10-13-22 Edition of The Fort Bend Star

City of Sugar Land working on sugar plant development

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Surrounded by the bustling city and shiny new developments, the Imperial Sugar plant stands out today as a relic of the Sugar Land that once was.

Sugar Land claims its name from its history as a sugar production cen ter, and some residents have long called on the city to preserve the der elict plant.

But the city doesn’t own the site, said Doug Adolph, a spokesperson for Sugar Land.

City leaders, however, are working with the owners of the property to find a developer who could help turn the site into something impres sive for Sugar Land, Adolph said.

“Community concerns related to the future of the Imperial Sugar site are well known and shared by city leader ship,” Adolph wrote. “However, this is a deli cate situation, and the city is doing everything possible to support the owner in attracting the right developer to the site and will continue to do so.”

The owner and city have kept the site as it is because any changes could affect the ability to secure historic preserva tion money, Adolph said.

The site is tentatively identified as one of five future activity centers for Sugar Land, Adolph said. The hope is that a new developer can turn the site into a mixed-use, dense and walkable area, complete with housing, dining, retail, amenities and more, Adolph said.

“Our vision is to pre serve and reuse the his toric buildings while de veloping a mixed-used, walkable destination,” he said.

Citgo 6 execs released from Venezuela

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Families of five oil executives, includ ing several Fort Bend County residents, have been reunited with their families after being im prisoned abroad for nearly five years.

On Oct. 1, President

Joe Biden announced that five Citgo execu tives, and two other men were on their way home after being jailed in Venezuela since shortly before Thanksgiving 2017.

Katy resident Jose Luis Zambrano, Sugar Land rsident Jorge Tole do, Zambrano's brother Alirio, Tomeu Vadell,

and Katy resident Jose Pereira are the Citgo ex ecutives who have come home, while former U.S. Marine Corporal Mat thew Heath and Florida man Osman Khan were also released.

Several families were reunited at an air force

A bridge too far

Campaign season sees uptick in sign vandalism

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

It’s almost election season and campaign signs have become the latest battleground for residents and candi dates across the county, though not for the rea son you may expect.

More and more peo ple have posted photos and videos online in recent weeks show ing unnamed people making off with politi cal signs in the middle of the night, shredded campaign signs littered on the ground and more.

Candidates on both sides of the political aisle have spoken out against the trend in re cent weeks, with some Republicans blaming the matter on rising crime while County Judge KP George said partisanship was to blame.

Ultimately, the mat ter has gotten so bad that District Attor ney Brian Middleton earlier this month cautioned residents against vandalizing po litical campaign signs, reminding them they could be charged with a crime.

“It is unfortunate that these crimes have oc curred and they must stop,” Middleton wrote in a press release decry ing an atypically high number of vandalism calls. “Destruction of political campaign signs is not likely to affect the outcome of the election; however, the lack of ci vility and disrespect involved in these crimes is a degradation of our community values.”

Both Republicans and Democrats running for office told the Fort Bend Star that the trend was costly for candidates and bad for the races to

deal with.

George, for instance, told the Star he’d per sonally lost between 20 to 25 signs because of vandalism and theft.

The signs cost him about $106 apiece, he said. That would be about $2,332 for 22 signs.

While members

of both parties as sert they’re victims of vandalism, their expla nations differed.

“This is largely a onesided effort,” George said.

If a democrat was stealing Republican signs, George would be mad at that person and call it out, he said. But

most of the vandalism has happened to Demo cratic candidates, he said.

Several Republicans disagreed.

Trever Nehls, who is running against George for county judge, has posted videos on social media showing instanc es where he asserts his campaign signs were stolen.

Representatives for Nehls did not respond to a request for com ment as of Monday afternoon.

But Bobby Eberle, Chairman of the Fort Bend County Republi can Party, argued it was happening to all candi dates and that a general rise in crime is to blame.

“It’s a big deal and, to me, it reflects rising from in Fort Bend Coun ty,” he said.

