(L-R, back row) Franklin Clark, Garfield Norris, Roland Powell, Mose Austin, Bill Cheatham, Cleveland Woodson III; (front row) Bessye Clark, Sonja Norris, Brenda Powell, Mable Scott Austin, Anita Cheatham, Jannifer Woodson and Jessie Reid.

SEVEN COUPLES CELEBRATE  WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES. Seven couples — Jessie and Stanley Reid, Jannifer and Cleveland Woodson, Brenda and Roland Powell, Anita and Bill Cheatham, Mable and Mose Austin, Bessye and Franklin Clark and Sonja and Garfield Norris — shared their October anniversaries in a special way at Sweetwater Country Club. In all, the couples’ anniversaries totaled 235 years.

The celebration began with a meet, greet, & photo session; followed by the welcome, the occasion, and introductions; prayer, sharing, food and a fun game. Each couple contributed to the success of the evening, and by bringing gifts to share. The celebration ended with romantic dancing at the Austins’ home. “We had a blast! Our father God is so good, and we are so grateful,” said Mable Scott Austin.

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Trey Reichert, co-chair of Bike the Bend; Brenda Bowman, executive director for the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County; Lauren Dante, communications/events coordinator for the Literacy Council; and Robert Wolter, co-chair of Bike the Bend.

BIKE THE BEND A SUCCESS. With a total of 578 riders, Bike the Bend raised more than $27,000 for the Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. Cyclists from the greater Houston area participated in the ride, which is a BP MS 150 Recommended Ride with three different route lengths of 20 miles, 35 miles and 62 miles. Starting from Foster High School, the route led riders through Fulshear, Simonton and Wallis. Along the way, rest stops were stocked with snacks and drinks donated by Whole Foods Market Sugar Land and Texas Direct Auto.

At Foster High School, riders were treated to pre-ride goodies. As riders returned to Foster, they were able to snack on chips and salsa by Bullritos and chicken fruit bowls by My Fit Foods. Texas Direct Auto, Heather Reichert with Team Beachbody and the Buzz radio station were also on-site as the riders crossed the finish line. DJ Peter “Other Brother” Manry supplied music and encouragement at the starting line and welcomed back riders at the finish.

“We are thrilled with the outcome of this event,” said Brenda Bowman, executive director, Literacy Council of Fort Bend County. “The cyclists enjoyed riding through the beautiful scenery of Fort Bend County and supporting a worthwhile cause. We appreciate everyone’s support of this event.”

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GRAND OPENING OF UNIVERSITY BRANCH LIBRARY. The grand opening ceremony of Fort Bend County Libraries’ University Branch Library took place in November at the new library located at 14010 University Blvd. in Sugar Land. The library is a joint project between Fort Bend County, the University of Houston System at Sugar Land, and Wharton County Junior College. The grand opening was officiated by Fort Bend County Judge Bob Hebert, who was joined by other county, university and local officials.

The library sits on the University of Houston-System Sugar Land campus. The new library is a two-story building that is the third largest library in the system. A bond referendum approved by voters in May 2006, included funds for three county library construction projects: the University Branch Library in partnership with the University of Houston campus in Sugar Land and Wharton County Junior  College; the Sienna Branch Library in partnership with Houston Community College; and renovations at George Memorial Library in Richmond. The University Branch is the second joint-use facility in the Fort  Bend County library system.

The library includes community meeting rooms, study rooms, a puppet theater, and a computer lab for technology classes and general public use. Additional computers will be available for public use outside of the computer lab. The library has free WiFi access for individuals wishing to bring their own laptop computers.

The Youth Services department offers a full range of children’s programs and introductory computer classes for adults. The library also has audio books that can be downloaded from home, as well as a generous assortment of databases that patrons may access in the library or from home.

The University Branch Library utilizes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in its check-out system. This feature is built in to the outside and inside book drops, and enables items to be automatically checked in as they are returned in the book drop. The University library has self-check machines with RFID technology in the Circulation (check-out) department, and in the Adult Services department, and Youth Services departments.

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(L-R) Whataburger’s Hugh Dobson, Alicia Casias, Janice Knight, Bobbi Treacy, Jennifer Hartmann, Whataburger’s Samir Patel, Judi Vernon and Rosenberg Mayor Vincent Morales.

Local Whataburger makes donation to L.E.A.F. The Lamar Educational Awards Foundation (L.E.A.F.) received a $500 donation from Whataburger at the grand opening of its new store at U.S. 59 and Texas 36. Whataburger also donated 20 percent of its sales on Nov. 29 from 5-8 p.m. to L.E.A.F.

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(L-R) Lisa Collins, FBS board member; Eric Robins, FBS board member; Manuela Arroyos; Sofia Vasquez; Claudia Vasquez; David Vasquez; and Susan Whitacre.

FORT BEND SENIORS MEALS ON WHEELS HONORS VOLUNTEERS. Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels honored volunteers for their dedication and service to the senior adults in Fort Bend and Waller counties.

While more than 160 Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels volunteers attended the event, there were 13 volunteers/groups who stood out in the crowd and were named 2011 Volunteers of the Year. Those honored were: 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Special Events, Lisa Anhaiser, Linens by Lisa; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Serve & Protect, Richmond Police Department & Rosenberg Fire Department; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Corporate Partner, Legacy Ford – Ron Ewer, owner; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Congregate Center, Barbara Murray; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Civic Organization, Exchange Club of Sugar Land; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Faith Based Organization, Waller Assistance and Recovery Ministries (W.A.R.M.); 2011 Volunteer of the Year, Nonprofit Partner, T.W. Davis YMCA & Katy Family YMCA; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – School, Lamar Consolidated High School, Sonja Hummer; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Youth Organization, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto – Troop 28093; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Annual Event Sponsor, Andres Novoa, La Cocina Mexican Restaurant & Catering; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Meals on Wheels, Lenora Burns, Lula Mae Long, Caroline Green; 2011 Volunteer of the Year – Board Member, David Vasquez, chairman of the board; 2011 Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels Employee of the Year, Abel Tovar.

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LINDA HANCOCK HONORED AS OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER. Linda Hancock, a political activist and Fort Bend County Community leader, was honored in Austin at The Austin Club by the State of Texas Republican Party. She was recognized for being the “Outstanding Volunteer” for Senatorial District 18.

Sen. Glen Hager entered a resolution in the State Senate. Additional awards were made by State Chairman Steve Ministeri, Attorney General Greg Abbott, and Governor Rick Perry.

Hancock currently serves on the Board of The Texas Federation of Republican Women as a district director, and on the Greater Houston Council Board of Republican Women.

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(L-R) Barrett Briggs, president, Exchange Club of Rosenberg; Ruthanne Mefford, executive director, Child Advocates of Fort Bend; and Jill Palacios, chair, Child Abuse Prevention Program with the Exchange Club of Rosenberg.

ROSENBERG EXCHANGE CLUB PRESENTS DONATION TO CHILD ADVOCATES OF FORT BEND. The Exchange Club of Rosenberg presented a check for $250 to Child Advocates of Fort Bend to help its mission to prevent child abuse. The Exchangites were visiting the Child Advocates office in Rosenberg to learn about the services provided when they surprised Executive Director Ruthanne Mefford with a donation check.

The club earned the funds through a car wash. This is the first donation the club has made to a local non-profit. The Exchange Club of Rosenberg is comprised of members with an intellectual disability and is the first of its kind in Texas and second in the nation.