Meet The Team
From Our Publisher Is it 2021 yet? I don’t know about y’all, but this year is giving me whiplash. I mean one day everything is starting to get back to normal, and
Lindsey Kasprzak
PUBLISHER, ART & MEDIA DIRECTOR
the next day the world is on fire again. On the brighter side I’ve seen a lot of our small business advertisers adapt to our times and do what they need to do to stay open. With
Leslie Henderson
some help from us here at Lone Star Local Guide we have been able to
MANAGING EDITOR
help our customers think outside the box on what it takes to be successful during this unusual season. From making a funny commercial, doing a virtual walk-through of a business, or even helping prepare a social
Dawn Allen
media post, we are always here for our customers.
EDITOR
So, what does the future have for us? Who knows at this point, but what I do know is if you want to succeed with your business you have to
Taylor Smith
be ready for anything and adapt to chang-
WRITER
ing situations. That’s where you’ll see the magic happen. And sending our good Lord
CONTRIBUTORS:
a prayer will sure help as well. Until next month, hang in there and
TRACEE EVANS CLAUDIA LAIRD W.F. STRONG RAIGAN MAYO CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER
know that we’ll all get through this together!
Lindsey Kasprzak
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LONE STAR LOAL GUIDE © 2020, all rights reserved. All editorial and advertising copy belongs solely to LONE STAR LOAL GUIDE Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is strictly prohibited. Articles are the opinions and experiences of other people and we do not necessarily approve, agree with, and/or condone those opinions.
CONTENTS
table of
AUGUST 2020
Business of the Month Reagan Environmental- Page 6 6
Features Squeaky Pig Food Blog - Page 5 Spring Fire Department - Page 9 Remembering The Summers of My Youth - Page 13
5
Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber - Page 14 The Queen of King Ranch - Page 17
9
Learn From Lady Justice - Page 19 Come And Explore It - Page 23 Lone Star Local Savings - Page 32
23 Lone StarEdition Local Guide Dock Line Magazine - Atascocita AprilPage 20183 3
Lone Star Local Guide Page 4
By: Raigan Mayo
Cupcake: 1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix Make as directed and cool completely. Peanut Butter Swiss Meringue Buttercream 6 Large Egg whites 3/4 Sola sweetener (I’m sure you could substitute sweetener of choice) 1/4 TSP Cream of Tartar 12 ounce of room temp butter, cubed 2 TBL Peanut Butter
Food Blogger
Chocolate Cupcake with Peanut Butter Swiss Buttercream One of our favorite cupcakes is a chocolate cupcake with peanut butter swiss buttercream. With my wife’s birthday around the corner I wanted to make her these without the carbs bit with the same satisfaction. So I decided to just go for it and make the swiss meringue buttercream by substituting the sugar for Sola Sweetener and using Swerve Chocolate Cake Mix. I hope you enjoy these as much as we did!
Heat Egg whites and Sweetener in a double boiler (pot of water to a simmer, use heat safe bowl, egg whites, sugar and place over pot of water, see picture). Whisk and heat until sweetener is completely melted. Add Whites mixture and cream of tartar to mixer or use a hand mixer and whipped until stiff peaks(see picture). Butter should be room temperature but not melted. Add butter slowly and whisk until fully incorporated. Add peanut butter or flavor of choice. Whsik until fully incorporated. Once cupcakes are fully cooled, top with the buttercream. If your buttercream is too soft to ice the cupcakes add to the refrigerator until it stiffens up a bit but not to long because it will get to hard to pipe or spread.
