Austin Founder Lions Club upcoming events

All Blind Children of Texas: Creating Opportunities for Children with Vision Loss (10/08/2026)

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 16:45:00 GMT

All Blind Children: Creating Opportunities for Children with Vision Loss

WHEN: Thursday October 8, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Nancy Hefner and Debra Sewell
Introduced by Lion Patti Robinson

All Blind Children of Texas (ABCTX) is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping children and youth in Texas who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired have opportunities to learn, grow, participate, and thrive.

Join us for a look at how ABCTX helps teachers and Orientation & Mobility specialists create meaningful opportunities for their students who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired. Through photos and firsthand accounts from the teachers and specialists who make these experiences possible, we’ll see how ABCTX grants help turn their ideas into hands-on experiences such as summer camps, adaptive sports, independent-living activities, technology, Space Camp, and more. These experiences give young people opportunities to learn, explore, build confidence and independence, and discover what they can accomplish.

About our Speakers:

Nancy Hefner earned a bachelor’s degree in history as well as certifications in Special Education and Visual Impairment from The University of Texas at Austin. For 22 years, she instructed middle and high school students in a variety of subject areas, including braille, assistive technology and social studies courses at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI). She co-authored a self-determination curriculum, published by the TSBVI Curriculum Department.

Now retired, Nancy loves spending time with her grandchildren, serving on her church’s Missions Committee and the ABCTX Board. She is passionate about working with ABCTX because it gives her the chance to help provide educational opportunities that are vital to students with visual impairments.

Debra Sewell has been a teacher of students with visual impairments for over 35 years. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in elementary education and certifications in Early Childhood Education and Visual Impairment. Debra taught in an early childhood classroom in Austin Independent School District and worked at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) for 32 years in various capacities. As the Curriculum Director at TSBVI, she co-authored multiple publications pertaining to the education of students with visual impairment and blindness. Debra is a member of TAER and has received several awards from that organization. Now retired, Debra loves spending time with her family and attending sporting events and theatre performances in which her grandchildren participate. She is thrilled to be serving on the ABCTX Board as it gives her the opportunity to continue to empower students.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

Lions Assemble Parent Care Kits (10/11/2026)

Sun, 11 Oct 2026 19:30:00 GMT

Lions Assemble Parent Care Kits

World of Honey Bees (10/15/2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:45:00 GMT

World of Honey Bees

WHEN: Thursday October 15, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Nona Evans, Co-founder & Beekeeper, Texas Sassy Bees
Introduced by Lion Regina Budet

In World of Honey Bees, we'll explore the fascinating lives of honey bees and discover why these tiny insects have such an enormous impact on our food supply. Together we'll meet the queen, workers, and drones, follow nectar's journey from flower to honey jar, and uncover the remarkable organization that keeps a colony thriving.

Whether you're curious about bees, interested in gardening, or simply love honey, you'll leave with a deeper appreciation for one of nature's most extraordinary communities.

About our Speaker:

After a 30-year career in the food world, Nona Evans co-founded Texas Sassy Bees. She is a passionate advocate for honey bees and pollinator education. Since becoming a beekeeper in 2019, she has enjoyed sharing the wonder of the hive with audiences of all ages. Through Texas Sassy Bees, Nona mentors school bee clubs and beginning beekeepers, offers classes, presentations, and hands-on experiences that help people discover how bees support our food supply, ecosystems, and everyday lives.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

Civil War Chaos in Texas: The Tumultuous Tenure of Governor Pendleton Murrah (10/22/2026)

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:45:00 GMT

Civil War Chaos in Texas: The Tumultuous Tenure of Governor Pendleton Murrah

WHEN: Thursday October 22, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Lori Duran
Introduced by Lion Carl Schock

The Civil War brought on multiple hardships and calamities for Texas. At the very end of the war, civil government and military leadership dissolved. The governor of Texas was dying of tuberculosis but he was concerned about getting tried for treason so he exiled himself to Mexico. That’s when battle-hardened and underpaid ex-soldiers robbed the Texas treasury in a violent and bloody shoot-out. It was a treacherous and tumultuous time in Texas history.

