December 2020

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

The Woodlands Township Board of Directors Election

Four positions on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, designated as positions 1, 2, 3 and 4, were elected at large by voters in The Woodlands Township in both Montgomery and Harris counties in the November election. Unofficial results as of press time are as follows:

Position 1: Gordy Bunch

Position 2: Jason J. Nelson

Position 3: John Anthony Brown

Position 4: Bruce Rieser

The following positions were not up for election in 2020 and will continue in 2021:

Position 5: Shelley Sekula-Gibbs

Position 6: Ann K. Snyder

Position 7: Bob Milner

Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/election for the full election results or www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/board for more information.

John Anthony Brown

Bruce Rieser

Gordy Bunch

Jason J. Nelson

Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs

Dr. Ann K. Snyder

Bob Milner Director

December 2020 • Volume 24 • Issue

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.

Each village association coordinates their own contest, including dates and publicity, with support from The Woodlands Township and The Woodlands Fire Department.

Please contact your respective village association for additional information. See pages 18 - 21 for village association articles and websites.

Seasonal Decorations and Lighting

The Woodlands Township asks residents to remember the following guidelines to remain within The Woodlands Residential Standards for outdoor holiday decorating.

• Winter holiday decorations and lights may be illuminated from November 15 through January 15 of the following year.

• Decorations and lighting may be installed no earlier than October 1 and must be removed by February 1 of the following year.

• All other seasonal decorations may be displayed for a period not to exceed three weeks.

Decorative lighting bulbs must be of a low wattage to not cause an impact to an adjacent property. Strands of lighting should also be limited in scope and not cause an adverse impact to adjacent properties.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/covenants

HOLIDAY RECYCLING AND TRASH SERVICE

In observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays, solid waste collection services will be suspended on Friday, December 25, 2020, and Friday, January 1, 2021.

All services are affected—trash, recycling, yard trimmings and bulk pickup. The chart below shows when service will be provided. Only Friday services are affected:

Flocked Christmas Tree Disposal

• Flocked Christmas trees must be landfilled.

• Schedule as bulk/heavy pickup by calling Waste Management Customer Service at 800-800-5804.

Thursday

Friday

2 Regular pickup schedule will resume Monday, January 4, 2021.

Recycle Holiday Boxes and Wrappings

If your recycling cart is full, take advantage of special holiday recycling. On the first service day following December 25 in each Village, additional cardboard boxes, gift boxes and wrapping paper will be picked up for recycling.

• Break down smaller gift and mailing boxes to consolidate into one box.

• Put extra paper wrappings in a paper bag or small box.

• Place bags and boxes at the curb next to the recycling cart.

• The holiday recycling truck is reserved only for recyclables.

– NO plastic bags

– NO Styrofoam™

– NO bubble wrap

– NO ribbon, decorations or Christmas lights

• Failure to follow guidelines will result in items being left at the curb.

Cut Christmas Tree Recycling –Unflocked Trees Only

• Remove all decorations and lights from tree.

• Remove tree stands.

• Place the tree at the curb on your regular service day.

• Green trees will be picked up by the yard trimming truck as part of your regularly scheduled services.

• Call at least two business days before your regular service day.

Extra Trash

• Requires purchase of a pink extra service tag for $1.75 per tag.

• Purchase tags from The Woodlands Township offices, Kroger (Cochran’s Crossing, Alden Bridge and Sterling Ridge).

• Attach one tag per bag.

• Each bag must weigh less than 40 pounds.

Helpful Reminders

• The Woodlands Recycling Center will be open. Business hours are:

– Wednesday, from 4 to 7 p.m.

– Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Missed Pickups: Please call Waste Management Customer Service at 800-800-5804.

• Simple Recycling orange bags are no longer accepted.

Holiday Activities

Families will find plenty of safe, healthy fun this holiday season with The Woodlands Township!

Choose from a variety of activities such as Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt and Gingerbread House Making, among others, that are guaranteed to get the entire family into the holiday spirit. Events include supplies for various crafts and activities; and be on the lookout for a visit from Santa! Holiday events sold out quickly in 2019, so please register as soon as possible, and if activities are full, please add your name to the waitlist, as spots may become available. Pre-registration is required, as registration on event day is not permitted unless space and supplies allow. For more information or to secure your spot, please call 281-516-7348 or 281-210-3950 today!

By Liz Aguirre

TheIce Rink at The Woodlands Town Center will be open for the 2020-2021 holiday season through Monday, January 18, 2021.

The 21,000-square-foot multipurpose facility features ice skating in a main room with lighting, a state-of-the-art sound system, concessions and tables for parties. Need help learning to skate? The Ice Rink offers skate lessons!

