© F.O.R. San Bernard
Activity UpdateSeptember 2007 Summary of News, Accomplishments and Events
September 1 - Breakfast on the Bernard at Dido’s. F.O.R.’s Board of Directors were the featured guests of the month. 80+ attendance.
September 8 - F.O.R.'s Annual Public Election Meeting was held at Dido's. Over 100 in attendance. Five new board members were elected out of nine qualified candidates. Two new Directors, Gloria Powell and Valroy Maudlin were elected and three Directors, Perry Stroud,Teresa Schlumpberger and Linda Wright were re-elected to the board. These five Directors will be the first officers elected to fill a three year term of office. F.O.R.'s President Pat Webb voluntarily resigned from the presidency and the board. He will remain in the office of President, until new officers are elected at the October 11th Board meeting.
September 11- Members of F.O.R. attended the Brazoria Chamber of Commerce annual awards banquet. Servicemen and First Responders were honored. Liz Kopecky was awarded Brazoria’s Citizen of the Year.
September 13 - Board of Directors meeting. All board meetings are open to the public and agendas are posted on the website's Board of Directors page, prior to meetings.
September 19 - Pat Webb gave a F.O.R. Presentation to the Brazoria Study Club, in Brazoria.
September 24 - Executive Committee meeting. Agenda was set for the next board meeting.
Accounting:
Nancy Kanter, Board Member/Treasurer
August- F.O.R. San Bernard currently has $16,886.85 deposited in Lone Star Bank.
Contact: nancy@sanbernardriver.com
Friends Of the River thanks you for your donations, contributions and continued support.
September donations: Patricia & Rayford High, Jr.
*Community Center donations listed below
F.O.R. San Bernard Committees
Any organization is only as strong as the resolve of its members and supporters.
If you'd like to join us in helping the San Bernard River, there are many options available to individuals and companies. Whether it's time, expertise or something else you can offer, we need your contribution.
If you are interested in chairing a committee, or would like to volunteer or become a regular member of a committee, please contact any Board Member, or the Committee Chairman.
One of F.O.R.'s primary functions is to educate the public regarding the issues concerning the San Bernard River and its communities. Contact Pat Webb pat@sanbernardriver.com to schedule a Guest Speaker for your group or special event.
River Raiser Fundraiser
C.Kay Milsap
Sunday October 28, 2007
12 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Hall
Brazoria
September 22 – Members of F.O.R. sold raffle tickets for the River Raiser at Stewart’s Grocery in Brazoria.
*The new River Raiser Banner is flying high in downtown Brazoria!
*Dinner tickets now available -contact Marilyn Shockley or any board member to purchase tickets.
*Sign up sheet on website for volunteers and auction items. To view all River Raiser details click on River Raiser tab at www.sanbernardriver.com
Contact: fundraiser@sanbernardriver.com
Clean Team:
David Pope
Contact: cleanteam@sanbernardriver.com
Environmental:
Fred Kanter
Environmental Team Mission Statement: Ensure a safe clean river for recreational use, safe both for human and animal life.
Committee members include: Chairman Fred Kanter, Suzie Alford, Bruce Barner, Barbara Fritilla, Brian Meaghar, Elizabeth Moore, Vanessa Taylor, Al Roco, Colleen Robertson and Pat Jankowiak.
September 18- Meeting at F.O.R. Community Center: - Fred Kanter submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors and has recommended Suzie Alford as the new Chairman of F.O.R.'s Environmental Committee. Suzie will meet with the Board of Directors at the October 11 meeting, for ratification. Fred will remain on the committee as an active member.
F.O.R.'s environmental committee has been contacted by Jean Wright, of *HGAC, and asked to supply information, concerning water sampling points on the San Bernard. This will include the entire river, from New Ulm to the Mouth, with sampling done every other month, at 12 points along the river. The start date of this program will be this month or early October.
Continuing action items: Texas Watch Sample Training for area High Schools science students- Signage at boat ramps along river- Conservation Trust.
Next Meeting: 6:30 p.m. October 23/F.O.R. Community Center
Contact:environmental@sanbernardriver.com
*(HGAC) Houston Galveston Area Council
Logo Promotions:
Connie Webb
Regular committee members include: Judy Burnett, Gloria Powell, Jeanette Swatloski, Peggy Davidson, Jana Gardner, Vicki Head, Wayne Head, Jan Edwards, Teresa Schlumpberger. This list of regular members does not include the many wonderful and appreciated Project Volunteers that have been called on to help with projects, and work days.
September 20– F.O.R.'s Logo Committee meeting, held at the F.O.R.Community Center: Welcome new members Jana Gardner, Wayne and Vicki Head, Recap of past and upcoming events, update of all committee activity. Items for discussion: Inventory Control/Displays, new logo items, discontinued logo items, jet ski flags, holiday items, order forms, Design Divas will decorate windows-Christmas theme early November at Quality Power, Logo committee will do River Raiser table centerpieces and decorating at the KC Hall, set up of merchandise booth at River Raiser, sale of donated pots, new logo stickers. All members have action items and research of future logo promotional items. Logo sales- donations for the month of September $293.00
All F.O.R. Logo© merchandise is on display at these locations- 2J's, Dido's and Quality Power -as well as on the website. Order forms and photos can be found on the website. Ideas and suggestions always appreciated and volunteers welcomed with enthusiasm!
