Conroe, TX April 2024

Run The Extra Mile: Fitness Starts With Every Step!

Top Fitness has been the most respected name in home fitness from coast to coast for nearly 30 years. Our team of experts can design your dream workout space with a complimentary, 3D home gym design, so you can visualize what getting fit in the comfort and safety of your own home will look like.

(Actual 3D Home Gym Rendering)

Lisa Gregory Founder | Broker

Ute Busse Realtor®

Haley Jamison Realtor®

Myka Zito Realtor®

Cheryl VanBebber Realtor®

Angie Smith Realtor®

Neal Hogg Realtor®

Steven Paul Boll Realtor®

Brandy Lynn O’Neal Realtor®

Invest in Yourself and Your Community

I hope you all just had a Happy Easter and are ready to keep your hearts open as we embark on the month of April. I am delighted to present you with the latest issue of Conroe City Lifestyle. This month is our investment issue, and it is all about showing you ways to invest in yourself and our community.

As you probably know by now, Conroe is considered an American Boomtown, but that doesn’t mean we are without challenges. There are plenty of people living here who are in need of some help.

In these pages are stories of how people are working to bring you events that can both entertain and encourage. We’ll tell you how the events and festivals that routinely come to town, like the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo and the Big As Texas Music Festival, aim not only to add economic value to the community but also to touch people’s lives in profound ways.

The Montgomery County Fair’s many events, like the Barbeque Cookoff, raising money for youth scholarships, while Big As Texas is giving our area nonprofits a platform to share their programs on suicide prevention and mental health as well as help fund them. While these featured articles illustrate the entertainment and economic value of Conroe’s many festivals, know that by merely participating, you can have a lasting impact on yourself and others.

I encourage you to go even a step further. Of course, enjoy these events, but then invest in yourself. Identify a cause that moves you and open your heart to it. It can be as simple as shopping at local businesses or volunteering your time to a cause of your choosing. The ripple effects of your actions will reach further than you imagine.

As always, thank you for your continued support of Conroe City Lifestyle. Your readership and engagement are what make this publication possible.

ALISON KARTEVOLD, PUBLISHER @CONROECITYLIFESTYLE

2:

1: It was “Five O’Clock Somewhere” at the Annual Legend of the Lion Conoe Lion’s Club.

CASA’s first graduate class of Student Success Advocates is an initiative to reduce truancy rates. 3: The 59th Annual Conroe Go Texan Parade, hosted by the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce. 4: The 59th Annual Conroe Go Texan Parade, hosted by the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce. 5: “On the Boardwalk,” Montgomery County Food Bank Feeding Hope Gala at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. 6: “A Night of Promise” Family Promise of Montgomery County Gala. 7: Larry Foerster, of the Montgomery County Historical Commission with the History Road Rally Dreiss-Brown Team.

CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CASA OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WAYNE MACK

Axis Recovery Specializing in Recovery Tools After Workouts

Axis Recovery believes recovery is a critical component to optimizing overall health and well-being, managing injuries, and maximizing athletic performance. Using the latest technology, the process allows your body to function optimally with a whole-body cold-water immersion, full-spectrum infrared sauna, and compression therapy (NormaTec).

Scan to read more

Photography

Pincho's Burgers and Kebabs brings Miami Flavorings to Conroe

PINCHO is a Latin-inspired burger and kebab restaurant opening its third Houston area location at the Harper's Preserve Community, 9662 Hwy 242 by H-E-B. Based in Miami, Florida, Pincho has created a cult-like following with its original takes on elevated Latin street food, including its famous burgers and skewers (pinchos). Pincho.com

Montgomery ISD Education Foundation Awards Grants

Education foundation members, district administrators, and local sponsors visited the district’s ten campuses to award the Innovative Teaching Grants on Jan. 19, totaling $75,000 to the district for campus programs and equipment. MISD staff can apply for the foundation’s Innovative Teaching Grants each fall with ideas to aid student classroom learning. The grants are awarded to applications with an inventive approach to improve and enrich learning.

the best seafood under the sun

We believe fresh seafood is best enjoyed in the elements, accompanied by a warm breeze, the smell of saltwater, and splashes of sunlight. With patio season upon us, you can go from landlocked to Gulf getaway any time you’d like—just head over to Fish Camp and pull up a chair.

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

Photography by Pincho’s

Photography by Montgomery ISD Education Foundation

8865 SIX PINES DRIVE THE WOODLANDS, TEXAS

Concert at the Conroe

Catfish Festival

Josh Ward Band at the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival

““Direct traveler spending in Conroe proper, within the city limits, is a huge economic driver.”

