With the pandemic, we have spent more time at home and some residents have had more time to indulge in various hobbies or passions. One such activity for a group of Heights residents has been baking, particularly bread, and particularly sourdough bread.
A few months ago, a local bread baker, Jan Ford Young, had the idea of giving away sourdough starter to get others into bread making. She posted on Next Door and the requests literally poured in. To date, Jan has given away 107 jars of sourdough starter from her back porch.
As it turns out, not everyone who took the starter knew how to use it. Jan created a Facebook page which allows her to post bread pictures, links to bread tutorials, recipes, and a forum for other bakers to share their successes, failures, and get advice. Jan has basically become a Mother Hen to Heights bakers and we thank her for that service.
If you are interested in baking, join the group. As it turns out there is a lot to learn about bread culture and it is fun. Looking at a fresh baked loaf that you baked yourself makes you feel slightly euphoric.
To check out the Facebook Group, go to Facebook and search for Houston Heights Bread Club. You can contact Jan directly via email: Jan.young@icloud.com. She is happy to share a starter with you, but she may need a jar in return. Happy baking. You can do this.
- Debbie Hall
Yard-of-the-Month: 528 Highland /
Are you feeling down in the dumps with everything appearing lackluster? Stroll by 528 Highland at the corner of Northwood for some cheer and vibrancy! Shannie and Doug Sharp toil away to make their yard a colorful and entertaining oasis. An assortment of bright flowers along with attractive touches like decorative and vintage pots anchor the yard which attracts loads of butterflies and hummingbirds.
Shannie has an antique bench anchoring the corner succulent garden. An old iron spoked wheel sections off her herbs. Beautiful planters on the front steps welcome you to their comfortable porch. Something is always blooming! You can really see Shannie's artistic talent shine through when she decorates her windows and front porch with festive handmade artwork and banners. Accents of yellow and turquoise really brighten things up along with the yellow poodle standing guard next to the front door. This lovely package is wrapped up in a fence full of Peggy Martin roses!
The home quarantine has benefited those of us who like to stroll past the house because all the extra time has kept these two owners working more in their beautification efforts! Kudos to you Sharps!
- Allison Hartzell, Dir of Beautification
WHCA Statement Of Activity April 2020 /
WHCA Financial Statement
4/1/2019 to 4/30/2020
Questions about WHCA finances can be directed to treasurer@woodland-heights.org.
May General Meeting Cancelled /
May General Meeting Cancelled
Under normal circumstances we'd be approaching the May General Meeting, which was planned for May 12th at Travis Elementary School. However, these are anything but normal circumstances.
As was foreshadowed in the last WHCA newsletter, the board last week officially moved to cancel the May General Meeting. In reality, it was not our decision. The current restrictions on public gatherings, the result of COVID-19, make a meeting impossible.
Election in July
The primary purpose of the May General Meeting would have been to hold an election to replace those on the WHCA board whose terms are coming to an end. The board has decided to move that election to the July General Meeting. Those board members whose terms would have ended shortly have agreed to stay aboard and facilitate an orderly transition after the election is finally held.
While we are are hopeful that an in-person gathering might be possible by then, we're working on plans for a remote gathering, so the election may go ahead in any case. The last two board meetings were conducted using Zoom video conferencing.
Two New Directors
The Nominating Committee, lead by Alaina Hebert has been seeking board candidates for several months. That effort is ongoing. However, they have been successful in finding new folks for two positions. This allowed some change in the board at the most recent meeting.
The board accepted the resignation of Cody McGregor, Directory of Security, appointing long-time WH resident Margaux Poizat to the post effective immediately.
Similarly, Stephanie Riceman stepped down as Director of Beautification. That position was filled by the appointment of Allison Hartzell, both a long-time WH resident and past WHCA president.
So the evolution of the board continues. Collectively, we'd like to thank Stephanie and Cody for their efforts over the past two years. The neighborhood as a whole is better for the volunteer efforts of such caring people.
The Hunt Continues
The Nominating Committee is still seeking candidates for three positions: President, Director of Deed Restrictions and Director of Communications. This process has been made more challenging by the various restrictions imposed by the county and city.
If you have any interest, or know someone who does, or heard a rumor about someone might be interested, or would like to create such a rumor, contact the nominating committee at whcavolunteer@googlegroups.com.