Lake Houston, TX April 2026

Investing in the Legacy of Lake Houston

When I think about investment, I think beyond dollars and returns. I think about the everyday choices that shape our lives and relationships. To me, investment looks like quiet mornings with my husband. It is the small moments that grow over time into lasting memories, like Ross making my cup of coffee before the day begins, even though he does not drink a drop himself, or the breakfast I prepare for us before we head out to serve in our respective roles. Those daily habits may seem simple, but they have built and continue to strengthen our foundation. They remind me that meaningful investment happens one day at a time, one shared moment at a time, and when we choose those moments intentionally, it deepens not only our marriage but our investment in the entire Lake Houston community.

This month’s Investment Edition shows what it truly means to build something that lasts. In this issue, Edward Jones reflects a generational commitment to guiding families through every stage of life. MacFarlane & Associates reminds us that thoughtful planning creates clarity for both families and business owners. Hubbard & Rothier reinforces that listening is the biggest part of responsible preservation of investments. Through Fox Family Pools, we are reminded that some of our most meaningful investments are made at home, where shared summers turn into lifelong memories. And as Northpark construction continues, the Northpark Needs You initiative challenges us to support the businesses that make our community. Growth requires patience, participation, and a willingness to invest time, because when we strengthen our small businesses, we strengthen the heartbeat of Lake Houston itself.

For me, it always comes back to time invested. Like the ordinary mornings Ross and I share, where we choose to show up for one another before our day begins. We as neighbors must choose to show up for this community in the ordinary moments too, not just when it is convenient, but in consistent ways that build trust over time. Because if we continue to give Lake Houston our time, our presence, and our participation, what we are building here is an investment that yields from every ordinary day we choose to show up.

With gratitude for this incredible community,

LAGALA DAVIS, ACCOUNT @LAKEHOUSTONCITYLIFESTYLE MANAGER

April 2026

PUBLISHER

Nicole Cook | nicole.cook@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Rori Ortiz | rori.ortiz@citylifestyle.com

AREA DIRECTOR

Mike Cook | mike.cook@citylifestyle.com

PUBLICATION DIRECTOR

Kelsey Connell | kelsey.connell@citylifestyle.com

MARKET AREA COORDINATOR

Kelly Richard | kelly.richard@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Lagala Davis | lagala.davis@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Rori Ortiz | rori.ortiz@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Kelly Anne Style - Kelly Anne Style Photography

Christa McCourt - Houston Studio

Jordan Lewis - Byfocal Marketing

Ainsley Ash- The Daily Texan

A. D. Hatton - Cowboy World

Tyler Jones - Tyler Jones Photography

Becca Lindsay - Becca Lin Photography

Lagala Davis - @lagala_78

Mandy Sampson - @thespasalonm

Kim Ackerman - @kparkboysxc

Lauren Cash - @elitehospitalkingwood

Nicole Cook - @lakehoustoncitylifestyle & @eastmontgomerycitylifestyle

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Jenna Crawford

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Anna Minnick

Proverbs 3:5-6

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Rodeo Clown Dave “Showdog” Chessher keeps crowds laughing at Humble Rodeo Arena under bright lights. 2: Thunder rolls as chuck wagons race fiercely beneath Humble Rodeo’s blazing arena lights. 3: Olivia Salazar, Rose Anderson, Peyton Holland, and Kennedi Cooper at meet and greet with musician Corey Kent. 4: Country singer Corey Kent electrifies Humble Rodeo crowd with high-energy performance under Texas night skies. 5: Rose Anderson, Casey Donahew, Peyton Holland at Humble Rodeo meet and greet. 6: Horse carries Shiloh Wilson’s boots and saddle, honoring his final ride. 7: Fearless bull rider soars midair, gripping tight during explosive ride at Humble Rodeo Arena.

business monthly

A ROUNDUP OF NEWS FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES

Trust The Accounting Agency LLC for smarter business finances today!

At The Accounting Agency LLC in Kingwood, Texas, owner Laura Bailey helps entrepreneurs turn smart financial management into one of their strongest investments. With a proactive approach to tax strategy, cash flow planning, and long term growth forecasting, her team empowers businesses to maximize returns and minimize risk. During this investment-focused April, Bailey reminds clients that informed accounting decisions today build lasting profitability tomorrow. Her personalized guidance transforms numbers into strategic opportunity for every client.

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Plan your next getaway with Regal Luxury Travel today!

