PROTECT YOUR HEARING.
Did you know? We hear with our brain, not with our ears. John Hopkins research has found untreated hearing loss can lead to cognitive decline. Early detection is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your cognitive health.
Complementary Visit Includes:
Visual Ear Exam: Check for wax or blockage Hearing Screening Results Review/Next Steps
We have the tools necessary to secure the insurance options that will best protect you and your investments. Contact us today for quotes on: ●
Wax Removal- Oil application and painless removal (Fee applies for service)
GRAND JAM
saturday, july 25 event lawn
Join us for an exciting carnival-style celebration packed with activities, laughter, & memories for the family! Meet animals at the petting zoo, test your skills with carnival games, and enjoy delicious carnival favorites.
$ 1 2 A d u l t s $ 8
Purchase at Front Desk or Activenet!
picnic perfect
Summer is the perfect time to pack a basket, gather with friends, and enjoy a meal outdoors. Whether you're heading to the park, relaxing on the patio, or sharing a dish at a neighborhood gathering, these picnic-inspired recipes are easy to make, easy to transport, and full of summer flavor. Happy picnicking!
A picnic classic that's light, refreshing, and easy to prepare.
3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
½ cup mayonnaise
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
½ cup red grapes, halved
¼ cup sliced almonds or pecans
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
6 croissants, sliced Lettuce leaves (optional)
In a bowl, combine chicken, mayonnaise, celery, grapes, almonds, & mustard.
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve on croissants with lettuce leaves if desired.
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup melted butter
1 (10 oz) bag mini marshmallows
1½ cups milk chocolate hi tainer whipped awed
Debra Garner(DG)
DG: No, but it was a good area for Blacks to achieve home ownership. We had a beautiful yard; Mom was proud of her roses.
CB: What was school like for you then?
DG: Elementary was not integrated. When I went to high school, there were about six of us Black kids, this was the late 60s Socially, I tried to involve myself in as many activities as I could. I was an honor student and on the drill team.
PaulLeBlanc(PL)
CB: Debra, what brought you to Del Webb?
DG: I was single again and looking for a neighborhood that had a lifestyle that was me Being active, I wanted social clubs and outdoor activities. Never regretted it.
CB: Paul, what brought you to Sweetgrass?
Paul: Pretty much the same thing. I was coming back to my home base This is where I grew up and have friends and family.
CB: Are you a Houston person?
PL: Yes, I grew up here and wanted to come “home”. I grew up in a typical 1950s white family. Father was a geologist who worked for Shell Oil. I had four brothers and sisters
CB: Debra, where were you born?
DG: Houston, my education was here I was briefly in California for work. My parents, like Paul’s, moved from Louisiana to Houston. He worked at Armco Steel, where a black man in those days could have a good middle-class job and support a family.
CB: Was your neighborhood integrated?
CB: Were your parents educated people?
DG: No, they didn’t finish high school. My mom decided to get her GED after all of us had graduated and got her certificate All four of us sisters were college graduates.
CB: That is amazing! Paul, what were you doing?
PL: I started in public school, then was sent to Catholic school, but I revolted against my mother and insisted on going back to public school I was aware of what was going on in the country My big moment was in 1963 when I heard Dr. Martin Luther King give his “I Have a Dream” speech, and then the anti-war rally We wanted to save the lives of people sent to that war. I was listening to Peter, Paul, and Mary, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix. That influenced me. It gives you a liberal way of thinking. I went to San Francisco and experienced HaightAshbury in its prime. Drugs, hippies, and all.
CB: Back to college, Paul?
PL: I studied oceanography because of my love for surfing, as well as anthropology. However, I was influenced by Julia Childs, which led me to London and the Cordon Bleu culinary school I worked in London at the Cafe Royal and Strand Palace hotel. This was 1974-75.
CB: Did you get drafted into the army?
PL: No, I got a 2-year deferment for going to college and never got called.
CB: Debra, what was your first job?
DG: I started as a nurse’s aide, but, when I saw all the suffering and occasional attitudes from doctors in the hospital, I said, “Not for me” I then studied sociology and worked for three years helping women on welfare to get a job. After, I went to graduate school at UH for accounting. Numbers tell the story and I am very results oriented
CB: Where did you work?
