Larry Girven, Treasurer larrygirven@mysweetgrass.net
Jim Troublefield, Director jimtroublefield@mysweetgrass.net
Professional Care with a Personal Touch
Story
Building on Strengths: A New Chapter for Del Webb Sweetgrass Association
In 2024, many changes occurred within the Del Webb Sweetgrass Association team. We experienced a very tragic, unfortunate, and impacting team member loss. In addition, team members transitioned to new career paths. These changes have caused some curiosity within the community about the future steps and identity of the Association team. As difficult and unexpected as these changes have been for everyone, including the Association team, we are dedicated to the continued success of serving our wonderful community in the future. We look forward to the opportunity to build more success, excellence in service, exceptional experiences, and unique community engagements at Del Webb Sweetgrass in 2025.
We take pleasure in serving this fine community that you call home. We are steadily focused on scouting outstanding professionals to join the Association team who are as passionate about Del Webb Sweetgrass' residents as we are while diligently utilizing support within CCMC's leadership team to ensure the quality of service at Del Webb Sweetgrass goes uncompromised.
We look forward to sharing new updates and team introductions in the future. Cheers to a new year of community success and extraordinary experiences!”
Comfort &Flannel
MIX & MINGLE EVENT
Friday, January 10th Lakehouse Ball Room from 6-8 pm
presented by the social committee register at mysweetgrass.net come wearing your favorite flannel or comfort clothes!
The first Mix & Mingle event of the year is happening at the Lakehouse Ballroom on Friday, January 10th, at 6:00 pm! This event will be a unique opportunity to connect with neighbors over drinks and casual conversation. Registration fills out fast, so don't delay; register today. Please bring an appetizer to share in a disposable container. | Contact: Margie Fougeron, margiefougeron@hotmail.com
Continued on Page 8
Blood Drive
Join Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center in the Lakehouse Parking lot on Thursday, January 16th, from 11 AM to 5 PM, and contribute to our blood drive. We aim to secure at least 21 successful donors. To streamline the process and ensure we allocate sufficient staff and resources, we encourage donors to schedule an appointment on the registration section of our website. Your participation can save lives. | Contact: Margie Fougeron, margiefougeron@hotmail.com
Committees, Clubs, Groups, & Activities
Friday, January 24th | 6-8 pm | The Lakehouse Ball Room
Are you looking to join a group of amazing residents who share similar interests? If so, we encourage you to attend the CCGA Fair! This fair will feature many of our most popular clubs and groups! There will be many options to connect with like-minded residents to help open the door to new and memorable experiences for 2025! If you are a club or group lead and would like to join the fair or you want to establish a new club or group, please email Gabriel Lamette at glamette@ccmcnet.com. | Contact: Gabriel Lamette, glamette@ccmcnet.com
JANUARY CROSSWORD
THE SWEETGRASS SINGERS RING IN THE SEASON WITH HOLIDAY HITS AND WINTER WARMTH
The Sweetgrass Singers’ performance to a sold-out audience on Sunday, December 8, certainly confirmed that for many of us, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” Their songs included fond memories of wintertime, popular secular holiday tunes, traditional Christmas hymns, and two selections honoring Hanukkah. They sang favorites like “Winter Wonderland” and “Christmas Glory Hallelujah.” First-time offerings included “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree With Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (with a new twist – kazoos!), and “Cold Snap,” complete with coughs and sneezes. The Sweetgrass Barbershop Quartet (Terry Mansfield, Allan Sturdivant, Mike Martin, and Clyde Hill) harmonized on “I’ll be Home For Christmas,” and the Men’s Ensemble provided another new number: “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”
“Mary, Did You Know?” was highlighted with solos by soprano Bobbe Burke and tenor Bill Hale. Guest flutist Robin Keiffer accompanied the Singers on “Celtic Advent Carol.” Allan Sturdivant led a singalong, and the show ended with a darkened ballroom lit by votive lights during the singing of “Silent Night.”