For hours of operation, skate lesson and admission information, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/icerink, or www.thewoodlandsicerink.com.

Please note The Ice Rink operations have been modified to accommodate more stringent cleaning procedures, provide social distancing for guests in accordance with CDC guidelines and comply with local orders regarding building capacity.

Those planning to visit The Ice Rink should practice social distancing, refrain from gathering in large groups and continue following all guidelines recommended by the CDC when around others outside of your household. Face coverings are required for entry, but may be removed when skating. Visitors will be screened and temperature checked prior to entry.

Book your skating session online for best prices and times. Visit www.thewoodlandsicerink.com to make your reservations.

Photos by Derrick Bryant Photography

Mother–Son Date Night

Moms, bring your boys out to our second annual putt-putt themed date night.

Mother-Son Date Night will take place on January 29, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, located at 6464 Creekside Forest Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77389. Chick Fil-A Nuggets and salads will be provided for dinner. This event will be a wonderful opportunity to bond and create special memories that will last a lifetime with your sons.

All ages are welcome! The fee is $45 for the pair and $15 for each additional sibling. Come dressed comfortably and bring your competitive spirit. Please note that the nine-hole putt-putt course will be outside.

For more information, please call 281-210-3950 or 281-516-7348 for up-to-date event information.

December 2020

Please visit the Township’s online calendar for the very latest information on Township events and cancellations regarding 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 that are usually listed here.

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/calendar

HOLIDAY GARBAGE COLLECTION SCHEDULE

In observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays, solid waste collection services will be suspended on Friday, December 25, 2020, and Friday, January 1, 2021. All services are affected—trash, recycling, yard trimmings and bulk pickup. Simple Recycling (orange textile bags) are no longer accepted. The chart below shows when service will be provided.

If your regular collection day is:

Monday, December 21 / December 28

Tuesday, December 22/ December 29

Wednesday, December 23 / December 30

Thursday, December 24 / December 31

Friday, December 25 / January 1

Then your holiday week collection day will be:

Monday, December 21 / December 28

Tuesday, December 22/ December 29

Wednesday, December 23 / December 30

Thursday, December 24 / December 31

Saturday, December 26 / January 2

Regular pick-up schedule will resume Monday, January 4, 2021. Please watch this space for information about garbage and recycling service or visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/holidaytrash.

Photo submitted by John Hibbs

Hope Revealed

CHRIST COMES TO A WEARY WORLD

How do we find and hold onto hope after a year that has challenged us more than any other? You’re invited to hear our message of hope found through Jesus Christ.

Bring your family and friends to one of 19 Christmas services starting December 20 through Christmas Eve at The Woodlands United Methodist Church .

Join us in church or online and experience the hope of Christ that was revealed to the world.

We offer a variety of services to choose from:

• Traditional Candlelight Worship

• Special Needs Family Worship

• Casual/Contemporary Candlelight Worship

• Worship for those who are grieving

Holiday Events

LESSONS AND CAROLS

Sunday, December 6

5:00 p.m. | The Woodlands Campus Sanctuary

An Advent service of traditional lessons and carols to prepare your heart for Christmas.

NIGHT OF CAROLS

Sunday, December 13

6:00 p.m. | The Woodlands Campus Fairway

Gather your family outdoors for a night of worship and carols on the fairway lawn.

LET IT SNOW | CHRISTMAS IN WOODFOREST

Friday, December 18

2:00 – 5:00 p.m. | The Church at Woodforest

It’s snowing in Woodforest! Kick off your Christmas break with snow sledding and winter fun. Bring family and friends.

CHRISTMAS STORY LIVING MUSEUM

Tuesday, December 22

6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | The Woodlands Campus Main Building Walk through this interactive living museum of the Christmas story.

NEWS FROM THE VILLAGES OF THE WOODLANDS

Alden Bridge

We truly have one of the best places to live during the holidays. We always stress safety, but especially this month when so many things are tempting to criminals, so stay safe and be aware of your surroundings while you’re out and about. Use the Sheriff’s Office Vacation Watch if you’re taking a holiday vacation, and don’t forget to lock your house and car doors, and don’t leave any packages visible in the car when you go shopping. As you know, most of our car burglaries occur when parked cars are left unlocked.

We take a little break from our monthly board/residents meeting in December, so the next meeting is tentatively set for 7 p.m. on January 12, 2021, at the Township building, 2801 Technology Forest. Due to COVID-19, please watch our Facebook page, website and email newsletter for information on any changes to the meeting.

