The times, they are a changin’ according to Bob Dylan. Happy October, Bentwater. Lots going on in your world these days and, despite some anxiety over that anticipated “October surprise” that somehow magically seems to appear in too many election years, most of what’s going on here in our little bubble of Texas is good, even if it feels uncertain.
In grampa’s day it was known that the only guarantees in life are death and taxes. We don’t have much control over the first one, but the second one we can at least try to influence at the ballot box. And that starts with being informed. For example, you’ll soon be asked to vote on Proposition A which has to do with funding myriad aspects of the Montgomery Independent School District. Regardless of the position you think you might have on this Proposition, knowledge matters. If you missed the presentation by Dr. Mark Ruffin, Superintendent of MISD at the recent NSRW luncheon, relax. I have it on good authority, thanks to Larry Edwards whose son, also Larry, teaches at Lake Creek High School explained there are upcoming informational sessions, also hosted by Dr. Ruffin, scheduled for the two district high schools. The first will be on October 7 at Montgomery High School, followed by another at Lake Creek High School on October 9.
If you’d like more information, you can contact Dr. Amy Busby at the district administrative office. Staying on the subject of taxes, it might surprise you to hear that the tax rate for MUD 18 will actually drop for 2024. Of course, though the rate is going down, the actual dollar amount will still be calculated on the taxable value of your home and most homes in Bentwater have experienced an increase in value. Even so, your MUD Board members are working on for you so be sure to acknowledge their efforts with a sincere “thank you” when you next see them. Meanwhile, our property tax rates are increasing in Montgomery County. Even though the growth in number of new homes has increased the tax base, that growth has also brought with it a corresponding need for infrastructure. Covering that need calls for a new tax rate of $0.3790 per $100 of home valuation. Though it’s the first tax rate increase in five years, it was still slightly below the threshold that would have called for a voter-approval tax rate election, or VATRE. While no one gets giddy over tax increase surprises of any sort for any reason, if you’re one of those always looking for the silver lining, you might note that the total property tax rate for Bentwater continues to hover right around 2% which is markedly below most other communities, particularly those newer communities, across Montgomery County. Yay.
Yet another reason to be thankful to live in Bentwater. And while you’re in a thankful mood, be aware that the November edition of Bentwater Life will be saluting our veteran community, and all those who served are invited to be part of a group cover photo being taken at the Conroe Regional Airport on October 7th at 5:30 PM. Dress code is whatever makes you comfortable, whether casual attire or full uniform. Most simply prefer hats or shirts touting their branch of service. The setting for this year’s photo will include Blackhawk helicopters in the backdrop, and that’s about as gung ho as it gets. It’s also a special opportunity to connect with other veterans of the Bentwater community. Oorah! Hooah! Hooyah! Ask a vet. They’ll explain.
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Despite what your thermometer might be telling you, the calendar says it’s officially fall and you know better than to argue with Mother Nature. You also know that the more hospitable weather in the fourth quarter encourages a lot of outdoor seasonal events in Bentwater. More to come about other events in coming weeks but, for starters, the revelry kicks off this coming weekend (Saturday the 5th to be exact) as the Men Of Bentwater (MOB) and the Bentwater Ladies Organization (BLO) will be co-hosting Oktoberfest. It’ll be happening in the Park In The Meadows from 3 to 7.
For your maybe-not-so-fine-but-absolutely-lip-smacking-good dining pleasure, they’ll be serving as many brats (complete with all the fixins) as you care to manage. And, of course, you’ll need to be washing down all that goodness with something so there’ll also be coolers filled with beer, wine and sodas. And the price is impossible to beat, courtesy of the gals and guys of the BLO and MOB. So, break out your lederhosen and come on down. It’s a pretty good bet that you’ll bump into a few, maybe a few hundred, of your neighbors. Later in October comes Halloween with all its tricks and treats, and there’ll be plenty of both at the Trunk or Treat event taking place on October 26th from 5 to 8, also at the Park In The Meadows. Based on history, there’ll be trick-or-treaters from ages 2 to 82 decked out in their cleverest, cutest and scariest costumes. You’ll see some strange characters. It’ll be like people watching in the airport times ten. Also starting in October and running through mid-December is the annual Toys For Tots campaign, so I’m calling all Marines. Why Marines? Seems like Marines are best known for breaking things and offing bad guys, so what do Marines and toys have in common?
