Blog entries - June 2009

Freedom Flight Over Conroe

Melissa Burnham — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Residents of Graystone Hills are in for a treat this Fourth of July. Conroe’s own rag-tag gang of professional pilots will be flying over the city to celebrate the nation’s 233rd Independence Day.

The group is a team of veteran and civilian pilots called “Freedom Flight.” Many of the members flew during wartime, but this is not a requirement to be part of the club. All you need is some enthusiasm for aviation and a good dose of patriotism.

The group was informally established between friends Dick Cardell, Dick Stevens and Omer “Sam” Ward, all veterans and former Continental Airlines pilots who own their own small planes. Wishing to keep in practice, the group would come together every week and hone their skills over Lake Conroe. There are eleven pilots now and several new members being trained for flight formation.

Since it’s inauguration several years ago over Lake Conroe, Freedom Flight has become a formal organization and is requested to perform fly-overs for many patriotic events and funerals. They are always happy to comply, as gleaned from their mission statement which strives “to foster community pride and patriotism through precision formation flight exhibitions in support of community events, and through missing-man demonstrations to honor all those soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines who have given their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”

The group is still growing, and will add a new small-craft kit airplane, the RV-3, currently being assembled inside the apartment of Conroe resident Stephen Johnston. Each member has built their RV craft airplane, dedicating years and thousands of dollars to promote Freedom Flight and everything that it represents. “We are just happy doing what we are doing right now,” said veteran member Ward. “We just want to honor the men and women who have served this country.” For this reason, Freedom Flight does not accept monetary contributions and performs for local communities at their own expense.

You can catch these heroes at Lake Conroe as they race across the sky this Fourth of July. They will be performing fly-overs at the Walden Yacht Club and the Bentwater Country Club as well as surrounding areas on the south side of the lake. For more event information, please contact these numbers: Walden on Lake Conroe at 936-582-1622, Grand Harbor POA at 936-582-1054, Bentwater Yacht and Country Club at 936-597-6219.

Freedom Flight also flies over the Lone Star Executive Airport on the northeast side of Conroe off of FM 1484 every Saturday. Pack a picnic and camp out at the adjacent Montgomery County Park to watch these patriotic pilots in action.

Source: Houston Chronicle

Less Energy Equals Money Saved

daphne — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

As part of President Obama’s American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, a $3.2 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy was issued to Montgomery County as a means for improving energy efficiency in county buildings. The grant is part of a larger block grant “available to cities, counties, territories and tribes across the nation to support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, develop and implement advanced building codes and inspections, and create financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements.”

Montgomery County has already proven itself in this regard by committing to the initiative of reducing energy consumption and water use by 5% since 2004, and has remodeled its buildings to use more energy conservative alternatives. The effort was worth it and the county won several awards and saved thousands of dollars in energy costs.

According to County Judge Alan B. Sadler, the county has saved $40,000 in electrical costs every year since the initiative was launched in the administration building alone, simply by replacing all of the ballasts and lights, reimbursing the costs for the project within 15 months.

The main outlet for the grant will be to replace air conditioning units and light fixtures in up to 15 county facilities. The old A/C units contain Freon, a material hazardous to the earth’s ozone layer, and energy consumption is expected to be reduced at least 20% for every building.

This is only a start for Montgomery County, as seen by its initiative launched five years ago. The federal grant will help to aid the county in its energy transformation in terms of funding, but it needs no other motivational push to meet its goals.

The residents of Graystone Hills can also help support the county by contributing to energy conservation and saving money. Visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s energy-saving tips page for all the information you can use to improve your neighborhood.

Source: Houston Chronicle

Conroe ISD Grows Leaders through Leadership Academy

daphne — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Conroe Independent School District recently held the third annual CISD Student Leadership Academy, which includes nearly 50 incoming eighth-graders from each CISD junior high school. As Graystone Hills students attend Conroe ISD schools, this is excellent news for resident parents.

