April 2024

We found out that the Texas Gulf Coast is one of the three top birdwatching spots in the U.S., according to Birda, a leading birding organization.

So we took a chance to see one of these spots up close on our spring field trip to Port Aransas for our regular meeting day on Thursday, April 11.

We met at the Allegro House at 10 a.m., had a quick election of officers for the upcoming season. The slate chosen by the nominating committee was voted as the popular choice for officers. President – Cheryl Livingston, 1st Vice-President – Mary Peters, 2nd Vice-President – Candy Chilcote, Secretary – Faye Scott, and Treasurer- Jennie Taylor.

From there our first destination was the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas. Rae Mooney, our guide, gave us the history of the birding center, types of birds we might see, and an orientation to the center in general. We then toured the area, which includes two long boardwalks.

Birds everywhere! Ducks, ibises, avocets, spoonbills, stilts, pelicans, and so many more. Even a sneaky alligator lurked in one of the ponds. He seemed not too concerned about all the birds. But the snake sunning on a nearby rock ducked away as soon as the gator started to move around.

After our tour, we drove to Fins Grill and Icehouse for lunch. Very good seafood and hamburgers for all.

March 2024

At our regular members’ meeting on March 14, the program, Modern Prairie, was presented by Susan Thurlow, who was previously a Media Technology Specialist, along with other accomplishments, but is now retired and ready to explore new ideas. One of them is the center of this program, which is linked to a company founded by Melissa Gilbert, a former child star in the TV series, Little House on the Prairie, shown as an adult in the picture above.

She began by asking, “If you’ve ever felt that ‘nobody listens to me,’ as you begin to get a little bit older, this is the program for you, because along with designing “Modern Prairie” clothes, Melissa Gilbert has developed a website that addresses the many challenges we encounter as we become more mature.”

Susan Thurlow deftly demonstrated the Modern Prairie website, which offers help, encouragement, entertainment, and interactivity for modern mature women.

Many of the Allegro Women saw ideas they wish to immediately pursue out of gardening, kitchen, crafts, and book clubs.

Lunch was a surprising delight with box lunches provided by HEB.

Many thanks to all the committee members who put this meeting together:

Programs – Candy Chilcote and Mary Peters

Tables – Peggy Harris and Grace Knight

Luncheon – Pat Rousseau and Ellen Weeaks

Treasurer Jennie Taylor reported on scholarship funds totaling $8700 which will be awarded this spring to a few very deserving graduating students from Rockport-Fulton High School.

February 2024

On Thursday, Feb. 8th, at the Allegro House the Allegro Women’s Club held their almost annual live auction!

The Auction included more bargains than you could count:

housewares, jewelry, baked goods, art items, accessories, and more.

The Auction was led by Marie Cook and Tom Meinhausen, who own and operate the popular Rockport-Fulton Market Days. 

By the end of the day, the auction gained over $1500 for the club’s scholarship fund.

January 2024

Happy New Year from the Allegro Women’s Club

Our first 2024 endeavor was an artistic project on January 11 at the Allegro House.

Greta Watkins, who has a degree in art and displays her excellent work at the Rockport Center for the Arts, the Port Aransas Art Center, and the Wind Way Gallery, spent time with us guiding us through quite a creative experience.

Greta had in mind for each of us to dabble in acrylic paints long enough to produce a beach scene all our own. Something like this one below. Now don’t snicker… we had a wonderful time mixing paint and promptly adding the paint to our arms and fingers as well as the canvas.

Brushes, canvas, aprons, and paint were supplied so that all could join in the fun. Greta gently showed us techniques to use to produce our own artwork!
The demonstration/workshop was followed by lunch provided by Apple Dumpling Deli.

Maybe one of us will turn up a piece at Wind Way Gallery some day.

December 2023

The ladies hosted a Christmas Coffee on Thursday, December 14, at the Allegro House.

Fun was rampant! Good snacks – the ladies brought appetizers and desserts – and the participation in games, stories, and riddles was heartwarming.

We wish all of you a Merry Christmas, a terrific holiday season, and a Happy New Year.

November 2023

If you wanted to take quick trip – surrounded by good friends and good food, then the Allegro Women’s Club’s second meeting of year was the place to be.

Our “guide” for the trip (and featured speaker) was the incomparable Pam Stranahan, a nationally-known archaeologist and an expert in local history. Her topic, Voices from the Past, providee a trip through Rockport history through the eyes of past local leaders James Power, Albert Bruhl, Connie Hagar, and Charlie Johnson.

The ladies were greeted with life size posters of those historical leaders along with Pam’s lively descriptions of their treks through the Live Oak Peninsula. Even a native Copane settler was highlighted.

