Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Mar 2010: News Around the Bend 1

Quail Valley Exchange Club Welcomes Home Lt. Alicia Tompkins Carey. Lt. Alicia Tompkins Carey, a graduate of Elkins High School, the United States Air Force Academy and daughter of Quail Valley residents Bill and Robyn Tompkins, returned home from deployment in the Middle East for a delayed Christmas with her family.

When Quail Valley Exchange Club members heard the news, they quickly went to work getting permission from the Tompkins ’ neighbors, to line their street with American Flags upon her return. “It is our pleasure to honor these fine young men and women who are serving our country, ” said Kirk Wilkerson of the Exchange Club.

Lt. Carey is a C-17 pilot in the United States Air Force 15th Airlift Squadron stationed in Charleston, S.C. In the fall of 2009, she deployed with the 17th Airlift Squadron to Qatar. The 17th flew daily missions to transport supplies, equipment and personnel as well as performed medical evacuations and Command transport services. Lt. Carey routinely flies to Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates and Djibouti.

Lt. Carey is scheduled for redeployment mid year. Her husband, Lt. Zach Carey, is also in the United States Air Force. He is a security forces officer presently deployed to Afghanistan.

mountains of macaroni donated to food pantry. You don’t expect to see your doctor’s waiting room stocked from floor to ceiling with boxes of macaroni and cheese. However, that was the scene recently at the Stafford Chiropractic Clinic. The doctors and staff came up with a creative way to help those in need within the community. Patients were asked to donate 15 boxes of macaroni and cheese and in turn were given a free examination for new patients or a free office visit, including chiropractic adjustment, for existing patients. They collected more than 275 pounds of macaroni and cheese.

“During my 40 years of practice in Fort Bend County, I have seen the community prosper and grow; however, I have also realized there continues to be more individuals and families who need our support and assistance, ” said Dr. John Felker of the clinic.

The mountain of macaroni was donated to the Interfaith Food Pantry of East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry, Inc. “What a great example of the many ways businesses and organizations within the community can help their neighbors. East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry is extremely grateful to the Stafford Chiropractic Clinic for their generous donation, ” said Diane Clark, food pantry coordinator.

This is the third year the clinic has done this philanthropic project and each year the contribution has increased. They have provided approximately a thousand pounds of pasta to feed the community.

Cold Weather No Match for Fishermen at Missouri City’s Trout Fest. Bundled up against the cold, die-hard fishermen didn’t let chilly weather stop them from venturing out to Missouri City’s annual Trout Fest. They braved the wind to cast their lines at the annual event, which was held at American Legion Park.

Ten-year-old Nathan Schaper of Missouri City was excited to catch two catfish after the trout proved a little too elusive.

“All the participants came prepared for the cold and learned some techniques for making any fishing trip an enjoyable experience, ” said Buford Jurica, of the Sugar Land area Coastal Conservation Association, which sponsored the event with the city.

Several participants received commemorative trophies.

Treasures from the Bend receives award. Treasures from the Bend, a cookbook created by the Fort Bend Junior Service League in Sugar Land, has been recognized as the Southwest regional winner of the 2009 Tabasco Community Cookbook Awards.

In 1989, McIlhenny Company established the Tabasco Community Cookbook Awards, a program dedicated to honoring nonprofit organizations and the outstanding cookbooks created to raise money for local charities and causes. Since the program ’s inception, almost 275 exceptional books—which play a pivotal role in chronicling and preserving local culinary traditions —have been honored, and nearly $100,000 been awarded to assist organizations in fundraising efforts. This year marks the 20th —and final—year of these distinguished awards.

literacy council receives grant from dollar general. The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County received a $15,000 grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. Discount retailer Dollar General is a longtime supporter of literacy efforts. The Dollar General Adult Literacy Grant awards funding to nonprofit organizations that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. The funds will enable LCFBC to provide instructional materials, tutor supplies and ongoing tutor support for adult English as a Second Language and GED students.

“The Dollar General Literacy Foundation is proud to support the Literacy Council of Fort Bend with this grant, ” said Steve McKinley, Dollar General’s senior director, operations manager. “The foundation strives to give back to the community by supporting literacy and educational opportunities for everyone. ”

Officials from Dollar General present a grant to members of the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. Shown are: Steve McKinley, senior director, division operations manager Dollar General; Diana Turner, development coordinator, LCFBC; Brenda Bowman, executive director, LCFBC; Edward Aforigho, district manager Dollar General; and Louis Johnson region director Dollar General.

