Missouri City’s Gabrielle Metoyer, 27, is proof that sometimes, taking a leap of faith can pay off in the biggest way possible. The winner of $300,000 on ABC’s “Press Your Luck”, hosted by Elizabeth Banks, said her behind-the-scenes experiences, and her story is a true testament to trusting your own instincts and luck.
Gabby’s journey to the “Press Your Luck” stage began in April.
“I was scrolling on Instagram after coming home from the gym, so I was still reeling from my workout,” she said. “It was an ad for ‘Press Your Luck’ saying, ‘If you’re good at trivia and want to be on TV, reach out.’ So, I decided to apply. I submitted the optional video at the end, that was really funny. In 30 seconds, you essentially had to tell them about yourself. All of that happened at 11 p.m. and the next day, I got a call from one of the casting producers saying, ‘I’d love to connect with you.’ So literally, it happenedwithin 24 hours.”
Going to LA
From April to June, Gabby had about five rounds of interviews, mostly over phone or Zoom, she said. Then, she played a mock game with two other contestants. Not long after, she was selected and invited to Los Angeles with a guest – her mother Ermita – to be on the show.
A navy brat whose father was stationed in LA years ago, Gabby said returning to the city felt like a full- circle moment for both her and her mother.
Gabby recalled driving up to the studio and experiencing the surreal moment of seeing reserved parking spots for shows like American Idol and other well-known hits.
“A really fun aspect of being on a TV show is you go through hair, makeup and wardrobe, and you try on a bunch of different outfits for the wardrobe team,” Gabby said. “I felt like a celebrity. My makeup room was the same makeup room as Katy Perry’s for the American Idol – it was so cool.”
Contestants had to bring five outfits, try them on for the team, and see which one looked best on camera, Gabby said.
By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
A year after her forced retirement as superintendent of Fort Bend ISD, Christie Whitbeck has filed a lawsuit against the district and three board members alleging they breached the voluntary retirement agreement by making numerous defamatory comments about her. In the lawsuit, filed December 3 in a Fort Bend County district court, seeks unspecified monetary damages for breach of contract and defamation, and requests “correction, clarification, or retraction” of numerous statements made in public or in writing by Position 5 Trustee Sonya Jones, Position 7 Trustee and Board President David Hamilton, and former Position 2 Trustee and then-Board President Judy Dae, as well as by the district itself. The three trustees are sued in their official capacities.
The next day, Whitbeck and her Houston attorney, Chris Tritico, announced the lawsuit at a press conference at Tritico’s office in the Heights. (Editor’s note:
SEE WHITBECK PAGE 2
Former Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Christie Whitbeck has filed a lawsuit against the district and three trustees alleging breach of contract and defamation surrounding her departure from the district. Here, she is seen being given her official “send-off” in December 2023. File photo by Ken Fountain
Ayden Kim, 4, and Avery Kim, 2, have their photo taken with Santa Claus.
McGrath, 7, gets
GHP examines economic, demographic differences across region
Staff Reports
Editor's Note: In its "Economy at a Glance" report for November, the Greater Houston Partnership - the regional chamber of commerce - discusses the latest edition of the annual American Community Survey released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The main body of the report is presented here with permission.
Each fall, the U.S. Census Bureau releases the American Community Survey (ACS), its annual snapshot of the nation’s economic, demographic, housing, and social characteristics. By examining ACS data over time, one can see shifts in the population. This is the second of a three-part series. The October issue analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American
The Fort Bend Star did not attend the press conference, but has reviewed a video of it published online by FOX 26 news.)
Whitbeck, who was hired as superintendent in September 2021 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced her retirement in an email to district parents and employees in early December 2023. The sudden announcement, coming on the heels of the district’s successful voter-approved tax rate election the previous month, came as a shock to many in the community. It also led to months of drama that went well past the hiring of Whitbeck’s successor, Marc Smith, announced a few days after her official last board meeting.
In the 26-page lawsuit (excluding attachments), Whitbeck alleges that the disparaging comments made by the three trustees began on the very night that the voluntary retirement agreement was signed, before the regularly scheduled December 4 board meeting.