As a “bonus,” lunch will be provided by Cho Choo BBQ.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, the ladies gathered several bags of non-perishable food items for delivery to Rockport-Fulton’s Good Samaritan center. Many thanks came from the volunteers at the center as they prepared to stock up for the upcoming holiday season.

October 2023

The October meeting of the Allegro Women’s Club included a presentation From Garden to Table by Kayla Butts, author.

Kayla is an expert in nutrition and education and lives near Aransas Pass. She shared with the ladies many tips about how to improve diets with nutritious and delicious food and shared her experiences in spreading a nationwide program in nutrition to school children across the country.

The ladies had many questions about farmers’ markets and grocery store labeling. Fortunately, Kayla had copies of her book available so all questions could be answered.

Lunch arrived from Tropical Smoothies just in time for a healthy repast.

September 2023

Drum roll please!! Our first meeting of the club year was Thursday, September 14. The meeting was a “Meet and Greet” event, beginning at 11 a.m., followed with a complimentary lunch provided by the AWC Board at the Allegro House on Mazatlan in Key Allegro Isle. Members were encouraged to bring guests for this, our kick-off meeting. The focus of the meeting was your priorities for yourself, for others, and for our club.

The first activity was a Purse Scavenger Hunt during which we were all given a peek inside others’ purses while we looked for some telltale objects one might not ordinarily keep in one’s purse. Each participant accumulated points depending on the items she carried in her purse. The winner of the prize – a heart-covered cork clutch purse from Coast & Cottage – was Masha Gosse. Marsha was a guest of her sister, Sharon Sperling. We are happy that Marsha was there!

The second activity was Queen of the World. Vice-President Cheryl Livingston requested that each attendee list 3 laws that she would enact for the world if she were Queen for a day. When Cheryl read out the laws, we found that some laws were quite serious while others brought out the laughter.

Lastly, the ladies reminisced about good times as Allegro Women, including programs we’ve enjoyed, lunches that were memorable, and day trips that were educational. Some ideas surfaced regarding future activities.

The officers and committee chairs provided a complimentary salad lunch for all.

May 2023

One of our favorite meetings was on May 11 at the Allegro House. This month we awarded scholarships to four deserving seniors from Rockport-Fulton High School.

The recipients this year were:

Kymberlyn Gerloff who will study cosmetology at the Strand Institute of Beauty and Esthetics,

Madeline Terhune who will study baking and pastry arts at Del Mar in Corpus Christ,

Emma Knostman who will study physics and astronomy at Texas A&M San Antonio, hoping to work for NASA,

Chance Bates who will study exercise science at Texas A&M College Station hoping to be an orthopedic surgeon one day.

We greeted these students and their moms, listened to their plans, and treated them to lunch while getting to know them better.

Now the Allegro Women will all around town gathering ads from local businesses in order to build the 2024 issue of the Key Allegro Directory. The ad sales and the directory sales will fund the 2024 scholarships awarded next May.

Good luck, ladies!!

April 2023

We had all been wanting to see what is inside our lovely new Rockport Center for the Arts at 106 S. Austin Street in downtown Rockport. Here was our chance at our April meeting.

On Thursday, April 13, we gathered in a designated classroom just off the Center’s lobby at 10:30AM.

We had a bit of important business including presenting our slate for new officers for 2023-2024. The nominating committee offered the following:

President: Harriet Braswell       1^st Vice President: Cheryl Livingston

                2^nd Vice President: Dottie Niederkorn

Secretary: Faye Scott                  Treasurer: Jennie Taylor

Once the slate was announced, the members agreed to accept the slate unanimously.

 President Faye Scott then had a few words about our fund-raising efforts. Jennie Taylor cited some successful examples of scholarship awardees who went on to make a big difference in our world. Vice-President Patsy Phemister concluded our business with some tips on how to contribute to our fund-raising efforts.

Director, Kathleen Clark, and the Curator, Elena Rodriguez, then led us on a tour of the center, providing the history of the center and insight into the artwork on display. They were eager to show off the freshness and creative spirit of the center.

 Artist Genie Mysorski, veteran teacher in both San Antonio and Aransas County schools, treated us to a ceramics demonstration. Her classes are offered at the center for paying customers, but we were able to get a glimpse of her talent just for being Allegro Women!

After oohing and aahing at the beautiful art and talent, the ladies ordered lunch at the Apple Dumpling Deli where Jan Sutter assisted all of us in planning ad sales for the 2024 Key Allegro Isle Directory.

March 2023

We all want to be archeologists now!

