent way.
     The excitement began Thursday afternoon, March 19th when Peter Wakefield pulled two of his landscaping crews from their work with a call to “go round up the Buffalo, boys”.  Four hours later, 8 men were exhausted and Memory Park had a new resident – a life size metal Buffalo perched above the waterfall.
     Memory Park is located within the Buffalo Springs development, adjacent to The Charles B Stewart (CBS)Library, and buffalo hold a prominent place in the history of the Montgomery area. The idea of bringing THE Buffalo to Memory Park was the brain child of Rotarian Malcolm Pepper, known to all as a creative genius who sees things the rest of us cannot even imagine. Malcolm approached fellow Rotarian Jack McClanahan, owner of Storage 105 and the impressive display of metal art pieces next to the facility. Unfortunately for Jack, wife Nancy was within earshot and loved the idea…and before Jack knew what was happening, he was donating The Buffalo to Memory Park!
     The Buffalo has already become a park favorite, and we just cannot thank Jack and Nancy enough for their generosity. There’s only one problem – he has no name! So, we are excited to announce a contest to “Name The Buffalo”.  The contest will run during the months of April and May, and the winner will be announced in this column on June 29th, the one year anniversary of the park’s dedication. The winner will receive a paver in the rose garden and recognition in the Buffalo’s grazing area. Entry forms will be available April 1st on the RCLC website, the library’s website, and at the CBS Library. Entries must be dropped off at the library by May 30th.  More details next week. For questions, contact me. To learn more about Memory Park, see the RCLC website at www.lakeconroerotary.org. 
     Lake Conroe Rotarians, led by Linda Ricketts, Memory Park liaison with the library, surprised CBS Branch Manager Beverly Christopher and Children’s Librarian Sarah Adams with a donation of more than 25 books last week. The donation was timed to commemorate Rotary Literacy Month and each book honors an individual or company who has impacted Memory Park through their work and/or contributions.
     To add icing on the cake for Memory Park supporters, we have received word from Rotary District 5910 Governor Roger McCabe that he has nominated Memory Park for Rotary International’s 2009 Significant Achievement Award, stating “There is no project in our District rivaling the scope of Memory Park and it is with great pride that I nominate this project…” We could not be more honored, or more humbled, for we know this could not have happened without you, the member of this amazing community. As our sign says, “Memory Park is an Initiative of The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe, a Project for all of Montgomery County.” It’s a Beautiful Thing, indeed.
     Closing Note – Doris Lockey returns next week, to sub for me through the end of April. Her assistance writing the column while I continue my recovery from an auto accident in January has been a godsend. She is the ultimate friend. If you see Doris out and about in the community, give her a pat on the back, or better yet, a big bear hug – she deserves that and more. Bless You, Doris!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris. Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org .

World Water Day

 

Editor's Note: Doris Lockey is writing

the Rotary column for Kris Nordstrom McBride

while Kris continues her recovery

from an automobile accident 

 

Rotary International and USAID have launched a collaborative effort to implement water, sanitation, and hygiene projects in the developing world. The International H2O Collaboration was formally announced March 18^th at the World Water Forum in Istanbul, in conjunction with World Water Day, March 22.

Though the United Nations designates March 22^nd as World Water Day, Rotarians worldwide are focused on the issue throughout the year, volunteering their time and resources to provide safe water and sanitation facilities to communities in need.

Charles Clemmons, general coordinator of the Water Resource Group, estimates that clubs are involved in 6,000 to 7,000 projects internationally, all aimed at addressing the lack of access to clean water and sanitation that claims more than two million lives each year, a majority of them children.

Rotary Clubs in District 5910 partners with the Rainbow Network to drill water wells in Nicaragua.  Over 20 water wells have been drilled over the past couple of years and additional wells will be drilled in 2009. 

District 5910’s 2009 Group Study Exchange (GSE) Team is made up of Adriana Mendoza, Cici Anderson, Melissa Martin, Raul Avalos and team leader, Rotarian John Delaney.  The GSE team left for Argentina March 5th.  The team will return to Texas April 6^th.   The District 4920 GSE team from Argentina will travel to Texas in April and both teams will attend the District 5910 Conference in Bryan. 

Our GSE team has a blog site and the members are updating the site as they travel through District 4920 of Argentina, the Mar Del Plata region.   Visit the blog frequently to learn about all of their adventures! http://5910argentina.blogspot.com/

          Over 180 people attended The Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation's Third Annual Wine Dinner & Auction, which is a 62% increase over attendance at the last event.  The event was held on a Friday night resulting in tremendous attendance. We had approximately $17,000 in auction items donated from our wineries, Clos LaChance Winery from California and Becker Vineyards from Texas, and from other donors such as Hubbell & Hudson, Crescent Moon Wine Bar, Shannon Jewelry, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille, Northside Lexus, Fretz Construction, The Woodlands Development Co., Cru & Truffles, David Maggard, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott, and many, many more.  The wines (all eight of them!) and the food were all terrific, and everyone had a great time.  Congratulations Rotary Club of The Woodlands.

Bunny Pratt, 2009 District Conference Chair says, “Howdy Rotarians! On behalf of District Governor Roger McCabe and the entire 2009 Conference committee, we want to personally invite each Rotarian along with your spouses, children, and grandchildren to Bryan/College Station, April 24-26, 2009.  Come join us for the F.U.N.--which stands for Fellowship, Updates, and Notables.  You'll meet folks from all over and exchange ideas and find common goals, all to fulfill our Rotary motto of Service Above Self.”   Conference events include a tour of George Bush Library & Museum, tour of Messina Hof Winery & Vineyard and tour of Texas A&M University.

Rotarians you may register for the “Rally In the Valley, District 5910 Conference” by logging into the conference website: www.5910conference.org

From Kris: "The Buffalo is in residence in Memory Park --- stroll on back to the waterfall and what a site you will see!  Read all about it next week..."

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

 

A Rotary Moment

For 03/02/09

Doris A. Lockey

Kris Nordstrom McBride

March is Rotary Literacy Month

 Rotary Literacy Month highlights literacy and education issues around the world.  Celebrated in March each year, Rotary Literacy Month is an excellent opportunity for Rotary clubs and districts to raise awareness about literacy, launch new initiatives and projects, and recognize literacy accomplishments from the past year.  Rotarians everywhere are encouraged to participate in Rotary Literacy Month by engaging in service or activities that specifically address literacy and education issues either in their communities or abroad.

Literacy is the foundation for virtually all forms of education and crucial component of effective social and economic participation, human development, and poverty reduction.  According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) nearly 800 million people over the age of 15 lack even basic reading and writing skills worldwide.  In addition, there are roughly 137 million school age children who are illiterate around the world.  Sadly over 64% of all illiterate people in the world today are women.

The benefits of literacy to society are undisputed.  The Education for All Global Monitoring Report published in 2006 by UNESCO argues that literate populations are less likely to experience civil strife and are more likely to develop economically.  There is also a direct connection between literacy rates and community health.  People who are literate are generally more aware of health concerns in their communities and are therefore better equipped to avoid illness.

Montgomery County Rotarians support literacy projects in our communities as well as projects around the world.  Local literacy projects include one-on-one mentoring in local schools, the “I Like Me” books program, book donations to local schools and array of other projects.  During the month of March we’ll highlight many of our literacy projects. 

Visitors to Charles B Stewart Library in Montgomery will notice things have begun to pick up again in Memory Park.  Rotarian Peter Wakefield and the staff of Wakefield Landscape Services have been busy installing posts for a new bridge in the park.  The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe is once again rallying members and community partners to “hit the park” and begin several new projects.  Whether you get a call or not, there is something that you or your organization could do for the park.  Just call or email Kris and she’ll sign you up!   

 

Speaking of libraries, RCLC had a very informative program last week by the Montgomery County Memorial Library System, Genealogy Department.  The Genealogy Department was established in 1977.  Currently there are over 10,000 reels of microfilm (including census date from 1790 to 1930), assorted county and state records and special collections available for review.  There are approximately 30,000 volumes of reference material, including marriage, death, probate, cemetery records, family histories and county histories.   The department has one of the largest census index collections in the state.  Most were donated by Ronald Jackson.

 

Got any skeletons in your closet?  Maybe, Maybe not! The Genealogy Department’s hours are Monday, Friday and Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 AM to 9 PM.  This department is part of the Montgomery County Library located at 104 IH-45 North in Conroe. 

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

 

A Rotary Moment

For 02/23/09

Doris A. Lockey

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

Today is Rotary’s 104^th anniversary.  During the first Rotary club meeting on 23 February 1905 in Chicago, Paul Harris, Gustavus Loehr, Hiram Shorey, and Silvester Schiele met to talk about their personal experiences. Harris then unfolded his general plan for their club meetings.

