Speakers

Mike Turco obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master of Science in Geology (Hydrogeology) from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

He began his career in the water industry with the U.S. Geological Survey in 1996 at the Water Resources Division field office in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He worked on many surface water and groundwater data collection and research projects in Iowa and Nebraska, including the development of several high-profile groundwater flow models, before taking the position of Chief Hydrologist of the Gulf Coast Program Office in Houston, Texas.

From 2004-2013, he directed the USGS scientific research and data collection, including the USGS response to hurricanes Rita and Ike, as well as the continued research and monitoring of subsidence in the Houston region.

In 2013, Mike joined the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District and Fort Bend Subsidence District as General Manager, where he leads a community-focused team to support the District’s mission of preventing further subsidence through reasonable groundwater regulation and promoting water efficiency to protect lives and property in Harris, Galveston, and Fort Bend counties.

Kristen Wollenberg is the  Director of Events & Weddings at Haak Vynards & Winery and she will share with us this incredible winery located in Santa Fe and Brehman, Texas. 

Haak Vynards & Winery was founded in 2000 by Raymond and Gladys Haak and  began as a labor of love rooted in passion for winemaking and a deep connection to Texas soil. What started as a small backyard vineyard has grown into one of the state’s most celebrated wineries.

Through dedication to craftsmanship and innovation, we continue to uphold the traditions of winemaking while embracing new techniques, always striving to create unforgettable wines that embody the spirit of Texas.

 

 

Dr. Gabriel Rodríguez is an accomplished urologist. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. After this, he completed his residency in urology at Texas A&M Health Science Center, Baylor Scott & White Health.

Dr. Rodríguez sees patients at Houston Methodist Urology Associates, based in Houston, TX. He is also affiliated with Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. He can help treat testicle pain, urinary problems, and scrotal abscesses.

Dr. Rodríguez is certified by the American Board of Urology. He can cater to different communities with ease as he is bilingual in English and Spanish. 

 

 

Presidential End of Rotary Year Report

by

Stan Galanski

 

Mary Sue Shy Anton is an author, writer, and editor. She was born on a dairy farm near the Mississippi River during the Great Depression. One of her most vivid childhood memories is the 1937 flood, when her family evacuated in the middle of the night and lived in the local courthouse for several weeks.

At age 25, after leaving the homeplace to seek her fortune elsewhere, she met Arthur David Anton, recently discharged from the Air Force. After their marriage, she put her husband through school, working as a secretary with a secret clearance at an Air Force base.  With two small children, they settled in southeast Missouri until her husband pursued his dream of becoming a physician. The author returned to work, and Art received his M.D. degree from the University of Missouri, but not before their third child was born. In 1969, the family moved to Texas for Art’s medical practice.

Mary Sue is a graduate of Loretto Academy, Kansas City, Missouri and received a B.A. in history from the University of Houston-Clear Lake (Texas).  She has worked as a computer tutor, genealogy lecturer, soybean farmer, freelance writer and editor.  After publishing a genealogy book with two cousins in 1994, she began writing popular histories.

Today she lives at MRC The Crossings, an independent living senior community, in League City, Texas where she used her time during the Coronavirus pandemic to write this, her fourth book. Her siblings contributed their own stories to round out her memories and chronicle of her life.

John is retired from NASA where he served as the agency's Chief Toxicologist for 25 years. He is a science junkie, having earned advanced degrees in three diffierent sciences - astronomy, chemistry, and pathology. He has been a patient safety activist since the loss of his oldest son due to medical errors in 2002. He is the veteran of many mission trips, including ones to Haiti, Ecuador, and Mexico. He has published two books - A Sea of Broken Hearts and Response Theology, and co-edited a book called The Truth about Big Medicine. He is a scientist and Christian mystic. He enjoys life with his wife Donna who has tolerated him for 48 years, his two children who are loving Christians, and 5 grandchildren. He is currently the Chairperson of the Board for Crossroads at Park Place.