Conroe, TX February 2023

Why We Love the MoCo Fair and Rodeo LI F E + C U LTU R E

M AKIN G LOV E L A ST E V E N T P L A N N I N G + S E RV I C E S

RO M ANTI C GETAWAYS

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227 Rose Gum

This highly-upgraded, single-story Chesmar gem awaits you in The Woodlands Hills. $30 in builder upgrades and $43k in seller upgrades!! Modern floor plan is flexible, liveable and spacious. The kitchen is open to the dining/living area and features granite countertops, stainless appliances and under-cabinet lighting. Primary bedroom is large and features a spacious bath with dual closets. A guest suite features a private living space, bedroom and en-suite bath with top-of-the-line Kohler walk-inJacuzzi tub. Seller has added solar-powered dual battery backups, leaf-guard gutters, and a beautiful Travertine rear patio.

(713) 252-3188 | LisaGregoryRealty.com

Neal Hogg

Realtor (936) 537-0860

Lisa Gregory Associate Broker (713) 252-3188

LIFESTYLE LETTER

Labors of Love

February 2023 PUBLISHER

Alison Kartevold | Alison.Kartevold@citylifestyle.com EDITOR

Margie Taylor | margie.taylor@citylifestyle.com

Ah, February, winter’s bite is easing, and with it comes the anticipation of what the renewed warmth will bring. Could it be love? There are so many stories of love about where we live we’ve filled an entire issue with them.

From the fresh faces of the newly married that grace our cover to the beauty of a simple kiss representing almost 70 years of life together, our pages are filled with love stories. These are all the more special to me because they involve my family.

We’ll tell you why we love the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo and why you should as well. In addition to the rides, animals, and live performances, its scholarship program for kids is the engine that fuels the best value in family entertainment around the entire county.

If you want to get away but don’t have time to venture far, we will show you three business people’s passion projects that provide escapes for an hour, an evening, or overnight. Schedule a tea party at a local flower-growing operation, try some award-winning vintages and live music at Bernhart's Winey, or sneak away for a bit of romance at the Historic Hill House and Farm’s one-of-a-kind accommodations. The creations of their local chef are bound to delight your taste buds, and the ambiance will rejuvenate you.

Or perhaps you need to heal your heart by helping others. We’ll show you how to get involved with the American Heart Association's multiple events around the Greater Conroe area including the glamorous Heart Ball taking place on the 25th. You shouldn’t miss it.

Our hard-working and seemingly tireless editor, Margie Taylor, also shows you what 185 years of public service looks like with a special peek at the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Museum. Just like this magazine, the Sheriff told her it’s “a labor of love.”

May the month bring you closer to the ones you love and allow you to remember those who can’t be with you.

CONTR IBUTING WR ITER S

Laura Green, Morgan Freman, Alison Kartevold, Margie Taylor, Mike Kelton CONTR IBUTING PHOTOGR APHER S

Plum Tree Studios, Presley Daniel, Montgomery County Fair Association

Corporate Team CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA Mindy Hargesheimer ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe LAYOUT DESIGNER Andi Foster

Best regards, ALISON K ARTE VOLD, PUBLISHER @CONROECITYLIFESTYLE

Learn how to start your own publication at: citylifestyle.com//franchise

Scan QR code to visit our Instagram CIT YLIFEST YLE.COM/CONROE |

Proverbs 3:5-6 Conroe City Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Conroe area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Conroe City Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but

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L I F E ST Y LE LE T T E R

the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Home Improvement Ideas and Inspiration!

Over 100 Local Contractors Offering Virtually Every Product/Service for Your Home!

Ultimate Pantry Makeover, Register to Win! Valued at $2000 by Cure the Chaos (using The Container Store products)

See COLOR Landscape Lighting in the Glow Scapes Feature Exhibit by Lone Star Lighting & Audio Gardening Q&A Session with GardenLine Host, Randy Lemmon, AM 740 KTRH, and (new) book-signing Home Improvement Tips from Tom Tynan— Host of HomeShow Radio on Sports Radio 610 KILT Decorating and Organizing Tips: Diane Cowen—Houston Chronicle Architecture & Design Writer Reagan Phillips—Professional Organizer

5th Annual

March 4 & 5 Feature Landscape by Outdoor Perfection Buy TREES Wholesale from B&A Tree Farm Outdoor Living Exhibit by Sergio’s Landscaping

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Get Crafty! Create your Own Home Decor DIY Item—FREE to Attendees!

Special Exhibit: Conroe’s ownand Makeup Junkie Bags—Buy Follow us on Facebook Instagram for up-to-date news!at the Show Facebook.com/LakeHoustonHomeShow

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Early Bird Tickets—Save $2 Buy Tickets Online NOW! Free Parking Sponsors:

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

inside the issue The Local Love Issue

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F E ATU R E D

D E PA RTM E NTS

16 Three Destinations with Love Stories all their Own

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Lifestyle Letter

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City Scene

10

Business Monthly

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Local Experiences

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Artist’s Palette

EV ENT PLA NNI NG + SE RV IC E S

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Travel Journal

ENT ERTA I NMENT

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Local Limelight

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Financial Buzz

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Fashion Forward

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Events

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Locals Only

Historic Hill House, Life in Rose, and Bernhardt Winery

20 Why We Love the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo The community comes together to support the youth with scholarships!

