HIM Food Pantry: Tips For The Well-Intended But Very Busy

In 2025, Woodland Heights is an affluent neighborhood. We are truly blessed to enjoy the quality of life that we do. It’s incumbent upon us to share some of our good fortune, to give a hand up to others who are in need. In a country and neighborhood like ours, no-one should go hungry.

Earlier this month Zion Lutheran Church held a service camp. A group of young people undertook a week of various projects in service to the community. One of the things they did was to distribute contribution bags for the Houston Interfaith Ministries (HIM) Food Pantry throughout the neighborhood. Some of these bags were available at our July Member’s Meeting. We made sure that any remaining were also distributed to porches in the neighborhood.

The bags get distributed, but only a portion are filled for collection. Everyone is so very busy with the basics of life. Work, home, kids. It can be a lot. It can be difficult to make time for the other things we might want to do, like dealing with the HIM Food Pantry contribution bags. So, I’m here to offer a couple of tips on ways you can help that take very little time or effort.

Amazon

HIM Food Pantry maintains an Amazon Wish List. That means that you can make a contribution of they very things that they really need, right from the comfort of your own home or office. Heck, do it from your phone while you’re waiting to pickup the kids or going through the car wash!

Kroger

Woodland Heights is literally hemmed in by Kroger stores. So, chances are very good that you shop at Kroger. You can link your Kroger Plus card to Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry (organization #NR183.) Once this is done, every time you shop at Kroger, the company will send a small amount to the Food Pantry. It costs you nothing except a few minutes to get it setup. We’re told that such ongoing contributions are a significant source of revenue to the Food Pantry. Click here to get started.

There you have it! Two ways to help those in need, with very little effort. Of course, for the more traditional, you can always drop donations to the “Feed Frank” depository in the parking lot at: Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry, 3523 Beauchamp, Houston, TX 77009.

Cycling Into the 4th - WHCA Kids Bicycle Parade

Our neighborhood came alive on the 4th as we all joined in the celebration. The annual 4th of July Kids Bicycle Parade on the Norhill esplanade was a vibrant display of our community spirit, with free watermelon, face painting, popsicles, and waterloos adding to the festive atmosphere.

Our newest board member, Dallas Jagneaux Boyle, and her husband, Travis Boyle, played a pivotal role in coordinating this first event in her new tenure as  Director of Membership. Their dedication and hard work made this a successful event. We look forward to seeing more of their efforts in the upcoming months as they continue to bring new events to our neighborhood meetings. Stay tuned!

Our parade was led by a unique feature, a 1930 Ford Coupe, driven by Charles Philpott, a proud member of the Restorer Model A Ford Club of America.  This vintage automobile, a cherished part of his family's history, has been in their possession for an impressive 65 years. To learn more about this vintage automobile, visit the July 4th newsletter in the WHCA Newsletter Archives.

We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to parade pace setters Travis and Michael Graves, who led the parade behind Charles, with a celebratory flag runner to keep all the kiddos safe and behind the Ford Coupe. Their voluntary efforts and dedication made the event a success. They did a great job, so kudos to them for their run.

Our WHCA Constable Patrol Precinct 1 Deputies, Jacob Lemmons and Amanda Suggs, played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of our little ones. Their diligent work in making sure the kiddos knew the safety rules before the start of the parade, and their continuous efforts during the event, made sure everyone had a safe and enjoyable ride.

President's Report: What's in a Name?

My early life reads like an outline of the screenplay for Wayne’s World. Community cable TV production, love of music, Queen…all of it. I developed a deep love of the technology of media and the arts. I spent my professional life oscillating between those two spaces. Along the way, I’ve done quite a lot of writing. Writing for magazines, newsletters, multiple websites, blogging, and most recently, this newsletter.

Further, I have a deep love of comedy. I’m drawn to the silly, with great admiration for the likes of Adams, Carlin, Python, and Yankovic. This naturally gives rise to an appreciation of the subtleties of language. And occasionally, despite my best efforts, I exhibit some amount of pedantry.

