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Editor’s note

B

BACK IN MY LATE TEENAGE years, Mom and I would tangle often over my inability, and perhaps unwillingness, to make it to Sunday Mass. With late Saturday nights doing teenager things like working and hanging out, it took more than an alarm clock or parental scolding to rouse me from my Lazarus-like slumber.

Mom surprised me one afternoon by telling me she cared less about whether I continued to practice Catholicism and more that I practiced any faith and had a relationship with God. I found that to be a pretty amazing concession considering our family had been Catholics since long before Great-Grandma Kozara brought her children through Ellis Island almost a century earlier.

It seems that advice Mom gave me is followed more commonly these days. In this month’s issue highlighting issues of faith, we explore the increasing number of people who turn from established religions to nondenominational churches to connect with God. We also seek insight on how to instill awareness about God and Jesus Christ in their children, something they believe requires a partnership between family and church.

Also on the religion front, we explore the meaning of leavened and unleavened bread, and photographer Prentice C. James follows congregants from Old Ocean as they are welcomed into a partner church to worship.

Among our regular features, Anna David Cooper has a special piece this month on how cooking serves as an expression of love, including a couple basic recipes that contain that special ingredient to make them something magical.

We hope you’ll take some time to leaf through the pages of this month’s issue to feel the love delivered by faith and family.

Michael Morris

Brazos Monthly editor

4 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Contents

BRAZOS MONTHLY Publisher Yvonne Mintz Editor Michael Morris Writers Erinn Callahan Rick Cousins Anna David Cooper Nathan Hudson Valerie Jansky Holly Lopeman John Lowman Corinna Richardson Jessica Tompkins Photographers Anna David Cooper Barclay Fernandez Prentice C. James Kevin Jamie Michelle Raye Advertising director Cindy Cornette Advertising representatives Jessica Arriaga Yadi Cantu Bobbie Greer Karyn Kadera Kelly Wood Editorial 979-237-0148 Advertising 979-237-0130

22

10

18 48

36

52

8 Wine list Don’t let a movie prevent wine

36 Changing churches Nondenominational churches are

drinkers from enjoying a nice Merlot.

increasingly popular places to worship.

10 Food Love might be the most important

44 Fashion A mix of classic and forward looks

ingredient used in the kitchen.

make up this year’s prom offerings.

Circulation 979-265-2999

22 Focus on Faith Parents and churches work to instill an

48 Parenting Even an ineffective flu vaccine offers

VOL. 2, NO. 9 All material herein c. 2018, Southern Newspapers Inc., dba The Brazosport Facts, 720 S. Main St. Clute, TX 77531. No material herein may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without written permission of the publisher.

understanding of God in children.

protection for children.

Brazos Monthly is a publication of

720 South Main Street P.O. Box 549 Clute, Texas 77531 979-237-0100

ON THE COVER: Sisters Ella and Anna Greene show some of the popular fashions for this prom season. More on Page 42. Photo by Michelle Raye

Win a Brazos Monthly Prize Package Find this gift box hidden in one of the ads inside this edition to enter Your Name

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Drop off this completed entry at 720 S. Main St. in Clute or mail to Brazos Monthly Gift Box, c/o The Facts, PO Box 549, Clute, TX 77531.

Must be original; no copies or electronic entries accepted. One winner selected from all correct entries. Entry deadline April 25, 2018.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 5

hiskey W our S BOTTLES UP

MAKING THE DRINK

INGREDIENTS 3 parts Bulleit bourbon or other whiskey 2 parts lemon juice 1 part Gomme or simple syrup Dash of egg white (optional) DIRECTIONS Combine all ingredients with ice and shake well. Serve over ice in an oldfashioned glass.

THE WHISKEY SOUR IS a brilliant cocktail that turns a liquor that is very strong and almost repulsive for some people into a nice and flavorful cocktail that’s easy to enjoy. The sour-andsweet dichotomy of lemon juice and sugary syrup finds its niche incredibly well with the bitter and smoky taste of bourbon.

The drink seems to originate around the 1870s.

A Peruvian newspaper credits one Mr. Elliot Stubb with creating the cocktail around 1872 while another newspaper from Wisconsin credits the cocktail to an anonymous source in 1870.

Whatever the drink’s true origins, there is no denying it is incredibly delicious.

Nearly all of the different tastes are here: sour, sweet, bitter and smoky are all present in the glass, giving the tongue a real workout.

Mellow bourbon works with the lemon and sugar to take away some of the bite and edginess of the whiskey without separating the characteristic taste of it. Optional egg whites can add a layer of creaminess to the drink as well without sacrificing any of the wonderful flavors on display.

If you’re looking to enjoy bourbon or whiskey without the “burn” associated with it, then this is the perfect drink for you. story by

NATHAN HUDSON

6 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Zee German Pils

Karbach Brewing Company Houston Roll out the barrel for this fantastic seasonal beer. A warm and inviting amber color with mild carbonation and a hoppy and citrus smell invite you in, and the first taste reveals a light and balanced body. The yeasty and nearly overwhelming aftertaste may slow your roll though, as this beer truly deserves the title of “liquid bread.” This is definitely a good beer to drink with kielbasa and knockwurst with sauerkraut; just be sure to toast with “Prost!” before drinking.

Odell 90 Shilling Ale

Odell Brewing Company Fort Collins, Colorado This beer is a jack of all trades. Pouring out to a nice copper color with a fading white head, this beer will please almost anyone with its mellow sweet scent. The first sip adds some spice from cloves and a bit of citrus, and it finishes creamy and just a little bit sour. A medium and non-filling body and carbonation make this beer good to be enjoyed anytime.

beverage reviews by NATHAN HUDSON

Shiner Strawberry Blonde

Spoetzl Brewing Company Shiner The perfect beer for warm weather has finally returned and it’s made just up the road from Brazoria County. A pale yellow beer with lots of bubbles and virtually no head is betrayed by its smell of strawberries and malt. The first sip may be confusing, however; strong tastes of malt and wheat with a touch of honey are the first flavors to reach the tongue while the sweet and familiar taste of strawberries finally emerges in the aftertaste.

If you’re looking for a sweet and pleasing beer to take refuge from the oppressive heat, this beer is for you.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 7

WINE LIST

O

Of all the grape varietals made in California, only 8 percent is Merlot, making it one of the lowest-produced wines in the United States. Some wine makers blame it on the growing likeability of other low-tannin wines, such as Pinot Noir. Others blame it on the movie “Sideways,” a 2004 comedy movie, whose wine snob character Miles ridicules Merlot throughout.

