Conroe, TX March 2024

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Dream Big and Make Memories!

For most of us our homes are our most valuable possessions, both because of their monetary value and, more importantly, because of the memories we build there. We raise our families, rest, work, play, worship, and dream in our homes. We experience elation and heartache, too. So it is only natural that we spend a lot of time dreaming about how to fix up the ones we have to keep those memories safe or find a clean slate to begin making new ones.

My oldest daughter and son-in-law recently bought their first home near Willis and are already remodeling to make it their own. Watching them work tirelessly together, building sweat equity, struggling with contractors, and fussing with each detail until it is just right takes my husband and me back to the beginning of our own marriage. It also makes us thankful that we no longer have to put as much sweat into that equity.

They say buying or remodeling your home is one of the most stressful times in a marriage. It’s expensive and disruptive, and the decisions you must make seem endless. I mean, simply picking wall colors can cause voices to rise and doors to slam. We must be gluttons for punishment because the projects we’ve undertaken are many. In our 34-year marriage, we’ve owned nine homes. We have built them up from the dirt and gutted others to their studs. We’ve laughed and panicked, fought and made up, and in the end, our relationship grew stronger and our dreams bigger. We’ve built a ton of memories.

This Home Issue is all about helping you visualize your dreams and spurring you on to make them a reality. So flip through these pages and enjoy!

ALISON KARTEVOLD, PUBLISHER @CONROECITYLIFESTYLE

city scene

1: Community Assistance Center received funding for its Summer Stock program from Montgomery County Community Foundation.

2: Business Builders Network held its inaugural meeting in January at That Escape Place. 3: Outgoing Chairman of the Conroe Lake Conroe Chamber, Nick Davis, is honored by Scott Harper. 4: Montgomery County Fair Association recieved 20 awards from the 2024 Texas Association of Fair/Events Conference. 5: Our own Gold Star Mother, Margie Taylor, editor, honored with a saber salute/veil of swords. 6: CLCC staff celebrate a job well done at the Chairman’s Ball. 7: Rebecca Smith, Founder and CEO of Love Heals Youth, celebrates with her sons at Gala.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

ALISON KARTEVOLD

CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION

MIGHTY OAKS FOUNDATION LOVE HEALS YOUTH CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER

business monthly

Shea Homes breaks ground on the Arbor in Evergreen

Shea Homes, the developer of the Evergreen community, has broken ground on The Arbor, a $10 million amenity village. On 8.7 acres in the heart of the Conroe community, The Arbor will feature the Forest Shores resort-style pool, a recreation center, and an event lawn available for impromptu resident use and events. Gully’s Splash Pad and a playground at Tree House Park will be tucked under a canopy of trees.  evergreen-texas.com

Tailgators to Open in Conroe

Tailgators Pub & Grill’s newest location is set to open early in 2024 at 15295 Hwy 105 West in the shopping

Photography by Shea Homes

center with the new Denny’s restaurant across from Waterpoint Marina on Lake Conroe. Featuring 7000 sqft of space, the new Tailgators will include a full bar and restaurant along with a large patio overlooking Lake Conroe.  Tailgators' menu is famous for its spicy boiled crabfish, popular Cajun dishes, fried alligator, and sports bar.

Photography by Tailgators

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New Angel Reach Executive Director Appointed

Angel Reach has announced that Daniel Alexander will be joining the organization as Executive Director as of January 15, 2024, following the retirement of Jean Radach. Alexander was previously the Operations Leader for the SouthCentral division of Young Life, a nondenominational, faith-based nonprofit ministering to middle school, high school, and college students. Alexander lives in The Woodlands with his wife, Anna, and their three young children. AngelReach.org

Photography by Angel Reach

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Freshness, front and center.

There’s no chef like Mother Nature. No seasoning quite like the sea. That’s why, in dishes like our Gulf Snapper, we don’t complicate the flavors of our region’s bounty. Our main job is to source the finest ingredients, celebrate their origins, and put perfection on your plate.