I joined the WHCA for the first time in January 2017 in the role of Director of Communications. In that role, I was responsible for the website and the newsletter. I did my best to address my responsibilities. One of the things I did was to create a modern version of the WHCA boundary map in Adobe Illustrator. This replaced a much older map (in a raster format) that didn’t have much detail. From this exercise, I think I have a reasonable grasp of where Woodland Heights begins and ends. At least generally, where it is and isn’t.

So, I was a bit surprised to recently find The Leader running a story promoting a new apartment building east of White Oak Music Hall. The story very clearly stated that the building was in "Woodland Heights." I think I can say with certainty that Woodland Heights does not extend east of I-45. Traveling east of I-45 along North Main, you enter Glen Park, which is part of The Near Northside. I have friends who live over there.

It's plain that "The Heights" holds much appeal for marketers. While a portion of the Houston Heights, as classically defined, was south of I-10, recent developments include "The Lower Heights," which pushes east to include the new Home Depot, on over to Sawyer Street. This is not in any way associated with "The Heights" from a historical perspective. That doesn't stop developers from leveraging proximity to "The Heights" when promoting their projects. The Heights is a very walkable neighborhood. The Lower Heights much less so.

A real estate developer seeking to promote a new multi-story apartment building on Keene Street attempts to add value by an association with Woodland Heights. Woodland Heights is a more recognizable brand than Glen Park or The Near Northside. It's worth mentioning that Glen Park is zoned to Travis Elementary School. There simply are no multi-story apartment buildings in Woodland Heights.

As president of WHCA, I felt uniquely positioned to see this erroneous claim corrected. So, I reported it to The Leader. To my surprise, the author responded promptly, promising to correct the error. It took them a couple weeks, but they eventually made good on that promise. The article now refers to the six-story building on Keene Street as part of the "emerging White Oak District," even though the article's URL still refers to Woodland Heights.

Even that language is amusing and familiar. Last year, when seeking sponsors for Lights in the Heights 2024, we used "White Oak Entertainment District" to describe the collection of bars, restaurants, and shops along White Oak Drive, from Michaux West to Heights Boulevard.

There are myriad neighborhoods in the vast city of Houston. We all love it here in Woodland Heights. We appreciate the character of the neighborhood. The charming, historic homes with front porches! The walkable streets, great green spaces, and schools with Spark Parks. People walk their dogs in the evening. As the sign says, it's our little hometown near downtown.

On The Future of Stude Park

I believe that Stude Park is a diamond in the rough. It’s a great big green space along the south edge of the neighborhood. From the community center, playground, and pool to bike trail and ball fields, it has a lot to offer. On July 4th, the park will doubtless be full of festive families picnicking and enjoying a good view of the fireworks.

While all that is true, Stude Park could be a lot more. Recognizing this fact, the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ5) has started to work on plans for Stude Park. The process began with TIRZ5 engaging the SWA Group to study the park, its users, and their usage patterns, paving the way for crafting a design for its future.

Members of the WHCA board have participated in some initial meetings. The designers at SWA are starting by trying to understand who uses the park and learn how it might be improved to encourage greater use in the future. It has tremendous potential. While many things are being considered, one of the first changes will likely be improvements to the playground near the community center.

Unlike some other parks, there is no formal “Friends of…” group for Stude Park. Normally, a “friends” group would partner with the TIRZ5 and the designers to help gather public input. WHCA intends to fill that gap. We are seeking to ensure that the neighborhood is well and truly engaged in this effort to revitalize the park.

These are early days in what will surely be a lengthy process, but it seems apparent that the future of Stude Park will be bright. We expect to eventually seek your help to make that happen.

LITH 2025 Ornament Designs Deadline Tuesday, July 1, 2025

July 1st is just a few days away, but you still have time to turn in your entry for the 2025 LITH Ornament Design Competition!

The winning design will be featured on LITH signs, posters, letters, T-shirts, and the Official LITH Cloisonne Ornament! In keeping with tradition, the artist’s name will be included on the underside of the ornament and mentioned on the card that comes with it.

