North Woodside’s 2024 Menorah and Tree Lighting. Scroll down to view more photos.
In spite of the ominous weather forecast, the 76th (or perhaps longer) annual NWCA Menorah and Tree Lighting event went on as planned on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
The rain abated and a good number of neighbors gathered to eat latkes and drink hot cider, hear beautiful choral holiday songs by the Tree Singers, and have a visit with and treats from Santa!
Also attending the event was Maryland State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher and neighbors from the Lyttonsville and Rosemary Hills.
They say that many hands make for light work. That is true!
Many thanks to the many neighbors who contributed to the event in one or more of the following ways: led and participated in the Tree Singers, shared the story of Hanukkah, said the blessing and lit the menorah, made delicious latkes and cider, strung the lights on the tree, got PEPCO to turn on the electricity, helped with set up and clean up and serving food, took photos and more! Thanks also to Snider’s for donating the oranges. And to Santa ;).
If anyone who attended but didn’t have money to donate, you can make a donation via the NWCA website here. (Choose “Holiday Fund” from the drop down menu.)
The 76th* annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Hanukkah Celebration will be on Sunday, December 15, 4:30 pm, at the Luzerne/Glen Ross island. Note: Rain date is Monday, December 16, 7:00 pm.
The celebration begins with a symbolic menorah lighting, a singalong, a Santa Claus appearance and refreshments, including latkes (potato pancakes) and hot cider. View the program.
The first night of Hanukkah this year is December 25, so the first candle of the neighborhood menorah will be lit that evening and the lighting of the menorah will continue for the rest of the traditional eight nights.
If you would like to help with setting up or cleaning up, preparing refreshments, posting street closure signs, or any other aspect of this event, please contact Melinda Frederick, NWCA programs coordinator..
If you would like to join the Tree Singers, contact Julie Lees. The singers sing in four-part harmony, so some choral experience and/or music reading skills are helpful.
The NWCA community will be notified via the listserv of any event updates.
Donations to defray the costs will be gratefully received at the event or online.
* Recent historic newspaper research suggests that this year may in fact by the 98th year of the tradition.
Civic association representatives and children of Lyttonsville, North Woodside, and Rosemary Hills participate in the lighting of the community Unity Lantern at the commencement of the 7th Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk on November 16, 2024. Photo by Lilian Pintea
Thanks to all who came out to the 7th Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk in mid-November!
Organized by the Talbot Avenue Bridge Committee and co-sponsored by the North Woodside Citizens’ Association, Lyttonsville Civic Association, and Rosemary Hills Neighbors’ Association, this year’s Lantern Walk was the first to cross the completed new Talbot Avenue Bridge. It also honored the memory of lifelong Lyttonsville resident and civic leader Charlotte Coffield. Check out photos and videos at these links:
Banner created by North Woodside Roots & Shoots group. Photo by Jay Mallin
NWCA is hosting a casual Meet & Greet for neighbors on Sunday, November 17, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, at the grassy area by the bench at 3rd Ave. and Lanier Dr.
It’s a great opportunity to form new connections with neighbors or simply enjoy an afternoon outside with friendly faces.
We’ll have free seasonal refreshments and a game of cornhole. No formal introductions or agendas, just a chance to get to know who’s around. Be sure to bring a jacket in case it’s a bit chilly. We look forward to seeing you there!
Sign held by North Woodside residents in honor of Charlotte Coffield on September 24, 2024, as her funeral procession crossed the new Talbot Avenue Bridge into North Woodside
The Nominating Committee of the North Woodside Citizens Association, which has the responsibility to present a slate of nominees for board elections, is currently accepting nominations to the association’s Executive Board. Elections for board positions will be held during the May 15 annual meeting. Residents of North Woodside may nominate themselves or another resident. Board members elected this year will serve a one-year term from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. A description of each board officer’s duties can be found in Article III of the NWCA By-laws.
