Arts Watch: Pederson on hot seat for museum

  • By TOM TURBIVILLE

  • Posted: Sunday, January 1, 2012 7:00 a.m.
  • Text size: A A A

There's nothing that blends art with history around here quite like the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History. Since Deborah Cowman came on board to run the operation that's attached to the east end of the Brazos Center, its display room and walls have continually offered diverse exhibits of keen interest, beauty and education. I defy anyone to visit and not come away with some sort of new knowledge.


Like any resource of that kind, it takes funds to operate and for the most part, the museum keeps its engine running through donated funds. Three years ago, Cowman came up with a fundraising idea of honoring a community do-gooder with a roast-slash-tribute dinner at Miramont Country Club. Yours truly of all people was the first one honored in January of 2009 and it remains one of my most memorable evenings. The jabs were pretty soft and the friendships re-discovered were joyous.


In 2010, weather guru Bob French was turning above the flames and last year it was KAMU's Penny Zent.


On Jan. 12, the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History is opting for height over quickness as it pays a well-deserved tribute to Doug Pederson. If you don't recognize Doug, you're not looking high enough. Sure he's close to being a 7-footer but stands even taller and brighter as a community gem. I've known Doug for about 20 years but didn't really learn of his magnificent generosity and willingness to serve until I joined him and other grand men in a weekly Bible Study called the "Renegades." Believe me, this guy deserves a dinner in his honor and it will start on Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. with social time and dinner at 7 p.m., followed by a few laughs about Doug and by Doug.


Doug came to town some 35 years ago from Minnesota to play basketball for Shelby Metcalf at Texas A&M and, as much as he may have hoped, didn't make his mark on the community from the court. He started what would be his career, renovating run-down homes and thus helping clean up those parts of the Brazos Valley that most needed fixing.


His "Midtown" gentrification of a full neighborhood on South College Avenue in Bryan generated the Pederson-Threadgill Award presented by the BCS Apartment Association. Doug and Jack Threadgill were the first winners in 2010 as it recognized more than 20 years of property and community improvement and the reduction of neighborhood crime rates.


Pederson is one of those fellas who can't say no when asked to give his time, so he serves or has served on the boards of the Better Business Bureau and the Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center and is a staunch supporter with a deep passion for the work of SOS Ministries.


So here's your chance to support the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History and to join Doug's wife Cheryl in thanking Doug Pederson for making the valley a better place to live.


Tickets are $75 or a table for 10 is $1,000 which includes reserved seating, table recognition, signage and recognition at the event, recognition in the paper and website and premier table location. Call 776-2195 to reserve your spot -- please do it this week. See you there.



Save the Date


Jan. 12: Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History presents "Tall Tales: A Tribute to Doug Pederson," 6 p.m., Miramont Country Club (776-2195, brazosvalleymuseum.org)


Jan. 12-14: St. Michael's Episcopal School presents Iolanthe, or, the Peer and the Peri (822-2715)


Jan 20-22: The Theatre Company presents Two by Two, a fund raiser for the theater (779-1302, theatrecompany.com)


Jan. 23: Brazos Valley Symphony presents Children's Concerts for area fourth and fifth graders, 9:30 and 11 a.m., Rudder Auditorium (696-6100, bvso.org)


Feb. 1: MSC OPAS presents Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Moulin Rouge -- The Ballet, 7:30 p.m., Rudder Auditorium (845-1234, mscopas.org)


Feb. 2-18: StageCenter presents Last of the Red Hot Lovers (823-4297, stagecenter.info)


All Month: George Bush Library and Museum presents "Headed to the White House" (691-4000, bushlibrary.tamu.edu)


All Month: Children's Museum of the Brazos Valley in downtown Bryan offer various programs, including Monday Madness, from 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (779-5437, cmbv.org)



* Tom Turbiville is The Eagle's arts columnist. He is also sports director for WTAW-1620 AM and Bryan Broadcasting. Email him at tom.turbiville@theeagle.com.

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