December 2023 - Fort Bend Focus Magazine - People • Places • Happenings

DECEMBER 2023

Covering Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford & Meadows Place

11Annual th

Over

5,300 Votes!

A Beacon of Light

The Spirit of Giving

Fort Bend ISD

Top 10 Holiday Champagnes

HOUSTON METHODIST LEADING CARE where you need us

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 Sugar Land Hospital  Primary Care  Orthopedics &

Sugar Land Hospital Primary Care Group

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Convenient, easy-to-access locations for primary, specialty and emergency care in Sugar Land

 Emergency Care  Breast Care  Specialty Care

Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Emergency Care Breast Care Specialty Care

To find care near you, visit houstonmethodist.org or call 713.790.3333.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Saturday, December 2nd 10am-1pm

Here is your chance to catch Santa during an early visit to Sugar Land!

Enjoy holiday crafts in Santa Land, traditional cookies and milk, and a takeaway photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Be sure to bring your own camera to snap some candids too! A festive way to support HMNS at Sugar Land’s mission of science education and expansion of sensory-friendly programming.

SCAN FOR TICKETS

CONTRIBUTORS

{Feature} 20 DARKROOM

A Beacon of Light for Young Adults

DECEMBER 2023 VOLUME 20 | NUMBER 11

{COVER STORY}

{Columns}

11 Annual

18

18 THE DRUNKEN CYCLIST Top 10 Champagnes for the Holidays

22 FORT BEND STRONG The Spirit of Giving in Fort Bend ISD

th

Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. thedrunkencyclist.com Page 18

Patti Parish-Kaminski Publisher Page 20

20 The Honorable Pete Olson Contributor Page 22

26 AUTO REVIEW 2023 Lexus RX

27 THE SWEET LIFE GARDENER The Foxglove

22

Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 26

30 LIVING THE SWEET LIFE Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2023

26

{Newsworthy} 7 11TH ANNUAL FOCUS FAVS READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS This fall we invited readers to vote for their favorite businesses in Fort Bend in nine different categories. From schools to pets to hamburgers, see who won this year’s Fort Bend Focus Favs, and congratulations to our winners!

17 SUGAR LAND CULTURAL ARTS FOUNDATION’S Call for Artists Now Open for 3rd Annual Sugar Land Arts Fest

25 SUCCESSFUL FBISD PROP A – VATRE

27

DECEMBER 2023

Election Results Now Official

28 SUGAR LAND HERITAGE FOUNDATION

Covering Sugar Land, Missouri City, Stafford & Meadows Place

th 11Annual

Announces 2023 Holiday Ornament on Sale

{In Every Issue} 6 EXCLAMATION POINTS! 29 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF THE BEND

2

Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Page 27 & 30

DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Over

5,300 Votes!

A Beacon of Light

The Spirit of Giving Fort Bend ISD

Top 10 Holiday Champagnes

ON THE COVER: 11th Annual Focus Favs Reader’s Choice Awards

DECEMBER 2023 l

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EXCLAMATION POINTS! Publisher, PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year It’s often said this is “the most wonderful time of the year.” Holiday gatherings with family and friends, planning for a new year, cooler temps – I tend to agree.

In this final issue of 2023, we bring you some wonderful things. First and foremost, the winners of our annual Readers’ Choice awards! So many of our winners are small businesses in Fort Bend, and as we are out and about shopping this holiday season, please remember to support them. As my friend and colleague Bev Carter used to say, “Let’s keep those cash registers ringing!”

If you are looking for some bubbles to ring in your holiday season, look no further. Jeff Tim and Patti Kaminski kicking off the holidays at the Houston shares the top 10 best-selling champagnes in Museum of Natural Science at the United States, and he blind tasted each Sugar Land’s 10th Anniversary one and shared his thoughts. Cheers to that!

Jingle Tree.

Cheers also to change, and here at Fort Bend Focus, we’re celebrating change in a big way. This was the second year that we distributed Fort Bend Focus 100% digitally, and I’m delighted to share that our audience has now surpassed when we published in print! Now, we are reaching more people than ever before – in so many different ways – with the people, places and happenings in our community.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our advertisers, readers, subscribers and contributors. Without you, we would not be able to do what we do, and this time of year – and all year long – we appreciate you.

Merry Christmas to all of our Fort Bend friends, and my wish for you is that you get to spend time with family and friends enjoying all that the holidays bring. As Buddy said in our family’s favorite holiday movie, Elf, “I planned out our whole day. First, we make snow angels for two hours, and then we’ll go ice skating, and then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie Dough as fast as we can, and then to finish, we’ll snuggle.”

Here’s to snuggling. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Vol. 20 No. 8 September 2023 281.728.1204 WWW.FORTBENDFOCUS.COM absolutely! focus media P. O. Box 1253 Richmond, Texas 77406

PUBLISHER Patti Parish-Kaminski AC C OUNT EXECUTIVES Kay Garrett Gena Horak GRAPHIC DESIGN Pamela Printing Company WEB DESIGNER JOBpage Graphics S O C IA L M E D IA M A NA G E R Meagan Tape

olutely!

An abs Merry

Stay focused,

Christmas to You!

patti@fortbendfocus.com “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6

4

DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

CONTRIBUTORS Patti Parish-Kaminski Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. Steve Kursar Alisa Murray The Honorable Pete Olson

A D V E RT I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S / E D I T O R IA L S U B M I S S I O N S Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com Published by

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DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

11 Annual th

2023 This fall, we invited readers to our website to take an online survey to tell us who their favorites are in Fort Bend in nine different categories:

FOOD • SHOPPING • ENTERTAINMENT • PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SCHOOLS • PETS • HEALTHCARE • AUTO • HOME IMPROVEMENT And boy, did they come through! With over 5,300 votes, readers voiced their opinions on their favorites.