DG: Arthur Young in public accounting As a Black person, you didn't get the best jobs. I wasn’t in the “in crowd”. I didn’t get invited to Happy Hours.
CB: Paul, when you got back from London, where did you go?
PL: I saw the film McCabe and Mrs Miller, and loved the scenery of the Pacific NW I met a lady from Seattle and moved there, where I worked at a French restaurant. When that closed, I moved to working hotels
CB: Let's move to your love life. Debra, First love?
DG: I married my first love when I was 22 It lasted six years and by the time I graduated, we were divorced.
CB: Paul, what about you?
PL: My first kiss was with my dad’s friend's daughter in the back of a 56 Chevy Bel Air. In Seattle, I met a woman from California I married her at Albert’s Instant Wedding Chapel, and we had our picture taken with a five-tier wooden cake. Then had champagne at the Polo Bar at the Beverly Hills Hotel We stayed together for 25 years, moving often for my work. She passed away in 2008.
CB: How did you two meet? Who was responsible?
DG: You were! Thanks to That’s Entertainment. We first met at a meeting. You wanted to get at least 10 people to go to see the play, Mrs Maud, a true story about a Black midwife and famous photographer. Cyrus, at your urging, I asked Paul and he said yes! Later, he came to the Front Porch meeting We then went hiking in Memorial Park After six miles of walking, I was ready to go home. Then Paul opened the trunk and pulled out a picnic hamper "Wow!" I said
B: Oh, food is sexy. That is a great piece of eduction! (All laugh)
L: Yes, it is We had a long chat, but nothing more he next time, we were in line to get on the bus for osca, and I sat next to her, even at the theatre. I ecided to tell her a little about my feelings
G: Oh no! I thought I didn't want this. Been rough two marriages and so has he. That vening, I got an email from him trying to explain s words to me.
CB: What did you say?
PL: I quoted an Elvis Costello song, “You’ve got a piece of my mind” …
CB: You are kidding!
PL: It was very meaningful; it’s about chemistry class and my chemistry mixing with Her’s.
CB: Where is this going with Elvis Costello playing cupid?
DG: Paul takes me to dinner and reads a letter he had written to me. It was so beautiful, so poetic, so moving. It touched me. My feelings for him changed at that moment.
PL: I was emotional as I was being treated for cancer. Plus, my ex-wife wanted to get back together. I explained to Debra that it was over, as she didn’t want any drama Then I told my ex I didn’t want to go back to her and called Debra to tell her. We then started dating seriously.
CB: Last question: You invite four people to dinner Each of you chooses two people from history. Who would they be?
DG: Maya Angelo and Harriet Tubman Both are amazingly brave people.
PL: Julia Childs, for giving me the spark to become a chef, and Dr Martin Luther King Jr., for just getting the ball rolling for all the social changes.
CB: What are you cooking for them?
DG: Scallops are my favorite, and a dessert called La Madelaine - meringues and butter cream.
CB: Debra, do you cook in this house?
DG: NO! I do the washing up with my gloves on.
CB: Thank you both and have a happy married life.
Nourishment from Nature Nourishment from Nature from Nature
By Sweetgrass Garden Club
Our Sweetgrass community offers many opportunities to connect with nature on a regular basis. Residents can walk, bike, garden, and play while enjoying our outdoor amenities, and we are fortunate to have these experiences so close at hand Scientific studies have shown that spending time in nature provides important mental health benefits, including reduced stress, lower levels o f anxiety and depression, and improved focus through cognitive restoration. Doctors now write “nature prescriptions” to improve both mental and physical health.
Seabourne Creek Nature Park, the largest park in Rosenberg, is conveniently located just minutes from Sweetgrass at 3831 Highway 36S (next to the Rosenberg Civic Center). Texas Master Naturalists volunteers help preserve this thriving habitat fo r wildlife while supporting recreational use Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, fishing, biking, picnicking, dog walking, and scenic trails that wind through wetlands and woodlands. Gardeners will also appreciate the park’s native plants, colorful flowers, arboretums, and prairie restoration areas. A visit to this peaceful, scenic, and family-friendly park is a wonderful way to nurture both physical and mental well-being. Guided birds, insects, and meditation walks are available regularly.