Students spoke with a number of local leaders:

U.S. Rep. Kevin Brady, R-The Woodlands; state representatives Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, and Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands; CISD board president Lynda Sasser; CISD board past president Gerald Irons; Lone Star College-Montgomery Interim President Penny Westerfeld; and The Conroe Courier Publisher and Editor Jim Fredricks.

The four-day academy's overall intent was to enrich the students with knowledge that they could carry back as leaders to their daily lives on campus and for years to come in their academic and adult lives.

Students received tours of the LSC-Montgomery campus, Lone Star Executive Airport, and the Olen Underwood Juvenile Justice Center, and also participated in an anti-bullying program.

Conroe ISD leaders are helping to build your future through nurturing the lives of Graystone Hills children.

Source: HCOnline.com

Graystone Hills Residents Enjoy Night Out Close to Home

daphne — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

The recent opening of the newly renovated Star Cinema and Grill has expanded the list of activities that are available to residents of Graystone Hills in Conroe. Offering visitors the sought-after movie viewing and dining experience, Star Cinema Grill is becoming a popular destination for families as well as couples wanting a relaxing, enjoyable evening close to home.

After four months of extensive renovations the Star Cinema Grill on Conroe now offers visitors a plush leather lounge seats line the viewing room along with tables for a relaxing dinner experience, and a new top-of-the-line sound system and screen.

Patrons have abundant dinner choices as well as a quality beverage selection. Everything is ordered from guests’ own tables and a full-service bar available in the foyer. Guests can expect prompt catering service, all controlled by the press of a button.

Located on Interstate 45, Star Cinema Grill is just minutes away from Graystone Hills, which is also know for its prime location less than two miles from I-45.

Star Cinema Grill is located in the Woodcreek Shopping Center of North Conroe at 2000 I-45 and Hillcrest Drive, less than five miles from Graystone Hills community. For show listings and menu items, contact 936-539-6088 or visit Star Cinema Grill for more information.

The facility is one in a long list of fun destinations that are close to home for Graystone Hills residents. Noted for its beautiful wooded surrounds and rolling hills, Graystone Hills has become home to a wide variety of n ew-home buyers, who can preview everything from luxury patio homes to grand estate homes.
New homes in Graystone Hills are priced from the $190,000s to the $600,000s by Village Builders, Lennar, Meritage Homes, Trendmaker Homes and D.R. Horton Homes. New models and sales offices are open daily.

Source: ConroeToday.com

HUD Secretary Donvan Unveils New Details on Home Buyer Tax Credit

Cheryl Boe — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

In a recent speech before the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Board of Directors, HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan today unveiled new rules that will help spur the housing market by allowing consumers to use the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to help cover the costs of closing on an FHA-insured home.

“We believe this is a real win for everyone,” said Donovan. “Today, the Obama Administration is taking another important step toward accelerating the recovery of the nation’s housing market. Families will now be able to apply their anticipated tax credit toward their home purchase right away.”

“With the spring home buying season in full bloom, Secretary Donovan’s move to enable buyers to access the tax credit at the time of closing could not have come at a better time,” said NAHB Chairman Joe Robson, a home builder from Tulsa, Okla. “This new rule will further encourage state housing finance agencies to develop programs to monetize the tax credit.”

source: The National Association of Home Builders

Ladies Assoc. News, Reprinted from the Conroe Courier

Cheryl Boe — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0100

May 24, 2009 - Diane Ganson reports that she, Linda Schilhab, and Beverly Morin, the chair persons for the Decorating Divas of the April Sound Ladies Association, presented an idea for a Tour of Homes to Christine Draughn, who represents the Friendswood Development Corporation, developer of Graystone Hills. The ladies are excited to announce that the tour, open to all members of Lake Conroe Area Ladies Clubs, is set for Thursday, June 4, from 11 am to 1 pm Those attending will be able to tour seven homes, enjoy a catered lunch, gourmet coffee and a chance for door prizes. Congratulations to Diane, Linda and Beverly for all their good work!