‘Tis the season.  You probably already knew that but, if there’s still any doubt, just pay attention to what’s happening this coming Tuesday and Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM when hordes of your friends and neighbors (and hopefully you, too) take to the streets of Bentwater.  And, it’s all for a good cause.  Actually, several good causes. Â
Yep, it’s the 2023 Holiday Home Tour and, even though the tour itself only lasts for a couple of day (December 5th and 6th), it’s the culmination of a year of thoughtful planning and diligent efforts by the Bentwater Ladies Organization and, in particular, the tour’s organizing committee.  The Co-Chairs of that committee this year were Marilyn Schmidt and Lynette Russo, and contributing members include Robin Moritz (who’ll be the Chair of the event for 2024), Karen Neeley, Mary Frances (and Kevin) Doris, Annette Young, and LuAnn Banks. Â
And you’ll also meet dozens more BLO members as they guide you through the individual homes.  Of course, none of their efforts would be possible or necessary but for the kindness of those willing to spend weeks preparing and then opening their homes to the masses.  As in years past, the funds raised from ticket sales for the tour are equally donated to each of the participating homeowners’ charity of choice.  Just so you know who to thank, Pam and Mike Gallagher chose MD Anderson, known worldwide for their cancer care.  Nicki and John Barnes chose The International OCD Foundation to raise awareness of the debilitating nature of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.  Arlynn and Greg Kelleher chose Operation Pets Alive, an organization which rescues dogs and cats from local animal shelters and fosters those pets while searching for, and finding, their forever humans in their forever homes. Â
Kristine and James Sullivan chose Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM), a non-profit social service agency which provides basic human needs to those affected by domestic violence.  Whether you find all (or any) of these causes to be close to your heart somewhat misses the overriding point which is to make it easy for you to meet and greet and interact with bunches of friends and neighbors in some spectacular homes you might not otherwise frequent.  We’re truly blessed to live in a community with organizations like the BLO and residents like these host families to create such an awesome event.  Not to understate the value delivered to the chosen charities, this annual event is truly for our benefit as it further brings our community together.  And what a terrific way to enter the Christmas season.
Send Bentwater news and fun tidbits to Bruce@TheLakeConroeGroup.com