This was the simple beginning of the world’s first service club, the Rotary Club of Chicago. It was created because of Harris’ wish to capture in a professional club the same friendly spirit he had felt in the small towns of his youth. The Rotary name derived from the early practice of rotating meetings among members’ offices.

Rotarians continue to take pride in their history. In honor of that first club, Rotarians have preserved its original meeting place, Room 711 in Chicago’s Unity Building, by re-creating the office as it existed in 1905. For several years, the Paul Harris 711 Club maintained the room as a shrine for visiting Rotarians. In 1989, when the building was scheduled to be demolished, the club carefully dismantled the office and salvaged the interior, including doors and radiators. In 1993, the RI Board of Directors set aside a permanent home for the restored Room 711 at RI World Headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Evanston.

The Rotary Club of Chicago has put 20,000 items from its archives into a new online collection.  The online archives feature photos, correspondence, and other writings from VIP members like Paul Harris, Chesley Perry, and Silvester Schiele; minutes of board of directors meetings dating back to 1920; a scrapbook assembled by Perry; a collection of documents about women of Rotary from 1921 to 1995; and other important records such as bylaws and early newsletters.  Visit the following website to view the archives: www.rotaryone.org

The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County will celebrate Rotary International’s 104^th anniversary this month with two activities: one within the Rotary club meeting and a second in the community.

 

Exchange students from Rotary District 5910 will visit the Rotary Club of East Montgomery County next week to share their experiences in the United States.  District 5910 is hosting 11 exchange students this year.

 

The club is celebrating Rotary’s anniversary in the community by hosting College Connections, a partnership with Lone Star College-Kingwood and local businesses to provide college, financial, and career information to high school seniors from New Caney and Splendora high schools.  This event will be held on Monday, February 22 at the EMCID Complex.  Approximately 25 businesses will give more than 30 scholarships to students to attend college anywhere in the state.  In addition to scholarships, door prizes will be given at this event.   This is the club’s way of celebrating Rotary while helping the local community. 

 

The Rotarians of The Woodlands sponsored student leaders from Oak Ridge High School, College Park High School, The Woodlands High School, John Cooper School, and The Woodlands Christian Academy to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards weekend in January.  Those student leaders attended the February 19^th meeting of RC of The Woodlands to express their learning experiences.

 

Last day to purchase tickets for The Woodlands Rotary Club 3^rd Annual Wine Dinner is February 26.  The dinner will be held March 6, 2009 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.  For additional information you may email Sharon Conway at Sconway@SConwayLaw.com.

 

The Family of Rotary sends condolences to Rotarian Peter Wakefield and his wife Trish on the death of her father. 

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

 

 

A Rotary Moment

For 02/16/09

Doris A. Lockey

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

Rotary Club of Magnolia honors students from Magnolia High School each month.  Jeff Springer, principal of Magnolia High School introduced the February “Students of the Month” Alonso Aguirre and Kelly Harris at last weeks meeting.   Alonso’s parents along with Kelly’s parents and grandparents accompanied the students to the meeting.

Alonso is ranked 51 of 595 students. He is currently taking Calculus AP and Physics AP and has been in Athletics as well. He is currently enrolled in classes in DeVry University’s business program. When he graduates from MHS, he intends to complete his Bachelor’s Degree through their college of Business and Management.  Alonso’s instructors think highly of him using comments including, “outstanding example” “will be successful in anything” “proven to always rise to the challenge” and “ultimate team player”.

Kelly is ranked #8 of 595 students which puts her in the top 2%. For most of her high school career she has been involved in UIL Academics. She is currently taking Government (dual credit), English (dual credit), AP Chemistry, and AP Calculus. Upon graduating from MHS, Kelly plans to go to Texas A&M to study Civil Engineering. Kelly’s teachers had positive comments about her including, “strong leadership skills are evident” “has maturity and academic ability…a model student” and “hard worker who always gives her very best”.

Dolfia Hearn, Community Partners of Montgomery County (CPMC) was the weekly speaker for the Rotary Club of Lake Conroe.  CPMC is the group responsible for the Rainbow Room in Conroe.  The Rainbow Room is an emergency resource center available to CPS caseworkers to help them meet the critical needs of abused and neglected children.  Stocked with all new items, Rainbow Rooms provide clothing, shoes, underwear, baby formula, school supplies and hygiene items to children entering foster or relative care and children in their own homes who live below the poverty line. 

RCLC has collected backpacks for the Rainbow Room for several years.   Dolfia Hearn was surprised following her presentation to RCLC with a donation of 100 backpacks.  Dave Underdown, spouse of Rotarian Marie Underdown had purchased the backpacks from the Kroger on Hwy 105 and Loop 336.  The Kroger manager sold him the backpacks on clearance for a greatly reduced price.  Special thanks go to Kroger and the Underdowns.  Dolfia was speechless and very thankful for the donation.   Additional information about The Rainbow Room may be found at the following website: www.gtcp.org 

            Rotarians participate in projects that support youth around the world.  The projects mentioned above are just two of the many projects our five Rotary Clubs support in Montgomery County.

Time is running out to purchase tickets for The Woodlands Rotary Club 3^rd Annual Wine Dinner is February 26.  The dinner will be held March 6, 2009 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.  Clos LaChance Winery from California and Becker Vineyards from Texas will each offer one wine to accompany each of the four meal courses.  For additional information you may email Sharon Conway at Sconway@SConwayLaw.com.

The Family of Rotary sends condolences to Rotarian Janie Kobes on the death of her father-in-law Karl Kobes.  Richard was 96 and passed away January 24, 2009.  A tribute to Karl can be seen by visiting the website www.mem.com.

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

 

A Rotary Moment

For 02/09/09

Doris A. Lockey

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

Rotary Club of the Woodlands and Lone Star College-Montgomery were host to the Rotary District 5910 Mid-Year Meeting on January 31, 2009.  Special guests at the meeting were the District 5910’s GSE Team.  The 2009 team is made up of Adriana Mendoza, Cici Anderson, Melissa Martin, Raul Avalos and team leader, Rotarian John Delaney. 

 

            The Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business people and professionals between the ages of 25 and 40 who are in the early stages of their careers.  The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits in paired areas of different countries.  For four weeks, team members experience the host country’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas.

 

            District 5910 is paired this year with District 4920 in Argentina.  The District 5910 team will travel to Argentina in March.  The District 4920 Team from Argentina will be in District 5910 in April and will attend the District 5910 Conference.

 

Rotary District Conference will be held in Bryan/College Station April 24 – 26, 2009.  Rotarians, spouses, children and grandchildren are invited to attend this year’s conference.  District Governor Roger McCabe and the 2009 Conference committee invites Rotarians, spouses, children and grandchildren to join them for the F.U.N. – which stands for Fellowship, Updates, and Notables.   Conference information is available on the conference: www.5910conference.org.

 

Rotary Club of Conroe’s annual blood drive will be held tomorrow at The Wiesner Auto Dealership.  It is not too late to schedule an appointment on-line at www.eblooddrive.org, sponsor code 5927. 

 

Rotary Club of The Woodlands’ quarterly blood drive is scheduled for Thursday, February 19.  The donor coach will be at the Woodlands Resort & Conference Center parking lot.  If you have any questions about illness, travel, or medications affecting your ability to donate, please go to www.giveblood.org and click on “Frequently Asked Questions” – the most common questions are all answered there. 

 

The deadline to purchase tickets for The Woodlands Rotary Club 3^rd Annual Wine Dinner is February 26.  The dinner will be held March 6, 2009 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.  Clos LaChance Winery from California and Becker Vineyards from Texas will each offer one wine to accompany each of the four meal courses.  For additional information you may email Sharon Conway at Sconway@SConwayLaw.com.

 

The Family of Rotary sends get well wishes to Penny Gullo Waldrum.  The Gullo family has supported Rotary in Montgomery County in so many ways for years, and we wrap our arms around Penny and her family as she deals with ongoing health issues.  We’re praying for you Penny.

 

Condolences go this week to RC of Conroe Rotarian Thomas Sellars and his family on the death of his father, Fred T. Sellars Jr.  

 

Condolences also go to RC of Lake Conroe Rotarian Mark Stevens and his family on sudden death of his brother-in-law, Joe Stephens.

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com.  Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org.