In his new book, The Truth About Luxury Travel, Raymond Giles of Regal Luxury Travel reveals what truly defines exceptional travel. Drawing on global expertise and real client experiences, Giles shows how expert planning, exclusive access, and personalized advocacy transform ordinary trips into seamless, unforgettable journeys. He challenges misconceptions about travel advisors and illustrates how precision and insider relationships elevate everything from milestone celebrations to complex international adventures—proving luxury begins with thoughtful design.

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Judy R.

Refresh your space this spring by choosing Superb Janitorial Services today!

The

Fairway

Spring is the perfect time to refresh and rejuvenate your workspace, and Superb Janitorial Services is here to help. Specializing in thorough, reliable cleaning for offices, commercial spaces, and facilities, their team ensures every corner sparkles. From deep carpet cleaning to sanitizing high-touch areas, Superb Janitorial Services makes spring cleaning effortless, creating a healthier, more productive environment for employees and visitors alike. Trust them to make your space shine this season.

THE EXTERIOR EXPERTS

DOORS | WINDOWS | SIDING | ROOFING

Redefining MVP: TIM TEBOW’S LIFE BEYOND FOOTBALL

An exclusive Q&A with City Lifestyle

ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

From championship trophies to global humanitarian impact, Tim Tebow’s journey has defied every standard playbook. In an exclusive conversation for the Share the Lifestyle podcast, Tebow pulls back the curtain on the moments that truly defined him, from a humbling middle school church retreat to the life-altering shift of fatherhood. This isn’t just a look back at a career; it’s an invitation into the heart of a man driven by purpose. Read the highlights below, then join us for the full, unfiltered experience by scanning the QR code at the end.

Q: WE ALL KNOW YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD, BUT TELL US ABOUT THE CURL CONTEST.

A: I was competing for my future high school team (my brother’s team), and I pushed myself way past what was smart. I ended up collapsing and needing medical attention. But what stayed with me wasn’t the pain, it was the lesson. Would I be willing to do something that others aren’t? For much of my life, I strived to bring my best for a game, but I hope that I can say at the end of my life I was willing to do that for things that actually matter.

Q: YOU’VE ACHIEVED SO MUCH IN SPORTS. WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT NOW?

A: Becoming a dad. Nothing compares. From the moment I knew my wife was pregnant, I felt a new depth of love for our child, but when you bring your baby home, the responsibility hits you like nothing else. Suddenly, everything you see, every decision you make, you’re asking, “Is this corner too sharp? What happens if she reaches that drawer?” It changes how you see the world and how you see other people.

Q: YOU’VE SPOKEN OPENLY ABOUT DISAPPOINTMENT, ESPECIALLY AROUND FOOTBALL. HOW DID THAT SEASON OF LIFE SHAPE YOU?

A: I talked a lot about that very thing in my book Shaken . We all go through moments where our faith in our abilities and purpose feels rattled, but I believe it’s often in those storms when God can show us who we could become.

Q: YOU TALK A LOT ABOUT COMPARISON CULTURE. WHY DO YOU BELIEVE COMPARISON HAS BECOME SUCH A TRAP TODAY?

A: Because we’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel. Social media shows people’s “best day,” often filtered and staged, and then we measure our reality against that. There’s a reason filters are so popular—it’s not real. We end up scrolling through images that don’t tell the full story, and without realizing it, comparison starts to steal our joy and our gratitude.

“We’re comparing our real, everyday lives to someone else’s highlight reel... comparison starts to steal our joy.”

Q: YOUR FOUNDATION FOCUSES ON THE “MOST VULNERABLE.” WHERE DID THAT CALLING BEGIN?

A: When I was 15, I met a boy in the Philippines who was treated as a throwaway because he was born with physical differences. That moment changed me. I realized God was calling me to pursue a different kind of MVP, not “Most Valuable Player,” but “Most Vulnerable People.”

Q: FINALLY, WHAT’S ONE THING PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?

A: I have some weird coffee habits, which include protein powder, collagen, and cream all mixed together. I love golf dates with my wife. And every night, I bring snacks to bed to share with our dogs. It brings me more joy than it probably should.

This conversation barely scratches the surface. Tim goes deeper into the moments that rattled him, the joys of fatherhood, and one story he has never shared publicly until now. Scan the QR code for the full, exclusive City Lifestyle interview on Share the Lifestyle Podcast.