About our Speaker:

With an educational background in history Lori Duran investigates and writes about stories of past events and people. This has been her life-long passion. Duran has served on the board of directors at the Austin History Center Association for both the Oral Histories and Social Media committees. She is a dedicated alumna after getting her master’s degree from the University of Texas in 1986. In her spare time, she actively participates in local history focused organizations. Duran also writes free-lance magazine articles and books about Texas history such as, Austin’s Travis Heights Neighborhood and the University of Texas at Austin: The First One Hundred Years. Her latest book entitled “Civil War Chaos in Texas: The Tumultuous Tenure of Governor Pendleton Murrah” describes, from a variety of first person and secondary sources, the difficult Civil War experiences for Texans and its governor especially at the end of the war.

For more information or if you want to follow her you can at:

Web page = www.loriduran.com

Facebook: facebook.com/lori.duran.12

Instagram: Instagram.com/loriduran

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

No Meeting: Rose Day Fundraiser (10/29/2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 16:45:00 GMT

No Meeting: Rose Day Fundraiser

WHEN: Thursday October 29, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Judge Elisabeth Earle (11/12/2026)

Thu, 12 Nov 2026 17:45:00 GMT

Judge Elisabeth Earle

WHEN: Thursday November 12, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Judge Elisabeth Earle
Introduced by Lion Jack Pierce

Judge Elisabeth Earle will reflect on her career as a prosecutor and judge, and will discuss restorative justice and issues pertaining to the criminal court system in Austin.

About our Speaker:

Judge Elisabeth Earle was born and raised in Austin, Texas, earning a BA degree from the University of Texas while employed at the State Bar of Texas. In 1990, she moved to London, England, and worked for an American law firm, Gibson Dunn & Crutcher. After returning to Austin, Judge Earle worked for the Texas Senate Jurisprudence Committee and the Criminal Justice Division of the Texas Governor's Office. These experiences reinforced her decision to study the law, so she moved to San Antonio, Texas, to attend St. Mary's University School of Law and receiving the National Association of Women Lawyers’ Award.

Judge Earle began her legal career as a prosecutor with the Travis County Attorney's Office where she focused her attention on prosecuting domestic violence cases, receiving recognition from the Austin Police Department’s Victim Services Division. In 1998, she was appointed Municipal Court Judge for the City of Austin and, in 1999, was named the first Presiding Judge of the Downtown Austin Community Court, receiving the Community Collaboration Award. In 2002, Judge Earle successfully won her election to the County Court at Law bench. In addition to presiding over her daily docket, Judge Earle founded the Travis County DWI Court and continues to be the Presiding Judge, furthering the Court’s mission to enhance public safety through providing an intensive, judicially supervised program of team-based counseling, treatment, and supervision to alcohol/substance abuse dependent DWI offenders. In 2011, Judge Earle was voted by her peers to serve as the Travis County Local Administrative Statutory County Court at Law Judge and continues to serve in that role.

Judge Earle frequently speaks on community and restorative justice issues and is often asked to share her vision for using courts to deliver justice to offenders, while simultaneously developing within them a sense of community responsibility and commitment to self-reform. Judge Earle uses her courtroom to change lives and prevent repeat offenses -- all to the benefit of offenders, victims, and taxpayers alike. Judge Earle’s efforts have been viewed by some as the most innovative in the field. She has been awarded the Austin Under 40 Award for Government, the Toastmasters International Award for outstanding service, and honored by her peers, receiving the Austin Young Lawyers Association Outstanding Young Lawyer Award and the Outstanding Alumni Award. In addition, Judge Earle received the Travis County Women Lawyers’ Pathfinder’s Award recognized for being a role model and pioneer, shattering stereotypes and blazing trails for female attorneys.