 

 

A Rotary Moment
For 02/02/09
Kris Nordstrom McBride

 
    In Rotary, February is World Understanding Month – a time to focus on the importance of goodwill and understanding for peace.  It is a time for all Rotarians to pause and consider how we are pursuing Rotary’s fourth Avenue of Service – International Service – because it is our international service, and our international fellowship, that will do the most to help us all build a more peaceful tomorrow. 

    In addition to the many community projects accomplished each year by the Montgomery County Rotary Clubs, they also participate in many International Projects.  International projects include the Nicaraguan Water Well Project, Mexico Christmas Candy Roll Project, and Books for the World, and Polio Plus to name a few.

Last week many of you noted the Editor’s note above the Rotary column informing readers that Doris Lockey would be writing the columns for Kris Nordstrom McBride for a short time.  You may have wondered “why” Kris wasn’t writing the column.  Kris was in an automobile accident January 18.  We are pleased to report that she is out of the hospital and has started her recuperation at home.  She shows improvement everyday.  Our prayers and best wishes go out to Kris.  We hope she has a speedy recovery and will be back to her column very soon. 

    We had more great news for the Rotary Family this week.  Kassi Cranfield had her trach removed.  This was a huge step in her recovery from her injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident last year.  Special thanks to her sister-in-law Brooke Adamick for sharing this great news.

Traveling to other countries and experiencing many different cultures and languages is something the Rotary Club of East Montgomery and Rotary District 5910 is offering to students in the community.  The Short-term Youth Exchange Program is open to students ages 15 to 19 to spend three weeks during the summer in foreign lands.  The Club is seeking participants for this summer.  To sign up for the Rotary District 5910 Short-term Youth Exchange Program, call Dr. Rose Austin at 281-312-1448.

    The Woodlands Rotary Club 3rd Annual Wine Dinner will be held March 6, 2009 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.  RC of The Woodlands will continue the tradition of having two wineries for the dinner – one from California and one from Texas.  Wineries for this year’s dinner are Clos LaChance Winery from California and Becker Vineyards from Texas.  Both are award-winning wineries and each winery will offer one wine to accompany each of the four meal courses. 

This event is a fundraiser for The Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that sponsors scholarships for local students and supports many other worthy local charities and projects undertaken by The Rotary Club of The Woodlands.  For additional information, email Sharon Conway at Sconway@SConwayLaw.com.

Don’t forget the Rotary Club of Conroe’s annual blood drive to be held Tuesday, February 10th at The Wiesner Auto Dealership.  Schedule an appointment on-line at www.eblooddrive.org, sponsor code 5927.    Additional information is available on the RCC website at www.conroe-rotary.org.
            
To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Doris or Kris.  Contact Doris via email dalockey@msn.com or Phone (936) 525-9638.  Contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 web-site at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment
For 01/26/2009
Kris Nordstrom McBride 

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 that it is awarding Rotary a $255 million challenge grant, which Rotary and its supporters will match with $100 million over the next three years.  The announcement came during Rotary’s International Assembly to all incoming district governors and Rotary senior leaders. 
These funds are critical to the fight to eradicate polio, a crippling and sometimes fatal disease that still paralyzes children in parts of Africa and Asia and threatens children everywhere.  

Rotary International has a mini Web site, www.rotary.org/endpolio, which allows both Rotarians and the general public to become part of history by donating to the global effort to eradicate polio.  The site also explains the Gates Foundation challenge grant, describes funding needs, and provides and overview of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Montgomery County Rotary Clubs along with Rotarians around the world have raised $60 million toward the original $100 million Gates challenge grant awarded November 2007.  Rotary has agreed to raise an additional $100 million in matching funds for the new grant by June 30, 2012

    Rotary Club of Conroe President, John Denton said their Club used one meeting this month to help PDG Jack McCullough with his “Layette Bag” project.  McCullough and wife, Ella Ruth provided the bags and RRC Rotarians provided the contents for the bags.  Members formed an assembly line and in less than 45 minutes 32 bags were stuffed and loaded in the car.  Women in Nicaragua come down from the mountains near the time for birth of their babies.  These bags provide necessities for the newborns.    What a great project!

    The Rotary Club of Conroe’s annual blood drive will be held Tuesday, February 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at The Wiesner Auto Dealership at 1645 I-45 North in Conroe.  Everyone can schedule appointments on line at www.eblooddrive.or, sponsor code 5927 or contact anyone from RC of Conroe for more information.

    The Woodlands 3rd Annual Wine Dinner will be held March 6, 2009 at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott.  All funds raised go to the Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation to support the scholarship program and other project and charities that the club supports.  See any WRC member for information about this event. 
    
To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment

For 01/19/2009

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

      Rotary is definitely back in full swing now, with the year beginning with one of everyone’s favoriate Rotary Programs, RYLA(Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) Weekend. Our reporter in the field, Doris Lockey, has the scoop for us:

     “We had another great RYLA weekend! Twenty-three of this year's participants were selected to return in 2010 as Alumni Leaders.  Four of the 2009 Alumni Leaders were awarded $500 scholarships and may return as 2010 Trainers. 

     Two of the four trainers were from Montgomery County, Michael Austin Epperson (The Woodlands HS) and Brynn Langford (College Park HS).  Four of the twenty-three Alumni Leaders were from Montgomery County, Cain Grantham (Magnolia West HS), Eric Ryker Burson (Oak Ridge HS), Amber Cherry (Splendora HS), and Paulina Alvarez (The Woodlands HS). Tana Beth Horn (Montgomery HS) was the alternate.

     Each year, high school juniors from Rotary Districts around the world gather within their districts for leadership training – as Doris always says, RYLA makes you feel that our future is in good hands. These young men and women work together on problem solving, team building, and other leadership activities…and they have a great time too! Congratulations to all of our RYLA teens!
     The Rotary Club of Conroe’s annual blood drive will be held Tuesday, February 10^th from

9:00 am to 3:00 pm at The Wiesner Auto Dealership at 1645 I45 North in Conroe. Everyone can schedule appointments on line at www.eblooddrive.org , sponsor code 5927 or contact anyone from The RC of Conroe for more information.

     Ed Martin, past member of The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe, and Past District Governor of District 5890, suffered a stroke on Sunday and was admitted to the Conroe Regional Medical Center. Ed’s lovely wife JoAn is optimistic for a speedy recovery.  Please keep Ed and JoAn in your thoughts and prayers as they deal with this illness.

     This news from Assistant Governor Dr. Rose Austin: “The Rotary Club of East Montgomery County is planning their annual “Connections” event on February 23 at the EMCID Complex in New Caney.  This event is a partnership between the Rotary club, Lone Star College-Kingwood, and local businesses to offer career and financial aid information for parents and seniors at New Caney and Splendora high schools.  This is the 5th year for the event that draws approximate 500 people. There are sessions for parents and students on topics such as completing college applications, filing for financial aid, top careers, College Parenting 101.  There are a number of vendors available as well.  Scholarships in the form of door prizes are awarded every 30 minutes.  Last year 52 scholarships were given totaling $13,000 along with 48 gifts of electronics.”

     Also from AG Rose, news that the EMC Rotary Club delivered Christmas gifts to residents of Pine Shadows Retreat, a nursing home in Porter, on December 18.  The senior facility houses 134 residents. The gift consisted of socks, slippers, hair combs, and photo frames. 

     News from South County (Woodlands) Rotarians Ron Saikowski: “Dr. Chris Zaino of Abundant Life Chiropractic Center provided an energetic presentation on health to the Rotary Club of The Woodlands at its first meeting of the year on January 8th. Dr. Zaino presented five steps to preserving and achieving health.

     Raul Avalos provided members of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands at their January 15th meeting with his experiences as an Exchange Student in Spain and Brazil. He will be on the GSE Team going to Argentina this year.

 

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment

For 01/05/2009

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

     Happy New Year Everyone!

 

 

Rotary Clubs reconvene this week, after our long holiday hiatus. It seems like forever since we have met for service and fellowship, so there’s no news to report this week. Instead, here are a few of our favorite moments in pictures from 2008.

 

Rotarians across Montgomery County look forward to our continued work in this wonderful community in 2009!