It’s the most wonderful time of year – time to judge holiday lights! Yes, it’s time again for the Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest, and Alden Bridge has some of The Woodlands’ most beautifully decorated homes. Judges will review the nominations between December 11-20, 2020, so be sure to leave your lights on every night so we don’t miss your hard work! We’ll select one Best Home winner and one Best Neighborhood winner. Awards will be presented to the winners on or about Tuesday, December 22, 2020.

We wouldn’t have a village association without a bunch of enthusiastic volunteers, including our board members and members of the Residential Design Review Committee (RDRC). Please consider joining us! It’s a great way to give back to your community, and we have fun, too. Village elections are held in February and filing begins later this month.

In 2021, we’ll elect 10 at-large area representatives for two-year terms, plus five RDRC members for one-year terms. The Township website is your source for information and filing forms, usually available in early January.

Joining our electronic mailing list allows you to receive our monthly newsletter – just send your email address to abvainfo@gmail.com. We promise not to share your address. Also please visit our website, www.aldenbridge.org, and like our very active Facebook page.

Our most heartfelt thanks go to everyone who contributed to our village association in any way during 2020 – with special thanks to all our event and program sponsors! Your support is much appreciated, and we look forward to working with you again in 2021. We have a very active sponsor program, and if your business would like to sponsor us (money goes to scholarships), please contact abvainfo@gmail.com.

Here’s to a joyous holiday season, Alden Bridge! Submitted by Greg Sherlock

Cochran’s Crossing

If you haven’t already gotten those Christmas lights up, now is the time! The Cochran’s Crossing village board will be driving the village to

judge Christmas light displays from December 8 to 13. Be sure to have your lights on every night so we don’t miss them. Awards will be for Best House and Best Neighborhood Street. So, get your neighbors involved, and let’s make Cochran’s Crossing Village the brightest in The Woodlands!

Thank you to all village residents who dropped off their batteries at the 3R Drive-Thru event last month. Any funds we receive for participation in the village contest will benefit elementary students and scholarship recipients. Thank you for your support of the education fund!

Please connect with the Cochran’s Crossing Village Association to receive

Cochran’s Crossing looks forward to this year’s Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest. Pictured here are Cochran’s Crossing’s best home (above) and best street from 2019.

EVENTS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

emails announcing events in the village and in The Woodlands. Please go to www.cochranscrossing.com and under the Connect tab, complete the form to be on the distribution list.

Please follow us on the Village of Cochran’s Crossing Association Facebook page to stay up to date on the latest news and events.

Our meetings continue via Zoom on the fourth Tuesday of the month, however, we will not hold a December meeting. Our next meeting will be January 26, 2021, at 7 p.m. You can always reach us at cochranscrossingvillage@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

Submitted by Cynthia Kessinger

College Park

The Holiday Lighting Contest is an anticipated tradition here in The Woodlands. College Park judges will be out in your neighborhood on the evenings of December 14 and 15. Get your lights up and turn them on in the early evening starting December 14 for your chance to participate in the contest. There are two awards given for each village; “Best (individual) Home” plus “Best Neighborhood, Cul-de-sac or Street.” Winners will receive a surprise visit to your home later that week, when we designate your home or neighborhood the winner.

The Water-Wise Village Challenge is on again for 2020-2021. Sign up and pledge to turn off your sprinklers until April. By participating, you earn points for College Park. We need your participation so that we can maintain our first-place title this year. Cash awards are given to each village based on points. In College Park, these funds are used to provide college scholarships for students who reside in one of our neighborhoods. These funds can also support other activities that

you enjoy free, throughout the year, such as the Spooktacular in October and the Poolooza in May! You can sign up on the Township website under Environmental Services.

Get involved and have fun!

Village Association elections are coming in February. If you are interested in becoming a Village Representative, please plan to attend our January meeting and learn more about what we do for the residents of College Park which includes Harper’s Landing, Windsor Hills and Grogan’s Forest. For additional information, please visit our website at www.villageofcollegepark.com, or join us on Facebook.

During this holiday season, be safe and report any suspicious activity you see. It is increasingly apparent that when citizens report what they see, there is a better chance that the suspect can be apprehended by law enforcement.

Submitted by Marti

Meerscheidt

Creekside Park

With the cool autumn breezes making the weather perfect for enjoying all that Creekside Park has to offer, now is the time to get outdoors and enjoy the area with your families. The following venues for entertainment in our area to enjoy:

• Baja Sur Fresh-Mex Tequila Bar opening shortly, located in the Cinepolis movie complex.

• Yoga 6 Studio is currently open with several neighbors in the area already enjoying the many classes offered.

• Row House to open shortly.

• A new 7-Eleven has been built on the corner of Kuykendahl and Creekside Forest and is now open to the public.

