DECEMBER 2021
9 Annual th
9
Sugar Land Celebrates
Different Categories
12
Days of
Christmas
Christmas Home Tour $3.95
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 1 HOUSTON, TEXAS
Solidifying your foundation. Securing your future. One investment at a time.
Dhanani Private Equity Group Providing Investors High-Yield Results Since 2011 Recent Dhanani Private Equity Group Project Results Dhanani Private Equity Group’s (DPEG) Most Recent Property Exit
A DPEG shopping center located at Kirby Drive and Magnolia Parkway sold for a 2.45 X multiple. That single transaction yielded a 72.30% Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for DPEG investors!
Dhanani Private Equity Group’s First San Antonio Deal Closed
DPEG most recently expanded their portfolio to include properties outside of the Houston market and closed on a shopping center in San Antonio – their first investment outside of Houston. For this project, Team DPEG raised $7.8 million in capital, and the closing completed on October 28, 2021!
Dhanani Private Equity Group’s Closed Largest Deal in Company History DPEG recently launched the largest deal in the company’s history, worth north of $95 million with The Fountains On The Lake in Stafford, Texas. Team DPEG had it’s largest raise yet at $37 million and were oversold within two days with over 200 investors participating in this project!
O about what wealth is, and
ur job is to educate people
Team Dhanani: Aisha Chanda, Ahsan Daredia, Omoniyi Akindoju, Narmeen Walji, Muhammad Aslam Ansari, Nikhil Dhanani, Ola Akindoju, Nick Dhanani, Bimbo Akindoju, Ali Wadhwani, Innara Velani, Adedoyin Siwoniku and Jaiedan Correa.
how we can take their money and convert it into more money and wealth for them. Personal finance, creating wealth – unfortunately this is not something that is taught in school, and so many people often find themselves in a cycle of living hand-to-mouth unable to get ahead. Our goal at Dhanani is to help as many people as possible build their wealth and secure their futures. – Nadyrshah “Nick” Dhanani CEO and Founder Dhanani Private Equity Group
1455 Highway 6 Suite B, Sugar Land, TX 77478 l 281.561.5135 l office@24sevencs.com l Dhananipeg.com
{Features}
DECEMBER 2021
{COVER STORY}
20 absolutely! ’TIS THE SEASON
Celebrate the Holidays with Special Centerpieces
21 CHILD ADVOCATES OF FORT BEND
Christmas Home Tour Tickets Now Available
24 SUGAR LAND CELEBRATES 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS
Virtual and In-Person Activities!
28 SUGAR PLUM MARKET
Preview Night
{Columns} 22 FORT BEND STRONG
’Tis The Season To Be Fort Bend Strong!
26 GLOBETROTTING
Texas Top Ten Hotel List
32 LIVING THE SWEET LIFE
The Spirit’s Song
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9TH ANNUAL FOCUS FAVS
READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
This fall, we invited readers to our website to take an online survey to tell us who their favorites are in Fort Bend in nine different categories: Food, Entertainment, Pets, Auto, Schools, Healthcare, Home Improvement, Shopping and Professional Services. See who won this year’s Fort Bend Focus Favs Readers’ Choice Awards, and congratulations to all of our winners!
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DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
CONTRIBUTORS
DECEMBER 2021 VOLUME 17 | NUMBER 11
22
The Honorable Pete Olson Contributor Page 22
Alisa Murray AlisaMurray.com Pages 26 & 32
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26 Steve Kursar Auto Enthusiast Page 30
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absolutely! {Auto Review} 30 2021 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E
{Newsworthy} 25 THE FORT BEND COUNTY HOME & GARDEN
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Two Shows in One Coming to Fort Bend County Fairgrounds: Home & Garden Show + Winter Gift Market
{In Every Issue} 6 EXCLAMATION POINTS! 31 AMATEUR PHOTO CONTEST
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DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
ON THE COVER: 9th Annual Focus Favs Readers’ Choice Awards
Kristin Lytle
Celebrating 20 Years!