Fort Bend County names new director of development

By Matt deGrood MDEGROOD@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Fort Bend County has named a new director of economic opportunity and development.

Carlos Guzman, the former director of the Pasadena Economic Development Corp.,

began his job in Fort Bend County on Oct. 4, according to a news re lease.

“Carlos has an un derstanding of the economic development opportunities and chal lenges facing Fort Bend County, he can advise our team on emerging and existing economic

development issues, work with the economic development council and city economic de velopment departments, support policy and reach out to diverse business es,” County Judge KP George said.

Guzman will oversee the county’s efforts to build development and

economic opportunities in diverse industries, ac cording to the release.

He has 16 years ex perience working for economic development organizations, including Dallas and the Greater Houston Partnership, according to the release.

Carlos Anez, left, the stepson of recently-released Citgo executive Jorge Toledo of Sugar Land, speaks before a march for the Citgo 6 last October in Houston. (Staff file photo)

Pictured are the campaign signs of Juli Mathew and Toni Smith that have been vandalized. Candidates on both sides of the aisle have spoken out about the rash of incidents that have taken place on the campaign trail. (Contributed photo)

Guzman

Campaign signs of both Robin Elackatt and KP George have been among those torn down or vandalized. (Contributed photo)

in

District 20-6A is one of the region’s most competi tive districts each season, which on the surface might be daunting to the Hight ower Hurricanes in their return to the state’s largest classification.

However, the Hurricanes have hung tough and then some. Hightower defeated Dulles 45-14 last Friday, im proving to 4-2 overall and 3-1 in District 20-6A, which currently has them in the district’s final playoff slot entering the regular sea son’s final month.

Khaleb Davis was the of fensive star of the night for the Hurricanes, catching four passes for 125 yards and adding 90 rushing yards with a rushing score. Junior sensation running back Jeremy Payne made his 2022 debut with a bang after missing the first five

weeks due to injury by rushing for 131 yards on 16 carries, while quarterback Joseph Stewart threw for 234 yards and a touchdown.

Chisom Onwuzurigbo had seven tackles and two passes defended to lead the Hurricanes’ defensive ef fort, while Ephraim Dotson

nabbed his team-leading third interception of the season.

Elsewhere in the district, Ridge Point continued its stranglehold in running past Elkins 54-0 last Thurs day to improve to 5-2 and 5-0 in district competition. Running back Ezell Jolley topped the century mark for a third time this season, rushing for 120 yards and two touchdowns on 11 car ries and adding a receiving score. Quarterback Austin Carlisle also threw three touchdowns.

In local Class 5A action, the Foster Falcons defeated Kempner 45-0 on Thursday, running their mark to 6-1 and 4-1 in District 10-5A play. J.T. Fayard threw for 268 yards and two touch downs for Foster, while Dylan Apponey (124 yards, touchdown) and Kendal Stewart (six catches, 87 yards) paced the receiving corps and Ashton Ojiaku ran for three touchdowns.

playoff race

This week’s schedule

Thursday

Austin vs. Travis, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium

Marshall vs. Nederland, 7 p.m.,

Stafford High School

Randle vs. Montgomery, 7:30 p.m., Traylor Sta dium

Foster at Manvel, 7 p.m.,

Freedom Field Friday

Elkins vs. Bush, 7 p.m., Mercer Stadium

George Ranch vs. Hightower, 7 p.m.,

Traylor Stadium

Stafford vs. Brazosport, 7 p.m.

Needville vs. El Campo, 7 p.m.

Willowridge at Texas City, 7 p.m.,

Texas City High School

Fulshear at Magnolia West, Mustang Stadium

Lamar Consolidated at Brenham, 7:30 p.m., Brenham High School

Saturday

Clements vs. Ridge Point, 11 a.m., Mercer Stadium

Kempner vs. Magnolia, 6 p.m., Mercer Stadium

Last week’s scores

Ridge Point 54, Elkins 0 Foster 45, Kempner 0 Clements 20, Travis 17

Hightower 45, Dulles 14 Marshall 40, Texas City 0 Fulshear 45, Friendswood 14

George Ranch 20, Bush 17 (OT)

Port Neches-Groves 56, Willowridge 13

Angleton 23, Terry 0 Lake Creek 67,

Lamar Consolidated 0 Navasota 41, Needville 14

Matt deGrood

Political signs are, on surface level, innocuous little things that show up around election season each year.