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

We are excited that the following amenities are available in Creekside Forest:

• The Sunny Dayz camp has resumed operations at the Rob Fleming park.

• TreeVentures has now re-opened, with limited capacity.

• Be sure to visit the George Mitchell Nature Preserve with your families. There are two entrances to the preserve, Ann Snyder Road on the west side, and on the east side you can enter the trails behind the Rob Fleming Recreation Center. There are miles of nature trails for everyone to enjoy.

Several things that occurred:

• National Night Out Sunday, 10/11/20. Neighbors came out to enjoy the event.

• Blood Drive took place on 10/31/20.

• Tomball Covid testing was held 10/23/20 – 11/14/20.

• Town Hall re-opened 10/19/20.

• Gosling Bridge Project:

– Design Phase occurred 8/2020, going out for bids the first half of 2021.

• A 50-acre plot south of Creekside Village has been approved for annexation, 150 homes to be built including a new retention pond and parks.

If you are traveling, do not forget to sign up for vacation watch with our great Precinct 4 Constables. If you are staying in The Woodlands, look for events and happenings on our Creekside Park Village Facebook page or our website, www.creeksideparkvillage.com. Till next time….

Submitted by Carol Radice

Grogan’s Mill

Citizens for Eagle Island was created by several residents of Grogan’s Mill Village to oppose the re-plat of Mitchell Island. The small, uninhabited island in Lake Woodlands and adjacent to the East Shore community has been

platted for 19 homes for many years, however officials with Howard Hughes began the process of seeking a re-plat to allow 58 homes on the island with the Houston Planning Commission. After weeks of complaints, petitions and criticism over plans to build 58 homes on Mitchell Island in The Woodlands, local residents and officials from the Howard Hughes Corp. have agreed to a compromise that will see only 25 to 30 homes constructed and green space set aside for a family of bald eagles.

At the October meeting of the Grogan’s Mill Village Association, the village board agreed to send a letter to The Woodlands Township board to express residents’ wishes to expand The Woodlands Trolley System to include additional route stops specifically to include The Village at Woodlands Waterway, South Millbend at Grogan’s Mill Road and Tamarac Pines apartments. The additional stops will be beneficial to residents to be able to have access to grocery shopping now that the Grogan’s Mill Village Center is currently without a grocery store. The letter was sent and received on October 22, 2020.

Plans are moving forward with the Stormwater Inlet Marker (SwIM) project, which has been on hold since the spring. Montgomery County Municipal District No. 6, Woodlands Water Agency, The Woodlands Township Environmental Services, Grogan’s Mill Village Association, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market, The Woodlands GREEN, and community volunteers are partnering for the success of the project. The program involves fixing medallions to the concrete surfaces on stormwater inlets beginning in Grogan’s Mill as shown in the example. It is hoped that other villages and organizations will partner to extend the project to their local areas. The medallions will remind residents, visitors and contractors

that only stormwater goes down the storm drains. Trash, dog waste, grass clippings and toxic fluids can cause significant degradation of water quality in our waterways or even block the drains. In addition, water trapped in the storm drains provides a perfect breeding place for mosquitoes that are vectors for disease, such as West Nile virus. Volunteers can register with The Woodlands Township Environmental Services to participate in the project after taking online training.

For further information, please contact Teri MacArthur at tmacarthur@thewoodlandstownship-tx. gov or 281-210-3928.

Bring your used alkaline (non-rechargeable) 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. The Village could win up to $1,000 which we use to support schools and student scholarships in Grogan’s Mill.

With cooler days here, The Woodlands Farmer’s Market is still offering hot deals on fruits, vegetables, honey, olive oil, 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 vendor fees are returned to our community through various philanthropic contributions, school donations, scholarships, and community programs.

Submitted by Andrew Coakley and Jennifer Robinson

Indian Springs

Indian Springs Village Association Community Service Scholarship

Winners: The most exciting part of the year for the Indian Springs Village Association is when we award $1,000 scholarships to deserving graduating seniors. One essential purpose of the village is to raise funds to honor those students who have demonstrated an immense dedication to community service and citizenship.

For 2020, we received many incredible applications and were reminded of the intelligence, persistence and kindness our students possess. The scholarship committee, like most years, had a difficult time selecting our winners. Indian Springs congratulates Tyler Clough, Brendan Alam and Madelyn Mize.

The Indian Springs Village Association would like to thank all the applicants and their parents for being such an integral part of what makes Indian Springs so special.

2020 Holiday Lighting and Decorating Contest: Dust off your reindeer, get your decorations out of the attic, and fire up the auxiliary power to energize your million-bulb Christmas light strings, because it is time to don your house with enough holiday cheer that will make Clark W. Griswold green with envy.