Take a look and see who won this year’s Fort Bend Focus Favs Readers’ Choice Awards!

Voting for the 2023 Fort Bend Focus Favs Readers’ Choice Awards was conducted online at fortbendfocus.com from August 21 to September 22, 2023. The results were collected and tabulated using crowdsignal.com. In the event of a tie, all winners are listed.

Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend

FOOD

Favorite Wine Bar – TIE Brandani’s Restaurant & Wine Bar 3340 FM 1092 Rd #160, Missouri City, TX 77459 and Vino & Vinyl 15977 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Happy Hour, Martini & Steakhouse Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille 2115 Town Square Place Sugar Land, TX 77479

Local foodies spoke up loud and clear voting for their favorite eateries – yum!

Favorite Margarita Pappasito’s Cantina 3750 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77478

Favorite Brunch First Watch 9920 US-90 ALT Suite 150C, Sugar Land, TX 77478 17412 W Grand Pkwy S, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Pizza Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria 16535 Southwest Fwy, Ste 2500 Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Pub Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 15929 City Walk Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Burger Brandani’s Burgers, Tacos and Brews 3340 FM 1092 Road, Suite 180 Missouri City, Texas 77459

Thank you for your support!

Fort Bend’s Favorite Wine Bar, Caterer, Italian Restaurant and Burger

2023

Thank you for your continued support of our family owned small business! We are offering meals to go for the Holidays and are excited to host a prix-fix dinner for New Years Eve.

We appreciate you & look forward to serving you! ~ Ron & Claire Brandani

Book your Holiday Luncheon, Party or Catering Now!

Offering Set Menu Luncheons, Dinners and Catering Our calendar is filling up, so call now!

2 8 1 .969.7 8 5 4

3340 FM 1092 Road #180 • Missouri City

832.987.1313

3340 FM 1092 Road, #160 • Missouri City

www.brandanisburgers.com l orders@brandanis.com l www.brandanis.com

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DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Favorite Italian Restaurant Brandani’s Restaurant & Wine Bar 3340 FM 1092 Rd #160 Missouri City, TX 77459

Favorite Bakery Nothing Bundt Cakes 1531 Hwy 6 Suite 125, Suite 125 Sugar Land, TX 77478

Favorite Caterer - TIE Brandani’s Restaurant & Wine Bar 3340 FM 1092 Rd #160, Missouri City, TX 77459 and Safari Texas Ranch 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX 77407

Favorite Coffee Bar Starbucks 16098 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479 16300 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite BBQ Old Hickory Inn BBQ 3334 FM 1092 Rd Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Mexican Food Lupe Tortilla 15801 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478 9211 Hwy 6, Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Seafood Pier 36 Seafood & Oyster Bar 1410 E Hwy 90 Alt #200, Richmond, TX 77406 8502 FM 359, Fulshear, TX 77441 Favorite Specialty Restaurant Keepers Japanese Restaurant & Bar 4654 Hwy 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Frozen Treats Marble Slab Creamery 8 Locations in Fort Bend

PET SERVICES

With the holidays around the corner, have your four-legged friends taken care of at Fort Bend’s finest!

Favorite Tea Bar HTeaO 4528 S Hwy 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Healthy Eatery Whole Foods Market 15900 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Food Truck Mary Had a Little Party kristen@maryhadalittleparty.com (832) 499-1095 Favorite Fast Food Chick Fil-A 9 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Delivery Door Dash www.doordash.com Favorite Grab & Go Meals Dream Dinners 5418 Hwy 6 #216, Missouri City, TX 77459

Favorite Day Care/Boarding Services Pet Suites Stay & Play 8320 Copper Creek Lane Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Grooming Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming 8817 Hwy 6 Suite 500 Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Veterinarian VCA Stafford Oaks Animal Hospital 927 Dulles Ave, Stafford, TX 77477 Favorite Pet Store Petco 10330 Hwy 6 Suite H, Missouri City, TX 77459 3326 Hwy 6, Suite D, Sugar Land, 77478 DECEMBER 2023 l

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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Favorite Man Cave The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 15929 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Kids’ Entertainment Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land 13016 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479

RTAINMENT ENTE

Favorite Sports Recreation Fort Bend Family YMCA 4433 Cartwright Rd, Missouri City, TX 77459 From theatres to outdoor recreation, readers got serious about voting for their favorite entertainment!

Favorite Movie Theatre Star Cinema Grill 4811 HY 6, Missouri City, TX 77459 22125 FM 1093, Richmond, TX 77407

Favorite Fitness Gym Lifetime Fitness 8421 Hwy 6, Missouri City, TX 77459 111331 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Country Club Riverbend Country Club 1214 Dulles Ave, Sugar Land, TX 77478

Favorite Live Entertainment Smart Financial Centre 18111 Lexington Blvd Sugar Land, TX 77479

2022

Favorite Event Facility Safari Texas Ranch 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX 77407

2023

Membership Benefits: • Championship Golf Course design by Press Maxwell Jr. • Men’s, Women’s and Young Executive Golf Outings, Match Play and Leagues • Expanded Luxurious Men’s Locker Room and Ladies Locker Room • Junior Golf Academy • Improved Practice facility with a covered driving range, putting green and short game practice area.

• Four Lighted Outdoor Tennis and Pickleball Courts and Fitness Facility • Weddings, Rehearsal Dinners and Private Events • Olympic Size Swimming Pool, Patio with Fire Pit, Cabanas and Playground

For more information, contact: 281.269.2526 • Tricia@RiverbendCountryClub.org • www.RiverbendCountryClub.org 10 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

It’s a GRAND SLAM!

Winner All Magazines 5 Years Running

Favorite Event Facility and Caterer 2023

2023

aking Our Commu M r o F u n o i t Y yS k Teachers n afe Tha Fire Fighters/E.M.T.’s Nurses/Doctors Police Officers County Employees 11627 FM 1464 l Richmond l 281.277.7888 l www.safaritexasballroom.com DECEMBER 2023 l

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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend

PROFE

SSIONAL SERVICES

Whether it’s building a home or ordering flowers, leave it to these favorite professionals!

