During a normal year we will experience at least 3-4 weeks of drought conditions. Typically, this happens during the months of July and August.
This year has been the exception. We have been rain here and there. Many folks continue to worry about trees and shrubs that experienced excessive droughts over the last few years.
Prolonged droughts affect young and mature trees and shrubs. The main point to clarify is for how long trees and shrubs are affected and what is the result of a drought. Some trees and shrubs we can see immediate symptoms of leaf drop, leaves drooping or sun scald on the leaves. Other symptoms depend on the type of tree or shrub. Some will show dieback on a few stems or branches while others may completely die. Depending on the plant, symptoms can appear at different times. Some symptoms may appear within days and some may take months or even years. For example, the drought of 2010/2011 and more recently the last 2 years has had a major impact on pine trees. We are still losing pines from that drought. Basically, stressful events can decrease the lifespan of a tree and also make it more susceptible to other issues like diseases and insects. It is important for us to take care of the ones that we have the ability to impact. So what can we do?
There are things you can do to minimize the effects of drought. Trees and shrubs benefit from slow deep watering that is less frequent than what our turfgrass needs. Water long and slowly will allow water to soak deep into the soil. One way to check and see if you are watering enough is to use a screwdriver and simply try to push it into the ground. If it is dry, it will not be able to go into the ground. If the ground is moist enough, you will be able to get it to go at least 6 to 8 inches into the ground. Watering will vary depending on whether the trees are young or mature. Just a few extra tidbits. It is important to minimize water contact with the trunk and lower leaves water droplets can increase problems with bacteria and other harmful diseases. Also, it is important to understand your soil. A sandy soil may require more frequent irrigation to remain moist, whereas as clay type soil can hold moisture for longer periods of time but require a much slower application of water.
Mature Trees
Mature trees should be watered at least every two weeks during drought. Water should be applied to the entire area within the dripline under the crown of the tree. During periods of prolonged drought, apply water under the canopy while keeping any local water restrictions in mind.
Younger Trees & Shrubs
Younger trees and shrubs will require more frequent irrigation until they become established at roughly two -five years after planting. (very plant dependent) It is recommended to water newly planted trees 2-3 times a week with at least one gallon of water per caliper inch of trunk diameter. Watering should be focused in close proximity to the original root ball until roots develop further out. Water should be applied slowly allowing it to soak deep into the soil rather than run off. Typically, newly planted trees and shrubs have soil that forms a “crater” or “bowl” just beyond the root ball. This area can be used to fill up with water and allow it to percolate directly where it is needed.
Lastly, another way to assist trees during times of drought is utilizing mulch. Hardwood mulch is beneficial to conserving a tree’s water and retaining moisture in the soil. Mulch helps to improve water percolation into the soil and keeps that root system underneath cooler than surrounding areas. This reduces water lost to evaporation and provides the tree with less stress for any water or nutrient exchange. Mulch also reduces competition from other weeds and generally improves overall tree health. Mulch should be applied no more than three inches thick over as much of the root system as possible, but not in direct contact with the tree trunk.
Don’t forget to send your garden questions to Plant Answers at 9020 Airport Rd., Conroe TX 77303 or e-mail me at mpotter@ag.tamu.edu.
New Conroe Salvation Army commanding officers Lt. Cody Johns and Lt. Amanda Johns are getting straight to work on potential emergency preparations for an active hurricane season.
The couple came from the Irving Salvation Army unit and June 24 was their first official day as Conroe commanding officers. They fill the role of Lt. James Guzman and Lt. Claudia Guzman who had the Conroe command since 2020.
The Guzmans were transferred to the Beaumont command in June to fill the role of retiring leaders.
MAGNOLIA-AREA GROWTH: Montgomery County’s first TIRZ to help developer build new 2,000-acre community in Magnolia
New to Conroe
“We’re grateful for the overall welcoming atmosphere of the community. I have not been anywhere in Conroe that people weren’t smiling, helpful and welcoming,” Amanda Johns said.
She’s most looking forward to being able to meet people where they are at and hear their stories.
“Coming to Montgomery County, I see that there’s a lot of people who need love and support and resources,” she said.
About the Conroe Salvation Army
The Conroe Salvation Army is under the umbrella of the Salvation Army Greater Houston Area Command but all local funds and services are based in Conroe with support from local resources.
