Greatwood_July 2026_1-16

GREATWOOD

Relentlessly pushing health and care forward.

At Memorial Hermann, we believe finish lines don’t exist. For our patients and the health of our community, our work is never done. Each milestone inspires us to look ahead—to relentlessly improve care, innovate for the future and to see that the medicine of tomorrow is even better than today. It is our promise to not only advance health but to personalize care, for you and for generations to come.

Advancing health. Personalizing care.

PUBLISHER

STEVE STRICKBINE Steve@texaslocalmedia.com

MANAGING EDITOR

ALICIA VENTER aventer@texaslocalmedia.com

ADVERTISING

STEFANIE BARTLETT sbartlett@texaslocalmedia.com

ADVERTISING

RUBY SEBESTA rsebesta@texaslocalmedia.com

DESIGN

CINDY MOLINARI cmolinari@texaslocalmedia.com

TO ADVERTISE

Interested in advertising in one of our special magazines? Call 281-342-4474 and ask for Stefanie Bartlett or Ruby Sebesta. We’ll be happy to send rates and deadline information to you.

PHOTO & ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

We are looking for story ideas and enjoy publishing your articles in the Greatwood Monthly. If you have an story idea or photo to publish please send your information to aventner@texaslocalmedia.com with “Greatwood Monthly” in the subject line.

©2026 Greatwood Monthly. All Rights Reserved. Greatwood Monthly is a publication of the Fort Bend Herald. Our publishing headquarters is 1902 S. Fourth Street, Rosenberg Texas 77471.

Johnson makes good on football

BY JOEL LUNA jluna@texaslocalmedia.com

Playing football from a young age, George Ranch’s Josiah Johnson made the varsity squad for the Longhorns in his senior year, which worked out well as he earned an opportunity at playing at the next level.

The 5-foot-7, 125 pound safety will next play at Division III Westminster College, the home of the Blue Jays in Fulton, Mo.

“I went ballistic in my junior offseason by training and working out trying to make this happen,” Johnson recalled. “I put in a lot of work, which meant no off days for me, and what helped the most was the consistency that I kept with those workouts. Whether training with the trainer or by myself, I was destined to play at the next level and that dream wasn’t going to escape me.”

Johnson spent his freshman season playing with the freshman team, and in the next two seasons he played with the Junior Varsity A team.

“Right after the season I went to a Senior Showcase and that was where Westminster saw me,” Johnson said. “They told me that they liked my film and wanted me to go for a visit, so I went. I had never heard of them until they contacted me afterwards, so I searched where it was at and what it looked like. I liked the engineering program that they had, because that was my interest in the visit as well. But the Westminster coaches also liked my physicality on the field.”

Westminster College wasn’t the only program that had noticed the Longhorn.

“I also got offers from Allegany College from Maryland, as well as Centenary from Louisiana and Clark University from Massachusetts, which was pretty cool,” he said.

Johnson trained with Jerome Howard right after his junior year, and also worked out with former University of Houston standout Greg Ward Jr.

“I mainly worked out one-on-ones with Greg and as soon as I started working out with him he opened my eyes to some of the things that I was doing wrong,” Johnson said.

Ward Jr. went undrafted but he hooked up with the Philadelphia Eagles as a wide receiver.

Currently he is playing in the UFL with the Dallas Renegades.

“Along with the one-on-ones we did a lot of foot work and worked on my speed also,” Johnson said. “Those were intense workouts and I can’t thank those guys enough because of how they helped me develop so much.”

Johnson didn’t disappoint on the field with George Ranch, finishing with 40 tackles, 20 solo and 20 assists, while getting an interception which he brought back for a 20-yard gain. He also caused a fumble.

“I had actually played cornerback since I came in as a freshman, but the coaches decided to try me out at safety and I stuck,” Johnson said. “I liked the safety position more because the corner position is so far away from the action. The the safety position fit me perfectly.”

It was a long, tough season for the Longhorns on the field finishing 3-3 in District 20-6A and 5-6 overall for the season. But George Ranch pulled out a crucial district game against Alief Taylor (28-24) where Johnson played a part in the victory.

“I had quite a few moments for the season but my biggest one was during that game because Taylor was driving on us,” Johnson added.

“We had stopped them at the 1-yard line and they were about to win the game, but myself and a teammate went in after the quarterback after he called a draw, but we got there at the same time and cleaned them up to ice the game on the last play of the game.”

Westminster College plays in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.

The Jays finished 2-5, 4-6 in 2025.

“When I went on my visit I thought the guys on the team were

good because they seemed like a big family, and they were always talking about campus life, the team and of course food,” he said.

