A Season of Thanks IN CONROE
Darren Morris
Larry Adams
Haley Garcia
Sow Gratitude ... Reap Health and Joy
The month’s theme is thankfulness or gratitude. This made me ask what is gratitude? It turns out that gratitude comes in two forms. First, it can be an emotion. You feel good or have gratitude when someone gives you a gift or a compliment. Second, gratitude can be a practice, the act of recognizing and appreciating the good in life. It can be directed towards other people, the world or just the gift of life itself.
Practicing gratitude has been shown to have numerous benefits, including improved mental health, increased longevity, stronger relationships, and increased overall happiness. It’s a simple but incredibly powerful way to shift your perspective and find more joy in your daily life.
Oprah has said her practice of keeping a gratitude journal for decades has been a life-changing ritual that brings her happiness and helps her appreciate life's blessings by focusing on what she has, rather than what she lacks. The apostle Paul said, “Give thanks in all circumstances for that is the will of God.”
It is easy to be thankful when things are going well. But you should also be thankful when you face challenges or difficult people, because these things help to shape and improve your character and your skillset.
I am deeply grateful for many things including YOU, my readers. Thanks for taking the time to read my magazine. It is a labor or love. I am grateful for my family including my mother, my siblings and my son Luke who is wise beyond his 12 years. He is a compassionate and caring person. I am grateful for my faith even when it is challenging. I am grateful for the gift of life with all its experiences and lessons.
As you gather with friends and family while the year winds down, I encourage you to look past the challenges and the pettiness of others and focus on the good things in your life and the people you care about. Maybe write a few down a few things you are grateful for to reflect on later when the road gets bumpy.
The picture is of my family around 1980 taken on a road trip out West when I was about 16. I am the oldest son in the upper left with the manly mustache. Consider taking a picture of your family if they are gathered this year during the holidays.
November 2025
PUBLISHER
Kevin Bratton | kevin.bratton@citylifestyle.com
PUBLICATION DIRECTOR
Andie Monet | andie.monet@citylifestyle.com
EDITOR
Chris Staples | chris.staples@citylifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Melanie Hall | melonheadphoto@yahoo.com
MARKET SUPPORT DIRECTOR
Margie Taylor | margie@taylorizedpr.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Chris Staples
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Chris Staples
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
President Matthew Perry
COO David Stetler
CRO Jamie Pentz
CoS Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Mary Albers
LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Megan Cagle
Discover
A
city scene
1: Farmer’s Market: Amayas of Aromaya Coffee see gratitude as “peaceful contentment, finding joy in everything.” 2: Children’s Entrepreneur Market booths filled the Lone Star Convention Center, showcasing youthful creativity and enterprise. 3: Erin brings EcoView’s elegant and energy-efficient expertise to the Montgomery County Home & Outdoor Show. Photography by Chris Staples
Montgomery County Home & Outdoor Living Show
At the September Montgomery County Home & Outdoor Living Show, the crowd leaned in as heirlooms and keepsakes were placed on the table for appraisal. Guiding the lively exchange was Dr. Lori Verderame, a nationally recognized antiques expert and media personality. With humor and authority, she revealed hidden stories and surprising values, turning everyday objects into lessons in history and worth. The session underscored the show’s role as both education and entertainment for Conroe.
Photography by Chris Staples
Coffee & Contacts in Montgomery
Morning Mingle and Coffee Network in Montgomery are lively, results-driven networking events designed to grow your business connections. Bring business cards and service details to share in a fun, productive setting. Morning Mingle meets the second Thursday each month at rotating venues; Coffee Network convenes the first Wednesday at Chick-fil-A Montgomery. Registration required.
Photography Provided
YPN: Networking for the Next Generation
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) connects members under 40 with quar terly sessions focused on growth and leadership. Each program is designed for rising professionals and covers essential topics such as mentoring, effective networking, management skills, and navigating workplace biases. YPN offers a supportive space to sharpen expertise, expand connections, and build confi dence while preparing the next genera tion of leaders in Montgomery County’s business community.