Make a reservation at GOODECOMPANYFISHCAMP.COM and follow us @GOODECOFISHCAMP.

8865 SIX PINES DRIVE THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS

McAlister's Deli coming to Willis

McAlister's Deli, a franchise with 500 sandwich shops around the country, is bringing their shop to Willis at 123112, I-45, at the H-E-B Market Center.  McAlister's makes America's favorite sandwiches, soups, salads, spuds and more. Plan ahead for your next meal or order catering at  mcalistersdeli.com/menu .

Montgomery County Food Bank Raised Funds for 300,000 Meals

Holiday Helpings, the annual holiday food and funds drive, raised over 300,000 MEALS for children, seniors, and families in need across Montgomery County with Montgomery County Food Bank! Woodforest National

Photography by McAlister’s Deli

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Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber Celebrates 90 Year Anniversary

The beginning of 2024 began the celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce!  The three founding members who began with the Chamber in 1934 are Consolidated Communications (formerly LufkinConroe Telephone Exchange), Entergy Texas (formerly Gulf States Utilities), and The Courier newspaper. Founded in 1934 with a mission to make Conroe and Montgomery County a better place to live, work, and play, the Chamber has more than 1,000 members. Conroe.org

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Bank independently raised $100,000$149,000, providing up to 596,000 meals for our neighbors in need. Montgomery County Food Bank's Hunger Heroes play a major role in the fight to end hunger in Montgomery County. MCFB.org Want to

Photography by Montgomery County Food Bank

Photography by Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce

the CITY LIST

We have such amazing, innovative business leaders in our community who are proud to serve you, our residents, with class and quality. We’ve compiled some of our top company picks for the services that might be on your mind this month in an effort to make your lives a little easier.

Flooring Specialist

Classic Floors & More classicfloorstx.com | 832.250.2736

Hamm's Flooring hammsflooring.com | 936.756.5602

Excellence in Flooring and Remodeling eifar.co | 936.217.1072

Color Interiors colorinteriors.com | 936.442.2050

All Floors & More allfloorstore.com | 936.588.0032

Pool Builder

Mirror Lake

mirrorlakedesigns.com | 281.350.0515

Dominion Pool Group

dominionpoolgroup.com | 936.597.7946

Backyard Luxury Pools bpluxurypools.com | 936.588.8806

Want to suggest a monthly pick?

Backyard Oasis backyard-oasis.com/conroe | 281.205.0808

Richards Total Backyard Solutions richardstbs.com/locations/conroe-texas | 281.205.1100

Roofer

Turnkey Restoration and Roofing turnkeyrestoration247.com | 832.400.6887

Eldridge Roofing, Solar, and Restoration theeldridgeway.com | 832.862.3828

Mueller Inc. muellerinc.com | 877.268.3553

Fair Claims Roofing & Construction fairclaimsroofing.com | 281.367.0466

Weather Shield Structures weathershieldstructures.com | 936.230.8366

Landscaper

Sergio's Fencing & Landscaping sergioslandscaping.com | 936.788.1219

Outdoor Perfection oplawns.com | 281.516.1600

Segura's Landscaping seguraslandscaping.com | 936.441.7226

Mallard Services and Designs mallardservicesanddesign.com | 562.565.4505

The Green Tree Landscaping thegreentreelandscaping.com | 936.449.5296

Home Builder

LEVELTX™ CORP leveltx.com | 832.402.8155

The Woodlands Hills thewoodlandshills.com | 281.719.6344

Grand Central Park TX grandcentralparktx.com | 936.282.5135

Design Tech Homes dth.com/where-we-build/houston-area/conroe-tx | 281.355.1591

Woodforest woodforesttx.com | 936.447.2800

DR. GUY BURROWS is a board-certified neurologist with fellowship training in peripheral nerve disorders and neuromuscular diseases. In 2010, 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 provided neuromuscular/peripheral nerve disorders care and Director of Infusions at Mischer Neuroscience Associates-The Woodlands.

