Lifestyle Magazine March/April 2023

Keira Quinteros

2nd Place - Iowa Colony High School Golf

CONTENTS

~ Cover Story ~

Page 5

Bel Nafegar Sanchez Elementary and AISD are always interested in keeping parents and students connected with the school experience.

~ Day Trip ~

Page 12

Plan for a couple’s weekend or start planning for a summer family trip. The Texas State Railroad is a fun way to learn about the history of travel before automobiles were available to every family.

~ Candidates, May 6th Election ~

Page 14

Candidates for Iowa Colony City Council positions and also the School District are listed along with Early Voting & Mail-In dates. It is a privilege to VOTE for the candidate of your choice.

~ Know Your City ~

Page 16

City Council and Planning Commission meetings dates and times plus important phone numbers for the City of Iowa Colony.

Donuts With Dad at Bel Nafegar Sanchez Elementary

Students and their Dads, Uncles or Grandfathers got to enjoy donuts and juice together.

Bel Nafegar Sanchez

Elementary and AISD plan events to keep the parents involved in their children’s school experience with projects such as Donuts With Dad

Jackie Doucet Caffey Jr. High District Academic UIL

These students recently placed at the District Academic UIL competition

–– Sixth Grade ––

Oral Reading

Brielle Biggs 4th Place

Social Studies

Isabel Ham 5th Place

Sadiksha Rimal 6th Place

–– Seventh Grade ––

Calculator Applications

Dylann Johnson 6th Place

Impromptu Speaking

Dave Mathew 5th Place

Modern Oratory

Lacey Wilson 2nd Place

Itzel Navarro 3rd Place

Oral Reading

Jaylon Bates 3rd Place

Itzel Navarro 5th Place

Lacey Wilson 6th Place

Science

Dillon Woods 5th Place

Social Studies

Julian Nunez 5th Place

–– Eighth Grade ––

Social Studies

Nicolas Gonzalez 2nd Place

God is sovereign, meaning he governs in the affairs of His creation. He existed in the beginning and all that was made, was made by Him. Everything is held together by the Word of His power.

On the first day of the Feast of Passover, Jesus rides into Jerusalem as the hailed King of the Jews, as the Sovereign Messiah of God.

Isaiah told us that He would grow up as a tender plant, as a root out of dry ground. He would have no special stature or beauty that men would be drawn to Him. Instead, He would be wounded for our sins and bruised for iniquities. The chastisement that we deserve, to make restitution, would be placed on Him, and by His stripes we would be healed.

True to the scriptures, Jesus came as a babe in the manger and grew up quietly and behind the scenes. Few even noticed Him until He began His ministry at age 30. Then everyone noticed Him for the wonderful works He did in their midst.

He healed the sick, cast

Triumphant Entry

by Bill Derixson

out devils, raised the dead, displayed power over the created elements, and showed God’s love for fallen man.

Jesus didn’t fulfill the expectations of the Jews that hailed Him King.

Instead Jesus fulfilled the righteous wrath of God against the sins of the whole world. He came to seek and save the lost, which represents the whole of mankind. Those who would receive Him, to them, He would grant His Kingdom and power.

The Triumphant entry of Jesus was God presenting the spotless lamb that He promised would take away the sin of the world.

This particular day was the 10th of Nisan. The day Israel picked the lamb to represent their families, to be sacrificed for their sins. They were to take this lamb among them and inspect it rigorously.

The lamb had to be spotless and without any fault or blemish. Jesus was rigorously questioned and handled by all Israel, as they sought to find a fault with Him. They found none, neither did King Herod

or Pontius Pilate. All Israel together would take the lamb they picked for sacrifice and kill it together the 14th of Nisan before sundown that evening. The blood shed would cover their sins and protect them from death.

Jesus was crucified by Israel collectively in the evening before sundown. His blood was spilled by the cruelty of the whip, crucifixion, and spear that pierced His heart. God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him, would not perish but have everlasting

life. Jesus paid our sin debt in full and offers His life to you as the Passover Lamb.

When we accept His broken body and shed blood as the atonement for our sins, we are forgiven by God and are accepted in His Son. Our life then belongs to His service. We live for the one who died for us.