For his one season on varsity, Johnson accomplished what he set out to do.

“It was an amazing season and I loved it, because I was free to go out and play the game,” he said. “I played to the best of my ability, without any worries anywhere. This game has meant a lot to me since the

early days and I can’t explain why it means so much to me, but I always wanted to be involved with the sport. I do know that football has shaped me into the person I am today.”

This summer Johnson is training to prepare for some Blue Jay football.

“I think it will be a fun experience, but to me it will be an experience of the game I love at the collegiate level,” he said.

Arc of Fort Bend County Golf Tournament benefit raises more than $97,000

The Arc of Fort Bend County hosted 36 teams for the 32nd Annual Golf Classic fundraiser on June 1 at TPC Houston. The event raised more than $97,000—and counting—in support of inclusion, advocacy, and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Fort Bend County.

The Troy Companies returned as presenting sponsors for the 13th consecutive year. It was an exciting day featuring lunch generously donated by Live Oak Grill, a round of golf, games, a live auction, awards, and a delicious BBQ dinner prepared by friends Steve Mowrey and the “Yeah-I-Do! Cook ‘N’ Crew” which was generously donated by The Diamonds at Daily Park Team.

Returning this year, players enjoyed a chance to launch a golf ball cannon at hole #1 and tested their skills in a “Beat the Pro” closest-tothe-pin contest with professional golfer, Chelsea Kinard. Teams even had the chance to stop by several “Hole Partners” to grab a snack or drink, play games, and win prizes. Our longtime friends at Classic Chevrolet Sugar Land sponsored the Hole-in-One Contest offering a 2026 GMC Silverado truck, but unfortunately, there was no winner to declare this year.

Laura LaVigne, CEO of The Arc of Fort Bend County, stated, “This year’s Golf Classic was a tremendous success, with an entire course of teams coming together for a day of camaraderie and purpose in support of our mission. The Arc’s ability to provide essential programs and services is made possible through the continued generosity of our community. We extend our sincere gratitude to all who participated and contributed to this event’s success.”

Gold Underwriters included GFL Environmental; Kaluza, Inc.; Magnolia Wealth; Sprint Sand & Clay. Silver Underwriters included Crain

Group; Food Town; Frost Bank; Heidelberg Materials; Houston Federal Credit Union; Inframark; Si Environmental and Sueba. Hole Partners included Houston Federal Credit Union, Magnolia Wealth, Preactive IT Solutions, Sugar Land Space Cowboys Street Team and The Diamonds at Daily Park, all of whom provided food, drinks and prizes on the greens.

Award winners included First Place Team, GFL Team #2; Closestto-the-Pin, Regie Barclay; Women’s Longest Drive, Michelle Fritzer; Men’s Longest Drive, Kyle Saul; Putting Contest, Doug Pike and the Wacky Pants prize was awarded to Tommy Merck of the Inframark Team.

The Arc is very grateful to everyone who supported the Golf Classic and made it such a standout event— from our generous sponsors and teams to our dedicated volunteers. Their enthusiasm and generosity made the day an unforgettable success. This annual event plays a vital role in raising funds for the essential programs and services The Arc provides to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

For additional information, please contact Cheryl Olivier at The Arc of Fort Bend County.

For nearly 60 years, The Arc of Fort Bend County has ensured opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to maximize their quality of life within our community. The Arc was founded by a group of grassroots parents who wanted to improve the lives of their children with IDD. It has grown into a diversified service and advocacy organization providing life-enhancing programs and vital support to people of all ages who have ID, autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.

The 25th Annual Sugar Plum Market benefit returns Nov. 4-7.

‘Once Upon a Sugar Plum Market’ is a festive, joyous time to shop for loved ones, make new connections and give back during the most wonderful time of the year—and this year we are thrilled to celebrate the Silver Anniversary of the Sugar Plum Market!

Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) is excited to announce the 2026 Sugar Plum Market Co-Chairs Holly Barker, Darcholcia Easley, Molly Kolle, Jacquetta Madgett, Ursula McLendon, and Stacey Schwab. This volunteer team of FBJSL members have already been hard at work planning this beloved Fort Bend County tradition.

Centre from November 4-7, with a special Preview Night Celebration kicking off the event on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

“We’re thrilled to unveil this year’s Sugar Plum Market theme: Once Upon a Sugar Plum,” shared Michelle Vargas, the incoming FBJSL President for the 2026 Sugar Plum Market. “This year we ‘turn the page’ and celebrate 25 incredible years of Sugar Plum with amazing vendors, whimsical entertainment, photos with Santa, a return of our Fashion Show and much more!” The 2026 Sugar Plum Market will take place at the Stafford

25th Annual

The Sugar Plum Market, hosted by the Fort Bend Junior Service League and Title Sponsor Memorial Hermann Sugar Land, stands as the organization’s premier fundraising event.

