Mailbag - October 2024

PIE IN THE SKY At the height of a law career, Jonathan Quander discovered a passion for baking. His sweet hobby started during Covid, inspired by binge-watching The Great British Baking Show. (Photo: lawellphoto.com)

Sharing the joy 

Thank you to the entire Buzz team for the great article, photos, and the opportunity to share with so many about my baking hobby and passion [On a Roll: Discovering the joy of baking by Andria Dilling, Sept. 2024]. It’s remarkable how many friends have reached out to congratulate me, and many commented on their own aspirations to identify and pursue a hobby at this stage in life that brings them joy.

I was also touched by one out-of-state friend who asked if I could prepare a pastry gift basket for his graduate school classmate who is currently battling health challenges in the Houston area. I was happy to oblige and share some baking joy.

Jonathan Quander

From a Houston historian 

I wanted to let you know how honored I felt when one of my books, Historic Photographs of Houston, was included in the July issue [Houston Reads: Books for the city’s natives and newcomers by Cindy Burnett, July 2024]. I have long been a reader of your publications. I eagerly await the Tanglewood/River Oaks Buzz each month as I lived in neighboring Briargrove for 52 years and still live nearby. 

Last month’s article brought back memories of being interviewed 21 years ago [for a feature in former neighborhood magazine Uptown Tales]. I remember meeting Marks Hinton in the building there on San Felipe – one that I pass almost every day. Marks and I were among the founders several years ago of an organization supporting the Historic Research Center of the Houston Public Library, which is still in existence. 

Enclosed is a copy of Uptown Tales 2003. I will continue my monthly trek to Walgreens to be sure I have the current Buzz, which I enjoy so very much with its news of the neighborhood’s residents.

Betty Chapman

Editor’s note: Betty, thanks for sharing the copy of Uptown Tales and for your kind words about The Buzz! And in case any readers didn’t know: The Buzz has magazine racks at some local Walgreens. We can’t guarantee copies will be left on the racks, but you might be able to find The Buzz if you’re looking for the current issue. 

Looking back and forward

To Savannah Radoff [who shared her story of spinal fusion surgery due to idiopathic scoliosis in Buzz Kidz, The Bellaire Buzz, Sept. 2024]: My name is Gary Smith and I am 74 years old. Like you I was diagnosed with scoliosis at about the age of 10. By the time I was 13, it had rapidly progressed to the point where surgery was required. 

I wanted to let you know that I was blessed to have had the surgery. I have led a full and active life. The surgery has not kept me from doing anything I wanted to do over the years. I swim, snow skied, and played tennis. I still go to the gym almost every weekday.

It is amazing how the medical technology has changed. You were in the hospital for only six days and up and about at seven weeks. When I had my surgery, I was in the hospital for three weeks because I had two separate spinal fusion surgeries. I was restricted to bed for six months post surgery.

I simply wanted to send this to you as a letter of encouragement. I am sure that you will also live a full life. 

Best wishes for your continued recovery.

Gary Smith

Omissions in The Buzz Private School Directory

We received multiple comments from readers asking why certain schools were excluded from the Private School Directory (Sept. 2024). As noted at the top of each page, the Private School Directory is a Special Advertising Section and is not an article. It includes those schools which have chosen to participate. Any schools that have questions about being included in next year’s directory should contact [email protected].  

View the directory here. 

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