Lone Star Local Guide Page 5
By: Taylor Smith
MOLD! The Black Death for your home or business! Most peo-
but, in fact, it’s the complete op-
finding any type of Mold or poor
posite.
air quality, as well as Asbestos,
ple think once they find mold in
Blaine Reagan, owner of Rea-
and Lead. “People always think
their home they might as well burn
gan Environmental Consultants, is
the worst when it comes to mold
it to the ground and just start over
your super hero when it comes to
but really it’s a very easy thing to
Lone Star Local Guide Page 6
ing as an intern with a local Mold Remediation Company, as an IICRC certified Mitigation Technician. Part of his role as a Technician was to construct the containment, and remove
all
materi-
als affected by moisture and mold. From there he was hired by Farmers Insurance Testing For Moisture fix.” Reagan says. “I love putting customers’ minds at ease and I try my best to go that extra mile to make sure they understand the process” Reagan added. Blaine has lived in Montgomery County his whole life and couldn’t think of any better place to start his business. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston University and start-
as a claim’s adjuster. As time went on, his brother suggested Blaine should start his own business as a Mold and Air Quality Consultant. This profession is in demand and would provide Blaine with a little more freedom. As well as offer a more personal experience when it came to helping people. That sounded great to Blaine so shortly thereafter, he was running
his business and helping his local community deal with a persistent problem in our humid Texas climate. When it comes to mold in our homes or offices, Blaine said to look for warning signs. He recommended that if you see moisture stains on drywall, or if you notice that you are having uncommon allergy like symptoms you should Continue on page 8 u
This tool draws in the surrounding air and collects all the particles. The sample is then set to the lab to get your results. Lone Star Local Guide Page 7
have an inspection and air qual-
company to remove the mold or
poor air quality in your home or
ity test performed. This test checks
clean the air ducts as needed. It’s
business, you can contact Blaine
the air in your building (the same
all a very simple process.
at:
air you are actually breathing) to
makes sure your experience is as
com Be sure to follow him on
see if there are any airborne mold
pleasant as possible.
He’s also
Facebook and Instagram as well.
spores floating around.
going to let you in on a few mon-
REMEMBER: the average person
ey saving tips if at all possible.
spends about 93% of their life in-
He said
it’s actually a good idea to have the air test in your home or busi-
Blaine
www.reaganenvironmental.
In addition to Mold, Blaine is
doors, so shouldn’t the air you’re
also a licensed asbestos consul-
breathing be as clean as pos-
After interviewing Blaine, I real-
tant and provide any Asbestos
sible??? Contact Blaine to help
ized that mold and poor air quali-
needs. If you think you might have
you live in a cleaner and safer
ty isn’t catastrophic. It’s actually a
a problem with Asbestos, Mold, or
environment!u
ness at least once a year.
very easy thing to clean up if you have the right company. Blaine has the tools to find the source of mold even if you have no idea where it is because sometimes it’s not visible. Once he completes your air test, he personally delivers them to the lab to make sure your test is put in the right hands. Within a few days you will get your results. Blaine will interpret the lab results and help you find the right Lone Star Local Guide Page 8
Spring Fire Department Gets Wet during Hurricane Season BY: Tracee Evans
With the tropics heating up,
Captain Greg Monroe. “For over
ing was held at Alexander Deus-
your Spring firefighters are cooling
two weeks, Spring firefighters from
sen Park as it allows our crews to
off while practicing rescue and
Stations 70, 71, 73, and 76 attended
work on all of the needed skill
evacuation skills.
the training to be prepared for a
sets and training objectives.
“Over the last few weeks, Harris
tropical event flooding the creeks
“Harris County ESD 7/Spring
County ESD 7/Spring Fire Depart-
and tributaries that run through the
Fire Department’s water rescue
ment firefighters have been able
community.”