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

A Rotary Moment
For 12/15/08
Kris Nordstrom McBride
    

December 9th brought freezing rains and icy streets, but a little bad weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of 80 children and their families on a holiday adventure!
     The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe hosted it’s annual Christmas Light Tour Tuesday and there were smiles and laughter aplenty. As a special treat this year, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Gullo Sr offered their private classic car museum and 1950’s style diner for the party. The grounds were aglow with literally millions of lights. What a treat!
     The children were greeted outside by Kathy Scoles and Gary Louie and officers from The Alpha Omega Mounted Patrol – the kids love seeing and petting these beautiful horses each year.
     Special needs children and young adults from The Conroe YMCA’s Adaptive Learning Programs were the first to arrive, making their way through the museum, wide eyed and in awe of row after row of vintage vehicles. An hour and a half later, delayed by traffic and weather, the M D Anderson Kids arrived in two busses donated by Carey Limousine, with a police escort - thank you Captain Randy McDaniels and other deputies, along with Sheriff Tommy Gage, Judge Lanny Moriarity & The Oak Ridge North Police Department and Chief Andy Walters.     
     Once inside, the children met “Big Elf” Don Van Orden, his bride Teresa and their family, arms laden with cuddly stuffed animals for all. Don has been providing these gifts, plus portable CD players for each child, for many years now, and didn’t even blink when told we had quadrupled the number of children involved !
     Next, the guests met the children and grandchildren of Rotary members and the Oak Ridge North families who help us every year. Space prevents us from thanking them all by name, but they were awesome! These Santa’s Helpers, in cool hats donated by Sandy and Gail Laurentz (Thanks Sis!) handed out Santa hats donated by Donnie Buckalew, and gift bags and stocking stuffers donated by Rotarians Rick Adams, Doris Lockey and Marie Underdown. I’m always so impressed by our Santa’s Helpers, who watch as we give gifts to our guests, but never ask for anything for themselves. It’s one of the Beautiful Things of the evening.
      Further down the receiving line were the generous people who purchased the Light Tour for $20,000.00 at RCLC’s recent Wine Dinner and Auction. Proceeds fund RCLC’s support of MD Anderson’s Summer Toomey Fund, The Y’s Leap of Faith, Bridgewood Farms, Fairway Home, and many other community projects. The buying group this year included Bob & Debby Evans, Don Carter, Jim & Angela Graves, Tommy & Mary Anne Metcalf, Bill & Christina Rathbun, Mike & Katherine Landes, Alfred & Dollie Anderson, Jack & Nancy McClanahan, Jerry & Jerri Bernhardt, Gary & Janet Milleson, Dalton & Pat Thomas (who brought son Shawn), Dale & Margie Trimble, Mike & Carol Berger and RJ & Odette D'Agostino.
    Once inside the diner, Kate Turner played guitar and sang Christmas carols with the families. Balloon Lady Jamie Ruppert made balloon hats and animals to delight the children. Malcolm Pepper documented the evening on video, while Kathy Wheat snapped dozens of photos as our official candid shot photographer. Chris Wakefield was once again Captain Jack Sparrow, much to the delight of the ladies, young and old alike (we like those bad boys, don’t we?). 
     Mr. Gullo and his crew served up more than  200 hot dogs and hamburgers for the crowd, while Mrs Gullo and daughter Linda Rodriquez dished out ice cream treats. Charis Beal and other Oak Ridge North residents took up their usual “anything you need” spot on the volunteer roster, and we’d be lost without them. Walden Chef Rick Adams and the young ladies from the Montgomery High School Chapter of The National Charity League made dozens and dozens of beautiful and yummy holiday cookies. Roddy Rodriquez, Linda’s husband, was everywhere, handling last minutes details.
     With tummies full, the children were taken for a ride through the beautiful lights by Mr Gullo’s elves, ending with a visit with Santa and Mrs.Clause (T. J. & Nancy Wallace) for photos by Brett Rodriquez, on the job again this year to give the children a special memento of the evening.
      As the tired children began to board their vans and busses, the families were surprised with a portable DVD Player, donated by Bob and Debby Evans again this year. The Evans’ have spent many an hour in hospital rooms, and they know the difference it can make when the kids have something to entertain themselves. Bob and Debby, along with Don Carter, donated a DVD for each family too, so the kids could watch their first film on the ride home. Gift bags were the final treat, filled with gift certificates to Target and The Italian Grille donated by Centerpoint Energy, cookies from Ciro’s Italian Grille in Houston, and lots of little goodies from the ladies of Oak Ridge North.
     Oh, what a night! What a heartwarming night!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment

For 12/08/2008

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

     “Where are you, Kris?” has been the question in the subject line of many emails I’ve received over the last couple weeks. “We’re doing good stuff in our club and you’re not reporting it. What’s up?”

       Well, “Life’s what happens while you’re busy making other plans”. We’ve all heard that song before, I  am sure, but it really hit home for me the morning of November 19^th.

     I went to bed Tuesday night ready to rise early Wednesday to complete the wrap up work for the Wine Fellowship Dinner my Rotary Club held November 15^th – I was eager to report the successful fundraising results to club members at our meeting Thursday morning. Instead, I awoke before dawn in great pain, screaming and scaring the daylights out of Michael. By midday it was apparent this wasn’t going away. Within hours I was on the operating table, making it there just as my appendix ruptured.

     To say that I am blessed is an understatement – one wrong decision that day and I might not be writing this column today. As the hours in the hospital turned into days, five in all, a steady stream of Rotarians made their way to see me, each one reminding me by their presence how much my life revolves around the friendships I have made through Rotary.

     Sunday night I was finally released and all I could think about was getting into my own comfy bed, cozy and safe under my silk blanket that feels like heaven against my skin. I fell into a deep sleep within minutes and awoke hours later refreshed and relaxed…for about ten minutes, until I reailzed in a panic that it was now November 23^rd and Lake Conroe’s annual Christmas Light Tour and Santa Party for the kids at M D Anderson was now only 16 days away, and nothing was ready. Worse yet, what to do and who to contact were all in my head and in criptic notes I had written over the last four years. MaMaMia! What now??

     One phone call to my sister in service, Doris Lockey, and all was well in the world again. Doris has been a member of the Rotary Club of Conroe for many years, serving as President for the 2006/2007, but changes to her work schedule over the last year have made it increasing difficult for Doris to leave the office midday for RCC’s luncheon meeting. So, in October Doris made the difficult decision to transfer her membership from RCC to the Lake Conroe Club, which meets for breakfast at Walden Yacht Club, just a few minutes away from Doris’ home.

      Without hesitation, Doris went into action, and Monday night she arrived at my home with Rotarians extraordinaire Pam Tipton and Marie Underdown in tow. By the end of the evening all of the prep work for Decemebr 9^th  had been divided amonst the four of us, with the 3 ladies with wheels (I can’t drive yet) doing all of the running around, leaving me work I could do from my laptop. I thank these wonderful women from the bottom of my heart.

     So here we are, December 8^th, with the Light Tour just a few hours away, and it will be the best yet! Tomorrow, 40 children from around the world who call M D Anderson home, and 40 more local children from The Conroe YMCA’s Adaptive Learning Programs , along with their families, will have a night to remember. The list of people and organizations involved in putting this night of lights together has grown again this year, an amazing partnership amongst a group of otherwise unrelated people who come together once a year for these kids. It’s a Beautiful Thing, for sure!

     I’ll have the Light Tour recap next week, and then will update everyone on what’s been happening elsewhere in Rotary throughout Montgomery County the following weeks.

     Thanks for hanging in there with me folks! Merry almost Christmas!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

A Rotary Moment
For 11/17/08
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Wilkinson was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of The Woodlands meeting November 6th, and told her story of how she overcame obstacles throughout her diving career, including her first dive off a 10-meter platform. She equated that to jumping off a 4 story building. Just the thought of that is enough to give me shivers!
     Board Members & Officers of the College Park Interact Club attended that same meeting, meeting many of the Rotarians in attendance for the first time. Interact has a solid presence in south county, and these young men and women do a wonderful job of serving the community.
     The Woodlands club will host their quarterly Blood Drive this Thursday, November 20. The donor coach will be stationed at the club’s meeting location, in The Woodlands Resort & Conference Center parking lot. Once again, the dynamic Sharon Conway is the Blood Drive Chair. Contact Sharon at SConway@SConwayLaw.com, (281) 681-2230.
     Rotarian Mike Landes and his many volunteers are putting the final touches on literally tens of thousands of hand made candy rolls - made from tissue cores, holiday papers and hard candy – that will soon be delivered to Mexico as gifts for needy children. This project has grown from a small mission of love for a handful of people to a community wide project. Like many of my fellow Rotarians, I have family members who tote along paper bags of tissue cores when they come to visit!
      The Interact Club of Montgomery High School is, I believe, the group producing the most gifts. Twelve fortunate Interact Members will accompany Mike and his group to Mexico this year for the best reward – meeting the children and distributing the gifts.
     I’m feeling a bit disjointed today and today’s column is certainly not my best, so I’ll keep it short to lessen the pain. I’m typing with one hand on the keyboard, phone in the other hand, papers everywhere, as we complete the final preparations for the Rotary Club of Lake Conroe’s Wine Fellowship Dinner November 15th – that’s tomorrow for me, “last weekend” for you. Can’t wait to give you all of the details next week!