Photography
A Lone
provider demonstrates compassionate care during a hands-on community health event.
Lone Star Family Health Center’s residency class gathers, representing the next generation of Conroe physicians.
Star
CONROE PATIENTS Thank Lone Star FOR Compassionate Care
In Conroe, healthcare can often feel out of reach for families struggling with costs or limited access. Lone Star Family Health Center stands as a lifeline, delivering comprehensive care with a mission rooted in community.
A PATH TO PURPOSE
For CEO Karen Harwell, the road to healthcare leadership began far from medicine. With a background in finance and auditing, even a stint with the Houston Texans, she pivoted toward nonprofit healthcare after starting a family. “I wanted meaningful work closer to home,” she explained, noting that Lone Star’s mission-driven model offered the purpose she sought.
CONROE’S FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER
Lone Star is the only federally qualified health center headquartered in Conroe. The flagship facility spans nearly 95,000 square feet, housing multiple specialties under one roof. The clinic provides primary care to all, with an emphasis on underserved patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Nearly half of the patients across Lone Star’s five sites come from just three Conroe zip codes, reflecting its deep local reach and impact.
Generations of patients voice gratitude for care that uplifts, heals, and strengthens Conroe’s community.
ARTICLE BY CHRIS STAPLES
Karen Harwell, CEO of Lone Star Family Health Center, leads with vision and community focus.
Lone Star medical residents collaborate on patient care planning during clinical training in Conroe.
A RESIDENCY PROGRAM ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
Established in 1979, Lone Star’s residency program predates the clinic itself. Each year, twelve residents train under the Conroe Medical Education Foundation, HCA Conroe, and Lone Star’s outpatient clinics. Program Director Dr. Lata Joshi calls it “a unique community-based consortium” where residents deliver babies, perform procedures, and practice full-spectrum medicine. Many graduates remain in Conroe to serve their neighbors, making it a true pipeline of care.
STORIES OF CARE AND GRATITUDE
Fernando Sanchez, a Willis supermarket worker, credits Dr. Pamela Ferry with saving his life after a colonoscopy revealed cancerous polyps. Now in remission, he urges others to seek regular care: “Cancer is curable if they detect it early. I thank God for compassionate doctors in my life.”
New mother Stephane Horridge received postpartum care and a baby supply bag that eased her transition. “Warren is very happy with his crinkle book and dino swaddle,” she said. “I’m thankful for the team and their generous gift.”
At 81, Alene Provost has leaned on Lone Star since 2017 under the care of Dr. Daniel Porter. When unsafe housing threatened her health, community workers helped her relocate and arranged Meals on Wheels. “It is the first medical place that has made me feel respected and cared for,” she said.
ACCESSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE CARE
Financial assistance programs support working families just above the poverty line, and the in-house pharmacy provides subsidized medicines. With urgent care open extended hours and on Saturdays, Lone Star reduces strain on emergency rooms while keeping healthcare accessible and local.
At Lone Star Family Healthcare Health Center, gratitude flows both ways—patients thankful for healing, doctors thankful for the chance to serve. Together they create a legacy of compassion where every life touched becomes a reminder that healthcare, at its heart, is a gift worth cherishing.
• Founded residency program: 1979
• Conroe headquarters: 95,000 sq. ft.
• 5 sites, 40–50% of patients from Conroe zip codes
• On-site dental, behavioral health, urgent care
• 340B pharmacy offers discounted medicines for qualifying patients
Lone Star Fast Facts
Dr. Lata Joshi, Chief Medical Officer, champions education and patient-centered care at Lone Star Family Health Center.
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DISCOVER CONROE’S TRUE COLOURS
POLISHED PALETTES TO PERSONAL STYLE: HOUSE OF COLOUR CONROE EMPOWERS WOMEN TO RADIATE CONFIDENCE, EXUDE GLAMOUR, AND FEEL GRATEFUL FOR THEIR ELEVATED SENSE OF STYLE.