So get your pens, pencils, crayons, computer skills (whichever you choose) out and design your entry today! Then, email your submissions to LightsInTheHeights@gmail.com by July 1, 2025 

4th of July Kids Bicycle Parade Friday, July 4, 2025

The WHCA 4th of July Kids Bicycle Parade is one week away! This annual event will be held at the Norhill Esplanade. It is open to all kids in the neighborhood. Parents and kids are encouraged to decorate their bicycles in their favorite colors to take part in a parade around the Norhill Esplanade. The WHCA Constable Patrol will be on hand to assist with parade festivities and ensure everyone's safety. 

Please join our community celebration of American Independence at the Norhill Esplanade on July 4th.  Kids can decorate their bikes to join the parade, and families can stay afterward to enjoy the music and refreshments.

There will be free popsicles; watermelon and Waterloos; along with face painting; and some red, white, and blue glow sticks for all the kiddos. We hope to see you there!

Yard of the Month - 802 Bayland

Jackie Perry has lived in her home on the corner of Bayland and Watson for 8-plus years.

"I grew up with a family of gardeners-mostly vegetables. My deceased grandmother  is laughing in heaven since I detested garden maintenance as a kid."

While her degree is in business, her love of gardening and possibly the influence of her family's vegetable gardens led her to take many horticulture classes while pursuing her degree.

"I took 50-60 credit hours of horticulture classes at the University of Delaware. I learned a LOT! Being there expanded my plant palette immensely."

When asked what her inspiration is for choosing what to grow in her yard, Jackie said, "If it grows in the shade, I will look at it, and then what I choose is personal taste."

For a shady garden, Jackie suggests, “I love coleus for my abundant shade.  So much hybridization has gone on for years. They are colorful, ornamental, and tough!”

Her front yard, which sits in deep shade, holds a colorful mix of coleus and caladiums who find the shade a great place to grow under in our Houston sunny climate.

Joshua’s Native Plants on 18th Street is a local nursery she visits and buys from regularly, “I love Joshua’s.  He is a fountain of knowledge, and he has specimen plants.”

Taking a walk through her garden, you’ll find several native plants growing and providing a friendly environment for various flying, crawling, or buzzing pollinators and  … including anoles, chameleons, toads, butterflies, moths, all sorts of birds. 

Some plants you’re likely to find in her garden include Rivina humilis (pigeon berry), Myrica cerifera ( bayberry), Dryopteris ludoviciana ( Southern wood fern), Salvia lyrata (lyre leaf sage), Hibiscus coccineus (Texas star hibiscus), Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed), Aquilegia chrysantha (Texas yellow columbine), Datura wrightii (Angel trumpet), Echinacea purpurea (purple coneflower), Ruellia, Spigelia marilandica (Indian pink), Sephora secundiflora (Texas mountain laurel), Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry), Gelsemium sempervirens (Carolina jasmine), Osmunda cinnamonea (cinnamon fern), Onoclea sensibilis (sensitive fern). But her favorites are gardenias.

It takes a bit of time to tend such a beautiful garden; Jackie says that this time of year, during the growing season, it can take about 15 hours a week to keep up with her plants.

When asked about her favorite part of the garden, she responded, “My favorite is creating colorful, cohesive beds in the shade (a challenge).  My least favorite is cleaning up the constant mess created by the 5 live oaks.”

Her reaction to having her yard recognized as Yard of the Month, Jackie says she’s “Proud of my creation and of its recognition.”

WHCA July Members Meeting

The July WHCA Members Meeting will take place on July 8th at Zion Lutheran Church. Many thanks to Zion for allowing us to use their meeting room; it is greatly appreciated. This is the first members meeting of the WHCA's fiscal year, which began in June.

We have a few items to give you updates on, including:

• LITH Bash Updates and 2025 Route

• Stude Park Improvements with TIRZ 5 and SWA

• New Partnership Program with Boy Scouts

We hope you will take some time to meet with your neighbors and help us all make Woodland Heights a great place to live!

WHCA May 2025 Financial Statement

What Does the WHCA Do?

Someone once asked why they should belong to the WHCA? What did the organization do for them? I’ve been thinking about this for a long time. I care deeply about the neighborhood. Very clearly, the rest of the board feels the same way. Otherwise, why commit so much of our time to its upkeep?

