I always love small-world neighbor stories. This month, we spotlight a teenager passionate about aviation who begged his parents to take him to a program with the Commemorative Air Force at West Houston Airport, 30 minutes from home. There he met a respected, retired pilot, who ended up taking him under his wing (pun intended) as he earned his pilot’s license. And the two happen to live blocks from one another. In this issue, we also highlight impressive young girls who are kicking it in flag football. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a November issue without Thanksgiving recipes. Also, find out where to donate those tired-looking pumpkins on your porch. Additionally, find a list of different types of games to play with family and friends. This feature brings back fun memories of my mom teaching us how to play Rummikub. It’s a good reminder to add some games to your holiday get-togethers – if nothing else, it’ll bring some good laughs. Wishing you all a fulfilling holiday season and if you hear any Buzzworthy stories – maybe around your own Thanksgiving table – please reach out. joni@thebuzzmagazines.com
THE BUZZ MAGAZINES
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Editor-in-Chief
Joni Hoffman
Publisher Michael Hoffman
Editor Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld
Associate Editor Caroline Siegfried
Design Manager John Duboise
Staff Writers Tracy L. Barnett
Sharon Albert Brier
Cindy Burnett
Andria Dilling
Angie Frederickson
Todd Freed
Cindy Gabriel
Cathy Gordon
Michelle Casas Groogan
Dai Huynh
Annie Blaylock McQueen
Jennifer Oakley
Ben Portnoy
Cheryl Ursin
Accounting & Contract Administrator Meena Dost
Account Managers Andrea Blitzer
Leslie Little
Jo Rogers
On our cover: CAF Colonel Ed Vesely (left) and 18-year-old Alex Keyes (right) share a passion for WWII aircraft. Ed is Alex’s mentor and flight instructor. Cover photo by Eric Forsythe
I was fortunate enough to be featured in a lovely article in The Buzz, Harvesting Happiness: The masters of Hermann Park’s Family Garden by Michelle Casas Groogan [May 2025]. Thank you for spreading the word about our work at Centennial Gardens and the joy of companion gardening, for vegetables and people, too. The Master Gardeners of Harris County are a great (free!) resource for the community, we are receiving an uptick in questions and visitors thanks to your beautiful photos and descriptions of our mission.
We look forward to even more visitors and more questions. Our neighborhoods are wonderful places to plant gardens and build friendships.
Sally McMillan
Encouraging a young writer
Thank you for publishing Liam Beebe’s Buzz Kidz story [Celebrating America’s birthday with writing, Sept. 2025, West University Buzz]. He was very happy to see himself in the magazine. He just got notice that his story was selected for the iWRITE publication, so hopefully Liam continues to enjoy writing from these encouraging experiences. Many thanks.
Joyce Beebe
Loved the Aug. issue
I read this article today [Before the Flood, After the Flood: A view from higher ground by Cindy Gabriel, Aug. 2025] – the whole publication was a wonderful read. Thank you for sharing. And I loved reading about The Beehive [The Buzz about The Beehive by Michelle Casas Groogan, Aug. 2025], Make-a-Wish [Heart of a champion by Alden Farrow, Memorial High School], and more!
Elizabeth Eggleston
Evoked emotion
Cindy, you did it again… Tackled and unwrapped so many layers of emotion and meaning in your Buzz article [Before the Flood, After the Flood]. I think it hit my heart as much or more than anything else I’ve read about this tragedy, except for of course the obituary you wrote [for 8-year-old Blakely McCrory and father Blake McCrory]. You have such a gift and I appreciate you sharing it with others. I’m sure it was also very comforting and supportive to your extended family. Wow.
Dee Dee Dochen
West U Elementary’s 100th
Loved this article [The School that Shaped a Town: A century of learning, legacy, and lasting memories at West University Elementary by Cathy Gordon, Aug. 2025] and cannot believe that West U Elementary School will be 100 years old! What a great tribute. My kids did not attend WUES, but I had many friends who lived in West U. After reading this delightful article I think West U families who didn’t take advantage of this delightful school
missed out on what sounds like a great experience. My kids went to our public schools through elementary school in Hunters Creek Village and had a great education and made good memories with close-by neighborhood kids – walking to and from school together like the “good old days.” Congrats on a wonderful read! I know and love one of the former teachers. She is very special and has wonderful memories of her students there. Happy it all continues!
Pamela Sengelmann
Sweet memories
How nice it was to read Angie Frederickson’s August 2025 Wedding Buzz article featuring our son, John, and daughter-in-law, Shelby’s wedding! This is such a nice feature for Buzz readers! Thank you so much for including them; they loved it! It was a chance to relive all of the wonderful memories made during their April wedding! Longtime fan.
Lisa Ganucheau
Email us at mailbag@thebuzzmagazines.com. Or send to Mailbag, The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet St., Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters or emails addressed to The Buzz Magazines become the property of the magazine, and it owns all rights to their use for publication. Addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.
We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who:
• Have inspirational stories related to New Year’s resolutions.
• Have a special love story.
• Know a Buzzworthy neighbor to feature.
• Have a milestone life event to share.
• Have a compelling travel tale.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 102.
Inside This Issue
Born To Fly: Veteran pilot helps teen soar to new heights by Michelle Casas Groogan
4 Editor’s Note
Mailbag: Letters from Readers
Ice Cream Castles in the Air: From Both Sides, Now by Cindy Gabriel
Cindy Gabriel reflects on a poignant moment in Alaska.
The Post-Halloween Spirit: Ways to give and connect by Cheryl Ursin
What to do with the pumpkins on our porches? One good option: Donate them to farm animals. Find out where and how, and what to do with leftover Halloween candy, too.
Kids Who Kvetch: Nothing new under the sun by Ben Portnoy
Some things just don’t change.
Pulling Flags and Breaking Barriers: Girls’ flag football takes off by Annie Blaylock McQueen
Girls’ flag football is growing in Houston. Meet some local young players and supporters of the sport.
Move Over, Turkey: A Thanksgiving refresh by Andria Dilling
Hoping to add something new to your Thanksgiving menu? Find inspiration here.
London Calling: An expat Thanksgiving by Jennifer Oakley
The Labanowski family and the Donaldson family found a sweet solution to celebrating Thanksgiving abroad.
Game On: Entertaining
and friends by Cindy Burnett
Alex Keyes, 18, is passionate about aviation and earned his pilot's license at the age of 17. CAF Colonel Ed Vesely took on the role of Alex’s flight instructor and mentor.
Rumor Has It by Sharon Albert Brier
Buzz Reads by Cindy Burnett
Book reviewer Cindy Burnett recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.
Travel Buzz: From City Streets to Forest Trails by Tracy L. Barnett
Stephanie Tran and Sam Johnson and their three young children had a week full of adventure and connection in Yosemite.
SportzBuzz by Todd Freed
SportzBuzz Jr. by Annie Blaylock McQueen
Buzz Kidz: Exploring northern Pakistan by Zara Rahman
Neighborhood Tails by Doll
Buzz About Town by Angie Frederickson
Back Porch: Table Talk and Holiday Cheer by Andria Dilling
Gathering around the table together is always special. And can lead to some potential minefields. Set your family up for success over Thanksgiving.
by Cindy Gabriel, staff writer
Ice Cream Castles in the Air
From Both Sides, Now
Ihave been accused of having my head in the clouds my whole life, to which I plead guilty.
I am more of a floater than a planner. It’s probably why I am only starting to really travel in these recent years of marriage to Stan-the Man, with the ever-present travel plan. After a trip to Alaska, Canada, and Oregon that spanned 25 consecutive days, I was asked to pick a highlight. Frankly, travel talk (as in we went here, we did this) bores me, even if I’m the one doing the traveling.
There was one moment, however, when the world seemed to stop along with all its troubles. Stan and I were just settling into our cabin our first day at sea on an Alaska cruise. Our travel buddy, Alan Zieben, stopped by to check out our digs when suddenly, a thick fog enveloped the ship, completely obscuring the view. This drew us all to the balcony for the rare sensation of standing in the middle of a cloud. You could barely see the balcony rail as the white fog merged into gray then slowly darkened into a smoky black.
Just when it couldn’t get any more ominous, the smoky condensation began to pull away like a curtain, revealing a dazzling image. There we stood like Dorothy, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man staring at Oz. One minute we were anticipating a storm. Then poof. We were staring at a magnificent city of ice castles glistening in the sun. You left-brain types will want to know the name of this mass of land. I don’t know. There are so many mountains in this region that most don’t have names. That frees me to my own random imagination. Here’s my dreamy thinking of what we saw: It’s a diamond city floating somewhere between earth and sky, a place where everyone has looked at life from all sides and realizes there is no reason to fight. They realize that they see only part of a whole, looking to each other to see the rest. No one has the answers alone, but collectively, in objective curiosity, they shine. They don’t understand why or how, but they are drawn by the magnetic force of the mystery.
I’m so glad Stan and Alan were there witnessing this moment at sea with me. Yes, it actually happened. Though they have their own takes, I’m sure. For me, something about that moment made me want to notice more moments. I often
say life is your curriculum. I knew I would write about this, but how?
A week later, while eating lunch in a Vancouver park, a man with a guitar and a particularly pleasant voice strummed a familiar tune as the words ice cream castles in the air floated from his lips. Well, there’s the title. What’s the rest?
Back in Houston, I did a little research on that classic song, and its less obvious title Both Sides, Now . It was written in 1966 by Canadian singer and songwriter Joni Mitchell, early in her career. Her inspiration came in a single moment, flying on an airplane while reading the book Henderson the Rain King, by Saul Bellow. The protagonist, Eugene Henderson, is a millionaire, baffled by his own misery, trying to
One minute we were anticipating a storm. Then poof. We were staring at a magnificent city of ice castles glistening in the sun.
understand himself. Early in the book, Henderson finds himself in an airplane on his way to Africa. The book was published in 1959, back when air travel was still recognized as the miracle it is, even for adults.
One passage in that book jumped out at Mitchell. And I dreamed down at the clouds, and thought that when I was a kid I had dreamed up at them, and having dreamed at clouds from both sides,
as no other generation of men has done, one should be able to accept his death very easily.
Mitchell said she read that line, looked down at the clouds from her plane, then put down the book and started writing. I’ve looked at life from both sides now / from up and down, and still somehow / It’s cloud illusions I recall / I really don’t know clouds, at all.
Within a year, Both Sides, Now was picked up by singer Judy Collins, catapulting both women’s careers. Collins won a Grammy with the song recorded in 1967. Mitchell did her own simple acoustic guitar version in 1969. Over a thousand versions of the song have been recorded, including by Willie Nelson.
And now, life has pulled together a series of moments, when Saul Bellow wrote those words in Henderson the Rain King, when Joni Mitchell read them, and when countless people like you and me joined in the inspiration at a particular moment in time. As Saul Bellow writes in Henderson the Rain King: “Imagination, imagination, imagination. It converts to actual. It sustains. It alters. It redeems.”
Note to self: Pay attention in the moment. Something’s lost and something’s gained in living every day. Whatever turns this troubled world around, it starts with a dream.
Joni Mitchell has been singing Both Sides, Now since her 20s. At each phase her voice has deepened and enriched with experience. Last year, at the age of 80, Mitchell sang it in an iconic moment in the Grammy Awards.
A DAZZLING CITY Hopes for better days ahead, beyond the darkened clouds – an inspiring moment off the coast of Alaska.
Cindy Gabriel
by Cheryl Ursin, staff writer
The Post-Halloween Spirit
Ways to give and connect
Halloween is the most community-based holiday on the calendar. We unlock our gates. We answer, happily, when our doorbells ring. We walk our neighborhoods – at night! – and send our children to say “hi” and “trick or treat” and “please” and “thank you” to our neighbors.
And really, isn’t that evening of trick or treating just the entire community, or “village” as the famous quotation has it, teaching children about social interaction?
In October of 2020, in the midst of the Covid pandemic, Canh-Lien Nguyen was home with her newborn daughter, but she still wanted to make the holiday festive. She bought a lot of pumpkins at a local church’s pumpkin patch, but after Halloween, “I waited too long to take them to the City of Houston pumpkin drop-off locations,” she remembers. (See the list at the end of this story for where to donate pumpkins.)
Not wanting to throw them in the garbage, she asked on social media where she might donate them. Many leads did not pan out, but someone mentioned a farm in Liberty, Texas called the Triangle B Ranch. Canh-Lien got in touch with Michelle Lumpkin-Browning, owner, with her husband Vincent Browning, of the ranch.
Liberty, Texas is a little over an hour’s drive from Houston. Canh-Lien, with her newborn daughter, couldn’t make the drive. “Michelle then offered me a deal,” Canh-Lien says. “If I could round up neighbors to donate a truckload, she and her husband Vincent could make the two-and-a half-hour round trip. From then, I was on a mission to not have to make the drive myself.”
Farm animals, and even dogs, love to eat pumpkin; it’s also nutritious, good for their digestion, and can even act as a natural dewormer.
Canh-Lien posted on the local social-media site Nextdoor a few days before Thanksgiving that people could drop pumpkins off in her yard. “When I came home on Sunday from visiting family,” she says, “my front yard and curbside were filled with pumpkins.” Michelle and Vincent ended up making three trips with their truck.
