September 2020

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

Guide to Deed Restrictions in The Woodlands

Woodlands Landscaping Solutions

The expertise to

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On the Cover

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

2801 Technology Forest Boulevard, The Woodlands, Texas 77381

Main Line

All Offices and Departments 281-210-3800

Fire Department (non-emergency) 281-367-3444

Parks, Recreation and Environmental Services 8203 Millennium Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3800

Recreation Center at Bear Branch Park 5310 Research Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77381 281-210-3950

Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

The Woodlands, Texas 77389 281-516-7348

OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS

Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office 281-297-6500, Business, M-F, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 936-442-7797, Non-Emergency, 24 hours

Harris County Sheriff’s Office 713-221-6000

Montgomery County Constable, Precinct 3 281-364-4211

Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 281-376-3472

Water Providers

Woodlands Water (Montgomery County MUDs) 855-H20-SAVE (855-426-7283)

Harris – Montgomery Counties MUD No. 386, 281-290-6500

Emergency 911

For emergency information specific to The Woodlands, listen to K-Star Country, KVST-FM, the official emergency broadcast partner of The Woodlands Township.

THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP 2021 BUDGET

Using the Vision, Mission and Strategic Plan as its guide, The Woodlands Township prepares an annual budget and five-year plan in preparation for setting the property tax rate each year. A number of budget planning workshops and meetings were held in August to review and discuss the proposed budget for next year, taking into consideration the effects and aftereffects of COVID-19.

The Township views its planning and operational activities in a strategic manner. Accordingly, each year’s budget is prepared with the goal of achieving certain key objectives, including:

• Develop a budget and financial plan that meets the short-term and long-term needs of the Township.

• Continue to provide high-quality, cost-effective services and amenities.

• Provide enhancements to services as needed and appropriate.

• Maintain and replace capital assets and facilities as necessary.

• Create financial flexibility for changing conditions and opportunities.

Through sound fiscal management, the Township has positioned itself well to cope with growth as well as setbacks, create a positive atmosphere for economic development, and provide flexibility on budgetary issues. The Township continues to balance revenues and expenditures, maintain or enhance services, have an excellent bond rating and low debt per capita ratio, and maintain appropriate levels of operating, capital replacement, economic development and debt service reserves.

For more information, or to view the budget online, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/budget.

Gordy Bunch Chairman

No. 1

Bruce Rieser Vice Chairman Position No. 4

Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs Director, Position No. 5

Jason J. Nelson Director, Position No. 2

Dr. Ann K. Snyder Secretary Position No. 6

Bob Milner Director Position No. 7

Jeff Jones President and General Manager

John Anthony Brown Treasurer Position No. 3

The Woodlands

COMMUNITY MAGAZINE

The Official Magazine of The Woodlands Township

The Woodlands Community Magazine is a monthly publication of The Woodlands Township, in partnership with Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. It is printed and distributed free of charge to residents of The Woodlands. The printing and distribution of The Woodlands Community Magazine are supported entirely by advertising revenue. Please patronize the advertisers whenever possible, and tell them you saw their ad in this magazine and appreciate their support.

CHAMPIONS STAFF

President, Publisher James E. Callahan, Jr.

Account Executives Cheryl Kirsch

Jim Callahan

Graphic Designers Jami Davis

Charlene Strine

TOWNSHIP STAFF

Director of Community Relations

Nick Wolda

Editor Mary Connell

Senior Copy Editor Kacie Gurney

Copy Editors

Perry Frank

Shelby Doerries

Editorial Assistant Barbara Ryan

Advertising inquiries, rate requests and change of address/delivery inquiries may be directed to:

6608 FM 1960 W., Suite G Houston, Texas 77069 281-583-7661

www.championsprinting.com

Editorial inquiries may be directed to The Woodlands Community Magazine, 2801 Technology Forest Blvd., The Woodlands, TX, 77381, telephone 281-210-3800. Editorial deadlines are the 15th of every month, approximately six weeks in advance of publication. The editors reserve all rights to accept or reject any submissions and reserve all rights to edit for clarity and space. The Woodlands Community Magazine is the official information source of The Woodlands Township. Its purpose is to inform Woodlands residents about the activities of the Township and the services provided to them as Woodlands residents. Information from the Township takes precedence over information submitted by any other source.

The Woodlands Community Magazine has earned three Communicator Awards of Distinction, the Bronze Quill Award of Merit from the Houston Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators, a Merit Award from The Service Industry Advertising Awards and a Gold MarCom Award.

The Woodlands Township

9/11 Commemoration Events

Please join The Woodlands Township to remember and thank all First Responders on September 11, 2020.

By Liz Aguirre

First Responders Day in The Woodlands

5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Town Green Park 2099 Lake Robbins Drive

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Patriot Day of Remembrance

7:30 to 8 a.m. at The Woodlands Fire Department Central Station

9951 Grogan’s Mill Road

The Woodlands, TX 77380

Please practice social distancing and continue following all guidelines established by the CDC to limit the spread of COVID-19.

