If one more night at book club holds the same excitement as reading the phone book, it may be time to shake up your Girls' Night Out plans. There's no shortage of things to do in the Conroe area, but for a real change of pace and a night to remember, you've got to go all out!
No one understands that better than Michelle Nunez-Demet and her group of gal pals. Every Tuesday and Thursday evening, they get together at the Rainbow Roller Rink, tie on their skates, pad up, and become the Conroe Cutthroats Roller Derby Team. Teachers, nurses, artists, moms, and students, ages ranging from their twenties into their sixties, come to skate, laugh and cheer each other on. Considering that the goal is to be the toughest girls on wheels, they are the warmest, most welcoming, friendliest group of women you'll find.
"Absolutely, bring your friends and come out," encourages Michelle. "Don't have friends? Make them here, friends that will last a lifetime. We're all open arms." She points out that you need no experience on skates. They embrace the wall-huggers, too. "Only do what you're comfortable doing. We can teach it all to you," she said. The team also loans any necessary gear to those who want to come and try it out.
The rink doors open at 6:30 pm, and practice runs from seven to nine pm. Some just come for the exercise and the friendship, choosing to be non-contact participants, and some have been skating together for over a decade. Only 15 make the roster for the monthly games during the season that runs from March through October, while others will act as non-skating officials. The team plays by Women's Flat Track Derby Association rules against teams around Texas and the surrounding states.
"We're a very competitive team, but we're still here for fun," said Michelle, who is called by her derby name, Taz (short for Taz Maimya), whenever she's at the rink. "Anyone is welcome to just show up at practice by themselves or as a group but reach out to let us know to look for you and to make sure that practice isn't canceled for an event at the rink." They can be messaged through their Conroe Cutthroats Facebook page or their website ConroeRollerDerby.com.
Wick and Wine
After kicking off the skates, Kernita Heard, owner of Almost August in downtown Conroe, has everything you need to relax with friends and create your own perfect spa experience. Her Wick & Wine candle-making parties are pleasantly paired with a wine tasting for the escape every woman wants.
Curated at her elegant shop that opened last August, Kernita guides groups of ten or fewer through her fragrance menu to combine all the right notes for the perfect scent. After a container is chosen, all the candle elements are skillfully combined for each unique creation. "There are a few tricks of the trade, like how much fragrance for the wax, but I love sharing that and making it fun," said Kernita, who started making candles and soaps at home as a hobby.
While the wax hardens, pre-selected wine flights and charcuterie await a short walk away in the Blue Room at BE Winery's The Lounge on Main. Candles are then bagged to take home with a handwritten note. "It's a different experience than just going out for drinks. At the end of the night, you have something special to keep," she said. "And I like being able to partner with other local businesses." She is also able to coordinate bigger groups at other downtown locations.
If your group would rather stay closer to home, Almost August can come to you. Kernita brings everything necessary to light up a shower, birthday, corporate event, or Girls' Night In. "You provide your own wine, and my husband is there to pour and let you enjoy your time with your friends," she said.
Later this year, Kernita's Almost August plans to partner with her daughter Safiya St. Rose to add classes for potting decorative plants. For now, availability for her light-hearted, unrushed classes fills up quickly, and reservations can be made online at AlmostAugust.shop. However, a visit in person to browse her handcrafted soaps, scrubs, body butters, candles, and linen sprays is highly recommended.
So, the next time the girls decide to get together, throw the book out and think outside the box for a much more exciting group adventure with skates or wine & candles!