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The City of Waller and the Waller Area Chamber of Commerce
sponsored a Giddyup Christmas Party and tree lighting at the
Waller City Hall on Nov. 27. Pictured is Krystin Garrett of
Waller placing a handmade decoration on the tree. The
kindergarten through second grade students of Waller
Independent School District made the decorations in
anticipation of the event. Many were on hand to place them
on the tree. Those in attendance enjoyed cocoa, cookies and
punch while they sang Christmas carols to music of Tamarack
provided by Scott and Claudia Smith.
Tomball man saves family from burning home
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
While Tomball’s Barbara Rickards thinks that it must have
been an angel who saved her and her family from a burning
home, it was in fact a neighbor who happened to be in the
right place at the right time.
A fire that occurred at approximately 4:15 a.m. on Nov. 20
destroyed Barbara Rickards’ home on Hickory Post in Tomball.
Pictured above, a worker performs demolition work in the
home’s living room, where authorities say the fire started.
Mitchell Dane was returning home at approximately 3 a.m.
from an early morning work call when he saw an orange glow
lighting up the sky near Hickory Post in Tomball.
Immediately, Dane knew something was wrong.
“You shouldn’t see that at 3 a.m.,” he said.
As he drove closer, Dane found the home to be in flames,
the fire pouring out of the roof at the rear of the house.
“I didn’t see anyone outside, I didn’t hear any sirens,”
Dane said.
Doing what he says “any decent person would do,” Dane ran
up the house, incessantly pounding on the door and ringing
the doorbell trying to awaken whomever was inside.
Fast asleep was Rickards, her daughter, and her
daughter’s three children. None of them knew the home was
ablaze.
Dane’s pounding on the door finally awoke Rickard’s and
her daughter, who immediately saw the flames in the living
room.
They gathered the children and fled the home, and not a
minute too soon.
Had Dane not seen the flames and reacted so swiftly, it’s
possible the Rickard’s never would have awaken.
“An angel saved us,” Rickards said, fighting back tears.
According to Tomball Fire Chief Randy Parr, the fire was
caused by an electrical problem in the walls of the house.
Once a Tomball Fire Department crew arrived at the scene,
the fire was doused in about five minutes, Parr said.
“Our crews did a terrific job of containing the fire,” he
said.
The blaze began in the home’s living room, burned through
the roof and crept down the hallway before firefighters put
it out.
“The fire was going while we were asleep,” Rickards said.
The home is destroyed and the Rickards have since moved
into a mobile home in town that they own. But while she lost
her home, Rickards was elated to see her most precious
belongings had been saved, including ornaments her children
had made when they were young and a box of family pictures.
Rickards knows she and her family are lucky.
“I just thank God we made it okay.”
Holiday crash leaves family in mourning for
Magnolia woman
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
The Thanksgiving holiday ended abruptly for one Magnolia
family this season, as they mourned the loss of their sister
and mother, Teresa Hinojosa, who was killed on the foggy
evening of Nov. 24 in a side-on collision by a drunk driver.
Pictured at Disneyland in 2003 is Teresa Hinojosa (left),
who was killed on Nov. 24 in a drunk driving accident,
holding her infant son, Christopher Hinojosa (center).
Hinojosa, 35, of Magnolia, and her sister, Lisa Creager,
were on their way home after taking their children to see
Happy Feet and Santa Clause 3 at the Showboat Drive-In on FM
2920.
“She was driving carefully because it was foggy,” said
Creager.
They were traveling north on Old Hockley Rd. around 11
p.m. Safely belted inside her silver 2006 Chevrolet Equinox
were Hinojosa’s sons, Christopher, 4, and Nicholas, 11, in
addition to her 5-month-old nephew, Keegan Creager.
As she pulled away from the stop sign at FM 1488 heading
west, Hinojosa had no time to react before the blue 2006
Dodge R1500, driven by Jon Paul Mojonnier, 42, of Magnolia,
slammed into the driver’s side of her vehicle.
According to the preliminary findings of Texas Department
of Public Safety Trooper Winsom Pham’s investigation,
Mojonnier’s vehicle was running with no headlights.
When Hinojosa’s husband, Felix “Bubba” Hinojosa, arrived
on the scene, he joined his sons en route to Memorial
Hermann Children’s Hospital (MHCH). Hinojosa, Creager,
Keegan and Mojonnier were taken to Tomball Regional
Hospital. Keegan was later transported to MHCH. Hinojosa was
pronounced dead upon her arrival, Pham said.
A blood sample was drawn from Mojonnier, said Pham.
Mojonnier was then transported to the Montgomery County Jail
where he was charged with intoxicated manslaughter.
Mojonnier’s passenger, a 40-year-old male, was released at
the scene.