Offering the following clinical services:

EMG Studies/Nerve Conduction Studies

Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorder Evaluations

Muscle, Nerve and Skin Biopsies

IVIG and Biologic Infusion Services

Botox Injections for spasms

IVIG and Biologi Infusion Services Pain and Spasm for Neuromuscular conditions

For a full spectrum of services and diagnosis, visit our website

281.404.3666

• 9191 Pinecroft Drive, Suite 200, Shenandoah, TX 77380

Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00am–5:00pm • www.burrowsmuscleandnerves.com

ARTICLE BY ALISON KARTEVOLD PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARROWHEAD PHOTOGRAPHY AND PROVIDED

Modern Lifestyle Homes on Lake Conroe.

There are a few new offerings and updated tried and true favorites around Lake Conroe that will have heads turning this year.

For those minimalists looking for the simple things in life, LEVELTX is bringing a new vertical take to lake-side living. They recently opened up “The Harbor at Clear View Estates” where all of its uptown offerings feature stylish designs and rooftop decks.

Opposite: Views from the rooftop deck of a LevelTX home at "The Harbor".

Above: Award winning multilevel decking by LEVELTX take advantage of limited lake fronts. Right: An example of the open airy designs offered by LevelTX.

2023 GHBA Houston’s Best Prism Award-winning LEVELTX’s other homes also have a heavy focus on outdoor living. “It’s all about bringing the outside in, creating spaces that capture the essence of breathtaking natural surroundings while ensuring unparalleled comfort,” says Johnathan Manzala, Marketing Manager for LEVELTX.

Custom Home Builder Michael Schafer agrees. The waterfront home he built in the Estates section of Walden on Lake Conroe was meticulously thought out and checks all the boxes. The sweeping staircase, modern chandelier, and lake views that greet you upon entry are only the beginning of its offerings.

Many of the homes around Lake Conroe were built in the 80s, so Ronald Enriquez of Classic Floors and More says many owners are now looking to update their interiors.  l”Changing outdated cabinets and countertops can really freshen up a home’s sense of style.”

These homes are definitely not short on style.

Above: Interior of Townhouse at The Harbor Opposite: Views from this Bentwater beauty never go out of style.

“Changing outdated cabinets and countertops can really freshen up a home’s sense of style,” says Ronald Enriquez.

Top: Mediterranean style homes are a design classic on Lake Conroe but many are opting for interior makeovers.

Left: Alternating black and natural wood cabinets with Venaria Reale countertops and back splash provide clean new lines updating a traditional Mediterranean kitchen.

Right: Beutiful views from the inside out are just one of the wonder features out is new modern home.

VISUA L I Z E

POSSIBILITIES

TRI-SUPPLY’S

VAST NEW SHOWROOM HAS THE TRENDS FOR YOUR HOME.

ARTICLE BY ALISON KARTEVOLD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELONHEAD PHOTO

Tri-Supply’s new showroom is a must-see if you want to visualize your home’s possibilities. This Texas company is a supplier for builders, homeowners, and designers and is now full of eye candy ready for your perusal!

This Page:

Opposite: Vibrant pops of color in both indoor and outdoor cabinetry, griddles, and pizza ovens are trending and are just a few of the items found at Tri-Supply.

This exclusive hand made La Cornau kitchen provides the ultimate country kitchen vibes and comes in custom colors.

You can see a variety of kitchen layouts like this modern one by Jenn Air in Tri-Supply’s ample showroom.

For decades, this Texas company has been a fixture in Conroe and a go-to for builders needing anything from doors and appliances to lighting and plumbing fixtures. Though set low along Highway 105, it was easy to drive by on your way to the lake without notice. As store manager Jason Miluszusky says, “We were in a ditch.” It was open to the public, but the facility was small and crowded, not much for consumers to look at.