To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment
For 11/03/08
Kris Nordstrom McBride

Wine Fellowship Dinner


     The old saying “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” is the marching order for The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe, as this tough little club of 50 works overtime to produce and bottle an interesting fundraiser in less than 6 weeks, The Wine Fellowship Dinner and Auction on November 15th.
    The Nov 14/15 Los Compadres Golf Tournament, a 20 year tradition of RCLC, and the club’s major fundraiser, has been postponed until 2009 as a result of Hurricane Ike. But the club has financial commitments to it’s local and international partners in service, all of which will need to be funded before the 2009 Los Compadres event. Unwilling to dissapoint the community or cut scholarships and projects, members quickly called upon Walden Yacht Club Chef Rick Adams and some generous donors to help put together a classy event in record time. 
     Cognisent of everyone’s need to strech their entertainment dollars, Chef Rick and RCLC  have kept the dinner price at $75.00 per person, well under the going rate for an event of this caliber. The dinner’s playful tag line of “7 Tempting Wines, 4 Sinful Courses, And Many Opportunities For Redemption” is a play on words surrounding the entrée course wines from Alexander Valley Vineyards, including the popular and well known “Sin Zin”, so named because of it’s “sinfully” rich character.
     Some unique silent auction items will be available, and the live auction will include a Sonoma Wine Tour, a backyard waterfall from Wakefield Landscaping, and as always, The MD Anderson Kids Christmas Light Tour, which will increase in size by four fold this year (details on that in a separate column).
     For details on the Nov 15th dinner, see the RCLC website at www.lakeconroerotary.org or call me.
     Hearthstone Costume Contest – Last Thursday the activities room of The Hearthstone Assisted Living Center in Conroe was alive with the colors of Halloween, as the seniors in residence decked themselves and their wheelchairs and walkers in their finest black and orange for the annual Halloween Costume Contest. Rotarian Mark Stevens and I were honored to be judges for the contest, along with former Rotarian Teresa Schrock, Lions Debby Glen and Dr Michael Davis, and Darlene Gold of The Italian Grille.
      Second grade students from Pam Johnson’s class at BB Rice Elementary School were the judges for the door decorations. Ila May Smith, who will turn 100 years old November 15th, won first place in BOTH! Mrs. Smith, whose husband was a Rotarian for many years, was a Rotary Ann in the days before women were accepted as club members.
     What fun this was! The residents were just awesome, and they even volunteered to help US with any upcoming projects, so they’ll be putting together the party favors for our Light Tour this December. Isn’t that just the coolest thing? We went to lend a hand and in turn, we were given so much more!  It’s a Beautiful Thing!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment

For 10/20/08

REWORKED FOR 10/27/08

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

 

     Plastic grocery bags and sturdy boxes filled the room at the Rotary Club meetings the week of October 13-17, as the clubs in Montgomery County joined together to support “Rotary Week For The Food Bank”.

      The brainchild of Woodlands Rotarian Sheila Dowell, the drive was a great success. This past Monday a representative from each of the participating clubs met at The Montgomery County Food Bank, Conroe location, to deliver the non-perishable food items, along with the cash donations. More than $2000.00 in cash was raised at the Woodlands Club alone and that amount certainly increased once the other clubs added their donations to the coffers. 

     Doris Goleman of the MCFB was on hand at The Woodlands Club luncheon on Thursday the 9^th to thank Sheila and Rotarians. Doris, it was our pleasure, and we thank MCFB for being there to support our citizens in need.

    This is it – TODAY is the last day to try your luck at winning a brand new 2009 Hyundai from Weisner’s  in Conroe – The Conroe Rotary Club’s annual Rigby Owen Sr. Memorial Raffle and Pancake Supper is tomorrow night! Raffle tickets sell for $100 and include two supper tickets. Tickets for supper only are $10 and free for children under 10.

     The event will be held for the second year at the beautiful facilities in the First Baptist Church in Conroe, 6 p.m. To purchase last minute tickets, call Supper Chair Kaye Brouse at 936-760-1410 or any RCC member.  Quickly!

      Please keep our immediate Past District Governor Chuck Mason in your prayers this week. Chuck and wife Becky, who live in Beaumont, are presently in Houston, where Chuck has just undergone heart surgery at St Luke’s in The Medical Center. The Mason’s have long been great supporters of Montgomery County Rotarians

     I was in Houston last Thursday and swung by to check on PDG Chuck. He was still in ICU so I couldn’t see him, but he was already sitting up in a chair for brief periods of time. PDG Chuck has the best of reasons to put all his energy into a speedy recovery – He’ll be walking daughter Kristin down the isle in Austin over Thanksgiving weekend. Kristin was in Houston to keep her Mom company, while brother Chad was running the office in Beaumont in Chuck’s absence.

     Our hearts ache for Lake Conroe Rotarian Jerry McGuire and his family. Only days before her planned release from the hospital to be home at last, Jerry’s beautiful wife Judy suffered a set back and passed away two weeks ago. Anyone who knew Judy will remember her pretty holiday outfits (I think she had one for every holiday on the calendar) and for her dedication to her community. As I sat in the chapel watching the slide show of her life, I saw lots of smiles in the pews around me – we saw pictures of Judy and Jerry traveling, with their family, at Rotary events, of her as a stunning young woman and bride of 42 years to Jerry.

     Judy’s life was a life well lived, and the photos reminded me of a plaque a friend gave me many years ago that read “Yesterday is only a memory, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a memory of joy and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”

     Godspeed Judy, you will be missed.

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

 

A Rotary Moment

For 10/20/08

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

 

     Plastic grocery bags and sturdy boxes filled the room at the Rotary Club meetings last week, as the clubs in Montgomery County joined together to support “Rotary Week For The Food Bank”.

      The brainchild of Woodlands Rotarian Sheila Dowell, the drive was a great success. Later today, a representative from each of the participating clubs will be meeting at The Montgomery County Food Bank, Conroe location, to deliver the non-perishable food items, along with the cash donations. I hear that more than $2000.00 in cash was raised at the Woodlands Club alone and that amount will increase once the other clubs have delivered their donations.

     Doris Goleman of the MCFB was on hand at The Woodlands Club luncheon meeting Thursday to thank Sheila and Rotarians. Doris, it was our pleasure, and we thank MCFB for being there to support our citizens in need.

    Only one more week to try your luck at winning a brand new 2009 Hyundai from Weisner’s  in Conroe – The Conroe Rotary Club’s annual Rigby Owen Sr. Memorial Raffle and Pancake Supper is almost here! Raffle tickets sell for $100 and include two supper tickets. Tickets for supper only are $10 and free for children under 10.

     The event will be held for the second year at the beautiful facilities in the First Baptist Church in Conroe, 6 p.m. on October 28^th.  To purchase tickets, call Supper Chair Kaye Brouse at 936-760-1410 or any RCC member.

      Please keep our immediate Past District Governor Chuck Mason in your prayers this week. Chuck and wife Becky will be arriving in Houston today from their home in Beaumont. Chuck is set to undergo heart surgery Wednesday or Thursday at St Luke’s in The Medical Center. The Mason’s have long been great supporters of Montgomery County Rotarians, and we wish PDG Chuck a speedy recovery.

     Our hearts ache for Lake Conroe Rotarian Jerry McGuire and his family. Only days before her planned release from the hospital to be home at last, Jerry’s beautiful wife Judy suffered a set back and passed away last weekend. Anyone who knew Judy will remember her pretty holiday outfits (I think she had one for every holiday on the calendar) and for her dedication to her community. As I sat in the chapel watching the slide show of her life, I saw lots of smiles in the pews around me – we saw pictures of Judy and Jerry traveling, with their family, at Rotary events, of her as a stunning young woman and bride of 42 years to Jerry.

     Judy’s life was a life well lived, and the photos reminded me of a plaque a friend gave me many years ago that read “Yesterday is only a memory, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today, well lived, makes every yesterday a memory of joy and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”

     Godspeed Judy, you will be missed.

