BONE MARROW DONORS - DKMS AMERICAS

WHAT: Bone Marrow Donor
WHERE: I became a donor at Main Street Books, in St. Charles, Mo. (of all places!)
WHEN: Summer of 2007
WHY: I was doing a book signing there and author Karen Tripp was having one right after me. (She's the author of God Is Bigger Than Your Cancer and God Is Bigger Than Your Grief.)
WHY #2: I don't remember why exactly she was also "hosting" a bone marrow drive during her book signing, but if she hadn't been doing it there, I wouldn't have had such an easy opportunity.
HOW: A simple Q-tip swab inside both sides of your mouth; cheek area.
FINAL RESULT: I hope I can one day help save a life.......Priceless!

http://www.dkmsamericas.org/

* PARKS COLLEGE: PART OF SLU *

I had a wonderful visit today at Parks College, part of St. Louis University, in St. Louis, Missouri. Parks College is a very interesting and important part of the aviation history of the United States.

(I have a special interest in it, because my dad, James Lewellen, attended college there and stayed on to be a professor for approximately 7 years. It was originally located in Cahokia, Illinois, a small town across the river from St. Louis. Mr. Parks bought the land there because it was flat and affordable!)

**Note: April 10, 2009. I inadvertantly forgot to mention and thank Jim Bennett, Class of 1951. I found his name listed on the Parks website, while browsing in the Alumni Board section. I e-mailed Jim, explaining my interest in Parks due to my dad's years there as a student and a professor. He immediately responded and we've e-mailed each other quite a few times. He is the reason I met Susan Bloomfield, by forwarding my inquiries to her. Such kind and thoughtful people....that's what Parks College was all about way back in the beginning years...and still is today in the 21st Century!**

After my visit with Susan Bloomfield (Development Director Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology, Saint Louis University)which included a personal tour of the Parks College Tribute Timeline....she then took me to the University Archives where Randy McGuire was so kind and helpful in digging out yearbooks that might have had some photos or information about my dad. I found a few in the 1952 yearbook....the year he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautics.

**So that's where my son, Mark, acquired his math genes!!**

Please visit their website and learn about Parks College and the graduates who played very important parts in aviation...from WWII on to NASA.  

www.slu.edu 

** NASA Legend From Parks College ** Mr. Kranz (left photo) was played by Ed Harris (smaller photo to the right) in the movie Apollo 13 **

(photo in top features my dad, front row, 2nd from left....the handsome dude with the bow tie!.....in the Student Council photo, 1952, the year he graduated.)

* EXCITING NEW VOLUNTEER PROJECT *

I've just learned about a new program in Habitat for Humanity, St. Charles County division. It's called Divas Building Dreams. It's about we women building the homes!!

The 2009 Divas Building Dreams kick-off breakfast: a complimentary breakfast will be held on Tuesday, April 28th at 7:30am, sponsored by and held at the Columns Banquet Center in St. Charles. The breakfast will include three amazing guest speakers including: Brenda Warner (yes, Mrs. Kurt Warner!), Mayor Pam Fogarty and new Habitat homeowner Wendy Brown. The event will also include attendance prizes and a short video. RSVP is required to attend. Please contact Kelly@habitatstcharles.org by April 20th.

I'll be there! Won't you all please come along and join me? We would make up the best team!

Go to http://www.habitatstcharles.org/ for more info.

* Habitat for Humanity is building much more than houses. By building hope it is building relationships, strengthening communities, and nurturing families. *
— the late Paul Newman, actor, Habitat home builder

QUOTE MY 21 YEAR OLD SON SENT TO ME

"When I was 5 years old, my mom always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.

I wrote down "happy".

They told me I didn’t understand the assignment and I told them they didn’t understand life."

Anonymous

*** Speaking Dates ***

Yesterday afternoon, I gave my first "real" speech concerning my writing. Previously, when I was interviewed on radio and television, I wasn't a bit nervous.....I just opened my mouth and the words flowed out. But, let me tell you, being the guest speaker, in front of an assembly of grade school students had my heart pounding and my hands shaking!

I had assumed I would be standing.....uh....leaning on a podium, with an intact microphone. That way I'd be able to shuffle through my notes and sneak a sip of my bottled water once in a while and feel at ease. That's not exactly what happened, though.

I was given a hand-held microphone and that was it! I asked if there was a podium and the answer was "Sorry, no". I stood there for a moment, envisioning myself fainting, due to the nakedness of just being "out there" with no protection, and toppling over in a heap on the gymnasium floor.

But, then I received a folding chair and an old typewriter table on wheels. I was set! It fit my size just right and I felt totally comfortable. As the children began to file in, I began to feel more at ease, especially when a few of the teachers came up to say hello.

I must say I did alright, because I was able to speak for my alloted time, and the students had tons of questions! I was so pleased about that, because I knew that meant they had been paying attention! The Q & A session even had to be stopped before everyone received a turn because time was running out.

Thanks to Sts. J & A School in St. Charles, Mo. for asking me to speak and I'm looking forward to more speaking engagements.

It looks as if the next one will be at Duchesne High School, in St. Charles, Mo. on Wednesday, April 22, 2009. I'll be speaking to all the English Literature classes about "believing in yourself and your dreams."

A NEW ANTHOLOGY - THIN THREADS!

Introducing a fabulous new anthology, "Thin Threads". I predict great sales for this book and all future ones.

Stacey K. Battat is the President & Director of Inspiration.

Read about submission guidelines and contests by clicking on this link:

http://www.thinthreads.com/

* Don't forget to click on the green arrow to hear the trailer! *

President Obama on Jay Leno

How many of you saw The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night? I was thrilled to watch the very first time a sitting President made an appearance on such a TV program.

President Obama was cool, calm, and charismatic, as always.

Hey Writers! Can we all relate to this?

I received permission from cartoonist, Dave Coverly, to post this hilarious cartoon on my blog. Enjoy!

It was published in the March 1, 2009 edition of Parade Magazine.

Check out Dave's website on http://www.speedbump.com/