32 All Heart

February brings more opportunities to Serve, Donate, and Participate in Heart Month

O N T H E C OV E R

Photography: Trish of Plum Tree Studios plumtreestudios.com In true Conroe fashion, Colby Plante and Veronica Kendall elevate their love to new heights aboard a Ferris wheel at their wedding celebration.

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LI FE + C U LT U R E FO O D + B EV ER AG E ST YLE + B EAU TY

LO CA L S ERV I C ES

*photo credit: Partners In Building

Susan Scott Watts

k to wor e c n e xperi

u! for yo

er e Put h

each office independently owned

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city scene

Where neighbors can see and be seen.

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CITY OF CONROE

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ALISTONE PRODUCTIONS

2 MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOOD BANK

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY FOOD BANK

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ALISTONE PRODUCTIONS

TAYLORIZED PR

HOUSTON TEXANS

1: Stephen Popp of John Cooper School and Elin Hildebrand, at the Signatures Authors Series event. 2: Signatures Author Series event featuring New York Times author Elin Hildebrand, of The Hotel Nantucket. 3: Jim McIingvale was the Master of Ceremonies in the Toby Powell Conroe Christmas Celebration. 4: Montgomery County Food Bank opened the new Travis Intermediate, Conroe ISD Food Pantry.

5: Wreaths Across America place wreaths on headstones so no service member is forgotten. Oakwood Cemetary 6: The Montgomery County Food Bank with FOX 26 Houston Stock the Sleigh in December. 7: The Texans/Ashley Furniture partnered together and 11 year old Colton, Conroe, was the Kickoff Kid.

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C I T Y SC E N E

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Tag your Instagram photos with @ConroeCityLifestyle

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9 FAMILY PROMISE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

14 STAGE RIGHT OF TEXAS

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COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CENTER

8: Spring Creek Area Blue Star Mothers sent 246 carepackages out to our deployed military. 9: Area Scouts assisted with Wreaths Across America on the military headstones at Oakwood Cemetary 10: Vocalist Nancy Curtis joined the Conroe Symphony Orchestra for the Happiest Season of All concert. 11: Stage Right of Texas hosted “Spamalot” the Monty Python satire at the Crighton Theatre. 12: “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” was the December performance by The Players Theatre Company. 13: Family Promise received funds from the George and Emily Faith Fund to assist homeless families. 14: Entergy partnered with Howard Hughes Corp. to pay off electricity bills for 11 CAC clients.

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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business monthly

COME JOIN THE FUN

MARCH 23-APRIL 2, 2023

Family Fun Carnival

Livestock & Non-livestock contests BBQ

Rodeo

Live Music

Live Auctions

A round-up of exciting news from local businesses.

and More

RODEO

MARCH 24 & 25

carnival

MARCH 23 & april 2

bbq

MARCH 31 & april 1 Buy Concert Tickets Here

FRIDAY 24, 9:30PM

Conroe Connection Transit to run through Downtown Conroe The Downtown Conroe Connection Shuttle is now offering a free ride around the Historic Downtown area Fridays & Saturdays from 6 PM – 12:30 AM. The shuttle runs every 10 minutes.

Corner Stops: • San Jacinto/Simonto • Honor Cafe/N. Thompson • Owen Theatre/N. Thompson • Metcalf/N. Main • Simonton/N. Thompson • N. Thompson/W. Phillips Info: (844) 299-6242 Photography: City of Conroe

SATURDAY 25, 9:30PM

Purchase Tickets & Learn More at MCFA.ORG

Pa m MARKETING

UNITUS MEDICARE

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Mezze #1 Opens in Grand Central Park A new Mediterranean restaurant, Mezze #1 opened at 1205 Grand Central Parkway in Conroe with an enticing menu of Greek and MiddleEastern small dishes. The family-owned restaurant serves Middle Eastern cuisine, including grilled chicken shawarma, lamb and beef kafta, fire-roasted pepper hummus, and falafel. To pair with the dishes, founder Riad El Khaliabi's bar features cultural spirits, such as arak, a distilled spirit with a high alcohol content made from aniseed and grapes. mezze1.com Photography: Mezze #1

Voodoo Gille brings some Cajun Creole to Conroe Voodoo Grille is now open at 1205 Grand Central Parkway, Suite 900.

The locally owned restaurant offers Cajun/Creole-inspired menu items and what owner Scott and Aubrey Elias describe as a “concise wine list.”

Photography: VooDoo Grille CONTINUED >

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B U S I N E S S M O N T H LY C O N T I N U E D

CLASSIC FLOORS IS NOW MORE.

VeraBank opens first location in Conroe

Family-owned and operated since 2002

Let us help you with your interior cabinets and countertops as well.

VeraBank, Conroe is now open at 200 River Pointe Drive, Ste. 100. VeraBank is a privately owned community bank, the first in Montgomery County and the third of their banks in Southeast Texas.

VeraBank services include interactive ATMs, mobile and online banking, notary services, mortgage bankers, fraud claims and change orders.

Call for an appointment. ( 8 3 2 ) 2 5 0 -27 3 6 | classicf loorst x.com

Ice Cream lovers rejoicing with Cold Stone Creamery!

Cold Stone Creamery is coming soon to 336 Marketplace, located at 449 S. Loop 336 W, Suite 700, in Conroe.

