By Sharon Wisch-Ray

I am enjoying hearing from so many Fort Worth folks on an ongoing basis. Debby Rice was kind enough to alert me to the recent honor received by Harriette and Arnie Gachman by Baylor All Saints Medical Center. The Gachmans received the Elizabeth B. and W.A. Moncrief Sr. Award during the April 23 Heritage Awards Dinner at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel,

I’m told there was a wonderful turnout of ourtowners. The good folks at the All Saints Health Foundation, president Mike McMahon and Raquel Alafa, were kind enough to share the program notes with our readers who were unable to attend the event.
“Arnie and Harriette Gachman are steadfast friends of the Fort Worth community and Baylor All Saints Medical Center. Their families share a deep history of giving back, and each member contributes to that legacy. Even as a university student, Arnie assumed an early role in the family metals business, working in sales and documentation.
“In 1969, Arnie became general manager for Gachman Metals. He was named president in 1974 and purchased the business in 1986. Today, his son Iric has assumed the role of president, and with great pleasure, they work together daily.
“Arnie has served as a past national president of the Institute of Recycling Industries and as a board member for the Texas Cast Metal Association and the Recycling Council of Texas. He has also chaired the Metal Theft Advisory Committee for the Texas Department of Public Safety.
“Harriette returned to school after the birth of their two children to earn a degree in interior design. She is a professional member of ASID, the American Society of Interior Design, and has operated her own design firm for over 30 years.
“As a young child, Harriette moved to Shreveport so her family could oversee one of their clothing ventures. In those formative years, Harriette remembers learning the basics about fabrics as well as her parent’s hospitality for Friday night dinners. A true friend with a sincere interest in helping others, Harriette maintains some of those childhood friendships to this day.
“Arnie and Harriette have a son, a daughter and four grandchildren. Iric is married to Susan, and their children are Lexie, 14 and Jordan, 11. They reside in Dallas. Lesha is married to John Carlson, and their children are Ben, 12, and Gabbi, 7. They recently moved to San Antonio. John is currently overseeing the 7th Street bridge project in Fort Worth.
“As the third generation of Gachmans in Fort Worth, Arnie and Harriette lead by example and endorse a lifestyle of giving back to the community. In addition to their generous philanthropic support of the Joan Katz Breast Center and Baylor All Saints Medical Center, they also contribute their time, energy and expertise to local organizations including: UNT Health Science Center, TCU, Beth-El Congregation, Jewish Federation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Club, Jewel Charity and the Fort Worth Club to name a few.
“Baylor All Saints Medical Center is so pleased that Arnie and Harriette have allowed the foundation to honor them and publicly recognize their commitment to healthcare philanthropy. This hospital would not be the place it is today without the innate kindness and inherent generosity the Gachmans have bestowed. Their passion to help others has improved the journey for countless patients and families. All Saints Health Foundation extends its most sincere thanks to Arnie and Harriette for their trust and belief in the mission of Baylor All Saints Medical Center.
“Elizabeth and W. A. “Monty” Moncrief Sr. … set the highest standard for philanthropy, and it is in tribute to them that All Saints Health Foundation bestows an award bearing their name. The Elizabeth B. and W.A. Moncrief Sr. Award is given to a lay person whose life has been devoted to improving healthcare in our community through philanthropic support.
Previous winners of the award are:
1999: Anna Belle P. Thomas
2000: Mr. and Mrs. John P. Ryan
2001: Whitfield Collins
2002: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Faxel
2003: Martha Sue Parr
2004: Mr. and Mrs. Ted Webb
2005: Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Martin
2007: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Andrews
2008: Raymond B. Kelly, III
2009: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Turrella
2010: Mr. and Mrs. Dick Lowe
2011: Mr. and Mrs. Walker Friedman
2012: Mary Leonard
Among those serving on the host committee were Barbara and Morty Herman, Joan and Howard Katz, Michael and Etta Korenman, Marilyn and Jack Rubin and Allen and Elaine Schuster. Beth-El Congregation Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger delivered the invocation.
Congrats to the Gachman family.

Some funny money at JFS

Hedy Collins who heads up Jewish Family Services’ senior program reported on JFS’ annual “Funny Money” store at the end of last month.

For a few months every year, the participating seniors earn “funny money” for winning at card games and bingo, and participating in exercise classes. They get to spend the earned bucks at a one-day sale that includes toilet paper, paper towels, detergent, postage stamps (thanks to the generosity of the Sol and Annette Taylor Fund) along with new merchandise. There are also chachkes donated by the community.
It is a very hectic sale, with lots of fun and laughter. Hedy wanted me to be sure and thank Kim Marks, Robin Stein, Gail Berlin, Judi Massis Leventhal and Joyce Dooley. Added kudos to Maiu Ling and Marty Smith for shopping, preparing, keeping the crowd from getting too rowdy and for being their “village.”

Mortarboards in the air

Brian Lovelace, son of Marsha and Tim Lovelace, is soon to be a Razorback when he heads to the University of Arkansas in the fall. He will graduate from Aledo High School June 5 at TCU’s Daniel Meyer Coliseum. Brian is the grandson of Sonya and the late Mitch Stenzler of Fort Worth.

Keep that news coming

I love to hear from our readers. For next week’s column, I already have an update from Julian Haber on the JWV’s upcoming activities and news from Holly Clegg on her newest installment of the Trim & Terrific cookbook series, “Eating Well to Fight Arthritis.”
Keep the news coming. You can reach me at sharonw@texasjewishpost.com, 817-927-2831 or 7920 Belt Line Road, Suite 680, Dallas, TX 75254.