Mailbag - December 2024

BANDSAW TO BONES Inventor Billy Cohn fractures skeletons in his garage workshop, part of his grand plan for Halloween night. Chopping them at certain points, in slightly different integral sections, and arranging each of the skeletons just so, makes them appear as if they’re flying off from the ground, thanks to Billy’s fast-spinning zoetrope, lit by a strobe light. (Photo: hartphoto.com)

Halloween happiness 

I just wanted to thank you for the Halloween article about my husband, Billy Cohn [Magic, Music, Medicine, More: And this inventor’s ‘humerus’ Halloween by Cathy Gordon, Oct. 2024]. He loves building structures for the kids, and it was so much fun to see it in The Buzz!

We lost count at about 1,000, but our neighbor said he got at least 1,500 trick-or-treaters; it was off the hook!  Just love Halloween in Bellaire: from the tiny ones that start showing up before dark, to the teenagers, abashedly showing up without costumes or treat bags and trying to look cool about the whole thing (we save Target bags for them!) to the mamas who couldn't get off their shift till 10, but promised to take their kids trick or treating (we save extra nice treats for them!). The whole thing is such a happy experience, and I am so glad that you guys took the time to visit and write it up! 

Shaun Cohn 

Impressive adventure  

I was absolutely gobsmacked to hear of Teri Gerber’s accomplishment in this trek [Via Ferrata Ouray, a rock-climbing experience featured in The Gift of Travel: Scaling New Heights Together, Nov. 2024]! She is to be solidly congratulated!

Mick Brown 

Relatable story 

Hi Cindy – I just read your article A Diagnosis: Can be a Good Thing [November 2024 by Cindy Gabriel] and wanted to say “been there, done that.” Just a few weeks ago, I had 2 parathyroids removed by Dr. Khadra, having recently been diagnosed with Hyperparathyroidism (that is a mouthful, isn't it!). You are in good hands and will be glad to get this done, as was I. How fortunate we are with excellent medical care in Houston. Yes, a diagnosis can be a good thing and a cure is even better! Best wishes in your recovery!

Kathaleen Chenoweth

Editor’s note: Thank you, Kathaleen, and best wishes on your recovery as well! See an update on Cindy Gabriel’s health journey in this issue. 

Fan of H-Town and Cindy Gabriel 

I love this article [Loving Life on Purpose: Lessons from a young immigrant by Cindy Gabriel, Sept. 2024]. Well done, Cindy.

I was born in Houston in 1938. Though I briefly lived in Mexico and Switzerland growing up, most of those childhood years were spent in the Bayou City, as some call it. Houston has always been a place of excitement, forward thinking entrepreneurs and art, a city I loved as I grew into my teens and early twenties. It's still that way, a place of opportunity like nowhere else.

Jodie Sinclair

Foodie memory 

In response to Restaurant Memories: A look back at Houston’s dining past by Russell Weil, Nov. 2014: Russell: I wanted to give a shout-out to Captain John’s on West Gray. We went there frequently, and I always ordered and enjoyed the fried shrimp. For my young palate, Captain John’s was to shrimp what Youngblood’s was to fried chicken. 

Paul Zarefsky 

Editor’s note: We shared this with Russell Weil, who wrote the still-popular-today article on restaurant memories back in 2014. He responded: “While I don't recall going to Captain John's on West Gray, I do recall that restaurant and passing by when I was a kid. They were located at 1927 West Gray Street. The deco-style building, built in 1940, was actually previously known as the Golden Girl Restaurant. Demolished in 1981.” Read Restaurant Memories and share your own memories with us at [email protected]. 

Email us at [email protected]. Or send to Mailbag, The Buzz Magazines, 5001 Bissonnet St., Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401. Please include your name, address, phone number and email address for verification purposes. Letters or emails addressed to The Buzz Magazines become the property of the magazine, and it owns all rights to their use for publication. Addresses, phone numbers and email addresses will not be published. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length. 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.