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll have noticed that Conroe is booming. A 2022 study by SmartAsset named Conroe the number six boomtown in all of the US. Conroe is on par with Montgomery County as a whole. The county ranks “in the top 30 for both its annual GDP and business growth rates.” While the extra traffic can be annoying, with more people comes a higher demand for things to do and see. The City of Conroe is working to meet the demand with an impressive lineup of events and festivals that have a positive economic impact on the community.

Sherry Morgan, Conroe’s Convention and Visitors Bureau Director, is committed to embracing the unique strengths of the city. A Conroe native, she remembers buying school clothes in the 1970s downtown and purchasing her first 45 records from the Capital Drug Store (it was Shaun Cassidy’s “Da Doo Ron Ron”). She says it had been great seeing the “resurgence of downtown energy” by way of shopping and entertainment.

In March, downtown saw four days of live music with the Conroe Crossroads festival. The event boasts 35 shows across eight different venues and a variety of musical genres. Besides supporting Conroe’s designation through the state of Texas as a “Music Friendly City,” according to Morgan’s office, in 2023, the event brought direct business sales of $110,408 and a room demand of 329 in lodging. “Direct traveler spending in Conroe proper, within the city limits, is a huge economic driver,” says Morgan.

One of Conroe’s biggest events, the Cajun Catfish Festival, brought in $1.7M in direct business sales in 2023 and an estimated room demand of 5,056.

The Catfish Festival, directly and indirectly, supported over 800 different jobs for residents of Conroe.

“It’s the entire event landscape that really moves the needle when it comes to economic impact,” Morgan emphasizes. It’s not just big events that make Conroe a tourist destination. The Lone Star Convention Center is booked solid with events like the AKC Kennel Show, and the new Hyatt Hotel is not far beyond with events like business conferences and cheer competitions. Morgan was surprised to hear of her own brother attending the Houston Money Show, which had over 2,000 attendees and made over $300K in direct business sales.

The success of Conroe’s Convention and Visitors Bureau isn’t happening by accident. Morgan and her office have been working hard so that they “are not only planning to invite people to come in for one stay but setting up a structure that invites them back for multiple stays.” One of these initiatives is Morgan’s micro-campaign encouraging visitors to become a Conroe “Texpert.” She has an app launching soon that will allow visitors to earn badges by completing the live music or birding trail around town.

On April 28th,1976, President Gerald Ford’s motorcade rolled through downtown Conroe as part of his presidential campaign. Sherry Morgan was there, watching from underneath the seat of her mother’s woven folding chair. The excitement of that downtown event lives in Morgan’s memory as a defining image of how she pictures the downtown area. The surge of festivals and events in downtown and Conroe at large harkens back to that memorable day, bringing excitement, money, and jobs into the community.

BIG AS TEXAS

ARTICLE BY MARGIE TAYLOR PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

TOP COUNTRY MUSICIANS COME TO CONROE FOR THREE DAY FESTIVAL

Conroe lives and breathes live music every day of the year, but this May, the stage is being elevated to a new level. Big As Texas, a Country and Americana music festival, is set to have its star-studded inaugural event.

Being located along the corridors to Houston, Austin, and Dallas makes Conroe easy to get to and an appealing destination for musicians. The city was also designated as a music-friendly community by the governor in 2018. For all of these reasons, the independent event producers behind Big As Texas knew that Conroe was the only place to host its outdoor festival from Friday, May 10th through Sunday, May 12th.

CONTINUED >

Billy Strings

Dwight Yoakum

Thomas Rhett

“The Big As Texas festival was staged to be in Conroe from the early concept to make a musical impact and contribute to the health of the community,” said Steve Said, one of three partners for the event along with Trey Diller, producer of Inspire Productions, and Robert Marling, Chairman of Woodforest Financial Group.

“When I was approached about getting involved in the event, I did not think twice about it,” said Marling, who is also President of the Woodforest Charitable Foundation. “We are hoping to make an impact with the festival and create a staple event in Montgomery County.”

Steve Said, the owner of Dosey Does Big Barn, a one-of-a-kind multilevel intimate music venue for musicians across the country, has relationships with many musical acts, so it made perfect sense for him to be involved.  Trey Diller, the producer of over 70 festivals, has dreamed of doing this massive event in his own county for years.

Now Diller and Said are estimating that this event will be the largest country music festival in Texas, possibly in the country, with over 100,000 attendees. More than 40 musical artists are set to perform on two stages over the three days. There will also be VIP seating, concierge service, and climate-controlled areas, all located in our own backyard on the more than 15 acres of the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.

