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Refined Cuts, the newest destination for top-notch grooming services, is officially open for business at 3306 Western Ave, West Orange. Owned and operated by Victoria Ferguson and Kaytlyn LeLeux, Refined Cuts is ready to welcome the community with fresh cuts, great vibes, and unbeatable service.

Refined Cuts offers a classic barber shop experience with a modern twist. In addition to haircuts and shampoo, services offered include beard trims, eyebrow trimming, razor cuts, male body hair removal, waxing, and hot towel shaves.

Joining the talented ownership team is skilled barber Cynthia Martinez, bringing expert precision and style to every cut.

Business Hours:

• Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

• Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

• Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Clients are invited to stop by, meet the team, and experience the Refined Cuts difference. Whether you’re looking for a quick trim, a full makeover, or a new signature style, Refined Cuts is ready to deliver.

Follow Refined Cuts on Facebook for updates, promotions, and appointment information: Refined Cuts Facebook Page.

For appointments and inquiries, call (409) 238-0810.

Get ready, West Orange — it’s time to get refined!

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center invites the public to celebrate Earth Day during its signature spring event, Eco-Fest and Butterfly Release. This day of family-friendly fun takes place on Saturday, April 26, 2025,  from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Butterfly releases are generously sponsored by Entergy. Admission and activities are free of charge.

Visitors of all ages can expect to enjoy environmentally friendly activities that provide unique learning connections to the natural world. Butterfly releases occur at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Each butterfly release allows families to engage with nature in the beautiful spring garden space, as children are given priority to release a butterfly. Free butterfly plants will also be available for guests to take home and attract pollinators to their own garden.

“Join us for a day of creativity, community, and commitment to a greener future as we celebrate Earth Day. We are thrilled to introduce a substantial number of essential pollinators into our garden space and simultaneously provide families with a memorable, interactive nature experience. We appreciate Entergy for supporting this endeavor through their generous sponsorship. By spotlighting sustainability and eco-friendly practices, we hope that children of all ages will be inspired to be kind to their world,” said Katie Krantz, associate director at Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy supporting local artisans represented at the Eco-Fest vendor market. The vendor market comprises a variety of local organizations and small businesses that focus on handcrafted arts, eco-friendly products or sustainable services.

During Eco-Fest, Shangri La Gardens also offers 10 opportunities for visitors to enjoy an Outpost Tour. This unique excursion through the natural ecosystems of Adams Bayou provides an interpretation of the bayou and its associated habitats and wildlife. Outpost Tours offers visitors an immersive experience in the natural world to better understand the forces that shape the environment of the Gulf Coast region of Southeast Texas.

A Pet Food and Supply Drive will be held in conjunction with Eco-Fest. Visitors are encouraged to drop off pet food and supplies at the main garden entrance on April 26. All donations will benefit local animal shelters in West Orange, the City of Orange, and Pinehurst. Representatives from each shelter will be on-site to collect the donations and answer any pet questions.

“Pet food is one of the largest operational costs for animal shelters. As we remember to be kind to our world, let us share that kindness with our four-legged friends in need in our community. We hope to highlight our local animal shelters at Eco-Fest and their valuable services to our community,” said Marlene Cox, guest relations & events coordinator.

Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center is at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas. For more information, please visit shangrilagardens.org.

The City of Orange is preparing for final approval of five economic development grants totaling nearly $420,000 to support local business growth and infrastructure development. The grants, managed through the City’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC), will assist with construction and property improvements across several locations, including a new apartment complex on Bowling Lane.

The grant proposals have been reviewed by both the EDC Board of Directors, which includes city council members and appointed residents, and the Orange City Council, which is expected to grant final approval soon.

All grants are reimbursement-based and focus on infrastructure-related improvements such as concrete work, water and sewer systems, HVAC systems, and equipment installations. Funds are distributed after project completion once the city receives verified invoices.

Grant Recipients and Project Highlights

• Ace Business Park—Located at 4200 Highway 105, this project will receive a $100,000 grant for new office space and bathroom construction. Boren Construction and Consultants of Bridge City is leading the $2.42 million development.

• Newton Core / Bowling Village Apartments – A $120,000 grant is set for the construction of new apartment housing at 3320 Bowling Lane, helping meet local residential demand.

• Awesome Plaza – An older strip center at 16th Street and Burton Avenue will receive $29,000 for renovations including new fencing. The center currently houses a financial company, an insurance agency, and a shoe repair shop.

• Gisela Houseman Medical Center / SAFNS MOB – A $50,000 grant will support exterior enhancements at 6901 Medical Center Drive, including a new canopy, lighting, and signage as part of the development at Eagle Point.

• Red Gator Rentals / Regan Holdings LLC – Located at 3400 Edgar Brown Drive, this business will receive a $120,000 grant for multiple upgrades, including a glass storefront, LED lighting, new HVAC units, and additional renovations to office and showroom spaces.

These grants are funded through a special half-cent sales tax approved by Orange voters in 2002, establishing the City’s Economic Development Corporation. Since then, the EDC has awarded grants supporting various projects, from large-scale industrial developments to small and mid-sized businesses, including local restaurants and retail establishments.