Its year-round mission is to help those in need by offering emergency shelter, lunch and dinner meals, church services, Bible studies, youth programs and assistance getting homeless individuals and families back into a stable living situation. During the holiday season, it provides toys to hundreds of children through the Angel Tree program and its Red Kettle campaign is a sure sign of the holidays.
The Salvation Army has had a presence in Conroe dating back to the 1970s when the group operated out of several houses the organization purchased. The organization is at 304 Avenue E in Conroe.
A personal journey of support
While both are Texas natives, this is the Johns first time in this part of Texas and they said love the beauty and natural resources of Montgomery County. They’re still adjusting to the Gulf Coast heat.
Amanda’s service is personal.
Her great-grandmother struggled when her husband became ill and she supported their children with assistance from the Salvation Army. Her grandmother also experienced a crisis when her young husband suffered a severe work-related back injury that left him unable to provide for the family.
“She remembered the Salvation Army and all they had done for her and they helped her when she was the breadwinner and my grandfather was recovering and she was taking care of four young children,” she said.
As a single mother Amanda’s mother too benefited from the support of the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army has also been Amanda’s home church for most of her life.
“The love of people and the fact that it’s come as you are is what led me to the Salvation Army,” she said.
Cody did not grow up in a religious setting but he met Amanda at age 17 and she invited him to the Salvation Army church.
“I saw everyone in uniforms and I wondered ‘What is this? Is this really a church?’ But the love that was there, I was hugged by people I didn’t even know and brought into this family and that’s what sparked my love for the Salvation Army,” he said.
FIREWORKS SALES: How much money do fireworks stands make? It all comes down to the final days, owners say.
Emergency response
While in Irving they participated with a rapid response unit that can hold up to 1,200 meals. They participated in disaster and storm recovery in North Texas and surrounding states.
Earlier this spring, the Conroe unit was the recipient of a mobile unit to assist in disaster recovery. This week they spent time restocking and prepping the mobile kitchen while monitoring Hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean.
“If we’re called, then we’ll be ready and able to take it out wherever we need to go,” he said.
During the summer they are in need of donations of bottled water to give out. They need dry goods and canned goods donations for their food pantry. They are also in need of donations of socks, hygiene products and undergarments for men and women.
The Johns have four children that range in age from 12 to 18.
The first of two harvests in Texas has begun. The hybrid grapes grown along the Texas Gulf Coast is the first of these two distinct grape harvests with the second harvest of grapes being the classic grapes (vitis vinifera) such as Tempranillo, Merlot, Syrah, Viognier, Chardonnay, and more will start around the middle of August, coinciding with the grape harvest of vitis vinifera in other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. Houstonians volunteered to bring in the crop of Blanc du Bois grapes at Wild Stallion Vineyards in Harris County.
Other local vineyards are gearing up with Blanc du Bois being exceptionally “textbook” this year. The sugar levels and pH/acid in the grapes looks great with low pH levels means good acid levels to provide a grape juice perfect for a well-structured finished wine. The sugar levels in these grapes are more than twice the sugar levels found in grapes that you can purchase in grocery stores. The chemistry of these Blanc du Bois are “textbook perfect” for this grape varietal.
To pick the perfect grapes to make award-winning wines, you should have three indicators to say it is time to pick, being:
• Chemistry as outlined above• Grapes show they are true to their varietal characteristics in taste, smell, and appearance.• Grape maturity shown in full development of juices, pulp, and grape seeds. Those seeds should be brown and taste nutty. Young grapes have green, woody seeds.
Vineyards along the Gulf Coast from Brownsville in the south to Beaumont in the east are keeping a close eye on their grapes and the weather. Messina Hof Winery and Bernhardt Winery will be harvesting their grapes this weekend. Bernhardt Winery invites you to experience the Harvest and CRUSH as the Blanc du Bois Grapes are de-stemmed and crushed with the pulp, seeds and skins placed in a bladder press to extract all of the juice out of the pulp. Please let Bernhardt Winery near Plantersville off State Highway 105 know you will be there to help by signing online at www.BernhardtWinery.com. Instructions for the harvesters should start around 8ish with harvest done in two hours or less, depending on number of volunteers. Wear close-toed shoes, sun screen, and appropriate clothing for working outside in the morning sun.