Favorite Developer Johnson Development Corporation 13131 Dairy Ashford, Suite 210 Sugar Land, TX 77478

Favorite Custom Home Builder Partners in Building 2901 W. Sam Houston Pkwy N., Suite C250 Houston, TX 77043 Favorite Real Estate Agent Anne Davis www.cachepropertieshouston.com Favorite Real Estate Company RE/MAX Fine Properties 3616 Hwy 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Attorney/Law Firm The West Law Firm 6908 Brisbane Court Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Bank/Credit Union Chase Bank 11 Locations in fort Bend

Named Developer of the Year by the Texas Association of Builders, Johnson Development has been creating vibrant, sustainable masterplanned communities since 1975. With a focus on lifestyle and living well, Johnson Development has had more top-selling master-planned communities than any other developer in the nation over the past decade.

CREATING ENVIRONMENTS

that celebrate life.

JOHNSONDEVELOPMENT.COM

12 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Favorite Insurance Agency Tracy Walker - State Farm Agency 15510 Lexington Blvd, Ste P Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Financial Services Spartan Wealth Management 6530 Greatwood Pkwy, Suite A Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Florist House of Blooms 16170 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Salon Hello Beautiful 3711 Raoul Wallenberg Ln #300 Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Photographer Aventography Studios 16185 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Attention Readers: Are there some categories of favs that you would like to see in our 2024 Fort Bend Favs Awards? Let us know!

E-mail your favorite categories to Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com.

Private Wealth ManageMent for Select individualS

u o y k n a SuPPort!

Th for your

2023

Favorite Financial Services With so many things in the world to worry about, don’t let your finances be one of them.

Spartan Wealth Management LLC 6530 Greatwood Parkway, Suite A Sugar Land 77479 281-494-1600

www . spartanwm . com DECEMBER 2023 l

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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend

CARE SERVICES HEALTH

Favorite Orthodontist – TIE Smith Pisklak Orthodontics 6218 Hwy 6 # C, Missouri City, TX 77459 and Garrett & Boyd Orthodontics 4645 Sweetwater Blvd, Ste 100 Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Dermatologist Advanced Dermatology 1235 Lake Pointe Pkwy, #200, Sugar Land, TX 77478

When it comes to healthcare, check out these Brazos favorites from doctors to dentists.

Favorite Plastic Surgeon Azul Plastic Surgery 6914 Brisbane Ct, Suite 300, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Hospital Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital 16655 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Spa Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa Sugar Land 16525 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Doctor Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Sugar Land 16811 Southwest Fwy #200, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Eye Care Lone Star Eye Care 3515 Town Center Blvd S, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Dentist C & C Dental 17003 Southwest Fwy #100, Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Emergency/Urgent Care Clinic Next Level Urgent Care 4 Locations in Fort Bend

14 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Favorite Plumbers Britton Waterworks Plumbing 1306 FM 1092 Rd #205, Missouri City, TX 77459

IMPROVEMENT HOME

From appliances and flooring to landscaping and design, check out readers’ go-to services for making their homes beautiful.

Favorite Heating/Air Conditioning Services Hartford Services 741 Dulles Ave Suite D Stafford, TX 77477 Favorite Home Improvement Kitchen Tune-Up 1515 FM 359, Suite 400 Richmond, TX 77406

Favorite Appliance Store Home Depot 7 Locations in Fort Bend

Favorite Floor Store Floor & Décor 3665 Hwy 6 Sugar Land, TX 77478

Favorite Garden/Landscaping Company Enchanted Gardens 10611 FM 2759, Richmond, TX 77469 6420 FM 359, Richmond, TX 77406

Favorite Interior Designer The Design Firm 13013 Southwest Fwy Stafford, TX 77477

Favorite Pool Services Blue Water Pools 4822 Sunshine Drive Sugar Land, TX 77479

Favorite Carpet/Cleaning Service Queen’s Carpet Care of Sugar Land www.queenscarpetcare.com

ER AUTO S VICES

Favorite Auto Dealer – TIE Audi Sugar Land 10330 US-90 ALT, Sugar Land, TX 77478 and Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land 15625 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Auto Repair Colony One Auto Center 1131 Dulles Ave Stafford, TX 77477

When it comes to auto services, car enthusiasts aren’t shy about voting for their favorites.

Favorite Auto Services Discount Tires 10 Locations in Fort Bend

DECEMBER 2023 l

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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Over

30

LS & CHILDCARE SCHOO

YEARS

Educating the Whole Christian OF EXCELLENCE Person In Body, Mind, and Spirit Founded in 1992 Serving Grades Pre-K to 8th

Our readers don’t trust their kids to just anyone.

From preschool to college, check out their favorite child care and education facilities.

Making a Difference: Faith, Academics, and Service

Favorite Day Care St. Laurence Weekday Children’s Program 3100 Sweetwater Boulevard, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 Favorite Private School St. Laurence Catholic School 3100 Sweetwater Boulevard, Sugar Land, Texas 77479 Favorite College/Technical School University of Houston at Sugar Land 14000 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479

SHOPPING

Come tour our campus and see what makes SLCS a leader in providing a well-rounded education!

THREE-TIME NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL 2005, 2014, 2023 2630 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.980.0500 | www.stlaurenceschool.org

2023

Favorite Bargain Shopping Tri-City Church Resale Shop 425 Stafford Run Rd, Stafford, TX 77477

Favorite Grocery Store H-E-B Texas Grocery 10 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Health Food Market Whole Foods 15900 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478

’Tis the season to shop ’til you drop!

Check out these favorite shopping spots.

