Contents ON THE COVER: Debbie Leder Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
Serving the Community of Coles Crossing
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8 Coles Crossing Mom Champions Grief Counseling, Mental Health 11 Elevate Your Man’s Style in 2024 12 Best of Cy-Fair: Salad Suggestions 14 Cypress Happenings
6 January | February 2024
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PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
Debbie Leder Coles Crossing Mom
Champions Grief Counseling, Mental Health By Patricia Hudson When PinPointe Magazine went searching for an exceptional woman in the Coles Crossing community, Andrea Sivelis was quick to suggest her friend, Debbie Leder. “I’ve known her for years through her support of Bo’s Place and other charitable activities. She excels professionally, and manages it all while being a single mom, raising her son with her same core values.” Debbie Leder is one of five strong women being featured in the current editions of PinPointe Magazine. Debbie, where did you spend your early life? Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
I grew up in Duncan, Oklahoma.
I received an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Oklahoma.
manager who hired me into pharma while working out at the Coles Crossing gym. I’ve worked for Sanofi, Amgen, Teva Neurosciences and have worked for Genentech Biotechnology for over seven years.
What career path did you follow?
Marital Status
I started out in inside sales at FedEx and quickly transitioned to pharmaceutical sales. I actually met the
I was with my son Shepard’s dad for 10 years, five of which we were married. We are very different people and ultimately divorced when Shephard was one. I’ve been a single parent for 16 years.
What was your college major?
What led you to become a volunteer with Bo’s Place?
8 January | February 2024
A friend of mine lost her son a week before my son Shepard was born. It was, of course, a life changing event. Bo’s Place didn’t have a pregnancy support loss group at that time, but they do now. Since then, I’ve known countless families who have lost a child or a parent that have benefitted from the whole family grief support that Bo’s provides, free of charge. I personally benefited from the adult grief this year while processing the death of my mom that passed last December.
fundraiser! We are so grateful for Debbie’s heart for Bo’s Place and the grieving children and families that we serve.” How would your friends describe you? Passionate, resilient and extremely loyal. Here’s your opportunity to talk about your son. Shepard is 17 years old, and is a junior at Cy Woods High School. He loves engineering and wants to study mechanical engineering at Texas A&M. He plays tennis and is on track to become an Eagle scout next year. Derby Party - Debbie Leder and Bruce Orr
Please comment on your relationship with your son, Shephard. What life lessons do you consider most important to share with him?
Hearts of Hope Luncheon - Lindy Neuhaus and Debbie Leder
Mary Beth Staine, Bo’s Place Executive Director, sings Debbie’s praises. “From the first time that I met Debbie Leder, I knew that the mission of Bo’s Place touched her deeply. Whenever she meets or learns of someone who has experienced the death of someone important to them, she reaches out to provide support and to let them know they are not alone on their grief journey. Debbie understands intuitively that grieving children and their families, as well as adults need family, friends, and a larger community of support as they navigate the roller coaster of emotions they are experiencing after a loss.
My relationship with my son is very close. I call us Team Shepard and Mommy. I’ve constantly told him that a strong faith in God is the best gift I can give him. Life will not always be easy, but a strong faith will make it bearable. Life is 5% what happens to you and 95% how you react to it.
When Debbie first got involved with Bo’s Place, she jumped in with enthusiasm She joined our Development Committee in 2019 and then the Board of Directors at the height of the pandemic in July 2020. She currently serves on the Executive Committee as Development Chair. Debbie supports virtually every fundraising opportunity including our annual Hearts of Hope Luncheon in February and Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes: A Kentucky Derby Affair in May. For the last seven years, she has also participated in the Houston Marathon weekend by running for Team Bo’s Place in the Aramco Half Marathon or the We are Houston 5K; two of those years she has been our top Run for a Reason PinPointe Magazine
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What is the biggest challenge of being a single parent? Feeling the pressure to handle almost everything myself. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? I would be content still living in my peaceful home and working for Genentech, which is job I enjoy. I plan to continue traveling the world. I went to three countries in Africa last year, on Shepard’s first European adventure this summer and plan to visit Ecuador and Japan in 2025. What do you do in your leisure time? I enjoy running, snow skiing, and spending time with Shepard, my boyfriend Bruce, my girlfriends and my rescue dogs Bastian and Fifi. Final comments that you’d like to share? I’m also a strong believer in the importance of mental health. I encourage people who are struggling or in need of life wisdom to make life a little easier to find a quality therapist.