The Indian Springs Village Association will award the Best House and the Best Neighborhood based on an individual family’s effort and a coordinated effort by a neighborhood.

Judging normally occurs

during the second week of December, so start your over-the-top holiday projects now so you and/or your neighborhood are in the running for the annual bragging rights. Prizes for this year’s contest are still being determined. Past prizes have included several tickets to The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center and gift cards. We look forward to witnessing the immense creativity Indian Springs residents possess. So, get your blueprints, jigsaws, glitter paint and flood lights and get moving on those Norman Rockwell inspired streetscapes.

Taste of the Village - Better luck in 2021: Mark your calendars now for the 15th Annual Taste of the Village to be held in October 2021 in the Indian Springs Village Shopping Center. For 2020, we were unfortunately not able to have the most anticipated event in Indian Springs. Our annual family event features live entertainment, free food samples, multiple activities for kids and a fun-filled afternoon. For more information on the event, sponsorship opportunities and reserving a booth, please contact michael.arendes@ indianspringsvillage.com.

Submitted by Michael Saucier

Panther Creek

We had much to be thankful for on the recent Thanksgiving Day and this entire year, now let us lift the fog of the virus and flu with due precaution and social responsibility to begin the holidays.

Very shortly, your Panther Creek Village Association board members will be driving by your home looking for a home and street to be awarded the coveted Panther Creek Village Association Best Holiday Decorations Awards. Last year’s winners are ineligible this year, so the field is wide open for your holiday decorations to win. So, if you have

been procrastinating, please get those attractive decorations up now. Awards will be delivered in mid-December with the help of fire trucks and crews from our nationally-rated tier 1 Woodlands Fire Department. Photos of awardwinning homes and neighborhoods will be posted on our website and in this magazine in a Spring edition.

Did you get to attend the annual Lighting of the Doves holiday kick-off? You can still view the holiday welcome on the bridge just South of the Woodlands Mall at I-45 feeder road.

Other Woodlands holiday opportunities can be found on The Woodlands Township website (www.TheWoodlandsTownship-TX. gov/calendar). Activities include a Jingle Boats excursion that will have family duos kayaking along Woodlands waterways in search of presents. The Ice Rink, which offers a wintery frolic, will run through January 18, 2021; and a Ladies Doubles Tennis Tournament begins December 4, 2020.

On a more serious note, check out the Basic Life Saving courses being offered this month.

If you will be traveling outside The Woodlands over the holidays, do remember that Panther Creek residents can first call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department (936-760-5800) or our Precinct 3 Constable (281-364-4211). Then while you are gone, deputies will give your home special attention. Enjoy your travels reassured by the knowledge that, over the many years that this service has been provided, NO home on the watch list was burglarized while the residents were on vacation.

There will be no meeting of the Panther Creek Village Association in December. From the Panther Creek Village Association board members, may we wish y’all a merry and blessed holiday season and a very prosperous and healthy New Year.

Submitted by Paul Gebolys

Jingle B oats!

By Erica Dunn

Join us later this month at Riva Row Boat House for our annual Jingle Boats program. It’s the most popular boat house event of the year!

This water-based program is great for children of all ages, but is recommended for children 10 and under. The cost of the program is $40, which includes one tandem (double) kayak and all the presents and treats. Any children under the age of 10 must ride in the kayak with an adult in the other seat. Children under 42 inches may ride in the lap of an adult, in the kayak, as a third rider (i.e. with both parents). All children must be accompanied by an adult in some fashion, so if you have any questions about how to register for multiple children and/or multiple parents, just give us a call!

Participants will meet at Riva Row Boat House and festive attire is encouraged! From there, families will kayak down the lower Waterway, toward Lake Woodlands, collecting presents from our friendly boat house elves at various locations along the way. Once participants reach the lake, they will turn around and head back toward Riva Row Boat House. Waiting at Riva Row will be treats, snacks, one final present and a VERY special guest!

Kayaking in December is made especially enjoyable by our mild Texas winters, but come prepared for the predicted weather. You may get wet in the kayaks, so be sure to wear clothes you will be comfortable in. Pre-registration for this program is required. Certain dates may be cancelled due to inclement weather or low registration. Unfortunately, walk-ups are not able to be added since limited numbers of gifts are available for the kids. To sign up for Jingle Boats please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ signupforfun or call 281-210-3950.

Photo b y Erica Dunn

Photo by Amber Barnes

Dates and Times

• Friday, December 18, 2020: 2 to 3 p.m.

• Sunday, December 20, 2020: 2 to 3 p.m.

• Sunday, December 27, 2020: 2 to 3 p.m.

