Brookshire Newcomers Guide

Newcomers GUIDE 2017-2018

BROOKSHIRE

T E X A S

published by THE KATY TIMES

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BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

It’s time to go back to school You know a higher education can lead to a better career. So what’s holding you back? Become a student at UHV Katy, 2002 W. Grand Parkway N., Building 2, and advance your career as a teacher, school counselor or administrator.

Choose quality bachelor’s and master’s degrees at a price you can afford. You also can take classes at times that are convenient for you either online or face to face.

Ask about our new online Master of Education in ESL/TESOL or our online Dyslexia Education Certificate (starting spring 2018).

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Fall classes start Aug. 28.

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BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

of 2017

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Yee Haw! th in the nation!

The Lone Star State is known for its independent spirit and pioneering culture. So is Texas Children’s Hospital. We’re second to none in Texas and one of the top hospitals in the nation for children’s care. We’ve spent six decades conducting and providing the most innovative research and treatments in pediatric medicine, pushing boundaries and exploring new territory.

We’re keeping the frontier right here in Houston, where you’ll find extraordinary care whenever you need it.

© 2017 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. WC736_071917

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BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

Welcome WELCOME TO BROOKSHIRE Located 34 miles west of downtown Houston along I-10, and seven miles west of Katy, Brookshire is the fastest growing residential region in the United States.

POPULATION Brookshire - 4,702* Waller County - 43,205* *according to the 2010 census MAYOR Eric Scott CITY COUNCIL Marilyn Vaughn, Mayor Pro-Tem Lydon Stamps, Alderman Position 2 Kim Branch, Alderwoman Position 3 Jason Campos, Alderman Position 4 Eric Green, Alderman Position 5

Helpful Phone Numbers ANIMAL CONTROL 281-375-5000

FIRE DEPARTMENT (NON-EMERGENCY) 910 GRESHAM RD. 281-375-5000

REPUBLIC SERVICES / WASTE MANAGEMENT 1-800-237-0119

BUILDING PERMITS 4029 FIFTH ST. 281-375-5050

LIBRARY – BROOKSHIRE/PATTISON 3815 SIXTH ST. 281-375-5550

SEWER DEPARTMENT 281-375-5010

MUNICIPAL COURT 4029 FIFTH ST. 281-375-5048

STREET DEPARTMENT (PUBLIC WORKS) 281-375-5015

PARKS & RECREATION/PUBLIC WORKS 1215 KENNEY ST. 281-375-5015

TAX DEPARTMENT 281-375-5050

PERMIT & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT 4029 FIFTH ST. 281-375-5050

WALLER COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM 5TH & COOPER STREETS 281-934-2826

CITY OFFICES 4029 FIFTH ST. 281-375-5050 CITY SECRETARY 281-375-5050 DRIVERS LICENSE REGISTRATION 713-802-5000 EDUCATION BROOKSHIRE-PATTISON ROYAL ISD 2520 DURKIN RD. 281-934-2248

POLICE DEPARTMENT (NON-EMERGENCY) 5100 SOUTH FRONT ST. 281-375-5000 POST OFFICE (BROOKSHIRE) 4115 FIFTH ST. 281-375-2266

WALLER COUNTY RECYCLING CENTER 32159 MORTON RD. 281-391-2009 WATER UTILITY BILLING DEPARTMENT 4004 6TH ST. 281-375-5010

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Our History Brookshire, Texas

By Tom Behrens

Brookshire, located on U.S. Highway 90 and Interstate Highway 10 in southern Waller County, 30 miles west of Houston and about 10 miles west of the growing Katy community, was once thought of as a small Texas farm town. Brookshire’s population is growing. In 1920, a total of 1,250 people, mostly farmers and ranchers, populated the “rural area”. Over the next decades, the population fluctuated.

In 1980, Brookshire’s population started edging upward, nearly doubling the numbers of 1920. In 1990, the population increased to 2,922; in 2000, it was up to 3,450 and grew to 4,869 by 2013. In the latest count of July 1, 2015, the City of Brookshire had a population of 5,160, and ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density and Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Texas.

The town was named for Nathan Brookshire, who was a large landowner in the vicinity and a leading resident.

Before he moved to Texas in 1832, he served in both the Creek War and the War of 1812. On Oct. 5, 1835, he received a league of land in payment for service with Stephen F. Austin’s Fifth Colony Army. He and his wife, the former Mary Ann Hooks, settled with three of their six children on land that is now located in both Waller and Fort Bend counties.