Explore Signature Creations like The Whole Snickerdoodle Caboodle, Birthday Cake Remix, and Cookie Monster, or create your own. Order themed ice cream cakes, cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches and pies, smoothies, shakes, and sorbet.

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B USIN E SS M ON T H LY

Work’s A Breeze at Beach Walk New Boutique comes to Downtown Conroe Mod Boutique is now open, nestled between 202 Main and Main Street Merchants, at 206 N. Main in Conroe. Get your shopping on with sass and a trendy vibe. Discover unique gifts, accent pieces for the home, and fun fashion statement pieces you will fall in love with. The stylists at Mod Boutique can help you bring Mod into your home and closet.

Dream Big, Shop Small!

Photography: Mod Boutique

COMING SOON – Q1 2023 Instant, Fully Furnished Office & Meeting Space Modern Lake Conroe Office Experience No Lease Terms Ever - Leave Anytime With 60 Days Notice CONTACT OUR TEAM FOR

PRELEASE & TOUR INFO

Want to be featured?

Get in touch by heading over to our landing page to connect: CityLifestyle.com/Conroe

(936) 890-5482 BEACHWALKOFFICE.COM 96 BEACH WALK BLVD. CONROE, TX 77304 FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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local experiences The best places and things to do in our area.

From restaurants, shops, and artists, we support and love Conroe's creative visionary people that contribute to the success of The Fastest Growing City in the Country. Enjoy a few of the local establishments chosen by Kaylin Booker of "Meanwhile in Montgomery County." We are sure you will want to visit the art gallery, restaurants, and shops to contribute to local entrepreneurs and enhance the growth of our city.

Our Picks to Show Your Local Love 20 2 MAIN: 202 Main offers a family-friendly menu and atmosphere with

indoor and outdoor seating. Their evening event schedule is packed with live music and entertainment. 202 N. Main St. , Conroe, Texas 77301 CONR OE AR T LEAGUE: Each month the walls of the Conroe Art League are draped with a new exhibit from local artists. The quality of the art will amaze you! 127 Simonton Street Conroe, Texas 77301 THE BLENDED BISTR O AND COFFEE BAR : The Blended Bistro food truck in the Downtown Conroe area offers Venezuelan cuisine with arepas, empanadas, cachapas, and tequenos along with coffee and breakfast items. 539 N. Frazier, Conroe, Texas 77301 ALMOST AUGUST: Visit Conroe’s local bath and body store with hand-poured candles, soaps, lotions, linen sprays, and sugar scrubs. All vegan made without harsh chemical preservatives. 227 N. Main, Conroe, Texas 77301 SIP SHOP AND STR OLL: Downtown Conroe hosts Sip, Shop and Stroll every fourth Thursday 5-8 pm. Shops stay open late, vendors set up, and music plays in the streets. 302 N. Main, Conroe, Texas 77301

Sip Shop and Stroll

Scan for more photos and the full list.

MEET THIS MONTH’S CURATOR

Kaylin Booker | @meanwhileinmontgomerycounty Kaylin Booker is the mother of four wonderful homeschooled children in Willis, TX. She’s been running around the world with her kids and camera since 2010. Once they settled down in Montgomery County, she decided to finally put her college education in Mass Communications to work. Meanwhile in Montgomery County was born from a love of small, local, hometown businesses and events. An entrepreneur herself, Kaylin understands the obstacles small businesses face and this blog is her way of giving the little guys a leg up in a community she loves.

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LOCA L E X P E R IE N C E S

DR. GUY BURROWS M. D. is a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in peripheral nerve disorders and neuromuscular diseases. In 2006, Dr. Burrows established a neuromuscular and peripheral nerve disorder medical practice in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, California, with hospital affiliations at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

For five years prior to opening the Burrows Muscle and Nerve Center, Dr. Burrows M.D. provided neuromuscular and peripheral nerve disorders care and served as the Director of Infusions at Mischer Neuroscience AssociatesThe Woodlands.

WE TREAT THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS AND MORE

OFFERING THE FOLLOWING CLINICAL SERVICES:

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

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EMG Studies/Nerve Conduction Studies

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Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)

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Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorder Evaluations

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Guillain-Barre syndrome Inflammatory myopathies

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Muscle, Nerve and Skin Biopsies

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Mitochondria disorders

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IVIG and Biologic Infusion Services

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Multi-focal motor neuropathy (MMN)

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Botox Injections for spasms

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Muscle disease disorders

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Muscular dystrophy (MD)

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Myasthenia gravis (MG)

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Myopathy/inflammatory myopathy

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Myositis immune-related polyneuropathy

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Peripheral neuropathy

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Polymyositis

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Unexplained numbness and tingling

For a full spectrum of services and diagnoses, visit our website www.BurrowsMuscleAndNerve.com

281.404.3666 • 9191 Pinecroft Drive, Suite 200, Shenandoah, TX 77380 Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am–5:00pm • www.burrowsmuscleandnerve.com

Proudly Serving Our Community With over 25 branches conveniently located in Montgomery County, we are your neighborhood bank.

