Greetings!
Why do people dance around the Maypole and what does it have to do with the month of May?
The maypole dance is a spring ritual long known to Western Europeans. Usually conducted on May 1 (May Day), the ceremonial folk dance is performed around a tall pole garlanded with greenery or flowers and often hung with ribbons that are woven into complex patterns by the dancers. The maypole tradition dates back to the dances ancient people used to do around actual trees in celebration of the end of winter and the start of planting in hopes of harvesting a large crop.
Maypoles were once common all over England and were kept in villages from one year to the next. Schools would practice skipping round the pole for weeks before the final show on the village greens. The end results would be either a beautiful plaited pattern of ribbons round the pole or a tangled cat's cradle, depending on how much rehearsing had been done. 😁
|
|
Many thanks to all of you who showed up for our splendid April meeting, hosted by Bill and Monique Studak. We are in the process of rethinking our schedule for future meetings, and will incorporate more meetings at our neighbors’ homes. The Board has also agreed to start our future Civic Club meetings at 7:00 pm. Stay tuned for more details!
Our Civic Club meeting on May 16th will be at Spurlock Park at 7:00 pm. This will be a community gathering to learn about committee activities planned for the next fiscal year and give people an opportunity to sign up. It’s also a great opportunity to meet your fellow Idylwoodians.
The event is BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage), BYN (Bring Your Neighbor) and BYC (Bring Your Chair). People are encouraged to bring their own beverages and a snack to share.
We are starting to plan for Idylwood’s 100th Anniversary in 2028. There will be a meeting on May 14 at 6:00 pm, hosted by Diane Schenke and Karen Giesen at 6715 Fairfield. We are encouraging people to come with some ideas about how to celebrate that event. During our 90th anniversary, we hosted a home tour that brought many visitors to the neighborhood. What ideas do you have for our 100th?
Over the summer, we will be focused on the elections for the next Fiscal Year’s Board and officers. (All meetings starting at 7:00 pm)
- June 20: Meeting to select Election Committee (Irma Nino’s house, 6625 Meadowlawn)
- July 17: Report from Elections Committee on selection of candidates (Patricia Hattenbach’s home, 1404 N. McGregor Way)
- August 15: Announcement of Election Results—Spurlock Park
Regards,
Diane Schenke
President
Idylwood Civic Club
|
|
Idylwood Beautification Event |
|
Thanks to everyone who took time out of their Saturday morning and participated in the neighborhood cleanup on April 15th.
We had 10 volunteers and collected 30 bags of trash including 12-18 bags of storm drain debris. These were so heavy that the first one broke when the City trash came to pick them up!! Some of the storm drains were completely hidden by the accumulated debris. When Council Member Sallie Alcorn stopped by, she said that she wished all neighborhoods in Houston would pitch in to keep the storm drains cleared to help prevent localized flooding.
Additional kudos to Steve Palmer and Danika Murphy for their back-breaking work. 🏋️♀️
|
|
Houston Public Works - Last Chance! |
|
Did you know? A 50-gallon rain barrel at a single-family home in Houston saves about 2,880 gallons per year when used regularly. Order your discounted rain barrel and/or compost bins by clicking the button below. Then pick up your items on May 20, at the Houston Permitting Center (1002 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77002).
|
|
At our last Civic Club meeting, Joaquin Martinez with Council Member Gallegos’ office was asked about the Lawndale Dog Park and said ground should break sometime this summer.
Joaquin was able to share with the neighborhood the finalized Site Plan from the City of Houston for when construction starts on the Lawndale lot. Click on the image below to view the full document.
|
|
What’s the best way to show your East End Pride?
Finca Tres Robles is excited to announce the inaugural Salsa de Mayo Bike Ride! Join them on Sat. May 13th for a family friendly 6 mile tour of East End gems guided by the team at East End Bike Ride, who will lead riders through points of interest in the East End as part of the celebration of the neighborhood flavors.
Proceeds from the ride registration will benefit Wellness on Wheels, whose mission is to assist youth struggling with mental health issues through adventure therapy within cycling.