Since its debut in 2001, it has successfully raised over $5 million, supporting numerous nonprofit organizations throughout Fort Bend County.

The Sugar Plum Market and the Fort Bend Junior Service League appreciate

your support in their charitable mission. Businesses and individuals can explore a range of sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, while the Market is also accepting donations for its Premium Raffle. For more information, visit www. sugarplummarket. com and follow us on social media

The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and to improving the Fort Bend County community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Our purpose is exclusively educational and charitable as well as providing an atmosphere of friendliness, goodwill and camaraderie for all members.

Proceeds from various events and fundraisers have made it possible for FBJSL to donate more than $6 million to non-profit agencies in the Fort Bend community since its inception in 2001. Contact us at http://www.fbjsl.org or publicrelations@fbjsl.com.

SugarPlum Market

BREAKING GROUND

VA BREAKS GROUND ON NEW CLINIC IN ROSENBERG

For the past few years, veterans in this fast-growing corner of southeast Texas have faced a difficult choice: drive through Houston traffic for the medical care they’ve earned, or wait in line for an appointment. With two existing Fort Bend County clinics, in Sugar Land and Richmond, both stretched to capacity and serving roughly 13,000 veterans combined, the need for something new was impossible to ignore.

On Thursday, that something new officially broke ground.

The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a brand-new 38,000 square-foot outpatient healthcare clinic in Rosenberg— a moment that drew cheers, handshakes, and even a few grateful tears from the veterans and community lead-

ers who gathered to witness it.

“Houston VA is one of the fastest-growing VAs in the country and we are at or near capacity in several of our 11 outpatient clinics,” said Amir Farooqi, executive director of the Mi-

chael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. “This new Rosenberg VA clinic is the latest step in a sweeping expansion we have planned across southeast Texas; putting more VA care closer to where the veterans who have earned it live.”

Farooqi spoke about what the new facility will mean in practical terms: nearly 20,000 square feet of additional space beyond the current Richmond clinic, with room to hire more staff and offer more services, all under one roof. The clinic will provide primary care, mental health services, radiology, audiology, optometry, orthopedics, sleep and pulmonary care, prosthetics, physical therapy, and a dedicated women’s health area.

“Women are the fastest-growing segment of our veteran population,” Farooqi added, “and they deserve a space designed with their specific needs in mind.” It was a reminder that the face of our country’s veterans is changing, and the VA is changing with it. He also spoke with quiet conviction about veterans’ mental health. “We know that healing isn’t only physical,” he said. “Access to mental health services close to home removes barriers and saves lives. This clinic will make it easier for veterans to ask for help and get it quickly.”

The new clinic will be located at 25175 Southwest Freeway in Rosenberg, next to Gilman Honda.

As the ceremony ended, Farooqi looked out at the crowd, veterans in caps and pins, local officials, construction crews, VA staff, and offered a promise on behalf of everyone who helped make the day possible. “When we turn the first shovel of dirt today, we are investing in the health, dignity, and future of Fort Bend County’s veterans,” he said. “We look forward to the day we open these doors and say to every veteran: welcome home, we’ve got you.”

Among those in attendance at the groundbreaking were veterans

Ken Dillon and George Warner, outgoing and incoming commander of local VFW Post 3903. Both gentlemen were thrilled with the idea of the new clinic opening just a few miles from their VFW post. For Dillon and the veterans he has long represented, the groundbreaking wasn’t just the beginning of construction; it was a message. A message that their community sees them, values them, and is willing to invest in their futures.

“It’s great to see the VA expanding out here,” said Dillon, who has commanded VFW Post 3903 in Rosenberg for 10 years. “We are very grateful.”

The project to open the new clinic brings together a talented team committed to delivering a world-class facility: Vet Med Property and JTW Development as the lessor, Ryan Company leading construction, LaBella as the design team, and Dunham serving as architect and engineer.

But on Thursday, the blueprints and timelines took a back seat to something more human. Strangers shook hands. Stories were shared. A community paused to honor the veterans who had given so much.

Fort Bend County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, and its veteran population is growing right along with it.

With this groundbreaking, the Houston VA planted its flag; not just in the soil of Rosenberg, but in a lasting promise to the men and women who call this place home.

The new clinic is set to open in 2027. But the foundation has been laid, and for thousands of veterans in southeast Texas, that is reason to celebrate.