Glad you asked, and you’re probably not the only one wondering. Well, Marines do have a softer side, you know, and it’s been showing up around this time every year since 1947. That’s when Diane Hendricks asked her husband, Marine Major Bill Hendricks, to find an area organization where she and some friends could donate the “rag dolls” they were making. After extensive recon patrols, the Major had to report back that “there are no such organizations to be found” to which Mrs. Hendricks replied, “well, start one.” Being trained to follow orders, the Major did and Toys For Tots was born. From its modest beginning of a few dozen toys, today the program collects some 17 million toys each year and distributes them to local kids across the country who might not otherwise get a visit from Santa Claus. The generosity of Bentwater residents has, for years, been a major supporter in Montgomery County, and you can trust that we’re working to continue that tradition as you hear more about Toys For Tots in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, for those who couldn’t attend Thursday’s POA annual meeting and haven’t already heard through the grapevine, your re-elected and newly-elected Board Members are Joan Slater and Darrylinn Akerman, both of whom are deserving of your heart-felt thanks and ongoing support. Also, a sincere thanks to Anthony Paolino who, although a bit shy of votes this time around, is a winner for being selfless enough to volunteer. Finally, a special shoutout to Sonia Key and the Young Families of Bentwater who were awarded this year’s Pinnacle Award in recognition of their contribution to the culture and spirit of the Bentwater community. Salute to the newest generation of Bentwater. Well deserved.
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Why Bentwater? Of all the great places to live on this planet, in this county, in Texas, in Montgomery County, why are you living in Bentwater? Pause for a moment and think about that question. Regardless of your answer, I’ll go out on a limb here and suggest it’s by choice. Your choice. Our choice. After all, who gets transferred to Bentwater? No one. So, we all looked at our housing options at a particular moment in time and we chose a community that best suited our budgets and our preferred lifestyles. We chose Bentwater. That’s why I’m completely stumped hearing folks complaining about some of the requirements of living here and, in particular, the fact that property owners must be (and are uniquely allowed to be) members of the country club. I suppose I could understand the angst if there was some new rule introduced that every property owner would now suddenly be required to join the country club at some level. But it ain’t even all of a sudden. That’s been the case for the nearly four decades that Bentwater has existed, certainly since before we all chose to buy here, to move here, to live here. Now, having made that choice, we can absolutely decide how or whether we choose to participate in which amenities and activities of the club and the community. But there’s no shortage of such choices. A quick scroll down the member home page of the club’s website will point out lots of current activities and events you might want to consider. And those don’t include all the things you might choose to do individually or in small groups like golfing on our courses or driving range or putting greens or tennis or pickleball or sports club workouts and classes or swimming or boating. Admittedly, some of those activities call for us to have more than just the requisite social level membership but, again, that’s totally our choice. Meanwhile, there are other activities that don’t call for incremental membership or costs. They’re yours to enjoy by virtue of simply having an address in Bentwater. For example, the dog parks, walking paths, playgrounds, basketball court, fishing holes and special events like the concert series taking place at the Park In The Meadows? Have you attended any? No? Well, the next one is coming up in just a few days on September 23rd and I hope to see you there. Your choice. There’ll be food and drink available for purchase if you choose but, otherwise, no cost. Speaking of choosing, at the risk of seeming to be a pest, you have voted for your choices of POA Board members, right?
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As I hope you’re aware, voting is now open to fill two vacant seats for Directors of your POA Board, and you should have already received your proprietary ballot via email. If you missed it or accidentally deleted it or simply had no idea there’s even an election going on, please call the POA offices and ask them to assist you. The main number is (936) 597-5532 and it matters that you’re involved in the process. The good news is that you have until the 26th to vote, so it isn’t panic time. Yet. But if you act now, when will you? There are three candidates vying for two seats, and they are (alphabetically by first name) Anthony Paolino, Darrylinn Akerman and Joan Slater. Irrespective of which two might receive your vote, all of them deserve your appreciation for their willingness to serve. They each bring a passion to make Bentwater the best it can be and, even if you don’t know any of them personally, you can read their resumes and thoughts by logging in to www.BentwaterPOA.com.
