| Summary: | The Texican, staff newsletter of the Institute of Texan Cultures, 1984-1997. The Texican Vol. 2, No.2 The Rest of the Story by Ron Dodson Alliance Member Most of you have learned the story of Lt. Benjamin Foulois through the Reacli for tlie Sky: Avi~tiol1 ill Texas exhibit. To refresh your memory, FoulOiS successfully completed the first flight by a military pilot in a plane owned by the army, a Wright Model A biplane, on March 2, 1910, at Fort Sam Houston. He circled the field six times, landed, then made several more flights. On his last flight of the day a fuel line broke, and the plane crashed from 40 feet up. Lt. Foulois wasn't hurt, but the incident resulted in his inventing a gadget that is Widely used today-the seat belt. The story of Lt. Foulois as told in Reacli for tlie s~y ends here, but the young aviator's military career did not. After many more years of military service, he attained the rank of major general and was appointed as Chief of the Air Corps in 1931. Gen. Foulois retired in 1935. February 1986 Sunday, January 11, was an afternoon of creativity as cliildun gatliered in tlie Lower Gal/cry to try tlicir liand at designing aircraft nose art during tlie "111 Fly Away: Images of Aviation" public program. Willi docents and staff to lielp tliem, tlie youngslm created an amazing variely of insignia during llie lfircc·liour worhliop. Tliey made llicir deSigns by combining one of lliree sliapes as a baciground willi one of len imagCl ranging from a roaring lion to a proud cagle. To complele llicir deSigns, tlie cliildren cliose Off( of two scroll images willi room for a slogan. Tlie most popular image was tlial of Hal/ey 's Come/. Tlie no:t pUblic program is February 16. "AI Home in tlie Sky: Tlie People wlio Fly," from 1 10 5 p.m., indudes activilies for adul/s and clii/dun. We'll pick his story back up on April 25, 1967, the day Gen. Foulois died. He was buried in a small cemetery behind a Gothic-style church in Washingt~n, Connecticut. Conducting the military funeral servICe on the bitterly cold day was a U.S. Air Force chaplain from Westover Air Force Base. Only two family members attended the service, a niece and a nephew who hadn't spoken to each other for years. To avoid any animosity at the burial, the chaplain had two United States flags folded and presented, one to each relative. . The chaplain who preSided at that bUrial servICe was Ro6ert Holdt, who is now retired and living in San Antonio. What makes the story so fascinating is that Holdt is a member of The Institute's Alliance. As a tour gUide, Holdt leads groups of children on tours of the exhibit floor with a shepherd's crook. He spends two mornings a week as an interpreter in the Indian tipi and is also a qualified interpreter in the spinning and weaving area. And, as radio commentator Paul Harvey would say, now you know "the rest of the story:' . Emp/oyw who mdvfd b 10' , and 15·ytar pill!. (Not pi(/lIrtd art Jac~ Kidty and Gforgf Jaco6s who a/so rmivfd ~v(·y(ar pins.) Deserving of Merit The number of merit steps recommended for Institute employees always exceeds the number that can be awarded, and this year was no exception. "There are very deserving employees that we were not able to recognize this year,' explains Jolin MCGiffert. Merit raises aren't designed to meet the financial needs of the employees. Rather they are awarded to employees, "who, by their exceptional job performances, really deserve merit;' John says, adding "and there are so many more who deserve it:' The Institute, along with all state agencies, is limited by the legislative Appropriation Bill to one merit increase for every two employees. Each agency also has to create its own budget and, as John puts it, "it isn't so easy:' "Every time you do this, you increase next year's costs dramatically;' John says. "This is a very expensive process, yet I think it's one of the most important things I do in the year:' A total of 59.5 merit increases were awarded for 49 employees, which translates to an additional $14,949 in salaries in the remaining nine months of the fiscal year, according to Clierryl Wester6urg. Each step increase is about a H percent salary increase, Cherryl says. The 59.5 merit steps awarded this year compare with 44 steps last year and 33 steps two years ago. John qUickly points out that it isn't because "we're more wealthy;' but rather that a greater variety of funds have been utilized to accommodate the recommended merit increases. These employees received merit increases effective December 1, 1985: Gloria Y6arra, Sliaron Parker, Gigi McKee, Sliirley Lopez, Gloria Downing, Minnie Collilts, Patricia Gamez, Savory Locke, Dan Cliristian, Bill Butigan, Bill Ward, Lyn Maupin, Jewel Henderson, Sliaron Kielty, Beverly Hidy, Gerarda Voisine, Clare Bass, Tom Slielton, Susan Harwell, Anita Arecliiga, Celeste