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment
For 10/06/2008
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe’s Los Compadres Golf Tournament and Gala has joined the list of local events to be rescheduled due to Hurricane Ike. Originally scheduled to be held November 14th and 15th , Los Compadres will reappear in the late Spring of 2009, at a date yet to be determined.
     Los Compadres is a massive project, which takes the combined effort of hundreds of volunteers to pull off successfully. RCLC felt it best to rescheduled to allow time for everyone to fully recover from the aftereffects of the storm.
     To raise funds to continue it’s work within the community, RCLC will instead host a Wine Dinner and Auction at Walden Yacht Club the evening of Saturday, November 15th. Under the experienced hand of Walden Chef Rick Adams and many of the same committee members who put together the successful dinners the club hosted in 2003 through 2005, this is a much less complicated event, with less manpower involved.
    The shining star of the Los Compadres Live Auction, the MDA Kids Christmas Light Tour  and Party for pediatric patients at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, will be auctioned at the Wine Dinner. The tour is a labor of love not only for Lake Conroe Rotarians, but for an ever widening circle of helpers throughout the county. For many of us, the Light Tour is the highlight of our holiday season, and all can rest assured that it will continue, uninterupted, for the 2008 Christmas season.
     Details for the dinner will be finalized by October 15th, so save the date and be prepared for an elegant evening of great food and wines.
     Meanwhile, plans for the RC of Conroe’s Annual Rigby Owen, Sr. Memorial Raffle and Pancake Supper continue, thankfully not interupted by Ike. This Conroe classic will be held on October 28th at the First Baptist Church in Conroe, 6 p.m. A time honored tradition in the community, this fundraiser was started by Rigby, Sr. more than 50 years ago.
      Raffle tickets sell for $100 and include two supper tickets. Tickets for supper only are $10  and free for children under 10. The grand prize winner will receive the keys to a 2009 Hyundai from Wiesner in Conroe. Net proceeds from the raffle benefit a long list of RCC community projects. For more information, tag any Conroe Rotarian, or call Kaye Brouse at 936-760-1410.
     Better late than never, our best wishes are extended to newlyweds (Rotarian) Pat Wilson and Dalton Thomas, who tied the knot in an intimate family ceremony at their home over the summer. If two people were ever made for one another, it’s these two lovebirds! Congrats!
     Wonderful news! Judy McGuire, wife of Rotarian Jerry McGuire, is on her way home after a prolonged hospitalization. We are so, so happy for you Judy!
      We have not forgotten you Kassi Cranfill! Kassi continues her rehabilitation at home after a devastating motorcycle accident earlier this year. Kassi’s beautiful smile and amazing spirit are an inspiration to all of us!
      Get well wishes to Rotarian Betty Capel who is under the weather and recovering at home. We’re thinking of you Betty!
          Our hearts and prayers are with a member of our extended Family of Rotary, David Weems, son in law of Rotarian Tony Westlake and wife Janet. David was hospitalized recently after a serious automobile accident, at which time doctors discovered an underlying illness. David will soon be home from M.D. Anderson and will then begin the next phase of his recovery. Our prayers are with David and wife Nicola and their 3 beautiful children, Jessica, Emma and Ethan.

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org




 

A Rotary Moment

For 09/29/08

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

 

     The aftert effects of Hurricane Ike continue to dominate our thoughts this week. Rotary District Governor Elect Fred Sandberg, of the Sante Fe Rotary Club, and Dr Ulli Budlemann of the Galveston RC, worked with Galveston officials to arranged a tour of the disaster area for District Governor Roger McCabe and Past District Governor Hugh Summers. These men will be attending the Rotary Zone Conference in Boise, Idaho this week, where they will make a presentation to Zone and International officials about the devastation in our state, in hopes of bringing home Rotary Grant money to assist first responders and civic groups in the coastal communities in the effort to rebuild the lioves of their residents.

     “We are not experts in the area of disaster” said DG Roger, “ but we know people who are and we are trying to partner with these experts to provide the much needed help for the disaster area.  Following Hurricane Rita, District 5910 established a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) for disaster relief.  An initial donation of $5,000 has been made from the DAF…to the American Red Cross in Anderson County…to help cover the cost of sheltering 475 people after Hurricane Ike swept through Texas.”

     Help has also come from an old friend of Montgomery County Rotarians, Lake Conroe RC Past President Jack Hostetter, who now resides in Virginia. Jack and wife Phyllis have strong ties to our lake community, as their daughter Dr Barbara Ward and her family live in Montgomery.

Jack emailed us immediately after the storm with news that his Rotary District would be sending a contribution of $3000.00 to the DAF. We can’t thank Jack enough for remembering his friends  in Texas and spearheading the effort in District 7600 to help us. Bless you Jack!

     Donations to the Rotary DAF may be made by check to the Texas Area Fund Foundation, Inc., District 5910 Donor Advised Fund and mailed to P. O. Box 1399, Palestine, Texas  75802-1399.

     Disasters and financial crisis brings out the best and the worst in people. We are fortunate to live in a community where more often than not we see the best, but sometimes making ethical  decisions is a challenge. Conroe RC Past President Kenne Turner, always the philosopher and thinker, recently blogged about the importance of Rotary’s “Four Way Test” in today’s world. From price gouging after the storm to the economic crisis our nation faces, these are trying times. This is the story of “The Four Way Test” as told by Nancy Shepherdson in The Rotarian:

     “At any Walgreens drugstore in the United States, you’re likely to see The Four-Way Test hanging on the wall in the manager’s office and in the pharmacy. These plaques are tangible evidence of a philosophy that has guided the company’s corporate culture for decades, championed by Rotarian Charles R. Walgreen Jr., the son of its founder.

     A member of the Rotary Club of Chicago, Walgreen…informally used the test as early as 1947 while serving as president of the drugstore chain…Walgreen first heard of The Four-Way Test from fellow club member Herbert J. Taylor. Taylor came up with the four simple precepts in 1932, when Club Aluminum Company, where he was president, was facing almost certain bankruptcy. In the depths of the Depression, no one was buying much aluminum. But Taylor thought that if he could convince his employees to do the right thing in every situation, they might at least win sales from their competitors. ‘So one morning,’ he would often recount, ‘I leaned over my desk, rested my head in my hands. In a few moments, I reached for a white paper card and wrote down what had come to me – in 24 words:

1.    Is it the TRUTH?
2.    Is it FAIR to All Concerned?
3.    Will it Build GOODWILL and Better Friendships?
4.    Will it Be BENEFICIAL to All Concerned?”

     “Putting the test to work, five years later, despite the continuing depression, the business was able to pay off $400,000 of debt with interest and distribute over a million dollars in dividends to stockholders” said Kenne “Let The 4-Way Test be your truth compass.”

     Thanks Dr Turner, for a timely reminder.

 

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

A Rotary Moment
For 9/22/08
Kris Nordstrom McBride


   
     For the first time in a week, our lights are on and the hum of generators in our neighborhood has ceased, replaced by the sound of chain saws and leaf blowers as we clean our yards and right our patio furniture.
     For a few days, our lives in the Lake Conroe area were altered; we were without conveniences we too often take for granted; many of us fired up our outdoor grills to provide warm meals for our families from the thawed meats in our freezers. Our county did a great job of helping those in need. While it was no picnic, we must certainly count ourselves amongst the fortunate ones in this part of our fair state.
     Elsewhere within Rotary District 5910, it will be weeks, months, perhaps years before life returns to normal. Our district includes the coastal counties of Galveston, Jefferson and Orange, which run from Galveston Island to the Louisiana border. All of these counties are disaster areas and eighteen of our forty-two clubs are located within them. Our extended Family of Rotary from across Texas have opened their homes to displaced Rotarians from the Gulf Coast area. District 5910 Rotarians living in the coastal communities who are host families for Exchange Students sheltered in the unaffected areas of our district to keep the teens far from the storm and out of harms way. As best we know at present, all Rotarians and their families are safe.
     Now the work must begin to repair the hearts, homes and businesses of the residents of The Gulf Coast. District 5910 has established a Donor Advised Fund to help the effected communities. Clubs in the district can request monies from the fund to assist their local first responders, church groups and others providing assistance and necessities to those in need within their neighborhoods.
     Donations to the Rotary Donor Advised Fund may be made by check, payable to Texas Area Fund Foundation, Inc., for credit to the Rotary District 5910 Donor Advised Fund. This is a 501(c) (3) foundation and the contributions are tax deductible. Mail donations to: District 5910 Past District Governor (PDG) Hugh Summers, P. O. Box 1399, Palestine, Texas 75802-1399.
     On a local level, all of our clubs cancelled their meetings last week, of course, and some may have to do the same again this week, depending upon power and food availability at our meeting places, so please check with the individual club presidents before leaving to attend a meeting.
     I’ve received several calls and emails from folks asking how Memory Park faired in the high winds of Ike. We’re very happy to report very little damage to the landscape, and no damage of any sort to the hardscape or memorials. We had a few of the newly planted trees that were uprooted, but all have been restaked and secured, and broken tree limbs and leaf debris have been cleared away. We brought the fountain and waterfall down before the storm to lesson the possibility of damage to the pumps when power is restored, and they will remain down until the community is back on it’s feet. All in all, these are minor things, and Memory Park is open and all are invited to take a respite from your recovery efforts and walk the shaded paths and relax.
     
