Lake Creek’s reign in Class 5A softball ended at the hands of Lake Belton on Friday at Mumford High School.
Game 1 of the Region III-5A championship series was suspended after five innings due to bad weather Wednesday and the Lions scored four times in the top of the sixth as the game resumed less than 48 hours later. But the Broncos’ five-run lead coming in stood for a 5-4 victory.
In Game 2, Lake Creek took a lead in the third inning, but a Lake Belton two-run homer in the fifth was all it needed for a 2-1 victory and series sweep despite being outscored 5-2 on Friday.
Lake Creek (34-9), ranked No. 8 in the Texas Girls Coaches Association 5A poll and the two-time defending state champion, exits the season after reaching the fifth round for the fourth straight season.
No. 2 Lake Belton (40-4), which opened in 2020, reaches the state tournament for the first time in program history.
The Lions gave themselves momentum after staring at a 5-0 deficit as action in Game 1 picked back up with six offensive outs to work with to get back in it. The Lions came out on fire with a two-out rally as Gracee Brewer hit a two-run double, Chesney Davis singled home Brewer and then Davis later scored on a passed ball to make it a one-run game.
Lake Creek was set down in order in the top of the seventh as Lake Belton pitcher Shelby Schultz polished off the complete game with 10 strikeouts.
Lake Creek sophomore Sara Wiggins allowed five runs in the second inning Wednesday and allowed just one base runner the rest of the way Friday. She struck out three, walked five and allowed three hits and two earned runs.
In Game 2, Carmen Uribe picked up an RBI in the bottom of the third by scoring Madalyn Davis, who tripled to begin the inning. But Lake Creek totaled just those two hits in the game.
The Broncos took the lead with a two-run homer by Haley Hoffman in the top of the fifth.
After Madison Ruiz went the first four innings for Lake Belton, Schultz went the rest of the way with no hits allowed and three strikeouts in three innings.
Chesney Davis pitched the complete game for the Lions with two earned runs allowed on three hits. She struck out three and walked two.
Lake Creek had won 14 of 15 heading into the series, its only loss coming in Game 2 of the regional semifinals last week against Foster. Lake Creek hadn’t lost consecutive games since February.
Over the last four years, Lake Creek has gone an astounding 157-12.
Houston-area teams have won the last four Class 5A state championships — Lake Creek (2022-23), Barbers Hill (2021) and Angleton (2019).
Since the UIL expanded to six classes in 2015, this is the first time Houston will not have a team competing in the 5A softball final four.
With Memorial Day weekend here and people across the Houston region bracing for high temperatures, Lake Conroe may be a destination for those looking to cool off.
Temperatures are expected to be in the 90s, with a forecast high of 97 degrees in Conroe on Memorial Day, according to the National Weather Service.
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Whether it be on or off the lake, there are several activities visitors can participate in, including taking a day trip to a resort hotel or renting a boat and touring the lake.
Memorial Day, Labor Day and Fourth of July weekends are often considered “Super Bowls” for the lake.
Here are some activities to do while visiting the lake this weekend:
Day trips to a resort hotel
Margaritaville Lake Conroe is offering day passes and cabana rentals for people looking to take a day trip over the weekend — at a cost of $49 a ticket.
The day pass includes access to a three-acre water park with a lazy river, splash zone, a private beach, heated-infinity pool, water slides and heated waterslide pool, and two hot tubs, according to the resort’s website. The day pass also includes access to mini golf, an arcade; tennis, pickleball and basketball courts, the website states.
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The resort also offers other amenities such as guided fishing trips, live music and axe throwing.
For more information, visit margaritavilleresorts.com.
Waterfront Lake Conroe restaurants
The area surrounding the lake offers many options for food and includes lakeside options.
The Waterpoint Center, as an example, offers waterfront office, retail and restaurant space. The center is home to restaurants like Monty’s Lighthouse, Fajita Jacks, Akashi Asian restaurant, Hunger Crush Café, Crust Pizza Co. and others. Several of the restaurants offer patios that face the lake.
Other restaurants along the lake include Walden’s Lakeview Dining & Venue, North Lake Grill and Guadalaharry’s Bar and Grill.