Favorite Gift Shop Fort Bend Art Center 2012 Avenue G, Rosenberg, TX 77471 Favorite Antiques Calla Lilies Antiques 923 3rd St, Rosenberg, TX 77471

Favorite Jewelry Store James Avery Jewelry 16535 Southwest Fwy Suite T2008, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Spirits Store Spec’s Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods 3 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Shoe Store DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse 2745 Town Center Blvd N, Sugar Land, TX 77479

16 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

NEWSWORTHY

Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation Seeks Talented Artists to Participate in 3rd Annual Sugar Land Arts Fest

Tax Accountants

Auditors

Consultants

The Sugar Land CulPresented By: tural Arts Foundation has opened the call for artists to participate in the 2024 Sugar Land Arts a st Fest, nd two-day festival highlightSmart Financial Centre Plaza ing the cultural and artistic diversity of Fort Bend County and beyond.

Created by the Sugar Land Cultural Arts Foundation and presented by PrimeWay Federal Credit Union, the Sugar Land Arts Fest is open to all professional and amateur artists specializing in 14 mediums, Tickets on including calligraphy, ceramic/pottery, photography, painting, Sale Now! drawing, mixed media and much more.

“Attendance at the Sugar Land Arts Fest continues to grow each year with participation by local, regional, nationSmart Financial Centre Plaza | Sugar Land Saturday, April 1st, From 10 AM to 4 PMFest committee works al, and international artists.

The Arts Sunday, 2nd, From 10 AM to 4 PM diligentlyApril to create an atmosphere that promotes and honors professional and amateur artists for their talent and creativity,” said Debra Jan, Artist Committee Chair for the Sugar Land Arts/SugarLandArtsFest Fest. “As a participating artist, I highly recommend and encourage artists to participate.” @SLArtsFest “The Sugar Land Arts Fest is a fantastic platform for artists of all levels to exhibit and sell their artwork. As one of the fastest growing suburban areas in the Houston metro area, Sugar Land provides tremendous exposure for artists to showcase their talent and creativity,” said Tim Stubenroch, President of Sugar Land Arts Foundation. “In the past, we have attracted artists from across the local area, the region, the country, and even the world, and we expect to the same and even greater participation in 2024.”

The Sugar Land Arts Fest is accepting artists’ applications through March 1st, 2024. More information about the various categories, participation fees, and a registration application can be found on the Sugar Land Arts Fest website for artists interested in showcasing their artwork. or Now entering its third year, the Sugar Land Arts Fest will occur on Saturday, April 27th, and Sunday, April 28th, at e-mail info@cpa-tx.com Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land. The family-friendly for a free consultation. event will feature live entertainment, cuisine from local restaurants, a children’s activity tent, and a wine and beer gar12603 Southwest Freeway, Suite 165 den.

Stafford, TX 77477 To learn more about the Sugar Land Art Fest, visit www.

(Across from the sugarlandartsfest.com.

New TI Re-Development Project)

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Two days of Festival Fun!

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DECEMBER 2023 l

17

the drunken cyclist

By Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D.

www.thedrunkencyclist.com

Top 10

Champagnes for the Holidays E

very year at this time I hear it, and I bristle. It drives me absolutely crazy, and for years I fought it down to the last fiber of my being (or at least to the last bubble of the bottle). It seems like just about everyone in the wine industry – and beyond – considers these next couple of weeks to be “Champagne Season.”

exasperation

\ig-zas-puh-rey-shuhn\ noun 1. a feeling of intense irritation or annoyance.

“She rolled her eyes in exasperation.”

While I do not doubt that more than 50% of champagne consumption in the U.S. occurs in the last two months of the calendar year, I think that is, well, stupid. As I have mentioned countless times, I consider champagne to be the most versatile of all wines. As such, it should be consumed at virtually any (and every) meal and all year long.

And I espouse that dictum to the fullest.

Regardless, I have come to accept that at least 50% of the population in the U.S. is forever doomed to make poor decisions, so why should this be any different?

This year, I decided to conduct a little experiment, of sorts. I thought I would track down the ten top-selling champagnes, by cases sold, in the U.S. and taste them blind to determine which among them was actually the “best.”

18 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

The two top-selling Champagnes.

Veuve Clicquot (647k cases):

Retail $50. Fruity, yeasty, good sparkle, lengthy finish. Veuve gets a bad rap because of its presence on top of the best-selling list and that is dumb. Excellent. 92 Points.

Moët & Chandon Impérial (594k cases):

Retail $45. Slightly golden in the glass with oodles of baked bread yeastiness and subtle citrus notes. The palate is tart, balanced and loaded with a delicate sparkle. Excellent. 90 Points.

After the top two behemoths, there is a huge drop-off when it comes to sales in the U.S.

Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut (67k cases):

Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive (60k cases):

Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut (52k cases):

Mumm Cordon Rouge (50k cases):

Piper-Heidsieck (45k cases):

Taittinger Brut Réserve La Française (34k cases in 2020):

Retail $45. Plenty of yeasty and nutty notes along with tree fruit aromas on the nose, mostly pear. The palate exhibits plenty of finesse, lovely nutty flavors and a good balance of acidity with a dash of sweetness.

Very Good. 89 Points.

Retail $50. A floral quality on the nose, with under-baked bread and freshly grated lemon grind. The palate is tart and yeasty with a vibrant sparkle, and the finish is slightly above average. Excellent. 90 Points.

Retail $45. Rich, yeasty (more so than fruity), and nutty, this really is right in my wheelhouse as it is a fuller-bodied champagne. Healthy, fine sparkle, with a lengthy, nutty finish.

Delicious. Excellent. 92 Points.

Retail $40. Yellow, almost gold in the glass with a dirty, flinty aspect on the nose with a bit of red berry fruit, some yeastiness and celery root. Very Good. 87 Points.