Registry is $30 for individuals and $45 for families and all bike riders will get a La Cosecha T-shirt.
|
|
Salsa de Mayo Festival Schedule
- 10:00 am: Event Kick-Off
- 10:10 am: Bike Ride
- 10:30 am – 1:00 pm: Salsa Tasting
- 10:30 am – 3:00 pm: Music, games, food, artists, vendors
- 2:00 pm: Salsa Winners Announced
|
|
County Commissioner Internships |
|
DEED RESTRICTIONS - REMINDER |
|
As a reminder, Section 3.2 of the Deed Restrictions describes Construction Material. All buildings shall be constructed with an exterior consisting of a majority of brick, concrete, stone or stucco. Hardiplank and similar fiber cement siding and composition materials will not be included in computing the required majority. (detached garages and outbuildings excepted)
For more details, download a copy of the deed restrictions here
|
|
Idylwood Community Exchange is now
Idylwood Neighborhood Exchange
|
|
The former Idylwood Community Exchange is now being hosted on Google Groups as the Idylwood Neighborhood Exchange. To request an invitation for this group, please send a request to: Barc.Lee2020@gmail.com
Please note that like its predecessor, this group is privately maintained by a resident, and not managed by the ICC Board.
|
|
Idylwood Pet of the Month |
|
Our best friends now get their turn in the spotlight! They bring us so much love, joy, exercise, friendship, and truthfully, higher grocery bills!! So, here we go..... |
|
Say hello to my little friend... |
|
We would like everyone to meet 3-month old Petey, temporary resident of Merry Lane at the home of Doug & Amy Lawson. Petey was rescued by Doug from an uncertain fate along the trail head at Lawndale and N. MacGregor. He has been enjoying long naps, chasing fuzzy mice and eating delicious crunchies, all the while getting on his older sisters' nerves. Petey is looking for his forever home and is currently up for adoption at Friends For Life. He would like to remind us all to spay and neuter our pets (both indoor and outdoor) because there are so many kitties that need to find homes. Best of luck to this little guy!
|
|
Neighbors: Submit your pet(s) to be featured in upcoming newsletters by sending 1-3 photos with a short story about your best friend(s) with the subject line "Pet(s) of the Month" to: idylwoodgardenclub@gmail.com
|
|
Friendly Reminder From The Pets
For the health and safety of all neighborhood pets and people,
please scoop our poop!
|
|
Please watch for email updates for the meetings from
Idylwood.neighbors.group@gmail.com.
|
|
Garden Club Upcoming Meeting Dates
First Saturdays of the Month from 10 am-noon
(Possible exceptions for Labor Day and New Year's Weekends-then it's the 2nd Sat.)
New members are welcome to join us!!
May 6, 2023: Field Trip to the Eastern Glades at Memorial Park; Lunch at Beck's Prime in the park. Emails to our members have carpool, parking, and lunch details-please read and RSVP).
June, July, August: Summer break!!
(Sept. 9, 2023: First meeting of 2023-2024: second Saturday due to the Labor Day Weekend!!)
For more information, contact the Garden Club President:
|
|
Spring Birding Guide: Eight species to look for now!!
The Texas birder, Gary Clark, featured a guide on how to look for these most colorful birds in his April 22, 2023 article in the Houston Chronicle. He tells of the spring migration that has begun and where to spot these neotropical birds migrating from Latin America to North America - and they are along our Texas coast and in Houston! Some may be seen in our neighborhood! Click on the link below to learn more and see the stunning photographs of these marvelous travelers!!
|
|
Prepare For Monarch Season By Planting Native Milkweed!
Monarch butterflies are a delighful sight to see in our gardens. But do you know that they require specific pollinators for catepillar and butterfly health?
Garden correspondent, Brandi Keller of the Houston Chronicle, has all the basic facts about the needs of many types of catepillars and butterflies. She includes many basic facts and additional resources for you to learn more. Let's do our part to help these beautiful and amazing butterflies thrive. Be sure to purchase the native milkweed plants from a nursery that specializes in native plants. Usually the big box stores do not carry these varieties. Click the link below for more information and great photos!
|
|
Tree Planting Guide For Houston
As our Idylwood trees age, succumb to disease and storm damage, and grow too close to our homes and power lines, we sadly see these marvelous companions disappear. Now is a good time to start researching the best trees for your yard to properly fit your needs, desires and space.