SEPTEMBER 13

Velvet Punch (Cover/Dance)

SEPTEMBER 20

Buck Yeager Band (Country)

SEPTEMBER 27

Concert in the Park is a popular family tradition of music and fun for all ages! Concerts are held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at beautiful Northshore Park, 2505 Lake Woodlands Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381. Come out this fall for and enjoy the return of this FREE concert series, featuring the acts at right:

Level One Band (Motown/Funk)

OCTOBER 11

Flashpoint (Variety)

OCTOBER 18

Route 66 Band (Variety)

OCTOBER 25

Morgan McKay (Country/Blues)

For questions, please call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348.

PLEASE NOTE: The Township is currently evaluating all upcoming programs and events related to COVID-19, and identifying any modifications that may be necessary to safely produce the event as scheduled. Please note all events are subject to local, county and/ or state orders which may require programming changes to comply. This could include, but is not limited to implementing additional sanitization and cleaning procedures, social distancing plans, rescheduling or postponing and/or cancellation of the event entirely. Please visit the calendar at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov for more information.

Photo by Kacie Fuselier Gurney

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard makes the Presentation of Colors at The Woodlands Township’s First Responders Day event.

GUIDE TO Deed Restrictions in The Woodlands

The Woodlands Township is a master-planned community that provides for orderly development of residential and commercial land usage. Long-range planning is critical to preserving the quality of development and to maintaining compatibility with the environment. Development of The Woodlands is guided by legally-binding covenants and development standards that protect the aesthetic integrity of the community. Additions and modifications to all properties must be in compliance with these covenants and standards to assure continuation of architectural design, maintaining property values and preserving the natural environment.

The covenants require that all changes and improvements to a property must be reviewed and approved in advance. A brief summary of requirements in The Woodlands is available online at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covenants.

The summary of the protective covenants and residential standards is representative, but not all-inclusive, of those now in effect in The Woodlands. Separate standards govern non-residential projects. Applications for additions and modifications will be approved on the basis of the standards in effect on the date submitted for review by the Plan Committees. The Residential Development Standards were revised in 2019. Please be sure to review the most current version.

For further information about the application process, please contact The Woodlands Township Covenant Administration Department at 281-210-3800. Application forms for various types of projects and copies of the most up-to-date standards are available online at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/applications.

The Woodlands Township Covenants require that all changes and improvements to a property must be reviewed and approved in advance. Please contact the Township before commencing work or construction.

Woodlands Landscaping Solutions

By Amber Barnes

23rd Annual Woodlands Landscaping Solutions

Saturday, September 26, 2020 • 9 a.m. to noon

Sterling Ridge Park and Ride Lot, 8001 McBeth Way, The Woodlands, TX 77382

Attend the area’s premier lawn and garden event and never leave the comfort of your car. For the safety of all, this year’s Woodlands Landscaping Solutions is a drive-through event. The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department will distribute the following items* to support your sustainable

efforts at home: water savings devices, pollinator garden starter kit, wildflower seeds, small garden tools, children’s garden activity, countertop compost buckets and native plants. Residents are asked to stay in their cars. Township staff and volunteers, wearing masks and gloves, will load items into your personal vehicle. (*while supplies last)

COMPOST BINS $50

Advance purchase from The Woodlands Township (281-210-3800) and pickup or purchase at the event by cash or check.

RAIN BARRELS $85 EACH ($42.50 after rebate)

Advance purchase from TheWoodlandsGREEN.org and pickup or purchase at the event.

For more a detailed map of the drive through location, be sure to visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

The Woodlands Township welcomes new General Manager Jeff Jones this month.

Mr. Jones holds a Master of Public Administration degree and is credentialed by the International City/ County Management Association. He was most recently employed by the City of Mesquite, Texas, as Deputy City Manager. Please see our August issue for full details and biographical information.

Previous General Manager Don Norrell will act as a part-time consultant until April 2021. Earlier in the summer, Don’s direct reports honored him with a bench near Lakes Edge Boat House in Hughes Landing, a place where he and his wife Vicki enjoyed spending time.

Are you receiving the Township’s COVID-19 Updates daily newsletter and Talk of the Township weekly? If not, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov/notifyme and sign up!

Interested in seeing past issues of The Woodlands Community Magazine? Go to www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov, and click the little magazine icon in the top right corner, directly underneath the search icon. Once on the link, click the three lines at the top left, then choose Contents View to see a listing of past issues to read.

Vicki and Don Norrell enjoy a moment on the new bench in Hughes Landing, named in Don’s honor.

Jeff Jones

HARVESTING RAINWATER Clean, Nitrogen-Enriched and Free

By Bob Dailey

WhenHurricane Harvey hit, it dumped approximately 40 inches of rain on The Woodlands. That translates to about 366 billion gallons of water that inundated our community. The math is simple. Every inch of rain that falls on a square foot of surface accounts for .625 gallons of water. There are 28,100 acres in The Woodlands. Each acre has 43,560 square feet.

