Kid-and-Kaboodle - Spring 2024

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Spring 2024

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An Activity and Resource Guide for Families

ATASCOCITA • FALL CREEK • HUMBLE • HUFFMAN • KINGWOOD • PORTER • NEW CANEY • ROMAN FOREST • SPLENDORA • CLEVELAND • MAGNOLIA • SUMMERWOOD kid-and-kaboodle.com

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The Team Spring 2024

Table of Contents

Jerri’s Corner

WOE IS ME FOR I’M UNDONE

Jerri Bankston

CEO/Owner/Publisher/Editor 281-703-7742 jerri42@embarqmail.com

Kids Eat Free....................................................6 Ministering to the Needs of Others......10-11 Local Events page..........................................12 Local Parks and Activities ......................... 14 Splendora ISD Reflects on the First Semester.........................................................16

Sherrie Stone

Graphic Designer 936-449-0138 sskkjj1@gmail.com

2024 Graduations..........................................18 Area Libraries.................................................20 Humble ISD: Strong Healthy Kids = ..........22 Cleveland ISD - Growing and Thriving....24 Harvest for the Hungry, Inc........................26 A Simple Solution that is Freely Given.....28

Rebecca Goff

Marketing Prayer and Praise Coordinator 713.376.5454 rebecca.goff.07@gmail.com

Lessons From My Mirror.............................32

On the Cover

Joe Martin

Sales and Marketing for Crockett and surrounding areas 281-702-1572 joemartinshow@joemartinshow.com

Find Us Online!

Kid-and-Kaboodle.com facebook.com/WholeKidAndKaboodle/

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The seniors on the cover are graduates from HISD 2024, Magnolia ISD 2024, New Caney ISD 2024, HISD 2011 and Aldine ISD 1961 All publications of The Whole Kid and Kaboodle can be viewed on our website: kid-and-kaboodle.com and also on our Facebook Page, The Whole Kid and Kaboodle.

To receive the magazine by mail, submit your address to: jerri42@embarqmail.com.

Reader correspondence and editorial submissions are welcomed and encouraged, but we reserve the right to edit and reject all submissions. Advertisers assume all liability for content in their ad, and Kid and Kaboodle assumes no responsibility for sales or misleading advertisements.

These are such perplexing and confusing times. Our country, which has been largely God fearing and God honoring in the past, has let evil take over. I realize that God is in control and has let us know through his Holy Word and His prophets that times would be hard as we get nearer to the end of days as we know it now, but I have such a hard time understanding how seemingly intelligent people can be so void of common sense. The other day as I was listening to the news, a political ad came on. The young man had a soothing and kind voice, and his demeanor was very appealing. He was sweetly saying how he had been raised by a single mother and he listed his achievements. He wants us to vote for him because he believes in the freedom to work hard and achieve happiness and wealth. He will fight for the freedom to vote in a free and fair election, and he will support the freedom for women to have abortions and have control over their own bodies.

That is where his common sense flew off to Never Never Land. I wish everything were easy and we didn’t have to make hard decisions, but we really really don’t have the right to take another human life. Not in God’s law or man’s law. If a girl has a baby and leaves it somewhere for someone to hopefully find and the baby dies, the girl will go to jail. But if she would have gone to a Dr. a few weeks or even a month before the birth and have them pull this baby out of her womb by breaking it’s limbs or whatever manner to kill it, then she is fine. Let’s take it a step further, maybe you should have the freedom to drive as fast as you want even if it causes a wreck and the deaths of innocent people.

After all, it is your body and your car. I could go on and on but the bottom line is we need to pray more than ever before. It’s just going to get tougher and tougher until God intervenes.

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KIDS EAT FREE!

Three B’s Bar and Grill

Kings Crossing - 4590 Kingwood Dr., Kingwood Tuesdays, 3 – 10 PM – 12 and under. Kids meal Only with purchase of adult entree.

Marsala’s Italian Grill

12 and under. Kids meal Only with purchase of adult entree.

Tuesdays, 3 – 10 PM. Atascocita - 5324 Atascocita Road, Atascocita, TX 77346

IHop Humble

Sunday-Saturday 4 – 10 PM

TRUSTS * BUSINESS PLANNING * WILLS “Don’t let fate do your planning for you”®

CiCi Cunningham, Esq. attorney at law 281-815-0888 CiCi@CiCiEsq.com

www.CiCiEsq.com

Jason’s Deli’s Tuesdays

Denny’s

Tuesdays and Saturdays – 4 PM – 10 PM Kingwood - 22671 Eastex Fwy, Kingwood, TX 77339 1314 & 59 Porter, Texas 242 & 59 - 23412 TX-242, New Caney, TX 77357

Hectors Mexican Restaurant Sundays and Tuesdays – 10 and under

Dickey’s Pit Barbeque Kingwood Sundays

PROPERTIES

JANE

BYRD

INTERNATIONAL, LLC

Regina Vollmer Real Estate Agent 281-216-5508 regina@reginavollmer.com

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Year-to-date:

85 $979k 781 3,079

Church/Champion Response Teams Economic Impact Requests Met Children Served

GREATER HOUSTON IMPACT REPORT The reality in our community: 4,071 Children in Foster Care 2,988 Local Churches

“This came to us right as our Embrace Foster Care Ministry was starting out. We wanted to serve children but didn’t know how to find them. CarePortal has helped us minister to families, build relationships and meet the tangible needs of the children in our community. We are so thankful!”

