By Patti Parish-Kaminski –
Happy Birthday to . . . us! At absolutely! focus media, we can hardly believe it’s been a year since we launched absolutely! Brazos to highlight the people, places and happenings in West Fort Bend! And, what a fun-filled, busy year it has been! We’ve met so many of our friends and neighbors in Richmond, Rosenberg and Fulshear, visited with them both at events and at their businesses. West Fort Bend truly is a thriving, growing community, and at absolutely! Brazos, we are absolutely thrilled to be a part of this area rich in history, commerce and heritage.
Thank you, Brazos, for allowing us to come into your community, into your businesses and into your homes each month with community news devoted to you. We are absolutely loving Brazos, and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones!
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Our Debut
In December 2012, we launched absolutely! Brazos with a holiday issue that focused on the economic development of Historic Downtown Rosenberg. Rosenberg Mayor Vincent M. Morales, Jr. was kind enough to grace our cover, along with Imperial Arts’ Robyn Miller and Edward Crowell, which was shot in the historic Cole Theatre. We met the Rosenberg Cultural Affairs Council and learned about how this group was leading the charge to bring both art and a boon in the economy to the streets of downtown Rosenberg.
January 2013
Our next issue showcased how Time Stands Still in Rosenberg, a community devoted to keeping its history alive for generations to come. We were Out & About in the Heart of Brazos showcasing everything from Halloween events to L.E.A.F. grant presentations. And, of course, we were at the Cirque Du Chambre Celebration Ball.
February 2013
In February, we were proud to feature Richmond’s new Mayor. While the mayor’s name didn’t change too much, Mayor Evalyn Wendt Moore proudly stepped up to continue the legacy of Moore leadership in Richmond by completing her late husband, Mayor Hilmar Moore’s, unexpired term. When we interviewed the new Mayor Moore and asked about her philosophy of service, she naturally quoted her husband. “Hilmar felt to whom much is given, much is expected, and he lived that. In his honor, I will continue to live that philosophy as well.”
March 2013
Let’s rodeo! This was the theme of our next issue that featured Richmond’s Rosanna Pace Miss Rodeo Texas 2012. From Fort Bend County Fair Queen to a national title, Pace brought home the crown and made Fort Bend proud promoting the sport of rodeo and her love of Western heritage.
April 2013
As part of our commitment to community, absolutely! Brazos shined the spotlight on autism during Autism Awareness Month. We met Abrahim Shabib and his amazing family from Richmond. Abrahim attends Texana Children’s Center for Autism in Rosenberg, and the specialized education he is receiving there is changing both his life and the life of his family. Abrahim made us laugh, made us think and truly, stole our hearts.
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May 2013
In May, we learned it’s always time to rodeo in Brazos, especially when there are really cute cowboys involved! Cowboy Danny Quinlan rode into town to host the US Navy SEAL Danny Dietz Memorial Team Roping Weekend at the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds honoring fallen Navy SEALs. The Memorial’s mission provides help and assistance to the families of SEALs who have lost loved ones in combat or training. Rodeo stars from throughout the United States saddled up to support the event – all in the heart of Brazos.
June 2013
The George Ranch’s new Heritage Trail was the cover story for our June issue. This newest edition to the George Ranch celebrated Fort Bend’s heritage with an immersive, half-mile exhibit along the banks of the Dry Creek expanding both the focus and opportunities at the famous Fort Bend ranch. We hiked along and learned about the correlation between the environment and the history of the Texas frontier to share with our readers.
July 2013
Our July issue was an eye opener. We learned how much children in the Rosenberg-Richmond area are not in love with the carefree days of summer. Why? Because, without a school lunch program, they go hungry. Fortunately, Fort Bend has Lunches of Love to fill the gaps. This extraordinary program feeds approximately 2,500 children every day during extended school holidays, including summer vacation, spring break and Christmas break, and approximately 600 chronically hungry children on the weekends. We loved Lunches of Love, and we loved sharing their story.
August 2013
Our August issue highlighted the importance of women and caring for the women in our lives. We met four doctors from Memorial Hermann Sugar Land who specialize in doing just that. And, we met an amazing author from Fulshear – Leilani Essary Hurles – who shared her story of overcoming ovarian cancer and life’s adversities.
September 2013
It was back to school with our September issue featuring Lamar CISD’s amazing program to help kids get outfitted for the new year: Common Threads. We visited Common Threads’ “store,” met their director and learned first-hand how this unique program is a lifeline for Lamar CISD families. Way to go Jill Dubin and team, who are all volunteers! You are helping make a huge difference in the lives of so many.
October 2013
In October, we introduced the GEMS of Fort Bend: three Generous, Enthusiastic Men Serving our community. Joe M. Gurecky, Carl P. Favre and S. Scott West graced our cover and served as our debut GEMS to benefit a vital organization in our community: AccessHealth. They shared their personal stories and philosophy of community service, and we must say, we loved our GEMS! absolutely! Brazos and Fort Bend Focus hosted our debut event honoring the GEMS in the heart of Historic Downtown Rosenberg at Imperial Arts, and it was an amazing evening, all for a great cause.
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November 2013
Thanksgiving traditions was the theme of our November issue, and we highlighted three Brazos chefs, their favorite recipes and their favorite family traditions. Chefs Robert “Bobby” Turner of BR Vino, Daniel Ornelas of Ol’ Railroad Café and Steven Onstad of Swinging Door shared recipes for their take on the Thanksgiving Feast, and of course, we were Seen on the Scene all over town. What a great way to kick off the holidays!