To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment
For 9/08/08
Kris Nordstrom McBride

     Congressman Kevin Brady was the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Lake Conroe’s special breakfast meeting at the Charles B Stewart Library in Montgomery on August 28th. The Congressman, also a Rotarian (from The Woodlands), spoke on energy needs and possible solutions for our country.
     After his talk, Rotarians led The Congressman on a guided tour of Memory Park. Mr. Brady has been a supporter of the park, sending a representative to the opening day ceremonies on June 28th, but until now, had not seen the park in person. Declaring the facility “much more than I imagined”, he promised to return with his family soon.
     We’ve just received this news flash from Anne Sundquist, past president of the RC of Magnolia and head honcho of the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce:
     “ The Rotary Club of Magnolia is talking trash!  That talk will take place Saturday, September 20, beginning at 8:00 AM. Volunteers will meet at the Magnolia Depot Park for the service opportunity sponsored by the Rotary Club.  Individuals and groups are invited to pitch in to make Magnolia a more beautiful place to live and work.  Students who volunteer will receive community service hours for their efforts.
     There’s more:  The first 120 volunteers who arrive will receive free T-shirts.  At noon Chick-fil-A will provide lunch for all volunteers.  Prizes will be given for groups with the most team members and the most trash collected.
     A project of the Rotary Club (of Magnolia), the following businesses are sponsoring the event:  Caliche, Ltd, Grayson Financial Services, and Shady Brook Animal Hospital, as well as Rose Financial Group and the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce.
      Plan to start at the historic depot part to obtain assignments and supplies.  For questions, you may contact the Chamber, 281-356-1488, or the city, 281-36-2266.”
     Save The Date! The Woodlands Rotary Club Foundation's Third Annual Wine Dinner has been scheduled for Friday, March 6, 2009. Although the winemakers for the event have not been confirmed, you can bet it will be an exciting evening. This is also the first time the dinner is being held on a Friday night, making the “morning after” a little less traumatic.
     The RC of The Woodlands quarterly blood drive August 28th was a great success. Once again, Chair Sharon Conway did a great job of organizing the event. Many, many lives were saved in a few short hours. Thanks to all who participated.
     Congratulations to Debby and Bob Evans, great friends of Rotary, who hosted a successful Muscular Dystrophy Fundraiser at their restaurant, Debby’s Prime Steaks and Seafood, on August 28th. Lots of Rotarians were in the crowd, including Celebrity Waiters Judge Barb Sadler, Commissioner Craig Doyle and Sheriff Tommy Gage. True to form, Bob and Debby not only supported MDA that night, but by evening’s end they sat with us to discuss plans for future charity work too. The world is a better place because of these awesome people and our community owes them a great debt of gratitude. We raise our glasses to you two!

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment

For 8/25/08

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

 

     Montgomery County Rotarians welcome District 5910’s new Governor Roger and First Lady Sharon McCabe to the community this week. The McCabe’s will visit with The Rotary Clubs of Conroe, Huntsville and The Woodlands during this swing through the county. They will return next week to visit with The Lake Conroe Club, saving East Montgomery County and Magnolia for later in the month.

     Governor Roger will carry Rotary International President D.K. Lee’s message of “Make Dreams Real”, the Rotary theme for 2008/2009, to local Rotarians, with particular emphasis this year on reducing child mortality rates and improving the lives of children both in our communities and around the world. Welcome Roger and Sharon!

     The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe will move it’s weekly breakfast meeting, for this Thursday only, to The Charles B Stewart Library in Montgomery. Walden Chef Rick Adams and his staff will move with the club for the day, providing a deluxe continental breakfast for all attending. Congressman Kevin Brady will be the guest speaker, and after the meeting he will tour Memory Park, adjacent to the library, for the first time.

      County Commissioner Craig Doyle was the guest speaker at the RC of the Woodlands last week. Commissioner Doyle spoke of the work being done on projects in Precinct 2, leveraging their activities in getting more value for the money spent.

     As the beginning of the school year approaches, the football coaches for the five high schools in Conroe ISD – Glenn Hill (Caney Creek HS), Roger Holtkamp (Conroe HS), Mark Schmidt (The Woodlands HS), Ronnie Peacock, Richard Carson (College Park HS), and Bob Barrett (Oak Ridge HS), along with CISD Athletic Director Ronnie Peacock – spoke together at The Woodlands Club, saying their football programs are really putting an emphasis on student development this year. Each was presented a “good luck memento” from WRC Prez Bill Leigh.

      Save the date! The RC of Conroe has announced that their annual Pancake Supper and Reverse Raffle Fundraiser will be held October 28^th this year. This supper is one of the longest running – and most successful – fundraisers in the community. Don’t miss it!

     District 5910’s Group Study Exchange Group will head to Argentina next year, and applications for a Rotarian team leader and Non-Rotarian team members are now being accepted.

      “ The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young business and professional men and women between the ages of 25 and 40 and in the early years of their professional lives”, says Outbound GSE Chair Kenne Turner. “The program provides travel grants for teams to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries. For approximately four weeks, team members will experience Argentina's institutions and ways of life, observe their own vocations as practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships, and exchange ideas. “

     For more information on GSE, including application forms, see the District website at www.rotary5910.org and contact Kenne at kenneturner@yahoo.com.

     The Family of Rotary sends its condolences to Woodlands Rotarian Gordon McGinley, who lost his mother Rebecca McGinley August 16^th  after a brief illness. She passed away at age 96. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire McGinley family.

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

 

 

 

 

A Rotary Moment

For 08/18/2008

Kris Nordstrom McBride

            Past District Governor Dr Max Morley of the RC of Nacogdoches and the District’s Polio Chair presented an update to Rotary International’s Polio Eradication Program to the RC of The Woodlands on August 8^th. There are now less than 350 new polio cases each year, and those are contained in Nigeria, Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. This has been accomplished through  Rotary’s partnership with The World Health Organization, The Gates Foundation and other groups around the globe.

             The RC of the Woodlands will host it’s quarterly Blood Drive on Thursday, August 28, in a donor coach in the Woodlands Resort & Conference Center parking lot. Please contact Blood Drive Chair Sharon Conway, (281) 681-2230, SConway@SConwayLaw.com,  to donate.

            Dr. Lynwood P. Randolph, retired NASA aerospace scientist and a member of The RC of The Woodlands, was recently selected to serve on the Board of Directors for the Harvard Business School (HBS) Alumni Association. This International Board communicates to Harvard the “interests and concerns of HBS alumni worldwide, proposes actions to enhance the well-being of HBS alumni and encourages communication of the School's activities, priorities and educational resources to the alumni.” Our congrats to Lyn for this well deserved honor.

     Get well wishes to Rotarian Wayne Hickman, who has not only been under the weather the last few weeks, but is also having shoulder surgery this week. Ouch! Take care Wayne – we miss you!

       We extend our sympathies to a great friend of Rotary, Lion Kenny Speight, who recently lost his father Joe Walker Speight. He was an inspiration to Kenny and his family. Mr. Speight’s favorite quote was “Life is not measured by its duration, but rather by its donation. We are not measured by the distance we travel, but by the difference we make.” Kenny and wife Linda’s daughter Angela was a member of our district’s outgoing Group Study Exchange Team to France last year and that “can-do, enjoy life” spirit of Mr. Speight’s was evident. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Speight family.

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

 

A Rotary Moment

For 08/11/08

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

     I’ve been spending a lot of time in Houston lately, staying with my girlfriend Linda a few days at a time to save the expense of driving back and forth so much. Two of my clients have opened new restaurants within a few weeks of each other and I’m dashing between the two locations getting all of the accounting systems set up and training the bookkeeping staff.

      I’m feeling a bit distanced from the world of Rotary in Montgomery County, with a schedule too tight to even do a make-up at a local club.  But as I look out the window this morning, coffee cup in hand, laptop at the ready, waiting to become inspired, I see my son’s best friend Ron, who lives near by, out for a walk with his wife and their two young children, Sophie and Nick.

