Candidates for Magnolia ISD Board of Trustees and for city elections will voice their issues at an elections forum to be held at Magnolia City Hall on Buddy Riley Blvd. The forum will takek place Tuesday, April 22, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chambers.

All interested citizens are invited to attend the forum. Each candidate will be given five minutes to speak and one minute in closing remarks. Sandwiched between the two speaking sessions will be a question-and-answer period where written questions will be submitted by those attending, subject to review by the question committee.

Two positions are up for election in the Magnolia ISD race. Incumbent Brent O’Neal is running against Mandy Smith, and incumbent Charlie Riley is running unopposed. Incumbent Mayor Jimmy Thornton has one opponent, Jo Anne Windham. Incumbent councilman Dave Sutherland is running against Hank Wright. Councilwoman Patsy Williams is running unopposed; a previous candidate running against her dropped out of the race.

For more information, call 281-356-1488, or email info@magnoliatexas.org.

Last year the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce expanded their scholarship program by increasing amounts given to high school seniors and resident students. Board members also incorporated a scholarship for those working on a study program for a GED. The amount of the scholarship, $200, is designed to cover the cost of the class, study materials, and the fee to take the examination.

The form may be obtained by calling the Chamber, 281-356-1488, or emailing info@magnoliatexas.org. Deadline for submitting the application is at 4:00 PM Friday, May 30 at the Chamber office. The Chamber office is located in the Prosperity Bank Building, 18935 FM1488.

Come enjoy golf and a family picnic with the members and supporters of The Light House Education Center Saturday, April 5. The event will be held at the Houston Oaks Golf and Country Club that is located on Hegar Road just off FM2920.

This is not a typical golf tournament where the players go off and leave the family. The center is all about family, and this beautiful location was selected because of the amenities that will make a picnic a special event and an all-day affair. The day will end with a barbecue dinner prepared by area public officials.

The Light House Education Center was created to provide a place of learning for students who are home schooled but who can receive additional instruction in specific subjects. The center owns property on FM1488 where a facility will be built. Currently they meet in the Believers Fellowship Church on FM149.

For more information on The Light House Education Center or on their event, please visit www.tlhonline.net.

Results of Christmas Parade for Magnolia area held Saturday, December 8, with theme of “A Caroling We Go”:

Commercial Float

1^st MWS, Inc.

2^nd Dance Connections & Extreme Performing Arts

3^rd Olde Homestead Properties

Non-Commercial Float

1^st Gullo Family

2^nd Magnolia Free Will Baptist Church

3^rd Magnolia Elementary School

Vehicle

1^st William E. Gardner

2^nd Mark Hannes

3^rd Nexus Disposal

Marching Unit

1^st Texas Star Dance Team

2^nd Magnolia High School Band

3^rd Magnolia West High School Band

Mounted Unit

1^st Harris County Junior Mounted Posse

2^nd Lone Star Cowgirls

3^rd Little Horseshoe Farm

Best Overall Entry

Magnolia High School Navy Junior ROTC

Christmas Parade Update

First of all, thanks for your commitment to make this parade the best ever. I appreciate the long-standing members who have brought experience to the table, but just as much participation goes to the newer committee members who have brought fresh ideas with them. We need to continually improve on the previous year’s event, and the nice blend we have this year will make it happen!

To date we have 92 entries, including Santa—larger than last year (lineup—not Santa!). It will be a tight squeeze, but we can do it! With banners it is 95, but I am not numbering the banners—have tried in the past with varied success—so you lineup people can place them where you wish. We HAVE to have the banners in the parade, no matter what, even if it takes committee members (including me) to carry them. They also need to be scattered throughout the parade rather than all at once.

Originally, as I told some of you, shirts were to be completed last Friday, and I had hoped to begin passing them out Monday night. They are to be ready today. You can pick them up at the office either Thursday or Friday, or you can get them Saturday. I’ll be at the office by 9:00 on Saturday and stay until I need to move to the reviewing stand to set up there. I’ll take the shirts with me if you have not received yours by then.

Last but not least, our illustrious leader is celebrating a birthday today! Have a good one, David!!!

Christmas in Magnolia Press Release

Celebrate the Christmas season with residents and business people in Southwest Montgomery County as Magnolia “decks the halls” for the holidays. The big day is scheduled for Saturday, December 8.

Start the day with the Christmas Market that will be located at the historic depot on Melton Street at Buddy Riley Blvd. Vendors will sell those special Christmas gifts and decorations from 9:00-4:00. The Cookie Walk at the Depot will open at 10:00 for shoppers to select from dozens of homemade bakery and candy items.

Plan to watch the parade that will begin at 2:00 PM on the streets of Magnolia with the reviewing stand located at Magnolia Elementary School on Nichols Sawmill Road. Businesses and various groups are encouraged to enter the parade and compete for prizes. Individuals may design their entries based on the theme, “A Caroling We Go”. Ronald McDonald and the McDonald’s Shoe are scheduled to appear in the parade.

Follow Santa from the parade to the Depot where he will pose for pictures with those attending. Mrs. Santa and the elves will be available as well. Area choirs will sing carols, and refreshments will be served.

Sponsors of the special day are the Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce and the Magnolia Historical Society. More information can be found on the website, www.magnoliatexas.org or by calling 281-356-1488. Call for a parade entry form or download it from the website.

Miss Magnolia Pageant Press Release

The sixth annual Miss Magnolia Pageant application packets are now available for eligible junior and senior girls at the high school level. The Magnolia Area Chamber of Commerce sponsors the scholarship pageant, and Miss Magnolia 2008 will be selected February 16.

Girls who reside in the Magnolia school district and those contiguous to it are eligible to compete. Other districts include Conroe, Montgomery, Tomball, and Waller. Girls need not attend school in one of those districts but must reside there. Therefore, students at private schools and homeschool settings are eligible with proper residence.

Besides gifts for all contestants, girls will compete for scholarships amounting to $1500 for the winner; $500, first runner up; $300, second runner up. Girls will elect Miss Congeniality as well. The contestants will appear in sportswear and formal attire for the judges to view and will respond to questions selected from a bank of questions.

Deadline for entry is January 18. At that time packets must be in complete form to the Chamber office. Packets are available from Ms. DiAnn Suggs at Magnolia High School and from the Chamber office on FM1488.For more information, call 281-356-1488, or go to the Chamber website: www.magnoliatexas.org.

Christmas Parade News

Judge Sadler is honored to be our grand marshall.

Entry forms for the Christmas Parade will be available October 15. Plan to enter the parade with a theme of "a Caroling We Go" for a special holiday Saturday: December 8. Activities will take place all day with the parade at 2:00 PM.