Lake Houston, TX February 2026

Leading With Heart in the Place

We

Call Home

For quite some time, I was a nomad, struggling to find a place that truly felt like home. Somewhere, my voice mattered, and my presence was valued. For so many of us on our LHCL team, Lake Houston has welcomed us with open arms. This community has reaffirmed to us that home is not just where you land, but where you are invited and welcomed to stay, grow, be loved, seen, supported, and celebrated for who you are. That, in essence, is the heart of this Love Local issue.

This month, we pay homage to the intention of leading with heart in the place we call home and to spreading love locally, in all its forms, through every story we share that lesson, whether it be self-love, love as a part of community, or bonds that span generations.

At Vessel, mindful movement becomes a form of self-love, and where women are met exactly where they are. We see how the Miss Humble Rodeo Pageant represents a tradition of instilling confidence from one generation to the next. Showing that love is a legacy that lives on when given room to learn how to share it. We see the Stellenwerfs, three generations of individuals who chose to love their community, standing as a testament to the power of staying in a community to create something meaningful over time. Then we experience Hopeful Hearts Ministry, individuals who comfort those in their most vulnerable moments and walk with those affected by trauma towards healing.

Each of these stories reminds us that love is often the most life-changing healing we can hope to experience. Reflecting a truth that home is not just a place. It is a feeling created by people who live intentionally and choose to show up. As you turn these pages, I pray you feel seen and that your heart is cracked open by the touching moments living here locally. I hope that each story offers you a reminder, as it did me while writing, that you are valuable, you are worthy of more, and that you have a community that yearns for you to find a sense of belonging here. A community can never have too many individuals who love with their whole heart, because when we do more than build a business, we can make this place our home.

With warmth,

RORI ORTIZ, EDITOR

@LAKEHOUSTONCITYLIFESTYLE

February 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

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Lagala Davis | lagala.davis@citylifestyle.com

MARKET SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Kelly Richard | kelly.richard@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Rori Ortiz | rori.ortiz@citylifestyle.com

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Kelly Richard | kelly.richard@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Natalie Lindberg Photography - Natalie Lindberg

Houston Studio - Christa McCourt

Social Light Agency - Chelsea Shafer

Kelly Anne Style Photography - Kelly Anne Style

Fireheart Photography - Francie Baltazar Stonestreet

The Visual Craft - Jack Quillin

Byfocal Marketing - Jordan Lewis

Visibly Illustarted - Page Cherry

Local Contributors: @kelsey_connell21, @knicole.cook, @jessicasowyrda, @beautybynikkinicole

Corporate Team

CEO Steven Schowengerdt

President Matthew Perry

COO David Stetler

CRO Jamie Pentz

CoS Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Rachel Kolich

LAYOUT DESIGNER Meredith Wilson

QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

Proverbs 3:5-6

2026

city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

Lake Houston City Lifestyle Partner Appreciation & Ribbon Cutting (Partnership LH & GEMC)

1: Grateful to celebrate our LHCL partners at Raffa's Waterfront Grill with Partnership LH and GEMC ribbon cutting. 2: Mandy Sampson, The Spa at Salon M and Elizabeth Maranto, Tutor Doctor Kingwood 3: Frank Ison, I.C. Janitorial Supply and Todd Byers, Axe Mania 4: Cynthia & Daryl Wilcox, 4 Ever Young Kingwood and Chris McIlroy, McIlroy Insurance Group 5: Melissa Martinez, Honeybee's Organizing Solutions, LLC and Nicole

6:

7:

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Partner Ribbon Cuttings and 37th Annual Mother’s Against Cancer Luncheon 8: Roberto Garcia and Elsa Cuevas The Back 9 Atascocita Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting 9: RISE Modern Wellness celebrating their ribbon cutting and 1 year anniversary 10: RISE Modern Wellness owners Julie and Mark Oehl and staff 11: Nicole Cook and Kelsey Connel attending the MAC luncheon 12: Community members coming together to support MAC fundraiser event Saddle Up For A Cure 13:

Nancy Foglesong, Denali Gantt, Ehrin Weiss, Kayla Ives, Stephanie Lumsden, and Nicole Cook 14: Nicole Cook, Diane Heinricks, Twila Carter, and Beth Higgins supporting MAC

BUYING OR SELLING A HOME?

