by WDR Imagery
ON THE COVER
Fabulous Food from Local Farmers Market, photo by Manny Cisneros
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Laurette M. Veres
MANAGING EDITOR
Grace Hare
DESIGN
Nicholas Nguyen
CONTRIBUTORS
Annalisa Cheek
Elisa Irish
Editorial
Grace Hare
Zenah Al-Naimi
Jesse Garcia
Photography
Manny Cisneros
Jesse Garcia
©Copyright 2024-2025 InsideHoustonMagazine.com InsideHoustonEditor@gmail.com
For over 25 years, we’ve written about the people and places that make this city great. We’ve always had a strong focus on local business. Never is this more evident than this issue as writer Grace Hare takes you inside a local farmer’s market. As we suggest our top three recipes for fall, she tells you which companies you can purvey the ingredients. You can support local with your pocketbook.
And join Jesse Garcia as he explores the murals of downtown Houston and discovers the messages they convey and preserve. And as fall rolls around, turn to our style guide for everything you need to bring your wardrobe up to date. Hint: look out for feathers, faux fur and leggings.Continuing on the locally owned trend, check out our list of top nine boutiques.
Hope to see you out and about at the many charitable events this season.
Laurette
Presented by CenterPoint Energy, arriving western attired guests were greeted and photographed with a Texas long-horned steer.
Be An Angel’s 15th Annual Gala hosted more than 320 guests who celebrated the lives of special needs children. Chaired by Dot Cunningham, the event, held at The Revaire, raised more than $550,000. Included in the live auction was a dinner for eight at Capital Grille with Apollo 13 Astronauts Fred Haise and Clayton and Susan Anderson. Included was an extraordinary piece of astronaut history of Fred Haise’s training flight suit and a piece of Apollo 13.
Be An Angel’s mission is to improve the quality of life for children with special needs by providing adaptive equipment, hearing devices, select services and support programs.
Attending guests included The Honorable Dan Patrick and Jan Patrick, Be An Angel’s President Dan Pastorini with Pam Morse, and Executive Director Marti Boone. Also attended was CenterPoint’s VP Jason Ryan, Second Baptist’s Dr. Ed and Lisa Young, Cary and Veronica Benson, George and Jan Pilko, Cary and Veronica Benson, Hadley and Heather Graham, Mike and Emily Gorman to mention a few. —Laurette M. Veres
This year’s Pillars of Strength luncheon celebrated Family Houston’s 120th anniversary and honored Chris Shepherd, a champion of mental health and renowned James Beard Award winning restaurateur. The luncheon also brought in many notable guest speakers, including John Lucas II, a former Rockets player turned coach, and his colleague Bill Worrell, Jr., a retired Rockets announcer. The efforts of this event broke fundraising records and raised $327,000.
In 1904, Family Houston, a United Way Greater Houston Partner Agency, was founded by twelve Houstonians who were driven to meet the needs of the area. Through their support services, mental health and financial stability programs, Family Houston aims to uplift and build a stronger community.
Now, the organization serves children and adults at five sites, provides over 9,000 counseling sessions, and connected an average of 80 callers daily to aid over the past year.
These values of collaboration, compassion and commitment are the guiding principles of Family Houston, making it an integral part of Houston, and leading to the gush of support seen in the fundraising success of the event. —Grace Hare
Rachael Tobor, Sam Jacobson, Jewish Family Services CEO Carl Josehart, Melanie Lowther, Katie Jackman, Renae VaniaTomczak, FH board member Deborah Grabein, and United Way CEO Amanda McMillian; emcee Bill Worrell Jr. and speaker John Lucas II; honoree Chris Shepherd accepting award from emcee Bill Worrell Jr.; FH chief development officer Kimberlyn Clarkson with FH board members Nelsy Gomez Lipford, Stacy Mosely, and Heidi Obie
The Miracles of the Mission Luncheon raised over $150,000 for the Mission of Yahweh homeless shelter for women and children.
The guests were greeted by several speakers, including Alan Graham of Mobile Loaves and Fishes. These many voices, offering compassion, understanding and kindness towards chronic homelessness contributed to the success of the event.
For women, the shelter offers housing for senior citizens, transitional programs, spiritual counseling, and emergency shelters. For children, there are after-school tutoring, interest based clubs, music lessons, and weekly Sunday School classes.
The Mission of Yahweh would not be possible without the efforts of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. For those interested in supporting this cause, visit missionofyahweh.org to see a list of urgent items that the shelter needs. From there, you can donate through an Amazon wish list, or make a cash donation.