In our vibrant Conroe community, life moves fast. Between careers, family, and enjoying all our area offers, it’s easy for personal style to become an afterthought. For many women, the feeling is familiar: a closet full of clothes, yet nothing to wear. It’s a common frustration that can undermine confidence. But what if a local, personalized solution existed to end the guesswork and reclaim your radiance?
House of Colour Conroe, a bright addition to our community, opened in 2024 to offer that solution. Led by local stylists Allyson Heathcott and Jamie Kutter, the studio provides a transformative, science-based approach to fashion where inspiration meets practicality, creating a joyful path for women to discover the styles that make them shine.
For stylist Allyson Heathcott, the journey was a personal one. In Conroe, stylist and owner Allyson Heathcott reveals, “Personally, the process of learning my color and style personality had a significant role in building my self-esteem. It is so easy to lose yourself as a mom, but if you want to give your best to others you need to prioritize your own beauty so you can be your best for those you love most.”
Allyson’s sophisticated eye for style was cultivated long ago. “I have loved fashion for as long as I can remember. I grew up traveling abroad, and one of my favorite things about those adventures was the variety of styles I encountered. I loved people watching and usually had a notebook full of outfit inspirations ready to be recreated when I returned home.”
Jamie Kutter and Allyson Heathcott guide Conroe women with wardrobe edits and consultations to embrace their true colors.
That global perspective was later sharpened by a busy life at home. “Fast forward to being a busy mom of four, I find that time is my most precious resource. So why waste it shopping for clothes or wearing items that do not make you feel your best? After having my colors analyzed I eliminated the fear of dressing for events, shopping for clothes, and wondering if a certain color goes with my skin tone.” This powerful clarity became her calling, leading her to launch House of Colour Montgomery in 2022 and, two years later, expand to Conroe with Jamie.
Her partner, Jamie Kutter, brings an artistic sensibility rooted in her deep local connection. “My husband, Ryan, and I have deep roots in the Conroe area. We have both lived here for most of our lives and then had the opportunity to raise our three children in this community. What a great place to live! I have a background in photography, so color analysis came very naturally and made so much sense to me. After years spent editing photos, I know that certain colors can make you shine or they can age and take away from your natural beauty.”
For Jamie, experiencing the process firsthand was the ultimate confirmation. “When Allyson first did my colors a few years ago, I couldn’t stop telling everyone about it. It truly was such a game changer for me. It has been so much fun to join her on this journey to make our area a little more colorful!”
Together, they’ve created a studio that feels both polished and personal. Clients are welcomed like friends and guided through an uplifting process that begins with Color Analysis to identify the seasonal palette enhancing natural features. Next, a Style Analysis session aligns clothing with body architecture and personality. The goal, as Allyson puts it, is simple but profound: “As a mom, I do not have time for clothes that do not work for me. That is the freedom I want my clients to have.”
The results extend far beyond the closet. Clients describe the experience as eye-opening, transforming shopping from a chore into a targeted joy. They report feeling more confident in their daily lives, from school drop-offs to special events, without added stress. It’s a gift of simplicity for which many are truly thankful. This newfound assurance is palpable, a quiet radiance that others notice.
This impact is strengthened by Allyson and Jamie’s commitment to the community they call home. Both are raising their families in Montgomery County, and their studios have become trusted spaces for women seeking guidance and empowerment. “We work closely together and we both provide the same amazing experience,” Allyson says. “We love helping our neighbors feel like their best selves.”
Appointments are by booking only, and with schedules filling quickly, it’s clear their service has struck a chord. As a perfect gift for a loved one or a well-deserved investment in oneself, the experience is a local treasure. In the end, the philosophy is simple and elegant, as Jamie states: “Everyone deserves to know what colors they look best in.”
A vibrant fan of fabric swatches showcases the full spectrum of color.
Personalized color analysis transforms confidence and style at House of Colour.
Clients discover their most flattering shades during a signature consultation.
