Fulshear

Fulshear

Looking for local fun this summer? Fort Bend County has plenty of options to consider.

Moments from Fulshear’s Bicentennial celebration. 15 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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SUMMER FUN

When summertime temperatures are hot and climbing, people look for ways to cool off. Trips to the beach or a pool often top the list of ideas, but water parks also make for great places to spend a hot summer day. Take Rosenberg’s Travis Park Splash Pad, for example. Located at 3400 Ave. N, next to the softball field, the splash pad is free and is operated by a push-button timer so that water is not left running when visitors leave. The splash pad also includes a covered pavilion with picnic tables. About every four minutes, a tank on top of the splash pad dumps water on those below.

Water parks can be great family fun for those who do their homework and prepare for visits accordingly and the following tips can make the experience that much more enjoyable.

1. Pack light. Belongings can be tricky when it comes to water parks because most items cannot get wet. Leaving them beside rides also leaves you vulnerable to theft. Bring only the essentials and plan to stash car keys, mobile phones and minimal cash in lockers. Lockers in many modern facilities are paid for with your credit card and work by entering a self-generated code. This way there are no keys or locks to worry about.

2. Bring three bags. Bring a backpack or a tote bag that is filled with a change of clothes. Unless you dry off for the last hour by walking around the park, you likely will not want to get in your vehicle in your swimsuit. Leave the clothes in the aforementioned locker. Stash a plastic shopping bag or garbage bag inside the backpack, as it can hold wet swimsuits and other damp items after you’ve changed. Bring a mesh or breathable shoulder bag that can hold a few essentials, like towels and water bottles. The mesh will enable airflow so that you don’t end up with a sopping, mildew-riddled towel by the end of the day.

3. Wear comfortable swim gear. It’s hard to get out of the sun at a water park, so covering up is key. A rash guard or swim shirt can be paired with swim trunks or one- or two-piece swimsuits. Avoid any swimsuits that have flimsy straps, as they’re more likely to come undone while crashing through waves or during high-speed water slide excursions.

4. Plan locker trips strategically. Aim to visit your locker at least two or three times if you’re spending a full day at the water park. This gives you chances to reapply sunscreen (which you should always wear at the park) and grab a few dollars for snacks and beverages. Remember to stay hydrated while out in the sun, even if you are in the water most of the time.

5. Utilize water shoes. Water park pavement can get hot and slippery. Water shoes are ideal so that you do not injure your feet. Many rides prohibit flip flops, but secured water shoes are allowed.

6. Arrive early. Try to get to the water park shortly after it opens. Crowds will be sizable on hot days. You don’t want to waste all of your time waiting in line for rides. Plus, the earlier in the day you arrive, the less steamy and the greater chance you will find parking near the entrance.

7. If budget allows, rent a cabana. Some parks rent cabanas. A cabana can be a family’s home base and a place to cool off and relax. For an extra cost, some cabanas come with food service.

8. Have extra adults on hand. When the kids outnumber the adults, it can be tricky to keep an eye on everyone, especially in larger attractions like wave pools. Plus, there’s bound to be some kids who are more adventurous than others. An extra adult or two can wait with children who do not want to go on particular slides or other rides.

Pool safety essentials

A backyard pool can be a wonderful summer oasis. Swimming immediately cools people off on hot and humid days and even provides thorough exercise that works many different muscles in the body. And summer revelers know that swimming and splashing in the pool is an

entertaining activity for people of all ages.

Though pools are great summer spaces, one downside of pool usage is the potential for drowning. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that every year in the United States, there are an estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings — an average of 11 drowning deaths per day. In addition, around 8,080 nonfatal drownings occur. It’s important to note that many of these incidents are unrelated to pool usage, as boating and even bathtub accidents contribute to drowning as well. Pools are fun, but it’s a great responsibility to keep all swimmers safe. The following are some pool safety measures to put into effect.

• Keep water sanitary. Make sure pool water is chemically balanced so that it is comfortable to swim in and will not harbor any pathogens that can make swimmers ill. The pool equipment company Pahlen says the ideal water pH is 7.4 because that is the same as the pH in human eyes and mucous membranes, and it also supports good chlorine disinfection. The free chlorine content of a pool can range from 0.5 to 1.6 to keep it sanitary. A quality testing kit can help pool owners balance water.