In addition to the top musicians, including Thomas Rhett, Dierks Bently, Dwight Yoakum, Clay Walker, Los Lobos, Tracey Byrd, Billy Strings, and Morgan Walker, will be local artists Kate Watson, Midland, and Trent Cowie. The list goes on, and you should check their website for your favorite artist.

This family event offers more than just music with pig races, an equestrian area, a culinary and car show area, food trucks, an artist’s area with a chainsaw carver, muralist, hatmaker, stitcher crafter, and a shooting range simulator.

Clay Walker

As an extra bonus to enjoying all this great music, ten percent of the proceeds from the Big As Texas festival will go to local nonprofits that work in our community to provide education and help for those dealing with mental health issues. The three partners, Marling, Said, and Diller, are hopeful that equates to one million dollars divided between 38 nonprofits this year alone!

This is on top of the monetary impact the three-day event will have through lodging, transportation, food, and retail, which will bring in another estimated $1.3 million into the community, with about 20,000 attendees per day and over 630 jobs provided.

The nonprofits will have booths on-site throughout the festival to highlight their programs. BigAsTexasFest.com

Event Producer Trey Diller, Steve Said Partner and owner of Dosey Doe, and Nonprofit Partner Chris Sadler of Honor Cafe and Honor Up Nonprofit.

Anne Wilson

Kate Watson

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 CCL STAFF | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

in Texas Nothing’s Better than Playing

MIDLAND, ONE OF COUNTRY MUSIC’S HOTTEST BANDS, TALKS TO CONROE CITY LIFESTYLE BEFORE PLAYING BIG AS TEXAS

Cameron Duddy is the bass guitarist and a founding member of Midland (2016), the music trio from Dripping Springs that plays old-time country with their own neo-flare.

CL - This is the inaugural year for the festival, and the organizers hope it will bring in more than a million dollars for charities supporting mental health. As a part of a festival like Big As Texas, do you think about the economic impact your performance has on the community?

Duddy - Good music can always change people’s lives and mental health. However, it’s not every day that you get to see those drivers of change manifest in real-time, so The Big As Texas Fest is going to be a mix of good times for a great purpose.

“We play music for our own mental health, so there’s more going on up there on that stage than just a public service,” says Cameron Duddy.

“Nothing feels better than playing music in Texas. We love our Texas music compatriots and fans!”

CL - Up in Texas is your newest release. We love the lyrics and hope to hear you perform this at Big As Texas. What else can we expect from Midland at the festival?

Duddy - We love to keep things exciting! Our favorite thing to do is ride the line between a well-rehearsed band and a train that’s coasting with one wheel off the track.

CL - There is no doubt that Montgomery County and Conroe have very strong musical roots. The organizers of Big As Texas hope that you will help to launch a new era of music with this festival. Is this something you’ve had the opportunity to do before?

Duddy - I’d like to think that when Midland showed up in cowboy hats and boots to record our first album in Nashville, that we launched a new era of “mainstream” country music. We knew cowboy hats in country music would one day be en vogue again.

CL - Is there any added pressure performing when expectations are so high, or do you prefer to think more about the cause of bringing awareness to mental health issues?

Duddy - We play music for our own mental health, so there’s more going on up there on that stage than just a public service.

CL - Is there anything else we should have asked you that you’d like to share with your fans here in Texas?

Duddy - Nothing feels better than playing music in Texas. We love our Texas music compatriots and fans!

Midland ready to play for the Texas fans.

Since the 1970s, soda and beer cans have been the public face of recycling efforts nationwide, but typically on the end user side of the aisle. You buy a six-pack of sodas or brews, empty the cans over a party with friends, and then chuck them into the recycling bin. Conroe-based cannery Crown Cork & Seal wants to make sure this is happening at public events, too.

The company was originally formed in 1892 in Baltimore, Maryland, as William Painter invented the crown cork – which went on top of the bottle to seal it. Through years of expansions and acquisitions, Crown Cork & Seal is now the second-largest aluminum beverage can manufacturer in the world.

Darwin Canales, Quality Manager for Crown Cork & Seal here in Conroe, started his career at CC&S ten years ago, shortly after graduating college. Today, he is co-leading a significant recycling project at his facility.

“The corporate offices have a program called Twentyby30 – a plan to reduce waste by 20 percent by 2030. Our plant –along with the others – were challenged by corporate; ‘All right, what are you going to do to help with some of these things concerning recycling and sustainability?’ and we answered that challenge,” he said.

CONTINUED >

The most recycled beverage cans globally.

“It would be so nice to see that recycling has taken hold in the entire community.”

