Grinch Poem 2023

Mr. Grinch, accompanied by his faithful reindeer-dog Max, has journeyed to Bay Area Houston the last fourteen holiday seasons. After last year’s retirement party for Bob Mitchell, they congratulated Bob and welcomed Brian Freedman as new BAHEP President and then, presumably, returned home to their cave atop Mount Crumpet. Few have seen or heard from them since…...until now!

A Giant Leap by the Texas Legislators!

Oh, what a year 2023 has been.

The great things that happened…made all our heads spin!

And they were certainly noticed atop Mount Crumpet, on high.

Mr. Grinch took it all in…with a well-contented sigh.

He said, “Look at our friends down in Clear Lake.

They’ve outdone themselves, Max -- for goodness’ sake!”

“And to think that we helped in our own quiet way, Makes me almost as happy…as Christmas Day!” Mr. Grinch had privately assisted BAHEP all year, To clandestinely ensure more success for his friends, so dear.

With Max, he kept watch from his mountaintop den.

Secretly providing behind-the-scenes help…now and then.

They saw BAHEP Members and Staff…smooooothly engage To work conferences, and committees, and host speakers on stage.

Why, they even saw one more achievement approved.

After 13 years on Saturn Lane…the BAHEP offices were moved!

But Grinch and Max deemed one project especially GRAND. It was the chance to make Texas the best ‘Space State’ in the land!

Their idea was to urge Texas leaders to make the decision To step up and create a new Texas Space Commission.

They wondered who might listen…and would see the need To move Texas forward with decisive speed.

They needed someone to lead…with great forethought.

And Dr. Greg Bonnen was the name that they got!

So, they met with Dr. Bonnen and their ideas took root…

To form the Commission and the Texas A&M Space Institute!

Max looked at Grinch…with his antlers up proud.

For he knew what they’d done was worth barking out loud!

After planting the seed for the center, Dr. Bonnen went to work.

And he worked and he worked, and he worked, worked, worked!

He talked to his peers and twisted their arms Using his incredible brainpower and influencing charms.

What a pleasure it was to see the Legislators agree And vote to appropriate all the necessary money.

To build a center second to none To keep Texas and Space City in place Number One!

Dr. Bonnen came out on top, and he won a great fight By thinking of aligning with the Aggie Maroon and White.

And secretly Max worked, too…with great canine zeal.

Seems he and Reveille are kin, and their bond sealed the deal!

So, now we’ve come to the next delightful date.

A time to kick back with friends…and celebrate.

Max and Grinch are coming to town To join the December 14 BAHEP Holiday Party Splashdown!

The BAHEP Members, the Best in the Land, Are all invited…to be on hand.

There’ll be munchies and scrumpchies to fill up your bellies.

And wine and ale and crackers with jellies.

It’s a chance to thank the Legislators for their foresight.

To propel Texas forward…in future spaceflight!

Let Harriet know now that you plan to attend.

To make it a special, fun-filled year-end!

Yes, let’s all get together to venerate Another momentous year to commemorate!

We’ll have fun together and enjoy a great feast.

Why, we’ll even have some Who Hash and carved Roast Beast!

The BAHEP Staff & Mr. Grinch cordially invite you, and all the BAHEP Members (the best Members in all the land!), to join us for BAHEP’s Annual Holiday Party!

December 14, 2023, 4:30p-6:30p Lakewood Yacht Club, 2322 Lakewood Yacht Club Drive, TX 77586, (281) 474-2511 Please RSVP by reply email.

The Grinch says, “Merry Christmas to All and to All a Good Night…!!!”