CONTINUED >

Monogram reimagines the way we live pairing contrasting metal surfaces and clean lines.

Their vast new building now showcases its offerings. It’s a place where you can see and feel how the items will fill your space with complete kitchen appliance displays, functional bath layouts, and endless lighting and items to enhance your patio living. When you stop in, make sure you have time to let your imagination wander. Don’t worry the friendly staff can help guide you.

trisupplyhome.com

Clean lines, a steam shower, lighted tub and heated towel rack are all found in this functional bathroom display.

The latest in lighting, doors and hardware can also be examined up close.

A RAY OF HOPE IN A Stormy Market

WHY AN EXPERIENCED REAL ESTATE AGENT IS NOW A MUST.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY IAN

GARRETT

A grand house with a view from Southern Heritage Realty.

Majestic view of the lake from your home.

Homeowners, landlords, and renters alike are feeling the pinch of an economy that is going through some pangs and pains. Despite the spate of townhomes, high-rises, and loft living areas that have been springing up, there’s a substantial need for – and a low supply of – readily available single-family homes. This lack of inventory is one of many factors that have put the local real estate market into trying times.

“It’s still a seller’s market,” said Lisa Gregory, Realtor and founder of Southern Heritage Realty based in The Woodlands. “A balanced market is usually defined as having six months of inventory, meaning all current listings will be sold within half a year. During Covid, we were down to less than one month of availability. Now, it’s about three to three-and-a-half months before a house is bought.”

Being a seller’s market isn’t necessarily good news for a seller, warns Gregory. “Prices are up all over the region thanks to inflation and rising interest rates. Anyone selling their home will have to buy another, so that they themselves will have to deal with the grief of buying in a seller’s market. As a result, people are very reluctant to give up their homes.”

CONTINUED >

Lisa Gregory of Southern Heritage Realty

“Buyers need an agent who knows the market, and who can negotiate.”

Significantly higher prices over a few short years ago are the new norm as interest rates have ticked up to fight inflation. Even when the rates decrease again and inflation slows, the new ‘base level’ of prices set into the new paradigm is here to stay. “The preexisting inflation is now locked in,” said Gregory. “For the foreseeable future, an interest rate of six to seven percent is the new norm. Now, while that’s better than the eight percent of the past, the joys of locking in a rate of five percent or even lower are gone.”

On top of the inflation and accompanying uptick in interest rates, home prices have dramatically increased, creating a ‘double whammy’ effect for those feeling the pain of searching for a new home.

“Montgomery County is more appealing than Harris for tax reasons, and we’re seeing a twoto-three percent appreciation for this market. Homebuying is especially hard for first-time buyers. Insurance has doubled. Inventory is down. Lenders are tightening qualification standards for loans. Over the past couple of years, the percentage of people who are unhappy with their homebuying or home-selling experience has skyrocketed. Finding a new home is no longer a joy; it’s a chore.”

All these issues culminate in the vital need for an expert in the real estate business to guide

- Lisa Gregory

buyers and sellers through these tumultuous waters. Gregory, who left the academic world after fourteen years to delve into the world of real estate and has been a local industry leader for decades, is passionately vociferous about what is needed to care for a client seeking to buy or sell their home.

“Buyers need an agent who knows the market and who can negotiate,” she said. “Your agent of choice needs connections galore in the area, someone who knows the local markets, who else is on the playing field in every aspect, from developers to contractors to other agents and agencies. They need to be an ‘agent’s agent,’ someone who can have a healthy relationship with the agent sitting opposite them in a transaction.”

During COVID, many people decided to enter real estate as a backup, flooding the market with agents of lesser experience and dedication. Gregory stresses that she’s been part of the area for ‘generations.’