Alas, Wine Spectator surprised us all by naming a Merlot the 2017 Top 100 wine. I would like to share with you two Merlots that are sold frequently by request at The Grape Taste Wine Bistro and can be purchased at the Lake Jackson H-E-B.

Oyster Bay Merlot

Emmolo Merlot

2014 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand If you’re looking for a softer Merlot, pick up a bottle from New Zealand. This area is widely known for its Sauvignon Blancs, but its gravel terroir and warm temperatures also are perfect for making an elegant, soft tannin Merlot that drinks much differently than the traditional oak-driven California Merlot. This wine is full of red currant and bright cherry. Light enough to drink in the middle of the day, it has enough spice and fruit to pair with dinner. Can be purchased at H-E-B for less than $11.

2015 Napa Valley, California Accolades for this wine go far back, with multiple reviews each year with ratings in the upper 90s. It is heavy, dark and full-bodied enough to pair perfectly with steak. It is very earthy for a California wine, and you can expect a little sediment in the bottom of the bottle. You’ll find layers of figs, ripe cherries and leathery tannins. The Grape Taste carries the 2015 and 2016 years in their cellar and H-E-B sells the 2015 for $55 a bottle.

wine reviews by

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APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 9

FOOD

Secret

ingredient

Hand-written recipes are endless display of love

story, recipes and photos by

ANNA DAVID COOPER

10 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

MY LATE STEPMOTHER used to sneak off to her room and watch hours of Food Network and Cooking Channel. She hurriedly scribbled down recipes that were appealing and readily shared them with me on my trips home from college. Over the holidays, she would spend two days in the kitchen, prepping and cooking at all hours of the night to ensure our family Christmas dinners were something out of a Food & Wine magazine spread.

In the months leading up to her death, she carefully hand-wrote more than 10 recipes — with pictures, notes and timelines — collecting them together with other magazine pages and ripped pieces of paper that included ingredients, lists and thoughtful instructions, all labeled “Christmas Recipes 2012.” This was meant to be our recipe bible for Christmas dinner once she was gone.

At the time, we weren’t aware she

“Food is symbolic of love when words are inadequate.”

Alan D. Wolfelt

Recipes collected by Anna Cooper’s late stepmother.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 11

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PHOTO COURTESY TRUTH PR

Start Fresh THis Spring

Gary LeBlanc, left, founded Mercy Chefs to provide hot meals to first responders, volunteers and victims in areas struck by disaster. suffered from depression, and these meek attempts at sharing food also were her final grasps at showing her love.

After her passing, I threw myself into cooking. I took a French cooking and baking class. I volunteered to make and deliver sandwiches to the homeless through the American Church in Paris, where I lived at the time. I studied every cookbook available and cooked often for my French friends. It was a way for me to exercise control in an uncontrollable season of my life. It was my meager attempt to reciprocate love. It was therapeutic in its process and spiritual in its effects. Much like how I felt about my journey in faith, the more I experienced the connection of sharing food and spreading love, the more I wanted to cook for others.

Cesar Chavez once wrote, “… the people who give you their food, give you their heart.” People echo this sentiment according to an NPR poll; over a quarter of U.S. families consider food to be an important way to show affection, and 75 percent of YourTango.com readers polled agreed preparing food for someone is a significant act of love.

You’ll find proof of this consensus along

ABOUT MERCY CHEFS Founded in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the organization exists to provide professionally prepared, restaurant quality meals to victims, volunteers and first responders in natural disasters and national emergencies and partners with existing ministries with food service in underserved communities around the country.

Since its founding, Mercy Chefs has served more than 1.5 million meals, including more than 1,500 in Southeast Texas after Hurricane Harvey.

with a more sacred meaning among quite a few chefs and food organizations such as Mercy Chefs, one of the many faith-based, nonprofit disaster relief groups that provided more than 1,400 meals to shelter evacuees and first responders during Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent floods.

“After serving over 1 million meals in the last 10 years, we know that something amazing happens over a shared meal,” said Mercy Chefs founder Gary LeBlanc. “To be able to go and feed people in the name of Jesus, for people who have lost so much due to no fault of their own, is a real honor and privilege.”

This tie of love and spiritual motivation isn’t surprising when you look into most organized religions and find food and love intersect often. Food is repeatedly associated in connection with community, obedience and a higher power’s love.

In the Christian Bible (NIV), the word “food” occurs 32 times and “feed” appears another 34 times.

Each are frequently printed in relation to a spiritual analogy or paradigm. One of the Bible’s mostknown examples of food and love comes in the many forms of Jesus’ own proclamations: “Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to

“Cooking is like love: It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.”

Harriet van Horne me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” — John 6:35 This is often quoted and referenced at public communions where bread, crackers, wine and juice are consumed in remembrance and decree of the love of Jesus.

In the Islamic culture, Muslims and Allah believers fast from food for one month, only breaking for suhoor (pre-dawn meal), iftar (post-dawn snack) and Eid al-Fitr, a three-day festival overflowing with sweets. While this act is an

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absence of food, the fast brings a community together for worship, a sense of obedience, innerreflection and a worthiness of love from their God. Famous French Chef Eric Ripert, a Catholic-converted Buddhist, credits Buddhism’s values for how he now approaches his cooking and professional kitchens with more patience and passion. He argues love through food is real.

“Let’s suppose you have someone in your family, someone who loves you very much and cooks for you,” he said. “When you taste those cookies and taste that apple tart, it has something you cannot describe.

Let’s suppose you eat the same cookies made in a factory. They may taste delicious, but they will miss that element. Anyone in a crowd, I think, can feel it — the differences.”

I’d like to think that the act of cooking, feeding and sharing food with others is one of the most basic forms of love. Like my stepmom, when you don’t know how to verbalize the feeling, I think you can always share it through food. Like Ripert, I think that element is something you will always feel. Whether you’re a believer in God or just a believer in the power of love, cooking exudes love and “love never fails.”

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APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 13

14 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Classic Spaghetti Sauce Spaghetti is a dish prevalent in many childhoods. We all swore our parents’ recipes were the best and, biases aside, I wonder how much of that was the element of love we tasted?

I can’t quite remember how my late stepmom made her spaghetti sauce, but I can recall she made it often and she made it sweet. Yes, her love ran throughout the sauce, but we were shocked to find out that she made it with sugar. I smiled to myself when I recently dug out a Spaghetti Bolognese recipe from her stack of crinkled papers with those exact instructions. It turns out sugar helps to mask the acidity of tomatoes in a sauce that simmers on the stove for a long period of time.

This recipe can be ready after cooking 30 minutes, but the longer it simmers the deeper the flavors will get.