Pale straw with perhaps a slight golden tint.

The nose here is slightly richer with more peach than pear and not really any citrus on the nose. But there is plenty of freshbaked croissant goodness here. Rich, deep, fantastic. Excellent. 91 Points.

Retail $50. Pale straw in the glass with all kinds of yeasty goodness, slightly obscuring the pear and golden apple fruit with a twist of lemon rind on the nose. Excellent. 91 Points.

The final two I added to the blind tasting for separate reasons. The Kirkland (i.e., Costco) champagne is a bargain at $20 and widely popular among budget-conscious wine writers and consumers alike. The second, Mailly Grand Cru, is another co-op, but it is much smaller than Nicolas Feuillatte. It is, however, our favorite champagne, so much so that we named our dog Mailly.

Kirkland Signature:

Retail $20. Yeasty and ripe peach make for a very pleasant nose, leading to a surprisingly fruity palate, again, ripe peach, good sparkle and acidity. For twenty bucks? A solid champagne. Very Good. 88 Points.

Mailly Grand Cru Brut Réserve:

Retail $42. Another pale straw with a yellow tint, this is far more citrus than the first two in this flight, with a floral aspect and plenty of yeastiness here too. Nutty, really nutty on the palate, fantastic. Excellent. 93 Points.

Need help with wine? Contact me: jeff@thedrunkencyclist.com.

DECEMBER 2023 l

19

FEATURE

A Beacon of Light

for Young Adults

A

s a father of three sons, Sugar Land dad Randy Templeton is like most dads: concerned about his children. And his concern isn’t limited to his own teens; he’s also concerned about the middle and high school students he is involved with in the programs at his church.

“Students today are overwhelmed with so

Out of Templeton’s concern for young adults, he learned that this population is leaving the Christian faith in droves, and unlike previous generations, they are not coming back. In 2019, Templeton decided to do something about this trend in young adults, and Darkroom was born.

“Students are confronted daily with a negative cultural perspective on any belief in God but especially any Christian belief,” shared Templeton. His goal as a co-founder and president of Darkroom was to change that perspective by reaching young adults through a familiar medium: videos.

many ideas and viewpoints from the hours of social media and videos they consume, they reach a point of just seeing everything as opinion, no right or wrong, just how the person sees life,” said Templeton. “Adding to this massive alternative and conflicting information is the reality that this is the first generation to grow up in a postChristian America.”

Darkroom’s Debut Darkroom is a new, 14-episode original video series produced by Project SAVVY and OX CREATIVE that provides safe and engaging context for teens to explore key issues of faith. Darkroom’s video series tackles topics, such as doubt, purpose, identity, afterlife, suffering, justice and love in eight-to-ten-minute episodes accessible on the website based on the experiences of real teens.

“The overall goal of Darkroom is to get the students to talk about the questions that arise from relating their faith to their current environment,” said Templeton. And teens and Christian leaders are watching and responding to the series.

To date, over 5,000 Christian leaders have signed up to use the Darkroom series, 12 in Fort Bend County. “I am so grateful for the Dark-

room series!” said Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director of the North American Mission board, author and podcaster. “Darkroom will have such a positive impact on a generation that is looking for real meaning and purpose, as well as ministers and adults who are seeking ways to hep teens navigate through their world biblically.”

In their first year alone, Darkroom released 14 videos and supporting curriculum impacting over 110,000 students with over 105,000 views of their professionally produced videos.

“The production value is ON,” said Scotty Swingler, Sugar Land student minister. “The understanding of how Gen Z communicates and understands these issues is ON. I am very impressed.”

According to Templeton, the series was created from real student stories so that when teens watch the videos, they can connect to the question or doubt they personally might be struggling with. “Seeing their issues discussed by the characters in the videos gives them the willingness to openly discuss their own struggles.”

Randy Templeton, president and co-founder of Darkroom, with wife Dr. Sandra Templeton. Both are board members of Project SAVVY, the Darkroom production company.

All Access Darkroom episodes are free and available online at www.darkroomfaith.com. The site also includes discussion guides and leader materials for adult mentors to help facilitate. The episodes are produced by Project SAVVY, a Sugar Land-based 501c3 nonprofit organization headed up by Templeton and his wife, Dr. Sandra Templeton, to allow them to be free to teens and Christian leaders.

According to Darkroom, an estimated 75% of church student ministers are volunteer and desperately need free resources. Because of Project SAVVY and generous supporters, Darkroom fills that void.

“Two questions we love that we encourage parents to use with their teens are: What is something you don’t believe that you think I still believe? and What is something you believe that you don’t think I believe?” said Templeton. Darkroom is designed to not only get the conversation started, but to assist with finding answers to those questions and more.

For more information about Darkroom, visit www. darkroomfaith.com.

The Spirit of Giving In Fort Bend ISD

I am not going to talk about the Sugar Land 95. I am not going to talk about VATRE. I am not going to talk about school vouchers. This column has never been about politics, and I am not going to start now. I am going to talk about the Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD). I want to remind all of my neighbors one of the biggest drivers for Fort Bend County being the most diverse county in the United States of America, with the highest average family salary and the highest per capita education level in Texas, is our stellar FBISD. Those are facts.

If numbers don’t convince you, maybe an eyewitness account will help. My former local church pastor sold his house in First Colony to an Asian-American (diversity) with a PhD (education and prosperity) from Massachusetts. The man went to look at my pastor’s house without any family – just him and his realtor. He walked through the front door into the foyer and stopped. He asked my pastor if the house was zoned to a specific elementary school, a specific middle school and a specific high school in FBISD. When my pastor confirmed his house was indeed zoned to the three specific schools he asked about, he said, “I’ll take it.” He did not look in the kitchen, the family room, the master bedroom or his children’s bedrooms. Our great public schools in Fort Bend ISD were the sole factor motivating this man. I know my wife, Nancy, would not have been very happy if I bought a house for our family without walking past the foyer and missing the kitchen and master bedroom.