Additionally, the shelter is always looking for the generous gift of time and energy by volunteering. To become a volunteer, visit the website listed above and fill out the application to become involved. —G.H.
Houston Community College (HCC) hosted a night of elegance and glamor for the guests of the “Where Dreams Take Flight: Celebrating the Power of Education” charity gala.
From the arches of pale pink roses to the dress code of classic black tie, the evening full of dancing, discussion and dinner raised more than $650,000.
In addition to the fundraising efforts of the gala, one highlight of the evening was the lively discussion between Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher and Dr. Ruth J. Simmons.
Dr. Simmons is a trailblazer: the first black president of an Ivy League University, a President’s Distinguished Fellow at Rice University, and a New York Times Best Selling author.
Yet most recently, to add to her achievements, Houston Community College awarded Dr. Ruth J. Simmons with the annual Crystal Eagle Honoree award, and surprised Simmons during the onstage discussion with a $25,000 endowed scholarship in her name.
For Simmons, her impressive achievements all began, she says, with her pursuit of higher education. However, like most seventeen-year-olds facing graduation, Simmons was initially uncertain of her future. “I had no plan really, but I grew up in the deepest segregation, where I understood that people hated me for no reason that I could explain or that I could understand as a child... As I reflected on that, even at the youngest age- I knew one thing: that I never wanted to be like that. I wanted to be open to people, I wanted to learn about other cultures, I wanted to see the world,” Simmons said in conversation.
This conversation ended the evening with a positive message that toasted to the power of furthering one’s education. It was an encouraging message of gratitude and bravo for the donors and leaders of Houston Community College at this annual gala. —G.H.
It’s early evening at Drift HTX, and the networking tent pitched outside of the bar is covered with the green emblems of Houston Pets Alive! (HPA), a local rescue animal shelter with a mission of saving at-risk cats and dogs and finding them a forever home.
Volunteers of the shelter stand in the shade and engage with guests about the work of the shelter as the ticket holder’s park and make their way to the bar. The mission of the organization on this fine summer night? To sell BINGO tickets and win big, while benefiting the animal shelter. In fact, in addition to partnering with the bar, HPA worked with Deep Eddy Vodka to create a tantalizing list of impressive prizes.
This is one of HPA’s many fundraising events and opportunities throughout the year. In addition to helping support the shelter with the BINGO ticket donation, attending the event spreads awareness and allows for Houston Pets Alive! to educate others on the importance of adopting and helping dogs and cats off the streets.
When it comes to the prizes that HPA gathered for the evening, guests had their eyes on one thing:
winning the luxury Christian Louboutin handbag that sits at the booth of the energized, candid MC of Drift HTX.
Throughout the evening, the patio and bar spaces are filled with laughter, happy hour drink specials, and several sweet puppies who socialize with the guests.
By the end, guests won Amazon gift cards, Deep Eddy gift baskets, and one beautiful designer purse. However, all benefited from the warmth of the various team members that made the night a success. Full of laughter, generosity, and a care for the animals, this event served as a beautiful way for the Houston community to support finding care and forever homes for the stray animal population in our city.
For Houstonians who want to find opportunities to support this organization or others of the same cause, you can follow Houston Pets Alive! on Instagram at @houstonpetsalive. You can also visit their website and support them by volunteering or by donating. These gestures make a world of a difference in the lives of these stray pets! —G.H.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, many Houstonians faced damage to their homes, their cars, their loved ones, and their power lines. The fast onset of the storm caught many unaware.
A surprising and significant community affected? Houston’s animal shelters.
These facilities faced the loss of vital supplies and sustained significant amounts of damage. In addition, many foster families and pet owners were forced to bring in their pets to the shelter, as they had lost power or been displaced during the storm.
This is where Houston PetSet stepped in. This nonprofit organization partnered with The Babinski Foundation, a second nonprofit organization and shelter based in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota.
Together, these groups gathered supplies and delivered them to local animal shelters in need. According to the press release, the foundation delivered 10,000 pounds of dog and cat food, 2,000 pounds of kitty litter, supplies, and bedding.
However, even after the generous effort, the work of these organizations was unfinished. The Babinski Foundation also returned to Minnesota with 54 dogs to relieve the pressure on Houston animal shelters.
"The shelters in Houston have been significantly impacted by Hurricane Beryl, due to increased demand and restricted resources,” said Donna Sutton, Executive Director, The Babinski Foundation in the press release. “We are thrilled to team up with Houston PetSet to bring much needed relief to the everyday heroes who are taking care of the abandoned and stray animals who need it most." —G.H.
