Howdy Aggie Moms!

As I write this, only the first two days of the fall semester have passed, and I suspect that many of you have already heard from your sons and daughters about long lines, parking hassles, traffic jams, and all of the other inconveniences of bringing 45,000+ people into a relatively small geographic area.   When I got an e-mail from daughter Joy ’07 yesterday with the grumbling about all of the above, I had to write her back to remind her that all of the lines, waiting, and hassles were fun and even exciting three years ago when she was experiencing them for the first time.   Waiting to pull tickets for your first Aggie football game – knowing that your seats (or your spot to stand) were going to be lousy no matter what – none of that really mattered because it was going to be your chance to experience Aggie football in Kyle Field!   By the time this newsletter is in print, the first Aggie game of the 2006 season will be history – and hopefully, we will have won by a gazillion points!

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the Fall meeting of the Federation of Texas A&M Mothers’ Clubs in College Station.   Dr. Gates addressed the meeting – and I am fascinated by this man who once led the CIA being President of Texas A&M.   He spoke of initiatives at A&M that I think have some importance to us all.   The enrollment at Texas A&M will be increased to 48,500 over a 5 year period, beginning this fall.   The Class of 2010 numbers 7,500 students – the largest freshman class in A&M history.   A&M continues to get national attention for its “value” education.   In most rankings, Texas A&M is the only Texas or southwest region university to be recognized.   Dr. Gates continues to work towards lowering the faculty to student ratio, even as enrollment increases.   Much campus construction is underway.   Most notably, the new Life Sciences Building which will be located on the north side of the Simpson Review Field where Law and Puryear Halls once stood.   So when you visit campus – be prepared for more people, more construction, and less parking, and allow plenty of time to navigate.

New to Texas A&M as of July 1, 2006 is an OB/GYN on staff at the Beutel Health Center.   Dr. Martha Dannenbaum joined the Beutel staff on July 1, and is the director of the Women’s Heath Center.   Dr. Dannenbaum is an Aggie herself, and has two Aggie children (’07 & ’09).   She has been in private practice in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is a founding member of the Tulsa Aggie Moms Club.   The Women’s Clinic provides annual exams, PAP smears, contraception, breast exams, and all other women’s health care for female students.   You can find more info at the Health Center website, shs.tamu.edu.  

Dr. Carol Binzer, Director of the mentoring program also addressed the Federation meeting.   The ATMentors program is committed to providing students with a listening ear, being a sounding board and resource for any number of issues, including academic burnout, applying to graduate/professional school, career choices, conflict with an instructor, depression, financial concerns, homesickness, joining social activities, roommate conflicts, time management, and any other concerns of students.   There are over 400 faculty and staff who have volunteered to be mentors.   These volunteers can be identified by the “ATMentor” plaque on office doors.   There are mentors in every department and building on campus.   This is a wonderful resource for our students.   It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of a place like Texas A&M.   Knowing that there is someone to share concerns – whether they be academic, social, physical, or spiritual – can make all the difference to our students.   You can find out more about the mentoring program by visiting their website, http://mentors.tamu.edu.   I encourage you to share this information with your students.

If you have not already plugged in to our fall fundraising event, “A Place at Our Table,” let me encourage you to do so!   This is a first-ever (and hopefully, first annual) luncheon, style show, and silent auction.   There are numerous ways you can get involved –

We need one more table hostess

We need several salad preparers

We need silent auction items

We need people to buy tickets for themselves and their friends/family

We need set-up/clean-up helpers

Mark the date – Saturday, October 21 from 11 am to 2 pm at First United Methodist Church Celebration Hall.   There are a limited number of seats available!

So far, table themes include:

Aggie Mania

Americana

Elvis!

Safari

A Stroll through My Garden

A Day at the Beach

The Sensational Seventies

Grandma’s Attic

Hobo Junction

This is going to be so much fun!   Don’t miss out!   If you would like to be a table hostess, please call Harriet Sansone at 659-0886.   If you have a silent auction item to donate, please call Shelley Gregg at 374-4640.   To reserve tickets or for any other questions, please call me (Suzy) at 944-9146.

We are working to raise our “new” money for the San Angelo Aggie Moms Endowed Scholarship.   All proceeds of “A Place at Our Table” will go towards this effort.   Aside from participating in the fundraising event, anyone wishing to make a contribution to the Endowed Scholarship Fund can make their check payable to the San Angelo Area Foundation.   Small amounts, large amounts – all are important as we work toward the goal of $10,000 of “new” money.   Our club has rallied together for two years in a row to establish and grow the Endowed Scholarship Fund, and I am confident we can once again raise $10,000, match with existing club funds to total $20,000, then deposit with the Area Foundation in January and receive the $20,000 match from the San Angelo Health Foundation.   This is the final year for this matching opportunity.   I do not know of any other place where we could raise $1 and end up with $4!   This is both an opportunity and a challenge – and I know that we can be successful in the endeavor.   Thank you for joining me to support our West Texas Aggies!   They are our future!