Other vineyards will be harvesting this weekend and possibly next weekend, depending on the weather. Hot, sunny, dry days are ahead for south Texas, but Hurricane Beryl might be bringing rains to south Texas this coming Monday and Tuesday. If rain is pending, crews get into the vineyard to harvest those grapes since rains will plump up the grapes with excessive water, diluting the sugars and grape characteristics. Dry, sunny weather is wanted as the grapes mature so the leaves can go through photosynthesis to provide grapes more sugars. Dry weather is wanted since rains will cause molds and mildew to flourish causing harm to the grapes. Inorganic fungicides are normally used to control these molds and mildews with the use of these fungicides halted before the pending harvest.
The incoming Blanc du Bois grapes arriving in wineries this week outside of the dry weather should provide Texas wineries with outstanding Blanc du Bois grapes for their white wines. Lennoir grapes are also being harvested with these red grapes being used by wineries to make Ports such as Messina Hof Winery and red wines. It looks like another great year for Texas grapes!
Ron Saikowski may be reached at rsaikowski@comcast.net.
Despite an anticipated $4.3 million budget deficit for the upcoming school year, teachers and staff in Montgomery ISD will get a pay boost as part of the district’s $93 million budget.
The budget includes a $650 raise for teachers and a 1% salary increase to all other employees from the midpoint of their position pay grade, according to a release from the district.
BANNED BOOK LIBRARY: The Woodlands Pride opens new library dedicated to ‘banned’ books, diverse themes
“I acknowledge that this compensation increase is not as significant as our employees were hoping,” Superintendent Mark Ruffin in a written statement. “I do hope it is understood that in the face of a deficit budget, our board made the decision to continue to support our people. But at some point, something has to give.”
The $4.3 million budget shortfall is expected to be paid through the district’s reserves. Board members for the 10,000-student district approved the budget during a June meeting.
Juggling budget cuts
Montgomery ISD is one of many Texas districts that are seeing budget shortfalls for the upcoming school year, forcing some to make “jaw-dropping” cuts.
Many districts have pointed the finger at Gov. Greg Abbott after lawmakers failed pass an education bill that would have given more funding to districts during the 88th legislative session.
Ruffin links Montgomery ISDs financial woes to “inflation, decreases in federal funding through Medicaid reimbursements, a stagnant level of funding provided by the state, and recapture payments we have been forced to send back to the state.”
The basic allotment, the amount of money the state provides per student, has not increased since 2019, while inflation has risen 22% during that same time period, the district’s release states.
“We have met with our local representatives and legislators about the critical juncture ahead for public education funding heading into the next legislative session,” Ruffin said. “I am thankful that all remain committed to collaboratively working with us to address some of these critical challenges.”
The district’s budget shortfall was determined by several factors — an existing $2.1 million structural deficit from the 2022-23 school year, anticipated increases in expenditures due to the opening of Creekside Elementary School, increases to special education populations requiring additional staff and a $1.3 million reduction in revenue due to the statewide reduction in Medicaid reimbursements.
“Adopting a deficit budget reinforces our commitment to transparency,” Chief Financial Officer Ben Davidson said in a written statement. “It also ensures that from day 1 of our fiscal year, we are extremely cognizant and vigilant about our operating expenses and budgetary decisions.”
Boosting student enrollment
As a way to generate enrollment-based revenue from the state, the district announced earlier this month that some campuses would have limited open enrollment for the 2024-25 school year, with a first-come, first-served basis.
“There is only so much of our funding situation that we can control,” Davidson said. “The major driver of our state aid is student enrollment.”
Davidson said that the district had anticipated financial challenges for the upcoming school year.
“We have been transparent with our staff, asking every campus and every department to carefully evaluate their spending as we prepared for the new school year,” he said. ” We have worked to renegotiate contracts in our favor and create operational efficiencies across the board.”
COLLEGE EXPANDS: New $34 million Lone Star College center in Magnolia is expected to open in 2026
As a way to reduce the budget allotted for substitutes, central office administrators with teaching certifications will be required to fill that role once a month.
