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HISTORY
In 1981, Sugar Land, Texas was in a growth era. Families continued to swarm to the area from the south, north, mid-west and west! Master-planned communities had been developed and were expanding! To welcome the new families and homeowners, a Welcome Wagon hostess delivered baskets of gifts supplied by local businesses. Over a cup of coffee, the hostesses would tell new residents about local civic and cultural activities in the community and handing out gifts and coupons from local businesses.
While the Welcome Wagon hostess remained to greet newcomers to the community, the new residents joined together to share fellowship and common interest. In accordance with the rules of Welcome Wagon International, a “newcomer” had to leave membership after two years of residence within the community. Also, Welcome Wagon International limited the areas within Fort Bend County as to who could join and participate in the social activities.
During 1988-1989, members of Welcome Wagon Sugar Land voted that they preferred not to have the restrictions imposed by Welcome Wagon International, those being two-years of residency, limitations of where you lived, and that speakers were only Welcome Wagon business supporters. The ladies then decided to restructure their club creating an atmosphere of friendship and opportunities for “old and new” residents to become acquainted with one another in the community. These ladies pondered for a while over a new name in which to call themselves. One day, President Ann Hayden, told her husband about her and her friends dilemma. Understanding the commitment and friendship that these ladies held, J.C. Hayden said to his wife, “Ann, all of you are friends and neighbors, why not call yourselves that?” Thus, Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors (FBFN) was formed!
Today, Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors has approximately 350 members from the eastern, western, northern and southern areas of Fort Bend County! The cities, towns, and villages that comprise Fort Bend County are: Arcola, Beasley, Fairchilds, Fulshear, Houston (mostly in Harris County), Katy*, Meadows Place, Missouri City (majority in Fort Bend), Needville, Orchard, Pleak, Richmond, Rosenberg, Simonton, Stafford, Sugar Land, Thompsons, and Weston Lakes. Other unincorporated areas of Fort Bend County are census-designated areas: Cinco Ranch, Cumings, Fifth Street, Four Corners, Fresno, Greatwood, Mission Bend, New Territory, Pecan Grove, and Sienna Plantation. Other unincorporated areas of Fort Bend County are: Booth, Crabb, Clodine, Foster, Guy, Juliff, Long Point, Pittsville, Powell Point, and Tavener.
Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors include many long-standing members (some dating back to 1983) and many long-time Fort Bend County residents; and newcomers continue to arrive daily who are just looking for a new friend!
* Katy is incorporated in Harris County, with portions in Fort Bend County and Waller County.
You are not
a stranger...
Just a
friend we have not met yet!
PAST PRESIDENTS
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Sally
Hart
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1981-1982
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Lynn
McKillop
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1982-1983
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Paula
Frey
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1983-1984
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Celia
Olson
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1984-1985
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Sharon
Rollins
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1985-1986
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Len
Bunting
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1986-1987
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Nancy
Gregory
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1987-1988
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Ann
Hayden
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1988-1989
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Carol
Bell
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1989-1990
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Carolyn
Neely
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1990-1991
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Liz
Miller
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1991-1992
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Joan
Castleberry
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1992-1993
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Judy
Ferraz
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1993-1994
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Patricia
McNeal
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1994-1995
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Marla
Schoonmaker
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1995-1996
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Debbie
Gault
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1996-1997
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Margaret
Alton
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1997-1998
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Mimi
Skelton
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1998-1999
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Mary
Jones
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1999-2000
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Kris
Barrington
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2000-2001
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Elizabeth
Kay
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2001-2002
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Margaret
Harrington
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2002-2003
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Marsha
Sachs
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2003-2004
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Lee
Scott
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2004-2005
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Sharon
Forlano
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2005-2006
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Jeanette
Elliff
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2006-2007
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Paula
O’Rosky
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2007-2008
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Peggy
Wood
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2008-2009
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Sandra Boyd
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2009-2010
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Gail Grace
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2010-2011
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