The Lone Star State is booming, and the city of Huntsville and Walker County are no exception. In fact, Texas is ranked as the second largest state economy in the U.S. and ranks 10th largest in the world ahead of countries like Canada and South Korea. And that’s not all! Texas boasts a population that increases by more than 1,000 people every day. In the city of Huntsville and Walker County, Interstate 45 is attracting an assortment of restaurants, retail and residential options for current and new residents.

“There has been tremendous growth through the I-45 corridor, with the largest being the Ravenwood Village Shopping Center,” said Ken Holland of the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council. “New businesses such as McAlister’s Deli are attracted to the increasing economic climate that has been created around the Ravenwood Village area and realize that they would have a great opportunity to have a strong customer base. Existing businesses such as Whataburger have also recognized this and strategically relocated and expanded their ability to serve more customers with a larger store.”

But nationally recognized chain restaurants aren’t the only ones enjoying success.

“There have also been many successful local restaurants located in the core of Huntsville, off the interstate,” said Huntsville City Manager Aron Kulhavy. “We believe these small local businesses are even more important to the continued success of Huntsville.”

Sam Houston State University, located in the heart of Huntsville, is also helping draw development to the area.

“There are a lot of developers looking into the area, from commercial developers to subdivision developers,” said Jimmy Henry of the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council. “Due to the major growth of Sam Houston State University, there is an apartment boom in the area. In the last few years, there have been some major donations made to the university that have allowed for new building growth and expansion of its academic programs.”

Single-family homes are being built in new subdivisions like Texas Grand Ranch and Sterling Ridge, as well as on remaining lots in existing subdivisions. For multifamily living options, Kulhavy said between 500 to 1,000 bedrooms are added every year with the majority focused on college students, such as The Armory, set to open in the summer of 2018.

“There are newer apartments being constructed that are being geared for families as well. Then of course you have the Avenue areas in Huntsville — the older historic district that has the charming homes that are in high demand,” said James Logan of the Business Training Council at the Chamber. “There are a number of new hotels, restaurants and new retail businesses that are making this area home. What makes this great is that the interior of Huntsville remains a vibrant, small hometown while the perimeter offers the advantages of a larger urban area.”

By Brooke Payne

When an emergency occurs, a surgery is needed or in need of a checkup with a primary care physician, patients with all kinds of ailments get the medical treatment they need close to home.

Huntsville Memorial Hospital
Caring for the community since 1927, Huntsville Memorial Hospital is where residents go to heal. Accredited by the Joint Commission, this acute-care hospital delivers high-quality care with the most advanced equipment.

The hospital is equipped to handle a multitude of medical needs, including specialty care like emergencies and trauma, heart and vascular, inpatient and outpatient surgery, women’s health, wounds and diagnostic imaging. Board-certified physicians, compassionate nurses and friendly staff make being in the hospital as comfortable as possible.

The 24-hour, Level IV trauma center and emergency department is open 24/7, helping to treat patients quickly and efficiently. Also on-site, patients have access to lab, radiology and cardiopulmonary equipment, as well as these services.

Huntsville Memorial Hospital provides state-of-the-art rehabilitation programs for those recovering from surgery, stroke or other ailments. These services include cardiac rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, speech therapy and sports medicine/athletic training services.

The hospital has received numerous honors for its dedication to patient care and safety. Healogics recognized the Wound Care Center as a Healogics Center of Distinction in 2017 for its outstanding clinical and operational methods. Likewise, Huntsville Memorial Hospital was named in U.S. News Best Hospitals magazine with a Silver Plus and an Honor Roll Elite Plus award from the American Heart & Stroke Association.

Carriage Inn Huntsville
When it comes to making the most of senior living, Carriage Inn Huntsville boasts exceptional independent and assisted living options.

Independent living options give residents the ability to live life the way they want to, with spacious homes and a wealth of amenities. Such services include single-story apartments and homes, weekly housekeeping and linen services, a 24-hour concierge, a formal library and living room, a fitness center, social, educational, cultural, recreational and spiritual events, guest suites, beautiful landscapes and emergency response call service if needed.

For individuals who may require specialized care, the assisted living option supports residents’ needs without sacrificing their independence. In fact, there are customized levels of assistance, so assisted living plans are personalized to meet the unique needs of each resident.

These seniors also take advantage of premier amenities, such as supervised activities and fitness programs, medication management, escort to and from the dining room and activities, assistance with grooming and scheduled transportation.

