Author: Anna White

Community Tree Triangle Project – Spring ’26 Update

/ Anna White

By Cheryl Copeland, Community Design Committee

Have you seen the two new flowering trees keeping our community evergreen tree company on the grassy island where Luzerne and Glen Ross merge east of 2nd Avenue? These are just the first signs of exciting things to come to this location!

Many thanks to the Chesapeake Bay Trust for supporting this community project!

The Chesapeake Bay Trust recently awarded NWCA their Community Engagement & Restoration Mini Grant ($5,000) to put toward some of the landscaping in the master plan designed by Strawberry Fields, LLC in 2023, to be installed this fall.

The community tree triangle project is not simply to beautify a space enjoyed by a handful of neighbors and the occasional passerby. The Chesapeake Bay Trust awarded us this grant for “community engagement and restoration” because this space has a 100-year history within the neighborhood as a gathering place, which will provide educational opportunities, environmental benefits, and encourage year-round use by the greater community.

The full plan is to replace all the grass with a variety of primarily native perennials in amended soil, stepstone paths, and a circular river-stone patio. Grant terms include a commitment to include educational signage and provide workshops for neighbors and youth groups at the triangle and to teach about the sustainability of this type of conservation gardening using native plants to support pollinators in a way that is both sustainable and easily replicated in their own yards.

The estimated cost for this work is more than the grant received, so the Community Design Committee continues to pursue other funding options. This June we will learn the decision for the fourth and final Chesapeake Bay Trust grant we have applied for since 2024. The house tour event taking place this September is intended to help pay for any portions of the community tree triangle project not funded by grants.

At the upcoming NWCA Annual Meeting, we will have a table to present the project details and answer questions. The NWCA Board will recommend a dollar amount for the project, but it will require a membership vote. We hope as many community members as possible will attend the meeting to engage in the conversation before approving how much funding our association will provide.

The tree triangle project is what the Community Design Committee was formed to do — explore good and thoughtful design that engages our community at large. If that piques your interest, join us by subscribing to our listserv communitydesign+subscribe@NorthWoodsideCA.groups.io (subscription to main neighborhood listserv required).

When we gather as a community at the triangle this December to celebrate the 100th anniversary of North Woodside’s holiday celebrations, we’ll look forward to unveiling the next chapter in the story of our community tree triangle!

Learn more about our native garden project at the NWCA Annual Meeting on May 20, 2026


Help us raise funds to complete the full project by supporting the North Woodside House Tour on September 26, 2026. Buy tickets, volunteer, and/or sponsor! For more information, click here.

NWCA Annual Meeting 2026

/ Anna White

The NWCA Annual Meeting has happily returned to the neighborhood. It will take place at Woodlin Elementary School on
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 7:00–8:30 pm in the Cafeteria/All Purpose Room.

Look for signage to help you navigate to the cafeteria once you enter the building. Walking is encouraged, but parking is available in the school parking lot off Luzerne Avenue.

This year’s meeting will include presentations about our tree triangle project, the house tour in September, and the Georgia Avenue Project. In addition, a treasurer’s report, pictorial montage of the year in review, board officer elections, and a drawing for door prizes will take place. Light refreshments will be provided.

Questions? Contact programs@northwoodside.org

Community Clean Up & Children’s Clothing Swap

/ Anna White

Cohosted by North Woodside Citizens’ Association, Rosemary Hills Neighbors Association, Linden Civic Association, Lyttonsville  Civic Association

Community Clean Up

When: 1:00-3:00pm, Saturday, April 25

Where: Meet at one of these locations at 1:00pm

  • Montgomery Hills Park
  • Yeshiva parking lot next to field
  • Rosemary Hills Elementary School 

Gloves and recycle and trash bags will be provided

Questions? Contact programs@northwoodside.org

Children’s Clothing Swap

When: 1:00-3:00pm, Saturday, April 25
Drop off clothing from 12:00-1:00pm

Where: Montgomery Hills Park

For more information about these events, see flyers below.

Community Clean up April 25, 2026Download
Community Clean Up & Kids’ SpringSummer Clothing Swap!Download

Neighborhood Egg Hunt 2026

/ Anna White

It’s that time of year again! We are excited to host our annual neighborhood Egg Hunt with Linden Civic Association, and we need your help.