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ROGERS

Kingwood’s newest hotspot has arrived: Trader Joe’s! Famous for bold flavors, unique products, and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere, the store offers a fresh and exciting shopping experience for the Lake Houston community. Whether you’re grabbing everyday essentials, exploring creative finds, or hunting for your next favorite snack, Trader Joe’s makes every visit fun, affordable, and delicious. Stop by to discover why this vibrant store is quickly becoming a local favorite for food lovers and families.

Kingwood Business Women Business & Brunch is Northeast Houston’s premier women’s networking summit, celebrating its 5th anniversary. Blending luxury, community, and inspiration with a Tulum-glam, spa-resort atmosphere, the event features networking, education, a curated women-owned vendor market, photo-worthy moments, and chic brunch bites. Join hundreds of powerhouse women for inspiring speakers, engaging discussions, and meaningful connections. Proceeds benefit Hopeful Hearts Ministry, supporting local survivors of abuse. March 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where women level up and give back.

Inside the mindful movement studio, empowering women to reclaim their strength and grow towards acceptance at every stage of life.

ARTICLE BY RORI ORTIZ | PHOTOGRAPHY

Ve s s el P ilates :

L o v e y o u r b o d y , a s i t i s . . .

Jessica Sowyrda, Owner and instructor of Vessel Pilates in Kingwood, never planned to open a studio. She remembers being a young mother with three toddlers, looking for a place to decompress where she could truly move and heal without having to choose between childcare and her own well-being. Pilates has been a constant, almost long-time friend. The activity carried her through pregnancies, deliveries, and postpartum recovery, and she saw how powerful intentional movement could be.

The word vessel had been on her heart, nagging at her to be something someday. She dismissed the thought for some time, then she and a photographer friend dreamed of a women-focused project called The Vessel Journal, built on the idea that women's bodies carry our children. “It is one of our many callings as women. Motherhood can be a shining light in our journey,” shared Jessica. The publication never found its legs and failed before it truly began, but the nagging feeling for the name stayed.

Before the studio's inception, Jessica had been teaching Pilates from her home. At the time, Kingwood didn't have a dedicated Pilates studio that offered holistic teaching and realistic childcare combined. When the former business, at the location of her current studio, shut its doors after Harvey. Jessica stepped up, determined to create a space where women could feel safe, seen, and cared for. A place where they could relax regardless of whether they were child-free or not. People were both emotionally and physically exhausted post-Harvey. They needed more than home repairs; they needed a place to breathe, recharge, and feel supported.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a discontinued journal and the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, the name Vessel found a home in Jessica's pilates studio. Jessica used the remains of two significant moments to create a place with a name not yet forgotten, and turned it into a space where individuals could find restoration.

As individuals walk in, they are greeted at the front desk, where staff take first-time clients on a tour of the facilities, from the Kids Club to the refillable water station, coffee corner, and boutique racks. There is so much to this ever-growing space. Vessel was never meant to be just a place to work out, no. Jessica has always approached Pilates as a whole-body and soul experience, where

an intentional connection is made along the path to self-care. Classes are purposely small to allow instructors to curate and offer hands-on guidance with real-time modifications. Instructors do not simply call out exercise names and spring settings. They hear which muscles their clients need to focus on, and they teach using alignment in all matters, showing how small movements can translate into daily life. Instructors complete a comprehensive 500-hour certification and ongoing continuing education courses. Jessica specializes in pre- and postnatal care to support women throughout their pregnancies. Not only that, Vessel offers reformer and tower classes, along with mat, barre-inspired movement, yoga, rebounding, fascial release, and strength-based sessions.

