With Hurricane Beryl expected to bring large amounts of rain and high winds to Southeast Texas tomorrow, lake residents are urged to secure items. Currently Lake Conroe is almost a foot lower than its conservation pool level of 201 feet. Real time lake conditions available at www.sjra.net. Follow Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and…
Over the past 15 years, fertility rates in Texas have dropped from 77 to just 60 births per 1,000 women, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Center for Health Statistics.
The University of Texas at Austin High School Special Purpose District is a school district that offers flexible virtual programs to help students with unique learning situations not only in Texas but across the globe.
Throughout Conroe’s 120-year history since its 1904 incorporation, it has carried the motto of “The Miracle City.”
In the 1950s and 1960s, a reporter for Conroe newspaper The Courier Ed Watson wrote a regular column titled “Main Street in Miracle City.” Today, “Miracle City” is the name for nonprofit Compassion United’s campus for the city’s homeless community.
A bakery is titled Miracle City Bakery and a nonprofit bringing the city together in worship and praise is named the Miracle City Collective.
When Conroe composer Bill Thompson wanted to pen a song about Conroe, he titled it the “Miracle City March.”
But what does the term mean and where did it come from?
Here are several possible suggestions of how the motto came to be and events that contributed to the title:
NEW LEADERSHIP: New Conroe Salvation Army commanders settle in while preparing for active hurricane season
Conroe’s start
Former Union captain Isaac Conroe mustered out of military service in Galveston. The enterprising veteran traveled by train to the then wilderness north of Houston to establish a sawmill.
He constructed his sawmill in 1881 east of the north/south railroad tracks in the Beach or Beech community. He would travel up from his home in Houston by train and his stop became known as Conroe’s Switch which was later shortened to Conroe. Other timber and saw mills came up in the Conroe area as well in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
In Conroe, sawmills and lumber are regarded as the first industry that supported the town. The town incorporated in 1904.
Devastating fires
In 1901 and 1911 the developing city experienced two fires that changed the path of the city.
The 1901 fire wiped out the town center, which was then located on the east side of the railroad tracks in the area of Avenue A. Conroe resident J.K. Ayres gave the city land on the west side of the north/south tracks, and that is where the town center built up after 1901.
This area also experienced a large fire on Feb. 21, 1911, that burned more than 65 wood structures on the east side of downtown. The business owners built back in brick, and those buildings are still in use today and a part of downtown’s historic charm.
By February 1912, 20 businesses had reopened in brick buildings on the fire-devastated blocks of the 1911 fire.
In his memoir, “A Silhouette of Conroe, Texas 1976” Cedric N. Nutter, wrote Nick and Kate Carnochan lost their cafe in the fire and had the first business to open back up afterward. The named their new place “The Phoenix” reflecting the rising from the ashes of city residents.
Overnight millionaires
The second industry to support the city was oil and gas. As early as 1919, The Courier newspaper reported the possibility of oil in the ground surrounding Conroe. Up until 1931 it had not been successfully located or extracted.
It took George Strake, an enterprising developer from St. Louis to make that happen.
Strake was attending Mass at Conroe’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Dec. 13, 1931, when a roustabout delivered the good news.
In June 1932, another of his wells struck oil. More oil fields opened in the area leading to even bigger strikes and companies such as Humble Oil and Refining Co. (now Exxon) and the Texas Co. (Texaco) came on board leading to further development of the fields.
The Conroe oil field became the third largest in the country was a huge boost to Conroe and the surrounding area.
“The repercussions for Conroe and Montgomery County were mind boggling,” said Montgomery County native and historian Robin Montgomery. “The city of Conroe bent low at the time by the depression blanketing the country, almost overnight became transformed, assuming the label of ‘The Miracle City’.”
Montgomery published the book “Transformation of the Miracle City” in 2014.
The city’s population swelled with fortune seekers flocking to the area.
“(During the oil boom), at one time Conroe was home to more millionaires per capita than any other city in the US,” said Suann Hereford, Heritage Museum of Montgomery County executive director according to materials in the museum.
MUSEUM ADDITION: Astros minor leaguer’s first car, a ’91 Chevy Caprice, is now a cop museum artifact
‘Ruts to the Miracle City’
Conroe resident Mary Alice Hunt compiled her memories of early Conroe into the 1975 book “Ruts to the Miracle City.”
Hunt, whose maiden name was Beazley, was born in 1900 and came to Conroe in 1904. Her father, Alexander Hamilton Beazley, ran a grocery store in Conroe in the very early 1900s.
In the book, she discussed the havoc the big trucks coming in and out of Conroe’s oil field played on the local unpaved roads.
She talked about the amount of rain the area received did not pair well with the big trucks, equipment and many newcomers to town.