Today, Bentwater competes with lots of newer communities, some with certain amenities we don’t have. They may even have lower costs. Fair enough. It’s absolutely true that prospective buyers have choices. So did you. Yet you’ve chosen to live here. Why? Could it be that Bentwater doesn’t really have “competition” per se, other than itself? That’s not a trick question. Compare it, for example, to selecting a restaurant. You don’t go to the pizza parlor if you’re wanting a ribeye or to the steak house if you’re wanting sushi or to the sushi bar if you’re wanting linguine and clam sauce. Consumers have myriad choices in cuisines and locations and prices, but they will always choose what best satisfies them, even if there are a dozen options nearby. That’s because all successful restaurants have one common denominator. Specialization. They excel at their specialty and don’t concern themselves with other cuisines, so their “competition” isn’t the other eateries at all. It’s their ability to tastefully (pun intended) meet the expectations of their targeted clientele. Key word. Targeted.
While choosing a restaurant may be a choice for a day (or a single meal), choosing a community is typically a choice for years. That’s why consumers will always choose what best suits their preferred lifestyle of the moment, irrespective of what other communities might offer. And, Bentwater isn’t one-size-fits-all. Instead, it uniquely satisfies the preferences certain different lifestyles. From young families wanting space to grow to seasoned citizens wanting to “right size” and everything in between, Bentwater has home choices (size and price) for most lifestyles provided folks also want at least some aspect of a gated, country club lifestyle on Lake Conroe. Golf? Tennis? Sports Club? Marina (easy lake access)? Social events with familiar faces? Those form Bentwater’s specialty, making it an ideal choice for buyers who value any (or all) of them. For those who don’t, we shouldn’t feel offended if they choose elsewhere. So, whomever you choose to represent you on the Board, I hope you’ll encourage them to focus their considerable talents on helping Bentwater be the best it can be at what it is, and not worry about what it isn’t. After all, some aspect of what it is attracted us all here, right? Now, go vote.
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“What’s this world coming to?” Admit it, you’ve said (or thought) those very words recently, and it’s a valid question given the new normal constantly being shoved at us. New issues, new causes, new rules, new ways of required thinking. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with new just because it’s new. But, for those of us with a few miles on us, some of the new is so contrary to what we feel to be the truth that many are understandably concerned about the direction and future of the world around us and, in particular, its impact on the next generation. Good news. There’s reason to believe that the next generation is alive and well and making some very good decisions. And that’s not just hearsay. I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes, and you can, too.
Allow me to (re)introduce you to Bentwater Volunteer Families (BVF). They’re a service organization generally made up of youngsters (6th-12th grades) living in Bentwater or having a relative in Bentwater and who are dedicated to giving back to the community. Whether boxing food for local Meals On Wheels or writing letters to go with cookies being sent to our soldiers through Grammy’s Cookie Convoy or working alongside the Bentwater Civic Association volunteers during the BCA’s myriad recycling events, BVF regularly demonstrates why they are a force for good. If you’re a parent or grandparent with youngsters here in Bentwater, you probably already know about BVF. If not, the basic concept driving this organization is to have engaged parents and engaged young people (key word, engaged) actively working to be productive citizens through three specific disciplines: philanthropic service, leadership development, and cultural awareness. They just held their first meeting of the school year this past week so, if you missed it or would just like to learn a bit more about the who and what of BVF, just know that the group meets at North Shore Church at 7:00 PM on the 4th Tuesday of every month. I’m sure they’d enjoy having you join them, and being there in person just might brighten your day and adjust your attitude. For more details you can reach out to President, John Hart at jhartrn1@gmail.com.
