Plano Profile March 2010 : Page 6
gallimaufry Just the right environment ‘‘D 6 PLANO PROFILE MARCH 2010 ID YOU GET MY E-MAIL?” Jennifer asked enthusiastically from the doorway to my office, a big smile on her face and eyes all a-twinkle. “I sent it right before leaving home this morning.” I motioned her to take a seat as I checked for recent messages. Nope, hers wasn’t among them. I quizzed her about its content but she demurred, “I could show it to you on my phone but it would be better if you wait to see it on your monitor.” Hearing that put me in a ‘cu- riosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought him back’ mode. What fond memories of my mom that old expression brings to mind! She used to tease me with the first half of this expression while giving me a playful tap on the nose whenever I tried to wrest any piece of information she wished to hold close. When the tables were turned, she would counter with the second half. Happy thoughts, but I digress. The e-mail finally arrived and, there to my surprise, was a photo of the phalaenopsis orchid plant I gave to Jennifer nearly a year ago. How very healthy it looked! It had sev- eral new leaves, great big roots, and most impressive of all, a bud-laden spike reaching 12˝ to 15˝ into the air. “Wow, it actually is going to bloom again! How did you do that?” I beseeched, somewhat awestruck. I have pur- chased countless dozens of blooming orchid plants during the past decade and never has a plant re-bloomed for me. Never! The closest I have come is the time one healthy, pot-bound plant sent two errant, purple-tipped roots skyward in search of nourishment. Once repotted, they resumed normal root activity. “It sits on the windowsill above our kitchen sink where it receives good light and consistent humidity. I guess that’s just the right environment for it,” Jennifer suggested. JEAN ELLIS NEWMAN Of course she is correct. In order to thrive, every living thing needs just the right environment, plants and people alike. This thought segues nicely into information I want to share with you about the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, formerly known as the Hendrick Academy of Honor. The specific purpose of the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is to change “the paths of the lives of our community’s neediest youth by enabling them to break out of the cycle of poverty through educa- tion.” They provide and administer scholarships to Plano ISD graduates who have experienced and overcome adverse circumstances and who will need financial help to obtain a college education. In addition to scholarships, members of the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation serve as mentors, maintaining con- tact with scholarship recipients while they are in college to help students stay on track in reaching their goals. If you have the financial ability and wish to contribute, please do so ASAP because the need for scholarships substantially exceeds the number available, regardless of the upscale demographics of our region. M ark your calendars to join event co-chairs Jenny McCall and JoAnn Botts for the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation’s 19th annual fundraiser, Taste of Elegance, on Monday, March 22, at Southfork Ranch. (See ad on page 35.) Featuring a new twist to “The Event,” guests will sample menus from some of the area’s favorite fine dining restaurants ... a “foodie” event you won’t want to miss! The evening activities begin with a 6 p.m. reception, followed by dining, entertainment, and live auction from 7 to 9 p.m. Dress is business casual; indi- vidual tickets are $75; please RSVP by March 15. The Taste of Elegance event is sure to be great fun. Better still, the proceeds benefit this important scholar- ship fund, enabling it to create just the right environment for its recipients to thrive. For more information about this event or to learn more about the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, call 972.423.2079 or visit hendrickscholar ship.org. Plant a dream! ■ Jean Ellis Newman is the publisher of Plano Profile.
Gallimaufry
Jean Ellis Newman
Just the right environment
DID you get my E_mail?"Jennifer asked enthusiastically from the doorway to my
Office, a big on her face And eyes all a-twinkle. “I sent it right before leaving home this morning.” I motioned her to take a seat as I checked for recent messages. Nope, hers wasn’t among them. I quizzed her about its content but she demurred, “I could show it to you on my phone but it would be better if you wait to see it on your monitor.” Hearing that put me in a ‘curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought him back’ mode. What fond memories of my mom that old expression brings to mind!
She used to tease me with the first half of this expression while giving me a playful tap on the nose whenever I tried to wrest any piece of information she wished to hold close. When the tables were turned, she would counter with the second half. Happy thoughts, but I digress.
The e-mail finally arrived and, there to my surprise, was a photo of the phalaenopsis orchid plant I gave to Jennifer nearly a year ago. How very healthy it looked! It had several new leaves, great big roots, and most impressive of all, a bud-laden spike reaching 12½ to 15½ into the air.
“Wow, it actually is going to bloom again! How did you do that?” I beseeched, somewhat awestruck. I have purchased countless dozens of blooming orchid plants during the past decade and never has a plant re-bloomed for me.
Never! The closest I have come is the time one healthy, pot-bound plant sent two errant, purple-tipped roots skyward in search of nourishment. Once repotted, they resumed normal root activity.
“It sits on the windowsill above our kitchen sink where it receives good light and consistent humidity. I guess that’s just the right environment for it,” Jennifer suggested.
Of course she is correct. In order to thrive, every living thing needs just the right environment, plants and people alike.
This thought segues nicely into information I want to share with you about the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, formerly known as the Hendrick Academy of Honor. The specific purpose of the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, is to change “the paths of the lives of our community’s neediest youth by enabling them to break out of the cycle of poverty through education.” They provide and administer scholarships to Plano ISD graduates who have experienced and overcome adverse circumstances and who will need financial help to obtain a college education.
In addition to scholarships, members of the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation serve as mentors, maintaining contact with scholarship recipients while they are in college to help students stay on track in reaching their goals. If you have the financial ability and wish to contribute, please do so ASAP because the need for scholarships substantially exceeds the number available, regardless of the upscale demographics of our region.
Mark your calendars to join event co-chairs Jenny McCall and JoAnn Botts for the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation’s 19th annual fundraiser, Taste of Elegance, on Monday, March 22, at Southfork Ranch. (See ad on page 35.) Featuring a new twist to “The Event,” guests will sample menus from some of the area’s favorite fine dining restaurants ... a “foodie” event you won’t want to miss! The evening activities begin with a 6 p.m. reception, followed by dining, entertainment, and live auction from 7 to 9 p.m. Dress is business casual; individual tickets are $75; please RSVP by March 15.
The Taste of Elegance event is sure to be great fun.
Better still, the proceeds benefit this important scholarship fund, enabling it to create just the right environment for its recipients to thrive. For more information about this event or to learn more about the Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, call 972.423.2079 or visit hendrickscholar ship.org. Plant a dream! !
Jean Ellis Newman is the publisher of Plano Profile.
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