By comparison, the entirety of Montgomery County uses about 27 billion gallons of water annually. Were we able to save the deluge from Harvey, we could

have saved enough water to provide for over 13 years of the entire county’s water needs.

It’s currently not possible to collect and store that much water. But we can (and many do) save considerable amounts of rainwater during the year. At a rate of approximately four inches of rain each month, a residence can collect about 2,500 gallons per month from a roof surface of 1,000 square feet. That’s a lot of water. Most residents are content to obtain several hundred gallons per month. Our ancestors knew that saving rainwater was

valuable. Many used rainwater to irrigate their gardens, cook and bathe with, and boiled it for drinking water. It was clean, pure, had no hard minerals found in groundwater, and most importantly, rainwater is free.

Rainwater has some unique qualities. Unlike treated water, it is devoid of chlorine, which municipalities use to make groundwater and surface water safe for drinking. Lightning from thunderstorms also infuses nitrogen into oxygen in the air, creating nitrates. Nitrates bond with rainwater, making it available to plants, flowers, vegetable gardens and potted plants.

Most plants cannot use nitrogen gas, but they can use nitrates. Plants take in nitrates, promoting growth and increasing the amount of chlorophyll in leaves.

Our community partners, The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N., a non-profit organization promoting natural resources conservation, among other endeavors, sells rain barrels every year at a price far below market. See http://www. thewoodlandsgreen.org for information about how to purchase. Woodlands Water also offers a 50 percent rebate on rain barrel purchases. With the rebate, residents can purchase two barrels for the price of one.

The above article was provided by Woodlands Water.

Using rain barrels to capture rainfall can help your home/lawn irrigation needs and only costs you the price of the barrel!

National Suicide Prevention Month

By Kacie Fuselier Gurney

Throughout the past few months, the world has changed dramatically as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Entire countries, including the U.S., have spent a great deal of time at home, isolating from others, working in unfamiliar settings and coping with a rapidly changing health crisis with long-reaching effects. As re-opening has commenced, the nation finds itself treading unfamiliar waters – wearing masks in public, keeping distance from others and trying to resume life in a world that feels anything but normal.

Research shows that social isolation can lead to a number of health consequences including depression, loneliness, poor sleep quality and a weaker immune system. As the pandemic impacts the economy and

leads to financial struggles, these side effects are likely to be magnified. All of these stresses combined may lead to an increase in rates of self-harm and suicide attempts, according to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, a time for mental health professionals, survivors and communities to promote suicide prevention awareness. National Suicide Prevention Week takes place from Sunday, September 6, 2020, to Saturday, September 12, 2020, with World Suicide Prevention Day on Thursday, September 10, 2020. Chances are, someone you know is struggling or has struggled in the past, making now an ideal time to learn about suicide prevention and mental health resources.

How can you get involved?

Volunteer

Crisis call centers and intervention programs often rely on trained volunteers to offer their services free of charge. These opportunities can be found through the resources at right or through a simple Internet search.

Speak

If someone you know is exhibiting unusual behavior or signs of mental health struggles, talk to the person in private and listen to them. Tell them they are loved and offer to help them seek professional support. If they mention that they are considering suicide, take that seriously

and call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go with them to a mental health professional.

Learn

Numerous sites are available to learn about the warning signs of suicide, mental health resources and more. Some of these include:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org

National Suicide Prevention Hotline www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Mosaics of Mercy www.mosaicsofmercy.com

Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare www.tricountyservices.org

Crisis Text Line www.crisistextline.org

Cassidy Joined for Hope www.cassidyjoinedforhope.com

The Trevor Project www.thetrevorproject.org

Attend the Community Help Expo

The Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Task Force: Montgomery County will be hosting a Community Help Expo on Thursday, November 12, 2020, at the Lone Star Expo Center, 9055 Airport Rd, Conroe, TX 77303.

Save the date and look for additional information in the coming weeks at www.facebook.com/bhsptaskforcemc.

Please take the time this month to visit the websites at left and learn the warning signs to determine if someone you know is at risk for suicide, and get involved. Together, we can prevent anyone else from having to experience this tragedy.

Recycle Batteries for Scholarship Money

By Zoe Killian

Now!StartSaving

The Village Recycling Challenge goes beyond the curb to recycle unusual items.

Start saving Alkaline AA, AAA, C, D, and 9V batteries for the 2020 Village Recycling Challenge. Residential use only. Please, no businesses. Bring your batteries to be recycled at the 3R Bazaar on November 14, 2020. Stay tuned for more information about the location. Each Village will receive a donation to their scholarship fund based on the number of batteries collected.

To view guidelines for collection or for more information about the event, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/3RBazaar.

Thank you to Chevron Phillips Chemical, Waste Management, Woodlands Water, and The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N.

Other Collections at 3R Bazaar

EYEGLASSES

The Woodlands Lions Club

DRINK & SNACK POUCHES

Hailey Elementary and Wilkerson Intermediate PTO

TEXTILES

worn out linens, clothing, and shoes by Simple Recycling

SECURE DOCUMENT SHREDDING

suggested donation of 5 cans of food or $5 per box.