The Singers are grateful to many for the success of this annual event, starting with the support and encouragement of their director Cynthia Lara. Also key is Lynne Handwerk, who is on the piano on Sunday and the Rehearsal Accompanist all year. Liz Brisby was accompanied on the piano for two songs for this show. Ruth Anne Callaham assisted as Audio Technician for recorded music. We have the Music Selection Committee to thank for the wonderful blend of songs. Mary Ann Sturdivant and Dan Noeth served as ticket takers. The Hospitality Crew of Alice Pearce, Diane Gilbert, Pam Audish, and Sorida Melim Pena served up refreshments to patrons at intermission.
Singers performing were Diane Baker, Bobbe Burke, Dot Jaasma, Nancy Kendrex, Ronna Levy, Sue Muerdler, Jeanne Nishioka, Marie Noeth, Mary Ann Pauling, Paula Ryan, Camae Schultz, Anne Marie Briere, Ginny Foley, Linda Gondosch, Betsy McNamara, Darlene McQueen, Barbara Sobkowiak, Ellen Svoboda, Barbara Vogt, Brenda Willenbrink, Liz Brisby, Manny Gomez, Bill Hale, Dean Jones, Sue Martin, Allan Sturdivant, Ron Willenbrink, Roger Barkerding, Michael Byerly, Carl Cartledge, Werner Gondosch, Gary Handwerk, Bill Hubert, Terry Mansfield, Mike Martin, Mort Rubin, Marty Steed, and Ben Svoboda.
If you enjoy singing in 4-party harmony and are interested in joining the Sweetgrass Singers, they meet on Tuesdays at 4 pm in the Bluebell section of the ballroom. Watch the Friday email Sweetgrass Breeze for their return date in 2025 following a brief break.
Comfort & Flannel: A Mix & Mingle Event
Lakehouse Ballroom
January 10th from 6-8 pm
Gulf Coast Blood Drive
Lakehouse Parking Lot
January 16th from 11 am – 5 pm
CCGA Fair
Lakehouse Ballroom
January 24th from 6-8 pm
ANNUAL MEETING Del Webb Sweetgrass 2025
Thursday, January 30th | Virtual Presentation | Time TBD
Prepare for the Del Webb Sweetgrass 2025 Meeting. During this meeting, we will spotlight and review what has taken place throughout the community in 2024 and discuss plans for 2025! Plus, join us for chances to win amazing prizes! More information to come on this meeting in the Sweetgrass Breeze; stay tuned!
The Genealogy Club: A Passion
Past, Plans for the Future Group
The Genealogy Club provides speakers and time for members to share their heritage. Regardless of your genealogy research or interests, check us out. Visitors and new members are always welcome. We will meet on Jan. 2nd at 10:30 AM in the Learning Center at the Lakehouse. Contact Paulette Niemann, President, at rniemann@sbcglobal.net or 979-240-0120.
LOCAL JANUARY EVENTS
31st Annual MLK Grande Parade
Midtown Houston 1200 Holman Street (San Jacinto Street & Elgin Street) Houston, TX 77004
Monday Jan 20 | 10 AM - 12 PM CST
The MLK Grande Parade will be held on January 20 in Midtown Houston originating on San Jacinto Street & Elgin Street beginning @ 10A (CAT). The parade's theme is "Unity Through Diversity" and will feature culturally diverse performance groups from across the nation. Watch live on the CW 39-Houston or to learn more visit www.mlkgrandeparade.org
Farmers Market at Imperial
234 Matlage Way, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Every Saturday | 9 AM - 1 PM
Free Entry
In addition to a wonderful selection of vendors, the Farmers Market brings you family fun! Each week, the Market features live music, cooking demonstrations or other seasonal entertainment. Presented by the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Farmers Market is open Saturdays year-round from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday Stargazing
George Observatory, 21901 FM 762 Road, Needville, TX 77461
Every Saturday | 7-10 PM
$10.00 Park Entry: $7.00 | Free Under 12
Enjoy the wonders of the universe on the upper deck of the Observatory with constellation laser tours, a combination of deck and dome telescopes, or captured live camera feeds. Amateur astronomers will guide you on your journey through the heavens, whether you are looking at night sky constellations, planets in our solar system or deep sky objects out in space.