Jesus is the Sovereign King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In His service and Kingdom, we will live and prosper in health.

Don’t waste another moment of your life pining away in your sins, give your life to Jesus and be saved!

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Lamb of God born to take upon Himself the sin of the whole world. Through His substitutionary death, a way was made to access God. This is only true because of His resurrection on the third day as prophesied. In His resurrection, He rose with healing in His wings.

Jesus died unto sin once, but now lives eternally unto God. His death was for our reconciliation, because without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins. If we are reconciled by His

Resurrection Power

by Bill Derixson

death, we are saved by His life. The Spirit of Him that raised Christ from the dead will also quicken our mortal bodies.

The importance of Christ’s resurrection is vital to our own. Not only is Jesus the first to rise from the dead to die no more, His resurrection also provides an opportunity to be resurrected in spirit as well as body.

Romans 8:9-11 says, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised

up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

Jesus told Nicodemus, “to see the Kingdom of Heaven you must be born again.” This was not a physical birth but a spiritual one. The resurrection power of Jesus not only revived Jesus from death to life, but those who put their faith and trust in Christ as well. His Spirit raises ours from the dead.

Then with a regenerated soul, we choose to follow Christ with our transformed mind, will, and emotions. The effect of this decision is a quickened mortal body. The instruments

of unrighteousness are now transformed as the instruments of His righteousness. We become renewed in our bodies. This is the reality of new life in Christ. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” The righteous are born of God and the unrighteous are of their father the Devil. You cannot serve two masters. You must choose this day who you will serve. The one you obey is the one you serve. Are you the slave of sin, or are you the servant of God?

If you have not yet put your trust in Jesus Christ and made Him Lord of your life, do so right now! For you, Jesus died and rose again. He loves you with His whole life, give Him yours today.

Property tax relief bills go to full Senate

Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) explained the Senate’s $16.5 billion property tax bills in the Senate Finance Committee hearing on Wednesday.

SB 3 & SB 4, worth $15 billion in property tax relief, were each passed out of the Senate Committee on Finance. SB 5 (Parker), the $1.5 billion business tax relief

bill will be considered along with their associated Constitutional Amendments SJR 3, 4, & 5.

SB 3 would raise the homestead exemption by 75%, up to $70,000. That’s the amount a homeowner can write off before taxes. Bettencourt said there’s an additional component that will triple the senior property

tax exemption for homeowners 65 and older to $30,000, which, combined with the increase in the base exemption, would qualify Texas seniors for an exemption of $100,000.

Bettencourt said the average homeowner would see a property tax bill reduction of around $800 the first two years. Seniors would see closer to $1,000.

SB 4 would buy down local school property taxes by $5.83 billion in addition to rate compression from 2019’s education reform bill for a total of $10.68 billion. The bill’s co-author and Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman said the Legislature will ensure the state covers any lost revenue.

“This is a little bit of history today. This is the first time I’ve shown up to a hearing with so many bills on the agenda, and we’re registered in support of

every single one…,” said Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TTARA) President, Dale Craymer. “It provides balanced relief for all taxpayers - rate compression obviously benefits all taxpayers.”

Senate Bill 5 by Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, would increase exemptions for the tax on business personal property from 2.5 to 20%. It would additionally reduce inventory taxes by 20%.

“We hear so much from the business community about the importance of reducing the inventory tax,” Parker said.

The bill would represent $1.5 billion in tax reductions for Texas business owners.

SB 3 and SB 4 were sent to the full Senate next. The Constitutional Amendments SJR 3, SJR 4, and SJR 5 for the November 2023 Election, and SB 5 were heard later.

Students from Meridiana Elementary participated in the 2023 AISD Education Foundation 5K Run.

Safe disposal of unused prescriptions

by Olivia Burns HHS Aging Texas Well Coordinator

April 22 is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day.

Launched in 2010 and led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), this awareness day highlights the potential health and safety hazards of not disposing or improperly disposing of unused prescription medications. It also provides helpful facts and resources on the safe disposal of prescriptions.

According to National Poison Control Center data, accidental ingestion of prescription medications by children are some of the most common reasons for calls made to the center.