See you at our membership meeting on Thursday, September 21!

Gig ‘Em!

Suzy Mears ‘77

President

SEPTEMBER MEETING — Thursday, September 21, 6:30 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church - 3536 YMCA Drive - San Angelo

NEWSLETTER & MEMBERSHIP FORMS

Starting in October, newsletters will be either emailed or mailed to members who have sent in their dues.   Remember to get your form to us by Thursday, September 21 in order to be included in the yearbook.   A form has been included with this mail out for your convenience.   If you have any questions about membership you can call Theresa Fortin at 949-3472.   Additional forms can be downloaded at the following site: http://www.sanangeloaggiemoms.org 

2006 - 07 FUNDRAISERS

Aggie Moms will have three fundraisers this year which will include the China Luncheon “A Place at our Table,” the annual garage sale to be held the first weekend in March, and Boutique which is held during Parents Weekend in College Station in April.

If you have anything ready for the garage sale, Yvonne Biedermann has a barn where it can be stored. Please contact her at 212-0202 or bring it by her house at 1481 Butler Drive.

A PLACE AT OUR TABLE

Just what is “A Place At Our Table?”   Maybe the following will give you a glimpse of what to expect when you join in on the fun.

No Aggie Mom event would be official without a healthy dose of maroon and white.   Jane Wardlaw is going to get our maroon blood fired up with her Gig ‘Em, 12th Man, Old Army, Hullabaloo Caneck Caneck,   Beat the hell outta t.u., Aggieland table theme.   Once we’ve got those Aggie juices going, we’ll probably also be busting with pride to call ourselves Americans.   Judy Lacy’s USA table will have you ready to fly the red, white, and blue and claim kinship to Uncle Sam.   When the patriotic celebration has come to an end, you will probably want to just take it easy – maybe spend a Day at the Beach.   Even in the middle of October , Lanee Warrick’s table is sure to make you feel as though you have dipped your feet in the ocean and walked along sandy beaches.   Be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen!   When you come in from a day at the beach, you may find it fun to take a peek in Grandma’s Cupboard.   You never know what you will find in there – and Harriet Sansone will be on hand to point out those gems that you may have overlooked.   The cool of the evening would be the perfect time to take A Stroll Through Nevie’s Garden.   You are sure to see flowers of all kinds and smell the sweet fragrance of abundant blooms.   Nevie Lacy will be your hostess.    Just when you are lulled into total relaxation, you will be “All Shook Up” at Vickie Foreman’s Elvis table!   Surely now you’re in a dancing sort of mood, and you can disco your way on over to Suzy Mears’ Sensational 70’s table and get a dose of Saturday Night Fever!   Taking a Walk on the Wild Side should be a natural thing by now, and as you approach J’Ann Lange and Nancy Lester’s Safari   table you will want to beware of dangerous wildlife!   Once you’ve had your fill of lions, giraffes, and elephant stampedes, you will no doubt want to get back to the familiar flavor of West Texas.   Melinda Johnson and Kandee Bahlman will make you feel right at home at their Rodeo table.   Yee-Haw!   You can’t get more “West Texas” than that!   And getting even closer to home, you’ll be happy to Share the Road with Lucy Jochum and friends – no “road rage” here!   But in the event that you become road weary, a stop at Shelley Gregg’s Hobo Junction should give you the boost you need to find your way home.   Once back in the confines of the familiar, you can sit back and sing silly songs with Judy Turner, like “Mares Eat Oats and Does Eat Oats, and Little Lambs Eat Ivy!” Finally, it’s time to return to reality – the time of year that it really is - Fabulous Fall !    Melissa Faubion and the Ballinger Bunch will have you stomping through crunchy, colorful leaves and giving thanks that you’re an Aggie Mom!  

Make your plans now to join us on Saturday, October 21 for this first-ever San Angelo Aggie Moms event.

PHOTOS NEEDED

Suzy Mears is working on the 70’s table for “A Place at Our Table” and is needing some classic 70s photos of Aggie Moms to decorate her table. If you have any you would be willing to lend her, please contact Suzy at 944-9146 or email her at

g-mommymears@suddenlink.net

She promises the names of the innocent will not be revealed!