• Learn your local ordinances. Local ordinances will spell out which precautionary measures are required by law for people who have a backyard pool. These often include a fenced yard, a fence around inground pools that is at least four feet high, self-latching gates, and/or pool ladders that can be locked or closed when the pool isn’t in use.

• Rely on non-slip surfaces. The pool environment can be wet and slippery. Utilizing materials like non-slip deck surfaces or rougher concrete finishes around pools can help reduce some slips and falls. The pool resource Poolonomics says people should be instructed to avoid running near or around the pool.

• Inspect water returns and drains. PoolSafety.gov warns that hair, limbs, jewelry, or bathing suits can get stuck in a drain or suction opening in a pool or spa. Broken or missing drain covers should be replaced immediately and no swimming should occur until the issue is remedied.

• Install other barriers. Barriers, alarms and pool covers can save lives and prevent access to pool water when the pool area is not in use.

• Learn how to swim and perform CPR. Families can take swimming lessons to become better swimmers. Learning how to perform CPR on adults and children can save lives. Courses are available at many hospitals and community centers or through the Red Cross.

Fort Bend Favorites: What to do around town

The Parks

BRAZOS BEND STATE PARK | Camping, picnicking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing are high on the list of things to do at The Brazos Bend State Park, about a 5,000 acres home to alligators, deer, raccoons and birds. The park also features Nature Center exhibits and the Challenger Learning Center. Not to mention the park’s, George Observatory is home to three large telescopes. On a clear night, visitors can catch a glimpse of star constellations and planets. Camping is a major attraction for the park, and it also has a handicap-accessible nature trail and pier. Walking trails wind their way through the trees and will even lead walkers down to the edge of the Brazos River. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/brazos-bend CONSTELLATION FIELD | The home of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the official Triple-A Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Houston Astros, Constellation Field is a multi-purpose ballpark in the heart of Sugar Land that seats 7,500 and serves as the setting for events year-round from small events to large festivals. It features full-service professional catering on-site and outside of baseball, Constellation Field also hosts Sugar Land Holiday Lights, numerous cultural festivals and local high school/collegiate baseball games. www.milb.com/sugar-land

IN FORT BEND

CULLINAN PARK | With 754 acres, Cullinan Park is one of the largest nature parks in the Houston area and features an observation tower, nature trails, a .33-mile trail around White Lake, a restroom facility, a boardwalk and a scenic overlook, as well as educational signage throughout the park. Encompassing more than 750 acres of prairie and woodlands, Cullinan Park is a peaceful place to experience the outdoors and every year Cullinan Park Conservancy — the non-profit group charged with the promotion, enhancement and protection of Joseph S. and Lucie H. Cullinan Park at Oyster Creek. cullinanparkconservancy.org

EXPLORATION PARK | The design of Exploration Park in Katy is rooted in children’s play, environmental stewardship, educational principles, and an overall site design inspired by water. It also offers visitors a multipurpose play area, an open lawn for unstructured play, and a pavilion with a covered picnic area. Play features include a sensory garden, multiple varieties of swings, a slide tower and bridge connecting to a hill slide, a musical bridge, and a raindrop berm lawn in which the earthwork evokes the notion of a giant raindrop ripple in the lawn. willowforkdrainagedistrict.com/parks/exploration-park

JONES CREEK PARK | Jones Creek Ranch Park is a beautiful 112-acre ranch located just a few miles from Houston in Richmond and is versatile enough that it can serve as the backdrop for any corporate, community or family events. Jones Creek Ranch Park is available to rent and could host company picnics, corporate events, retreats, school outings, reunions, weddings or other special occasions. www.fortbendcountytx.gov

SEABOURNE CREEK NATURE PARK | No longer the best-kept secret in Fort Bend, Seabourne Creek Nature Park in Rosenberg features walking, jogging, and biking trails, wetlands, a prairie restoration area, a butterfly garden, restrooms, and a 4-acre lake stocked with bass, perch and catfish. Also inside the park is the R.W. Lindsey Gazebo, which is equipped with electricity and available for rental. The park is also the setting for monthly bird hikes, insect hikes and nature walks hosted by my Texas Master Naturalists. txmn.org/coastal

The Museums

ART MUSEUM TX | Located in Sugar Land Town Square, this nonprofit art museum exhibits what it calls the best of local contemporary Texas art and is “committed to the many Texas residents living in Fort Bend County and Houston’s west and southwest sides.” Established in 2020, this nonprofit is dedicated to showcasing the Fort Bend County region’s contemporary art. artmuseumtx.org