Properly disposing of pain medications, such as opioids, can also help prevent misuse, overdose and the resale of these drugs.

There are several ways to safely dispose of unused prescription medications, including through local collection sites, mail-back programs and home disposal.

•Local collection sites: Experts recommend using DEA-authorized collection sites in your local community as a first line of safe disposal. Sites can be located at pharmacies, law enforcement agencies and grocery stores. Use this locator tool to find a collection site near you.

•Mail-back programs: Collection sites may also offer mailback programs for specific drugs. You can ask your pharmacist, doctor’s office or local police department about options for mailing in your unused medications.

•Home disposal: If a take-back option is not readily available to you, there are options for disposing safely at home. Many over the counter and prescription drugs

are safe to throw in the trash, but some may require flushing down the sink or toilet. Check the Food and Drug Administration flush list to find out if your prescription is safe to be flushed. Follow these instructions for throwing away medications in the trash.

If you or someone you know has a substance use issue, Texas Health and Human Services provides coordinated, person-centered substance use services you may be able to get. For more information, visit the Adult Substance Use Services webpage.

“Protecting Your Home & Family Since 1959” Roaches, Termites, Ants, Wasps, Bee’s, Silverfish, Rats, Mice, Bed Bugs, Fleas, Ticks, Birds, Squirrels & more.

Here’s an update on progress at the new Fire and EMS station on Meridiana Parkway.

DAY TRIP Looking

for Your Next Adventure?

Texas State Railroad

Vintage steam and diesel locomotives take passengers across the celebrated rails of the Piney Woods Route between the quaint East Texas towns of Palestine and Rusk on a 50-mile roundtrip adventure.

This day trip, only a few hours from the metropolitan communities of Dallas and Houston, will create a memory that will last a lifetime.

From the moment your party steps on-board one of our beautifully refurbished train cars, they’ll feel like they’ve been transported to a simpler, more leisurely time where the distractions of our modern world suddenly disappear. Breathe deep, enjoy a drink and relax as you lose yourself on a roundtrip, four-hour, 25-mile rail journey through the Piney Woods of East Texas where history is just part of the journey.

Join us for a relaxing train ride through the piney woods of East Texas or one of our many exclusive events throughout the season!

Continued on Page 13

Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies

4 ozs. bittersweet chocolate, broken into pieces

1 Tbs unsalted butter

1/4 teaspoon fine salt

1 large egg, room temp

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup chocolate hazelnut spread

Makes 16 cookies

1/4 cup roasted and skinned hazelnuts, chopped

Melt the chocolate and butter in a bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water, stirring until smooth. Stir in the salt, remove from the heat.

Whisk the egg and sugar in a large bowl by hand or using an electric mixer until pale yellow and foamy, 3 to 5 minutes. Whisk in the vanilla. Add the chocolate mixture and stir gently with a spatula until all the streaks are shades of brown.

Add the flour and stir gently until no traces of flour remain. Drop tablespoons of dough onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet in rounds, spacing 2 inches apart. If the tops are rounded, gently press them flat. Refrigerate until stiffened, at least 15 minutes and up to overnight.

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Using a teaspoon measuring spoon, drop dollops of chocolate-hazelnut spread on top of the dough, leaving a border of dough uncovered. Sprinkle the tops with hazelnuts.

Bake until the cookie dough looks crackled and just dry, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on the sheets and enjoy.

Piney Woods Express Diesel

Piney Woods Express Diesel

This excursion takes passengers on a journey through the impressive Piney Woods and 135 years of history. Unplug for a tradition that merges comfort and adventure for the whole family.

You will enjoy The Piney Woods Express Diesel trips are powered by restored FP9 passenger units, TSR 125 or TSR 126. These remarkably restored engines aren’t just for show!

General Motors built 481 of the FP9 and FP7 locomotives to haul passengers during the “Golden Age” of streamliners.

From the moment one steps aboard a vintage 1920’s car, the excitement of being on the rails is exhilarating. Relaxed seating, thoughtful décor and friendly, responsive attendants add to the ambiance of the scenic journey afforded by travelers a century ago.