“EVERYONE DESERVES TO KNOW WHAT COLORS THEY LOOK BEST IN.” - JAMIE KUTTER
Allyson Heathcott, left, and Jamie Kutter, right, welcome clients to House of Colour Conroe for personalized style palettes.
Honoring Specialist Joey Lenz
A highway dedication in Willis carries one mother’s mission forward
The banks of Lewis Creek Reservoir in Willis were quiet as the community gathered. A new green highway sign was unveiled: SPC Joey Lenz Memorial Highway. Stretching from Interstate 45 North to Lake Conroe along FM 1097, the designation now stands as both a landmark and a lasting reminder of a young soldier's service.
HONORING A LOCAL SON
Specialist Joseph "Joey" Lenz died on February 1, 2022, while on duty at Fort Hood. He was 32. For his family, friends, and fellow soldiers, the pain of that loss remains, but so too does the determination to keep his memory alive. Margie Taylor, a well-known Conroe community leader and Joey's mother, has worked tirelessly alongside her husband Jeff to ensure his life is remembered with dignity.
"This is not just about our family," Taylor shared. "It's about honoring all who serve and making sure their sacrifice is never forgotten."
CEREMONY AT THE RESERVOIR
The dedication drew state and local leaders, veterans, and neighbors who stood together in silence before the unveiling. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough served as master of ceremonies, introducing speakers including State Representative Will Metcalf and Commissioner Robert Walker. Officials from the Texas Department of Transportation revealed the new sign.
ARTICLE BY CHRIS STAPLES PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELANIE HALL-FISHER
The program blended solemnity with community spirit. Revolutionary Education provided a colonial-era color guard. Conroe's Debbie Glenn sang the national anthem, Cory Strouth played "Taps," and Pastor Chris Lake of Tree of Life Lutheran Church offered an invocation.
County Judge Keough reflected on the meaning of the moment: "Seeing our community gather to honor his life, his sacrifice, and his legacy was truly moving."
SYMBOLS OF REMEMBRANCE
The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association presented Margie and Jeff Taylor with an Honor and Remember flag, a symbol meant to remain unfurled as a constant reminder of service and sacrifice. The Conroe-Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce led the ribbon-cutting,
Bugler plays “Taps” beside Lewis Creek Reservoir during the SPC Joey Lenz dedication.
while guests signed a memorial portrait and shared condolences. A band of Joey's friends played his favorite Blink-182 songs, weaving notes of joy into the solemn atmosphere.
For those in attendance, each detail was a reflection of Joey's character, his humor, his love of music, and his enduring presence in the lives of those he touched.
A COMMUNITY'S TAKEAWAY
The SPC Joey Lenz Memorial Highway now carries thousands of drivers each day between Willis and Lake Conroe. For residents, it is more than a route, it is a visible promise to remember.
Three ways to honor Joey's legacy:
1. Drive the route with intention: When traveling FM 1097, pause to reflect on the men and women who serve.
2. Support local veterans' groups: Organizations like the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association continue to provide fellowship and outreach.
3. Share his story: Tell family and neighbors about Specialist Joey Lenz, keeping his memory alive in everyday conversation.
With the dedication of this highway, Specialist Joey Lenz's name will live on not just in ceremony but in the rhythm of daily life in Montgomery County. Each passing mile marker is a reminder of service, sacrifice, and the strength of a community that refuses to forget.
Gold Star Mother Margie Taylor addresses the crowd at Lewis Creek Reservoir dedication ceremony.
Revolutionary Education color guard presents the flag during the SPC Joey Lenz Memorial Highway ceremony.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have had Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes for a while, you’re at the right place at Lone Star Family Health Center. Did you know having diabetes nearly doubles your chance of having a heart attack? The good news is that managing your diabetes can reduce your risk for diabetes complications.
