Highland Lakes Democratic Women
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HLDW HOSTS EMERGE TEXAS DIRECTOR BECCA DEFELICE

6/6/2023

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PictureBecca DeFelice
The Highland Lakes Democratic Women invite you to join us for our meeting luncheon at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654 on Thursday June 22, 2023 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am. Lunch will be served. Cost is $20.

HLDW will hear from speaker Becca DeFelice, Emerge Texas Executive Director, a GVP advocate/organizer, mom, and former state house candidate living in San Antonio with her husband and daughter. As an advocate, she’s proven she can deliver for Texas families through her years of advocacy with Moms Demand Action and her work with State Senator Roland Gutierrez on SB 1380, a rural mental health bill that passed in the legislature during the 87th session.

A transracial adoptee who grew up on a working farm, Becca’s unique life experience gives her the perspective necessary to build strong relationships across Texas’ diverse communities. She believes that every campaign run by a Democratic woman has value and holds important lessons for us all to learn for future success.

Becca is committed to ensuring that Texans have a deep bench of qualified women to run for office at every level, and that every woman candidate is the candidate our communities deserve to have fighting for us. Her goal is to prepare every Emerge Alum to manage the unique challenges that women face while running, have a comprehensive understanding of the policy and operative knowledge needed to run a successful campaign, and to confidently move forward post-election, win or lose.

MENU
CHICKEN PAILLARD WITH GREENS AND A DINNER ROLL


Please RSVP to Connie Stein at connie.stein@me.com
REMEMBER, WE WILL HAVE A SOCIAL GATHERING AFTER THE MEETING IN THE BAR AT HIDDEN FALLS GRILL FOR COOKIES, BEVERAGES AND FELLOWSHIP
HOPE YOU CAN JOIN IN!
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Charles Watkins, Webmaster and Historian, talks about ophelia 'birdie' harwood

5/7/2023

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HLDW’s webmaster, frequent guest and great friend of HLDW, Charles Watkins, will be at our meeting to speak about Ophelia ‘Birdie’ Harwood – who he claims is the most notable person in the history of Marble Falls. She’s known as the nation’s first woman Mayor and a reformer who put the City on the track for success.

Charles has been researching Birdie since he moved to Marble Falls some 12 years ago and loves to tell her story. One point of particular interest is whether she was indeed the first woman Mayor in the US. The material being presented was developed for an exhibit at the Falls on the Colorado Museum, where you can learn more about Birdie and her times.

Graduating from the University of Texas with a doctorate in Speech-Communication, Charles dove into the computer business and ended up Director of Product Planning for Texas Instrument’s Computer Systems Division.

Charles moved to the West Coast to be the UNIX Product Manager at the Santa Cruz Operation, then returned to the Austin area to work at Dell Technologies before partnering in a consulting firm, Open Technology Services. After 9/11, he sold OTS, retired from his career in technology marketing, and took up writing park grants with Austin-based Grant Development Services. Locally, he got funding for park projects in Granite Shoals, Cottonwood Shores, and Johnson City. Moving to Marble Falls, he joined the Parks and Recreation Commission and served 5 years as its Chair. He’s a long time volunteer at the Marble Falls Visitor Center and occasionally plays Santa at the Walkway of Lights. You might have seen him as Hermann Fuchs in the Legends of the Falls. In addition to taking care of HLDW’s website, he’s also the webmaster for the Burnet County Democrats and works with the county’s VAN voter database.

We invite you to attend the HLDW meeting
Thursday May 25, 2023 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am

We are meeting at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar,
220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654.
Cost is $20 per person
MENU
BLT and Caesar Salad
Please RSVP to Connie Stein, connie.stein@me.com by Wednesday May 17

REMEMBER, WE WILL HAVE A SOCIAL GATHERING AFTER THE MEETING IN THE BAR AT HIDDEN FALLS GRILL FOR
COOKIES, BEVERAGES AND FELLOWSHIP-
HOPE YOU CAN JOIN IN!

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NASA Engineer Enlightens HLDW

5/2/2023

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Highland Lakes Democratic Women were entertained and educated by NASA Engineer Marybeth Edeen at the April meeting.  Ms. Edeen spent 35 years as a civil servant at NASA's Johnson Space Center. She started out in the Engineering Directorate working on Advanced Life Support System development and testing.  Next, was a move to working on International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems before her last move to leading the Space Station Research Office.  Ms. Edeen holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Rice University. 