Thank you for another successful year! • Platinum Agent 15 years Licensed Broker • Celebrating 20 years with more than $100 million in total listing and sales volume • Recipient of Five Star Professional Award for more than ten consecutive years • HAR Client Experience rating of 4.99/5.0 See ratings & reviews at www.har.com/kristinlytle
Dalton Lytle, REALTOR®
Kristin Lytle, Broker Associate
Email to KristinKLytle@gmail.com • 281-414-3059 DECEMBER 2021 l
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EXCLAMATION POINTS! Publisher, PATTI PARISH-KAMINSKI
Out with the Old - In with the New It’s definitely the most wonderful time of the year, and for the first time in a long time, it truly feels like that. As our community and our world strives to get back to normal, I see that we are making great progress. That’s what keeps me as a business owner, community servant, mother and wife hopeful – progress. While we are making great strides in Celebrating 15 years of progress: Jimmy and Ann so many areas of our community, here Cantu and Patti and Tim Kaminski celebrate Pier 36’s 15-year anniversary of doing business in the Bend. at absolutely! focus media we are still Congratulations Jimmy and Ann! facing challenges. As you have likely noticed, the paper that we have been printing on for the past few months has not been reflective of the quality that our advertisers and readers are accustomed to. The supply chain issue regarding paper has hit us hard, and we have been forced to print on paper that is frankly not up to our standards. Our paper costs have increased over 40%, our printing time has increased by nearly 50% and our fulfillment costs have increased, significantly impacting delivery. Basically, we are paying much more for much less, and the quality is not in keeping with our company’s mission. The good news is we were prepared. Over the past year, we have significantly increased our digital footprint by launching multiple campaigns to increase our website views, social media followers and our digital subscriber base. The best news of all? It’s working. In 2022, we will bring you more of the people, places and happenings than ever before with our new Fort Bend Focus Ezine. And yes, our subscriptions will remain free to our community. Simply sign up at FortBendFocus.com to become a digital subscriber and follow us on Facebook @FortBendFocus. We will be out and about more than ever before bringing you timely community news. We remain your community magazine, and we look forward to continuing to come into your homes via your computers, tablets and cell phones much more than once a month with the news you need and want to know about Fort Bend. From our team at absolutely! focus media, we wish you a most blessed holiday season and a safe and prosperous New Year. As always, stay focused my friends,
Vol. 17 No. 11 December 2021 281-690-4242 www.fortbendfocus.com absolutely! focus media P. O. Box 1253 Richmond, Texas 77406
PUBLISHER Patti Parish-Kaminski AC C OUNT EXECUTIVES Kay Garrett Gena Horak A RT D I R E C T O R Grace Belleza WEB DESIGNER Joey Belleza S O C IA L M E D IA M A NA G E R Natalee Moore I T S U P P O RT A D M I N I S T R AT I V E / S A L E S A S S I S TA N T Kolton W. Kaminski CONTRIBUTORS Steve Kursar Alisa Murray Pete Olson A D V E RT I S I N G I N Q U I R I E S 281-690-4242 E D I T O R IA L S U B M I S S I O N S Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
Patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6
s! U w o www.FortBendFocus.com ll Fo 6
@FortBendFocus
DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Published by
Subscription requests are free to all Fort Bend addresses. Annual paid subscription of $25 required outside the Fort Bend area. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine is published by absolutely! focus media, P. O. Box 1253, Richmond, Texas 77406. Copyright© 2021 by absolutely! focus media. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Fort Bend FocusTM Magazine welcomes editorial submissions from its readers.
This fall, we invited readers to our website to take an online survey to tell us who their Fort Bend Favs are in nine different categories:
9 Annual th
FOOD AUTO SCHOOLS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PETS HOME IMPROVEMENT Healthcare ENTERTAINMENT SHOPPING And boy, did they come through! With nearly 5,000 votes, readers voiced their opinion on their favorites. Take a look and see who won this year’s Fort Bend Focus Favs Readers’ Choice Awards!
2021 Voting for the 2021 Fort Bend Focus Favs Readers’ Choice Awards was conducted online at www.FortBendFocus.com from August 1 to September 30, 2021. The results were collected and tabulated using Crowdsignal.com. In the event of a tie, all winners are listed.
Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Favorite Burger Brandani’s Burgers, Tacos and Brews 3340 FM 1092 Road, #180 Missouri City, TX 77459
Favorite Pub Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 15929 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479
FOOD
Local foodies spoke up loud and clear voting for their favorite eateries – yum! Favorite Brunch TIE First Watch 3 Locations in Fort Bend AND Bean Here Coffee 4340 Sienna Parkway, #102 Missouri City, TX 77459
Favorite Wine Bar, Steakhouse, Italian Restaurant & Caterer Brandani’s Restaurant & Wine Bar 3340 FM 1092 Road, #160 Missouri City, TX 77459
Favorite BBQ TIE Rudy’s BBQ 20500 Southwest Fwy Richmond, TX 77469
Favorite Seafood & Happy Hour Japaneiro’s 2168 Texas Drive, Sugar Land, TX 77478
AND Old Hickory Inn Barbecue 3334 FM 1092 Rd #400 Missouri City, TX 77459
Favorite Martini Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille 2115 Town Square , Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Mexican Food La Escondida Mexican Grill 7270 Hwy 6, #500 Missouri City, TX 77459
Favorite Margarita Escalante’s Fine Tex-Mex & Tequila 15933 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Specialty Restaurant Thai Cottage 4723 Sweetwater Blvd Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Pizza Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria 16535 Southwest Fwy, Ste 2500 Sugar Land, TX 77479
Thank you for your support! Fort Bend’s Favorite Steakhouse Burger, Wine Bar, Caterer & Italian Restaurant Thank you for your continued support of our family owned small business! We are offering meals to go for the Holidays and are excited to host a prix-fix dinner for New Years Eve.
We appreciate you & look forward to serving you! ~ Ron & Claire Brandani
Book your Holiday Luncheon, Party or Catering Now!
Offering Set Menu Luncheons, Dinners and Catering Our calendar is filling up, so call now!
Holiday Wine Tasting 281. 969.7854 3340 FM 1092 Road #180 • Missouri City
Sunday, Dec. 5th
832.987.1313 3340 FM 1092 Road, #160 • Missouri City
www.brandanisburgers.com l orders@brandanis.com l www.brandanis.com
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DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Favorite Healthy Eatery Off the Vine Bistro 2865 Dulles Ave Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Food Truck Mary Had A Little Party maryhadalittleparty.com Favorite Fast Food Chick-fil-A 9 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Delivery Door Dash DoorDash.com
Favorite Frozen Treats Marble Slab Creamery 6 Locations in Fort Bend
SCHOOLS
Favorite Bakery TIE Red Berries Bakeshop 14025 Southwest Fwy #501 Sugar Land, TX 77478 AND Nothing Bundt Cakes 1531 Hwy 6, #125 Sugar Land, TX 77478
Favorite Coffee Bar Favorite Grab & Go Meals Bean Here Coffee Dream Dinners 4340 Sienna Parkway, #102 5418 Hwy 6, #216 Missouri City, TX 77459 Missouri City, TX 77459
Our readers don’t trust their kids to just anyone. From preschool to college, check out their favorite child care and educational facilities. Favorite Day Care St. Laurence Weekday Children’s Program 3103 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Private School St. Laurence Catholic School 2630 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite College/Technical School University of Houston at Sugar Land 14000 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
ER AUTO S VICES
Celebrating
30
YEARS
When it comes to auto services, car enthusiasts aren’t shy about voting for their favorites. Favorite Auto Dealer Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land 13115 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Auto Repair Colony One Auto Center 1131 Dulles Ave, Stafford, TX 77477 Favorite Auto Services TIE CooperMaiks Auto Repair 235 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477 AND Colony One Auto Center 1131 Dulles Ave, Stafford, TX 77477
Making a Difference: Faith, Academics, and Service
OF EXCELLENCE Founded in 1992
Serving Grades Pre-K to 8th
Come tour our campus and see what makes SLCS a leader in providing a well-rounded education!