April

EDWARD JONES IN LAKE HOUSTON IS NOT JUST BUILDING GENERATIONAL WEALTH; ITS MISSION IS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, CLIENTS, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

GENERATIONS OF SERVICE

Three advisors. One office. Same mission. A mission that is built on service. Service to clients, families, and a community they have each called home for decades. Inside this Lake Houston office, Briana Prucha, Andrew Prucha, and Lynn Wammel operate as a unit. Although Briana and Andrew are blood-related, Lynn is just as much a part of the family and brings decades of tenure and expertise. Every morning begins with a team meeting. Every client plan is reviewed with multiple perspectives, and every decision is weighed through the same lens: What is best for those sitting across from us?

For Andrew, service has always carried significance in his life.

Before entering financial advising, he served as an intelligence analyst in the

military, compiling complex data to help commanders make realtime life-altering decisions. Today, he approaches financial planning with the same seriousness.

“The risk-reward equation is so important,” says Andrew. “In the military, people’s lives were on the line. In financial planning, someone’s retirement is at stake. That responsibility isn’t something we take lightly.”

His mindset is disciplined and forward-looking when he speaks; it’s focused on consistency, but behind the structure is something deeper. Andrew is a dad to a beautiful daughter, Scarlett, and he speaks often about the compassion he has learned from being a girl dad. About meeting clients where they are, and helping families sleep more soundly at night because they finally have a clear path forward if the worst were to occur. He sees financial planning not as a transaction, but as a representation of someone have the foresight to plan something steady for those they loves futures.

If Andrew represents discipline, Lynn represents foundation.

Lynn has been part of the Kingwood community since 1978 and was in the first graduating class of Kingwood High School.

She has watched neighborhoods expand, families grow, and children become parents themselves. Her perspective is rooted in continuity.

“I absolutely love helping people,” says Lynn. “There is nothing better than helping someone achieve their goals, whatever that looks like for them.”

Her approach is measured and relational. She understands that money is emotional. Planning for retirement, college planning, caring for aging parents, replacing a roof, traveling to see grandchildren, all those goals each carry sentimental weight beyond numbers on a spreadsheet.

Lynn often reminds clients that financial planning is not just about retirement. It is about life along the way. Like the moments we might place in the category of ordinary: buying a car, taking a trip, supporting a charity, or visiting a child who lives across the country. She helps clients uncover what truly matters, then builds backward from there.

Having worked with multiple generations of families, she has sat across from grandparents in their 80s, parents in their 50s navigating life, and young adults dealing with family responsibilities as they begin their careers. She has seen firsthand how habits formed early can shape futures decades later, both in her clients’ lives and in the lives of her own children, Alyssa and Stephen.

If Lynn represents the roots of this office in Lake Houston, Briana represents the blossom towards forward growth.

Briana is a source of momentum, and as part of the next generation of leadership in the office, she brings energy and a strong belief in empowering clients early. She works closely with families to ensure that financial education does not begin at retirement

age, but rather in college or even earlier. Her passion lies in helping clients understand that building wealth is not about timing the market. It is about time in the market. That philosophy is personal; as a single mother, of her beautiful son, Cash, she has learned to see time differently.

Milestones arrive quickly. First steps turn into first days of school. First allowances turn into first paychecks. She understands that the habits built early create options later. It is about small, consistent decisions made long before they feel urgent. Financially, the same principle applies. When families begin planning while their children are young, they are not just saving money. They are creating flexibility, opportunity, and peace of mind for years to come.

“I want families to feel empowered, not intimidated,” says Briana. “The earlier you start, even in small ways, the more

choices you create for yourself and your children. It is not about being perfect. It is about being consistent.”

Watching her own son grow reinforces her daily belief that what she is doing helps families like her own thrive. She knows that modeling discipline, patience, and intentional decision-making matters just as much as the numbers themselves. For Brianna, time in the market mirrors time in life. If you are intentional and invest the time, long before the results are visible, you will one day see an outcome you are proud to have helped build.

Andrew, Lynn, and Briana share a common invitation. Plan for your future. Ask questions. Start early. They want clients to feel welcomed, not intimidated. Supported, not judged. Their strengths intersect daily. The office operates as a team, meeting each morning to review client needs and ensure no detail is overlooked. They collaborate with attorneys and tax professionals to provide a holistic approach.

“GUIDING FAMILIES WITH INTEGRITY ACROSS GENERATIONS, STRENGTHENING THEM FOR TOMORROW.”