The Woodlands Township November 3, 2020 Election

Positions Available

Four at-large positions on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors will be elected in the November 2020 election, designated as positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. Each position is for a two-year term.

Relevant Dates*

October 5, 2020

Last Day to Register to Vote

October 13, 2020................................First Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance

October 30, 2020

Last Day of Early Voting by Personal Appearance

November 3, 2020 Election Day

*The Texas Secretary of State is the chief election officer of the State of Texas and provides the dates set forth herein. Interested persons are encouraged to visit the Secretary of State’s Election Division website at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/ index.shtml or contact the Secretary of State’s Election Division by telephone at 1-800-252-VOTE (8683) to obtain the most current information.

Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/novemberelection for

September 2020

Did you know you can take your kayaking experience to the next level by bringing along your furry friend for the day! Both Township boat houses welcome your well-behaved pets for fun on the water. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/rivarowboathouse or www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/lakesedgeboathouse for more information.

Please visit the Township’s online calendar for the very latest information on Township events including The Woodlands Township Board of Directors meetings, Development Standards Committee and Residential Design Review Committee Meetings, Village Meetings, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market and many other Township-related activities usually listed here. www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/calendar Please

Photos by Erica Dunn

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

Hello again from Alden Bridge! This month’s village association board meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, at 7 p.m. Meetings are typically scheduled at the Township Building, 2801 Technology Forest; as of this writing, our meetings have been held virtually due to COVID-19. Follow the Alden Bridge Village Association page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AldenBridge/ or our website, www.aldenbridge.org for updates. If you are interested in attending our meetings while they are being held virtually, especially if you have a public comment or concern, please send us an e-mail at abvainfo@gmail.com.

Our June Yard of the Month winner was the Dufrene family of Canoe Birch Place. They’ve done a great job showcasing a wide variety of greenery. Congratulations to all those neighbors who truly went above and beyond the perfect “green thumb” to make their yards look outstanding this summer.

Thanks to our Yard of the Month sponsors, Chick-fil-A and The Pavilion! At the end of October, we’ll have a

competition for the highly coveted Spookiest House in the Village Award (best Halloween decorations) and, before you know it, it will be time to look for Alden Bridge’s best holiday decorations, as part of the annual Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest.

Do you receive our monthly email newsletter? If you aren’t on the distribution list, please send your email address to abvainfo@gmail.com so you can be in the know, along with over 1,000 neighbors with our latest news. We won’t share your email address; it will be used only to distribute news of Alden Bridge. You can also find us on Facebook (Alden Bridge Village Association) and at our website, www.aldenbridge.org.

We are happy to welcome our latest members of the Alden Bridge board: Ron Keichline, Brenda Sarconi, Jim McCloskey, and after a brief hiatus, the board welcomes back long-time member, Adele Yung. We wouldn’t have a village association without a bunch of enthusiastic volunteers, including our board members. Please consider joining us! It’s a great way to give back to your community, and we have fun, too. We have openings right now, so if you’re interested, send us an e-mail at abvainfo@gmail.com.

September is usually one of our hottest months, so we hope you are staying cool however you can during these unique times. Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend and a September to remember!

Submitted by Greg Sherlock

Cochran’s Crossing

The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association has awarded two $500 scholarships to graduates seeking higher education. Congratulations to Alice Dang and to Kaitlyn Yost!

Alice Dang will be attending Trinity University, majoring in Finance and Biology, with plans to continue to medical school. Alice was a member of the student council in high school, serving as Community Service Officer. She was the captain of The Woodlands High School tennis team her junior year, played tennis on the team all four high school years, is a classically trained pianist, volunteered through Surgical Volunteers International and volunteered throughout the community as a member of National Charity League. Alice was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as both the Science and the Social Studies National Honor Societies. Alice had an internship with Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center and worked in the community as a lifeguard.

Kaitlyn Yost will be attending Southern Methodist University, majoring in Biochemistry, with plans to complete graduate school with a Ph.D. She was a member of The Woodlands High School choir and of the Hurricanes swim team throughout her years in high school. She participated in Piano Ensemble and was in the band. She was recognized as a NASA High School Aerospace Scholar. Kaitlyn achieved the Gold Award after years of service in the Girl Scouts. She volunteered in the community through Interact Club

Congratulations to the Alden Bridge June Yard of the Month winner: the Dufrene family of Canoe Birch Place.

Alice Dang

Kaitlyn Yost

EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

and through her church’s youth group. Kaitlyn was a member of the National Honor Society, as well both the Science and Spanish National Honor Societies. Kaitlyn spent four years in high school working as a tutor and pet sitter.

The association wants to thank all residents of Cochran’s Crossing who applied for the scholarship. All applicants were excellent and we wish each of them well in their continued education.

The Cochran’s Crossing Village Association appreciates all who have purchased T-shirts and booths for the annual fall festival, and digital sponsorships. Without you, the association would not be able to award scholarships each year. If you are interested in supporting our educational efforts, please contact us for details. You may contact us through our website, through Facebook or at cochranscrossingvillage@gmail.com.

