You have never seen two more astonished women than Luine Hancock and Flo Walker when awards were announced at a recent meeting of the April Sound Ladies Association. Luine was named "2001 Woman-of-the-Year" and Flo received the "President's Award for Service."

Outgoing President Sue Holladay presented the awards and gave a little information about each honoree. At the same time Sue was being honored herself for the year she served as president of ASLA. She received a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses and a Waterford cross.

Luine has been involved in a number of happenings both locally and statewide. She served as president of ASLA after moving up through board jobs as recording secretary, corresponding secretary, second vice-president and later as parliamentarian after her stint as president.

She is in a number of the special interest groups--home decorating, book club, dinner group and needlepoint. She served two years on the April Sound Club Board of Governors.

After being active with the Lake Conroe Area Republican Women for several years, she took on the responsibility of the presidency, and this took her to meetings around the state.

When Luine received the much-deserved award a number of people commented on the fact she was able to see a number of viewpoints and resolve disputes to everyone's satisfaction. That is a mark of leadership. Added to that she is fast to make friends and is unfailingly gracious.

Flo has put White House, Texas, on the map. Few of us had heard of it until we met Flo and cheered her on with her annual undertaking in White House. She was formerly President of the Chamber of Commerce there, and for 20 years has planned a Christmas party for all the senior citizens at Christmas. She even makes sure all of the seniors receive a gift. That's dedication.

The honoree is known for her creativity. When she attended a recent Texas Republican Women's convention, she made a pair of earrings in the shape of Texas finished in red, white and blue. A woman at the convention admired them so much she talked Flo into taking them off and selling them to her. Flo often does the table decorations for the ladies association luncheons.

One of the hardest things a woman has to face is the loss of her husband. Flo's husband died shortly after they moved into April Sound and just before their 50th anniversary. When she found there was no group for single ladies she helped start one, and has been an active leader in it.

If you need a friend, Flo is a good one. She makes quantities of food and takes to neighbors and friends who are sick, and she has volunteered actively in nursing homes locally.

Service is Flo's middle name and she has enriched the lives of many.

Friends in April Sound are still chuckling about a contretemps Dolores Power had with Santa Claus. Judy and Al Bosma had their dinner group in for drinks and appetizers during the holiday. Judy pressed Earl Long into duty as Santa Claus, and he handed a gift to each lady as she arrived. When he hugged Dolores Power her earring got caught in his flowing white beard and just wouldn't come out. She hated to see the jolly old elf lose part of his beard, but after trying everything to extricate the beard, they finally had to resort to scissors to separate them.