“We want this office to serve this community for the next hundred years,” says Andrew. That long view is not theoretical. It is visible in the families they serve. “It’s not just about passing down money,” says Briana. “It’s about passing down a plan, a mindset, and a relationship so the next generation knows what to do with it and feels confident continuing it.” After decades in the Lake Houston community, the team has seen the trajectory of so many families grow. “Money alone doesn’t create legacy,” says Lynn. “What creates legacy is education, guidance, and a trusted partner who stays with the family through every generation.” In an industry often associated with distance and scale, this team offers something different. Not just generational wealth, but generational service to clients, families, and the Lake Houston community they continue to call home.

Numbers Are Never Just Numbers for MacFarlane & Associates

FAMILY-OWNED FIRM INVESTS IN HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES PREPARE THEIR TAXES AND PLAN TAX FUTURES

At first glance, accounting is columns, numbers, and totals. It’s balancing sheets, statements, and returns prior to filing. Everything neatly arranged across a spreadsheet, but at MacFarlane & Associates, those numbers are never just numbers; they represent a unique story.

A line of revenue may reflect a small business owner’s leap of faith. A deduction may represent equipment purchased after years of saving. Payroll totals may symbolize employees who rely on a company’s stability to support their own families. A refund might mean breathing room for a household that carefully budgets every dollar and cent. To an outside observer, a spreadsheet can look impersonal. To seasoned accounting professionals like, Robert “Bob” MacFarlane, Managing Director: Linda

MacFarlane, Senior Director; and Michael MacFarlane, Senior Accounting Manager, each return tells the story of a life or a livelihood in motion.

For more than two decades, this family-owned firm has quietly served the Lake Houston community with understanding at the center of its work. What began as a very small local practice has become a trusted name in the area. MacFarlane & Associates has grown alongside the businesses and families it serves, with two locations providing steady, relationship-driven service.

In a climate where automation and AI chatbots are becoming the norm, it would be easy to assume that tax preparation could become entirely transactional and impersonal. Technology accelerates quick solutions.

CONTINUED >

Upload your documents, click submit, and receive a result. But taxes are rarely that simple. Software can’t account for the human element, and it can’t grasp the nuances of sitting across the table from someone discussing major financial decisions.

At MacFarlane & Associates, clients can call and speak to real people who know their name. People who understand business history, remember prior conversations, and can offer guidance not just for this year but for what lies ahead, with year-round accessibility, turning tax preparation into a partnership. The firm works with individuals and small businesses, many of whom form the backbone of the local Lake Houston economy. As Michael notes, small businesses drive communities forward. Helping them structure expenses correctly, plan ahead for tax obligations, and understand financial consequences is not merely compliance work. It is economic stewardship. It enables the owners to make informed decisions, hire with confidence, reinvest wisely, and grow sustainably. Growth does not happen overnight. It happens one decision at a time. One quarter at a time. One tax year at a time.

Taxes can feel intimidating. The terminology is technical. The stakes are significant. Many clients walk into an accounting office, uncertain or overwhelmed. MacFarlane & Associates works intentionally to change that tone. Linda explained the process by clearly outlining realistic options, which removes the fear of the unknown. The goal is not to rush clients through a transaction, but to ensure they leave understanding what happened and why. Over time, that approach builds loyalty each year. Some clients have remained with the firm since its earliest years. Others are new residents seeking local guidance. In both cases, the treatment is the same. You are not just a number; there is a story behind those numbers.  Yes, accounting revolves around precision and accuracy. That is why preparation and planning go hand in hand. Planning shapes what can come next, and preparation allows for future steps to be made. By offering guidance beyond a single filing season, MacFarlane & Associates positions itself as more than a preparer. They are a trusted financial partner rooted in the community, with an understanding of its industries, rhythms, and people. Numbers may be universal, but the people behind them are not. Each return is distinct. Each balance sheet carries different challenges and opportunities. And each client deserves to feel confident that their financial story is handled with diligence and respect.

Built on a strong work ethic and a shared commitment to doing the right thing, MacFarlane & Associates reflects the combined leadership of the MacFarlane family and the associates who have helped shape the firm over the past two decades. For Bob, Linda, Michael, and the team alongside them, the equation remains simple: treat every number with meaning because every number counts. Those numbers are neighbors, and when handled with integrity and intention, those numbers do more than balance. They build trust, strengthen businesses, and support families. Adding together, they form the foundation of a stronger Lake Houston community.

