Notes from 4/16/26 by Jackie Lebow
Invocation: President Cara Sauceda rang the bell at 12:06 pm. David Hartman provided another special prayer.
Pledge and Song: President Cara lead the pledge followed by singing of “Edelweiss.” Club members greeted each other with a friendly Rotary handshake.
Visitors and Guests: Angela Culley from Christ Academy in Wichita Falls and Pauli, our sponsored exchange student, were in attendance.
Sunshine Report: Judy Koetter’s cousin recently passed away. Keep Judy and her family in our prayers.
Brag Bucket: Carla Dowlen passed around the brag bucket. Her nephew plays on the Memorial Mavericks JV baseball team. They won two games against Abilene and split games against Munster last week. Monica Horton mentioned the Pauli is on the Legacy HS Royal Dance Team and they will have a show next Friday at Legacy HS. Monica reminded everyone about the upcoming Better Business Bureau Day to shred documents. Also, Monica’s son just passed his welding inspector test. Judy Koetter noted how busy the Beacon Lighthouse for the Blind has been with orders coming in fast and furious. Ann Arnold mentioned Wichita Falls Alliance for Arts and Culture is having a special event in May. Brycen Whitiker noted that his daughter is playing coach pitch softball and she made a triple play the other day. Andy Kocher noted that his granddaughter was on the other team! John Deason bragged about Carla Dowlen. They both went through school together from first grade through 12th at Petrolia ISD. John said he is celebrating his 50th graduation anniversary.
Announcements: District Training will be April 19, 2026, at the First United Methodist Church in Arlington, TX. President Cara also mentioned Pauli and the Legacy HS Royal Dance Team show.
Program: Hospice of Wichita Falls
President Cara introduced our own Rotarian Ryan Pitchford who is the Community Liaison for Hospice of Wichita Falls. He introduced Darbi Glassburn who provided an overview of Hospice of WF. She has been with the organization for 12 years in a leadership position. Hospice of WF started in 1985 on Kemp Street with Jan Banta as the Director. As the program grew it moved to the current location in 1991 at 4909 Johnson Road. The Prothro Inpatient Care Center was completed in 2023 and in 2025 another major expansion was constructed. The Hospice of WF goal has always been to provide a family home environment for the patients. Palliative Care of North Texas started 10 years ago. This is a lower care health care level provider than Hospice where patients keep their own doctors. There are three specialized nurses and one doctor in the program currently.
Ryan discussed Peach of Mind Planning. There is a meeting on April 23 at 5:30 at the faciality for this purpose. He noted the various programs currently in operation: Peace of Mind Planning, Dementia Live, and Children’s Programs which include building bridges and camps to help children cope with bereavement. Camps are in June and July each year with 107 campers participating last year.
Shellie Green was the third speaker. She has been with Hospice of WF for 10 years. She mentioned three programs going on now: We Honor Veterans, Salute to Service, and Nurses Honor Guard where nurses from the surrounding area are honored. She noted that the staff had to go through 2 years of specialized training to collaborate with veterans. Viet Nam Veterans receive a special lapel pin for their service. A Wall of Service has been established with fifty-two plaques installed with two being added each year.
Daria concluded by discussing the fundraising events held each year. The Annual Golf Tournament will be on May 4th at the Wichita Falls Country Club. The Ninety for Dad bicycle race occurs prior to the Hotter than Hell Race. The Nine at Night Golf Tournament (nine holes of night golf) has been highly successful each year. Lastly, the Tree of Lights event occurs each year at the top of the Chase Building Tower.
A donation will be provided to the WFISD Foundation in honor of today’s speakers.
Adjournment: President Cara adjourned the meeting at 1:00 pm with the 4 Way Test.