In appreciation of her dedication to smart-on-crime policies during the Texas State Legislative session, Judge Earle received the DWI Court Advocate Award from the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition. Judge Earle was recognized in Washington D.C. and awarded the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) National President’s Award for Criminal Justice for her role in the implementation of DWI courts nationally. She received the prestigious 2015 MADD Outstanding Judiciary Service Award and was recognized in 2019 at the annual MADD Recognition Luncheon receiving the MADD Outstanding Jurist Award. In addition, Judge Earle was asked by the Texas Indigent Defense Commission to present at the 15th Anniversary Symposium commemorating the signing of the Fair Defense Act.

Judge Earle has given her time to the State Bar of Texas Judicial Section by serving on the board since 2017 and elected Chair in 2021. She also served as a liaison to the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors and the Texas Bar Foundation. In addition, Judge Earle has served the Texas Center for the Judiciary on the Budget Committee for the Third Administrative Judicial Region; as Secretary for the Texas Association of County Court Judges; and on the DWI Curriculum Committee.

In 2023, Judge Earle was selected to serve as a Board of Trustee of the Texas Bar Foundation. In addition to her service to the bar, Judge Earle serves on the MADD Central Texas Board, and The Responsibilty.org Judicial Advisory Board, because of her nationally recognized commitment to innovative practice and programs that not only reduce recidivism but, simultaneously, save and change countless lives.

Judge Earle’s involvement in the legal community extends nationally, serving as Director and Treasurer in the National Association of Women Judges. She has volunteered her time as the point person for the “Color of Justice” program and recognized for her participation in the 25th anniversary celebration of the International Association of Women Judges. She is a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow and a Master in the Lloyd Lochridge Chapter of the American Inns of Court and currently serves on the Executive Committee and the immediate Past President. Judge Earle has served as President of the Austin Bar Association, President of the Austin Bar Foundation Board, and President of the Austin Young Lawyers Association. She has also volunteered and served on many other boards, including being a graduate and past member of the Leadership Austin Board of Directors, the Lola Wright Foundation Board, the Texas Young Lawyers Association, the Salvation Army, Community Action Network Resource Council, and Volunteer Legal Services of Austin.

Judge Earle is married to Jeffrey Clark, President and CEO of the Advanced Power Alliance, they are the proud parents of two daughters, one a graduate from the University of Texas at Austin and 2024 graduate from Baylor Law currently practicing law in Austin Texas. The younger daughter, a 2023 graduate from Texas A&M University in College Station and currently a third-year law student at South Texas College of Law in Houston.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest (11/19/2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 17:45:00 GMT

Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest

WHEN: Thursday November 19, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Lion Ann Teich

This presentation by Lion Ann Teich will highlight the Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest. The Peace Poster Contest is a yearly program to inspire young people to showcase their talent, and to have them share their visions of peace.

About our Speaker:

Ann Hardeman Teich has lived in Austin since 1963 and graduated from Lanier High School in 1970 and Southwestern University in 1974. She attended graduate school in curriculum and instruction at the University of Texas at Austin from 1974-1980. Ann was an Austin ISD middle school English Language Arts teacher for 27 years at Porter Middle School (now the site of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders) and subbed in Austin ISD for 7 years after retiring from full time teaching. She served two terms as an Austin ISD Trustee from 2012-2020, representing District 3 (the Lanier/Navarro Vertical Team) in North Central Austin and also served on the Austin Planning Commission as an ex officio member during that time. She was trained in community organizing by the Industrial Areas Foundation in the 1980s and has served as an officer with the North Austin Civic Association. Ann is currently a community advocate for the Rundberg area of North Central Austin and is a member of the Coalition of North Austin Neighborhoods and the Rundberg Alliance. Ann is married to Randy Teich, Reagan Class of 1971. They have a daughter Lilly, an occupational therapist (McCallum Class of 2003), who has two sons and a son Alex, a CPA (McCallum Class of 2005), who has two daughters, all of whom attend or will attend Austin ISD schools. She has been a member of the Austin Founder Lions Club since 2014.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey, Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

No Meeting: Thanksgiving (11/26/2026)