In the agreement, a copy of which is included in the complaint, the trustees agreed “that each of them shall refer any thirdparty inquiries regarding Whitbeck’s employment as an employee of the District and as the Superintendent to the Agreement and Exhibit A.” Exhibit A, also attached, is a joint press release in which Whitbeck outlines her accomplishments during her tenure, and Dae, the then-board president, said that the board “highly values[s] the progress made in our school system under Superintendent Whitbeck’s leadership” and goes on to list several of examples of that progress.
In the course of that oftenraucous December 4 meeting, where multiple media outlets were present, Whitbeck said from the dais that she was not aware of any performance or other issues that led to a faction of the board seeking to remove her. Jones, who was then the newest member of the board, responded by saying that if board members revealed some of Whitbeck’s actions that were disclosed in the board’s closed session, “you would never work in education again.” That com-
Community Survey (ACS) to show how the region’s economic and demographic profile has shifted over the past 10 years. In a nutshell, Houston is older, better educated, and more ethnically diverse. However, a substantial share of the population still lacks health insurance and lives in poverty.
In the November issue, the Partnership reviewed how Houston compared to the nation’s other major metros. Metro Houston has one of the youngest and most diverse populations in the U.S. The region also has one of the nation’s largest foreign-born populations. We’re in the middle of the pack for home ownership, but not surprisingly we lag our peers in educational attainment and health care coverage. Houston also has the highest share of families whose income falls below the
ment, which drew a shocked response from both Whitbeck and many members of the public present, was widely reported by the media, including the Fort Bend Star. Dae, who was then the board president but later chose not to seek reelection, asked members of the board not to discuss anything that was discussed in the closed session and apologized to Whitbeck for the way the meeting had transpired. But, the lawsuit alleges, Dae would go on to say that there were things not stated that led to Whitbeck’s departure, including saying that “a lot of time on the surface is not the same as the truth.” (Adam Schoof would later be elected to Dae’s Position 2 seat, and former board president Kristin Tassin was elected to the Position 7 seat over incumbent Kristen Malone and was later elected by the new board as its president.)
The lawsuit alleges that after that meeting and the next week’s meeting, where the board gave Whitbeck it’s official “send-off,” Jones, Hamilton, and Dae made numerous public state -
poverty line.
The December issues examines the economic and demographic differences between the 10 counties which comprise the Houston metro area: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Waller.
Race and Ethnicity
Though Houston is the nation’s most ethnically diverse metro, the groups are distributed unevenly in the region. Harris and Liberty Counties
ments about purported reasons why Whitbeck was removed, including remarks made in online postings, an appearance by Dae at the Republican Women’s Club, and an appearance by Hamilton on the show of conservative radio host Michael Berry.
In that appearance, the lawsuit alleges, Hamilton repeats an allegation previously made by Jones, who is Black, that Whitbeck referred to her in a racist manner. Other comments the lawsuit alleges the three board members made were that Whitbeck “disrespects the Board” and that Whitbeck would tell Dae that she “was only one vote” on the board.
At the press conference, Whitbeck said that the events surrounding her departure from the district and the things that have been said about her since was one of the worst things to happen in her life, following only the death of her husband in a car accident and the death of her son from a medical condition.
Contacted by the Star, Whitbeck referred all ques-
No. 25 (the “Owner”) for furnishing
labor, material, and equipment and for performing all work required for the construction of: Sanitary Sewer Lift Stations 6 & 11 Improvements & 12” Sanitary Force Main (the “Work). Sealed, competitive bids will be received no later than 2:00 P.M., January 8, 2025, in the District Office located at 10347 Clodine Road, Richmond, Texas 77407.
Plans, specifications and bidding documents for the project are available at the following locations: Civcast USA Civcastusa.com (281) 376-4577
In general, the Work consists of construction of a 12-inch Force Main line along FM 1464 from Lismer Road North to Old Richmond Road, then East along Old Richmond Road, then North across Old Richmond Road into the Owner’s WWTP No. 1. The project also includes improvements to Owner’s Lift Station Nos. 6 and 11.
