UPDATE: Theft of stolen harnesses suspends popular carriage rides at Market Street

UPDATE:

Regrettably the horse carriage rides mentioned in our article titled below for the best activities for the holiday season, were discontinued at Market Street due to the theft of the custom-made harness purchased by Platinum Carriage Company for their horse-drawn carriages.

The white harnesses that were color-coordinated to match the white carriages, were stolen early Wednesday morning, December 24, some time after midnight, along with the six-horse aluminum trailer which contained the harnesses, in addition to grooming supplies, carriage driving clothes, and other items.

Apparently the thieves also stole the truck that the trailer was hooked up to, and according to the GPS in the truck, it was recovered with the trailer in Houston, but the harnesses had been taken from the trailer. The truck is owned by Hy-Tech Foundation Repair, and was stolen from an employee’s residence.

The trailer was stolen from the owner of Platinum Carriage Company, Betsy Bailey, at her stables located at on Stidham Road in Conroe. According to Bailey, the harnesses are the only ones of their kind in Texas. They should be instantly recognizable if used by any other source. Anyone who sees the harnesses, or saw anything suspicious, is asked to contact the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office 936-760-5871. Anonymous tips can be phoned into Montgomery County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-392-STOP (7867).

ORIGINAL STORY:

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- The gift exchange has taken place, the holiday meal consumed, and your company is now looking for their hosts to keep them entertained until the holiday weekend is over. Break out the board games!

Even board games can get boring after a few hours, but there’s no shortage of things to do in The Woodlands. Below is a list of a few of The Woodlands favorite things:

The Woodlands Ice Rink located on the northeast corner of Lake Robbins and Six Pines Drive, is open daily. Skate sessions start and run every two hours, beginning at the time of daily opening. All prices include $2.50 skate rental, helmet and walker (child's skate trainer) rentals $10 each; $5 will be refunded when returned. Cash and Credit Cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) are accepted.

Monday–Friday: $9.50 for 2-hour skate session; $5 for 2-hour skate session for children 5 and under. Hours: Monday–Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday–Sunday $10.50 for 2-hour skate session $6 for 2-hour skate session for children 5 and under. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, Noon to 7 p.m.

There’s no shortage of places to dine at. A diversified ethnicity in The Woodlands provides a large and eclectic array of restaurants to choose from. Reference Woodlands Online’s dining guide for a comprehensive list and their locations. Call ahead to see if reservations are required, and approximate waiting times. Also see the list for special dietary requirements and services. Click on Restaurant Guide for this and other information.

During daylight hours, take your company on a tour of The Woodlands magnificent outdoor sculpture collection with installations in numerous areas in the business district, and located throughout the residential villages.

“The Woodlands has the largest collection of outdoor sculptures in the world, for a community its size,” stated the late Tony Motto, The Woodlands self-proclaimed, unofficial ambassador of the sculpture collection.

If you obtained a copy of Tony Motto’s book titled, The Woodlands Outdoor Sculptures, there’s a map on page 6, with the location of the sculptures included in the book. A limited quantity of books are still available through Woodlands Online for $19.95. All proceeds go to the estate of Tony Motto.

After dark, tour The Woodlands villages to see the beautiful holiday decorations. Among them is a must see...the Creek Pines subdivision in the Village of Panther Creek. Just south of South Panther Creek on the east side of Glen Loch, an annual memorial in holiday lights and decorations, is a sight to behold. Read more about this wonderful tribute at Creek Pines subdivision continues memorial holiday light display tradition

Also in the evening...holiday carriage and pony rides between 6:00 and 9:00 p.m. Take in the beautiful lights and scenery at Market Street. Reservations required for this Sunday, December 28, thru Tuesday, December 30.

For more events, refer to the events calendar on Woodlands Online at Calendar of Events.