Special December Holiday Hours

• Open Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 9 a.m. to sunset

• Open Wednesday, December 23, 2020 from 9 a.m. to sunset

• Open Thursday, December 24, 2020 (Christmas Eve) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• CLOSED on Friday, December 25, 2020 (Christmas Day)

• Open on Thursday, December 31, 2020 (New Year’s Eve) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

We are still taking precautions to keep our staff and customers safe in accordance with The Woodlands Township policy. Please visit our website at www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/ rivarowboathouse or call 281-210-3965 for up-to-date information about COVID-19 restrictions as they relate to Riva Row Boat House.

Warning: This fun, outdoor family adventure may leave you and your kids wishing for a kayak under the tree this holiday season!

Photo by Andrea Mata

Watch Out for Imposter Scams

By Holly Steinke

Be extra vigilant during the holiday season and watch out for Imposter Scams. An Imposter Scam is when someone lies about their identity in order to steal your personal information and/or money. For example, someone may call and want you to wire money or give them specific information from a gift card or prepaid debit card. Remember, if the caller is unknown, there is always the potential for fraud. Do not pay them or provide personal information without verifying their credentials! According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Imposter Scams were the number one fraud category reported in 2019. Here are a few common Imposter Scams that have been tried across the country, even in our area:

• Tech Support Scam – someone calls and claims to be from a well-known computer software company or your internet provider. They say you will have to give them remote access to your computer, buy new software or pay money to fix it.

• Grandparent Scam – the caller claims to be your grandchild or another relative, or they may claim to be calling on their behalf. They may claim your relative is injured

or in trouble, and that you need to act fast as well as keep it a secret. They may claim something bad will happen to your relative if you do not provide the funds.

• Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Scam – a caller may claim they are from the IRS, Center for Disease Control, Social Security, Medicare, law enforcement or other government agency, and may threaten to sue you, have you arrested or have you deported if you do not provide the funds.

• Romance Scam – someone on an online dating service may claim they love you without meeting you and want you to communicate by email or phone instead of through the dating service. They may claim to live far away and may have many reasons not to meet, such as a job or military service. They may ask for funds for a plane trip to visit you, hospital bills or their business.

Screen your calls if possible and only answer calls from people you know. If it is actually someone you need to speak with, they can leave a message with their information. Read below for some tips from the FTC on how to avoid Imposter Scams. For additional tips from the FTC, visit www.ftc.gov.

• Do not send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request, whether it comes as a text, phone call, or an email.

• Search online for a phrase that describes your situation, such as “IRS call” to see if others have reported it as a scam. Be careful what you click on; choose credible websites for fact checking.

• Don’t always believe your caller ID. Technology makes it easy for scammers to fake caller ID information, however, technology also helps the consumer as fraudulent calls are now being labeled as “Spam Risk.” Also, be weary of phone numbers that have the same first six digits as your own number.

• Don’t pay upfront for a promise. If you have to pay for items like a sweepstakes, prize, job, loan or debt relief, the scammer may take your money and disappear without giving you what they promised.

• Credit cards have built-in fraud protection, but money wires, reloadable debit cards and gift cards do not. Government offices and honest companies will not require you to use these types of payment methods.

• Talk to someone. Before you give your money or personal information to an unknown caller, talk with someone you trust. Gather all information given to you from the caller and fact check it by researching online or consulting with an expert.

• Hang up on robocalls and report it to the FTC. These calls are illegal and often the products are a sham. Do not press 1 to speak to a person or to be taken off the list as that could inadvertently lead to more spam calls.

• Do not deposit a check and wire money back. If the check turns out to be a fake, you are responsible for repaying the bank.

• Sign up for free scam alerts from the FTC at www.ftc.gov/scams and report scams at www.ftc.gov/ complaint.

COVID-19 Scam Tips:

• The U.S. Department of the Treasury warns, if you receive calls, emails,

or other communications claiming to be from the U.S. Treasury Department and offering COVID19 related grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, or an advance fee, or charge of any kind, including the purchase of gift cards, please do not respond. These are scams. Please contact the FBI at www.ic3.gov so that the scammers can be tracked and stopped.

• The FTC advises that a legitimate contact tracer for COVID-19 won’t be asking for money or personal financial information. Also, beware of calls, texts or emails advertising medical products to treat or prevent COVID-19 without proof that they work.

For more safety tips, please contact The Woodlands Township Neighborhood Watch at 281-210-3800 or visit www.thewoodlandstownshiptx.gov/neighborhoodwatch.

• Charity Scams – someone calls and claims to be from an organization that you might be interested in supporting. However, it may be someone trying to trick you with a similar name, or they may only donate a small percentage. If you want to donate to a charity, research the charity online using credible websites, such as Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator or Guide Star. Then, donate directly to the charity.

