State Representative Marva Beck Dines With Lions
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012
State Rep. Marva Beck made a special visit Thursday to visit with the Grapeland Noon Lions Club.
Beck was in town, campaigning for re-election to the State House of Representatives from District 12. Saying that she had a lot to speak about, Rep. Beck disregarded her prepared notes and instead spoke about the benevolence of the Lions.
“The work that you do is so vitally important to a community,” she said. “In order for a community to grow and thrive, you have got to have people who are involved. My hat is off to you. This is awesome.”
Referring to her District Director Nancy Hendryx, who was traveling with Beck, “I don’t know if whether any of you noticed, but Nancy is a Lion. I don’t know if any of y’all noticed, but she tried to vote with y’all too.” Hendryx is a member of the Alpine and Centerville Lions’ Club.
Continuing with her presentation, Rep. Beck said, “I have been running for re-election since two days after the special session was over because with re-districting, my district has changed, very much to my liking. I feel that Madison and Leon counties are a whole lot more like Houston County and Trinity than they are like Waco. I am thrilled to be over here, just across the river from you all.”
Explaining to the Lions in attendance why she should be re-elected, she said, “I’m a very good representative. I’m a widow. I don’t have any grandbabies. I have a grand dog, but in lieu of seeing him, I can send him a bag of dog biscuits and he loves me. I don’t have another job. I do this full-time. So when y’all pick up the phone and say ’Marva, can you come do this for me at such and such event?’ If I can’t it’s because somebody called me before you did. I have worked with small towns and county governments for probably the last 25 years.
“I know how important the things that you do are to you and your community. Outside of Houston County, I don’t know how important the Peanut Festival is. But to Grapeland, it’s important. To Centerville, the Fourth of July Parade is important. I understand those and I will be here and celebrate them with you. Celebrate your achievements and celebrate the life of this community. I’ve already helped several constituents in Houston County with issues that they have had and I’m here to help y’all, if you have an issue or question or just need more information on something. With that, I appreciate you all for having me and I would ask you for your vote in the primary.”
Prior to Rep. Beck’s remarks, President Childress took the opportunity to tout the success of the Grapeland Lions. “To me, personally, it is an exciting time to be in the Grapeland Noon Lions Club,” he said. “I’m not bragging, but we’re the brightest star in District 2X3. Our agenda for the first of the year was to have one new member, net, in the district. We are by far the leader, in fact we’re carrying the district. I’m so proud of the Grapeland Noon Lions’ Club. We’ve got exciting times coming up.”
To further emphasize the point, the Lions welcomed three new members to the club. They are Betty Shanks, Natascha McFadden and Wayland Woolsey. Shanks and McFadden are sponsored by Martha Childress, and Woolsey is sponsored by Ben Childress.
Secretary Martha Childress informed the crowd on the status of the Lions’ Club LEAD Essay contest winner, Victoria Martin.
“I have an announcement to make and it’s a secret until tomorrow at 11:10 a.m,” she said. “Our essay winner, Victoria Martin, won first place in district. Ben and I picked up her check at the conference this past weekend. Karen (Currie) will present this to her tomorrow.”
In other Lions’ Club matters:
• participation in the Alert Club was discussed. This group will help bring aid to those in need if an emergency or disaster strikes;
• cleanup for the Lions’ Camp in Kerrville was also brought up;
• members were informed about changes to the eyeglasses donation program. Donations can now be made at local Wal-Marts; and
• Mike Goolsby will be meeting with those responsible for the restoration of historical markers throughout the county and learn what the club can do to move forward with this project.
Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at wjohnson@messenger-news.com