THE BLACK COWBOY MUSEUM | Owned and founded by Larry Callies, The Black Cowboy Museum in Rosenberg is a heritage museum that features photos, stirrups, boots and more that reveal the rich history of the black cowboy. The Black Cowboy Museum is preserving the legacy of America’s Black Cowboy. Step into the boots of the likes of Bass Reeves, Nat Love, and Bill Pickett. Meet the important African American cowboys who shaped the history of the West as well as the ones who will shape its future. Callies has been a cowboy since he was 12 years old and was the second black cowboy in Texas to make it to the state finals in 1971.www.blackcowboymuseum.org

FORT BEND MUSEUM | Known as one of Texas’ best local history showcases, the Fort Bend Museum in Richmond allows visitors to travel through time to experience life on the Brazos River. The museum features galleries, historic home museums, walking tours of Richmond and exhibits that interpret more than 100 years of history of the area and Texas. This award-winning museum also hosts several fundraising events throughout the year. www.fortbendmuseum.org

THE GEORGE RANCH | Discover a treasury of Texas traditions at this park where visitors can experience more than 100 years of Texas history. The George Ranch in Richmond is a living history museum that tracks four generations of one family over 100 years of Texas history. Tour an authen-

tic 1890s Victorian mansion, sit around the campfire with cowboys during a spring roundup and witness long-forgotten crafts such as the making of lye soap, all on the same day. Visitors are greeted by authentically costumed characters who accompany them on tours through the restored homes, barns and buildings on the grounds. www.georgeranch.org

HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE AT SUGAR LAND | With its special science and culture events and exhibit-themed activities designed for the entire family, HMNS Sugar Land, provides high-quality family entertainment and education to the community. Features the permanent exhibits “Discover Works,” an engaging and educational exhibit that encourages hands-on exploration, and “Hall of Paleontology,” a captivating journey into the ancient world, where visitors can explore the rich history of life on Earth by stepping into an immersive exhibit. sugarland.hmns.org

ROSENBERG RAILROAD MUSEUM | Experience Texas railroading history at the Rosenberg Railroad Museum in the downtown area of the city. The museum resembles the circa 1900 Union Depot that served Rosenberg rail travelers as they made their way through Fort Bend County. Indoor cabinets house historic artifacts, including lanterns, oil lamps, tools and photos of Rosenberg at the turn of the century. Visitors can view the model railroad layouts on display, the restored 1879 business car, “Quebec,” a switching station and Tower 17, the last tower in Texas that operated. The museum offers model railroad camps, children’s school and summer programs, birthday parties and more. www.rosenbergrrmuseum.org

Destination Centers

FORT BEND ART CENTER | The home of the Art League of Fort Bend (a local nonprofit devoted to encouraging artistic development and cultivating an appreciation for the arts through education, exhibitions and community outreach), the Fort Bend Art Center is known as a “local charm destination.” Found in historic Downtown Rosenberg, the Fort Bend Art Center offers a gallery of more than 30 artists and offers weekly classes, monthly workshops and art shows. artleaguefortbend.org

FORT BEND CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER | The Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center occupies a 12,000-square-foot restored building and features several child-centered learning exhibits designed to enrich the educational lives of Fort Bend’s children by expanding cultural and educational family-focused opportunities. All Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center exhibits are managed as platforms for learning for children birth through 12 years, with specific, measurable educational outcomes for each. www.childrensdiscoveryfb.org

FORT BEND EPICENTER | The Fort Bend Epicenter can accommodate tournaments and events of all sizes. The arena boasts over 8,600 fixed seats with a capacity of more than 10,000 and can be scaled up or down to fit any event. It is a welcoming space for small to mid-size community activities, corporate meetings, banquets, trade shows and blacktie events. Three conference rooms can be used individually or combined for a larger group and livestock shows, equestrian competitions, and agricultural events are possible under Epicenter’s outdoor pavilion. Additionally, the VIP Lounge has a full bar and lounge area for networking events or corporate team functions. thefortbendepicenter.com