The Big Event:

  • When: Saturday, March 28, 2026
  • Time: Arrive at 11:00 AM
  • The Hunt Begins: 11:20 AM SHARP!

A quick note on timing: To ensure every little hunter gets their fair share, please arrive on time. We will also likely be limiting the number of eggs per child this year so that no one goes home with an empty basket

How You Can Help:

  • Donations: We are looking for plastic eggs and bags of candy. Chalk, bubbles, and games of all types are also welcome. You can drop these off at anytime* or just bring them on the day!
  • Financial Contributions: If you’d prefer to provide a financial contribution, scan the QR code on the flyer above or click here: https://app.simplidues.com/group?g=northwoodside
  • Sip & Stuff Night: Join us for some wine, cheese, and laughs as we prep the eggs Wednesday, March 25th at 8:00 PM*.
  • Day-Of Crew: We need volunteers on the day of the hunt to help with setup, running the games, and cleanup. If you have some extra hands to lend, please get in touch*!

    * Contact Luisa at email address listed above for address or to volunteer.

We can’t wait to see all of you there for a morning of hopping, hunting, and neighborhood fun!

Updated NWCA Membership Dues Structure

/ Anna White

For more information, see NWCA’s dues and donation page.

NWCA has changed its membership dues structure to make it easier for households to pay according to their means and to encourage higher rates of payment participation. The standard $30/year rate will remain, but we are adding two options for varying economic circumstances.

The NWCA Inclusion Committee proposed these changes in the wake of broader Board discussions about fees because we need to comply with an NWCA Bylaws mandate to create an additional annual dues tier low enough that no residents will be excluded from membership due to financial reasons. This feels especially important now given local economic impacts of federal job and contract losses.

At the same time, our citizens’ association has tended to run annual deficits, covered by a previously built cash reserve. This gap stems in part from increasing costs: upgrading to modernized accounting software, nonprofit filings, insurance, and—happily—an expansion of community programs.

The association needs to improve its paid membership participation to increase its income. The committee’s proposed structure tries to satisfy both its fiscal and equity concerns. At its January meeting, the Board signed off on the committee’s recommendation to try a three-tier structure, where neighbors will self-identify the levels at which they can contribute:

Community
Supported
$5/year		Community
(standard rate)
$30/year		Community
Supporter
$50/year


The standard rate is $30 per year. The new levels allow members to pay $5 per year (Community Supported) if their means are limited or $50 (Community Supporter) if they choose to provide extra support. Dues payment amounts are confidential.

We hope that if enough neighbors contribute at the Community Supporter level, and if more households pay dues at any level, annual revenue will grow enough to cover costs. Failing that, the Board may revisit increasing the standard rate in the future.

If your household has not yet paid dues, go to our Simpli Dues page to do so. If you’re not sure if you’ve paid in the last year, go to the same link. Renewal emails from our platform can end up in your promotions or spam folder or get lost amid other messages, so please do check online.

All residents of our community are eligible to participate in NWCA services, including our listserv. The main benefit of becoming a dues-paying member is the formal privilege of voting on neighborhood issues (as set out in the association’s bylaws). Contributing members vote on board and leadership appointments, bylaws changes, neighborhood issue positions, and other matters. Voting almost always takes place at the annual meeting.

Dues-paying members of any level can feel good about making possible the wide range of services our neighborhood association provides—from the discussion forum, to events, this newsletter, and much more. Your membership dues and donations are tax deductible as charitable contributions. Thank you!

The NWCA Inclusion Committee endeavors to make North Woodside a place for all people, as codified in NWCA’s bylaws. For more information: northwoodsideca.groups.io/g/inclusion. Contact: inclusion@northwoodsideca.groups.io

Wintry Times in North Woodside (Take 2)

/ Anna White

It was wintry times again in North Woodside earlier this week. This storm was quite the opposite of the last one that featured lots o’ sleet that mostly bounced to the ground and resulted in angular blocks of rock hard “snowcrete” that lasted for weeks. This storm’s wet snow stuck to every single itty bitty branch and transformed the neighborhood into a beautiful winter wonderland for a few short hours, before all plopping to the ground. Wet snow + no school = perfect conditions for snow people to pop up. And indeed, a few did, including this one on Rookwood Rd.