“Because of our past fiscal responsibility, we have been able to absorb these shortfalls without allowing it to take away from the educational experience for our students, ultimately avoiding reductions in force, cutting important programs, or limiting our course offerings,” Ruffin said. “However, if something does not change, there are extremely difficult decisions that we will be forced to explore and consider.”
From his back patio in the Harbour Town community on Lake Conroe, Michael Hallett has a direct view of “Bird Island.”
The piece of land that rises up from Lake Conroe off the Seven Coves and Harbour Town neighborhoods is a roosting spot for a variety of native and migratory birds such as white “cattle” egrets, black cormorants, gray herons, ducks and the Anhinga, a black bird known more commonly as “water turkeys.”
Hallett’s favorite to watch for is the migratory American White Pelican, a bird that is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. He said they come around February and usually stay through May. At times, he’s seen as many as 150 pelicans roosting there.
NEW MAGNOLIA CAMPUS: New $34 million Lone Star College center in Magnolia is expected to open in 2026
Bird Island’s future
His bird’s eye view of the island also brings concerns about its future and the future of the birds that inhabit it. For the 17 years he’s had waterfront property, he’s watched Bird Island get smaller and smaller due to erosion.
“If we don’t do anything about it that will be nothing but a giant sandbar over time and the birds will be gone,” he said. “That will be hard to watch this becoming just a sandbar and then we’ll see nothing but boats out here all the time beaching on the sandbar.”
He estimates the original size of Bird Island was at least 2 acres going back to the 1970s. He believes the island is now less than a quarter of an acre. It was three times that size when he moved in 17 years ago.
History of Lake Conroe
According to a history of the lake from the San Jacinto River Authority, the lake was planned and constructed shortly after a record 7-year drought in the 1950s.
Through a partnership agreement, the river authority partnered with Houston and the Texas Water Development Board in 1968 to jointly construct a water supply reservoir, Lake Conroe, on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.
The Lake Conroe dam was completed in January 1973 and it was filled by Oct. 31, 1973, after the area received significant rain in 1973. The lake covers a 21,000-acre area.
When Lake Conroe filled, Hallett said there were shallow areas off Seven Coves that created Ayers Island and Bird Island, which rose up from the waters on the east side of the lake.
In the early 2000s, a bulkhead border was placed around Ayers Island, a recreational spot for boaters. The San Jacinto River Authority, with the permission of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, completed the project.
SPARKY’S ADVENTURE: Sparky the bird went on a Lake Conroe adventure. An 8-year-old boy and his family brought him home.
Saving Bird Island
Madi Bullock, has lived in Seven Coves since she was 5 years old, and fishing from the park off Kingston Coves Lane has been one of her favorite hobbies.
The park is the closest piece of land to Bird Island, and she, too, is disheartened to see it diminish over the years. Bullock, 23, is studying to become a Texas Game Warden at Sam Houston State University, and the restoration of the island has become a cause close to her.
“The island is mostly without human intervention, but has decreased in size due to increased boat traffic and erosion,” she said. She has particular concern for the pelican migration.
She fears that if the island is not there, the pelicans will not stop there and change their migratory path.
She approached Hallett about a year ago to start a community project to restore the island. Earlier this year they launched the website Bird Island Rescue.
They would like to see a riprap border of broken rocks around the 2015 perimeter of the island and then have fill dirt added to build the island back up.
Moving the project forward
“I have contacted numerous organizations such as the San Jacinto River Authority and Texas Parks and Wildlife to raise concerns in hopes that they would support a habitat restoration project,” Bullock said.
Hallett believes the project is gaining momentum in terms of community support and interest, but they would still have to work with state and government agencies for possible funding and completion of the restoration.
In the past year, Bullock has spoken with representatives of the San Jacinto River Authority and Texas Parks and Wildlife department.
“The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been approached several times over the past few years requesting assistance for the Bird Island restoration initiative. The scope of the project would be significant and would require millions of dollars in funding, which TPWD is not able to provide,” according to a statement from the agency.
Still, the duo has not ruled out fundraisers to aid restoration or possible state or federal grants.
Earlier this month, Bullock and Hallett met with state Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, on the matter and felt like it was a positive meeting.
