Texas Bandmasters Association
Bandmasters Review • April 2016
12
Mike’s Option
Mike offered his home in Sugar Land to the Johnsons
for as long as needed for Pattie to achieve the mobility
and strength needed to return home. Mike has a two
story home and he moved to the second story and turned
the master suite on the bottom floor over to Barry and
Pattie to use. Barry was able, through the help of a high
level hospital administrator, to have Pattie’s outpatient
care transferred to TIRR Memorial Hermann Outpatient
Rehabilitation Hospital in Sugar Land. The Johnson’s daily
schedule centered on at least twice weekly rehab sessions
and continued diagnostic testing with her physician.
During Mike’s visit to the Johnson’s he had stealthily
inquired if they had food allergies. The reason for this
became apparent when Mike’s Ridge Point Band Boosters
began delivering meals to the Johnsons two to three times
per week, always with more than enough food to last until
the next delivery. The use of Mike’s home near the rehab
hospital and the “food train” continued until Pattie was
released on Memorial Day. Pattie’s rehab had helped her
gain strength and mobility so that they could return to
their Village Mills home.
The Band Booster in charge of the food for the Johnsons
was Christy Stephens. On one of the many occasions
that Barry thanked her for all that she was doing, she
replied, “You helped Mike and our band when we needed
it”. Side note – during this time Christy was engaged to
and eventually married one of Barry and Pattie’s former
Woodville students.
I hope you join me in saluting Mike Barnes and the
Ridge Point Band Boosters for their overwhelming support
of Pattie and Barry. What a great example the Ridge Point
people are to their students! To me, this is why I think we
are in the greatest profession with the greatest people and
why band is so important to the lives of our youth.
A Spotlight On . . .
Band Boosters
A Narrative About the Closeness of the Band Community
Gary Green
Featured Clinician
Eric Whitacre
Featured Composer
TBA 2016 Convention/Clinic
San Antonio, Texas
•
July 21-24
Register and secure your housing now!
Photo credit:MarcRoyce