SMART FINANCIAL CENTRE | Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, a state-of-the-art, indoor performance venue, strategically located 22 miles from downtown Houston off of Highway 59 and University Boulevard, sets a new standard for live performance venues. The 200,000-square-foot, indoor climate-controlled venue hosts a diverse lineup of national music, comedy artists, family shows, and theatrically-staged Broadway productions, as well as cultural and performing arts attractions. It’s designed for flexibility, incorporating innovative movable walls that can expand and contract to create four different seating capacities that range from an intimate setting of 1,900 seats to a maximum of 6,400. www.smartfinancialcentre.net

Monthly Bird Walks

Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter will host its monthly bird walks led by experienced birders from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Future hike: and May 1. txmn.org/coastal

Texas Master Naturalist program

Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter’s program, “Seeing the Natural World from Space and How It Inspired Me to Become a Texas Master Naturalist,” will be held at 7 p.m. at the Rosenberg Civic Center. Featuring speaker Dr. Kjell N. Lindgren. txmn.org/coastal

Farmer’s Market

Richmond Farmers Market runs 3-7 p.m. at 402 Morton Street in Richmond. Future markets: June 7, July 5, Aug. 2, Sept. 6, Oct. 25, Nov. 16 and Dec. 6. richmondtxfarmersmarket.com

Quilt Showcase

Coastal Prairie Quilt Guild of Texas will host its two-day Quilt Showcase at 10 a.m. May 3 and 3 p.m. May 4 at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Features award-winning quilts created by local artists in numerous judged categories, vendors, door prizes, food, raffle baskets, quilts for sale and the Quilts of Valor Ceremony on Saturday. cpqgtx.org

Surf’s Up 2024

Lamar Educational Awards Foundation’s annual luau inspired fundraiser event, Surf’s Up, is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. Featuring live entertainment, themed activities, delicious food. https://bit.ly/surfsup2024

CPRA Rodeo

The George Ranch’s 200 th Anniversary CPRA rodeo will take place May 3-4 at 7:30 p.m. both nights. www.georgeranch.org

March-a-Thon

GRHS Band & Guard’s first Marcha-Thon” fundraiser is set for 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Campbell Elementary. The event will kick off with a parade through the streets and neighborhoods around Campbell Elementary and end with a concert at 3 Acres Park. Food trucks will also be on site to serve up some tasty treats. grhsband.org

Farmers and Artisan Market

Pecan Grove Farmers and Artisan Market will be open every Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Future markets on May 12, 19 and 26. facebook.com/ pecangrovefm

Farmer’s Market at Imperial Park

Farmer’s Market at Imperial Park runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Imperial Park Recreation Center in Sugar Land. Future markets are May 11,18, and 25.

Multicultural Festival

The Multicultural Festival kicks off Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the George Memorial Library in Richmond to celebrate the rich, cultural diversity of the county and of the people who reside in it. Featuring an exciting line-up of performances, artisans, games, crafts, and more, the festival will have free activities and fun for the whole family. fortbend.lib.tx.us

Yellow Rose Derby Girls

Yellow Rose Derby Girls 2024 home game season opener is set for 4 p.m. at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds. YRDG is partnering with Animal Justice League at the game day charity for this season. yellowrosederbygirls.com

Mother’s Day vibe market

Vibe Artisan Markets’ Mother’s Day Vibe Market is set for noon - 5 p.m. in Sugar Land Town Square. More than 85 artists and creatives. Featuring professional Mother’s Day Photo Minis and delicious restaurants.

Sugar Land Jazz Festival

The Sugar Land Jazz Festival is set for May 11 and 12 at Crown Festival Park at Sugar Land. A celebration of art, music, culture, and community. sugarlandjazzfestival.com

John Acevedo, Flamenco Guitar Performance

Jazz guitarist John Acevedo will perform live flamenco guitar music from 2-3:30 p.m. at the George Memorial Library in Richmond. Inspired by artists such as the Gypsy Kings, José Feliciano, and Ottmar Liebert, Acevedo has taken the traditional sounds of flamenco music and developed a soulful, contemporary kind of music that may be considered flamenco jazz or nouveau flamenco. He has been composing and playing the guitar for more than 25 years. fortbend.lib.tx.us

March for Babies

March of Dimes’ Fort Bend March for Babies will be held at 9 a.m. at the Sugar Land Skeeters Constellation Field. Get involved virtually or in person. www.marchforbabies. org/event/fortbend

Nature Walk

The Texas Master Naturalist Coastal Prairie Chapter will host its Monthly Nature Walk from 8 - 9:15 a.m. at Seabourne Creek Nature Park. txmn.org/ coastal

Fun with Flipster Online Magazines

A free demonstration at the Fulshear Branch Library from 11 a.m - noon a.m. in the Computer Lab will show Fort Bend County Libraries users how to use the libraries’ Flipster® service which allows users to browse digital versions of the latest issues of popular magazines for adults, teens, and children, courtesy of the library. Registration required. fortbend.lib.tx.us

Insect Hike

Texas Master Naturalist

Coastal Prairie Chapter’s Insect Hike is set for 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Seabourne Creek Nature Park. Free and open to the public. txmn.org/ coastal

SATURDAY, MAY 18

George Ranch High School

8 a.m.