You have to have a huge heart to be the best in Texas in the public education sector like FBISD. You have to care what the students and parents care about, and you have to make those cares and concerns the basis for EVERY action you take. Recently, I saw first-hand the unparalleled commitment and love that motivates FBISD. God has blessed me by putting two amazing, inspirational women in my life: Sonal Bhuchar and Alyssa Ferguson. On October 15, 2023, I joined an overflow crowd at the formal dedication of the brand-new Sonal Bhuchar Bengals Elementary School. Just two short hours later, I was celebrating the opening of the gleaming Alyssa Ferguson Fireflies El-

ementary School.

Sonal and Alyssa had trailblazing impacts on FBISD. Sonal Bhuchar Elementary was the FIRST school in FBISD named after an Indo-American, woman or man. Alyssa was the FIRST student to have a school named after her in FBISD. Both Sonal and Alyssa were taken from us was too soon by cancer. I was honored to call Sonal a close friend. The only time I encountered Alyssa was when she was preparing to throw the first pitch at a Sugar Land Skeeters’ baseball game at Constellation Field. They were very different people who enriched my life, as well those who have been touched by their life stories.

22 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Sonal promoting her International Festival.

Sonal Bhuchar Sonal was born on June 30, 1960 in Mumbia, India. She quickly broke through barriers of opportunity for women in India by earning a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy from Bombay University. She came to Sugar Land with her husband, Subodh, in 1984. The Bhuchars quickly lived the American dream in Texas. They were both active in practicing medicine in Fort Bend while raising three amazing children. While Sonal’s profession was in healthcare, her true joy was giving every child she encountered a chance for them to live their own American dream. Sonal ran for the FBISD Board of Trustees and won! She eventually became the President of the Board. During her tenure, she started the Fort Bend Education Foundation’s

annual International Festival and many other activities to open the entire globe to FBISD students.

She was extremely intelligent and very beautiful. She always put others ahead of herself. She even came to our rescue on extremely short notice when Nancy needed help to properly fashion a sari for an Indo-American wedding.

When Sonal was called to Heaven on April 20, 2019, an effort started within FBISD to immortalize Sonal’s life of compassion and service to others. By a unanimous vote, the FBISD Board of Trustees agreed to name elementary school #53 after Sonal. I shed a tear as Fort Bend ISD Board of Regents President Judy Dae formally dedicated Sonal Bhuchar Elementary School. None of this happens without a school district that has a heart – that’s Fort Bend Strong!

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Alyssa Ferguson I learned of Alyssa Ferguson’s amazing life of caring the year before brain cancer ended her time with us. Alyssa was freshman at Ridge Point High School in FBISD, and she was only 15-years-old when her huge heart took its last beat on January 26, 2017. For three years, Alyssa’s cancer kept coming back despite 28 days of proton radiation therapy, nine rounds of intense chemotherapy, six brain surgeries and multiple clinical trials.

Eventually, Alyssa was approached by our local Make-A-Wish Foundation. Understandably, most children who are approached

by Make-A-Wish ask to go to Disney World or to meet a famous person like Taylor Swift or Aaron Rodgers or Elton John or Kobe Bryant. Incredibly, Alyssa asked her father if she could selflessly give her wish away to a group of people she didn’t even know. As a 5th grader, Alyssa read A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park. The book blends truth with fiction.

The prime character in the story, 11-year-old Nya, has to walk eight hours every day to get drinking water for her entire family in war-torn South Sudan. Nya was a fictional character, but the desperate situation described in the book tore into Alyssa’s heart. She asked her father if there were actually people in Africa who lived a life Alyssa holding a photo of children in Murehwa, Zimbabwe. consumed by finding water.

Her dad told her the challenging search for water was true for millions of people. Alyssa was stunned – if she was thirsty, she went to a faucet and got a glass of clean water. She believed if she can have drinking water, they should have drinking water, too! Alyssa’s dying wish was to give clean drinking water to poor people. The village of Murehwa, Zimbabwe, received its own water well because of Alyssa Ferguson’s love for her fellow humans. Since her passing, ”Alyssa’s World Changers Fund” has built three water wells in Myanmar and one each in India, Haiti, Kenya and South Sudan – EIGHT water wells for poor people around our world!

Once again, like Sonal, when our FBISD Board of Trustees learned about Alyssa’s unbelievable life of love and caring, they unanimously voted to name elementary school #54 after Alyssa Ferguson. The mascot for Alyssa’s school is the Firefly because fireflies give light (water) to darkness (thirst). I was one of over 200 people to attend the formal dedication of Alyssa’s school, and just like two hours before at Sonal’s school, I fought back tears with the official naming of Alyssa Ferguson Elementary School. Another example of Fort Bend Strong!

My only direct encounter with Alyssa. Bald is beautiful!

Alyssa’s family with FBISD leadership at her school’s dedication This is our last Fort Bend Strong column for 2023. If you’re having some difficulties getting into the spirit of giving, remember the gifts God gave us with Sonal and Alyssa. Enjoy the holidays with family and friends.

24 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Successful FBISD Prop A - VATRE Election Results Now Official The votes from the district’s successful November 7th Proposition A - Voter Approval Tax Rate Election were canvassed by the FBISD Board President, Secretary and a Trustee on November 17th making election results official.

Board President Judy Dae, Board Secretary David Hamilton and Board Member Rick Garcia canvassed the election returns - which is a legally required reading of the vote totals - and announced the proposition passed with 57% of votes cast in favor of the ballot item and 43% cast against it. More than 46,000 total votes were cast.

The approval of Proposition A allows the district to receive $35 million annually through local tax revenues plus state funding to provide competitive salaries for teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, bus drivers, custodians and all other benefits-eligible staff members among FBISD’s 12,000 employees. Staff members will receive raises and retroactive pay on December 15th, 2023.