“You have to know what you’re doing, or people lose money. Even after juggling factors like closing dates, down payments, earnest money, and inspections, you might end up with three identical offers, and you have to have the knowledge and finesse to determine which to choose that’s best for your client. It’s not about the sale; it’s about the relationship.”

A Landscaping MUST

AUTOMATED IRRIGATION CAN SPARE YOUR PLANTS FROM THE SUMMER SUN.

ARTICLE BY MARGIE TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIMBERLY SUTTON AND PROVIDED

Pathways and lanscaping create interest on the lakeview from the yard.

Highlighted yardart made from horseshoes with stones.

Sunshine Ligustrum is an ideal hedge in the full sun.

As we all learned last year, summer heat can destroy your lawn and horticultural landscaping if it’s not maintained through an effective irrigation system. When installed correctly, these systems can reduce your water consumption by utilizing an environmentally conscious design and advanced equipment placed by professional installers from licensed irrigation businesses.

Sergio’s Landscaping is one such business experienced in all types of commercial and residential irrigation projects. Sergio Martinez, the owner, is a certified landscaper and irrigation contractor. His business is licensed in horticulture and landscaping to assist with irrigation designs

and implementation, installation, repair, and backflow inspections. We asked him to share some basics.

There are several types of irrigation systems:

• Surface irrigation depends on rain, flooding, or hand watering.

• Drip irrigation does the entire surface area but uses a system of pipes placed around the area for deep watering to prevent evaporation.

• Subsurface places pipes beneath the surface to get to the root and eliminate all evaporation on the surface.

• Sprinklers are the most common method of irrigation that allows focusing on a specific area in a controlled environment. According to Martinez, now is the time to check your current irrigation system for maintenance and repairs. The right

system can save an average of 38% on water usage with an automated control system programmed through a web-based application. He says a weather-sensitive irrigation system avoids overwatering or underwatering to extend the life of your plants further.

Since 2003, Sergio’s Landscaping has served residential and commercial properties with landscape design, lawn maintenance, and tree services. The business’s commercial clients include Buckalew Chevrolet, the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, and Mercedes Benz of The Woodlands. You can talk to Sergio in person March 2-3 at the Montgomery County Home and Outdoor Living Show.

SergiosLandscaping.com

Pathway created with flagstones.

Landscape edgers with bull rocks.

Focused pathway through landscaping.

Sergio Martinez

Irrigation throughout yard maintains lawn.

JIM FREDRICKS

2024 Housing Market Trends

Despite pitfalls, there’s hope on the horizon for real estate.

ARTICLE BY IAN GARRETT PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

While by no means at the scale of the great housing bust of 2008, the latter part of 2023 saw some significant downturns in the real estate market, mainly due to inflation and the uptick in interest rates to combat it. Despite the downward trends of late, Jim Fredricks is upbeat on the outlook for this new year.

“I’m feeling very much more positive about 2024 compared to the latter part of last year,” he asserted when questioned about the trends he’s noted. Fredricks is a Realtor and consultant in communications and governmental affairs.

“There was a significant curtailment of activity by buyers. Many of them were shut out of the market because of the interest rate increase, which definitely influenced the market. We are seeing currently an uptick in activity,” he said.

He credits some recent moderation in interest rates as a positive, along with a slight dip in local home prices. “I see a basically stable and rising level of activity into the spring and summer selling season. We’ve seen prices moderate in most of Montgomery County.”

Fredricks encourages homebuyers to work with a lender as local prices settle and inventory increases over the following months.