To learn more, stop by a Woodforest Branch or contact us at 1-877-968-7962. www.woodforest.com Member FDIC

Equal Housing Lender • An Equal Opportunity Employer FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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Passion Projects You

Can Enjoy

Just Outside Conroe, Three Destinations With Love Stories All Their Own ARTICLE BY LAURA GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY PRESLEY DANIEL Historic Hill House

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | EV E NT PLANNI NG + S E RVI CE S

Life in Rose Farm

Historic Hill House

A SENSE OF STORY When Michael Bradbury first laid eyes on 80 acres for sale in the Sam Houston National Forest, he was looking for a place in the country, not a hotel project. But the rundown 1885 farmhouse that stood on the property seemed to speak to him. “I instantly knew we were going to do a boutique hotel,” he says.

A resident of Creekside Park along with his wife and three children, Michael owns another business in The Woodlands, and he says the serial entrepreneur in him took over.

He envisioned the kind of hotel property he and his wife gravitated toward—a boutique lodging where guests get to know the staff, a place of quiet luxury with great food and the tranquil countryside as a backdrop.

When The Historic Hill House and Farm opened to guests in 2018, accommodations consisted of seven rooms. Since then, the number has expanded to 16. Whether it’s a couple’s getaway, a wedding, or a corporate retreat, Michael believes people are looking for a sense of story, a connection with the past, so every new structure is intended to add texture and nuance.

The original farmhouse has a quaint B&B feel, homey and authentic down to the squeak in the screen door, says Michael.

Bernhardt Winery serves up award winning vintages to guests.

Other rooms include airy cottages with a more modern décor and a handsome lodge constructed using an early-1900s barn.

An interesting recent addition is the hotel’s yurt -- a roomy, luxury tent that has a/c and heat, a full bathroom, and a fun, cozy décor. He says it’s been a hit with adventurous guests. “You don’t know what to expect, but somehow, you know you’re going to love it.”

Under the helm of Texas-born-and-raised Chef Chase Reid, the seasonal dinner menus offer elevated Southern and hyper-local cuisine. The hotel also offers a full breakfast and lunch service to hotel guests only.

Hill House is popping up on the radar of a wider audience since appearing in an episode of “The Bachelor” last year. “When we started out, our reservations were coming from Houston-The Woodlands, ” says Michael, but now guests are coming from across Texas, and a company recently booked the entire hotel out of New York. A three-year plan for the hotel envisages more on-site amenities, including a full-service spa.

Michael considers the hotel to be his fourth child. “I’m not objective,” he laughs. “I love this property -- the attention to detail, the character of the buildings, and the passion of our staff.”

THINGS OF BEAUTY Theresa Pham has always been captivated

by Old World roses. “The very first rose that did it for me, that propelled me and created the passion that has driven us, was the Earth Angel, a cabbage-y rose with an 85-95 petal-count, a light pink center with cream outer petals, and an apple-citrus-pear fragrance with a hint of champagne,” she says.

Her husband, Shaw Nguyen, even started growing some of her favorites in the backyard of their Houston home. It was 2009, and each of them was working a corporate job. “Our careers gave us stability and financial freedom, but they didn’t give us the meaningfulness we were looking for,” she says.

The couple began buying and renovating houses -- move in, remodel, then sell and move to the next house. In the spring of 2020, as the pandemic unfolded, Shaw was ready to make one last move—out of the city and into the countryside of Montgomery County.

“No way!” Theresa remembers saying.

“There’ll be lots of bugs, and it’ll be dirty!”

But the idea came to them that they could grow roses commercially. Theresa did the research, and by September, they were moving into a home on 15 acres in Magnolia and planting their first 300 European roses.

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Shaw and Theresa walked away from corporate careers to devote themselves to Life in Rose Farm.

Bernhardt Winery

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A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | EV E NT PLANNI NG + S E RVI CE S

“I love this property -- the attention to detail, the character of the buildings, and the passion of our staff.”

-MICHAEL BRADBURY “Surprisingly, there isn’t a single cut rose farm in the South dedicated to European roses [widely known as garden roses],” says Theresa, and COVID was only making it harder for florists to source them. Before the roses were even ready, their Life in Rose Farm was fielding orders from across Texas. By winter, florists in North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and New York were calling. Soon people were asking to buy rose plants to grow at home. So she and Shaw started growing plants to sell bare root, which makes for easier shipping. Now bare root sales have surpassed those of cut flowers.

A steady trickle of visitors often appears at the entrance gate on pleasant mornings — some are there to pick up bouquet purchases, others to soak in the ambiance. Shaw conducts informal tours while Theresa prepares for holiday tea service in The Glasshouse (the farm’s greenhouse} or a flower arranging class in the cottage. Photographers and wedding planners have started to take notice, and this past summer the couple began renting out the greenhouse for events.

Life in Rose will continue to evolve, says Theresa. “What we do is extraordinarily hard, but it’s meaningful. We believe it’s going to be a beautiful thing.”

PEACE, LOVE, AND WINE Jerry Bernhardt did a little bit of everything before starting Bernhardt Winery. He realized soon after graduating from Texas A&M that he was not meant for a desk job. (“I did not have enough Velcro on my rear.”)

He worked for a while as a builder, earned a Masters in vocational education, and then took a job teaching design and graphic arts at McCullough High School in The Woodlands.

It was 1976, and wine consumption in the U.S. was just taking off. Jerry says his conception of wine back then was one of swirling glasses and sipping with “pinkies lifted.” He knew

nothing about winemaking or the industry. But he wanted to.