COOKBOOKS  

Cookbooks are still available for $20 each. The cookbooks will be available at the monthly club meetings, or you may contact Yvonne Biediermann at 949-4694 or email her at hobyyvonne1481@cox.net; she will be glad to reserve a cookbook for you.  

GRADUATES

The San Angelo Aggie Moms love to celebrate when our kids graduate!  Every newsletter, ever club meeting, we give moms the opportunity to "brag" about their Aggies' accomplishments - and especially about graduation!  (That IS the point of this college education, isn't it?) And part of the celebration is a small gift to our graduates.

We currently have several unclaimed graduation gifts.  We would very much like for these tokens of our love and good wishes to get to those Aggies who deserve them.  We have unclaimed gifts for:

Callie Latham '04

Lori Brock '05

Jamie Burke '05

Jake Hamilton '05

Daniel Michalewicz '05

Attempts have been made to deliver these gifts to our Aggies.  If your child is on this list and you happen to be reading this notice, please call Suzy Mears at 944-9146 or email her at g-mommymears@suddenlink.net and make arrangements to pick up the gift.

 If you have an Aggie that will graduate in December '06, May 07, or August '07, please keep us informed so that we can acknowledge our Aggies and their accomplishments.  A diploma from Texas A&M is something to brag about! When leaving a message, please leave your Aggie’s name, when they will graduate and their class year.

DOOR PRIZES ALWAYS NEEDED

Everyone loves door prizes – and we need donations!   If you are in Aggieland, and see something that you would like to receive (in the $5 range), please bring it to Shelley Gregg at the next meeting.

TUTORIAL SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

• We have several tutorial scholarships available on a first come, first serve basis.

• It is necessary for the scholarship to be requested (by the student) in advance by e-mail to Nevie Lacy at nevnews@aol.com

• Please put “Tutorial Scholarship” in the subject line area of the email.

• Any student from our area enrolled at Texas A&M University may apply.

• The tutorial scholarship will be valid from the day issued until May 2007.

• It will be advertised by publishing it on the web, e-mail, newsletter, distributed with the food coupons and area newspaper.

• We must have the student’s name, mailing address, parent’s address and student id for the tutorial coupon.

• The student can only use tutorial sources listed on the coupon.

• Student can apply in the Fall Semester and the Spring Semester

NEW AGGIE MOM COOKBOOK – Not too late to submit recipes!

Over the next few months we will be completing the San Angelo Aggie Moms new cookbook. If you have not submitted your recipes and would still like to do so, it is not too late! All you need to do is make a copy of your recipes, include your name or who is submitting them, and your Aggie’s name and year.   You can put as many recipes as you would like. For more information on this, please contact Lanee Warrick at 484-3005 laneewarrick@aggienetwork.com or Debbie Lisoski at 469-3935 dlisoski@saisd.org

MONTHLY MEETINGS - Homes Needed

Some of the meetings this year will be held in homes and we are still needing volunteers. If you can help us out with this, please contact Shelley Gregg at 374-4640.

AGGIE MOM WEEKEND RETREAT – October 27-29

“Whoopin’ It Up In Aggieland – Keepin’ the Spirit Alive!”

The Hilton Hotel – 801 University Drive East – College Station, Texas

Weekend Registration Fee Includes:

2 nights hotel room

Catered meals

Special Aggie Mom Camp T-Shirt

Tote bag & souvenirs

Bus transportation for special tours

University related guest speakers at all general swessions

Tons of Aggie Mom new friends and memories

This is a T-Shirt & jeans Weekend of Fun

Several Moms from the San Angelo area will be attending. To carpool or for more information about this weekend, feel free to call J. Ann Lange at 835-6891. You can download a registration form at:

http://www.aggiemoms.org/files/AMC06-FORM.pdf

OCTOBER MEETING

The October Membership meeting will be held in the home of Kay Young on 5401Tabosa. More information on the October meeting will be in the next newsletter .

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AGGIE MOMS WITH SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Pat Talley, September 14

Jean Stinnett, September 16

Cyndy Jackson, September 21

Yvonne Biedermann, September 24

Vickie Foreman, September 24

AGGIE MOM BRAGS

Ryan Baldwin ’99 (Aggie Mom Victoria Baldwin) and wife, Maki, have a new baby girl, Hana Rei.  Her brother, Evan, is very excited to have a new sister, too. Ryan and family are in Pensacola, FL where he is attending flight school for the Navy.

Julee Baldwin ’05 (Aggie Mom Victoria Baldwin ) has been promoted to service manager with Wells Fargo.

Kelly Thomas ’07 (Aggie Mom Celeste Thomas) was married May 19th to Jaret Rabon ‘06 in San Angelo.  They will both graduate in August 2007.