I can’t tell you how ma ny of them I’ve driven by, barely even registering their existence.

Despite that, political signs have long been a source of varied contro versy, in almost every place I’ve worked.

Typically it’s a more mundane controversy –are candidates allowed to place signs now?

Where can candidates place signs? Perhaps you might even get someone complaining about a can didate placing a sign on their property without permission.

Less frequent is what’s happening in Fort Bend County, where the act of placing campaign signs appears to have become a proxy war for partisan politics.

In recent weeks, the Fort Bend Star has spoken with people from across the political spectrum who’ve described a season

of almost open warfare on signs across the county.

Look at the photo on our front page for a perfect example – it almost looks like someone took garden shears to someone’s po litical sign.

There are many things we could say about this sort of behavior. For start ers, it’s plain mean and rude.

We have no idea who started this dispute. Like ly, both sides are to blame. But while the average per son might not realize it, candidates invest a fair amount of money in pur chasing and placing those signs.

Would you like it if your property were wantonly destroyed?

Perhaps most impor tantly, though, recent events paint a dire pic ture of political life in Fort Bend County.

I’ve never been one to wax poetically about how good life was years ago, but suffice it to say that there’s nothing inherent to politics that means groups need to destroy the op posing party’s property to really make their point.

And it’s not hard to imagine a world where supporters are willing to criticize, debate and cri tique their opponent until the cows come home. But who aren’t willing to cross that line into outright van dalism.

The conversation sur rounding elections no doubt plays into the us vs. enemies rhetoric that make possible this sort of action.

If your political oppo nent is no longer someone with a different vision for the county, but someone who is illegitimate and an enemy, then it’s not difficult to see why some residents have begun treating each other with little respect.

There should be a line in the sand here. County Judge KP George told the Star last week that if he heard about Democratic supporters destroying Re publican political signs, that would make him equally angry.

Everyone should agree this is the best path for ward. Criticizing your opponent’s record, ideas or conduct is totally above board.

But if we’ve reached the point of vandalism and racism in support of political ends, it’s OK to stand up and say “this is not right.”

Rather than showing yourself weak, we here at the Fort Bend Star argue it’s ultimately a sign of maturity and responsibil ity – qualities we should seek in all of our elected leaders.

On Sunday, September 18, 2022, Mildred Evelyn Thornton O’Bannon Houser, loving mother of three, passed away at age eighty three. Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to ministers Elwood Wilson Thornton and Edna Geiger Thornton she was the oldest of seven siblings that covered several generations.

Mildred was the valedictorian of her high school class and as most in that era found love and marriage not long after. She married Mose Coleman (MC) O’Bannon MD and soon began their own family. Three boys later, a lot of activity, a lot of headaches, a lot of fun, Mildred was given the opportunity to mold Michael, Robert and John into the persons they have become. MC was murdered in 1969, leaving Mildred to raise the three on her own, which could not have been in better hands.

Mildred remarried to William Edward Houser in June of 1974 until his passing in 1982 from cancer. With the “nest” now empty, Mildred turned to her passions which included her own business, volunteering, working for a local Baptist church and until her retirement in 2012 a local Sugar Land newspaper, the Fort Bend Star.

From a young age she

loved music, first introduced by her parents and through the church where she spent much time growing up. Mildred had a beautiful voice and a tremendous talent for playing the piano. Raised in the church she provided a foundation built on those values, infectious to everyone around her.

Mildred loved people and treated everyone as if they had been a part of her family. She, until the very end, had a very giving heart and often went without as she gave to others. When Mildred would find something she could not live without she always bought multiples often five or even ten of each to simply give as gifts. You could find duplicate ornaments, stuffed animals, rings, CD’s, etc. strategically stashed (and often forgotten) just in case.