A non-mandatory pre-bid conference call with prospective bidders will be held on Friday, December 20, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. To attend, please use the Microsoft Teams link or the details provided below. To request a calendar invite with the meeting link, please contact Mr. Hector Pena, P.E. at hpena@ardurra.com.
Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 222 217 033 842 Passcode: rG6UK3yg
Owner will be bound by the terms of this invitation only to the extent funds, from whatever source, are available.
All bids must be accompanied by proposal guaranty in the form of a Certified or Cashier’s Check, or Bidders Bond drawn to the order of Fort Bend County MUD No. 25, and in the minimum amount of five percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid. No proposal may be withdrawn for a period of ninety (90) days after receipt of bids except with the approval of Owner. Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid from any responsible person which will be most advantageous to it and result in the best and most economical completion of the Work. The successful bidder will be required to provide a Performance Bond and Payment Bond in full amount of the contract.
Leonela Ruvalcaba, Executive General Manager, Owner
have disproportionally large Hispanic populations. White residents still comprise a majority in Austin, Chambers, Galveston, Montgomery, and San Jacinto Counties. The region’s Asian population is concentrated in Fort Bend and Harris Counties. And few Black residents live in Austin, Chambers, Liberty, and Montgomery Counties.
One in four Houstonians is foreign-born, compared to one in seven nationally. However, 86.4 percent of metro Houston’s foreign-born population is concentrated in
tions to her attorney, Chris Tritico. In a phone interview, Tritico said the three board members, surprised and shocked by the public response to Whitbeck’s sudden departure, embarked on a campaign to disparage her in order to mollify the outrage of many members of the community.
Tritico said that Whitbeck is now working for the Region IV Education Service Center at a “substantially” lower salary than she was making as superintendent at Fort Bend ISD. Before returning to Fort Bend ISD as superintendent, she had been the superintendent at Bryan ISD, and previously had a decades-long career in public education.
Tritico said it could be up to 18 months or so before the
two counties – Fort Bend and Harris.
With such a large share of Houston’s population born outside the U.S., it’s not surprising that a language other than English is often the primary language spoken at home. The most common language is Spanish, followed by other Indo-European languages, with Asian and Pacific Islander languages third.
Age The median age in Houston was 35.7 years in ’23, which
case goes to trial, barring a settlement before.
In a written statement released by Fort Bend ISD, the district says that it has paid Whitbeck all the money owed to her under the voluntary retirement agreement, which expired in September.
“Legal counsel for the district are reviewing the allegations and are expected to ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit and order Dr. Whitbeck to reimburse the district for the cost of defending the lawsuit,” the statement reads.
In the statement, Tassin, the new board president, says, “It is regrettable that the district’s former superintendent has chosen to sue the district and trustees who believed a leadership change was in the district’s
means half of all residents were younger and half older. The median age for the nation was 39.2. Locally, Waller had the youngest population, presumably because the county is home to Prairie View A&M University and thus has a large student population. San Jacinto had the oldest population, likely due to the lack of inmigration to the county and the large number of retirees living there.
As reported in the October issue of Glance, the population over the age of 65 is the fastest-growing cohort in metro Houston, adding some 354,000 residents over the past 10 years. “Seniors” now comprise one in every eight Houston residents. Their share of the population tends to be larger in the suburban counties.
Find the full report at houston.org.
best interest.”
“The district has paid Dr. Whitbeck every penny of a very generous severance package. Apparently, she now has second thoughts about what she agreed to and wants to get even more taxpayer money from the district. It is disturbing to me that the district will have to spend taxpayer funds and divert time and resources from educating students to defend against this groundless lawsuit,” she says. The Star reached out individually to Jones, Hamilton, and Dae for comment on the allegations contained in the lawsuit. In a message, Hamilton referred to the official statement released by the district and Tassin. At press time, Jones and Dae had not responded.
