Porter, TX August 2024

HOUSTON METHODIST LEADING CARE

August Adventures: Kids and Pets Edition

Hey Friends,

August is here, and it's the perfect time to savor the final, sweet days of summer with our beloved little ones and furry friends. Whether you're planning a staycation or a local adventure, seize the warm weather with a trip to the park or a nature hike. Pack a picnic, bring a frisbee or kite, and let the kids and pets roam free.

As summer winds down and the school year approaches, the leisurely mornings and spontaneous adventures give way to the bustle of school and sports schedules. Summers seem to fly by faster each year, yet the simple joys of the season never grow old.

Our August issue is dedicated to the cutest members of our community – kids and pets. They have a unique way of making us feel special and bringing joy to our lives. Our community enjoys a variety of pets, bringing joy and character to our everyday lives.

In this issue, we're highlighting a hardworking FFA student, exploring the world of animal chiropractic care, and showcasing a teaching style that incorporates animals into the classroom. You'll also find tips for preparing for storm season, an inspiring story of a mom balancing rodeo, motherhood, and business, and a celebration of the EMC 6U baseball team's remarkable championship win. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who donated to Flooded With Love – it was an incredible event, and we look forward to next year's gathering.

Enjoy these moments and make the most of August. It's a special time to create lasting memories with your loved ones.

STACY LEACH, EDITOR @PORTERCITYLIFESTYLE

August 2024

PUBLISHER

Rachel Burk | rachel.burk@citylifestyle.com

EDITOR

Stacy Leach | stacy.leach@citylifestyle.com

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Jamie Allgood | jamie.allgood@citylifestyle.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Amber Dobyns, Stacy Leach

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Fireheart Photography, Three Little Chickadees, Tori Sustaire Photography, Bee Silva Photography, & Visibly Illustrated Photography and Videography

Corporate Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson

AD DESIGNER Matthew Endersbe

LAYOUT DESIGNER Jamie Housh

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city scene

WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

1: Girl Dad, Kirk Webster, Owner of Hardy Webster Dental, embraces dance life with his daughters. 2: These fur babies enjoyed their front-row seat at the Flooded With Love event. 3: Friends, Olivie and Camryn, are enjoying all of the summer camps around town. 4: Angel Mills, the dog, poses with her human, Logan, capturing a moment of pure happiness. 5: Miss Abigail is ready to catch some waves with her fluffy sidekick. 6: Three brothers living their best lives while on vacation, making unforgettable family moments together! 7: Celebrating 20 years of exceptional care and dedication at Her Healthcare Partners in Women’s Health.

Want to be seen in the magazine?

Back-to-School Special: $10 Haircuts at Texas Barber University!

Celebrate the back-to-school season with Texas Barber University’s special offer: $10 kids haircuts throughout August! Our skilled barbers are ready to give a stylish new look that fits their personality and school schedule. Don’t miss out on this great deal to start the school year looking their best. Book your appointment today and enjoy professional service in a friendly environment at Texas Barber University!

our new esthetician services. Join us this month to experience rejuvenating facials, flawless waxing, and expert skincare treatments. Our skilled esthetician is dedicated to enhancing your natural beauty and leaving you feeling refreshed. Whether you’re looking to relax or revitalize, Neon Blonde Parlour is your destination for top-notch beauty care. Call today for your appointment, and discover a new level of pampering with us!

Welcome Beckwith’s Car Care: 35 Years of Trusted Automotive Excellence!

Bella Beckwith is ready to shuttle you wherever you need to go. Human drivers are also available on request! Beckwith’s Car Care is the most pet (and human) friendly shop in the universe. Stop by with your fur baby for treats. Coffee and cookies for humans and extra special treats for your pets. There is a great walking path near the shop to take a stroll while completing your services.

POWERING THROUGH the STORM

Peak hurricane season is upon us, and with record breaking storms across Texas over the past few years, as well as the unreliability of the power grids, Chief Electric has become a local go-to for home generators. As a teenager, owner Matt Gunter worked as an electrician, developed a passion and put a plan into motion. Through apprenticeship and various licenses, Matt opened Chief Electric in 2018 with a focus on quality electrical work and customer service.