THE ART OF CAREFUL LISTENING

ARTICLE BY RORI ORTIZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTA MCCOURT

HOW ONE LOCAL LAW FIRM HAS BEEN ABLE TO MAKE ESTATE PLANNING DECISIONS EASIER BY OFFERING AN EAR TO CLIENTS

At Hubbard & Rotthier, it was evident that the firm’s identity did not develop by accident. It grew out of experience, and an opportunity made through connection. Sarah Rotthier understood early in her career that most clients are not looking for lectures. They are looking for clarity. It means allowing silence. She often finds that people arrive assuming the legal process will be confusing or overly complicated. Instead of reinforcing that fear, she approaches each meeting as a dialogue. Sarah described her process as careful listening, a skill that requires discipline.

Sarah explained that when clients feel rushed, they withhold in times when they need to share what truly matters. Estate planning is one of the firm’s core focus areas, and the team is intentional about how they guide clients through future planning. Sarah and her team do what they can to remove guesswork for family members later. Hubbard & Rotthier help clients with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and asset distribution; everything is discussed in practical terms.

Sarah explained that many disputes she has seen in her career could have been avoided with clearer planning at the outset. She emphasizes preventing problems before they begin and continuing the conversation about the planning process as life evolves. That perspective informs how she drafts agreements and structures estate plans. She looks at potential pressure points and addresses them. She works to remove ambiguity. She carries that same mindset into her work and her personal life.

Sarah spoke about how becoming a mother shifted her thought process, and when thinking about her own children, things became more concrete for her. Guardianship clauses were no longer theoretical provisions buried in legal language; they

became tied to a real child. Drafting documents for clients after becoming a parent changed her lens and sharpened her sense of responsibility. Now, when she asks families who would step in if something happened, she is not asking from a detached perspective. She brings a deeper understanding that it means so much more than just listing a name. She recalls moments of reviewing her family’s documents with her husband. Planning is about protecting the people who rely on you from life’s contingencies, both those we can predict and those we cannot.

Sarah recognizes a parallel between business owners and parents. Both are building something that extends beyond themselves. Both are thinking long-term, even when daily demands feel rushed. Her role, she explained, is to help people protect what they are building. Many of her clients return over the years to continue their planning conversation. Businesses grow. Families expand. Life keeps moving forward, causing change. She already understands situations even better due to her own life experience as a mother, it has refined her approach over the years.

Sarah spoke about Patrick “Pat” Hubbard, describing him as someone who understood the Lake Houston community. He modeled consistency and focused on quailty work and relationships. It was through community connections and the relational side of things that put Sarah and Pat in each others paths, allowing her to step in and be part of a business invested in the Lake Houston Community. She shared that working alongside him reinforced the idea that legal skills alone do not sustain a firm. Reputation does. In a close-knit community like ours, reputation is built by relationships, integrity to keep those relationship strong. Now that she owns the firm, she never thought of rebranding or reinventing.

Looking ahead, Sarah shared that her approach to growth is to maintain the one she learned while serving alongside Pat, and that the more connected you are to the community, the more opportunities you find within those connections. Her story of how she came to own her firm speaks to the opportunities that surround our connections. If those connections, had not existed, her path to becoming an owner would have never arrived. Now she is continuing to invest in a community through a namesake that is already well-known locally. In continuing a legacy of connection in her role at Hubbard & Rotthier, she remains focused on providing clear legal guidance rooted in careful listening to make it easy to help clients through deliberate planning.  Her opportunity came through years of connections, and a legacy of relationships. Her promise is to continue offering measured counsel in Lake Houston and surrounding areas. At Hubbard & Rotthier, the focus is to provide conversation-rooted legal guidance. In a field often associated with complexity, Sarah offers something simple: careful listening.

MEMORIES are the Luxury

FOX FAMILY POOLS HELPS LAKE HOUSTON FAMILIES BUILD INVESTMENTS THAT ARE MEASURED IN SHARED MOMENTS EVERY SUMMER

ARTICLE BY RORI ORTIZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTA MCCOURT

There are only so many summers with your children under your roof. Only so many cannonballs. Only so many late evenings when the sky turns into beautiful paintings every night. The true luxury of a home is not always what can be appraised.

Since 1978, Fox Family Pools has been shaping those moments across Lake Houston and surrounding areas. Originally founded in 1978, the company was purchased by Lisa Holbrook and her husband, Tom Holbrook, in 1994 when the original owners were ready to retire. Rather than start from scratch, they chose to invest in an established business and build on it. At the time, the business focused solely on constructing swimming pools. Under their leadership, it expanded into a full-service operation, adding equipment repairs, remodeling, warranty support, water testing, and a retail storefront.

“We’re here for as long as you own your pool,” Lisa says. That philosophy has set the company apart for decades.