We have a decades-long tradition of an active and engaged citizens association in this neighborhood, which is part of why county and state leaders listen to, and often address, our views. But we must have an active and engaged board to continue this progress. The association is committed to ensuring that it represents all of its neighbors, so we would like to recruit neighbors with a wide and diverse array of perspectives, skills, knowledge, and backgrounds to fill Executive Board positions. Nominations are being accepted for all positions. Most of the incumbent board members have expressed interest in being nominated again for their positions. However, we will have two open positions this year.
First, Program Coordinator Jenny Hess is cycling off the Board this year, so that position will be open. The program coordinator role would be good for neighbors who want to take a “dip in the pool” of the neighborhood board, but do not have a lot of time in between board meetings. Primary responsibilities are planning the annual member meeting, and providing board representation or support for the volunteers and committees who plan other neighborhood events such as the holiday lighting.
Second, Secretary Ellen Kandell has been nominated for the president role, so we will need nominations for the secretary role if she is elected. The secretary role is of course very important for our association, but we promise that it is not overwhelming. In addition, we have a significant amount of institutional knowledge and support in our board, including past board secretaries Ellen, and Genevieve McDowell Owen, who will stay on the board as the immediate past president.
If you are interested in serving on the board, would like to nominate someone else, or have any questions, please email the North Woodside Immediate Past President (and Chair of the Nominating Committee) David Cox.
Update since this article was printed in The Beacon: There is a nominee for the Program Coordinator position.
The North Woodside Citizens’ Association’s Inclusion Committee is exploring what our neighborhood is doing well, when it comes to inclusion, and how we could be more inclusive. We’d appreciate your feedback!
What do we mean by “inclusive”? We are referring to a neighborhood culture:
That is welcoming of all people and actively supports the participation of all residents who wish to be involved in our community.
Where all feel welcome and included, across categories of age, race, gender identity, ethnicity/nationality/culture of origin, income level, sexual orientation, faith (or no faith), political affiliation, education, employment status, physical ability, neurodiversity, family structure, tenure and location in the neighborhood, technological skills, dietary parameters, etc.
What inclusion looks like in practice may vary. For a family with young children, it may be the provision of free childcare at our annual meeting. For a teenager who is Black it may be feeling free to walk around the neighborhood without fear that a neighbor will report them as a “suspicious individual” on the listserv. For a new neighbor, it may be receiving a welcome packet. For someone unable to walk long distances, it may be a bench to rest upon. This list could go on! Given our neighborhood’s history, our committee has a particular interest in including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded.
See below for the full list of survey questions.
You may submit feedback (anonymously or not) a number of ways:
Email, text, or call one or more committee members who are willing to be contacted individually.*
Drop off or mail.*
*See flyer delivered with Winter 2024 newsletter and related post to neighborhood listserv for survey link, names and contact info for committee members, and drop off/mailing address -or- email the NWCA Inclusion Committee for this information.
Deadline: Sunday, February 18, 2024
The NWCA Inclusion Committee will share a summary of feedback with the NWCA board and members, along with any recommendations based on the feedback.
Note: We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all neighbors who submit feedback and we will not include in the survey summary: names, personal descriptive information, and details related to any sensitive matters.
NORTH WOODSIDE INCLUSION SURVEY QUESTIONS
Please share any examples of how the neighborhood has personally felt inclusive to you and/or a household member:
Are there any ways that the neighborhood has not felt inclusive for you and/or a household member?
How could the neighborhood support you/your household in feeling more included?
Please share any other suggestions for how the neighborhood could be more welcoming and inclusive for all people:
More specifically, are there any ways you believe NWCA could be more inclusive with regard to its structure, activities, communications, and member involvement? (See further info about NWCA in the online survey and www.northwoodside.org)
Do you have ideas for how we might facilitate neighbors connecting, getting to know each other, and strengthening community?
So our committee can have an idea of the demographic range of neighbors who respond to this survey, please share, if you feel comfortable, how you would describe yourself/household members according to the various demographic categories listed on the other side (age, race, gender, ethnicity, etc.). Note: Individual responses to this question will be kept confidential. We may summarize and share general observed patterns but not individual or identifiable responses.