The studio supports local schools, hosts community classes, and organizes charity events that benefit causes such as breast cancer research and Alzheimer's awareness. Inside the studio after classes are over, Jessica has built a collaborative network where women can continue to fill their cups in other areas of life, allowing conversations to flow in places like a monthly book club. Not only that, Jessica has a

network of wellness partners, such as local chiropractors and physical therapists, for individuals who require additional care. There is also a massage therapist who practices in the studio.

Clients describe Vessel as a judgment-free zone where anxiety quiets and confidence returns. Many women say that walking into the studio feels like a sigh of relief, and walking out feels like they can conquer the day and handle what life throws their way. Vessel Pilates is deeply personal to Jessica. Her own postpartum journey led her to want women to know they are not alone in common experiences that often go unspoken. She leads with vulnerability, and her mission is not to push perfection, but to guide women toward a more profound understanding of their bodies and gain acceptance of themselves.

At the heart of Vessel Pilates is a woman who pours her whole soul into every detail. Jessica is known as a warm and encouraging soul. She has been a source of repreve for so many during some of the most challenging seasons in recent history that have affected the area, calming anxieties when life perpetuates them. Where intention continues before and after class, and that intentional energy weaves through everything Jessica and every instructor at Vessel Pilates touch.

How two womens labor of love, and a community tradition teach women to value themselves

GRIT, GRACE, AND LEARNING TO TAKE UP SPACE

ARTICLE BY RORI ORTIZ

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY ANNE STYLE, @BEAUTYBYNIKKINICOLE

The Miss Humble Rodeo Pageant is a network built by women, for young women, with the belief that every girl deserves to learn the confidence of radical self-love. Entirely led and coordinated by co-chairs/volunteers Tonnie Geiser and Nikki Adams, the pageant exists to build young ladies’ confidence, character, and courage rather than measure their beauty.

For Tonnie and Nikki, the pageant is not a single annual production. No, it is a calling shaped by months of preparation, countless late nights, and a shared conviction that girls need spaces where they feel fully seen. What most people never see is that the women holding this space for others are doing so while carrying their own burdens. Tonnie lives with a permanent disability that has reshaped her body, her work, and her daily life. Nikki has spent this year navigating cancer treatments, choosing to show up for this pageant even on the days committed to her treatment. It is a true testament to both of these women’s strength.

Years ago, when the pageant went away, something meaningful disappeared with it. Girls in the community lost the opportunity to gain a group that would support and encourage their growth. What disappeared was not a stage, but a place where girls could practice believing they mattered before the world asked them to prove it.

Both women felt that absence and sincerely wanted to answer the call to bring the pageant back, not for recognition or revenue, but because the community needed it. They were clear from the beginning that this pageant would be different because they knew what was missing from the girls’ community for too long. The Humble Rodeo and the Lake Houston Area are very lucky to be one of the few communities in Texas that still have

a pageant that welcomes participants from every background, interest, and ability, including the princess division for girls who are not of age yet, and the sweetheart divisions created for girls with physical and cognitive differences. Both co-chairs want every girl who steps onto that stage to feel a sense of belonging and feel the sisterhood, regardless of any differences.

At its heart, the pageant has two incredible leaders who, through their own actions, teach the girls what it means to take up space with bravery, to live confidently, and to have the grit to overcome. During this season, Nikki has balanced pageant planning with chemotherapy appointments, joining calls while receiving treatment, and showing up when her body worked against her at every turn. There were moments when she asked for grace, not because she was weak, but because she knew her presence and her showing up were acts of love, and after all, that act is the lesson she wants every girl involved in the pageant to learn.

Behind the scenes, the work is relentless, and the two women have been pouring themselves into the pageant’s success. Tonnie understands that inclusion is not a concept, but a lived truth. Disability did not remove her from leadership or purpose; it clarified it. Nikki brings the heart of a woman who has spent her life uplifting others through beauty, now redefining it through perseverance. Together,

CONTINUED >

they lead and show that bodies change, paths shift, and worth remains untouched. In a way that show the girls that life doesn’t end when countless things go wrong. No, life begins in the minutes and hours spent creating an experience that feels meaningful. In learning that commitment matters, if not more than victory, because trying after you think there is no more try left in you is the hardest, but the best lesson learned in the journey we call life.

