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Saturday, November 4, 2023 • Vol. 68 • No. 43
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Heights-area SPARK Parks host ribbon cuttings to unveil renovations By Holly Beretto The Leader News Contributor
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SPARK Parks at two Heights-area elementary schools are hosting ribbon cuttings to unveil their renovations and celebrate SPARK Park Week, November 13 to 17. The five-day event, with commemorations across Houston, is part of a broader, multi-year $10 million campaign to help build or ”reSPARK” (update) 40 school parks in four years as the nonprofit celebrates 40 years of building and refurbishing Houston-area parks.
Helms Elementary School will unveil its renovated SPARK Park on Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. Field Elementary School will celebrate its renovated SPARK Park on Nov. 15 at 1:30 p.m. Elected officials, SPARK staff and Board members, school officials, students, and other stakeholders will be in attendance, and the general public is welcome as well. The reimagining in both parks includes increased access for those with disabilities. The changes make play more equitable for more students and children in the community. Having the
Photo courtesy Patrick Shimek
The SPARK Park at Field Elementary will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting Nov. 15. The public is invited.
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fer an array of hiking opportunities. The region’s bayous and watersheds provide scenic trails for hikers, runners, and mountain bikers. Houston Women’s Hiking, covering a large geographical area, has grown into an active group of nearly 16,000 members from Montgomery County to Galveston as of fall 2023. The group offers various hikes and See MONGEON P. 7
See MYTIBURGER P. 7
Video still frame
Bridgette Mongeon in her atelier, working on a scaled clay model of what will become a life-sized bronze statue of Grandma Gatewood.
Bridgette Mongeon: Sculptor, hiker, and inspirational force By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com
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THE INDEX. Topics ����������������������������������������5 Classifieds ���������������������������������6 Local Culture �����������������������������8
Mytiburger thanks community with Houstonthemed mural Houston is a place of fast-paced change and continuous progress. Houstonians love novelty, and our palates are certainly adventurous. So when a small classic neighborhood burger joint manages to survive for 56 years and repeatedly gain accolades and make the best -f lists, it’s definitely noteworthy. Modern new restaurants are sprouting everywhere in Garden Oaks and Oak Forest, and some might stand the test of time, while others come and go. On the corner of 43rd and T.C. Jester, Mytiburger has served happy customers since the 60s. The building has preserved its vintage charm, but the fence outside is getting a brand-new look with a beautiful mural featuring, among other things, the Houston skyline and the Harvey-era slogan “Houston Strong.” Painted by Harry Zelmer Millirons with invaluable graphic design input from Steve Sims, the artist behind the Houston Ghost Bike Project, the mural is nearing completion and should be finished shortly. But its presence is already exciting, especially since it tells an inspiring story about Mytiburger and the local community. Salyers said the business faced difficulties this past summer due to rising food costs and almost shut down. He took to social media to talk about the iconic business being in trouble, and the community rallied around them. People showed up to support the neighborhood restaurant and soon enough there were lines out the door. “[The mural] is a love story to Houston,” Mytiburger owner Shawn Salyers told The Leader. “A thank you.” In addition to the Houston skyline and the “Houston Strong” tagline, the mural features the recognizable Houston Astros symbol, an oil rig and, in a nostalgic nod to Houston’s rich baseball history, the now-defunct Astrodome. NASA, of course, is also represented. Millirons confirmed that the mural he’s still working on is intended to brighten things up and look cheerful in order to give back to the community. But he also added more layers to the story, which goes even deeper than locals’ love of a good burger and
Real estate roundup for The Heights and surrounding areas
What’s happening this weekend
See SPARK P. 7
By Elena Sandovici The Leader News Contributor
INSIDE.
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parks in the first place makes neighborhoods around the city more equitable. “SPARK helps with equity in neighborhoods in the city and county that don’t have a public park within a 10-minute walk,” explained Kathleen Ownby, executive director of SPARK. “Our organization works to help alleviate these ‘park deserts.’” SPARK was created in 1983 by Houston City Council Member Eleanor Tinsley to develop functional, attractive
Many in the outdoor world are familiar with the remarkable story of Grandma Gatewood, the woman who, at 67 years old, embarked on a solo thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 1955, inspiring generations of women and hikers worldwide. As her legacy continues to influence, Garden Oaks artist Bridgette Mongeon has undertaken the task of memorializing Grandma Gatewood in bronze. Grandma Gatewood’s story is one of enduring inspiration, as Peter Huston, producer/director of the documentary “Trail Magic,” described it. She not only blazed a trail for women in the world of hiking but also demonstrated an indomitable spirit. Mongeon, a renowned sculptor and chosen to create the tribute statues of Grandma Gatewood, is more than just an artist. In December 2016, she founded the Houston Women’s Hiking group to encourage women to explore the great outdoors safely. “All women know they must take extra precautions in simple activities.
Photo by Christina Sizemore Mongeon’s Alice in Wonderland sculpture, “Move One Place On”, can be found in Evelyn’s Park in Bellaire, Texas.
We modify our behavior to stay safe,” Mongeon said. After a divorce and with her daughter grown, she made the bold decision to venture into the woods alone. Her experiences led to the establishment of Houston Women’s Hiking, providing women in the fourth most populous city in the United States with opportunities to explore nature within the safety of a group. Contrary to common perceptions, Houston and its surrounding areas of-
Heights-area nonprofits to receive more than $50K each from Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament By Stefanie Thomas editor@theleadernews.com The 30th annual Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament is set to take place on in early November 2023, marking a significant milestone in the event’s history. The Halliburton Charitable Foundation has announced that this year’s tournament will surpass a remarkable benchmark, having raised more than $30 million total for charities since its
inception in 1993. Notably, this includes a record-breaking $3.7 million raised this year alone. Proceeds will benefit 91 diverse charities from both the Houston area and across the nation, although local charities have been the focus of this generous support. Thirty handpicked charities, including 26 from the Houston region, will receive a minimum of $50,000 each. These charities will also have the opportunity to raise additional funds during the event.
Selected Heights-area charities to receive more than $50K from the 2023 Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament include Communities In Schools of Houston, Inc.; Girls Incorporated of Greater Houston; Kids Meals Inc.; and Trees for Houston. The impact of this support on the recipient organizations is profound, as evidenced by the following statements from the selected Heights area charities. See CHARITY P. 4
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Photo courtesy of Halliburton Charitable Foundation
Trees for Houston, a recipient in the past, is one of four Heights-area nonprofits to receive a cash influx of more than $50K+ from the Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament Nov. 7.