     The last time I saw this family they were at Memory Park for the opening day festivities. They had stopped at one of the educational signs along the trail and Ingrid was reading to the kids; their eyes were wide as she read the story of Memory Pond that Peter Wakefield had written. Here’s ”It’s All In A Niche”:

     “When we look at a pond or lake, we see the surface of the water and the plants growing; occasionally we might be lucky enough to see a bird or animal visit for a drink; maybe a turtle will sun itself on a log or a snake will swim in the water.  We see all these things and think we have seen the pond.  In reality, this is only a tiny fraction of the pond, a two dimensional picture, with 99% of what is there hidden from view.  What we do not see is one of the most amazing and complex ecosystems in the world.  

            All organisms, from simple bacteria to humans, live in a Niche.  A Niche is an area or environment in which the organism has evolved in or adapted to. A Niche can be as large as an entire ocean or as small as a millimeter or two of mud at the bottom of a pond.  In every square inch of Memory Pond, an organism has evolved to fill that space and live out its life there.  A Bass may roam all over, moving from the deepest part to the shallows.  A crawfish may live its entire life in an area on the bottom of the pond no bigger then 10’ by 10’.  Worms, living deep in the mud at the bottom may never move more the 1’ from the point where they hatched.  

            From the deepest layer of mud to the plants that line the banks, some type of organism calls that area home.  A cattail plant, living in a few inches of water along the bank, may support a wide variety of animals.  Worms, nematodes, insect larva and countless bacteria can live in and among the roots and underwater stems.  Other insects will live on the leaves above the water, while others live on the flowers and seedpods.  One plant, which has found its own niche around the edge of the pond, in turn, provides niches for hundreds of other organisms. 

            Sit a spell. Take it all in. Hear the sounds of nature. Watch carefully enough, and you just may get to see some of the plants and animals that call Memory Pond home. You will be amazed! Then, when you turn to leave and return home to your Niche, remember, no matter how many of the pond’s residents you were lucky enough to meet, you only saw a fraction of all those who live here. It’s a Beautiful Thing! Come Back Soon!”     

      Hope you’ll take the opportunity soon to do just that…one or two more weeks, and I’ll be there too!  

   

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

A Rotary Moment

For 08/04/2008

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

     The dog days of summer have not kept Rotary Assistant Governor Rose Austin inside – she’s been burning a lot of rubber these days. AG Rose – a member of the RC of East Montgomery County, who is also the District Governor Nominee for 2010/2011 – has all of the clubs in Montgomery County in her Cluster Group. In addition to attending many of the installations in June, she has scheduled speaking engagements at each of the clubs too.

     AG Rose was also in attendance at the South Central Rotary Youth Exchange (SCRYE) meeting on Saturday, July 18 at South Shore Harbor Resort in League City. This is the first time our District has ever hosted the SCRYE Conference, and South Shore did a great job.

     SCRYE is an organization of 40 Rotary districts whose purpose is to assist member districts with organizing and promoting their programs and with training their Rotary volunteers who work in Rotary Youth Exchange. The conferences provide information and assistance to all who are interested in the program, whether a beginner or a seasoned worker.

     Eleven Rotarians from our District attended and shared ideas about both the long and short-term student exchanges, and discussed local club compliance, working with host families, and building relations with the students.

     All clubs in our District are encouraged to host an Exchange Student each year and I believe that four of our MC Clubs will do just that for the 2008/2009 school term – the Woodlands, Conroe, Lake Conroe will each host long term exchange students, and East Montgomery County will both host and send a student for the short term summer exchange.  

     The East Montgomery County Improvement District will hold its annual Back to School Bash on Thursday, September 4, where they will distribute 500 backpacks to needy students. The RC of East Montgomery County will be participating by bringing items for those backpacks. 

     Sadly, we have condolences to send to several Rotarians this week --- Aurea Castro, mother of Lake Conroe Rotarian Mike Castro passed away July26th; Karen Collins, daughter of The Conroe Club’s long time Executive Secretary Sue Collins, died in a tragic accident on July 20^th.

We send our thoughts and prayers to both families.

     Judy McGuire, wife of Lake Conroe Rotarian Jerry McGuire, has begun rehab after a very frightening and sudden illness nine weeks ago. Jerry tells us that Judy now has a second floor room with a huge window overlooking the beautiful trees in Shenandoah, an environment much better suited for replenishing the spirit than a hospital room. Judy is an awesome lady. We miss her presence at our gatherings and can’t wait to have her back with us. We are sending all our positive energy your way Judy!

     Kassi Cranfill, daughter of Lake Conroe Rotarian Barbara Adamick, continues to make steady progress in her rehab, recovering from a devastating accident last January. Kassi is at home now, working everyday to get a bit stronger. She attended the June 28^th wedding of Kathy Kushner and Jeff Wheat, where her bright eyes and beautiful smile lit up the room. Kassi, Barbara – we keep you in our prayers!

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

A Rotary Moment

For 7/28/08

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

     “Make Dreams Real” is the Rotary International theme for 2008/2009. What a wonderful quest this should be for Rotarians around the world – to work within our local communities and within the global community to help people realize their dreams. New RI President B.K. Lee has asked us to place particular emphasis on the children of the world this year. This is an excerpt from his July address to Rotarians:

     “The beginning of the Rotary year is always an exciting time…a new theme to work with, and a renewed sense of purpose for our service projects…I ask you to consider the millions of children who never even have the chance to dream. Every day, more than 26,000 children under the age of five die from preventable causes. As appalling as that number is, it is a decrease from the figure of 30,000 that first caught my attention and spurred me to bring this matter of grave concern to Rotarians.

     UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2008 report states that ‘by 2006, the most recent year for which firm estimates are available, the annual number of child deaths globally fell below 10 million, to 9.7 million, for the first time since records began.’ I would guess that some of the improvement in child survival rates can be directly attributed to Rotary projects that have been successfully addressing problems related to health, hunger, water, and literacy for a number of years now. So I asked myself: ‘what would happen if 1.2 million Rotarians focused their service efforts on keeping even more children alive?’

     I think we already know some of the answers. If Rotarians provide insecticide-treated bed nets, fewer children will succumb to malaria. If we dig wells and address sanitation problems, more children will have clean water to drink and more hygienic surroundings. And if Rotary clubs carry out effective nutrition projects, we can save some of the almost five million children who die each year from undernourishment.

     UNICEF estimates that fully two-thirds of the 9.7 million deaths in 2006 were preventable. With Rotarians working to provide vaccines, oral rehydration therapies, accessible health care for mothers and newborns, and other relatively simple interventions, I’m confident that many more babies will not only survive but go on to live healthy, productive lives.

     Let’s “Make Dreams Real” by giving these children the chance to grow up and have dreams of their own.”

     On a local level, you will see the Montgomery County Clubs strengthening their programs for children in need, such as the RC of Conroe’s Dental Program. We’ll be adding projects to enrich the lives of local children, such as the Children’s Wall in Memory Park that the RC of Lake Conroe will begin later this year, to celebrate the joys of childhood. The RC of The Woodlands will continue its work in the parks in South County, where children come each day to play.

     “Make Dreams Real” – sounds like a Beautiful Thing to me!

 

To learn more about Rotary, or to submit information for the column, contact Kris via email KRISRCLC@aol.com, Fax (936) 228-0613, Phone (936) 228-5111, VM #3. Also see the Rotary District 5910 website at www.rotary5910.org

 

 

 

 

 

A Rotary Moment

For 07/07/08

Kris Nordstrom McBride

 

 

  “Built it and they will come” it is said, and such was certainly the case on Saturday, June 28^th, when the long awaited opening of Memory Park became a reality.

   More than 500 people walked the pathways of the new park, adjacent to the Chares B Stewart Library in Montgomery. During the day, while Mike McDougal cooked hot dogs served up by a host of Rotarians and other volunteers, children scurried about, exploring every inch of the park. From the face painting – courtesy of the National Charity League in Montgomery – to the balloon animals to the moonwalks, to feeding the fish in the pond, the children had much to keep them busy.

     Under a too small tent Diane Whiteley, Lorrie Parker and Cheyenne, Pat Davis and other volunteers from the Conroe Art League had a steady stream of children lined up to dip their hands in colorful paints to create unique tiles which will form the panels of the Children’s Wall to be built in Phase Two of the park. Daltile donated not only the 200 tiles for opening day, but promised hundreds more to continue the project over the course of the next year. (Please contact me if your school or group would like to be involved). Diane’s friend Melanie Small definitely deserves a medal for her beautiful photographs of all 196 of the kiddos with their tiles. What a feat! (Special note to young Julia Fitzcharles, 6 years old – your picture for the paper is not available yet, but I did not forget you).

     After 5 p.m. the tables were draped with champagne colored linens and local chefs took center stage as another 250 invited guests came to christen the park. This group included donors, dignitaries and supporters, all entertained by The Dry