By Grace Hare
It was a warm, late summer day in September when Ainsley and Eric made the trip to Oxford, Mississippi to watch a college football game at Ole Miss, where they met. They were strolling through the main campus, looking for their alumni bricks. Then, Ainsley turned around to Eric stepping down on one knee.
From that special moment onward, Ainsley began planning for her March 2025 ceremony. At the Houston Bridal Extravaganza she heard about an opportunity to become the Billboard Bride.
After an extensive process including an interview, Ainsley became the new Billboard Bride.
With large bay windows that allow glimpses of golden sunlight to fall on the bride; Heaven on Earth Oaks, a Victorian mansion turned into an elite event space in Missouri City, Texas was an ethereal setting.
Ventura’s Bridal Fashions selected two dresses from the Allure Bridal Disney Fairytale Weddings collection.
“The fun thing about Billboard Bride is the general whimsical, romantic, fun thing. You get to do dresses that are a little more over the top, while still being an actual couture gown at a reasonable price point,” says Veronica from Ventura’s Bridal.
The delicate, feminine effect of the gowns was furthered by the Kim Events bouquet of various pale pink flowers with accents of greenery.
“For the billboard bouquet, we went with a trendy whimsical pastel color palette that matches the summer atmosphere, popular choices include all the special flowers like peony, ranunculus, sweet peas, tulips,” Kim Huynh of Kim Events said.
Hues by Heather created a fresh makeup look for Ainsley that highlighted her features by using a simple swipe of gloss on her lips, a pop of eyeshadow that complemented her eyes, and shimmering blush.
If you attended the summer Extravaganza, you would have seen Ainsley proudly wearing a Ventura’s gown and helping eager engaged brides apply to be the next billboard bride.
Get this Look:
Venue: Heaven on Earth Oaks
Hair & Makeup: Hues by Heather
Gown: Ventura’s Bridal Fashions
Photographer: Meridian Images
Floral & Décor: Kim Events
By Laurette M. Veres
The Escape Spa in Cypress Texas is full of surprises. From the expansive wet area to the relaxation room, there is so much more to this spa than meets the eye. The treatments offered here have a focus on wellness and recovery. Whether you are an athlete or a group of ladies looking for a respite, you will find something for you here. Be sure to arrive early and bring your swimsuit. The co-ed wet area offers a wellness journey from jacuzzi, to sauna, to cold water plunge.
As you make selections from the expansive menu of offerings, be sure to consider a Vichy Recovery Massage. The experience begins with a massage, exfoliation, and hot stone treatment. Then, while you are laying on the massage table, a horizonal bar containing seven waterspouts rinses the exfoliant off your skin. It’s as though you are being rained on.
The cleansing sensation of a Vichy treatment is not available at many local spas; most don’t have the space. The ritual also includes being lead through a box breathing exercise which involves taking four deep breathes, holding for four counts and four strong exhales. Overall, this treatment delivers total relaxation.
Next, the Infrared Salt sauna offers respiratory benefits, improves immune resilience, and you’ll feel more relaxed and rested after you’re done. The heat helps relieve sore muscles and improves your overall health and well-being. After a day like this, enjoy a glass of champagne or order a charcuterie board in the green lounge. You deserve a few hours, or even half a day at the Escape Spa. For more information, visit escapepv.com.
By Zenah Al-Naimi
Love the runway trends but hate their lack of practicality? You are in luck for the Fall 2024 trends. Wearability was the focus for a lot of designers at New York Fashion Week, with a lot of our fantastical favs, like the “mob wife” aesthetic, transcending into something a little more realistic. Also this season, we are no longer waiting for “Fashion TikTok” to approve a trend. “Fashion Cores,” which was started by Gen Z on TikTok, will still be prevalent in the fashion world but this season has more of a “grown up” feel and practicality you are sure to love. And anyone can achieve the look.
Alongside these reimagined trends, is inspiration taken from the 80’s, 90’s and early 00’s. Expect to see not so basicbasics, bright and bold color blocks and you can say goodbye to monochromatic. We all loved the “clean girl” aesthetic, it was easy to follow and simple but the pendulum is swinging in the opposite direction so, we will be opting for more of a maximalist feel. This major 180 in trends can sound overwhelming and costly but don’t fret, I guarantee that you already have most of these items in your wardrobe so without further ado, here is your fall 2024 style guide — sure to keep you fashionable and trendy.