Canh-Lien, Michelle, and Vincent have
done it every year since. “If we ever move, there may need to be a stipulation in our house’s HAR listing that you have to collect pumpkins for the animals of the Triangle B,” jokes Canh-Lien.
Luckily, she says, “It takes very little effort on my end.” She puts up a few social-media reminders, starting in mid-October, “and that’s it,” she says, “unless I catch Michelle and Vincent when they come to pick up and then I help them load the truck.”
Vincent and Michelle have begun arriving with a trailer and sometimes have to make seven or eight trips in a season. Canh-Lien estimates that at least 4,000 pumpkins have been kept out of landfills and been given as treats to the animals of the Triangle B and the nearby animal rescue, K-9 Airlift Rescue Barn.
And what cool new friends Canh-Lien has made! Vincent is a retired champion bull rider. He and Michelle breed Ankole-Watusi cattle, one of the oldest breeds of cattle, going back 5,000 years, which have some of the largest horns of any animal in the world. (You can see some Watusi at the Houston Zoo.)
But Vincent and Michelle have a host of other animals as well, almost all rescues. They have other cattle and also pigs and chickens and sheep and a new guinea pig (“She’s getting fat; I hope she’s not pregnant,” says Michelle) and guinea hens and peacocks and five dogs and seven horses, including three minis (Jack and Nesta and their baby Janice), and a cat. All the animals but the cat love eating the pumpkins they get.
“I’m not trying to get more animals, we have enough,” says Michelle. She pauses. “But if something comes along….”
The most famous resident at Triangle B is Oliver the Watusi, a 21-year-old Watusi steer whose horns measure almost 10 feet from tip to
tip and are over 26 inches each in diameter. Oliver is a gentle giant, hand-raised by Vincent, who even used to saddle him up and ride him in parades. Oliver recently retired. Last month was his last as the mascot on the Texas Motorplex in Ennis, where his fans could buy a plushie toy made in his likeness. Oliver has received two million likes on TikTok (@oliverwatusi) and has thousands of followers on his social-media platforms.
He first went viral in 2019 when Vincent and Melissa led him into a Petco, the pet store with the policy of welcoming “any domesticated, licensed, vaccinated companion animals” into its stores. Oliver dipped his horns slightly to fit through the automatic doors of the entrance and then enjoyed the pets and scratches of the Petco customers and employees. Petco posted about the visit on its own social media: “We mean it when we say ALL leashed pets are welcome in our stores. We got a special visit from one of our favorite customers, Oliver the African Watusi!”
It's good to connect.
Where to donate pumpkins
Pumpkins donated for animals to eat need to be uncarved, unpainted, and untreated with any chemicals, such as bleach.
For Oliver and the Triangle B, pumpkins can be donated from Nov. 1-Dec. 1 by the “Little Gardener” mural at the corner of Rural and Quinn Streets next to the
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PUMPKIN PILE-UP Pumpkins can be donated to the animals of Triangle B from Nov. 1-Dec. 1 by the “Little Gardener” mural at the corner of Rural and Quinn Streets next to the staff parking lot of Travis Elementary School. Pictured: Pumpkins at Canh-Lien Nguyen's house awaiting transport to the animals of the Triangle B.
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staff parking lot of Travis Elementary School.
They can also be donated year-round any day of the week at the Memorial Villages Farmers Market at 10840 Beinhorn, at the base of the market’s “pumpkin tree” in a park space at the center of the market. These pumpkins “go to no less than nine different farmers,” says LeeAnne Carlson, comanager of the market, “and may feed goats, chickens, cows, or pigs and actually end up nourishing the animals that provide the milk and eggs that show up at the market every week.”
Pumpkins for Pigs keeps an online national database of the contact information of farms and animal sanctuaries that welcome pumpkin donations for their animals. Several are within an hour’s drive of Houston. They can be found at pumpkinsforpigs.org.
Pumpkins can also be donated to be composted for use in local parks.
Although exact details weren’t available as of press time for this year, the City of Houston accepts whole pumpkins, jack o’ lanterns, seeds and pulp, with all decorations removed, for composting at some of its locations. Information can be found at the city’s solid-waste management page at houstontx.gov/solidwaste.
Residents of West University Place can donate their uncarved pumpkins for composting from Nov. 3-Dec. 1 by placing them curbside with yard waste. Large pumpkins can be left unbagged; smaller ones may be bagged, using Kraft Paper or compostable bags, with other yard waste.
Bellaire residents can bring their “bare” pumpkins for composting to The City of Bellaire Pumpkin Compost Drop-Off from Nov. 1-Dec. 14, 2025. Place pumpkins in the collection container at 4401 Edith St., the corner of Edith and Baldwin Ave. Pumpkins placed at the curb for regular trash pick-up will not be recycled.
On Saturday, Nov. 8, from 3-6 p.m., the Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department will be holding its annual Pumpkin Smash at the Sterling Ridge Park and Ride at 8001 McBeth Way in the Woodlands. Participants can fling their pumpkins in a catapult, get after them with a baseball bat, or watch them go splat from an 80-foot drop. Participants can also talk with local composting experts about composting at home.
Where to donate candy
I have to admit, as a young trick-or-treater, I was appalled when my dentist offered to take my
candy. “He’s going to throw it out?” thought this budding candy-lover.
But no, dentists and other businesses that “buy back” Halloween candy are often working with organizations, such as Operation Gratitude (operationgratitude.com), Operation Shoebox (operationshoebox.com), Troopathon (troopathon.org), and Soldiers’ Angels (soldiersangels.org), that put the candy into care boxes they send to soldiers stationed overseas, military veterans, and first-responders.
So, if you’re willing to part with your candy, check with your dentist and other local businesses.
Also, the RMHC Greater Houston Charities accept individually wrapped candy or whole bags of candy to have for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House facilities in Houston. They ask for no individual candies wrapped in paper, such as Starbursts or Tootsie Rolls. Candy can be dropped off Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Ronald McDonald House at 1907 Holcombe Blvd.
Or if you, like me, plan to eat yourself silly on your Halloween candy, you can still donate your candy wrappers for recycling at the Trick or Treat Box in the Public Works Administration Office at 3826 Amherst St. in West U.
PUMPED FOR PUMPKINS Pumpkins are a special – and nutritious – treat for animals. Clockwise, from top left: Oliver chows down on a pumpkin; Michelle LumpkinBrowning with calf Cassius; and Vincent Browning with Oliver and an Oliver plushie.
by Ben Portnoy, staff writer
Kids Who Kvetch
From time to time, I spend a few days in Los Angeles with my daughter, son-in-law, and two grandsons. Every time I am with them, I feel a bit uncomfortable listening to the arguing and bickering between the kids and parents. I try to think back to what it was like raising our three daughters. Perhaps I have made an unrecognized trip at some time to the River Lethe, but I cannot remember any constant bickering and kvetching between child and parent. Maybe girls are different in that way. I don’t know. I’d bet not.
And then I try to remember if I behaved like that with my parents so long ago. I am certain that some sort of interchanges took place back then in Cincinnati. I try to remember, and I cannot really bring up a memory of arguing with my mother or father. But…
A few months ago, I was going through a cigar box of old papers. There are Boy Scout certificates for merit badges in Camping, Public Health, Forestry, Railroading, and others. I found report cards from elementary school, high school, and even Hebrew School. I came across letters of acceptance to colleges and medical schools as well as the Match Day form that indicated where I would do my medical internship. And there at the bottom of the box was this letter I had written to my mother when I was 12 years old.
At the time (1955-56), my friends and I liked to go to the Cincinnati Gardens to watch the Cincinnati Mohawks play hockey. If Cincinnati got a goal, we would buy a Coke. We didn’t have to buy many. Sometimes one of us would catch a wild puck that flew off the ice. I still have one in my desk. There was a raffle at each game, and once my friend Frank won an electric razor. He actually held on to the razor for years until he had a beard to shave.
After the game was over, usually about 10 o’clock, my 12-year-old friends and I would walk down Seymour Avenue to the edge of Swifton Center where we would have a pizza at Pasquale’s. Once that was consumed, we would walk the half-block to the bus stop on Reading Road and take the bus home.
That was the issue leading to the letter to my mother. She and my father felt that a 12-year-old boy should not be out at night taking a bus home from a hockey game. The other boys only had to
FROM A CIGAR BOX Writer Ben Portnoy found a souvenir of the past in a cigar box containing old papers.
take one bus home, but I had to transfer to a second one to get home. My mother insisted that someone pick us up after the hockey games. I could not understand what the problem was. After all, I was just going to a hockey game with friends. We argued the issue for a few weeks, and finally there was a settlement. At any future hockey games, my father or another parent would have to pick us up after having pizza. We were still allowed to walk the half-mile or so from the Cincinnati Gardens to Pasquale’s. This settlement did not please me, hence the above letter. Years later, my mother told me she took the letter to a dinner party. One of the attendees at
the party was a friend who was a psychiatrist, and she showed him the letter asking whether she should be worried. From the way she told the story many years later, I think she was a little worried. The psychiatrist read the letter, laughed, and reassured her that Benjy (that’s me) was quite a normal kid. I don’t know to this day whether the psychiatrist was right or not, but that question is for another day.
So, I will surely be back in Los Angeles visiting my daughter and family many times in the future. I will witness those kid-parent interchanges again, but now I will probably relax and think, “Hey, that’s my grandson, Genstruck.”
by Michelle Casas Groogan, staff writer
Born To Fly
Veteran pilot helps teen soar to new heights
FROM THE COCKPIT TO THE CLASSROOM Commemorative Air Force Colonel Ed Vesely (left) and 18-year-old Alex Keyes (right) share a passion for WWII aircraft – a connection that deepened when Vesely became Keyes’s flight instructor.
For as long as he can remember, 18-year-old Alex Keyes, a senior at Carnegie Vanguard High School, has been looking upward, absolutely wonderstruck by the rumbling jet engines high above his West University home. As a child, when he wasn’t bargaining with his parents to take him to an air show, airport, or flight museum he was at home playing out war scenes with his bucket of toy soldiers.
“That was my jam; those little green and tan soldiers with their bazookas. I would just do that forever; you couldn’t even walk up the stairs,” said Alex. “I was kind of a war geek, and still am.”
Five years ago, at the age of 13, Alex and his twin brother, Gavin, found themselves, like
most other students, at home during the pandemic doing school online. Alex admits his classes couldn’t hold his attention, but the subject of aviation was an entirely different matter.
“I remember I watched a YouTube video and this guy was doing some really cool flights at his house; that’s how I started learning how to fly,” recalled Alex. “Literally, that was my whole YouTube feed, and that's all I would do all day.”
This newfound fascination with flight partnered perfectly with Alex’s talent for building things and, in a matter of months, he constructed his very own flight simulator.
“I have a lot of flight equipment, like all the throttles clamped to my desk. I was making pan-
els to fly with,” said Alex. “I basically had this jank physical cockpit taking up half our dang living room, with three monitors, and I was flying that all the time. I would have dinner, and then come back and keep flying until I had to go to bed.”
Alex’s mother, Michele Tropee, who works as a French interpreter and translator, remembers a distinct smell from those days, an acrid tang of fumes lingering in her home from the soldering tools Alex was using.
“We were doing a lot of back and forth, going to the store to get the supplies he needed. And he would get very frustrated when he was soldering; those tiny little things were
(continued on page 20)
Eric Forsythe
(continued from page 18)
too big and the connection wasn’t correct,” said Michele. “It was actually very tedious work, but when he sets his mind to doing something he just goes all the way!”
Eventually Alex moved his flight equipment to his dad’s house, which is also in West University. Turns out, the affinity for aviation is a genuinely intergenerational passion. Alex’s dad, Jack, loves aircraft and Alex’s grandfather, Tom Keyes, was operations manager of an Irish airport in the 1970s.
Alex’s commitment soared to new heights when he heard about a volunteer experience with the Commemorative Air Force at the West Houston Airport. The CAF honors the men and women who built, maintained, and flew combat aircraft during World War II.
“One day he comes home and says, ‘This Saturday I'm going to the CAF,’ I was like what is that? And where is that? Are you kidding?
This is halfway to San Antonio,” exclaimed his
mom, Michele. “But he started going every Saturday and he just loved being around airplanes and people who love airplanes.”
Alex still remembers his first time in Hangar B-5, the one that belongs to the Houston Wing of the CAF located at the West Houston Airport. The moment he stepped inside was like stepping into history – an experience he describes as majestic. The scent of old oil, leather, and metal hung in the air. Towering above him were legendary combat machines: the AT-6 advanced trainer, the consolidated Vultee BT-13, and a N3N primary trainer. Each plane seemed to whisper to Alex stories of courage and flight.
It wasn’t long that his passion for aviation caught the attention of CAF Colonel Ed Vesely, a recent recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration’s prestigious Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award honoring his 52 years of flying experience.
“My wife, Carol, who was also a pilot and member of the CAF, comes over that day about
three plus years ago, and says, ‘Hey, you’ve got to go and talk to that kid over there,’” said Ed. “He had the braces and acne, just like a typical teenage boy in that awkward stage. But it was very evident at that first discussion; I thought, wow, there's something special about this kid.”
It was pure serendipity that Ed lives just four blocks away from Alex in West U. Their friendship firmly forged, Ed took over the driving duties and eventually instructor duties, picking up Alex most Saturdays to volunteer as a cadet for the CAF.