Mildred adored her family and though distant at times

she constantly talked about them, all of them. More than all she loved her boys and spent hours laughing, reminiscing, and reliving her best times with family and friends. An avid reader, Mildred seemed to collect most magazines, especially those involving a craft like quilting, needlepoint and embroidery loving things that were brought to life by her hand. Like everything else her collection of magazines and books was more like a small library than anything else.

Mildred also had a love of science fiction, both in books and other media (for example, the original Star Trek series). In her own words, “I love the wonder and strangeness of the human experience through science fiction.”

Mildred was predeceased by her parents, her younger brother Elwood “Sonny” and her sister Patricia. She is survived by her sisters Joy and Merle, along with her brothers Jon and Tim. She leaves behind her sons Michael Elwood (wife Terry), Robert Lawrence (wife Colleen), and John Kenneth (wife Jackie) and her only grandson Ryan Coleman (wife Melissa), and a great granddaughter Scarlett Rhea.

She will be missed.

Worship

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No. 22-CPR-037936

On the 19th day of September, 2022, Letters Testamentary upon the Estate of JEAN F. BABINEAUX, Deceased were issued to KELSEY JAMES BABINEAUX, Independent Executor by the Fort Bend County Court at Law No. of Two, in cause number 22-CPR-037936 pending upon the docket of said Court. All persons having claims against said Estate are hereby required to present them within the time prescribed by law at the address shown below. The name where claims may be sent is David R. Doehring, whose address is 2000 S. Dairy Ashford, Suite 298, Houston, Texas 77077, Telephone: 281-497-0093, Fax: 281-497-8630, /s/ David R. Doehring, TX Bar Number: 24035722

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Eberle told the Star he doesn’t know who’s tak ing the signs, but rejected claims growing partisan ship had anything to do with it.

“There aren’t crews from the campaigns go

ing and taking signs,” he said. “If I knew, I would totally denounce it. It’s criminal activity.”

George said it’s sad that candidates have to spend time talking about the vandalism.

“My message is just that I hope we can all act civilly toward each other,” he said. “We don’t

have to have this ani mosity.”

Anyone with informa tion about vandalized or stolen campaign signs should call the sheriff’s office and the district attorney’s office, accord ing to a news release.

base in San Antonio on Oct. 1, according to a report from Houston Public Media.

One member of the “Citgo 6,” as the execu tives came to be known, Katy resident Gustavo Cardenas, was the first one released in March of this year.

“Today, after years of being wrongfully de tained in Venezuela, we are bringing home Jorge Toledo, Tomeu Vadell, Alirio Zambrano, Jose Luis Zambrano, Jose Pereira, Matthew Heath, and Osman Khan. These individuals will soon be reunited with their fami lies and back in the arms of their loved ones where they belong,” Biden said in a statement last Sat urday.

According to an article from CNN, the execu tives were released in exchange for the release of two Venezuelans im prisoned in the US for conspiring to smuggle cocaine into the coun try, both of whom are

relatives of Venezuelan first lady Cilia Flores.

The Citgo 6 were all executives at the Hous ton-based oil-and-gas company who were called to a business meeting in Caracas, Venezuela, a few days before Thanksgiving in 2017, when they were arrested by the govern ment of Nicolas Maduro.

And so began a sa ga that would last for nearly five long years as the families have been separated. But that is no more. The men are home, and their families are overjoyed.

"The Zambrano family is thrilled that my dad, uncle, and the other in nocent Americans are free,” the Zambrano family said in a state ment according to a report from Houston TV station ABC13.

Citgo is a subsidiary of PDVSA, an oil-andgas company run by the Venezuelan govern ment, and the men were arrested, accused of try ing to make a deal that would financially inhibit PDVSA and convicted

in November 2020 by a Venezuelan judge. ThenU.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the convictions “wrongful” and described the ju dicial proceeding as a “kangaroo court.”

