July-August 2022 - Absolutely Brazos Magazine

JULY/ AUGUST 2022

” p U s ’ r e d r “O at

Texana Café

A Special Population Serves Exceptional Meals

Serving Richmond, Rosenberg, Fulshear & Needville

Medical FOCUS

absolutely!

Kid Friendly

COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS Treated in Sugar Land

At Houston Methodist Neuroscience & Spine Center at Sugar Land, our physicians collaborate across specialties to diagnose and treat common to complex neurological disorders. With innovative and advanced treatment options, we provide personalized comprehensive care — close to home.

Our team of physicians treats a variety of conditions, including: • • • •

Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders Aneurysms Brain tumors Neuropathy

• • • •

Parkinson’s disease and tremors Sleep disorders Spinal disorders Stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Your health is our priority. You can be confident we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe, including requiring COVID-19 vaccinations for all of our physicians and staff.

SCAN HERE

TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT To schedule an appointment, scan the QR code, visit houstonmethodist.org/neuro-sl or call 281.274.7979.

{Column}

CONTRIBUTORS

12 FORT BEND STRONG Oh, Say Can You See

Tanya Sterling Contributor Page 6

19 ON THE PORCH WITH PATTI Summer Breeze

JULY/AUGUST 2022 VOLUME 10 | NUMBER 4

{COVER STORY}

22 AUTO REVIEW

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2022 Toyota Tundra

24 THE DRUNKEN CYCLIST Recalling My Past at Ancient Peaks

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{Feature} 10 SIMPLE SUMMER DESSERT

Enjoy your summer and the fourth with fresh fruit like strawberries in this easy recipe.

11 HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA Texana Café staff: Caytlin Handley, Liz Arredondo, Rany Thommen, Amy Newton and Rie Buckle.

Photo by Kelley Sweet Photography.

Celebrate July 4th events perfect for friends, family and fun in Richmond, Rosenberg and Fulshear.

14 ABSOLUTELY! KID FRIENDLY

6 “ORDER’S UP” AT THE POPULAR TEXANA CAFÉ IN FULSHEAR: A Special Population Serves Exceptional Meals

New to the Fulshear community is a unique eatery that serves up tasty soups, salads, sandwiches and sweet treats by some unique individuals living with autism or intellectual disabilities.

Through Texana Center’s vision for a resource to provide meaningful vocational training and employment, the Texana Café provides real world experience in restaurant and retail skills helping Café interns lead successful, substantive and happy lives all while providing a wonderful resource to the community.

{Historic Downtown} 9 ROSENBERG

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Everything parents need for both summer fun and back to school.

20 MEDICAL FOCUS Health Care News You Can Use

{Newsworthy} 5 TEXAS MASTER NATURALISTS

The Honorable Pete Olson Contributor Page 12 Patti Parish-Kaminski Publisher Page 19

19 Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 22

22 Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. thedrunkencyclist.com Page 24

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{In Every Issue} 4 EXCLAMATION POINTS! 26 OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART OF BRAZOS

Complete Major Project

18 47TH ANNUAL VINTAGE GLASS AND ANTIQUE SHOW August 20th and 21st at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds

23 HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL New and Expectant Moms are Invited to the Community Baby Shower

{Business Briefs} 25 OAKBEND MEDICAL CENTER CEO Joe Freudenberger Celebrates 15 Years of Service

ON THE COVER: Texana Café staff: Caytlin Handley, Liz Arredondo, Rany Thommen, Amy Newton and Rie Buckle.

Photo by Kelley Sweet Photography.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

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EXCLAMATION POINTS! Associate Publisher, KAY GARRETT

Summer is Here!

Summer is here, and those lazy days filled with sunshine, trips to the beach, relaxing by the pool and adventures at the park are in full swing. The temperatures are spiking and going anywhere without air conditioning is next to impossible. But, the summer fun we all long for is finally here!

July 4th will be heating up, and what could be more exciting than celebrating our nation’s birth right here in Fort Bend! The cities of Rosenberg and Fulshear will each host a July 4th event perfect for friends, Kay Garrett and Kay Danziger at the Donuts and Designer’s fundraiser family and fun.

Our featured cover story is about the benefitting OakBend Medical Center. new Texana Cafe’ located in Fulshear.

Texana Café is the brainchild of the Texana Center, which is a non-profit serving as a critical resource for mental healthcare, autism and developmental disabilities services to residents of a six-county area. Their mission is to deliver impactful, life-changing services to people with behavioral health issues, intellectual and developmental disabilities. I hope each of you will visit the Texans Café. The food is delightful, and the staff is friendly. Speaking from experience, you won’t be disappointed. To read more, see page 6.

Our absolutely! Kid Friendly special section features everything you need for both summer fun and back to school, because before we know it, school bells will be ringing. Parents everywhere will be getting everything together to ensure that their family will have a smooth transition from summertime to school time. To help parents get one step ahead, read our absolutely! Kid Friendly on page 14.

I hope your summer has been filled with family, friends and most of all fun.

Happy 4th of July to all of our Brazos community. Thank you to all servicemen and women past and present for the sacrifice you make each day to keep us safe and our country free!

Vol. 10 No. 4 JULY/AUGUST 2022 281.728.1204

WWW.ABSOLUTELYBRAZOS.COM absolutely! focus media P. O. Box 1253 Richmond, Texas 77406

PUBLISHER Patti Parish-Kaminski A S S O C IAT E P U B L I S H E R Kay Garrett AC C OUNT EXECUTIVE Gena Horak A RT D I R E C T O R Grace Belleza WEB DESIGNER JOBpage Graphics S O C IA L M E D IA M A NA G E R Natalee Moore CONTRIBUTORS Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D. Steve Kursar The Honorable Pete Olson Tanya Sterling A D V E RT I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S Kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com E D I T O R IA L S U B M I S S I O N S Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Absolutely yours, Kay Garrett enjoying some summer fun to beat the heat with grandsons Canon and Graham Kiehl.

Kay Garrett kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

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absolutely! Brazos eZine is published by absolutely! focus media, P. O. Box 1253, Richmond, Texas 77406. Copyright © 2022 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. absolutely! Brazos eZine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. absolutely! Brazos eZine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.

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JULY / AUGUST 2022

NEWSWORTHY

Texas Master Naturalists Complete Major Project Members of the Coastal Prairie Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalist Program recently completed a project to construct roosting racks for the incredible native birds that live and move through our community. The racks were built on an island in the middle of the Wetland Pond at Seabourne Creek Nature Park in Rosenberg, an ideal place for several species of birds that have chosen the spot as their nesting site.

The crew braved the early summer heat to ferry all the supplies across the pond via canoe. Chapter members Jerry Trenta, Don Parkhouse, Elaine Whitely, Phil Ward, Bob Naeger, Garrett Engelhardt, Sal Cardenas, Kevin Engelhardt, John Cooper and Janis Leavitt all pitched in to make this project happen.

These new roosts are not only a ben-

efit to the egrets, herons, spoonbills and countless other species of birds, they provide wonderful bird-watching and photography opportunities. Come out and visit Seabourne Creek Nature Park and explore the prairie restoration, native gardens, bird watching areas and so much more.

Texas Master Naturalists are a corps of volunteers dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and areas in texas. The program is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. For more information about the Coastal Prairie Chapter, visit www.coastalprairie.org.

