Contents ON THE COVER: Laura Dickerson Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
Serving the Community of Towne Lake
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8 Facing Life’s Obstacles Head on, Sunset Harbor Resident Challenges Women to Be Strong 11 Elevate Your Man’s Style in 2024 12 Best of Cy-Fair: Salad Suggestions 14 One Last KISS...
6 January | February 2024
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PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
Laura Dickeron Facing Life’s Obstacles Head on, Sunset Harbor Resident Challenges Women to Be Strong Story and Photos by Patricia Hudson
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aura Dickerson was devastated by an early diagnosis which promised to leave her childless and curtail her life. When she was blindsided by divorce, Laura felt her life was in shambles. But like the Phoenix, she chose to rise from the ashes. Laura Dickerson is one of five strong, entrepreneurial women being featured in the current editions of PinPointe Magazine. Childhood Dreams
I grew up in Shreveport, Louisiana until my family relocated to Houston when I was 14. I moved to Sugar Land where I lived until 2020. Diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes in 1969, I was told I would not live a long life or have children. As I always wanted four children, this was quite a blow. The meters and newer insulins were not available when I was diagnosed; nor were disposable syringes. Fortunately, blood glucose meters were invented which gave me the control I needed to give birth to my son in 1981. Now 42, David is married and lives in League City.
8 January | February 2024
Marriage and Divorce I was married to my ex-husband for almost 24 years. The divorce was painfully sad and left me emotionally drained. I threw myself into my work to keep my mind focused on the future. I kept our house in Sugar Land from the time my husband left until I built my current house in Cypress. Starting Over I am an accountant, but my passion led me to become an IT consultant. The combination paid off because I was able to apply my accounting skills to implementing accounting software programs. I handle all of the IT demands at Secor, in addition to wearing many other hats. In 2004, I was hired as a bookkeeper. The company I work for was using the accounting system I sold as a
reseller of it. I immediately went to work cleaning it up as it was not set up properly. I used my IT skills to manage the network replacing the IT consultant the work was outsourced to. I was onsite to keep the systems running without any disruptions to the day-to-day operations. Accomplishments as a Career Woman I have so many accomplishments I am proud of, but the biggest of my career was when Hurricane Harvey flooded our business with four feet of water. When our street was impassable for a week, I used that time to rebuild our IT infrastructure in the cloud. My goal was to keep our employees working while we rebuilt the building. We have locations in other states that connect to our servers. I had everyone at our Houston office working from home and the other locations back online within a week. We flooded on August 29, 2017. We were back in our building in record time, by the first week of November. Making the Move When I began looking for a new place to live, it was suggested I visit Towne Lake. I loved the community from the start. It was the end of 2019 when I signed a contract to build a custom home. Covid hit around the time the builder broke ground. Luckily, my company is an essential vendor for CenterPoint so we were able to stay open with a reduced staff coming into the office. I had half of the front office working at home again. The house was finished in record time. I closed in July 2020. The next few months, I drove back and forth to my home in Sugar Land because Covid prevented deliveries from coming to my new house. Supply chain shortages left few choices of furniture and fixtures to decorate my new home. I finally moved in around December of 2020. I sold my house in Sugar Land in July 2022, leaving behind many memories made since 1984. Designing Women Once Covid start dissipating, one of my neighbors recommended I reach out to Michelle Doubet to work with me on the design and interior decorating of my home. An amazing designer, Michelle turned my home into an absolutely gorgeous place to live and entertain. We are still working together to complete the PinPointe Magazine
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master plan. Getting by with a Little Help from My Friends I tend to be an introvert. My neighbor draws me out of my shell with her amazing personality and generous nature. I work a lot so it is hard to fit many activities into my life, but I plan to change that in 2024. I love to entertain and spend time with friends and my son’s family. I also love to have my home decorated for every holiday, including Mardi Gras. It fills me with joy to see the colors and lights, and I love the compliments I receive from neighbors who enjoy it, too. Advice to Women Starting Over My advice is to go with your intuition and not be afraid to take chances. I would not be in Cypress if I had not taken a chance on myself making the right choice to move so far away from where I lived for many, many years. Have faith and be strong. Don’t let anything hold you back from your dreams and aspirations. Life is too short. Live every day to the fullest! Parting Comments I constantly challenge myself to learn something new every day. I encourage others to do the same. I get great fulfillment from saying, as I did as a small child, “I can do it” when my parents tried to do things for me. My parents passed away last year. I thank them for bringing me into this world and teaching me to be an independent, strong and courageous child and the woman I am today.