• Medical Equipment and Testing

Scams – someone calls and offers free medical equipment or medical testing and may say it’s covered by Medicare. Even if it is something Medicare might cover, you should go through your own doctor to be sure that it is approved. Otherwise, you may end up owing money. Avoid giving your Medicare number to any unknown caller. Only provide personal and confidential information to your doctor or other medical provider. Scammers might use your personal information to defraud the government which can affect your future coverage.

Simple Recycling

Curbside Textile Recycling Ends Operations

Curbside pickup of Simple Recycling in The Woodlands ended on November 20, 2020. Citing financial impacts from COVID-19, Simple Recycling ceased curbside service in The Woodlands and similar operations in more than 30 cities and towns across Texas.

Since 2017, The Woodlands Township has contracted with Simple Recycling to provide residential curbside collection and recycling of textiles and small household goods.

Also known as the “Orange Bag Program,” Simple Recycling’s collections diverted over 60 tons of material annually away from the landfill, at no cost to the Township. Currently, no other companies in Texas provide no-call curbside textile collection and recycling. However, residents still have a variety of options in the community for donating textiles and small household goods.

The Woodlands Township maintains a Donation Guide (see page 9) with contact information for local charities that provide free pickup by appointment. Unusable textiles, such as rags or torn or stained clothing, should be placed in the trash or repurposed, never placed in the recycle cart.

For more information on recycling opportunities in The Woodlands, please contact The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department at 281.210.3800, or by email to enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.org.

New WaterSmart Program Available to Woodlands Water customers

By Bob Dailey

Residents of The Woodlands (in the MUDs served by Woodlands Water) can now receive in-depth information about their water usage, including seasonal use, year-over-year and long-term water consumption. They can also see their billing history and current bill.

The program, Woodlands Water WaterSmart, also includes 73 in-depth articles about lowering consumption: tree, lawn and ornamental plant watering advice, efficient use of hoses, composting, detection of leaks, how to check for lawn drainage and many more water-saving articles. Customers can also download the information to personal devices.

The installation of the new AMI meters, once completed, will become a fully integrated part for even greater data access to residents. The WaterSmart program is available to all users of Woodlands Water.

To register for WaterSmart, go to the Woodlands Water website at www.woodlandswater.org/watersmart and go to the sign-up page. Type in your email address and create a password for your account. You can then update your profile to get accurate comparisons to similar customers in your neighborhood.

This article was provided by Woodlands Water, www.woodlandswater.org.

These usage charges are just a few of the tools available to residents on the WaterSmart portal.

COVID-19

isn’t taking a break this holiday season. Unfortunately, neither is child abuse.

The impact of the pandemic is intensifying stress and anxiety across our community and families. The impact on mental health suggests that the ways we as a community are asked to mitigate the spread of the virus have also created unintended consequences: increased our health anxieties, promoted social withdrawal, loneliness and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. In addition to these intense feelings, this ongoing pandemic has decreased financial security and job security.

With this backdrop, add the reality that children’s reactions to trauma are varied and complex. In general,

traumatic events overwhelm a child’s capacity to cope and may elicit intense physical and emotional reactions that can be as threatening to the child’s physical and psychological sense of safety as the traumatic event itself. The more frequent and serious the abuse, the greater likelihood that a child will grow up to have poor impulse control; to choose more aggressive responses to conflict and to be arrested for violent crimes. Without support and intervention, child abuse victims have a greater chance of having substance abuse issues, becoming pregnant as teenagers, or becoming homeless runaways.

Child abuse is a self-perpetuating social problem that requires a coordinated systems approach to

facilitate the identification, prosecution and treatment needs of child victims and their families. Children’s Safe Harbor meets the need for coordination of these services. Community costs and consequences of sexual and physical abuse and sexual assault are devastating when child-centered interventions are absent.

This holiday season, we encourage the community to report and support. Report child abuse to the Texas Statewide Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

We are working to end child sexual abuse and trauma, and we know the way.

Join us in this journey to provide safety and restore the lives of innocent children.

White-tailed Deer

By Amber Barnes

Fast Facts:

• Texas has the most white-tailed deer of any state – nearly four million!

• Males shed their antlers between December and March each year, growing a new pair in the spring.

• Deer can give birth to twins and triplets.

What do they look like?

• Smallest member of the North American deer family, weighing between 90 and 300 pounds.

• Tan or brown in summer, grayish

brown in winter with a white patch on the throat, around the eyes and nose, on the stomach and under the tail.

What do they eat?

• Mostly plants: twigs, leaves, grass, fruit, mushrooms and nuts.