Passage of Proposition A, also known as a VATRE, will also provide funding so the district can comply with the state mandate to have armed security personnel on all FBISD campuses, including at the district’s 50 elementary schools.

The successful election causes FBISD’s tax rate to go down from $1.13 to just under 99 cents – the lowest tax rate in Fort Bend ISD history.

NEWSWORTHY

Pictured left to right: FBISD Board Member Rick Garcia, President Judy Dae, Secretary David Hamilton

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absolutely AUTO REVIEW

By Steve Kursar

2023 LEXUS RX

The 2023 Lexus RX is the fifth generation for the Lexus core model. It was completely redesigned from the wheels to the roof rails, featuring a new global platform that provides a lighter, lower center of gravity. This is the car that essentially created the midsize luxury crossover segment. And now it’s far more technologically advanced than ever before.

The very first RX hit US highways back in 1998. American drivers became entranced by SUVs with their higher stance and more aggressive designs. But, SUVs built on truck platforms proved to drive rough and be gas guzzlers. So, the crossover, a vehicle built on a car platform but raised up to resemble an SUV, became the solution. The first Lexus RX 300 was a huge hit with American luxury car buyers.

And, now, the fifth generation of the Lexus RX was recently introduced with four new powertrains and six grades. A base 2024 RX 350 comes with an MSRP price tag of $49,950 and is powered by a 275hp, 2.4 liter turbocharged engine mated to an eightspeed automatic transmission. EPA estimated fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.

For a $2,000 upgrade, you can move up to the RX 350h that’s powered by a 246hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gaso-

line engine teamed with a high-output, low-resistance nickel-metal hydride battery. The fuel economy goes way up to 37 mpg city and 33 highway. This single upgrade is well worth the upgrade in my opinion.

The RX 450h+ is the first RX with a plug-in powertrain that combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery and rear E-Four motor to provide powerful acceleration and full-time all-wheel drive. The 450h+ provides an EPA-estimated 37-mile driving range rating on electric power only which makes it ideal for a daily work commute.

The RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD brings a next level of dynamism that is realized by the high-performance hybrid 271-hp 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four that’s matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox and integrated Power Control Unit and electric motor. The RX 450h+ intuitively orients all essential controls and information within the driver’s reach and forward sightline inside.

The all-new Lexus RX includes Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which provides additional features including Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Intersection Support and a new feature of Motorcycle Detection.

The newest RX crossover may be all-new. But rest assured, it’s still all Lexus, gorgeous, smooth driving and pure luxury.

26 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

The Foxglove

H

ey Sweet Lifers! There’s something pretty awesome about studying plants in your garden, and I hope over this past year, you have learned a bit more than you already knew about the history, uses and benefits of growing herbs and vegetables in your home gardens. I have always been struck by the cottage garden “look,” and I suppose its appeal harkens back to my childhood garden where hyacinths and daffodils sprung up each spring. I have always loved flowers that had an unusual look but at the same time a soft color that adds a bit of glam to the borders. Foxgloves have this special charm about them, and it was not until recently that I discovered how deadly they are.

By Alisa Murray www.alisamurray.com

Turns out the very reason this pretty plant is one of the few not bothered by the many deer in my garden is that they know that is poison. It also turns out that many a human has also perished by using this plant. William Withering, who lived in England back in the 1700s, found his patients using the flowers to try to cure edema, and after working with the plant, he discovered the ability for the foxglove to alter the purpling of the heart. The trouble was that it was hard to determine how much of a dose a person needed to cure their ailment, and many a person died trying!

The plant contains glycosides, digitoxin and digoxin. Later research identified these components, and it was eventually standardized for medical use. Interesting fact also is that it has been used to treat epilepsy. Vincent Van Gogh had epilepsy, and his work actually reflects the side effects of having been treated with foxglove for such an ailment.

Things look yellow, and you get blurry vision which, well for those of you fond of his works, you’ll understand that probability.

Another fascinating history behind the foxglove is that the “glove” part of the name came from the fact that you could stick your finger into the petals. They are indeed like a glove, and I can attest that the bees here especially love them! They are entranced going all the way into the petals and staying for a bit seemingly to bathe in their pollen. The “fox” part of the name has many variations and folklore surrounding this pretty plant. One is that the fairies, not nice fairies but mean-spirited gremlins, would traipse around at night in the garden to steal babies, and the petals were their “gloves” they would don on before doing their evil deeds.

Oh boy!

Despite all of this, what my Nana would have said ”nonsense,” I do grow them and love the way they look, especially as the petunias are beginning to detest the heat, these plants grow tall and look amazing. They are supposedly self-seeding, and yes, I have hoped for that, although I will tell you from experience, they have not grown back year to year despite me moving them all over the garden. So, I buy them each year, enjoy them and pray they’ll show up on their own next spring!

Keep on growing and stay “sweet!”

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Sugar Land Heritage Foundation Announces 2023 Ornament on Sale The Sugar Land Heritage Foundation is excited to announce the 2023 Holiday Ornament in honor of the Laura Eldridge Hospital. Keep your collection current with the new 2023 Laura Eldridge Hospital Ornament! The ornaments are $25 each and can be ordered at Shop - Sugar Land Heritage Foundation (slheritage.org). Past ornaments are also available for purchase.

When the company town was first created, Sugar Land did not have its own medical facilities. Initially, the physician assigned to the Imperial Prison Farm, Dr. Gayle Deatherage, would treat Sugar Land residents if needed.

In 1917 Dr. Deatherage established an office on the second floor of the Sugar Land Drug Store, and Dr. Blackwell soon joined the practice.

By 1921 Sugar Land was large enough to support medical care for the employees of Imperial Sugar and Sugarland Industries. The Laura Eldridge Hospital Association was established to provide hospitalization and health services.