Educating the Whole NATIONAL RECOGNITIONS Christian Person 2005, 2014: Blue Ribbon In Body, School of Excellence 2017: Innovations in Mind, and Spirit Catholic Education Award
2630 Austin Parkway Sugar Land, TX 77479 281.980.0500 www.stlaurenceschool.org DECEMBER 2021 l
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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend
The West Law Firm
It’s not just YOUR CASE, It’s OUR CAUSE.
Maddison M. West
Robert C. Goodwill, Jr. Trial Lawyer
S. Scott West
Trial Lawyer
Triple-Board Certified Trial Lawyer
AREAS OF PRACTICE Personal Injury and Wrongful Death involving: • Defective and unsafe products • Motor vehicle collisions • Construction site injuries • Industrial injuries • Dangerous premises Commercial Disputes involving: • Theft of intellectual property • Theft of trade secrets • Breach of contract Other Complex Commercial Litigation
Call for a Free Consultation
281.277.1500
6908 Brisbane Court, Third Floor Sugar Land, TX 77479 www.WestFirm.com
Thank You Fort Bend!
Voted Favorite Attorney/Law Firm Two Years Running! 10
DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend Favorite Real Estate Agent TIE Cathy Stubbs Keller Williams Southwest 14141 Southwest Fwy Ste #135 Sugar Land, TX 77478
Favorite Custom Home Builder Perry Homes www.perryhomes.com Favorite Photographer Kelley Sweet Photography ksweetphoto.com
SSIONAL SERVICES PROFE
AND
Favorite Insurance Agency Jeremy Adams State Farm Insurance Agency 306 Brooks St Sugar Land, TX 77478
Richard Luebeck 27131 Cinco Ranch Blvd #600-120 Katy, TX 77494 Favorite Real Estate Company TIE The Cathy Stubbs Team Keller Williams Southwest 14141 Southwest Fwy Ste #135 Sugar Land, TX 77478 AND Red Lion Realty 27131 Cinco Ranch Blvd #600-120 Katy, TX 77494 Favorite Bank/Credit Union Frost Bank 4 Locations in Fort Bend
Whether it’s building a home or ordering flowers, leave it to these favorite professionals! Favorite Developer Johnson Development Corporation 13131 Dairy Ashford, Ste 210 Sugar Land, TX 77478
Favorite Financial Services Fidelity Investments 15600 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Florist House of Blooms 16180 City Walk Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Attorney/Law Firm The West Law Firm 6908 Brisbane Ct, 3rd Floor Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Salon Milagro Salons 8790 Hwy 6 South, #150 Missouri City, TX 77459
Your community is my community too! I moved to Sugar Land in 1987 and have been living and working here ever since. Whether you are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate in Sugar Land, or any of the surrounding areas, chances are you won’t find anyone more experienced. Thank you for choosing me as the best agent. It’s an honor I won’t take for granted. Sincerely,
Cathy Stubbs
See what others are saying about me: www.cathystubbs.com/our_clients
cathystubbs.com
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281.967.6149 DECEMBER 2021 l
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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend
PET SERVICES
With the holidays around the corner, have your four-legged friends taken care of at Fort Bend’s finest!
Attention Readers: Are there some categories for your favs that you would like to see in our 2022 Fort Bend Focus Favs Readers’ Choice Awards? Let us know! E-mail your favorite categories to Grace@absolutelyfocusmedia.com.
Favorite Day Care/ Boarding Services TIE Lake Olympia Animal Hospital 20413 University Blvd Missouri City, TX 77459 AND Lone Star Pet Lodges 3207 Williamsburg Ln Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Grooming Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming 3 Locations in Fort Bend
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Favorite Veterinarian Lexington Boulevard Animal Hospital 2627 Cordes Dr, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Pet Store Pet Supplies Plus 11543 S Texas 6, Sugar Land, TX 77498
DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend
Celebrating Years The Dream Team of Flooring Professionals Great company and staff! I had six companies give us bids on two large rooms and stairs. They gave me the best price on a specific carpet we wanted. From the time we walked into their showroom to the completed project, everyone was professional and courteous. Ruben and Berto were awesome. We love to help out local companies, and they did a great job!” ~ Andrew T.
We also do showers, bathrooms, countertops and backsplashes.
Not only was the selection and fast installation seamless, the installer team was very polite and helpful. They went above and beyond to work around some furnishings and left the rooms very clean. This is the second time we have chosen Ideal Carpet and Flooring, and we are again really happy with the process and results.” ~ J. Hey
Our design center carries a variety of styles and quality products that are unique and up to date with most current trends.