His rebarbative behavior caused only an irenic repartee. Or, in plain English: His annoying behavior caused only a calm put-down. How about: It was a susurrus legerdemain, a diaphanous pule. Again, in plain English: A mumbled deception, a transparent whine. Those two examples contain legitimate words, but nobody uses them. So let’s talk about words. I like some words, don’t like some and feel uncomfortable with others. I know what these last ones mean, but I just don’t feel at ease using them like perambulate. Why not just say travel or walk through? Why say breviloquent when I could say brusque or terse? Then there is hubris. It means excessive pride or self-confidence or arrogance. When was the last time you heard anyone say hubris? Once there was a letter to the editor accusing me of my hubris. I had to look it up to see if it was a compliment or a rebuke.
I know what myriad means (countless, infinite, multiple) but I prefer to say unending. Same for acumen (awareness, brilliance, shrewdness), but
I’ve never used it. I like ennui. It’s a French word pronounced on-WEE and meaning apathy, languor, tedium, weariness. Speaking of French, our vocabulary is filled with stolen or borrowed words from other languages, mainly because they are better than anything we have, or don’t have. Here in Texas we could say, “It’s a slow moving, rather murky stream.” The French would say, “It’s a bayou.” Prairie is the French word for meadow. According to Theodore Roosevelt: “We have taken into our language the word prairie, because when our backwoodsmen first reached the land (in the Midwest) and saw the great natural meadows of long grass … they knew not what to call them, and borrowed the term already in use among the French inhab -
itants.” From the Spanish, we have rodeo (not row-DAY-oh, that’s a drive in Beverly Hills), vamoose and, of course, every dish on a Tex-Mex menu. Winston Churchill said, “Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words best of all.” He told the British Parliament in the worst of World War II, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” Short, old words. The term had been used before, but Churchill’s use made it famous. Incidentally, the toil part seems to have been left out, but that didn’t stop a rock band from using the term for its name.
If we don’t have a word for something new, we create one. Time magazine takes credit for what to call our smoke and fog: smog. I’m uncomfortable with salient (most noticeable or important). Again, the word is around, but I don’t use it. We can figure out what an unfamiliar word means simply by the way it is used in context. “His wandering speech was totally galimatias.” We can rightfully figure out the speech was confused or an unintelligible talk. It was gibberish. This brings
us to gobbledygook, which means the same thing, and is based on a noise like that of a turkey’s gobble. The first known use of gobbledygook was in 1944, and was supposedly coined by U.S. Rep. and Marine Maury Maverick, yes, of that family. By one count, there are 171,476 different words in the English language, although the Oxford University Press, sort of the bible of our tongue, lists 600,000 words. That’s nothing compared to other languages. The Koreans have 1.1 million. The Portuguese have 818,000 and the Finns come in at 800,000. The Scots have 421 words and expressions for snow. In 2013, The Economist reported most adults have a vocabulary range of about 20,000-35,000 words. They learn almost one new word a day until middle age, then their vocabulary growth stops. In August 2016, UPI.com did another study which found almost twice that number: Most U.S. adults have a vocabulary of more than 42,000 words, and English speakers acquire a vocabulary of about 48,000 words by age 60. Incidentally, each year
the aforementioned Oxford University Press declares its Word of the Year. For 2024 the winner is – get ready -brain rot. It is defined as a person’s mental or intellectual deterioration due to consuming too much online content considered to be trivial or unchallenging. The winner is chosen through a combination of public voting and expert analysis. Brain rot edged out other finalists, including demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. Moving on, some words don’t mean what they should mean. Penultimate should mean the absolute ultimate instead of next to last in a series of things; second to last. Jettison should mean to jet, speed, go faster instead of abandon, discard or dump. Nonpareil means having no equal; peerless, but shouldn’t it be nonparallel? I don’t like nonplus – dazed or confused. It’s a non-plus, thus a minus, right? Limpid doesn’t mean a limp or walking with a halt, although it should mean that and not pure or lucid. To find different meanings we have the thesaurus which gives us synonyms, similar words and antonyms. Once
Texas Monthly gave a Bum Steer Award to a West Texas teacher who told his/her students that a thesaurus was a prehistoric animal, but it sounds like it should be. I never say antediluvian (of or belonging to the time before the biblical flood). It doesn’t come up much in my conversations, and I don’t like screed. It sounds like fingers on a blackboard. Pithy sounds like you have a lisp. Existential is overused. An existential crisis, an existential threat. The word is affirming existence, having being in time and space. Existential is as meaningless as my favorite empty phrase: Comprehensive immigration reform. During COVID-19 the word protocol was beaten to death. It should have worn a mask. Is anyone else tired of woke? I think most Americans are fed up both with the term and people who are. They’re the type who uses angst, doppelganger, whom and antediluvian. So that’s my take, opinion and toil. Churchill would approve. Ashby is wordy at ashby2@ comcast.net
THANKSGIVING WEEK
November 23–December 1
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving Day
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Tuesday, December 31
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
December 21–December 30
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
NEW YEAR’S DAY 2025
Wednesday, January 1 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
HOLIDAY FUN IN FORT BEND
Photos by Ken Fountain
Santa Clause waves to the crowd from a Missouri City fire truck.