Mansanarez, William Hamilton, Raymultdo Garcia, Harold Denkins, Matias Ramos, Salvador Guitron, Rupert Garcia, Martin Samz, Micliele ''Mimi'' (Bunting) Ross, Cliarlene Blolim, Jim .Fox, Pat Slielton, Mary Burcliell, Micliael Affliolter, Gerald POYo, Sylvia Reyes, Mary Lou Ellis, Lormzo '1unior" Galvan, Rogelio "Roger" U6alle, Catliy Everliart, Joan Keate, De66ie Salas, Jim Cosgrove, Saltde Carr, Ricliard Peiia,. Mereditli Rees, Jimmy Smitli, Sandy Brown, and Toni Martinez. Also effective December 1, 1985, the follOWing Institute positions were reclassified: Anna Arecliiga, Secretary I/Computer Operator I; Clare Bass, Library Assistant II; Marianna Blase, Secretary II; and Tom Wadlington, Exhibit Fabricator II. Another group of Institute employees received a special honor at the Christmas party Dec 18, 1Wenty employees received longevity pins recognizing their many years of service to The Institute, Receiving black Five-Year pins were: Sande Carr, Patricia Gamez, Jewel Henderson, Lyn Maupin, Effie Blandin, Gloria Y6arra, B06 Fitts, Darrell Lam6ert, George Ja(06s, jack Kielty, De66y Large, Grace Wliite, Mary Lou Ellis and De66ie Salas. Linda Lea received her pin before her departure for Dallas. Receiving green Ten;Year pins were: Clare Bass and Sal Guitron. And deserving of special recognition are the recipients of the red Fifteen-Year pins: Minnie CollillS, JO Ann Andera, Naty Rodriguez and David Haynes. T-Bone for Texas The stately bovine who graces our front entrance-and who gave new insight into taking the steps from the Lower Gallery to the exhibit floorwas named "T-Bone" by voice vote, applause and whistles at the staff Christmas party Dec. 18, Judges Tom Guderjan, Sally WisKemann and JacK "Coyote" Kielty, originator of the name-the-steer contest, selected the top five names for the longhorn: "T-Bone;' "Old Blue;' "Charlie;' "Duke" and "Thmbleweed:' It was Marianne Malouf who hitched onto the name of T-Bone; it just "popped" into her head one day, she says. "T-Bone sounded like a Texas kind of thing; T-Bone steaks are Texas:' The name is really "fun;' yet it sounds sort of "tough" like an old steer might be, she explains. Marianne says she was more interested in being able to say, "Hey, I named him!" than in winning the 125 gift certificate. When awarded the prize for selecting the winning brand, she relinquished it to second runner-up Beverly Hidy. Beverly's entry, Old Blue, ran a close second to T-Bone in the exciting conclusion to the contest. Bev says she learned about old Blue at a San Antonio Conservation Society meeting. Her entry blank reads: "During the long cattle drives north it was common practice to have a lead steer. This animal was leader of the herd. He was always out in front, keeping the herd moving, helping to calm the others and finding water (by smell) when necessary. The most famous lead steer was charles Goodnight's Old Blue. "old Blue worked the herds up the trails for eight years. Mr. Goodnight retired him to pasture (rather than the slaughterhouse) for his faithful service:' There were 65 entries submitted In the contest by 31 employees. Duke was the most popular name with five entries, followed by Spot with four. Anyone with ideas for another newsletter contest- other than a name-the-snackbar contest as one employee suggested-is welcome to call Charlene at Ext. 235. CONGRATULATIONS Best wishes to Michele ''Mimi'' (Bunting) Ross, who wed David Wesley Ross on January 18 In San Antonio. The somewhat nervous bride-to-be was posting hourly notices of the number of hours to go for two weeks before the event. * * * * Congratulations to Darrell Lam6ert who returned to work January 2. Welcome back, Darrell! * * * * Jean Browning was shOWing off a cute bundle during the Christmas holidays-her new granddaughter, Jessica Renee, born December 21, at 1:44 a.m. to be precise. Tipping the scales at 4 pounds, 5% ounces, her first grandchild is "gorgeous;' she says. * * * * Raa Hourmanesh and wife Cheryl had a daughter, Karimah, on December 21. The J-pound, 14-ounce Christmas bundle of joy is the couple's first child. Sally Wiskemaml and staff from the Alliance Office report that the largest-ever class of new volunteer exhibit floor tour gUides attended the recent training seSSion, with 43 new docents present. In addition, 15 outreach docents and three other volunteers regiStered for the class and will now be able to lead adult and student tour groups. * * * * Many thanks to the Christmas party committee for organizing a great holiday event. Members included: Jerry Poyo, Clare Bass, Dan Olris/ian, Bevaly Hidy, Sandra Taschner, Tom Wadlillgtoll, Jim Fox, Marialllla Blase, Mimi (Blllltil1g) Ross, Jewel Hendersol1, Gloria Villallueva, Jean Benavides, Celeste Mal15al1ara:, Charlare Blohm and Dal1 Lol1a. JO Alln Alldera and Joal1 Keate deserve a special round of