Alex was 15 when he aced the first written exam toward getting his pilot’s license. Then at 17, he completed his first solo flight, a remarkable feat given he hadn’t yet received his license to drive a car.
“I had to get driven out there to do that,” said Alex. “I got dropped off by Ed, so I could fly by myself, but I couldn’t drive myself home.”
Ed, who works by day as the senior director of sales for Welsch Aviation
(continued on page 22)
A JOURNEY OF FLIGHT AND FRIENDSHIP Top left: Alex Keyes stands by a Super Decathlon, one of the planes he trained in to earn his pilot’s license at the age of 17 The cockpit is just the beginning for Alex Keyes; he is already chasing the sky’s wild side and wants to do aerobatic training next. Top right: Ed and Alex in Hangar B-5, home of the Houston Wing of the CAF located at the West Houston Airport. Bottom left: Ed and Alex in front of the Super Decathlon when Alex finished his training and became a pilot. Bottom right: The day Michele Tropee’s teenage son took her for a ride – as a licensed pilot. It was a proud moment for Mom and an unforgettable first flight together. Eric Forsythe
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in Houston, said Alex reminds him of himself.
“Not only did Alex have the same interest that I did. He wanted to learn in an airplane that was like the airplane that I got my private pilot’s license, which is what we call a tail dragger,” explained Ed. “So, I asked a friend who has a flight school, if I come out of CFI retirement, (certified flight instruction), would you allow me to teach one student? And she said, yeah, so that was Alex.”
“He became the leader of the cadets. He had to manage young people just like him. So he showed leadership skills,” said Ed with an indis-
putable measure of pride.
The CAF cadet program awarded Alex a $12,600 scholarship, which is the going rate to complete the 60 hours of flight training required by the FAA to get your pilot’s license. On August 3, at the age of 17, Alex earned his pilot’s license.
“I wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to do my training,” said Alex about Ed. “He’s training warbird pilots, like guys who fly at air shows, so everyone he deals with are super high-level pilots. He’s a mentor, he's a high-up guy in the aviation world. I felt like I had to impress him a little bit, so it was stressful at times, but I mean who else would you want to do your training.”
It was Ed who put Michele’s nerves at ease the first time she went flying with her son – the pilot.
“I had texted Ed telling him I was going flying with Alex, he texted me back, ‘I would let Carol (Ed’s wife) and my sister fly with him, so you are in good hands.’ So if his instructor says that then I have nothing to worry about,” said Michele.
“It was really, really nice.”
Alex is applying to Purdue University’s acclaimed aviation program. He also plans to pursue aerobatic training, a fitting next step for someone devoted to honoring the warbirds he so deeply reveres. His journey is just beginning – powered by passion, purpose, and a sky that’s wide open.
WINGS OF WISDOM Left photo: Check pilot Debby Rihn, a World Aerobatic champion, signing Alex’s new pilot’s license this past summer. Right photo: CAF Colonel Ed Vesely passes along his wisdom and love for World War II aircraft. Bottom: The CAF Houston Wing preserves military aviation history through operating and maintaining vintage aircraft like the “Yellow Peril” officially called the N3N Canary, a primary trainer designed by the U.S. Navy.
Eric Forsythe
by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
Pulling Flags and Breaking Barriers
Girls’ flag football takes off in Houston
In Buzz neighborhoods and beyond, girls who once filled weekends with soccer, basketball, or softball are picking up flags and running plays. They are now competing in a sport that historically has been set aside for boys: flag football.
“Flag football proves girls can do anything, and I love getting out there and proving it,” said player and Nottingham Elementary student Demi Smith, 10.
The girls’ flag football movement surged in 2023 when the Houston Texans Foundation, in partnership with NFL FLAG and Houston Methodist, launched Texas’ first high school girls’ flag football league. What began as a bold initiative quickly gained momentum, thanks in large part to the passion and support of Cal and Hannah McNair, owners of the Houston Texans.
“We believe in opening doors for girls and giving them a platform to compete, grow, and lead,” said Hannah McNair, vice president of the Texans Foundation. “Getting girls’ flag football sanctioned in Texas is something we’re incredibly passionate about. It’s about more than just sport; it’s about empowerment.”
That vision aligns with the Texans’ She’s Next movement, which champions the development of young female athletes across Texas. Backed by families in Buzz communities and beyond, the initiative is not just expanding the sport locally, it is setting the stage for national growth and recognition.
Jeffrey Klam, a Spring Branch–Memorial Sports Association coach, coached the first girls’ flag team in the recreational league this summer. His team, which now practices at his clinic Meraki Sports, is just one of many breaking out on the scene of this rapidly rising sport.
Jeffrey’s players are paving their own way. His players, including Marin Rohling, Cleo Hodges, Demi Smith, and Claire Denson, among others, advanced to the Texans regional tournament and finished in second place.
“Girls’ flag football has been exploding,” Jeffrey says. No other girl teams to play this summer? No problem. “We just played the boy teams,” he said.
“Playing flag football has been my dream since
I was little; it makes me happy and proud to lead my team,” said Claire, a student at Meadow Wood Elementary.
Cleo Hodges, a 10year-old from Rummel Creek Elementary, said, “I love running the ball and being part of such an uplifting team. It makes me feel proud and confident.” Her teammate, 8-year-old Frostwood student Emily Braeutigam, added, “I like showing I can keep up with the boys and the thrill of catching the ball for a touchdown.”
Beyond local leagues, Jeffrey also coaches a competitive 10U team. In their first week of NFL FLAG play in The Woodlands this fall, the team went undefeated and held a 38-0 victory in the second game.
For the Klam family, the sport runs deep. His daughter, Emory, played and competed in the 2024 Select Bowl in Long Beach. Emory has now become passionate about soccer, but Jeffrey spent many flag games cheering her on the sidelines along with his wife, Sia, and daughter Karis. Jeffrey’s niece, Ashlea Klam, competes with a flag football team with Olympic aspirations. Flag football is set to debut as an Olympic sport for the 2028 games. At its start, the program was intended to provide young women with a chance to compete in a sport long played only by men. Within two years, the initiative expanded to include more than 80 schools across Houston ISD, Fort Bend ISD, Alief
ISD, and charter campuses around the region. Heights High School won the 2025 Houston ISD championship, while the Texans’ sponsored team took home the NFL FLAG national title the same year.
The league has provided more than trophies. For many players, the experience was their first opportunity to lace up and take the field in a sport that had never been open to them before. Emory played on the first ever south region team, with teammates like Houston great Mary
PLAY LIKE A GIRL Girls flag football is on the rise across Texas. Pictured (from left) are teammates Claire Denson, Demi Smith, and Cleo Hodges, who played on Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association's first all-girls flag football team this summer.
Margaret Dybesland, known as “Hail Mary” in the world of girls’ flag football locally.
Mary Margaret, 13, has been playing football competitively since she was 8, and now plays on the team Standing on Business. She started out playing tackle football as the only girl in the league for three years in Fort Bend Youth Football League for the Stafford Cobras. At the time, there was limited availability for girls’ flag, so they made it work by signing her up for tackle.
She moved into girls’ flag, trained hard, and was chosen for the nationwide 12U USA Football Select Team, again for the 14U and recently for All American Flag Nationals. “She’s a true student of the game,” said her mom, Geyer. “We are thankful for the exploding popularity providing a path forward for her.” Mary Margaret is not planning to stop: She has Olympic aspirations. “Brisbane Olympics (2032)
is on her list,” said her mom. College programs have taken notice, creating new pathways for Houston athletes who want to
“Flag football proves girls can do anything, and I love getting out there and proving it.”
– Demi Smith
extend their playing careers, like Mary Margaret. The goal is official sanctioning by the University Interscholastic League, the governing body for Texas public school sports.
“We are very thankful for the support given by Hannah McNair and the Houston Texans,” said Geyer. “Their support is immeasurable, and the popularity is spreading across Texas and beyond because of what they provide in equipment, uniforms, and the legitimacy of the sport of flag football overall.”
In many ways, the growth of girls’ flag football in Houston got a boost from a sibling bond. Back in 2020, then-8-year-old Brynlee Jatzlau was devastated when her girls’ season ended. Her older brother, Tayton Coffelt, then 19 and fresh out of high school, could not stand to see her heartbroken.
Tayton, known as Tayt, took a big initiative and started an all-girls competitive flag football team, The Farm League Lady Colts. Tayt is now the head coach of the TFL Lady Colts, with over 100 players, and he also coaches girls’ flag at Duchesne. The Duchesne
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FROM SIDELINES TO SPOTLIGHT Girls' flag football is gaining momentum for all ages, giving young female athletes new opportunities to compete and break barriers in a traditionally boys’ sport. Top left: Sixth-grader Taylor Asmus is the only girl on Emery/Weiner's middle-school flag football team. She is also a cheerleader. Top right: Hannah McNair, vice president of the Texans Foundation, whose support of the She’s Next movement has empowered young female athletes across Texas. Bottom left: Duchesne was the first private high school in Houston to offer a girls’ flag football team. The team launched in spring 2025 and is coached by Tayton Coffelt. Pictured, from left: Valentina Vitale, Mia Stratham, Ella Rodgers, Olivia Van Wagener, Sofia Alonso Crosby, Molly Fote, Isa Sordelli, Savannah Nelson, Megan Holden Schmidt, Chloe Toledo, Evelyn Moss, Elise Gore, and Simone Gore. Bottom right: Flag player Mary Margaret Dybesland, known as “Hail Mary,” is making a name for herself in the sport. She aspires to compete in the 2032 Olympics.
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girls' flag team was the first offered at a Houston private high school.
In the early days of TFL, Tayt and Brynlee made it work one day at a time. They pulled together a roster, trained wherever they could, and within months were competing at NFL Flag Nationals. The TFL Lady Colts has since grown into a large program.
Brynlee, now 13, is the last remaining player from that original team. “It’s crazy to think that something that started as just playing with friends became part of changing history,” she said. “Being one of the first Lady Colts taught me that family isn’t always blood, sometimes it’s the teammates who fight, grow, and dream with you.”
She has gone on to earn a spot on the U.S. National Development Team two years in a row, becoming a fierce competitor and a mentor for younger girls in the program.
“Every minute spent building this has been incredible, even during the challenges,” Tayt said. “This is more than a flag football program, it’s our family. Paving the way means giving these girls the platform to compete, grow, and find their strength through the game.”
Tayt said when the girls see themselves succeed in girls’ flag football, they carry that confidence into their lives. “We’re not just coaching flag football – we’re changing what’s possible. Every girl who steps on the field today makes it easier for the
next one to dream bigger and play bolder,” he said.
The rise in popularity in girls’ flag football has also encouraged girls to step into football programs as some of the first females. At The Emery/Weiner School, sixth grader Taylor Asmus became the first girl to try out for the allboys middle school flag football team – and not just try out, but earn a starting role on the team.
“Every girl who steps on the field today makes it easier for the next one to dream bigger and play bolder.”
– Coach Tayt Coffelt
Taylor, 12, plays the starting center. At tryouts, when the coach asked for a volunteer to snap the ball, she was the only one to step forward. That moment sealed her spot as the anchor of the offense.
Taylor has made a point of being more than “the only girl” on a boys’ team. She prioritizes contributing value to her team and being seen as a respected player, not a novelty.
At home, Taylor’s mom Emily said, they live by the motto: “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”
This determination carried her through some of the toughest times of her young life, when she battled a degenerative condition at an early age.
As a young child, she overcame juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare degenerative autoimmune disease. In fifth grade, a fractured spine led doctors to discover she had been living with undiagnosed spina bifida.
Fast forward to today; she does not let anything get in her way. “We are so proud of Taylor,” said her mom, Emily. “She was shy and reserved and now she is totally thriving. It is Taylor, just going for it, for herself.”
Those challenges might have sidelined another athlete. Instead, Taylor learned how to keep moving forward. “Football is just fun, and I like it,” said Taylor. “I like to work hard and be a part of the team. I want to do a good job, and it is fun to win with my team.”
For all of these young female athletes, the question is not whether girls’ flag football will last but how fast it will continue to grow.
Editor’s note: Ready to play girls’ flag football? Sign up for NFL Flag Football Houston at whosnextnflflag.com or check out your local recreational league for opportunities.
FLAG FEVER Girls across Houston are signing up to play flag football, a fast-paced sport that is quickly gaining popularity. Pictured (clockwise, from left) are SBMSA players Cleo Hodges, Demi Smith, and Marin Rohling.
by Andria Dilling, staff writer
Move Over, Turkey
A Thanksgiving refresh
Let’s talk turkey (or ham, as the case may be). For anyone hosting, or anyone cooking, or anyone supporting someone hosting or cooking, Thanksgiving is a marathon. It’s a plan-ahead, list-making, crazy-making week. But it’s also a marathon of the best kind, when the anticipation and the prep can be just as much fun as the holiday itself.
We know everyone has their favorites on Thanksgiving. In the case that you are up for –and granted permission to – adding something new to this year’s menu, here are a couple of my family favorites, and a couple of new additions. Wishing everyone a happy, healthy Thanksgiving full of family, friends, and lots of gratitude.
