MILITARY

* Army Reserve Spec. Mark B. Nichols participated in the 2008 Best Warrior Competition, a seven-event contest designed to test soldiers' physical condition and combat skills. The competition was hosted by the 88th Regional Readiness Command at Fort McCoy, Wis.

Nichols, an aviation operations specialist, is a member of the 1st Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment based in Conroe. The specialist has served in the military for two years.

He is the son of Wade T. Nichols and Heidi A. Brady of Idalou.

The reservist is a resident of College Station and a 2003 graduate of Idalou High School. He is a student at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Army National Guard Spec. Jon W. Alvarado, son of Roy J. Alvarado of Round Rock and Cathy Alvarado of Bryan, has returned to the 236th Military Police Company in San Antonio after being deployed to an overseas forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Alvarado is a military police member with two years of military service and a 2001 graduate of Round Rock High School.

* Navy Seaman Recruit Ashlie M. George, granddaughter of Margie George of Bryan, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

George is a 2007 graduate of A&M Consolidated High School in College Station.

* Marine Corps Lt. Col. Lance A. McDaniel and his fellow Marines of 3rd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) of Camp Lejeune, N.C., recently reached the halfway point in their deployment to Al Anbar province, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terror.

McDaniel's wife, Rhonda, is the daughter of Delores and Rodney Rydell of College Station.

The Marines and sailors have a variety of missions in Iraq including convoy escort, corrections and border security.

TEXAS A&M WOMEN's CLUB

The Texas A&M Women's Club will kick off the year with a membership coffee from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at the College Station Conference Center. The event will provide members and guests with information about the club and a chance to sign up for various activities.

Some of the major events planned for the year include a lecture on the history of the Texas wine industry, a holiday coffee, a presentation on the China diary of President George H.W. Bush and a 90th anniversary celebration.

To learn more about the club, including information about events, visit http://womensclub.tamu.edu.

GOOD NEWS

* Kaeli Anne Bessler of College Station has accepted membership into The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Bessler will be honored during an induction convocation this fall at Texas A&M University, where she is a junior.

She is a 2006 graduate of A&M Consolidated High School.

* Three students from the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at Texas A&M University won 2008 grants provided by the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF).

Traci Bond, class of 2011; Lisa Pina, class of 2010; and Stephanie Coffey, class of 2010, were selected as MAF Veterinary Scholars based on research proposals judged by prestigious veterinary health professionals.

Bond and Pina received their grants from P&G Pet Care/Iams based on the human/animal bond and how it can affect the adoptability of shelter animals. Coffey's award was sponsored by the R.K. Anderson Behavior Research Endowment and was based on improving animal life through improving animal behavior.

YOUTH

* Bryan third-grader Skye Todaro won awards at three national dance competitions this summer.

While at Encore National Dance Competition in Las Vegas, Skye placed second and third overall in the '8-years-old and under' category.

The 8-year-old Mary Branch Elementary School student also competed at Dance Showcase USA where she placed third overall.

At Starbound National Dance Competition, she was award the Little Miss Starbound title.

Skye has been dancing since she was two at Center Stage Productions. This spring, she won a national scholarship to attend a workshop in Las Vegas during the regional Encore dance competition.

* Miranda Skaggs of Bryan is a new junior member of the American Angus Association. She is now eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs conducted by the National Junior Angus Association and take part in Association sponsored shows and other national and regional events.

* Kelby Cullen of Hearne and Matt Stoll of College Station participated in the Texas Brigades summer leadership camps in June and July. They were among 149 high school students that took part in this award-winning leadership development program.

The Texas Brigades' mission is to provide high school youth with skills and knowledge in wildlife and fisheries, habitat conservation, land and water stewardship, team building, communication and leadership.

NEEDS A HOME

Kanga is an adult female calico cat with beautiful markings. She's affectionate, sweet, outgoing and friendly. She would love to be with people who enjoy cuddling, Meet Kanga and other animals that needs homes at the Brazos Animal Shelter (www.brazosanimalshelter.org) at 2207 Finfeather Road in Bryan. Hours are 10 am. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

HABITAT OF HUMANITY

The Lions Clubs of Brazos County raised $15,475 to match a grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation to underwrite half of the construction costs of a home for Bryan/College Station Habitat for Humanity.

It will take 12 Saturdays for the Lions to build the Ortega family home in the Angels Gate subdivision in Bryan. It is expected to be ready for dedication by Thanksgiving.