You’ve no doubt heard by now, tomorrow’s Labor Day. What you may not have heard is why. What’s the reasoning for Labor Day? Seems it has now been celebrated in some form or fashion in the United States for over 130 years but, like most things that have been around for that long, sadly, it’s pretty much lost its true historical meaning. Too many of our citizenry have no clue what it’s actually about. Most consider it to be the unofficial end of summer and/or the official beginning of a new school year and, of course, it’s both of those things. But it was originally organized to recognize the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations. With last century’s mills and factories now gone and the labor force dramatically evolved, today it’s mostly celebrated as a very welcome three-day weekend. A time for grills and gridirons. Yep, college football is officially underway. You may have picked up on that after seeing dozens of folks’ favorite school banners popping up in neighbor’s yards throughout Bentwater. Let the quest for bragging rights begin!
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Given that the entire world is online and some of the “stuff” posted on social media these days can absolutely ruin someone’s day, here’s a little food for thought. Spoken words and written words may be exactly the same, but they’re completely different. No, that’s not a typo nor a riddle. It’s simply pointing out that the written word has no inflection, so its message tends to be interpreted by the reader rather than the writer.
Consider this statement, “I didn’t steal your idea” and think of how it might be read._I_didn’t steal your idea (someone else may have but it wasn’t me). I didn’t steal your idea (denial). I didn’t steal your idea (I just borrowed it). I didn’t steal your idea (I stole someone else’s). I didn’t steal your idea (just some of your thoughts). Five words, five meanings. So, next time you read (or write) something on any social media platform, slow down. If reading someone else’s post, try to consider what they “might” have meant rather than what your own biases absolutely know they meant. Take a deep breath. It’ll help your blood pressure.
And, when writing your own post, read it again before you hit “send” and ask yourself what the reader might hear. Better yet, problem solved if we just minimize online chat and talk more in person. Case in point, the monthly Mix ‘n’ Mingle at the club happens from roughly 4-7 every third Tuesday in the Crescent Grill, and it’ll typically find fifty or so of your neighbors there mixing and mingling. You know, talking to one another. This event was started initially as a venue for welcoming new residents, and that’s certainly still the case, but there are also lots of regulars showing up. Regularly. No membership required. No entry fee. No minimum purchase. Just folks talking with other folks. Yep, communicating. Every word spoken with inflection. No misinterpretation. Y’all come.
Speaking of communication, do you know about Operation School Bell? It’s the signature program of Assistance League, and is kicking off its Fall “dressings” this month, providing vouchers for in-need students (as determined by school counselors) to shop for school clothes at local stores. League volunteers help organize and staff the events at Burlington Coat Factory, J.C. Penney, Kohls, and Walmart stores, all funded by the Assistance League Thrift Shop in Conroe which is staffed entirely by volunteers and gets its inventory from community donations.
So, shop at Assistance League and you’ll get great deals while helping school kids get new clothes. Win, win. Plus, it’s yet another opportunity to mix and mingle with lots of your neighbors, volunteers at the Thrift Shop. Cindy Cooper tells me they include: Linda Baker, Kathy Berringer, Cindy Cooper, Colleen Cremer, Susan Day, Marsha Dolhonde, Pat Edwards, Dolores Gonzlez, Angie Grimes, Eileen Holbart, Joyce Isenbarger, Carolyn Jones, Liz Jones, Sharon Jones, Sharon Jorczak, Marlene Keeling, Jan Kendall, Karen Krauszer, Mary Krenek, DeWitt Lamb, Judy Love, Barb Michels, Joanne Naughton, Molly Parkhill, Shirley Parrish, Sherrie Ponto, Annette Prokop, Kay Raun, Anna Richards, Nancy Sappenfield, Karen Spartz, Nancy Stewart-Newsom, Lana Sultz, Karen Walker, Phyllis Weisbrook, and Lennie Woodford. Hoping to see all of them (and you) at Bentwater’s next Mix ‘n’ Mingle.