Rodeo is a testament to perseverance, it’s so much more than the boots and the bling, it represents a way of life rooted in determination, discipline, and showing up even in the heartache. Because when you do the work, even when it’s hard, the value you gain from it is worth those trials tenfold. The crown itself carries more weight and meaning... the crown then reflects what they know to be true in their own lives. Strength is not loud. Grace is not passive. Survival can be beautiful. And, Winning is never the goal. Growth is. Whether a girl leaves with a crown or not, she leaves knowing she tried something hard and survived it. And Tonnie and Nikki are living proof that grit to survive can coexist with kindness and grace.

As February arrives and rodeo season fills the grounds of the Humble Civic Center and Arena with energy and excitement, on Feb. 6th,  you will find all the Miss Humble Rodeo Pageant court present for pictures with the community. Feb. 7th, the

four title holders will take the stage in recognition and tradition before performer Casey Donahew. You can also spot the title holders at engagement events, like the Humble BBQ cook-off, throughout the year. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to contact the coordinators to arrange guest appearances at local events to raise awareness of the pageant. Any support is welcome, as all funds raised go toward scholarships to help secure the futures of these young women. It doesn’t have to be big, though significant donations are welcome at any time; you can help young women learn to love themselves first and take up space without apology. All proceeds from this event go towards the Humble ISD Education Foundation.

Tonnie and Nikki have a simple, but powerful, truth to share: our community is made better for having a pageant, and for supporting this effort, even if it’s just by attending the big event it teaches a lesson that is passed from woman to girl, from community to every generation touched by the pageant, making this so much more than just winning a crown. In a world that often asks women to shrink, the Miss Humble Rodeo Pageant teaches something different. Work hard. Stand tall. And, try, try, try again. These women and girls are living examples of a tradition built on investing in young women who learned early to move through the world with confidence.

Hopeful Hearts Ministry Walks With Survivors

Guiding adults from silence toward renewed strength

At the heart of Hopeful Hearts Ministry is a woman who understands how deeply early experiences can shape how someone moves through life. Shannon McGraw Carr’s work eventually led her to international speaking engagements, where she shared her story of overcoming past trauma to rebuilding herself, and the process of learning to thrive again. With each event, something unexpected happened. Adults quietly approached her afterward and often said they saw themselves in her journey. She realized they were functioning day to day, yet not fully thriving. Shannon yearned for a space

where adults could speak freely, be heard, and receive encouragement from someone who had walked a similar road.

In 2012, Shannon founded Hopeful Hearts Ministry, a nonprofit dedicated to the long-term healing of adult survivors of trauma. The ministry offers peer support in partnership with licensed therapeutic resources. The organization is a bridge for individuals who may feel hesitant, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to begin. Shannon and Tamara Lexow, the Executive Director, describe their hope to accompany others toward healing.

ARTICLE BY RORI ORTIZ | PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTA MCCOURT

Hopeful Hearts has grown into a trusted support network. The ministry hosts free empowerment classes twice a month at the Kingwood Community Center. They offer book studies, faith-based gatherings, and peer support. Their video series, I Have a Voice, features stories of resilience that remind viewers that healing can happen at any stage of life.

Generous sponsors such as Spartan Roofing are helping provide new office space for the ministry. Therapists like Melina Wilcox and her team collaborate with the ministry to create accessible pathways to professional care when needed.

Hopeful Hearts also works to reduce stigma through small gatherings called Sip and Learns. These conversations help the community understand that trauma can affect anyone, and they often encourage guests to become volunteers, hosts, or donors.