INGREDIENTS 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 pound mild Italian sausage 1 small onion, chopped Half to 1 large green bell pepper 4 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano 1/2 cup red wine 1 1/2 cups beef stock 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar 3 teaspoons fresh basil, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 to 2 teaspoons salt 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper 1 pound thin spaghetti Fresh basil or parsley for garnish, chopped Shredded Parmesan cheese for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS In a large stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

Cook the sausage until browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Remove and set aside to drain.

In the same pot, add the onion and pepper to the remaining sausage fat and sauté until the onion is just soft and translucent.

Add in the garlic, parsley, thyme and oregano, and sauté for one more minute.

Deglaze the pan by pouring in the wine and scraping up any fond (the caramelized bits) stuck to the pan. Bring the liquid to a simmer, then add in the beef broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, sugars, basil and bay leaf.

Stir well to combine, then

bring liquid to a very slight boil.

Immediately reduce the heat to a simmer.

Add in the cooked sausage, bay leaf, salt and pepper to taste and cover to simmer on low, stirring frequently, for at least 30 minutes but up to an hour and a half.

Note: the longer the sauce simmers, the more time the flavors have to develop; however, you may be required to add more beef broth if the sauce thickens too much.

While the sauce cooks, prepare the pasta according to the package directions.

When the sauce is ready, taste and season again with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve the sauce over the pasta and garnish with shredded Parmesan, fresh basil and/or parsley.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 15

Lavender Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes Growing up, pancakes were a weekend ritual.

Every Saturday or Sunday we would run into the kitchen to find pancakes in the shapes of our initials and Mickey Mouse heads. They weren’t high-end and they weren’t Michelin-rated, but to a group of young girls fresh off a slumber party night, the customized breakfast made us feel special. Because of that, they were indescribably delicious.

There are numerous ways to make pancakes. I’ve strayed away from the once-simple recipe I grew up around as I’ve discovered new ways to make these weekend treats my own. No matter the differences, I still imagine one day a group of my daughter’s rambunctious friends will run in and enjoy them like we did.

This recipe includes a soft and delicious flavor combination, but feel free to leave out the lavender, blueberry and lemon and you’ll have perfect, basic buttermilk pancakes.

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INGREDIENTS 2 cups all-purpose flour 4 tablespoons sugar 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon dried lavender, crushed and finely minced 1 to 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted Zest of 1 lemon 1 cup blueberries, or to taste Unsalted butter for garnish Raw honey for garnish (lavender honey preferred) Powdered sugar for garnish INSTRUCTIONS Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and place a wire cooling rack onto a baking pan.

In a large bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients including the lavender.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs and vanilla extract.

Slowly whisk the melted butter into the wet ingredients and, when it is fully combined, add all wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.

Stir in the blueberries and lemon zest and set aside until ready.

Heat a skillet, pan or griddle over medium heat.

Using a paper towel, rub a tablespoon of butter onto the pan to grease.

With a 1/4- or 1/2-cup measuring cup scoop out the pancake batter and pour onto the griddle, cooking until you begin to see bubbles come to the surface of the batter and the edges slightly lift off the pan (30 seconds or so).

Flip the pancake with a flat spatula and cook on the opposite side until browned. Remove the pancake to the wire rack and place it in the oven until ready to serve.

Top with butter, honey and powdered sugar.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 17

FOOD SCIENCE

Heavenly breads

Leavened and unleavened loaves play religious roles

Unleavened wheat bread with sesame seeds

18 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

TO LEAVEN IS TO cause dough to ferment and rise by adding a leavening agent. There are two types of leavening agents: chemical and natural. Leaveners act by creating and releasing gases within the dough or batter that causes expansions and air pockets to form. These air pockets give some breads a very porous texture.

The most common leavening agents in cooking would be air, baking powder, baking soda, steam and yeast. Some people use ingredients such as beer, yogurt or buttermilk as leavening agents.

Yeast is already present in these ingredients and story by therefore they can be VALERIE used as leaveners.

JANSKY Specific types of leavened or unleavened breads are sometimes represented in religion. Eating a sacramental bread, also known as altar bread, Communion bread or simply the host, many Christian churches have specific, important reasons for using either leavened or unleavened breads . Many churches use a leavened bread to represent the resurrected Christ.

Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches are two examples of churches that use leavened breads.

Churches of the Armenian Rite, however, use an unleavened bread for their sacramental offering.

Another example would be Jewish people eating only unleavened breads during Passover. This is in commemoration of the story of the Exodus, or freeing of Israelite slaves from Egypt. During the Passover, when the final plague was to take place and all Egyptians’ first-born child were to die, Israelites were instructed to mark their doors so the spirit would know

Unleavened bread For an example of unleavened bread, consider making this Mediterranean Flatbread.

Easy Soft Flatbread INGREDIENTS 2 cups all-purpose flour (level cups, unsifted, not packed) 1/4 cup extra for dusting and adjusting dough 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 1/2 tablespoon butter 3/4 cup milk 1/2 tablespoon oil (for cooking) INSTRUCTIONS Combine butter and milk and heat until butter is just melted — on stove or in microwave.

Combine 2 cups flour, salt butter and milk.

Sprinkle work surface with flour, then knead for a few minutes until it is smooth. It doesn’t need much kneading. Add extra flour if the dough is too sticky.

Wrap with cling wrap and rest at room temperature for 30 minutes or so.

Dust bench top with flour, cut dough into four pieces, roll into balls, then roll out into about 1/8-inch thick rounds.

Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat, or lower if you have a heavy-based skillet.

Place one flatbread in the pan and cook for around 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. It should bubble up, then flip and cook the other side, pressing down if it puffs up.

There should be smallish, golden-brown spots on both sides.

Stack the cooked bread and keep wrapped with a tea towel. The moisture helps soften the surface, making them even more pliable.

Continue to cook with remaining pieces.

Optional: Brush or spray bread with olive oil or melted butter for a more luxurious finish, or with melted butter mixed with minced garlic for a garlic butter version.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 19

Leavened bread Even today, people continue the use of mother or starter batches for sourdough bread. An Amish friendship bread has a mother batch that you keep and pass on to your friends, hence the name. The recipe is included for an example of leavened bread.

Friendship Bread

Makes 2 loaves and 3 starters

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INGREDIENTS 5 cups all-purpose flour 4 3/4 cups sugar 3 1/2 cups milk 1 cup vegetable oil or 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1/2 cup applesauce 3 large eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons baking powder 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) INSTRUCTIONS 1. To prepare starter: Place 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk in a 1-gallon resealable plastic bag.

Seal bag and knead mixture until well combined. Let stand at room temperature overnight.

2. For the next four days, continue kneading mixture once a day; keep at room temperature. On the sixth day, add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk to bag. Seal and knead to combine; let stand at room temperature overnight.