One of the many floats at the Snowfest Parade in Missouri City.
Attendees enjoy the holiday decor in the plaza.
Members of Sambombom Brazilian Dance Company perform.
An attendee checks the wares of one of the vendors.
Attendees enjoy one of the many attractions of the event.
Young dancers with BB's Bollywood Dance perform.
Dusk falls on the streets of Sugar Land Town Square during the event.
Dancers with RB’s Bollywood Dance perform on the plaza.
Young members of the Fountain of Praise Church choir perform.
A student choir from Fort Bend ISD's Drebek Elementary School performs on the steps of Sugar Land City Hall.
Young cast members of Inspiration Stage's production of "White Christmas" perform on the plaza.
Application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a MIXED BEVERAGE PERMIT (MB), by Gary Merritt dba Philly Boyz CheeseSteaks LLC, to be located at 1715 Texas Parkway, Missouri City, Fort Bend, Texas. Officers of said corporation are Gary Merritt, Owner
“They were all my clothes, but the wardrobe team essentially picked the outfit that I was gonna wear,” she said.
Meeting Elizabeth Banks
“Another reason why I applied to the show was because of Elizabeth Banks, I’m a big fan of hers,” Gabby said. “I think she hilarious, and she’s also just a huge advocate for women’s rights and everything. So, I just love her.”
Gabby described Banks as reassuring and genuine, encouraging contestants to let their true personalities shine on screen, sharing restaurant recommendations with Gabby’s mother.
“She was like, ‘if you mess up, it’s OK, I mess up all the time. We always restart, it’s fine’ “Gabby said. “She wanted to make sure we were all comfortable. And when she was talking to you, you really felt like she was just trying to be there in the moment with you. Because I think she recognizes, of course, that it’s special for us to meet her. So she was just really intentional and genuine.”
In addition to Banks, Gabby said she had a great time meeting and bonding with the other contestants, including Dennis Tamblyn, the Arizona-based opera singer who appeared with her.
Personalized prizes
Gabby’s winnings included $199,000 in cash and $100,000 in personalized prizes, such as an ultimate birthday bash for 100 guests and a year of fitness sessions with an elite personal trainer who works with the Houston Texans.
“What I love about ‘Press Your Luck’ is how different it is from other game shows,” she said. “It’s very personal which is why the casting producers meet us so many times to get to know each contestant deeply … they ask you what you like to do, what matters to you, and even interview people close to you –they interviewed my sisters, mom, and best friend. That’s how they knew my favorite artist, that I love
the beach, that I wanted to send my parents on a vacation, all those details they use to personalize my game board.”
Keeping it a secret was the hardest part – they couldn’t wait to share.
Though filming had wrapped in June, her episode aired in July, and Gabby and her mother had been sworn to secrecy, having signed non-disclosure agreements. They kept the outcome a secret from their family and friends, including Gabby’s younger sisters Sophia and Leea.