Byron Williams (Aggie Mom June Williams) is currently doing an intership at the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio and will graduate in December.

Dest Sudduth '06  (Aggie Mom Toni Sudduth) has been admitted into the Master's Program.  He will be pursuing a degree in Animal Breeding & Genetics. 

Jena Barnard '07 (Aggie Mom Jana Barnard) will get her ring this month.  Jena is a marketing major and has been involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma and Dance Marathon for the Children's Miracle Network.  She is also a past recipient of an Aggie Mom scholarship.

Matthew Glasscock ’07 (Aggie Mom Nancy Glasscock) completed a 12 week internship at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM this past summer. Matthew is a senior in the College of Agricultural Communications and Journalism

Rachel Dillon ‘01 (Aggie Mom Kathy Dillon) finished her Masters Degree this past summer from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and   will be attending NYU in New York this fall. She has been teaching in Mexico City for four years.

Blake Lacy '05 (Aggie Mom Judy Lacy) has just finished an internship in Houston with Metrostudy - this is his last semister!!!!   He will graduate in December with his masters in the LERE program (land economics and real estate).

Tyler Lacy ‘07 (Aggie Mom Judy Lacy) get's his ring and hopes to also graduate in December in Polysci. He will be testing soon and hopes to also get into the LERE program. 

William Fortin (Aggie Mom Theresa Fortin) has received a $6000 Hach Scientific Foundation scholarship for 2006-2007 school year. Will is a senior majoring in chemistry with a teacher certification tract minor. He is in the Corps of Cadets and is the executive officer of the Duncan Volunteer Company, and a flight commander in Squadron 20. 

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO RESPONDED

Many thanks to all who responded to our need to send something to Andrea.  Your offers were greatly appreciated.  It is such a blessing to be a part of this caring, sharing organization. !    ~ Cathye Moon

RING OF HONOR – Thursday, October 26

The first Ring of Honor Luncheon will be held at Gil’s   Restaurant on Knickerbocker on Thursday, October 26, at noon.  This luncheon is intended to provide updates on club activities to our members who are no longer able to regularly attend club meetings.  If you would like to attend the Ring of Honor Luncheon (Dutch treat) please drop in and join us.  If possible, please RSVP to J. Ann Lange   at 835-6891 so that we can reserve a large enough table for everyone; however, if you forget to rsvp, just drop in anyway.  We'd love to see you!  If you would like to receive reminder post cards about these luncheons, or know someone who would, please contact J. Ann. 

AGGIE MOM NEEDING INFO

Aggie Mom Melissa Faubion has some questions about buying a house in College Station. They will have three kids down there next year and had considered buying a house—not a really nice house—a college-kid house! One that would be in a safe area, but not new. She would like to know how to go about finding one? Should they start looking now, or wait til next semester? Is there anyone who is graduating that might be interested in selling a house? Any information would be appreciated. You can contact Melissa at 365-5424   or email her at cliffmel@hotmail.com

CORPS TO MARCH IN SAN ANTONIO (SEPT. 16)

Texas A&M University’s 1850-member Corps of Cadets will march through San Antonio Saturday (Sept. 16), as a prelude to the Aggies’ 8p.m. football game against Army at the Alamodome.

The parade will begin at 4p.m. The route of the march will be east on Dolorosa Street from IH 35/10 to Market Street. The parade will continue east on Market Street to end at the intersection of Market and Bowie Street.

The lead unit in the parade will be the United States Military Academy Band, followed by the United States Military Academy units. Next in formation will be active-duty personnel from Ft. Hood, Texas. The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band will lead the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets as the final order of the march.

A reviewing stand for the official party will be set up in the vicinity of the Northwest corner of the San Antonio Convention Center in the Hemisfair park area.

This year, the Corps of Cadets selected two cities in which to conduct parades coinciding with Aggie football games. This year’s second Corps parade will be held in Austin on Saturday (Nov. 24) when Texas A&M plays the University of Texas.

ANGEL FOOD MINISTRIES

Judy Lacy thought this might be of some interest for kids going to college. From her understanding,   you do not have to purchase the whole package; you can purchase the meats only. She thought the price sounded great. San Angelo just started this ministry here.   For more info visit the website: http://www.angelfoodministries.com/

ONCAMPUS EVENTS, PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Aggie Nights

Every Friday night, Aggie Nights takes over the Memorial Student Center and the surrounding area to provide FREE food, entertainment and prizes to the students of Texas A&M University. To be admitted, students show their Texas A&M ID at the check-in tables in the MSC Foyer and receive a wristband that will allow them to take part in the fun.