Please follow our Facebook page, Village of Cochran’s Crossing Association, for important information and updates affecting our village. Visit our website at www.cochranscrossing.com.

College Park

The College Park Board of Directors continues to meet and plan via Zoom. Typically, during this month we would be announcing plans for our fall events. The following activities and dates are all tentative and based on local COVID protocols.

The annual Halloween Spooktacular is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, October 24, 2020, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Harper’s Landing Park. If we are able to hold this event, we will combine it with National Night Out activities. This is a favorite date for College Park residents of all ages. You

will be entertained with games, a Halloween costume contest, inflatable, a trackless train, and the highlight is the Trick-or-Treat Trail.

The Woodlands Environmental Services Department hosts the annual America Recycles and 3R Bazaar in November. Even though we are social distancing, you can show support for College Park and save your used alkaline batteries. For further information including other items to drop off for recycling, please visit www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/3RBazaar.

The next Water-Wise Village Challenge does not start until October but pledges will soon be available to sign. Remember that a new pledge must be signed each year to be eligible for the Water-Wise Village Challenge. Last year, College Park residents put us in first place by committing to turn your sprinklers off from October 15 until April 15. Put College Park in first place again and sign up! Hand watering is allowed. Monetary awards from this challenge and the battery recycling are used to fund student scholarships and teacher grants for College Park residents.

Your Board of Directors wants you to know that we miss having our events and being able to see all our residents and friends.

Our College Park website will continue to offer monthly news and information updates at www.villageofcollegepark.com.

Submitted

by

Marti Meerscheidt

Grogan’s Mill

The Grogan’s Mill Village Association donated a bench in Tamarac Park in memory of Virginia Dellinger. Virginia served with great distinction on the village association board for over 20 continued on next page

VILLAGE WEBSITES

ALDEN BRIDGE

www.aldenbridge.org

COCHRAN’S CROSSING

www.cochranscrossing.com

COLLEGE PARK

www.villageofcollegepark.com

CREEKSIDE PARK

www.creeksideparkvillage.com

GROGAN’S MILL

www.grogansmillvillage.com

INDIAN SPRINGS

www.indianspringsvillage.com

PANTHER CREEK

www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org

STERLING RIDGE

www.sterling-ridge.org

years. Virginia enjoyed many hours at Tamarac Park with Phoebe, her beloved Jack Russell. Many thanks go to Michelle Betcher, Township Parks Project Manager, for her assistance in selecting the perfect site for the bench.

The excessive use of ground water by well pumping has caused subsidence in southern Montgomery County. Several areas in Grogan’s Mill near Spring Creek are impacted by this subsidence. The use of surface water for the last several years has stopped the subsidence. Lone Star Ground Water Conservation District has proposed future plans that increase the use of groundwater. Several Municipal Utility District (MUD) Directors have been working on locating a subsidence measuring device in Grogan’s Mill. This is progressing well with Woodlands Water taking the lead. The Grogan’s Mill board has voted to provide $1,000 towards securing the measuring device. The Lone Star Ground Water Conservation District and the Harris Galveston Subsidence District have all agreed to share the cost of this installation. The San Jacinto River Authority (SJRA) will provide the site and all utilities.

Woodlands Water will begin installing new smart water meters later on this year. Many of the water meters in Grogan’s Mill are 40 years old and no longer measure water use accurately. The new meters will electronically send information about water use throughout the day, allowing residents to monitor their consumption. This improved information system will allow users to determine if they have a leak or are over-watering with their irrigation system. No tax increases have been made or are anticipated for the installation of water meters.

Bring your used alkaline (nonrechargeable) batteries, from your home, workplace, friends and families. We narrowly missed being in first place last year. We’re now up to over 1,000 pounds and counting! You can bring them to the Farmer’s Market where we will hold

them until the challenge officially begins. Grogan’s Mill could win up to $1,000, which we use to support schools and student scholarships in Grogan’s Mill.

With cooler days a few weeks away, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market is still offering hot deals on fruits, vegetables, honey, crafts, food and more. The market is open every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon, rain or shine, at 7 Switchbud Place in the Grogan’s Mill Village Center. Bring your own bags to save on plastic. Check out our website at www.grogansmill.org/fmabout or look us up on Facebook at www.facebook. com/WoodlandsFarmersMarket. Profits from Farmer’s Market vendor fees are returned to our community through various philanthropic contributions, school donations, scholarships and community programs.

Submitted by Andrew Coakley and Jennifer Robinson

Panther Creek

Panther Creek residents are making the most of this unique summer. Between discovering ways to help neighbors, watching more movies on TV and getting some of those overdue home projects done, we are contending with the pandemic.

For several years, the Panther Creek Village Association has had a scholarship program for local students.

Panther Creek board member Kevin Currey has diligently worked with local schools to select worthy candidates. Based upon community involvement, need and academic excellence, we have awarded two financial scholarships this year. Check this column in the next issue for their names and pictures. Your participation in community events helps fund these awards.