Good news: leggings are making a comeback; appearing quite a few times at fashion week (did they really go anywhere?) This can be from gym wear for a sportier and more casual look to more of a street style kind of wear. Pair them with your favorite Adidas sneakers or oversized tees and hoodies. You can also
wear them with your oversized cardigan, or you guessed it, an oversized turtleneck. Opt out for the combat boots and wear them with ballet flats for a more high-end look. Also, go with a cashmere or cashmere lookalike when considering an oversized cardigan to make it look less homey. What makes this emerging trend so practical is that everyone has leggings in their wardrobe. Great for the busy mom on the run who still wants to feel like she got dressed for the day, or the fashionista college girl who can’t be bothered to get dressed for her 8:00am class, leggings are a great way to stay on trend with minimal effort.
We can see 80’s inspiration rearing its head with Capri leggings, another practical garment that resembles athleisure wear. Consider wearing the cropped legging with a fitted long sleeve top and kitten heels or strappy mules with a dark red lip for the perfect fall date night look.
Now, we talked a little bit about avoiding sweaters that look “homey.” There was a time when the cozy, homey look was everyone’s uniform, thanks to COVID. Those days are over. You don’t have to completely give up the cozy look. The trick lies in the choice of fabric, so instead of a heavy wool this year go with cashmere or a cashmere lookalike i.e. Rayon. Cashmere or the look of it, offers sophistication that transitions into great cocktail
attire. Paired with pearl earrings or chunky gold accessories and a sweet kitten boot; you no longer look like you rolled off the couch.
This next style tip can be a little tricky for some, but lucky for us designers this year have made layering easy for all because most of the layering is built in. Think cropped sweater vest with a polo underneath. If you don’t feel like going out and buying something new, you can always layer your cashmere cardigan with a turtleneck. Be sure the layer underneath is longer than the top.
Most of the previous styles I mentioned are definitely playing it safe, but boldness has entered the chat this season. When bold prints first emerged, we saw lots of animal print. Many consider this trend loud and exaggerated. My style tip for this look is to think of it as your wild card; not something you’d wear every day. It can convey boldness when you are feeling your most “boss babe.” A canvas shirt jacket or wearing a leopard-print maxi skirt with a
solid black tee is a great way to get comfortable with wearing a bold print. Pair with a simple heel and you are ready to take on the day.
Continuing on with garments that are bold, brave and dramatic, feather embellishments will be present in a lot of designs this year. If you are looking for something that will add a little sophistication to your wardrobe, add a garment with feathers on either the neck or hemline or even a long sleeve top with feathers at the end of the sleeves will be a great start. Reserve this look for date night or a girl’s night out. Don’t want to buy a new top with feathers at the end? Take a long sleeve top and a feather bracelet wrist cuff - Voila, you have the latest trending top.
This next style tip seemed to be a fleeting one at first but has made a comeback with a reimagined twist: fur or Faux fur coats. This trend touches on the mob wife aesthetic, which I think made a lot of people feel like they were playing a character in Martin Scorsese
movie. Worn with an asymmetrical mini skirt with tights and a solid color creates more of a runway look. Also, avoid the “teddy bear” material and opt for a bomber faux leather coat with a fur hoodie for more of a modern feel. A faux mink coat will give you more of a quiet luxury look. I suggest minimal makeup with this look and a sleek ponytail.
This wouldn’t be a style guide if we did not mention the color of the season. Every season has a color that marks the beginning of the season. Normally, this color is reserved for spring but for Fall 2024, green is taking claim to the season. Expect to see more of an Emerald green than an apple green. The more muted, the better, portraying a fall vibe. I am kind of loving this color for fall because over the last year we are used to seeing beige, browns and deep oranges. We are opting
for bolder colors and not so basic- basics. Emerald green is also a flattering color on just about every skin tone and gives a refreshed and renewed vibe to every look. Khaki green and olive green are also coloring you should keep in your wardrobe. So, if all else fails, with this seasons color in your closet you are sure to be on trend and ready for this season.
As the crisp air transitions from summer to fall, embracing this year’s trends will not only make you feel confident but also ready to take on the rest of the year. This year’s trends allow us to remain in the comfy and cozy aesthetic of fall but also give us a chance to showcase our sophistication in a practical and wearable way. Remember, fashion is all about self-expression. This guide can serve as a great tool to inspire your everyday looks, so have fun with experimenting on all of these trends and making each ensemble uniquely yours. Stay warm, confident and fashionable as you step into fall this season.