The ministry marks each February with its signature Valentine Gala, “La Vie En Rose Gala”, will feature guest speaker Georgina Jennings, who has been connected with the support of Hopeful Hearts Ministry since its early years, she has grown into an advocate within her own community and now leads and runs a nonprofit of her own that supports women in recovery.Hopeful Hearts will also be featured at the KBW Business and Brunch on March 7. The ministry will host a one-day retreat locally on March 28, and another overnight retreat will be held in Colorado in September 2026.

Shannon and Tamara are developing a Survivor-toThriver program for individuals who have completed significant healing work and want to support others. Her big vision is to see chapters of Hopeful Hearts all across the country. Faith plays a central role in Shannon’s life. She believes that tough seasons can lead to strength, and that anyone struggling is more than what they have carried. Healing is possible with the proper support.

“Many people have survived the trauma, but they are not thriving, and are still living beneath the weight of unspoken experiences.”  Tamara Lexow - Executive Director

“Healing is lifelong, and we walk with people until they find the courage to overcome the silence, to a space where they can breathe and begin again.” Shannon McGraw Carr - Founder

THREE GENERATIONS, FROM SPACE CITY TO DENTISTRY

Dr. Stellenwerf serves the community, carrying her local family’s legacy forward while building a modern practice all her own.

ARTICLE BY RORI ORTIZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCIE BALTAZAR STONESTREET

Stellenwerf Dental is a new practice in Lake Houston, but its orbit stretches further than its opening date. For Dr. Stellenwerf, dentistry is not just a profession. It is a continuation of service woven through her family for generations. She is part of a lineage of Houstonians who gave their work, their time, and their heart to this community. Her great-grandfather helped shape Houston’s identity as Space City through his work with NASA. Her father spent more than thirty years caring for local families as a dentist. Now, she

carries both their stories forward as she builds a modern practice grounded in the values she grew up watching.

Inside her office, those generational ties are impossible to miss. The walls display photographs that once hung in her father’s practice, NASA images from her great-grandfather’s time working in the space program. Patients can pause in front of these historical displays, including framed newspapers from the era, to learn about those who worked at the Johnson Space Center and of the dawn of when Houston became the

gateway to the stars. For her, those images are not décor. They are reminders that the work she does each day is part of something larger, a family legacy.

She grew up in her father’s office, learning by observation long before she ever held a dental instrument. The way he greeted patients, the calm he brought into the room, and the honesty he carried into every decision became the blueprint for her own career. When he retired during her time in dental school and sold his practice, she faced a choice: step into an

“Love local means choosing a practice rooted in this community, shaped by family history, and committed to providing honest, stellar quality care you can trust.”

existing, non-family-owned practice with a safety net or build one of her own. She chose the more courageous path. In May 2024, she opened Stellenwerf Dental from the ground up. She decided to invest in a place she has lived in since she was three years old, and Lake Houston is where her father built his career and reputation.

The early months of starting a practice with no patients were daunting, but her father’s faith in her never faltered. He believed she could create something meaningful, and that belief carried her through the uncertainty. Today, he still comes into the office a few days each week to help behind the scenes. His presence brings comfort to longtime patients who once sat in his chair and now sit in hers. They see a familiar name and recognize a familiar integrity. Even though technology changes and the building is different, the values feel the same.

Those values appear in small but powerful moments. She now cleans teeth in a way that reminds her of her own childhood appointments. She was once the child

looking up at the light; now she is the doctor leaning in with reassurance. She talks with patients about their lives, remembers the details that matter.

For now, she wears a lot of hats at work. Currently serving as both the dentist and the hygienist at times, giving her an opportunity to know every person who walks through her doors. She plans to grow her team in the future and hopes to expand into cosmetic services, but her foundation will always remain. She chooses high-quality materials, uses local labs, and gives fully in every experience because she believes patients deserve nothing less.

Her growth has mainly been word of mouth in her first year, something she is deeply grateful for. Three generations of her family have contributed to Houston in ways that reflect the city’s tenacity. Her great-grandfather helped to build Space City, a name that still defines Houston. Her father cared for local Lake Houston families with heart for decades. Today, Dr. Stellenwerf honors both legacies while building a legacy all her own.