As a certified Generac dealer, Chief Electric conducts in-home assessments to determine the correct-sized generator based on the home's square footage, electrical appliances, and AC units, ensuring it fits the clients' needs and budget. Texas power grids are not designed for extreme weather conditions, and Chief Electric want to help protect every home, avoiding mildew during summer outages, frozen and busted pipes from winter storms, and maintain groceries for all the outages in between. With financing and up to zero interest for 18 months, what's the wait? Be the guardian of your own home and contact Chief Electric for an in-home assessment so you and your family can sleep through the storm.

“THROUGH APPRENTICESHIP AND VARIOUS LICENSES, MATT OPENED CHIEF ELECTRIC IN 2018 WITH A FOCUS ON QUALITY ELECTRICAL WORK AND CUSTOMER SERVICE.”

ARTICLE BY AMBER DOBYNS PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHIEF ELECTRIC

Chief Electric’s Solution for Texas Homeowners

to help you create a strategy that helps you balance your goals to save for both college and retirement.

We’ll discuss your specific needs and help you understand how the choices you make today about college savings could impact your retirement. And we’ll help you adapt if your priorities shift.

Let’s talk about your options.

Madison Duxbury, CFP®, CRPC™ Financial Advisor

21383 Valley Ranch Blvd, Ste 500 New Caney, TX 77357 281-358-2187

Jim Carranza, AAMS™ Financial Advisor

855 Rockmead Dr, Unit 405 Kingwood, TX 77339 281-359-7455

Cameron H Hayes, AAMS™, CRPC™, CRPS™ Financial Advisor

19701 Kingwood Dr, Bldg 1, Ste A Kingwood, TX 77339 832-644-2117

ARTICLE BY AMBER DOBYNS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BEE SILVA PHOTOGRAPHY

the Reins Balancing

FROM

RODEO COMPETITOR TO MOM AND BUSINESSWOMAN

Growing up in a western lifestyle, Heather Moeller's dad inspired her from the sidelines while steer wrestling, and she grew to love horses and all things rodeo at a young age. Her father coached and motivated her to reach new goals with the mantra that improvement is always a great accomplishment.

Delving into clinics, personal training sessions with Chris Alejandro, and time with mentors such as Michelle Alley and Connie Standridge have helped in preparing Heather for rodeo events. She believes that competitions are won in the preparation, and that's observed when she is in the arena or capturing core memories watching her horse, Stiletto, win events like the Golden Buckle Futurity in Waco or set arena records as a 4-year-old horse at the Ruby Buckle Futurity.

As a daredevil turned mom, the “mane” event in Heather’s life is her family. She believes there will never be a perfect ratio of home life, maintaining her successful private health insurance agency with US Health Advisors, and being involved with rodeos, but she’s made room in her heart to love all three and encourages mamas to give themselves grace when it comes to trying to find balance.

Heather hopes to instill some of the traits she learned throughout her rodeo career with her daughter Whitely, including the value of honesty, hard work, and treating others how you want to be treated. With a goal to get back into rodeos in the future, Heather dreams of building a program for her horse Stiletto to breed superstars for Whitley to raise.

ARTICLE BY STACY LEACH

PHOTOGRAPHY BY VISIBLY ILLUSTRATED PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY

Flooded With Love

A COMMUNITY’S MUSICAL RESPONSE TO DISASTER

SUNDANCE HEAD  COORDINATED WITH ART-

ISTS BRI BAGWELL, SUNNY SAUCEDA, AND RYDER GRIMES FOR “FLOODED

WITH LOVE”.

The floods devastated our community, displacing families and damaging property. In response, Sundance Head coordinated with artists Bri Bagwell, Sunny Sauceda, and Ryder Grimes for “Flooded with Love”, the disaster relief concert. Supported by local leaders, this event raised $70K for essential repairs and support. H-Town Dream Center stepped up to assist in directing the disaster relief. Join us to show our community strength and compassion during this crisis and attend the next year.