Foster High School

4 p.m.

Randle High School

8 p.m.

Terry High School

Noon

SUNDAY, MAY 19

Fulshear High School

9 a.m.

Lamar Con. High School

1 p.m.

FULSHEAR’S BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

1Gloria, and Cortland Turnbull were excited when Fulshear police department mascot Sgt. McCann showed up the Fulshear Bicentennial celebration at Fulshear High School. The event included a drone show, family-friendly activities and many vendors.

2Fulshear police officer Jennifer Edmonds and her K9 Blu enjoyed the evening. Blu was excited to great any attendee who came his way.

3Fulshear first responders were present during the bicentennial celebration, and during the event kids were allowed to explore the emergency vehicles.

4The Fulshear Bicentennial celebration was at Fulshear High School. Attendees got to enjoy live music from Rewind Texas and Sundance Head. Touch-a-trucks and other family-friendly activities were available for guests.

5Grandmother Carol Sauer enjoys an evening with her grandkids Connor and Hannah Sauer at the Fulshear Bicentennial celebration. The event held games, bounce houses and a rock climbing wall for children.

6The Fulshear Bicentennial celebration included a drone show of 200 drones.

7Aydee Deaton of Sugarberry Cookie Shoppe sold dozens of homemade cookies during Fulshear’s Bicentennial celebration.

Author Terri Sabol releases eighth installment in Oscar & Emmy series and is ‘writing like crazy’

by MARQUITA GRIFFIN | mgriffin@fbherald.com

When her life proceeded in a direction that she didn’t anticipate, author Terri Sabol let herself be pulled down a new route rather than resisting. Even if it seemed like she was taking a detour, she figured that if she remained focused, she’d find herself not only back on track—but with a revived zeal about her work.

Eight years ago, Sabol emerged as a local author with a tale of two kittens named Oscar and Emmy, and through that story intended to educate people about the animal rescue process and to promote pet adoption. It was one book that launched Sabol’s children’s book series in which the central characters are based on her two adopted kittens (who are the namesakes for the series).

Her first book, Oscar and Emmy Get Rescued, was released in 2016 and in the immediate time afterward, Sabol said as an indie author she “spent a lot of time in the beginning figuring out the craft and the business.”

Once she got the hang of it, she was releasing about one book each year, but when the coronavirus pandemic hit at the tail end of 2019, she upped her production to a couple of books a year. “I had a lot less distractions,” she explained, alluding to the shutdowns and restrictions caused by the pandemic. But 2022 brought along, what Sabol calls, her “gap year.” After more than two decades of marriage, she was going through a divorce and took a break from writing new material.

“The most important thing I focused on when separating from my husband was sole custody of Oscar and Emmy,” Sabol explained. “I wasn’t going to split them up, and I felt strongly about keeping them.”

Following the divorce, she returned to her childhood home and her dad is Oscar and Emmy’s primary caretaker when she’s out of town. “He goes with me to their vet appointment check-ups. And they even sleep with him when I’m not there,” she said. “They are very comfortable in their new surroundings.”

During her gap year Sabol quietly released Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A Story About Euthanasia, which had entered the illustration stage the year prior, and “focused on what this new life transition meant for [her]and what [she] wanted to do with [her] life.”

“I traveled a lot — solo, with friends, and with family. I even spent a few weeks in Costa Rica in an immersive Spanish program.”

She also reflected on the realities of being a picture book author.

“One of the most challenging things I’ve learned is the difference between being a writer and being an author,” she said. “A writer can spend as much or little time as they want writing. They can do it for the joy of writing, communication, therapy, etc. Revision doesn’t even have to be a thing.

“There aren’t necessarily deadlines or pressures.”

