Spring Trails - June 2021 by Peel, Inc.

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SPRING TRAILS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VOL 3

ISSUE 06

Spring Trails is thrilled to announce that we are the beneficiary of yet another Eagle Scout Project! Last Fall, 14 year-old Matthew Reel, a resident of Spring Trails, approached the HOA Board with an idea to design and build a Nature Observation area in Spring Trails for his Eagle Scout Project. His vision was to construct an area for nature lovers to observe and enjoy the abundance of birds and wildlife living within Spring Trails. After a number of discussions with HOA Board members, MUD 94 Board members and Spring Trails contractors Matthew received the go ahead. Working with three local specialists, Bobby Martin with the Harris County Park Department (also a Spring Trails resident), Drew Steward, Game Warden with the Texas Parks and Wildlife, and JP Moynihan with Texas Feral Hog Control, Matthew fine-tuned his proposal to include a variety of bird feeders and houses to attract local birds, a hog fence to deter feral hogs, and a beautiful arbor to welcome nature lovers to the observation area. On April 10th, Matthew and his all-volunteer team went to work constructing the trellis arbor, spreading and tamping the crushed granite path (with drainage pipes), installing posts, assembling benches and bird houses, constructing the viewing blind and so much more. All day they worked until finally late Saturday afternoon, their combined efforts came together to bring Matthew’s vision to light. Nature lovers can’t resist sneaking a peek into the area. Upon passing through the trellis arbor, you immediately see the seating area at the end. There are five benches nestled in front of a wooden fence with viewing windows. When you reach the end of the path, the silence of the area is captivating. But then you notice the birds singing, the squirrels rustling in the underbrush, the butterflies flitting by. You look through the window of the observation area and immediately see all the bird feeders and the bird baths. And as an added benefit, a website QR code is available to assist observers with identifying the different birds. Many native birds have already begun to frequent their new “dining” spot. Back behind the feeding area there are natural teepee like huts that were created for the wildlife to use for protection or housing. On any given day, you can find lizards, caterpillars, birds, squirrels, chipmunks and butterflies in the area. There has even been a sighting of a deer and her fawn. This area has truly become the wildlife sanctuary, Matthew envisioned. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc. Spring Trails - June on 2021 Continued Page1 3

Spring Trails - June 2021

Community Contact Information

Continued from Cover

INFRAMARK (Spring Trails Property Management)....................281-870-0585 SPRING TRAILS HOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS Request Manager through www.springtrails.com CEDRIC CLOUD LEANNE KESSLER ROGER OLSEN JERRY RUESCHHOFF MARK ZIMMERHANZEL ALL EMERGENCIES – 911 NON-EMERGENCY SERVICES Law Enforcement (Sheriff or Constable).. 936-760-5800 & press 3 Fire (South Montgomery Fire Department)..............281-363-3473 EMS (Montgomery County Hospital District)..........936-523-5000 SCHOOLS Sue Park Broadway Elementary.............................281-367-4677 Cox Intermediate School.......................................281-465-3200 York Junior High School.......................................832-592-8600 Oak Ridge High School........................................832-592-5300 Grand Oaks High School......................................281-939-0000 Conroe I.S.D. Administration...............................936-709-7752 MONTGOMERY COUNTY MUD 94 MUD 94/Board of Directors......................... www.mcmud94.com MUD 94 / H2O Innovations (water and sewer)......281-355-1312 MUD 94/Republic Services (trash & recycle pickup).713-726-7300 MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Montgomery County............................................936-756-0571 Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack.................936-539-7817 Sheriff Rand Henderson........................................936-760-5871 Constable Ryan Gable...........................................281-364-4211 VISIT THE SPRING TRAILS WEBSITE FOR LINKS TO THESE AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICE PROVIDERS

Advertising Information PUBLISHER Peel, Inc.............................www.PEELinc.com, 512-263-9181 Advertising.....................................advertising@PEELinc.com

Newsletter Information Please support the advertisers that make Spring Trails newsletter possible. If you would like to support the newsletter by advertising, please contact our sales office at 512-263-9181 or advertising@ PEELinc.com. The advertising deadline is the 8th of the month prior to the issue. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