Tabouli might sound odd to serve on Thanksgiving, but it has been a staple at our holiday table for at least 30 years. Our dear friends-who-became-family Dr. and Mrs. Vogelpohl (Kris Anne and Elmer) are no longer with us, but when they were, we were lucky that they chose our house to celebrate the day. Every year, Mrs. Vogelpohl brought her famous tabouli, and its light, acidy crunch (thanks to tomatoes and lemon) became the annual foil to plates piled with turkey and dressing and sweet potatoes. If you’ve ever wanted a real Greek Orthodox grandmother’s recipe for tabouli, the kind you find at the Greek Festival and wish you could have all the time, this is it. The Vogelpohls’ daughter Libby Jacobson (also our extended family) shared her mom’s recipe with us.
Mrs. Vogelpohl’s Tabouli
2 bunches parsley, including stems, chopped fine
1 large tomato, diced
½ cup bulgur wheat
Juice of 2 lemons
4 green onions, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh mint
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
SECOND-STRING CENTERPIECE Orange juice, brown sugar, and bourbon make a ham that is as pretty as it is delicious.
Place the parsley, tomato, and bulgur in a medium bowl. Fold in the lemon juice. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to overnight. The (uncooked) bulgur will soak up the liquid from the tomato, lemon, and parsley. If the wheat is still crunchy, add a few tablespoons of water and let it sit a while longer. Stir in the green onion and mint, then the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Taste for salt and pepper, and feel free to add more of what you like and less of what you don’t. “It’s all a matter of taste,” Libby says. “You will find your balance to this recipe.”
Turkey might be the star of the Thanksgiving show, but we are also required to serve a glazed ham with it. My grandmother started the tradition and we’ve kept it alive, even while tweaking the recipe a bit. As for leftovers, there is no better addition to a post-Thanksgiving turkey sandwich.
Orange-Bourbon Glazed Ham
5 – 7-pound boneless spiral sliced ham, glaze packet and any packaging removed
1/3 cup bourbon
1 orange, juice and 1 tablespoon finely grated zest
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons dry mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ cup molasses
2 whole star anise
Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a roasting pan with heavy-duty foil. Place the ham in the pan and cover it with foil. Bake for 2 hours. Meanwhile, make the glaze. In a small saucepan, bring the bourbon, orange juice, orange zest, and sugar to a boil, stirring until the
Andria Dilling
sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat to medium-low and whisk in the dry mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, whisking out any clumps. Whisk in the molasses, then add the star anise. Simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, until the glaze has reduced by about 1/3. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Remove the ham from the oven, remove the foil, and brush on 1/3 of the glaze. Return the ham to the oven uncovered, and cook for 20 minutes. Repeat, brushing on 1/3 of the glaze, then cooking 15 minutes. Brush on the remaining glaze, this time using a fork to gently separate just the tops of the slices of ham, so that the glaze drips inside and makes sticky, crusty edges. Cook for 15 minutes. Let the ham rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. Can be served warm, at room temperature, or even cold.
This has not been on our family’s Thanksgiving menu in holidays past, but I think it’s going to make an appearance. Perfectly fitting for fall, this wild rice is savory with mushrooms and rosemary, sweet with dried cherries and madeira, and just creamy enough thanks to a generous addition of gruyere.
Wild Rice with Dried Cherries, Gruyere, and Madeira
2 cups wild rice blend
3 ½ cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced about ¼ inch thick
½ pound cremini mushrooms, sliced about ¼ inch thick
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3 cups baby spinach leaves
1 ½ cups shredded gruyere
2 tablespoons butter, divided
3 shallots, sliced thick
¾ cup dried cherries
½ cup madeira
In a medium saucepan, bring the rice and chicken broth to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 45 minutes, or until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Warm the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the mushrooms, garlic, rosemary, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper, and sauté until the mushrooms begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook another 4 to 5 minutes, until the spinach is wilted, and the mushrooms are soft. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in the cooked rice and gruyere.
Add 1 tablespoon of the butter to the same skillet and melt it over medium heat. Add the shallots, cherries, and madeira, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon and scraping the bottom of the pan, until the madeira reduces by
NEW TRADITIONS A bracing tabouli (top photo) and a savory-sweet wild rice with mushrooms and dried cherries (bottom photo) are welcome additions to a Thanksgiving menu.
half, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and stir until it melts. Pour the shallots, cherries, and sauce into the bowl with the rice and vegetable mixture, and fold gently. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.
Dressing/stuffing is a favorite side, and people tend to have strong opinions about it. Here is one dressing that will fit the bill no matter what. It’s simple – no add-ins – and will easily complement everything on the plate from turkey or ham to sweet potatoes to cranberries. A mix of cornbread and a sturdier bread give
texture. And the leeks and herbs are spot-on –flavorful but not overpowering. Cream and eggs make this dressing creamy inside, and extra dabs of butter make it crispy outside. In a menu where much can turn mushy, this dressing stands up.
Classic Butter and Herb Dressing
5 cups torn sourdough bread or baguette, including crusts (1/2- to 1-inch pieces)
5 cups coarsely crumbled cornbread
8 tablespoons plus 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 large leeks, white parts only, chopped 1 cup chopped celery
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3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 ½ teaspoons dried sage
½ teaspoon dried thyme
½ teaspoon dried marjoram
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 ½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
3 large eggs, beaten
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 ½ cups turkey or chicken stock
¼ cup minced flat-leaf parsley
¼ cup minced chives
Arrange the bread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and let them sit at room temperature, uncovered, overnight.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks, celery, garlic, sage, thyme, marjoram, salt, and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and are just beginning to brown, about 12 to 15 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, and stock. Place the bread in a very large bowl and gently stir in the vegetables. Add the egg and cream mixture and toss lightly to ensure all of the bread has absorbed the liquid.
Scoop the dressing into the prepared pan. Dot the top all over with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, until the dressing is bubbling. Remove the foil and bake another 20 minutes or so, until the top turns golden and crisp. Serve topped with a sprinkle of parsley and chives.
My intent here was to share a delicious recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Pie, but I’m sending you to my online “Back Porch Table” column (thebuzzmagazines.com/columns/backporch-table) for that, because we have just come upon the best pumpkin pie ever. Ever.
My dad loves a pumpkin pie, so I made one for him recently just for fun. I used a new-to-me recipe from Deb Perelman’s “Smitten Kitchen” blog, because who can say no to pecan praline topping? At first bite we all looked up and said this is the winner. I urge you to try it and promise you will be thrilled. Giving thanks to Deb Perelman for this one.
Smitten Kitchen’s Classic Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Praline Topping
For the crust:
1 ¼ cups flour
1 ½ teaspoons sugar
½ teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt
1 stick cold, unsalted butter, cut into cubes
¼ cup ice water, plus an additional tablespoon if needed
For the filling:
1 15-ounce can pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
2/3 cup sugar
½ teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
A few gratings of fresh nutmeg (or a pinch of ground nutmeg)
1 1/3 cups cold heavy cream
3 large eggs
For the topping:
½ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons heavy cream
¼ tablespoon flaky sea salt, or a little less of a coarse salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¾ cup pecan pieces
Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor. Add the butter and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse meal and the largest bits of butter are the size of tiny peas. Add the water, and pulse until the dough starts to clump together. Turn the dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Gather it into a disc, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 48 hours. You can also make the dough ahead of time and freeze it until needed.
Roll the dough out (between 2 pieces of parchment paper or on a lightly floured countertop) into a 12- to 13-inch circle-ish shape. Transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate, and fold the edges under the pie crust and crimp if desired.
Return to the refrigerator until ready to fill. Again, you could cover and freeze the pie crust in the pie plate at this point until you are ready to use it.
To make the pie, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the pumpkin, sugar, salt, and spices in a large bowl. Whisk in the cold cream until smooth, then whisk in the eggs one at a time. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.
Bake the pie for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees. Bake for another 30 to 40 minutes, until the center barely jiggles and a toothpick inserted into it comes out clean.
Let the pie cool on a rack completely. You can either serve it once it cools or cover and refrigerate for several days.
To make the praline sauce, combine the brown sugar, butter, cream, and salt in a medium saucepan set over medium-low heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick and bubbly, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla and pecans. You can serve the sauce immediately or let it cool, place it in an airtight container, and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it. To warm, zap it in the microwave for 1 minute or so, and stir.
Serve the pie with some of the sauce spooned over the top and more served on the side.
Editor’s note: For more recipes, see Back Porch Table by Andria Dilling every Friday at thebuzzmagazines.com/columns/back-porch-table.
THE GREAT PUMPKIN Deb Perelman's fluffy pumpkin pie from her blog “Smitten Kitchen” goes over the top thanks to an easy homemade praline sauce.
Andria
by Jennifer Oakley, staff writer
London Calling
An expat Thanksgiving
What do you do when you want to celebrate Thanksgiving but live in a land where the holiday is not recognized? For longtime Houstonians Kelly and Larry Labanowski that was never an issue … until their daughter Caroline moved to London four years ago. What’s happened since has changed their annual family’s holiday into a most treasured and highly anticipated annual expat Thanksgiving.
It all started with a phone call. In the “it’s a small world” category, high school friends and 2014 graduates of St. John’s School Parker Donaldson and Caroline Labanowski had just moved to London in 2022. At the time, Parker, a graduate of the University of Texas, was getting his graduate degree in filmmaking from the London Film School, and Caroline, a graduate of Harvard University, had taken a job with Global Infrastructure Partners. Although they had been friends in high school, London became the perfect place to reconnect after many years away from Houston. “Living in the UK was a wonderful experience,” says Parker, who moved to Los Angeles earlier this year post-graduation. “There are several SJS graduates in London, who made me feel welcome when I moved.”
While they were across the pond, their respective parents back in Houston were all trying to solve their Thanksgiving logistics.
Julie and husband Michael decided to take their other kids, Andrew, now 25, and Kate, now 20, to London so they could join Parker and be all together over Thanksgiving. Once they had made that decision, Julie thought it would be nice to connect with the Labanowskis so there would be no homesick Houstonians.
“Julie called me and asked, ‘Are you planning to go to London for Thanksgiving because we want to go,” recalls Kelly, a real estate agent, noting she is grateful to Julie for getting the ball rolling. Julie did some research and came up with a game plan for their family of five and the Labanowskis’ five, which also included daughter Jane, now 30, and son Paul, now 27. While many Houstonians do a Turkey Trot before they feast on turkey, in London, turkeys for trotting or eating are nil – yet Julie was undeterred.
Instead of starting their day running, Julie
found a fulfilling alternative: attending an American Thanksgiving Service at London’s St. Paul’s Cathedral. The service is “organized by the Cathedral in conjunction with the American International Church and the United States Embassy,” says Julie. “And recognizes the importance of gratitude and serves as public tribute to the enduring friendship and connection between the United Kingdom and the United States. It’s a wonderful tradition started by Queen Elizabeth post World War II.” Kelly says both families were moved by the service, which also includes a speech given by the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
“Watching our United States Marine Honor Guard march up the center aisle of St. Paul’s makes me feel very proud to be a United States citizen,” adds Larry Labanowski, an attorney. With goodwill aplenty, the party of 10 went on to eat an English non-Thanksgiving feast, courtesy of Julie. “Since we were not going to have a traditional ‘American Thanksgiving’ in the United Kingdom, I sought out where we might at least get some type of pie!” says Julie. “I learned of a restaurant called the Pie Room, which is in the Rosewood Hotel. The Pie Room is not a place where American pies are served, but rather ‘savory pies’ – no turkey, but we enjoyed chicken and leek, pork, and vegetarian made with root vegetables to name a few.”
She notes that not only were the English pies a fun alternative to usual Thanksgiving fare, the Pie Room was equally fun. “The Pie Room is a kitchen by day where you can watch them making pies from the street side-hatch window and a private dining room for 10 by night,” she recalls. “You literally have this delicious dinner on the rectangular granite table that fit our two families exactly, and where all the pies are eloquently prepared by their team of pastry experts
surrounded by handmade copper pots and pans. This unique atmosphere was the perfect spot to have our expat gathering of friends and family. Just like in the States, we enjoyed the food and libations by going around the table and sharing what we are all grateful for in our lives. We learned that it doesn’t matter where in the world you celebrate Thanksgiving, as long as you’re surrounded by the people you love.”
In 2023, the following year, Kelly and Larry decided to take the reins on planning the day. In the time between the two Thanksgivings, their daughter Jane joined sister Caroline by moving to London. Also a graduate of Harvard University, Jane took a job with an AI company. “That second year, along with Parker, Caroline, and Jane, we hosted a bunch of kids,” recalls Kelly. “We rented a private room in a pub and had 24 kids. Jane and Caroline invited their London friends and all of a sudden there were people from France, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and South America invited to this Thanksgiving feast; it was wonderful.” Parker agrees, noting that he was so grateful to be included in the Labanowskis’ Thanksgiving dinner in London the following year in London, as he was unable to join his family in the States due to work on a film school project.
Kelly adds that no turkey that year was still no problem. “It was a very special night, mostly because we were with all of these international people, and we all shared this whole theme of thankfulness. It was a very festive environment.”
So festive in fact, Jane and Caroline wanted to move the location for the third annual London Thanksgiving to their London flat in 2024. “It was really nice, because throughout the year, their friends really wanted another invitation to Thanksgiving,” recalls Kelly. “When they wanted to host it at their apartment,
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EASY AS PIE The Labanowski and Donaldson families have celebrated Thanksgiving together in London over the last few years. Here, they are sharing a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal at The Pie Room in London in 2022. Pictured (from left) are Jane Labanowski, Caroline Labanowski, Parker Donaldson, Paul Labanowski, and Andrew Donaldson.