BETA SIGMA PHI

* The Epsilon Alpha Beta Master chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met at the home of chapter President June Scott for Beginning Day on Aug. 26. Following a hamburger dinner, Scott asked for committee reports for the coming year.

Marianna Bond passed out the yearbooks with information on programs and hostesses for each meeting, as well as special occasions.

Louise Smith, treasurer, collected dues and made announcements regarding finances. Rose Watson announced that as a service project for the year, the chapter would periodically send items to soldiers serving in Iraq including relatives and friends of members.

Each member was asked to give a short statement of what Beta Sigma Phi means to them. The theme of the year, "Rekindle the Torch of Friendship," was very much in evidence as each one shared stories of love and friendship. Special thoughts and prayers were expressed for member Sharon Pennell, who is ill. Scott presented a rose candle to each member and read a peom.

The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 9 at the home of Louise Smith. Ginny Cooper will present the program.

* The Preceptor Beta Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Aug. 25 for a birthday luncheon at Red Lobster in College Station. The honoree was Joan Logan.

On Aug. 31, members met at the home of Faye Caldwell for Beginning Day and enjoyed a meal of barbecue and all the trimmings. Chapter President Kay Hamn presided over the meeting and presented each member with a "Bella Candella" scented candle to signify the Beta Sigma Phi theme for the year, Rekindle the Torch of Friendship.

Plans for the year were discussed. Hamn passed out a list of programs ideas for members to reference. She said the yearbook should be ready by the first meeting.

Joan Logan told about socials for the fall season, beginning with a salad supper game night on Sept. 23. Penne Mathews discussed service projects for the year, beginning with bringing items such as paper towels, bleach, towels, etc. for Eyes of Texas, a wildlife refuge for injured animals. Joyce Meads discussed Ways and Means projects, with a November garage sale being the major project.

The first meeting of the year will be Tuesday at the home of Diana Kratchman, with the program given by Hamn.

* Mary Smith spoke about Italy at the Sept. 2 meeting of the Laureate Alpha Alpha chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, held at her home. Smith showed Italian fashions and pictures of sculpture and historic buildings from her recent travels in Italy.

Janet Wood discussed a service project to be delivered by Mary Dudek to a local family. Area firemen will be recognized Thursday, with Smith handling the project. Donna Dasch will assist with flu shots. Cards were read from Justin Skrivanek, a recent graduate.

Smith reported volunteering with recent hurricane evacuees. Sherry Kovar reported on status of the Louisiana family that was helped during the last hurricane.

Teresa Chipman recognized Donna Dasch, who has completed training by Sandra Wood. Connie Moss presented the scrapbook to Past President Kovar.

Jane Cohen was appointed recording secretary. Kathy Pilgrim and Janet Wood won Ways and Means gifts. Mary Ann Gaylord collected thank you cards for the scrapbook.

Chapter President Marcia Drost conducted the meeting, with 14 members attending. Rosemary Shaunfield reported as treasurer. Smith discussed City Council. Socials were planned for birthday celebrations and nights out. The next meeting will be Sept. 16, with Christi Hendricks as hostess.

BRIDGE CLUB

Star Duplicate Bridge Club met Aug. 29 at College Station Conference Center. The winners were as follows:

N/S

1. Patsy Boedecker and Joyce England

2. Barbara McAllister and Josephine Williamson

3. Joyce Greinert and Phyliss Maness

E/W

1. Karen and Alan Bachman

2. Marci Geppert and Ginny Kettler

Sept. 1 winners were:

N/S

1. Richard Duble and Jim Hibbetts

2. Betty Mahoney and Barbara Petty

E/W

1. Sally Koestler and Marie Stinnett

2. Ann Fleischer and Lynda Shepard

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

The La Villita Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution kicked off its Constitution Week activities with the acceptance of a proclamation from Brazos County Judge Randy Sims announcing the week of Sept. 17-23 to be Constitution Week in Brazos County.

The County Commissioners Court "urges its citizens to reaffirm the ideals which the framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us, remembering that lost rights may never be regained, and to express gratitude for the privilege of being an American in a republic which functions under the oldest Constitution still in active use today."

The club prepared an exhibit on the Constitution that will be on display at the Larry J. Ringer Library in College Station and donated coloring pages to be used during Story Time. Books and videos from the library will be featured during the celebration so patrons can learn more about the history and importance of this living document.

At Texas A&M University, members of La Villita Chapter Junior are exhibiting posters in conjunction with other campus events. The bells at Albritton Bell Tower will sound Sept. 17 as part of "Bells Across America," heralding the first signing of the Constitution 221 years ago.

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