What Sabol said she discovered about her particular craft is that “you aren’t spending the majority of your time writing,” she explained. “Most people don’t realize that publishing a book is so much more than having an idea and writing the book. There are so many layers —”

Layers of revision, editing (“Including by peers and paid editors,” she noted), researching and hiring an illustrator, graphic design, formatting, book sizes, knowing printing options, website design and upkeep, so-

cial media content and engagement, newsletters, blogs, author visits schools, in-person events, digital author visits, having jingles and lesson plans made, keeping up with inventory, tracking royalties, ads, sales taxes and IRS taxes — and the list goes on, Sabol said.

“There are so many hats to be worn.”

But no matter the hats nor the pressures, following that year of self-reflection, Sabol concluded: “My main passion was still writing and I had more messages I wanted to get out there.” So she pulled out the old manuscripts to edit, brainstormed new ideas, and “started writing like crazy” because she anticipates this year and 2025 will “be a busy time for releasing everything.”

“And I don’t plan on slowing down.”

BOOK EIGHT

On March 26, Sabol released her eighth installment in the Oscar and Emmy series — Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens

In this one, Oscar and Emmy embark on a journey that focuses on how fostering can help animals find safe and nurturing permanent homes. And just like every Oscar and Emmy book, Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens is inspired by real-life events, Sabol shared.

“Though I have not personally fostered yet, I have friends I looked to for inspiration,” she explained.

“In 2016, one of my closest friends was helping to bottle feed her sister’s orphaned kitten. I was once asked to fill in when she couldn’t do a feeding —they need to be fed every few hours when they are that young — so I went to her home to help. It was so adorable. I knew then that I’d write a book about it one day, but I just needed to find the right point in the series. I was just beginning the first book at that time.”

After releasing other works, Sabol found the right point to complete that book but its release came with a complexity unlike the others: “It is bittersweet that this book releases now, two years after my friend’s sudden passing,” Sabol explained, before sharing that she honors her late friend in Oscar and Emmy Foster Kittens Sabol with her likeness

as one of the adopters in the story and within the book’s dedication. Sabol plans to release a boxed set of the Oscar and Emmy series so readers can purchase the entire series at a lower price versus paying for the books individually. “Even though all of my books are standalone, I believe as a collection, they cover every important topic of cat care, for both your own pets and in the community,” Sabol said.

MORE BOOKS, MORE MESSAGES

Sabol hasn’t pigeonholed herself into the kitten-centric series, though. She released three standalone works — Kneading a Winning Idea, Green With Envy and Raccoon Reunion — that focus on and address perseverance, jealousy, and anxiety.

Kneading a Winning Idea is a story about a boy who needs to improve his buttermilk biscuit recipe before entering it into a contest. “I honored my soulcat, Abby, in that book by using her likeness for the character Miss Kitty,” Sabol shared. “This November will be 10 years since I said goodbye to her. She was with me from my last semester in college until I turned 40.”

Green With Envy features a jealous blade of grass, and Raccoon Reunion’s main character “Rocky” is a young raccoon with anxiety going to his first family reunion.

“All three of these books are illustrated by the talented artist, Pei Jen,” Sabol said. “I love that each of these books are so different in characters, and how she has brought so much life to them.”

And if you thought Sabol was going to slow down following her recent release, that would be a mistake. She’s already beginning to construct a new series called The Know It Owl series.

“Each book features a new animal interacting with the Owl Narrator in a unique and fun way to teach the reader interesting animal facts,” Sabol shared about the new project. “I am working with a very talented illustrator, Paula Piechna. The first four books will be released all at once. Then the plan is to release two at a time after that.

And anticipating the coming question, Sabol shared her answer enthusiastically: “There really is no limit for how many books will work for this series, as long as the readers are loving it.”

In addition to author visits to schools, indie author Terri Sabol (seen here with her dad) hosts readings at bookstores, libraries, and women’s groups. “I also attend animal welfare conferences and cat shows as a vendor,” she said. “I love finding new readers everywhere.”

Arts & Entertainment

The Fort Bend Boys Choir celebrates Emmy Nomination

Revelry is rampant in the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas following a recent announcement of an Emmy Award announcement.

Last year, the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas’ Tour Choir –the organization’s traveling choir — recorded “This Little Light of Mine,” with singers and songwriters Bill and Kim Nash in a music video promoting Youth in the Arts. The video, filmed in Sugar Land Town Square, featured the Nashes, the Cookie Joe’s Dance Studio and the Hot Shots banjo players — and, notably, was nominated for an Emmy. The Fort Bend Boys Tour Choir also recently joined Bill and Kim Nash in the studio again, recording “The Lord’s Prayer” and the accompanying video was filmed in March 2024.