Observatory tickets are offered on a timed and limited capacity basis, and must be purchased in advance. Access inside the domes and viewing through telescope eyepieces is limited, and subject to availability & weather. Your ticket to this event is a timed entry admission, and a paper or electronic receipt is required for entry. Tickets can be purchased at george.hmns.org/ exhibits/saturday-stargazing
Tender Salsa Beef
Serves 8
1½ pounds beef stew meat, cut into 3⁄4-inch cubes
2 cups salsa
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
4 cups hot cooked brown rice
DIRECTIONS
1In a 3-quart slow cooker, combine the beef, salsa, brown sugar, soy sauce, and garlic. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or until meat is tender. Using a slotted spoon, serve beef with rice.
2Per serving: 259 cal., 7 g fat, 53 mg. cholesterol, 356 mg. sodium, 28 g carbs, 2 g fiber.
Sausage-Stuffed Red Potatoes
Makes 16 appetizers
8 small red potatoes
1 pound Italian turkey sausage links, casings removed
Scrub and pierce potatoes; place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 8 to 9 minutes or until tender, turning once.
2Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage and pepper over medium heat until sausage is no longer pink. Add onions and 4½ teaspoons parsley; cook 1 to 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese. Cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out 1 tablespoon pulp (save for another use).
3Spoon about 2 tablespoons sausage mixture into each half. Place on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high for 1 to 2 minutes or until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.
Spinach and Mushroom Pita
Serves 2
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup button mushrooms, sliced
½ cup alfalfa sprouts
1 tomato, chopped
½ small cucumber
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 whole-grain pita pockets
DIRECTIONS
1Combine all the vegetables, olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl, and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
2Toss the salad until well mixed.
3Stuff the vegetable mixture into the pita pockets and serve immediately.
NOTE: Increase the potential health factor by selecting organic produce whenever available.
The January Garden Club Meeting and Tickets for Nacogdoches Trip –
Don’t Miss Out!
The Garden Club will meet in the Lakehouse ballroom on January 21 at 9:30 am. Our speaker, Suma Mudan, Master Gardener from Fort Bend, will focus on the benefits of gardening, not only as physical activity but also its therapeutic benefits. Our Member Moment speaker will be Stella Cordova sharing information about propagation. If you still need to pay your 2025 dues, please bring your $20 check payable to the Garden Club and receive your discount card to Enchanted Forest/Garden.
Please remember that we will be selling tickets for the April 4 and 5th Nacogdoches trip.
The Garden Club will host an overnight trip to Nacogdoches on April 4-5, 2025. Check-in at 8:00 am at the Lakehouse on April 4, leaving at 8:30 am via First Class Tour buses. There will be a brief stop at the Texas Travel Plaza in Humble, then on to Hill Country Restaurants in Nacogdoches, the oldest city in Texas, for lunch on your own.
After lunch, we will enjoy a guided walking tour at the SFA Ruby M. Mize Azalea Gardens. These lush and well-established gardens offer a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and blooming plants in a beautiful, natural setting beside the Stephen F. Austin State University campus, part of their College of Forestry and Agriculture.
We will stay at the historical Fredonia Hotel, a unique full-service hotel near the downtown district that provides the perfect setting to rest, shop, and socialize. We have a block of single and double rooms reserved for April 4 under Del Webb Sweetgrass Garden Club, Group Reservation #169143. Call (936) 564-1234 by February 28 to MAKE YOUR OWN RESERVATION. All rooms, with tax, will be under $200. Hotel reservations must be made by February 28.
After our tour, we will gather at 5:00 pm on their lovely outdoor patio where we can BYOB, weather permitting, or in the Fredonia Hotel bar. Our private catered dinner will be at Pemberley's at the Jones House at 6:00 pm, directly across the hotel parking lot. This vintage B&B will be the perfect setting for our three-course dinner: salad, Chicken Kyiv with seasonal sides, two homemade desserts, water, tea, and coffee. Wine glasses will be provided if you want to BYOB.