Aligning Tails & Tales

Who knew that chiropractic care could be beneficial to animals? Dr. Lauren Baker, owner of Animal Ranch

Care has seen firsthand the positive benefits of it on animals of all kinds – not just those on a ranch. Snuggling bunnies, goats, and even horses sounds like a dream, but when those animals are loving back because of the care provided, it becomes a reality. During treatment, when a horse yawns, it’s a sign they’re enjoying it and releasing tension.

After graduating from Sam Houston State University and Texas Chiropractic College, Dr. Baker then attended Parker Chiropractic College in Dallas to expand her practice by obtaining her animal chiropractic certification to adjust animals.

Dr. Baker has treated many animals and has found that adjusting dogs for neck pain, hip issues, or limping has been highly successful. One of her professional core memories comes from her first canine patient when a veterinarian recommended surgery as the dog had lost its ability to use his hind end.

After two neck adjustments, she was able to help the dog regain the use of his legs and improve his quality of life.

When pet owners notice their fur babies in discomfort, talking with veterinarians helps determine if chiropractic care is an option. Upon referral, Dr. Baker's team will perform full evaluations to learn the animal’s history and identify a customized plan to determine which chiropractic solutions are the best match. These tailored plans can include multiple adjustments, size-specific pressure, various medical instruments, and can eliminate the need for surgeries.

Dr. Baker believes all animals benefit from chiropractic care, as adjustments help with joint range of motion. She has seen improvements after as little as one adjustment but will generally plan for three to six appointments. Animals with heavy physical demands on their bodies, such as her current clientele of show animals including cattle, horses, lambs, pigs, bunnies, turkeys, and chickens, benefit the most. If your residential pets such as dogs or cats have encountered a trauma, even jumping off a high bed and begins to limp, owners should consider scheduling a consultation.

If you want to see your animal return to their normal selves and achieve peak wellness, talk to your veterinarian about visiting with Dr. Baker and her team at Animal Ranch Care.

“Dr. Baker has treated many animals and has found that adjusting dogs has been highly successful.”

Farm School MAGIC

THE HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE AT ONE ACRE FARM

One Acre Farm is more than just a farm—it’s a sanctuary of learning, growth, and transformation. Here, children experience the joys and responsibilities of farm life, from planting gardens and watching the birth of goats to caring for livestock. This farm school offers unique, hands-on experiences that shape young minds and nurture their spirits.

Lindsay, a farm school parent, shares, “This is not an experience she could have anywhere else. My daughter is truly blessed to have experienced it.” Destinee, another grateful parent, testifies, “One Acre Farm has had a profound impact on

our lives. My son has grown in more ways than I can articulate.”

The farm’s “yes” environment encourages children to explore, interact with animals, and engage in meaningful, age-appropriate tasks. Children come home excited educating their families on nature, animal kindness, and social interactions. The freedom to explore and learn at their own pace fosters confidence and independence in the children.

Catherine and Nicole, the visionary educators behind One Acre Farm, bring over 30 years of combined experience in both traditional and alternative educational settings. Catherine, with a background in public school teaching and homeschooling, and Nicole, a certified Montessori

teacher and autism therapist, blend their expertise to create a supportive learning environment where each child is valued for their unique abilities and interests.

One Acre Farm’s philosophy centers on outdoor education, providing a nurturing environment that encourages movement, connection with nature and animals, and child-led exploration. From Kids Art & Play to specialized autism therapy sessions, the farm offers diverse programs that cater to the needs of the community. Whether it’s a monthly art and play session or a full-year learning pod, One Acre Farm is committed to fostering natural development in children, making it a beloved haven for families seeking an enriching, nature-based educational experience.

ARTICLE BY STACY LEACH | PHOTOGRAPHY BY THREE LITTLE CHICKADEES

End-of-Summer Fun

As summer comes to an end, make the most of the season to help create lasting memories with these fun activities for you and your kids.

• Start with a chalk paint fight at a local park, letting creativity and fun run wild in a colorful and messy outdoor activity.

• Visit the many snow cone stands in our area to enjoy a refreshing and tasty treat while sampling different flavors.

• Spend a thrilling day at a Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventure , where the whole family can enjoy slides, lazy rivers, and relaxing by the pool.