Sal Cardenas and Bob Naeger bring lumber to build the roosting racks.

Photo by Kevin Engelhardt.

Submit newsworthy items to Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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” p U s ’ r e d r “O at the Popular Texana Café in Fulshear A Special Population Ser ves Exceptional Meals

How Texana Café Started Texana Café team member Caitlin Handley.

F

ulshear, Texas, a tight-knit, welcoming community with a small-town ambiance in northwest Fort Bend County, was recently named as one of the “Best Places to Raise a Family in Texas” by niche.com. There are several reasons for that recognition with one of them, no doubt, being Texana Café.

Texana Café serves tasty and traditional items, such as soups, salads, sandwiches, coffee creations and sweet treats.

What is not traditional is that these menu items are created by individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities.

“We had a soft opening from December 2021 through February 2022,” said Kate Johnson-Patagoc, Director of Specialized Services. “Our grand opening was this past March, and we have gradually expanded staff, hours and the menu. We are now open Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 3 pm with fantastic breakfasts, lunches, coffees and sweet treats. We also sell home decor and accessories made by people with special needs.”

COVER STORY

By Tanya Sterling Photos by Kelley Sweet Photography

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Texana Café is the brainchild of the Texana Center, which is a nonprofit serving as a critical resource for mental healthcare, autism and developmental disabilities services to residents of a six-county area including Austin, Colorado, Fort Bend, Matagorda, Waller and Wharton Counties. Their mission is to deliver impactful, life-changing services to people with behavioral health issues and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Café has been a dream of Texana’s leadership team since 2015, and they have tirelessly worked to raise the funds, secure the location, and work with the Fulshear city officials to construct their building with the appropriate infrastructure and permits. They subsequently appointed and hired a team of experts, including their project lead, Senior Manager Beth Duncan, to get the project off the ground.

Why Texana Café Started Historically, there has always been a plethora of services for younger children with special needs.

“We found that services for children were more robust, but once they graduate high school, there was not a lot of opportunities out in the community for them. There is a high percentage of high school graduates with special needs that are unemployed or underemployed,” explained JohnsonPatagoc. “Many are just sitting at home on their parent’s

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

couch. The Café is intended to provide meaningful vocational training and employment. The Café provides real world experience in restaurant and retail skills to provide tools to help our Café interns lead successful, substantive and happy lives.”

The Interview and Hiring Process

people who have developmental disabilities, and those with related abilities.

Rany Thommen, a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst, who has a high level of expertise in teaching skills to people with special needs and has a background in running a bakery, manages the café. The business also has two highly skilled Café Coordinators, Liz Arredondo and Amy Newton, who came to Texana with backgrounds in the culinary industry and in training others. Together, these three managers have employed and trained nine Café Interns so far in the short time they have been open. These trainers have every skill broken down into easy trainable steps. All of the training is on-the-job as they are a restaurant in full operation.

Texana Center, a 501(c) 3 public, not for profit, organization, serves about 14,000 clients per year and is designated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services as the Local Mental Retardation Authority and by the Texas Department of State Health Services as the Local Mental Health Authority.

It is one the largest providers of Home and Community-based Services in Texas.

Texana Café has an interview process to determine basic skills, but their intention is to provide the training needed in the actual restaurant and retail environment. No previous experience is required. They specialize in teaching new skills to people with varying abilities. That said, not everyone is interested or ready to work in the Texana Café, so there are other programs available, such as social skills groups and individual Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy.

“Our goal is to teach all of the interns as many of the skills possible for working in a restaurant or retail setting,” said Johnson-Patagoc. “That said, some interns acquire skills more quickly and are able to promptly move on to more technical services, such as working the cash register. Others take more time to master skills, such as sandwich making and dishwashing.”

On-the-Job-Training Texana Café executed a soft opening from December 2021 through February 2022. Their grand opening was in March, and they have methodically expanded staff, hours, plus the menu items.

The restaurant has a Café Manager and two Café Coordinators who lead the team and help teach all of the Café Interns the restaurant and retail skills. The Café Intern positions are perfect for people on the autism spectrum,

Texana Café staff: Caytlin Handley, Liz Arredondo, Rany Thommen, Amy Newton and Rie Buckle.

Texana staff Michele Donnelly with Devin Godley.

Texana’s Fulshear Location The Texana Café is part of a portfolio of services, including the Texana Center for Advancement, a program that provides vocational and related classes also located in their Fulshear building.

“Both of these new programs help meet the needs of young adults graduating high school and desiring an opportunity to develop skills toward their future goals,” said JohnsonPatagoc.

Texana Center purchased the 14.5-acre tract of land located on FM 359 and Wallis Street in Fulshear following a long search for an appropriate building to operate an additional campus as the need for services was significant.

The planned campus will be developed in three phases with the layout taking advantage of the existing oak trees to provide shade and a picturesque setting for the population and programs.

Along with the Café, there are two programs providing services in the back half of the building. It includes the third location of Texana’s Children Center for Autism, where JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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one-to-one applied behavior analysis treatment is provided to children thru age eight. The second program is the new Center for Advancement geared to prepare teens and adults for life after high school whether that is for competitive employment or basic life skills. Currently, this program is offering a Social Connections Club twice a week, and a virtual Computer Class, art class and dance/exercise class all once a week. Many of the classes are available thanks to collaborations with wonderful community partners, such as Unite and Inspire, Cookie Joe’s Dancin’ School and Rustic Brush. Several new classes are also in the

Serving Up the Details on

The reviews are in, and the recently opened Texana Café is a success!

“Food is delicious, staff is friendly – Texana Café is everything you need. The perfect lunch spot if you are looking for soups, sandwiches and the coffee is amazing.

Not to mention you will be supporting a great cause.”

“We had the turkey sandwich and the chicken salad sandwich. Both were fantastic! Also get the passion fruit soda! Employees are very friendly, and the place is immaculate.”

“I decided to treat myself to a delicious lunch by the Texana Café. I ordered the turkey sandwich, roasted red pepper soup and cookie. They were delicious! I even ordered more to go because I just had to take some home to my husband. The staff were welcoming, warm and helpful throughout my entire meal. The ambiance was comfortable and kid friendly. Personally, and most of all, I loved the meaning behind the Café. It was rewarding to see exceptional individuals shine in their roles at the Café. I will definitely be coming back here and supporting the Texana Café!”

works with the goal to eventually have a college-like schedule offering a full array of classes. Inquiries about classes can be sent to classes@texanacenter.com.

“The city of Fulshear has been extremely supportive,” said Johnson-Patagoc. “The residents seem to love Texana Café.

We have many regulars who come in daily or weekly, but we can always have more business! Opening the Texana Café has been a dream come true for me. I hope it is also a dream come true for the wonderful staff and interns we have the privilege to employ.”

Texana Café is open Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 3 pm and is located at 7440 FM 359 South in Fulshear. For more information, visit www.TexanaCafe.com.

Liam Havelka and staff Julia Situ.

Texana Café

7440 FM 359 South Fulshear, TX 77441 (346) 707-1684 www.texanacafe.com/menu

“Because our emphasis is on training people with special needs, our hours work around training staff availability. We always leave open the possibility of weekend hours and expanded hours in the future,” said Kate Johnson-Patagoc, Director of Specialized Services, Texana Center.