3. For the next 3 days, knead mixture twice a day.

On the 10th day, transfer mixture to a large bowl.

Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar and 1 cup milk; mix until well combined. Measure 1 cup of the mixture into each of 3 resealable plastic bags. Seal plastic bags and give each bag of starter mixture to a friend to make their own friendship bread.

4. To make bread: Preheat oven to 330 degrees. Add oil to bowl with remaining starter mixture along with eggs, remaining 1/2 cup milk and vanilla extract. Stir

until well combined; set aside.

5. In another large bowl, mix together remaining 2 cups flour, 1 cup of sugar, baking powder, 2 teaspoons cinnamon, salt, baking soda, pudding, and nuts, if desired. Add dry ingredients to starter mixture and stir until well combined. Divide batter evenly between two 8-by-4-by-2 1/2-inch loaf pans.

6. In a small bowl, mix remaining 3/4 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over batter.

Transfer to oven and bake for 1 hour. Let cool 15 minutes before removing from the pan.

to pass over their houses and leave their children alive. When the Pharaoh freed the Israelite slaves, there was no time for them to leaven their bread before they hastily left their homes. This story is the origin of the unleavened bread tradition during Passover.

The term “leaven” appears in several locations in the Christian Orthodox Bible. Most notably, leaven is related to sin or the spreading of sin. Galatians 5:9 states “a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” The spreading of yeast in a bread dough is symbolically compared to the spreading of sin and hypocrisy throughout the followers of Christ.

Some other mentions of the term leaven in the “Bible” include: Exodus 12:19-20: “Seven days there shall be no leaven found in your houses; for whoever eats what is leavened, that person shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is an alien or a native of the land.”

Leviticus 2:11: “No grain offering, which you bring to the Lord, shall be made with leaven, for you shall not offer up in smoke any leaven or any honey as an offering by fire to the Lord.”

Leviticus 7:13: “With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread.”

There are many historical references to breads throughout different cultures, as well. Solid bread cakes made of barley and wheat have been dated back to the Stone Age. The ruins of Pompeii and similar buried cities have revealed evidence of bakeries existing in those ancient times.

Leavened bread is thought to have been discovered by coincidence or out of the natural occurrences of life. This type of bread would be a sourdough. It is thought a flour-and-water mixture was left sitting out and exposed to natural yeast particles. This natural yeast leavened the bread and bakers were able to keep a starter or mother portion to continue making more batches of bread dough in the future.

You now have an essential understanding of leavened and unleavened breads to share with and astound your friends, relatives and co-workers. I hope you try both recipes and enjoy the similarities and differences. Also, try the friendship bread and share it with love to the people who you love.

Here is a quote from renowned jazz singer Carmen McRae you can enjoy more now that you know the fundamentals of leavening: “Blues is to jazz what yeast is to bread. Without it, it’s flat.”

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 21

Three-year-old Wyatt Hall says his prayers at Vineyard Church of Brazosport in Lake Jackson, where his family regularly attends.

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RELIGION

Raising

them up

Parents, preachers both have to play a part in teaching children about faith PARENTING IS THE HARDEST job on Earth, Betti Cooper of Lake Jackson said, and being a Christian doesn’t make it any easier.

She and her husband raised three daughters in the Christian faith. Today, none routinely attend church, and while the 61-year-old acknowledges, “I don’t pass my faith on to my children. My children have to have their own faith,” she said she might have relied too much on the influence of church on her children.

Nathan and Danielle Hall

story by CORINNA RICHARDSON

recognize that while it’s easy to depend on the church, there is much more opportunity to teach at home.

“It’s important for parents to remember that kids are only at church once, maybe twice a week, so it’s really our job to be teaching them religion, and the church’s job to support that, because we have them the majority of the time,” Danielle said.

The parents of three young children, the Halls believe it’s never too early to begin lessons about faith. They have some children’s books of Bible stories they like to use with their sons, ages 6 and 3, and their 18-month-old daughter.

The biblical story of Daniel in the lions’ den is one they say has been particularly instructive: “It’s an

photos by BARCLAY FERNANDEZ

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 23

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interesting plot to little boys, and it also teaches them about prayer, Nathan said.

Nathan doesn’t know how much their little girl gets from the stories, he said, but already she likes the Old Testament stories of Jonah and Joseph with his coat of many colors. As she becomes more familiar with the Bible, her parents will be able to build on that foundation when she gets to be as old as her brothers.

However, that will not always be easy.

“Our boys have gotten God confused with Santa Claus,” their 32-year-old dad said with a laugh. “They’ll have some misconceptions that you have to work through.

It’s hard to explain the nuances of some subjects, but I think it’s better to introduce it to them at a young age than to wait until they’re older and throw it all at them at once.”

The Halls advocate for Sunday school because it is structured so children can learn on their level and is more geared to engage them than an adult service. Both Nathan and Danielle have helped out with children’s ministry at Danielle Hall their church, the Vineyard Church of Brazosport in Lake Jackson, and have been able to see the impact Sunday school can have on children. Their 6-year-old boy, for instance, “brought home a prayer model and I wouldn’t have ever thought of that, so the church definitely helps give you ideas as a parent,” Danielle said.

Ministers agree there must be just as much focus placed on the parent as the child if the child is to grow up in faith.

“It works the very best for the parents to shepherd their kids,” says Alexis Glaze, whose father is the senior pastor at Life Foursquare Church in Angleton, where she was born and raised. Now 24, she is the children’s pastor at Word of Life in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and she acknowledges from her experience — both as a children’s pastor and as the child of a pastor — that the parents are ultimately

“It’s important for parents to remember that kids are only at church once, maybe twice a week, so it’s really our job to be teaching them religion.”

Nathan and Danielle Hall read from a children’s Bible to their children, from left, Josiah, Wyatt and Grace, at The Vineyard Church of Brazosport in Lake Jackson.

Josiah Hall colors a worksheet in the children’s room at The Vineyard Church of Brazosport in Lake Jackson.

Wyatt Hall reads in the children’s room at The Vineyard Church of Brazosport in Lake Jackson.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 25

Prayers for young children WHEN I AM THANKFUL God, thank You for this day! Thank You for the birds and the animals, the flowers and the trees, the lakes and the streams, and the sun that rises and sets over them each day. Thank You for creating everything we see! Thank You for the life we live, and for making each person different. Thank You for Jesus, who died for us so that we can go to heaven one day just for believing in Him. What an amazing God You are! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

WHEN I AM SAD God, I am sad. But You are good, and You are there. You listen to me when I cry. I can cry to You and tell You what is wrong.

