APRIL SOUND UPBEAT
By JJB

Members of the Lake Conroe Area Republican Women decorated a float and joined the parade in Montgomery to celebrate Independence Day.

DOROTHY LYNCH and GERRY RYE of April Sound headed up the project. P. D. SOHN of Lakeshore Sports provided a pontoon boat to carry out the Lake Conroe theme, and drove it in the parade. Many yards of flag material and red, white and blue fabric were used, with bells and stars added to the decor.

Helping with the decorating and riding in the pontoon, towed by a truck, were MIRIAM BURTON, JENNY STEWART, NANCY OUGHTON, ROBERT OUGHTON, DANNY and LANNY MORIARTY, among others. When the parade ended they were awarded a trophy for the Most Enthusiastic.

Everyone agreed it was a great way to spend the day and show the LCARW spirit at the same time.

Few things are better than produce fresh from a garden, and friends of RUTH VICCHIO are finding out how good it can be. She works almost daily in a small garden situated close to the POA building. Then she shares her crop with homebound April Sound residents and friends. That's great eating.

Caring women can accomplish a lot. The April Sound Church Ladies Auxiliary had a salad dinner for the morning and evening groups to close out their service year. ALICE STAGNER, retiring president, presented a summary of a few of the things the women had done during the year. They prepared food for and served ten receptions after funerals and memorial services, provided meals for members of the church who were ill on 22 days, and sent hundreds of get well cards.

The group has a dedicated prayer chain and literally thousands of prayers were said for people in the church and community who were ill or had sustained the loss of a family member.

MARIAN HOOPER heads up a project to take teddy bears to three agencies to be distributed to children experiencing a trauma situation. They go to the Rainbow Room at Children's Protective Services, the Conroe Police Department and Children's Safe Harbor. Over 90 stuffed animals were donated during the year.

Two truck loads of gift boxes were delivered to the Friendship Center to liven up Christmas for the seniors they serve. Three truck loads of food were delivered to Montgomery County Emergency Assistance for their pantry, and five carloads of clothing and toiletries were taken to the Women's Center. A carload of baby clothes and food were taken to the Pregnancy Assistance Center North in Conroe.

Two truckloads of good clothing and household appliances were taken to Montgomery County Emergency Assistance for their thrift shop, and several members volunteer there weekly with the Helping Hands from April Sound Church, which provides funds to help those in crisis.