Top quality with rigorous testing for durability, performance, and safety, guaranteeing a superior ride every time.

LIBRARY OF THINGS OPEN

Community-driven initiative pilot program that aims to end ‘a cycle of wasted spending and limited access’ debuts at George Memorial Library

A community-driven initiative that began nearly a year ago with two high school seniors has reached fruition and is ready to debut to the Fort Bend public. It’s called the Fort Bend County Libraries Library of Things, and its purpose is adequately expressed in the name — a collection of things people can borrow from the library.

“We were both frustrated by the constant need to purchase expensive, one-time-use items,” explained one of the high schoolers, Rishan Hemrajani, who, at the time, was president of his school’s Technology Student Association and had built nationally recognized TSA projects. Fellow classmate and senior, Kyle Nguyen, who was the senior

class president, agreed, recalling how often a one-time-use item was needed when he was organizing large school and community events.

The duo said they considered the challenges they experienced with hav-

ing to purchase one-use items “a cycle of wasted spending and limited access.”

Operating beneath the Fort Bend County Libraries system, The Library of Things allows people to borrow useful and oftentimes expensive items, from tools to tech and gadgets to games, for free — just like books. The program promotes sustainability, saves money, and encourages sharing by giving everyone access to donated items they may need occasionally or want to try before making a purchase.

Items currently found in The Library of Things include binoculars, a telescope, a power and moisture meter, a projector with WiFi and Bluetooth, a selfie ring light, a Smart Pen (Scanning dictionary pen), a Metal Detector, Hayner-seek studio headphones with a microphone, Hayner-seek podcast equipment, a thermal camera, a gimbal stabilizer, and a portable cassette player.

George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond, is the launching site for the pilot program, which opens June 8.

To be eligible to check out an item from The Library of Things, the library user must be at least 18 years old, a Fort Bend County resident, and have a full-service or homebound library card. The patron must also provide valid photo identification and proof of residence at check-out.

For more information, please visit www.fortbendlibraries.gov.

FROM VISION TO REALITY

Beyond being classmates at Jordan High School in Katy, Rishan Hemra-

jani and Kyle Nguyen were also active members in the Fulshear Branch Library’s Young Adult Advisory Council. It was through involvement with that specific library program that they came to understand the library’s role as “a hub for innovation, sustainability and community connection,” Hemrajani explained.

Motivated by this, the two high schoolers brainstormed a solution to the one-use purchases that would help the community at large: “A shared collection where neighbors could borrow rather than buy,” they explained.

With the desire to help serve some 900,000 county residents across 11 library branches, they reached out to Fort Bend Libraries Library Director Roosevelt Weeks with a proposal. “What we thought might go unanswered quickly turned into a meeting with library leadership,” said Hemrajani. “And within weeks, the ambitious concept became a county initiative.”

In the months that followed, through social media campaigns, community engagement, and local media, the students amassed a collection for The Library of Things from donations from all corners of the county.

Now, the Fort Bend community can benefit from their vision.

“What began as a grassroots effort steadily grew into a collection of hundreds of items,” said Hemrajani and Nguyen. The project, they added, “stands as both a reflection of Fort Bend County Libraries’ mission and a testament to the remarkable leadership of two students.”

Area veterans get help at Veterans Resource Expo

BY SCOTT REESE WILLEY swilley@fbherald.com

Donna Smith of Richmond served in the U.S. Army for 10 years. So when she got out, she felt lost in civilian life.

“You have to remember, my life had been very structured for 10 years,” she explained. “I was told what to do and when to do it. Then, suddenly, I had to make those decisions myself. And it was hard. And scary at times.”

She said she withdrew into herself for a long time while trying to adjust to life outside of the military.

Smith thanked Catholic Charities for hosting a veterans resource expo on Tuesday afternoon at the Mamie George Community Center in Richmond.

“This is a blessing,” the former Army cook told The Herald. “We need this. Veterans need this sort of help. I had no idea what help I could get.”

The expo included about 15-16 booths, each one set up by an organization or agency that provides services to veterans.

Those booths included the Veterans Administration, Operation Salvation, The Xena Project, The Veterans Hall of Fort Bend, Hu-

mana, Fort Bend Meals on Wheels, The Department of Veterans Affairs, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, Mamie George Community Center, Combined Arms, Texas Veterans Commission, Vet Center, Houston Regional Veterans Chamber of Commerce, Cambridge Health & Rehabilitation Center, Fort Bend Christian Counseling Center, The Warriors Refuge, and others.

Lou Imbrogno and Jimmy Wootres manned the Combined Arms booth. They invited Donna to join other veterans at a monthly get-together at an area barbecue restaurant.