At our March meeting highly awarded archeologist and writer Pam Stranahan, who has experiences all around the Texas coast as well as around the world, presented a fascinating trip from the beginning of her interest in archeology through her discoveries and contributions to educating youngsters about this science.

She was such a delight that the women continued with questions as they were enjoying Jan Sutter’s chili – which, by the way, could win some awards itself.

Lucky for us, Ms. Stranahan has motivated the minds of many children and was instrumental in preserving great chunks of history in all parts of the world.

If she returns to the Allegro Women’s Club meetings to speak some day, you will want to join us and maybe want to try your hand as an archeologist, too.

Even now, you can contact the Texas Archeological Society at www.txarch.org or www.texasbeyondhistory.net for information about participating in Texas Archeology Academy Events, Field School, and Youth Programs.

February 2023

Adventures in TURKEY

Featured speaker Sue Garcia provided us with a fascinating look at Turkey with a focus on Istanbul. She briefly reviewed group migrations to Turkey over many centuries; a description of the religions that contribute to Turkey’s diverse culture; and pictures of Istanbul’s beautiful mosques, exotic foods, and intricate Turkish rugs.  

For our business meeting, Treasurer Jennie Taylor reported our treasury balance. She reminded the women that the majority of these funds will be used to award scholarships to local high school graduates in May. Last year, five students received our scholarships – students seeking 4-year degrees as well as students enrolling in technical programs.

We raise these funds through production of Key Allegro Directory which includes ads purchased by local businesses, a listing of Key Allegro residents and off-island members of the Allegro Women’s Club, and other information, such as emergency numbers, that are helpful to community residents.

The meeting concluded with a delicious lunch from Mac’s Barbecue.

January 2023

Which of these looks like your trees?

We looked at our trees and determined that they looked like the bare ones above. So we completely enjoyed and learned from Master Gardeners Sara Baldwin and Linda Frank who presented

“What to Plant and What NOT to Plant on the Texas Coast”

It was actually what to do and what not to do after our recent short cold snap.

Sara, a retired professor and former Associate Dean of Nursing at Texas A&M in Corpus Christi, and Linda, a Lifetime Master Gardener shared their experiences and knowledge about landscaping that will cope with our sizzling summers and surprise winters. They answered all of our questions and stocked us with updated booklets detailing native and locally adapted plants to choose this spring.

After gathering all the information we could handle, we lunched on Apple Dumpling Deli’s wonderful sandwiches.

December 2022

To celebrate the wonderful holidays coming up this month, the ladies met at Rockport Country Club for a lovely concert by the Rockport-Fulton High School Choral Group.

And what a wonderful performance they shared!

The Allegro Women’s Club wishes all a very happy and productive New Year.

November 2022

The Allegro Women had stocked the auction with lovely jewelry, beautiful sweaters, holiday home decor, and a surprising number of items appropriate for holiday gifting. Encouraged by our auction team Tom Meinhausen and Marie Cook, the bidding was lively and quite profitable for the club.

Our luncheon was a hearty one with 3 delicious and different chilis accompanied by embellishments and desserts. Several guests, even some from Aransas County Woman’s Club, commented that the selections for the auction and for the hot bowls of chili were outstanding.

October 2022

Our October gathering was a field trip to Corpus Christi to tour the HEB Mansion and the Ada Wilson Mansion – both on Shoreline Drive overlooking Corpus Christi Bay.

We left Rockport in voluntary carpools and joined Debbie Cooper, the docent for the mansions, as she guided us through some of Corpus Christi’s past.

And those mansions were lovely. We each had our favorite rooms – some loved the stairways, some the master suites, all agreed that we could stay in the kitchens for meal preparations and never complain.

The fajita lunch by P.O.E.T.S Catering was a unanimous hit, and we safely returned to Rockport with visions of beautiful quarters and grounds in our heads, wondering how the houses would look with holiday trimmings gracing each room.

September 2022

The Allegro Women’s plans are in shape for this year. To warm up for our stimulating new season. Our new president, Faye Scott, has put together a hard-working board of women who will stretch our minds and knowledge.

Our first chance to gather was Thursday, Sept. 8, at 11 AM at the Rockport Country Club. Our speaker was Lynn Allison, head of the Speakers’ Bureau for the Corpus Christi Harbor Bridge Project. Ms. Allison gave us wonderful aerial shots of the bridge and surrounding area as well as renditions of the completed project. She shared our anticipation of the finished product but was not able at this time to provide a target date. Perhaps we will see her again as construction nears its end.

As expected, lunch at the RCC was a delight – their wonderful soup and salad bar.

May 2022

Guess who came to lunch with us.

