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VOL 6 No. 45
FAIR. BALANCED. INFORMATIVE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2013
P. O.BOX 623, SUGAR LAND, TX 77487-0623
Official newspaper of Fort Bend County, Missouri City & Sugar Land
Texas CASA names Kirchof Board Member of the Year
QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB Yard of the Month Winner Diane Ashen and Jag of 2914 Lakeview Drive. The garden at 2914 Lakeview Drive softens and frames the drive and entrance. Anchored with Crape Myrtle trees, evergreens including boxwood, various cypress and juniper plantings, Diane Ashen takes tremendous pride in finding the right seasonal colors and flowers plus adding surprises such as tropical Ixora and split-leaf philodendron. The yellow roses with purple and yellow pansies currently transition into the colder months, but it’s always a garden to drive by and see seasonal color. Diane received a plant from Flowers by Adela and recognition by the Quail Valley Garden Club. http://traction.typepad.com/QVGC
Trailside exhibit opens in memory of Orin Covell
Nalco General Manager and board member of Child Advocates of Fort Bend Kurt Kirchof was honored as the Texas CASA Excellence in Governance Board Member of the Year by Texas CASA. The statewide network of local Court Appointed Special Advocate programs recruit, train and support volunteers who speak up in court for children in the foster care system. The award was presented during Texas CASA’s annual conference in San Marcos on Oct. 25. The conference, Improving Outcomes for Children, was held by Texas CASA in San Marcos. The conference, which drew nearly 600 volunteers, staff and board members from around the state, featured presenters with expertise on caring and advocating for abused and neglected children in the child welfare system. “A local CASA program’s board of directors plays a key role in the success of nonprofit organizations. A board member’s official role is to enable an organization to achieve its purpose and protect the public interest by making sure the organization’s resources are spent appropriately, “said Vicki Spriggs, Chief Executive Officer of Texas CASA. “Good board members go beyond that definition, generously contributing their time, talents and resources to the CASA cause.” Kirchof was nominated by Child Advocates of Fort Bend, where he has served five years on the board of directors and the
Child Advocates of Fort Bend Executive Director Ruthanne Mefford, left, Kurt Kirchof and Texas CASA Chief Executive Officer Vicki Spriggs. executive committee. He has overseen the agency’s launch of the Voices for Children sustainable fundraising initiative, which ensures that the services for abused children provided by Child Advocates of Fort Bend will continue uninterrupted so that no child will fall through the cracks. He is also a strong supporter of the WINGS Program for aging out foster youth and hosts youth each summer at Nalco where they learn about careers, job interviews and the importance of education. According to Child Advocates of Fort Bend Executive Director Ruthanne Mefford, “Kurt truly believes in making a difference and empowering youth to overcome obstacles and achieve their hopes and
dreams.” CASA volunteers are specifically trained to advocate for children in foster care. Volunteer advocates get to know the child and speak to everyone involved in the child’s life, including their family members, teachers, doctors, lawyers, social workers and others. Their recommendations, based on the information they gather, help the judges overseeing the cases make informed decisions. CASA volunteers commit to a child until the case is closed and the child is in a safe, permanent home. If you are interested in changing children’s lives, contact Child Advocates of Fort Bend at www.cafb.org or 281344-5146.
Pretty in Pink raises funds for cancer patients
Orin’s daughter Lara Covell Tucker and two year old granddaughter Brooke were the first to use the new bird watching scope. Approximately 50 family members and friends gathered together on Friday October 25, for the ribbon cutting ceremony launching a new trailside exhibit at the George Ranch Historical Park. The exhibit is located on the bridge at the midway point of the George Ranch Heritage Trail at a particularly scenic section overlooking Dry Creek. George Ranch Historical Park Director Candace Jones explained that the project had been in the works for about a year and celebrated Orin Covell’s love for sharing the prolific bird life with visitors and friends. The exhibit consists of four panels showcasing original artwork of twenty common birds of the prairies and wetlands. The highly detailed watercolors were done by Austin artist Elishea Smith who specializes in bird images.
An all-weather spotting scope is also included for up close viewing of birds and wildlife. A dedication inscription on the first panel reads “And He will bear you up on eagle’s wings…and hold you in the palm of His hand.” Bird identification exhibit and spotting scope given in loving remembrance of Orin Covell by his family, friends, and the George Ranch Historical Park. Director Jones spoke of the generosity of Covell to his community and the great sense of loss felt when he passed away. She mentioned his selfless service given to so many organizations such as the Rotary, the Fire Department, and the Fort Bend County Museum Association. Covell had served for about ten years as the Administrative Officer for the George Foundation and had officed
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at the Historical Park for several years. During that time he had enjoyed interacting with visitors and would frequently take them for an impromptu bird watching drive along the creek as a special treat. Jones stated that, “Orin always took the time to make a personal connection with people and he was never too busy to stop and visit. He was very generous and caring and loved sharing information with others.” She continued, “I feel that this exhibit will keep that connection alive for future visitors. It’s a very personal and lasting tribute that will continue to bring pleasure to many thousands of people.” George Foundation Ranch Operations Manager Rocky Parr remembered the many times that he and Orin had driven along the banks of the creek to take a quick break from the office. Parr said, “Orin was always spotting some new bird and would ask me to take a photo so he could look it up on the computer. I know he would really like this new exhibit.” Covell’s wife Becky and his sister Ann Council thanked Jones for her commitment to create the exhibit and expressed their deep appreciation to the George Ranch Historical Park and the other donors who funded the project. The exhibit was officially opened on October 26th.
The community charity event, Pretty in Pink—Town Square, raised more than $114,000 to benefit local cancer patients through the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Cancer fund. Presenting sponsors, Breast Surgeons – Dr. Sandra Templeton & Dr. Kelly Dempsey joined a wide range of other sponsors and donors to make Pretty in Pink a huge success. “I was so honored to be a part of this important event for the second year in a row,” said Dr. Sandra Templeton, breast surgeon. “It was a great way to give back to the community and help bring awareness to the difficulties that so many patients face as they battle cancer. I especially like the fact that all money donated will stay at our hospital and relieve some of my patients’ financial burdens.” “As a breast surgeon I see the financial toll a cancer diagnosis can take on my patients. Raising money for the Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital cancer fund gives me the opportunity to help my patients on a different level,” said Dr. Kelly Dempsey, breast surgeon. “It was amazing to see the community come out and support the event. It was a tremendous turnout, which helped us raise more money for the cancer fund.” “We wanted to create a fund where our patients could directly benefit from our efforts. Cancer patients often incur extra costs related to their condition, and in many cases, they can’t work for extended periods of time,” said Leena Taneja, sponsorship
Sugar Land Town Square turned pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month. chair and director of physician na. “We look forward to seerelations at Houston Methodist ing the funds raised help those Sugar Land Hospital. “While fighting cancer in our commuthe fund cannot pay Houston nity.” Methodist directly for medical You too can help support; bills, it can help pay for other donate now, even if it is somenon-hospital related costs, such thing small. as medical equipment, medicaTo donate, visit our website tions, dentistry, car payments, at houstonmethodist.org/sughouse payments, wigs, etc. arland and click on the “DOOur hope is to make the fight NATE NOW” button. against cancer a bit less finanFor assistance or more incially stressful for our patients. formation regarding the funds “Pretty in Pink was a great available, call or email Frances example of how we can come Goerlich at 281-274-7930 or together as a community to fgoerlich@houstonmethodist. help others in need,” said Lee- org.
Visit fbindependent.com to find out the results of Nov. 5 Fort Bend mobility bond and Sugar Land parks bond elections. Also, Tribute to veterans on Page 7.