The EDC Board of Directors, currently led by newly appointed President George Mortimer following Jason Rodrigue’s recent resignation, consists of seven members: the mayor, two city council members, and four residents appointed by the council.

Garlyn Place celebrated a momentous occasion on February 28, 2025, with a groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Vidor Chamber of Commerce. This marked the beginning of a transformative project dedicated to empowering adults with developmental disabilities. Community members, local leaders, and supporters gathered to witness this significant milestone and show their commitment to fostering inclusivity and opportunity.

Garlyn Place is designed to provide adults with developmental disabilities a sense of belonging by offering transition, independence, and vocational opportunities. Through this initiative, individuals will have access to meaningful connections, skills development, and supportive resources to help them thrive. It will be located at 905 Old Hwy 90 West in Vidor.

The project has been made possible through the generosity of The Houseman Companies, which donated 106 acres of land to bring this vision to life. The Vidor and Orange Chambers of Commerce and countless individuals, families, and businesses throughout Orange County have played a crucial role in making this dream a reality.

For more information, please visit their Facebook page. 

The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation announces the retirement of president and CEO Clyde “Tad” McKee after more than 33 years of dedicated service to the organization. McKee’s leadership has played a pivotal role in advancing the Foundation’s mission of enriching the cultural and educational resources of Southeast Texas.

During his tenure, McKee oversaw significant enhancements to the Foundation’s institutions, including the Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House, the Lutcher Theater and Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center. Under his leadership, these institutions flourished, increasing community engagement, educational outreach and program development, while preserving the rich heritage of the Stark family legacy.

McKee’s dedication to the Foundation is just one part of his remarkable commitment to serving Southeast Texas. His volunteer efforts span numerous organizations and causes, reflecting his deep commitment to the community. He has served as Scoutmaster of Troop 23, president of the Orange County Master Gardeners and chairman of Gateway Cities Pound. A dedicated member of the Orange Lions Club for over 30 years, he has chaired the Front Gate Admissions Booth for their carnival for over two decades.

His leadership extends to the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, where he had the honor of serving as chairman of the board in 2018. In addition, he served as the environmental representative to the Sabine River Flood Planning Group.

He serves as treasurer of the trustees at First Methodist Church in Orange and has been a board member of the Malloy Foundation for 31 years, including serving as immediate past chairman. He has directly supported St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the American Red Cross and First United Methodist Church through this role. His philanthropic endeavors include the Orange County Rotary Club, where he has been a member for eight years and was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow for his financial contributions to Rotary Foundation’s Polio Eradication Campaign. His community involvement also includes the Texas Interscholastic League Foundation (TILF), where he has served on the board for over 15 years and helps oversee the disbursement of scholarship dollars to more than 500 students attending colleges and universities throughout Texas.

In recognition of his outstanding service, the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce recently named McKee Orange County Citizen of the Year.

“It has been an honor to serve the Stark Foundation and the community of Orange for more than three decades,” said McKee. “I am deeply grateful to have worked alongside a dedicated team passionate about arts, culture and education. The Foundation is in great hands, and I look forward to its continued success.”

The Foundation’s board of directors elected Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Staton to succeed McKee as the next president and CEO. Staton, who has been with the Foundation since 2011, was officially appointed during the Annual Foundation Board of Directors Meeting on February 20, 2025. With a strong background in financial management and strategic planning, Staton has been instrumental in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Foundation’s programs and initiatives.

“Jennifer Staton’s deep understanding of the Foundation’s mission and her commitment to its future make her the ideal choice to lead us into our next chapter,” said Foundation Board Chair Deborah Hughes. “Her expertise and leadership will build upon the strong foundation that Tad McKee has maintained.”

Staton, an Orange County native and graduate of Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting, as well as a Master of Science degree in finance. Staton, with more than 24 years as a certified public accountant, has worked in public accounting in Houston and Southeast Texas. She began as a senior accountant with the Stark Foundation, and since 2017, has served as CFO and treasurer, as well as a member of the board of directors. Staton was recently appointed to the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

Staton expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to guide the Foundation into the future. “I am honored to step into this role and continue the remarkable legacy of the Stark Foundation,” said Staton. “Tad’s leadership has left an enduring impact, and I look forward to working with our team and the community to further our mission.”

McKee will officially retire at the end of March, allowing for a seamless leadership transition. He will continue his legacy at the Stark Foundation by serving on the board of directors.

The Foundation will host a private celebration to honor his legacy and contributions.

The Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation is a private operating foundation established in 1961 to encourage and assist education and to improve and enrich the quality of life in Southeast Texas. The Stark Foundation seeks to continue the legacy of its founders through the programs of: The Stark Museum of Art, The W.H. Stark House, Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts and Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, as well as the Miriam Lutcher Stark Contest in Reading and Declamation, a qualified scholarship program for public high school students in Orange County, Texas. Programming is designed to create, and build upon, an appreciation within the community for the fine arts, Stark family history, the performing arts, environmental stewardship and public speaking.