This four-hour round-trip train excursion departs from the historic Palestine Rail Depot in Palestine, TX and travels to our Rusk Rail Depot where guests will deboard the train for an approximate 1 hour and 15-minute layover at the historic Rusk Rail Depot.

During the layover, guests will be able to have lunch, explore the grounds or take in some history visiting the interior of the depot as well as our gift shop.

Most cars are climate-controlled, have restrooms, and access to our concession car stocked with snacks and kid-friendly and adult beverages.

All seats have views along the Piney Woods route, and narration and music highlight the trip.

Also offered is an ADA compliant Coach Car.

Visit the website to book your excursion on Online. It is suggested to have reservation in advance since the trips book quickly.

There are several different excursions and the trips are Thursday,

Friday and Saturday in the months of March through October.

Adult only trips are available as well as family-friendly ones.

The Piney Woods is home to over 100 species of birds that nest in the catalpa and sycamores or the many species of hardwoods and evergreens, including the fast-growing loblolly pine, which can rise to over 100 feet tall.

The woodlands along the route also are a sanctuary to the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker, one of eight species of woodpeckers that inhabits East Texas, and the bald eagle, our nation’s proud and stately symbol. It is not uncommon to see squirrels, rabbits, deer and other forest creatures scurrying through the brush as the train passes. Seeing domestic animals is commonplace as the train traverses ranchland.

The train passes a vintage turntable which is still operable at Maydelle. Built in the late 1890s in Paris, Texas, this rare example of railroad technology was used to turn engines around in a six-stall roundhouse owned by the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad. In 1981 it was installed on the Texas State Railroad route. Several trains each year take passengers to view the actual turning of a locomotive on the turntable.

As the train moves through the undulating country of the Piney Woods it crosses over 24 bridges that span the creeks flowing through the forestland. At one point, it passes close to where the Ben Cannon Ferry crossed the Neches River from 1848 to 1851 and where a toll bridge operated from 1854 to 1924. Prior to crossing on the ferry, Native Americans and early Anglo settlers forded the river at this same site called Duty Crossing, named for early settler Richard Duty. Today, the train crosses the river on the largest bridge on the route which is 1,042 feet long and 35 feet high.

IOWA COLONY

BE HEARD

General Election ~ May 6, 2023

MAYOR

Wil Kennedy

Michael ‘Buck’ Holton

ALVIN I.S.D.

TRUSTEE, POSITION 6

Earl Humbird

Craig L Kettler

Last Day to Register to Vote

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail

(Received, not Postmarked)

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

NEAREST VOTING LOCATION

Early Voting: 7313 Corporate Drive, Manvel

Election Day: 7313 Corporate Drive, Manvel

Or Vote at any Voting Center in Brazoria County

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT A

Tim Varlack

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT B

Steven Byrum-Bratsen

TRUSTEE, POSITION 7

Vivian Scheibel

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT C

Sydney Hargroder

Zoe Roper

Early Voting - In Person April 24 - May 3, 2023

Last day to Receive Ballot by Mail If postmarked May 6 by 7:00 p.m.

Monday, May 9, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

If carrier envelope is not postmarked

Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

MAIL

Must

Festivities will be at the Iowa Colony City Hall and include tree lighting, hot cocoa, Santa, crafts, ‘The Grinch’ movie, tunnel of lights, face painting, 30,000 lbs of SNOW and musical performances by Jackie Doucet Caffey Choir.

Know Your City

Seeking Applicants

Parks & Recreation Committee

This Committee is an advisory committee to the City Council consisting of six members which meets regularly once per month and will review and make recommendations on park plans and park amenities as well as any recreation programs as the budget allows. They plan events and activities for the community. The Committee will likely ask volunteers to assist in the implementation of the events.

Interested persons should apply Online

iowacolonytx.gov/home/webforms/application-place-board-or-committee

Departments / Phone Numbers

The City Secretary is the clerk of the City serving as a link between the citizens and the City organization. Parks

Iowa Colony City Park • 4003 Meridiana Parkway (Next to Meridiana Elementary School) City Hall Park • 12003 Iowa Colony Blvd (Behind City Hall) Police Department