In 1893, John Brookshire and O.C. Drew filed their plat for the Town of Brookshire out of the H.H. Pennington Survey.

On May 24, 1946, The City of Brookshire was incorporated, comprising both the Kellner and Brookshire/Drew plats. Many skeptics thought that the area, which was surrounded by coastal prairies, was unfit for settlement.

However, the land had all the characteristics of being able to produce crops. Flat land, productive soil and good rainfall made the area ideal for crops which need a lot of water. Open land and plentiful grass provided an ideal place for raising cattle.

Because of the rich alluvial soil of the Brazos River bottom, the arrival of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, and the close proximity to Houston, the town developed into a thriving agricultural community. The

railroad provided a means of shipping crops such as cotton, melons, corn and pecans.

In 1893, a post office was established. By 1897, the Brookshire Times reported that town had some 30 businesses and had shipped 10,000 bales of cotton that year.

Beginning in 1900, however, cotton’s economic significance diminished over the next three decades because of the falling prices for cotton. Also, the demand for farm labor in the lucrative war industries lured workers away from agriculture. Rice took over from cotton and became a major cash crop in every decade through the 1980s. The area’s economy was not devastated.

Brookshire developed into a thriving agricultural community. The City of Brookshire was incorporated on May 24, 1946. Agriculture storage silos still operate in Brookshire, but not at their peak as they did in the years of the past.

Brookshire is the home of The Brookwood Community, which was founded in 1985. Brookwood Community is nationally known as an organization that provides an educational environment that creates meaningful jobs, builds a sense of belonging, and demands dignity and respect for adults with disabilities. The Community is located south of Brookshire on FM 1489. Both the Igloo Corporation and Goya Foods, located on Hwy. 90 just east of Brookshire, provide jobs in an expanding industrial area west of Brookshire.

Stephen F. Austin Texas State Park is a popular recreation area west of Brookshire. The Stephen F. Austin Golf Course and River Ridge Golf Club course are located with a 30 minutes drive from Brookshire.

The Waller County Museum, in the home of former resident Dr. Paul Donigan, is located in Brookshire, which houses historical information of Brookshire and all of Waller County.

Sources: Texas State Historical Association The Handbook of TexasWaller County Museum

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Economy Development

By Tom Behrens

At first glance, it doesn’t look like things have changed much in Brookshire over the past few years. It’s still a small, one main street town on Hwy. 90 about 10-15 miles east of Sealy. But if you look a little closer, things are changing.

From a city that has had a predominantly black population, the latest population numbers show that the Hispanic population is now predominant. The expansion and growth that has exploded in west Houston and Katy is spreading westward and people in Brookshire are preparing and getting involved.

Mike Barnes, President/CEO Brookshire EDC Coordinators, is one of several that are keeping up with — and promoting — the Brookshire area. The Brookshire EDC mission is to promote business expansion in Brookshire and to provide projects that will enhance the quality of life for Brookshire residents.

the market is not only moving westward into Brookshire, but also into Sealy. “There is a good bit of activity that is already underway, sort of in the pipeline if you will, is already under consideration,” he said. Preliminary discussions have been ongoing about new residential communities providing housing close to the people moving to take advantage of the job opportunities created by the commercial growth.

“My understanding is that there is a considerable amount of land, perhaps north and west of the city center that is being considered for significant residential development which will feed into the Royal ISD school system, adding to the population of Brookshire.

“Our friends in Sealy have seen similar growth as people and businesses in greater Houston are moving westward.

The lifestyles in these communities and other similar communities have lots of upsides as to living in the greater Houston area,” said Barnes.

In a recent conversation with Barnes, he shared some of what is happening in the area, most of it in growth, particularly in the commercial sector. The large building under construction of the south side of I-10 in Brookshire is a Holiday Inn Express, and Bellville Meat Market has received preliminary approval to proceed with a new facility in Brookshire.

“We are in discussion with other commercial projects in terms of their potential interests in Brookshire. There is a lot going on right now,” said Barnes. Holiday Inn Express ownership team is optimistic about completing the project in the spring of 2017, barring unforeseen weather conditions.

Bellville Meat Market will be located just off I-10, north of the interstate.

“If you are heading towards Katy from Brookshire, the market location is probably within three-quarters of a mile north of the major truck stop along I-10 in Brookshire. It will not be on I-10, but inside the city location,” noted Barnes.

“The Bellville project at this point is sort of preliminary site prep. My speculation on completion will be somewhere in the neighborhood of September-December of 2017.”

