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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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1981-1982
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Sally
Hart
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1982-1983
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Lynn
McKillop
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1983-1984
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Paula
Frey
|
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1984-1985
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Celia
Olson
|
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1985-1986
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Sharon
Rollins
|
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1986-1987
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Len
Bunting
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1987-1988
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Nancy
Gregory
|
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1988-1989
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Ann
Hayden
|
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1989-1990
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Carol
Bell
|
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1990-1991
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Carolyn
Neely
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1991-1992
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Liz
Miller
|
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1992-1993
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Joan
Castleberry
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1993-1994
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Judy
(Ferraz) Jardine
|
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1994-1995
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Patricia
McNeal
|
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1995-1996
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Marla
Schoonmaker
|
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1996-1997
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Debbie
Gault
|
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1997-1998
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Margaret
Alton
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1998-1999
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Mimi
Skelton
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1999-2000
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Mary
Jones
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2000-2001
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Kris
Barrington
|
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2001-2002
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Elisabeth
Kay
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2002-2003
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Margaret
Harrington
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2003-2004
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Marsha
Sachs
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2004-2005
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Lee
Scott
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2005-2006
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Sharon
Forlano
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2006-2007
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Jeanette
Elliff
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2007-2008
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Paula
O’Rosky
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2008-2009
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Peggy
Wood
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2009-2010
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Sandra
Boyd
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