Scratch-made menu items include a variety of sandwiches, soups, tasty salads, coffee creations, plus baked goods, such as cakes, cookies and candies. Breakfast and lunch are created by individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities.

Hiring Café Interns Texana Café is hiring Café interns to work as a part of the restaurant team with daily supervision. Café interns provide hospitality services to customers dining in the restaurant or shopping for retail items. This includes providing exceptional customer service, preparing food, serving food, packaging food, completing cleaning routines and assisting customers with retail items. Training for this position consists of skill acquisition for communication, social skills and other vocational skills necessary to complete job duties in the community setting. Training includes specific training in essential duties related to food preparation, food serving and retail sales, as well as training in accepting and responding to feedback from supervisors.

Historic Downtown Rosenberg DINE • SIP • SHOP • LOCAL

Open Wednesday - Saturday Rosenberg’s Finest Wine Room

Ornamental Iron • Wood • Chain Link

Wine Club

281.238.0735 www.Apache-Fence.com

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Current Museum hours: Wed-Fri. 10 am - 3 pm Sat. 10 am - 4 pm • Sun. 1 pm - 4 pm Located in Historic DownTown Rosenberg 1921 Avenue F • Rosenberg, Texas 77471 281-633- 2846 w w w. R o s e n b e r g R R m u s e u m . o r g

Boutique Wines Craft Beer

1st Tuesday every month

Bingo

2nd Thursday of each month

1917 Avenue G Trivia Night Historic Downtown Last Wednesday Rosenberg 77471 of each month www.BRvino.com (281) 762-0900 Check Facebook for events!

Jeffrey C. McClellan CPA, PLLC Controller-Accounting-Tax Proudly Located in Historic Downtown Rosenberg

Designs in Fine Jewelry, LLC “Your Hometown Jeweler”

@absolutelybrazos

Tag Us as you are Out and About in the Heart of Brazos

281-725-6085 830 3rd Street • Suite 205 Rosenberg, Tx 77471 www.jcm-cpa.com

Chris Dostal, Owner

281-342-2112 • dostalsjewelry.com 940 Third St., Rosenberg, TX 77471

Simple Summer Dessert

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njoy your summer and the fourth with fresh fruit like strawberries in this Easy Strawberry Shortcake recipe.

Find more recipes at www.Culinary.net.

Easy Strawberry Shortcake Recipe courtesy of Pillsbury 1 2 1/4

Can (5-8) Pillsbury Flaky Buttermilk Biscuits Tablespoons Butter, Melted Cup Sugar

Strawberry Mixture: 3 Cups Fresh Strawberries, Sliced 1/3 Cup Sugar Whipped Cream: 1/2 Cup Whipping Cream 2 Tablespoons Sugar 1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla

• Heat oven to 375 F. • Separate biscuits. Dip tops and sides of biscuits in melted butter. Dip biscuits, covering tops and sides, in sugar. Place sugar-side up on ungreased baking sheet.

Bake 13-17 minutes, or until golden brown.

Click to watch video to see how to make this recipe!

• To make strawberry mixture: In medium bowl, mix strawberries and sugar. Set aside.

• To make whipped cream: In small bowl, beat whipping cream and sugar until soft peaks form. Add vanilla and beat into mixture.

PLAY

• On plate, split biscuits and put dollop of whipped cream mixture on bottom half of biscuit. Add strawberry mixture. Replace biscuit top and dollop with whipping cream.

Source: www.Culinary.net

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JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Richmond

Rosenberg

Independence Day Celebration Saturday, July 2nd 9 am - 5 pm George Ranch Historical Park

Annual Family 4th Celebration Monday, July 4th 6 - 10 pm Seabourne Creek Nature Park 3831 Highway 36 South

Celebrate our great Nation at the George Ranch. Come and let Freedom Ring together! Step back in time and experience the history of an authentic American cattle ranch and learn about the local people who made this county great. Activities for the day will include square dancing with the Houston Square and Round Dancing Council, cowboy campfire popcorn and patriotic-themed paper crafts!

Buy general admission tickets today by visiting https:// www.georgeranch.org/event/park-admission.

Fulshear Fulshear Freedom Fest 2022 Monday, July 4th 6 - 9:30 pm Fulshear High School 9302 Charger Way in Fulshear Come out for an evening of live music from the Bag of Donuts, local food trucks, vendor booths and a spectacular Independence Day Fireworks Show. For more information, visit www.fulshearkaty.com/events.

Enjoy an evening full of patriotism, family, friends and fun with activities for all ages, including music from the hit band Electric Circus, a kid’s zone, bounce houses, horsedrawn wagon rides, informative nature talks from the Texas Master Naturalists and more! If all that fun works up an appetite, many delicious food and beverage options will be available for purchase from some of the area’s most popular food vendors. The event is free and open to the public.

The grand finale of the evening will include a new and improved twenty-minute spectacular and patriotic fireworks show which will begin at approximately 9 pm.

There are two free parking options for the event.

Parking will be available immediately south of the event entrance, and event attendees can walk across the footpath into the park grounds. Parking will also be available at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds along with a free shuttle service. The shuttle will run continuously from 5:30 pm until 10 pm, taking guests to and from the Fairgrounds and Seabourne Creek Nature Park.

Limited seating at the event will be available, so bring a chair or blanket to sit on and bug spray. Do not bring any large items that won’t fit on the shuttle or will be difficult to load off and on the shuttle.

Prohibited items include: Alcohol, drugs or any illegal substances, laser pointers, air horns, drones, remotecontrolled aircraft, cigarettes, cigars or pipes, (smoking is prohibited at Seabourne Creek Nature Park) glass and fireworks of any kind including sparklers.

Pets are allowed on leashes only. The owner is responsible for picking up after their pets. Pets are not allowed on shuttle buses.

For more information about the event or to become an event sponsor, contact Carrie at the Rosenberg Civic Center at 832-595-3520, visit www.rosenbergtx.gov or follow on Facebook @RosenbergTXGov.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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Oh, Say Can You See

uly 4, 1776, the United States of America declared its independence from the most powerful nation in the world, Great Britain.

Most of the known world thought our Founding Fathers were out of their minds. How could the people ever be trusted to govern themselves? Mr. Washington, Mr. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison, Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Franklin were fools. Did they actually believe they could win? Did they truly believe the common person could be trusted to vote for their leaders?

We all know what happened. Those “foolish” men created the most free, most prosperous, most tolerant nation in human history. The entire world heard the call in the words engraved on the Statue of Liberty, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free.” People came. They are still coming.

There are so many things about our country that make my heart beat so strongly it feels as if it is going to explode from my chest: Coming home and seeing my beautiful wife after six months in the Persian Gulf, hearing Jim Lovell say, “Houston, 13” when the damaged Apollo 13 capsule came through the fire of reentry to splashdown safely, Al Michaels shouting, “Do you believe in miracles? YES!” as our hockey team beat the vastly superior Soviet Union hockey team in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Games.

Another patriotic moment I’ll always cherish is watching 27year old Whitney Houston belting out our national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991. Here is the video of Whitney if you are too young to remember: https://youtu.be/dtdhxqGmWKU

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The Star-Spangled Banner is our national anthem. The music came from a popular English drinking song, To Anacrenon in Heaven. No kidding. The lyrics were written by American Francis Scott Key. Some days during the twelve years I served in the United States House of Representatives, I felt “The Shining City on a Hill” that America always aspired to be was transforming into an old house in a flood zone. Congress was a hyperpartisan group who refused to compromise and loved to fight.