Some of what WHCA does is very well known. We host special events, such as the bi-annual Home Tour, Lights in the Heights, and an annual July 4th kids event, which is coming up in July. The Constable Patrol is an obvious benefit to the neighborhood. However, much of what the WHCA does is not readily apparent. Today, I’d like to shed some light on something we do that benefits you but isn’t as visible.

Land Use & Deed Restrictions

WHCA provides oversight of the terms of “land use” in the neighborhood. This actually takes a considerable effort. Julie Moore is just now taking up the seat on the board dedicated to this task. She’s the new Director of Deed Restrictions. Even that title doesn’t really shed much insight into what’s involved.

There are various factors that impact land use, including deed restrictions, historic districts, and special minimum lot size restrictions. All are efforts made to protect the character of the neighborhood. A specific action may pertain to one property but is taken in the interest of the neighborhood as a whole.

The term “deed restriction” is a simplification. A single property may be subject to restrictions put in place by a prior owner. More typically, they are subject to terms crafted by a group of neighbors, applicable to a specific portion of the neighborhood.

Woodland Heights is actually the amalgamation of 50+ smaller neighborhoods. Some have deed restrictions. Others do not. The details are available on the land use page of our website. Since rejoining the board in 2024, I’ve been personally involved in several related actions. A couple of these are useful in highlighting how such matters go.

Deed Restrictions and Historic Districts

People generally bristle at the very notion of 'deed restrictions' or anything that might impact their ability to do as they please with their property. Why should we put up with such constraints in the land of the free? At the very same time, no one wants a liquor store, massage parlor, or vape shop as their newest neighbor.

WHCA has a role in making sure that where neighbors go to the effort of putting in place rules, they are both known and followed. This is one way that WHCA acts, in an often unseen manner, in the best interest of the neighborhood.

Not everything in this sphere is stopping people from doing things. Sometimes, we get to provide clarification that makes things possible. A couple of recent land use requests WHCA has reviewed and provided opinions to the COH Planning Commission on are as follows.

No Funny Business

In the summer of 2024, the WHCA was approached by someone seeking to operate a business from their home along Bayland Avenue in the Norhill Addition. Without getting into too much detail, the business they intended to start required a license from a federal agency. That agency contacted WHCA to verify the business would be allowed at that address.

The Norhill Addition deed restrictions clearly designate properties in the area that are for residential use only. The Director of Deed Restrictions advised the agency that running a business was expressly prohibited at that address. As such, the permit was not issued. The business did not come to pass, at least not operating from that address.

It’s worth noting that WHCA had no part in crafting the deed restrictions or their adoption. That was previous undertaken by neighbors who generated enough Norhill Addition support to establish deed restrictions for their area and file those restrictions with the state. WHCA has only an oversight role of ensuring those deed restrictions are upheld after the fact.

Historic District Example

The Woodland Heights Historic District was created in 2011. It protects a designated area comprised of homes built by the William A. Wilson Company between 1907 and 1935.

These are homes original to the founding of the neighborhood (our home is one of those homes.) In November 2024, the WHCA supported a neighborhood family in their effort to get a property on Morrison Street reclassified with respect to the historic district. The property in question was built well after 1935. Its manner of construction and the materials used were not consistent with the homes that rightly have historic district protections. Homes built after 1935 are not considered "contributing" to the historic district, so they are not subject to historic district protections.

Furthermore, the surrounding neighbors were unanimous in their support for reclassifying the home as "non-contributing." That would allow it to be taken down (or moved) and a new home built on the property. After review, and because the home was built outside the historic district's specified time frame, the WHCA issued a letter in support of the homeowner's petition to the Historical Commission. I appeared at a public session to give voice to that letter.

In this case, the homeowner prevailed. We're told they will eventually build a new home on the property. The new home is expected to be much more aligned with the character of the original Wilson homes that are its neighbors.

Exceptions Possible?

