Life + Culture

The Goat Lady

On Goat Island, Trinity, Texas, Jennifer Staples shepherds goats and a beloved East Texas tradition. Article by Texas Goodness | Photography by GoatIslandNews.com In Trinity, Texas, around White Rock Creek, Jennifer Staples is known simply as “The Goat Lady.” On Goat Island, that title means hay in the winter, hoof care, tours, baby goat introductions, rocky shore rescues and the ongoing work of protecting a local legend. The goats are the first thing visitors notice, of course. They appear...

Professional Services

A Brand-Building Adventure For Small Business Owners

Shannon Matlock guides a studio day workshop for brand explorers. Article by Connie Monroe | Photography by Shannon Matlock, Arrowhead Photo For small business owners, creating content can feel unnatural and easy to overlook. Photos, video, social posts, and website images often get pushed aside between serving customers and running the business. At Creator Day on Lakeside Studios, Shannon Matlock of Arrowhead Photography gives those business owners a brand boost with a guided creative...

Sports + Recreation

THE ART OF SHOWING UP

Loren Goodrich shares Lake Conroe crappie wisdom, family lessons, and the steady value of preparation. Article by Chris Staples On Lake Conroe, summer crappie fishing rewards the angler willing to hunt. North of 1097, where standing timber and stump fields demand respect, Loren Goodrich eases forward with the trolling motor down. Fanning his sonar, he scans the underwater structure looking for a "big blob." Then, "Just pitch it to 'em, let it pendulum back, and you'll whack 'em." Goodrich, of...

Arts + Culture

Fredericksburg Uncorked

Exploring Fredericksburg through wildlife, wine, design and local makers Article by Laura SanchezQuan Fredericksburg is best experienced slowly, blending small-town charm with wineries, boutiques, historic spaces, making memorable experiences worth lingering over. In this curated guide we highlight standout spots reflecting the heart of Fredericksburg with each stop offering its own expression of Hill Country hospitality.  Whether it’s a weekend escape or rediscovering a familiar favorite...

Arts + Culture

Cowboys on Iron Horses

A Montgomery County Harley chapter carries history, fellowship, and service down the road together. Article by Connie Monroe | Photography by Provided On Montgomery County roads, the sound of an iron horse can still carry a story. For the riders of the Cut-N-Shoot Texas Chapter, that story began in 1989, when Harley-Davidson's owner group concept was still new and Montgomery County riders were helping shape what a local chapter could become. Sponsored today by Harley-Davidson of The...

Life + Culture

Conroe's Distinguished Gentlemen

Montgomery County men leading through work, faith, grit, and service. Article by Chris Staples | Photography by Shannon Matlock, Arrowhead Photo In Montgomery County, leadership is often easier to recognize than to define. It is not limited to a title, a platform, a board seat, or a corner office. More often, it shows up in the daily choices that make a place stronger: the decision to serve beyond the job description, to build with care, to mentor instead of compete, to keep faith and family...

Arts + Culture

Conroe's First Gentleman

How Isaac Conroe's private home became Montgomery County’s temporary courthouse. Article by Texas Goodness Before Conroe had a courthouse, it had a home. When the county seat shifted from Montgomery to Conroe, Isaac Conroe did more than welcome government to the sawmill settlement that carried his name. He opened his own property at Avenue A and First Street as a temporary courthouse while Montgomery County waited for its new building. For a brief and defining season, a family residence...

Local Services

Women Building Homes and Hope

Can Do Crew keeps showing up for Montgomery County families Article by Chris Staples | Photography by Provided In Conroe’s Cedar Creek neighborhood, progress often arrives in work boots and hard hats. On build days with Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, Texas, those hard hats are pink. The sound of hammers, laughter, and steady encouragement is a familiar sign that the Can Do Crew is back on site. For more than 15 years, this all-women volunteer team has shown what can happen when...

Professional Services

Carol's Sisterhood of Businesswomen

MCABW Turns 20, Carol Gooch Founded Montgomery County's women's network of encouragement, education, and opportunity. Article by Chris Staples | Photography by Provided In Montgomery County, strong communities are rarely built by accident. More often, they are built through years of encouragement, service, and steady follow-through. Few people embody that better than Carol A. Gooch, Founder and Executive Director of the Montgomery County Association of Business Women. For 20 years, Gooch has...

Local Services

Women Building Community

Stories of Heart, Service, and the Ladies Behind the Impact Article by Kevin Bratton | Photography by Melonhead Photo Kristine Marlow - CEO of Montgomery County Food Bank A Life of Service, Faith, and Leadership Since 2020, Kristine Marlow has led Montgomery County Food Bank through a period of remarkable growth, strengthening its role as a cornerstone of support for neighbors across the community. With a focus on collaboration and impact, she has helped expand the organization’s reach...