Boating and fishing on Lake Conroe
One quick Google search and people will be able to find several places that offer boat rentals, including the Margaritaville resort.
Some of these include pontoon boats, which are ideal for day cruising, and even a party barge that is capable of fitting up to 35 people. All boat renters must have a Texas boating license in order to operate any vessel.
If visitors are looking to fish, Lake Conroe is one of the top fisheries not only in Texas but in the United States, according to the Visit Conroe website.
Bass, crappie and catfish are just some of the fish that can be found in the lake’s waters. But for June, July and August, crappie and catfish are plentiful, the website continues. For June, crappie will be finished spawning and move out to the brush piles this time of year. While catfish can be caught all year-round, a lot of activity on the lake is found during July and August.
Most fishing is done in shallow areas near marinas or boat docks.
For tips and more information about fishing on Lake Conroe, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website and the Visit Conroe website.
Memorial Day weekend events
There are several other Memorial Day weekend events around the Montgomery County area, including ceremonies, live music and fireworks. These events stretch from Conroe to The Woodlands.
Montgomery County Veteran’s Park, for example, hosts its annual Memorial Day remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday at the Montgomery County Veteran’s Memorial Park which is operated by the commission. The event will run through 10:30 a.m.
Musical selections from the Montgomery County Choral Society and from guitar soloist and veteran Andy Rodriguez will be incorporated into this year’s ceremony.
Good morning from the ‘greatest Lions Club in the world’, the Conroe Noon Lions Club. We had another wonderful luncheon, which you will see later in the article, and we are having a very busy month.
President Jason Miller started the meeting with everyone greeting one another. Kudos to Lions Sandy Apostolo, Shelia Thomas, Ben Gervais, and Donnie Buckalew for handling the opening session of pledges, prayer, and songs. Lion Dr. Green Daniel introduced our many guests. For the second week in a row, we had a very large number of guests. Due in part to Lion Morgan Freeman and her special efforts in organizing our ‘Right Now’ membership drive. Plus, a special thanks to Monroe Manufacturing for being our Community Partner of the Week. The Community Partners allow us to do many things for the community which in part is some of the things listed below.
Club announcements started with Lion Gail Cain talking about our ‘kids on the lake’ – fishing tournament for children with disabilities. While the children were unable to fish due to the high-water level there was still plenty of fun to be had. A bounce house, dunk tank, hayrides, fire truck and many more activities were offered, finishing up with a delicious hot dog and hamburger lunch. Lion Connie Engle talked about the turn out from our bi-monthly vision screening at the Community Assistance Center. Speaking of the Community Assistance Center, Lion Andrew Perry spoke about how CNLC will be buying underwear and socks to help them distribute to those effected by the recent flood. Lion Helen Thornton announced our Lion volunteers handed out 135 goodie bags to the graduating kindergarten students at our adopted school, Reaves Elementary. We next heard from Lion Scott Perry about our club’s 85th Anniversary Celebration coming up on Wednesday, June 5th. We are looking forward to a large turnout. With over 300 members it should be a very special lunch program. On Friday, June 14th President Jason Miller turns over the president role to 1st VP Bryan Rennell. The Installation Banquet will be at River Plantation County Club. Thank You, Jason for a terrific year and we are looking forward to Bryan’s leadership.
Our program this week was the Willis High School, Wildkats Bowling Team who won the state title. Coach Ryan Jackson explained how they won the tournament in Texas but also major tournaments out of state too. We got to see highlights of their bowling skills in an awesome video. They sure made getting strikes look easy. So, a big congratulations to the Willis Ally Kats as they go to Pennsylvania for the national title.
One other note, the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville still has some openings for kids with disabilities. Please check out their website at: www.lionscamp.com or contact the Lions office if you have a child interested.
If you’re looking for an active community service organization, please visit our website, www.conroenoonlions.org, or call the local club office at 936-760-1666. You may also call for additional information on other area Lions Club.
Rotary has seven areas of focus in which to serve.
Those seven arenas include: Basic Education and Literacy; Community Economic Development; Environment; Peace Building and Conflict Prevention; Disease Prevention and Treatment; Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene; and Maternal and Child Health.