Someone asked if the WHCA board might consider making an exception for a particular idea. My impression is that we cannot. After neighbors go to the effort to see these terms agreed upon and enacted, who are we to set them aside? This is beyond the WHCA's authority and would be disrespectful to the neighbors who crafted their deed restrictions. WHCA’s obligation is to ensure they are upheld and defended when necessary.

Sidewalk Repairs

Who’s Responsible for Sidewalks in Houston?

Recently we received an email from a neighbor regarding sidewalk repairs. As a neighborhood over 100 years old, we face sidewalks being in major disrepair or missing altogether. Well-maintained sidewalks improve safety for kids walking to school, enhance accessibility for residents with disabilities, and boost our neighborhood’s charm and property values.

When a sidewalk needs repair, the question of who is responsible for that repair inevitably arises. In Houston, the adjacent property owner is responsible for installing, repairing, and maintaining sidewalks, not the City (Code of Ordinances Article III, Sections 40-83 & 84) This applies to both residential and commercial properties and includes addressing issues like broken or missing sidewalk segments. It can be frustrating when homeowners can’t or won’t repair sidewalks, but there is some hope.

New Sidewalks - When Updates Are Required

A sidewalk must be installed or brought up to standard when

• A new home is built.

• A major addition or substantial improvement is made to an existing home.

If you observe new construction or significant renovations without installing a sidewalk, it may be out of compliance. Such instances can be reported to the City’s Permitting Enforcement Team via 311 online or through the 311 app. One way Woodland Heights can see improved sidewalks is by ensuring that these sidewalk ordinances are enforced, especially as the neighborhood continues to experience rapid redevelopment.

Other Options?

While the WHCA does not have the funds or resources to repair neighbors' sidewalks, we are exploring ways to help neighbors tackle sidewalk repairs.  We've discovered the following information after speaking with contractors who are experienced with the permitting process.

• Each repair must have its own permit

• Concrete costs can be expensive, even for small jobs

While this may not sound promising, we will contact our Council Member to see if he can assist with other options. One idea we came up with was potentially pooling multiple resident requests to create a larger, more cost-effective project. We cannot guarantee that this is possible, but we will explore the idea with our Council Member and see if he has any thoughts.

In the meantime, if you know of a contractor who might do small jobs or if you have other ideas on how we can approach this as a community, we'd love to hear from you! Email us at infrastructure@woodland-heights.org.

Calling All Razorbacks! Hogg Alumni Assistance Requested!

By Melanie Gehman

A call is going out to all Hogg Alumni to help with the planning and celebration of Hogg Middle Schools 100th Anniversary! The Hogg Centennial Planning Committee is looking for Alumni who would like to join in the planning for this celebration. They are also looking for any memorabilia, photos, and memories you may want to share to make the event one to remember.

If you would like to help please email Ms. Chance at mchance@houstonisd.org. Show your Razorback Pride and pitch in to help make the Centennial a wonderful one!

LITH - Call For Ornament Designs Open

How would you like your design to be the official Lights in the Heights Logo for 2025 and on the annual Lights in the Heights ornament?

It’s that time of year again to invite our neighbors and friends to be a part of Lights in the Heights history by asking anyone who is interested to submit your design ideas to the Committee for a chance to be selected as this year’s Lights in the Heights ornament design and logo!

The 2025 LITH logo design will be on signs, posters, letters, T-shirts, and tree ornaments. Keeping with tradition, the artist’s name will be included on the underside of the ornament and mentioned on the card that comes with it.

Please email your submissions to LightsInTheHeights@gmail.com by July 1, 2025.

Last year’s ornament design winner was Hogg’s own running champion Karla Cisneros, whose affinity for the Travis dinosaur and Space City was her inspiration for the design. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

2026 Houston Home Tour Call for Home Entries

The WHCA Home Tour is the neighborhood's biggest fundraiser, netting almost $44,000 in 2024, thanks to the many volunteers, local business sponsors, and enthusiastic tour-goers.

If you have a historic Woodland Heights Home you would like to be considered for the 2026 Home Tour, please contact Louise Moss at limoss@comcast.net or Megan Mastal at mmastal@insightspr.com. The Home Tour Committee will begin viewing potential homes in June. The goal is to showcase Woodland Heights' historic charm with homes of various sizes, architectural styles, and décor. All homes need to be original, but renovations and additions are welcome.