fleet consists of several boats which include four rubber inflatable rescue boats and two flat bottom aluminum evacuation boats and several high-water evacuation vehicles. Each boat has its own characteristics and use. It’s important to get out and re-familiarize ourselves regularly before an event occurs,” Captain Monroe stated. This year, the training division practiced traditional training objectives and added even more to the firefighter’s skillsets. “Using the appropriate NFPA standards, we were able to create a formal program that en-
(Photo taken by Captain Monroe during training on 6/19/20)
ables the firefighters to be Flood Rescue qualified. The NFPA stan-
to get out and do water rescue
“Over 50 firefighters attended
dard outlines a minimum set of
training,” said Spring Fire Training
the training,” added Deputy Chief
knowledge and skills to be per-
of Training Joel Cren-
formed. “My background in wa-
shaw. “They refreshed
ter rescue training is one of my
their water rescue skills,
strengths, and I am happy to as-
boat operation, and
sist and expand on our current
worked on new skills to
programs here in Spring,” Cap-
help with patient/vic-
tain Monroe said.
tim retrieval.” The train-
Captain Monroe explained, “The
(Photo taken by Captain Monroe during training on 6/19/20)
boat
operator
training
Continue on page 11 u Lone Star Local Guide Page 9
Lone Star Local Guide Page 10
(Photo taken by Captain Monroe during training on 6/19/20) consisted of general loading and
gating characteristics. Other skills
and assisting flooded citizens is all
towing of the boats and trailers,
practiced were loading and un-
too familiar following the effects of
launching the boats in various en-
loading of personnel while pinning
Hurricane Harvey.
vironments, operation at various
the bow of the boat to an object
“While this training is basic, our
speeds, and the launching and
or structure (bow pinning) and
training division will continue to
recovery of rescue swimmers and
various
rescuer/patient/victim
expand training into other special-
patients/victims. The variety in the
recovery methods (one-person/
ties moving into 2021,” said Depu-
training curriculum best represents
two-person lift and parbuckling.)”
ty Chief Crenshaw.
what our firefighters would face in
In September 2019, Spring fire-
“And with hurricane season
the real world. Some floods pres-
fighters responded in boats and
heading towards its peak, training
ent with static water, and some
high-water vehicles to calls for
and sharpening these water skills
have current or swift water ele-
assistance during Tropical Storm
are key to preparing for any future
ments. We practiced operating at
Imelda. Using our rescue boats
rain events,” Captain Monroe.
full speed (on a plane) through a
and high-water vehicles, firefight-
If you need help with your fam-
designated course and at slower
ers assisted the evacuation of not
ily’s hurricane plan, there is more
speeds (not on a plane) to be fa-
only our community but neighbor-
information at http://www.spring-
miliar with the handling and navi-
ing counties as well. Evacuating
fd.org/hurricane. u
(Photo of the “Parbuckle” skill taken by Captain Monroe on 6/19/20)
(Photo taken by Captain Monroe 9/19/2019 during TS Imelda) Lone Star Local Guide Page 11
Lone Star Local Guide Page 12
By: W.F. Strong
Now that we’re in the dog
the gate in the morning for me
had its arms around us and made
days of summer, I’ve been think-
and my brothers and we’d wan-
sure we behaved, and were safe.
ing about the long summers of
der out into the great pastures
About noon we’d meander
my youth. We had longer sum-
of our neighborhood and entire
back home and have dinner. That
mers then. It’s not just an idealized
town – yes, it was a small town
is what we called lunch then. The
memory. Schools would dismiss
– unsupervised. We’d roam all
noon meal was dinner. Then we’d
us in late May and we wouldn’t
over with all the other kids, also
have a nap, with cicadas hum-
return until September 2nd or so,
free range, and play games and
ming loudly, and go back out un-
generally the day following Labor
sometimes watch TV at other kids’
til supper time, about seven. We’d
Day.
houses until we were chased out
eat supper quickly so we could
by a stern mom who’d tell us to
get back out to our friends where
“get- on-outside and play.”
we’d play until well after dark, en-
What I remember distinctly about those summers of more than 50 years ago, is that I was a
I say we were unsupervised,
free range kid. My mom opened
but not really. The whole town
Continue on page 15 u
W.F. Strong (second from right, with gun holster) was a free range kid. Lone Star Local Guide Page 13
Lone Star Local Guide Page 14
joying games like “kick-the-can”
road with all the 18 wheeler traf-
He said, “Wear a hat.”
and “red light.”
fic?”