The Fredonia offers a weekend Brunch menu in their Cafe before we depart on April 5th. Check out at 9:00 am and board the buses by 9:30 am. We will visit the Nacogdoches Farmers Market with fresh produce and other locally sourced goods from vendors within a 90-mile radius.
You are welcome to bring a small cooler or insulated bag to keep your items fresh for the ride home. With one last stop at the Love's Travel Stop in Lufkin, we plan to be back in Sweetgrass before 4:00 pm.
Trip tickets are $150 per person, including round-trip bus fare, admission to the SFA Gardens, and dinner at Pemberley's. Remember that other meals and hotel reservations are not included in the ticket price. Sign-up will be at 9:30 am January 21 at the Garden Club Member Meeting. We can only accept checks (payable to Sweetgrass Garden Club).
The first Mix & Mingle event of the year is happening at the Lakehouse Ballroom on Friday, January 10th, at 6:00 pm! This event will be a unique opportunity to connect with neighbors over drinks and casual conversation. Registration fills out fast, so don't delay; register today. Please bring an appetizer to share in a disposable container.
The Association Team
CCGA
Fair
Location: The Lakehouse Ball Room
When: January 24 from 6-8 pm
Contact: Gabriel Lamette, glamette@ccmcnet.com
Are you looking to join a group of amazing residents who share similar interests? If so, we encourage you to attend the CCGA Fair! This fair will feature many of our most popular clubs and groups! There will be many options to connect with like-minded residents to help open the door to new and memorable experiences for 2025! If you are a club or group lead and would like to join the fair or you want to establish a new club or group, please email Gabriel Lamette at glamette@ccmcnet.com.
2025 Annual Board of Directors Meeting
Annual
Meeting
Location: Virtual Presentation
Time TBD: January 30 from 4-6 pm
Prepare for the Del Webb Sweetgrass 2025 Meeting. During this meeting, we will spotlight and review what has taken place throughout the community in 2024 and discuss plans for 2025! Plus, join us for chances to win amazing prizes! More information to come on this meeting in the Sweetgrass Breeze; stay tuned!
Dialogue and Learning Club
Dialogue and Learning Club Meeting
Location: The Lakehouse Ballroom
When: January 9 from 6-8 pm
Contact: Jim Sheridan, sherim@fastmail.com
The January Dialogue and Learning Club meeting will be on January 9 in the Learning Center at 6:30. The discussion will be about Senior Living Options! The presenter is a resident of Del Webb, Susan Waller, a senior living advisor. Susan has spent over 30 years in the Senior Living Industry. Topics include Senior Living Options, How to Pay for Care, Current Senior Living Price Ranges, and Q&A.
Garden Club Meeting
Location: The Lakehouse Ballroom
When: January 21 at 9:30 am
Contact: Tere Dowd, teredowd@gmail.com
Day Trippers Club
Day Trippers Quarterly Meeting
When: January 14 at 9 and 10:30 am
Contact: Emerson Chester, jech1957@gmail.com
The next quarterly meeting for members is Tuesday, January 14th, at 9 am and 10:30 am. We’ll be giving information on February, March, and April trips!
The theater and Post Houston Tour is Wednesday, January 15th. Check-in at 8:30 am at the Lakehouse. We have two buses going!
Mah Jongg Club
Location: The Activity Center
When: Wednesdays at 6 pm
Contact: Betty Moore, bemore6322@yahoo.com
Every Wednesday from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the Activity Room is free play for all experience levels. Please have your own National Mah Jongg League card, or you can purchase one. There are currently no dues. Just show up, sign in, and play.
Mah Jongg provides an excellent opportunity to socialize and make friends. We welcome new members and will assist those who need a refresher or want to learn how to play.