Barnes said Brookshire is probably enjoying the benefit of the greater Houston market’s growth, maybe not to the extent Katy has, “but again we are one level west of Katy.”

Barnes’ critical observations and research suggests that

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WEST I-10 CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SERVES BROOKSHIRE, PATTISON AND SURROUNDING AREAS DIRECTOR ADAM TRAWEEK

DIRECTOR ANDY PERRY

DIRECTOR ARNOLD ENGLAND

PRESIDENT CORRINE VAHALIK

VICE PRESIDENT JASON HOLMES

DIRECTOR JIM VAUGHN SECRETARY KATHY MCADAMS-WILSON (NOT PICTURED)

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Going west out of Houston, travelers will find the “West I-10” corridor, anchoring southern Waller and northwestern Fort Bend counties to I-10 and FM 359, both major arteries of travel and commerce in the region.

Within this 250-square mile area lie the cities of Brookshire and Pattison (in Waller County), as well as Fulshear and Simonton (in Fort Bend County). Serving this growing area is the West I-10 Chamber of Commerce, a group of businesses, individuals, and civic leaders committed to the promotion of economic, social, and civic growth and prosperity.

In recent years, the West I-10 area has been impacted by Houston’s urban sprawl, and bedroom communities for the metropolitan area have sprouted throughout. While poised as the next frontier on Houston’s path of steady growth, the area nevertheless remains small town America — anchored in family values and committed to community, church and education.

great friendly folks that work together to benefit all,” said Chamber administrator Julie Ormond. “We believe that strong business involvement creates opportunities for success. We work hard to support our community through strong relationships that go beyond the work place and into the community.”

The current officers and directors for the West I-10 Chamber of Commerce are: Corinne Vahalik, president; Jason Holmes, vice president; Kathryn McAdams-Wilson, secretary; Adam Traweek, Amegy Bank; Andy Perry, Houston Executive Airport; Arnold England, Gateway Realty; and Jim Vaughn, West Engineering Services.

For more information, contact the Chamber at 281-375-8100 or e-mail chamber@ westi10chamber.org.

Located in the lower coastal plain of the agriculturally-rich watershed of the Brazos River, the area is part woodland and part prairie, and receives its economic support largely from farming, ranching, manufacturing, and transportation dependent industries.

The West I-10 Chamber of Commerce is involved in many local outreach events; it’s where business meets community.

“As a close group of small towns, you will find

BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

The West I-10 Chamber covers the communities of Pattison and Brookshire in Waller County, as well as Fulshear and Simonton in Fort Bend County.

Heidi A. Schultz, MD Danny Le, DO Syndi Nobles, PA-C Heather Perry, PA-C ADULTS

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Jessica Meyer, PA-C M.K. Armitage, FNP-C Jillian Benoit, FNP-C Vincent Nguyen, PA-C

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Education Royal ISD

By Tom Behrens

With enrollment surpassing 2,000, and facing the prospect of continuing population growth, Royal ISD Superintendent Stacy Ackley says the Royal schools are working hard to accommodate the growth. The district serves students living in Brookshire, Sunnyside and Pattison and surrounding areas. The district boundaries are FM 529 to the north, the Harris County line to the east, the Fort Bend County line to the south, and the Brazos River to the west, containing a total of 161 square miles.

The district was established by special election in January of 1959 when the citizens of the Brookshire and Pattison School Districts voted to consolidate. The newly-combined district was known as the Pattison-Brookshire Consolidated Independent School District until February 1960, when it was renamed the Royal Independent School District.

Currently, the district has five campuses. Royal Early Childhood Center (PK-K) serves students in prekindergarten (four-year-olds) and kindergarten. Royal Elementary School houses grades 1-5 and Royal Junior High School consists of grades 6-8 and is located in the newly-remodeled building at 2520 Durkin Road. Royal High School is located at 34499 Royal Road and accommodates students in grades 9-12. New to the district last year was the Royal STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academy (grades 3-8). In addition, the district’s early college high school is entering its second year.

Special programs are available to all students through compensatory education, special education, English as a second language (ESL), career and technology education (CTE), gifted and talented (G/T), honors, pre- advanced placement (PAP) and advanced placement (AP) programs, as well as dual credit programs with several local colleges and universities. The district’s student population is culturally and ethnically diverse; thereby contributing to the ambiance of Royal ISD. “We are a bilingual program, 92 percent socio-economic disadvantaged,” explained Ackley. “When you start talking about educating kids, that’s a very tough job. We have great educational programs in place to help those kids get on track. We want 100 percent of our kids to pass. Will we ever get there? We are going to try, work hard, and make sure our programs promote growth in our kids where they are.”

