Yesterday was Groundhog Day and word has it Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, which means 6 more weeks of winter. We’ll see if this prediction proves correct. In the meantime, here’s a look back at the wintry weather in the neighborhood this past month: snow scenes, snow shoveling, snow people, snow fun, and ice art. Thanks to all the neighbors who submitted photos!
Committees & Interest Groups
Preparing for Snow…
Looks like snow is coming!
Homeowners are legally required to clear the sidewalk in front of their home within 24 hours of the end of a weather event.
Do you live in North Woodside and need help shoveling your sidewalk, driveway, and/or walkway? Or know of a neighbor who does?
Contact the North Woodside Snow Patrol Group.
Want to join this neighborhood interest group? Follow instructions here.
Photos: 2024 Menorah & Tree Lighting
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.)
Happy holidays!
2024 Holiday Tree Lighting & Hanukkah Celebration
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.
Photos: 2024 Talbot Avenue Bridge Lantern Walk
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:
- Photos by Jay Mallin (Rosemary Hills)
- Photos and videos by Lilian Pintea (North Woodside); see also this video play list
- Montgomery Community Media article
Special thanks to all the North Woodside neighbors who contributed their time, energy, resources, and talents to the event.
For more event details and a full list of acknowledgements see bit.ly/TABLanternWalk.
Neighborhood Meet & Greet
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!
Honoring the Memory of Charlotte Coffield
The North Woodside Citizens’ Association honors the memory of longtime Lyttonsville neighbor and civic leader Charlotte Coffield. We look forward to furthering her legacy through continued support of many community projects she held dear and collaboration between our neighborhood association and the Lyttonsville Civic Association. Click here for more information about Ms. Coffield’s life and contributions to the world.
Nominations for NWCA Board 2024-25
By David Cox, NWCA Nominating Committee
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.
Survey: How Might Our Neighborhood Be More Inclusive?
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:
- Complete an online survey.*
- Email the NWCA Inclusion Committee at inclusion@northwoodsideca.groups.io.
- 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):
Many thanks for any feedback you can provide!
In community,
NWCA Inclusion Committee members
2023 Menorah & Tree Lighting
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.
Welcome to North Woodside 