• Take a nature hike on nearby trails to explore and discover new plants, and insects, and maybe even spot some wildlife.

• Host a backyard campout —set up a tent, roast marshmallows, and tell stories under the stars for a cozy camping experience right at home.

Activities to Create Lasting Memories with Your Kids

ARTICLE BY AMBER DOBYNS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TORI SUSTAIRE PHOTOGRAPHY

CADE THOMAS AND THE IMPACT OF FFA

CULTIVATING FUTURE LEADERS

Most don’t find their calling until later in life, but in the 3rd grade, Cade Thomas found his. Livestock was his passion, and the 20 belt buckles, banners, trophies, and plaques that fill his room tell the tale of his success. Stepping into the 2023-2024 school year as the NCHS FFA President, Cade had a solid foundation of experience raising over 20 pigs, 6 sheep and 11 steers throughout his FFA tenure. The roaring speakers at the HLSR announced Cade not only once, but twice for two steers sold, a feat many pursue.

Loss, or losing, is hard, but losing gracefully is a learned skill. FFA teaches students lifelong values such as accountability, responsibility, patience, resourcefulness, and to lose, which allowed Cade to exemplify to his peers on the occasions when this would happen.

“Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, and living to serve” may be the National FFA Organization’s mission, but to the students in the New Caney High School (NCHS) FFA chapter, they hear these words and spring into action, contributing to society. Whether giving back to the community through various fundraising efforts or volunteering to restore community landmarks, Cade believes FFA creates strong and mature minds. The program prepares students for resume building attributes such as time management, prioritization, clear communications, interview practice, and in Cade’s case, leniency with his teachers.

Family is the most important puzzle piece in Cade’s FFA journey, as they have supported, helped, and provided for his passion which he plans to further pursue with aspirations of working on a wildlife ranch as a ranch manager. His extracurricular experiences working with local families providing daily care including, feeding, checking vitals and nutrition guidance on livestock are paving the road for his future, as well as his time spent using his learned skills coaching other FFA families with hands on experience in wildlife management.

FAMILY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PUZZLE PIECE IN CADE’S FFA JOURNEY.

This Fall, Cade will attend Texas A&M Kingsville on scholarship to further his future career in Range and Wildlife Management.

With the growth experienced in EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY, the various avenues offered by FFA are creating paths to ensure a sustainable future for our country one student at a time. If livestock is a passion, like in Cade’s case, raising wildlife is a great opportunity. Cade’s story is indicative of the responsibility and outcome this passion can offer. But it doesn’t stop there, landscape design, mechanics, veterinarians, engineers, and even government officials gain employable and beneficial life skills from FFA, along with lifelong friendships. Growing up happy and well-rounded leads to adults who mirror those same qualities, and FFA offers that juncture!

Cade would like to give a special thank you to everyone who has helped and supported him along his lengthy journey through the FFA and throughout high school. Ag teachers, friends, breeders, people who helped find his animals, hoof trimmers, buyers, addons, etc., and his loving family. Their contributions and kind words will stick with him forever. As he carries on to the next chapter, he trusts that God will be with him to guide him.

Deuteronomy 2:7

“The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness.”

CRT ShowStock over and out.

summer is POPSICLE SEASON

KIDS AND POPSICLES ARE THE PERFECT SUMMERTIME PAIR

ARTICLE BY LINDA DITCH PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

As temperatures rise, children race to the freezer for this frosty treat or wait anxiously for the approach of the musical ice cream truck. Making homemade popsicles is a fun, kidfriendly activity. These recipes feature kid-favorite flavors with an added taste twist. The only tricky part is waiting for them to freeze.

SPICED GRAPE POPSICLES

ingredients:

Makes 18 to 24

• 2 quarts Concord grape juice

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 12 whole cloves

• 4 cinnamon sticks

• 3 tablespoons whole allspice

directions:

Put all of the ingredients into a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to barely a simmer and let it cook for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and pour the juice through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a bowl or pitcher to remove the spices. Allow the juice to cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate until well chilled. Pour mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze until firm.