“We also had no idea when my episode was going to air,” Gabby said. “I didn’t know that I was going to be the season premiere until the week before.”
Friends and family gathered at the Metoyers’ for the screening, and the party grew livelier as it became
clear something wonderful had happened to Gabby.
“My family actually thought that I lost,” Gabby said. “So when the air date came along, everyone came over to just watch me be on TV, but they had no idea that I won. When I kept going and I wasn’t getting eliminated, and I didn’t hit any Whammies, they started to, like, look at me funny. And then finally, when I was chosen as the person who was going on to the big board, it was like the house erupted.” Gabby describes her prize winnings as life-changing money, putting it toward paying off student loans and a future home in Missouri City. Gabby holds a bachelor’s degree in medical humanities from Baylor University and a master’s degree in public health from Emory University in Atlanta. She graduated from Fort Bend ISD’s Ridge Point High School in 2015. Gabby’s mother Ermita is a teacher at Sienna Crossing Elementary School.
“I’ve been telling everyone I know to just apply for things, you never know,” Gabby said. “You always think, oh, there’s thousands of applicants, and there are, but if you show your personality, it’s clearly possible. I never thought that I would be on a TV show or a game show or anything like that, but they saw something that they liked and wanted to learn more about me.”
Varma is a freelance writer. She can be reached at juhi. varma@gmail.com.
Missouri City resident Gabrielle Metoyer, left, poses with ‘Press Your Luck’ host Elizabeth Banks during her recent appearance on the ABC game show. ABC photo provided by Gabrielle Metoyer
Missouri City’s Gabrielle Metoyer is pictured with the cake from her family's watch party for her winning appearance on ABC's "Press Your Luck." Contributed photo
Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with guests, ring in the holiday season
In a column just two weeks ago, I reiterated my longstanding love-hate relationship with Christmas music. Perhaps I should elaborate a bit. I don’t really “hate” any Christmas music (well, maybe just a few songsI’m looking at you, Paul McCartney), but I have grown to dislike its ubiquity for seemingly the whole last quarter of the year.
To be even more specific, what I really dislike is hearing the same recorded songs on the radio and in the stores ad nauseum during the holidays. As I explained in that column, I choose to wait until a week before the Big Day before binging on the Christmas radio station. But live music is another thing altogether, and for the past few years, I have very much enjoyed going to the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus’s annual “Deck the Halls” concert. Last Sunday’s wet and dreary weather may not exactly have made for a winter wonderland, but inside the Stafford Centre, our county’s very good community orchestra was able to create just the right holiday atmosphere.
This year, for the first time, the orchestra brought
in student choirs from McMeans Junior High School, KIPP Sharpstown College Preparatory School, and Annunciation Orthodox School to perform together during the first half of the concert. This was part of the orchestra’s new partnership with Partnerschools, a Houston nonprofit which brings together diverse schools from across the metropolitan area to build connections through art, as CEO Sonja Bruzauskas explained from the stage. I had never heard of Partnerschools, but it seems like a very worthy organization. (Learn more about them at partnerschools. org.)
The concert began with the ever-popular “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, probably the best-known orchestral work for the holidays. Last year, FBSO Music Director and Conductor Dominique Røyem joked that if weren’t included in the annual program, she
was likely to receive angry letters. That may or not be true, but it’s always a nice part of a holiday program. Dozens of students filed onstage to perform several pieces with the orchestra, beginning with “Angel’s Carol” by contemporary English composer John Rutter, who contributed the most songs to the program. Conducted by Alicia Jones-Lumbuz, choir director at KIPP Sharpstown, the students very capably sang the lovely song, which was new to me. That’s one of the parts of these concerts that I like best, hearing pieces that I have never heard before interspersed with some old favorites.