When you visit the sanctuary, take a moment to read the dedication beneath the entrance sign. Days after Matthew received final approval to begin his project, Matthew’s friend and neighbor Christian BerndStriebeck passed away unexpectedly. Christian had been Matthew’s friend and neighbor since they moved into the neighborhood in 2006. Christian was always supportive of Matthew’s ideas, goals and dreams, and was always there to laugh and joke with him. It was an honor for Matthew to dedicate his project to Christian. Matthew is no stranger to giving back to his community. Though only fourteen years old, he continues to show his love of Spring Trails again and again. From his younger years, doing trash pickups, to volunteering with the events committee and most recently his Sewer Me d a l l i o n Pr o j e c t , Matthew’s contributions and love for Spring Trails is apparent in the selfless time and energy he gives to the community. When he isn’t giving back to Spring Trails, he devotes his time fighting food insecurity through his 501(c)3, Matthew’s Birthday Wish, providing weekly food to over 100 families in Conroe ISD. Matthew awaits final approval for his Eagle Scout Rank, but there is no doubt he will receive it soon. Spring Trails continues to be blessed by our young residents who devote their time, their skills and their passion to the betterment of our beautiful community. Spring Trails - June 2021

June 1st – MUD 94 Board Meeting June 2nd – Recycle Pick Up June 11th – Heavy Trash Day June 12th – Family Fun Day June 16th – Recycle Pick Up June 17th – HOA Board Meeting June 20th – Father’s Day July 2nd – 4th of July Event July 3rd – Community Clean Up Riley Fuzzel Sound Wall

Ashley Nicole Reel Oak Ridge High School Leadership High School – Lone Star College, October 2019 – April 2020 Cosmetology Certification Program – Oak Ridge High School Founder of Ashley’s Cinderella Closet Benefactor of Spring Trails’ Little Lending Libraries. Ashley will be pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Tennessee.

July 4th – Happy Independence Day July 6th – MUD 94 Board Meeting July 7th – Recycle Pick Up

Alexandra Singleton Oak Ridge High School Alexandra will be pursuing a degree in business and playing volleyball at East Carolina University in North Carolina.

July 9th – Heavy Trash Day July 15th – HOA Board Meeting July 21st - Recycle Pick Up Find details for these and other upcoming

Graduating Magna Cum Laude from Oak Ridge High School

activities on the Spring Trails website

Ethan earned an Academic scholarship from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) to study Biomedical Engineering.

Calendar. 4

Ethan Daniel Stephens

Spring Trails - June 2021

How Does Your Garden Grow?

that contain the bacteria thuringiensis such as Thuricide and other brands. They require more frequent use but aren’t anywhere near as residual as some of the chemical pesticides. Fourth, you should be able to tell by now whether your palm trees (various varieties) are going to come back to life. Before you decide to saw them down with your handy dandy chain saw, think more safely and contact an arborist. Palm trees, even though they look dead, may just be slow. Watch the center top for a green spear that indicates the plant is still alive. Other plants such as bottlebrush and others might still be brown by now. Time to look for something new if you haven’t already. Fifth, remember there are TWO vegetable growing seasons here in the Houston area. Once again, you can go to the A&M Agrilife or Montgomery County Master Gardeners websites (to name just 2) and learn about late summer / fall gardening. Last of all, give yourself some room to make a mistake or two in your gardening. The best gardeners are NOT the ones with the advanced education but are those who have made the mistakes and keep reading and learning more. Join the Spring Trails Beautification Committee or become a fan of the Montgomery County Master Gardeners website (or others) and learn from the “wise ones” who have “been there and done that”. Work with a good nursery (not a garden plant superstore) to help you learn what to do and get suggestions. They want to help you select good plants and nurture them correctly. That’s it for this month so, as a dear friend always says to me, “Happy gardening!”

Contributed by Roger Olsen

Well, we’ve seen torrential rains, flooding, a return to heat and humidity and other typical southeastern Texas weather since May. Unless you are brand new to Texas, or at least this part of it, you probably aren’t surprised. So what should you be watching for in your part of Spring Trails? First, watch your lawn for various issues, the top one being OVER watering. Remember: You only need to give your lawn a total of 1 inch of water per week provided in short but consecutive waterings. That means, water until it starts to run off then give it an hour and do a second cycle. This gives the water time to get into the clay-based soil we have in this part of Texas. If you want to find out how to water effectively, go to the Texas A&M Agrilife website and search on “lawn irrigation”. Second, you should have fertilized your lawn by now. Most bagged fertilizer will tell you to fertilize a max of 2 times per year. Read the instructions on your last bag of Bonus S or whatever you used. Don’t have the bag? It’s online, of course. Third, if you are using Sevin or other insect killers in your garden, memorize the instructions on how, when and how much to use. Some of the most destructive insects (vine borers, etc) are now showing up and will wilt your garden in a day. Also, don’t discount the more nature friendly products such as insect “soap” or products Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