Ms. Edeen shared amazing stories about the history and advancement of the Space Station during her tenure. HLDW was honored to welcome her to the meeting. 

HLDW meets the 4th Thursday of the month at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes TX 78654. Cost for meeting and lunch is $20 per person. 
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Highland Lake Democratic Women Vice President Ann Stevenson, on right, welcomes speaker Marybeth Edeen
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IMG_5914.jpg Anita Worrall, on left, and Shirley Schmidt enjoyed the HLDW meeting and luncheon
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Highland Lakes Democratic Women welcomed new member Mary Alice Kuykendall
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HLDW Joins with Crisis Network in Upcoming Summer Lunch Program

4/21/2023

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The Highland Lakes Crisis Network is extremely grateful to members of the Highland Lakes Democratic Women for preparing and delivering casseroles to be used to bring a comforting meal for people in crisis situations.  That can be anything from new foster care placements, people who have had house fires or floods, and families who cannot access the MFISD summer food distribution sites.  If anyone is interested in providing casseroles, snacks, funds or helping deliver throughout the upcoming summer, please contact me at caroline@hlcn.love or the HLCN office 325 423-3662
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HLDW is proud to participate in the upcoming summer food program organized by Highland Lakes Crisis Network. From left Patty Kane, Marti Pogue, Rose Butler, Caroline Ragsdill with the Crisis Network, Mary Kathryn Kane and Connie Stein.
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HLDW APRIL MEETING

4/14/2023

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The next HLDW meeting is Thursday April 27, 2023 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am. Our speaker will be Marybeth Edeen. Ms. Edeen spent 35 years at a civil servant at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. The first third of her career was in the Engineering Directorate working on Advanced Life Support System development and testing. She spent the next third working on International Space Station Environmental Control and Life Support Systems before spending the remainder of her time working in and leading the Space Station Research Office. Ms. Edeen holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas and a Masters in Chemical Engineering from Rice University.

We are meeting at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes 78654.


MENU
Fish Tacos and Green Salad
Cost is $20 per person
Please RSVP to Connie Stein, connie.stein@me.com by Wednesday April 19
        
                             *****
Social Gathering After Meeting
*****
After the meeting, Hidden Falls Bistro has graciously agreed to make the bar area available to HLDW for a Social Get Together. Since there is never enough time to visit, we will move to the bar for cookies, beverages and fellowship. Hope you can join in!

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HLDW WelcomeS Paul and Barbara King from The Helping Center

3/31/2023

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The Helping Center supports the community and the community supports The Helping Center.  It is thanks to the support of the local community that The Helping Center was able to open their new facility.  At the March 23 meeting, Paul King shared with Highland Lakes Democratic Women the successes of the new and larger structure.
 
Last year the center served their clients over 15000 times. There is no charge to the clients.  This was made possible in part by the 8800 volunteer hours from generous people that donated their time. Client visits have tripled since last year.  Thanks to the center being open during the day and also in the evening twice a week, your local neighbors have been able to “shop” for necessities in a grocery store environment.  This allows them the opportunity of an uplifting experience with encouragement to better themselves. The center currently serves 1250 families, including many new clients brought in by the challenging of today of today. The clients come from not just Marble Falls, but from surrounding counties, too.  One of the newest clients is an 85 year old retired nurse, never expecting to need help, but welcomed to the center.

Barbara King is very involved in the client education program, Learn for Life.  Clients come in seeking a better life, needing encouragement and useful life lessons.  This program offers the opportunity to make positive and lasting changes.  Their success can cause a ripple effect as their friends, neighbors and families can see their progress.  In 2022, there were over 5000 client interactions for this program which teaches education and literacy / nutrition, health and wellness / and spiritual outreach. 

The Helping Center has an impact on adults and children.  Scholarships are given to high school graduates for college and during the summer months the center ensures that that students on summer break do not go hungry.  Thanks to charitable local stores like HEB, the center is able to feed a family for a week at a cost of $15. 