You are right! We invited our scholarship recipients from Rockport-Fulton High School and their parents to join us at our regular meeting, Thursday, May 12, at the Allegro House. Our Scholarship Committee had chosen and awarded the following seniors:

• $3000 to Briana Contreras who will attend UTSA for a degree in Nursing.
• $1500 to Cody Davila who will study Auto Mechanics at Del Mar College.
• $1500 to Elliot Amaya who also will study Auto Mechanics at Del Mar College.
• $1500 to Nate Scott who will aim for Level 11 Automatic Applied Technician.
• $3000 to Jaby Tarkington who will attend TAMU at Galveston for a degree in Maritime Certification.

Each of the recipients shared with us their plans and who inspired them to seek those goals. Of course, parents and teachers were named as the most influential motivators. Congratulations to these worthy students!

The new staff of officers for the 2022-2023 Allegro Women’s Club season were installed.

President: Faye Scott 1st Vice President: Peg Harris

2nd Vice President: Patsy Phemister Secretary: Harriet Braswell

Treasurer: Jennie Taylor

Good luck to all of these women. May the new year be as successful as the many that preceded it.

April 2022

 

Tour of the Painted Churches

The Allegro Women and friends were traveling again. This time they rode to the Schulenburg area to visit some of the historic painted churches of Texas.

They met at ACE Hardware lot for bus departure at 7:30 AM. Upon arrival in Schulenburg, our tour guide, Gigi, boarded the bus for a first class guide of the churches.

We oohed and aahed at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Praha and at St. Mary Church in High Hill. There we set out our picnic lunches on the church grounds, visited the gift shop, and some took a little time to walk through the beautiful cemetery.

Back on the bus we traveled to Sts. Cyril and Methodius Church in Dubina and St. John the Baptist Church in Ammannsville. Each church was built by the local community of years ago, and each one reflects the different personality of the people who built them.

Some were Czech, some were German, some were Polish – all immigrants to America ready to take on the New World but not ready to leave behind their gift for beauty and art. That beauty is on display for all to see.

We returned to Rockport at approximately 4:30 PM with memories of blue and green and rose ceilings lovingly painted by hands over a century ago.

March 2020

Suddenly in Command

At our regular March meeting we presented U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Commodore Susan Thurlow, who knows how to be in command -and not just in a vessel without a captain. She can tell us how to deal with the shock of suddenly living single and having to deal with the present and the future on our own.  She shared many tips with us so we can “take command.

The meeting began with updates from the treasurer, the nominating committee, and the directory sales. But it ended with homework for us all. We now know that to ride in a boat, one should know how to stop a boat and how to call for emergency help.

We should also prepare a few documents in case our personal boat is in trouble. These important documents are all part of estate planning and should include the cooperation of our loved ones. Tending to such details before disability or death means that we and our family or friends need not worry but can deal with ensuing problems.

February 2022

The Allegro Women’s Club met on Thursday, Feb. 10, at the Fulton Mansion Education Center for the regular meeting. After welcoming the ladies, President Jan Sutter updated the group on our fundraising efforts and our scholarship recipient search.

The Mansion’s education staff then pulled from the book The Victorian Ladies’ Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners by Therese Oneil and presented a demonstration showing the extreme lengths the women of the Victorian era around the 1870’s reached in order to dress for an event.

Off participant Sharon Flood each layer – and there could be as many as 30 of them – was shed and explained for its purpose. Ashley Thornton explained that most often the reason for a layer was to preserve the layer under or above it from body oils, dirt, or dyes. Top that with a fan, a parasol, and button-up shoes and you have a serious hour of preparation.

We all found the demonstration great fun, then sat back and enjoyed a gourmet sandwich lunch.

January 2022

Our Happy New Year began with a rise in pandemic cases throughout our area, so hopeful plans for a gathering and live auction were canceled for the month.

But what a fun year 2021 was despite the covid inconveniences! Please scroll below for the delightful details.

Allegro Women’s Club Christmas Tea 2021

Members of Allegro Women’s Club and guests were invited to our December Christmas Tea on December 9 at President Jan Sutter’s home . This annual event featured festive decorations, tasty finger food provided by the AWC Board, and time to enjoy the Christmas spirit with each other.

Attendees were asked to consider donating to Santa’s Workshop sponsored by Rockport’s own Children’s Coalition.

November 2021

The Allegro Women and several of their friends and husbands met at the Rockport Country Club for a beautiful presentation by Sue Garcia. Sue took us on a trip to the Big Bend National Park through her marvelous photography collection.