“There have been some recent inquiries about the status of the island, from some that want to restore it, and others with concerns about it being a safety hazard,” Creighton said. “We have discussed potential solutions with constituents and the SJRA.”
Hallett said the birds that roost on the island are protected, but the island is not.
“If we want to protect the birds and we want to keep them here, the only way to do that is to keep the island,” he said.
Conroe’s queen of the airwaves Mary McCoy has another jewel to cherish among her crowning accomplishments in the city.
McCoy, 86, will be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in Nashville in September.
She has been on the radio in Conroe for 73 years and the personality at KVST K-Star Country 99.7 FM, holds the Guinness World Records title for having the longest career as a female radio presenter as of February 2023. In 2010, she was inducted into the Texas Radio Hall of Fame.
In April 2023, she was a presenter at The Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s been a journey,” she said. “I knew what I wanted to do and I was determined. Every time someone tried to bring me down I would not listen and I became more determined.”
CONCERT FUNDRAISER: ‘The Voice’ winner Sundance Head plans for 2025 flood relief concert in New Caney after raising $70K
Surprise phone call
Her daughter, Kim Stout, said it took a few days for the news to sink in after she received the call.
The initial email came to the radio station and she printed it off to show to her radio co-host Larry Galla.
She wondered “Is this legit?” Galla confirmed it was indeed a legitimate honor.
Hall of fame induction process
In the spring, 2,800 individuals were either suggested or reviewed with 24 people selected for nomination. The group was narrowed to six and nine people were announced as inductees June 17.
Other 2024 inductees include Crook & Chase featuring Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase, who have hosted radio and TV shows together dating back as far as 1983; news anchor Lee Harris, a recognizable voice for New Yorkers; radio personality and actor Phil Hendrie; Ecuadorian-born American sportscaster Jaime Jarrin; Matt Siegel, an American retired radio personality who was the host of the Matty in the Morning Show in Massachusetts on KISS 108 for 41 years; radio executive Kraig Kitchin and retired radio executive Barry Mayo. In 1981 he helped launch WRKS in New York as the first station to play rap.
“The Radio Hall of Fame welcomes eight new members that have made a lasting impact on the industry. This class, like the ones before it, exemplifies the highest standards of excellence that radio broadcasters have upheld throughout radio’s rich history, making this medium so special to generations of listeners,” said Dennis Green, co-chairman of the Radio Hall of Fame.
Early Conroe years
When her family first moved to Conroe, they lived in a tent for four years while her dad worked at a local sawmill. Still today she has emotional memories when she smells sawdust or shavings.
She started working at Wacker’s store on the downtown Conroe square at age 11 to help the family.
McCoy began her time on the airwaves shortly after she entered a talent show on KMCO AM on April 21, 1951. She was asked to sing in a 15-minute program. She mentioned she wanted her own record show and about four months later, the 12-year-old got her wish. She cried after she heard her first show, thinking it was bad, but got a call to return because her show received a sponsor.
She received $15 from that first sponsorship. A few months later, the station owners put her to work filing records where she made $3.25 a week.
When her dad, Tom, became sick in 1956, that’s when she was added to the station’s payroll making $30 a week for being an on-air personality.
In her seven decades in the business, McCoy appeared in 1955 on the Louisiana Hayride sharing the stage with Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, The Browns and other stars. She released her first record, “Deep Elem Blues,” in 1960 and signed with the Jin label.
CONROE LEADERSHIP: New Conroe Mayor Duke Coon says fixing city’s water system and finances are priorities
No plans to stop
She was so popular in the 60s that when the Owen family was trying to establish a FM radio station in Conroe, Rigby Owen Jr. tried to hire McCoy away from KMCO, but she would have none of it.
Over the years the KMCO station became KIKR and in 1992 was changed to KVST and McCoy has had a seat in the DJ booth through all the sales and mergers.
Today she continues her longtime radio show with co-host Larry Galla from 10 a.m. to noon weekdays on KVST K-Star Country 99.7 FM. Even through a neck injury and hospital stay a few years ago, she continued to host the show from her hospital bed.
She has no plans of stopping anytime soon. The people and the many relationships she’s built over the years are what she loves the most.
“There are just so many wonderful memories,” she said. “I can live the rest of my life on all the wonderful memories I have.”
What is going on this week in Conroe? Lots of activities for families!