By Zenah Al-Naimi
Our city is known for its diversity, vibrant cultural scene, and our shopping. The fourth largest city in the nation, Houston offers a unique blend of Southern Charm and contemporary city-styles.
Here are the top 9 locally owned Houston boutiques known for delivering some great art, deco and fashion pieces.
1
This boutique carries an array of brands, including Alden Adair, Anna Cate AS and more. Shop for sunglasses, jewelry, and accessories! Located on Kirby Dr., visitors can expect to have a memorable and unique experience with brands you love. This boutique also offers online shopping so if you don’t have time to shop in the store, check out their online shop or their Instagram, @monkeesofhouston.
2
My Flaming Heart
If you are into vintage clothing with a fun eclectic mix, this boutique will steal your heart. Offering cowboy boots and an array of antiques; this one stop shop is sure to have something you love. For all the crystal lovers, My Flaming Heart also offers rocks and crystals to add to your collection. Located on Main St., locals describe this shop as the perfect place to shop the impossible people in your life, as they carry all kinds of fun and unique oddities.
3
Tres Chic Boutique
Tres Chic Boutique was founded by a mother daughter duo, Susan Hancock and Elizabeth Hancock Berg. The boutique has a charming family-friendly vibe to it and offers clothes for all ages. Open for over 17 years, you can expect to find trendy dresses and stylish accessories. Locals describe the shopping experience to be smooth and easy, with attentive service. The owners would describe this boutique as the go-to destination for the savvy shopper who loves specialty clothing, footwear, jewelry, and other accessories.
This local, family-owned, women’s apparel and gift boutique offers elevated, classic styles for the everyday girl. If you are shopping on a budget, this boutique is sure to have what you are looking for at a great price. Additionally, this boutique generously gives part of every purchase back to the community. Who doesn’t love a shop that gives back?
Established in 2017, the boutique offers a curated selection of clothing, wellness products, ceramics, jewelry, art prints, and more. Owners Morgan and Andy Sommer have transformed their Heights shop into a hub for activity for community members. It offers immersive experiences like candle-making at the Candle Bar, and other hands-on workshops, to a coffee shop with space to relax or work.
6
Apricot Lane’s trendy women’s boutique has a modern twist. This boutique offers casual wear, and accessories that are both trendy
and quirky. Based in Friendswood, you can also check out this shop on their Instagram, or visit them for a welcoming, personalized shopping experience.
You can expect to find unique items, as these items are one of a kind or made in very small quantities by local artists. If you enjoy odd artwork, this will be your spot to shop. Great for birthday gifts, locals describe this shop as a store with lots of eclectic items. Located in the Heights Common Market, this shop is only open at 11:00am on Saturday. Be sure to check it out on your next outing.
This space in the greater Heights creates a community where creatives, small-scale businesses, and entrepreneurs can sell product, and build their brand. The space blends the industrial vibe of an inside mall, with air conditioning to beat the heat and different stands to stop by. Yet, it also carries the quaintness and connection of being in a farmer’s market, allowing opportunity to engage with vendors and look at hand-crafted or locally sourced materials and products.
Houston, Let’s Have a Ball (of stem cells) .
Be part of an unforgettable evening as we celebrate the pioneering work of Hope Biosciences Research Foundation in advancing clinical trials for life-saving therapies. Our inaugural gala is a unique opportunity to support groundbreaking research that is making a tangible di erence in the lives of patients worldwide.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26
THE POST OAK HOTEL
6PM, BLACK TIE
COCKTAIL
SILENT AUCTION
DINNER
LIVE AUCTION
Why A end? Your participation helps fund critical clinical trials, bringing us closer to new treatments and cures. Together, we can make hope a reality for countless individuals in need. For tickets and more information: Scan
While photographing murals in downtown Houston, I was struck by the community and culture the artist’s work conveyed. My appreciation of this art form deepened during my research, and I began to consider what each artist is communicating.
Murals are an essential type of public art that beautify cities, and overtime have become a medium for political or social commentary. Murals are visual records of history and immortalize these stories. Murals transform public spaces by adding color and creativity to plain spaces.
People of all classes and backgrounds can view murals. For centuries, public works like these were the only kinds of art most lower-class people could see. Sometimes, artists use murals as commentary on many social justice issues.
Mural artists are contemporary visual historians. They aim to capture what is going on currently. Their murals allow them to call for more artists to network with each other as they discuss issues they face in society.