The local program kicked in when Steve Hall, the office’s previous plant manager, wanted to see a recycling program set up at the Montgomery County Fair, one of the largest events in the county. In 2022, the first year of the program, CC&S supplied ten containers and collected 2,000 cans during the Fair. Darwin and his Quality Engineer, Brent Jones, built it out from that, and at the 2023 Fair, they ended up collecting 60,000 cans, thirty times what they got the year before.

“Besides the containers, we had an informational tent that educated people about recycling through the use of games. Now, the fair is a ten-day event, and it speaks volumes about our office that we ended up with 30 people from all departments who came out to volunteer for multiple shifts,” said Canales. “I really appreciate our partnership with the Montgomery County Fair Association and others; Conroe Golf Cars also lent us a golf cart, for instance, and multiple other partners.”

Another large event where CC&S had a recycling presence was the Conroe Catfish Festival. “While not as big as the Fair, we still collected thousands of cans and realized we could have more and more events where we could grow our education outreach. We’ve grown a lot in this infancy of the first

- Darwin Canales

year and a half of the project, and we want to see it grow a lot more,” said Canales.

By 2030, the (Twentyby30) program is to achieve a 50 percent reduction in fuel and electricity emissions, use 75 percent renewable energy, reduce water usage in operations by at least 25 percent, send zero waste from their operations to landfills, making all aluminum and steel cans 10 percent lighter (reducing packaging materials as well), and ensure that of Crown’s core raw materials and service suppliers, by spend, are assessed and comply with Crown Responsible and Ethical Sourcing policies and requirements.

“At the end of the day, we’re still remaking the cans from the recycled raw materials, so we don’t lose any momentum with our business, but we’re having a greater, more positive impact on the environment. Recycling efforts like ours are substantially decreasing the effects of mining for the raw materials from the earth,” said Canales.

“This is an initiative we’re proud to have our names on. It’s more than just having bins; it’s getting people in the mindset to recycle at home or at your business, especially if you’re a can-heavy business like a local bar. It would be so nice to see that recycling has taken hold in the entire community. Not having to ruin the planet? That’s what it’s all about.”

It’s BBQ Time!

A Conroe Institution Brings Thousands Out to the Montgomery County Fair to Benefit Student Scholarships

ARTICLE BY MORGAN FREEMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

It’s no secret that Barbeque is a big deal in Texas, and Montgomery County is no exception. Every year since 1976, the Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo has included a Barbeque cookoff competition. According to Pat Davis, Lifetime Vice President and “Officer in Charge”  from 1994 to 2004, the event began with only nine or ten teams. This year, that number is up to 147 available team slots, and every year, they are setting records in tickets sold and money made for student scholarships.

For Todd Green, currently serving as Past President of the MCFA, the fair has always been a family affair. They started attending the fair in the mid-70s, and his father, Lifetime Executive Vice President James A. “Jimmy” Green, served as a volunteer and had a team in the very first cookoff. While their team, the Cedar Creek Social Club, takes the competition side seriously, Todd says, “We are serious about a good time.”

They join the thousands who walk through the gates every year during the fair (over 75,000 people in 2022). While the head chef of the team must be from Montgomery County, people come from all over for the event. Those attending the cookoff make up a significant chunk of fair-goers, and money raised through the cookoff weekend goes to student scholarships.

If you’ve never been to the cookoff, the name might conjure an image of a bunch of men standing around BBQ pits. However, this Conroe institution is much more. It is part competition, part party, part concert, and part legend.

If you are a fan of food and fun, try to snag a spot on a cookoff team or wander out there with a reliance on good ole’ Texas hospitality.

The Montgomery County Fair starts on April 11th, and the cookoff begins on April 19th.

mcfa.org/bbq-cook-off/

Hospitality is what sets the Montgomery County Fair Barbeque Cookoff apart from other similar events. Todd says, “You just gotta go out there with the spirit to meet some folks and have fun.”

Bakers Whiskey & Rub was awarded first place in 2023 for chicken.

Majic Smokers won First Place in the Ribs category in 2023.

Texas BBQ BrisketWe B’ Smokin Better won First Place in 2023.

TRAINING

COMPETE Dogs to

ARTICLE BY KIMBERLY SUTTON | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FAIR HOSTS FIRST EXTREME DOGS STUNT SHOW

The Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo is April 11th through the 21st at the County Fairgrounds in Conroe. This year, families will enjoy seeing the Extreme Dogs Stunt Dog Show, which has three shows daily from April 12th to the 16th. Extreme Dogs is North America’s premier touring stunt dog show, showcasing the best canine athletes around.

For dog owners who would love to have a “canine athlete” of their own, we went to a local dog trainer to get some tips. Aaron Tolman of Sit Means Sit Dog Training in Conroe graciously agreed to share some of his secrets.

