Wisdom in Their Own Words

A Star Studded, ... Sold-out Event

On Monday November 17, 2008 Meals on Wheels and More honored their clients featured in the documentary

Wisdom In Their Own Words with a premiere at the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum.

The stars of the show really seemed to enjoy their time in the spotlight.  One memorable moment was seeing their faces beam with joy as they were wheeled down the red carpet.  After the showing of the documentary, Mrs. Brown proclaimed that she couldn't wait to tell her daughter that she was in a movie!  Overall the event was a success.

A huge thank you the event sponsors:

Platinum
Time Warner Cable
Dan Rather
Texas Crew

Gold
Winstead P.C.
Valley Services, Inc.
Texas Capital Bank
Service Group
Austin Film Festival
Fosforus

Silver
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum
Judy Kostura


Bronze
Joel & Beverly Seffel
Dr. Namkee Choi
Rebecca Pokluda- Kidworks
Cynthia's Manhattan Limousines
Seton Family of Hospitals
Brian Tuerff
Anonymous
Dr. BJ Friedman

Film Description

Meals on Wheels and More Time Warner Cable, Texas Crew and Dan Rather teamed up to help tell the life stories of seven MOWAM clients, who have lived through some of the most trying times of the past century and whose words provide a unique and important perspective on the history of Austin and the importance of services like Meals on Wheels and More in so many people's lives.

 Recently, the film was awarded 2 Telly Awards for documentary and editing.

Below meet some of the wonderful people who helped bring this project to life! 

Dedicated in memory of Hervey Lazenby and George Strawsser

Hervey Lazenby

 Mr. Lazenby lived through many important historical and social events during his life, including World War I, World War II, Vietnam, desegregation, and the Iraq War. Throughout his life, he was a champion for civil rights and for God. "I would like to see a time when we can really forget about race and gender ... God created us all," he said. "Why some are one color and some another, I don't know. But I think there is a purpose for it as he saw it ... he created us in his image, but right now I do not think we have a clear image of who he is. That's our doing, not his."

Mr. Lazenby passed away in 2007, but said during the making of the film that he'd led a great life. "I am just gkad I've lived these 88 years," he said. "There have been so many changes in my lifetime, and I believe they've all been for the best."

George Strawser

During WWII, George Strawser served in the National Guard and paid a big price. After being shot in the leg in Africa, Strawser was captured and held as a POW in Germany for three years. He almost didn't make it. After initially being shot, he had to march for three days on a wounded leg. He credits his friend Murray with getting him through it.

"He saved my life, there's no doubt about that ... he lent me his shoulder for a long, long time, for three days," he said. "I could hardly walk and if you fell out of line they just simply shot you ... I don't know how he carried me that far, but he did."

Active with other WWII Veterans in the Austin-area, Mr. Strawser has fought to keep his story alive.