Order or view merchandise - http://www.sanbernardriver.com/merchandise/index.htm
Photo purses being discontinued, only a few left !!! Excellent for gifts !
Contact: connie@sanbernardrivercom
Friends Of the River appreciates your support!
River Mouth:
Roy Edwards
September 10 – Roy and Jan Edwards were invited to represent F.O.R. at the first of a series of citizen involvement meeting sponsored and initiated by the Port of Freeport. This committee is named the Krewe of Port Freeport. In this first meeting, the Port sponsored a dinner at On the River in Freeport where it outlined its activities and plans for the future. Krewe members were allowed a chance to discuss matters that concerned them. The San Bernard’s closed mouth and its relationship to the west gates of the Brazos were brought up by Roy and Jan. The evening ended with an on-the-water tour of the Port of Freeport.
September 12 – Several F.O.R. mouth committee members attended the Brazoria Co. Shoreline Restoration Task Force meeting. Updates on CEPRA and CIAP funding were given and the ASBPA /GLO joint convention in Galveston was discussed.
The river mouth committee work is ongoing-daily, working in every way possible towards the reopening of the mouth of the San Bernard River, and ensuring the future of the same. Thank you F.O.R. Mouth Committee volunteers, for being available when the need for help and assistance arises. You are all very much appreciated by F.O.R San Bernard and the River Mouth Committee.
Contact:mouth@sanbernardriver.com or 979 964 4332
Abbreviations used in reports: (CEPRA) Coastal Erosion Prevention and Restoration Association * (GICA) Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association * (CIAP)Coastal Impact Assistance Program * (ASBPA)American Shore & Beach Preservation Association * (GLO) General Land Office * (TxDOT)Texas Department of Transportation * (USACE or COE) United States Army Corps of Engineers *
Nominating:
Keith Hardwicke
September 8, the Nominating Committee presented nine qualified Board of Director candidates to F.O.R. members for vote. See section above for election results. Committee members include Chairman, Keith Hardwicke and Carla Curtis, assisted by John Wallace, Connie Webb and Lynn Klement, F.O.R. attorney.
This committee will be ongoing all year, working to present a qualified slate of nominees, for future F.O.R. Board of Directors.
Contact: nominate@sanbernardriver.com
Parades:
Nelson and Vanessa Taylor
F.O.R.'s Labor Day Parade was cancelled. Parade chairman,Vanessa Taylor, has announced that there will be two Friends Of the River parade events per year, (Christmas and Fourth of July), instead of the four that had been previously planned. A new sponsorship offer, featuring many advantages in becoming a Gold, Silver or Bronze level parade sponsor will be available soon. The 21st Annual Christmas Boat Parade and Home Decorating contest, which will be held December 8, is in the planning stages. Sign up early to lend your services as judge for this event. Contact Vanessa if you are interested in receiving the new sponsorship information.
Contact:parade@sanbernardriver.com
Adopt A Highway
F.M.2918
*Seeking Project Manager
Pat Webb will be working with TxDOT, to get the program started. F.O.R. San Bernard Adopt a Highway signs have been placed on F.M. 2918. Work day will cover 2 miles of highway clean up. There will be four work days a year. First clean up day set for October 4th at 9 a.m.
Contact: pat@sanbernardriver.com
F.O.R. Community Center
Pat Webb, Remodel/ Building Mgr.
Outdoor light pole raisin' day was September 16th. After much work of F.O.R. volunteers - and many frustrations -we now 'see the light'. Drive by and take a look! Friends Of the River Community Center is located at 20450 County Road 510B-Holiday Shores Subdivision.
River Mouth Committee and other F.O.R. members have continued with the weekly lawn care, and tree trimming. Volunteers have given many, many hours of hard work this month, and it shows-the Community Center remodel work is coming along great-and is much appreciated by all F.O.R. members. There has been a lot of hard work accomplished in a very short time!
Open house tentative date has been set for November 9th -3 pm-7pm. Monitor www.sanbernardriver for details and confirmation of date.