Speaking of old favorites, the next song was “O, Holy Night,” one of the best-known of the old-style Christmas carols, arranged by FBSO Assistant Chorus Director Steve Kalke, who also acted as conductor. That’s another feature I like about the FBSO concerts - Røyem likes to share the wealth, as it were, by giving her colleagues their time on the podium, in the spirit of a true community orchestra. Next up was a medley of songs under the name “Holiday Favorites,” arranged by Roger Emerson. It’s always fun to try to pick out the songs in these medleys,
and the young singers very capably performed them for all they were worth.
These concerts typically also feature a performance by a young, up-and-coming musician. This time it was pianist Aiden Chen, winner of the FBSO’s 2023 Marielle Ogletree Artist Concerto Competition (named after a late longtime volunteer for the orchestra). Chen, who is studying at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, performed Hungarian composer Franz Liszt’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat Major”. With the orchestra accompanying him, Chen turned in a superb performance of one of the most important works of the Romantic era.
After the intermission, which gave concertgoers the chance to shop for gifts in the FBSO’s annual Holiday Handmade Mart, featuring items made by members of the orchestra and chorus, the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra Chorus joined the musicians on stage to perform the second half of the program.
They began with that old standby, the “Hallelujah Chorus” from German-British Baroque composer George Frideric Handel’s famed “The Messiah.” I’ve heard the full “Messiah” in concert a couple of times, and while beautiful,
it can be something of a chore.
But the “Hallelujah Chorus” never gets old, especially when sung by a choir as accomplished as the FBSO one. Røyem noted that the chorus is actually part of the Easter portion of “The Messiah,” but who’s complaining?
Next up was another piece by John Rutter, “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” another one I hadn’t known. That was followed up by an orchestral and choral rendition of classic holiday poem b”’Twas the Night Before Christmas” by (reputedly) by Clement Clarke Moore which gave the world its modern picture of Santa Claus. This musical version is by the late American composer Harry Simeone, and while Røyem said it was quite famous in its day, I confess I didn’t know it. For this piece, conducted by FBSO Chorus conductor Ray Rhodes, some of the student musicians stepped onstage to contribute a few verses, both spoken and sung. That was followed by a piece called “Hanukkah Fantasy,” by Israeli-American composer Zamir Bavel, which Røyem announced had both pieces of Hanukkah and Christmas songs woven together. I have to say, the only Hanukkah song I could piece out was “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel,”
but I did recognize some of the Christmas tunes, in particular “Silent Night.” The concert closed out with what Røyem called the “Eat, Drink, and Be Merry” portion of the program: three songs by Rutter titled “Banquet Fugue, “Good Ale”, and the ever-popular “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” Put together, the songs were a perfect way to close out a concert designed to launch the holiday season into high gear. On a very nice note, Røyem took a moment before the final trio of songs to bid farewell to longtime FBSO clarinetist Marilyn Conger, who has been with the FBSO since its beginning in 1992, when it was known as the Sugar Land Community Orchestra. According to Røyem, Conger not only was a mainstay musician but also performed many of the various offstage work of the organization. After accepting a bouquet of flowers, Conger retook her place with orchestra for her final performance. The next scheduled performance of the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, with the theme “Sounds of the 60’s,” will be on Sunday, March 9 at the Stafford Centre. Learn more at fbso.org.
Music Director and Conductor Dominique Røyem leads the Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra and Chorus at their “Deck the Halls” holiday concert at the Stafford Centre. Photo by Ken Fountain
ONGOING
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH
In conjunction with the Literacy Council of Fort Bend Bend County, GPBC will offer ESL classes on Tuesday nights from mid August 2024 through May 2025. We are located at 12000 FM 1464 Richmond across from Austin HS. Our students speak several languages and encompass many faiths, all are welcome. For more information call 281-277-2200 and ask for ESL information. You may also email ESL@grandparkway.org
EMMY-NOMINATED FORT BEND BOYS CHOIR HOLDING AUDITIONS
The Fort Bend Boys Choir is seeking talented young boys who like music and singing. If know of one, encourage him to audition for our award-winning and Emmy-Nominated Fort Bend Boys Choir! No experience is necessary and boys should be around eight years of age or older with an unchanged voice. Auditions are by special appointment at the First United Methodist Church Missouri City, 3900 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City, TX. Visit the Fort Bend Boys Choir’s webpage at www.fbbctx.org or call (281)
240-3800 for more details about auditions. Benefits as a choir member include greater self-esteem and self-confidence, better work ethic and a sense of belonging and community. A boy’s voice has an expiration date so it is important to audition when boys’ voices are still unchanged. Auditions are free!