The Houston Area Urban Forestry Council has a fabulous planting guide for trees in the Houston area. This guide is packed with all the basic info you need when considering planting new trees.
Some of the topics include:
why plant - what to plant -
where to plant - selecting your tree -
extensive charts for types of small and large trees for the Houston area - pruning - energy conservation -
wildlife habitat - improved air quality - and more!
|
|
Houston Botanic Gardens -- May Events
Aligning Your Inner & Outer Nature
Atma Kriya Meditation with Yogi Ashokananda
Thursday, May 4, 2023 6:00 — 7:30 pm $25
Yogi Ashokananda will guide you through Atma Kriya meditation, which moves the prana (life force) through the body into your higher consciousness by using the breath, gentle concentration of the mind, and subtle awareness of the process. In Atma Kriya meditation you offer up your energy to your higher self, aligning your inner and outer nature and drawing the energy and awareness inward to experience an ecstatic and all-peaceful state of being.
Nurtured by Nature - Wellness Flourishes Outdoors
Saturday, May 6, 2023 9:00 am — 3:00 pm $15
In celebration of Mental Health Month, and in partnership with The Feel Good Group, the Garden presents a day of discovery, celebration, and growth, focused on learning about and taking part in good practices in the key areas of healthy eating, personal fitness, and mental health.
- 8-11 a.m. – Coffee & Breakfast provided by Casita Coffee & Nanu Foods
- 8 a.m.-12 p.m. – Pilates, Zumba, Yoga, HIIT & Sound Bath Sessions
- 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Local Pop-up Market
- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Kids Activities (Gardening, Crafts & Storytime)
- 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Garden Tour & Cooking Demonstration with Heather Hendricks
- 11 a.m.-3 p.m. – Taste My Flavias Food Truck
- 1 p.m.-3 p.m. – Happy Hour & Live Music from Dem Roots
Sunday Concert Series - Blaggards
Sunday, May 7, 2023 4:00 — 6:00 pm $15
Now in its third year, the Garden’s Sunday Concert Series provides a refreshing, family-friendly outdoor cultural experience combining the sound of live music with the aural sensations of nature. On Sunday, May 7, enjoy stout Irish rock with Blaggards. Each Sunday Concert Series performance is included in the cost of general admission. Ticket prices on Sundays are $15 for adults and $10 for students (with current ID) and children age 3 and older.
Connecting Your Inner & Outer Nature
Himalayan Hatha & Prana Kriya Yoga with Yogi Ashokananda
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6:00 — 7:30 pm $25
Yogi Ashokananda will guide you through a Himalayan Hatha yoga (asana-based practice) series to create lightness, freedom, and space within your body, so you can embrace your emotions and live mindfully in everyday activities. You will understand precise alignment and its effect within the asanas to stimulate correct engagement of the muscles, as well as the importance of breath connection to open the body for connecting inner and outer awareness. The following Prana Kriya yoga is an empowering practice using kriyas, kumbhakas (breath retention), and mudras with a focus on breath healing. By focusing on physical and subtle body alignment – the fundamental principles of the practice – you can experience the layer of your highest consciousness.
Bouquets & Brunch with Mom - Flower Arrangement Workshop
Saturday, May 13, 2023 10:00 am — 12:00 pm $45
Bring your mom to the Garden on Mother’s Day weekend and work together to craft a beautiful custom bouquet. You will learn how to select, grow, and care for cut flowers before choosing blooms to create your own arrangement. Participants will also receive a flowering plant to take home. Brunch will consist of mimosas and pastries. Non-member fee of $45 per person includes admission to the Garden, supplies needed to create a bouquet, a take-home plant, and the mimosas-and-pastries brunch. Members receive a $10 discount.
Forest Gardening Series - Caring for Trees
Saturday, May 13, 2023 10:00 am — 12:00 pm $35
In the second installment of a three-part series on forest gardening – a low-maintenance, sustainable food production and agroforestry system based on woodland ecosystems – female arborists Natalie Roberts, Mary Carol Swearingen, and Emma Wilson will lead a walk through the Garden’s cultivated spaces and natural ecosystems, with a special focus on trees and climate change. They will discuss how to build a food forest, and how to best adapt a plant to a specific site. Participants will be inspired to plant more trees, build a food forest in their backyards or communities, and help our ecosystems become more resilient in the face of climate change.