ARTICLE BY BAILEY MORRIS

Lavender Vanilla Sugar Scrub

This homemade sugar scrub is easy to make and leaves you with silky soft skin

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup of granulated sugar

• ½ cup of oil (almond oil or olive oil works best)

• ½ teaspoon vitamin E oil

• ½ teaspoon real vanilla extract

• 15 drops lavender essential oil

DIRECTIONS:

Sugar scrubs are amazing for getting rid of dead skin and exfoliating to reveal soft skin.

To make this Lavender Vanilla Sugar Scrub, mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight jar.

Elevated

events

A SELECTION OF UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

FEBRUARY 6TH

Taste, root, and ride — don’t miss it!

Humble Civic Center | 5:00 PM

The Humble Rodeo & Cook-Off brings classic Texas tradition to life in good ol’ Humble with live rodeo action, delicious barbecue, and community fun. Enjoy thrilling competitions, great food, music, and entertainment in a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to start rodeo season right, make memories, and enjoy a weekend in February in the Lake Houston area with friends and neighbors all gathered together.

FEBRUARY 7TH

Cruise, chat, and sip — join Cars & Coffee in Kingwood!

Town Center Park | Kingwood, TX | 7:30 AM

Kingwood Cars & Coffee invites car enthusiasts and community members to enjoy a relaxed morning surrounded by classic, custom, and luxury vehicles. Share conversation, sip fresh coffee, and admire impressive rides while connecting with fellow auto lovers in a welcoming family friendly atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a Saturday in February, surrounded by classic cars, familiar faces, and a lively local crowd, with a shared appreciation in Kingwood.

FEBRUARY 13TH

Step into a night of elegance and purpose—make hope blossom!

Walden on Lake Houston | 6:00 PM

The Hopeful Hearts La Vie En Rose Gala brings the community together for an elegant evening in support of survivors on their healing journeys. Guests will enjoy fine dining, music, and meaningful moments while helping to fund peer-supported programs that provide guidance, education, resources, and, most of all, hope, creating a lasting impact throughout the community. Proceeds go towards making a lasting difference for individuals seeking restoration and the courage to thrive fully once more.

FEBRUARY 14TH

Make tonight unforgettable with a romantic waterfront dinner at Raffa’s!

Raffa’s Waterfront Bar & Grill | Kingwood, TX | 6:00 PM

Treat your loved one to an unforgettable evening at Raffa’s Waterfront Grill, where romance meets lakeside charm. Enjoy a cozy, intimate atmosphere, delicious cuisine, and impeccable service while taking in beautiful waterfront views. Perfect for your Valentine’s date nights, anniversaries, special moments or celebrations. Raffa’s offers a memorable and effortlessly romantic setting designed to make your time together on Valentine’s Day feel truly magical and cherished.

FEBRUARY 15TH

Level up your weekend at Kingwood Anime & Food Festival!

Kingwood Town Center | 11:00 AM

The Kingwood Anime & Food Festival brings pop culture and flavor together for a high-energy community celebration. Enjoy cosplay, anime-inspired vendors, live entertainment, and a variety of food trucks serving crowd favorites. This fun, family-friendly event is perfect for fans, foodies, and anyone looking for something unique and exciting to experience in Kingwood this February.

FEBRUARY 26TH

Kick off of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!

NRG Stadium | Houston, TX | 12:00 PM

Get ready for rodeo season with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo kickoff! Festivities begin with Go Texan Day and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest Feb. 26 - 28, celebrating Western heritage with barbecue, trail rides, music, and community fun before the main rodeo at NRG Park with Opening Day on March 2nd with musical guest Riley Green. The 2026 Houston Rodeo will include major stars like Lizzo, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw, and Luke Bryan. It’s Houston’s beloved tradition that brings food, culture, and excitement every season.