Crystal Ledbetter

THE WOODLANDS, Texas --The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Parks & Recreation Department of the Community Associations of The Woodlands are producing a new event series on Friday and Saturday nights at Waterway Square. Beginning Friday, July 31, 2009, Summer Nights, Waterway Lights will feature a variety of entertainers from 6 to 8 p.m. The series will run every Friday and Saturday night thru September 19.

The weekend series will feature jugglers, mimes, face painters, stilt walkers, balloonists, magicians, and/or caricaturists. The Saturday events will also feature live entertainment from a variety of musical duos.

"We are pleased to bring this new event to Waterway Square as it is becoming a popular place for residents and visitors alike to enjoy," said Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Waterway Square is becoming iconic in The Woodlands Town Center and is a very important public space for residents and visitors. The Fountains choreographed to music and lights are unique in the Greater Houston region and one of the reasons why The Woodlands is such an incredible town in which to live and visit."

Chris Nunes, director of Parks and Recreation for the Community Associations of The Woodlands, said, "The Parks and Recreation Department is looking forward to being an active partner in the development of Waterway Square as a destination for residents and visitors to The Woodlands. Summer Nights, Waterway Lights is just the kickoff to what is planned for Waterway Square in the coming months."

Parking is available at 24 Waterway Parking Garage and the corner lot at Timberloch Place and Waterway Avenue for a minimal cost.

For directions and more information, about the event, please call 281 363-2447.

No more long drive to the Woodlands for Olive Garden! The long wait is over!

Conroe's Olive Garden in the Teas Crossing Shopping Center is now open for dinner.

I am many of the locals have been anxiously awaiting this new restaurant opening. I love the endless salad and bread-sticks. The menu has all the classics and new dishes to tempt the taste buds.

Last week we had dinner at the Olive Garden and was pleasantly surprised by the level of service at the newly opened restaurant. The staff was friendly and attentive. I ordered my all time Olive Garden favorite dish, Chicken Parmigiana. It was a delightful dinner and Michael and I will returning soon.

3041 I-45 NORTH
CONROE, TX 77304
Phone: (936) 539-5200

The 31^stAnnual Historical Christmas in Montgomery took place last Saturday. I missed the parade but took a stroll through the Marketplace. The shopping was fun with many of the local stores and artist highlighting their wares. The wind threatened to blow away the tents but shopping was brisk with many attendees picking up Christmas gifts.

The Cookie Walk was the highlight of the day. The line to enter the Community Center never seemed to get any smaller and you knew by the smell once you entered that the wait was well worth it! The thousands of homemade cookies piled high on the holiday decorated tables were a delight to the senses. I swear I gained 5lbs just smelling the cookies.

Later in the day the Montgomery Historical homes were open for a Candlelight Home Tour.

This event is sponsored each year by the Montgomery Historical Society and all monies collected go towards the restoration and preservation of the seven buildings owned by the Montgomery Historical Society.

This is just another example of why Montgomery/Lake Conroe is a wonderful place to live. The whole community turns out to support local functions and not a month goes by without something fun and interesting happening in the area.

The local website and calendar can be found at Historic Montgomery

On a recent road trip we visited the Brenham Heritage Museum. The museum purpose is to preserve and display items of historical significance to the heritage and culture of Brenham. Many of the displays paid tribute to our service men.

Early Army Uniforms of local Brenham Service men were on display.

Early recruiting poster.

Sailors uniforms have not changed all that much over the years.

Locals in World War II were commended for outstanding service with the Chinese Combat Command

Another recruiting poster.

Admission is a suggested donation of $1.00 dollar per person and they will happily give you a guided tour that will have the history of Brenham come alive!

Brenham Heritage Museum

105 South Main Street

(979)830-8445

Do you constantly wonder what's in the fridge to cook for dinner? Tired of standing in the kitchen for over an hour to prepare dinner after a long day or just sick of eating fast food? The answer is Easy Made Meals in Tomball.

Vivian and Irene answer the age old question "Whats for dinner?" by providing healthy prepackaged entrees for you to cook at home. They do the shopping, measuring, and chopping. Just defrost and cook, most meals are ready in 30 minutes or less.

Easy Made Meals goal is to allow people to spend less time shopping and planning meals. Allowing you more quality time with family and friends.

I personally credit Easy Made Meals with my weight loss. They helped me serve nutritionally correctly proportioned meals at home. Special dietary needs are not a problem, Vivian and Irene will customize meals to your families preferences.

Believe me, I am no Julia Childs but Easy Made Meals has taken my cooking to new dimensions. My family feels like we have gourmet cooking with favorites like Stuffed Tilapia, New Orleans Style Southern Chicken or Sweet Potato Stuffed Pork Chops.

Menus www.easymademeals.com/OurMenu.php

The menu changes monthly and they also have soups and cassaroles avaliable. You can call or place your order online and leave the dinner blues behind.

Don't forget dessert, my husbands favorite is the Peach Cobbler, he rates it two thumbs up and says "It's just like Mother used to make."

Easy Made Meals its "What's for Dinner!"

Located in downtown Tomball just off Main Street.

www.easymademeals.com