Summers sure are different for
The grown-ups were out there with us, sitting in lawn chairs, making homemade ice cream,
“Yes, sir.”
kids now. The world is no doubt
“That one you have to cross
more dangerous now than it was
the rattlesnake field to get to?”
then.
listening to baseball games on
“Yes, sir,” we admitted.
small transistor radios and gaz-
“All right. Just be back by dark
grateful for the boyhood I had,
ing up into the stars, marveling at
or your momma will worry,” he
rather than these modern ones,
the tech-savvy age they lived in,
said.
with kids so often cooped up in-
where they could see NASA satel-
But no matter the reasons I’m
I like that my Dad would never
side with high tech games. To be
admit to worrying himself. He just
honest, though, I do have a tiny bit
Yes, as kids, we were quite free.
worried about my mom worrying.
of cross-generational tech envy
I remember one day me and my
He was also big on the idea
in me. I know that when I was 15
brothers were on our bikes with
that boyhood shaped and tough-
I would have loved to have had
backpacks on, ready to head out
ened the man that the boy would
an Xbox. Still, I know for sure that
and my father said, “Where are
become.
I wouldn’t trade my free-range
lites passing over.
you boys going?” We said, “To the lake.” He said, “To that one five miles east of town?” “Yes, sir,” we said. “That one out there on the FM
Once I asked him for a ride over to my friend Gonzalo’s house. He said, “It’s only a mile over there. Walk. It’ll do you good.” I said, “But it’s about 100 de-
summers for all the terabytes of RAM in the world. This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
grees right now.” Lone Star Local Guide Page 15
Lone Star Local Guide Page 16
The Queen of
King Ranch By: W.F. Strong
When Richard King, the founder of
When they married, Henrietta said about
ed the city’s public high school. She do-
the King Ranch, was on his deathbed,
her honeymoon: “I doubt it falls to the lot
nated land and money to build Spohn
he told his wife, Henrietta Chamberlain
of any a bride to have had so happy a
Hospital, which is today Corpus Christi’s
King “Don’t let any of that land get away
honeymoon … we roamed the broad
largest, most advanced hospital.
from you.” At the time of his death in 1885,
prairies of the ranch. When I grew tired,
Mark Twain once said that you can
King’s famous ranch consisted of about
my husband would spread a Mexican
tell the importance of a person by the size
half a million acres. He had amassed this
blanket for me and I would take my siesta
and nature of their funeral. When Henriet-
land on the advice of Robert E. Lee, who
under the shade of a mesquite tree.”
ta King died at the age of 92, 200 vaque-
told him that he should buy all the land
This rough-hewn honeymoon she so
ros on horseback escorted her funeral
in the wild horse desert that he could get
praised showed that she was made of
carriage to the cemetery. Some of them
hold of, and never sell it. Richard King fol-
the right stuff to help build a ranch out
had ridden two days across the ranch to
lowed this principle faithfully his entire life.
of inhospitable land and a brutal cli-
get there in time. These men were known
His wife Henrietta did not let him
mate. Indeed, she was so tough, it’s said
as Kinenos, the King’s men.
down. She ruled this ranch kingdom for
that when bandits wanted to attack the
At her grave, the 200 vaqueros, one
about 10 years longer – in total – than her
ranch house, they waited for Mr. King to
by one, circled her casket as it was low-
husband did, more than doubling the size
be around because he could be bar-
ered, and they tipped their hats in rev-
of the ranch in her time.
gained with.
erence for the great lady, “La Reina” –
But it wasn’t easy. She had to break
Henrietta faithfully reigned over the
the queen of the King Ranch. Then they
her husband’s golden rule soon after he
ranch for 70 years. But her influence ex-
galloped on back to their duties on the
died. Henrietta King not only inherited half
tended well beyond the King Ranch
ranch, which now consisted of 1.2 million
a million acres, but also half a million dol-
boundaries.