So he set a goal to learn all there was to know about wine before he turned 50. “And that’s how the whole thing got started.” Soon he was making wine at home and knocking on winery doors across the Texas Hill Country until he found a winemaker in Stonewall who was willing to apprentice him. (There were all of about three dozen wineries in the entire state at the time.)

Jerry planned to build his winery along the burgeoning highway 290 wine corridor near Fredericksburg. But driving past Lake Conroe one day, he had a paradigm shift: Why not create that same experience close to home?

He and his wife found 20 acres near Plantersville in Grimes County, and Bernhardt Winery was born in 2005, a gracious, Mediterranean-style villa set amongst centuries-old pecan trees which frame the views of the gently rolling terrain – as Jerry describes it, a sanctuary, a “Houston Hill Country winery.”

Over the years, Bernhardt Winery has produced a repertoire of small-batch wines with a loyal following that’s grown along with the accolades -- most recently, the 2023 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show for its 2020 Antiquity Chardonnay Reserve, Danube Plain, part of Bernhardt’s Antiquity Series of wines made from indigenous grapes of southeastern Europe, harvested for millennia from the same fields which produced wines enjoyed by Alexander the Great and Aristotle.

Weekends at Bernhardt are filled with wine and music, including Sunday evening concerts, spring through fall, and the annual Chocolate, Strawberry & Wine festival in April. Working side by side with his nephew, winemaker Jonathan Schrock, Jerry is enjoying the fruits of the journey. “Wine is a relationship and an artistic endeavor. You have to love it to nurse it along.”

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WHY WE LOVE THE FAIR The community comes together to support the youth of Montgomery County with scholarships!

Concert Headliner

Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association

Bull Riding

ARTICLE BY MORGAN TYLER FREEMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION

“It’s so much more than just cows,” says Jenny Riley.

And she would know. Riley has been treading the grounds of the Montgomery County Fair for almost as long as she has been able to walk. Before becoming the agriculture teacher at Bear Branch Junior High and serving on multiple fair committees (Fair Queen, Breeding Beef, and Replacement Heifer), she got her start as a kid working long hours in the barn for the chance to win Fair Scholarships for college. Her experience at the fair formed the foundation for her career, passing on knowledge and love of agriculture to the next generation.

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | EN TERTAI NME NT

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“By bridging gaps of culture, age, and other obstacles that might keep a community separated in their own spheres of interest, the fair brings the county together ...”

The Montgomery County Fair’s primary mission is to support youth and education in Montgomery County. Powered by the heart of over a thousand yearly volunteers and a small, dedicated staff, it is easy to see why so many in the community give their time to see dreams connected to the fair realized. In 2022, the organization invested over $1.5 million back into the community’s youth, $150,000 of which was in scholarships. Jenny Riley credits the scholarships she won over her ten years of participating in fair competitions for her being able to graduate from Texas A&M University debt free.

Brian Hayes, the fair’s executive director, likes to say they are in the “smile business,” and the organization is determined to spread those smiles to as many members of the community as possible. Because of growing urbanization in the county, the fair has made a point to include non-agricultural events for kids who might not have a place to raise livestock. For example, the Ag Robotics competition engages students with an interest in STEM fields, and non-livestock divisions allow students with artistic talents a chance to compete.

Students gain more than access to college funds from participating in the fair. When Jenny Riley talks about why she loves the MCFA, her passion shines brightest when she speaks of the work ethic, confidence, and life skills gained from her participation.

Students participating in the livestock events do more than feed their animals. The required interviewing, recordkeeping, and knowledge assessments prepare students for college, the workforce, and beyond.

The fair’s official mission may be to support the county’s youth, but unofficially the mission is to have

a good time. There is entertainment for all, whether you are young, old, urbanite, suburbanite, or cowboy.

Love food? The second weekend of the fair hosts the Bud Light BBQ Cook-Off. Join a team or spend the weekend wandering between the festive booths taking in the sites and delectable smells. Thrill seeker?

Check out the carnival rides and midway attractions, or risk your diet for some fair snacks. Both Jenny Riley and Brian Hayes recommend trying the funnel cake.

Music lover? Every year the fair brings in great country music artists and also features Latin music on the fair’s “El Dia de la Familia Hispana” [Hispanic Family Day]. Brian Hayes says Hispanic Family Day is “…the most fun day on the fairgrounds.”

If you are looking for excitement, the CPRA Rodeo takes place on March 24-25th. While bull riding and barrel racing are rodeo staples, a must-see is the mutton bustin’ event. For the uninitiated, the event consists of placing a small child (outfitted in mini bull rider duds) on the back of a sheep and seeing how long the child can hang on as the sheep bolts across the arena floor. Be prepared for pure delight if it is your first time witnessing the event.

Perhaps more unknown than the rodeo and cookoff are the special fair days also held every year. Sunshine Day is an opportunity for those in the community with special needs to show off their skills in baked goods, arts, horticulture, and more.

Senior Day is for those 65 and older offering seniors a chance to show items they’ve crafted, compete for the title of “King and Queen for the day,” and participate in fun activities. On Kids’ Day, the fair becomes a playground for local school children to have fun and learn about agriculture.