He invites the community to come and see what’s happening at any of the schools in the district. “Come tell us where you want to go, what you might want to see.”

The invitation extends to all parts and programs of Royal ISD. “I want to see the high school, or I want to see the STEM Academy, I want to see the college, I want to go to the junior high, an elementary school, the early childhood center … wherever it may be. We just go. We walk into classes and introduce you.”

This is the third year for the Royal STEM Academy, which offers an educational option for students who are looking to pursue their interest in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Academy provides inquiry and project-based instruction challenging students to solve real world problems using the project based learning design.

The Academy provides students with accelerated and concentrated experiences and content in an environment that is conducive to exploration, innovation and real-world problem solving.

“It’s our second year for early college-high school program,” said Ackley. There are 42 kids enrolled in the early college-high school. “Those kids, (early college-high school) will graduate with an Associate’s degree, as well as a high school diploma,” said Ackley. “In our STEM Academy, we use the University of Texas curriculum, all project-based learning.”

Royal ISD also partners with Boys & Girls Club, which utilizes a portion of the Royal STEM Academy in the afternoons. Ackley says there are a large number of students attending.

“It’s a different Boys & Girls Club. We feed the students and we have a learning time. Our teachers volunteer an hour after school to participate, and help all the kids with their homework. We call it our Power Hour.”

Another program begun by Royal ISD is a youth sports program for the community, in addition to the normal schoolbased sports programs.

“Unlike a lot of communities that have sports, we did not. To me that’s a big thing; you start getting community involvement. We started all of that with the help of the Boys and Girls Club partnership,” said Ackley.

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One of the most successful start-up programs at the high school is the Marine Corps Junior ROTC. Royal High School was one of only six schools in the nation to add the program to its curriculum. Currently, the program boasts of more than 100 students, which is just about one-fourth of the school’s entire student body. Overseeing the program is Major Carlos Gomez.

“Now in our second year, we added our second instructor because there are so many kids involved,” explained Ackley.

“MCJROTC is at its essence a Leadership Education Program meant solely to develop character and citizenship.

Although a comprehensive learning environment anchored in a military structure is not for all students, there is a body of defendable academic knowledge that clearly articulates the significant benefit to those that choose to participate.”

“Our CT, Career and Tech Education program is state of the art,” said Ackley. “You will not find anything better in Katy or anywhere in the state; you might find it bigger, but you won’t find it better…welding automotive, to the machining, and other skills. The high school boasts of a state-of-theart, ultra-successful cosmetology department led by Alma Aguilar.

“We added that program last year with over 150 girls involved in that program,” said Ackley. Future plans call for the cosmetology department to open their doors to the community on Wednesday nights.

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Royal High School is also home to a show band that garners all sorts of awards and honors.

“Our band often gets standing ovations from the visitors,” said Deputy Superintendent Ryan Steele. “They’re like the Grambling band. They get jiggy with it. Even the visiting coaches take time out to hear them.” The band is under the direction of Sam Long.

Royal’s curriculum was the first to be nationally accredited under CITA and SACS and is directly linked to National Standards. The Commission on International and TransRegional Accreditation (CITA) is the most rapidly growing agency in the world. It enforces seven strict accreditation standards (formerly 12) to measure the quality level of the school. These standards emphasize on areas of excellence in teaching methodology, curriculum, governance and leadership as well as health, hygiene, safety etc. Only when these standards are met or exceeded such an accreditation is granted.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is a regional participating commission which enhances the accreditation protocol.

According to Steele, the district’s next hurdle is to hire teachers holding Masters degrees who can then teach dual credit courses.

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Lifestyles Brookwood Community The Brookwood Community, 1752 FM 1489, Brookshire, TX 77423, website, in case you have never been there, describes what the community is all about: “Through the Grace of God, The Brookwood Community provides an educational environment that creates meaningful jobs, builds a sense of belonging, and demands dignity and respect for adults with disabilities. Our purpose is to provide opportunity through education so that Brookwood citizens will acquire meaningful job skills and hold real jobs in the Community’s own business enterprise; experience the pride that accompanies the ability to contribute to one’s own support; and grow socially, emotionally, and spiritually.”

Brookwood campus consists of: Eight group homes, two single-family staff homes, a residential Inn, health and dental clinic, Worship Center, enterprise building, activities and administration building, 47 greenhouses, Gift and Garden Center and the Café at Brookwood, and several other support buildings.