Spring Trails - June 2021

SPRING TRAILS

Spring Trails - June 2021

SPRING TRAILS

SAFETY TIP

A R E Y O U P R E PA R E D ? Most of us are fully aware of the supplies, preparations and safeguards needed to prepare for hurricane season. But is your house ready for a hurricane or severe storms? Consider these often overlooked steps to protect your home. Inspect Your Roof Your roof does more than simply top your home; it helps protect from water damage during a hurricane. Making sure it’s in good condition now will ensure that it can provide the maximum amount of protection later. A quick scan of your roof and the underside of your roof deck in the attic can alert you to all kinds of problems that are easily addressed. Look for these indicators: • Water stains on the roof deck • Mold, mildew, or wood rot in the attic • Missing, broken, or cracked shingles • Missing or cracked flashing • Moss on your roof Caulk Windows and Doors Windows, doors, and other penetrations in your home’s exterior are potential sources for water to enter. And we all know what moisture in your home can cause: mold, mildew, softening plaster, damage to flooring, and wood rot. Here’s what to look for: There should be a thick bead of caulk around the exterior window and door frames where it meets the siding. Weathered or missing caulk can be easily repaired by using an exterior-rated silicone based caulk and filling in the gaps. 8

Spring Trails - June 2021

Keep Your Yard Clean An overgrown yard is an invitation for damage during the high winds of a hurricane. Dead tree limbs, overgrown shrubs, and other debris can be thrown into your home, potentially damaging windows and fencing. Routine pruning/trimming every year will prepare your yard for storm season: • Dead or dying tree limbs • Tree limbs that are growing too close to power lines • Shrubs or bushes that have grown beyond their normal size or scope • Fallen branches Clean Your Gutters/Inspect Drains Hurricanes don’t just bring high winds; they bring heavy rainfall as well. Direct that rainfall away from your roof and your home before it has a chance to infiltrate your roof. Here’s what to do: • Clear leaves, pine needles and other debris from your gutters and drains so water won’t back up beneath your shingles. • Use a hose to verify the drains are clear and running free • Check for rust, holes, or other damage to the drainage system. • Watch the flow of the water from your gutters. Water should be directed away from your foundation. Reinforce your Garage Door How old is your garage door? Older garage doors are not likely rated to withstand hurricane force winds or potential debris. Few options exist to prepare your garage door. Check the rating of your current door. If necessary, have it reinforced or replace it with a model designed to withstand hurricanes. Protect Attached Structures Homes located in hurricane-prone areas often have a lot of outdoor living areas attached to their homes. These areas all need to be secured or otherwise protected to help minimize potential damage. Inspect the condition of all outdoor structures attached to your home and consider consulting a professional to advise if reinforcement is needed: • Carports • Canopies • Decks • Lanias • Porches • Sheds You’ve heard it before…prevention is the best defense. Take steps now to protect your family and home against severe weather. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

SPRING TRAILS

Spring Trails - June 2021

SPRING TRAILS

Frequently Asked Questions

Swimming Pools Private, custom pool installations are a very popular home improvement these days. If you’re considering a new pool, don’t forget to submit an Application to Modify Home or Property. Here’s what you’ll need: • MATERIALS LIST (examples include the contractor quote and/or order confirmation, pool manufacturer spec sheet, parts list, or similar reference documents). • PHOTO or RENDERING of the proposed pool design and surrounding decking and features. • LOT SURVEY marked up to illustrate the location of pool installation, pool equipment, distance from adjacent property lines, and access route to rear of property if applicable. • WRITTEN ACKNOWLEGEMENT from Montgomery County MUD 94. All water and pool drain connections must be approved by the Montgomery County MUD 94. Contact H2O Innovation, water and sewer operator for MC MUD 94, with your name, address and phone, the account # from your water bill, the chosen pool contractor name and phone and an estimated start and plumbing inspection date. H2O Innovation will respond with an acknowledgement. Submit a copy of H2O Innovations’s response with the Application to Modify Home or Property. • $1,000.00 DEPOSIT check or money order, payable to Spring Trails Community Association. The Application to Modify Home or Property is available under the Documents tab, Spring Trails Forms. Contact Inframark if you have questions or require assistance with the architectural review process.

Be Informed Stay up-to-date on community news by registering with the Spring Trails website at www.springtrails.com. There you can review the Community’s governing documents, preview and RSVP to upcoming community events, contact property management and the Board of Directors, request amenity access, sign up for text and email announcements, read about community initiatives, and much more.

One of many happy residents enjoying the community’s new little lending libraries.

Spring Trails - June 2021

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Spring Trails - June 2021