Even when I don’t know what to say, I can just pray, “Help me, God, I’m so sad.” You promise that whatever I am going through, You will be there.

Thank You for always loving me, even when I am really sad. Thank You for this day, even though it’s not been the best day. Show me how to cheer up.

Help me to be happy.

Help me to see and remember all of the good things You have blessed my life with, and dry my tears. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FOR MOM God, Thank You for my Mom. She helps me grow into the person You made me to be. Even though I don’t always listen, I love her everyday… all of the time. Just like You love us.

She loves me even when I have good days, and when I’m bad. Help me to be obedient, even when she tells me to do something I don’t want to do. Thank You for my mom. Bless her to know how much I love her. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FOR DAD God, Thank You for my Dad. He guides me in life by his example and his helping hand. He teaches me how to do things and helps me with my homework. He works hard at his job for our family, and makes me laugh.

Thank You so much for my dad.

Please bless him, God, and let him know how much I love him. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

26 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Source: Crosswalk.com

the ones who most influence their children in the arena of faith.

“Any one of my kids, 3 years old and up, can walk out on Sunday and show you their craft and explain exactly what they learned today. They know their main point, they know their Bible verse, and every week there’s a take-home sheet for their parents with an object lesson to do at home,” Glaze said. “A lot of the parents trash it, but the reality is the parent has to be there to encourage the kid the same way the kid has to be there to be engaged. A lot of people want to put the responsibility on the church, and I’m so happy to do my part, but I can’t do it for them.”

Even when the parents focus on the children, though, there will be speed bumps.

“Growing up in the church was a challenging experience,” says Halen Hunt, 20, whose parents have been associate pastors at the Vineyard Church of Brazosport since she was a child. “Sometimes it felt like it was being pushed upon me but other times it was enjoyable. I was able to learn about Christ and interact with kids from all over the United States at church conferences.”

Her post-conference experiences have also impacted her growth, she said. “I’d have this life-changing experience with God. You just get so connected there. Then you come back, and you don’t see the same thing; things kind of slow down. Almost like a letdown. But that, I guess, is where faith comes in.”

Describing how he would like to redo children’s ministry at the Vineyard Church, Senior Pastor Bill Laswell stresses the importance of everyone playing their part.

“The church says, ‘We’re going to do all we can in our hour,’ but nowhere else in the world or on the planet would that be enough,” Laswell said. “If you love and care about that generation, then care about the ones trying to care for them.”

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PHOTO ESSAY

Faith

A waterlogged Bible rests underneath an overturned pew at Bethlehem AME Church after floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey finally drained from the Old Ocean area.

built on story and photos by

PRENTICE C. JAMES

28 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Historic church’s congregation lost their building, not their way

Floodwaters left significant damage both inside and outside Bethlehem AME Church in Old Ocean. Emancipated slaves founded the church in 1867.

I

IN CHRISTIANITY’S COLLECTION of sacred and God-inspired books, the Holy Bible, an often-cited interaction between Jesus and Simon is recorded in Matthew 16:1318. According to Matthew’s account, Jesus asked His disciples a question about His identity and Simon, son of Jonah proclaimed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” After confirming the truth of Simon’s declaration, Jesus responded with, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell will not overpower it”; the rock being Simon’s (now renamed Peter) profession of faith to the true identity of Jesus.

Several months ago, members of Bethlehem African Methodist Episcopal Church in Old Ocean had their place of worship ravaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey. This body of believers was founded in 1867 by freed slaves, rebuilt in 1940, and over the course of its history, celebrated joyous times and endured periods of pain.

Since the flood, Bethlehem AME has been worshiping with St. Mary AME in Danciger. They have not lost hope or fainted despite this significant setback.

Presently, the congregation is short of the funds necessary for rebuilding, so the historic location in Old Ocean has an uncertain future. Praise be to God that His church is not a building but a spirit-filled body, founded and sustained by His Power and His Word.

Bethlehem AME continues to walk by faith, knowing neither the gates of hell nor the waters of Harvey will prevail against it.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 29

Top: The church built by freed slaves got a new building in 1940.

Above: A waterlogged Bible rests underneath an overturned pew.

Top right: Though gutted, the building’s structural integrity seems sound, providing hope and gladness to parishioners. “The bones of the church are still good,” church member Debra Mayberry-Bess said.

Bottom left: Church leaders are hoping to salvage and refurbish many of the pews.

Bottom right: Short on resources and funding, Bethlehem AME Church is prayerful that needs will be met through sacrificial giving and generous donations. Church leaders also are reviewing their eligibility to receive federal disaster aid.

30 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

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Shown a few days after floodwaters receded, Bethlehem AME Church in Old Ocean appears from the outside to have escaped significant damage. However, internally, it suffered from mold and rot.

Above: Two-year-old Philip Henderson of Danciger, left, and 7-year-old Alycia Henderson of Wharton hold a church program showing information for Bethlehem AME and St. Mary AME. The two congregations now worship together.

Right: The church bell, a staple at many rural churches, sits outside St. Mary AME Church in Danciger along FM 524 about 7 miles from Bethlehem AME in Old Ocean. Sister churches with similar histories, Bethlehem AME in Old Ocean and St. Mary’s AME in Danciger form the “Old Ocean Circuit” network of churches.

32 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Left: Lillie Bell James, center, holds 4-month-old Gordon Brown Dorsey as Lola Tims embraces her church family members.

Middle left: “Let us praise God for His glorious grace, for the free gift He gave us in His dear Son!” – Ephesians 1:5 Below: Members of the combined congregations rejoice. “For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 12:12 Bottom left: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” Psalm 100:1 Bottom right: Milton Bryant Sr. shares a tender moment of reflection with his 1-year-old granddaughter Imaya Bryant.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 33

“The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.” – Psalm 145:18

The Rev. Lernette Patterson, pastor of the Old Ocean Circuit, delivers a fiery sermon at St. Mary AME.

34 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Through it all, Elaine Grice of Sweeny continually thanks God for His provisions and providential care.

Jelica Henderson kisses her 2-year-old son, Philip Henderson, as praise continues at St. Mary AME Church.

Milton Bryant Jr., left, of Danciger hugs Lola Tims of Sweeny at St. Mary AME.

Above: Deadrain James of Danciger leads worship through song at St. Mary AME Church. “Let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.” – Psalm 5:11 Left: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 35

Kingdom God’s

THROUGHOUT GENERATIONS, there have been Ford families and Chevy clans. Republican lines and Democrat ones. Except for the infrequent intermarriage, such allegiances changed slowly, if at all, generation to generation.

What held true for your ancestors’ choice of cars and trucks likely was even more sure when it came to their religious denomination.