Sugar land rotary sponsors fort bend corps home. Sugar Land Rotary sponsored Fort Bend CORPS by providing funds raised from Shrimpfest, and by assisting with a Hearts and Hammers project for a disabled World War II veteran. Sugar Land Rotarian Steve Smelley was the team leader, and he and his volunteer Rotary team performed all of the repairs and painted a home and garage as part of the project. Rotarians supplied their expertise and brought their own tools, ladders, paint and equipment for the project.

The Fort Bend CORPS located the house, and Rotary supplied the volunteers and funds for the project. The CORPS assists those who are unable to make needed home repairs themselves. For more information about the CORPS, go to www.fbcorps.org.

Dr. and Mrs. Dennis Edward Halford of Sugar Land Texas are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Hillary Lynn Halford, to Ryan Allen Watson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Allen Watson of Dallas, Texas. The bride is a 2002 graduate of Clements High School in Sugar Land. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Baylor University in Waco and a Masters in Education degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas. She is currently employed as a teacher for The Presbyterian School in Houston. The groom is a 2001 graduate of Midway High School in Waco. He earned a

pecan grove women’s club tours downtown tunnels. In January, the ladies of Pecan Grove Women’s Club caught the railroad in downtown Houston and rode it to the end of the line. Then they were given a tour of the underground tunnels of Houston. In the extensive tunnel system, there are shops, businesses and restaurants that can all be reached in air-conditioned comfort under streets and buildings.

Pecan Grove Women’s Club is a group of women who welcome all ladies in the surrounding area to join in on their activities. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club, at the corner of Plantation Drive and FM 359, Richmond. There are interesting programs each month and many fun field trips during the year. For information, call Alice Brown at 281-493-2818 or Marita Smith at 281-341-1056.

fred and mabel r. parks youth ranch groundbreaking. Construction is under way for the 8-acre Fred and Mabel Parks Youth Ranch in Fairchilds. The ranch will operate a temporary shelter and counseling center for at-risk and homeless youth. When completed, the shelter will house 10 boys and 10 girls ages 13 to 17. Joining the groundbreaking ceremony were Mary Favre of the Favre Foundation and Debra Marfin of the Fred and Mabel R. Parks Foundation.

The shelter will provide teens a place to stay for up to 90 days as well as services focusing on creating a stable living environment, continuing education and connecting to community based social services. The goal of the ranch is to help protect abused, at-risk and homeless teens and to resolve serious family conflicts.

The George Counseling Center, located on the ranch, will provide crisis intervention and referrals to community-based services. Children ages 10 to 17 and their families are eligible for services. Other foundations committing to the project include Fort Bend CARES, the H-E-B Tournament of Champions, The Henderson-Wessendort Foundation; the Meadows Foundation, the Medallion Foundation, the Praxair Foundation and David Weekley. The ranch is scheduled to open this summer.

texana center honors county retiree. Allen Winter was honored by the Texana Center board of trustees on his retirement from Fort Bend County after 25 years of loyal service. This is a remarkable achievement for anyone but even more so because Allen has a developmental disability. He receives Supported Employment and Supported Home Living Services through Texana Center. “We are all proud of Allen for this amazing achievement,” commented Dianne Wilson, chair of the Texana board of trustees.

Allen worked 20 hours a week in the county Facilities Custodial Department where his duties included light maintenance and grounds keeping. He also works several hours a day at the Texana Authority office in Richmond performing general housekeeping tasks. Allen loves talking to his co-workers and enjoys remembering the birthdays of his co-workers with handmade birthday cards.

In 1986, Allen moved to a group home from the Richmond State School, but now lives independently in his own apartment. When not working, Allen loves watching TV, especially Dancing with the Stars and the Dallas Cowboys. He loves to go out to eat; his favorite is Mexican food. During the holidays, Allen travels to Austin to spend time with family.

Texana Center’s Supported Employment Services trains and places individuals with development disabilities into entry level jobs with local business. Activities include ongoing job coaching and support for job-related problems, individualized and specialized on-the-job training and networking with family and natural support systems to enhance opportunities for successful employment. For more information on how your business can participate, call 281-565-6200.