10 January | February 2024
If you know of an exceptional Greater Fairfield, Bridgeland/Blackhorse Ranch, Towne Lake, Coles Crossing, or Cypress Creek Lakes individual or family that needs to be featured in an upcoming issue of PinPointe Magazine, please email: texasteacher024@outlook.com.
ELEVATE YOUR MAN’S STYLE IN 2024 By Allison Okuneye
NEW HAIR WHO DIS? This may be a bit trickier, but can make a HUGE difference! Scroll online for haircuts that are best for your man’s face shape. See what options are available, and drop a little hint that he might look great with this new style! Some men might not even need a cut, maybe it's just styling his current hair a different way. A gift card to a new barber who can clean up and refresh the facial hair might be a great idea! Most men have not changed their hairstyle in years, and there might be a more updated look out there that would look great on him! Some men have a harder time changing and elevating their personal style. They tend to find something that works, and stick to it for the rest of their adult lives. If you have been wanting to update your man’s style but don’t quite know how to approach the subject, I am here to help! Since men are creatures of habit you have to know starting off that this is a slow process, not an instant makeover. Focus on one area at a time, and once they see the improved compliments and self esteem they will be more likely to trust the process.
SHAPE AND SIZE MATTER This concept goes for Men AND Women. We tend to buy clothes that are too big in order to “hide” the areas we are self-conscious of. This actually has the opposite effect. For men specifically, a slimmer, well fitting, high quality t-shirt will be a great starting point. Most men’s tees are short and boxy, and do not fit most “dad bods”. When shopping for shirts look for a longer/slimmer fitting style. One of my husband’s favorite brands is BYLT Basics. These shirts last forever, and don’t lose their shape after washing. **Not sponsored, just big fans**
With any suggestion you decide to make it is SUPER IMPORTANT to be aware of your TONE and the way the idea of change is presented. I would start slowly,working on one area at a time. You will get an idea of how open your man is to change. And regardless of how you feel, it is up to him to decide whether or not he is open to any changes. It is crucial that you do NOT take a negative approach, but rather make suggestions that you think might “look great on him”. If he tries it out and the change works on him, FLOOD THE COMPLIMENTS GIRL! Men need to feel wanted in the same way that we do, and this encouragement will help him be more open minded about other style changes In the future!
REMEMBER You are NOT trying to CHANGE your husband into someone he is not. You are just helping him ELEVATE what is already there to help him reach his full potential! Good luck ladies! I can’t wait to hear your success stories! :).
Stay Fearless
For information about DK Design Headwear, go to: dkdesignheadwear.com | FB/INSTA @dkdesignheadwear PinPointe Magazine
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Getting Off The Best of Cy-Fair P L A C E S T O E AT to a Great Start in 2024 Salad Suggestions from Your Cy-Fair Neighbors By Patricia Hudson
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o, if New Year’s Resolutions are meant to be broken, maybe concentrating on a general “I will try to eat better this year,” would be a good place to begin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 in 10 Americans eat the recommended 5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day. Since the base of a salad is usually at least 1 to 2 cups of leafy greens, eating a salad every day can help you meet the daily recommendations. Without eating enough fruits and vegetables, some people may not get enough essential vitamins and minerals, which can lead to a deficiency and unwanted side effects. "Green leafy vegetables commonly eaten in salads—like romaine lettuce, spinach, arugula and kale—are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E," says Catherine Karnatz, RD, creator of Nutrition Education RD. "These vitamins may support healthy eyesight, help immune function and protect against certain cancers." In addition, many vitamins double as antioxidants with antiinflammatory effects in the body. Not to mention, many salads contain essential minerals, like potassium, iron, magnesium and more. (Excerpts from Eating Well). 12 January | February 2024
Barbeque Chicken Salad Creekwood Grill
Where to Go? What to Order?
We asked our Cy-Fair community about their “go-to” locally owned and operated restaurants that serve the best salads. Here are some of their favorites.