Pastor Kyle McConkey Bay Area Christian Church

“Brings together those aware of needs and those who are able to help meet the needs. It’s a tangible way of how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, serving those in our local community!”

Julius & Shanda Karow Kingdom Care Orphan Care

MONTGOMERY COUNTY CAREPORTAL LUNCHEON SAVE THE DATE | THURSDAY, APRIL 4 11:00-1:00PM | LOCATION TBA RSVP TO EMAIL STAR.WILLIAMS@CAREPORTAL.ORG WELCOME CHURCH, BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADERS, AND CHILD SERVING PROFESSIONALS!

“Provides a way for churches in the community to meet the needs of our foster families. My favorite story is when several different churches provided resources to put a very active and mischievous little boy in an after-school karate program so that his foster mom could keep her YES to having him in her home until an adoptive placement could be found. If he had been moved from his foster home, statistics show that his chance of being adopted decrease with every move. CarePortal churches helped keep him in his foster placement until he was able to be adopted by his forever family!”

Megan Lagoy Sanctuary Foster Care Services

Get Involved For more information visit careportal.org/partner-with-us

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Ministering to the Needs of Others The vision for Peach Creek Baptist Church is to lead the lost to a saving grace (Eph. 2:8 and 9) that only our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who offers to all who calls on his name ( Rom. 10:13). The church is extremely blessed by some of the best servants and volunteers.

Since the completion of the Lord’s church in 2022, a Hispanic ministry (Last Harvest) has been established under the leadership of Pastor Robert Lopez and his wife Mrs. Norma. One of the many ministries of Peach Creek is the resale shop (The Thrifty Peach) which is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm.

A Food Pantry is coming soon to serve local residents who are in need of food assistance (feed my sheep) as we partner with the Montgomery County Food Bank and Feeding Americans, to help us to minister to those in need.

During the past floods we have opened the doors of the church to house and feed individuals and families who have been displaced by such events.

Each year for the past 25 years we have honored our Senior Citizens with a “Texas Style Thanksgiving Meal” in November (Brisket, Chicken, Sausage, Beans, Potato Salad, with all the fixins) at the Friendship Center located in New Caney. This is made possible by our local businesses and elected officials. We hope and pray that you all know we have a loving God (1 John 4:8) and can have an everlasting relationship with his only begotten Son Jesus.(John 3:16).

The Church has had to deal with many issues stemming from the opening of the Grand Parkway I 99. All our buildings were demolished which allowed God to provide us with all new facilities, “AMEN.” As we have dealt with many obstacles such as Hurricanes, Tornados, Fire, Covid, Deaths, and so many more things to stop the ministry, (we are overcomers). (Rom. 8:37) As we at Peach Creek keep moving to the future, we hope and pray for you as you read this article if you don’t have a church home you might come and visit us or a local church where you can call it home.

Ray Morris and wife Debbie serve the Lord at Peach Creek Baptist Church located at 25963 FM 1485/99 in New Caney Texas. Having moved to New Caney in 1980, they joined Peach Creek, which was founded by Pastor Luther Sherrouse and his wife that same year.

Brother Ray has been serving as the Senior Pastor for the last 20 years.

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Atender las necesidades de los demás La visión de la Iglesia Bautista Peach Creek es guiar a los perdidos a una gracia salvadora (Efesios 2:8 y 9) que solo nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo ofrece a todos los que invocan su nombre (Romanos 10:13). La iglesia está extremadamente bendecida por algunos de los mejores siervos y voluntarios.

Desde la finalización de la iglesia del Señor en 2022, se ha establecido un ministerio hispano (Last Harvest) bajo el liderazgo del pastor Robert López y su esposa, la Sra. Norma. Uno de los muchos ministerios de Peach Creek es la tienda de reventa (The Thrifty Peach) que está abierta de martes a jueves de 9 am a 2 pm. Pronto habrá una despensa de alimentos para servir a los residentes locales que necesitan asistencia alimentaria (alimentar a mis ovejas) a medida que nos asociamos con el Banco de Alimentos del Condado de Montgomery y Feeding Americans, para ayudarnos a ministrar a los necesitados.

Durante las inundaciones pasadas hemos abierto las puertas de la iglesia para albergar y alimentar a las personas y familias que han sido desplazadas por tales eventos.

Cada año, durante los últimos 25 años, hemos honrado a nuestros ciudadanos de la tercera edad con una “Comida de Acción de Gracias al estilo de Texas” en noviembre (pechuga, pollo, salchicha, frijoles, ensalada de papas, con todas las guarniciones) en el Centro de la Amistad ubicado en New Caney. Esto es posible gracias a nuestras empresas locales y funcionarios electos. Esperamos y oramos para que todos sepan que tenemos un Dios amoroso (1 Juan 4:8) y que podemos tener una relación eterna con su Hijo unigénito Jesús. (Juan 3:16).

La Iglesia ha tenido que lidiar con muchos problemas derivados de la apertura de Grand Parkway I 99. Todos nuestros edificios fueron demolidos, lo que permitió que Dios nos proveyera de todas las nuevas instalaciones, “AMÉN”. Como hemos tropezado con muchos obstáculos como Huracanes, Tornados, Incendios, Covid, Muertes, y tantas cosas más para detener el ministerio, (somos vencedores). (Romanos 8:37.)