Source: National Diabetes Association
FINDING YOUR SONG
ARTICLE BY CHRIS STAPLES
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA LANZA INSTRUMENTS OF JOY SHAPING LIVES WITH GRATITUDE AND SONG
For more than 35 years, The Art of Music Studio has been a creative anchor in Conroe. Founded and still directed by longtime educator Judi Lanza, the studio has introduced generations of students to the joy of music and theatre. Inside Harvest Family Church at 303 Post Oak Drive, it is common to see both children and adults discovering their voices, their instruments, and their confidence.
Guided hands at the piano show how music inspires connection, confidence, and lifelong learning.
Music has been Lanza’s calling since childhood. She started piano at age 10, formed a family band with her sisters at 14, and spent six years touring before settling in Conroe in 1982. By her twenties she was teaching dozens of students each week. That passion grew into a full-fledged studio, officially launched in 2007 with multiple teachers and instruments.
MORE THAN LESSONS
Every student is unique, whether four years old or well into their eighties. Lessons are designed to be fun and confidence building, while Buddy Classes let siblings, parents, or friends learn together. The studio offers piano, violin, guitar, drums, ukulele, harmonica, and more, alongside drama and musical theatre. Lanza believes music boosts coordination, creativity, and lifelong brain health.
GENERATIONS OF GROWTH
Parents consistently describe the atmosphere as warm and family like. One shared, “My daughter is learning music and thrives in this wonderful family atmosphere… Love it here.” Many students discover focus or healing through music, including those with dyslexia or other challenges. Some graduates have become professional performers, teachers, and therapists, while today’s enrollment often includes children of alumni.
SUMMER CAMPS AND COMMUNITY
Summer camps are a highlight, blending music, art, theatre, and Lego projects. Multi-Arts Camps let students play instruments, create art, and stage a play, while Music Discovery Camps allow children to choose instruments, try songwriting, and explore percussion. Each camp ends with a performance that builds confidence. Beyond the studio, students appear at
“Summer camps bring music, art, and theatre together for kids to explore, create, and perform.”
local festivals, petting zoos, and recitals, weaving music into Conroe’s cultural life.
WHAT TO DO NEXT IN CONROE
Trial lessons make it easy to start. Instruments are provided, no experience required. Families can register online and receive a follow up call to match students with the right program. Book a class at theartofmusicstudio.com or call 936-756-8777. Look for the coupon in this issue’s ad to save on lessons or camps when you sign up.
A young student beams with pride while learning guitar at The Art of Music Studio.
Judi Lanza, founder and director of The Art of Music Studio, beneath her award-winning painting.
LIVING IN ALIGNMENT
Building healthier lives in Conroe through personalized chiropractic care at HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve.
ARTICLE BY CHRIS STAPLES
When Ryan Eisenbath and his wife moved back from Southeast Asia, they carried more than memories of travel. They brought a deep appreciation for holistic, non-traditional medicine and a determination to build something meaningful for their community. This fall, that vision came to life with the opening of HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve
The clinic’s advanced 3D decompression tables deliver targeted spinal relief unavailable in standard equipment.
“Chiropractic is not just an emergency fix. It is a lifestyle built on alignment and long-term wellness.”
in Conroe, a clinic designed from the ground up to serve families, athletes, and everyday neighbors seeking long-term wellness.
For Ryan, the journey has been transformative.
“We’re thankful to God for putting us in this position to give back to the community,” he says. “And I’m thankful for my wife, who walked with me through every challenge of turning a dirt floor into a fully equipped clinic.”
A NEW STANDARD FOR CHIROPRACTIC CARE
HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve distinguishes itself with three pillars that set it apart from traditional chiropractic offices. The first is progressive rehab, which retrains soft tissues and muscles to support the spine’s alignment long after the adjustment. “If you don’t correct the muscles, they’ll pull the spine back out of place,” Ryan explains. “Rehab ensures long-term results.”
The second is the clinic’s 3D decompression table, the only one of its kind in the area. Unlike standard pulley systems, this table moves in three dimensions to target specific vertebrae with precision. It is a game-changer for patients dealing with pinched discs or sciatic pain.