Another delightful thing has been happening to those who enjoy our 200+ miles of walkway paths. They have been spotting small rocks painted with whimsical designs or positive messages. You are invited to discover and view them but also to create your own to place for others to enjoy discovering. See inspiring examples now at “The Woodlands Rocks,” or “The Woodlands Kindness Rocks,” both on Facebook.

Panther Creek Village Association serves as your first line of contact with the many agencies and governmental organizations that make The Woodlands work. Your input is needed to make sure that The Woodlands continues to do its best for you and your family. Learn about the many things going on that affect you and your neighbors in Panther Creek and be an active voice in your community. Our monthly meetings are held at 7 p.m., on the second Thursday of each month. Visit us online at www.panthercreekvillageassociation.org.

Submitted by Paul

Gebolys

By Kacie Fuselier Gurney

Stay Connected with the Official eNewsletter of the Township

The Woodlands Township provides a variety services, programs and activities for residents of The Woodlands. From free concerts and seasonal events to public safety and fire protection services, the Township strives for an inclusive, safe and active community for all.

Staying in touch with residents is critical, particularly during times of emergency or weather-related events. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Township has published regular,

often daily, email updates regarding the situation in our community and the surrounding areas. The Township also uses email updates during hurricane season as a way to communicate new information and developments with storms in the area.

The Woodlands Township publishes a weekly email newsletter, Talk of the Township. The newsletter includes timely information about Board meetings, events for families

and details about services, programs and facilities offered by the Township. This newsletter is delivered every Friday afternoon to your inbox. By subscribing to Talk of the Township, you will automatically receive the COVID-19 updates. To sign up for Talk of the Township and receive weekly emails, please visit www. thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/notifyme.

Please note that the Township will never share or sell your email address to any third party organization.

Green Lawns or Healthy Waterways: Do We Have to Choose?

By Teri MacArthur

Is it possible to protect the health of our local waterways and still have a lush, green lawn? Yes, if we are willing to make a few simple adjustments to our lawn care practices. Many of us still rely on an old school recipe for lawn care: chemical fertilizers, pesticides and lots of water. The problem, besides spending a lot of money, occurs when rainfall or overwatering flushes those chemicals into the street and on down to the nearest waterway. Lawn chemicals are one of the biggest polluters of our local streams and ponds.

The solution is to make a few simple adjustments to your lawn care plan. Learn how to improve your lawn care plan at Smarter Choices: Healthy Landscapes, Healthy Waterways on October 3, 2020. This free online workshop is presented by The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department in collaboration with The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, Houston-Galveston Area Council and Woodlands Water Agency. Get ready to create a low maintenance and healthy lawn by registering today. Workshop attendees will learn how to:

• Reduce dependence on lawn chemicals

• Use compost and organic materials to promote stronger growth and resist disease

• Irrigate correctly to avoid water waste and deepen grass roots

• Capture rainwater for landscape irrigation

• Select the right plants for your landscape

This free workshop also offers a no-cost soil test so you can determine which specific amendments your lawn needs for optimum health. Through proper management, your lawn can be the greenest on the block with less cost, less effort and less impact on the environment. The health of your lawn and your local waterways go hand in hand.

Details and registration information for this important workshop can be found at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/environment.

TheWoodlands311 app is a free, easy-to-use pla�orm to stay in touch with The Woodlands Township. Download “TheWoodlands311” in the App store or on Google Play.

Download TheWoodlands311 app.

Tap on Service Requests | Streetlights | Next

Take a photo of the broken streetlight, add any details (optional) and tap Submit Request.

The location and outage noti cation will automatically be sent to Entergy.

For more information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/mobileapp

Ride in con dence knowing that your safety is the highest priority.

The safety of our passengers is the top priority for Woodlands Transit. This is why we’re taking extra precau�ons on each and every route. Please note the following safety procedures in effect.

Disinfecting and Sanitizing Schedule

All buses are being disinfected twice daily using Vital Oxide, a medical-grade disinfectant, which is being applied with an electrostatic sprayer.

Personal Protection Equipment

Drivers have been issued facial masks and instructed to wear them while on duty and driving.

Social Distancing

Passenger seats are marked with signage instructing passengers to sit in marked seats to allow for social distancing. Buses will have a maximum passenger capacity of 23 passengers. Spare buses will be staged at the Park & Ride locations until full service has resumed to accommodate overflow passengers.

Mobile Ticketing

The mobile ticketing app allows riders to purchase tickets on their smartphones anytime, anywhere and then display them on screen when boarding the bus. Complete details on the app are available online at www.woodlandstransit.com.

“

We Want to highlight the importance of neighbors helping neighbors as W e keep each other grounded in the truth of a loving g od through loving actions.”