Over the next several months, we will look at these topics and how local Rotary Clubs are helping lead the way in these human needs. The school year is ending with students evolving into the next grade level and Senior Students in High Schools and Colleges graduating and going to the next level in their lives. Rotary Clubs in Montgomery County have provided tens of thousands of dollars in College/Trade School Scholarships.
The Rotary Club of The Woodlands has provided a phenomenal 53 scholarships this year with Rotary clubs in Conroe, Magnolia, Lake Conroe, and East County also contributing thousands in scholarships. Students like Cee Jay Tilley who graduated Booker T. Washington High School in three years was one of many who received recognition and scholarships by Rotarians.
Rotary’s participation in education goes much further. For the last few weeks, the Rotary Club of Conroe has provided “I Like Me” Books to all of the First Graders in the 13 Elementary Schools that feed into Conroe High School. These books are personalized with information provided by parents to the First Grade Teachers and then to Rotary for a unique book about that child which includes their name and the names of friends, their pets, what they like to do and so much more. Businesses such as Gullo Automotive Group helped out in the printing and distribution of the books with 90-year old Tony Gullo, Sr. proudly handing out books to hundreds of students at Anderson Elementary School.
Rotary’s involvement also includes mentoring in the schools and providing role models. Natalie Goertz chaired the mentoring efforts of the Rotary Club of The Woodlands at various elementary schools. Dave Bartlow with the Rotary Club of Conroe has mentored students at Runyan Elementary Schools for over ten years. Mentors provide student motivation and help in keeping students focused on their education.
Rotary is also involved in High Schools with Interact which is Rotary on a high school basis. Interact has a school sponsor and a Rotary Team working together to build service “Rotary-Style” with high schoolers. These Interact Clubs provide High School Students service and leadership opportunities through elected positions and Committee work for Projects. I was one of the sponsors for the Interact Club at Conroe High School where I challenged them to raise $2,000 for the Rotary Plus Eradication Program. They raised over $3,0000 which exceed my goal challenge with the reward of them publicly spray my hair purple in front of the Rotary Club of Conroe. Purple is the color of the dye that infants pinkies are dipped in to show they have received the polio sera in those “third word” countries.
Rotary also sponsors RYLA Camps which stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. These Juniors from various High Schools are sponsored by Rotary Clubs to meet on a weekend of free leadership training at various locations in Texas. These Juniors are significantly impacted by this life-changing, eventful three days. Students from various economic and cultural areas meet for an intense weekend of learning.
Rotarian Clarence Lewis was recently recognized by Booker T. Washington High School in his receipt of the “Service in Education” award. Rotary continues the traditions in educating our youth. Come see how you can participate in Rotary.
Contact me at rsaikowski@comcast.net for more information. The club meets at noon Tuesdays at Honor Cafe in downtown Conroe.
Memorial Day means honoring and remembering those who died serving our country.
This weekend, as you plan activities with family and friends, please keep in mind this is not a “happy” holiday for surviving parents, spouses, children, and those who lost a loved one actively serving our country. You may not realize it, but saying Happy Memorial Day is not something that should be said to a surviving family. Although it marks the beginning of summer, this day was designated as Decoration Day in May 1868 as a day for our country to decorate the graves of those lost to war with flowers.
Memorial weekend is also a time to check on the American flag hanging outside your house. Worn flags should be replaced with new flags. Flags that are no longer suitable for display should be placed in depositories to ensure proper retirement. In the Conroe area there is a box to retire flags in the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, the main Conroe Central Library (next to the Veterans Memorial Park) and in Honor Café. Make plans for the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park Memorial Day Observance and Dedication for names on The Line on Monday, May 27 at 9 am at the park located at 1776 Freedom Blvd in Conroe.
Forest Park The Woodlands is also having a Memorial Day ” Tribute to Heroes and Freedom” on Monday, May 27 Memorial Day starting at 10am. It is a free community event to include Presentation of the Colors by The Woodlands Fire Department, A Wreath Ceremony, patriotic music, and Guest Speaker, Marine Corps Veteran Chris Sadler of Honor Cafe. Attendees are invited to enjoy food catered by Honor Cafe following the ceremony at no charge.