The third is custom 3D orthotics, created from detailed foot scans using a pin-system mapping process. The orthotics provide a solid foundation for alignment, addressing arch issues that ripple upward into knees, hips, and backs.
Beyond these three, HealthSource also offers Class 4 laser therapy, a powerful tool for reducing inflammation and accelerating healing. Patients benefit from faster recovery whether they are managing acute pain or recovering from injury. To complement these treatments, the clinic integrates proprietary supplements and enzymes, plant-based products that reflect Ryan’s overseas experience with natural medicine.
A HealthSource provider uses a spine model to explain alignment and posture during a consultation.
Top: Chiropractic care provides safe, effective relief for common conditions like hip, back, and sciatic pain.
Bottom: Family-friendly care: HealthSource providers guide patients of all ages through progressive rehab exercises.
WHO BENEFITS MOST
HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve welcomes patients of all ages, from children to seniors. Families are a focus, with particular care for mothers and pregnant women. Chiropractic services provide safe, non-medication relief during pregnancy, especially important as recent advisories have questioned the use of common painkillers like Tylenol. Workers who spend long hours on their feet, including restaurant staff, warehouse employees, and construction crews, find relief through custom orthotics and alignment therapy. Athletes also benefit from the clinic’s high-performance standards. “Professional athletes know alignment drives performance,” Ryan says. “We’re bringing that same level of care here to Conroe.”
Common conditions treated include sciatica, headaches, TMJ dysfunction, shoulder pain, and lower back strain. For Eisenbath, the key message is universal: “Everyone can benefit from chiropractic care.”
THE TEAM BEHIND THE CARE
Eisenbath credits his “all-star team” of providers for setting the clinic apart. Dr. Jeremy, the clinic director, is known for operational efficiency and seasoned care. Dr. Johnson, who once practiced at the Kobe Bryant facility in Los Angeles, brings expertise in soft tissue therapy and prenatal care, along with experience supporting elite athletes from the Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, and Chargers.
Supporting them is Maria, the office manager, whose background in international logistics keeps the clinic running smoothly, and McKenzie, a rehab specialist already recognized for advanced knowledge at a young age. Together, they embody Eisenbath’s philosophy: offering the highest standards of care to every patient who walks through the door.
PRICING WITH TRANSPARENCY
HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve aims to make chiropractic care accessible while maintaining a commitment to personalized treatment. The clinic offers a new patient special for $39, which includes a consultation, assessment, movement screening, X-rays, and a complimentary laser adjustment.
From there, treatment plans are customized to the individual. “We’re not a cookie-cutter chiropractor,” Eisenbath emphasizes. “Every patient deserves a custom plan.”
“Professional athletes understand that alignment drives peak performance. At HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve, we bring that same high standard of care to Conroe families, workers, and neighbors every single day.”
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The timing of HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve’s opening is significant. After years of disruption from Covid, many in Conroe are reevaluating their health priorities. For Ryan and his wife, investing in a state-of-the-art build-out was a statement of faith in the community’s future. “We wanted a facility built to the highest standard,” he says. “This is not just about adjustments. It is about building healthier, stronger families.”
WHAT TO DO NEXT IN CONROE
Residents curious about chiropractic care can take advantage of HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve’s $39 new patient special and experience a comprehensive, personalized assessment. Whether you are an athlete aiming to perform better, a mom seeking safe pregnancy support, or a worker looking for lasting relief from long days on your feet, HealthSource of Harper’s Preserve offers a path to alignment and wellness. Book your consultation today and begin living in alignment.
Owners Jen and Ryan Eisenbath
H O P E
with YOU
The holidays have a way of calling us back to what matters most—faith, family, compassion, and the quiet but powerful act of giving. As lights go up and calendars fill, there are still many who sit in silence, carrying burdens too heavy to bear alone. But what if this season, you could be the spark that changes everything for someone else?