The location determined for the hospital complex, including separate living quarters for nurses, was the corner of Wood Street and Lakeview Drive. Construction began in 1922 and the hospital was completed in 1923. It was furnished with the latest technical laboratory and operating equipment and staffed full-time by Drs. Blackwell and Deatherage. The hospital remained open in this location for 34 years.

Once the hospital opened, Mr. Kempner and Mr. Eldridge instituted an insurance program that funded company medical care. At the cost of $1.50 per month through payroll deduction, each employee could have complete medical coverage for medical and surgical treatment, outpatient services at their doctor’s office, all medication, eyeglasses, artificial limbs and one year of hospital confinement. Worker’s families could receive treatment at a modest additional cost. The doctors also treated non-employee patients at standard fees and performed consider-

able charity work.

From 1923 to 1970, Miss Nema Sheppard served as the hospital’s chief nurse and manager, running the hospital, including the doctors. In 1925, Dr. Carlos Slaughter joined the practice, serving Sugar Land admirably until his death in 1981. In 1940, Dr. Harold Kuykendall came to Sugar Land, and he was a partner with Dr. Slaughter in the clinic, which was on Kempner Street.

The Sugar Land Heritage Foundation has been selling an annual ornament since 2018. Proceeds from the sale of the ornaments benefit the Sugar Land Heritage Museum and programs provided

NEWSWORTHY

by the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation. For more information about SLHF and ornaments, please visit www.slheritage.org.

28 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Houston Methodist Sugar Land (HMSL) partnered with The George Ranch’s Great Pumpkin Round Up to offer an experience that was exclusive to HMSL. Many employees enjoyed the outdoors and activities with both their family and work friends.

The Center for Performing Arts Medicine also joined to help create a “Leaves of Gratitude” wreath that will be on display at the Sugar Land campus soon.

OF THE BEND

The 10th anniversary of the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land’s Jingle Tree was a roaring success! Co-Chairs Stacy Borgfeldt and Pam Gray hosted the weeklong event that featured holiday décor – including the “Twin-Rexes” created

by Susie Goff.

Susie Goff and Patti ParishKaminski visited the newborn “TwinRexes” created and donated by Susie and Doug Goff at the Jingle Tree kick off.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land employee Kinjal Sandesara visited the snow cone truck with her children Shaan and Krisha Desai.

The Bujnoch boys, Lincoln and Phoenix, had a blast at the Great Pumpkin Round Up presented by Houston Methodist Sugar Land.

A fun, fall family afternoon was had by all in HMSL’s Janice Nkrumah’s family: Reynard, Samara and Jeremiah Coker and Jasmine Nkrumah-Coker with Janice Nkrumah.

HMSL’s Katelyn MacSmith enjoyed the afternoon at The Great Pumpkin Round Up with daughters Riley, Shannon and Fiona.

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By Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Nationally recognized portrait artist and award-winning columnist.

Living the Sweet Life: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

H

ey Sweet Lifers! I hope y’all are decking the halls and enjoying family this season. In years past I have written my tips for goals setting and getting you ahead of the new year by being “prepared.”

This year I want you to be very focused on two things, and if you do these, I am pretty sure much of what you’re wanting to achieve will fall right into place.

The first is to live in the moment. This is not going to be easy as many of you enjoy way too much thinking about the what coulda’s and shoulda’s of years gone by! But if you’ll wake up with the perspective of right now and not yesterday, nor hey, what have I gotta do tomorrow?… you will enjoy life this year more. And here’s the kicker, you will be more joyful and at peace. I have been practicing this now for a few years, and it does take time to master. I sometimes find myself thinking about the future, and then I stop myself. It is not promised, so what am I doing wasting time planning for it?! Oh, the years I spent with a calendar chock full way into the future only to discover things often worked out differently than I had planned, but they worked out!

This brings me to the second focus of this next year, which is to trust that everything will work itself out. TRUST. Now, for those of you who know me, you know who I trust in. It takes a lot to just trust, I know. However, I can honestly say if you will put your trust where your faith is, you’ll be surprised at what miracles will happen before your very eyes. Things will come to you that you never even saw coming, and that brings me to a little story to share about doing just that!

While I was in Florida, which a few are aware I have been in quite a bit towards the latter part of this year, I was at the nail shop. Not just any nail shop, mind you, but a nail shop I had not planned on going to but decided one morning to just go to. Immediately I was greeted by a sweet lady on the couch, also waiting, and she invited me to an artist’s alliance network. They were meeting for the first time since the pandemic

(so three years they had been waiting to see each other) and at the library down from my house in about an hour! So, I had to really take it all in, because I had just that very morning asked the Holy Spirit to show me a sign. Many of you know that I have been a painter for longer than a photographer, and with this partial move, I had been thinking about painting and getting into a gallery. I would need to know people who were artists, who were in galleries, in order to make this happen. All of this was a little overwhelming. I grabbed a cheese plate and headed over to the library with not a clue of what or who I would find or meet. You’ll never guess what happened.

There I was introduced to 23 women all of whom were working artists, in galleries all along the Panhandle! They invited me to join their network and have been such a delight. One lady stood up after I explained how I came to be invited just an hour before their reunion and proclaimed, “Well that is the fastest answer I have ever heard of from the Holy Spirit!” You know what I said? “You don’t have to tell me twice!”

So, 2024, for me at least, will be a different kind of year indeed. I’m not making lists, I’m not worrying about the future nor am I thinking about the past. It’s full steam ahead each day looking for the little and the big “God winks,” as I have so often written about in the years with you. Trusting that I will be placed and given exactly what I need to achieve!

Take care of you, and stay “sweet!”

A pretty little Seagull living in the moment and trusting he will be fed on the emerald coast of Florida.

30 DECEMBER 2023 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com