For a FREE in home estimate, call: 281.762.9999 1116 East Highway 90A Richmond, TX 77406 idealcarpetandflooring.com
Financing Available DECEMBER 2021 l
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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend
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DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend
Favorite Appliance Store Lowe’s Home Improvement 3 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Garden/ Landscaping Company Enchanted Forest Nursery & Landscape 10611 FM 2759 Rd Richmond, TX 77469 Favorite Pool Services Anthony & Sylvan Pools 24515 Katy Fwy, #200 Katy, TX 77494 Favorite Plumber Jackson Services 281.741.0752
Favorite Flooring Store Ideal Carpet & Flooring 1116 E Highway 90 A Richmond, TX 77406
IMPROVEMENT HOME
Favorite Interior Designer The Design Firm 13013 Southwest Fwy Stafford, TX 77477 From appliances and flooring to landscaping and design, check out readers’ go-to services for making their homes beautiful.
Favorite Carpet/ Cleaning Services TIE Clean As A Whistle 808 Park 2 Dr. Sugar Land, TX 77478
Favorite Heating/ Air Conditioning Services Jackson Air & Heat jacksonairandheatinc.com
AND SteamPlus Carpet Cleaning 16107 Kensington Dr #277 Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Home Improvement Kitchen Tune-Up KitchenTuneUpSugarLand.com 281.324.8147
Refacing • Redooring • Cabinet Painting • Custom Cabinets • And More
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BEFORE
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Try our ONLINE DESIGN TOOL
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Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend
Favorite Orthodontist C & C Dental 17003 Southwest Fwy #100 Sugar Land, TX 77479
CARE SERVICES HEALTH
Favorite Dermatologist & Plastic Surgeon Sugar Land Face & Body Plastic Surgery 16926 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77479
When it comes to healthcare, check out these Fort Bend favorites from doctors to dentists. Favorite Hospital Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital 16655 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Wellness Center TIE Dr. Shel Wellness & Aesthetics Center 1437 Highway 6, #100 Sugar Land, TX 77478 AND
Favorite Doctor TIE Eric Humble, MD 16926 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77479
Allure Aesthetics 6903 Brisbane Ct #100 Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Spa Radiance MedSpa 7815 Northwoods Dr Sugar Land, TX 77479
AND Salman S. Aly, MD 6903 Brisbane Ct #100 Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Dentist Stuart Rimes, DDS 15958 City Walk, Ste 230 Sugar Land, TX 77479
Achieve the
Favorite Eye Care Sugar Land Total Eye Care 14897 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77478
Ultimate Smile!
Crowns • Implants • Cosmetic • Reconstructive Dentistry • Board Certified Prosthodontist Replacing missing teeth in one day!
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We are now in network with your insurance.
As ADA recognized specialists, Prosthodontists like Dr. Rimes are qualified to offer services in state-of-the-art procedures and techniques, such as: • Cosmetic Dentistry • Dental Implants • Complete and Partial Dentures • Replacing Lost or Loose Teeth • Jaw Joint Problems (TMJ) • Traumatic Injuries • Snoring and Sleep Disorders • Oral Cancer Reconstruction
Call Today: 281 313-1565
15958 City Walk, Ste. 230 • Sugar Land, TX 77479 • www.RimesDDS.com • e-mail: info@rimesdds.com Stuart Rimes, DDS, MS
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DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
November 20 – November 28 10 am – 5 pm Closed Thanksgiving Day
December 17 – December 30 10 am – 5 pm Closed Christmas Day
December 31 10 am – 5 pm
January 1 Noon – 5 pm
Our Readers Voted for The Best of Fort Bend
RTAINMENT ENTE
Favorite Man Cave The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium 15929 City Walk, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Kid’s Entertainment Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land 13016 University Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
From theatres to outdoor recreation, readers got serious about voting for their favorite entertainment! Favorite Movie Theatre Star Cinema Grill 2 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Live Entertainment Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land 18111 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Favorite Sports Recreation Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center 16225 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Fitness Gym Fort Bend Family YMCA 4433 Cartwright Rd, Missouri City, TX 77459 Favorite Country Club Sweetwater Country Club 4400 Palm Royale Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Event Facility Safari Texas Ranch 11627 FM 1464, Richmond, TX 77407
It’s a Sweep! Winner All 3 Magazines 3 Years Running
11627 FM 1464 l Richmond l 281.277.7888 l safaritexasballroom.com 18
DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
SHOPPING
’Tis the season to shop ’til you drop! Check out these favorite shopping spots. Favorite Gift Shop Magpies Gifts 4837 Sweetwater Blvd. Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Antiques Shop Tri City Churches Resale Shop 425 Stafford Run Rd Stafford, TX 77477 Favorite Bargain Shopping HomeGoods 2 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Grocery Store H-E-B Texas Grocery 8 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Health Food Market Whole Foods 15900 Southwest Fwy Sugar Land, TX 77478 Favorite Wine Selection Total Wines 2 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Jewelry Store Kendra Scott 16535 Southwest Fwy #3000 Sugar Land, TX 77479 Favorite Spirits Store Spec’s Wine, Spirits & Finer Foods 7 Locations in Fort Bend Favorite Shoe Store DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse 2745 Town Center Blvd N Sugar Land, TX 77479
High Net Worth Individuals Only For large, permanent life insurance policies • $5,000,000 plus for estate planning / legacy / charitable / business buy-sell agreements • Dramatically lower cost • Utilizing leverage and the time value of money Please call for a complimentary consultation:
Denman Moody Jr, J.D. • 713.202.5229 Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant Former Senior Vice President & Trust Officer of a major Houston bank. DECEMBER 2021 l
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, Tis the Season
Celebrate the Holidays with Special Centerpieces
F
ew things bring family and friends together quite like the holidays, and serving up an elegant, seasonal meal centered around a mouthwatering main dish is a recipe for creating lasting memories with the ones you love. Forging a fabulous holiday experience for the special people in your life starts with choosing a flavorful, tender cut of meat to serve as the centerpiece of the meal. Hand-cut by expert butchers, an option like SpiralSliced Ham from Omaha Steaks can serve as the focal point of a memorable holiday dinner. Flash frozen to capture freshness and flavor, you can select a standout cut of meat from the comfort of your home and have it delivered directly to your door in time to put together a tender, juicy main course. Find more holiday recipe inspiration at OmahaSteaks.com/blog/recipes. Source: Family Features/Omaha Steaks.