Last weekend for “Butterflies are Free” through Sunday, July 7th. This is a classic about a blind man living alone in an apartment against the wishes of his protective mother who starts a relationship with the lady next door, to his mother’s dismay. It is a love story that is both funny and emotional hosted by The Players Theatre Company. OwenTheatre.com for tickets.
This Friday, July 5 through the next three weekends, ending July 21, the Crighton Theatre will present their last show of the season, “Beauty and the Beast”. Stage Right has just added two Saturday matinee performances on Saturday, July 13 and Saturday, July 20. Don’t miss this! One more reason to cool off indoors. CrightonTheatre.org
The downtown merchants will host their monthly Sip and Stroll on Friday, July 5 starting at 5:00pm with live music inside and outside, retail stores open late, restaurants and bars have drink specials and a vendor market.
The next First Thursday Concert is July 11 at Heritage Park with the Level One Band playing a Tribute to Motown. The music starts at 7:00pm. Food trucks will be available at the park or choose to bring your own food and beverages with you. No glass containers. Bring your chairs or blanket and enjoy a free concert hosted by the City of Conroe.
Summer Art Camp is coming up Monday, July 15- Friday, July 19 from 10:00am-noon at the Conroe Art League, 127 Simonton for ages 7-14. Take a tour around the globe with a fun filled week of activities that introduce the culture and art of countries around the world taught by Rebekah Billings. Registration is available at ConroeArtLeague.com.
Registration is open through July 12 (or when full) for the Luau themed Mother-Son Date Night at the Conroe Water Park on Friday, July 19th from 7:00pm-9:00pm. The registration fee is $55 for a couple and $20 for each additional child. City of Conroe residents will receive a 25% discount. The event includes swimming, pizza, photobooth, and games. Register online at CityofConroe.org or call (936) 522-3900.
Enjoy the summer!
Margie Taylor may be reached at margie@taylorizedpr.com.
As Montgomery County residents prepare to celebrate Independence Day, a variety of concerts, parades, family activities and of course fireworks are in the works.
Here’s what to know about Montgomery County Fourth of July activities starting Saturday and continuing through July 6:
NEW SCHOOL NAMES: New Conroe high school on city’s east side to be named Timber Mill High School
Conroe
Conroe kicks off the celebration in Montgomery County with the city’s Stars & Stripes Celebration hosted by Conroe’s Parks and Recreation Department. It’s from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Place Park, 500 Metcalf Street in downtown Conroe.
The event will feature kids’ activities, a vendor market and a variety of food trucks.
The Conroe Symphony Orchestra will take the stage at 8 p.m., followed by a fireworks display starting at 9:15 p.m. Entry and parking are free. Visitors are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets and plenty of water.
Also Saturday, downtown Conroe businesse owners are hosting the 4th Annual Freedom Fest starting at 11 a.m. in the streets of downtown. Expect a cornhole tournament, live music, shopping, dessert trucks, water slides and the finale of fireworks over downtown.
The annual Celebrate America event returns to Mims Baptist Church in Conroe with events this Sunday and July 3. A patriotic worship service is planned for 10:30 a.m. Sunday with patriotic music.
At 5:30 p.m. July 3, the church hosts family-friendly activities, including food trucks, inflatables for the kids, family games and fireworks around 9 p.m. The church is at 1609 Porter Road in Conroe.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Conroe VFW Post 4709 hosts its annual Fourth of July picnic at 1303 W. Semands Street. There will be hot dogs, bounce houses and a dunk tank.
The Woodlands
Fourth of July kicks off in The Woodlands with the Star-Spangled Salute featuring the Houston Symphony at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. July 3 and the concert begins at 8 p.m. There will be plenty of patriotic activities in the plaza before the concert.
Starting at 9 a.m. on the Fourth of July, spectators can enjoy the South County Fourth of July Parade. The 1.3-mile parade will make its way around The Woodlands passing through Market Street and by Town Green Park. The annual event features marching bands, fire engines, clowns, floats and more.
From 6 to 10 p.m. that night, enjoy activities at locations throughout The Woodlands. Most sites will feature live music beginning at 6 p.m. with bands playing until the fireworks extravaganza at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Events will take place at Town Green Park, Waterway Square, Northshore Park, Rob Fleming Park and Hughes Landing.