For more information, visit the Seabourne Creek Nature Park website.
Sweetgrass Clubs and Groups
Sweetgrass SocialCanasta Club
Social Canasta Club Quarterly Meeting
The Social Canasta Club held its quarterly meeting on June 15th. Despite the heavy rain, a record number of members attended, dressed in patriotic red, white, and blue.
Members enjoyed an Americana-themed lunch featuring a James Coney hot dog with all the fixings, coleslaw, chips, apple pie, and a beverage. After a short meeting, members enjoyed a fun afternoon of cards with friends and five lucky members received a prize!
The club would like to thank the following members for all their hard work in hosting this fun event, Linda Price, Judy Bierman, Arlene Curtis, Alice Stegall, Robert and Cindy Hess.
Sweetgrass Clubs and Groups
Sweetgrass Singles
One of the most mistaken features of our group is that we are a dating club— we are not. We are just residents who happen to be socially single. We offer opportunities to gather and do things that others do as couples—only we fly solo! We eat out, see movies, enjoy concerts and participate in group sports. Because we live alone, being in the club makes it easier to connect to others in the community who share our interests. Membership is open to all residents—single or not. Watch for our announcements and give us a try if you want to socialize.
The club came close to disbanding in 2025. But the officers we have this
year wanted to give it a chance to succeed before throwing in the towel. So past members agreed to cover these offices & core responsibilities and were elected by acclimation: Jim Early, President; Joyce Weyland, Vice President; Beverly Ruffin, Secretary/ Treasurer.
We have 34 paying members and have been socializing around a chili supper, a pool party potluck, Bocce Ball lessons, Pie & Ice Cream, Super Bowl Squares & Party, Cracker Barrel Brunch, and Beck’s Prime Patio lunch, just to name a few.
We have more coming up. We meet the 3rd Wednesday each month. Odd numbered months, you can find us in the
Lakehouse Blue Bell room. Even numbered months, we go to a local hot spot to eat and socialize. We usually have a second event—on a weekend, to accommodate those who may not be able to make our weekday events. All residents are welcome!
Dialogue & Learning Club
There will be no Dialogue and Learning meetings during July or August. Meetings will start in September.
Technology Group Help Desk
The Technology Group Help Desk will be open for business on the second and fourth Thursday of the
month between 4:00 -5:00 p.m. in the Lakehouse Learning Center. Some of your Sweetgrass neighbors volunteer their time in order to answer your questions regarding computers, tablets, cell phones, exercise trackers and other portable devices. Come see us!
Day Trippers Club
Join us for our Quarterly meeting at the Lakehouse on Wednesday, July 8th at 9AM or 10:30AM to learn about upcoming trips!
Big Cypress
Tom Jaros* taj.jaros@outlook.com
Dave Yendrall Dyendrall@gmail.com
Copper Leaf
Valerie Kavalewitz veliak@yahoo.com
Margi Simera mamasimera@hotmail.com
JoAnn Ternand* jternand@comcast.net
Echo Bay
Pat Baker pabaker@comcast.net
Jerry Brooks * jbechobay@yahoo.com
Carol Gremillion carol@carolgremillion.com
Escarpment Ridge
Dawn Allison*
dawn_allison_ada@hotmail.com
Kitty Haynes kittyhaynes@earthlink.net
Andy Mishlan andrew@mishlan.com
Grey Hawk
Diane Gilbert* Dlrgilbert@yahoo.com
Neighborhood Rep Directory
