Mailbag - June 2020

MIRACLE Against all odds, Mandy Nathan received a successful heart transplant in November and was discharged from the hospital in December. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

A happy Mandy

Thank you so much, Pooja, for the wonderful article [Mandy’s Miracle: A one-in-5.7 million heart, by Pooja Salhotra, May 2020] and for the opportunity to get to know you. Now I know why David [Nathan] bragged about you so much as the editor of the St. John's Review! You have such talent, and I can't wait to see what you do after completing J-School at NYU. 

And thank you, Joni and Michael, for your interest in my story, your willingness to share it with the Bellaire community that provided me so much support, and your friendship for almost 20 years. Time really does fly! I loved your editor's note about the beginnings of The Buzz. The Buzz really has become such an integral part of Bellaire and I'm sure each of the other communities to which it goes, so thank you on behalf of all of them.

Finally, thank you, readers, for your interest in my story. I hope that, having read it, you will consider donating your organs. One donor can save eight lives, and, as in my case, a single donor may be only one who can save a life. For more information or to register, click here.  

Mandy Nathan

They loved the love story

Such a delight having our children's story in April's Bellaire Buzz [Meant to Be: From high school to forever, by Pooja Salhotra]. We are so happy about the engagement of Holli and Matt and look forward to their future. And with our current situation and many, many walks that we are taking, it's been wonderful being stopped along the way, getting congratulations for us and hearing how many people enjoyed their Meant to Be article. 

Mindy Wertheimer and Cindy Abrahams

Trying out those recipes

I want to thank you for Andria Frankfort's Back Porch Table column. I always consult it for recipes to try out at home. I recently tried the pot roast recipe, which has now become my new favorite way to make pot roast. My whole family loved it. Making it was a breeze; it was so easy and low maintenance. We have now bought the ingredients to make the Salted Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies, also featured in the column, which I am sure will be just as delicious as the pot roast.

Carol Thomas

Editor’s note: Andria Frankfort’s Back Porch Table column is an online exclusive at thebuzzmagazines.com. For the recipes Carol mentions, search “Perfect Fall Pot Roast” and “Stress Baking.”

Gift of a garden

I was so pleased to read the very fine article on The Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden at Houston Botanic Garden (HBG) [The Garden That Came to Be: Honoring Susan Garver’s life and loves, by Pooja Salhotra, May 2020]. Not only was the piece well written and complete, but it was also very timely as HBG is moving forward to its fall opening. 

I have been blessed to have been on the board of HBG and am continually amazed at the generous spirit of Houstonians, working for the betterment of the city, and in this case, to create needed greenspace as our city becomes more and more dense.  This civic generosity, perfectly exemplified by the Garver family, is what keeps our city such an amazing place to live, a place that is actually improving as it matures. And HBG, with its 132 acres of diverse topography, will be part of the improvement.

Thanks to the family, the Garver Gardens are planted and ready to charm and teach. And thanks to the continued generosity of Houstonians, Houston Botanic Garden will continue to grow and become greenspace for learning and celebration, a jewel in Houston’s crown.

Gail Wandel Hendryx

Fan of the sweater story 

Thank you, Cindy, for the really cute article about your Astros sweater [Ode to an Astros Sweater: With a bit of a Nationals perspective, by Cindy Gabriel, April 2020]. I really enjoyed it and appreciate receiving your magazine in the mail. 

Rebecca Delity

Another Cindy fan 

Your writing is enchanting. Brisk, funny and filled with enviable wisdom and your and his [Stan-the-Man’s] abilities to expand that love and/or regard to everything about and everyone in Stan's family!

Ione Weisberg Moran

Send letters to [email protected]. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and space. Views expressed in letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Buzz Magazines, and The Buzz takes no responsibility for the content and opinions expressed in them.