The ALL NEW Shrimp Fest will showcase several RGV restaurants presenting their signature shrimp dishes in a small-bite tasting format. A VIP tent will be serving a boiled shrimp plate. The Retro Rockers and Super Tree will be performing on the main stage. A Silent Auction will be available for your shopping pleasures. Beer & Wine available for purchase.
Tickets are $25 each and all club members are asked to sell 10 tickets each. You can buy VIP tickets at a club meeting.
The success of this fund raiser depends on the support of all club members
The U.S. Army’s JROTC program currently operates in more than 1,700 public and private high schools, military institutions, and correctional centers throughout the United States and overseas. Approximately 40% of JROTC programs are in inner city schools, serving a student population of 50% minorities. As JROTC students (Cadets) progress through the program, they experience opportunities to lead other Cadets. A major component of the JROTC leadership and citizenship program is female Cadets. Female Cadets make up 40% of the Cadet population. The JROTC faculty is led by nearly 4,000 instructors who are retired from active duty, reserve duty, or National Guard Army service. Instructors are trained and qualified in accordance with the National Defense Authorization Act 2007 to teach and mentor approximately 314,000 JROTC Cadets annually
Invocation: Wally Cantu
Pledge:MMA Cadet
Song: Stephany Sokolosky
Greeters:Gladys Villarreal &
Randy Bell
A note from Norma Friedrich
There was a great deal of interest expressed by Rotarians on the subject of a Welcome Center building for Hugh Ramsey Nature Park following the talks by Christina Mild (Feb. 1) and Norma Friedrich (Feb. 8).
Per Javier Mendez, Parks and Recreation Director for Harlingen, the City Commission voted to support the HEB Tennis Center (to receive city funds rather than a Welcome Center at Hugh Ramsey Nature Park) due to staff recommendation. The recommendation was based on the lack of data for the construction of the Visitor Center. (Ramsey Park is a former land fill).
Javier believes that we have a better opportunity to receive a grant for the Ramsey Welcome Center. He stated "we are still committed to pursuing funding sources for Ramsey Park". I trust Javier to accomplish this. He has experience working with grants and has a volunteer in the ACAS Conservation Chair, Mark Salvatore to help write the grants.
Rotary is Family, but before Rotary I accompanied my Dad and Mom to the Lions International Convention in Las Vegas Nevada, 1971. This gives you a little idea where the influence to service came from. I was born in Houston and moved to Harlingen in 1966 with my Mom, Dad and Sister, Gena. After graduating HHS, I went to Texas A & I for one year, then to University of Houston for 2 more years. I was very active in my Sorority, Chi Omega, a little Sister for Sigma Chi, SPARK Spirit for the Football team, and briefly a Houston Honey for the Basketball team. Mike and I moved to Harlingen after we married in 1976 and all of us worked for my Mom & Dad’s Oil and Gas Distributorship at the Port of Brownsville. Harlingen is a great place to raise a family and we could not have been prouder than to be the parents of Tiffany Preddy. Tiffany Preddy Albury is now a Rotarian, and leads the HHS Interact Club. Her husband Joseph Albury is also a member, they have blessed us with 2 fabulous granddaughters, Gwendolyn and Kathryn. Professionally I started a Catering Company in Harlingen putting my culinary skills to work. Life always had twists and turns and we found ourselves in Austin as Mike was now working for a National Oil company. We were in Austin 3 years, my sister joined us there and we started “Two Sisters Catering Company.” After 3 years in Austin, we returned home to Harlingen. I continued to cater until RioFest, Harlingen’s Arts & Entertainment Festival lost their Executive Director. I was a board member and had the time to take it on and soon became the Executive Director for 15 years. My community service includes, Junior League of Harlingen, Boys in Girls Club Board of Directors, Youth Leadership Harlingen, Leadership Harlingen, RGV Museum Board, Lower Valley Cotillion Club, United Way Board, Texas Festivals & Events President, TTIA Board, International Festivals & Events President’s Advisory Council, HCISD Committee - Transformative Learning for Global Achievement Strategic Plan and Habitat for Humanity. In 1988 I was asked to join the Rotary Club of Harlingen. To be proposed at that time, I would be in the first class of Women Members and this was truly an honor. Two of us (women) joined and soon after others followed. Being part of a global network of 1.2 million members to take action on our world’s most persistent issues is humbling. Whether we are working on a Global issue of Polio Eradication or a local House Build, we are fulfilling our motto of Service Above Self.