The National Moment of Remembrance is Monday, May 27 at 3pm. Stop and honor those who died in service to our country. My son, Specialist Joey Martens Lenz is one of them. Joey died Feb. 1, 2022. Visit his bench, the bench of LCPL Armando Hernandez, and the names on the Wall at the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park. To us, every day is Memorial Day.
After Memorial Day the Free Movie in the Park will be at Heritage Place Park hosted by the City of Conroe on Friday, May 31. Bring your blanket or lawn chairs to sit on the lawn. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” will be the featured movie beginning at dusk or 8:15pm. Concessions will be available at the park.
Be safe. Shop Local.
Margie Taylor may be reached at margie@taylorizedpr.com.
The Montgomery County Veteran’s Memorial Commission’s flag-retirement program has seen such success at its flag-donation receptacle in Conroe that the program is expanding around the county.
Two flag-donation boxes will be in the Magnolia area. Four are in Precinct 1 areas in Montgomery, Willis and north Conroe and a receptacle will also be coming to Splendora.
Here’s what to know about the group’s Retire & Respect program and how it works:
WHERE TO COOL OFF: Conroe has a waterpark, pools and a splash pad. Here is what to know.
What is Retire & Respect?
It is a program of the veteran’s commission to collect U.S. flags that can no longer be flown due to damage. The commission also oversees the Montgomery County Veteran’s Memorial Park in Conroe.
Vietnam veteran Jimmie C. Edwards III chairs the commission.
In 2022, a friend invited him out to the local landfill to see the number of American flags that had been discarded there, Edwards knew Montgomery County had to do better.
Edwards got with other commission members and launched the Retire & Respect program.
The commission seeks to collect old and unusable American flags, hoping residents will take them to specially designed metal receptacles that will be placed around the county. From there, the commission will retire them, following guidelines laid out by the Department of Defense.
The first collection bin is in the Conroe park but his plan was always to expand with other boxes across the county.
Expanded locations
On May 1, Montgomery County Precinct 1 Commissioner Robert Walker partnered with the commission to place four boxes in Precinct 1.
The bins are at North Montgomery County Community Center at 600 Gerald Street, Willis; Conroe North Montgomery County Recycle Center 142 W. Wally Wilkerson Parkway, Conroe, and Lone Star Community Center 2500 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery.
A fourth bin is also planned but the address for it was not yet available.
Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley has placed two bins in his precinct at the Montgomery County Tax Office (Magnolia Office), 19100 Unity Park Drive, Magnolia and West County Community Center (Friendship Center), 31355 Friendship Drive, Magnolia.
A bin is also coming to Splendora’s City Hall at 26090 FM 2090 East in Splendora.
This box is a partnership between the city of Splendora and Splendora resident Ana Hernandez. Her son, Lance Cpl. Armando Hernandez, 20, died in June 2021 in an on-duty accident while serving in Okinawa in the U.S. Marine Corps. She is now a veteran’s commission member.
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How they are collected
The commission members will regularly collect the donated flags from across the county and they will be retired in a ceremony at the veteran’s park.
They will have one large ceremony once a year. This year the flag retirement ceremony will be in the fall due to the extreme heat they have experienced during Flag Day on June 14. They are also retired monthly by board members.
According to the U.S. Flag Code, “The flag, when it is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
The blue field, stars and stripes are all cut and separated. The grommets are removed for a separate service.
Elizabeth Woods, executive director for the commission, said they are looking to receive US flags, but they also get Texas flags and can retire those as well.
An education center is currently being built at the park with plans to open later this year. It’s Woods hope to have a designated spot near the building where their flag-retirement ceremonies will take place.
Defending state champion Magnolia West rallied to defeat Santa Fe 9-3 to sweep a Region III-5A semifinal series Thursday night at Rice University’s Reckling Park.
“What’s cool about this team is we have been through more adversity than any other team in the state and I truly believe that,” Magnolia West coach Travis Earles said. “We have lost a lot of games, not a lot of things went our way early in the season, in district, and we barely made it to the playoffs. Our guys know how to respond to adversity.”
