WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXIX NUMBER 9 Section 1 8 pages
March 6, 2024 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and Sharon Berkenpas
Montgomery County’s Only Locally Owned Newspaper
Established 1995
Montgomery County News
Montgomery, Texas 77356
50 Weekly
PRE-SRT POSTAGE PD #80 MONTG. TX
PBOX Magnolia, TX 77353
Texas Local Authors Brighten Payton
Riley Rocks Sawyer Park Icehouse
Weekly Children's Spirits Gas Prices
Average gasoline prices in Texas have risen 11.4 cents per gallon in the last week, a v e r a g i n g $ 2 . 9 1 / g t o d a y, according to GasBuddy's survey of 13,114 stations in Texas. Prices in Texas are 8.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 2.6 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has fallen 2.7 cents in the last week and stands at $4.03 per gallon. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Texas was priced at $2.00/g yesterday while the most expensive was $3.90/g, a difference of $1.90/g. The lowest price in the state yesterday was $2.00/g while the highest was $3.90/g, a difference of $1.90/g. The national average price of gasoline has risen 10.0 cents per gallon in the last week, averaging $3.34/g today. The national average is up 22.0 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 3.2 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country. Historical gasoline prices in Texas and the national average going back ten years: March 4, 2023: $2.93/g (U.S. Average: $3.37/g) March 4, 2022: $3.56/g (U.S. Average: $3.92/g) March 4, 2021: $2.47/g (U.S. Average: $2.75/g) March 4, 2020: $2.11/g (U.S. Average: $2.41/g) March 4, 2019: $2.19/g (U.S. Average: $2.43/g) March 4, 2018: $2.28/g (U.S. Average: $2.52/g) March 4, 2017: $2.10/g (U.S. Average: $2.31/g) March 4, 2016: $1.60/g (U.S. Average: $1.81/g) March 4, 2015: $2.24/g (U.S. Average: $2.45/g) March 4, 2014: $3.20/g (U.S. Average: $3.46/g) Neighboring areas and their current gas prices: Midland Odessa- $2.88/g, up 0.6 cents per gallon from last week's $2.87/g. San Antonio- $2.87/g, up 14.0 cents per gallon from last week's $2.73/g. Austin- $2.92/g, up 14.7 cents per gallon from last week's $2.77/g. "A majority of the nation's 50 states have seen gasoline prices rise, with the national average posting a gain for the second straight week, a trend that is hardly susprising for this time of year, and will likely continue as the entire nation has now made the first step toward summer gasoline," said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. "The pinch at the pump has been manageable for now, with prices about 30 cents higher than midJanuary, but that will likely change as we enter the madness we tend to see in March with refinery maintenance hitting its peak, impacting how much gasoline can be produced as we make the changeover to the summer blends. This always crimps supply, leading to further gas price increases." SOURCE GasBuddy
by MCN contributing stories or as a gift for writer, Ruben Borjas Jr young children to read on their own. It’s a tale that Montgomery County is e n c o u r a g e s t h e blessed to have talented imagination of children, people, and it takes a and will perhaps spark special talent to be patient stories from other children enough to sit down and and their grandmas. Sanderfer’s book ‘Love write a children’s book. And two local authors You From Right Here: A Christine E. Gorhum and K e e p s a k e B o o k f o r Jamie Sanderfer have Children in Foster Care,’ is published books about a b o u t h e r a n d h e r experiences involving husband’s loving venture children that have great when they were foster meaning in their lives. parents for about four Christine’s book is a story years. “During that time we about her oldest grandchild, Aidan, and his had 8 children stay with a d v e n t u r e s w i t h h i s u s , ” s a i d S a n d e r f e r. favorite stuffed animal in “ A n y w h e r e f r o m a the Lake Creek Settlement; duration of 2 weeks to 8 while Jennifer’s tome, is months. When the children based on her family's came to us, almost all of experiences in fostering them came with the clothes on their backs and nothing youths in Montgomery. G o r h u m ’ s ’ T h e more.” The Sanderfer’s, not Adventures of Bunny and Boy,’ takes you on an knowing what to expect, adventure with boy, her t o o k i n c h i l d r e n t h a t grandchild, 4 at the time, basically came with just who inspired the book, and themselves. No extra his stuffed animal Bunny. clothes, necessities, or Bunny goes on treks with sentimental items. On top boy, in and around her o f t h a t a n o t h e r property as well as the heartbreaking gut check hit neighbors, mostly notably them when they learned M r s . D u n c a n . T h e that children in foster care ‘Spooky Tree’ is located on move around a lot. their property. The idea “The average number developed from Gorhum’s of times a child will move t i m e c a r i n g f o r h e r while in foster care is grandson, now 12, with her astounding,” Jamie told nap time stories, and it M C N . “ O u r f i r s t snowballed into a book placement was 3 years old f r o m t h e r e . T h e and on her 5th move when a d v e n t u r o u s t a l e s o f she came to us.” Bunny and his boy make It was based on those for interesting bedtime experiences, that Sanderfer
by MCN contributing writer, Ruben Borjas Jr
Jaime Sander with her book “Love You From Right Here: A Keepsake Book for Children in Foster Care.” sought out an effective way to communicate to the children going to their home that they were heading to a safe space. The Sanderfer ’s were committed to show that they cared for the children. That their family would love them as long as they were under their roof, and even when they moved away. “I wanted something more than just my words to convey my thoughts,” said Jamie, concerned about the younger children who stayed with them. “I wanted a book with pictures to show them true representations of the emotions and feelings that they were experiencing.”