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If you’ve been paying even a little bit of attention to what’s going on around you, you know that Bentwater’s growth is non-stop and, since we don’t have the ability to expand beyond our current footprint, the building inside our gates has us bursting at the seams. As you read this, there are already just shy of 2,400 completed homes “on the compound” and another 42 homes currently under construction. And, when you look outside our gates, the expansion across our area of Montgomery County is even more astounding. There’s a new housing development on pretty much every parcel of unimproved land, no exaggeration. There’s even one close by that hasn’t yet broken ground, but has created a lot of chatter in Bentwater because it’ll be just on the other side of FM 1097. So, in an effort to curb some of the speculation and rumors that you may have heard about what’s going on, I’ll share a bit of what I’ve learned.
To help you imagine what this new neighborhood might look like, this is the project of J. Alan Kent Development, a Houston-based developer, who has developed some other communities you might recognize, including Augusta Pines in The Woodlands and Shadow Creek which is nestled between FM 830 and League Line Road. Given that, the expectation is that their marketing activity is likely to attract a clientele who might also find the amenities and lifestyle of Bentwater to their liking as they explore and discover the area. Of course, such demand won’t materialize overnight because they reportedly won’t be breaking ground on the first section until early 2026. It isn’t yet known what levels and types of amenities might be planned, but it’s clear that their acreage isn’t sufficient to include a golf course.
But they do already have their Municipal Utility District (MUD) application filed and approved, so it appears to be the real deal. Once they get started, you can expect that it won’t be long before we have as many as 1,500 new neighbors, all living in high-end, single-family homes (no condos or apartments). And, by then, it’s reasonable to think that enough of the work on FM 1097 might actually be completed and capable of accommodating all those new residents. We can only hope.
Meanwhile, a quick reminder to all you aspiring board members. You only have a few days left to polish you resumes and submit your application to get on the ballot. Gotta get it done by next Friday, the 23rd at noon. Tick. Tock.
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Simply amazing. Is there anything the Internet doesn’t know? I was just browsing that pinnacle of wisdom, Facebook, when I ran across a friend’s post saying that “you know you’re in Texas when” the temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly or when hot water comes out of both spigots or when you can make sun tea in seven seconds. Yes, indeed. It’s a Texas summer when you have to steer your car with two fingers and your seat belt buckle is a seriously potent branding iron.
It’s even been rumored that some golfers witnessed birds using potholders to pull worms out of the ground. And admit it. You know you’ve parked a quarter mile away and sweated your way across some parking lot just so you could leave your car in some shade. Yessiree, it’s summer in Texas. Don’t know about you but, toasty or not, I’m happy, happy, happy to be here. There’s a lot to like about Texas. And Bentwater.
Somewhat different context, but you’ve heard that motivational chastisement telling us that if we can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen, right? Well, I don’t know why anyone would since it’s not as hot in the kitchen as it is outside right now. Plus, it just ain’t cool to stand outside and complain about what’s going on in the kitchen. Still, some do. The Property Owners Association (POA) runs pretty smoothly most times and its Board does an admirable job of managing how things work here in our little bubble of life. So, personally, I don’t understand those few folks who spend way too much time chirping online about how they don’t like this or think that should be different. But, good news. They have a chance to do something about it by jumping into the kitchen and fixing those things themselves.
You see, the POA has a five (5) member Board of Trustees and there’s an election coming up to fill the seats for two of them whose terms are ending. Now, remember that all on the Board are volunteers as well as your neighbors. No salary, no benefits and no special consideration. Every penny spent by the POA is their money, too, because they pay the same assessments as everyone else. Moreover, they’re bound by the same CC&Rs, not their personal opinions or pet peeves. So, not intending to curb anyone’s enthusiasm, all aspiring candidates might want to maybe review their CC&Rs to be sure they understand what’s required to “fix” things. Any little bitty thing. Still, there’s plenty of room in the ring for more hats so, by all means, toss yours in. Just be sure you do before noon on the 23rd.
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By the time you read this, the main entry to the dog park will have been regraded and the concrete pad will have been enlarged considerably, making access and egress much cleaner and neater and less muddy for our furry friends’ (and our) enjoyment. Stop by and check it out.