Rev. Susan Kent, Pastor of Worship and Women’s Ministry

h ope l ives in o ur h earts & h omes

By Kenda McVeigh, The Woodlands UMC

It goes without saying that we are living in unprecedented times for our generation. People all around our neighborhoods and our communities are struggling with feelings of frustration, anxiety and fear. The spread of the coronavirus coupled with societal unrest and the threat of additional economic fallout has created a pervasive sense of unease. For many, it feels that we have very little control over the circumstances unfolding on our nightly news or social media.

It’s with this in mind that The Woodlands United Methodist Church decided to intentionally bring a message of hope to the community. As the pastors and staff of the church looked around at the people they encountered in their daily lives, they could see the loneliness and uncertainty all are facing. So, they decided to find a way to share the message of hope of Jesus with the community they love by launching Hope Lives Here.

As a part of this message, neighbors began to see Hope Lives Here yard signs around their neighborhoods and Hope Lives Here frames on social media. Church members are using the yard signs and social media frames to spread the word that the hope of Christ lives outside the church building – it lives in the hearts and homes of the people in our community.

Those loving actions include writing encouraging letters to those who are shut-in or in prison. They include phone calls to friends who may need someone to listen as they share their grief and difficulties. Others are providing gift cards to families who are struggling to meet basic needs. Each of these actions represents hope to someone who just needs a little reminder that God loves

them and will see them through these difficult times. Along with individual encouragement, the church has programs to provide concrete help for anyone struggling through this time. One such program is re|engage marriage ministry. As the pandemic hit in March, this marriage ministry had to finish its sessions online. As couples worked through the rest of the lessons, they found that the information was particularly beneficial to helping them cope with the intense nature of spending more time together. They understood how biblical truths like grace and forgiveness were going to be instrumental in getting through these difficult circumstances.

Understanding that teenagers are also feeling the stress of isolation and change, Mark Swayze, Pastor of Student Ministry, consulted with medical professionals to come up with a safe way for putting together small groups for students. As Mark says, “instead of planning for programs for when the pandemic ends, we want to provide programming that thrives in the midst of the pandemic.” So the student ministry has focused on pulling together small, safe and social student events. They can feel hopeful that even during so much change, life can be fun and meaningful.

The church has also focused on the current racial crisis in the country through various racial reconciliation studies and panels – not political but spiritual in nature. They are continuing to put together panel discussions and classes for the church and community in the hopes that the church can lead the country toward real progress in our love for each other.

Along with meaningful weekend worship, The Woodlands UMC has been a consistent presence of help and encouragement to the community for over 40 years.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the hope and help offered by The Woodlands UMC can go to their website at thewoodlandsumc.org/hope

Squirrels

By Amber Barnes

What do they look like?

Fox Squirrels have gray and black fur on their back with a cinnamon belly and feet. The tail is cinnamon mixed with black. Fox Squirrels are about 21 inches long and weigh about one and a half to two pounds.

Gray Squirrels have dark, yellowishrusty fur on their head, back, legs, arms and sides of the neck. Gray or white-tipped hairs create a gray tone in these areas. The tail is dull yellow at the base transitioning to black and tipped with white. The underbody is white, and they are about 18 inches long and weigh about one pound.

Southern Flying Squirrels have thick, silky gray-brown fur on their upper body and very large eyes. The underbody is solid white. Broad webs of skin connect fore and hind legs along with a flat, bushy tail which allows them to glide. They are about 8 - 10 inches long and weigh about five ounces.

What do they eat?

Squirrels are omnivores with a diet consisting mainly of seeds, nuts, fruit, mushrooms, berries, insects, bark and amphibians. It’s not uncommon for them to eat small birds and mammals, snakes, eggs and carrion.

Squirrels are often found feasting on convenient food sources in your yard, such as bird feeders, vegetable gardens and fruit trees.

What eats them?

Squirrels have many natural predators: hawks, owls, eagles, snakes, coyotes, foxes, and domesticated dogs and cats.

Gray and fox squirrels are considered a game animal in Texas. 51 counties in East Texas have a fall and spring hunting season. Southern Flying Squirrels are classified as a non-game animal in Texas; it is illegal to hunt them.

Why do we need them?

Squirrels help regulate the food chain because they are diverse eaters. They reduce disease spread by removing carcasses, digging up seeds of invasive plants, and, because they bury more nuts than they can find, squirrels help replant native Texas trees.

Want more information?

Squirrels may be legally cagetrapped if causing damage. You must obtain permission from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 979-599-5070 to relocate them. If you are concerned about squirrels moving into your attic, trim back tree branches 8 to 10 feet from the roof. If you are certain no squirrels are in your attic, seal all points of access with sheet metal, hardware cloth or steel wool. If you need help removing squirrels from your home, call a wildlife removal professional.

Three species of squirrels are found in The Woodlands: Fox, Gray and Southern Flying Squirrel.

Like other rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that never stop growing. They must continually chew on hard surfaces, such as bark, to keep them from growing uncomfortably long. Baby squirrels are called kits or kittens.

Flying squirrels don’t actually fly, they glide, up to 150 feet!