Sanderfer searched all over for a book that expressed her thoughts. Ultimately, she decided to write ‘Love You From Right Here: A Keepsake Book for Children in Foster Care,’ which was published in 2017. The book is written from the perspective of a foster parent to the child in foster care. It takes you through an abbreviated look at the emotions a young child experiences throughout their transition to a new foster home. The message to the child is that while they are in that home, they will be safe and loved, and if they have to leave, they See Book, page 2
Exciting News - The Rebel Joan of ARC Held Meeting at the Heritage Museum by MCN contributing writer, Elaine Hamlin Collings
The Beautiful Belles of Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721 Chapter, United Daughters of the Confederacy, met for their Formal February Meeting, and ‘after’ posed with lots of Love and Laughter, celebrating each other for Valentines. These ladies in RED know how to have Fun and still accomplish tremendous successes. President JENNY LEHR gave her Welcome, and all Pledges, Rituals, and Prayers were conducted. This Chapter’s Ancestors Roll Call was held by each member. Reports by every Officer and Chairman were respectfully given and ambitious goals achieved, Community........2, 3, 4, 7, 8 with more announced to Commentary...................3, 4, 5 c o m e . A p p r e c i a t i o n Left to Right: TOP ROW: Anna Greathouse, Myra Liston, Susan Johnston, Donna Summers, Dianne Kebodeaux. 2nd Top Row: Karen Jacobs, Regina Riney, Cynthia Church Directory..............5 Certificates were Awarded, Connors, Karen DeBerry, Cindy Dittrich, Anita Stevens. 3rd Row: Katherine Legals.................................6 Taglienti, Anne Carter. 1st Row: Elaine Collings, Danean Myers, Lyn Howard, See Meeting, page 2 Jenny Lehr, Barbara Eddleman, Shelia Williamson. (Attending by Phone: Evelyn Miller.) Business Directory.............8
Index
This Ad Space Available 4 column x 1.5 inch 936-449-NEWS
The parking lot was full, and the house was packed at Sawyer Park this past Sunday, as Montgomery’s own Payton Riley took to the stage at The Woodlands icehouse to entertain the throngs gathered to hear her new single ‘Not As Much As I Used To.’ Riley, 15, headlined a trio of talented singers, Jeff Canada, Donice Morace, and Bubba Westly; and the anticipation was palpable as Westly finished his set, and the Payton Riley Band began its prep. The late afternoon's entertainment was held in conjunction with a fundraising event held by ‘ L o v e H e a l s Yo u t h , ’ a Conroe based non-profit with its goal of counseling, tutoring, and clothing of older kids in foster care. Riley’s family had fostered youths in the past, and Payton works with LHY in different capacities, out of appreciation for the foster kids that have had a great impact on her life. Riley remained cool and collected as the band started with ‘Jesus and Joan Jett,’ yielding to over a non-stop hour of musical entertainment. You could tell she was in her element, and showed true professionalism in maintaining command of the stage. If she was nervous she didn’t show it. Payton’s song, ‘Packin,’ showcased her ability with the guitar, and gave rise to where she will be in five or ten years with a prophetic sense that the crowd was listening to a future Country Music Association award winner. She has already been named the 2023 Young Artist of the Year (18 and younger) by the Texas Country Music Association, and yet she still remains humble and respectful of her elders and fans. “This was my first time hearing Payton and it was amazing,” said Stacy Burke, from Conroe. “She reminds me of a young Dolly Parton.” The intensity of Riley’s emotion shows in her work. The patience she exhibits is a testament to her success, and all those years of playing open mic nights, church events, local venues in Montgomery County, and now in a growing number of places across the state, and in Nashville. And you can see how she has progressed through the years in her YouTube feed ‘Payton Riley Music,’ as well as through her Facebook page of the same name. And her music is easily downloadable on every streaming platform. “She did really well,“ said Kimber Mackell, 10, from Cypress, who attended the concert with her father. “I wish I could sing like her.” Payton has a unique
See Riley , page 2