“The streets became impassible. They were so bad you could not get to town in a car. Conroe streets were a common joke across East Texas. Once more the people of Conroe overcame their obstacles. They voted for bonds and paved the streets. Mama said ‘What a miracle, Conroe with paved streets,’” according to a passage in the book by Hunt.
Members of the chamber of commerce thought that was a great phrase and felt compelled to use it in their forthcoming brochures and the motto has lasted the test of time in the city.
In the heart of Conroe, Texas, the Conroe Noon Lions Club stands as a beacon of service and community spirit, celebrating its 85th year with a renewed commitment under new leadership. As the incoming President of this esteemed organization, I am honored to guide over 300 members who embody the Lions Club motto, “We Serve.”
Founded in 1939, the Conroe Noon Lions Club has a rich history of service, spanning decades of charitable initiatives and community projects. From providing vision screenings and eyeglasses for those in need to supporting local schools and organizations, our club has consistently demonstrated its commitment to improving lives. This year, as we reflect on our past accomplishments, we are also looking forward to expanding our outreach and enhancing the scope of our service projects.
Under my banner of ‘True Grit’, we embark on a year filled with ambitious goals and meaningful endeavors. I know Conroe Noon is eager to tackle new challenges and explore innovative ways to address the needs of our community. Whether it’s through fundraising events, volunteer activities, or advocacy efforts, we are determined to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in Conroe and beyond.
Every new member who joins the Conroe Noon Lions Club echoes a sentiment that resonates deeply with our mission: they want to “give back to the community.” It’s a commitment that aligns perfectly with John Wayne’s famous quote, “True Grit is making a decision and standing by it, doing what must be done. No moral man can have peace of mind if he leaves undone what he knows he should have done.” These words remind us that true courage lies not only in our actions but also in our determination to fulfill our responsibilities to those who rely on our support.
I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my sponsor, Lion Polo Lacoste, whose guidance and support have been invaluable on my journey within the Conroe Noon Lions Club. I am deeply appreciative of all the good friends I have made along the way, whose camaraderie and shared passion for service has enriched my life immeasurably.
The Lions Clubs International Convention in Melbourne, Australia, marked an exciting moment not only for our global Lions community but also for our club. This past week I was surrounded by 11,000 Lions from around the world, we were all inspired by the election of Fabrício Oliveira as the new International President. His call to action, ‘Make Your Mark’, resonates deeply with our own theme for the year, ‘True Grit’, symbolizing our collective resolve to make a lasting impact. The opportunity to connect with Lions from around the world, share ideas, and learn from each other’s successes reaffirmed my belief in the power of community service.
As I assume the role of President of the Conroe Noon Lions Club, I am humbled by the opportunity to lead such a dedicated group of individuals.
Together, we will honor our past achievements, embrace the challenges of the present, and build towards a future filled with hope and opportunity.
With ‘True Grit’ as our guiding principle, and the global spirit of Lions Clubs International, I am confident that our efforts will leave a lasting legacy of kindness and generosity.
If you would like more information about the Conroe Noon Lion’s Club programs, please visit our website, www.conroenoonlions.org, or call the local club office at 936-760-1666. You may also call 936-760-1666 for additional information on any area Lions Club.
Rotarians plan ahead for various projects, address emergency concerns, present and future, and plan especially for annual changes in leadership.
The annual Rotary year starts on July 1 and ends on June 30 of each calendar year. Each Rotary Club is run by elected officers such as President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer along with a Board of Directors. These elected officials are established in a ballot of all Rotary Club members, normally in December of each year.
The elected officers plan their year and go through formal training with a weekend of training for incoming Presidents and Vice Presidents in February at the DFW Airport complex for our Region which consists of the States of Texas and Oklahoma. Those Officers and Board Members continue their education with a District Conference normally in April. Just as with any other Democracy, a normal change of governance occurs in an orderly manner in our local Rotary Clubs. The same scenario happens on an international basis with the Rotary International organization.
Rotary Clubs along the south Texas coast are preparing for the coming of Hurricane Beryl. As of the time this article is being written, Hurricane Beryl is approaching the Yucatan Peninsula. Emergency plans are being formulated with local emergency government councils to assist in a variety of ways. Emergency shelters are available via local emergency shelters manned by the American Red Cross along with volunteers from Rotary Clubs. Rotarians will also help with emergency food distribution via the Montgomery County Food Bank. Rotarians such as myself who have engineering expertise will assist in planning measures to minimize storm damage. Rotarians from other parts of the country are looking at arriving after the storm has passed to help muck out homes and businesses impacted by the storm. Those Rotarians will be staying at homes of other Rotarians in the spirit of serving.
Rotary Clubs in the USA have formed a nonprofit organization called Disaster Aid USA. Rotarians come from all over the United States to help in disaster relief whether it be from Hurricane Harvey in Southeast Texas to the Maui Fires in Hawaii to the recent Texas Panhandles fires. Currently, Rotarians from across the country have traveled to Montgomery County to assist in flood relief, assisting home owners of flood homes to remove the flood-damaged interiors along with belongings so that these homes can be aired out to avoid molds from developing in these home. Rotarians in our community are housing these volunteers.