I sincerely apologize if I have missed any accomplishments or contributions - the outpouring of support for this "project" has just been overwhelming! -Pat Webb
In September, the following goals have been achieved, by F.O.R. Workers and volunteers for the Friends Of the River Community Center:
A complete building re-paint, inside and out
10 new light fixtures (5 florescent and 5 incandescent) completed, electrical work
All of the receptacles have been changed for uniformity and operation
A new complete outside restroom door
250' of wire to do outside lighting plus outside breaker/switch box to control them
2 new window glasses and new window blinds
New restroom mirror
Two new restroom tissue dispensers, cleaning supplies
Two new sets of restroom faucets
New microwave and installation
Electrical equipment for A/C installation
Updating the front outside sign and adding the sign on the bar, inside
Two new trash cans for restrooms
Caulking inside and outside of building
New molding in both restrooms
Holes dug for new light poles, outdoor lighting installed
Outdoor trash cans
New carpet installed
Cabinet work, cleaning, shelf liners, coverings for back of bar
**September monetary donations specified for the F.O.R. Community Center: total $580 - Jay and Diane Andrus, Colleen Robertson, Al Roco, Tommy and Peggy Davidson, Gail (Holeman) and Laura Brinson, John Barak, Anonymous. Thank you for your donations! All of these funds will be put to good use, in the remodeling and maintenance of your new 'home'.
Other donations this month by F.O.R. Members:
Paint- Mark and Janelle Manly, Artie and Judy Burnet
Two riding lawn mowers- Paul Byrnes, Roy and Jan Edwards
A heavy duty pull behind mower-Harold and Pearlie Caudill
Ceramic tile, for the kitchen- Eveline and Robert Nachtengale
Two electric poles for outdoor lighting- Jackson Electric and Alan Ham
An outside light and various recessed lighting fixtures- Laurel and Holeman Brinson
A used central A/C unit- Keith and Robin Hardwicke
A host of tables and chairs- Linda and Ken Wright
New pipe for the playground set- Neal Graham
Bar cabinet coverings-Gloria Powell
Four trash receptacles for the park area-Artie Burnett
All fasteners needed to attach everything-Teresa Schlumpberger/Brazos Fasteners
A used water heater-Fred and Nancy Kanter
Kitchen shelf paper. Kitchen items.-Judy Burnett and Gloria Powell
A promise of tile installation-Coy Smith
A promise of central air installation- Jeff Stegall
A promise of a Friends Of the River sign- designed and created by Ken Siegrist of Coast Signs and Graphics
Contact: pat@sanbernardriver.com or call /979 964-4503
F.O.R. Community Center Day or Week End Rentals Available - Contact Artie Burnett for more information @ 798-4565
Website /Historian:
Darrell Powell
In September, 10, 359 distinct visits were made to the website! Visits in 2006-106,985
Visits in 2007- January 9,891; February 8,551; March 10,441; April 10,824; May 13,827;June 15,618; July 17,493; August 12,464; September 10, 359 - YTD -109,468.
See all weekly web stats http://www.sanbernardriver.com
Front Page Articles in September:
Sep 30: 1st Saturday Breakfast on the Bernard
Sept:28 Snow White by Bill Cone
Sep 26: Adopt A Highway Clean Up Date Announced
Sep 24: RIVER RAISER 2007
Sep 21: What do You See in Clouds? – Or, That’s More Than a Pony You See up There!
Sep 19: F.O.R. Community Center Update
Sep 15: Greetings Friends Of the River San Bernard.
Sep 13: Krewe of Port Freeport
Sep 10: Welcome A"board" Friends Of the River San Bernard
Sep 04: Second Annual Public Meeting and Election of the Board of Directors
Would you like to submit something for the weekly updates for the web?
F.O.R. San Bernard would like to hear from you!
Contact: webmaster@sanbernardriver.com
F.O.R. San Bernard Discussion Forum:
Tim and Rita Ellerd
The forum is a discussion site enjoyed by all. The forum is a great way to stay abreast of the latest happenings on the river, and with each other! If you have not registered, please do so, and join in the fun! Thank you Tim and Rita for your donation and maintenance of the forum.
In The News:
Jan Edwards, Board member/P.R. Representative
During the month of September, 5 articles about the river or F.O.R were published in The Facts and the Brazoria County News.
Sep 21: Friends of the River elects board members; Sep 13: FOR elects directors; Sep 08: Friends of River set to elect directors; Sep 06: FOR annual meeting set; Sep 01: Friends of the River to host public meeting
Visit Friends Of the River website:
http://www.sanbernardriver.com
F.O.R. San Bernard P.O.Box 93 Brazoria.Tx. 77422
This update was prepared and sent by Connie Webb, with approval of the Board of Directors.
Contact Your Board Of Directors:
Chaney Moore chaney@sanbernardriver.com, Teresa Schlumpberger teresa@sanbernardriver.com, Tom Valliere tom@sanbernardriver.com, Nancy Kanter nancy@sanbernardriver.com, Marie Breakiron marie@sanbernardriver.com , Artie Burnett artie@sanbernardriver.com, Perry Stroud perry@sanbernardriver.com, Jan Edwards jan@sanbernardriver.com, Bruce Barner bruce@sanbernardriver.com, Ken Corley ken@sanbernardriver.com, Bob Bailey bob@sanbernardriver.com Linda Wright linda@sanbernardriver.com , Mike Demland mike@sanbernardriver.com, Valroy Maudlin valroy@sanbernardriver.com, Gloria Powell gloria@sanbernardriver.com