Each Friday consists of varied entertainment including bowling, billiards, live music brought by MSC Town Hall, student performing groups, game shows, hypnotists, comedy shows and much, much more. Aggie Nights also presents an Aggie Cinema lineup throught the semester. Students can enjoy blockbuster movies for $1.

Aggie Nights is coordinated through the MSC Student Programs Office and supported by student services fees. For more information visit: http://aggienights.tamu.edu/

Student Counseling Services

If your student is struggling with homesickness, concerns over financial matters, academics, or relationships, the Student Counseling Service has a wonderful staff of trained counselors ready to help. Students can make an appointment online at http://scs.tamu.edu/

ATMentors

Mentors are TAMU faculty staff, and administrators who volunteer extra office hours to make themselves available to students who just want to talk to someone. A&M currently   has about 165 mentors on campus.

What do mentors do?

• Mentors advise students in their area of experience and competence.

• Mentors stay informed about current TAMU services so they can act as effective referral sources to students whose problems are outside the Mentor’s expertise.

• Mentors provide a caring, nonjudgmental ear when a student just needs to talk.

• Mentors provide a smile, a helping hand, and eagerness to serve as stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks – these are the nuts and bolts of Mentoring.

To find a mentor go to http://atmentors.tamu.edu/ and search by college, department or area of interest.

FOOTBALL TICKET CORNER

Several people are looking for football tickets and hotel rooms for all games.   If you have tickets or rooms that you do not need, please contact Lanee Warrick at laneewarrick@aggienetwork.com

AGGIE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Saturday, September 16 A&M vs Army @ Alamodome in San Antonio 8:15 p.m. (ESPN 2)

Saturday, September 23 A&M vs Louisiana Tech 6 p.m.

Saturday, September 30 A&M vs Texas Tech 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 7 A&M @ Kansas TBA

Saturday, October 14 A&M vs. Missouri 1 p.m.

Saturday, October 21 A&M @ Oklahoma State TBA

Saturday, October 28 A&M @ Baylor TBA

Saturday, November 4 A&M vs Oklahoma 1 p.m.

Saturday, November 11 A&M vs Nebraska (Maroon Out) 1 p.m.

Thursday, November   24 A&M @ texas 11:30 p.m.

HOTEL ROOMS IN COLLEGE STATION FOR FOOTBALL WEEKENDS

Candyce  Gregston is looking for a room for the Tech game. You can contact her at candyce38@aol.com

By the way, she is putting her house up for sale after Labor Day and will be moving back to San Angelo!

Mary Kennedy has a cottage available for rent in College Station for football weekends and other events. If you would like more info, she can be contacted at kennedywc@cox.net or call her at 979.774.3484.

TICKETS   FOR SALE OR LOOKING FOR TICKETS

Carolyn Kuhn is looking for tickets for the Texas Tech game. If you have tickets available for that game, please contact Carolyn at 465-8067 or you can email her at:   carolyn.kuhn@dads.state.tx.us

Jane Wardlaw has 5 tickets to La Tech game and probably a room at the Hawthrone.  Two seats are in the Zone Club, good seats, sec 10, row 11, seats 5 and 6., acess to to the Zone Club.  Other three tickets are 12th Man, Sec 209, row 7, 2nd level, 50 yd line.  You can contact Jane at 325-651-7298

Suzy Mears would like to sell her football tickets for the Louisiana Tech game on Saturday, September 23
The seats are in section 423 - North Zone Upper Armchair
Face Value of Tickets = $55 each
Would like to sell for $35 each

If interested, you can reach Suzy at:
H-944-9146
W-655-3161
C-234-6757
e-mail:
W-   suzy@mohairusa.com
H-    g-mommymears@suddenlink.net

Game Day Information

PARKING LIMITATIONS

Because of extensive construction around Kyle Field, the Athletic Department and 12th Man Foundation lost 600 parking spaces on game day. Please check maps and suggested traffic plans for parking, vehicles, and pedestrians on game day at the A&M Transportation Services web site, http://transport.tamu.edu.

All game-day parking and transportation information is detailed under links in Special Events.

Best suggestions: park at the Post Oak Mall and use the “Get to the Grid” bus service, or utilize the West Campus garage and the walkway under Wellborn Road.

Early arrival is recommended. Join the pre-game fun starting 3 ½ hours before kickoff in the Aggie Fan Zone featuring family fun food, music and live radio, the team’s Spirit Walk, and the Corps of Cadets step-off and march-in.

EXPEDITED SECURITY CHECK, NO LATE PASS-OUTS