When we interviewed with Yvonne Streit, the founder of Brookwood and mother of Vicki, her daughter with disabilities, Yvonne asked my wife, Andrea, many questions and I think Yvonne was quite impressed with her answers. She then looked over at me and said “What can you do?” I almost told her I could fix televisions, thinking that the INN, where the first Citizens were going to live, would have televisions but instead said “I would do anything asked” (I am glad I did not tell her I could fix TVs because later she said she hoped there would not be TVs at Brookwood but rather a robust and busy activities program). I had worked at Camp Longhorn up in the Hill Country as Boys Camp Director and I immediately told Yvonne about all these “outrageous activities” we did at camp. I could tell by her look these activities would not be suitable for the Citizens at Brookwood so I just made up a fun activity and exercise which included BIKE RIDING and told her of the benefits of riding bikes. It must have “caught her attention” because she smiled and went back to my wife to discuss child development.

After the interview, Andrea and I walked to our car and she said how much she would really like to work at Brookwood. In my mind though I was sure I ruined the interview with my silly answers so I rushed back inside and asked to see Mrs. Streit for just a moment. I told her I could drive a bus (there was an old bus in the driveway that brought the Citizens to Brookwood from Briarwood School) and I could start up a BIKE CLUB. I would have never imagined I would get the job and be driving buses for 34 years, but even more I could have never imagined we would have over 100 bikes: 2 wheels, 3 wheels, tandem, side by side, crank bikes, and now a tandem with a three wheel back section. We also have a new first class Bike Pavilion that rivals any building I have ever seen to store over 100 bikes with Yvonne Streit’s input and approval!!