The different Brookwood programs serve 110 resident adults (known as Brookwood “citizens”) who are functionally disabled and live at Brookwood 24/7. Another 80 plus adults participate in the day program. The range of diverse needs include people with autism spectrum disorders; intellectual disabilities; developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury; dual diagnosis; and/or aging care needs. Brookwood also serves as a resource for families. Brookwood’s outreach program actively shares their innovative concepts and techniques with other professional caregivers across our nation and around the world.

Like most things, Brookwood grew out of necessity. Vicki Streit, the daughter of Brookwood’s founder and Executive Director Emeritus, Yvonne Tuttle Streit, had the mumps when she was only a year old. Complications arose and Vicki developed encephalitis and meningitis, which left her severely brain damaged.

The Streit family was very fortunate because Mrs. Streit’s father was on staff at Methodist Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, allowing access to many skilled physicians; however, after a period of time, the Streit’s realized the field of medicine had reached its limit. They then turned to the field of education in an attempt for Vicki to adapt within her abilities.

The Streit’s took Vicki to Purdue University, USC, and UCLA to learn how to teach necessary life skills. They presented the information gathered to school districts around Houston hoping they would incorporate the knowledge into their special education curriculum, but, the school districts were not interested.

Fortunately, Mrs. Streit had degrees in psychology and education. While Vicki was on a waiting list for public school, Mrs. Streit began home-schooling Vicki. They met a boy from Edna who had terrible seizures and a little girl from Alvin with similar functional disabilities. Together, they formed a learning group, around a picnic table, in Mrs. Streit’s backyard.

Soon, other children with special needs from the area joined this group. They outgrew the backyard and found it necessary to move to a Baptist church, where the school quickly grew to several rooms within that facility. Eventually, with the help of a large grant, they built their own school building.

Most young people with functional disabilities think graduation from school is a “magic” day. They tend to think this because they have studied and worked hard and the diploma they earned is their key to success. But after graduation there are not many places adults with functional disabilities may work. It is a very sad situation. Realizing this need to provide lifelong special education, Mrs. Streit studied residential facilities in the United States and Europe taking a special interest in a community in Bethel, Germany. Bethel’s residents, adults with special needs, were receiving training and executing contract work for companies throughout the country.

People with disabilities, like all people, have a basic need to feel useful and feel they are contributing to the world.

There is a real difference between sitting around the house in a wheelchair all day doing nothing and sitting in a wheelchair and making something of value for someone else to enjoy.

At Bethel, this work fulfilled the need and their happiness showed; however, not everyone had a job.

THE BROOKWOOD COMMUNITY NOW The Brookwood Community was founded in 1985. It was built on 475 acres of rolling hills in Brookshire, Texas.

In addition to its educational and enterprise programs,

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Brookwood provides a safe and nurturing home environment with proper nutrition, plenty of activity and productive challenges. Home teachers in eight residential group homes and the Isla Carroll Inn promote the citizens’ sense of “supervised independence” and self-esteem. Direct Support Professionals help the Home Teachers manage all aspects of citizen life in the community.

Most of the group homes accommodate 10-12 citizens while the Isla Carroll Inn, a dormitory style residence, cares for up to 34 citizens. Many new residents have limited living skills upon arrival. Brookwood home teachers foster a wholesome living environment and teach residents to help and share with one another, maintain a schedule of daily chores, select clothes and dress themselves, plan the day’s activities, and if appropriate, manage personal finances.

Development of hobbies and recreational activities is also encouraged. The residential program currently serves 110 adults.

Each resident brings their own furniture, personal belongings, family photos, favorite books, music, movies, and curtains to decorate their bedrooms. These group homes become home for our citizens. Home teachers serve as counselors, teachers, and friends providing the residents a sense of supervised independence, self-esteem, and promote a wholesome living environment. The Brookwood Community includes a spiritual learning component in nearly all of the activities for the citizens. Visitors notice “empty” chair wherever there is a group gathering. “We refer to it as ‘God’s Chair.’ This is a visible reminder to our staff and citizens that God is very real, always present and that we are never alone.” The citizens participate and often lead prayers before meals and meetings and many attend a weekly Bible Study (either on-campus or at Houston area churches).

On the weekends, groups of citizens will visit different congregations throughout Houston. A part of this worship time involves giving offerings, which helps them understand the importance of stewardship and generosity. On Sunday afternoons the citizens host a weekly worship service in the Community Chapel. Local congregations are invited to help lead and participate in these services as well.

