Rotary‘s LEAP Awards Dinner leaves nearly everyone wearing a big smile

SPACE CENTER ROTARY’s 2nd Annual LEAP for Mankind Awards Dinner drew quite a happy crowd to the Hilton Hotel Ballroom in Nassau Bay where the LEAP Awards were presented March 4 to recently retired Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell, to Exploration Green Conservatory Chairmen David Sharp and Frank Weary, and to Bay Area Houston Magazine Editor Mary Alys Cherry.

Rotary President Stan Galanski and his wife, Susan, headed the committee that put the event together and who assembled with their spouses to greet the arriving crowd – Kathy and Rotary President-elect Randy Straach, Gary and Elaine Renola, Bill Geissler, Marilyn and Wayne Musial, Jim DeForest, Royce Walker, Julia Gallagher, Adrienne and Dr. Vissett Sun, Janet Trewin and Richard and Jennifer Simmons.

Just as the clock struck 6, the doors opened and in walked State Rep. Dennis Paul and his wife, Eliza, Teri and Kevin Crawford, Alan and Myrna Baker, Bill and Suzi Howe, Deborah and David Lane, Patty Kane, John and Patty Branch, Cindy DeWease, Rosie and Mike Hesse, John and Madeline Nugent and Harriet and Jon Pilgrim, along with Frank Weary and David Sharp.

Quickly followed by honoree Bob Mitchell, recently retired BAHEP president, with his wife, Joan, and son Mark; Brian Freedman, Tim Kropp, Deborah and David Laine, Nancy and

Jerry Smith, Scott Dyson, Art and Renate Wood, Gary and Karen Johnson, Sheila Self, Levi and Janis Benton, Eric and Sandra Liu, Darrell Smith, Bob and Nancy Anderson, Jim and Carol Saxe and Nassau Bay City Councilors James Abbey, Johannes Sommers and Michelle Weller.

Following a dinner that included filet mignon or grilled salmon, topped off with New York cheesecake or chocolate mousse cake, the spotlight shined on former Rotary President Ralph Kramer and Judge Holly Williamson, who conducted the live auction. Afterwards, they introduced the honorees and had each one speak.

Bob Mitchell was honored for his long years of service to the Bay Area, securing such things for the community as licensing for the Houston Spaceport at Ellington Field, getting congressional approval for the massive $39 billion Coastal Spine Project to protect the area from devastating storms and helping San Jacinto College establish a maritime curriculum.

David Sharp and Frank Weary, both former chairmen, explained how Exploration Green -the former Clear Lake Golf Course – was almost complete and would be this year. They didn’t have to offer much history. This crowd knew that when Hurricane Harvey dropped four feet of rain on the area, the “big dig,” as it was called, proved its worth. Some 120 homes that often flood during heavy rains stayed dry. Exploration Green had done its job!

Mary Alys Cherry was honored for her 40-year role as editor of both The Bay Area Citizen and Bay Area Houston Magazine in the growth and development of the Clear Lake area and for helping various Bay Area businesses and philanthropic organizations raise funds to help the needy by publicizing their events.

Afterwards, Judge Williamson and her husband, Danny, and Ralph Kramer and his wife, Lori, their jobs for the evening over, made their way around the ballroom, greeting many in the crowd, including Jorge Hernandez, whose Bastion Technologies was honored last year, Alan and Gaye Wylie, Jessica Beemer, Bob and Jordis Wren and Delia Stephens and Dr. Jon Haire.

Some of the others in the crowd included Trevor and Monica Howard, Betsey Sabilla, Rick Clapp, Amber Sample, Patty and G.H. Andrew, Mary Callier, Dr. Janice Sullivan, Beverly Cooper Ferguson, Trey and Karen Hall, William Rosella, Rosemarie and Chris Ebdon, Daria Glasscock, Buddy and Elizabeth Smith, Allatia Harris, Laura and Dr. Tom Kelcher, Phil Hampton, Gary and Janice Gillen, Chris and Ute Schneider, Cindy and Bill Osburg, Jerelyn and Joseph Glenn, and Darby, Julie and Kevin Hurley.