For Fox Family Pools, it has never just been digging a hole and filling it with water. A pool is the backyard’s centerpiece, and a pool built for gatherings becomes a place for toddlers to teenagers to have their first birthday party, all the way to graduation photos by the water. Every year in Texas, summer returns, that good old familiar heat. With it, those summer nights ready for memories to be imprinted upon them.

When Lisa’s husband passed away, the business did not close its doors. It deepened her purpose. Life, she reflects, is short. You do not take time for granted, because we only get a finite amount of time around on this spinning rock. By continuing the company they built together, it became a way for Lisa to honor the memory she had started with her husband.

Today, her son, Austin Holbrook, works alongside her, learning the craft that shaped his own childhood. The team, which include Rick Royal and Jeremy Richard, have more than a century of combined experience, operates less like employees and more like an extended family. In a region that continues to grow, Fox Family Pools remains local.

Pools are often seen as overwhelming or difficult to maintain. Lisa gently dispels that fear. If built properly, with the right equipment and plumbing, a pool can require as little as 30 minutes per week to maintain under normal summer conditions in Texas. Fox

Family Pools offers complimentary in-store water testing, warranty support for installed equipment, and what they call “pool school” for new owners, walking them through the system step by step. The goal is not overwhelm but to instill confidence in all pool owners. A well-designed pool is an investment in a home’s future and adds long-term value, both monetary and sentimental.

“It adds memories to the home,” Lisa says. Children invite friends over. Parents know where everyone is on any given night in the summer. Neighbors gather for barbecues. Even quiet evenings with a good book by the water become part of a family’s rhythm. The sound of water features, the glow of color-changing lights, and the relief of being near water after a long Texas day; Equity. Appreciation. Market growth. Fox Family Pools understands those elements. A pool is a financial commitment. It is a structural addition. But it is also a feature that can enhance both the family’s overall enjoyment and the home’s future resale value.

Most parents get only 12 to 15 family summers with their children before life and the many seasons of life. A backyard pool becomes the backdrop and anchor for capturing those fleeting years. Luxury is often defined by excess. Here, it is defined by presence. Memories are not something you can measure in square footage or interest rates. They are built in the ordinary, repeated moments that shape a summer or any season. Summer after summer, Fox Family Pools continues to help Lake Houston families build something that endures. Not just concrete and tile, but shared experiences that endure beyond the summer and beyond the person, in the hearts of those who remember those times.

If you want to learn more about building a pool, have questions about maintaining the one you already own, or simply want to prepare your backyard for the season ahead, join Fox Family Pools as they celebrate their 15th Annual Fox Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 25. The customer appreciation event features storewide sales, complimentary water testing, free pool cleaner inspections, door prizes, and family-friendly fun. It’s the perfect opportunity to get summer-ready while connecting with a team that has been investing in Lake Houston memories for decades.

Northpark Needs You: Strengthening Businesses

Because Community Requires Collaboration, and Local Residents are Encouraged to Shop as Roadwork Continues

ARTICLE BY RORI ORTIZ | PHOTOGRAPHY

TYLER JONES, JORDAN LEWIS, & BECCA LINDSAY

Growth can change a skyline. It can widen roads, fill restaurants, and bring new, exciting experiences. But growth alone does not build community. Northpark Needs You is an endeavor in what happens when a community protects its own economic heartbeat through change. At the cross-section where East Montgomery County meets Lake Houston, Northpark Drive is at the center. As our area continues to grow, we will see even more signs of growth around us. The byproduct of growth is construction. Whether road or brick and mortar, we see it happening in every direction in our area. Growth is a sign of opportunity. But growth also comes with disruption. And sometimes, without even realizing it, we begin to avoid the very places we once frequented. That subliminal subconscious shift in behavior is what sparked Northpark Needs You.  Because nothing about their business models had changed. Their products and services had not changed. The only thing that had changed was perception. Customers assumed access would be difficult and quietly adjusted their routines accordingly.

When Mark Linabury, President and CEO of the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber, and Ray Hernandez,

President and CEO of the Partnership Lake Houston, began having conversations with businesses along the Northpark corridor, business owners weren't having small inconveniences. They were experiencing major concerns. Business owners who had been thriving before construction were suddenly having to leverage themselves just to remain operational.

Northpark Needs You was created as a collaborative response between Hernandez and Linabury; this was not a fundraising campaign. It was a mission to bring awareness. They both recognized that their chambers overlap geographically and that the Northpark corridor connects the two areas in more ways than just physical ones. Northpark brought together an initiative led by two organizations whose purpose is to strengthen the economic vitality of the communities they serve, and rather than addressing the issue separately, they chose to stand together.