acres.
lars of debt. She had to sell some of the
It has been said that the work of a
land to bring the King Ranch back to life.
philanthropist is like that of an old person
Under Henrietta King’s firm but fair hand
who plants trees. They plant even though
– and with the expert help of her son-in-
they know they will
law, Robert Kleberg – the ranch was soon
never live to stand
growing again; and then flourishing. By
in their shade. And
the turn of the century, the King Ranch
so it goes that the
was trying new techniques in irrigation,
institutions Henrietta
range grasses and cattle breeding. By
King started are far
the 1920s they’d created their signature
more important to-
breed: Santa Gertrudis cattle.
day than they were
Henrietta met Richard King when she was just 18 years old, in Brownsville. She
This article was edited for broadcast by Texas Standard producers for the Texas Standard radio program on Apple podcast
in her time. She
donated
was the quiet daughter of a Presbyterian
land that would be-
minister and King was a hard-drinking,
come Texas A&M
rough-around-the-edges, riverboat cap-
University in Kings-
tain. Sounds like a country-western song.
ville. She construct-
Lone Star Local Guide Page 17
Lone Star Local Guide Page 18
Court statistics are probably
the same five years case filings
include everything that is not
the least interesting thing at the
increased from 11,393 to 12,831.
criminal, family, or probate in na-
courthouse, but they are an inte-
The misdemeanor judges are also
ture. Examples of typical civil cas-
gral part of measuring court per-
doing a great job, disposing of
es include car wreck cases and
formance and determining when
101.59% of filed cases in 2019. The
breach of contract cases.
to ask Commissioners’ Court and
percentage being over 100% indi-
case filings have increased over
our legislature to burden the tax-
cates that these courts were able
the studied five-year period from
payers with the cost of a new
to achieve a reduction in any
4,415 to 6,784. This sharp increase
court.
Civil
backlog of cases from prior years.
has led to the creation of a new
We have four District Courts
We have two full time and
civil court which is expected to
that handle felony (high level
two part time family courts. These
criminal) cases. Between 2015 &
courts handle family cases (di-
County Court at Law Number
2019 the case filings in these courts
vorces, child custody, CPS, and
Two handles all cases that involve
has increased from 7,443 to 9,223.
Attorney General cases).
Over
the involuntary commitment of in-
Our felony judges are doing great
the 2015-2019 period case filings
dividuals who are alleged (due to
with this increasing load, though,
increased from 7,505 to 8,199.
mental health) to be an imminent
disposing of 99.19% of filed cases
Our family judges are knocking it
danger to themselves or others.
in 2019.
out of the park with a 102.83% dis-
In 2019 there were a total of 674
position rate for 2019.
mental health cases filed.
We have three County Courts at Law that handle misdemeanor (mid-level criminal) cases.
Over
start operations later this summer.
We have one full time and two
County Court at Law Number
part time civil courts. Civil cases
Two also handles all probate matters including creation of guardianships over individuals who are unable due to an incapacity to provide for their own wellbeing. In 2019, 62 of these cases were filed bringing the total guardianship case count to 610 active guardianships.
Probate also includes
the admission of wills/estates of the deceased. In 2019, 891 new probate cases were filed resulting in over 1,800 hearings.u Lone Star Local Guide Page 19
Lone Star Local Guide Page 20
Lone Star Local Guide Page 21
Lone Star Local Guide Page 22
ak ey Kasprz By: Linds
Palestine, Texas
Champagne Served. Boots Welcome By: Lindsey Kasprzak
Palestine is the type of town where you can go and unplug from the city life and see the East Texas country beauty for what it really is. I was extremely excited when I got the opportunity to explore Palestine and what it had to offer. First, we took the Texas State Railroad to Rusk which you can read all about on page 6. Once we were done with our train ride excursion we made our way downtown to The Redlands Hotel which was built in 1914! This historic hotel is one place you MUST stay! We were instantly greeted with a friendly face at check in. Once we had the key to our room, we were escorted up to our room was, plus we were given a historic education about the building itself. With a fine dining restaurant, bou-
Have you ever come across a
greeted with a smile and a man’s
Facebook post where someone asks,
word is as strong as his handshake.