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Rum and Cola Holiday Ham Recipe courtesy of Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose Prep time: 30 minutes • Cook time: 80 minutes • Servings: 10-12 Ham: 1
Omaha Steaks Spiral-Sliced Ham (8 pounds)
Glaze: 1 3/4 3/4 2 1 1/4
Cup Cherry Fruit Spread Cup Dark Spiced Rum Cup Cola Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce Tablespoon Dijon Mustard Teaspoon Kosher Salt
To make ham: Thaw frozen ham in refrigerator 24-48 hours. Remove from refrigerator and let ham come to room temperature, about 3045 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 F. Remove ham from foil and film. Return ham to foil wrapping and place in oven-safe roasting pan. Roll foil down leaving 2 inches of foil around bottom of ham. Place roasting pan with ham in oven on lower rack and heat uncovered 6075 minutes, until ham starts to brown. While ham cooks, make glaze. To make glaze: In medium saucepot, whisk fruit spread, rum, cola, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard and salt until well incorporated. Bring to boil then reduce heat to medium. Simmer over medium heat 10 minutes then remove from heat. Cool to room temperature. During last 15 minutes of cooking, glaze ham every 5 minutes.
DECEMBER 2021 l TO ADVERTISE: 281.690.4242 l www.fortbendfocus.com
, Tis the Season Child Advocates of Fort Bend Christmas Home Tour Tickets Now Available
Child Advocates of Fort Bend staff members Luisa Bowers, Dana Mersiovsky and Tarina Sheridan.
Tickets to the 30th annual Child Advocates of Fort Bend Christmas Home Tour are available online at www.cafb.org and at several Fort Bend locations, including the Randalls locations in Pecan Grove and on Highway 6 in Sugar Land. The Christmas Home Tour features private homes in Fort Bend County beautifully decorated for Christmas. Neighborhoods and homes vary each year, so returning guests are guaranteed to see something new each year. This year’s homes are in Sienna, First Colony, Sweetwater and Hillcrest Estates in Richmond. One $30 ticket allows entry to all homes during tour hours. The Tour runs Friday, December 10th from 10 am until 4 pm and 6 pm until 9 pm and Saturday, December 11th from 10 am until 4 pm. “We are thrilled to be hosting an in person Tour this year. Our Home Tour Committee is hard at work finalizing the details,” stated Child Advocates of Fort Bend Events Specialist Tarina Sheridan. “Our popular wreath raffle is in its 8th year, and we will be offering a ticket and wreath raffle bundle for convenience. There will be refreshments at all the homes – home baked cookies in two houses, appetizers at one courtesy of Dream Dinners Missouri City, and an ice cream cart at another home, courtesy of Southern Ice Cream. We’re also bringing back Santa at one of the homes. Not only are we offering photos with Santa, but we’ll have designated selfie photo spots at two of the homes so guests can take their own event photos during the tour to share.” The Home Tour is one of Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s largest fundraisers and 94% of the money raised by the tour goes toward programs and services. Sponsorships are available for $100 - $10,000. All sponsors who are participating at the $375 level and above are invited to the Sponsor Party prior to the Home Tour. For more information, go to https://www.cafb.org/events/ home-tour-2/ or contact Tarina Sheridan at 281-344-5109 or TSheridan@cafb.org.
DECEMBER 2021 l
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’Tis The Season To Be
Fort Bend Strong!
D
ecember of every year is a special time in Fort Bend. We all find some way to celebrate the life we’ve been given, the family and friends who love us, and the blessings we share living in Fort Bend. These celebrations have many names:
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu), Hanukkah, the Solstice (Dongzhi), Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Omisoka and Festivus to name a few. These are examples of the depths of Fort Bend’s diversity, and that makes us Fort Bend Strong!
These celebrations are normally times of great joy! They sometimes happen in the strangest places. I am a Christian and former United States Naval Aviator, so I’m going to share four Christmas holiday stories of love, hope and faith during America’s wars. Let’s start with General George Washington. When the Continental Congress declared our independence from Great Britain on July 4, 1776, Mr. Washington became General Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. It’s hard to imagine a worse unit to command. They were fighting the most powerful army in the world. They were a bunch of farmers who only used weapons to kill animals to eat. Their marksmanship was horrific. They had no military discipline. They didn’t not know basic tactics of combat. The British whipped us every time we fought. Our ammunition, food and morale were fading. The dream of the United States of America was on the verge of extinction. General Washington had to have one victory! He chose to cross the frozen Delaware River at Trenton on Christmas night 1776 to attack a huge garrison
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of German soldiers hired by the British to fight us. The attack was a complete surprise. We routed the Germans. Our morale soared, new enlistees showed up and other European powers started to help us. General Washington knew the victory came from Heaven. That’s why he prayed alone in the snow on Christmas Day. Those brave souls allowed us to become Fort Bend Strong!