There, Catholics were adjured to marry Catholics, not Episcopalians or Baptists. And the same story held in reverse. Each Protestant wing tended to propagate and congregate together each Sunday with little transfer between.

But the times have been changing as offspring card their own faithful paths, reporter Kate Shellnutt observes in a recent Christianity Today magazine story titled, “Ditching Denominations: Non-denominational identity has doubled in the US since 2000.”

During the same tracking period, she notes, America’s largest denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, lost 1 million members, “Meanwhile, nondenominational churches have kept growing: from 54,000 in 1998,

story by RICK COUSINS

36 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

comes first People finding paths away from traditional churches

Three-year-old Madison O’Quinn, front, and 7-year-old Kailee Ponce pose outside The Rock Church in Clute. The nondenominational church had its beginnings in the 1940s.

photos by PRENTICE C. JAMES

As his wife Gena sings in the background, Pastor Ronald Evans claps and lifts his voice in praise during worship service at The Rock Church in Clute.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 37

to 79,000 in 2006, to 84,000 in 2012.”

And that’s as true here in Brazoria County as in the rest of the Bible Belt. Unaffiliated churches like Silverlake and New Hope have thrived. The new denominational churches that have been planted are often running in “stealth mode,” that is without using the denominational name.

CityView and Crossover Community in Alvin, Heart of Christ Community and Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Brazoria, Soul Network in Clute, Brazos Pointe Fellowship and the Lighthouse in Lake Jackson, even the Biker Church in Manvel,

38 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

all are officially members of the Gulf Coast Baptist Association. There are similar examples where Episcopal, Methodist and other labels have dropped their historic affiliations from their names, perhaps as part of efforts to appeal to a wider potential audience, one which is both younger and inherently less brand-loyal.

We’ll focus in on Clute’s The Rock Church, 540 S. Main St. It’s a home-grown fellowship, not part of the modern multi-site movement spawned a generation ago by the likes of Calvary Chapel in California and the massive Willow Creek

Left: Pastor Ronald Evans, center, holds hands with members of the congregation at The Rock Church in Clute as they gather and pray at the altar during worship service.

Top: Bishop Dr. Jeffery A. Smith, senior pastor, addresses the congregation during worship service at The Rock Church in Clute.

Bottom: Deborah Smith leads a song from the keyboard.

Association, which spread from Illinois.

“In 1942, a small group of believers began meeting in Velasco in the home of Jeff and Agnes Miller,” said the Rev. Ronald Evans, The Rock’s pastor.

“Later, property was purchased on Avenue C in Velasco and then in Clute, in the early 1950s, which is the current location of The Rock Church. The vision of the church was and is to reach, teach and disciple those who are ‘lost’ or unchurched.”

Some 70 years later, while some congregations are graying, The Rock has attracted a strong group of youth and young married folk, in part because of

extensive and creative approaches to doing church outside the sanctuary.

“We have incorporated block parties, partnered with the Clute Police Department for the National Night Out and with Costa Verde Apartments in Clute with their annual Kids Expo — all in order to reach out to our community,” Evans explained. “The success is not always realized in new members or greater attendance on Sunday, and in some cases we may never know how our efforts impacted a family or individual. But it doesn’t stop us from reaching out.”

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 39

Above: Bishop Dr. Jeffery A. Smith prays for a member of The Rock Church in Clute.

Left: Marie Jackson, left, hugs Gena Evans prior to worship service at The Rock Church in Clute.

The church goes further in sponsoring programs for recently paroled felons.

“We teach them right out of the Word of God, and they can even get credit for attending our midweek Bible study.

We have graduated many from this class, but have not actually made any of these members of the church,” he said.

“Our responsibility as Bible believers, though, is to grow the Kingdom of God, not necessarily in increasing the size of our church.”

Looking back through the church’s historical records written by Thomas Bundy, an early member, one finds references to tent revivals at Camp Chemical. You may recognize this as the unofficial, unincorporated predecessor of Lake Jackson. The camp boasted “3,000 housing units, along with a post office, grocery, drug store, beauty parlor, barber shop, variety stores, a self-service laundry, and even a

40 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Religion in Brazoria County

59.4%

Consider themselves religious, meaning they identify as a member of an organized religion.

Statewide: 57.6% Nationwide: 49.4%

19.1%

BAPTIST Statewide: 16.3% Nationwide: 8.2%

16.93% Cathy Lumbreras raises her hands in praise during worship service at The Rock Church in Clute. jail and formed a brand new town,” according to local newspaper reports.

These revivals coincided with the launch of The Rock. The resulting fellowship has carried a number of other names over its seven decades. In 1942, a half-dozen or so families founded the church, then led by the Rev. G.D. Justice. As the area has grown and changed, so have the demographics of the congregation.

“Over the years, we have had a diverse group of folks either visit or join our church,” Evans said. “The church is blessed with a large group of Englishspeaking Hispanics. We also offer the capability to translate through the use of headsets and an interpreter. Recently, our non-English speaking Hispanics moved across town to a Spanishspeaking church that remains part of our fellowship. Throughout the years, our diversity has been even greater with multiple ethnic groups including Hispanics and African-Americans.”

The biggest cultural challenges that remain on Sunday, Evans observed, lie with the musical selections chosen for worship.

“Obviously the older saints like the older hymn book-style songs, while the younger crowd prefers the more modern praise and worship or ‘words-on-thewall’ style of music,” he said. “To accommodate our more mature saints, we occasionally pull out the hymn books and have an old-fashioned song service. This is always a big hit among this group.

And believe it or not, some in this more mature-aged group are actually joining in with the newer music.”

So as you’re out driving, you’ll notice churches new and old along the thoroughfares and byways.

Some will carry a proud label from the past, but more and more you’ll see those who choose to stand alone under their own flag, with plans to attract the next generation or natives and immigrants back to an independent vision of the oldtime gospel.

ROMAN CATHOLIC Statewide: 19.3% Nationwide: 19.7%

4.4%

METHODIST Statewide: 4.7% Nationwide: 4%

2%

PENTECOSTAL Statewide: 1.9% Nationwide: 1.9%

1.3%

LATTER-DAY SAINTS Statewide: 1.2% Nationwide: 2.1%

1.3%

LUTHERAN Statewide: 1.1% Nationwide: 2.4%

11.1%

OTHER CHRISTIAN Statewide: 9% Nationwide: 6.7%

1.7%

ISLAM Statewide: 1.7% Nationwide: 0.9%

Source: bestplaces.net

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 41

FASHION

Madison Stephens Brazoswood High School graduate Glamorous Mikado A-line Formal Dress in Peacock, with bonus pockets, $420.