AMERICAN LEGION POST 942
311 Ulrich Street, Sugar Land meets the fourth Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. All Veterans are welcome.
LOVING FRIENDS IS A GROUP OF WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE WIDOWS AND WIDOWERS THAT MEET MONTHLY FOR LUNCH, FRIENDSHIP, AND SOCIALIZATION
Lunches. are planned for the fourth Tuesday of the month at various local restaurants. Please contact Bobbie Tomlin at {281} 967-0718 For more information about us and to learn about this month’s planned lunch. We hope to meet you soon.
QUAIL VALLEY GARDEN CLUB
The Quail Valley Garden Club is very busy, not only with meetings, but with some fun “stuff” for our members and the community. Please find our fall schedule of events that the QVGC will be involved with this fall leading up to the holidays.
FBJSL IS ACCEPTING CAF GRANT APPLICATIONS
We provide grants of up to $5,000.00 to charitable causes serving Fort Bend County with requests to fund a critical need, pilot a program, or expand a significant service to the community. If your agency or organization is interested in applying for a CAF grant, please visit the Request Support page of the FBJSL website (www.fbjsl.org/request-support). All applications should be submitted via e-mail to brccom@fbjsl.com
THE
SANCTUARY
FOSTER CARE SERVICES
We are a child placing agency that provides wrap around care support for foster children and foster families. We provide free therapy services, 24 hr. crisis intervention, respite/alternative care services and community-based support. For more info, www.sanctuaryfostercare.org
ALIEF AARP CHAPTER 3264
Meets the first Thursday of every month at 10:00 a.m. at Salvation Army Church, 7920 Cook Road, Houston, TX 77072. Educational Program/ Entertainment at each meeting. Bus Trips every month. Seniors 50 and above invited. Call 281-785-7372 for more information.
SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB
Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, non-political, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 832-987-4193, dean7351@gmail.com We just started a new evening club also. Contact me for more info.
FT.
BEND ACCORDION CLUB
Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public!
We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com.
LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY
We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org.
GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE
Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events.
DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED
Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195
EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-5751145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!
MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801
Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-8595920 or 281-499-3345.
FAFSA WORKSHOP
On Saturday, December 7, from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., College Community Career will host a free FAFSA Workshop at the CCC office, 11104 W. Airport Blvd. #106, Stafford. The public is invited to attend and receive free assistance in completing their financial aid applications. The event will include festive décor, fun activities, and giveaways, all designed to simplify the FAFSA process for students and their families. As college approaches, some students will be applying for FAFSA for the first time. Many marginalized students, such as those who are undocumented, from low-income backgrounds, and first- generation students, have concerns about how they can receive financial aid. Spanish-speaking advisors will also be available to help Hispanic parents navigate the FAFSA application to have a better understanding of the financial process application. Parents and students should bring their 2023 tax return to the event. We will guide them through the FAFSA/TASFA process. For more information, send an email to contact: collegecommunitycareer@gmail.com.
FELICIA SMITH JIGSAW PUZZLE COMPETITION
Register for the family-fun Felicia Smith Jigsaw Puzzle Competition. This exciting event is on January 25, 2025 at Fort Bend Christian Academy, North Campus Gymnasium, 1250 7th., Sugar Land 77478. Teams of four, ages eight and up have two hours to complete a 300-500-1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle. Awards immediately follow, and bragging rights are guaranteed! Check-in is at 9 am, and the timed competition is from 10 am to noon. The event is one way the local nonprofit raises awareness and funds for families with autistic children and loved ones. Register your team ($160) now. For volunteer or sponsor information, or autism resources, visit www.hopeforthree.org