CHERRY LIMEADE POPSICLES ingredients:

Makes 18 to 24

• 2 cups sugar

• 2 cups water

• 1 cup lime juice

• 2 cups tart cherry juice

directions:

In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat. Add the cherry juice and taste. Add additional sugar or water if needed. Let come to room temperature and then refrigerate until well chilled. Pour mixture into popsicle molds. Freeze until firm.

events

AUGUST 1ST

BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE THRU 2024

Randall Reed Stadium - 21360 Valley Ranch Pkwy., New Caney, TX 77357 | 5:00 PM

With the 2024-2025 school year around the corner, stock up on school supplies at the EMCID's annual Back to School Drive. EMCID staff and volunteers will hand out approximately 2,500 free school supply packs. The drive-thru starts at 5PM until supplies run out. The supply packs are suited for kids in grades pre-K through 8th grade, no pre-registration required.

AUGUST 1ST

The Highlands Joy Lives Here

The Highlands by Caldwell Communities | 10:00 AM

Come and find your JOY at the month long celebration of home ownership with The Highlands. Visit our 13 model homes, available lots, and enter to win some fun prizes when you start your home ownership dreams in our community, and across all Caldwell Communities.

AUGUST 2ND

Tullis Library: Family Movie Friday

R.B. Tullis Branch - 21569 U.S. Hwy 59, New Caney, TX 77357 | 2:00 PM

We will be showing movies from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in order of release. All movies are rated PG-13. Every Friday at 2PM in the meeting room. See the reference desk for your movie ticket!

AUGUST 3RD

Park After Dark

Big Rivers Waterpark - 23101 Highway 242, New Caney, TX | 11:00 AM

Join us for  Park After Dark at Big Rivers Waterpark! For this special event, the park will be open from 11 am to 10 pm, offering a full day of fun and excitement. Highlights of the event include: • Live DJ and special activities throughout the day and evening • Extended park hours from 11AM-10PM

AUGUST 4TH

New Caney Community Market

Valley Ranch Town Center - 11985 N Grand Parkway E, New Caney, TX 77357 | 11:00 AM

Visit New Caney Community Market in the Valley Ranch Town Center parking lot every 1st and 3rd Sunday, 11AM-3PM! We'll have local produce, meats, honey, baked goods, artisan-made goods and so much more! newcaneymarket.com

AUGUST 10TH

Montgomery County Market Days

A.V. Bull Salas Park - 21675 McClesky Rd, New Caney, TX 77357 | 9:00 AM

Mark your calendars for August 10-11 because Montgomery County Market Days is going to be an event you simply can't miss! This FREE community event is perfect for everyone in the surrounding areas, offering a wide range of attractions: Farmers Market, Boutique Clothing, Handmade Items, Delicious Foods, Indoor & Outdoor Market & Pet Goodies. Saturday - 9AM-5PM and Sunday 10AM-4PM

“Ultimately, a homeowner’s quality of life can be impacted by the success of the project”

FREE FREE CONSULTATION CONSULTATION

CONGRATULATIONS EMC!!

The Smell of Victory Is in the Air

EMCSA, formed 40 years ago at Bull Salas Park, is a vital part of our community’s sports. The EMC 6U Baseball Team celebrated a major victory, winning the state championship and earning their spot at the World Series in Laurel, Mississippi. Their history includes state and World Series appearances since 2020. This season’s journey was marked by dedication, teamwork, and countless hours of practice. In the final regional game, the young athletes played with heart, showcasing impressive skills and determination.

The 6U American League team and 7U team are World Series-bound, while the 9 and 10-year-olds compete in regionals. For EMCSA softball, the 10U, 6U, 8U, and 12U teams are all advancing to state.

Head Coach: Matt Gray

Assistant Coaches:  Dalton Knox, Trevor Johnson, and Matt Bodessa

Players: Cheyenne Sanchez #1, Rocco Hinz #10, Case Gray #7, RJ Scott #11, Leo Vazquez #12, Boone Knox #18, Max Anderson #5, Jaiden Arauza #14, Dylan Catchings #27, Noah Chavez #99, Liam Marquez #8

BUILDING TEXAS FOR 50 YEARS

We’ve worked on Houston’s premier construction projects since 1973, and we’re just getting started.