Often the creation of these largescale murals involves more than one person. Traditionally, murals are painted. However, murals can come in distinctly different forms: fresco, mosaic, encaustic, stained glass, or photography. Before painting onto a surface, a small-
Murals at the Sawyer Yards, 1502 Sawyer Street, Houston, TX 77007 Artists Credits: Jeks One, Bublegum. Czr Prz, Jake Mertens, Rage Johnson, MrDheo (Part of the “Big Walls, Big Dreams” citywide annual mural festival organized and held at Sawyer Yards)
scale mural is created to be used as a template. Murals create an inviting and visually friendly appeal with how they add color, texture, and add dimension.
Murals are painted to reflect the unique identities of a community and tell many stories that are important to its residents. Murals help preserve and serve as a reminder of local history and traditions, while also helping to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. Even when it comes to planning, creating, and executing the mural, it creates engagement among communities, enhancing the bond between the art and community.
Through my experience exploring the murals of downtown Houston, I have developed a deeper appreciation of this work. Murals spark creativity, innovation, and activism. They cultivate imagination and whimsy, and allow for people to express themselves. This art inspires me to be open to creativity and to take charge of the spaces around us and make them our own. I feel a part of downtown Houston, and am reminded that murals last to tell our stories and the stories before ours.
Arrangement of Murals located at Magnolia Court and Guinn Pasadena, TX 77506
Artist Credits: @ArtKungfu, @CAPDAVJON, @Mendoza, @PicsbyJoey, @FielHouston, @DrHoston, @Guzsuarezlife
Houston Legendary Graffiti Building and Murals located around the area, 2011 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003 Artists Credits: Alot of the artists names are either obscure or do not wish to be recognized for their name but for their art/artforms and graffiti as they leave their mark on these big walls in the big city.
Story
and photos by
Laurette M. Veres
As you make travel plans, allow us to introduce you to a hidden gem in the Midwest. Known for years to folk in Chicago and Green Bay, Door County provides a respite from big city life. With quick flights from Houston and Dallas, Door County is quite accessible to Texan couples.
A collection of charming, waterfront towns are situated alongside Lake Michigan. As you explore the area, you’ll find that there’s no better place for a romantic getaway. Spend your days hiking hidden trails and cherry orchards, enjoying locally prepared meals, or hop from bar to winery to pub.
Depending on the time of year, cherry blossoms may be in bloom. Do not miss the chance to capture this breathtaking site on the many roads in town, or drop by the Seaquist Orchards Farm Market for the perfect photo opp.
The DoRR hotel is a sleek, Scandinavian-inspired hotel in the heart of the Sister Bay area of Door County. This hotel has it all: great water views, walking accessibility to bars, restaurants, and attractions.
Local wine makers and distillers have found a home in door county and are expanding their offerings daily. The rapidly expanding spirits scene provides choices from barrel-aged wine to hand made glutenfree ciders. These artisans infuse passion into their processes and products. On this journey, variety is the spice of life, and each location provides unique tasting options.
Since opening in 2022, Sway has created simple, easy-drinking beers. According to Matt Sampson, “it's the closed vessel fermentation that traps in aromas and flavors and they are slowly reabsorbed in the beer.” These refreshing beverages are served directly from the fermentation cell to your table at the inviting beer garden.
The wine program specializes in mead which is made from fermented honey instead of fermented grapes. One of the standouts is the Dandelion Mead made from hand foraged dandelions. Hatch prides itself on being part of the local ecosystem, using wheat, barley and corn and sending unused portions of these ingredients back to farmers. Be sure to try the single malt whiskey crafted from three unique varieties of malted barley.
At this expansive beer garden, enjoy your One Barrel beer, cider, seltzer, or soda alongside tasty pizza from Pizza Bros, conveniently located inside the tap room. Try one of their numerous rotating fresh brews or sip on a gluten-free hard cider, fresh out of the barrel.
Owners Eric and Amy Gale met in college. “I was a biology, chemistry kid who grew up dairy farming,” says Eric. Amy's background is in communications, events, coordination, fundraising, nonprofits, etc. And so, the winery was born. “We planted three acres in 2020. In the spring of 2021, we planted three more acres.” The winery serves Washington State wines, and is expanding with wine from grapes grown on their six-acre property each season.