In a 2013 poll by Public Policy Polling, more Americans had a higher opinion of root canals than Congress. It wasn’t close.

Root canals 56%, Congress 32%, Not sure 12%. On the bright side, Congress whipped meth labs 60% to 21%. It is sometimes difficult to be a member of a group held in such high esteem by your bosses, the American people.

During these moments, I would remember the story of Francis Scott Key, and the creation of The Star-Spangled Banner. It is a remarkable story of love for the United States of America.

Every time I hear the song, I try to put myself in Key’s shoes.

He was born in the middle of the American Revolution – August 1, 1779. His parents were British subjects. He was always an American. The British never got over the fact American revolutionaries broke away from King George’s tyrannical rule. The British kept hassling and seizing our trade ships overseas and imprisoning American sailors. On June 18, 1812, we formally declared war against Great Britain. The War of 1812 had begun.

Once again, we were fighting the most powerful navy and army in the world. And just like the Revolutionary War, we lost all the initial battles. On August 24, 1814, the British captured Washington, D.C. and burned our Capitol Building and the White House to the ground. Their next target was one of our greatest ports – Baltimore. One of Key’s friends had been arrested by the British invaders. Key went to the flagship of the British fleet in Chesapeake Bay to negotiate his release. It was a success, but the British would not let Key and his friend leave.

They knew Baltimore was going to be attacked, and that information must not be allowed to leak to the Americans. So, Key and his friend were put on a “truce ship” in Baltimore Harbor.

The key to capturing Baltimore was taking Fort McHenry. The British kindly gave Key a “front row seat” for the destruction of Fort McHenry. The fort could be seen from Key’s “truce ship.”

He could see the huge, 30 feet by 42 feet, flag flying over the fort. Key knew as long as that flag was flying, the Americans were winning the battle.

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As darkness set in, Key was bracing for a sleepless night, waiting for dawn to see if our flag was down and Fort McHenry captured. God/fate was with Key that evening. The British bombs illuminated the night sky when they exploded. With every explosion, Key had one or two seconds to see if our flag was still flying over Fort McHenry. To describe his sleepless night and his pride in America, Key wrote, “And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

The American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Bombardment of Fort McHenry. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/maps/fort-mchenryseptember-13-14-1814 On September 13, 1814, during daylight hours in the rain, the British fleet started pouring artillery shells down on Fort McHenry. Key could see and hear the explosions over the fort.

Our flag was tattered, but it was still flying. The sun began to set. To immortalize what he was feeling and what he was seeing, Key wrote “What so proudly we hailed, at the twilight’s last gleaming. Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight. O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming.”

Rockets Red Glare by Abraham Hunter. https://www.artofthesouth.com/art-news/abraham-hunternews/78-rockets-red-glare-by-abraham-hunter As the sun rose, Key could clearly see Old Glory standing tall.

The British withdrew. Baltimore would not be captured. “Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave. O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave.” America would win the War of 1812, and we would forever have the most beautiful, inspiring and glorious national anthem the world has ever known!

On the 4th of July, while you are enjoying hot dogs, hamburgers, fajitas, potato chips, ice cream and fireworks shows with your family, you will undoubtedly hear The Star-Spangled Banner. All I ask is that you stand. if possible, take off your hat, put your right hand over your heart, reflect on the words of that sacred song, and sing our national anthem as loudly and proudly as you can.

America Strong is Fort Bend Strong!

Walter Martin Baumhofer’s The Star Spangled Banner. https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/7-unbelievableimages-of-the-bombardment-of-fort-mchenry-where-thenational-anthem-was-written/ JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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absolutely! Kid Friendly Tax-Free Weekend August 5th to 7th

Save the Date

T

he Comptroller encourages all taxpayers to support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks (sold for less than $100) during the annual Tax-Free

weekend. Qualifying items can be purchased tax free from a Texas store or from an online or catalog seller doing business in Texas. In most cases, you do not need to give the seller an exemption certificate to buy qualifying items tax free.

This year’s sales tax holiday begins Friday, August 5th, and goes through midnight Sunday, August 7th.

The sales tax exemption applies only to qualifying items you buy during the sales tax holiday. Items you buy before or after the sales tax holiday do not qualify for exemption, and there is no tax refund available.

Qualifying Items • Clothing and Footwear • Face Masks • Backpacks • School Supplies For important information, visit https://comptroller.texas. gov/taxes/publications/98-490/.

Holy Rosary Catholic School Principal Named

H

oly Rosary Catholic Church is pleased to announce that Mrs. Adrienne Rodriguez has been named the new principal of Holy Rosary Catholic School.

The process of finding a new principal for Holy Rosary Catholic School began in January 2022 at the Archdiocesan level with the guidance of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools, Dr. Debra Haney, vetting qualified individuals to then go before the Principal Selection Committee consisting of members of the School and Parish Community, Parish Staff and former educational leaders from the community.

Rodriguez grew up in Katy attending St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Her husband is a Richmond native and attended St. Theresa in Sugar Land. They are moving back to the area after having been in Georgetown, Texas so that they can be closer to family with the recent addition to their family – their 3-month-old daughter.

Rodriguez graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas with a BA in Spanish and received her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University in Austin, Texas. She began her career in education as a high school Spanish teacher, moved into school administration as a middle school principal, then high school associate principal, and most recently served as an elementary school principal in Georgetown.

Upon acceptance of her new position, Rodriguez stated, “I felt God leading me to the Catholic school system for some years, and after a lot of prayer and patience, it is with great pleasure and excitement that I begin the journey as principal of Holy Rosary Catholic School. I am blessed to be able to continue my life’s passion of nurturing students, supporting teachers and partnering with parents to educate our future’s mind, heart and spirit.”

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Fr. Orrin Halepeska, Pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church Rosenberg and Adrienne Rodriquez, Principal of Holy Rosary Catholic School.

Fr. Orrin Halepeska, Pastor of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, added, “We feel confident that her vast experience and leadership will enhance the legacy of academic excellence and community that has been synonymous with our school for over 80 years. We look forward to welcoming her into our Holy Rosary family.”

The community is invited to meet Rodriguez on Sunday, June 26th at the 11:30 am Mass at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Parish Picnic immediately following from 1 - 3 pm.

Holy Rosary Catholic School is located at 1426 George Street in Rosenberg, Texas. The school attracts students in Pre-K through 8th grade from Rosenberg, Richmond, Sugar Land, Katy, Fulshear and Needville. The 27-acre facility, set in a rural community, includes junior high/middle school and elementary school buildings. The Catholic values and high standard of education taught at Holy Rosary School lay the foundation for the future. Bright futures shine at Holy Rosary Catholic School.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

absolutely! Kid Friendly Action-Packed Summer Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center Crushes Summer with Immersive Experiences For Families Ready To Vacay!

Now To August 6th

F

ort Bend Children’s Discovery Center (FBCDC) – A Very Special Project of Children’s Museum Houston – invites you to be the action hero of your very own blockbuster. Be in on the action during “Action Packed Summer,” happening now to August 6th. The Discovery Center has been transformed into the “FBCDC Studios” to encourage you to live a great story with a dash of movie magic. Choose your destiny . . . you’re the star!

