Chalk Art Fest in Celebration of World Pride

The NWCA Inclusion Committee invites neighbors of all ages (and levels of art skill!) to participate in a Neighborhood Chalk Art Fest in celebration of World Pride in DC.

We have lots of new sidewalks around the neighborhood, a perfect blank canvas for some rainbow chalk art!

Contact the NWCA Communications Coordinator if you would like to receive a box of chalk with 24 shades of rainbow colors.

And please send photos of your colorful sidewalk artwork, so a virtual gallery can be seen and enjoyed even if a passing rainstorm washes original away.

Let’s send out some love!

Online Chalk Art Gallery:

Neighborhood Porch Concert

Come one, come all, to the first neighborhood porch party/concert of the year this Memorial Day weekend!

The Vico Cycle in concert

Concert will feature two bands in which North Woodside residents are members, The Vico Cycle and Zero to 60, and a few acoustic tunes by Phil LoPiccolo. Additional performers welcome*.

When: Sunday, May 25, from 2:00-6:00 pm
Where: 2006 Hanover Street

What: Musical performances by two bands and at least one additional neighborhood musician. This is a family friendly event, with bubble machine, bagged snacks and juice boxes for the kiddos, as well as some refreshments for grown ups too. Kids can play in the yard and everyone can enjoy the music. The weather is supposed to be beautiful. Chairs will be put out in the front lawn for folks interested in stopping by, hanging out with neighbors, and enjoying the concert.

Contact: Josh HelfinSiegel (jasiegel AT wesleyan.edu)

* Note from Josh: We have two full bands but are still looking for additional performers, so if you want to show off your musical skills to your neighbors, get in touch with me and I can put you on the list to play, for as little as one song, or for longer, just let me know.

North Woodside Snow Scenes

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!

Photos: 2024 Menorah & Tree Lighting

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.)

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

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

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!

Contact welcome@northwoodsideca.groups.io

Honoring the Memory of Charlotte Coffield

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 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.