Magnolia West, which has won eight playoff games in a row, will play Lake Creek or Friendswood in the regional final. The Lions tied their semifinal series at 1-1 Thursday night after defeating the Mustangs 6-4 to force a Game 3 at 7 p.m. Friday at Cy Falls High School.
Magnolia West (24-14-1) found itself down early against the Indians.
Santa Fe (27-14-1) led 3-1 after the first inning when Lucas Dunn tied the game at one with an RBI single and then Jonathan Baccinelli hit a two-out, two-run double.
Dawson Park hit a solo home run to right field to cut the Indians’ lead to 3-2 as the Mustangs’ bats started to come alive in the top of the fifth inning. Park finished the game 1-of-4 with two RBIs and a run. He also pitched four innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs with two strikeouts.
With the bases loaded in the top of the sixth, Park walked to bring home a run and tie the game. A wild pitch by Santa Fe with two outs allowed the Mustangs to take a 4-3 lead. Trent Buckley then hit an RBI single to make it 5-3.
Magnolia West broke the game open in the top of the seventh with four runs on four hits, including two bunt singles. Trey Jeanes knocked in two runs with a double, his only hit in the game.
“We just continued to put pressure on the defense,” Earles said. “Our bunt game and we were being patient at the plate. Our baserunners get on and that’s when we want to put the pressure on the pitcher every inning.”
Right-hander Lucas Huff didn’t allow a hit, gave up two walks and had a strikeout in three innings to get the win.
“He just wants to finish out for his teammates,” Earles said. “That’s a high-pressure situation for a sophomore but he has been doing that for us all year. He wants to help us win whether it’s pitching or playing third or shortstop.”
The Lake Creek baseball team totaled three hits against three Friendswood pitchers Thursday at Cypress Falls High School. It was enough to extend the Region III-5A semifinal series.
Lake Creek scored the first five runs of the game and held on for a 6-4 victory in Game 2 of the best-of-three series. Game 3 is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Cy Falls.
The Lions rebounded from an opening loss to win their quarterfinal series against Magnolia. They are one win from doing it again, handing Friendswood its first loss of the postseason.
“We’ve been here before,” Lake Creek catcher Parker Smith said. “We’re a team that’s pretty experienced in game three so I think we’ll know how to get it done.”
Smith, who also got the last six outs for the save, produced the Lions’ first hit in the third inning.
Lake Creek already led 3-0, taking advantage of three walks, an error and three batters hit by pitches.
Wyatt Davis and Austin Wiederhold scored first-inning runs, driven in by Davis Lee and Smith. Garrett Marshall reached on an error and scored in the second.
Smith made it 5-0 in his second at-bat, turning on an inside delivery for a two-run home run over the left-field wall.
“I was in my two-strike approach, letting everything get deep,” Smith said. “Thankfully he came with a fastball right in my wheelhouse.”
Left-hander Carson Sydnor made the lead stand, changing speeds effectively along with a solid fastball. The Mustangs amassed four runs on nine hits as Sydnor pitched into the sixth, escaping jams with the help of two double plays.
“I felt like it was pretty good,” Sydnor said. “I felt like they couldn’t really hit and I just kind of threw strikes and let them get themselves out.”
Sydnor struck out five, including a slow breaking ball to freeze one batter with the bases loaded in the second.
The Mustangs broke through in the third as Dane Perry doubled home Payton Adams and Dawson Hinson drove in Perry.
Sydnor avoided further damage and pitched around two baserunners in the fifth, striking out two.
“He just had confidence in all his stuff and put it exactly where he needed to,” Smith said.
Smith relieved Sydnor after two batters in the sixth. Ayden Pearcy’s sacrifice fly with the bases loaded scored pinch runner Landon McGuire, while Perry’s sacrifice fly plated Caiden Wells to cut the lead to 5-4.
Colton Pleasant pitched five strong innings to keep Friendswood in the game, allowing a run on two hits.
But the Lions added an insurance run as Davis doubled to set up Wiederhold’s sacrifice fly. Smith retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh, striking out two.
