Michael:  Why do you think the luncheon was a success?
 Susan Cook:  Because everybody at HARC came forth with wonderful ideas and gave incredible time to making it a wonderful day.  And I cannot say thank you enough to each one of you. Another reason for the success is because of the success of last year's luncheon.  That party set the stage for this year's event, and the number of repeat guest was the base we worked off of this year. And that is thanks in a big way to Grace Ison.  Once again, it was Grace and Don's dear friends who filled a huge number of the tables.  They had such fun that they all came back this year! Another reason is that HARC is getting better known, and as more people learn about us the more we will have come year after year.  Who knows, we just might fill the George Brown Convention Center one day!  Another critical aspect of the success we had is due to the expert advice we had this year from our consultant, Sukey Fenoglio. She is the absolute "Master of the Clock," and timing is a critical part of any event and with Sukey's help, we kept the program moving and the guest were treated to a special event where they learned so much yet had such fun and they were out in a timely fashion.

Paul:  What did you think about Dianne Ackerman's speech?
Susan: I thoroughly enjoyed it. I had a pretty good feel for what she would say because I read her book last summer. But what I really enjoyed was watching the guests listening to her! They were mesmerized by her story and her ability to communicate the life she and her husband led as they traveled the journey through his aphasia.

Paul:  How can the participants and the public help?

Susan: Paul, you are helping so much by just asking that question.  Because of your dedication and desire to help not only yourself but others too is a priceless gift.  Just think of the help and encouragement you give to new participants as they arrive at HARC because you know how they feel, and after being in your presence they will soon see a new day has dawned for them, too. Another way the participants can help is to always have some of the HARC brochures with you wherever you go.  You never know when the opportunity will come up and you can hand them the information about us, and soon the word will spread like wildfire!  As for the way the public can help us is to get the message of HARC every place we possibly can.  Of course, the luncheon was a wonderful place to do that.  There were so many people there as guests of those who purchased tables who really knew very little about HARC, and I know they went away in awe because they clearly understood the mission of HARC after seeing the video and listening to all we had to say.  And then, we hope they will remember us by sending a check!  

Paul:  Based on your experience as a board member, I am curious what new ideas you have for HARC ?

Susan: They are big ideas and lots of them! I must say in my first year on the board, I am very impressed with how well HARC works and the extraordinary success it has had in its very short life.  In just a few short years we are making huge gains in every aspect of the organization.  One thing I would like to see and very soon, is more volunteers.  They are invaluable to the participants as well as the staff.  There is nothing more exciting than a volunteer who has a winning personality and a deep desire to help.  But I really do not think my ideas for HARC are what I would call new.  I just am passionate about seeing us continue to grow and become the absolute finest recovery center anywhere!  And there is no doubt that will happen, and soon, too! 

Author Diane Ackerman, left, and Susan Cook on the day of the luncheon in March.

Michael: Could you give us a preview of next year's luncheon? Who, where, and the speaker?

Susan: The plans are just getting under way, but it is all very exciting at this moment because the next luncheon chair is Kristi Breaux!  She is our wonderful board member who is also the secretary of the board.  It will be Kristi's party, and I want her to tell you all the plans as of this time, but I will tell you that we have now outgrown Houston Country Club after two wonderful events there.  So we will move the luncheon to River Oaks Country Club, where we can seat another 100-plus. That is real progress!  We may be at the Convention Center sooner than we think!

Michael: Tell me about the raffle.

Susan: It is always fun to see who gets the winning ticket and all the excitement that goes with it!  And this year was no exception.  Everybody was thrilled with what they won.  But the hard part is securing really neat items that will draw lots of interest at the raffle table.  And added revenue!  Because we were honoring Coach Guy Lewis from the University of Houston, we had two items that related to his teams, and they were items lots of people would have loved to take home!

Michael:  Many of the guests thought the flowers were beautiful. Where did you get them, and is there a story behind them?

Susan: Oh, Michael, you have touched one of the major loves of my life, flowers!  And yes, there is a story behind them.  I knew exactly what I wanted the ballroom to look like, and last October I set out to see how to make it work. I wanted the party to look like a spring garden.  I went to the head of the horticulture department at Brookwood Community in Brookshire to see if they would grow the geraniums for us.  I had in hand the three colors I wanted to use, and we made a deal for the plants to be ready for the luncheon in March.  I also asked if I could come back several weeks before the luncheon to see how the plants looked.  Well, these people run such a fine business, they called me before I could call them to set a time to go see them!  I was very impressed, and yes, the blossoms on the plants were more than perfect!  Then we sold the plants after the luncheon in order to recoup some of the cost. I bought some of the plants, too, and I look on the patio daily and think of the wonderful time we had at the luncheon and just how very special HARC is to me.