Cocomelon Friday, August 5th • JJ and Melon Meet-and-Greet from 10 am to 5 pm.

Activities, events and times subject to change. For more information, visit www.childrensdiscoveryfb.org or call 832-742-2800.

Action-Packed Summer Programming Don’t miss special events exploring different movie genres. These will include interactives, demonstrations, meet-and-greets, spotlight performances and more!

Captain America and Kidpendence Day Saturday, July 2nd Sponsored by Caldwell & Steinbring Dentistry for Children • Captain America Meet-and-Greet from 11 am to 3 pm.

Who Let the Dogs Out? Dog Days of Summer Friday, July 15th • Texas Six Steppers Dancing Dogs at 11 am and 1 pm.

• Faithful Paws Therapy Dogs at 11:30 am and 1:30 pm.

Be Our Guest Friday, July 22nd • Princess Party with Ariel, Cinderella and Tiana from 11 am to 3 pm.

Jurassic Extreme Friday, July 29th • Follow the Footsteps of Walking Dinosaurs in a Day of Gargantuan Proportions at 11 and 11:30 am.

Be the hero of your very own blockbuster!

Now through August 6th

$30 OFF

Memberships with Summer Sale code: SIZZLE30WB

CHECK OUT! childrensdiscoveryfb.org/action-packed-summer-2022

832.742.2800 • 198 Kempner St., Sugar Land, TX 77498 JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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absolutely! Kid Friendly George Memorial Library Presents “World of Percussion” Musical Family Event

Holy Rosary Catholic School

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ince 1941, Holy Rosary Catholic School (HRCS) has been offering excellence in education for Pre-Kindergarten through 8th Grade. Situated on 27 tree-filled acres in Central Fort Bend County, HRCS is conveniently located between Hwy 90 and Hwy 59. As a community that is dedicated to the spiritual, academic, physical and emotional growth of all students, HRCS focuses on the individual student with expectations set high for all.

At HRCS, not only do students grow in knowledge, but also in love and respect for God, themselves and the world around them. They believe religion should be learned and lived. The weekly children’s Mass (prepared and led by the students) and daily religion classes immerse the students in their Faith. These lessons reach beyond the classroom and are reinforced in all aspects of student’s campus life, forming a moral compass which will guide them in later years. While HRCS strives to create a Catholic atmosphere, they welcome children of all faiths.

The values and high standard of education taught at HRCS lay the foundation for the future by instilling in each student the love of learning and the value of service to the community. As our graduates move on to public or parochial high schools, their time at Holy Rosary Catholic School provides them with the experience and tools that become the springboard to their future success.

Contact HRCS at 281-342-5813 and/or visit us at www.holyrosary-school.org to schedule a tour and/or apply. Bright futures shine here!

Brian Del Signore

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n conjunction with the Summer Reading Challenge, Fort Bend County Libraries invites families with children of all ages to a fun, interactive musical event demonstrating percussion music and instruments from around the world on July 12th, beginning at 2:30 pm, at the George Memorial Library, located at 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

In the program, “World of Percussion,” Houston Symphony principal percussionist Brian Del Signore will introduce children to a wide array of percussion instruments from many countries and cultures worldwide. After demonstrating the four instrument groups of a symphony orchestra – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion – Del Signore will talk about the percussion instruments most commonly used in the symphony orchestra. Children in the audience will be invited to join in a “jam session” where they keep time and play rhythms with their hands while Del Signore improvises on the percussion instruments.

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JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

absolutely! Kid Friendly Del Signore joined the Houston Symphony as the Principal Percussionist in 1986. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied with the Pittsburgh Symphony percussionists. He received a Master of Music degree in 1984 at Temple University, where he studied with Alan Abel of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Del Signore began piano lessons at the age of six and drums at the age of 11.

Visit www.fortbend.lib.tx.us or call 281-342-4455 for more information.

Gingerbread: Quality Early Education in Fort Bend County

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ith summer in full swing, it is not too early to turn our attention to a new school year. This year, the Gingerbread Family of Learning Centers celebrated their eight year anniversary of the Gingerbread Kids’ Academy in Richmond and the 40th anniversary of The Gingerbread House Learning Center in Rosenberg.

The Gingerbread Kids’ Academy and Gingerbread House Learning Center have developed an environment where children can learn and grow. The programs are designed for children ages eight weeks to 12 years and offer a variety of activities throughout the year. In addition to their exceptional education programs, the Gingerbread Centers have implemented enhanced safety and health protocols that include daily temperature checks of students who enter the building and hourly cleaning schedules for high touch areas in the centers. During the pandemic, both locations stayed open to care for the children of essential workers in our community.

Research has shown that in order for a child to be successful in school and life, they must begin with a strong foundation in learning. Gingerbread has designed a curriculum that includes an emphasis on reading, writing, science, math, discovery and exploration, as well as social skills development. The infant and toddler programs focus on the development of both gross and fine motor skills along with basic language development. The three to five-year-old Pre-School and Pre-K programs focus on academics, peer relationships and preparation for entry into Kindergarten and elementary school. The Gingerbread afterschool programs, located onsite at Bentley, Frost, Hutchison, Hubenak and Arredondo Elementary, as well as onsite at the Gingerbread Kids’ Academy and Gingerbread House, offer homework assistance, arts, crafts, games and sports.

A new school year means new beginnings. The Gingerbread Family invites you to come by for a visit. Both locations are now accepting enrollments for the 2022-2023 school year.

Contact Tim Kaminski at twkaminski@sbcglobal.net or 281239-2110 for more information.

Where Children Learn and Grow

n u F r e Summ at

Camp

GKA Gingerbread Kids’ Academy

All-Day Summer Camp May 30th – August 19th Monday – Friday • 6:30 am – 6:00 pm Ages 6 – 10

• Supe

r Sports

acky Science •W ven ts Ad tures

• Arts & Craf ment Groovy Games • Junio e v e i r A ch • omputers & Movie C , s • Video Games usic Madness y • Read r M a r • b i ing L Water Days • Splis h s a l h Sp More! h • Field Trips c u •M 814 FM 2977 281-239-2110 Richmond www.gbkidsacademy.com 77469 twkaminski@sbcglobal.net JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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absolutely! Kid Friendly Calvary Episcopal Preparatory

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hile outstanding academics are a trademark for Calvary Episcopal Preparatory’s reputation of excellence, its pride as Fort Bend County’s premiere Christian school is how students and faculty treat each other and grow in their understanding of God’s expectations for them. The Calvary 3 R’s – Reverence for God, Respect for Others and Responsibility for Self – are the cornerstone for every aspect of the child’s educational journey.

In addition to a advanced curriculum academic environment, the Calvary experience includes service learning, leadership opportunities and enrichment programs. These programs include a successful athletic department, Student Council, National Honor Society and visual and performing arts with a Thespian Troupe, a National Arts Honor Society and competitive band. Calvary consistently wins district competitions in Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) for lower and middle school. Upper school students compete in Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) sending many students to state each year.

Small classrooms and individualized attention ensure that students enjoy a safe and nurturing environment. Christian Character classes, Bible instruction and three chapel services weekly foster an emotionally safe environment.