Sip, Sup, Stroll - Beer & Bites in the Garden
Saturday, May 13, 2023 3:00 — 5:00 pm $40
Take an afternoon stroll through the beautiful Houston Botanic Garden where you can also see the monumental sculptures of Steve Tobin’s Intertwined: Exploring Nature’s Networks while sipping delicious experimental beers from Equal Parts Brewing featuring basil. They will also have tasty appetizers selected to pair with the beverages and delight your palate. Participants must be 21 and older. Non-member fee of $40 includes general admission to the Garden, appetizers and tastings. Members receive a $15 discount. Presented with sponsorship support from AARP Texas & AARP Texas en Español.
Botanic Tiaras & Wine - Treat Mom Like Royalty
Sunday, May 14, 2023 2:00 — 4:00 pm $30
Katherine McDaniel, founder and director of Synkroniciti, an incubator for arts and creativity, will inspire participants to use flowers, foliage, and other natural and pre-made accents to design and construct beautiful botanic tiaras. Participants will sip wine while their creative juices flow and then have the opportunity to wear their finished crown on a jaunt around the Garden before taking it home to enjoy. The Garden will provide basic supplies needed for the tiaras, as well as flowers and foliage. In addition to their imaginations, participants can bring lightweight accessories of their own they might want to add (optional). Adults 21+ only.
|
|
Visit these areas throughout the Botanic Garden:
The Island
Natural Ecosystems
South Gardens ~~ Community Garden
Ticket Window: 713.715.9675 ext. 100
Call to verify details for each event.
|
|
Vegetable Garden Planting Dates Chart
Do you want to know exactly when to plant vegetables and herbs in your garden? Click here for Texas A&M University's yearly planting calendar for Harris County. You may want to print this out for future reference.
Happy gardening!
|
|
Remember: COH Tree Trash Gets Turned Into Mulch
When Picked Up on The First Tuesdays of Odd # Months
Keep in mind that trimmings from trees, shrubs and bushes can be placed on your curb for the city's Tree Trash pick-up on the first Tuesday of odd months.
|
|
Thanks for your membership and love of nature!
Let's keep Idylwood beautiful and safe!
Kind regards,
Patricia Hattenbach
phattenbach@gmail.com
713-724-9608
2022-2023 Officers:
President: Patricia Hattenbach
Vice President: Hugo Banda
Secretary: Richard Vela
Treasurer: Nicole Wood
Thanks again to Jim McCallum and Patricia Hattenbach for providing the Yard of the Month write-ups and photos. It's wonderful to learn more about our great neighbors!
|
|
Yards of the Month
May 2023
|
|
Look What's Blooming In Idylwood!
The Idylwood Garden Club’s "Yards of the Month" for May 2023 feature some of the new spring colors popping out in so many places!
|
|
It's springtime and our neighbors have been planting seeds, new flowers, and enjoying the return of perennials! Spring showers have fallen at helpful intervals and now the show of color has begun!
As you walk, jog, and ride about the neighborhood, take some moments to enjoy the colorful variety of plants and bushes that are putting on a delightful show for us! Featured are a sampling of the stone planters and flower beds that are in their early to mid stages of growing and will just continue to flourish into their full size. Look for these examples and find more on your own! Be sure to note over the weeks and months how this colorful show grows and brightens up our community!
Thanks neighbors!!!
(Photos by Patricia Hattenbach)
|
|
click link above for access to their website
May Gardening Tips
Planting
- Continue to plant container gardens, use larger containers and SoilMoist to allow for less frequent watering.
- Plant summer blooming perennials and annuals. Choose heat-tolerant plants like purslane and bougainvillea for hanging baskets in full sun
- Plant okra, cucumbers, pumpkins, basil, garlic chives, peppers and sunflowers from seed. Container veggie transplants from the nursery in larger pots are okay to plant during May
Birds
Spring migration continues into mid-May. Clean birdbaths often and keep feeders full, and clean them after rainstorms to prevent soggy spoiled seed. Even non-birders can keep fresh water and food out at this time (and also during fall migration) to help our feathered friends.