(continued from page 32)
Larry and the girls took it on.” Meanwhile, determined to finally add turkey to their menu, Kelly went the distance. “I researched where to find them, realizing we did not have enough space to cook those,” she says. “So, we ordered a cooked turkey and ham from Harrods. Then, we reconfigured the living room, put lights up, and then we hustled and cooked. Everyone rolled up their sleeves, it was DIY Day.” Working in London fare was also part of the menu. "We try to find ways to incorporate in-season, local vegetables,” says Jane. “We’ll typically roast leeks and Brussels sprouts, for example, as well as purple sprouting broccoli – a veggie we discovered when we moved to the UK!”
Paul, who lives and works in New York City, says that he loves going to London to celebrate the holiday with his sisters and parents. “Hosting Thanksgiving abroad is incredibly special for our family because it allows us to bring a piece of
American tradition to our family members currently living in London,” he notes. “It does not look like a traditional Thanksgiving (typically not eating turkey, stuffing, or any of the other classic dishes) but it certainly feels like it. Having the chance to share our family’s traditions with the girls’ friends, who tend to be an international crowd, and show them what the holiday means to us (time to spend with family and friends and reflect on all of the gifts we’ve been given in life) is a magical experience.” With lots of fairy lights, candles, and foliage taken from the garden to decorate, last year’s holiday hit all the right notes. “It was another fantastic Thanksgiving that ended in the garden,” says Kelly. “The guest list had some people who had attended for two or three years, and everyone was very thoughtful, and it was a very special night.”
This year, for 2025, the tradition continues at Caroline’s apartment. “Sharing Thanksgiving with my London community has been an unex-
pected pleasure. My friends begin asking midsummer if my family will be hosting and more importantly – will they be invited,” says Caroline. “This year, I have found a new spot to procure a turkey as locating anything other than a driedout bird is impossible. Hosting Thanksgiving in London over the past few years has been such a special tradition. Tracking down a turkey isn’t always easy, but we’ve managed to keep many of the rituals that matter most to us while opening our table to new friends from our community here. From fellow American expats to friends from all over the world who are simply up for good food, plenty of drinks, and a lot of laughs.”
The Labanowskis still start their day at St. Paul’s Cathedral, add in a short stroll to enjoy the city, and they still end it around a thankful table. “It’s become a highlight of the year,” says Caroline. “Hopefully, it’s a tradition we’ll carry on for many more to come.”
ACROSS THE POND Bottom left photo: Sisters Caroline and Jane Labanowski moved to London for work and now their family comes to them every November where they host an expat Thanksgiving meal for friends. Top left photo: Paul, Caroline, Kelly, Jane, and Larry Labanowski (pictured, from left) have enjoyed creating new traditions for Thanksgiving. Right photo: The Donaldson family in 2022, pictured in front of St. Paul’s Cathedral, which hosts an annual American Thanksgiving service. From left: Parker, Julie, Michael, Kate, and Andrew Donaldson in front of the iconic cathedral.
by Cindy Burnett, staff writer
Game On
Entertaining family and friends
We love to play games in our house and enjoy entertaining guests by bringing out favorites. If relatives are in town, especially for extended periods over the holidays, bringing out board games and card games is a great way to entertain and offer something to focus on and pass the time. They provide an interesting way to engage with those around you and spark all sorts of lively conversations – and to unplug from technology and engage with one another.
We stick with the easy-to-learn but hard-tomaster games that usually require strategy and remain fun to play whether it is the first time or the 100th time you have played. My kids are now young adults and when we are all together now, gathering around the game table remains a favorite way for us to connect.
I am frequently on the lookout for new games for us to play. Mensa’s annual game awards, the Tabletop Family, and Barnes & Noble are the places that I find the new games that are hits for our family. Also, as the holidays approach, I am on the lookout for gift ideas for family and friends, and games make great gifts for different kinds of people.
To help you find games that best suit what you are looking for, I separate suggestions into categories below:
Board games
Ticket to Ride by Days of Wonder (8+, 2-5 players) – Embark on a journey across early 20th-century North America, collecting train cards and claiming routes to expand your network and connect cities. It is very easy to learn but does require a fair amount of planning and skill. Game play lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, and this is one that my kids have liked to play since they were young and still ask for when we are all together.
Rummikub by Pressman (8+, 2-4 players) – Players use the tiles on their racks and the tiles already in play to form runs of the same color and sets of the same number in different colors. The jokers can be any number and color. What makes the game engaging is that players can pull apart runs and sets and add to
them, so the game is always shifting and changing. The first player to empty their rack wins. This is an easy game to learn and usually takes 5-10 minutes per round.
We did not start playing this game until recently. When I was learning to play American Mah Jongg in June, everyone at the event was talking about this game and how often they play it. I immediately purchased it, and it is now part of the regular rotation of games my family plays. We play the original Rummikub, and that is the one I recommend. There are other editions that allow for more players, and some that have different types of jokers. We love the original. The game is so popular that some companies make fancier tile sets if people really want to up their game.
Qwirkle by MindWare (6+, 2-4 people) –Qwirkle requires tile matching of colors and shapes. Players score points by building lines of tiles that share a common attribute, either color or shape, and while it sounds simple, it quickly
becomes tricky and requires strategical thinking as well as some planning ahead as players watch where their opponents play. This is a great game for people of all ages, and people are frequently surprised by how much more complicated it is to play than it first appears.
Card and dice games
Five Crowns by Play Monster Games (8+, 1-7 people) – Five Crowns’ motto is “The Game Isn’t Over ’til the Kings Go Wild.” It is a fivesuited rummy-style game with rotating wild cards where the player with the lowest score at the end wins. This card game consists of 11 rounds, starting with three cards and the threes are wild, then moves to four cards and the fours are wild, and continues until each player has 13 cards and the Kings go wild. Five Crowns usually takes between 30-40 minutes to play a full game, depending on the number of people playing. One benefit of this one is that it is just as much fun with two people as it is
UPPING YOUR GAME Need a new game for family game night or to add to a holiday get-together? Try Ticket to Ride, Quixx, Five Crowns, or Anomia.
Cindy Burnett
(continued from page 36)
with seven.
This card game has stayed in our regular game rotation for several decades – it is hands down one of my family’s top two games (the other is Qwixx). We play it constantly and always take it with us when we travel. Score pads are sold for the game, and I highly recommend them. They make it much easier to keep score, and we love looking back at previous games and revisiting the various places we played and with whom. I have gifted this game countless times and have received great feedback on it. We have worn out numerous decks and had to repurchase the game more times than I can count.
Qwixx by Gamewright (8+, 2-5 players) – The rules for this dice game are misleadingly simple –the more numbers you cross off, the more points you score. With no downtime between turns, players have to decide when to cross off numbers and when to wait. This is another game that we always take with us when we travel, and we never seem to tire of it. The rounds are decently fast; it usually takes 10-15 minutes to play through. It is easy to learn, but hard to master. Qwixx makes a great gift and engages people across all ages.
Games for more than 4 players
SET by PlayMonster (6+, 1 or more players)
– The object of SET is to identify SETs of three cards. Each card is unique in its four features: color
(red, green, or purple), symbol (diamond, squiggle, or oval), shading (solid, striped, or open), and number (1, 2, or 3 symbols). A SET consists of three cards on which each individual feature is either all the same or all different on all three cards. This game has a bit of a learning curve when first starting out, but once people catch on, it is very fast-moving and requires quick thinking. It is a great party game that can be played many times because each round lasts between five and seven minutes once players understand game play.
Sequence by Jax (7+, 2-12 players) – Play a card from your hand, and place a chip on a corresponding space on the game board. When you have five in a row in any direction, you have a Sequence. Each player or team tries to score the required number of Sequences before their opponents. This is another game that works well for all ages. It is easy to learn but requires strategy and thinking skills. Team play operates differently than it does for most games, which also requires calculated moves. We have played this game for over two decades, and we love that it can be played with two people or a larger group.
Five Crowns – I mention this one above. One of its benefits is that it can be played with up to 7 people, so it works well for larger family or friend gatherings.
Anomia by Everest (10+, 3-6 players) –Normally, it is easy to come up with an example
of a dog breed or a frozen food, but can you do it before your opponent has the chance to blurt out their answer? The ability to quickly conjure an answer is what this game tests, and you have to be ready for a turn anytime. Anomia is defined as a problem with word finding or recall and this game meets that definition exactly. There is a standard edition, a party edition, and a pop culture edition, and all three will keep a group engaged and entertained. It is a great choice for a family game night, and one my kids always clamor to play.
Chunky Monkey Business by The Good Game Company (Ages 10+, 3-8 players) –
Chunky Monkey Business is a fast-paced party game where players try to be the first to complete the fill-in-the-blank riddle. You have to collect a certain number of cards to be declared the winner and have to think fast on your feet. It is the perfect mix of quick thinking, creativity, and friendly competition. It is often a louder game with lots of shouting out of answers and can last anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes. I hope if you decide to pick up any one or more of these games that they provide you with hours of entertainment and fun just as they have for my family.
Find book recommendations from reviewer Cindy Burnett in our monthly Buzz Reads column in print and our weekly Page Turners column online.
GAME NIGHTS Qwirkle and Rummikub are perennial favorites in the Burnett household. Pictured, top left: John Burnett, Michael Burnett, and Braden Riley intensely compete in a game of Rummikub.
Cindy Burnett
Cindy Burnett
Cindy Burnett
. by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer
Rumor Has It
Food, fun, and friendship. Mady Kades wrapped up summer with a lively luncheon for 25 gal pals – and a surprise twist. Each guest scribbled three little-known facts about herself. Turns out, this crowd is full of hidden talent: one’s father was a composer, another’s a trailblazing hiker, and someone even confessed to once sitting on Art Linkletter’s lap (no follow-up questions, please). The guessing game for prizes had everyone in stitches, especially with tricky curveballs tossed in by Sharon Maloney, Frances Rubin, Michele Hosko, Helene Zadok, Joyce Fadem, Joan Lebow, Paulette Levine, Donna Palmer, Rhonda Bass, Cynthia Mills, Lindy Kahn, and Sheila Aron.
Fun and furry creatures. It was Ryder Hoffman’s second birthday bash, and it was nothing short of a mini amusement park. The train chugged its way down not one, but two entire streets in Hunters Creek, while a pony casually munched on grass, waiting for the next toddler to hitch a ride on his back. Over at the moo station, kiddos had their choice of pancakes and adults could opt for a trendy Acai bowl. A petting zoo, full of goats, bunnies, and chickens, kept the little ones giggling and entertained while the train took a quick detour down the street. Meanwhile, the balloon animal artist was there twisting and turning balloons into creatures that only a toddler could truly appreciate.
Laurie Bricker’s grandmother. Lorraine Rey Isaacs Hofeller survived the 1900 Galveston flood – and kept going till 106! Laurie captured her grandmother’s flood of memories in My Grandmother’s Ring, a tribute to both grit and sparkle. At a sold-out Bryan Museum event, 150 guests admired Lorraine’s legendary ring and bracelet while former Galveston mayor Joe Jaworski introduced Laurie and director Melissa Williams Murphy welcomed the crowd – proving Lorraine’s story still shines brighter than her jewelry. Houstonians that poured into the museum’s beautiful solarium for the talk included husband Jeff Bricker, Steven Bricker, Brandon Bricker, Jay Guerrero, Debby and Alan Stanton, Francine Beckman, Lana Armstrong, and Teri
and Lee Straus Metallic, moving, glossy, textured. The Untitled Houston Art opening felt like walking into a sensory ambush, in a good way – slow, shimmering, and just a little dizzying, thanks to 80 galleries competing for your eyeballs. Unexpected, captivating works of art wowed attendees. On VIP night, the glitterati flocked: director Michael Slenske, executive director Clara Andrade, Clayton Katz, Natalie Vaclavik, Brett Ashley Barth, Jeff Luna, Marion Sealy, Jennifer Roosth, Terry and Bruce Merwin, and Rhonda and Bill Glick. The VIP suite had passed appetizers and signature drinks for other sensory experiences. This fall marked the festival’s debut in Houston. Rumor has it the contemporary art fest will return next year.
Italian adventure. Wolfgang Strohmeyer and a dozen Strake Jesuit classmates, including Liam Lennox and John Sander, trekked across Turin, Assisi, and Rome, logging eight miles a day (basically a holy marathon). Highlights? Hiking up to Santuario di Oropa and literally touching the clouds, chasing sunsets in Assisi, and cooling off with a swim
in a volcanic lake. They scored VIP access to the pope’s summerhouse – yes, telescopes, gardens, and all. Masses in basilicas, grottos, even by St. Peter’s tomb made it a pilgrimage with plenty of steps and stories. Wolfgang’s wildlife and landscape photos can be seen at his Instagram account @wolf_stroh.
MORE ONLINE
See Rumor Has It at thebuzzmagazines.com for additional photos. Have some good news to share? Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com.
LADIES LUNCHEON Mady Kades hosted a fun luncheon with a twist.
. by Cindy Burnett, staff writer
Buzz Reads Five
picks for November
Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.