Meanwhile, we’re in the midst of the political season and I’m reminded of Grandma, once upon a time, describing one particular politician as being an absolute snake in the grass. Though I didn’t understand exactly what that meant at the time, I was pretty sure it wasn’t intended as a compliment. Though she was the most genteel soul ever, she tended to call a spade a spade (I didn’t know what that meant either back then). Yet, compared to some of the superlatives we hear in our political discourse these days, calling someone a snake in the grass sounds pretty tame. Almost cute. That is, of course, unless there really is actually a snake in your grass. And chances are pretty good there’s at least one. Right now.
Seems that the warm weather and ample rain have combined to cause critters without shoulders to procreate with gusto, and their offspring are roaming a bit earlier than usual this year. That means that, if you haven’t already, you’re likely to cross paths with one (or several) in the coming days. According to Google, there are over a hundred species of snakes in these United States, though only nineteen are deemed to be a threat to humans, and even fewer are dangerous enough to possibly be fatal. Problem is, pretty much all the ones that can make life uncomfortable for you (or your pets) are here in Texas. Probably in Montgomery County. Perhaps in Bentwater. Maybe even in your backyard. Grandma just knew stuff. For example, she explained that if I didn’t want to itch from mosquito bites, all I had to do was smack them as soon as they lit on me. And, sure enough, Grandma’s advice worked every time.
That is, if I saw them before they were ready to chow down. Similarly, more of Grandma’s wisdom was that your best defense against snakes is just to see them first. You’re welcome. So, check that wound-up water hose before reaching for it. And before you start wading through the stickers thanks to that slightly errant golf shot, consider exactly what price you might be willing to pay for that $4 ball. You will, after all, be tromping through their backyard, so you should expect that some critters might object. Grandma would suggest a simpler solution. Just keep it in the fairway. Feel free to use my name when sharing these bits of wisdom with your grandkids. As for politics, if Grandma was still around today, she probably wouldn’t be so polite. Just sayin’…
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There’s perhaps nothing more stressful than when house guests overstay their welcome, don’t you agree? And it gets even worse when you discover dirty towels on the bathroom floor or unwashed dishes in the sink as they’re pulling out of your drive. Sorta like Beryl. He didn’t stay all that long but he sure left a huge, dirty mess. Lots of folks are still cleaning up, and will be for a while. You and all your neighbors likely lost power at some point and, as you read this, there are still areas here in our corner of Texas where the power is not yet fully restored. So, considering everything that’s happened and is happening, we here in Bentwater fared pretty well through it all.
And, not meaning to sound too much like a Pollyanna, I usually find that there’s a silver lining somewhere around every bad situation if you really look for it. And, sure enough, there it was. Folks standing in groups in the middle of the streets chatting, sharing experiences and comparing stories. Neighbors helping to cut up fallen trees and cutting off broken limbs from others. Sweeping up debris. Sharing space in their refrigerators and freezers. Offering the use of spare bedrooms. Feeding others. Running extension cords across lawns to provide a little relief for neighbors who didn’t have generators. Anything and everything to help others. Neighbors helping neighbors. Though some suffered more expense or discomfort than others, the sense of community Beryl caused was downright uplifting for everyone. Of course, we don’t need such outside forces to appreciate our neighbors so, when you get a call from one of Beryl’s cousins-in-law asking about maybe paying a visit sometime in the future, just don’t answer the phone.
Meanwhile, a special shout out to the grounds crews of both the POA and the country club for their efforts and dedication to keeping Bentwater beautiful. While we have a right to expect that the debris left courtesy of Beryl be efficiently cleared from our streets and common areas, these crews went above and beyond despite the heat. I hope you’re also paying attention to what’s going on throughout our community. It’s like that proverbial butterfly emerging from her cocoon.
You don’t even have to be a golfer to see how many of the treed areas have had the undergrowth cleared and the canopies raised. Even dozens of those messy Bois d’ Arc trees have magically disappeared. There’s an obvious and concerted effort to groom our community to appear larger, more open, more appealing and more desirable. The next time you roll past a golf hole bordering Bentwater Drive, take a close look. Take it all in and, if you’re honest with yourself, you’ll find it impossible to ever take for granted where we’re blessed to live.
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