CCGA's
The Bayou Buzz is submitted several weeks before publication. Recent updates to CCGA’s & neighborhood reps may not be
but will be updated on future publications. If you notice any errors, let us know.
Chartered Clubs
A chartered club is a group that shares a common interest and has received formal approval from the board for a charter under the HOA is recognized as an official part of the HOA.
Art at Sweetgrass
Paula Ryan paulaanneryan@gmail.com
Book Club
Dorothy Wrigley amble5601@yahoo.com
Social Bridge
David Connan david.connan1948@gmail.com
Canasta
Debra Thompson debrakthompson@gmail.com
Card Crafters
Joyce Teel dwsweetgrasscardcrafters@ gmail.com
Day Trippers
Emerson Chester jech1957@gmail.com
Dialogue & Learning
Jim Sheridan sherim@fastmail.com
Drama Club
Holly Vitemb hollyvtx@gmail.com
Garden Club
Tere Dowd teredowd@gmail.com
Genealogy Club
Marilyn Henlery marilyn@ahenley.com
Hear More
Teri Wathen teriwathen@sbcglobal.net
Mah Jongg
Betty Moore bemore6322@yahoo.com
Men's Club
Greg Cordova gregcordova@yahoo.com
Needlecrafters
Cindy Acquard lracquard@hotmail.com
Photography Club
Chad De Cuir cm20decuir@gmail.com
Pickleball Club
Pat McNamara dwspickleball@gmail.com
Poker Club
Mike Covault covaultmichael@gmail.com
Power Walking
Margie Poole margiepoole@att.net
Qi Gong Almon Shiu ashiu47@gmail.com
Quilters
Paulette Niemann rniemann@sbcglobal.net
Stamp Club
Max Zollner maxzollner2014@comcast.net
The Bayou Buzz is submitted several weeks before publication. Recent updates to CCGA’s & neighborhood reps may not be reflected, but will be updated on future publications. If you notice any errors, let us know.
SG Golf Association
Buzz Roye buzzroye@gmail.com
Singers
Dean Jones deanjsingers@gmail.com
Singles
Connie Fletcher Powell cfletcherpowell@gmail.com
Table Tennis
Phil Kalz philip.kalz@gmail.com
Texas 42
Mary Ellen Smith crystalbeachbroker@att.net
That's Entertainment!
Cyrus Bharucha bharuchacy@gmail.com
Veterans Club
Ray Wathen raywathen@yahoo.com
Women's Club
Linda Levey c4888d@gmail.com
Interest Groups
A Special Interest Group is a group that has not been approved for a charter or is ineligible for chartering and is not considered an official part of the HOA.
Bible Study Group
David Stayshich dstayshich@sbcglobal.net
Cycling Group
Friends of the Library
Joyce Bunch busybeebunch@gmail.com
Front Porch Democrats
Debra Garner debragarner520@gmail.com
Havurah
Denise Gordon mrsgordon101@icloud.com
Model Yacht Club
Bill Foster wmfoster@mail.com
Sweetgrass Neighborhood Watch Program
Mary Jo Salvaggio maryjosalvaggio@gmail.com
Technology Help Desk
John Hansen texashansens@yahoo.com
Tennis Group
John Harrell johnharrell4@gmail.com
Travel Group
Carolyn Johnston carolynjohnston1@aol.com
Frank Gonynor Fdgonynor@gmail.com
Dr. McCrea has been creating healthy, beautiful smiles in Richmond/Rosenberg since 1994. Dr. McCrea and Dr. Vo are both graduates of and current Professors at the Herman Hospital based General Practice Residency Program for UTDS Houston. Their goal is to work with each patient to produce the best possible outcome based on that patient’s individual needs and desires.
Dr. McCrea has been creating
beautiful smiles in Richmond/Rosenberg since 1994. Dr. McCrea and Dr. George are both graduates of and current Professors at the Herman Hospital based General Practice Residency Program for UTDS Houston. Their goal is to work with each patient to produce the best possible outcome based on that patient’s individual needs and desires.