The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham (fiction) – Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter Shelby Cunningham team up for the first time in The Academy, a book set at a boarding school similar to the one Shelby attended. The book opens on move-in day amidst the drama of school starting, the reuniting of friends, and teachers gearing up for another school year. In the middle of the chaos, school administrators learn that the school catapulted up to the second spot in national rankings. As the congratulations pour in, scandalous issues begin anonymously appearing on people’s phones through an app, setting the students and faculty on edge. Hilderbrand and Cunningham successfully weave together the drama created by teenagers (and faculty) through their relationships and rivalries as well as focusing on teenage dynamics, social pecking order, relationships and break-ups, and the disruption caused by a transfer student. This lighter take on the campus novel is entertaining from beginning to end. This book is a great fit for those wanting a frothy and light read.
Anne of Avenue A by Audrey Bellezza and Emily Harding (fiction) – This modern-day Persuasion retelling is a second-chance love story set against the backdrop of New York City. While at NYU, Anne and Freddie developed a passionate but complicated relationship that ended abruptly without the closure either desired. Eight years later, Freddie unexpectedly moves into Anne’s apartment building, and both individuals slowly begin to wonder if breaking up was a mistake. As in Austen’s Persuasion, the duo’s relationship is filled with missed opportunities and quiet regrets, but as they work to reconnect, they also realize that with maturity comes a new chance at love. The authors successfully capture the bittersweet feelings of long-lost love and the persistent ache of “what if,” with a bustling New York City providing a vibrant backdrop. This book will appeal to romance lovers and those who enjoy classic retellings.
Ask for Andrea by Noelle W. Ihli (thriller) – Creatively narrated by three women whose lives were taken by the same man, Ask for Andrea is a fresh take on the serial killer trope. Meghan, Brecia, and Skye all met James on a dating app, where he pretended to be charming and available; instead, he murdered each of them. Now these women must work together from beyond the grave to prevent him from preying on another victim. This compelling premise will have readers madly turning the pages cheering on these women as they try to find a way to stop the predator that took their lives. The character development is strong, each woman has a distinct voice, and the manner in which the story is relayed is creative. Ask for Andrea was selfpublished several years ago and, due to its popularity, was picked up by a traditional publishing house, Kensington, for an October release in hard cover with sprayed edges. Ask for Andrea is a quick and highly engaging read for fans of imaginative plots and fast-paced storytelling.
WHAT TO READ This month's selections include a fascinating look at NASA's Gemini program, a Persuasion retelling, Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter's first collaboration, a clever ghost story, and a heartwarming and heartbreaking novel.
nauts who participated. Rob Reiner narrates the fabulous audio production. This one is a good fit for fans of nonfiction, untold stories, and adventure stories.
Gemini: Stepping Stone to the Moon, the Untold Story by Jeffrey Kluger (nonfiction) –“Without Gemini, there would be no Apollo.” This sentence encapsulates the profound importance of the Gemini program on the subsequent Mercury and Apollo programs. In Gemini, Kluger chronicles the history of the Gemini (pronounced Geminee) program from its origins, highlighting both its numerous successes and failures. Consisting of 10 flights over the course of just 20 months, Gemini sent men into space for the first time, but also led to deaths and near deaths and all sorts of other failures that at times will have the reader marveling at how a moon landing ever happened at all. Kluger manages to bring a very human element to this riveting story as he details the challenges and dangers faced by the Gemini missions and the astro-
Life, & Death, & Giants by Ron Rindo (fiction) – Life, & Death, & Giants is a tender, heartbreaking, character-driven tale about an abnormally large young man who leaves his mark on the world. Gabriel’s mother dies giving birth to him so he is raised first by his older brother and subsequently by his Amish grandparents. As Gabriel makes his way through the world, various individuals shape his life and his choices. Numerous themes are woven through the book including the importance of community, faith, personal growth, and learning to coexist with those whose beliefs are radically different. The characters are well-crafted and genuine, and the focus on the Amish community and their beliefs was a fascinating component of the book. Make sure you have tissues when reading this one; it is a tearjerker. The audio production is outstanding. This book will provide a lot of discussion for book clubs and will appeal to those who enjoy thought-provoking and unique premises.
Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column at thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfromapage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.
TRAVEL
. by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer
Travel Buzz
From City Streets to Forest Trails: Connecting with nature – and family – in Yosemite
They told us to turn back,” said Sam Johnson, recalling the moment a wellmeaning couple stopped them on the trail. “But if we had, we would have missed that beautiful waterfall.”
It was the family’s third day in California, and the Houston heat already felt far behind them. The path to Carlon Falls started like a stroll but soon turned into an endurance test, full of steep climbs and rocky footing. It was the kind of hike most parents would hesitate to attempt with three small children in tow – but not this family.
“It was totally worth it,” said Sam. “When we got there, it was spectacular.”
His wife, Stephanie Tran, laughed at the memory. “I was about to have a heart attack,” she said. “‘We’re not breaking an arm on this trip.’ This was my thought at Tuolumne Grove when they were clinging to the overturned Sequoia.”
That mix of daring and laughter defined the Johnson family’s first Yosemite adventure – a weeklong escape that tested their limits, soothed their spirits, and brought them closer to nature than any beach vacation ever could.
A Birthday Adventure
The idea started as a birthday wish. “Since it was her birthday, I told her we could go anywhere,” said Sam. “She planned it all.”
Stephanie knew exactly what she wanted. “We wanted to do something more active and get out of the Texas heat,” she said.
Traveling with their three young children –Eva, 6, and twins Alex and Flynn, 4½ – they were eager to trade Houston’s summer heat for mountain air and adventure.
For years, their family vacations had revolved around beaches, the blue relaxation of sea and sun. But this time, she longed for green: the whisper of trees, the sound of running water, and mountain air.
Their destination was Rush Creek Lodge, just outside Yosemite National Park, where they joined California cousins whose children were the same ages as their own.
“There was a stream running through the property just outside our window,” said Sam. “At
night we opened the doors and had the natural air-conditioning of Yosemite. It was like a white-noise machine.”
Into the Giant Forest
Their first full day was meant to be easy – a warmup hike through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias. The path sloped gently down into the forest, wide enough for little legs and strollers. Going down, anyway.
“It was all downhill on the way in, which was perfect,” said Sam. “But that meant we had to
go all the way back up with all those kids.”
Stephanie smiled at the memory. “That got them in the mindset that we can do anything after this,” she said. “You go from city life and television to hiking in nature.”
The kids were wide-eyed among the towering trees. Some trunks were hollowed by centuries of fire, others fallen like bridges across the forest floor. “The kids could crawl inside and climb on top of the huge trees,” said Sam. “We took photos of them up in the air.”
By the time they climbed back up the trail,
WATERFALL WONDER Alex, Flynn, and Eva enjoy a splash of adventure at Carlon Falls with their parents, Stephanie Tran and Sam Johnson.
legs trembling and cheeks flushed, they’d earned more than sore muscles – they’d earned confidence.
Carlon Falls
The next day brought their most memorable adventure. The trail to Carlon Falls wound through the Sierra National Forest, sunlight flickering through pine and cedar, a cool river rushing beside them. But an older couple heading the opposite way warned them to reconsider.
“We felt like we were in a horror movie at first where someone warns you to turn back,” Stephanie said, laughing. “But it turned out to be my favorite hike of the trip.”
At the end of the trail, the family reached a waterfall cascading into a turquoise pool. “It was totally worth it,” said Sam. “The waterfall had a big pool we could swim in. The water was freezing.”
“The water added a cool element,” said Stephanie. “It was so picturesque swimming in
the forest.”
Their children squealed at the icy shock of the water. “They found a fish that came up and ate the goldfish crackers that the kids accidentally dropped,” Stephanie said. “They loved that.”
As the parents swam under the spray, the kids played at the edge, collecting pebbles and laughter. “It was so beautiful,” Sam said later. “That was definitely my favorite part of the trip.”
Yosemite Valley
A day later, they decided to see the park’s iconic sights – Half Dome and Yosemite Falls –about a 45-minute to one-hour drive from the lodge, down winding roads into the valley.
“It was definitely the most breathtaking scene – cliffs crashing into the atmosphere,” recalled Sam.
But with the beauty came crowds. “It was very touristy, so not our favorite,” Stephanie said. “But everyone was so nice – the rangers were
amazing with the kids.”
The family found their own rhythm by the river, letting the children wade into the cold current. The day was hot, but the water was pure relief. They learned that adventure could look different – sometimes a quiet moment with feet in the stream was all it took.
‘Bougie and Bored’
By the fourth day, they were ready to rest. Rush Creek Lodge had plenty of diversions: zip lines, giant lawn games, and, surprisingly, a family-friendly spa.
“No spa wants kids – except this one,” said Stephanie. “It was a good family time.”
“The kids were sitting there with towels on their heads,” Sam laughed. “Bougie and bored –they’re living the life.”
They spent the rest of the day bouncing between the pool and the playground, soaking up the Sierra sunshine. After three days of hiking, it was the kind of relax-
(continued on page 46)
YOSEMITE FAMILY FUN Clockwise, from upper left: Cousins Ethan and James Huynh join Eva, Flynn, and Alex on the giant swing at Rush Creek Lodge; Flynn and Eva take in the view of Yosemite Falls from the bridge below; Eva balances on a log above a mountain stream as Alex and Flynn prepare to take a turn; and Ethan, Alex, Flynn, and Eva explore the Merced River in Yosemite Valley.
GIANT ADVENTURES Left to right: Flynn, Ethan, Eva, James, and Alex explore the massive Dead Giant Tunnel Tree in Yosemite National Park; Stephanie, Sam, Alex, Eva, and Flynn pause for a family photo; and Eva stands victorious atop a giant fallen tree in the Tuolumne Grove as Flynn observes.
(continued from page 45)
ation they hadn’t known they needed.
When it came to her favorite part, Eva’s answer was pure six-year-old logic.
“The favorite part of my trip was going down the slide and up the climbing wall,” she said with a grin. “Oh, the slide! And the pool, the pool. The pool and the slide. Because it was fast!”
Pillars of Creation
That night, the family joined a stargazing session at the Lodge. The kids bundled in blankets as the Milky Way spread above them.
“I thought they’d just point the telescope and say, that’s Mars, that’s Venus,” said Stephanie. “But we were looking at whole galaxies.”
“We saw the Pillars of Creation,” added Sam. “We even took photos of what we were seeing through the telescope.”
For a family used to the glow of screens, the brilliance of actual stars felt both ancient and new.
A Soundtrack of Memory
The trip left the couple with more than photos. It left them with a deep sense of connection – to nature, to their children, and to each other.
“I recorded a lot of audio of the kids,” said Sam. “Their little voices, the crunch of leaves, the forest behind them – I’ll have that forever.”
Stephanie reflected on the gift of disconnection. “It was nice to reconnect without being connected all the time,” she said.
Tips from Our Travelers
The kids, too, had grown – stronger, braver, and more curious. “Every trip we take with them, they grow physically and mentally,” Stephanie said. “Their vocabulary, their emotional intelligence – it all improves just being out there, with us, in nature.”
Lessons from the Trail
For Sam, Yosemite’s lessons were as clear as its mountain air. “If we’d turned back, we’d have missed that waterfall,” he said. “Sometimes you have to go a little further – the reward can be huge.”
And for Stephanie, adventure now had a new definition: the courage to trade comfort for experience, and the calm that comes from letting the forest set the pace.
By Stephanie Tran
Worth the splurge: Direct flights and renting three car seats. Traveling with a 6-year-old and two 4-year-olds, this was a must – and it was nice not to haul our own through the airport. We actually tried Turo for the first time, which made renting an SUV easy. Also worth it –the extra offerings at Rush Creek Lodge, such as the stargazing experience or family spa time.
Don’t miss: Yosemite Valley. Every direction you turn, there’s another breathtaking sight.
Favorite restaurants: We ate all our meals at Rush Creek Lodge, and it was delicious. They have a store on the property, plus a tavern and restaurant.
Packing: Sunscreen (surprisingly, no bug spray was needed – and mosquitoes love me). Comfortable shoes – there’s a lot of walking involved. Don’t forget a refillable water bottle.
Don’t bring: Too many warm clothes. We probably overpacked for the 40s at night. When you’re in the sun, it can feel surprisingly warmer than you’d think. Pack a few more outdoor clothes for the kids – the dirt is so fine they’ll get incredibly dirty.
Don’t forget: Check NPS.gov before your trip – Yosemite now uses a timed-entry reservation system during the park’s busiest months. Reservations can be made at Recreation.gov for a small $2 fee, in addition to the $35 per-vehicle entrance fee, which covers seven consecutive days. Outside of peak dates and hours, no reservation is needed. In 2025, timed-entry (vehicle entry reservation) tickets are released up to six months in advance. Additional tickets are also released one day before your arrival (last-minute availability). However, note: As of mid2025, Yosemite does not require a reservation to enter the park at any time.
Local favorite: Carlon Falls, we were told by the guides at the recreation desk, is a local hiking favorite. It’s a short drive from the lodge, and you don’t have to enter Yosemite National Park.
Safety tip: Most of the trails we traveled were crowded enough that there was no risk of bears. A first-aid kit comes in handy for the inevitable bumps and scrapes.
Unexpected hit: No TV in the rooms. We knew this ahead of time, but it turned out to be great – a nice, screen-free week together.
. by Todd Freed, staff writer
SportzBuzz
As the high school field hockey season hits the homestretch this month, the Kinkaid Falcons and the St. John’s Mavericks were again fielding powerhouse teams. So much so that Kinkaid and St. John’s were ranked fifth and sixth respectively in the Max Field Hockey West/Midwest USA regional rankings.