Rallies were held in Washington, D.C., over the last several years as families urged federal government interven tion to bring the men home.

The Bring Our Fami lies Home campaign, started by Houston-area resident Alexandra Fors eth, also participated in a July unveiling of a pub lic mural in Washington that included images of detained Americans, according to Houston Public Media.

Now, the families can now begin the process of putting the entire ordeal behind them

“After almost five years, my dad and uncle are now able to get the much needed medical care they need in the United States and be reunited with us,” the Zambrano family said according to ABC13.

Campaign signs all around Fort Bend County have been tampered with or vandalized during the campaign season. (Contributed photo)

Review: Visits to Minuti Coffee bring on the nostalgia of my first time in Houston

By Matt deGrood

From nearly the minute I set foot in Houston back in 2016, I knew of Minuti Coffee.

The Houston-based shop chain with locations scat tered across the area offers visitors a reliable place to sit and work, to sip on a multitude of coffee cre ations and enjoy a snack.

In my early years here, I spent quite a few hours at Minuti locations. But before visiting the Sugar Land location at 1535 State Highway 6 again last week, it had been some time.

What I found is a coffee shop that, while still offer ing many of the same great flavors I’ve always known, has changed, in no small part because of the corona virus pandemic.

All things considered, Minuti is more than deserving of being the second coffee shop we’ve reviewed. But it may no longer be the place to spend a day if you’re trying to save your money.

Minuti’s excessively Ital ian interior, with its shiny surfaces and black-andwhite photos of life in the peninsula, has always come in somewhat stark contrast to the shop’s locations in mostly suburban Houston.

There’s always been something impressive, while also vaguely amusing about stepping inside one of these coffee shops.

But coffee is what this is ultimately about, and on that note, Minuti excels. My personal favorite has al ways been their shakeratos, which are an Italian iced coffee that feature a hint of sweetness, while not over powering the coffee taste.

If you’re the type to favor black coffee, though, you’ve also got solid options at Minuti. This is a coffee lov

er’s coffee shop, after all. With so many trendy coffee shops favoring those sweet notes, having some thing a little coffee-ish is a good option. And, while I’ve never tried them, the place does feature a bevvy of interesting-looking snacks.

New pandemic measures were somewhat off-putting, however. Signs dotted the door and interior notifying customers that the longest they could stay after pur chasing something was two hours.

I’m not sure if this meant you had to purchase some thing every two hours to remain there, or if you could only stay for a maxi

mum of two hours? This time around, I hung around for about an hour before reporting called me else where.

Maybe I’m nostalgic for the world of yesteryear. But I love Minuti’s prod ucts. And I love working or reading at one of their nice tables. I just wish we could get back to those carefree days when time almost didn’t matter.

Minuti Coffee

Address: 1535 State Highway 6, Sugar Land Hours: 6 a.m.-9 p.m.

Monday-Thursday; 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Satur day; 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday Entrée prices: $4-$5

Kid-friendly: Yes

Alcohol: No

Senior discount: No Healthy options:

Black coffee

Star of the show:

Vanilla shakerato

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Nibbles & Sips: Sugar Land Lions hosting food drive through Oct. 31

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

A Sugar Land-based nonprofit is doing its part to try and help those in need of food during the upcoming holiday season through the end of this month.

The Sugar Land Lions are collecting non-perish able food items through Oct. 31, according to a news release from the organization. All donated food will go to the East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry's Holiday Food Basket Program.

Items needed include pie crust mix frosting, French onion toppings, cream of mushroom soup, canned pumpkin pie filling, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, canned yams and condensed/ canned milk.

Food can be dropped off at the Edward Jones office in Sugar Land Town Center (2735 Town Center Blvd N Ste. S), the USHEALTH Advisors of fice in Stafford (11104 W Airport Blvd Ste. 216), or Richmond Eye Experts

(7770 W Grand Parkway S Ste. B-1). Local brewery expands taproom

A Missouri City brewing company is ex panding its taproom and has new hours as a result, according to the brewery.