42 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Classics, cutouts and crops mark this year’s prom styles

Dresses

to impress

Lauren Worley Santa Fe High School Lace High Low Evening Dress in aqua, $289

PROM FASHIONS no longer are just a sateen bodice with layers of tulle sewn onto the bottom, and finding just the right one can be as frustrating and time-consuming as a bride-to-be locating a jaw-dropping gown for her wedding day.

Designers have worked to offer a variety of fabrics and styles to meet the demands of young women who see their high school prom as an equally important life milestone. The array of colors and styles need to satisfy increasingly savvy tastes as well as conform to the sometimes rigid requirements imposed by schools who prefer conservative dresses to the flashier, skin-exposing offerings some girls might favor.

We returned this year to Something Blue in Angleton, one of the few local providers in Brazoria County offering unique formal wear appropriate for young adults. Our models were able to find clothes that fit their sensibilities and provided an

appropriate level of flirtatiousness without being over the top.

Some of the offerings highlight the changing face of formalwear for women, including two-piece dresses that provide a glimpse of midriff, strappy A-lines and plunging openings on the back while maintaining a modest front.

Two of the most popular looks this year are halter tops that provide a throwback look and the trumpet style, which, like the Mermaid, curves into the knee. The trumpet, however, flares out into a splash of fabric at the floor.

Ultraviolet, the Pantone color of the year, also is earning a popular spot among prom shoppers, though classic pink remains the most requested choice.

This year’s prom dresses provide the requisite formal yet trendy looks that mix lacy patterns, sequins, beads and lustrous colors sure to draw eyes when they make their prom night entrance.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 43

Fashion partners

Our thanks this month to those whose cooperation made our fashion shoot possible.

Photography Michelle Raye www.facebook.com/ MichelleRayePhotography/ 979-248-6671 Models: Anna Greene Ella Greene Madison Stephens Lauren Worley Clothing: Something Blue 211 N. Velasco St. Angleton 979-308-1044 somethingbluetexas.com Hair stylists: Roxanne Trexler 979-299-6888 Wes Stephens 979-248-8988 Hair Envy Studio 113-C Oyster Creek Drive Lake Jackson Makeup stylists: Tanith Perkins www.africanlashgirl.com 979-709-1354 africanlashgirl@gmail. com Chelsea Reyes www.chelseareyes.net chelseareyes10@gmail. com Location: Dow Academic Center Brazosport College 500 College Drive Lake Jackson

44 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Ella Greene Lake Jackson Intermediate School Flowy Open-Back A-Line in Navy, $368

Anna Greene Brazoswood High School High/Low Prom Dress in Blush, $575

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 45

Ella Greene

Anna Greene

Lake Jackson Intermediate School Red lace halter top, $310

Brazoswood High School Two-piece with choker collar, $500

46 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Madison Stephens Brazoswood High School graduate Two-piece floral print, $279.

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 47

PARENTING

Give kids a

Shot

Flu vaccine increases odds of beating illness

48 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

W

WE HAVE FINALLY EMERGED from our germ-ridden house after 17 days of Clorox, Lysol, Tamiflu, antibiotics, Tylenol and Kleenex. In 17 days, my family totals were: two doctor appointments, one Teladoc call, two urgent care visits and a trip to the emergency room. Like so many other families this season, we fought the flu and, immediately after, strep throat.

Both of my girls came home with the flu, and we figured it out relatively quickly, got them on Tamiflu and spent days at home fighting fevers, drinking lots of Powerade and resting. The biggest alarm was when, four days after being feverfree from the flu, my 2-year-old began running fever again. After hearing all the dreadful stories in the news about people being severely impacted by the flu, we watched her very closely. A few days in, and after an ER visit stemming from commentary by those flu fears, we found JESSICA out she had strep. We TOMPKINS got her home from the ER after a couple hours and promptly got her on the antibiotics she needed. Then, lucky for us, she shared her germs with two more of us. My friend jokingly suggested I consider a Lysol lawsuit since dousing our home in the spray disinfectant to protect the rest of the family proved to be completely in vain.

These winter sicknesses were pretty costly to my family. We raked in some hefty medical bills and the prescription flu medicines are pretty expensive. And at this point, I am completely out of sick days at work. However, I am thankful the bitter taste in my mouth is only monetary woes. Considering what we were dealing with, we came out pretty well in the end. We had no complications from either sickness, and we all seemed to kick the germs to the curb in the normal, appropriate amount of time.

I’ll say it is pretty rough being stuck in the house with sick children for half a month, and it is also tough nursing kiddos when

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APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 49

Children and the flu vaccine IT IS ESSENTIAL. At least 101 children died from the flu in the 2016-17 season.

Most were unvaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu shots for all people 6 months and older.

DOUBLE THE DOSE. Children up to 8 years old receiving the flu shot for the first time may need two doses of the vaccine, administered four weeks apart.

IT WON’T CAUSE THE FLU. Flu vaccines are made from killed viruses. Mild symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, headache, muscle aches and chills, can occur.

IT WON’T BE AS BAD. If you catch the flu and are vaccinated, you will get a milder form of the disease.

We know flu vaccines are far from 100 percent effective.

The good news is vaccinated people who get the flu usually get a mild form of the disease, according to a study.

IT DOESN’T CAUSE AUTISM. A robust body of research continues to show that the influenza vaccine is safe and is not associated with autism.

Source: Healthychildren.org

50 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

you feel sick yourself. I reached an ultimate level of momming when I caught each child’s vomit in my hands an hour apart from each other. In that moment though, I did not feel very triumphant. Thank goodness for iPads, PBS Kids and Netflix because those three things were the recipe I used to keep the littles content for days on end.

Flu vaccines are supposed to prevent the flu, and I hope for that every year. But it didn’t work out this time around, as the flu vaccine this year has not been very effective at keeping the virus away. Despite everything that’s happened — our 17 days of quarantine and all the darn bills — I am still thankful for the flu vaccine.

Both of my girls received flu shots in October, and I will continue to do them every year.

This was a tough season for us, and yes, they caught the flu anyway, but that isn’t really what it is about for me.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a first-of-its-kind study in 2017 study concluded flu vaccination can significantly reduce a child’s risk of dying from the virus, and that is really what I am most concerned with. It’s important to remember even when the viruses are not closely matched, which is the case this flu season, the vaccine can still protect many people and prevent flu-related complications, the CDC reports. Such protection is possible because antibodies made in response to the vaccine can provide some protection (called cross-protection) against different but related influenza viruses. So while it’s possible to still get the flu after having the vaccine, the studies are showing

those vaccines are helping the sick patients recover easier.