A medida que en Peach Creek seguimos avanzando hacia el futuro, esperamos y oramos por usted mientras lee este artículo, si no tiene una iglesia en casa, puede venir a visitarnos o una iglesia local donde pueda llamarla hogar.

Ray Morris y su esposa Debbie sirven al Señor en la Iglesia Bautista Peach Creek ubicada en 25963 FM 1485/99 en New Caney, Texas.

Habiéndose mudado a New Caney en 1980, se unieron a Peach Creek, que fue fundada por el pastor Luther Sherrouse y su esposa ese mismo año. El Hermano Ray ha estado sirviendo como Pastor Principal durante los últimos 20 años.

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EVENTS March

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Thoroughbreds and Camels and Ostriches, Oh My! “Houston’s Best Bet” brings our fan favorite back to H-Town! Don’t miss out on an exhibition race of camels and ostriches during the racing card. Fun for the whole family with kid activities and food trucks!

Gates: 5:00pm Live Racing: 6:30 PM Sam Houston Race Park 7575 North Sam Houston Pkwy W, Houston, Texas 77064

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Creekwood Fishing Derby, Saturday March 9, 8-10am, Creekwood Park/Woodlands

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Free Autism Event with The Easter Bunny!

HOP ON OVER To Success on the Spectrum Magnolia!

Join us for our Easter Celebration & Grand Opening!

We will have fun activities, including: Pictures With The Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt, and more!

Saturday, March 23, 2024 1 - 3:30pm Success On The Spectrum - Magnolia 18230 FM Road 1488 Suite 104 Magnolia, TX 77354

Dinosaurs and Shamrocks Scavenger Hunt, Monday March 11, 10:30-1:30, Mercer Botanic Gardens

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City Place Spring Farmer’s Market and Spring Festival Saturday, March 9th, 2-6, 1250 Lake Plaza Dr. Spring

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EMCID’s Eggcellent Event & Mini-Market Shop for spring goodies and hunt for more than 80,000 eggs.

Saturday, March 23 Don Ford Stadium 22784 Hwy. 59 in Porter.

FREE event 10 a.m. - Children with disabilities and those two years old and younger 10:30 a.m. - Children ages 3-4 years old.

11 a.m. - Children ages 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old 11:30 a.m. - Children 8-12 years old

Third Saturday of the Month!

Sip and Shop in Historic Downtown Crockett, TX. Enjoy specials and sales!

Pet Palooza and Doggie Dash Sat, March 16, 9am-1pm, Little Cedar Bayou Park, LaPorte

Color Blast! Easter Color Run (three different age groups), TieDye station (bring your own shirt or we will have bandanas), Chalk, Sno-Cones, and more!

Sat Mar 23 2024 at 09:00 am to 12:00 pm Cleveland’s First Baptist Church, 300 West Hanson St ,Cleveland,TX

EVENTS 30 Easter in the Park The event is FREE and registration not required. Children divided into age groups: Toddler, Kindergarten, First Grade & Second Grade.

Town Center Park in the heart of Kingwood Saturday, March 30th, 2024 10am to 4pm Pictures with the Easter Bunny 9am to Noon. information Tony Austin 346-600-2366

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Montgomery County Funky Junque Market, Saturday, April 13, 9-4, 9055 Airport Rd. Conroe

Montgomery County Fair & Rodeo Saturday April 13, 7pm, Lone Star Expo Arena

“EGG-cited” about Jesus Easter Egg Hunt Grace MBC is EGG-cited to host an Easter egg hunt to learn more about Jesus!

Come on out for this FREE event fun for the whole family!

Sat Mar 30 2024 04:00 pm to 05:00 pm Grace Missionary Baptist Church, 11920 Stidham Rd, Conroe

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Big As Texas, music and food festival, Montgomery County Fairgrounds 9333 Airport Rd, Conroe, TX 77303 Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12, 2024

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April 08

Fredericksburg Solar Eclipse Festival, April 8th, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Grapetown Vinyard 8142 Old San Antonio Road Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Cost: $20.00 – $450.00 830-777-4485 info@blackstonetexas.com

SIP AND SHOP Third Saturday of the Month!

Sip and Shop in Historic Downtown Crockett Enjoy specials and sales Crockett, TX April 20, 2024 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

SIP AND SHOP Third Saturday of the Month!

Sip and Shop in Historic Downtown Crockett Enjoy specials and sales Crockett, TX May 18, 2024 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

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LOCAL PARKS AND ACTIVITIES Carter Park, Collins Park, Dennis Johnston Park, Jesse H. Jones & Nature Center, Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve, and Pundt Park

Creek Greenway, with over 16 miles of paved trail system along Spring Creek, is also accessible from the park’s Judy Overby Bell Trail and Jones Bender Trail.

Offers canoe/kayak launches at for those interested in canoeing/kayaking Spring Creek, Cypress Creek, and associated waterways. Reservations are required to use a launch to access Spring Creek, Cypress Creek, or associated waterways. Reservations are not required to use the launch at Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve to access Marshall Lake.

Fishing

Fishing enthusiasts can experience many unique fishing opportunities year-round, with access to fishing in Spring Creek, Cypress Creek, and stocked fishing lakes.