Northpark Needs You was designed as a reminder that these businesses are still open. Still accessible. Still owned and operated by families who live here, worship here, and raise their children here. From there, the collaboration expanded to include business owners, and ultimately, the final piece of this puzzle rests with residents.

Neighbors' daily choices shape the economic future of the place we call home. For some residents, construction along Northpark has been a mild inconvenience. A few extra minutes or a different traffic pattern than normal. But for businesses on the corridor, perception alone has had a detrimental impact. When customers avoid an area, revenues dip immediately, and locally owned brands are forced to make tough decisions. Every dollar matters. Every visit counts. Local businesses are what give our communities personality. The businesses affected sponsor youth teams, donate gift cards to local fundraisers, employ high school students after class, support nonprofit galas and chamber events, and circulate dollars locally, helping strengthen both the Lake Houston and East Montgomery County economies in ways that extend far beyond a single visit. Northpark Needs You is ultimately a simple message. In this season of change, business owners are asking their neighbors to show up. Construction will end. Roads will widen. Traffic patterns will normalize. The question is whether the businesses that helped define this corridor will still be standing strong when it does. Northpark Needs You is not about resisting growth. Both chambers acknowledge that the roadwork is necessary and that the thoroughfare improvements are

designed to support the region’s continued expansion. Progress is part of a thriving area. But progress works best when it moves forward with awareness and neighbors protecting what makes this area feel like home. The campaign has already demonstrated what awareness can do. Once messaging began circulating and businesses were highlighted through the Northpark.biz directory, owners reported noticeable shifts. Customers returned. Conversations started. Momentum moved the needle. It proved something simple but powerful: relief. Because when neighbors are reminded, they respond. For readers who may not fully understand what a chamber of commerce does, this initiative offers clarity. Chambers like those led by Hernandez and Linabury exist to help nourish and grow the economic landscape of the communities they serve. They advocate for all businesses, work to connect all neighbors, and, sometimes, as in this case, amplify messages that need to be heard. Northpark Needs You!

To explore the businesses along the corridor, discover who is open and ready to serve, and learn how you can best support your neighbors, visit www.northpark.biz. If you are a business located within the construction zone and are not yet listed, use the contact link to request inclusion. Community requires collaboration, and collaboration begins with a choice to be patient in traffic, to shop local by returning to Northpark, and to invest in the heartbeat of your own community.

FIVE BEST INVESTMENT BOOKS TO READ

ARTICLE BY SUSAN LANIER-GRAHAM

These Investment Books Can Help You Stay Up-To-Date On The Latest Financial Trends

Investing in your future is critical yet complicated. While reaching out to qualified professionals is vital—whether you’re building your business, investing in your financial security, or planning for retirement—doing some of your own research is often helpful. We checked out some of the top investment books that help you better understand how to invest in your future and build wealth.

ONE UP ON WALL STREET

One Up On Wall Street: How to Use What You Already Know to Make Money in the Market by Peter Lynch with John Rothchild. Peter Lynch explains average investors’ advantages over professionals and how they can use these advantages to achieve financial success.

HOW TO INVEST

How to Invest: Navigating the Brave New World of Personal Investment, part of Economist Books, by Peter Stanyer, Masood Javaid, and Stephe Satchell. A dynamic new guide to personal investment for the era of cryptocurrencies and personal trading platforms.

POWER YOUR PROFITS

Power Your Profits: How to Take Your Business from $10,000 to $10,000,000  by Susie Carder. While not a traditional book on investments,  Power Your Profits helps you discover how to take your business from startup mode to the multi-million-dollar mark.

THE WEALTH DECISION

The Wealth Decision: 10 Simple Steps to Achieve Financial Freedom and Build Generational Wealth by Dominique Broadway. A roadmap for becoming a millionaire and building the foundation of generational wealth from a self-made, first-generation multimillionaire.

HOW TO INVEST

How to Invest: Masters on the Craft by David M. Rubenstein. This book is a master class on investing, featuring conversations with the biggest names in finance. Brought to you by the legendary cofounder of The Carlyle Group, David M. Rubenstein.

APRIL 4TH

Lake Houston Farmers Market

Bel Furniture, 20450 Eastex Fwy U.S. 59, Humble, TX 77338 | 10:00 AM

Join us for our newest Farmers Market in Houston. This year round market will bring the best in fresh organic produce, ethnic foods, food trucks, hand made artesian gifts, grilled meats, seafood, local honey, and more. Every Saturday.