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

MARCH 9TH

Young Texas Artists Music Competition

Crighton Theatre- 234 N. Main

The 2024 Bach, Beethoven & Barbecue is on Saturday, March 9th, on Main Street in downtown Conroe.  Enjoy terrific Texas barbecue, a live auction, and the Finalists’ Concert & Awards of the Young Texas Artists Music Competition. In addition to eight amazing finalists, an accomplished YTA alum will also perform. There is $40,000 in cash awards. YTAMC.com

MARCH 16TH

Greater Conroe Arts Festival

Founders Plaza on Metcalf and Main. | 10:00 AM

The Greater Conroe Arts Alliance, made up of 21 Arts organizations representing the Performance, Visual, Literary, and Cultural Arts, is hosting its Annual Greater Conroe Arts Festival on Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Located in Historic Downtown Conroe, this outstanding family event features Local and Texas Artists representing all genres of The Arts. GreaterConroeArtsAlliance.com

MARCH 21ST-24TH

Conroe Crossroads Music Festival

Downtown Conroe Venues

Founded in 2022, Conroe Crossroads is a four-day live music festival that includes around 40 shows at venues throughout Conroe. Shows run simultaneously at the various venues with ticketed nighttime shows. Daytime performances are free and open to the public. A variety of musical genres are represented in the lineup, offering something for nearly every musical taste. ConroeCrossroads.com

STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY

From Every Little Piece to Enjoying Inner Peace

Updating your bathroom can feel like a frustrating puzzle of options. That’s why our Showroom Consultants are committed to making every piece slide effortlessly into place. Whether you’re in the early stages of planning or ready to select products, we can work together to make your dream bath a relaxing reality.

Coburn’s. Your Project Partner.

930 S. Frazier Street Conroe, TX 77301

Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (After-hours appointments are available)

(936) 760-3900

CoburnsProjectPartner.com

Paradise Found

Mirror Lake uses water, stone and vegetation to create oases

Serving Montgomery County and Houston, Mirror Lake Designs specializes in landscaping for swimming pools, water features, outdoor kitchens, and courtyards. Their licensed and insured international architects provide turnkey results regardless of your space size.

“We’re so grateful to the entire Mirror Lake team for their excellent designs, expert knowledge, and for their patience as we worked through the project scope,” says Curt Cartwright. “Mirror Lake has exceeded our high expectations. The efficiency with excavation and the craftsmanship is superb. A Great value for the investment.”

Whether you are carving out a backyard oasis between tight neighborhood fences or have room to sprawl out on private grounds, the experts at Mirror Lake start by determining your needs.

In 1982, founder Shawn Michael Kelly began expanding his one-person crew to build a formidable team of skilled professionals and artisans. He secured Mirror Lake’s reputation as Houston’s preeminent landscape design and installation firm.

Today, regional and international design accolades fill the walls at 19022 Mirror Lake Drive, and Vish Madishetty, the current owner, uses the grounds to showcase the company’s 40-plus-year commitment to excellence. He believes in pairing timeless designs and excellence with the latest tools of the trade.

“The landscape designer created a plan for the placement of the gardens while at the same time meticulously selecting and placing the waterfall, water fountain, flowers, and plants on a drawing. We were given the drawings to approve before proceeding to the next step”, says Thomas McBride. “In addition, we were given a video that presented a conceptual 3D rendering of the Landscape Plan so we could see the result before the construction began.”

From planning the hardscapes and water features to the final steps of planting the beds providing irrigation, the results speak for themselves, but their customers are also willing to chime in.

“We give Mirror Lake Designs the highest marks for professionalism, creativity, attention to detail, and construction,” says McBride.

A shady pergola denotes the outdoor kitchen beautifully.

“We give

the highest marks for professionalism, creativity, attention to detail, and construction,” says McBride.

Mirror Lake Designs

This design seamlessly transitions from formal to natural.

Sun, shade, fire and water all in harmony.

Water plantings are a great way to make water features stand out.

Small back yard?

This work of art contains fountains, pool and hottub in one compact space.

This spacious design not only incorporates, it highlights existing property features.

Vase fountains add a pop of color and dimension

This fire pit and whirlpool effortlessly share and expand a small space.

Designs not only plan out the perfect pool, but the best plantings to achieve your desired effect.

Water features can serve as privacy walls as well as cooling down the space on hot summer days.