TOP 10 THINGS TO DO THIS FALL

By Alisa Murray

1Fall Gardening: Now is the time to start seedlings for your fall garden. Plant tomatoes, cucumbers, turnips, carrots, cabbage and kale. Pull out the annual herbs that have befallen to the heat and either dry or freeze them.

2Spruce It Up: Walk around your home, and give it a once over. Could your front door or any door frames use a little touch up paint or a refresh? Look up and see if your ceiling fans and chandeliers could use a little dusting or wiping down. Take down your curtains and sheers and give them a good washing and pressing and then reinstall.

3Homemade Gifts: In the kitchen whether from the garden or farmer’s market, make preserves from cherries and other berries to give as gifts this Christmas. Or, water bath can a batch of cucumber pickles, beans or peas.

4Love and Learn: Go to your home library and pull one book for fun and another for education. On my nightside table now is Ball Canning Guide and Brad Thor’s latest thriller.

5Get Artistic: Make a pot of tea and take up painting or needlepoint. Both require you to think outside of yourself and are calming. We could all use a little distraction right now.

6Identify Inspiration: Make a list of everyone that you find to be funny and inspirational. Find out what they are doing right now, and see if there’s anything you can learn from it.

7Classic Cinema: Dedicate one night a week as movie night with your children. Make sure they see all the classics, and then have a discussion about what lessons can be learned from the main characters or plot.

8Set Limits: Make a sign to hang on your door that simply states “Mommy & Daddy.” Announce to the children and anyone else living with you that when the sign is hanging, it’s a “no entry/not to be disturbed” message. Proceed accordingly:)

9Think of Others: Look in your closets and pantry. See if there’s anything that can be taken to the food bank or to shelters to help others in need.

10 Give Thanks: Take time for yourself, and spend it reflecting on everything you are grateful for. Start a journal of gratitudes.

Fort Bend Junior Service League Launching the 2020 Sugar Plum Marketplace: A Virtual Shopping Affair

Amidst the current global health crisis, the Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) is set to launch Sugar Plum Marketplace – A Virtual Shopping Affair, presented by FBJSL and Title Sponsor Memorial Hermann Sugar Land. The eagerly anticipated online event will take place November 3rd through November 8th and is themed “Let There be Peace on Earth.” The move comes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty it has cast among large in-person events. FBJSL continues to prioritize the health and safety of its Market patrons and vendors, as well as its own volunteers by shifting the 2020 event onto a professionally developed online platform.

The Sugar Plum Marketplace will feature a wide array of premier vendors from across the country all while allow Montgomery. Hope by

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Let’s get going! Hope For Three is thrilled to announce its Inaugural Virtual ed by OCuSOFT, Inc. The event is September 5th – 13th and is now open for registration. Family fun, race challenges, there’s something for everyone … anytime, anywhere!

Deon Minor, Texas Black Sports Hall ing shoppers to leisurely browse and purchase items from the comfort of their own homes. Tickets are required to gain access to the shopping platform and will be sold online at a future date. Vendor applications and sponsorship information are currently available.

Proceeds raised from the Market are donated directly to charitable organizations serving the Fort Bend community. The 2019 Market generated a recordbreaking $345,000 in donations that was largely due to the generosity of sponsors and loyalty of patrons. This year has shown an even greater need for charitable donations and fundraising. Please consider supporting FBJSL and its beneficiaries by attending and/or sponsoring the 2020 Sugar Plum Marketplace. To quote the familiar holiday song: “Let

Inaugural Virtual Family Walk, Run, Stroll or Roll Something for everyone … anytime, anywhere!

The Minor family is ready to hit the track for the Inaugural Virtual Walk, Run, Stroll or Roll nine-day event, September 5th -13th. Claudia and Bayleigh, avid runners, and Bradley, who lives with autism join Dad, Deon Minor, Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, 400-meter dash World Champion and Hope For Three board member, to promote autism awareness and raise funds for local families.

Family Walk, Run, Stroll or Roll presentseasoned strollers or wheelchair rollers,

there be peace on earth, and let it begin of Fame Inductee, 400-meter dash World Champion, autism Dad, track-star and Hope For Three board member, along with his family, will participate in this exciting event. Running is in the DNA of the Minor family as mother and daughter are avid runners, too. Son Bradley lives with autism.

The event can be completed over a nine-day period, which allows walkers, with me.”

Visit www.sugarplummarket.com for all related information, and email inquiries to either vendors@sugarplummarket.com or sponsors@sugarplummarket. com. For the latest news and updates, follow @SugarPlumMarket on Instagram and Facebook.

runners, strollers or rollers to partake in leisurely family fun and race challenges at their own pace: indoors, outdoors, parks or treadmills. Interested parties can register by visiting hopeforthree.org/ events. Those unable to participate can donate on the organization’s event page.

Supporting autism awareness and making this event possible are Platinum Sponsors Trusted Senior Specialists, Joan and Mike Soland and Therapy & Beyond. Going for the Gold are Albemarle Foundation and The Speech and Learning Center. Many more are lacing up and putting their feet to the pavement to further the organization’s cause.

This healthy awareness effort guarantees bragging rights and awards for several prize categories. The Family Walk, Run, Stroll or Roll will bring our community together virtually, promote autism awareness and help raise funds to support local families living with autism. Gather friends, family members or co-workers, and get going in the name of autism awareness! Visit hopeforthree. org/events for more details, autism resources and information, or email contact@hopeforthree.org.