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Kids Petting Zoo

Junior Livestock Auction Fair Queen Pageant

Showing Livestock

Kids Carnival

Heifer Auction

Ag Robotics

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MCFA Carnival and Midway

Cowboys Professional Rodeo Association

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T R AV E L J OU R N A L | EN TERTAI NME NT

In a time when faith in cultural institutions is being lost, the Montgomery County Fair stands at the center of its community and brings in more people every year. Over 75,000 people attended the 2022 fair, and Brian Hayes hopes to see that number double in the next ten years. By bridging gaps of culture, age, and other obstacles that might keep a community separated in their spheres of interest, the fair brings the county together for fun, learning, and investment in the future—a future not unlike the one seen in Jenny Riley.

It is easy to figure out why the Montgomery County Fair inspires so much love from its community. As Brian Hayes says, “All you have to do is walk outside and see it.”

This year’s fair starts March 23 and runs through April 2. Admission is free Monday through Thursday. For more information on attending the fair or volunteering, visit the MCFA website: https://mcfa.org/.

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(936) 494-0 275 | expres s ivet ileands t one.c om 1506 FM 2854 Road Conroe, Texas 77304 FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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MAKING LOVE LAST ARTICLE BY ALISON KARTEVOLD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JODI LESNIAKOWSKI

ADVICE TO SEE YOUR MARRIAGE THROUGH THE DECADES

Don and Grace Kartevold’s love has spanned seven decades. Leading by example, they’ve inspired five kids, seven grandkids, 17 great-grandchildren, and countless friends throughout their 69-year marriage. On average, people aren’t getting married as young as they did, but making our relationships last is a goal for which we can all aim.

As a youngster, I asked my mom how they had four kids by the time she was 19, then had my dad go to college, get his master’s, and finally have me. “Ah, we were young and dumb and didn’t know any better,” she replied, “We were in love and just did it.”

The three most common reasons given when couples split are incompatibility, infidelity, and money issues. So avoiding these or at least learning how to manage them is essential in order to stay married.

“I always love him, but I’m not always ‘in love’ with him,” my sister Karol Kiefer told me shortly before my wedding 32 years ago. Jokingly, she continued, “There are days I don’t even like him. But that’s ok!

You can’t get anything done when you’re ‘in love’ anyways.”

Her 43-year-old marriage is still going strong, but it has nothing on Don and Grace’s love affair. They have rarely been separated for even a night. When they are, they chat on the phone endlessly like a couple of high school kids, and you can hear them fall in love all over again.

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LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | L IFE + CULTURE

After all, falling head over heels ‘in love’ is exciting. But to make love last, studies show remaining friends and being tolerant is even more critical as the years pass.

Meaning there will be days you’ll have to bend to win in the long run.

Then there is the issue of money. While it can be difficult to overcome one party being frugal and the other extravagant, think again if you believe ending your relationship is the answer. As it turns out, heading to court is expensive.

Yet staying married to keep your wealth or improve your children’s standing in life isn’t the answer to long-term happiness, either. Your kids grow up and are supposed to leave you. That’s why it is important to remember what first brought you and your spouse together and then nurture it.

Ask couples who have been married more than 30 years, and they’ll tell you a variety of things they’ve done that proved key to their relationship longevity. Communication and kindness are recurring themes, from learning how to fight fairly and never stop flirting to making sure you both are a team and talking even when you don’t feel like it. And let’s not forget the importance of stopping to appreciate each other.

As my husband, Dale, always tells our daughters, “Your spouse is your biggest single source of happiness, so choose wisely.”

Once married, you still might need to follow up with Grace’s advice, though. When asked how she and Don have stayed married through the good and bad times that materialized over almost seven decades, Grace said they couldn’t have done it alone, “It takes a lot of patience and prayers. Lots of prayers!”

Don and Grace Kartevold celebrate their granddaughter's wedding 69 years after their own.

Don and Grace's Wedding Photo from 1953

THE BEST TIME TO DECIDE IF YOU CAN SPEND A LIFETIME WITH SOMEONE IS BEFORE YOU GET TO THE ALTAR. AS MY HUSBAND, DALE, ALWAYS TELLS OUR DAUGHTERS, “YOUR SPOUSE IS YOUR BIGGEST SINGLE SOURCE OF HAPPINESS, SO CHOOSE WISELY.”

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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Houston’s Rodeo Uncorked!

In Search of the 20th Annual International Wine Competition Winners ARTICLE BY MIKE KELTON | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO

It’s Go Texan month, so soon, we will see trail riders pass through Conroe on their journey to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Yes, everything is bigger in Texas as this is the world’s largest rodeo and livestock show, with over two million visitors and raising tens of millions of dollars for scholarships, junior show exhibitors, educational program grants, and graduate assistantships.

The show is a huge deal, but did you know HLSR also hosts an extensive international wine competition?

Early in my career as a wine sales rep, I loved rodeo season because I always sold a ton of extra wine along the rural trail routes. “What do a bunch of cowboys and girls know about wine?” you ask.

Well, they know quite a lot. The wine judging panel is made up of sommeliers and wine professionals with centuries of combined wine experience, and they take this judging very seriously. This year they tasted over 3,000 wines from 18 countries, including over 500 entries from Texas.

What’s nice about this judging is that it’s not just about the money. There are a ton of great wine values on their final medal and awards list. The challenge is finding these wines. The judging took place last November, so retailers and restaurateurs have been buying them up for months.

My mission was to find some of these wines at our local retailers in the Conroe area, and I did have a little luck. Some of my notables are listed below, but one thing I love to see about this competition is the amount of Texas wines that get tasted and awarded.

