Yes, we were at the LCRA McKinney Roughs Nature Park to attend the 20th anniversary of TOWN-Austin! The park has been upgraded with blooming flowers and as a result lots butterflies were in attendance too.
Fifty-three women gathered to hike, talk, eat, play games, and renew friendships; those fortunate past and current members who attended were: Amelia Greene, Barbara Swift, Beverly Travis, Carol Castlebury, Carol Pennington, Carolyn Doolittle, Carolyn Hanschen, Carrie Lasseter, Cheryl Cantwell, Cindy Frey, Darlene Young, Diane Nunez, Eden Bryant, Eola Lewis, Flo Madsen, Gail Penney-Chapmond, Gail Worthen, Gloria Blagg, Inge Hunka, Jacque Austin, Jan Brownell, Janet Fitzsimon-Barr, Janice Bittner, Jen LaGrange, Jenny Falkenberg, Joan Balash, Judie Tasch, Judy Allen, Judy Loving, Judy Dunavant, Judy Shaw, June Apprill, Kay Smith, Kim Wicheta, Linda Foss, Linda B. Williams, Lisa Davis, Lisa Sands, Margot Mendez, Marie Wilson, Marilyn Fowler, Marsha Karrass, Mary Zeitler, Milli Stecker, Nicole Flowers, Patricia Shaw, Peg Gavin, Sallie Novinger, Sandy Ostiguy, Sharon D. Richards, Shelia McCracken, Susan Walters, and Susie Aguirre.
We started gathering about 8 am. The Dining Hall was set up for us by the LCRA staff. JoanB set up the indoor gas fireplace to reduce the chill. She also started the outdoor fireplace; lots of women enjoyed sitting around the fireplace and just visiting. SandyO culled through over 800 photos to display a continual photo show of about 740 shots. She had also recreated some little Jib Jab videos which made for lots of fun. We saw familiar faces and kept trying to come up with names! Lots of fruit was available for an early snack.
JennyF and JanB led the first hike which began about 9:30. Thirteen women joined them. And from the way the hikers looked upon their return, it was a fun time with lots of talking and laughing.
About 11:30 our catered lunch from Baxter’s arrived. We had choices of roast beef and turkey sandwiches, vegetarian wraps, chips, pasta salad, fruit, cookies, cakes, and ice tea. No one should have gone home hungry. In fact, so much food remained, many members took home snacks for their next meal.
During the lunch we did lots of talking. LisaS started the event by welcoming the past and current members. She introduced the current Board members and mentioned that between them were 55 years of experience on the Board. Jacque continued by introducing attendees who were past Board members. Following that Jacque talked about the history of TOWN-Austin beginning with Constance Whiston who started our group in 1997.
This was followed by the giveaway of fun gifts by MarilynF, SusanW, and JanetFB. JuneA, LisaD, SusieA, CherylC, CarolynD, and GailW each won a prize. EdenB won the big door prize of the afternoon, an antiqued cedar chest created by MarshaK. And the final surprise was to honor the woman with the longest consecutive membership in our organization. Well, it was a tie with both Amelia Greene and Susie Aguirre both joining in 2002 and maintaining their memberships through 2017! Both were presented with a paid membership for 2018. And both were surprised!
The afternoon hike departed about 1:30 with CarolC leading a group of 20. Some of us got our exercise by sitting on the front porch and rocking.
We really had a super day! Thank you to all who attended, led hikes, helped with clean up, and just had a fun time!
Jacque