Sue took us into the Chizos Mountain Basin along well-worn paths at different times of the day to see the beautiful rock formations and colors. Nature never looked so good! Canyons, cacti, agaves, water holes, and huts from the past lured us into the scenes of the park as though we were really there.

Although many of the women have trekked through the park, all of us want to return to catch the many sites we may have missed the first time through.

Lunch at the Rockport Country Club was, of course, wonderful. We each left with a little box crammed with half of our mouth-watering brownie served for dessert.

OCTOBER 2021

We were all ready for a literary romp through intriguing and beachy romance, mystery, and history. So we didn’t pass up the chance to meet with local author Marie Cook to get an inside look at her lovely book, Texas Coast Experience.

On Oct. 14 at Rockport Country Club after a short business meeting we joined local entrepreneurs Marie Cook and her husband Tom Meinhausen as they took us through their experiences while compiling the delightful book Texas Coast Experience. They took us from Galveston to South Padre Island and countless curious stops in between. Some tickled our funny bones, some eerily raised goosebumps on our arms – just in time for the spooky Halloween season.

Books were on hand for purchase and we all left with a higher appreciation for our lovely Texas coast.

Lunch was superb as usual so we all look forward to gathering again in November.

September 2021

Our first meeting of the season on Thursday, September 16, had to be conducted on Zoom – due to the uptick in coronavirus cases. Featured was Jeanne Arnold Hooker, former Army Colonel – the first woman in Texas to fly a military helicopter. During her career, Jeanne flew helicopters for 15 years, fought in Afghanistan, consulted with generals, and served as a base commander at two locations.

   She shared with us her unique experiences and allowed us to gain insight into the inner workings of the military as well as the culture of Afghanistan.

Most surprising was that she gathered for our government a mountain of societal data so that our relationship with the Afghani people would be one of friendship and respect. She visited homes, prisons, hospitals, and other groups for her data and encouraged dignity and success especially among women.

Perhaps in years ahead her work will bring peace and mutual appreciation.

Let’s call it “Happy Days,” as we celebrated our Rockport- Fulton High School scholarship winners on May 13, 2021 at the last-of-the-season Allegro Women’s Club meeting. The following are the well-deserving recipients.

Sean Lovett who will attend the CDA Technical Institute in Jacksonville, FL, working toward a degree in Underwater Welding – $l,500,

Jade Schuler who will attend the University of Houston in Victoria, working toward a degree in Nursing – $3,000.

Trevor Guillen who will attend Texas A & M, working on a Chemistry degree, with a long-term goal of becoming a doctor – $3,000.

Natalie Morris who will attend Del Mar to become a paramedic/EMT – $1,500.

Along with these students’ parents, Kathy Stephenson, high school counselor, was there to offer congratulations.

After the recipients were announced, each provided a brief recap of the people or events that inspired them during their high school years. Our Allegro Women met them all and set up for them a lovely luncheon in the Allegro House.

APRIL 2021

Our regular business meeting was opened by Jan Sutter as she introduced Diane Rome, nominating committee chairman, to announce the slate of officers nominated for the year 2021-2022.

President: Jan Sutter

First Vice-President: Jenny Taylor

Second Vice-President: Donna Krapfel

Secretary: Faye Scott

Treasurer: Mary Lynn Painton

The club ladies were happy to elect unanimously all of those on the slate. They will take their offices in September 2021.

The Allegro Women’s Club had invited all, including men, to a “Safari to Africa,” featuring local resident Art French, who has travelled extensively in Africa and was willing to share his experiences with us at a luncheon meeting at the Rockport Country Club.

Mr. French shared videos and pictures of the beautiful sights and sounds of Africa, shown on the Club’s big-screen TV, and provided insights into the African culture and its people. We didn’t have to worry about lost luggage or cancelled flights! We just sat back and enjoyed the trip.

Following a question and answer session, the Country Club staff served a delicious lunch and a good time was had by all.

March 2021

At our March meeting Kent Ullberg, sculptor, presented his amazing talent which we can enjoy daily by walking or driving by the gardens nestled in our Rockport Harbor. There reside the “Preening Heron” and “Rite of Spring”.

Living in Corpus Christi, known all over the world for his amazing work, yet he joined us at our Allegro Women’s meeting via Zoom on March 11 while he worked in Colorado on future wonderful pieces.

February 2021

Martha McLeod, a state “Star Teacher” presented a fascinating creative project she and her students undertook in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey passed over our community.

Martha, who teaches science and math at Fulton Learning Center, documented the effects of the storm especially on gardens and birds. After studying the destruction, she and her students managed to recreate the beautiful gardens at the school and to construct bird houses for our very confused birds.

What treasures we have in Martha and her dedicated students!