The words of my obstetrician three years ago will forever haunt me. After realizing I had caught the flu while pregnant, he said the flu vaccine I received a couple months earlier would be my best way to combat the virus, and I should take Tamiflu because she has taken care of “far too many pregnant women sick with the flu in ICU” throughout her career. Those words were enough to scare me straight about the flu. It is a virus to be taken seriously. In fact, the flu vaccine in a pregnant woman can reduce the risk of flu illness in her baby by up to half, according to studies cited by the CDC. This protective benefit was observed for several months after birth because mom passes antibodies onto the developing baby during her pregnancy.

My 5-year-old did not enjoy her flu shot at all this year — she fought, screamed and pretty much caused a full-blown scene.

She begged me to not take her again next year. However, every story I read about a person fighting flu complications is enough to make me march her back in to the office every year for one. Tough break, kid. Those shots will keep coming at you.

The CDC states most of the time, flu activity peaks between December and February, and can last as late as May. Like me, I am sure many residents are ready for the flu to begin to move its way out of our area and the country, at this point. Hopefully, all the moms and dads who have been holed up, constantly Lysoling the house and trying to keep the sick children happy are almost in the clear. Bring on the summer and the sun.

WWW.ASBESTOSHEALTHLINE.COM • FACEBOOK.COM/ASBESTOSHEALTHLINE APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 51

THE RED CARPET

BISD Foundation Throwback Prom February 10, 2018 • Dow Academic Center

Misty and Danny Wiggs

Shane and Jessie Jennings, Angela and Derrick Dees

Shayne and Lesley McGehee, Courtney and Ryan Birdsong

Stephanie Gonzales and Robert Duran

Danny Massey

Rick and Angie Janak, Mary and Bobby Fuller

Don’t see your photo?

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Paulie and Vickie Rodriguez

52 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Jim and Linda McGown

Kim and Charles Collins

Donald and Amy Payne

Fredrick and Teasha Brown

Maria Torres, Brent and Debra Perry

Ronald and Sharon Barnes

Desiree Raymond, Clint and Kimberly Ziehl

Lorin and Chris Furlow

Mike and Stephanie Cressman

Cindy and Kevin Moriarty

Rene Lara and Denell McClure

Bridget and Dr. Raymond Miller

Stephen and Amber Vermillion, Edna Varner

Brittany and Kevin Rosenbohm

Photos by Kevin Jaime

Prasad and Jyothsna Nunna

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 53

SPCA Bunco for Animals February 26, 2018 • The Local in Lake Jackson

Roni Barksdale, Jan McConnell, Betty Denman, Carol McKinney, Marianne Essington, Susan Pope

Nancy Rosatti, Jackie Hodges-Jones

Don’t see your photo?

Go to thefacts.mycapture.com

Gaye Linford and Amanda Linford

Lisa Chavez, Susan Barre, Merilee Coleman, Terry Rodgers, Katy Ingan, Sharon Land

Becky Krageler, Mary Ann Devine, Nancy Gilbert, Jo Ann Brown

54 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

Angela Dees, Hayley Smith, Kristin Bulanek

Rachel Maynor, Bobbie Blair

Judy Hart, Kristi Hart, Wendy Mazurkiewicz

Brazosport Chamber Banquet February 8, 2018 • Dow Academic Center

Dearle Marrs, Stacey Weeks

Rudy and Rosalie Santos

Debby Collins, Alvie Merril

Brent and Lauren Bowles

Cassidy and Drew Lindsey, Ty Kerr, Adrian and Steve Grau Peggy Miltensberger, Tom Chaffin

Frances Schultz, Dodie Armstrong, Nelda Ahlquist

Photos by Kevin Jaime

Matt Sebesta, Gary Pearson

Jim and Pam Mahon

Gordon Wollam, Nancy Wollam, Ravi Singhania

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 55

FINAL THOUGHT

nobby K

NEED

Finding comics relief behind a broken door 56 BRAZOSMONTHLY | APRIL 2018

T

THE BATHROOM DOOR STOPPED working Wednesday, and I was inside.

I’d put off changing the faulty knob for months, at times straining to get out but successfully emerging each time. Last week, though … no dice. I was stuck in the loo.

“You’re gonna be caught with your pants down this time,” I said to myself while trying to force the stubborn handle to turn. There are times it’s better to be locked inside a bathroom than out. But, still panicked a little, I wondered when the oxygen supply would be depleted.

“I could die in here,” I said aloud, taking little comfort in the fact there was plenty of water. What kind of headline would that make?

Glancing at the air conditioner vent, then a small window, I decided breathing wouldn’t be such a problem. I stepped onto commentary by the edge of the bathtub and JOHN LOWMAN mentally measured the window.

My spare tire would not make the trip, but if the situation was sustained for any length of time, I could yell to the neighbors for help. And maybe a sammich.

Searching the smallest room in my house for something to jimmy the door, I found soap, shampoo, an earring and an old Archie Comic’s Digest. Since I was in the reading room with nowhere else to go, I had a seat and chuckled at the lackadaisical Jughead. My daughter was due to drop by soon, so I could coach her on removing the knob from outside. Problem solved, I thought while perusing the Digest.

That Midge is such a drama queen.

Then it hit me like Moose smacking Reggie between the eyes. No way I’d be caught crying for help from my own throne. Exploring options with renewed vigor, I thought about breaking down the door. That would create a considerable repair job, and time has left me almost as lackadaisical as Jughead. Or, it could be all those sodas from Pop Tate’s. I mean Buc-ee’s.

I eyed the little window. Sprayed some air freshener. Flipped the light off and on to make sure there was a good supply of electricity. The sun would set soon, and there’s no dark like

bathroom-with-the-door-closed dark. That’s why, when the power goes out, we still flick the switch in there and not the rest of the house.

Calling on skills learned as the son of a construction contractor, I used the flat earring to pry the hinge pins enough to get my fingers underneath. A bit of jiggling and a couple of manly grunts later, the door was down and I left the cold tile for some plush carpet. Free as Reggie dodging around a corner just steps ahead of an angry Mr. Weatherbee.

After re-hanging the closure and making a mental note to replace the doorknob, I went about my business, afternoon imprisonment undetected during the visit with my daughter.

Misplacing that mental note the next day, I revisited the Comic’s Digest to do some research on how Archie got Betty and Veronica to chase after him.

The bathroom door stopped working Thursday and I was inside.

There was plenty of air and water, I had a good lunch, and the hinge pins weren’t hammered back down.

Sometimes it’s better to be stuck inside the loo than out I thought, chuckling at Jughead.

© Archie Comics Publishing

APRIL 2018 | BRAZOSMONTHLY 57

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