“where is a great place to spend the
tique shop, and a well-stocked bar downstairs, the Redlands hotel is one Continue on page 25u
weekend with family?” Or, “where is a good weekend getaway for us girls?” The typical answer is always San Antonio, Fredericksburg, or Austin because those of course are the most popular. But, I’ve made it a goal of mine to explore the many unique small towns Texas has to offer. Just about two hours north of Montgomery County is a quaint little place called Palestine, Texas. This unique, and charming town is a place where everyone knows each other‘s names, where you’re always Lone Star Local Guide Page 23
Lone Star Local Guide Page 24
place you may never want to
sure they will fill you in on what other
bow Bakery. Now, if you have a heart
leave. Our room had a huge king-
wonderful things are happening that
condition or you’re diabetic I would
size bed with a pull-out sofa bed, full
weekend downtown. You can also
say maybe share a piece of pie, but
kitchen, and a huge bathroom (and
follow them on Facebook for up to
this is one bakery you do not want to
that’s just the normal size room). They
date events and happenings.
pass up. Having a piece of their pie
even have an original elevator with
Speaking of downtown, the Red-
is like going over to grandma’s house
the pull lift down in the lobby for you
lands Hotel is conveniently located
and having the best comfort food
within walking distance to antique
you can imagine. They have so much
shops, bakeries, the theater district
to choose from that taking another
and much more. Of course, when we
trip up to Palestine would be worth
were there it was somewhat hot being
the trip just to get another piece of
the middle of summer, so we decided
their homemade heaven.
to drive the short distance to “Old Town” where we stumbled across Ox-
Right next door to the Oxbow Bakery is a wonderful little coffee Continue on page 27 u
to peek into. Oh, and did I mention their art museum? Yes, they have a wonderful art museum full of art from local artists that are available for purchase. So how do you get room reservations at this wonderful establishment? It’s easy, just go to: www.redlandshistoricinn.com, check out the rooms they have listed, and give them a call. You are sure to be greeted with a friendly voice more than happy to take your reservations and I’m Lone Star Local Guide Page 25
Lone Star Local Guide Page 26
welcome to walk into. With admission at only $3 for adults and $1 for students this is a place you can definitely have the kids learning and exploring. After you’ve spent some time at the museum, right down the street is a splash pad that is fully shaded and has park benches for parents to sit and relax as the little ones burn off more energy before you spend the day exploring more antique shops. As we packed our bags and got ready to head back home I wanted to grab a bite to eat. What was nice about the Redlands Hotel is they had information on where to go for whatever you want. They recommended a local diner called “Birds Egg Café,” house
and
antique/gift
shop
thing to do with the kids to maybe get
where you’re sure to fine a souve-
some of their energy out, just a mile
nir or two. With a walk across the
or two from Old Town is the “Museum
street, you’ll find “Pint and Barrel Draft
for East Texas Culture” that was once
House” that has a great selection of
the local high school and opened in
beer and food items when you’re
1916. It is three stories of Palestine and
ready to sit down and relax for a bit.
East Texas history plus they have a full
Now if you’re looking for some-
log cabin built inside that visitors are
which is listed as #1 in the area for breakfast. Since it was on our way out of town, we stopped in and, again, it was like going to Grandma’s house and having her cook you your favorite meal with all the fixins’. Palestine may not have been on your list of places to visit or maybe you never knew it even existed, but it needs to be put on your list. This amazing historic little town has so much to offer and doesn’t come with the high visitors’ prices bigger cities do. Step out of your comfort zone and explore what this upcoming town has to offer before it becomes one of the big tourist destinations.u
Lone Star Local Guide Page 27
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Lone Star Local Guide Page 28