Early this fall, we will look for "a few good neighbors" to help on the committee with event planning and management. It's a fun way to meet more neighbors and support your community. If interested, please let Louise or Megan know if you'd like to be part of making it happen. All talents and interests are welcome.

Next spring, we'll expand the volunteer opportunities as more than 150 docents are needed for the home tour weekend - that call will go out in early 2026. Interested in sponsoring? Just let us know! Welcome spring!

Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fight Hunger

Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry

Did you know that right around the corner on Beauchamp Street, many of your neighbors volunteer weekly to package and deliver food to needy families? The  Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry (HIM) has been in operation since June 2009, and its volunteer crew has continued without interruption through hurricanes, floods, freezing weather, and even a global pandemic.

"Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry serves families across Houston from a small outpost in the Heights. The Pantry works to respectfully nourish our neighbors in need with food and resources to help improve their lives. Since the Pantry opened in 2009, we have relied on the support of our community to make this happen. We currently serve nearly 200 families weekly, and our volunteers and community donors are critically important to our mission," said Laurie  Hardwick, Treasurer of Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry.

Serving Neighbors in Need

The Heights Interfaith Ministries Pantry provides clients a nutritious selection of food items, including non-perishable staples, eggs, fresh produce, basic toiletries, frozen meat, bread and sweets, and other items as available. In 2024, they served (2024 Annual Report.)

• 9,753 families, a 10% increase over 2023

• 19% of clients served were new to the Pantry

• Distributed over 630,000 pounds of food

• Over 335 volunteers provided 9,282 service hours

• Served an average of 195 families weekly from across the Houston area

• Provided close to 60 pounds of food to each client served

Six member churches (Christ the King Catholic Church, Church at 1548 Heights, St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, St. Mark's United Methodist, The Vineyard of Houston, and Zion Lutheran Church) provide operational oversight and volunteer and financial support for the Heights Interfaith Ministries Food Pantry. Second Servings Houston, Kroger, Panera, El Rancho, Starbucks, Apple Spice Catering, and The Kolache Shoppe provide additional partnerships and community support.

Interested in helping?

There are many ways you can become a part of neighbors helping neighbors fight hunger, including:

• Volunteering - The Pantry needs over 40 volunteers every week to operate. No prior experience is needed.

• Hold a food drive – Ongoing needs include meals in a can (chili, ravioli, hearty soups, etc.), canned beans,

• pasta and sauce, vegetables, and peanut butter. Every donation helps!

• Make a monetary donation - Your donations help us purchase staples weekly.

To learn more information or sign up, visit the HIM website at himfoodpantry.org

Yard of the Month - 719 Bayland

Patricia Schaeper has lived in her Bayland Bungalow surrounded by gardens for the last 25 years. Originally from Canada, she was unable to bring any hand-me-down plants with her; however, she did bring her green thumb and Master Gardener Certification.

Her favorite plant stores, Another Place in Time (where she volunteers and the owner is a friend) and Treesearch Farms, have both helped her fill her flower beds with plants she likes. Native plants you'll find in her gardens include Greggi blue mist, wood ferns, and milkweed. Other plants include Peggy Martin roses, Salvias, Carnations of India, Pavonia, Shrimp plants, Camellias, Philadelphias, Cleome, Clivia, Firebush, Meyer lemons, Gardenias, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, and Mallow. For cold-weather plants, she likes tulips, daffodils, peonies, and hydrangeas.

The combination of plants she has in her garden provides an oasis for hummingbirds, woodpeckers, birds, and squirrels.

When asked about the amount of time she devotes to her yard and garden, she says,

"Probably an hour, sometimes more, but who's counting?"

Creature Feature: May 2025

Back in 2017, when I was first elected to the WHCA board, it was difficult to get contributions for the newsletter. So, I took it upon myself to create things. One of the things I started was the “Creature Feature.” It combined stories about animals in the neighborhood with a play on the cheesy TV series that ran old scary movies.