We are big fans of the Strawberry Salad at The Original Rib Tickler. All of the salads I've tried so far are good. It's a wonderful place. Service is fantastic; they've been in business since 1984. (28930 Highway 249) -Joy Lovell Andy’s Bar & Grill - Wedge Salad
2 Guys 1 Pit has great seasonal salads. Their Peppered Turkey and Spinach Salad is really good. (11711 Spring Cypress Rd.) -Andrea Reed Perryman
Andy’s Bar & Grill Cypress has a great Wedge Salad with yummy Ranch or Blue Cheese! (27200 US 290) -Gwen Hill Texas Mesquite Grill Cypress has an amazing Ahi Tuna Salad, Steak Salad or regular with
fantastic Ranch dressing or Balsamic! (27104 Northwest Freeway) -Gwen Hill
Nyam Nyam Cafe’s Tomato, Feta and Cucumber Salad is amazing! (15201 Mason Rd.) -Laura Robbins
I like the Barbeque Chicken Salad at Creekwood Grill (12710 Telge Road), and the Greek Salads at Gratos Italian Restaurant (20503 FM 529), and Athena’s Greek & European Kitchen 13250 FM 529) -Linda Brosky Grape
Season’s Harvest Café’s seasonal salads are always good; you can add protein, avocados, etc. So fresh and delicious! (173-3 Shaw Road) -Shannon Raske
The Taco Salad at Texas Mesquite Grill is great! (27104 Northwest Freeway) -Andrea Curran
For Mediterranean/Middle Eastern salads (like Tabouli Salad with crushed wheat toasted with extra virgin olive oil and herb dressing, parsley, tomatoes, fresh mint, and scallions), my personal favorite is Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets (11650 Jones Rd.) -Mansoor Rizvi
The Toasted Yolk Cafe offers great salad choices with t h e i r S o u t h e r n Fried Chicken Salad and Shrimp Cilantro Salad (27008 Hwy 290) -Metta Marie Archilla
The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake is a solid choice for Salads...The Boost Bowl Salad and Twisted Caesar Salad (9955 Barker Cypress Road) -Metta Marie Archilla
Local Table offers up some freaking amazing on point salads: Honey-Ginger Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad and Beef Tenderloin Fajita Salad (10535 Fry Road) -Metta Marie Archilla The Union Kitchen - Boost Bowl
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Fairfield resident and contributing photographer, Thomas Coffman, is an avowed lover of ROCK ‘n Roll. When he heard that KISS would be swinging through Texas on their End of the Road Tour, he traveled to Austin to shoot this iconic band.
One last KISS... Story & Photos by Thomas Coffman/Coffman Rock Shots
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ISS was formed in January of 1973. 50 years later, they will go down in history as one of the biggest rock bands ever formed. The original four members created something that was so amazing that the world of rock music would never be the same. Sales wise, the first three albums were nothing to brag about, but the live shows were sell-outs. It has always been about the live shows! Beginning with the little clubs and working their way to the biggest venues in the world, KISS would conquer the dreams they had as children. Once the KISS Alive! album came out, the rollercoaster ride began. This album not only saved their careers, but also the record company. KISS is the biggest gold record awarded band ever; breaking attendance records set by The Beatles in Tokyo. KISS merchandise is a multi-million-dollar business that includes, but is not limited to condoms, caskets, and even a comic book with their blood in the red ink. Among their business enterprises, KISS has done movies, cruises, and restaurants. Personally, I recommend that you visit KISS MONSTER GOLF and KISS WORLD in Vegas; both will blow your mind!! I travel to a lot of places to photograph concerts and when I return home, I'm pretty worn out. I started thinking about KISS, the makeup and the costumes, wondering how in the hell have they been doing the rigorous travel schedule, appearances and events for 50 YEARS? Initially, when KISS announced the End of The Road Tour, I was in denial. How could my heroes be calling it quits? Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. KISS honestly has nothing more to prove. 14 January | February 2024
The opening band, AMBER WILD, was lead by Evan Stanley, son of Paul Stanley. I was pleasantly surprised with the musicianship. Stanley, who was on vocals and shared guitar leads, was very impressive. The band really had it together, sounded tight and was definitely entertaining. All around a great show with catchy tunes and good looks. Definitely keep an eye out for them! It was a Sunday night and the final show in Texas. Believe me, no one was thinking about work the next day. Everyone focused on those four men, blowing us away one last time. The voice behind the giant curtain screams, "You wanted the best, you got the best!" You got chills as if you were a thirteen-year-old kid again. The curtain drops and it's just the biggest stage setup that you could imagine! Three platforms came floating down with smoke shooting straight down like a spaceship. A huge drum riser brought down the Catman surrounded by drums. The band kicked in with "Detroit Rock City" and the crowd was engulfed in the spectacle that is KISS. 50 years of great songs and theatrics packed into one night was delivered in style! The fire breathing, blood spitting Demon never disappoints. The Star Child was always the showman that everyone expects and loves. The Spaceman with killer guitar riffs and sparks shooting from his guitar was out of this world. The Catman was purrrrfect behind the skins, keeping the timing for the band. It all came together to bring the best show in rock history. With The End of The Road comes an end of an amazing career for the biggest band ever. It's been a hell of a ride! For the unedited article, go to www.bestofcyfair.com
16 January | February 2024