The 18-minute fireworks extravaganza will take place at approximately 9:30 p.m. The primary fireworks display will be located in Lake Woodlands adjacent to Northshore Park, with a secondary close-proximity (special effects) display at Town Green Park. The fireworks extravaganza will also feature a fireworks display in the Waterway Square District near Timberloch Place and Waterway Avenue and Rob Fleming Park in the Village of Creekside Park.
To ensure spectators have the best fireworks visibility possible, fireworks teaser shots will be fired from all launch locations at 9, 9:10 and 9:20 p.m.
TAMINA GROWTH: Montgomery County to use federal ARPA funds for Tamina water and sewer project
East Montgomery County
The seventh annual Valley Ranch 4th Fest is set for Fourth of July in New Caney. This Independence Day family celebration, in partnership with Big Top Entertainment features free admission to the public and will take place at The Hill at Valley Ranch. Valley Ranch 4th Fest features a large fireworks display accompanied by music from the Airforce Band of the West, plus live music from cover bands Def Leggend and Escape, boutique shopping, hot dog and Cinnabon eating contests, a kids’ zone and car show.
The “Shop Small, Y’all” market features merchandise from dozens of local businesses and the “Red, White and Brews” cash bar offers full-service libations. The Little Patriots family fun zone features pay-to-play attractions such as a rock wall, train, foam party, Gellyball, bounce houses and more.
The Car-Nation show treats festivalgoers to everything from muscle cars to classics. The Signorelli Company is a presenting sponsor.
Montgomery
The city of Montgomery hosts its Fourth of July celebration Freedom Fest on July 6 in the town’s historic district. The “Anything But a Trailer” parade begins at 9 a.m. Line up is along Clepper Drive and the parade travels along Liberty Street through the center of the historic district. Following the parade there are vendors and a kids’ zone until 3 p.m. in the downtown district.
Celebrate the freedoms we have by choosing to serve others and to act as a model.
Rotarians in the world help others through the services we provide in preserving life, helping those in need, encouraging educational activities, preserving our environment, and so much more. We, as Rotarians, choose to go forward to lead and elevate those less fortunate to enable them to be a positive contributor. In June of each year, we look back on our accomplishments and usher in a new team of leaders elected in the democratic process. We are grateful for those who have served the Rotary Club and look forward to new beginnings with newly elected leaders moving forward with service plans for the next twelve months.
Ongoing programs include the Rotary House sponsored by the Rotary Club of The Woodlands which provides housing support for those out-of-town patients and their families coming to the six major hospitals and cancer treatment facilities for world-class treatment. Shelter boxes sponsored by the Rotary Club of Conroe provides packaged housing for immediate shipment to house those impacted by wars and natural disasters in Gaza, Ukraine, Nepal, and other areas. Rotary Clubs provide tens of thousands of dollars in student scholarships. In addition, Rotary Clubs provide Interact Club sponsorships which is Rotary on a high school basis, helping to guide youth into leaders.
Each January, Rotary Clubs sponsor youth to attend Leadership Camps over a weekend. These life-changing events for Juniors are called Rotary Youth Leadership Awards aka RYLA. “I Like Me” Books are distributed to first graders by the Rotary Club of Conroe to encourage these six-year-olds to read. The Rotary Club of Magnolia has established a pollinator garden as a model for others to assist the bee population to re-bound. The Rotary Club of Lake Conroe works with the City of Montgomery and the Library System to establish and maintain and grow Memory Park serving those in the Montgomery area. The Rotary Club of Conroe planted a small forest of trees along the north side of Runyan Elementary School eight years ago with trees now over 20-feet tall and growing.
Rotarians are working on a world-wide basis to completely eradicate Polio and are entering into their first year of no cases of Polio. It will take three years with no cases of Polio for this disease to be classified as eradicated.
Rotarians are investing in “third-world” countries to build small businesses, especially women-owned businesses. We work with a variety of groups in drilling water wells to assist communities to have suitable drinking sources.