Effective Monday, Tex as Leaguer Brewing at 13503 Pike Road in Mis souri City will now be open every day moving forward, according to the brewery.

The new hours are 310 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. on Sunday, according to the brew ery’s website.

Visit txleaguer.com for more information.

Sugar Land pet feed store reopens

A local pet feed store has reopened and ex panded.

On Oct. 8, Hollywood Feed at 13574 University Blvd. in Sugar Land held its grand reopening.

Hollywood Feed offers dog and cat foods, USAmade treats, toys, beds and more, according to its website.

Deadline is noon every Friday. Limit entries to 40 words

answer the “5 Ws” Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Email to jsazma@fortbendstar.com or mail to: Fort Bend Star, 14100 Southwest Frwy. Ste 230, Sugar Land, TX 77478

EXCHANGE

OCTOBER 13

FORT BEND-HARRIS RETIRED EDUCATORS TO MEET

Meeting Thursday, October 13th from 1:00-3 p.m. at Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Rd. in the Venue Room. Speaker: FBISD Superintendent, Christie Whitbeck. Bring large can of soup and crackers. Arrive earlier to socialize, sign in and pay dues if you haven't already. All Fort Bend and Harris County I.S.D. retired public educators are invited. For more information, call 713-206-2733.

ONGOING

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com

PROPEL SOCCER ACADEMY

Fall recreational teams practice with a Propel Soccer Coach every Monday and Wednesday. Practice Time: between 5:30-8:00 Weekend Games! Season: September 7th- November 13th Who: 6-12 year oldsWhere: Practices- Sienna. Games at Hickory Slough Sportsplex in Pearland. When: Practices Monday and Wednesdays Games will be Saturday mornings before noon (U8-U10) or Sunday afternoons before 6pm (U12). Practice Time: between 5:30-8:00 For more information, please email us at info@ propelsocceracademy.com!

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 YEAR

To join, the membership application can be accessed at https://www.fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/.

FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www. fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www. facebook.com/FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www.ftbendliteracy.org

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN

Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and uses a variety of studies throughout the year. The breakfast, coffee and donuts are free. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church office at 281-491-6041 or Mike Schofield at 281-217-5799 for more information.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281240-3195

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial.com We would love to have you join us and see what we are all about!

MISSOURI CITY AARP CHAPTER 3801

Meets the second Monday of every month at 11:30 a.m., at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Missouri City Rec Center. Lunch, education, and entertainment. All seniors over 50 invited. For more information, call 713-859-5920 or 281-499-3345.

GEORGE RANCH PUMPKIN PATCH

We are excited to announce that the Great Pumpkin Round Up will be returning to the George Ranch Historical Park, starting October 15 - November 26. This will be the perfect place for families and visitors of all ages to take an unforgettable fall photo or selfie surrounded by pumpkins that climb structures and cascade to the ground in elaborate designs.

ST. LAURENCE BAZAAR

Look for the tents at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd, Sugar Land, on Saturday, October 15 (5-10pm) and Sunday, October 16 (10am-5pm). Expect delicious international foods, games, activities, rides, bingo, live music and a raffle. Entrance is free, buy tickets at the door. https://www.stlaurence.org/parishbazaar

FORT BEND VOICES FOR CHILDREN BREAKFAST

Child Advocates of Fort Bend held its 12th annual Voices for Children Breakfast on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 7:00 am until 8:30 am. Exchange Club of Missouri City was the Breakfast sponsor. To learn more about Child Advocates of Fort Bend, go to www. cafb.org or attend a Sip & Stroll to meet their staff and learn more about the work that they do. The next Sip & Stroll will be held on Tuesday, October 25 from 5:30 until 7pm. To reserve your spot, contact Suzanne Slavin at sslavin@cafb.org.

Pictured is the Vanilla shakerato from Minuti Coffee in Sugar Land. Last week's visit brought a taste of nostalgia (Photo by Matt deGrood)