Though Mojannier has posted bond, he faces a maximum
penalty for a second-degree felony of intoxicated
manslaughter, which bears 2 to 20 years in confinement and a
fine not to exceed $10,000.
Hinojosa worked in the Loan Operations Department of
Woodforest National Bank. The bank has established a trust
account for Hinojosa’s family. For more information, call
281-252-8500. She also worked for Wal-Mart in Tomball for
more than 10 years.
“She changed jobs to spend more time with her family,”
said Robert Bodden, her stepfather.
Bodden became emotional when describing his relationship
with Hinojosa.
“She was very beautiful, with pretty blue eyes. I was
only privileged to know her for 12 years, but she was the
best mother, daughter, friend, person and woman in the
world.”
Creager praised her sister’s family leadership and
motherly nurturing.
“She was a loving mother. She had to work hard with
Nicholas," said Creager, whose husband, Mark, flew 3,400
miles to be by her side.
Family members admired her dedication and commitment to
her children, especially her son, Nicholas, who is deaf.
“She learned sign language to help him with his
homework,” said Bodden. “She went to all the school plays
and wanted to become an interpreter for the school.”
As the oldest of four children, Hinojosa offered loving
and patient leadership to her family and was the hub of
gatherings and reunions.
“She was the take charge, motherly type, but she was
patient, sweet and kind, organizing all the family events,”
Creager said, tearing up. “She was my oldest sister.”
Though Hinojosa may have offered her gifts and talents to
her family without hesitation, she had her preferences.
“She did not like to cook,” Bodden smiled at the memory.
“Though she did help with the potato salad. It was her
favorite.”
Hinojosa, like so many eldest children, was the glue that
held her family together, a smiling face of assurance in the
sea of life for her husband, children, and family.
Constable brings order to chaotic assembly
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Residents demanded answers at the Nov. 28 meeting of the
Decker Hills Property Owners Association (DHPOA), ultimately
calling in Montgomery County law enforcement officials to
settle the dispute.
Montgomery County Pct. 5 Constable Dep. Johnny Carroll
(right) resolves a dispute between members of the Decker
Hills Property Owners Association (DHPOA). Also pictured are
DHPOA President Bill Edwards (left) and Treasurer Amy Powell
(center) at the meeting held on Nov. 28.
Controversy has escalated over the past four months
between incumbent board officers and newly elected officers
and board members culminating in a power struggle for almost
$12,000 in DHPOA funds and voting privileges for members.
At the meeting residents in turn questioned board members
as to why Vice-President Michelle Beauchamp and Secretary
Cheryl Patat were once again absent and why they had not
returned money taken from the DHPOA account.
Representing the two women were their husbands, Randy
Beauchamp and Jerry Patat, as well as former treasurer and
board member Trish Claxton. According to Claxton, “the girls
moved the money for safekeeping.”
“This has been going on for months,” said resident
Patricia Olgin. “Why can’t you support this board?” asked
Olgin of Beauchamp. “Why can’t you support us as a community
and a family and give the money back so we can take care of
business,” she said.
Jerry Patat interjected comments multiple times
throughout the meeting from the back of the room, prompting
President Bill Edwards to address him directly.
“If you can’t wait your turn, go outside, or I’ll be
forced to have you removed,” said Edwards to Jerry Patat.
“Go ahead and try,” said Jerry Patat.
Jerry Patat continued to be disruptive until the
Montgomery County Pct. 5 Constable’s Office and Sheriff’s
Office deputies responded to a 911 call made by Treasurer
Amy Powell.
Constable’s Dep. Johnny Carroll was instrumental in
resolving the conflict between residents as he read to
members from the Texas Penal Code concerning public meeting
behavior.
Anyone with the intent to prevent, disrupt, obstruct or
interfere with a lawful meeting by verbal utterance can be
charged with disrupting a meeting or procession and be
jailed, he said.
“It’s a Class B misdemeanor. You need to raise your hands
like you’re back in school,” he said.
“If it were a legal meeting they could press charges,”
said Randy Beauchamp at which Dep. Carroll requested
Beauchamp to step outside.
After Carroll called both Jerry Patat and Randy Beauchamp
outside the meeting hall to advise them to conduct
themselves in an adult manner, Jerry Patat was not heard
from again.
Members elected to hear Randy Beauchamp read the two
letters provided by the women, which requested mediation as
a resolution to the conflict. In the letters, both women
advised members that they would maintain their positions,
but that they would not attend meetings as long as they felt
threatened.
“Why do they feel so threatened? They took the money,”
said Olgin
Edwards advised members that arbitration is costly. He
acknowledged that a neutral party was needed to facilitate
the meetings, although a two-thirds vote of qualified voters
was required for a contracted expenditure.
“Will we ever get the list?” asked a frustrated Amanda
Matthews of Randy Beauchamp. “Without communication of who
the eligible voters are, we can’t vote.”