Becker Vineyards of Fredericksburg won Top AllAround Winery and Top Texas Wine with Barbera.

Messina H of Winery of Bryan won Top Texas Winery.

I was especially excited to see that Antiquity Chardonnay from little ole Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville won Reserve Grand Champion Best of Show. That’s the 2nd best wine of all those tasted.

Unfortunately, this is one that is very hard to find. I found shelf tags for it but no bottles.

Here are a few things I like that I was also able to find at our area HEBs. Catena Zapata Malbec is my favorite producer out of Argentina.

Pinot Gris from A to Z Wineworks is out of Oregon.

It’s the same grape as Pinot Grigio. The cooler Oregon climate makes it very elegant in style.

Becker Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. Becker does Cabernet well, and this is a nice wine.

L E A R N M O R E : Mike Kelton is a 32-year wine veteran working in both the

distributor & importer/supplier sectors of the wine industry. He resides in Conroe and owns several restaurants in Montgomery County, including Hunger Crush Café, Treehouse Café, and Sweet Paris Creperie & Cafe.

M I K E K E LTO N O W N E R O F H U N G E R C R U S H C A F E A N D W I N E E X P E R T

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F IN A N CIA L BU Z Z | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

Josh Prosecco is a very nice alternative to all the mass-produced Proseccos out there. Yes, Josh Cellars is out of California, but they source their Prosecco from the Prosecco region in Veneto, Italy.

Risata Moscato d’Asti, rated as the Top Value Wine, is an elegantly sweet frizzante (lightly sparkling) wine.

I wish I could list all my favs, but below are the links to the event overview and winner’s list for you to explore yourself.

If you are willing to venture downtown, award-winning wines from the competition will be paired with gourmet dishes at the 2023 Rodeo Uncorked! Roundup & Best Bites Competition, Feb. 19, and will be sold at the 2023 Champion Wine Auction & Dinner, Feb. 26. A selection of the Class Champion, Reserve Class

Champions, and medal-winning wines will also be available for purchase in the Rodeo Uncorked! Champion Wine Garden, presented by Frost Bank, during the 2023 Rodeo, scheduled for Feb. 28 – March 19.

For more information on Rodeo Uncorked! events, visit rodeohouston.com/wine h t t p s : // w w w. r o d e o h o u s t o n . c o m / N e w s / A r t i c l e/A r t M I D/49 4/A r t i c l eI D/3 0 8 6/ Rodeo-Toasts-Winners-of-2023-Wine-Competition h t t p s : // w w w . r o d e o h o u s t o n . c o m / P o r t a l s / 0 / Content/ VisitShow/PreShowEvents/ Wine/2023IWCResultsbyAlpha.pdf

GRAND CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW Le Chemin du Roi Brut, Champagne AOC, NV

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BEST OF SHOW Bernhardt Winery Antiquity Chardonnay Reserve, Danube Plain, 2020

TOP TEXAS WINE Becker Vineyards Barbera, Tallent Vineyards, Texas Hill Country, 2019

Josh Prosecco

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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ELEVATE YOUR CLOSET 5 WAYS TO O R G A N I Z E A N D

Every woman dreams of an organized and beautiful closet space, but it often comes last on the list of places that get their time and attention. Follow our five tips for transforming and elevating your closet as you Spring clean and declutter for a more peaceful, inspired space you absolutely love.

A sneak peek inside the closet of active mom and entrepreneur Keri Tarantino of Leawood, KS reveals a dressing room that rivals celebrity homes in Beverly Hills. But it didn’t come easily. Keri painstakingly planned, designed and curated the space with care.

When we first stepped inside, we gasped as our eyes beheld the glory. No detail went unnoticed in this dreamy dressing room. Here are some guiding principles that can be drawn from her exquisite taste and vision. How you organize your closet will of course differ based on the size of your space, the size of your wardrobe, and the kind of life you lead. But applying the guidelines Keri used in her space will result in a much more organized and aesthetically pleasing space.

USE R EAL ESTATE W ISELY Reserve the front and middle of the closet for clothes worn most often. For someone who gets dressed for work each morning at 6 a.m., work clothes should be at the front of the closet. Store lesser-worn items like formal wear and out-of-season clothes toward the back and on the upper shelves. The large mirror and counter with chair provides the perfect spot to select jewelry and finalize finishing outfit touches.

While every closet is different, the key here is everything has a home.

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FASH ION F OR WA R D | STYLE + BE AUTY

ARTICLE BY HALEY WILLIAMS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CASSANDRA CASTANEDA

INJECT ST YLE INTO YOUR SPACE

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ORGA NIZE BY K IND A ND COLOR

Group clothes by kind first and color second. This ensures quick location of that favorite shirt when it’s needed. Bonus - it’s easy on the eye. Group like with like: Gather belts, sweaters, long-sleeve shirts, work pants, dresses, button-down shirts, jeans, shorts, etc., and decide the best place to store each item as a group (e.g., hang pants in the closet, fold and stack sweaters in a bureau). Working with groupings will help you figure out how much space you need and the best way to store each type of item.

03 04 05 NEGATIVE SPACE

Using space efficiently is important, but keep in mind every good design includes some negative space. For instance, consider adding built-ins on the long wall of your closet but keep the short wall open with a mirror.