CHI St. Luke’s Health
When immediate medical treatment is needed, patients can turn to CHI St. Luke’s Health Emergency Center-Huntsville. The emergency room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Serving both children and adults, board-certified doctors, emergency-trained nurses and licensed radiologists and lab techs administer quick and efficient care.

The center treats minor and major illnesses and injuries, as well as life-threatening emergencies and is backed by CHI St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands.
If a specialist is needed, the center can arrange for
these services.

Family Hearing & Sensory Neural Center
Helping patients for more than 40 years, Family Hearing & Sensory Neural Center treats patients like family. Audiologists work directly with patients to craft the appropriate treatment plan for each patient.

For those who may have issues with their hearing aids, the center offers walk-in hours where equipment can be examined, cleaned or repaired. Patients who may need help after hours, Dr. Christie Cahill even gives patients her cell phone number.

Services include hearing tests, tinnitus treatment, child hearing treatment, hearing aid repairs, balance treatment, auditory evaluation, aural rehabilitation, earwax management, custom earbuds and hearing protection, as well as captioned phones.

Creekside Healthy Living Community
When it opened in 2013, MRC Creekside Healthy Living Community introduced a new vision for the concept of senior living communities in Huntsville. Here, residents find an invigorating environment, created by combining beautiful decor with bright, airy spaces. The community takes pride in serving excellent meals and offering a wide array of activity options, all provided by a caring and compassionate staff. MRC Creekside promotes health and well-being and creates a true feeling of belonging to one big, happy family.

The community includes 32 assisted living apartment homes, 18 certified memory support suites and 66 skilled nursing suites. The community offers rehab services in a newly expanded center on an in-patient or outpatient basis. Transportation is provided to doctor appointments, area shopping centers, grocery stores and more.

Nestled in a lovely setting surrounded by open fields and wooded areas, the community provides a peaceful refuge from a busy world. As a member of the Methodist Retirement Communities, MRC Creekside is the area’s only nonprofit, faith-based senior living community. Like all MRC communities, the mission of Creekside is to ensure that the golden years can be enjoyed as one of the best chapters of life. Its mission, like its slogan, is “to care for those who once cared for us.”

Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is a practice of board-certified oral surgeons specializing in the full scope of oral surgery, including wisdom teeth extractions, preparation for and placement of dental implants, full mouth extractions, bone grafting and pathology.

It is an in-network provider for most major dental insurance plans. Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery is open Monday through Friday.

STAT Home Health
Patients in need of medical treatment can receive care right in the comfort of their own home. STAT Home Health helps individuals with rehabbing from an illness, injury or surgery, as well as curative treatments.

STAT Home Health services include general medical care and support, social services, physical, speech and occupational therapy, low-vision support, advanced wound care and palliative home health.

Huntsville Health Care Center
Huntsville Health Care Center has been an integral part of the Huntsville, Texas, community for a number of years. It is Walker County’s most established skilled nursing and rehabilitation center.

The center has made significant renovations to its building and are making upgrades regularly. There are newly decorated private suites for residents who will be there short term for physical rehabilitation, respite care
or hospice.

Restaurant-style dining ensures meals are served promptly and piping hot. This dining experience offers a variety of dishes to appeal to even the most particular eaters, as well as meeting the needs of residents requiring a special diet.

The center offers the widest variety of skilled services in the area and is proud of its outstanding rehabilitation team, offering the best in physical, occupational and speech therapies. For those residents who are higher acuity and require specialized care with tracheostomy and PEG tubes, out-patient dialysis, complex wound care and IV therapy can be cared for by highly trained nursing staff.

The “Quality of Life” program is second to none, encompassing restorative care to keep residents as independent as possible, “Guardian Angel Rounds” to visit with residents personally every day, along with an exciting variety of daily activities both on and off campus.

The center accepts most insurance plans and its expert Director of Business Services can help navigate individuals through the Medicaid application process once they become a resident if the plan is to stay long term. If a resident has to return to the hospital for a higher level of care, the center will hold their bed free of charge.

Visit the center’s Facebook page for more information, or better yet, come by and see all the great things going on at Huntsville Health Care Center. n Information in this article was provided by Huntsville Health Care Center, MRC Creekside and Sarah Lancaster.

Whether entering the workforce directly out of high school or attending a college or university, students are well prepared for either route after graduating from top-notch schools right here in Huntsville and Walker County.

