I'm not sure if I'll do this every year but for those of you who have been along this ride with me from the beginning, this article might be just as sweet for you to read as it has been for me to write. In that very first Publisher Note I wrote, back in February, 2024, you would probably get the idea I got into this whole thing to help promote local businesses. Because I did. But as the months have gone by my “why” has totally changed. For me it’s getting in that home, Roasted Coffee, or Harvest Market and hearing the family tell their story. Then listen to the debate over details and laughter at memories. I’ll be honest with you, it’s not something every or even most publishers do in the Stroll family. But I’m telling you they’re missing out. 

Looking back at January, with the Kovaciches, and how they love to have their friends over and grill. How Carol was ready for her sophomore year at Lamar University when her dad said, “Cancel your classes. You’re going to be working at the plant with me.” That’s where she met Rick. And now here they are having date nights every Wednesday in Pine Market.

Oh, and the Legers, pronounced lay-ZHAY, and their big OOPS. Remember how their military careers crossed in the beautiful Azores, and Priscilla bought that old, used, stick-shift Volkswagen before she learned to drive it? She knew how to start it but not how to get it in gear. So, she’s stuck there with the car running, unsure how to get it going, and oh yea the car was sitting on a slight decline. Earnest just happened to be walking by and though the car got some damage their lives certainly didn’t. 

The Staffords had such a touching story and the genuineness to tell it exactly as it is. Jerry grew up in less than ideal circumstances and broke what could have been a lack of generational discipline by enrolling himself in the Army. But when it came to Betty, this became just one of the many improbabilities between where they were then and where they are today. He was a bit older, had already been married, and she didn’t want herself a military man. But the attraction broke through any preconceived “types” and one hiking trip led to a wedding which led to two beautiful twins. 

And how about that redemption story we had in April. When the Moraleses were nominated I had no idea what I was in for. So I walked into Mor Smiles 4 Kids and asked for Josh. I told the receptionist that I was told he had a real “God honoring story,” I'd like to tell and asked if he was available. He came out, we exchanged niceties, and went back to the office where he told me the brief version of that story. It was a tough one, losing a child so suddenly, and they weren’t sure they were ready to tell it. It was a few weeks later when they said they would, and that issue came out almost the same week their 3rd child, Sophia was born. 

And then came The Raesis family. Chanel being so helpful to me in the early days of this endeavor I was quite obliged when they got their nomination. It was so funny when Chanel tells the story of her offering Rick and his buds a free beer to keep her busy during a slow day behind the bar. And Rick quipped, “there’s no such thing as a free beer” haha. It was a joy learning about Reagan’s drawing skills and Ethan getting in the weight room to put on weight instead of giving up on his love for baseball. 

Earlier in the year, I was talking to a Woodforest friend and she said she had a great nomination. It was going to be a romantic story for February, but as I heard the story I thought it was romantic but also very patriotic. Lena was born in Italy, and during WWII her father took up arms for the American side. It made me think of the many people that became American in spirit during very dark times, and proved it on the battlefield. It made me think of those that come here and remind us not to take what we have for granted. And of course they have proved true with her grandson set to represent the 3rd generation as a cryptologist in the Navy. 

The Weiss family of course was my very first nomination to be on the cover, well before there was even a magazine. I had known Nick almost 2 ½ years but none of his story. The beginning might be what’s expected. Too eager to get his life going to sit in a college class, so he opted out and got into the trades. But I didn’t really have an appreciation for the work he put in to build his well-known business. And how it all turned around when he got the corporate gig with Discount Tires. 

I’ve been asked more than once how I got all of Woodforest’s finest in one photo for my September cover. I’ll be honest, I don’t know. I truly thought half of them wouldn't show up. I may have delusions of grandeur, but I think that cover photo will go down in the Woodforest Hall of Fame. I almost did it in black and white, should I have?

In October, I got to meet Zach and Tessa Lane. This was probably the 3rd time I was told they didn’t have a story worth being on the cover of any magazine. We sat there at Harvest Market and I had almost written the whole thing before we stood up. There were the early days where Zach declared, “I’m going to marry that girl one day,” to the high school dance where he swept her off her feet, and became more than her friend's older brother. Then baby #1 came, and he stepped up, and she stepped up, and they stepped forward in their new life together. Which turned out to be 10 years of Zach on the road more often than not. But they stuck it through, and have found their dream home here in Woodforest. 

The Fletchers are that great story of second chances in love. When Karen lost her husband in 2011 she wasn’t exactly looking for someone new, to put it lightly. But Dennis was quite taken with her; and he was patient, and he was available. Their story nowadays involves a lot of fun but they aren’t kicking their feet all the way up yet. Due to their own experiences, they give back in a tremendous way by helping families affected by cancer. Truth is, I’ve asked them to be models twice in the last few months and they’ve taken me up on it once. 

And last but not least, we don’t have to look back far to the Owen family. Like ducks in a row Renee’s two daughters followed in her footsteps. Not only working at Sonic, but physical therapy as well into cosmetology. Just recently this all culminated in them getting their own brick and mortar hair salon, which just happens to be across the street from a Sonic. 

This is also the year I brought on my Junior Writers, and they have been so great that I've told them they can’t go to college. At first we were working on everything together, but they’re now figuring it out and putting out some really great articles on their own. I didn’t even have room to talk about all of the Athletes, and how a former Houston Texan liked one of my Instagram posts. The travels, the recipes, the pets.. And yes, I do still love the local business spotlights. If it’s not a Junior Writer, it’s me, learning as much as I can about what they do. 

But hey, that’s 2025, we’re in 2026 now! And I have a good feeling about it. I hope you do too. Thank you for taking this ride with me.