Garland Optimist Club hosts
25 Hours of Christmas event

Posted January 6, 2012

The Garland Optimist Club hosted its annual 25 Hours of Christmas Open House beginning at 4 p.m. Christmas Eve and lasting until 5 pm Christmas day.  Club members, with help from Garland Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association and the Knights of Columbus, served hot meals to more than 50 Garland police and Department of Public Safety officers and support staff along with approximately 20 women and children from a local Garland shelter. 

NARFE members enjoy Christmas message at
monthly meeting

December 18, 2011

The Garland Chapter 1454 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees group held its monthly meeting on December 14 at the I-Hop Restaurant at Interstate 30 and Beltline Road. 

The speaker was Dr. Aubrey Patterson who is the Chaplain of Rest Haven Funeral Homes in Rowlett and Rockwall. He spoke on the meaning of Christmas.

Noon Exchange hears from West Point cadet

Posted December 4, 2011

West Point Cadet Corporal Michael Janowski spoke to members of the Noon Exchange Club of Garland on November 23.  He was given early leave so that he could speak before groups of students and adults about the advantages of West Point.

Michael explained the application and appointment processes. In addition to applying to representatives or senators, applicants must be accepted by Congress and then by West Point. After successfully completing the first and second years, if a student chooses to continue, he/she signs a contract to serve for five years after graduation.

Michael has had opportunities to travel internationally for advanced training. He has had air assault training and plans to take advanced training in that field.  His current major is U.S. History.

Members of the Noon Exchange Club of Garland appreciated hearing from Michael about his service to the country.  Our Motto: Exchange, America’s Service Club, working to make our communities better places to live through programs of service in Americanism, Community Service, Youth Activities and the Prevention of Child Abuse. Visit www.noonexchangeclubofgarland.

Baylor Garland
honors volunteers

Kim Everett | December 4, 2011

The Baylor Garland Auxiliary recently held its awards banquet and luncheon to honor and recognize the service of its members.  Hospital President Tom Trenary was on hand to escort Betsy Weatherman to the stage when she received an award for having an astonishing 47,000 volunteer hours.

Ms. Weatherman was also recognized, along with Wilhelmine Mitchell and Jackie Peterson, for being a charter member of the organization.

Glenna Feagins, who is the current president of the Baylor Auxiliary, received an award for volunteering with the group for more than 30 years.  Nancy Wilson received the honorary scrapbook for the year.

The luncheon was held at the McDonald Center at Garland’s First Baptist Church.

Noon Exchange Club celebrates
One Nation Under God

Posted December 3, 2011

On November 16 the Noon Exchange Club of Garland celebrated its annual One Nation Under God program.  The purpose of this program, which was adopted in 1964, is to heighten awareness of our rich religious heritage. November, observed nationally as One Nation Under God Month, is a special time of year when Exchangites join together to increase public appreciation of the important roles religious faith and freedom have played in our nation’s history.

Garland Exchangites were pleased to have City Council members Laura Cox and Jim Cahill in attendance along with the club’s Region 5 Vice President Bob Hester and members of the Maverick, Mesquite and Murphy Exchange Clubs.

The guest speaker was Major General Bill Gossell, USMC, ret. Reserve. In his time with the military Gossell spent many tours overseas and saw his share of conflicts. His talk focused more on the current turn of events and his respect and gratitude for the men and women who are currently serving.

Exchange has a long history connected with the service to America and Americans. During times of conflict Exchange has come to the aid of pilots by painting arrows on building tops for direction. In 1933 President Franklin Roosevelt called upon Exchange to help fight the Depression.  Exchange recognized high school seniors with scholarships and designated Accepting the Challenge of Excellence scholarships for students who have overcome disadvantages. Child Abuse Prevention has been the National Project since 1979. Since then many CAP Centers and auxiliary centers have been established.

The organization meets every Wednesday from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m. at Eastern Hills Country Club, 3000 S. Country Club Road.  Visitors are welcome.  For information, visit www.noonexchangeclubofgarland.org.

February schedule:  Noon Exchange Club of Garland

February 1 - Speaker:  Paul Bochniak. A look at the Garland Housing situation from a CFO's view    

February 8 – Meet the SGHS Students of the Month. Speaker Creighton Bryan, robotics class and club

February 11 – Celebrate Valentines’ Day at Texas Italiano Valentine Evening, 6 p.m. - 11 p.m.

February 13 - Golden Acres Facility, serving Valentine Dinner to couples residing there

February 15 - Wild & Wacky Wednesday

February 20 - Stand Up and Say the Pledge on the square in downtown Garland at 12 p.m.

February 22 - Who's Your Neighbor? Meet interesting people/business owners from Garland.

February 29 - 5th Wednesday activity

National Active and Retired Federal Employees group changes meeting location

Posted September 28, 2011

The Garland Chapter 1454 of NARFE, which meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m., has changed its meeting place to the I-HOP restaurant on Interstate 30 at Broadway/Beltline Road in Garland.  They report that they were welcomed with open arms by the restaurant’s managers, have a great meeting room, and the food service and quality are great. 

Golden Meadows Crime
Watch Organization meeting

When:  4^th Monday of each month, 7 p.m.

Where:  Holford Park Recreation Center

Who:   Residents who live between Buckingham to Santa Ana and Monterey to Old Mill

Contact:  Jessica Acosta – 972-272-2257

Overcome fear of public
speaking with Toastmasters

What:  A Toastmaster International club meeting!

Who should attend and why:  Anyone who wants to overcome their fear of public speaking and become outstanding public speakers in a very cost effective, highly positive, mutually supportive, and fun environment. 

When:  Our club meets every Monday (except major holidays) from 5:45 p.m. -  7 p.m.  There is no charge to be a guest and see what a Toastmaster meeting is really like.  Parking is free and VERY safe due to security in the parking lot.

Where:  Our club meets in the Texins Activity Center on the Texas Instruments campus in the northeast corner of LBJ Freeway and Central Expressway (US 75).  Please call Jim Sullivan at 214-566-4086 if you would like more detailed directions or have any other questions.  Also, if that time or location is not convenient to you, please call and I will be glad to put you in contact with another club that meets your needs.

Toastmasters International has over 260,000 members in over 12,500 clubs in 113 countries.  The first Toastmasters club was organized in 1924, almost 100 years ago.  Its growth rate has been and continues to be phenomenal.  Each Toastmasters club is part of a non-profit 501(c)(3)non-profit organization and is run solely by volunteers seeking to become better public speakers and help others in their quest to do so as well.

Noon Exchange

Garland's Optimist Club is looking for upbeat people who want to help "bring out the best in kids."  Their mission statement reflects the group's commitment to service:

"Optimist International's mission is to foster an optimistic way of life, through a network of optimists, dedicated to the full development of their potential in order to provide ever-expanding service to youth, the community, and the world."

Anyone interested in making a difference in the lives of local youth is welcome.  The organization meets on Thursdays at 7 a.m. at 1214 Avenue A in Garland.  Phone number is 214-448-4884. Visit www.garlandoptimistclub.org for more information.