The meeting provide veterans with the opportunity to talk to others who share the same trials and tribulations facing veterans, Lou explained.

Smith said the meetings sound wonderful.

“One of the hardest things veterans face when they get out of the service is making new friends,” she said. “In the Army, we are one big family. The people in my unit were like a family to me. But once you’re out, you lost contact. And it’s hard making new friends. You become detached from society. So, yeah,

these meetings sound great.”

VA Health Care offers a wide range of services to veterans, including showers, laundry, snack boxes, computer lab, mental health services, referrals to community and VA programs, and other programs.

Operation Salvation is a veteran-based nonprofit that provides a hands-on woodworking program, which focuses on developing confidence, fostering camaraderie and life long skills.

Meals on Wheels offers free, nutritious meals to senior citizens throughout Fort Bend County. The

agency recently celebrated its 8 millionth meal served.

The Warriors Refuge is a 501 © (30 nonprofit ministry dedicated to serving veterans through transitional housing, counseling, employment, and education services.

The organization helps veterans rebuilt their lives, overcome homelessness, and reintegrate into society with the tools and support they need to succeed.

The Veterans Hall of Fort Bend was established in 2026 with the mission to establish a campus designed to empower veterans, mil-

itary members of all ages, and their families by reigniting purpose and discovering new ways for continued service to their country.

The Veterans Hall will be a community-focused nonprofit venue designed to honor veterans while serving the broader public, said Kelley Sweet Jensen, who handed out pamphlets and explained the mission of the Veterans Hall to veterans on Tuesday.

Once built, the hall will offer mental health and emotional healing programs, physical wellness and rehabilitation programs, social connection and communtiy service programs, professional and career growthprograms and programs to help veterans successfully transition back to civilian life, Jensen explained.

Catholic Charities and the Mamie George Community Center also offer various programs for veterans, including mental and emotional health programs, food pantry and twice-weekly food distribution programs, senior wellness pro-

grams, rental and/or mortgage assistance, help with utilities, and information on other community resources available to veterans.

Mark Imming with Humana handed out literature on the hospital’s Medicare Advantage Plans that he says can save veterans big bucks on eye, dental and hearing care, as well as other healthcare needs.

“I wish I’d known about some of these services offered to veterans when I first got out of the service, then maybe I wouldn’t have crawled into myself and hid for so long,” Smith said. “I hope they continue to hold this veterans expo every year.”

Local Meals on Wheels Delivers

8 MILLIONTH MEAL

A milestone more than five decades in the making was reached this week as Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels delivered its 8 millionth meal to Juanita Navarro, a local senior in Needville.

The achievement marks an important chapter in the nonprofit’s 52-year history of serving older adults throughout Fort Bend and Waller counties.

What began as a community effort to address senior hunger has grown into a comprehensive support system providing nutritious meals, wellness checks, transportation, and social connection to thousands of seniors each year, Meals on Wheels execs say.

For Chief Executive Officer Doug Simpson, the milestone represents much more than the number itself.

“Eight million meals represents eight million opportunities to care for someone,” Simpson said.

“Every delivery means a senior received not only nourishment, but also a friendly visit and reassurance that

someone cares.”

Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels serves adults age 60 and older in Fort Bend and Waller Counties at no cost to clients who qualify based on need.

The agency served more than 369,000 meals in 2025 and continues to respond to increasing demand among older adults.

For many clients, the meal delivery is about more than food. The familiar knock at the door often serves as a daily wellness check and an important source of human connection. Volunteers delivering meals may be the only person some seniors see during the day.

“Our mission has always been about more than a meal,” Simpson added.

“We help seniors maintain their independence, remain safe at home, and stay connected to their community.

” The organization delivers meals designed to meet at least one-third of recommended daily nutritional needs and provides additional support services to help older adults age in place.

The 8 millionth meal comes at a time when local senior nutrition programs face increasing pressure from rising operational costs and uncertain government funding. Yet community support has continued to sustain the mission. Behind the milestone are thousands of volunteers, donors, staff

members, and community partners, who have helped make each delivery possible over the years. From delivering meals, volunteering at senior centers, and supporting fundraising efforts, community involvement remains central to the organization’s success.

While celebrating the milestone, organization leaders say their focus remains on the future and ensuring local seniors continue receiving the support they depend upon.

“One meal may not seem like much,” Simpson said, “but to the person receiving it, it can mean comfort, security, and hope. Reaching 8 million meals reminds us how powerful community support can be and how much work still lies ahead.”

For more information about Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels or opportunities to volunteer or donate, visit fortbendseniors.org.