The Spring Concert

In addition to exciting Emmy news, the Fort Bend Boys Choir enthusiastically announced its upcoming Spring Concert set for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at the First United Methodist Church-Missouri City( 3900 Lexington Blvd.) Missouri City, Texas. Music Magic, the choir’s music enrichment class of six and seven-year-olds, will open the evening, followed by the Town-Training Choir. The award-winning Tour Choir will perform next, singing many of the songs that will be featured during the choir’s upcoming summer performance tour to New Mexico.

Spring Concert tickets are $18 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased at the door or through their website fbbctx.org/product/spring-concert-tickets.

Schedule an Audition

For those who know a young boy who loves music and singing, the Fort Bend Boys Choir urges them to share that auditions for the choir can be scheduled. Visit fbbctx.org/auditions for audition details.

A boy’s unchanged voice has an expiration date so it’s important to start music education as early as possible, said choir officials who also said in the Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas, “boys can be a part of a time-honored tradition that not only teaches music but also life lessons such as leadership, self-confidence, etiquette and so much more.”

For concert and audition information, contact the choir office at

Scan with your smartphone:

281-240-3800 or visit fbbctx.org. More information is also available on the choir’s Facebook page.

Libraries’ Summer Reading Challenge launches

Fort Bend County Libraries presents special reading challenges during the summer to encourage reading among children from birth and up, as well as teens and adults. “Adventure Begins @ Your Library” is the theme for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which takes place at all FBCL locations. Online registration for the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge begins on Monday, May 27, and continues through August 31. Library activities for children begin during the week of June 3 and continue through July 27. Activities for high school students also begin the week of June 3, and continue through August 24.

Younger children will enjoy the “Summer Reading Challenge for Children,” while students in grades 6-8 can participate in activities for older kids in the “Middle School Summer Challenge.” Teens in high school can participate with adults in the “YA/Adult Summer Reading Challenge” to win prizes.

There is no charge to join the Summer Reading Challenge, and it is open to everyone, regardless of the county of residence. Participants may register at any Fort Bend County library, or they may register online by going to the FBCL website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us) and clicking on the “SRC Sign-Up” image, which will become available on May 27. When the online registration form has been completed, readers will then have their own online page on which to record their books and reading time.

Participants may also register and log books/reading time by downloading the free Beanstack Tracker app to their mobile device from the Apple App or Google Play stores. Fort Bend County Libraries and the Summer Reading Challenge will appear as options when the program starts on May 27.

Reading rewards can be redeemed beginning Monday, June 3. The last day to pick up awards is August 31. Prizes may be collected from any FBCL library.

The Summer Reading Challenge is sponsored by Fort Bend County Libraries, the Friends of the Library organizations that support the county library system, and by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, a consortium of states working together to provide high-quality children’s summer reading program materials for public libraries.

For more information, see the Fort Bend County Libraries website (www.fortbend.lib.tx.us), or call the branch library nearest you or the library system’s Communications Office at 281-633-4734.

EVENTS AT FULSHEAR BRANCH LIBRARY

fortbend.lib.tx.us

SPECIAL EVENTS!

These special youth activity materials are made possible by the Friends of the Fulshear Branch Library.

Free Comic-Book Day

When: Saturday, May 4, all day.

What: Celebrate Free Comic-Book Day and stop by the library for a free comic book (while supplies last).

Mother’s Day Craft

When: Saturday, May 11, 10:15-11:15 am

What: During this come-and-go craft activity, families with children of all ages can make cards of small gifts for the special caregivers in their lives.

WEEKLY CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS:

The weekly children’s programs will have an abbreviated schedule in May; they will take place during the first week only. The children’s librarians will be preparing for the Summer Reading Challenge, which

Fort Bend Boys Choir of Texas is celebrating an Emmy nomination and its upcoming Spring Concert on May 18. To view the music video nominated for an Emmy, search “Let It Shine-Promoting Youth In The Arts” by Bill and Kim Nash on YouTube.

will begin May 27, for the rest of the month. Craft packets will be given out at the end of each program, so that children may take them home to enjoy. Pajama Night Story Time, Preschool Story Time, After-School Break, and Art in the Afternoon will not take place in May. The activities will resume in June.