Thu, 26 Nov 2026 17:45:00 GMT

No Meeting: Thanksgiving

WHEN: Thursday November 26, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

The Long Game: What Keeps Restaurants Alive and Well in Communities (12/03/2026)

Thu, 03 Dec 2026 17:45:00 GMT

The Long Game: What Keeps Restaurants Alive & Well in Communities

WHEN: Thursday December 3, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Chef Jack Gilmour
Introduced by Lion Gaylord Armstrong

Austin's restaurant scene has one of the highest churn rates in the country, with new concepts opening and closing constantly. Jack Gilmore has managed to do the opposite. This year, Jack Allen's Kitchen celebrates 16 years and 6 locations, Salt Traders Coastal Cooking marks 10 years and 2 locations, and his newest concept, Day Maker Half Day Cafe, just passed year two - with Salt Traders and Day Maker both adding new locations in Cedar Park/Leander in mid-2027. Three concepts, three different formats, all still standing and still growing in one of the most competitive restaurant markets in the country.

In this presentation, Jack shares candid, operational lessons from nearly two decades in the business: staffing, real estate, menu economics, what he'd do differently, and what's non-negotiable. It's a practical look at what actually separates a restaurant that survives from one that doesn't. And what convinces an owner to keep building rather than sit still.

About our Speaker:

Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Chef Jack Gilmore is known for his bold, Gulf Coast-inspired cooking and a hospitality style that makes every guest feel like family. Since opening the first Jack Allen's Kitchen in 2009, he's grown the concept to six locations, released the cookbook Jack Allen's Kitchen: Celebrating the Taste of Texas, and cooked at the James Beard House in 2012. He later launched Salt Traders Coastal Cooking (2017, expanded 2019) and Day Maker Half Day Café, his newest concept. Since 2009, Jack and his restaurants have donated over $1 million to local causes, including the Lone Star Paralysis Foundation, Coastal Conservation Association, and Central Texas Food Bank. Today, he leads nearly 600 employees across all three concepts - building not just restaurants, but a family rooted in hospitality and community.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

LCIF: Lions Club International Foundation (12/10/2026)

Thu, 10 Dec 2026 17:45:00 GMT

Lions Club International Foundation

WHEN: Thursday December 10, 2026 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Tina Byram
Introduced by Lion Ann Ward

About our Speaker: more information coming soon

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

Lions Club Holiday Party (12/17/2026)

Thu, 17 Dec 2026 17:30:00 GMT

Lions Club Holiday Party
Thursday December 17, 2026
11:30 am to 2:30 pm

Casa Chapala Mexican Restaurant
9041 Research Blvd, #100, Austin, 78759

Austin Founder Lions will gather at Casa Chapala Mexican Restaurant for the annual Holiday Party. Enjoy a delicious fajita and enchilada buffet. Vegetarian options will be available. Come join us for a festive time of food and fellowship. There will also be some new members inducted into the club so please come.

ITENERARY

11:30: Meet and Mingle, cash bar
12:00: Blue Santa (selfie opportunities)
12:10: New Member Induction
12:30: Buffet meal
1:15: Game #1 Two Truths and a Lie
1:45: Game #2 Member Profile
2:15. Happy Holidays, drive safely

Cost for the party is $25 per person.
Guests are welcome!
Please register before noon on Thursday Dec. 11.

Michael Barnes (01/14/2027)

Thu, 14 Jan 2027 17:45:00 GMT

Michael Barnes

WHEN: Thursday January 14, 2027 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Michael Barnes
Introduced by Lion Carl Schock

About our Speaker: more information coming soon

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

Through Many Dangers: A True Tale of the 1905 Pistol-Packing Preacher (02/04/2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 17:45:00 GMT

Through Many Dangers: A True Tale of the 1905 Pistol-Packing Preacher

WHEN: Thursday February 4, 2027 11:45 AM - 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Thomas Goodman
Introduced by Lion Henry Welles

Come revisit 1905 East Texas, where a young Methodist preacher arrives to lead a church—and finds himself drawn into a war for the soul of a town.