Some residents who had never been to a homeowners
meeting, but attended in an effort to understand the issues,
were shocked and dismayed. Other residents simply wanted an
end to the dispute and were upset that a resolution was
being held from their grasp.
With the December meeting cancelled due to the holidays,
the frustrated residents seemed resigned to wait out the
return of funds and information from the two women who hold
the power keys. |
Students experienced a pilot’s viewpoint in this helicopter
provided as an event by Anything’s Possible Aviation at the
Nichols Sawmill Elementary Fall Festival on Nov. 11.
Pictured in front (left to right) are Jenna Jalloway and
Laney Graham and in back (left to right) are Nate Graham and
Travis Callaway. Owner David Lewis donated a ride and dinner
tickets to Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen as a live auction
item. Fourth grader Parker Poole’s father, Jim Poole, of
Florida, purchased the auction item for $725 in anticipation
of Parker’s tenth birthday on Jan. 18. The father, son and
Parker’s sister, Paige, will be picked up from the school
and flown to the restaurant where friends and family will
gather for the birthday celebration.
Klein’s, RAC join forces to stock TEAM shelves
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
When Tomball Emergency Assistance Ministries (TEAM)
decided to cancel it’s annual Share Your Holidays Food
Drive, the local charity faced the possibility of a few bare
shelves when it came time to donate to local families in
need.
Pictured above, Frank DeNina (left), Jeffrey Klein (center)
and Russell DeNina (right) display cases of canned goods
that will be donated to Tomball Emergency Assistance
Ministries as part of Klein Super Market’s and RAC
Materials’ Christmas food drive.
However, thanks to two leading local businesses, that
won’t be the case. Klein’s Super Market and R.A.C. Materials
(R.A.C.) are joining forces, along with Klein’s holiday
shoppers, to stock the TEAM shelves with plenty of canned
goods to go around this year.
As part of a joint effort with Klein’s and R.A.C., when
customers purchase a case of When Klein’s customers purchase
a case of Allen’s Vegatables to be donated to TEAM, the two
will each match the donation up to 100 cases. Each case
contains 24 cans of vegatables and costs $9.
Store Director Jeffery Klein said TEAM could possibly
receive up to 300 cases, or 7,200 cans of vegatables.
Klein’s will be accepting the donations Dec. 8 through 11
at its store, located at 1200 W. Main Street.
On Dec. 16, The Tribune will transport the donations to
TEAM while Klein’s, R.A.C., and Tribune employees will drop
off the donated canned goods, just in time for the charity’s
annual Christmas food basket donations.
TEAM decided to cancel its annual food drive due to last
year’s shortage of donations, director Loma Holmes said.
According to Klein, for about the past 15 years Klein’s
has taken part in the food drive.
“Through the years, we’ve been able to help out TEAM and
every year our customers are very generous,” Klein said.
This year, he was contacted by R.A.C. about their
participation in the drive, which was heartily welcomed.
Both Klein and R.A.C.’s Russell DeNina have extended
invitations to any other local business who may wish to
match the customer’s donations.
Klein’s Super Market also will be helping out local
children of families in need this Christmas. The store is a
drop spot for the USMC Toys for Tots program.
For more information about the Klein’s Super Market and
R.A.C.’s food drive, call Klein’s at 281-351-4091.
Magnolia Christmas parade to feature ‘Twelve Days’
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
The Magnolia Christmas Parade, themed “The Twelve Days of
Christmas,” is scheduled for Dec. 9 and is being sponsored
by the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce (MACC), along with
a full day of holiday celebrations.
Raffle tickets for a 2007 Ford Mustang Grand Prize can be
purchased for $50 at the chamber or from any chamber member.
Only 1,000 tickets will be sold with additional prizes
valued at as much as $200. The final ticket drawn wins the
Grand Prize. The event is co-sponsored by Gullo-Ford-Mercury.
The Magnolia Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. First,
second and third place prizes in several categories as well
as a Best Overall prize will be awarded. Enjoy commercial,
non-commercial, marching unit, mounted unit, motorcycle and
motorcade entries. Tractors, classics and motorcycles
decorated in the parade theme are welcome.
The Magnolia West and Magnolia High School Marching band
members will entertain spectators along with more than 40
decorated floats.
No spectator parking will be allowed at the Magnolia
Junior High School parking lot. It is reserved for parade
entries only. Spectators may park on Elm St. and Sara St. or
along Nichols Sawmill Rd.
B D’s Touch on Nichols Sawmill Rd., owned by Citizen of
the Year Dona Hunt, is offering an all day Christmas Market
with more than 20 craft and gift vendors. The shop is also
sponsoring a hotdog stand for Stephen Roth of Boy Scout
Troop 1114 benefiting his Eagle project for Shriners
Hospital.
