Happy Friday, Conroe!
We’ve got two artisan markets to choose from tomorrow morning, including one right here in my neighborhood, ARTAVIA. And a little further down, my wife, Lorelei, has an invitation for anyone who’s ever left a potluck wishing they’d asked for the recipe.
Here’s what’s happening in our backyard:
🏛️ A $1.8 million grant could give the old jail upstairs in our downtown courthouse a new purpose.
☂️ Mary Poppins opens at the Crighton tonight, and Conroe gathers to honor veterans Saturday morning.
🛍️ ARTAVIA and Grand Central Park both have Saturday markets, plus there’s an easy way to help the food bank while you’re out.
🍽️ Lorelei’s Recipe Roundtable brings Conroe neighbors together for homemade food and a recipe swap.
🏛️ A New Chapter for the Courthouse on the Square
The 1936 courthouse turned 90 on Halloween. Five days later, the county took a step toward preserving it.
Montgomery County accepted a $1.8 million state grant Thursday to design the preservation of the downtown courthouse. One idea under consideration would turn the old jail on the upper floors into usable courtroom space. Some of the cells are still there today.
The grant covers the design work. Construction would require separate funding, and one condition of the grant is that the building keep serving as a working courthouse.
🗳️ Two New Faces on the Conroe ISD Board
One of Tuesday’s three trustee races came down to just over half the vote.
Ryan Tsamouris won Position 1 with 50.27% of the vote, according to Tuesday’s reported results. Rod Hammer won Position 2, and current board president Misty Odenweller earned another term in Position 3.
For families following Conroe ISD, those are the three names to know when the trustees are sworn in later this month after the official vote canvass.
Pull Up a Chair! The Recipe Roundtable Is Bringing People Together in Conroe
A monthly Conroe potluck where you leave with the recipes, too.
My wife, Lorelei, creator of Instantly Tasty, has started something special right here in Conroe called The Recipe Roundtable… a monthly gathering that brings people together through homemade food, shared recipes, and friendship.
Each month, guests gather around the table for a themed potluck, bringing a dish to share. Everyone submits their recipe ahead of time so Lorelei can print copies for the group's recipe binders. It's a fun way to discover new family favorites, exchange cooking ideas, and make lasting friendships.
Themes have included Favorite Recipe Night, Breakfast Night, and Fall Favorites, with Friendsgiving and Christmas gatherings coming up next!
Lorelei has also created a FREE Recipe Roundtable Host Kit for anyone who wants to start their own group. It includes printable invitations, recipe pages, food labels, planning tools, and everything needed to bring people together around the table.
Want to pull up a chair?
Interested in attending a Recipe Roundtable gathering in Conroe? Email [email protected] to learn about upcoming events and availability.
Want to start your own? Visit https://instantlytasty.com/the-recipe-roundtable/ to learn more and download the free Host Kit.
Sharing Recipes • Sharing Stories • Building Friendships
☂️ Mary Poppins Lands at the Crighton Tonight
Friday, November 6 • 7 p.m. • $22 standard tickets, $25 at the door
Christian Youth Theater Houston opens Mary Poppins tonight in downtown Conroe. If an afternoon show is easier with the kids, you’ve got two chances this weekend: Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. There’s also a Saturday evening performance at 7.
Already booked this weekend? The production returns November 13–15.
Where: Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main St., Conroe.
🇺🇸 Conroe Gathers to Honor Veterans and Dedicate “The Line”
Saturday, November 7 • 9 a.m. • Veterans Memorial Park
Veterans Day falls on Wednesday this year, but Conroe’s community celebration is tomorrow morning. The Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission is inviting families and neighbors to the park for the dedication of “The Line.”
The program includes live music and guest speakers, with a flyover planned to close the ceremony.
Where: Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park, 1776 Freedom Blvd., Conroe.
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🛍️ Two Conroe Artisan Markets, One Saturday Morning
Saturday, November 7 • 9 a.m.–1 p.m. • ARTAVIA and Grand Central Park
In my neighborhood, ARTAVIA: The Autumn Artisan Market is coming to Dapple Park at 17590 ARTAVIA Parkway. Admission and on-site parking are free, strollers and wagons are welcome, and you can walk right in without a ticket.
Over in Grand Central Park: The Lake House at 1039 Lake House Drive is hosting its market during those same hours. This one has a good reason to linger at the booths: makers will demonstrate how they craft their goods. Pick up a market passport when you arrive and turn it in after visiting the booths for a chance at a prize.
🥫 A Few Extra Groceries Can Make the Market Trip Count Twice
Grand Central Park is collecting nonperishable food through November 15.
If you’re headed to the Grand Central Park market Saturday, check your pantry before you leave. The Lake House doubles as a drop-off spot for the Montgomery County Food Bank, so you can bring a donation on the same trip.
Can’t make the market? The drive continues through Sunday, November 15, with two Conroe drop-off locations:
The Lake House · 1039 Lake House Drive
The Finding Place · 750 Grand Central Parkway
👋 Same time next Friday?
Thanks for reading!
Know about a holiday market in your neighborhood, a new place opening its doors, or a local favorite we should feature? Hit reply and tell me all about it! I personally read every reply.
See ya next week! Adios!
Duston McGroarty
Proud Conroe Resident
Founder, ConroeBackyard.com