Scavenger Hunt

Mar 29 2024 to Mar 31 2024: 8:00AM - 3:30PM

SPRING CREEK PARK

This 114-acre facility features one unlighted softball field, one lighted basketball pavilion, two lighted tennis courts, a small barbecue pavilion, a large barbecue pavilion, eight RV/camper hookups, three tent camping sites, one primitive camping area, a playground, trails, picnic tables, barbecue grills, an archery range, a sand volleyball court, and a rest room/shower pavilion.

Free Tent & RV Camping Picnics

Offers free picnic pavilions with electricity and grills by reservation only at Burroughs Park, Dennis Johnston Park, Meyer Park, and Spring Creek Park.

Jesse Jones Park & Nature Center and Mercer Botanic Gardens also offer free picnic pavilions by reservation only, but electricity is not available at these locations.

Any parks not listed above that offer small picnic pavilions, picnic tables, or grills are available for use without a reservation on first come, first served basis only during normal park hours

Overnight camping is offered at no cost to public RV and tent campers at Spring Creek Park. Groups and individuals are permitted to camp up to 7 continuous nights per month. Long-term camping or camping outside of designated areas is not permitted.

JONES PARK

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center is a premier 312-acre nature preserve open daily to visitors free of charge. The park features a variety of plant and wildlife species, white sand beaches along Spring Creek, swamps and sloughs with century-old cypress trees, and a pristine floodplain located in a hardwood and pine forest. All features are accessible by over eight miles of paved, handicap-friendly pedestrian trails and several unpaved primitive trails. The Spring

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Atascocita Park

17302 W Lake Houston Pkwy, Atascocita, TX 77346 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

HEATHER GARZA HG Tax & Financial Services

700 Rockmead Drive, Suite 213| Kingwood, TX 77339 Phone (281) 446-8002 | www.hgtaxservice.com

We do the Max to decrease your Tax!

SERVICES: Tax Preparation & Planning, Payroll Services, Bookkeeping, Financial Planning

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Splendora ISD Reflects on the First Semester of the 2023-24 school year

by Dr. Jeff Burke, Superintendent of Schools

We concluded the first semester of the academic year, and it’s a time to reflect on our students’ remarkable achievements and successes!

Beginning with the East Montgomery County Fair, our students showcased their talents and dedication to their respective projects.

The community and sponsors came together as always and were extremely supportive, and our students walked away with money to pursue their next project or use as scholarships. The hard work and commitment of our students and staff truly shone through, reflecting the values of our district.

Our high school boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams received 2nd place in the district and advanced to the regional meet. Our volleyball team did remarkably well, advanced to Area, and fell short, but still earned the title of Bi-District Champions. Their victories and achievements serve as inspiration for all members of our school community.

Our fine arts students continue to impress! The band and color guard delivered captivating performances, and received straight 1s, advancing them to the Area competition for the seventh year in a row. Additionally, three band members made the All-State band - a new record for Splendora High School. The high school choir made significant strides, with nine students making the Regional Choir.

As we celebrate these accomplishments, let us also acknowledge the hard work and guidance of our educators, coaches, and staff, who played an integral role in nurturing our students’ talents and passions. Our Board of Trustees continue to support our students as one of our primary goals is for every student to be involved in something while they are here with us.

Together, we look forward to building upon these successes in the coming semester and fostering a culture of excellence and achievement throughout our district.

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Success On The Spectrum - Magnolia WHO WE ARE

Success On The Spectrum provides ABA Therapy We give one-on-one instruction to children who are not currently learning like their peers. We teach children HOW to learn, then gradually reduce or eliminate the individualized support.

Our goal is to teach valuable life skills that help our clients become productive and fulfilled adults in mainstream society.

SUCCESS ON THE SPECTRUM is the #1 Autism Treatment franchise in the country and we are proud to be a part of the community, providing ABA Therapy for Children with Autism.

We host several sensory-friendly events for the public every year.

We never do fundraisers or ask families to pay to attend any of our events. We never do it to make money.

We simply do it for the Awesome kids in our community.

Join us for our Easter Celebration & Grand Opening!

March 23, 2024, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm Step into a world of joy and inclusivity at our Autism Easter event with the Easter Bunny, where every child’s unique spirit is celebrated!

We will have fun activities, including: Pictures With The Easter Bunny, Easter Egg Hunt, Face Painting, Cupcake Decorating and Pin The Tail on The Bunny Our peeps can’t wait to meet your peeps!

SOS MAGNOLIA 18230 FM 1488 Suite 104 Magnolia, TX 77354

Phone: (832) 632-3998 Fax: (346) 371-4378 Magnolia@SuccessOnTheSpectrum.com

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Humble ISD Guy M. Sconzo Early College High School 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2024 Humble Civic Center Summer Creek High School 8 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2024 NRG Stadium Kingwood High School 9 a.m. Saturday , May 25, 2024 NRG Stadium

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Humble High School 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 NRG Stadium Atascocita High School 4 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 NRG Stadium Kingwood Park High School 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 NRG Stadium

Splendora High School 8 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024 Dale Martin Memorial Field at Wildcat Stadium Clevealnd High School 7 p.m. Friday, May 24, 2024 M.O. Campbell Educational Center New Caney High School 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024 Randall Reed Stadium