January, 2021, A Tour of King Ranch

The Allegro Women’s Club featured three special guests at our monthly meeting on January 14 on Zoom. Two guests are employees of the King Ranch and one a retired employee who serves as their consultant historian.

            Gary Robinette, Head of Security at the King Ranch, told us about the challenges involved in maintaining security on this 885,000-acre spread and gave us a look at the many staffed services available on the ranch.

Accompanying Gary was Bruce Roberts, the Wildlife Manager at the King Ranch, who will provide a fascinating glimpse of the unique wildlife that roams the ranch and how the management keeps updated on the density and condition of turkey, javelinas, feral hogs, quail, deer, ducks and many more.

Bob Kinnan pulled together 168 years of history with 7 generations of fascinating stories for us to get a sense of the permanency of this Texas treasure. Even today, descendants of Captain Richard and Henrietta King are in training for the amazing task of leading King Ranch into the future.

This wonderful program was enjoyed on Zoom with over 25 Allegro Women participating. We’ve learned much about staying healthy and having fun, too.

You may remember past Decembers when our meetings were celebrated with tea and brunch in honor of this, the most wondrous season of the year.

But what about this year? Our plan had to be adjusted a bit for our health and safety but our celebration went on nevertheless.

Into Patsy Phemister’s home we went in a video presented by media guru Mark Carlisle. There we found Patsy and her sister Kay admiring the work of Operation Children’s Christmas.

We saw shoe boxes stuffed with toys, brushes, books for coloring and books for reading. We saw lovely handmade dresses with matching string bags and big pockets. All were pulled together to donate to children in countries around the world.

For returning military we saw lovely red, white, and blue quilts made by Piecemakers By the Bay, a local quilt guild, to honor those who have served. Other colorful quilts were made for children who need comfort, children who have been located through schools and fire departments.

Patsy read from Emilie Baines’ If Teacups Could Talk, which led us through the history of the tea party from China to England to America. From this we could detect the influence of the tea party on family relationships, especially grandmothers and their granddaughters. As she read, we scanned many beautiful tea party settings complete with tablecloths, plates and cups, flowers and napkins, as well as exquisite heirloom teddy bears made from rescued linens. With Bing Crosby crooning in the background we had a chance to imagine those teddy bears enjoying the tea party and the company of each other as we will again next Christmas.

November 2020

This month has been all about red, white and blue. Much has been reported, talked about, argued over, and challenged, but the USA continues to move on to continued progress in democracy.

Our November general meeting, Thursday, Nov. 12, – an internet Zoom meeting – offered some insight into our voting history.

A skit entitled “Women and the Right to Vote” was presented by D.J. Chilcoat (pictured below) and Sharron Flood for our entertainment. They gave us a look into a friendship between two suffragettes, a friendship that led to women’s right to vote.

D.J. and Sharron portrayed Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton as they became the impetus for the 19th Amendment of the US Constitution. Interestingly enough, after all the planning and work these and other women laid out, the Congressional vote was narrowly approved with the youngest congressman at the time, Harry Byrne, who broke a tie vote when he received a note from his mother to vote for approval.

The final revision of our by-Laws was discussed and approved by those attending the meeting.

A very good report of 53 paid ads for our main fundraiser, the Key Allegro Isle Directory, was hailed by all as a whopping success. Now we wait for the printed issues and sales of the directories.

October 2020

The Allegro Women's Club was lucky to highlight one of the Clowns Who Care, a past volunteer at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi.

Our presenter was Mary Lynn Rhodes. In the past Mary Lynn volunteered for this group, which has been recognized both nationally and locally for their tireless and compassionate efforts for the children of Driscoll Children’s Hospital. These wonderful women have volunteered more than 10,000 hours since they began clowning in 1997 at Driscoll Children’s Hospital, bringing smiles to faces of the patients, parents and staff.

   She shared some of her experiences with the clowns and brightened our day just as she has brightened the day for so many young children.  She came to our virtual meeting on Zoom in brilliant colors including her various clown hats, shoes, big bows, and red nose. Many thanks to Mary Lynn and all the volunteers who continue to put smiles on children’s faces.

           

September 2020

We’ve jumped into the virtual world using ZOOM as our spring. How did that happen?

Our September meeting on Thursday, Sept. 10, began at 11 AM on Zoom. President Jan Sutter hosted the meeting. She provided and invitation and the link to use and verify the date and time.

• We were able to see some of our friends again and meet some new members.
• Many thanks were given to Tracy and Dave Wood who sent a generous donation to our Allegro Women’s Club in memory of Joanna Schmermund.