Runoff can carry fertilizer, pesticides and unfiltered soil into the nearest storm drain which leads to the nearest creek, river or lake. Many sprinkler systems apply water faster than the soil can absorb it. Consequently, irrigation water is often seen running down the streets into the storm drain. Many cities have made irrigation water running down the street a fineable offense. Landscapes require water to thrive. To apply water without creating runoff, the cycle and soak method of irrigation may be a solution.
Soil can become compacted with lawn maintenance, foot traffic, stormwater and irrigation. Clay soil particles are very small. Water and air fill the tiny space between the soil particles. Consequently, the infiltration rate (the rate water enters the soil) is very slow. When water fills the space, the saturated soil does not allow more water to enter the soil and runoff occurs. Water running off landscapes is a waste of a valuable resource.Cycle and soak method applies water in multiple cycles with 30 to 60 minutes in between cycles so water has time to soak deeper into the soil. The first cycle will break the surface tension of the soil and saturate the top layer of soil. With time, the water soaks deeper allowing the second cycle to infiltrate the soil more efficiently. A third and even a fourth cycle will be beneficial if a slope is involved or if runoff occurs after the sprinklers run for just a few minutes.
For example, if you have determined you need to run your sprinklers 12 minutes, schedule your controller run 2 times for 6 minutes or 3 cycles for 4 minutes. If a slope or runoff is involved, run 4 cycles for 3 minutes.
Setting Multiples Starts on Controller
Newer irrigation controllers have the ability to have several start times. Some controllers have up to four start times within their multiple programs. Each controller is different, so investigate the instruction manual for your controller. If you cannot locate the manual, it may be available online at the manufacturer’s website or call the manufacturer’s customer service for instructions to set a cycle and soak schedule or have a licensed irrigator set the controller. Many landscape maintenance service companies have a licensed irrigation on staff or can recommend one. For cycle and soak to be effective, set the runtime for each zone for short cycles. Take some time to determine just how long each zone can run before runoff occurs. Remember every zone of your irrigation system may be different, so spend a little time “testing” each zone and calculate the maximum amount of minutes the zone may run until you see water running off onto sidewalks, driveways or street. Divide the normal runtime into 2, 3, or more short runtimes. Set a second or third start time 30 to 60 minutes after the last zone finishes.
Helpful Tip: For best assistance when calling the irrigation controller manufacturer’s customer assistance, use a cordless or cell phone while standing in front of the controller.
Manually Run Cycle and Soak
While setting cycle and soak to run automatically is the most convenient, using the manual start on an irrigation controller is also possible. You can manually run every station for several short cycles or run only the stations or zones where runoff occurs. Set the runtime for the stations (zones) where you want to use cycle and soak for short cycles (short runtime). Manually start the entire system to run or just specific Stations (zones). Wait 30 to 60 minutes to manually start the next cycle.
For example, in a front yard with a 4% or upper slope, runoff may occur very quickly. The higher the slope, the faster runoff will occur. But the foundation planting around the house has not runoff. The side and backyards have no runoff. So only the front lawn area has a runoff problem. So only that area requires cycle and soak. Cycle and soak just one or two stations is easy manually. Divide the runtime in the sloped area into 2, 3 or 4 short runtimes. Set the sloped station for the short runtime. Start manually for the 2, 3 or 4 cycles.
New Irrigation Controllers
Some new irrigation controllers will have a cycle and soak setting. For these controllers you set the maximum runtime and number of cycles. The controller will automatically divide the runtime into the number of cycles you set. Now may be a good time to purchase a new controller, if you find your existing controller does not have the ability to schedule multiple start times with multiple programs. The cost to upgrade a controller will pay for itself by saving water preventing runoff and effectively using every drop of water on your lawn and landscape.
Just remember that lawns only need about 1 inch of water per week to sustain healthy growth. Also, turn off irrigation systems when rain is in the forecast and leave it off for a few days or until water is needed. The cycle soak method will minimize runoff and allow for better water filtration into the soil. Also, it will assist in the development of extensive root systems which result in drought tolerance. Lastly, good watering practices will save you money on your water bill. Don’t waste the good stuff!
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.