Huffman Hargrave High School 4 p.m. Saturday, May 25, 2024 Ford Arena Porter High School 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Randall Reed Stadium Magnolia West High School 4:00 p.m. Saturday May 25, 2024 REED ARENA Magnolia High School 8:00 p.m. Saturday May 25, 2024 REED ARENA

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LAKE HOUSTON AREA

LIBRARIES Atascocita Branch Library 19520 Pinehurst Trail Dr, Atascocita, TX 77346 Hours: Mon. 11a-6p / Tue. 10a-8p / Wed. 10a-6p Thu. 10a-8p / Fri. 1p-6p / Sat. 10a-5p Phone: (832) 927-5560

Octavia Fields Branch Library 1503 S Houston Ave, Humble, TX 77338 Hours: Mond 11a-8p / Tues 10a - 6p / Wed 10a - 8p Thurs 10a - 6p / Fri 1p - 6p / Sat 10a - 5p Phone: (832) 927-5500

Kingwood Branch Library 4400 Bens View Ln, Kingwood, TX 77339 Hours: Monday, 10am-8pm / Tues.10am-8pm / Wed. 10am8pm Thurs. 10am-9pm / Fri, 1pm-6pm / Sat. 10am-5pm Phone: (832) 927-7830 http://www.hcpl.net/location/kingwood-branch-library

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O my Josh!

Mobile Notary Public

Jenny Baldwin

832-233-8321 Notary77357@gmail.com http://bit.ly/NotaryJenny

17573 M T Blvd.

New Caney TX 77357

INDEPENDENCE Marketing Group

Bill Hildebrandt Senior Benefits Consu/ttmt

Main: (832)810-9920 1819 Augusta Dr., Ste 329 Houston, Texas 77057

Email: bhildebrandt77@gmail.com

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SCHOOLS KIDS& SCHOOLS==KIDS Strong, Strong,Healthy Healthy

Strong, Healthy Strong, Heal

By Dr. Elizabeth Fagen, Humble ISD Superintendent of Schools Did you happen to see the recent article in the Houston Chronicle that said unincorporated Atascocita grew at the fastest rate of any censusdesignated area in the United States in 2022? While I think all of us would maybe like a little less traffic, a lot less construction, and a few more trees, I was still thrilled to learn that! I was thrilled because I know that the number one reason people choose to live in one certain community over another is largely because of the quality of the schools and school district.

In addition to the anecdotal evidence .consistently .provided

by Realtors, chambers, and business leaders throughout my

the new Kingwood Middle School opened in Fall 2022, replacing the original Kingwood Middle School that was opened in 1977.

16-year career as a superintendent, unless the schools are great, they cannot attract employees, homeowners, patrons, etc. to the community; there are many pieces of research reaffirming the same thing – great schools and great school districts are economic engines for their communities.

In Humble ISD we are grateful to our kind and generous community that supports us. We passed our 2018 bond with 74% in favor and our 2022 bond with 63% in favor. We want to make those who give so much to us and to our students very proud, so we spend every single taxpayer

Humble ISD continues to reinvest in our community New immersive, imaginatively-themed playgrounds are being added at every elementary school along with new outdoor obstacle and fitness courses at every middle school. They are: • Built on handicap-accessible, poured-in-place rubber surfaces with fall protection • Open to the public when school is not in session

Now

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Creekwood Middle School Obstacle and Fitness Course

Elm Grove Elementary Treehouse Playground

S&&COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES

Healthy lthy

dollar as if it were our very own.

We have high expectations of our architects, contractors, and ourselves. Of course we want excellent facilities for all children regardless of zip code, but we push ourselves further – we want the best facilities. We want facilities that nurture learning, that attract great teachers, that are assets to their communities – that raise property values and provide wonderful amenities to the entire Humble ISD community.

We know that when we do this we maintain the quality of life that brought all of us here and has so many of us staying for years and years. Great schools that go above and beyond keep property values high because future homeowners want to live there so their children can attend

our schools and so they can access our great amenities, like our new immersive playgrounds, right in their own backyards. This keeps home prices strong, brings patrons to our local businesses, provides a

River Pines Elementary Rainforest Playground

Jack Fields Elementary Space Playground

Oaks Elementary National Parks Playground

Woodland Hills Elementary Fairytale Playground

Oil rig themed learning pod at Autumn Ridge Middle School. quality workforce to our business partners, and keeps us from being swallowed up by the urban core.

Reinvesting in our communities is win-win for everyone.

It won’t be long before our new Humble ISD community

maps will be launched. They will show the location of each of our wonderful schools and facilities.

They will also show every single new magical playground or fitness area that is open to the community outside of school hours. You will be able to see where you can fly through space, visit a farm, climb an ice castle, experience a bug’s life, go on a safari, or visit a ski resort right here in Texas. We love it when children and their families spend time together outdoors, in the sunlight and fresh air getting exercise and building relationships as well as skills that will be important for their whole lives. All of that is possible right here in Humble ISD because of you and without ever raising the tax rate.

Park Lakes Elementary Safari Playground

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Cleveland ISD Growing and Thriving Cleveland ISD takes pride in its comprehensive Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. These programs empower students to explore their interests and develop practical skills in a variety of career clusters. Whether a student aspires to be a skilled tradesperson in Construction or Welding, a culinary artist in Culinary Arts, or a future healthcare professional through Health Science programs, Cleveland ISD offers the resources and support to make those dreams a reality. These CTE programs are designed to give students a competitive edge in their chosen career paths, providing them with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in today’s job market.