May has certainly been a month for creatures hereabouts. Our dog Julio is pretty recognizable. He and I get out to the various parks and pathways where we see all manner of things.

Walking around Woodland Park one day we encountered some kids having soccer practice. One of the kids kicked a ball high into a tree where it got stuck. We were able to use Julio’s long leash to help them shake the branch, recovering the ball.

Veering off into the wooded trails we saw a Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron guarding a nest. The official bird of Houston, they are often found nesting in the oaks along Bayland Avenue.

A few days later, Julio pulled me over to the corner of Bayland and Florence. He was drawn there by a new chicken coop that a neighbor had installed along their fence line. He found the young chickens extremely interesting.

Just this week we encountered a red-eared slider turtle attempting to cross White Oak Drive. This one was a good ten inches across. Since turtles and traffic don’t mix, we relocated the beasty to a leafy spot well off the road. Once recovered from the shock of being handled, he made his into the underbrush.

There are around 2000 homes in Woodland Heights, with lots of people and pets. But we also share the neighborhood with a great many wild things.Take a moment to look around you when you're out on a walk ... and if you spot interesting wildlife send us a photo or two. We'd love to feature them in this newsletter.

WHCA Constable Patrol Activity Report

Working Diligently to Keep Woodland Heights Safe

April 1 - April 30, 2025 - Total Call: 418
By Beth Sorensen

Hi Woodland Heights neighbors,

Friendly reminder, please call the Constable Dispatch line at (713) 755-7628 to report any suspicious activity or incidents, even if they seem minor - like a wagon or package stolen, or cars being rummaged through.

Reporting helps the Deputies identify patterns and know if similar incidents are happening repeatedly in our area. Even small reports help paint a bigger picture.

Helping Our Youngest Neighbors 

If you happened to see 145 first graders walking through the neighborhood on May 1st - no, it wasn’t a parade (though it may have looked like one)! It was the annual First Grade Walking Field Trip to Woodland Park. Travis Elementary and Friends of Woodland Park team up each year to teach students about the park’s hiking trails, butterfly garden, and the local critters that call it home.

Deputy Lemons once again showed his dedication to our community by helping ensure all those excited first graders made it to the park and back safely. He blocked traffic on Houston Avenue so the kids and their chaperones could cross without worry - a small act that made a big difference. Deputy Lemons never hesitates to say yes when asked to assist with school events like this. His consistent presence is a valued part of what makes our neighborhood feel safe and supported.

One parent who attended the trip shared this:

"I had the pleasure of chaperoning the Woodland Park field trip with my first grader, and it was such a fun day. A special thank you to Deputy Lemons who escorted us. His kindness, professionalism, and attentive presence made the trip feel both safe and welcoming for everyone involved."

We’re grateful to have such committed patrol support in Woodland Heights — thank you, Deputy Lemons! And thank you to all our neighbors who contribute to the Constable Program, because of you, we are able to have this increased safety presence.

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We'd Like to Hear From You!

Have you had a positive experience with our Constable that made a difference in your life or the safety of our community? We want to hear about it! Whether it was help during an emergency, assistance with a concern, or simply their presence making you feel secure, your stories matter.

Please share your story with us by emailing security@woodland-heights.org. Your experiences help highlight the Constable's important role in keeping Woodland Heights safe and thriving.

Thank you for taking the time to share your gratitude and support!

WHCA April 2025 Financial Statement

Welcome to the New WHCA Board Members!

WHCA Board Elections - Results Are In

The results of the 2025 WHCA Board Elections are in. We thank all the candidates who stepped forward to run for office. Your willingness to serve out neighborhood is what makes Woodland Heights the hometown near downtown that it is.

Here are your new Woodland Height Civic Association Board Members:

Sara Smithey

Secretary

June 2025 - May 2027

Dallas Jagneaux Boyle

Director of Membership

June 2025 - May 2027

Julie Moore

Director of Deed Restrictions

June 2025 - May 2027

Doug Carroll

Treasurer

June 2025 - May 2027

Brian Edmundson

Director of Infrastructure

June 2025 - May 2027

Congratulations to all the new and returning WHCA Board Members we appreciate each one of you.