About our Speaker:

Thomas Goodman is a Spur Award–winning author of historical novels rooted in the grit and grace of turn-of-the-century Texas. He is a pastor with handgun training, though not yet a pistol-packing preacher. He married his high school sweetheart, Diane, and they have two adult sons. When time allows, he enjoys fly fishing, scuba diving, and puttering around his woodworking shop. Learn more about his books and sign up for his monthly newsletter at ThomasGoodmanWrites.com.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

A Second Chance at Life: My Heart Transplant Journey and the Gift of Organ Donation (02/11/2027)

Thu, 11 Feb 2027 17:45:00 GMT

A Second Chance at Life: My Heart Transplant Journey and the Gift of Organ Donation

WHEN: Thursday February 11, 2027 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Bob DeWitt
Introduced by Lion Jean McArthur

Bob has spent his life pushing his limits—from surfing and Ironman racing to 50-mile ultramarathons. But none of those experiences prepared him for the day when his own heart began to fail.

In this deeply personal and inspiring talk, Bob takes you inside his journey from amateur endurance athlete to heart transplant recipient—and the difficult road back. Along the way, he shares lessons about resilience, gratitude, perspective, and the remarkable gift of organ donation.

His message is simple: sometimes life’s greatest setbacks can reveal what matters most—and a second chance can change everything.

About our Speaker:

Bob DeWitt is a heart transplant recipient, Ironman triathlete, and inspirational speaker based in Austin, Texas. He spent more than 30 years in business, including 18 years in sales and management with Apple and Dell, where he was recognized nationally six times for his individual and team accomplishments. He later transitioned into wealth management, earning his Certified Investment Management Analyst designation through Wharton.

A lifelong competitor, Bob surfed for UC Santa Barbara in college, completed 14 Ironman triathlons—including the Hawaiian Ironman twice—and ran six 50-mile ultramarathons. Today, after a life-saving heart transplant, he shares his story of resilience, gratitude, and the extraordinary gift of organ donation.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!

If Plants Could Talk (03/18/2027)

Thu, 18 Mar 2027 16:45:00 GMT

If Plants Could Talk

WHEN: Thursday March 18, 2027 11:45 AM - 1:00 pm

WHERE: Austin State Hospital

4110 Guadalupe Street, Austin TX

Building 626 [map]

Reeve Hobbie
Introduced by Lion Rudy Munguia

If Plants Could Talk is a “just for fun” presentation where Reeve will reveal aspects of Texas plants you probably never knew. He has a wonderful collection of award-winning slides. From our tiniest grasses to our majestic trees, Reeve will dispel some old myths and share some interesting and often historical or botanical facts about them. Examples: Did you know that one of our favorite spring wildflowers is a parasite? Or that a native tree offers an alternative source of caffeine? You'll just want to hear firsthand what all the Texas plants have to share.

About our Speaker:

Reeve Hobbie was born and raised in New Jersey where he began gardening in his early teens and has been doing so ever since. After college he spent two years in England and three years in Minnesota. Then he and his family moved to northwest Austin where they have lived for the past 43 years. He retired from 3M Company 19 years ago. Almost immediately he went to Master Gardener training and received his certification from Travis County AgriLife Extension Services. He served as a Master Gardener for 12 years.

Lunch is available for $15.00 Please register so we know how much to order.

Assorted sandwiches: Turkey & Gruyere; Turkey & Provolone; Roast Beef and Swiss; Smoked Ham & Swiss; Curried Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad
Sandwich with Gluten Free Bread (Turkey & Provolone and/or Smoked Ham & Swiss).
Chef Salad with ham & turkey or Greek Salad (vegetarian)

All sandwiches come with lettuce and tomato. Mustard and mayo on the side.

Please register by 5 p.m. on Tuesday

We order meals based on your reservations and must pay for them even if you do not show up.
If you need to change or cancel your reservation, please call 512-441-1555.

Drive slowly on Campus!