The introduction of the Community On Patrol in Schools (C.O.P.S) program is a testament to the district’s dedication to the safety and security of its students. By involving community volunteers in the oversight of school campuses, Cleveland ISD is fostering a strong sense of shared responsibility for safety. These volunteers play a vital role in monitoring various aspects of the school day, ensuring that students can focus on learning in a secure environment. The C.O.P.S program not only enhances safety but also strengthens the bond between the district and the community, creating a supportive and protective educational ecosystem.

Sorcha, the drug detection dog, has quickly become a beloved member of the Cleveland ISD family. With her keen senses and friendly demeanor, she makes the daily campus visits a positive experience for students and staff.

Sorcha’s role in the district is essential in ensuring a drugfree environment where students can learn and thrive without unnecessary distractions. Her presence is a symbol of Cleveland ISD’s proactive approach to maintaining a safe and drug-free school environment, reinforcing the district’s commitment to the well-being of its students.

In summary, Cleveland ISD’s impressive growth, commitment to academic excellence, and dedication to the safety and security of its students make it a standout district in the Texas educational landscape. The success stories of its graduates and the innovative programs in place continue to set high standards for education and provide a nurturing environment for students to flourish. Cleveland ISD is not only growing but thriving, creating a bright future for its students and the community as a whole.

GROWING IN CLEVELAND

Cleveland ISD is led by Superintendent Stephen W. McCanless. Mr. McCanless is a Native Texan, having been raised in and completing all of his public school years in Channelview ISD. Being from a family of 4 brothers and 5 sisters, McCanless says that education was always a topic of discussion at the dinner table. Mr. McCanless received his Associates Degree in Social Science from San Jacinto College, his Bachelor’s Degree in Literature Cleveland ISD is led by Superintendent Stephen W. McCanless. Mr. McCanless is a Native Texan, having been raised in and completing all of his public school years i and Master’s Degree in Education Management, both from University of Houston Clear McCanless has comBeing from a family of 4 brothers and 5 sisters, McCanless says that education was always a topic of discussion at theLake. dinner table.

Mr. pleted course workCollege, for his in Educational Supervision Lamar University.

Mr. McCanless’s philosophy is, Scienceallfrom San Jacinto hisEd.D Bachelor’s Degree in Literature and Master’satDegree in Education Management, both from all course workcan for his Ed.D our in Educational Lamar University.. philosophy is, “Every child can learn; our job is to support and inspire “Every child learn; job is toSupervision support at and inspire themMr. in McCanless’s this journey.”

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Harvest for the Hungry, Inc. We often visualize the face of hunger as a person from Africa with visible ribs and skinny limbs. The reality is the real face of hunger looks like you and me. As a child, growing up in Katy, I am still haunted and scarred by the embarrassment, shame, and alienation associated with my experience with food insecurity. I vividly remember, every day, dreading having to hand my free lunch ticket to the cashier while my classmates watched and teased. I want you to remember the last time you were hungry. Did you get a headache, did you feel nauseous, did you get irritable? Now imagine walking over to your refrigerator, opening it up, just to see that the refrigerator is completely empty. Then, you walk over to your wallet, and you learn you do not have money to buy food for the rest of the month. This is food insecurity.

According to Feeding America, the largest hunger-relief organization in the US, a widely respected, nonpartisan, nonprofit which has been around for 40 years conducted a study, in Texas, 1 in 8 people and, of them, 1 in 5 children face hunger. Millions of people are just a job loss, a natural disaster, or medical emergency away from food insecurity.

Harvest for the Hungry is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, located on 61 acres, in Freeport, Texas, fighting for those who struggle with food insecurity. We dare to dream of having a community where no one is hungry. Our mission is to provide healthy farm-to-table food to those in need through production, education, and research. However, the mission behind the mission is to share the gospel with every visitor to our farm. We use feeding our community physically as a platform for feeding our community spiritually. We host biweekly (every 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month) 2-hour sessions for the food insecure. We use the 3Es. One hour of each session is dedicated to the hands-on experience of gardening (preparing soil, planting and harvesting). The second hour is dedicated to nutrition education (promoting the benefits of health eating and cooking classes). During the biweekly 2-hour sessions, we evangelize, and the Gospel is shared to all who visit the farm. At Harvest for the Hungry, we do not just give the food insecure a fish and feed them for a day. We teach them to fish so we can feed them for a lifetime.

Most of the food insecure community we serve are dependent on food pantries, gas stations, and the Dollar General for their food. This dependency results in a diet of high salt from canned goods, or a diet of high sugars and fat from boxed foods, which is a reason why there is an obesity epidemic in our community. In contrast, Harvest for the Hungry is investing in and providing several types of local, fresh, nourishing foods including fish, vegetables, fruits, honey, eggs, and much more for our community.

Every year, Harvest for the Hungry secures thousands of pounds of healthy farm-to-table food that goes to local communities and partners that serve the residents in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris County and others. Our work helps ensure that healthy food makes it to the tables of thousands 26

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of families struggling with food insecurity. We have with donated over 20,000 pounds of food, conducted over 42 nutritional education classes each year, accumulated 1,000 volunteers; and hundreds of visitors accepting Jesus Christ into their lives.