WINERY
Celebrate cherry blossom season at arguably one of the best places in Door County to see the spectacular sight of rows, upon rows of cherry blossoms. Carrie Lautenbach and her relatives have been harvesting and producing different food products since 1955. “We got our start from our great grandma who used to come up on the Greyhound, from the pier, and would help us with our harvest, take care of the kids, and sell food by the roadside.” This family business still celebrates the cherries after all these years, “as you walk around our market, you'll find all those
different products. Cherry barbecue dressing, cherry barbecue sauce … you can do a lot with it. A lot of people come and pick their own tart cherries during the summer season: mid-July through early August,” she says. “In 1999, we planted our first vineyard and in 2004, we released our first estate grown grape wine,” says Carrie. The family tradition continues.
Just 2500 miles northeast of Napa Valley, you’ll find a whole other wine country. Since 1993, Russell Turco has been crushing California grapes at his Stone’s Throw Winery. He invites you to sample his fine wines made from premium California grapes in the traditional one-barrel-at-a-time manner. It’s an ideal spot for couples to unwind and reconnect with one another.
Al Johnson’s is an authentic Swedish family-owned restaurant where you can find goats grazing the sod roof. As you top the hill and head down the main street in Sister Bay, you’re sure to get excited. The grassy roof and those goats draw tourists and locals alike. The menu features items such as Swedish pancakes and meatballs served with Swedish lingonberries. Breakfast is served all day.
Jenny MacReady’s grandmother wrote her a poem on her wedding day called “Jenny and Mike Bake Bread.” Even before the bakery opened, grandma knew. The final line in the poem became the bakery’s tagline: A Good Recipe for a Happy Life. Breads, cookies, quiches, are all baked from scratch. Drop in for a fresh sandwich, bread pudding, or a double chocolate cookie. The happy hippie cookie, which is an original recipe, is like a granola cookie or a muffin cookie with cranberries.
The Carrington offers a full bar and award-winning food, featuring favorites like the line-caught walleye and beef tenderloin with a cabernet sauvignon demiglacé. Located on top of the bluff, every seat in the house offers an outstanding view of the Green Bay.
It is Saturday night in the village of Ephrin, Door County, Wisconsin. Right behind the Old Post Office Hotel, the long-standing fish boil tradition lives on. At the turn of the century a boil was an economical way to feed a lot of people. Today, fish, potatoes and onions are boiled in huge bins in a bonfire type setting. Diners gather around the pot and learn about Door County history. Then, fish is de-boned and served table side with Cole slaw, bread and a slice of cherry pie.
From honeymoons and anniversary trips to weekend jaunts, Door County is the perfect spot for your travel escape. For more information log onto doorcounty.com
By Grace Hare
On a warm, humid weekend in Texas, not even the blazing sun will discourage crowds from swarming the fragrant vibrancy of the vendor stands at Urban Harvest Farmers Market.
Located in the St. Johns School parking lot, the market boasts its “rain or shine” resilience, and its many dozens of local vendors.
Upon entering the farmer’s market in late June, I was met with boxes of sweet, fresh peaches for sale and customers sizing up the ripening watermelons for purchase.
My sister and I both were offered a free peach, and we wandered around the stands enjoying the rich flavors of a peach grown within 180 miles of where we stood.
From there, we met Bee2Bee Honey Collective. This business extracts from hives across Houston, including local hives in Rice Village, Montrose, and the Heights.
With their unique seasonal specialty flavors of honey including raspberry creamed honey and chai, they invite you to experiment with their rich flavors as a spread on toast, a topping to your oats, or a pairing to a savory dish.
As we walked, we were able to chat with many of the engaging enthusiastic vendors and their partners. There were opportunities to purchase eggs, artisanal loaves of bread, and premium cuts of meat from family-owned businesses and farms.
When you shop at a local farmer’s market, you are not only directly supporting local businesses, but also these opportunities increase an area’s access to nutritional, organic food.
By attending farmer’s markets, guests can expect a wide assortment of fresh produce to purchase- and a one-on-one conversation with a local farmer or vendor can aid in understanding the benefits of supporting their brands.
For this Fall, we have compiled a list of the top three recipes to make with the help of our local vendors.
This recipe perfectly balances the tartness of apple with the savory gruyere cheese and crispy bacon. It is a classic comfort food that can be made easily with these affordable, simple ingredients.
Ingredients
• Dijon mustard
• Two slices of fresh bread of your choice (We recommend Artisana Bread for their wide arrangement of loaves at the market)
• Sliced gruyere cheese (While they don’t have gruyere, you can visit Lira Rossa, a local Italian creamery that specializes in traditional Italian cheeses)
• Cooked bacon (Look to Katerra Exotics for delicious, pasture-raised bacon)
• Slices of Granny Smith apple (The best bet at the market would be Atkinson Farms for fresh fruit!)