Huntsville ISD
Huntsville Independent School District’s new superintendent, Dr. Scott Sheppard is proud that his district offers something for every student to excel in.

“Preparing students to fulfill their dreams and ambitions in life is a focus in Huntsville ISD. To this end, we provide academic rigor along with programs designed to meet the needs of ALL students. Huntsville Hornets are competing in athletics, fine arts, academics, and almost every other program available to students in the largest of school districts in Texas. We provide experiences to our students that are highly sought after by employers and top tier universities.”

From crayons to college or career, HISD is truly the BEST place for children to be! Offering a full day Pre-K to advanced career and college options along with a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, students are achieving. Exposure to music and arts begins in early elementary with choir, dance, and theatre arts available to secondary students where they can express their creativity and showcase their talents through exceptional performances. The district band program simply can’t be beat! Hundreds of students participate in the intermediate and middle school bands learning the basics and perfecting their skills hoping to earn one of the prestigious spots in the acclaimed Huntsville High School Military Marching Band. This 200+ member band is rich in tradition, excellence, and pride routinely competing and achieving at superior levels. Everyone’s a Hornet in HISD! With a championship athletics program, both boys and girls are offered 11 different sports to participate in. During the 2017-2018 school year, 728 student-athletes were involved in Hornet sports with teams and individuals excelling far beyond their regular seasons – many clinching district to state-level titles. Promoting college readiness and workforce development is the focus of the Career & Technical Education Program (CTE). Proudly offering all 16 of the career clusters recognized by the Texas Education Agency as well as options for obtaining industry-based licenses and/or certifications such as Cosmetology, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Welding, help to make students more marketable. With over $3M in scholarships awarded to seniors, Hornet graduates can compete with students from anywhere whether they choose to attend a 2-year college, 4-year university, or join the military. Student success depends heavily on parent and community involvement and HISD is proud of the increased volunteer, mentor, faith-based, business, and Sam Houston State University partnerships that provide that necessary support for our students.

New Waverly ISD
From kindergarten through high school, New Waverly Independent School District positions students for a bright future. Together, along with community stakeholders, New Waverly ISD helps students grasp class concepts, retain lessons and prepare a path for a rewarding career.

Composed of New Waverly Elementary School, New Waverly Intermediate School, New Waverly Junior High School and New Waverly High School, the district puts its students first.

As a District of Innovation, New Waverly ISD has greater control over the educational and instructional model for its students; increased flexibility relative to state mandates on educational programming; and empowerment to be innovative and think differently. The district was bestowed this recognition after House Bill 1842 passed in 2015, giving the district the chance to design a comprehensive education plan that meets the needs of the district.

The district’s career and technical education programs allow students to pursue pathways that interest them, and give them an opportunity to explore jobs they would like to have after graduation. New Waverly ISD offers career and technical education programs in arts, A/V technology and communications; business marketing and finance; agriculture, food and natural resources; and family consumer science.

Aside from rigorous academics, students can participate in extracurricular activities that enhance their educational experience. These activities include athletics, Beta Club, Bulldogs for Christ, FFA, University Interscholastic League Academics and yearbook. Love of Learning

Schools Offer Alternatives
Positioned for far-reaching success, families looking for an alternative or faith-based education for their kids will find just that in Huntsville-Walker County.

Alpha Omega Academy
Alpha Omega Academy provides a classical, Christ-centered education that equips pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students with the tools to be lifelong learners partnering with parents in the training of their children to be effective Christian leaders who will impact the world for Christ.

Established more than 20 years ago, the school’s desire is to develop young adults who love God with all their heart, soul and mind.

The faculty and staff endeavor to instill in them a dedication to the lifelong pursuit of truth, moral goodness, aesthetic beauty and a commitment to serving others. In all its levels, programs and teaching, Alpha Omega Academy seeks to do the following: emphasize grammar, logic and rhetoric in all subjects; encourage every student to develop a love for learning and live up to their academic potential; and provide an orderly atmosphere conducive to the attainment of the above goals.

Alpha Omega Academy also supports a strong program of athletics and extracurricular activities because through those shared experiences, students are prepared to be humble and gracious leaders.

Discovery Days Preschool
The dedicated staff of educators and caregivers at Discovery Days Preschool considers your child’s growth, well-being and safety as top priorities. At Discovery Days, educators strive to create a structured environment that feels like family in order to facilitate the social, emotional, spiritual and educational development of each child. The school is age-appropriate and faith-based curriculum is designed to ensure that all learners leaving the program are kindergarten ready.