applause for organizing a great event. Thanks, also, to Buddy Pliifer and Jolill McGiffer/ for the delicious smoked turkey surprises. . * * * * And congratulations to Bill Ward who was recently appointed Institute Safety Officer. In addition to his responsibilities as Supervisor of Audiovisual Services, Bill also will be responsible for fulfilling the reqUirements of the Hazardous Communications Act. His first task will be to compile lists of the dangerous chemicals found in the bUilding. A list will be posted in each work area describing the "do's and don'ts" of working with the chemicals, first aid procedures to follow in the event of an emergency, and other pertinent information. Bill will also handle employee questions about the lists. NEWS NOTES "Thanks to you, it works . . the United Way!" Hugli Moore reports United Way contributions were up about 5 percent over last year. Although employee participation dropped about 3 percent, donations increased h70.42 to a total of 13>772.64. The change can be attributed to larger average gifts, increasing from 134.64 last year to 138.89 this year. Also the number of employees offering their "fair share" increased from seven to nine. United Way gifts help more than 70 agenCies in the Bexar County area. * * * * please welcome new 19-hour Guard Lamont Burt. Lamont works primarily evenings and weekends, hours that fit into his busy schedule as a student. 1 I Introducing . Muritn( Dotson Tmt Wdlons MURLENE DOTSON It didn't take Murlene Dotson long to learn the intricacies of the Institute switchboard-she already knew many of the employees' extensions because she's worked here before. In 1981, when she was known as Murlene Ross, she worked as a secretary and switchboard operator. She left The Institute to marry Virgil Dotson and moved to Austin for a short time. The couple now has two children, Quinton, 3 years old, and Andrea, 16 months, and Murlene says she was definitely ready to come back to work. Since so many employees have the same extension numbers that they did in 1981, she immediately felt "at home and comfortable" her first day back amidst all the familiar faces. Along with answering the constantly ringing telephone, Murlene is assisting with some work in the Personnel Office whenever possible. TERENCE "TERRE" WELLONS Terre Wellons is a "rock guitarist, songwriter and, on rare occasions, a vocalist;' in addition to being The Institute's new Warehouse Worker 1. Terre started his new job January 2. During lunch break he works on his latest novel, and after work he continues writing his other novels and short stories. He also adds to his three-volume, 12o-song collection of music. The rock 'n' roll lyrics reflect his interest in religion, politics, morality and the individual. Terre has traveled extenSively in the United States and Europe, including a road trip with the band "Shadow .Play:' During his six years' service in the U.S. Army, Terre was stationed in Korea and visited Japan twice. His fascination with the history and culture of Japan is also expressed in some of his lyrics. Terre is now rehearSing with a new band, "Wolverine;' and hopes the band can determine Mary La Copdand its own musical identity and begin performing soon. He hopes to have two of his short stories published by mid-summer. MARY LEE COPELAND After earning a bachelor of arts degree in English from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, Mary Lee Copeland continued her education by doing special graduate work in film history, criticism and theory at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. She has worked as a production manager, set designer, assistant camera operator, producer, director and professional actress to gain the experience needed to become The Institute's new Director of Audiovisual production on December 27. She praises the high quality of The Institute's productions and is enthusiastic about completing others, such as the study gUide for the Sym60ls of Texas slide show. She is confident that her background in producing commercials, industrial videos and art films will help her prepare a product that communicates clearly. Wedding bells will ring this fall when she marries fiance Albert Cantara. And Many Morel February may be the shortest month of the year, but we'll be singing many choruses of "Happy Birthday" this month: Tom Wadlington, Fabrication, February 5; Mel Sance, Research, February 8; Emilio Mora Jr., Fabrication, February 8; Arthur Ruiz, Art, February 18; Sandra Merrifield, Educational Programs, February 24. March roars in like a lion and brings with it the following birthdays: Michele "Mimi" (Bunting) Ross, Development, March 8; Michael Affholter, Educational Programs, March 9; David Moya, Fabrication, March 26; Murlene Dotson, Switchboard, March 28.
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