These volunteers are working 10-12 hour days to help our community recover from the flooding in River Plantation and other flooded residences along the San Jacinto River. These Rotarians donate their time to help those with dire needs. As the flooding recedes, more Rotarians will be there to help. You can help by volunteering to house these out-of-state Rotarians in your home near the affected areas. If you can help, please contact Patrick Leslie in Pearland, Texas at Patrick.Rotary1@gmail.com or go online at www.DisasterAidUSA.org.
The Rotary Club of Conroe meets at noon Tuesdays at Honor Cafe at 103 N. Thompson Street.
To find out more about Rotary, contact Ron Saikowski at rsaikowski@comcast.net.
Coon is returning to council as Conroe mayor, looking to impact the city in positive ways.
If you happen to bump in to either David Peters or Bryan Bahr in the coming days or weeks, please thank them for volunteering to serve on the POA’s Architectural Control Committee. Then you can also congratulate them, because you’ve elected them to do just that. Bryan is an incumbent who you’ve asked to serve another year on the ACC, whereas David will be joining the ACC for the first time, and will serve a two-year term. While you’re at it, I hope you’ll take a moment to consider how your lives are made easier by these (and other) volunteers. By definition, volunteerism is “time willingly given for the common good and without financial gain.”
Much like your POA Board, you elect them, but that’s only made possible because they have offered their time and talent without compensation (other than a heart-felt “thank you”), totally for your benefit.
Think about that. I mean, really consider all the good things that happen in our lives that wouldn’t happen at all were it not for a person, or group of people, freely giving of their time and skills (even money) to serve their neighbors. The operative word there is the “free” part of freely. And what’s not to like about free? Free is good, right? So, why is it, do you suppose, that we too-often tend to value and appreciate those services we pay for more than those which are made “free” to us? Makes no sense. After all, nothing is truly free. I mean, goods and/or services can only be free to us because they were already paid for, in either time or money or both, by someone else. Volunteers. And, because they do what they do, life is made easier for the rest of us.
For the dozen or so of you Bentwater neighbors who weren’t lining the route for the July 4th parade on Thursday, you missed some incredible displays of imagination, creativity and patriotism. And, as impressive as the “floats” and displays were, perhaps the most gratifying aspect of it all is just knowing that we’re blessed to be part of a community that participates so enthusiastically in creating and preserving our exceptional quality of life. While all the participants are to be congratulated, there were a few, according to the judges, which shined above the rest. By category, the winners were: Most Patriotic – Rodgers Stein Chiropractic; Most Creative Design – North Shore Church; Most “Encompassing Spirit” – Bentwater Volunteer Families, and; Judges’ Choice – Todd Avery. And a particular thanks to the POA board and staff for their efforts in managing the hundreds of details necessary to produce such an event. The fact that most of you didn’t even notice those details is a testament to the efficiency and effectiveness of that team. Kudos POA!!
Send Bentwater fun news and social tidbits to Bruce at Bruce@TheLakeConroeGroup.com
Is it the Dog Days of Summer?
Bring your cooler and lawn chairs for the First Thursday Concert July 11 at Heritage Park with the Level One Band playing a Tribute to Motown. The music starts at 7:00pm. Food trucks will be available at the park or choose to bring your own food and beverages with you. No glass containers. The free concert is hosted by the City of Conroe.
Get your tickets now to see “Beauty and The Beast” at the Crighton Theatre before they sell out! Stage Right has just added two Saturday matinee performances on Saturday, July 13 and Saturday, July 20. The last showing is Sunday, July 21. It’s cool inside! CrightonTheatre.org
The cult satire classic show, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is coming to Conroe this week premiering July 13-21 in different times than you are used to seeing with our community theatres. There will be a10:00pm showing on Saturday, July 13, Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20th. Yes, there are matinee performances also. It is a parody of sci-fi horror shows that narrates the story of Janet and Brad who are caught in the rain with a flat tire and end up at the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Audiences will be able to purchase “props” to be used during the performance. Please leave your water pistols, newspapers, rice, and hot dogs at home. Tickets for The Players Theatre fundraiser is available at OwenTheatre.com.
Summer Art Camp is coming up Monday, July 15- Friday, July 19 from 10:00am-noon at the Conroe Art League, 127 Simonton for ages 7-14. Take a tour around the globe with a fun filled week of activities that introduce the culture and art of countries around the world taught by Rebekah Billings. Registration is available at ConroeArtLeague.com.