Any further comments? Please share here:
Would you be willing to be contacted by a NWCA Inclusion Committee member regarding your feedback? Yes ❏ No ❏ Name and contact info (optional):
75th Holiday Tree Lighting and 6th Hanukkah Celebration When: Monday, December 11 at 7:00 pm Where: Intersection of Luzerne Ave. and Glen Ross Rd.
The dual event features latkes (potato pancakes), hot cider, music, and Santa.
Fyi, the following streets will be closed to traffic, starting at 6:45 pm: * Luzerne Ave. between 2nd Ave. and Columbia Blvd. * Glen Ross Rd. between 2nd Ave. and Columbia Blvd. Note: As the first night of Hanukkah this year is Thursday, December 7, the menorah will be put up before the 7th, and each evening the appropriate number of lights will be lit.
The new Talbot Avenue Bridge remains an active construction zone. The bridge is not currently completed, nor open to pedestrians and cars, and will not be so by the date of the Lantern Walk. The Purple Line team has confirmed that Lantern Walk participants may cross the bridge within a designated area and limited time frame, in order to access and participate in the event. Participants may cross, but NOT hang out and linger on the bridge. Please be respectful of these guidelines. After the community reception at Rosemary Hills ES has concluded and the lights on the bridge have been turned off, anyone entering the construction site will be considered trespassing. Please review the full safety guidelines on the Lantern Walk webpage and visit it for any last-minute updates.
Special this year: New route, new bridge, and the first time the community will have an opportunity to cross this historic space in 4 1/2 years! In observance of Montgomery County’s “Remembrance and Reconciliation Month,” be part of marking the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship of the communities connected by the bridge. Many special guests will be joining us, including members of Washington Revels’ Jubilee Voices.
WHEN: Saturday, November 11, 2023 at 5:00p Gather: 5:00 – 5:15 pm Short Program & Lantern Walk: 5:15 – 6:00 pm Community Reception: 6:00 – 7:30 pm
WHERE: Intersection of Talbot Ave. & Lanier Dr. (Lyttonsville) The route will start and end at the same place, crossing over the new Talbot Avenue Bridge twice and going around the two blocksclosest to it, one in North Woodside and one in Lyttonsville.* (scroll down to view map) BRING: Warm clothing and good walking shoes, and a lantern (and a bell to ring, if you have one) Note: Any type of lantern will do, from a tea light candle in a glass jar to something more elaborate, either handmade or store-bought. You can find many ideas online: bit.ly/HomemadeLanterns. If you have the time and energy, we encourage you to get creative! Extra lanterns and tea light candles will be available for those who need them.
* The Lantern Walk will conclude with an indoor community reception at Rosemary Hills Elementary School. All participants are invited to join us for refreshments, music, and warm mingling! The reception will be held in the school’s all-purpose room, which is accessible from the Lanier Dr. side of the school, right next to where the Lantern Walk will start and end.
Event organized by the Talbot Avenue Bridge Committee and co-sponsored by the Lyttonsville Civic Association, North Woodside Citizens Association, and Rosemary Hills Neighbors Association
On Oct 21, 2023, our neighborhood hosted our eighth Home Tree Care 101 class, offered via Conservation Montgomery and taught by arborist Jack Pond. Ten neighbors attended, as well as one guest from Bowie, another from Rosemary Hills, and Conservation Montgomery board member Lauren Brown.
We addressed tree questions at five different yards. Topics covered included: pruning street trees to ameliorate or prevent damage caused by passing vehicles; general guidelines for pruning large and small trees; cabling; powdery mildew on a beloved dogwood; a crepe myrtle with scale insect infestation; a magnolia tree declining due to increasing overhead shade; identification of a mystery tree; proper use of mulch around trees (keep it away from the trunk!) and more. Jack demonstrated pruning techniques on several trees. Reviews for the class were highly complimentary. Thanks to NWCA, which kicked in $5 per neighbor to reduce the cost of the class for the purposes of community building.
Welcome to North Woodside 