🌱 How a Conroe-recognized photographer turned dried roses into global gold

Good morning to you Conroe! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Conroe-recognized photographer turned dried roses into global gold
• Why a new I-45 wine trail could put Conroe on the map
• See why a Conroe campaign rally made Texas’ top 2025 photos

Today's riddle: Playing golf is bad for your brain. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 73 and low of 60 degrees.
• Friday: Very warm, temps: high: 83, low: 52.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 74 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Magnolia Photographer Wins Global Recognition — How Patti Gary's Dried Roses Won Gold (papercitymag.com) — Conroe’s arts scene gets a nod as Magnolia photographer Patti Gary, whose work has been honored by the Conroe Art League, wins gold in the global reFocus Photography Awards for her Rose Couture series. Her still lifes of dried roses, cobalt glass, and whimsical bird scenes are gaining international attention while remaining closely tied to The Woodlands and Conroe-area galleries and exhibits.
   

2. Wine Walk: Texas wine industry predictions for the new year ahead (yourconroenews.com) — Conroe is set to gain visibility as one of the hubs on a new I-45 Texas wine trail, giving locals easier access to winery experiences. A Texas wine expert outlines bullish 2026 predictions, from more wineries and vineyards to expanded education, wine trails, and restaurant offerings, all pointing to a fast-growing, $20‑billion‑plus statewide industry.
   

3. Texas Tribune's 2025 pictures of the year (texastribune.org) — One of the Texas Tribune’s standout 2025 images comes from Conroe, capturing Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaking with supporters at an October campaign rally. The broader photo collection looks back at major political, environmental, and immigration moments across Texas, offering a visual recap of a turbulent year as the state heads into 2026.
   

4. State control, Trump and new leaders: how Texas higher ed shifted in 2025 (statesman.com) — A former Conroe-area state senator now leads the Texas Tech University System after championing legislation that shifts power on Texas campuses from faculty to governor-appointed regents. In 2025, Texas universities saw sweeping political influence, from Trump administration funding cuts and visa actions to new state laws curbing faculty authority, diversity initiatives, and teaching on race and gender. These changes could shape how future Conroe students experience college across Texas.
   

📸 Around Conroe

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Conroe

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Monday January 5

• Youth Workout - January 2026 - Conroe, TX 2026
  Conroe Aquatic Center Waterpark, 1207 Candy Cane Ln, Conroe
  9:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday January 2

• CLINT BRACHER
  Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber , 119 Simonton Street , Conroe
  7:00 pm
• Joe Blues Band LIVE at Lucy Blues Conroe!
  Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber , 711 Madeley St , Conroe
  8:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Lone Star 1st Saturday
  Old Community Center , 14420 Liberty St. , Montgomery
  9:00 am
• LOGAN SOILEAU LIVE AT LUCY BLUE CONROE
  Lucy Blues Conroe , 711 MADELEY ST , Conroe
  8:00 pm

Sunday January 4

• Gospel Sunday Brunch w/ Jim Sloan and Friends
  Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber , 119 Simonton Street , Conroe
  11:30 am

Monday January 5

• Zach Johnson
  Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber , 119 Simonton Street , Conroe
  7:00 pm

Tuesday January 6

• TAP TAKEOVER TUESDAY WITH NATE NELSON ACOUSTIC LIVE!
  Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber , 119 Simonton Street , Conroe
  7:00 pm

📣 Conroe Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Friday January 2

• Gourd'gous Glass Pumpkin Patch
  Glassblowing Houston , 17442 FM 2920 Rd , Tomball

Saturday January 3

• BRIDE TO BRIDE HOUSTON EXPO
  The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center , 9055 Airport Rd , Conroe
  9:00 am
• Tomball Farmers Market Weekly All local farmers market
  Greater Tomball Chamber of Commerce , 205 W. Main Street , Tomball
  9:00 am

Sunday January 4

• The Woodlands Cars & Coffee for a Cause at Market Street
  Market Street , 9595 Six Pines Drive , The Woodlands
  6:00 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Conroe PatchAM possible:

• GIR Appliance repair — (346) 625-4289
  55$ For diagnostic. Same day repair.
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• My dog socks has been missing since December 17.
  Someone texted me from Joseph Vick 8221@gmail.com said they know where he is but he will not give me the address until I pay him money. Does anyone… (Nextdoor Sunset Ridge)
• 🎆🎇🧨 = scared animals
  Scared animals = lost animals Lost animals get 3 days guaranteed as a stray hold at shelters. After that they can be euthanized. Shelters are full… (Nextdoor Riverbrook)

• Fiesta Mart posted a job opening for Seafood Clerk - 081 Conroe in Conroe. Apply here.
• BootBarn, Inc. posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate (Seasonal) in Conroe. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Conroe here.

Ok Conroe! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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