Raise your hand if you know (or know of) Dave Clements. If you’ve lived in Bentwater for any length of time, you’ve no doubt run across him whether you meant to or not because, if you’ve been involved in (or attended) any of the community events in Bentwater in recent years, it’s more than likely that he’s taken your picture.
While Dave and his wife, Cathi, live here in Bentwater, Dave’s camera takes him all over and, in particular, to music venues where he’s captured hundreds of artists during their live performances. One such artist was Kevin Black and, after having met while photographing him years ago, Dave and he have become great friends and are now, along with Kevin’s brother, Clint, collaborators for a cause. That cause? Rett syndrome.
If you aren’t familiar, Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder that affects the way the brain develops, eventually causing a progressive loss of motor skills and language and, ultimately, life. It primarily affects females, and it took Kevin’s daughter, Courtney.
So, now you understand the source of his passion. Not coincidentally, Raising A Hand is the title of a book series, now in its third edition, which is Dave Clements’ photo journey of music artists, most of whom you’ll immediately recognize.
Whether as a coffee table book that’s always a conversation starter with guests or a very unique and highly-appreciated gift to friends and family, you can feel gratified that the proceeds from the sales of these books are funding research efforts to find a cure for Rett syndrome. There’s a lot more color that can be added to the story and I’m sure Dave would be more than happy to share if you’d like to reach out to him at David-Clements@msn.com or give him a call or text at (713) 410-6076. If you’d like to know more, or order a book or just make a donation, just go to www.raisingahand.com.
Those who were at the dinner following last week’s North Shore Republican Women’s golf outing here in Bentwater were able to spend some time with Dave and Kevin in person. If you missed that event, the NSRW luncheon is coming up this Wednesday, the 4th, also at Bentwater. I can’t promise that you’ll be rubbing elbows with recording artists this time, but you will have an opportunity to hear from guest speaker Catherine Engelbrecht, Founder and President of True the Vote. Also at the podium will be Pearl Maggio of the Texas Federation of Women. If you’d like to ask questions of either after they speak, it’ll be as simple as “raising a hand.”
Send social Bentwater news and tidbits to Bruce@TheLakeConroeGroup.com