Calvary is unique in that students learn to “live together” regardless of age, as the school enters PK-3-year olds and graduates students in grade 12. Students freely interact with the older students mentoring the younger in a diverse student body. Calvary is an international school and issues the F-1 visa.

To schedule a tour of the campus, call 281-342-3161. For more information, visit https://www.ces-richmond.org.

Reverence for God, Respect for Others and Responsibility for Self.

Sign Up for Calvary’s Open House

Enrolling Now for School Year 2022-2023

www.ces-richmond.org admissions@ces-richmond.org Like Us on Facebook

Welcoming Students from Pre-K (3 yrs) through Grade 12

Private Campus Tours Available

An exemplary and accredited educational environment where your child will learn from certified teachers in a family-oriented Christian atmosphere.

Bring this ad and receive a $100 discount when you register your child.

NEWSWORTHY

47th Annual Vintage Glass and Antique Show

Come on out to the 47th Vintage Glass and Antique Show and Sale on August 20th and 21st at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, located at 4310 Hwy. 36 South in Rosenberg.

Early shopping hours are 8 am to 10 am with an admission fee of $10, which is also good for regular shopping hours both Saturday and Sunday. Regular shopping hours are 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday.

Admission for regular hours is $6 and good for both days.

Dealers from across the country will feature glassware items from pre 1900 through the 1970’s including a wide variety of colorful 1930’s depression era glass, elegant glass, kitchenware, Midcentury glass, pottery and dinnerware.

The antiques building will feature one-of-a-kind antiques and collectibles.

From vintage primitives, linens, jewelry, kitchen items and furniture, there is truly something for everyone.

There is free parking, air-conditioned buildings, a food and drink concession in the antique building with on-site repair of damaged glass, silver and jewelry.

Call Nancy Norman for questions and details at 281-240-0382 or visit www. houstonglassclub.org.

Call for a tour: 281-342-3161 18

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Professional Porch Sitter

It

Summer Breeze

is only mid-June, and this summer thing has gotten real. And frankly, I’ve taken this going pro thing very seriously. Being a Professional Porch Sitter is a serious business, and it’s not for the faint at heart, so I may or may not have had Mr. Kaminski install an air conditioner on my porch. Let’s go with may. In my defense, I am a middle-aged woman living in southeast Texas where heat, humidity and mosquitos reign supreme a minimum of five months out of the year, resulting in endless bad hair days, glistening upper lips and thighs that are constantly stuck together. A girl can only deal with so much.

Growing up I recall many summers without air conditioning at all. Mawmaw and Pawpaw never had AC at their house in northern Louisiana. There were a couple of old box fans, but Mawmaw didn’t particularly like turning those on due to the unnecessary spike such as that would cause in her electricity bill. If the electricity bill surged past that $20 mark, it was a pure tragedy. So, the fans were mostly for show because if company showed up, the fans still weren’t put to use. Company was escorted to the porch to sit a spell and visit and provided with a glass of sweet tea. They never stayed long. Now that I think about it, that was probably part of Mawmaw’s plan.

Getting ready for church on Sunday mornings was a feat in the summer as Mawmaw would always don a dress, and that particular garment required a girdle and stockings. Now if you are en-

SIGN UP

Sweaty summers eliminated with an air-conditioned porch. Thank God for technology! visioning some dainty, pretty little pink lingerie type thing, just stop right there.

Mawmaw was full grown. Her dress size always boasted a 2 in front of it and typically ended in at least a 6. Her girdle was composed of space-age inch thick spandex complete with military-grade stocking clasps that could put an eye out if let loose. Wrestling into this accoutrement was a battle royale that required copious amounts of baby powder to combat the sweat of the effort and promote gliding over the hills and valleys – so much so that the entire bathroom would become enveloped in a dim haze. The grunting, groaning, twisting, bending, cajoling, stuffing and powdering typically lasted a solid ten minutes, and that was just step one. With the undergarments solidly in place, Mawmaw had to take minute, sit on the tiny bathroom stool that I was al-

ways stunned held her, catch her breath in the powdered air and ready herself for phase two – all in 90-plus degree heat.

Phase two went rather quickly. Powdered face to eliminate the glisten, red lipstick – always red – comb the sweaty hair in place and spray liberally with Aquanet, then get that dress on as quickly as possible and get out. Shoes and a purse were grabbed on the way out to catch a nominal breeze on the porch.

Once in the car, the air conditioning was turned on full blast, and we could all breathe for the eight-minute ride to the church. Unfortunately, our cool respite was short-lived, because the church did not feature the modern convenience of air conditioning.

After an hour of literally hellfire and brimstone accompanied by rapid fanning – Mawmaw was Southern Baptist – we would stand in the long line to shake the preacher’s hand, remark on his wonderful sermon and get back to the much-needed arctic blast at high noon.

By the time the sticky got blown out of our clothes, we were back home peeling off our Sunday best eating dinner in 100 degrees. Point of reference: dinner is lunch in the South and supper is dinner.

Thing is I never remember being hot in the summer at Mawmaw’s house. The windows and doors were always open, my cousins were always around, we always played outside until dark and there was always plenty of amazing homemade food. We all washed dishes because we were the dishwasher. We all had to agree what to watch at night because there was one television with four channels. There were no arguments over the temperature because there was no AC. There was no issue over who slept where because there was one big room with beds that we all piled in. There was no discussion over what we wanted for supper because we ate what Mawmaw cooked. And we never argued over where we were going because we only went to my cousin’s baseball games, the grocery store or to church. That’s what I remember about the summers of my childhood – not the temperature.

See y’all next week – on my air-conditioned porch!

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Emailed To Your Mailbox or Follow at www.Facebook.com/OnThePorchWithPatti

Advertorial

Medical Focus Health Ca r e N e w s Yo u C a n U s e

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Receives - Get With The Guidelines Target: Stroke Gold Plus Achievement Award

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital

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ouston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital has received the American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus, Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll awards.

These awards recognize the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land earned the Association’s Gold Plus award by meeting quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients over the course of the past year. These measures include proper use of medications and stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and

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reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Another measure includes patients receiving education on their health and scheduling a follow-up visit.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land additionally received the association’s Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite Plus award. This award recognizes hospitals that meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the lifesaving medication alteplase.

Houston Methodist Sugar Land was also awarded the Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. This award aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke.

“We’re dedicated to improving the quality of care for our stroke patients by implementing the American Heart Asso-

ciation’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke initiative,” said Chris Siebenaler, Regional Senior Vice President and CEO. “We measure our success in meeting guidelines developed to improve our patients’ outcomes.”

“We are pleased to recognize Houston Methodist Sugar Land for its commitment to caring for those in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said John Warner, M.D., FAHA, past president of the American Heart Association and executive vice president for health system affairs at UT Southwestern Medical Center, in Dallas. “Hospitals that follow the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols often see improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates – a win for health care systems, families and communities.”

According to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States. On average, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and nearly 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.

Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland to learn more about the services offered at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Medical Focus

Advertorial

Fun in the Sun Now Could Mean Problems Later

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ummer is upon us and many of us are looking forward to enjoying some “fun in the sun.” Spending time outside is a great way to be physically active, reduce stress and spend time with loved ones. Without properly protecting your skin from the sun, you are inadvertently increasing your risk of skin cancer. Let’s not forget about other undesirable physical signs of sun damage: wrinkles, discoloration and leathery appearing skin. Your skin is your largest organ. Show it some love!