 Keep an eye out for the Helping Center Book Drive as they collect new and gently used children’s books. 
Thanks to The Helping Center and to the generous community for the help and opportunities given to our less fortunate neighbors.
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HLDW Vice President Ann Stevenson, on right, presents donation from Highland Lakes Democratic Women to Barbara and Paul King of The Helping Center
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Highland Lakes Democratic Women members Connie Stein and Laura Rippy welcome Burnet County Democratic Chair, Susan O'Brien to the March Meeting at Hidden Falls Bistro.
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HLDW Fundraising Chair Ravelle Kundinger, center, enjoys social time after the meeting with guests Pamela Clark-Nelson, on left, and Ann Wick.
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HLDW member Carol Parker welcomes visitors Carrie Oberhausen, on left, and Linda Wilson
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Highland Lakes Democratic Women Treasurer Laura Rippy, on left, welcomes newest member Margaret Thomas-Berry.
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HLDW March Meeting

3/15/2023

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Please join us at Hidden Falls Bistro and Bar, 220 Meadowlakes Drive, Meadowlakes TX 78654  on Thursday March 23 at 11:30 am, check in at 11:15 am.
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Our speakers will be Paul and Barbara King, who have made their home in the Texas Hill Country since 2007. Shortly after their arrival in the Marble Falls community, they became active volunteers at their church and at a variety of local non-profit organizations. Seven years ago, they became volunteers at the Helping Center. Paul currently serves as president of the board, and Barbara serves as a member of the advisory council and as coordinator of the LEARN for LIFE education program. In 2019, alongside others, they led a project to raise funds and coordinate construction of the new Helping Center facility, which opened in January of 2021. The center currently serves clients over 15,000 times each year, distributing more than 500,000 pounds of food annually.


MENU
Bruschetta and Mediterranean Salad
Cost is $20 per person

Please RSVP to Connie Stein, connie.stein@me.com by Wednesday March 15

NEW*****
Social Gathering After Meeting *****NEW

After the meeting, Hidden Falls Bistro has graciously agreed to make the bar area available to HLDW for a Social Get Together. Since there is never enough time to visit, we will move to the bar for cookies, beverages and fellowship. Hope you can join in!

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HLDW Past and Present Star Award WinnerS

3/15/2023

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Each year, the Texas Democratic Women honors outstanding achievements by women in local chapters. In 2023, three women from HLDW were recognized at the TDW annual convention. Congratulations to Rose Anna Butler, Sandra Chapman and Laura Rippy, HLDW members who have gone above and beyond in their service to their organization and community.  

The picture below shows just some of the Highland Lakes Democratic Women who have been honored with Star Awards over the years.  Thank you to all of these great members.
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Seated, from left…Rose Anna Butler 2023 Star Award, Marjorie Dearmont, Evelyn Acosta Cone Standing, from left…Marty Pogue, Linda Burling, Anita Worrall, Nancy Fehr, Sandra Chapman 2023 Star Award, Brenda Smith, Linda Williams, Shirley Schmidt Not pictured…Laura Rippy 2023/Star Award
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HLDW at TDW convention

3/15/2023

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Highland Lakes Democratic Women were well represented at the Texas Democratic Women's annual convention. From left, Ravelle Kundinger and Nancy Hill, Fundraising Co-Chairs, Susan O'Brien, TDW Board member, Shirley Schmidt, past president and Ann Stevenson, HLDW Vice President.

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phoenix center visits hldw at february  meeting

3/3/2023

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Highland Lakes Democratic Women welcomed Sarah Garrett and Sarah Rucker from the Phoenix Center to their February meeting at Hidden Falls Bistro. 

The Phoenix Center provides mental health care and trauma informed therapy for children in need from birth to 18. The center brings much needed help to  families in Central Texas, no child is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.  They have Counseling, Parenting Groups, Children's Groups, and Camp Phoenix which provides a 1 to 1 ratio for children attending the camp and all activities are therapeutic.  
The Phoenix Center is a non profit organization. Since most of the families are unable to pay for the much needed help, the Center relies on fundraisers and donations. The Phoenix Center is very grateful to their donors and supporters.
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From left, Mary Kathryn Kane HLDW President, Sarah Rucker, Sarah Garrett and Ann Stevenson HLDW Vice President Sarah Garrett is the founder and executive director of the Phoenix Center. Sarah Rucker is the Community Outreach Coordinator for Phoenix Center (501C) and a CASA volunteer.
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    This blog is written and managed by HLDW member, Teri Flanagan.

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The HLDW is a Chapter of the Texas Democratic Women. For more information, please visit www.tdw.org. 

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