Late afternoon ends the day at Brookwood for their day program participants, but for resident citizens, activities are just beginning. After work, home teachers and activities coordinators plan physical fitness, sports, group trips, games and educational opportunities. Reading clubs, discussion groups, special interest groups, drum therapy, hand bells, Bible studies and a variety of other meetings are for our residents. Evenings and weekends include social outings to plays, movies, dance recitals, rodeos, and all types of other such events. In most cases, group homes go together to these events, as one large family.

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Sports and physical fitness activities have always been an important part of the Brookwood program. In addition to the different activities around campus, “The Brookwood Eagles,” participate in six Special Olympics Sports.

These sports include basketball, bocce ball, bowling, cycling, golf, and swimming. The goal is for every citizen to participate in at least one sport. It is not just about winning, it’s about trying. Each participant receives a ribbon for taking part in their event. Most teams have their own uniforms and just suiting-up is half the fun for Brookwood athletes.

They play all kinds of sports including: Swimming, Golf, Softball, Cycling, Bowling, Basketball, Bocce Ball, Volleyball, Kickball, Tennis and more.

BESIDES SPORTS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS The Brookwood Handbell Choir is composed of 16 citizens who have mastered playing music with colored scrolls and a set of 3-octave handbells. The system was adapted from the Handbell Musicians of America under the leadership of world renowned pianist, Linda McKechnie, in 2007.

Their Choir practices weekly, performing folk, worship and arranged music from noted handbell artists. The citizens in their Choir range from 30 to 70 years old, with no musical backgrounds. They enjoy playing in the choir because of the team effort, self-worth and feelings of accomplishment they receive from performing. Their Choir Director, Joyce Henderson, founded the group, also without any former musical training. Since then, she has invested a great deal of time and effort in learning the chords, beats and measures and even rang in a handbell choir herself!

The Brookwood Handbell Choir has played for numerous churches, senior groups, private luncheons, and the Houston Astros – where they rang the National Anthem! Their most recent performances include ringing for the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony, the Brookwood Spring Gala and the Brookwood Volunteer Benefit Luncheon. They also perform regularly at Brookwood for many special occasions.

HANDCRAFT WORKSHOPS-CARD DESIGNS Brookwood cards are designed by a team of citizens and staff. Designs are sent to an outside printer after the first initial design is created. Cards are then returned to us for quality control and packaging. New cards are designed each year.

STONE-CAST SHOP The task of creating a Brookwood stone-cast item involves several steps. Each citizen is taught one or more of the steps. Every step must be completed to finish the piece so every citizens skill is important. The process begins with Brookwood’s Production Team designing our stone cast

pieces and an artist creating a “master” piece from clay.

Latex and fiberglass molds are then made with citizens taking over the process from here. With supervision, they mix and pour Tuff stone mix and plaster into the molds. Each piece takes roughly 15 to 30 minutes to set. For finishing touches it goes to our special paint department where citizens artisans complete the productions process.

CANDLE PRODUCTION Brookwood has a variety of different candle scents currently in production. A feasibility study is still in progress to learn how the citizens can be integrated more fully into this enterprise. Both the Stone-Cast and Ceramics shops make beautiful containers that are used for some of the poured candles.

CERAMICS SHOP The Ceramics Shop team consists of staff, volunteers, and citizens. An on-staff ceramicist tests the colors and and also designs the stencil when necessary. In ceramics, as in all of our shops, each job is broken into steps. Each product is cut out of clay, dried and wet sanded, painted, glazed, and fired in one of their 12 kilns. Once this process

is complete each piece is tagged and priced ready-tosell to the public in one of our Brookwood stores, online, or in other retail venues.

HORTICULTURE Brookwood Horticulture traces its roots back to 1985 when it was entirely comprised of only two greenhouses and a small tree farm. With only a handful of willing teachers, the team trained citizens to transplant donated plant plugs into pots. While only successfully growing about ten percent of those plugs initially planted, Brookwood Horticulture stayed in the fight and has grown exponentially since then. Today, the Horticulture enterprise grows approximately 300,000 plants a year in 47 greenhouses, employing nearly 100 citizens every single day. Suffice to say, it’s been a wild success. Their first resident enrolled in 1985. Today, more than 100 citizens live, in homes, on our 475-acre campus. Their citizens work in one or more of several on-site enterprises, exercise and play in the indoor swimming pool and gymnasium, celebrate the presence of God in their interfaith worship center, and when necessary, receive care in their clinic.

