Step outside your comfort zone and explore some unique activities in our community this summer. The opportunities we are sharing take us from ordinary to extraordinary in the worlds of square dancing, beekeeping, musical mastery, herb and spice gardening, and lifelong learning.
Swing Your Partner Round and Round
Square dancing is an American dance tradition, and The Conroe Country Cousins Square Dance Club in Willis welcomes everyone. The club was formed in 1965 and is still going strong today, with new members discovering the joys of "swinging your partner!" The club boasts the best callers and cuers in Texas and dancers at every skill level.
"We dance for fun, not perfection," says Gene Miller, President. "It's great exercise for the body and mind." Club members meet once a week on Thursday evenings from seven to nine at Miller Hall Family Event Center, 608 W. Martin Luther King in Willis.
Traditional square dance attire is not required, although many enjoy wearing full skirts, petticoats, crinoline slips, colorful blouses, Western shirts, and bolo ties. conroecountrycousins.weebly.com
Mmm, Satisfy Your Natural Sweet Tooth
If you're a fan of the buzzing pollinators all around us, beekeeping is for you. The Montgomery County Beekeepers Association, established in 1975, holds informational meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month. Learn about bee suits and gloves, installing hives, how to care for your bees, honey extraction, what to plant, and much more.
From apprentice to advanced, there's something for everyone in this vital realm of nature, which bolsters local gardens and greatly helps the environment.
Dues are $20 per year per family or individual with buy/sell/trade opportunities for members. Meetings are held at 9020 Airport Rd. in Conroe at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension building. mocobees.com
Music - It Is Never Too Late
It's not too late to fulfill a lifelong dream at The Art of Music Studio to learn to play a musical instrument. Pick up where you left off or hone a brand new skill through private lessons in guitar, piano/keyboard, ukulele, drums, singing, violin, and more.
"I've taught lots of people in their fifties, sixties, seventies, and in their eighties," says Judi Lanza, owner. "Music activates, stimulates, uses the entire brain, is a great later-in-life activity."
Before you decide on an instrument, take a lesson and discover what seems right for you. Then, become the musician you've always envisioned and cross a milestone off your bucket list. Classes are held Monday through Wednesday at Harvest Family Church, 303 Post Oak Dr., near Gladstell. Connect with Judi Lanza at 936-756-8777. theartofmusicstudio.com.
From Backyard to Table
Instead of buying herbs and spices at the grocery store, experiment with growing your own. The Texas A&M AgriLife website offers guidance and tips for anyone willing to try. You might be surprised at the gardening resources available on the "AgriLife Learn" pages, much of it at no charge. For instance, the e-books Herbs for Texas Landscapes, Growing Herbs in Texas, Easy Gardening: Dill, Easy Gardening: Rosemary, and Easy Gardening: Ginger are all free downloads.
Take classes to learn about aquaponics, composting, floral gardens, greenhouses, herb gardens, orchards, and vegetable gardens. You'll be growing fragrant and tasty seasonings in windowsill pots or your outdoor garden patch in no time while enjoying powerful health benefits. mcmga.com
Never Too Old to Learn
If you're 50 or older, consider the Lone Star College Academy of Lifelong Learning (ALL). The program costs an annual fee of $25, from September through the following August. Then you can take as many no-cost classes as you wish."
Participants enjoy arts and crafts, computer skills, cooking, finance, retirement planning, astrology, bridge, chess, gardening, health, history, government, music, current events, self-defense, birding, aging in place, world religions, and more.
Check out several open houses in August, one at the Montgomery campus at the Maverick Conference Center, 3200 College Park Dr. on August 14, and in Tomball, Kingwood, Houston, and other locations. lonestar.edu/all.htm
“I’ve taught lots of people in their fifties, sixties, seventies, and in their eighties,” says Judi Lanza, owner. “Music activates, stimulates, uses the entire brain, and is a great activity.”
Instead of buying herbs and spices at the grocery store, experiment with growing your own. Take classes to learn about aquaponics, composting, floral gardens, greenhouses, herb gardens, orchards, and vegetable gardens.