The founders of City Lifestyle, through their private foundation, are once again launching its annual Christmas Giving Campaign—a heartfelt effort to seek out and support individuals and families who have quietly fallen through the cracks. The mission is simple: to bring light, dignity, and hope to those who need it most.
Since its beginning just four years ago, this initiative has grown from a humble idea into a life-changing movement. Last Christmas alone, more than 200 families across the country received unexpected support—financial relief, but also something even more powerful.
“We don’t just send checks,” says Steven Schowengerdt, CEO and founder of City Lifestyle. “We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
Together with City Lifestyle President Matthew Perry, Steven has helped shape this into a tradition that goes far beyond charity. “This is about community,” Matthew adds. “We believe we’ve been blessed, so now we get to be a blessing.”
Every story begins with a nomination. Often, it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or teacher—someone who’s been quietly carrying too much for too long. One past recipient, after receiving unexpected support during a time of deep personal struggle, wrote:
SCAN TO NOMINATE
“We send a message: You are seen. You are loved. And you are not forgotten.”
“Beyond the very practical solution of receiving funds to fix my car, this thing you guys worked together to do is bigger than that. I carry the Christmas card you sent in my purse. When things get really hard, I pull it out and remember what it felt like to be seen. That card represents hope— that change for the better is possible. I’m not sure how many people get to carry hope around in their purse. But I do.”
Another wrote in after her husband was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer and unable to work:
“This support has blessed our family not only financially, but emotionally and spiritually as we trust God to meet our needs throughout this difficult time. Thank you to our anonymous friend and to your foundation. What a joy and gift to be part of God’s family!”
Each year brings countless stories like these—real lives touched by simple acts of kindness. Some use the funds to pay overdue bills, others to afford groceries, medication, or repairs. But no matter the circumstance, the impact is the same: hope is restored.
This season, you have the opportunity to be part of that. The campaign is now open to nominations—completely confidential and prayerfully considered. Whether it’s someone battling illness, facing unemployment, or just in need of a helping hand, you can bring them a moment of grace that will ripple far beyond Christmas morning.
“Knowing my mom was chosen filled my heart with indescribable joy,” said another past recipient. “Your generosity doesn’t just brighten her life; it inspires hope and faith in all of us. It enables her to stay in her home and get back on her feet.”
Nominations are open from November 1st to December 5th, 2025. To submit someone you know, simply scan the QR code or visit @CityLifestyle on Instagram, where you’ll find the nomination form in the bio.
This holiday season, let’s give more than gifts. Let’s give each other the gift of being seen. Because sometimes, the smallest gesture becomes someone’s greatest miracle.
To nominate someone in need, visit: KingdomBuildingFoundation.org or scan the QR code.
NOVEMBER 2025
A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS
WEEKLY ON SATURDAYS
Saturday Farmers Market in Historic Conroe
Historic Downtown Conroe | 10:00 AM
Discover fresh produce, handmade goods, and local treasures at the Weekly Farmers’ and Artisan Market every Saturday in Historic Downtown Conroe. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, shop directly from farmers and artisans in the Juror Parking Lot at Main and Metcalf Streets, just behind Heritage Plaza.
NOVEMBER 1ST
Margaritaville
Weekly Concert Series “It’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere”
The Margaritaville Lake Resort in Conroe | 5:00 PM
Every Saturday night this fall, bring your lawn chairs and blankets and settle in for the It’s 5 o’Clock Somewhere Concert Series. General admission is free with a reserved ticket. Each ticket also provides 20% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at LandShark Bar & Grill or License to Chill Bar & Café
NOVEMBER 7TH
First Friday Sip N’ Shop
Your favorite shops, restaurants, and taverns in Downtown Conroe! 5:00 PM
Downtown Conroe comes alive for First Friday Sip N’ Shop. Guests can explore local shops, restaurants, and taverns while enjoying drink specials, live music, and exclusive one-nightonly discounts. It’s the perfect evening to mingle, discover new favorites, and support Conroe’s vibrant downtown scene.