After the parade, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., a Christmas
Cookie Swap will take place at The Depot. Stock up and enjoy
homemade holiday sweets and confections, purchased by the
pound. Local school and church choirs will sing Christmas
carols. The Magnolia Historical Society sponsors the event.
Watch for the arrival of Santa and his elves during the
parade. Santa will be at The Depot beginning at 5 p.m. When
children visit with Santa they will receive a Christmas
gift, sing Christmas carols and enjoy refreshments. Santa’s
elves will be delighted to take a picture of your children
with Santa as a keepsake.
See you there!
10-year-old Magnolia boy trains for Olympics
By Cari Herr
Tribune Staff
Though he is only a sixth grader attending Magnolia
Junior High School, 10-year-old Colin Van Wicklen is one
step closer to his dream of being an Olympian with a recent
award to the national Olympic development team.
Pictured, left to right, are head coach Tom Meadows, Reese
Rickett of Tomball, Hunter Justus of CyFair, coach Colby Van
Cleave and Colin Van Wicklen of Magnolia at the U.S. Olympic
Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
After advancing from regional competition, held Oct. 14
at Saginaw High School in Fort Worth, Wicklen’s team packed
their bags and headed for the national competition in
Colorado.
Following competitive performances at the 2006 Future
Stars National Championships at the U.S. Olympic Training
Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. on Nov. 11 and 12, Wicklen
ranked tenth and was named to USA Gymnastics’ 2006 Future
Stars National Gymnastics Team.
“It’s really exciting because I got to go to the training
center and work out with all the Olympians,” said Wicklen,
whose goals include Olympic competition and a scholarship to
Oklahoma University. “They have won the collegiate NCAA for
the last three years.”
Wicklen has a good grasp of what lies ahead. “It’s going
to take hard work and determination,” he said.
His coach and parents are very supportive of him, he
said. “Whenever I mess up or have not so good of an event,
(my coach) is still there for me. My parents always go to my
competitions and one of them always goes out of state with
me.”
This is the 23rd competitive year for Team Cypress said
head coach Tom Meadows. The team is comprised of 8- through
12-year-old students at the Cypress Academy located at 11707
B Huffmeister Rd., of which Wicklen has been a competing
member for three years.
Wicklen’s team participates in all forms of gymnastics,
said Meadows. Competition series events included, floor,
pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, high bar, two
strength-routines and one flexibility-routine.
“For an athlete to qualify for the Future Stars National
Developmental Team is an incredible accomplishment. It means
that he is one of the country’s top athletes in his age
group,” said Meadows.
The Olympic Development Program was established in the
late 1970s as a talent identification and development
program. It was renamed in 1996 as the Future Stars Program,
a division of men’s gymnastics within USA Gymnastics. USA
Gymnastics is the national governing body for gymnastics in
the United States and is affiliated with the USA Olympic
Committee. For more information call 281-469-4599.
Annual Candlelight Tour offers ‘Christmas card to the
community’
By Brian Walzel
Tribune Staff
A Tomball holiday tradition for nearly 40 years, the
Tomball Museum Center’s Candlelight Tours offers a unique
Christmas event to the community.
Pictured above, JoAnn Ehrhardt decorates a Christmas tree in
the Griffin Home at the Tomball Museum in preparation for
the museum’s annual Candlelight Tours.
Set for Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 at the Tomball Museum Center,
the event features nine historical buildings decorated for
the Christmas season, as well as live holiday music, wassail
and cookies.
“We like to think this is our Christmas card to the
community,” Museum Center Director Jean Alexander said.
Each of the center’s nine facilities will offer a host to
discuss the history of the building. The buildings include a
country doctor’s office, a 19th century farm museum, a
Lutheran church built in 1905, a fellowship hall built in
1855, a log cabin built around 1857, the Henry Theis House
built in the mid 1800s, a school house from the early 20th
century, an oil camp house used in the 1930s through the
1950s, and the crown jewel of the center, the Griffin
Memorial House, built in 1860.
The Candlelight Tours began in 1969, Alexander said, in
an effort “to interest the community in preservation and
welcome them to the past.”
Live holiday music will be performed in the farm museum
and the Lutheran church. The fellowship hall will feature
wassail and cookies. Pictures with Santa will be held in the
farm museum, as well.
The event is free of charge, but the museum welcomes
donations, Alexander said.
Planning for the Candlelight Tours began in September and
decorations around the facility began to go up early last
month, Alexander said.
She expects attendance for the annual event to eclipse “a
couple thousand.”
The Spring Creek County Historical Association oversees
and administers the Tomball Museum Center.
With about 200 members, the association relies on
donations and volunteer efforts to maintain the museum’s
facilities.
This year, the Tomball Garden Club will assist in
decorating several of the buildings.
“We have some very creative people,” Alexander said. |