   Then we took a Road Trip to Utah, a video narrated by Jan and her granddaughter Cara Sutter. The video was so attractive, we thought we were there! Places some of us never knew about were highlighted and honed out appetites for travel again.

As a special treat, the video ended with a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Do consider joining the rest of us on Zoom for the next few months.. It’s easy, and you will enjoy jumping into the experience of the virtual world.

Stay safe and healthy

August 2020

Great news is here, Ladies,

The season 2020-2021 is planned. See below for some exciting programs. And log them on to your calendar so that you will be able to participate.

Sept. 10, 2020: Meet and Greet and “Charity Begins at Home presented by Patsy Phemister (Please see Upcoming Events to find that this presentation has changed.)

Oct. 8, 2020: Clowns Care presented by Mary Lynn Rhodes

Nov. 12, 2020: Women and the Right to Vote led by DJ Chilcoat and team

Dec. 10, 2020: Holiday Party: Tea and Crumpets

Jan. 14, 2021: Inside the King Ranch, looking at some history as well as security

Feb. 11, 2021: The Magic of Natural Crafts presented by Anne Hoffert

Mar, 11, 2021: Tri-Club Meeting: date may be changed

April 8, 2021: Painted Churches of Schulenburg Tour planned by Mary Lynn Painton

May 13, 2021: Scholarship Awards and Quiz Show (Are You Smarter than a Senior?)

  

 May 26,2020 Announcement                                                   

Since our May meeting didn’t take place, this is the wrap-up for the end of this club year,

It is a delight to report that we awarded four scholarships this year to the following Rockport-Fulton seniors:

Katherine Farmer, who will be attending the University of Texas at San Antonio

Garrett Gilliland, who is off to Texas A&M at Galveston

Aaron Littleton, who will be studying at the Texas EMS Academy

Courtney Whitten, who will continue her education at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi.

  Congratulations to these outstanding students. Under normal circumstances, the presentation of the scholarships would have given us a chance to meet the recipients and to hear of their future plans.  Nevertheless, we wish them all the best in their endeavors. 

Our officers for 2020-21 have been voted on and installed

              President:  Jan Sutter

             First Vice Pres: Helen Hough

             Second Vice Pres:  Patsy Phemister

             Secretary:  Faye Scott

             Treasurer:  Mary Lynn Painton

  Jan and the board are already at work planning interesting, informative programs for the coming year; great meetings are in the making so come join the fun!!  Even if some of you can’t attend all the meetings, your support is vital to the success of our scholarship program.  Thank you for your help, and I look forward to seeing you in the fall.

What to expect next:  Who really knows? But when our club begins to roll again, you will be among the first to know. Meanwhile, please stay safe and stay healthy.

A Sweet Deal for our ladies.

Our regular February meeting on Thursday, February 13, 2020 was designed to be historically educational and fun all at the same time.

We checked in at the lobby of the Fulton Mansion Education and History Center located behind the Fulton Mansion. In the meeting room we enjoyed a presentation by Educator Chandler Wahrmund, who knows all that has been happening at the Fulton Mansion since Hurricane Harvey made its path through the area.

Mr. Wahrmund gave some of the history of the mansion and a bit of the architectural genius of the first owner and builder, George Fulton. Even though many of the women had toured the mansion at another time, they were eager to see the improvements installed since 2017.

President Diane Rome chaired a short business meeting, and the group lunched on Choo-Choo Barbecue’s brisket plate.

All were invited to take self-guided tours through the Mansion, compliments of the Allegro Women’s Club, with several docents on hand to answer questions and give assistance.

The uniqueness of the number 2020 may lead you to believe that something special will happen this year.

• Maybe we’ll all be fit and trim by June.

• Maybe we’ll each come across a financial boom by September.

• Maybe we will see the end to homelessness by December.

One thing we did find out at our last meeting was how to make ourselves prettier by mid-January!

How did that happen? At our January meeting/ luncheon we met Samantha Logan, esthetician, from the Strand Beauty Salon. Samantha is a specialist in the beautification of the skin, and she shared many beauty tips targeting women age 50+.

We also enjoyed a wonderful lunch served by the Old Fulton Seafood Cafe and Deli.

 Thursday, December 12, we gathered at the home of Helen Hough, to touch base with friends and enjoy a holiday spread provided by the Allegro Women’s Club Board. Even though the Key Allegro Garden Club was taking a break from meetings and such, we knew they still like to party, so our invitation extended to all of the Garden Club members.

 Warm hugs, smiles,and many stories were shared as well as some very good nibbles

In honor of the season of giving, a basket was provided for the benefit of Operation Santa Claus, a non-profit organization sponsored by the Rockport Rotary Association. The women generously donated toys for local underprivileged children or funds needed to purchase new clothing for them.