Rotarians promote peace in our communities by focusing on commonalities and building on what is good. We promote gratitude and a sense of doing what is right by instilling our Four-Way Test, being
• Is it the truth?• Is it fair to all concerned?• Will it build good will and better friendships?• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Many Rotarians also add a fifth question being Is it fun? In Rotary, we have fun in all aspects of our service to our community, our country, and the world. We are grateful to be able to serve and to have the freedoms we have to make the world a better place. I wish all a safe Fourth of July as we celebrate our forefathers and the freedoms our Country has.
For further information on Rotary, please email Ron Saikowski at rsaikowski@comcast.net
Purple was the color of the evening last Friday, as The Five O’Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club hosted its first dine and donate event to support two important fundraising campaigns for The Alzheimer’s Association (TAA) – The Longest Day and The Walk To End Alzheimer’s in The Woodlands. Before we tell you about the party, here’s some background and history.
One in three seniors will die with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia; 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to rise to 14 million by 2060. Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for a loved one in this battle. The statistics are staggering. TAA is a highly ranked charity, with more than 78% of its revenues providing direct funding for the care, support, research, awareness and advocacy activities for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. And it’s working – for the first time in history, there are now treatments that can change the course of Alzheimer’s.
President Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1994. The term “The Long Goodbye” became a well known phrase associated with the disease after his wife Nancy discussed the devastating emotions of watching a loved one fade away. President Reagan lived for ten years after his diagnosis.
The Alzheimer’s Association created the “Longest Day” Fundraising Campaign to “outshine the darkness” of The Long Goodbye on the day with the most light, the summer solstice, June 21st. Everything from bake sales to exercise classes are held with proceeds going to the cause. Creativity reins!
In 1994, Jimmy Buffett’s dad, James Delaney (JD) Buffett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. His Long Goodbye lasted until 2003 when he passed away at the age of 83. Parrot Heads have always been a tight nit group, and when JD lost his life, we felt we had lost a family member too. Many clubs were (and still are) populated with baby boomers and our chapters began to see this devastating disease striking within our ranks. And so Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHIP), our governing body, formed a National Walk Team, committing to an annual minimum donation of $100,000.00 to The Walk To End Alzheimer’s. Teams were formed in clubs all around the country. PHIP Teams have raised over 1 million dollars to date, earning our organization TAA’s National Team Longevity Award. 2024 will be 5OCP’s 4th year participating in The Woodlands Walk. We’ve been on the local walk’s leader board each year and ranked in the top ten PHC Teams nationwide for both 2022 and 2023. We’re committed to doing that again in 2024. Each person on our team has a story to tell about their connection to Alzheimer’s.
Our club decided to create one special night to fundraise for both these efforts. We hosted dinner in The Glass Room on June 21st at the always wonderful Amore Fine Dining on Highway 105. A capacity crowd enjoyed food and libations of their choice, with a portion of the proceeds donated by the restaurant to The Longest Day. The 5OCP Walk Team provided items for a small silent auction and raffle, with those proceeds being donated to The Walk To End Alzheimer’s in The Woodlands on October 26th of this year.
The Glass Room is a beautiful room all by itself. We added layers of purple fabric and table runners, votives of luminescent purple mercury glass, and an elegant balloon arch in multiple shades of purple. There was a photo booth, including the flowers of the Alzheimer’s Walk for guests to “pick” – orange in support of the cause, yellow for caregivers, blue for those living with Alzheimer’s and purple, the most abundant, for those who have lost someone. Guests arrived in beautiful shades of the color of royalty too. It was a visually stunning evening where we celebrated those we’ve loved and lost and the strides being made for treatment and a cure. We hope that in our lifetime, we will see the first survivor of Alzheimer’s.
The 5OCP owes a huge debt of gratitude to Amore owners Alfred Limani and Vjosa Berisha and their staff, songbird Lisa Lynette for the beautiful music, party decorator Dulce Dunn, and our club members who helped all evening. A special round of applause to our Alzheimer’s Walk Team who work so hard for the cause and donated the raffle and auction items. And to each person who attended – including our friends from Rotary and April Sound – we appreciate your support so very much. You Rock!
Kris is President of The 5 O’Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club, the PHC of the Lake Conroe/Woodlands area. Email KrisCommService@aol.com or text 713 825-0141. Follow the club on Facebook at www.facebook.com/5OClockPhlock. For more info, visit the website www.5oclockphlock.com.