Staying out of the sun completely is the best way to avoid sun damage; however, for most of us, this is not practical. So, if you plan on going outside, use precautions: • Always wear a minimum SPF 30 sunscreen. Apply it every day. Make it a habit just as you do with brushing your teeth. Be sure to cover all exposed areas. Don’t forget your ears, eyelids, lips and back of hands. Apply every two hours while outdoors.

Apply more frequently if you perspire or get wet.

• Avoid sun in the middle of the day from 10 am to 4 pm when the ultraviolet rays which cause skin damage are strongest.

• Wear protective clothing when outdoors for long periods.

A long-sleeved shirt, pants and a wide-brimmed hat will protect your body against the sun’s harmful effects.

Genna Lubrano, MD is with the OakBend Medical Group. To request an appointment, call 281-497-0296.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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absolutely AUTO REVIEW

By Steve Kursar

2022 TOYOTA TUNDRA

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he 2022 Toyota Tundra is all-new for this model year.

Toyota’s full-size truck was extensively redesigned from top to bottom and sports two new powertrains that deliver much better fuel economy when compared to the last generation’s Tundra. This is a truck aimed squarely at truck buyers who consider Toyota their brand.

The first generation Tundra appeared on American highways back in 1999 and was designed slightly smaller than other fullsize trucks on the market. The second-generation Tundra, introduced in 2006 as a true full-sized pickup, was the first Toyota truck built in Texas at its assembly plant in San Antonio. It was powered by the massive 5.7 liter V8 engine that was awfully thirsty at the gas pump. Although this Tundra experienced several refreshes to update its look, the underpinnings of the truck remained the same. In the highly competitive full-size pickup market, the second generation Tundra was long overdue for a complete makeover.

And now, the third-generation 2022 Toyota Tundra has emerged as an all-new pickup, and it’s a delight to drive. With a base MSRP of $35,950, the Tundra is available with two powertrains, a gas-only engine and a more powerful gas-electric hybrid engine. The base Tundra comes equipped with the gasonly 389 hp, 3.5 liter i-Force aluminum block twin-turbo engine.

For more power, the 437 hp, i-Force MAX hybrid system combines the same 3.5 liter twin-turbo gasoline engine with an electric motor/generator located between the engine and the transmission. Both gas and hybrid engines are paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. With the base i-Force engine, EPA estimated fuel economy ratings are 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. The i-Force MAX gets slightly better street mileage with 20 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

The new Tundra’s exterior is distinguished by a massive grill and lots of very bright LED lighting. Only two cab configurations are available, the Double Cab and the roomier CrewMax. The Tundra’s interior features Toyota’s all-new Audio Multimedia system which operates via newly designed touchscreens and an all-new Human Machine Interface that delivers improved interaction through sight, touch and voice activation.

The available 14-inch touchscreen impresses with high-quality, crisp visuals including functionality like pinch and zoom that mimic your smartphone.

The all-new Toyota Tundra is a long-overdue upgrade from last year’s model and is sure to win over new truck buyers.

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JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

NEWSWORTHY

New and Expectant Moms are Invited to the Community Baby Shower at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital partners will be available to talk one-onone with moms and provide guidance as needed.

“This is a great opportunity for new moms to speak directly with someone who understands their concerns,” said Donna Timmer, MSN, RN, IBCLC, lactation consultant. “Our goal is to celebrate new and expectant moms, as well as help them learn techniques to provide the best care for their newborns.”

Timmer says attendees are welcome to stop by any time during the shower. Demonstrations will be provided throughout the event and light refreshments will be The Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Community Baby Shower Committee. offered. Attendees can also participate in numerous raffles and door prize drawings.

Houston Methodist Childbirth Center at Sugar Land invites In addition, all new and expectant mothers will receive a handnew and expectant moms – along with their partners and bamade burp cloth and nursing pads made by our community bies – to the annual Community Baby Shower from 10 am to 2 and staff. pm on Thursday, August 4th. This event is held in recognition “This is a fun event, but it’s also a great outreach program,” of World Breastfeeding Week and will take place in the Brazos Timmer said. “Sometimes a mom gets home from the hospital Pavilion Conference Center on the Houston Methodist Sugar and realizes that she needs additional support or information, Land Hospital campus. and we’re here to help.”

The event will feature demonstrations on how to safely use Visit join.houstonmethodist.org/babyshower-sl for more inbaby carriers, presentations on the importance of safe sleepformation about the Community Baby Shower. ing practices, water safety, post-partum recovery and a Sugar For more information about Houston Methodist Childbirth Land police officer will speak about car seat safety. In addition, Center at Sugar Land, visit houstonmethodist.org/childbirth-sl lactation support from the Childbirth Center and community or call 281.274.7080.

@absolutelybrazos JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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the drunken cyclist

By Jeffrey M. Kralik, Ph.D.

Recalling My Past at Ancient Peaks W

hile I grew up in the heart of suburbia, my mom came from a long line of farmers, and we would spend most of our vacations on one of the farms helping to feed, milk or herd the livestock. Sure, my siblings and I all professed to hate it, seeing it as a fate worse than death.

At some point in my childhood, we stopped making those long drives out to “the country,” and I eventually came to the realization that I missed that time spent with my grandfather riding along in his tractor, bailing hay, even the smell of manure.

A couple of weeks ago on a trip to Paso Robles, part of the Central Coast wine region in California, it all came rushing back to me. Sure, I visited some of the familiar spots with their elaborate tasting rooms and refined “tasting experiences.” But it was my trip to Ancient Peaks that caused me to recall all of those summers as a youth down on the farm.

I met up with founding winemaker Mike Sinor and one of the co-owners of Ancient Peaks, Karl Wittstrom. It was the latter that evoked all of those memories within me. With his deep baritone voice and weathered hands populated with sausage-like fingers, Karl was captivating with a few stories (which no doubt are a part of a lengthy anthology) of his upbringing in the Paso Robles area.

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The story flowed from the beginnings of the Santa Margarita Ranch (it was founded before the American Revolution and is one of the oldest continually operated cattle ranches in the country) to how the Robert Mondavi himself was the first to recognize the potential of the site to grow high quality wine grapes.

It was the Mondavi family, in fact, who eventually convinced the then owners of Santa Margarita Ranch to lease the family several hundred acres to establish the Margarita vineyard. A few years later, Karl and a couple of partners purchased the Ranch, and a couple of years after that, they bought out the original lease and quickly founded Ancient Peaks Winery, with the name honoring the Santa Lucia Mountains that tower over

Ancient Peaks Chardonnay.

Karl Wittstrom, owner.

the vineyard.

While Karl and the story of Ancient Peaks had me fondly remembering my youth, it was the quality and affordability of the wines that quickly brought me back to the present. We tried the wines over a delicious lunch in the Ancient Peaks Café (a must stop on any visit to Paso) and I have to say that I was impressed with the entire range from entry-level to wine club exclusives.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Here are a few of the wines that are widely available in Texas at many H-E-B, Kroger, and Whole Foods locations:

BUSINESS BRIEFS

2021 One Stone Rosé of Pinot Noir Retail $20. On the dark side for rosé, with darker red fruit (cranberry) and a violet component. Big fruit, nice acidity, good balance. Outstanding. 93 Points.