Gray Squirrel

Fox Squirrel Southern Flying Squirrel

TOWNSHIPAccolades

Township Together Campaign Wins dotCOMM Gold Award

By Shelby Doerries

The Woodlands Township recently won a dotCOMM Gold Award for the Township Together campaign, initiated during Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Township Together was created through the collaboration of The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, including Township Director John Anthony Brown, who suggested the idea, Community Relations, IT and Human Resources Departments, as a way to share positive approaches to handling the world-wide pandemic (COVID-19) in our community. Images of inspiration and messages of positivity included sidewalk chalk drawings, motivational signs, painted rocks, T-shirts, businesses lit blue and more. The campaign was

developed, designed and promoted by The Woodlands Township Community Relations Department.

The Woodlands community is filled with residents and businesses alike that are passionate, caring, supportive, innovative and committed to residing in a place where we can live, work, learn and play. In a place that welcomes everyone from everywhere to grow and thrive, Township residents and businesses lifted each other up with words of encouragement and acts of kindness.

The campaign sourced images

through online submissions from residents and businesses and published them through the Township’s daily COVID-19 Updates enewsletter, as well as on the campaign’s homepage at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ townshiptogether.

The dotCOMM awards is an international competition honoring excellence in web creativity and digital communication. The competition spotlights the role of creatives in the constantly evolving web. Winning a dotCOMM award signifies that the

winner’s web and digital work is among the best in the industry.

About the dotCOMM Awards

dotCOMM Awards is administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), one of the largest, oldest and most respected evaluators of creative work in the marketing and communication industry.

For more information about dotCOMM Awards, please visit https:// www.dotcommawards.com/.

Important Notice: By submitting letters, photos and other materials to The Woodlands Community Magazine (TWCM) you agree that the materials submitted will become the property of TWCM and will not be returned. You also agree that TWCM, its assigns, and the publisher, have been granted the non-exclusive right to use and /or reproduce the materials in any manner and for any purpose. You also agree that you have made no other considerations for the use of any submissions unless authorized in writing by TWCM and the Publisher. For more information, please call 281-210-3800. Photographs may be submitted, and are encouraged, for publication either within the magazine or on the cover. There is no payment for photographs featured either within the publication or on the cover. Both amateur and professional slides and photographs, featuring Woodlands people and scenes, are welcome. Disclaimer: The Publisher, Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. (CP&PI), and The Woodlands Township assume no responsibility for the advertising content within this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be addressed directly with the advertiser. The Publisher retains exclusive rights to the acceptance or denial of all advertising copy. Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and or misprints in this publication, Champions Printing & Publishing, Inc. assumes no responsibility for

Township Together featured photo submissions from the community. Thanks to all who submitted their photos and created these messages of hope around The Woodlands!

By Susan Martin

Take an Inventory of Your Wallet and Purse

Weall make sure we have our keys, purse or wallet and phone before we head out the door. However, we are usually carrying around items that are better left at home. Are the items in your wallet or purse needed daily? Take an inventory to pare down and lighten your load; doing so can reduce the impact of identity theft, loss or fraud and reduce your vulnerability. When you head out, consider what you are carrying. The best practice is to only take what you are going to use or need.

TAKE INVENTORY

• Photocopy the front and back of all cards that you have. Securely store or cancel the cards you seldom or no longer use.

• Carry only small amounts of cash.

• Remove documents that are not necessary or that contain valuable personal information such as your home address, medical and financial numbers. Store these items securely until you need them.

REMOVE

• Social Security Card

• Passport

• Passwords and PINs

• Checkbook (It contains your address and account number.)

• Jewelry

• Gift cards and gift certificates unless you plan to use them while you are out

• Keys

• Receipts

• Medications

• Irreplaceable items unless you absolutely must have it with you

How you carry your wallet or purse is just as important as what you carry in it. A bag dangling by your side is much easier

for a thief to grab on the run. Wear with the strap across your body with your arm holding the bag tight against your body.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

• Your purse should always be securely closed.

• Never leave your purse or wallet unattended. Never leave it on a restaurant seat, in a shopping cart, on a public restroom or dressing room floor, or under your seat in theaters.

• When driving your car, keep your doors locked and keep the purse on the floor behind your seat.

• Be extra aware when in a crowded area.

If someone attempts to grab your purse, resist the impulse to play tug of war. If you hang on, chances are you could be severely hurt and still lose your purse. Remember if you take an inventory and pare down it will minimize the impact of loss. Please report suspicious activity to law enforcement and always be aware of your surroundings.

To learn more about The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch, please follow the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ TownshipNeighborhodWatch or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ neighborhoodwatch

www.arborcarehouston.com

WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN THE HAMMER MISSES

THE NAIL AND FINDS YOURS?

Our ER is Open. Ready. And Safe.

Emergencies are one-of-a-kind events. You don’t know when, or how, or where they’re going to happen. But you do know that when an emergency takes place, you’ll want an Emergency Room you can count on.

Especially now, when our community continues to battle COVID-19, you need to know that there’s a hospital ER that’s open, ready, and safe for you and your family. And we are. For more information, visit us at StLukesHealth.org/Here-Always. Here, always.