The school welcomes all children, from birth to pre-K, with flexible enrollment options to fit the needs of any family. Select any or all weekdays from 8 a.m. to either 1 or 3 p.m. Additionally, the teacher-to-child ratios are low and facilities are top-notch.

To keep parents well-connected to the development of their children, Discovery Days offers frequent skills evaluations and periodic parent-teacher conferences. Each child’s teacher will keep a student portfolio of milestones and artwork to share with parents at the end of the semester.

Faith Lutheran School
Educating from age 6 weeks to fourth grade, Faith Lutheran School provides students with an excellent learning environment while sharing the love of God. On top of engaged early childhood educational opportunities, the school offers before and after school care too.

Likewise, pupils enjoy small class sizes, which allow them to receive the hands-on instruction they need from teachers. Students can also participate in arts classes and technology courses that lay the groundwork for their next level of education and, eventually, the workplace.

Children also have the opportunity to take Bible classes, attend weekly chapel services, as well as go on field trips and partake in special events.

Premier High School
For students who prefer smaller class sizes and an independent learning atmosphere, Premier High School in Huntsville is a great option.

The school is ideal for those in need of credit recovery, who want to graduate early or individuals trying to find a balance between family, work and earning a diploma.

On top of that, Premier High School offers career and technical education classes, the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school and a flexible schedule.

Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori School
Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori School is the only area school offering an individualized curriculum, an expectation of mastery of a concept before advancement and a classroom designed to allow students to excel beyond grade level in their favorite subjects. Every program is based on core Montessori beliefs: respect for each other and for the environment.

Students are free to work at their own pace with materials they have chosen, either alone or with others. The teacher relies on observations of the students to determine which activities and materials to introduce to an individual student, small group, or large group. The aim is to encourage active, self-directed learning and to strike a balance of individual mastery with small-group collaboration within the whole group community.

The three-year age span in each class provides a family-like grouping, where learning can take place naturally. More experienced students share what they have learned while reinforcing their own learning.
Because this peer group learning is intrinsic to Montessori, there is often more conversation-language experiences in this type of classroom than in conventional early education settings. n Information
in this article was provided by Alpha Omega Academy, Discovery Days Preschool, Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori School and Sarah Lancaster.

Home of the Bearkats

University Excels in High Achievement at all Levels

Recognized as one of the “Best in the West” universities by the Princeton Review, Sam Houston State University continually strives to honor its historical roots through academic excellence. The university is home to exceptional teaching from faculty members who care as much about student success as they do about furthering the knowledge of their fields.

For more than 139 years, SHSU has been preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement. Its motto, “The measure of a Life is its Service,” resonates among its 21,000 students and echoes across seven colleges and beyond its Huntsville roots.

With over 90 bachelor’s degree programs, more than 60 master’s degree programs and 10 doctoral programs, including the nation’s first Ph.D. in forensic science, and 260 student organizations to join, SHSU offers an exceptional college experience. In fact, SHSU was named to USA Today’s Top 50 in the U.S. for “Commitment to Civic Engagement and Global Awareness,” in addition to being classified a “Community Engaged” university by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education. This honor, bestowed to only 311 public institutions nationwide, acknowledges the university’s significant commitment to serving the community.

Competing in 17 sports at the NCAA Division 1 level, Sam Houston State also provides an intercollegiate athletic program that is successful on both a regional and national level. After clinching the 2018 regular season conference championship in baseball, the Bearkats once again claimed the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup which recognizes the best overall athletic department. Bearkats also secured a second-place finish in football, a top finish in indoor track and field and a fourth-place finish in basketball in the Southland Conference.

The university’s athletes excel in the classroom and on the playing field. The overall grade point average for the 400+ Bearkat student-athletes is higher than the general student population. Small class sizes and student to faculty ratio of 23:1 allow for more personalized attention to academics.

Through cutting-edge research, creative endeavors, service learning, volunteering and more, Bearkats have a head-start on their future. More than 50 percent of enrolled students at SHSU are first-generation college students. Sam Houston State is one of the top 15 universities nationwide for keeping students on track to graduate and placing students in the Texas workforce within 12 months of graduation.

Sam Houston State University is more than an institution of higher learning; it is also a great employer. For the past eight years, The Chronicle of Education has named it a “Great College to Work For.” Information in this article was provided by Sam Houston State University.