2021 Ancient Peaks Sauvignon Blanc Retail $18. Tart, fruity, tart, mineral, tart, salinity – did I mention tart? Mouth-watering and great on its own, but this even better with food.

Excellent. 91 Points.

2020 Ancient Peaks Rosé Pale salmon color with a fruity, yet also meaty nose with dark cherry predominate. Fruity, fun, with some depth and body. Excellent. 90 Points.

2021 Ancient Peaks Chardonnay Retail $18. Chardonnay with a splash of Viognier (4%).

Under screwcap. Plenty of fruit, brilliant acidity and verve, this wine punches well above its weight. While this wine did some see some oak, it is clearly in the background as the fruit is clearly the focus. Excellent. 90 Points.

2020 Ancient Peaks Cabernet Sauvignon Retail $25. Quite fruity with oodles of blackberry, plum, black raspberry and even cassis. Throw in some violet, hints of tobacco, a lovely tartness, plenty of depth and a lengthy finish. $25? It’s a steal. 91 Points.

2018 Ancient Peaks Petit Verdot Retail $50. Dark berry fruit, mocha, cigar smoke, violet and eucalyptus. Yes, it is big, brooding, even bodacious, but there is an acidity that holds it all together.

Outstanding. 93 Points.

2018 Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Retail $60. Rich and brooding, laden with dark fruit (cassis, plum, blackberry), mocha and earth.

This wine is particularly compelling. 94 Points.

Ancient Peaks Oyster Ridge Red Blend.

OakBend Medical Center CEO Joe Freudenberger Celebrates 15 Years of Service Joe Freudenberger, OakBend Medical Center’s CEO, is excited to celebrate 15 years of loyal service. After completing his finance M.B.A. from Tulane University, Freudenberger began his career in healthcare, spending 10 years with Deloitte Consulting, working with major healthcare clients, 11 years as CFO for Joe Freudenberger two different hospitals, and the last 15 years as CEO of Fort Bend County’s independent, non-profit OakBend Medical Center.

Over the past 15 years, Joe Freudenberger has been intricately involved with the restructuring of almost every department. By shifting OakBend’s strategy to focus on excellent patient care, experienced and professional staff, state-of-theart healthcare areas, continued community involvement and support, intense marketing and public relations, diversified partner models, and financial prudence, Freudenberger and his team have made OakBend Medical Center an important healthcare beacon in Fort Bend County.

“Joe Freudenberger has been an amazing leader at OakBend,” said Dr. May Tape, Board of Directors President.

“Rarely does one get to work with someone so committed to not only the well-being of the entire OakBend system but also to our community. He attends most Fort Bend events and is always a financial supporter. He truly believes in the success of Fort Bend County and its residents.”

Some of the improvements that have been made at OakBend Medical Center over the past 15 years include: • Entire upgrading of the Jackson Street Campus • Remodeling of all patient rooms • Improving all waiting areas on the floors to family-friendly areas • Opening of the Williams Way Campus • Conversion of Wharton to OakBend • Opened 5 Ambulatory Surgery Centers • Opened 22 Physical Therapy Facilities • Opened 4 Imaging Facilities • Opened 4 OakBend Medical Group locations Freudenberger’s proudest achievements are that OakBend has been able to maintain an independent hospital and that during his time as CEO, OakBend has provided over 350 million dollars in uncompensated care to those in need in Fort Bend County.

OakBend Medical Center is very lucky to have a caring and compassionate leader like Joe Freudenberger. His door is always open, and his ears are always available for comments.

Thanks, Joe, for an amazing and progressive past 15 years.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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OUT & ABOUT IN THE HEART

Congratulations to Fort Bend Focus on Father’s Day winner Michael Allen of Richmond! Allen won the Dad’s Day Prize Package Fit for a King with gifts from The Houston Museum of Natural Science-Sugar Land, Alisa Murray Photography, Salon Eben & Day Spa, The Rosenberg Railroad Museum, Cullinan Park Conservancy, The George Ranch Historical Park, Brandani’s Burgers, Tacos & Brews and Chris Dostal’s Designs in Fine Jewelry. Special thanks to all of our participating sponsors!

OF BRAZOS

Patti Parish-Kaminski surprised dad, grandad and great-grandad Michael Allen of Richmond by delivering the Dad’s Day Prize Package and had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Dianne Allen, two daughters and two granddaughters. Special thanks to the Allen family for helping coordinate a very special delivery. We hope your Father’s Day was the best ever Michael Allen!

Congratulations to Seth & Alexander who recently launched their newest service line: S & A Wealth Advisors. The kickoff was attended by principals, the Seth & Alexander team and clients at Mercedes Benz Greenway. This new division, the fourth for Manish Seth and Manuel Alexander, will allow the team to provide customized wealth advisory solutions to clients.

Umami Japanese Restaurant’s Jennifer Park and Jessica Park with Patti Parish-Kaminski at their new restaurant located at 18921 University Blvd in Sugar Land. A locally owned restaurant by these two friends originally from Las Vegas, Umami offers the most creative and delicious sushi and Japanese cuisine – close to home.

Manish Seth, Juan Rascon, Bill Pilkington and Manuel Alexander.

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JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital joined nearly 15.5 million American cancer survivors who celebrated the 35th Annual National Cancer Survivors Day® in June. Also recognized were the many family members, caregivers and health care providers whose support of cancer survivors help make the celebration possible. The Healing Power of Love themed Cancer Survivors Day Celebration and Resource Fair was held at the Houston Marriott Sugar Land in the Town Square. News anchor Shern-Min Chow from KHOU 11 emceed the event with keynote speaker Jason David, singer, storyteller and cancer survivor. Photos by Kelley Sweet Photography.

Stephanie Purka and Elizabeth Price.

Jason David, speaker, singer and cancer survivor, encouraged the crowd through speech and song.

Event emcee Shern-Min Chow, KHOU Channel 11 news anchor; Amy Sebastian-Deutsch, Director, Oncology & Infusion Services; Chris Siebenaler, Regional Senior Vice President and CEO at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital and Frances Goerlich, Director, Radiation Oncology.

Shern-Min Chow with mother and daughters, three of whom are breast cancer survivors, Nancy Labrada-Muras, Elva Labrada, Tamara Labrada-Carlon, Luz Yadira Labrada-Peña, Diana Labrada-Rivera and Adriana Gumbs.

JULY / AUGUST 2022 l

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OUT &

OakBend Medical Center hosted their first Donuts and Designers benefit held at Braman Winery. Guests played ten rounds of bingo plus a Black Out game to win Designer purses. It was a huge success!

ABOUT IN THE HEART

OF BRAZOS

Caylin Wright Boyd, Madelyn Herfort, Maddi West and Ali McDonald Willard.

Patti Parish-Kaminski and Ray Aguilar.

Doris Gurecky, Christy Willman and Joe Fruendenberger.

Shelley Richards and Cindy Haley.

Kay Garrett, Kim Feldhoff and Wanda Kolkhorst.

Kay Danziger, Janice Knight and Tama Dorman.

Elizabeth Duff Drozd and Patti Parish-Kaminski.

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JULY / AUGUST 2022 l TO ADVERTISE, EMAIL: kay@absolutelyfocusmedia.com