We have consistent, passionate volunteers, and we are partnering with schools, public and private entities, and other nonprofits, locally, and all around Brazoria, Fort Bend, Harris County and others to help us execute the biweekly 2-hour sessions of experience, education and evangelism. We partner with several academic organizations and nonprofit institutions to train the next generation of farmers and researchers in adequate, nutritious, safe supply, and long-term productivity of food to meet human nutritional needs and requirements. We have a Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development program which is a transformative 12-month farm training initiative, merging a robust classroom curriculum on production, beekeeping, agribusiness, and more with a hands-on practicum at the farm and state-of-the art training facility at our farm. We also offer classes that are not only fun but educational. We want to help our community build greater self-sufficiency. Our classes are family-oriented and empowering. We offer youth enrichment, community outreach,

and adult education classes such as homesteading classes, couples cooking classes, children’s gardening club, mommy & me, homeschool enrichment and much more.

We could not do this work without our funding partners, BACODA, Community Health Network, No Kid Hungry, Rotary, Save the Children, Stoller Foundation, and United Way of Brazoria County. Harvest for the Hungry is proud that your tax-deductible contribution directly funds the initiatives of growing, educating, and distributing local, fresh and nutritious farm to table foods to our local communities and neighbors who struggle with food insecurity (See: https:// harvestforthehungrytexas.org/donate). We also could not do this work without our community of volunteers who are the lifeline of our organization who have contributed time, talent and treasure.

Whatever your interests, skills and schedule may be, we will find an opportunity that’s right for any visitor to our farm.

We invite you to join and discover how you can make a difference. For more information, please see our website: harvestforthehungrytexas.org, contact David Huang, at h4thtx@gmail.com or call 936-577-5770.

In summary, Harvest for the Hungry with our partners are on a mission to build a long-term, sustainable food system that focuses on experience, education and evangelism. In John 21:17, Jesus calls us to feed His sheep. Together, we do dare to dream of having a community where no one is hungry.

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A Simple Solution that is Freely Given

By Deborah Elum, Author & Producer When our appliances break down, we usually turn to repair technicians for help.

However, what happens when their attempts fail to fix the issue? This was the situation I faced after paying hundreds of dollars to a technician to fix my refrigerator, only to find that the problem persisted.

The technician had cleared a large chunk of ice from the freezer and cleaned the drain line, thinking he had fixed the cause of why water was draining on the floor. Despite his efforts, the issue started again two days later. I felt like I had wasted my money. After I called the repair company again, they sent a different technician to investigate further. This technician approached the problem with a more comprehensive mindset and checked out the refrigerator from top to bottom.

After careful examination, the technician was able to identify the root cause of the issue and provided me with a simple solution that I could do at no cost. He knew that the refrigerator had been misdiagnosed, so the company refunded me the money I had paid them for the repair.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson. Sometimes, when we face problems, we need to approach them from the right angle to find the right solution. We need to seek out Jesus.

In the Biblical account from the Book of Mark 5:25-29, a woman had been misdiagnosed for a very long time. She had been suffering from continuous bleeding for twelve years and had spent all of her money on various treatments from many doctors. But after she touched Jesus’ robe, the bleeding stopped, and she knew that she was healed.

This story reminds us that sometimes, we need to step back and look at the problem from a different perspective. Is there a simple solution that we have overlooked? We need to seek Jesus, and He will come to our rescue. He will freely give us the wisdom and guidance we need even when the problem seems insurmountable.

Mark 5:34: Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”

You can contact Deborah at P.O. Box 1594, Humble, Texas 77347-1594 or calling (281) 878-2062.

Listen to Deborah Elum’s Podcast at: https://redcircle.com/shows/changing-your-life-with-the-word

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POWER OF WORDS “There is no greater love and support you can give someone than to look them in the eye, and with all sincerity say, ‘I believe in you’.”

Words have the power to build people up, confine people to where they are, or break people down. When someone believes in you, everything can change — fear decreases, confidence increases, the bravery to aim higher grows. Small children who know their parents believe in them feel safe and supported. This often makes them fearless and willing to try anything without a doubt in their minds that they can achieve it.

Here is a story I read about a letter Thomas Edison, the legendary inventor of the light bulb and motion picture camera, brought home from school, that illustrates this point; One day Thomas Edison came home and gave a paper to his mother. He told her, “My teacher gave this paper to me and told me to only give it to my mother.”

His mother’s eyes were tearful as she read the letter out loud to her child: “Your son is a genius. This school is too small for him and doesn’t have enough good teachers for training him. Please teach him yourself.” Many years after Edison’s mother died and he was now one of the greatest inventors of the century, one day he was looking through old family things.

Suddenly he saw a folded paper in the corner of a drawer in a desk.

He took it and opened it up. On the paper was written: “ Your son is addled [mentally ill]. We won’t let him come to school anymore.” Edison cried for hours and then he wrote in his diary: “Thomas Alva Edison was an addled child that, by a hero mother, became the genius of the century.”

It is not known if there actually was a letter, however, it is true that the 7-year-old Thomas Edison was called out in class as being ‘addled’ and he stormed home in disgust. After his mother spoke to the teacher the next day and got no satisfactory explanation, she decided to home-school the young inventor. At this point, he was overjoyed at his mother’s decision and showed true integrity when he ‘promised himself to make his mother proud of him’. His mother showed in her actions the love and belief she had in him.