McDonald’s will host a Coffee with a Cop event on Wednesday, July 17 from 7:30 am to 10:30 am at 821 West North Loop 336. Guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee and dessert, engage in conversations with local law enforcement officers, and experience police and emergency vehicles up close. Talk to our local Conroe PD officers and build community connections!
It is the best time to start shopping for BTS clothing, bargains on summer merchandise, and special buys at the boutiques downtown or the Assistance League. This is clearance time. The stores are not crowded and have AIR CONDITIONING!
Enjoy the summer!
Margie Taylor may be reached at margie@taylorizedpr.com.
During the last couple of days, I have taken time to learn a bunch of stuff. I did it after reading articles about high school students not knowing how to write.
I thought “Shame on them and a pox on their teachers.” The first article I read was written by a lady who made it a point to express her dismay at the realization that students don’t even know what a gerund is. That stopped me cold.
I’m not the brightest bulb in the drawer, but who is? They’re in a drawer! Some of you may remember that I used to be smart. Fairly smart. I managed to get a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, and then a Master’s in History and Political Science. And I did all of that without knowing what a gerund was.
During my college days, I had to write billions of research papers that Kay typed for me. I’m sure each one had gerunds in it. Not a single professor took the time to compliment me on my gerunds. I just looked up what a gerund is, and I don’t give a rat’s rear knowing the name for turning a noun into a verb. I tell you that to tell you this, let’s get past gerunds! And move along to important stuff. I’ve got a whole list right here.
First off, I learned about beer drinkers. Do you know what country consumes more beer than any other? The country has been beer drinking champion for the past 25 years. Anybody? The winning country is the Czech Republic. On average, it’s citizens drink 38 gallons of beer in a year… 38 gallons of beer. Take one down, pass it around–I’m sorry. I get caught up in music.
You may remember that the Czech Republic used to be part of Czechoslovakia. But there was a rift and they broke away from the Slovakians. By the way, no European country is even close to beating the Czechs in beer consumption… or jail capacity for drunks.
Next: Which was invented first — alcohol or the wheel? Turns out, geologists found evidence of alcohol consumption in China as far back as 9000 years ago. They discovered it from caked-on booze inside some pottery. The earliest examples of the wheel go back a mere 5700 years. That’s too soon. Of course, round flat rocks from 10,000 years back were discovered, but they were used to play with… according to one imaginative geologist.
Speaking of tea, it’s a recent beverage for the Brits. In 1968 only three percent of the British drank tea, because it was too expensive. In 1952, Lipton invented the flow-thru teabag. The world went crazy. The Brits? No big deal. Researchers with not enough to do, have discovered that today 96 percent of the British drink tea. They prefer raising the water temperature to 185 degrees. At 186 degrees it’s ruined. And if the cream goes into the tea, it will be too mild. You always add the tea to the cream. If any British visited my house, they’d toss my metal tumbler across the room.
Let’s leave tea and jump into coffee. The appeal for coffee is inherited. It does my heart good that scientists took the time to research that. I was the first child of Elsie and Faris who liked coffee. My oldest brother Larry drinks it but only to keep him awake. He doesn’t like the stuff, perhaps because HE DRINKS IT BLACK!
In 1885 Dr Pepper was first marketed in a town called Waco. Like Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper has a complicated secret formula. One important thing about the formula is that it contains absolutely no prune juice. That was a rumor for a good while. Nobody knows how Dr Pepper got its name or why “Dr” has no period after it. For a while people referred to it as Pepper Cola. But they stopped after it was learned that there was no “cola” in it. There’s a lot of confusion in the name, you ask me.
My favorite Dr Pepper is called “Dr. B” from HEB. I like it because it’s cheaper than the original Dr P, it’s more flavorable, and it has a period after the Dr.
We’re going to end with Santa Claus. At the beginning this guy didn’t look a thing like todays Santa Clause. He was a short guy in a red jacket. He couldn’t Ho, Ho, Ho if you put a gun to his head. But, in 1931, Coca-Cola wanted a better-looking Santa to advertise their Cola. There were no copywriting issues on the old one. So Coke hired an artist named Haddon Sundblom who is responsible for the appearance of today’s Santa.
He looks like a real Santa. He’s jovial and polite. He has a terrible laugh, but he was born with that. Santa looks so much better that they now hire him to appear in stores, so small kids can sit on his lap and cry. Santa was once in the Foley’s Christmas Parade in Houston. The first and only time Dad took us there, the crowd along the street was packed, so Daddy put me on his shoulders. It was the day Dad learned that I was afraid of heights. I cried like a baby. Actually, I screamed. Daddy lost a lot of respect for me that day, and never took us back to the parade.
Okay, all of this you just read is only a small part of the fascinating stuff I ran across. As my daddy would say, “It’s now time to get back to my rat killing.” — First, I’m going to grab an HEB Dr. B. – Next time.
Mark Hayter may be reached at hayter.mark@gmail.com