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BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

Leisure Cotton Gin No. 116

By Tom Behrens

The Cotton Gin No. 116 is located 15 miles West of Houston’s Energy Corridor, 907 Bains St., in Brookshire, TX. After serving as the world headquarters for WEST Engineering Services from 1998 – 2012, the Cotton Gin is undergoing a remarkable transformation. A Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) Learning Gallery is the ultimate result and should be open to community around the first quarter of 2017.

The vision for the gallery includes breaking down complex STEM concepts into a simple, step-by-step format that engages and excites the minds of young people. Gallery visitors will be presented with experiences that connect with the five senses; what can visitors see, hear, touch, smell and taste while touring the facility? Gallery exhibits rotate throughout the year based on space and availability.

Visually, the gallery arrangement will focus on important historical STEM concepts that are embedded deep into Texas history including water well drilling, offshore drilling, cotton ginning and flight.

OFFSHORE DRILLING: A portion of the gallery demonstrates how STEM discoveries relate to offshore drilling with focus on jackups, drill ships and semi-submersibles. A floating drilling rig’s blowout preventer and riser are part of the items on display. Visitors will be introduced to how these massive pieces of equipment work. Clips, training videos, and movies will show the work environment for offshore drilling and what dropping a BOP stack looks like. Documentary footage from The Storm featuring Captain Ed Oonk’s experiences is part of the display.

WATER DRILLING: Gallery visitors are introduced to Cotton Gin International, a company founded to improve safe water access globally through industry leading technical training and consulting.

The area includes a part of a water drilling rig and how a water well is drilled using a manually-operated pump. Visitors will see a cross section of a water well. Gallery visitors can test their water supply. Visitors can determine the weight of water and measure the hydrostatic head.

A COTTON GIN AND ITS PROCESSING COTTON FROM SEED TO PRODUCT: Visitors to the Gallery will see the original Lummus gin

stands, how the components of the gin in stand work together, and learn about the technology involved in ginning cotton.

AVIATION AND SPACEFLIGHT: Visitors share the aviator’s alphabet and learn what Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) mean; also how does a Global Positioning System (GPS) work and how the Garmin G 1000 is used in aviation. STEM gallery visitors can observe and/or try flight simulator equipment. In 2014 Janet and Michael Montgomery witnessed the launch of the Soyuz spacecraft in Kazakhstan. Michael founded West Engineering. While visiting Kazakhstan, the Montgomerys picked up a model of the Soyuz, signed by astronaut Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore which will be available for display in the STEM gallery. Visitors will have a chance to view video footage of Earth from International Space Station (ISS).

In addition to all the interesting displays and learning opportunities at the Cotton Gin No. 116 STEM Gallery the community can observe: Water harvesting system with run-off water from the roof, communicate how the process works and provide measurement activity using calibrated sight glass to understand how many gallons per foot of water… Invite Westside Airmen and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to participate by encouraging young people to explore aviation (Young Eagles, Junior Airmen, etc.)…

Teach flight ground school in the Cotton Gin… Elementary school/home school/church group visits to the STEM gallery. Adjacent to Cotton Gin No 116 is Discovery Park, which officially opened and was dedicated to the Brookshire-Katy Drainage District (BKDD) Saturday, June 4.

The park is located at 4421 5th Street, at the corner of Bains and 5th Street, just South of the Cotton Gin. The Park is Waller County’s newest attraction for youth and families. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk and offers a rocketthemed playground, 60-foot by 60-foot pavilion, community garden and soccer field.

Plans are underway to integrate Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEM) learning opportunities throughout the park.

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www.EliteWomensCareCenter.com Elite Women’s Care Center is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centered, high quality care that is available from female adolescents to postmenopausal women. Through efficient use of modern technology, we are able to offer exceptional, personal care in a comfortable atmosphere. Our goal is to foster a doctor-patient relationship that facilitates respect, trust and compassion. Through preventative counseling and education, we strive to promote the health and wellness of women in our community.