“The secret to dog training is to focus on telling your dog what they should do instead of what not to do,” Tolman said. “Instead of correcting bad behaviors, we are teaching good behaviors.”

Tolman primarily helps his clients with dog obedience and focus. The first step to any dog training, whether it is your pet or a show dog, is to get the dog to come to its owner when called.

“To get a dog to come when called, we start on a leash so we can eliminate the opportunity to run off. Once the dogs are doing well, you add distance and distractions at speeds the dog can handle,” Tolman said. This is the foundation.

Tolman emphasized that obedience is essential when the commands are used in everyday life. Commanding your dog to walk with you, to stop, sit, and stack (for show dogs) is the focus of the training.

“In a dog show, there are other dogs, hundreds of people, loud noises, and dogs need to focus and ignore distractions,” Tolman said. “A distracted dog isn’t going to win a show or perform well. Once they

“Focus on telling your dog what they should do instead of what not to do.”

learn manners, obedience, and focus, then a trainer can help with the specific skills needed for dog shows.”

“Your dog needs to learn to respect you and also that you respect them. Be consistent with training!”.

Aaron Tolman training dogs.

APRIL 2024

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

APRIL 4TH

Tastefest

The Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce’s Tastefest is April 4-May 31.  With one TastePass, you can enjoy tastings from any of the 30+ participating vendors for eight weeks. The event kicks off April 4 at the Lone Star Convention Center for a Launch Party, where you can pick up your TastePasses to use through the end of May. Conroe.org

APRIL 6TH

Habitat for Humanity

Building Hope Gala

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott

6:00 PM

Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County will host its Annual Building Hope Gala, celebrating “35 Years and Building” on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 6:00 pm at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center. The gala will feature dinner, live and silent auctions, a heartfelt homeowner testimonial, and a paddles-up chance to raise funds for future Habitat homes. HabitatMCTX.org.

APRIL 12TH-14TH

The Woodlands

Waterway Arts Festival

Town Green Park, The Woodlands

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival features artwork from nearly 200 juried artists from across the country with fine art, live music, local food, and children's art activities for a family fun experience presented by The Woodlands Arts Council, a nonprofit encouraging, supporting, and promoting the performing and visual arts.  thewoodlands artscouncil.org/p/festival

APRIL 18TH

Night in Nashville to benefit Meals on Wheels

Montgomery County

Sawyer Park Icehouse- 314 Pruitt Rd, The Woodlands | 6:00 PM

Nourishing food delivered to homebound seniors has been a priority for Meals on Wheels Montgomery County since 1973. The community is encouraged to contribute to MOWMC at A Night in Nashville, Thursday, April 18 at Sawyer Park Icehouse to fund services provided to our local seniors in the community with live music, open bar, and dinner. MOWMC.org

APRIL 26TH

Spring Thing

Luncheon 2024

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott

10:30 AM

New Danville hosts inspirational speaker, Chris Nikic, the first person with Down Syndrome to complete a 140.6mile Ironman. His journey teaches us the power of focusing on abilities, not disabilities, with relentless positivity and grit. Shop the Market for items made with the assistance of New Danville Wranglers (clients), and items from our upscale resale store, Jazzy Junque. NewDanville.org

APRIL 27TH

Kidzfest

Downtown Conroe | 10:00 AM

Over 15,000 people will gather in downtown Conroe to play, create, explore, and learn. Explore the Activity Villages for hands-on experiences, listen to live entertainment, participate in game booths, inflatables, and face-painting while grabbing a bite of food from the concessions. FREE Admission. CityofConroe.org

Changes for 2024 Tax Season

Grady Tax Plus LLC shares new rules for your business

ARTICLE BY CHASSIDY GRADY PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

When you sell any goods or services for a profit, even if you don’t have a business entity, you are considered to be a business owner, according to the IRS. As a business, you are required to keep track of the income that you make and any eligible expenses that you spend.

If you started your business entity in 2024, you have to file a Business Owner’s Information (BOI) report with FinCen within 90 days. If you don’t file this report by your due date, you could be subject to fines of $500/per day, not to exceed $10,000. If you filed your business entity prior to 2024, you have until January 1, 2025, to file your report.

An S-Corp is not a business entity. It’s actually a tax strategy that business owners use to ‘upgrade’ their business entity in order to save money on self-employment taxes, which is 15.3%.

If you file too early and receive tax forms after you have already submitted your tax return, you will have to amend your return. If you don’t amend your tax return, you may receive a letter from the IRS of a balance due as a result of the missing information.

For more info, contact gradytaxplus.com

CHASSIDY GRADY