What eats them?

• Predators include bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, wild dogs and humans. Hunting helps keep the population in balance with its food supply. (Please note, hunting is prohibited in The Woodlands.)

Why do we need them?

• Grazers, such as deer, are critical links in the food chain, transferring energy from plants to predators.

Want more information?

Within The Woodlands, whitetailed deer are found throughout densely wooded areas and can be seen grazing in open spaces or near local waterways. Be on the lookout for deer, especially around dawn and dusk, on the sides of roads and the edge of heavily wooded areas.

Iconic in the community, statues of deer welcome residents and visitors alike to The Woodlands.

By Ann Hall

Turning Waste into Riches in Your Own Backyard

Pop quiz: What do fallen leaves, coffee grounds, pine needles and egg shells have in common? If you said that they’re waste, well, you’re half right. They are, but also so much more. These items, along with most other organic matter from your kitchen and yard, are a resource. Through the simple process of composting you can transform your waste into “black gold” – nutrient-rich fertilizer that plants and lawns thrive on.

What is compost?

Composting is nature’s form of recycling and the benefits abound: improved soil health, less material in our landfills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, less need for chemical fertilizers and a never-ending supply of free nutrients for your lawn and landscape. It’s easier than you think, and it can happen right in your backyard.

Compost is born of four basic elements: air, water, brown plant material (supplies carbon) and green plant material (supplies nitrogen). The brown and green materials take many forms:

Brown Material

• Leaves

• Pine needles

• Dried yard trimmings (dead branches, plants)

• Frozen plant material (from winter freezes)

• Shredded cardboard

• Shredded newspaper

• Nut shells

Green Material

• Vegetable scraps and peelings

• Fruit cores and peelings

• Egg shells

• Coffee grounds

• Tea bags

• Grass clippings

Not everything can be composted, though. Some items require too long to break down. Others tend to attract pests or spread weeds.

Do Not Compost

• Fat or fatty products

• Oily products

• Dairy

• Meat, fish or bones

• Cooked foods

• Weeds

• Pet waste

• Manures

How does it work?

Composting can happen anywhere. In fact, it does every day on the forest floor. Choose a sunny or shady spot; in our southeast Texas climate it doesn’t matter. Clear the area to bare soil to

allow decomposers (bacteria, fungi, microscopic organisms) to move from the soil up into the composting material. Laying materials down in a loose pile works just fine. Many home composters, though, prefer to use a bin to keep the pile orderly. Bins come in many shapes and sizes; a simple four-paneled one works great (read on to find out where to get a good one).

Once the site is prepared, layer brown and green material alternately to create the perfect environment for decomposition. As soon as the material hits the ground microorganisms go to work decomposing and generating heat. Heat, which accelerates the process, is best generated in a pile that is approximately one cubic yard.

An actively heating compost pile will heat for three to five days, reaching temperatures of 80-160 degrees Fahrenheit. As the bin cools, other decomposers continue the maturing process, unlocking essential nutrients for plants. You can help them out and speed up the process by turning the pile – mixing it with a pitchfork or shovel –about once a week.

With regular mixing you’ll have mature, ready-to-use, compost in just a few months. Don’t have the time or energy to mix your pile? No worries. Decomposition will continue on its own, but it’ll take a little longer. You’ll know your compost is finished by its dark brown color, crumbly texture and rich earthy smell.

Now, enjoy the fruits of the decomposers’ labor! Apply those enriching nutrients to house plants, outdoor containers, planting beds, vegetable gardens and even your lawn. And brag to your neighbors how you’re mining black gold right in your own backyard.

To help you along the way, The Woodlands Township makes available high-quality collapsible wire compost bins for $50 (halfoff retail). Contact the Township Environmental Services Department at 281-210-3900, or email enviro@ thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov.

WINTER BREAK CAMP

Give the gift of fun to the kids this season at our holiday break camps! Campers will enjoy indoor and outdoor games, crafts, theme days, special snacks, visits to the parks, Ga-Ga ball, foursquare and more!

For more information on Sunny Dayz Camp, as well as our policies and procedures during COVID-19, please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/sunnydayzcamp.

2020 WINTER CAMP

Week 1: December 21, 22, 23, 24

*Camp closes at 3 p.m., December 24

Week 2: December 28, 29, 30, 31

*Camp closes at 3 p.m., December 31

Ages: 6 – 12

The Recreation Center at Rob Fleming Park, 6464 Creekside Forest Drive

7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted*

$50 Daily; $125 Three-Day; $175 Four-Day

*Sunny Dayz Camp will continue to monitor CISD and TISD school schedules throughout the fall.*