Toddler Time

When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m.

What: Offers caregiver/child activities, stories, and songs for older babies, from 1 to 3 years of age. The themes are the same as those for Pajama Night Story Time every week. Program dates are May 1 only.

Building Club: The Great Maze Race

When: Wednesday, May 1, 4:15 p.m.

What: Children in grades K-5 will use LEGOs, Keva Planks, Squigz, blocks, and other materials to build the challenge of the month or something of their own design. This activity takes place on the 1st Wednesday of every month.

Mother Goose Time

When: Thursdays, 10:15 a.m.

What: Provides caregiver/infant multisensory circle-time activities that are especially designed to stimulate babies’ social, emotional, and physical development through rhythm and music. Intended for pre-walking infants from newborn to 12 months of age. This activity will take place on May 2 only.

Creative Connection: Space-Guided Painting

When: Thursday, May 2, 6 p.m.

What: Students in grades 4-8 will design a robot out of recycled metal, household objects, and craft supplies.

YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS: Study Hall

When: Thursdays, May 2, 9, 16, and 23, 4-6 p.m. in the Computer Lab

What: Teens will have a designated study area free of distractions, with access to computers, research materials, and information specialists.

Teen Game Night

When: Monday, May 13, 4-6 p.m. in the Conference Room

What: Teens are invited to try out some new games or just get together with others to play some familiar games!

Young Adult Advisory Council

When: Wednesday, May 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room

What: For teens entering grades 9-12 who are interested in an exciting new leadership opportunity and volunteer-service hours. Members will have a chance to share ideas about library programs, to help at events, to give suggestions for teen services, books, and movies, and to meet new people.

Teen Craft Club

When: Monday, May 20, 4-6 p.m. in the, Conference Room

What: Teens will have an opportunity to learn a new DIY craft, or they can bring their own materials and simply hang out and work on their current craft project. Registration is required..

Fulshear Young Adult Book Club

When: Wednesday, May 29,, 4:30 p.m. in the Conference Room.

What: Readers will talk about Shadow and Bone, by Leigh Bardugo. This title is available in print and digitally as an ebook on OverDrive/Libby; call the library to check availability of additional print copies. The book club meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month.

ADULT PROGRAMS:

Watercolor Wonders

Tuesday, May 7, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Conference Room. In this monthly class, artists of all skill levels will learn more about watercolor painting through a wide variety of subject matter, including landscape painting, still life, animals, and abstraction. Each month will feature a different subject. The design for this month is “May Flowers.” Materials will be supplied. Registration required.

Day Readers Book Club

Tuesday, May 14, 11 am, Conference Room

The book to be discussed is The Overstory, written by Richard Powersn. This book is available in print, audio on CD, and digitally as

an ebook and e-audiobook on OverDrive/Libby and as an ebook on Hoopla Digital; call the library to check availability of additional print copies. This book club meets on the second Tuesday of every month.

Night Readers Book Club

Monday, May 20*, 6:30 pm, Conference Room.

The book to be discussed is The Reading List, a novel written by Sara Nisha Adams. This title is available in print, audio on CD, and digitally as an ebook and e-audiobook on OverDrive/Libby; call the library to check availability of additional print copies. This book club meets on the last Monday of every month. *Because of the Memorial Day holiday, this activity will take place a week earlier.

Writer’s Workshop

Thursday, May 16, 2-3 p.m., Conference Room

In this new monthly series, learn the basics of creative writing. Get tips on story structure, characterization, setting, tone, and more. The topic for April is “Characterization.”

Night Readers Book Club – Monday, April 29, 6:30 pm, Conference Room. The book to be discussed is Mad Honey, a novel written by Jodi Picoult. This title is available in print, audio on CD, and digitally as an ebook and e-audiobook on OverDrive/Libby; call the library to check availability of additional print copies. This book club meets on the last Monday of every month.

Nifty Needlers

Tuesday, May 21, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Conference Room

Needlework enthusiasts are invited to help launch this new monthly club for needlecrafters. People of all experience levels who enjoy any type of crocheting, knitting, or sewing are invited to attend to get other needlecrafters’ perspectives, critiques, and suggestions. Those attending should bring their own yarn, strings, and needles to start or finish a project, while chatting, networking, and enjoying the company of fellow needlecrafters. The group meets on the 3rd Tuesday of every month.

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