Last Thursday my husband and I went to a book signing at the Community & Children's Impact Center. The author Jennifer Monteil was introduced by Brenda Myers, the founder and Chief Executive of the Impact Center, and we all had a chance to talk to her.
“Strong Women Break Too” is her ninth book. It tells the stories of six women who overcame great odds to live a life of promise and success. Jennifer Monteil spent 14 years in law enforcement and over a decade to her community. In 2026 she stepped aside from the badge to write the stories she had carried for years. Although she is working at her next book, she says her badge is still waiting for her.
“Strong Women Break Too” is a wonderful book. Not only does it tell the stories of each woman, one of whom is Brenda, it also tells of how they came through incredible, painful experiences to remake their lives through breaking free from the obstacles they faced.
The Impact Center has books for sale. The stories brought about a series of podcasts of women interviewed by Brenda called “Breaking the Chains” podcast. I was honored to be the first person to be interviewed but others are following and are available online.
•Friends of Shepherd Library had a meeting last week. It gave an update on the bingo session each Sunday at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Willis. The Friends of Shepherd Library is a volunteer organization dedicated to fundraising for the library. Extra programs and materials for them are paid this way.
If you visit on Friday afternoon, you will see the great collection of Lego pieces ready for the young people to create amazing structures. The Tiny Art Competition and Tiny Tots Tales are just two other programs helped by fundraising.
•Coldspring Library will start selling tickets on Aug. 24 for their Murder Mystery Dinner on Oct. 3. Tickets are the same as last year, $70 each, which includes a delicious meal by Mary Gray Catering. Women's League has this wonderful caterer for their monthly meetings and love her food.
The Murder Mystery is interactive with the audience and is performed by The Murder Mystery Co. Masks and masquerade attire are encouraged. There will be a cash bar and a silent auction.
•The Coldspring Senior Center has sold out of tickets for the Talent Show on Aug. 29. This will be a fun-filled evening as well as a musical treat. Lunch at the Senior Centers in both Coldspring and Shepherd are important social centers for many seniors who look forward to the conversation, games and events always making the centers happy places. Then of course each one has a resale shop attached to it which helps fund the Centers.
•The Family Restaurant & Daiquiris to Go are serving Sunday Soul Food. Located at 2700 S. Byrd Ave. in Shepherd they start at 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. or when sold out. The menu is posted on their Facebook page, but it varies every week.
Homemade Heartfelt Soulful is the aim and there is a wide choice to choose from each Sunday. Last Sunday featured oxtails, fried chicken, dirty rice, white rice, corn medley, green beans and cornbread. Cooked in the restaurant's kitchen with drinks included. Call (346) 988-5059 for more information. You can eat in or take out. It is $15 a plate.
Contact the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce at (210) 995-7420 or the Coldspring Chamber at (936) 653-2184.
Yvonne Cones is president of the Shepherd Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Coldspring Chamber of Commerce.