FACE CLOTHES THE SA ME DIR ECTION

It may seem silly, but when dealing with a small space, little things count. Hanging all clothes the same direction is a no-brainer for continuity in your closet.

UPGR ADED HA NGERS

The simplest and fastest way to make a BIG difference in your closet organization is to get matching hangers that go beyond the traditional plastic or wire hangers. And for sure ditch any with paper from the dry cleaner! Here’s a few of our favorite elevated hangers:

FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 3

events A curated selection of the most intriguing upcoming events in our area.

F E B R UA RY 4 T H

Montgomery County Fair Association Scholarship Chili Cook-Off

PAVILION - 9201 AIRPORT RD, C O NR O E , T X 7 7 30 3 The “meat” of the competition will be a from-scratch Chili Cook-Off, but the fun will continue with a cornhole tournament, prizes, and bragging rights! All proceeds go to the MCFA Scholarship Fund. Scholarships are awarded to Montgomery County youth looking to pursue further education after High School and through their participation in one or more of the Fair programs.

F EB RUA RY 1 1 T H

Fighting Hunger Feeding Hope Gala

T HE WOODLAN DS WATERWAY MA R R I OT T | 6 :0 0 P M Montgomery County Food Bank’s Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope Gala, "One Small Step" is presented by Woodforest National Bank, on Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel. The premier fundraising event’s proceeds will benefit Montgomery County Food Bank and the food insecure children, families and seniors it serves. mcfoodbank.org/gala F E B R UA RY 1 8T H

Music of the Silver Screen

WILLIS HIG H S CHOOL PER FOR MI NG A RTS C E NT E R , | 7 :30 P M Join the Conroe Symphony Orchestra with vocalist Nancy Curtis as they celebrate "The Happiest Season of All" in their 25th Season.

F E B R UA RY 1 8T H

Life on the Flip Side, Night of Promise Gala

MARGARITAVILLE LAKE RESORT- DEL LAGO BALLROOM, 600 MARGARITAVILLE PARKWAY | 6:30 PM "Life on the Flip Side", a Night of Promise Gala, is a fundraiser for Family Promise of Montgomery County.

Attire is formal + flip flops and tuxes + tennis shoes. Your support will provide housing, transportation, food, clothing, education, childcare and counseling to homeless families staying with Family Promise. A promise for a brighter tomorrow for each child. FamilyPromiseofMc.org F E B R UA RY 1 8T H

Go Texan Parade

DOW N TOWN CON R OE | 1:00 P M Celebrate the start of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ at this 58th Annual event! The parade, presented by the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ Houston Metro Go Texan Committee Conroe/Willis/The Woodlands Subcommittee and the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, takes place Saturday.

F EB R UA RY 2 5T H

2023 Montgomery County Heart Ball

T HE WOODLAN DS WATERWAY MA R R I OT T | 6 :30 P M The 2023 Montgomery County Heart Ball is presented by St. Luke’s Health, The Woodlands Hospital and chaired by Kathy Tautenhahn, in loving memory of her husband Scott. The American Heart Association has a mission to educate families on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and to find cures for heart disease and stroke. https://bit.ly/3FzjEOi MA RC H 4 T H

Miles for Meals 5K-10K Run for Homebound Seniors

B-52 BREWIN G COMPAN Y Run, jog, or walk at the Meals on Wheels Montgomery County 7th annual family-friendly Miles for Meals 5k beer run at B52 Brewery and help support our homebound seniors in the Montgomery County community!

Packet Pickup will be Thursday 3/2 from 11:00 am-5:00 pm and Friday 3/3 from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Race starts at 9:00 am March 4, 2023. mowmc.org/miles-for-meals-5k-10k

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EVE N TS

shop donate volunteer

Upscale Resale remarkable selection of ever-changing items 1111 League Line Rd., Conroe The Outlets at Conroe Exit 90 off I-45

Open Monday - Saturday 10 am - 5 pm

Benefiting New Danville, a community for adults with intellectual & physical disabilities

936 - 441- 4500

Furniture • Art • Accessories • Housewares • Books • Boutique • Linens • Children’s • Sports

Spring Thing - April 28, 2023 The Woodlands Resort New Danville’s premier fund-raising event is coming! www.Spring-Thing.org for more information.

Contact Dion McInnis, Development Director, at 936-253-5757 for sponsorship information.

New Danville is a nonprofit, rural community in Willis for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

936.344.6200 | www.newdanville.org 10951 Shepard Hill Rd Willis, TX 77318

GET INSPIRED E AT & D R I N K

YO U R D I G I TA L D E S T I N AT I O N FOR LOCAL LIVING

SHOP LOCAL FEBR UARY 2 0 2 3 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C O M / C O N R O E

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MCSO Celebrates 185th Birthday!

L A B O R O F LO V E T O C R E AT E S H E R I F F M U S E U M ARTICLE BY MARGIE TAYLOR | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TAYLORIZED PR The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office began celebrating 185 years of serving the community with a soft opening of their new Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Museum on December 14th.

In the museum, the public can view the rich history and progression of the department from a

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small rural county in 1837 to the 7th largest Sheriff’s Office in the State.

December 14th, 1837, the first Sheriff, Joshua Robbins, was selected to head the third county formed in Texas. Sheriff Rand Henderson, the 41st Sheriff, declared the museum “a labor of love.”

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