Mayor-teacher presents his students' winning history contests to DAR
Phillip Spenrath, teacher, coach and mayor of El Campo., presented a special program to members of Comfort Wood Chapter DAR met Thursday, March 20 at Hearthstone at Briar Lane in Wharton.

Father-Son Team Mayor Phillip Spenrath, a teacher at El Campo High School, and his son Rhett gave a special presentation at the Comfort Wood DAR meeting. Contributed Photo

The meeting was opened with the ringing of the pineapple bell, symbolizing the national theme "The Spirit of Hospitality Opens Doors of Opportunity." Regent Hazel Foltyn led the opening ceremony and ended with the pledge to the U.S. and Texas flags, the American's creed and the Preamble to the Constitution.

During his presentation, Spenrath was assisted by his 10-year-old son Rhett, a fourth grader at Northside Elementary. Father and son gave a power point presentation Spenrath's Pre-AP world geography students entered in "Friends of Texas Governor's Mansion" contest. Their winning presentations won money for El Campo High School and entitled them to a trip to Austin to meet Gov. Rick Perry and tour the mansion. Taylor Lange won best overall project in 2006 with her presentation of "J. D. Hudgins Ranch." Megan Martin won best overall presentation on "Horton Foote" and Mike Wissinger won best audio presentation on "Prairie Switch" in 2007. Linda Cerny won best research award on her presentation of "Sno- Cone Shop" in 2008.

Contestants must prepare a three minute or less power point presentation about some event, place or person from Wharton County. The event must have occurred more than 50 years ago. Each presentation was viewed and enjoyed by members. Rhett made the trip this year and took pictures of the State Capitol and he gave a show and tell.

Oath of membership was given by Sue Carmichael to Darlene Byrd, whose patriot is James Dillard; Sandy Lovell, whose Patriot is Francis Webb; and Joy Wind, whose Patriot is Ambrose Foster. Each told a little about themselves.

Secretary Gene Jackson read the minutes and Pat Sanders, treasurer, gave her report. Communications were read from President General Linda Calvin, Louise ISD, Bobby Jack Polasak and Wharton High School JROTC. Reports were given on national defense by Kathleen Thonsgaard and flag facts by Idanel Sellars. Seewee Dupuy gave the conservation report and Foltyn updated the group on the January White Give, which is the DAR service for veterans project.

Comfort Wood will be participating in the stitches for scholarships. Thirty chapters will be making one square representing their chapter and county. They will be made into a queen size quilt that will be displayed and drawn for at the Houston Quilt Show next fall. DAR will be selling chances for the quilt.

Dupuy will gather information for the chapter to possibly travel to Galveston's Moody Gardens this summer to see the Titanic exhibit.

The Texas Gulf Coast Regent's Council meeting will be held at the Victoria Regional Airport Sky Restaurant in Victoria on April 1. The program will be the "Wings of Freedom Tour." This group travels the nation as a tribute to the flight crews who flew during World War II.

"This will be a rare experience for us to view these bomber aircraft that served as our national defense during these years of war," said Foltyn. "A speaker will tell us a little about the history and missions of these aircraft before the tour."

All members are invited to the council meeting.

The pineapple bell was rung and members enjoyed refreshments provided by hostesses Foltyn and Jackson.