10 January | February 2024
If you know of an exceptional Greater Fairfield, Bridgeland/Blackhorse Ranch, Towne Lake, Coles Crossing, or Cypress Creek Lakes individual or family that needs to be featured in an upcoming issue of PinPointe Magazine, please email: texasteacher024@outlook.com.
ELEVATE YOUR MAN’S STYLE IN 2024 By Allison Okuneye
NEW HAIR WHO DIS? This may be a bit trickier, but can make a HUGE difference! Scroll online for haircuts that are best for your man’s face shape. See what options are available, and drop a little hint that he might look great with this new style! Some men might not even need a cut, maybe it's just styling his current hair a different way. A gift card to a new barber who can clean up and refresh the facial hair might be a great idea! Most men have not changed their hairstyle in years, and there might be a more updated look out there that would look great on him! Some men have a harder time changing and elevating their personal style. They tend to find something that works, and stick to it for the rest of their adult lives. If you have been wanting to update your man’s style but don’t quite know how to approach the subject, I am here to help! Since men are creatures of habit you have to know starting off that this is a slow process, not an instant makeover. Focus on one area at a time, and once they see the improved compliments and self esteem they will be more likely to trust the process.
SHAPE AND SIZE MATTER This concept goes for Men AND Women. We tend to buy clothes that are too big in order to “hide” the areas we are self-conscious of. This actually has the opposite effect. For men specifically, a slimmer, well fitting, high quality t-shirt will be a great starting point. Most men’s tees are short and boxy, and do not fit most “dad bods”. When shopping for shirts look for a longer/slimmer fitting style. One of my husband’s favorite brands is BYLT Basics. These shirts last forever, and don’t lose their shape after washing. **Not sponsored, just big fans**
With any suggestion you decide to make it is SUPER IMPORTANT to be aware of your TONE and the way the idea of change is presented. I would start slowly,working on one area at a time. You will get an idea of how open your man is to change. And regardless of how you feel, it is up to him to decide whether or not he is open to any changes. It is crucial that you do NOT take a negative approach, but rather make suggestions that you think might “look great on him”. If he tries it out and the change works on him, FLOOD THE COMPLIMENTS GIRL! Men need to feel wanted in the same way that we do, and this encouragement will help him be more open minded about other style changes In the future!
REMEMBER You are NOT trying to CHANGE your husband into someone he is not. You are just helping him ELEVATE what is already there to help him reach his full potential! Good luck ladies! I can’t wait to hear your success stories! :).
Stay Fearless
For information about DK Design Headwear, go to: dkdesignheadwear.com | FB/INSTA @dkdesignheadwear PinPointe Magazine
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Getting Off The Best of Cy-Fair P L A C E S T O E AT to a Great Start in 2024 Salad Suggestions from Your Cy-Fair Neighbors By Patricia Hudson
S
o, if New Year’s Resolutions are meant to be broken, maybe concentrating on a general “I will try to eat better this year,” would be a good place to begin. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 1 in 10 Americans eat the recommended 5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day. Since the base of a salad is usually at least 1 to 2 cups of leafy greens, eating a salad every day can help you meet the daily recommendations. Without eating enough fruits and vegetables, some people may not get enough essential vitamins and minerals, which can lead to a deficiency and unwanted side effects. "Green leafy vegetables commonly eaten in salads—like romaine lettuce, spinach, arugula and kale—are rich in vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E," says Catherine Karnatz, RD, creator of Nutrition Education RD. "These vitamins may support healthy eyesight, help immune function and protect against certain cancers." In addition, many vitamins double as antioxidants with antiinflammatory effects in the body. Not to mention, many salads contain essential minerals, like potassium, iron, magnesium and more. (Excerpts from Eating Well). 12 January | February 2024
Barbeque Chicken Salad Creekwood Grill
Where to Go? What to Order?
We asked our Cy-Fair community about their “go-to” locally owned and operated restaurants that serve the best salads. Here are some of their favorites.