Instructions
Spread Dijon mustard on a slice of your favorite bread. Top with sliced cheese, cooked bacon, and sliced granny smith apple. Then add a slice of bread on top. Butter the bread, then cook in a skillet over medium-low heat, or until the cheese melts and the bread is golden brown (about three minutes).
Complete with a soft, flaky, buttery crust and filled with a hearty blend, this is a great dish to share with family and friends. While the recipe calls for bacon, you could make this recipe a delicious vegetarian meal.
Tip: You can also use a premade crust for a quick and easy dinner.
Ingredients for crust
1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour (plus more for rolling out)
1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, cubed and kept cold
Pinch of salt
1⁄2 cup cold water
Ingredients for filling
3 slices bacon, cut into pieces (Look to Katerra Exotics for delicious, pasture-raised bacon)
1 oz mushrooms, cut into pieces (Mushrooms can be found at Flying Saucer Farms or Lone Star Mushrooms)
1 leek, white part only cut into pieces
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped (Southern Harvest Farms has a collection of “microgreens”)
1⁄2 cup butternut squash, cut into cubes and boiled for 5 minutes (Look to Wood Duck Farms, Lightsey Farms, Houston Regional Market Growers or Atkinson Farms)
4 large eggs (Shop the Three Sisters Farms or Dustin’s Eggs booths for fresh eggs for cooking)
1⁄4 cup whole milk
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of salt & pepper
1⁄4 cup cheddar cheese
Grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
2. To make the crust in the food processor/blender: Add flour, salt, butter. Pulse until you reach a breadcrumb texture, drizzle in cold water while pulsing, and immediately stop once the dough forms a ball.
3. Remove the dough and knead until smooth.
4. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Cook the bacon on medium heat, drain and set aside. Keep the bacon fat in the pan.
6. Return the pan to the heat and add mushrooms and leek to the bacon fat. Cook until softened. Stir in the sage, butternut squash, and salt and pepper.
7. Turn off the heat and set aside.
8. Mix eggs and milk separately and combine. Whisk together the nutmeg, salt and pepper.
9. Add bacon, leeks and mushrooms to the egg mixture. Add cheddar cheese and stir together.
10. Remove the pastry from the refrigerator and roll out.
11. Lift into a 9 inch round tart pan. Cover the pastry in parchment paper and weigh down with beans or rice. Cook for 10 minutes.
12. Remove the foil and beans/rice. Cook again for 5 minutes.
13. Allow the crust to cool.
14. Fill with the egg mixture and top with parmesan cheese.
15. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
SECOND ANNUAL GALA
F riday, September 27, 2024
6:30 p.m.
River Oaks Country Club
2024 Co–Chairs
Christine Johnson and Jody Merritt
Honorary Chairs
Samantha Kennedy • Warner Roberts • Saula Valente
Honoring Community Leaders
BRIGITTE & BASHAR KALAI
LORI & TODD KING
LARRY MARTIN
JANELLE & GREG REID
LAURA & DAVE WARD
PURCHASE A TABLE OR SPONSORSHIP: https://missionofyahweh.org
Please Join Event Co-Chairs
Christine Johnson and Jody Merritt for this special night!
On a crisp evening in autumn, there’s nothing like a homemade bowl of soup to stay warm. Inspired by the Minimalist Baker, this delightful blend of fresh flavors will be a surprising rush of sweetness and spice. We recommend pairing this dish with a buttery loaf of bread.
Ingredients
1 tbsp coconut oil
2 medium shallots, thinly sliced (Look for it at Animal Farm)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
6 cups peeled and chopped butternut squash (Look to Wood Duck Farms, Lightsey Farms, Houston Regional Market Growers or Atkinson Farms)
Pinch of salt
1 1⁄2 tbsp curry powder
1⁄4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 14 oz can of light coconut milk
2 cups vegetable broth
3 tbsp honey (You can purchase at Bee2Bee Honey Collective or Hive Bee Farm)
Ingredients for serving
• Toasted pumpkin seeds
• Chili garlic paste
• Full fat coconut milk
Instructions
1. Heat a large pot over medium heat.
2. Sauté oil, shallots and garlic for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Add and season butternut squash with salt, pepper, curry powder, and ground cinnamon. Cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring.
4. Add coconut milk, vegetable broth, and maple syrup.
5. Bring to a low boil and then reduce heat. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the butternut squash is tender.
6. Transfer soup to a blender and puree until the soup is creamy and smooth.
7. Serve with garnishes of your choice.