Services Include: O Prenatal Care O Menopausal Treatment O Contraceptive Management

O Sexual Disfunction O Cervical Dysplasia O Adolescent Gynecology O Preventative Care

Call for an appointment today

281-579-9900

Elite Womens Care Center Dr. Torri Pierce • Enka Robinson, APRN 18400 Katy Freeway • Suite 400 Houston, Texas 77094 26

BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

Thank you Katy for voting us the Best in Feed & Tack 2 years in a row of 2017

34350 I-10 WEST • BROOKSHIRE, TX 77423 • 281-934-2479 SEALY ◆ BROOKSHIRE ◆ ALVIN ◆ MAGNOLIA ◆ RICHMOND HEMPSTEAD ◆ ROSENBERG ◆ BRYAN ◆ NAVASOTA

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(NEXT TO DICKS SPORTING GOODS)

Katy, Texas • 281-574-1087

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Dewberry Farm One of the Brookshire area’s major attractions is Dewberry Farm, which offers up more than 35 attractions and activities, and food and fun for folks ages two to 92. It’s a family tradition to visit the farm each fall and search through eight acres of pumpkins in search of just the right one, and to explore the giant, eight-acre cornfield maze. But that’s not all. Check out the 500 lighted pumpkins in Punkin Hollar, ride the mile-long DewVille Express Railroad to Christmas Tree Forest or climb 26 feet up to the top of Sliiide Mountain.

Other major attractions at the farm include: • Rascals Roundup — shoot the cannons, jump on the Jumping Pillows or ride the pedal carts. There’s also a Farmer Flinger, Roller Slide, Zip Lines, Hay Mountain, Sand Mountain,d Rat Racers and the Black Momba.

• SpringTown — Located at the DewVille Station Area, visitors can ride a pony, climb in a spider web, watch the pig races, play on the wooden Armadillo ChooChoo and enjoy the SpringyHoppers, Spring Animals and Hi-strikers.

• Little Farmersville — This is a special playground for little folks, with swings, a playset, giant sandbox, trike track, corn box, roller slide and tractor tires to climb.

• Dewberry Barnyard — Goatel 6 features goats and the barn houses a calf, baby chickens, sheep, pigs, ponies and a flock of guineas. Visitors may also want to visit Bunnyville, the singing chickens at the Cackle Palace, and try their hand at Rubber Duck Races. There’s a windmill and pond with real ducks and geese — and one can ride real ponies.

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BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

New things are added each year, all based on the creative inspiration of Farmer Dewberry. One of the newest attractions is Lake Horseshoo and the longawaited Windmill Park. Enjoy the arbors, sit a spell and listen to eight historic windmills pumping. There is also a bridge across the lake from Dewville Station to the carousel. Other new attractions include the Black Hole, 20-car Cow Train, tractor-pulled wagon rides and gemstone mining.

Dewberry Farm also features three seasons of field trips.

Students can mix hands-on agricultural learning experiences with good, down-home farm fun. Field trips are available for elementary school-age children, homeschoolers and organized playgroups. In the fall, one might pick pumpkins, explore a corn maze or meet “Spookley, the Square Pumpkin” to learn about bullying prevention. The fall season kicks off Oct. 6 and ends Nov. 18. The farm will be closed Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.

In the winter, field trippers could take a hayride through the Christmas tree forest to learn how the trees are grown, cut and harvested. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14.

In the spring, field trippers might plant a sunflower seed, see baby barnyard animals, hearing singing chickens and learn all about bees. The 2017 spring season begins March 30 and runs through April 28.

Dewberry Farm is located at the intersection of FM-362 and Morrison Road. For information, call 281-934-3276 or 1-866908-FARM.

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Katy Hardware

ATV and Off Road Vehicle Repair is a small, full service shop, offering personalized service and repair of all major brands and models of ATVs, UTVs, off-road and power sport vehicles as well as golf carts, buggies and small engines (such as lawn equipment and generators). Since 1993, our shop has been conveniently located on Houston's west side in the Park Ten Business Park near I-10 between Beltway 8 and 99.

Fortis

FORTIS INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 16522 Park Row Blvd.

Houston, Texas 77084

281-579-1006 info@fortisint.com

of

Facebook.com/FortisAT www.fortisatv.com

We believe there are strong reasons to keep a good machine running vs sink money into new equipment. We are hunters, fishers and ranchers, ourselves. However, ATVs are not just for sport and ranching but also provide a way to get people and their families into nature. We are safety and environmentally conscious and support the National Wildlife Federation, Texas Parks and Wildlife and other organizations that protect our great outdoors.

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Come Check Out All of Our New Items!

BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

2017

T hank You Katy for voting us BEST HARDW ARE STO

RE!

Mickey and Kay Powers, Owners

Your Hometown 281-391-3437 Hardware Store 559 Pin Oak Road • Katy, Texas 77494 Visit Our Other Location in Richmond

Plantation Hardware 1221 FM 359, Richmond • 281-342-5207

Happy Mon. &

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Mon-Thurs 11-10 • Fri 11-11 • Sun 8-10 BREAKFAST AVAILABLE SATURDAY & SUNDAY BROOKSHIRE Newcomers

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