Lawn
Continue to water between rain events, apply molasses or compost to ensure healthy soil for healthy turf roots
Pests
Keep an eye out for pests as well as beneficial insects in your vegetable garden. Pick off pests by hand, check for slugs and snails early in the morning or in the evenings when they are active. Check your garden regularly; we have a broad range of organic pesticides to help your garden out. Ladybugs are excellent for aphid control.
Water
Deep root watering on trees, lawns, and shrubs is best. It encourages roots to move down into the soil where they will be less susceptible to moisture changes. Avoid short periods of shallow watering, use a tree gator or soaker hose to aid in slow, deep watering.
Fertilize
Fertilize flower beds and vegetable gardens with slow-release organic fertilizers like Happy Frog Fruit & Flower or Happy Frog Tomato & Vegetable, containers can be fertilized with water-soluble Hasta Gro Plant food.
Pruning
Pruning – Pinch tips of coleus to prevent flowering and encourage bushier, fuller plants. Remove spent blooms on spring and summer annuals to promote new blooms.
Weeds
Be vigilant about pulling weeds early, make sure areas are mulched properly to prevent future weeds from germinating and help to retain moisture
|
|
 |
Keep eyes out for your neighbors!
If going out of town, tell your neighbors but do not post on social media. Please keep an eye out for unusual activity and report to HPD (911) and (713) 884-3131 and the Constable's office (713) 274-3400. Please keep your home and cars locked at all times. Report any incidents to ALL authorities;
more reports = more patrols.
HPD is moving to a National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS). To view crimes reported to HPD from Jan-Mar 2022, please go to HPD's website and download the excel file here and sort by zip code or beat. Our beat is 11H10, which includes several zip codes.
A screenshot of last month's crime map is below. To interact with this map, including date ranges and area, go to Community Crime Map.
|
|
|
|
Jake Goldstein and Steve Palmer co-chair our patrol group and report the group’s collective 30 patrol hours per month to HPD. Please contact Jake if you are interested in volunteering with our citizens patrol group.
Having a patrol presence in the neighborhood is a crime deterrent and a great way to give back to our community.
Please join us! More information on HPD's Volunteer Citizen Patrol is available here.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Dates to Remember |
-
05/01/2023: Recycling
-
05/02/2023: Tree Limbs & Yard Waste
- 05/14/2023: Mother's Day
- 05/15/2023: Recycling
- 05/16/2023: Idylwood Civic Club Meeting: 7:00pm @ Spurlock Park
-
05/29/2023: Recycling
-
06/06/2023: Heavy Trash
|
|
Stay Informed!
Check out info about the neighborhood, including downloading a copy of the deed restrictions here.
Report a pothole, get your trash bin repaired or replaced, report a problem with a traffic signal, missed trash pickup, and more.
GRAFFITI ABATEMENT
Call the East End District at 713.928.9916 during business hours with the tagged address, intersection, and colors.
|
|
Stay Connected!
NEXTDOOR.COM
Great way to connect with East End residents. It’s a great place to report or look for a missing pet, announce a garage sales, put out a crime alert, etc. This site is endorsed and its use encouraged by HPD. Sign up here
FACEBOOK
Google Email Group - Idylwood Neighborhood Exchange
If you are not currently a member and would like to join, please send an invitation request to Barc.Lee2020@gmail.com.
|
|
If you have something you would like to see published in the Newsletter, drop us a line. Comments or concerns?
Let us know how we're doing.
|
Idylwood Officers and Directors 2022-2023
PRESIDENT: Diane Schenke (Fairfield)
VICE PRESIDENT: Keith McCarthy (Merry)
TREASURER: Nicole Wood (Idylwood)
SECRETARY: Monique Studak (Sylvan)
Directors: Class A (two-year terms ending in August 2023):
Keith Hamm (Meadowlawn); Patricia Hattenbach (North MacGregor Way);
Irma Niño (Meadowlawn); Charlie Storer (Fairfield); Richard Vela (Lindy)
Directors: Class B (two-year terms ending in August 2024):
Beth Barrette (Meadowlawn); Amy Dinn (Sylvan); Joshua Espinedo (Meadowlawn);
Jeff Klemm (Merry); Paul Leggett (Merry); Laura Manion (Meadowlawn)
|
|
|
|
Post Office Box 9225
Houston, TX 77261-9225
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
