Life + Culture

Happy, Healthy Holidays

For a Healthier Holiday Season, Here’s What to Watch For Article by Lauren Cash and Dr. Chris Hummel November is a time to reflect on what we are most thankful for, and good health is often at the top of the list. But with the holiday season also come challenges to staying healthy. Viruses, stomach illnesses, and even injuries can become more common this time of year. And with the hope of cooler weather during a Texas “fall” comes cold and flu season. While flu activity typically peaks later...

Local Services

More Than Meals

Montgomery County Food Bank Turns Community Generosity Into Nourishment, Dignity, and Hope for Local Families Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Courtesy Montgomery County Food Bank For Montgomery County Food Bank, fighting hunger has been about more than putting food on the table. It is about creating breathing room for families, supporting neighbors through hard seasons, and strengthening a network of organizations working to care for their community. Jay Martin, marketing and...

Food + Beverage

Charcuterie Time

Invest In Your Next Event With the Perfect Charcuterie Board From Rosemary & Brie Article by Tiffany Harston & Rori Ortiz | Photography by Christa McCourt A charcuterie board is more than a snack. With the right balance of flavors, textures, and colors, it becomes a centerpiece that brings people together and sets the tone for an event. Thoughtful design can turn a grazing display into a memorable part of the celebration.   Choose the Right Surface and Plan the Space With Intention The...

Life + Culture

From Community Vision to a New Gathering Place

East Montgomery County Celebrates Decades of Intentional Growth as Caney Pines Convention Center Prepares to Open Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Courtesy East Montgomery County Improvement District For nearly three decades, the East Montgomery County Improvement District (EMCID) has worked with one central purpose in mind, creating a stronger community for the people who call East Montgomery County home. As the organization approaches its 30th anniversary, that mission feels...

Life + Culture

Her Mission, Their Hope

Dr. Loren Rourke Brings Expertise, Compassion, and Personal Purpose to Breast Cancer Care Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Courtesy Dr. Loren Rourke For Dr. Loren Rourke, medicine was never simply a career choice. At just 6 years old, she announced to her family that she wanted to become a doctor, despite having no relatives in medicine. That determination never faded. Her path eventually led her to surgery, where she discovered a love for the combination of precision...

Life + Culture

Smokin’ for a Cause

Chicks & Hogs Served Up Delectable Barbecue Along With Hope for Local Families Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Taylor Harbers The aroma of smoky, slow-cooked barbecue billowed through A.V. “Bull” Sallas Park as pitmasters served up juicy brisket and other savory favorites during the 16th Annual Chicks & Hogs BBQ and Brew-Fest on Sept. 26. Music and laughter filtered through the crowd as children immersed themselves in the fun of the play zone. Nearby, adults sipped cold beverages...

Food + Beverage

Fire Meets Finesse

French Technique, Southern Roots, and Texas Barbecue Come Together Article by Nikita Hanif | Photography by Hung L Truong There is smoke in the air at Fire Craft BBQ, but Chef David Welch’s story begins before the first brisket hits the pit. It begins with family. Welch spent his earliest years in Alabama surrounded by farmers, gardens, and generations of Southern cooks. His grandmother owned a restaurant in the 1950s, and family gatherings were filled with food. As a child, he learned where...

Local Services

A Pathway to Stability

Helping Neighbors Overcome Hardship and Build Brighter Futures Article by Jessica Lawrence | Photography by Courtesy HAAM Social Services Ms. Jones had dedicated seven years to raising her three children when she found herself in dire financial straits. The 37-year-old single mother and domestic violence survivor dreamed of becoming a certified nursing assistant but had been unable to complete the licensing exam during a demanding pregnancy. Receiving little financial support each month and...

Food + Beverage

Brewing Up a Gathering Place

Final Gravity BrewPub Blends Craft Beer, Family, and an Americana Spirit Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Courtesy Final Gravity BrewPub For Ted Dougherty, brewing began as a hobby. After 11 years of home brewing, a career in law enforcement, and service in the U.S. Army, Dougherty turned his passion into a business. He and his wife opened Final Gravity BrewPub in 2025, with their daughter, Ashley, serving as taproom manager. “Everyone kept telling me since I gave away beer in...

Home + Design

Fall on the Farm

This Annual Pumpkin Patch is a Texas Tradition Three Decades In the Making Article by Michelle Glicksman | Photography by Courtesy Old Time Christmas Tree Farm For three decades, Old Time Christmas Tree Farm has been welcoming families to celebrate the holiday season. But long before the Christmas trees are ready to take center stage, the farm transforms into a fall destination filled with pumpkins, hayrides, corn mazes, and plenty of opportunities to make memories. This year marks the 30th...