Check out a slide show of photos taken by neighbors, starting with “before and after” flamingos (click on right arrow):

When will spring finally come? We will see. Look closely. Already there are signs that it is on its way…

Urban Winery Winter Meet & Greet

/ Anna White

Shake off the winter doldrums. Join your neighbors and friends on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 6:00–8:00 pm at the Urban Winery for an NWCA meet and greet!

Support this local business. Meet new neighbors and reconnect with old. Food, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages will be available. No cover charge. Come as you are.

Cohosted with Linden, Lyttonsville, and Rosemary Hills civic associations.

Address: 2315 Stewart Ave., Silver Spring

Questions? Contact Melinda Frederick, NWCA Program Coordinator

North Woodside Snow Art Awards 2026

/ Anna White

Announcing the North Woodside Snow Art Awards of 2026!

After traipsing far and wide–over ice and salt and mountains of Bobcat-piled “snowcrete”–an impressive array of frontyard igloos, snow people, and icy sculptures have been found and nominated. A couple backyard igloos were nominated as well.

And now, without further ado…drum roll…we present the North Woodside Snow Art Award winners of 2026! (Click on a photo to view larger and scroll through.)

Best Costume
Most Cubist
Most Blended In with the Landscape
Most Relaxing Spot After a Sled Ride
Cutest
Best Spot to Chill
Most Camouflaged
Most Balanced
Most Stone Henge-y
Most Abstract
Tallest Standing Snow
Most Intricate Layering
Best Natural Lighting
Most Beautiful at Night
Most Solid
Most Hidden
Most Classic
Best Window

Meet some of the young artists behind the cool creations:

Indeed, they put in many hours of work–days, in some cases–to complete these impressive abodes. Luckily, with school out for over a week and nine days straight of chilly temps, they had plenty of time on their hands!

Judge’s Note: The January 25 storm’s particular makeup of icy precipitation–powdery snow followed by several inches of sleet–has enabled a usually-rare-around-here form of snow art involving creative stacking and placement of “sleet blocks,” distinctive for its angularity. Who knows if we’ll have such awesome igloo-building conditions ever again? And commendations for the creative use of tools (garden shovels, propane blow torch, boxes, bucket, and more) and materials (branches, wood planks, backyard patio items) to construct a number of the snow art winners.

See how how a team of high school artists constructed the “Best Window” winner, sleet block by sleet block:

How long will these icy creations be around? Temperatures and sunlight will determine. And time will tell. If Punxsutawney Phil is correct, could be a while.

Which igloo will last the longest? What’s your guess?

Wintry Times in North Woodside

/ Anna White

Wow, what wintry weather we’ve been having! Quite a doozy of a snow/sleet storm on January 25 + nine days straight of subfreezing temperatures = mountains of frozen rock hard “snowcrete.” Digging out has certainly been much more challenging than usual. When the county needs to abandon snow plows and bring out the Bobcats to clean the streets and school is closed for over a week, you know it’s serious!

Kudos to all who toiled and labored and nearly broke their backs to clear neighborhood sidewalks. (And if you notice an area that still needs clearing and are able, please help with further ice removal. Many shovelers make light work!)

While stuck at home, some spent this unexpectedly lengthy winter “staycation” discovering the many wintry “humble wonders” to be found right here in the neighborhood, documenting snowy scenes, and creating some unique forms of snow art.

Yes, one needn’t travel far to enjoy the wintry pleasures of sliding down the “Black Diamond” of Grace Church and “Aspen Slopes” of Woodlin, climbing the “Mt Everest” of Luzerne/Glen Ross, and spotting the “polar bear” of Stratton. And many an igloo abound for those looking for some icy lodging.

Check out some more wintry scenes captured by neighbors in the slideshow below:

Update: Check out the North Woodside Snow Art Awards 2026

And while this cold weather continues, consider going on Snow Art Scavenger Hunt. How many cool creations can you spot? More specifically, how many igloos, snow people, and unique snow sculptures can you find? And can you locate the “Snow Henge” of North Woodside?