We are big fans of the Strawberry Salad at The Original Rib Tickler. All of the salads I've tried so far are good. It's a wonderful place. Service is fantastic; they've been in business since 1984. (28930 Highway 249) -Joy Lovell Andy’s Bar & Grill - Wedge Salad
2 Guys 1 Pit has great seasonal salads. Their Peppered Turkey and Spinach Salad is really good. (11711 Spring Cypress Rd.) -Andrea Reed Perryman
Andy’s Bar & Grill Cypress has a great Wedge Salad with yummy Ranch or Blue Cheese! (27200 US 290) -Gwen Hill Texas Mesquite Grill Cypress has an amazing Ahi Tuna Salad, Steak Salad or regular with
fantastic Ranch dressing or Balsamic! (27104 Northwest Freeway) -Gwen Hill
Nyam Nyam Cafe’s Tomato, Feta and Cucumber Salad is amazing! (15201 Mason Rd.) -Laura Robbins
I like the Barbeque Chicken Salad at Creekwood Grill (12710 Telge Road), and the Greek Salads at Gratos Italian Restaurant (20503 FM 529), and Athena’s Greek & European Kitchen 13250 FM 529) -Linda Brosky Grape
Season’s Harvest Café’s seasonal salads are always good; you can add protein, avocados, etc. So fresh and delicious! (173-3 Shaw Road) -Shannon Raske
The Taco Salad at Texas Mesquite Grill is great! (27104 Northwest Freeway) -Andrea Curran
For Mediterranean/Middle Eastern salads (like Tabouli Salad with crushed wheat toasted with extra virgin olive oil and herb dressing, parsley, tomatoes, fresh mint, and scallions), my personal favorite is Raja Mediterranean Food & Sweets (11650 Jones Rd.) -Mansoor Rizvi
The Toasted Yolk Cafe offers great salad choices with t h e i r S o u t h e r n Fried Chicken Salad and Shrimp Cilantro Salad (27008 Hwy 290) -Metta Marie Archilla
The Union Kitchen Boardwalk Towne Lake is a solid choice for Salads...The Boost Bowl Salad and Twisted Caesar Salad (9955 Barker Cypress Road) -Metta Marie Archilla
Local Table offers up some freaking amazing on point salads: Honey-Ginger Roasted Brussels Sprout Salad and Beef Tenderloin Fajita Salad (10535 Fry Road) -Metta Marie Archilla The Union Kitchen - Boost Bowl
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Cypress
HAPPENINGS
Bridgeland Theatre Company presents Follies Thursday, January 25, 2023 • 7pm Friday, January 26, 2023 • 7pm Saturday, January 27, 2023 • 2pm & 7pm 10707 Mason Rd • Cypress, TX 77433 A true theatrical event, this legendary masterpiece is considered by many to be the greatest musical ever created. Surreal, sophisticated, compelling, heart wrenching and epic in scope, Follies by musical theatre legend, Stephen Sondheim, and author, James Goldman, uses the musical theatre as a metaphor for the collapse of American innocence and naivete in the post-Kennedy years. In Follies, the time is 1971, and theatrical impresario, Dimitri Weissmann, hosts a reunion of ex-Follies performers in his crumbling theatre, setting the stage for a parade of brilliant pastiche numbers, including "Losing My Mind," "I'm Still Here" and "Broadway Baby." Amid the reminiscing, two middle-aged couples confront some unpleasant truths about their past and present, coming face-to-face with the future. Follies is a true showcase for powerful dramatic actors with plenty of opportunities for seasoned, older performers. Spectacular and grand in scale, Follies has also proven ideal for concert presentation and features many of Stephen Sondheim's best-known songs. Purchase tickets at bridgelandhstheatre.org
FROM THE VINE MINISTRIES The Vineyard is a refreshing ministry center hosting Biblical and practical classes/events for women such as Adoption support groups, Senior citizens mentoring high school seniors, Grief dinners, and College kids helping high school kids. To learn more or to get a schedule of monthly events, go to fromthevineministries.com, info@fromthevineministries.com, or contact Cyndy Gusler (281) 413-3256
Cy-Fair Women’s Club Accepting Scholarship Applications
14 January | February 2024
The Cy-Fair Women’s Club is offering college scholarships to seniors who reside in CFISD boundaries and are graduating at any CFISD high school, home or private school and plan to attend, on a fulltime basis, an accredited two or four-year college, university or technical school. Applications must be submitted via email NO LATER THAN Monday, February 5, 2024 For additional information, go to www.cyfairwomensclub.org.
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16 January | February 2024