Sometimes you don’t realize the call on your life – that thing that makes your heart sing because God creates you to do it – until someone recognizes it in you first - and believes in you more than you believe in yourself. You can be that one person for someone.

Paula Enloe worked as a legal assistant for over 25 years and is a certified family law mediator.

She is the author of the book “Lessons From My Mirror - Change Begins With Me.” Paula and her husband Noble, began having Bible Studies in their home when Covid-19 restricted public gatherings in church buildings. When their group began to grow, they founded the Family Worship Center of Plum Grove, Texas. In 2022, they moved into a building but continue to keep the home setting inside with couches, tables and chairs. Their motto is “Doing Church Differently”. They count it as their greatest privilege to share the love of Jesus to each person they come in contact with daily.

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HI NEIGHBOR CLUB OF KINGWOOD FOCUSES ON THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN

by Kay Caffey This active, all-female group, with current membership MinhChau Epley and Tammy Holekamp, exceeding 300, offers many social activities as well dedicated members of Hi Neighbor as opportunities for members to use some of their Club of Kingwood, were co-chairs of an time, energy, resources, and/or talents to help provide outstanding fundraising event, providing philanthropic services for our community. Four of the an avenue to obtain many more teddies most popular groups providing such services are: the for the cause. Here they feature some of HEARTBEAT BEARS, U.S.O. VOLUNTEERS, THE the available brown bears.

BAG LADIES, and the HUMBLE AREA ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES (H.A.A.M.).

The “HEARTBEAT BEARS” is dedicated to providing teddy bears to hospitalized, seriously-ill Lee Rivet (left) representing Heartbeat Bears youngsters, such as cancer patients and those awaiting and Frida Wilson, Quality of Life Coordinator transplants. This group of caring ladies provides over with Texas Children’s Hospital, holding 2,000 cuddly teddy bears annually and are routinely examples from 4 cases of teddy bears recently in touch with the Kingwood Medical Center, Texas given to patients in the Renal, Dialysis, and Children’s Hospital, Memorial Hermann Hospital and Transplant Units, who were thrilled to receive others. Heartbeat Bears recently provided the Texas the comforting bears.

Children’s Hospital Renal, Transplant, and Dialysis units with almost 400 teddy bears.. Since 1990, this charitable group has donated about 76,000 teddies to youngsters.)

This organization also provides beautiful white Angel Bears to hospitalized women who have had a miscarriage or lost a baby soon after the infant was born. They seem to appreciate the winged treasures to help console them in their time of grief.

Another of the many organizations helped by the Hi Neighbor Young children of military Club of Kingwood is the UNITED SERVICES ORGANIZATION families often receive Nancy’s (U.S.O.). Volunteers graciously offer their assistance to local personalized and welcomed military members and their families, often gifting teddy bears to attention. Gifts of precious their tired/ unhappy young children, to help soothe their anxieties teddies have brought comfort many young children of from long travel time or from the deployment of a parent. For to those who proudly serve our 17 years, our Nancy Foisner has dedicated much her time and country. efforts to helping parents comfort their youngsters with her contagious smile as well as gifts of lovable teddy bears.

A unique philanthropic activity is handled by a dedicated group of volunteers who have chosen to call themselves “THE BAG LADIES”. Their efforts produce waterproof sleeping mats and pillows for the homeless…children as well as adults.

“The Bag Ladies”, led by Barb Barbara Ahlstrom and Janet Flewelling, co-leaders of the Bag Ladies loading Ahlstrom and Janet Flewelling, sleeping mats and pillows to deliver to began five years ago. This wonderful H.A.A.M. These products, made mostly group has figured out a way to recycle of recycled plastic from shopping bags, plastic bags (primarily grocery bags) are quite hearty as well as lightweight to make useful waterproof products and easy to transport for some of the homeless population.

Typically 15-20 of these volunteers meet on a monthly basis to fabricate waterproof sleeping mats and pillows. The process includes cutting the plastic bags into strips, tying the strips together to make “plam” (plastic yarn), and then crocheting the plam. Quana Smith, with Remnants of the plastic bags are used to stuff pillows. Completed sleeping mats the Houston Coalition and pillows are delivered to HOUSTON COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS or for the Homeless, is seen here picking HUMBLE AREA ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES for their distribution. up sleeping mats H.A.A.M. CONTRIBUTIONS: for distribution to Hi Neighbor members generously donate food items for this interfaith organization homeless youth. annually. The H.A.A.M. food bank distributes food items to needy families in nearby communities.

Ladies interested in joining Hi Neighbor of Kingwood may contact hi.neighbor40@gmail.com or call/text Karen Webb, the Membership Chairwoman, at 970-216-8555.

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Cabling Data Voice Fiber Phone Internet Wi-Fi TV Flat Screen Install TV Antenna Security Cameras

ts a week Dinner 7 nigh and ay rd Brunch Satu - 3 Sunday 11

With every purchase from The Ark Bakery & Café, you will help combat human trafficking by making every crumb count!

All funds beyond our cost serve to support anti-trafficking initiatives.

YOU can make a difference!

We offer frozen main dish items as well as artisan breads, pound cakes, scones, and other delicious baked goods.

We are a non-profit, all-volunteer organization.

Come see us at 1801 Kingwood Drive, Suite 175, Kingwood, Tx, 77339.

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We are OPEN every Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

(832)742-1247 www.thearkbakerycafe.org

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