As for Kinkaid, the Falcons quickly rose to the forefront this season with an overtime victory over Lower Dauphin High School of Pennsylvania at the prestigious Max Field High School National Invitational. “The victory was absolutely electric,” said Falcons head coach Jackie Ciconte. “It showcased our heart and ability to perform under pressure.”
The Falcons have benefited from great performances all season behind an extremely talented lineup, which includes senior Stanford University commits Grace Essalih and Jackie O’Donnell. “Their leadership, determination, and skill have set the standard for our team,” said Ciconte. In addition, senior goalkeeper Catherine Rosser is a Duke University commit who is also on the U-18 Women’s National Team. “Catherine is a phenomenal goalkeeper who is a wall between the pipes defensively,” said Ciconte.
Among the Falcons juniors, Blair Strachan has also committed to play at Duke University, while Annie Swanson will play collegiately for Georgetown University. “Blair is an incredible player who creates magic on the field, while Annie brings speed and grit to our backfield,” said Ciconte.
In addition, youth is served quite well for the Falcons with sophomore Nina Piazza selected to the U-16 Women’s National Team as was Harper Strachan, Blair’s younger sister. “We also have another set of sisters in Annie and sophomore Abby Swanson,” added Ciconte. “The family culture defines who we are as a program.”
As a program, Kinkaid field hockey has risen to an elite level not just locally and statewide but also on the national stage. “Being from Houston means we have something to prove every time we face an East Coast powerhouse,” said Ciconte. “The chip on our shoulder isn’t a burden, but a rocket fuel. I believe we’ve built a
culture of excellence. At Kinkaid, we don’t just train technical skills, we emphasize work ethic, discipline, and teamwork that thrives under pressure.”
For the St. John’s Mavericks, the field hockey season also got off to a sensational start with a trio of marquee victories at the Max Field Hockey High School National Invitation including victories over Manheim Township of Pennsylvania, Greenwich Academy of Connecticut, and then Norfolk Academy from Virginia.
“All three of those teams were ranked among the top teams in their region of the United States, so to win all three of those against elite teams was pretty exciting,” said Mavericks head coach Emily White. “It’s also the first time St. John’s has gone an undefeated 3-0 at the Max Tournament.”
Following the Max National Invitational, the Mavericks then traveled to Chicago where they posted victories in two of their matches with the only defeat coming to national number five ranked New Trier High School by a tight 2-1 score.
After losing nine seniors from last season’s SPC champion team, this figured to be a rebuilding year for the Mavericks, but the emergence of a young and talented lineup has proved otherwise.
“Eight of our nine graduating seniors went on to play college field hockey including seven of those eight at the major division one level, so we had some big shoes to fill,” said White. “It’s been an exciting year. We have a lot of young
talent, but we’re also led by several veteran players who are four-year varsity players.”
Among those stepping in are a trio of standout senior captains in midfielder Gracey Crawford, midfielder Montgomery Ferguson, and defender Josephine VanHoutan. Crawford will play field hockey at the University of Virginia next season, while Ferguson has committed to Northwestern University, and VanHoutan is set to play at Boston College.
“Those three girls are the true leaders of our team,” said White.
In addition, the Mavericks boast a pair of juniors who are also collegiate commits, with forward Sofia Ruegg committed to Wake Forest and midfielder Valentina Baizan committed to play at Stanford University.
Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.
MIGHTY STICKS The Kinkaid Falcons and the St. John's Mavericks are a powerful force on the statewide and even national level in high school field hockey. Pictured for Kinkaid (top photo) is junior Blair Strachan, who has committed to play at Duke University; pictured for St. John's (bottom photo) is senior captain Josephine VanHoutan, who’ll play collegiately for Boston College.
David Shutts
Photography
Jack Chavez
. by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer
SportzBuzz Jr.
Welcome to SportzBuzz Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school.
Double the fun
The Pin Oak Middle School cross-country team kicked off its season with an impressive showing at the Top Speed Elite Annual XC Meet at Bear Creek Pioneers Park. The team, coached by faculty members Patrick Harvey and Corinne Shank , placed several runners among the top finishers in both the girls and boys 4,000-meter races. In the girls’ races, Maya Brito Schmitz, Evelyn Faykus, Monique Robinson, Solana Ernster, Malika Aly, Charlotte Marino-Hunn, Aimy Zhai , and Fiona McNulty all finished in the top 15 overall. On the boys side, Francis Lambright, Holden Moore, Lucas Robinson, Finn Weiland , and Luke Tallent also secured top 15 finishes against a competitive field. Pictured (from left) are Monique and Lucas Robinson, twins and POMS eighth graders, who finished fourth and eighth in their respective events.
From last seed to second
The USA Prime Bullsharks Baseball 11U team turned heads at the 2025 PGBA Gold Glove Showdown, rising from the bottom seed to the championship game and finishing with runner-up title. The team strung together a series of hard-fought wins, fueled by dominant pitching and timely hitting. Coaches Jarius Taylor and Mike Granson (pictured, back row, from left) credited their players’ resilience and teamwork for the unlikely run. Pitchers Simon Harrer and Jackson Tzeng delivered standout performances on the mound, giving their team momentum in key games. At the plate, Brenham Hill and Bishop Nguyen powered the offense with big hits and clutch swings. Pictured (from left) are players Mark Lin, Simon Harrer, Jackson Tzeng, Brenham Hill, Oscar Pilie, Riley Graf, Heath Paul, Leo Tse, Bishop Nguyen, Joshua Alvarez, and Campbell Clinton (in front). Players represent schools including The Post Oak School, Condit Elementary, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, and T.H. Rogers School.
Run, Pandas, run
Both of the Pershing Middle School boys and girls cross country teams brought home first-place finishes at the Kardia Cross Country Invitational. The team is coached by Joaquin Ortiz. The boys team claimed the top spot, outpacing 33 other middle schools. The girls team also earned first place, defeating competitors from 27 other schools. In individual results, Kate Wyllie won first place in the girls division, followed by Zoe Cheng in fifth place, and Piper Hudson in 13th. On the boys side, Ty Odhiambo earned sixth place and Nicholas Michaelides finished 13th overall. The boys team members are (pictured, from left) Landon Morin, Tristen Thurman, Isaac Garay, Samuel Animashaun, Evan Daugherty, Nicholas Michaelides, Eli Deveza, Will Vaughan, Ty Odhiambo, Henry Richert, and Noah Erlichman
Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz, Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.
by Zara Rahman, age 13
Buzz Kidz
THIMALAYAS AND HERITAGE Zara Rahman, a seventh grader at The Kinkaid School, took a trip with her relatives (23 in total!) to northern Pakistan. Pictured: Zara, her younger siblings Adam and Deena, and parents Amina and Shad.
Exploring northern Pakistan: A family adventure
his summer, I went on an amazing trip to northern Pakistan with my family. We traveled with my mom’s side – 23 total! I had doubts, but it surpassed all my expectations.
We spent a few days in London before flying to Islamabad and then to Skardu. The views were breathtaking – snowcapped glaciers and stunning mountains. Once we landed, we took a shuttle to our two white vans. Our drivers tied our luggage to the roof with ropes! I sat with my cousins in the “nicer” van with AC. We drove 10 hours, surrounded by mountains and blue skies alongside the rushing Indus River, to the Silk Route Lodge in Gulmit. There was girl talk, naps, and unfortunately – vomit, thanks to bumpy roads and my baby sister’s motion sickness.
The lodge felt sketchy at first (no AC, dark
halls), but the creek and mountains made up for it. After a “desi naastha” breakfast (spiced eggs, paratha, mango lassis) we hiked Passu Glacier. The supposedly 50-minute hike took three hours! Me and my cousin Zayna led the way. My foot slipped and got lodged in a rock – thankfully, it stopped me from falling!
Later we ate apricot jam and other native foods at a 700-year-old house in Hunza. Then we visited Hussaini Suspension Bridge, where we took gorgeous pictures. That night, a live band played tabla and sitar at our hotel under the starry sky.
The next day was my favorite. We hiked for a 360-degree view of the Himalayas, held a baby goat, had yak burgers (yum!), and apricot pound cake. Then we rode speedboats on Attabad Lake – they tipped us at 90-degree angles! Later we
ziplined across the lake, where the brake system was the rope hitting a brick wrapped in tape.
After that, we arrived at Hunza Serena Hotel and had a delicious rooftop dinner. The next day we visited forts, saw an ancient Buddha carved into a mountain, and hiked by a gorgeous mountain stream. My dad and others climbed Rakaposhi Glacier (27th tallest mountain in the world). To finish the trip, we visited Skardu, played Mafia during a blackout, and heard a touching speech about family from my grandpa. Pakistan was full of beauty, family, and adventure. Everyone should travel – the world is big and life is short. Always make time for it!
Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.
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Hospice
Hospice is a healthcare service for terminally ill patients that also provides limited family support and bereavement services. No death panel imposes it on the unwilling. Hospice requires an election by the patient or a proxy to focus on comfort rather than a cure. Nationwide, Medicare provides benefits for 88 percent of hospice patients. For Texans, hospice providers are regulated by Chapter 142 of the Texas Health & Safety Code (“HSC”), but with Medicare reimbursement driving business models, patient care differs little under Medicare, Medicaid, and private medical insurance.
Before 2010, a hospice election required waiver of life-prolonging treatment. The Affordable Care Act provided a pediatric exception for patients 21 and under, who are now allowed comfort care while still pursuing a cure. Texas codifies and encourages palliative care (comfort + cure) at HSC Chapter 142A, although Medicare still limits palliative care for adults who have elected hospice to those therapies that both prolong life and manage symptoms. Houston Hospice offers pediatric hospice with concurrent care through its Butterfly Program. Cardiac hospice providers accept patients who prefer not to turn off their pacemaker or defibrillator. UTIs may be treated with IV antibiotics, if only to reduce the discomfort of a fever, notwithstanding that it prolongs life.
Medicare opens hospice to those with a “life expectancy of six months or less, if the illness runs its normal course.” Texas authorizes licensed hospice providers to serve any terminally ill patient. Hospice acceptance, regardless of prognosis, creates a legal presumption in Texas of a “terminal condition,” which is defined similarly, thus triggering Medicare coverage.
Hospice patients often live longer than those receiving aggressive treatment, and yet the election is frequently delayed until the patient is incompetent. A medical agent or court-appointed guardian may make the hospice election, otherwise the patient’s spouse, then adult children, then parents, then next of kin. For minors, parents have priority absent a court-appointed guardian.
Medicare supports a four-tier system: routine home care, continuous crisis care, general inpatient care, and respite care. Medicare limits inpatient care payments to 20 percent of the hospice days provided in a 12-month period to all the provider’s patients at every level of hospice care, forcing providers to ration inpatient care and shocking families who expected every need to be met every minute of every day, and all at Medicare expense.
Medicare hospice includes two 90-day periods and unlimited 60-day periods. Patients may switch providers once a period. Five days of respite care, always inpatient, are authorized at a time, with no limit per period. Because respite care can lead to inpatient care, ask potential providers if they contract out inpatient care or operate their own facilities.
We write wills and go to probate court. Foreign nationals and international families welcome.
Russell W. Hall, Bellaire Probate, Attorneys at Law, 6750 West Loop S. Ste. 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, bellaireprobate.com/blog
PETS Neighborhood Tails
Doll, age 10, Basset Hound Mix, Lanark Ln.
Hi, I’m Doll! Mom adopted me when she was in college; I was just six weeks old. I lived with five girls who spoiled me rotten. My youth was full of trips to the country and daily jogs. Then Mom and Dad got married. Now I’m spending my golden years best friends with two little rambunctious boys. Although I’m retired, I can still make it around the Rice University track. I like routine – my day consists of breakfast, a walk, a nap, playing with the kids, sunbathing, and then dinner. My family loves me very much and I feel the same. They travel often, which I don’t mind – trips to my grandparents’ house are full of adoration. You can catch me feeding turtles at the end of Lanark with the kiddos. I sneak some turtle pellets from the two-year-old. Mom will never know. I’m not one to brag, but I’ve been told I’m a “very good girl.”
Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com or mail it to The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401.
Relationships, not checklists
When you’re debating assisted living versus in-home healthcare for an ailing loved one, consider this: While assisted living facilities have round-the-clock care for residents, their caregiving teams are understaffed, and each caregiver is responsible for many, many residents – along with other chores.
When that’s the case, the care of individual residents becomes just an item on a to-do list – and your loved one is just a bullet point to be checked off the list. The caregivers don’t have the time or resources to build a relationship with this person who is so important to you.
With in-home healthcare, though, your loved one gets one-on-one care. Our caregivers come to see your family member as a member of their own family, not just as a task to be completed. This closeness can have a significant impact on your loved one’s quality of life during the last days, weeks, months or years of their lives. Your family member can stay in the comfort of their home with a trusted caregiver whose sole focus is on their care and well-being. And our caregivers are more likely to notice the subtle changes that can foretell problems down the line.
Learn more about solving health issues for your home-bound loved one at www.youtube.com/@SidGerberPCS
S. Gerber & Associates, 3730 Kirby Dr., Suite 1200, Houston, TX 77098, 713.857.3227, sid@personalcaregiving.com
Quick changes to avoid falls
We all know someone whose life changed after a trip or fall. Moving to Assisted Living may become necessary; Assisted Living Locators can help if that’s the decision. If a move isn’t needed, start with a calm review of everyday spaces and make quick changes today to cut fall risk.