Heritage Park
Ariana Beck* arianabeck1@gmail.com
Tonya Garcia Trgarcia2016@gmail.com
Dave Waner warnerdave48@gmail.com
Knotted Pines
Deborah Abraham rwaabe@sbcglobal.net
Amie Bogaard amieb5@aol.com
Terri Hopman* terrihopman@yahoo.com
Lost Pines
Mary Johnson marygateway@yahoo.com
Michele Lawson* lindenliving@gmail.com
Susie Resetar susanresetar@gmail.com
Redbud
Virginia Rutherford vwrutherford@gmail.com
Sandra Startz* sstartz@hotmail.com
Gay Taylor gay.taylor59@gmail.com
*Indicates the Chairperson for each Neighborhood
River Pointe
Chip Swearngan* chipswear@gmail.com
Rolling Ridge
Linda Bair
Lindabair2007@gmail.com
Javier Fuentes valleymite@gmail.com
Marty Gibula* martygib56@gmail.com
Sandpiper
Linda Houlis* lafdh2019@gmail.com
Jim Lauver jllauver1@att.net
Tina Lauver tmlauver2@att.net
Shearwater
Kathy Louvar* kathylouvar@gmail.com
Betsy McNamara betsymcnam@gmail.com
Kassandra Peel apeel@flash.net
Valley Oaks
Linda Countryman countrymanlinda@yahoo.com
Margie Fougeron* Margiefougeron@hotmail.com
Diane Villoutreix dvilloutreix@comcast.com
Whisper Springs
Robert Holloway robhol@sbcglobal.net
Dick Wasser* chicagodick14@gmail.com
Wildflower
Terry Beckler tbeckler@sbcglobal.net
Kathy Rogers kathyrog@sbcglobal.net
Susan Wilson* susansamwilson@yahoo.com
Windflower
Dee Butts* dmb2819@yahoo.com
Beth Carter bethc021953@gmail.com
Sue Sphar sue@msphar.com
Windmill Glen Cindi Kuykendall cdkuykendall02@gmail.com
Ernie Prochaska* ernie.prochaska1@outlook.com
Randy Stephens randy_stephens@comcast.net
CCGA Directory
Chartered Clubs
A chartered club is a group that shares a common interest and has received formal approval from the board for a charter under the HOA is recognized as an official part of the HOA.
Art at Sweetgrass
Steve Castillo scsketcher@icloud.com
Bocce Ball
Bob Bruce bobbruce25@yahoo.com
Book Club
Dorothy Wrigley amble5601@yahoo.com
Social Bridge
David Connan david.connan1948@gmail.com
Canasta
Lynne Handwerk
lynne_handwerk@yahoo.com
Card Crafters
Cindy Bryson cljeweltx@yahoo.com
Chat & Craft
Jackie Schmock twojacks@sbcglobal.net
Day Trippers
Gary Hirsch gary0519.hirsch@gmail.com
Dialogue & Learning
Jim Sheridan sherim@fastmail.com
Drama Club
Holly Vitemb hollyvtx@gmail.com
Garden Club
Cathy Kemper ckemper55@gmail.com
Genealogy Club
Paulette Niemann rniemann@sbcglobal.net
Hear More
Teri Wathen teriwathen@sbcglobal.net
Mahjongg
Penny Chancey pchancey881@att.net
Men's Club
Jim Mullan jmullan1951@gmail.com
Needlecrafters
Victoria (Pilar) Villamizar Victoriaevillamizar@gmail.com
Photography Club
Chad De Cuir ctdecuir@yahoo.com
Pickleball Club
Michael Martin dwspickleball@gmail.com
Poker Club
Mike Covault covaultmichael@gmail.com
Power Walking
Margie Poole margiepoole@att.net
Qi Gong
Karl Loetzerich karlloetz@gmail.com
Quilters
Jami Ouellette artqueenjo@protonmail.com
SG Golf Association
Sandy Bogusevic sbogusevic@gmail.com
Singers
Mike Byerly m.s.byerly@outlook.com
Singles
James Early jmearly@gmail.com
Sweetgrass Line Dance Club
Myrleen Knott myrleenp.knott@gmail.com
Sweetgrass Financial
Education Club
Brenda Bramhill bjbramhill@gmail.com
Table Tennis
Phil Kalz philip.kalz@gmail.com
Texas 42
Mary Ellen Smith crystalbeachbroker@att.net
That's Entertainment!
Cyrus Bharucha bharuchacy@gmail.com
Veterans Club
Audrey Adams sg.veteransclub@gmail.com
Women's Club
Maryann Metcalf d.metcalf@sbcglobal.net
Model Yacht Club
Richard Hebert rghebert@gmail.com
Havurah
Jay Smolensky jsmolensky@aol.com