Austrians fighting France and Great Britain. America entered the war on April 2, 1917. All fighting stopped on November 11, 1918. World War I gave the world a new, horrific way to kill – trench warfare. Both sides would dig deep trenches, encase them with concrete and barbed wire, and never move. The battle lines barely shifted – 9,700,000 military personnel died and 10,000,000 civilians died. On Christmas Day 1914, the slaughter stopped for one day. In the dark on Christmas Eve, French and British soldiers heard German soldiers singing Christmas carols from their trenches. A German brass band could be heard. At sunrise, a few Germans crawled unarmed out of their trenches and walked into the dead zone between the combatants, saying, “Merry Christmas!” Seeing the Germans were unarmed, the French and British soldiers left their trenches to celebrate the birth of Jesus with their enemies. There were handshakes, hugs, carols and shared cigarettes until the sun went down. They said goodbye, went back to their trenches and started killing again. Even in trench warfare, a brief celebration of life happened. The “Christmas Truce” shows us the values that make us Fort Bend Strong!
The Prayer at Valley Forge. A painting by Arnold Friberg. Photo source: https://www.meetamerica.com/georgewashingtons-prayer-at-valley-forge/.
World War I is my second example of life and faith at Christmas during war. A Serbian nationalist assassinated Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand on June 14, 1914. Seven weeks later, Europe was at war with the Germans and
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The Daily Mirror: “A historic group: British and German soldiers photographed together.” Photo source: https://duluthreader.com/ articles/2017/12/21/109786-remembering-the-power-of-thechristmas-truce-of.
My next story comes from the Korean War. It’s known as the Hungnam Evacuation – A Christmas Miracle. We weren’t ready for war on the Korea Peninsula. Within weeks of being surrounded by the North Korean army on a tiny swath of land near Pusan, South Korea, we had broken out and were days away from reuniting Korea. China refused to let its communist ally, North Korea, disappear, so they invaded Korea on October 25, 1950 with over 1,000,000 soldiers. Our forces were overwhelmed and got pinned in the Port of Hungnam. We were able to get 106,000 of our troops out, but thousands of Korean civilian allies were left behind. They had no hope until Captain Leonard LaRue sailed into Hungnam on the SS Meredith Victory. The Meredith Victory was designed to carry twelve passengers. Captain LaRue sailed out of Hungnam on December 23rd with fourteen thousand refugees onboard. Captain LaRue summed up the rescue by saying, “The clear, unmistakable message comes to me that on that Christmastide, in the bleak and bitter waters off the shores of Korea, God’s own hand was at the helm of my ship.” That statement and attitude is Fort Bend Strong!
The Hungnam Evacuation – A Christmas Miracle. Photo source: http://nedforney.com/index.php/2017/12/19/ hungnam-evacuation-a-christmas-miracle/
My final story is a personal one. I was blessed by God to have Sam Johnson as my mentor and friend for ten years in the House of Representatives. He was one of the best pilots to ever fly in the U.S. Air Force. He flew with the Thunderbirds twice and flew combat missions in Korea and Vietnam. On his 25th strike mission over Vietnam, Sam was shot down and captured. Sam resisted attempts by his captors to use torture to get him to confess to war crimes. Other POWs were becoming aware of what Sam was doing. The Vietcong feared Sam may start a riot, so they moved him from the “Hanoi Hilton” to “Alcatraz” with a 3’ x 9’ foot concrete cell where the lights were never turned off. Sam was in soli-
tary confinement for three years and was brutally tortured every day. Many POWs came home bitter with deep questions about the value of their faith. Not Sam – he came home with renewed faith and gratitude for life! When we talked about his captivity and torture, Sam repeatedly said that, “There were no atheists in Hanoi.” His love of God and his wife, Shirley, got him home. Sam Johnson’s life story is our story – Fort Bend Strong!
Pete Olson and Sam Johnson.
That’s it for this month. If you have any ideas for a future Fort Bend Strong column, please send it to me at pete@ absolutelyfocusmedia.com. If your comments are political, they will be quickly thrown in the trash can. Always Fort Bend Strong!
Experience and Integrity. Your Realtor For Life. ®
Kitee Valentz
Your Fort Bend Home Specialist 16 Years as a Top Producing Realtor kitee.valentz@compass.com l www.kiteevalentz.com
713.870.7147
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, Tis the Season
Sugar Land Celebrates 12 Days of Christmas with Virtual, In-Person Activities! Mark your calendars and prepare to celebrate the Christmas holiday in Sugar Land from December 1st - 12th. The city will offer 12 consecutive days of festivities with virtual activities Monday through Thursday and in-person events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Sugar Land Town Square. A new attraction includes a 15-minute Holiday Light Show each night accompanied by snowflakes in the Sugar Land Town Square plaza. Those in the plaza may enjoy the nightly Holiday Light
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Show, which will also be broadcast on the Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Facebook page. The virtual portions of the 12 Days of Christmas will feature a variety of creative holiday projects for the entire family. Fitness enthusiasts can challenge themselves with a virtual 5K run, the Sugar Rush, starting on December 1st. Story time with Mrs. Claus will capture everyone’s attention with holiday storytelling, and talented elves will demonstrate how to make ornaments, prepare
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Christmas cards and letters, and decorate cookies. All in-person events will feature strolling characters, Santa appearances and holiday shopping and dining opportunities from retailers in Sugar Land Town Square. In-person events begin on Friday, December 4th with the Fun Frosty Friday celebration in Sugar Land Town Square Plaza. Attendees will enjoy snow and ice features, including ice sculpture demonstrations and choreographed ice skating performances. On Saturday, December 5th, some of Sugar Land’s most talented vocalists – “Sugar Land Superstars” – will lead a Christmas concert extravaganza in the Sugar Land Town Square plaza along with former cast members of The Voice and American Idol television shows. On Sunday, December 6th, from 11 am to 3 pm the Santa Sunday Workshop will transform Sugar Land Town Square Plaza into an outdoor café and DIY family craft center. Attendees can enjoy brunch with to-go food orders from local eateries. Festive outdoor table setups will be provided. Additional in-person events at 6:30 pm include: • Thursday, December 10th – Holiday concert featuring Fort Bend Christian Academy. • Friday, December 11th – Travis High School Orchestra’s classic Christmas compositions of popular Christmas songs. • Saturday, December 12th – Holiday Dance Showcase before Christmas movie The Grinch. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Parking and admission is free but will be limited due to COVID-19 regulations. For a detailed schedule of the 12 Days of Christmas’ events, join the event page at www.sugarlandtx. gov/12DaysofChristmas.