APRIL 4TH

Unplugged Family Footsteps Hike at Jesse H Jones Nature Park

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center | 11:30 AM

Join park staff on a leisurely stroll. Activity one mile on paved trails. This will be a slow pace, with plenty of stops along the way to admire the winter forest. Anticipate being finished by 1 p.m. The hike is intended for all ages, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. No pets, please. 20634 Kenswick Drive, Humble, TX 77338

APRIL 5TH

Celebrate history, food, and fun at Good Oil Days Festival!

Main Street - Humble | 10:00 AM

Step back in time at the Good Oil Days Festival on April 5 from 10 AM to 5 PM in downtown Humble. This beloved annual celebration honors the city’s oil boom roots with live entertainment, a classic car show, local vendors, delicious food, and family-friendly activities. Bring the whole family for a full day of hometown pride, community spirit, and festive fun.

APRIL 11TH

Celebrate spring, shop fresh blooms at Flower Fest and Farmers Market!

Main Street - Humble | 11:00 AM

Celebrate the arrival of spring at the Flower Fest and Farmers Market in Humble on April 11. From 9 AM to 2 PM, stroll through colorful blooms, explore local artisan vendors, and enjoy fresh, farm-to-table products. Family-friendly activities, live music, and delicious treats make this a perfect outing. Bring friends and experience the best of Humble’s seasonal charm.

APRIL 12TH

Experience Sprint into Wellness at RISE Open House event!

Rise Modern Wellness - Atascocita | 2:00 PM

Spring into Wellness at RISE Modern Wellness in Lake Houston. Join RISE for their April Open House featuring local wellness partners, free studio tours, live demos, and exclusive event-only specials. If you’ve been curious about boosting energy, improving recovery, reducing inflammation or elevating your health, this is your chance to explore modern wellness firsthand.

APRIL 17TH

Explore stunning gardens, join the GardenScapes Tour April 17–19!

Kingwood | 10:00 AM

Experience the beauty of spring at the GardenScapes Tour in Kingwood, running Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19, 2026. Tour stunning private gardens from 10 AM to 4 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 12 PM to 4 PM on Sunday. Enjoy inspiring landscaping ideas, seasonal blooms, and plant displays. Tickets provide addresses to the participating homes throughout the Kingwood area.

APRIL 25TH

15th Annual Fox Family Pools Funday

Fox Family Pools | 9:00 AM

Fox Family Pools is hosting their 15th Annual Funday on Saturday, April 25th. Enjoy 10% off the entire store, enter to win a FREE pool cleaner, and bring the family out for a moonwalk and free food.  Since 1978, Fox Family Pools has been helping the community create backyard spaces made for memory-making. 1420 FM 1960 East, Humble

APRIL 25TH

The Village Centers Presents Luminaire - A Cirque Inspired Casino Night

The Clubs of Kingwood | 6:00 PM

Step right into a dazzling, Cirque–inspired Casino Night where high-energy meets heartfelt impact, all in support of The Village Centers’ mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Guests of Luminaire will enjoy an unforgettable evening of games, spectacle, and celebration while helping advance the mission of The Village Centers and the vital programs that strengthen and support our community.

APRIL 27TH

Tee off for business and fun at Golf Classic!

Golf Club of Houston - Humble | 8:00 AM

Join the Partnership Golf Classic on Monday, April 27, 2026, at the Golf Club of Houston in Humble. Tee off for a day of networking, friendly competition, and community support. Enjoy a full round of golf on a premier course, connect with local business leaders, and help strengthen the Lake Houston business community while having fun in a beautiful setting.

MAY 2ND

Kentucky Derby Run for The Roses & Networking Social Event

Allure Bar & Lounge | 12:00 PM

Come enjoy music will touch your heart and fill your soul with optimism and hope. The Saturday program benefits the Oaks of Righteousness, and will feature the RMS Varsity Treble Choir. Tickets available at solagratiamusic.org or at the door. Adults $25, Students 13yo+ $5, Children are free

MAY 2ND & 3RD

Transformed Songs For All Seasons - Sola Gratia Women’s Ecumenical Choir

May 2nd: Strawbridge United Methodist | May 3rd: Atascocita Methodist Church | 4:00 PM

Come enjoy music will touch your heart and fill your soul with optimism and hope. The Saturday program benefits the Oaks of Righteousness, and will feature the RMS Varsity Treble Choir. Tickets available at solagratiamusic.org or at the door. Adults $25, Students 13yo+ $5, Children are free