Bathrooms and bedrooms: Install non slip mats inside and outside showers; add grab bars beside toilets and in showers and use a shower chair if standing is difficult; replace dim bulbs with brighter LEDs and add motion sensor night lights along routes to the bathroom; keep bedroom paths clear, secure rugs with grippers, and use a sturdy bed at an easy transfer height; and use non slip rugs with grippers.
Stairs and transitions: Fit handrails on both sides where possible and use high contrast tape or stair nosing to make step edges obvious; ensure stair and landing lights are bright and replace burned out bulbs immediately; and secure runners fully or remove them to eliminate loose hazards.
Kitchen safety and routines: Store daily items between waist and shoulder height to avoid stepstools; add under cabinet lighting to reveal spills and cords; and do a weekly hazard sweep – check lighting, tighten grab bars, secure rugs, and test motion lights.
If falls continue despite these changes, request a professional home assessment or contact Assisted Living Locators to explore safer living options.
Hannah Wier, Assisted Living Locators, 832-833-2469, assistedlivinglocators.com/sw
. by Angie Frederickson, staff writer
Buzz About Town
Oh, say can you see
Linda Schneider and her granddaughter Romy Schneider (pictured, from left) attended the Houston Astros game when the Charity Guild of Catholic Women Choir sang the National Anthem. Linda, a 43-year volunteer with the Charity Guild, was among the more than 100 members who attended to support the choir. Before the Astros and the Athletics took the field at Daikin Park, the Charity Guild choir, directed by Mary Yenik, was center stage to perform a well-rehearsed rendition of the StarSpangled Banner. Although the game didn’t
end well for the Astros, the Charity Guild choir was the big winner for the evening.
Supporting new moms
Legacy Community Health board member
Ronnie Kurtin (pictured, top row, sixth from left) hosted a group of friends at Roma in Rice Village to support the Becoming a Mom program. Guests learned about the educational program for new and expecting mothers from Legacy Community Health chief executive officer Robert Palussek. As part of the Becoming a Mom program, expecting mothers learn about prenatal care and nutrition, parenting strategies, and the importance of properly securing newborns in a car seat. New moms attend four classes and then participate in a baby shower where Legacy provides gifts, books, and a new car seat. Guests at the event graciously brought diapers, books, and baby clothes that will be donated to the Becoming a Mom program. Pictured are (top row, from left) Bethany Smith, Judy Malinowski, Rachel Maino, Linda French, Maria LeBeau, Ronnie Kurtin, Lesil Gessner, Maike George, Mary Jo Goodman, Kanchan Siahatgar, Monique Pappas, Donna Tenenbaum; (bottom row, from left) Elise Vecera, Shari Spier, and Lisa Kretzschmar
Leaders and legends
Kim Moody, Warner Roberts, and Alicia Smith (pictured, from left) were among the 430 supporters at the Leaders & Legends event benefiting Mission of Yahweh. The third-annual fundraiser was held at the Post Oak Hotel and raised more than $650,000 to support homeless women and children in the community. Led by co-chairs Leila Perrin, Beth Wolff, and Cynthia Wolff, the evening honored Nichole and Benny Agosto, Jr., Rose Cullen, Sidney Faust, and Winell Herron. Guests enjoyed emcees Frank Billingsley and Ernie Manouse, a live auction led by Johnny Bravo, and entertainment from Nashville singer/songwriters Phillip White, Brice Long, and Marla Cannon-Goodman.
Making their mark
Artist Lisa Sheinbaum (pictured, with husband Roy Sheinbaum) collaborated with children at Periwinkle Day Camp to create a visual-arts piece for the Texas Children's Hospital (TCH) Cancer and Hematology Center’s Making a Mark event. Each year, the Periwinkle Foundation partners with a local artist and TCH patients to host Periwinkle
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Daniel Ortiz
Day Camp for children who are current or former patients, and their siblings, at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. Together, campers and the artist create a piece of art to be displayed in the hospital. Lisa, cofounder of nonprofit Art for All Homes and an art teacher for assisted living facilities, led children in a creative activity that showcased their own ideas and personalities. The end result was a fun, floral piece of art where each child created their own flower.
Album of the year
Brooke Michelle (pictured), a graduate of St. Agnes received multiple awards at the 2025 Indie Music Channel Awards in Hollywood. The Houston-native singer/songwriter won Best Pop Artist and Best Pop Songwriter for her song “18”, Best Pop Recording for her ballad “Palace”, and Album of the Year for her debut album, “Truth Be Told.” A recent graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Brooke is affectionately known on campus as “UT’s National Anthem voice.” During the 2024–25 academic year, she was selected as an Emerging Artist with UTalent Records, UT Austin’s student-run label that provides rising musicians with professional-level support. Alongside producers Eddie Ferguson and Ian Alxnder, Brooke recorded “Truth Be Told” at Lucky Run Studio in Houston.
Kicking off the Ballet season
David Groover, Sasha Davis, C.C. Conner, and Jessica Collado (pictured, from left) enjoyed Houston Ballet’s Opening Night Onstage Dinner. Chaired by Shara and Kent Schaffer and honoring Jim Nelson, the evening raised a record-breaking $500,000. More than
220 supporters gathered at the Wortham Theater Center’s Brown Stage to celebrate Houston Ballet’s 2025-2026 season and watch John Cranko’s Onegin, based on Alexander Pushkin’s Eugene Onegin. After the performance, artistic director Julie Kent addressed guests with a moving tribute to Jim Nelson’s career with Houston Ballet and council member Joaquin Martinez presented Nelson with a surprise proclamation from the City of Houston. In a symbolic “passing of the baton,” Nelson introduced Houston Ballet’s new executive director Sonja Kostich and led guests in a toast to Houston Ballet’s friend Mrs. Margaret Alkek Williams for her 90th birthday.
Meals for kids
The National Charity League (NCL) Hand in Hand Texas Chapter spent time volunteering for Kids’ Meals Houston. Mothers and daughters worked together to prepare and assemble healthy lunches for preschool-aged children in the community. The women and girls made sandwiches, decorated lunch bags, and put everything together for distribution to feed
Wylie, Brittany Kruger, Kate Kruger, Kate McCarthy, Lisa McCarthy, Victoria McCarthy, Cate O’Neill, Catherine O’Neill, Leigh Frillici-Killian, Lexi Killian; (bottom row, from left) Karen Chang, Audrey Bougaieff, Ana Smith, and Lucy Smith.
Très magnifique
Elizabeth DeLuca, Shawn Stephens, Robin Klaes, Helen Shaffer, Desrye Morgan, Pitsami Norm, Kristen Cannon, and Alice Mao Brams (pictured, from left) attended the event to announce the 2026 Women of Distinction Honorees for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Southern Texas Chapter. Eleven honorees will be recognized at this year’s Women of Distinction Winter Ball, Très Magnifique, on Jan. 24, 2026, at the Post Oak Hotel. Hosted by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Southern Texas Chapter, along with Winter Ball chairs, Alice Mao Brams and Elizabeth DeLuca, the event will honor Women of Distinction
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Houston’s youngest kids. Pictured are (top row, from left) Lisa Lim, Karis Lim, Flora Lai, Celeste Lai, Amy Roberts, Holly Roberts, Hayley
Dave Rossman
Kristen Cannon, Lauren
Gow, Jennifer LeGrand Howard, Robin Klaes, Michelle Lilie, Linda Sagarnaga Magill, Desrye Morgan, Pitsami Norm, and Karen DeGeurin Remington. Ambassadors Helen Shaffer and Shawn Stephens are alumni Women of Distinction. For more information on the Winter Ball, visit onecau.se/2026winterball.
Nutcracker shopping tradition
Longtime Houston Ballet supporters Jennifer Kushner and Susan Binney (pictured, from left) are co-chairs for this year’s Nutcracker Market. The 45th annual holiday shopping event benefiting Houston Ballet is back at NRG Center, Nov. 13-16. This year, the market features more than 280 merchants from across the nation offering seasonal décor, gourmet treats, gifts, fashion, jewelry, and more. As Houston Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser, the Nutcracker Market donates a percentage of merchandise sales, along with admission ticket proceeds, to support the
Ballet, its Academy, and scholarship programs. Since its debut in 1981, the Market has raised $97.6 million to support Houston Ballet, through education programs, scholarships, and free programming at the Margaret Alkek Williams Center for Dance. For more information about hours, ticket sales, and a complete list of merchants, visit nutcrackermarket.com.
Celebrating Diwali
Ritu Patel, Sonali Patel, Anisha Gupta, and Dhea Patel (pictured, from left) dazzled the audience at the inaugural HTX Diwali celebration at POST Houston. As members of the T2 Dance Company, the performers welcomed more than 5,500 attendees to the free event cel-
ebrating Diwali, India’s festival of lights. Founded in 2020 by Anisha Gupta and Sonali Patel, T2 Dance Company teaches Bollywood dance to students from ages three to 70+. The HTX Diwali celebration provided free dance and yoga sessions, an authentic Indian market, henna artists, and traditional cuisine, along with a Diwali Baraat-style procession featuring a live dhol player, festive rickshaw, and flash mob. Guests also enjoyed a fashion show and Bollywood dance party led by DJ Sandeep.
Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your upcoming-event listings on thebuzzmagazines.com.
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Daniel Ortiz
Konstantin
. by Andria Dilling, staff writer
Back Porch
Table Talk and Holiday Cheer Entertaining the troops
Here come the holidays, and along with them, all the children and family and visitors. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
And also, there are conflicting opinions. And conversational pitfalls.
Let’s be real: The holiday table is already full, and living room seating is tight. There’s no room for cranky Uncle Bob’s pontifications if we want a happy family time.
Kristin McKenna is a child therapist and registered play therapist in training at The Flourishing Way. She mitigates family conflict every day, and during the holidays, her advice is to keep it light – and keep everyone entertained.
“You can initiate discussions that set you up for success and keep you away from conversations that might veer into conflict,” Kristin says. She suggests having some questions at the ready to initiate and encourage lively table talk. Because we all know How is school isn’t going to cut it, and What did you think of the news last night is even worse.
“Instead,” Kristin says, “you might ask a question like What was the best part of your day?” which not only prompts a thoughtful answer but also keeps things focused on the positive.
“What’s the sunny, what’s the cloudy, and what’s the rainbow – meaning What’s good, what’s not so good, and what are you looking forward to – is also a good one,” she says. “I have lots of iterations of that one.” Think score, foul, trophy, or rose, thorn, bud. “We always end it on what you’re looking forward to.”
Her strategy fits right in with Thanksgiving, prompting everyone to think about ways they are grateful. A few more table-talk starters: If you were going on an eight-hour road trip, who would you take with you?
If you had a store, what would you sell in it?
If you were on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and you got to the “phone a friend” stage, who are the five people you would call?
Name three podcasts you think are awesome. What musical event or concert, past or present, would you most want to attend?
While much of our holiday weekend might be spent sitting together around a table, we can’t
be eating all the time (sigh). Thankfully, cozy movie season is upon us, and there are more classic fall-slash-holiday movies than we can watch. A few for your list:
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving You might think It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is the Peanuts’ big fall gem of a movie, but the lesserknown A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973) brings all the gratitude as the whole gang gathers at Charlie’s house for the holiday. Don’t get too excited: we still don’t get a glimpse of any Peanuts’ parents.
KEEP IT COZY A few clever ideas for entertaining the troops can make holiday together-time a whole lot more enjoyable.
Black, and Jude Law are all sparkly charm in this 2006 film.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Dead Poets Society
John Keating (Robin Williams) is a freethinking English teacher at an ultra-traditional boys’ boarding school. Filmed at St. Andrew’s School in Delaware, depicting a fictional boys’ school in Vermont, the colorful, leafy fall scenery in Dead Poets Society (1989) is what we need to watch to get our fall feels going. Don’t forget the (Walt Whitman poem) “O Captain! My Captain!” scene.
Moonstruck
Remember this 1987 romantic (sort of) comedy, where Loretta (Cher) falls for her fiancée’s younger brother Ronny (Nicolas Cage)? It’s a classic, and it’s set in Brooklyn in November.
The Holiday
Truth be told, this is a year-round favorite even though it’s set smack-dab in the holiday season. The Nancy Meyers set is eye candy as a heartbroken Londoner and an equally distraught Angeleno swap houses for Christmas, sight unseen. Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jack
Funny, wacky, and ultimately full of heart, Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987) hits all the notes of a perfect family fall movie. Strangers Neal Page (Steve Martin) and Del Griffith (John Candy) are sharing a trip home for the holidays, thanks to a flight-derailing blizzard. There’s a reason this is a Thanksgiving classic.
You’ve
Got Mail
The classic fall-in-New York movie that we never tire of watching. Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan) and Joe Fox (Tom Hanks) connect in an internet chatroom and fall in love through their AOL email accounts (can you believe this was just 1998?), only to go to battle as the owners of a small, independent bookstore and a goliath bookstore chain. I still want The Shop Around the Corner to be real.
And we can’t forget: Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street (both the 1947 and 1994 versions), National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989), and The Sound of Music (1965).
We are armed and ready. Onward into the most wonderful time of the year!