NEWSWORTHY
Two Shows in One Coming to Fort Bend County Fairgrounds: Home & Garden Show + Winter Gift Market
Comprehensive, compassionate and cutting edge care for women of all phases.
Same day appointments! Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery
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Adolescent Gynecology
Board Certified Ob/Gyn
Routine and High Risk Obstetrics Wellness Exams & Contraception
Evaluation & Treatment of Pelvic Pain Treatment of Menopausal Symptoms
Preconception & Infertility Counseling Amanda Smith, PA-C
4D Ultrasound in Office
Competitive Cash Pricing A new home show is coming to the Fort Bend County Fair Grounds, January 15-16, 2022. The Fort Bend County Home & Garden Show will feature everything dedicated to home improvement, decorating and interior design, landscapes and outdoor entertainment, plus it features a Winter Gift Market, beer and wine sampling, and an entire building filled with food samples. Two incredible shows in one location! Get ready to turn your design inspirations into a dream home at the Fort Bend Home & Garden Show, where hundreds of home design, renovation and trendsetting experts will present their ideas. Explore a slate of How-to seminars like the insta-worthy how to create a mouth-watering charcuterie board with The Cheese Chica. Plus, hundreds of experts ranging from windows, doors, floors, kitchens, baths, décor, outdoor living areas, landscape, spas, roofing, remodeling and much more. The Winter Gift Market will feature a wide range of specialty gifts and décor, including farmhouse décor; clothing, jewelry, monogram children accessories, handmade local crafts, including hand-blown glass and much more. Save the date and make plans to attend the first-ever Fort Bend Home & Garden Show January 15-16, 2022, located at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds, 4310 TX36 S in Rosenberg. Tickets are $7 for adults. Kids 12 and under are free. Hours are Saturday, January 15th from 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday, January 16th from 11 am to 5 pm. To register for a $250 shopping spree or for additional information, directions, seminar times and hours visit, ftbendhomeandgardenshow.com.
628 South Peek Rd., Katy, TX 77450 832.437.9690 (p) | 832.437.9694 (f) www.myobgynofkaty.com PEOPLE • PLACES • HAPPENINGS
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Globetrotting By
Austin, Texas, USA Downtown Skyline on the Colorado River.
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Top Ten Hotel List
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ach year as a travel advisor, one of my most favorite reads is Conde’ Nast Traveler, specifically the “Reader’s Choice Awards” (RCA) edition. In it they give broad breakdowns in various categories of the best of the best for travel. In many cases I use this guide as an indicator of what to research and eventually recommend to my clientele. According to the survey, “82% of you have taken a leisure trip since March 2020.” Many of you will be taking another here over the holidays and yet again over spring break. Texas has always had a sweep of the state, so to speak, with properties in all of the usual places like San Antonio and Dallas and, of course, Austin and our very own Houston. Although
things have not gotten wildly out of hand just yet with everyone flying off to their perfect destination, we are getting there, and I for one could not be more thrilled to see something new! In our beloved Texas, these spots made the cut and are perfect for a little get away without leaving on a plane and having the hassle of various countries with restrictions that vary and change weekly. Here’s the RCA for Texas 2021!
• Fairmont – Austin • Hotel Crescent Court – Dallas • Archer Hotel – Austin • Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek – Dallas • Virgin Hotel – Dallas • HALL Arts Hotel – Dallas • Hotel ZaZa – Dallas Uptown • Commodore Perry Estatem Auberge Resorts Collection – Austin • The Post Oak Hotel – Uptown Houston • Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection – Grapevine
Keep on traveling! 26
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Community
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Coming 2022 Digital Delivery
Website
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High Visibility Digital Advertising Reaching Fort Bend & Katy
11 Issues Annually
Brazos – Bi-Monthly
Katy – Bi-Monthly
Covering The People, Places & Happenings in Sugar Land, Missouri City, Meadows Place & Stafford
Covering The People, Places & Happenings in Richmond, Rosenberg, Needville & Fulshear
Covering The People, Places & Happenings in Katy
Advertising Campaign Options Include: Digital Issues E-Mailed Twice Monthly to Subscribers Digital Ads Click Thru to Advertiser Websites Digital Issues Posted Twice Monthly on Social Media Timely Community Calendar Updates On-Line Digital Issues Web Ads • Videos • Event Posts Social Media Endorsements & Contests Advertiser Directories with Web Links on Magazine Websites QR Code Lobby Distribution
And growing each month
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To advertise, call: 281.690.4242 • patti@absolutelyfocusmedia.com
Preview Night Wednesday, November 3rd • Stafford Centre
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Fort Bend Junior Service League and Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Proud Media Sponsor
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absolutely AUTO REVIEW By Steve Kursar
2021 FORD MUSTANG MACH-E
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he 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E is an all-new, all-electric five-passenger crossover that might just change the way you drive. With a futuristic interior design and no gasoline engine, it’s powered only by an electric motor that you have to plug in to recharge. It’s definitely different, but it could be in your future. The new Mach-E is fast, nimble and definitely fun to drive. Whether you can get used to plugging in instead of gassing up is a question only you can answer. The Ford Motor Company seems to have reinvented itself in the last couple of years. Their new President Jim Farley is definitely a car guy who likes to race and drive fast, and he’s breathing new life into a company that is known mostly for making great trucks. Cars have pretty much disappeared from dealer showrooms but new trucks and SUV/crossovers have people excited about driving a Ford again. There’s definitely excitement around the reinvented Ford Bronco, which will be reviewed here next month. A base 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD comes with an MSRP price tag of $42,895. There may not be a gasoline engine under the hood, but the electric motor that powers
this crossover generates the equivalent of 266 hp and will get you from 0-60 in 5.8 seconds. The driving experience is certainly different but something to which you easily adapt. The acceleration is immediate since there’s no waiting for an engine to rev up, and the drive is very quiet.
