Friends of the Library book talk Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 2:30-4:00 in the Robson Library.
Please join us as Sonya Smith and Becky Frusher present a riveting discussion on The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. This historical fiction book is about the friendship of three
women codebreakers during WWII and how they come together again after the end of the war.
By Becky Frusher
Cris Thompson, a Robson Ranch library volunteer for the past two-and-a-half years, can’t hide the excitement she feels as she re-reads Bryan Burrough’s New York Times Bestselling chronicle of the Texas oil industry in preparation for her book talk on August 5, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the library.
The Big Rich weaves together the multigenerational sagas of the Texas oil industry’s four wealthiest families, headed by men known in their day as the Big Four: Roy Cullen, H. L. Hunt, Clint Murchison, and Sid Richardson, all swaggering oil tycoons who owned sprawling ranches and mingled with presidents and Hollywood stars.
“I've met men like these men,” Cris says. In her former role as a development geologist for Getty Oil, Cris says she worked with well-known Houston oil tycoons who were known for their independent spirits.
“They were not keen on having big eastern companies come in and take over their oil fields,” she says. “In most countries, the government owns the mineral rights. In the U.S., many individuals still own their mineral rights. So, when we were drilling, we were drilling for them. We would get so excited for them. That’s still true to some extent today.”
Cris received her B.S. in geology, with an emphasis in oil exploration, from Texas A&M University in 1975. Her first job was with a small Houston company that allowed her to venture into oil and gas exploration and travel abroad.
“It was very unusual for a young, new hire to work in the international department of this company, but I had a great boss who gave me the opportunity to spend two weeks as an observer on an oil rig in the North Sea,” Cris says. “We had a 25 percent share of this rig, which was owned by a big company such as Amoco or Mobil, and we wanted to make sure we were getting what we were supposed to be getting. We also had some hand in decision-making regarding operations and where to drill.”
Cris was just 22 when she flew to Aberdeen, hopped in a Sikorsky helicopter, and was dropped off on the top platform of a semi-submersible oil rig on a stormy, windy day in the North Sea.
“This helicopter full of men invited me to get off first,” Cris says with a smile. “But I didn’t know where I was going, so finally someone got off and showed me what to do.”
Cris’s globe-trotting oil career can hardly be summed up here, so come to her book talk to hear more, even if you haven’t read the book. Cris is excited to share it with you.
“I’ve loved the book,” she says. “The oil industry is so much a part of Texas culture. And these four men’s stories are told against the larger backdrop of the history of Texas oil.”
Updated: May 17
It is an exciting time of year for Friends of the Library, as it is almost time for our Annual Membership Meeting! Please mark your calendars to attend on Wednesday, July 16, at 2:30 pm in the Library. Although during the meeting we will be presenting a recap of our accomplishments since our last meeting, please allow me to highlight just a few of the ways your membership dollars helped us.
• We sponsored a fun and spooky Halloween event raising over $400
• We offered Book Talks discussing five fabulous, interesting and decidedly different titles
• We donated over $2,500 to the RR library for the purchase of new book titles
• We sponsored a Volunteer Recognition Brunch for the RR Library volunteers as they provide 3,120 hours of service annually to keep the library in operation
Since Friends of the Library is a 501c3, not-for-profit organization existing in support of the RR Library, we are looking forward to another successful year of increasing the library assets and sponsoring events for your enjoyment. We simply cannot accomplish what we do without your support, membership dues, and additional donations.
On behalf of our club officers, I sincerely thank you for your past support. I thank you, in advance, for your continuing support during our annual membership drive.
Our membership year runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following year. Any membership dues paid after May 1 will be credited toward membership for the next membership year. Please go online at www.rrtxfol.org/pay to renew your membership dues for only $10 per person, per year, or to donate additional funds.
You may also renew by taking a check to the Library and completing a membership envelope to drop in the collection box at the front desk.
Please consider recruiting your friends and neighbors to join as well!
Feel free to contact me if you have questions or comments regarding Friends of the Library at info@rrtxfol.org. I look forward to seeing you at our annual meeting in July!
Regards,
Deborah Diehl
2024-2025 Chair