It was wonderful to see you all there!

 At the November 2019 Meeting and Luncheon on Thursday, Nov. 14 we featured well-loved speaker Martha Pearson. Martha shared her wisdom this way:She helped us discover just which brain hemisphere, right or left, we each naturally favor.She outlined the characteristics commonly attributed to the preferred brain side, andShe showed us how our hemisphere preference may determine our approach to learning, teaching, marriage, and relationships.

October 2019 Meeting

On Thursday, Oct. 10 our monthly meeting was held in the Bead Studio, 812 Henderson St, Rockport, the creative spot for Kathleen Hahn and her staff.  We witnessed a demonstration pf the technique for making glass beads, which are for sale at the studio. These women are experts with much beading talent, and they make wonderful Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s, too.

September Seriousness

On Thursday, September 12, the Rockport Country Club, 101 Champions Drive, Rockport, was the spot for our meeting that opened the 2019-2020 season.

Since getting our hard-earned money to work for us is a continuous challenge in our changing world. Financial Advisor, Sara Janak from Edward Jones, shared some of her professional tips regarding financial strategies.

Sara is a native Texan, an honest-to-goodness Aggie, and a very active Rockport resident. Maybe you have met her working with her daughters on 4-H projects or volunteering with the Rockport Lions Club. She had the right advice for many of our next adventures in investing and shared with us that day.

On Thursday, May 9, the Rockport Country Club, was the venue for last meeting of the season.

Scholarship chair Jennie Taylor introduced the scholarship recipients for this year.

Cheyenn Appel, who will study at Del Mar College learning the skills of a veterinarian technician,

Susan Carrillo, who plans to attend UT at Dallas entering Health Care Studies,

Sarah Weiser, who will be off to UT at Austin to study architecture.

Then as our installing officer Jennie introduced and installed our 2019-2020 Allegro Women’s Club officers chosen by our very first electronic voting system!

2nd Vice President: Patsy Phemister, 1st Vice-President: Jan Sutter,

Secretary: Faye Scott, and President: Diane Rome.

Absent that day, Treasurer: Caroline Bernardy

Officers and committee chairs will be working over the summer to lead another interesting year for the Allegro Women. Our first general meeting will be September 12. check in for updates and details.

The Monday, April 15th meeting was shared with the Key Allegro Garden Club as they hosted a garden tour of three venues, followed by lunch at the Allegro House.

First, we were led on a tour of the afterschool facility Odyssey including their farm area with chickens and goats as well as their newly built garden area. The staff has put in raised beds with the start of some very good loam so that the children who spend time there can learn to grow fresh produce as well as to harvest it and munch on it. Odyssey is located next to the Live Oak Learning Center on Griffin Drive and boasts of a very energetic and knowledgeable staff of teachers and administrators.

Our next stop was the Cunningham residence on Sorenson Drive where we were greeted with a front yard teeming with red poppies. Bob and Janet are committed to providing grounds for plants native to our area and their dedication was evident as we oohed and aahed over plants we might otherwise have overlooked. But Bob had them blooming and flourishing and highlighted with a lovely walking path through the garden.

The third garden was a landscaped combination of the first two. The Smiths on Hwy 35N showed us vegetable gardens as well as native and locally popular plantings thriving in huge tubs which brought the gardens up to waist level. The temptation to pick a few artichokes or pomegranates was almost overwhelming! Surrounded by lush palms and flowering trees, the ladies experienced a touch of paradise.

After following so many varied paths, the ladies were happy to slip into the Allegro House for a marvelous lunch prepared by the Daily Grind and Rockport Bakery.

Many thanks go out to those who planned and conducted the tours. We Allegro Women will continue to support the efforts of the Key Allegro Garden Club.

MARCH 2019

Our club was invited to the annual Tri-Club Women’s Luncheon, hosted this year by the Rockport Country Club Ladies Association. The event was held on March 8, at the Rockport Country Club clubhouse. The ladies were enchanted with the renovations made to the clubhouse. The friendships and setting made for a delightful time

The theme of the luncheon was “New York Fashion Week”. Highlighted were from Hidden Treasures, Bella La Rue, and Sassy’s.

The Allegro Women’s part of the meeting was the presentation of the new slate of officers for the 2019-2020 year: President – Diane Rome, First Vice-President – Jan Sutter, Second Vice-President – Patsy Phemister, Secretary – Faye Scott, and Treasurer – Caroline Bernardy. Further nominations and elections will be held at our April meeting.

 

 

                  

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