There are six different trims of the Mach-E that deliver either more range or more performance, depending on what you’re looking for in your electric crossover. If you’re looking for the maximum battery range, the California Route 1 trim delivers a range of over 300 miles. But, if it’s speed that’s on your mind, the Mach-E GT Performance Edition will certainly make you smile. Peak power on the Mach-E speed denom is 480 horsepower and it will rocket from zero-to-sixty in a blazing 3.5 seconds, a time that will match the Shelby GT-500. Even though most electric car owners have a home charging station and use it for the majority of their car’s charging, the Mach-E’s navigation system can easily find you a charging station when you’re on the road. If you’re intrigued with the idea of an all-electric car, take a test drive of the new Ford Mustang Mach-E. It’s definitely a peek into the future.
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December 2021 Winner “Fort Bend Fall Colors” By Varshal Shah Congratulations you’ve earned a gift certificate! ENTER TO WIN Fort Bend Focus Magazine is looking for great amateur photos. Any subject matter will be considered, black and white or color, special effects and/or edited are not necessary. The entry must not have previously appeared in any publication. A WINNER EVERY ISSUE Each issue’s winner receives a gift certificate and the winning photo will be published in our magazine. To claim your prize, e-mail grace@absolutelyfocusmedia.com.
Please make sure to send some basic information about every photo you submit such as: who, where, when, a title, your name and phone number. By submitting an entry, the photographer gives Fort Bend Focus Magazine the right to use and publish their photograph. There is no contest deadline.
NO LIMIT TO ENTRIES To submit a digital photo, e-mail the jpeg file to Grace@ absolutelyfocusmedia.com. Digital photos must be 300 dpi HIGH RESOLUTION at size of at least 10” wide. DECEMBER 2021 l
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By Alisa Murray www.AlisaMurray.com Nationally recognized portrait artist and award-winning columnist.
Living the Sweet Life:
The Spirit's Song H
ey Sweet Lifers! Every now and then something happens that makes you stop and realize there’s always an angel on your shoulder. Always. Over the years I have referred to these experiences as “God Winks” that reassure us that we are headed in the right direction and cast a warm feeling on what might be a darker time in our lives. Sometimes they show up at the exact moment when you need them and in such a way that it’s so obvious what they are up to that it’s like a spirit’s song. Many of you are aware that during this crazy pandemic while things went a little sideways, I launched a Youtube channel. If you have not checked that out, and you like to cook, garden, decorate and hear from some interesting people how they are living their “sweet lives” or have a good laugh, I do recommend it. My transfer from being behind the camera for 23 years to becoming center stage in front of it was surprisingly quite easy. The taping and being able to “turn it on” came naturally, and I attribute this to having done so many live tv interviews. What I had not anticipated, though, was what doing this would do to the deepest level of my psyche. Everyone that has read me or knows me knows that my Mother was killed when I was eight. What you might not know is that I look exactly like my mother, so much so that when Brian and I go home, people literally still, after living here for 30 years and Mother being dead for 43, stop me and say things like, “I remember when…” and “Oh my goodness if she had lived, I know ex-
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Mother with my cousin Ann.
actly what she would have looked like!” And I will tell you this does not phase me, not even a little bit, because I have had this reaction from my hometown community basically my entire life. There were very few pictures taken of Mother as she was most often the one taking them, (acorns fall close to their trees) and at her funeral, my late Uncle Jim, a professional photographer; took many of his baby sister in her casket. I really wish he had not ever done that. These images have haunted me and are like that day somehow sealed into a private space that never tarnishes no matter how many years go by. While editing videos for the channel, I began to notice that I was feeling increasingly uncomfortable, especially in the cooking episodes, when I was looking down at whatever I was preparing. I could not quite put words to it for the
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longest time. Then one day I looked at B and said, “Oh my God, I look like Mother in the casket!” Articulating finally what I was experiencing and this made me very sad. Looking like her is both a blessing and all at once a curse. My Great Aunt Melda Lee passed early this year, and when I went home, I was given a box full of my columns (yes this very one) and slides and obituaries and a handful of carefully chosen pictures that she wanted me to have. In the small stack, there’s one of Mother, a new one that I have never seen before. She’s looking down as no one ever does in pictures really, ever, . . . but in this one she’s very much alive! Alive! It took me only a few seconds to realize the image for what it really meant – a beautiful gift assuring me that I can do this, and she’s very much aware of the images that are stuck inside my head. I love that I am able to recognize this for exactly what it is. Mother knows what I am going through as she always has, and having her looking down and looking just like me and not in that damn casket is her way of rooting me on in this life! Now I have a new picture of her, a spirit’s song so to speak, where we both share the gift of life. She might be gone from where I can see her, but she’s letting me know loud and clear she ain’t left me. That my friends is something quite special! Take Care of YOU and stay “sweet!”
