Mailbag - May 2025

ROCKIN’ OUT The Backroom Rumors – Bo Farnell, Lily Pesikoff, and Evan Loftin (from left) – started playing together during their high school days in Houston. Bo and Lily are 2022 graduates of St. John’s School and Evan is a 2023 graduate of Kinder HSPVA. Bo is a student at Dartmouth College, Lily at Occidental College, and Evan at SUNY Purchase College; they keep in touch virtually and reunite during school breaks. (Photo courtesy of The Backroom Rumors)

Pursuing their passions

I just wanted to extend my sincere thanks for the wonderful article by Lucy Walker [The Backroom Rumors: Houston’s homegrown indie rock band, April 2025] highlighting the journey of the three young adults from our community who found their passion for music right here in our little section of Houston during their high school years, and are now thriving together as an indie band.

It brought me such joy – not only because of their success, but also because I remember them from when they were little, playing on my kids’ Little League softball and baseball teams. It’s truly something special to have watched them grow up, and now to see them chasing their dreams with such spirit and creativity.

Your article reminded me of the strength and support within our tight-knit community, and how the foundation built here helps shape the paths our young people take, even after they go off to college or begin their adult lives. Thank you for continuing to keep us connected to the stories of those who got their start right here in West U, Southampton, and River Oaks. Way to go, Lily, Evan, and Bo! I cannot wait to hear your album! 

Mary Schneidau

Community connectors

Thank you so much for publishing the article on the Bellaire Historical Cookbook [A Neighborhood Story in Recipes: the Bellaire Historical Cookbook by Andria Dilling, April 2025]. After the article came out, a woman sent me a pic of the original cookbook that her mom has and is sending a recipe for the new cookbook. So cool! Hope others will do the same.

Another fun story: I was down the street at Pat McLaughlan’s to drop some dinner and my current cookbook edit for him to look at and the doorbell rang. The nicest guy came to visit him, and we were chit chatting and he said he lives one block over. Anyway, I tell him we are working on the cookbook and would love more recipes. It turns out he is Pooja Salhotra’s dad (Pooja, who was a member of The Buzz team for many years). We exchanged info and he invited me to see his community garden and is submitting recipes. 

Thank you, Joni [Hoffman] – you and The Buzz are such wonderful connectors of neighbors!

Kristi Coffey 

Editor’s note: Kristi, we too feel you are one such “community connector” in all that you do! And we look forward to checking out the new Bellaire Cookbook and History of Our Community. *Anyone who has lived, gone to school, worked, or played in Bellaire is invited to submit recipes and stories to the new cookbook. Deadline: May 15. See BellaireCookbook.com.

Another historical Bellaire cookbook

I enjoyed reading your April 2025 article [A Neighborhood Story in Recipes]. It reminded me of another cookbook, Well, That’s Just The Best I Ever Ate, published by a former resident of Bellaire, Patrick Edwin Petty. 

His book has over 300 pages of local recipes. I don’t know if it’s still available – I bought my copy just after I moved to Bellaire 30-plus years ago and still have it in my kitchen. 

Paul Ware

An important story

I just wanted to tell you what a beautiful article that was in The Bellaire Buzz [Lest We Forget: A Holocaust survivor’s mission by Cathy Gordon, April 2025]. That article gave the reader a sense of what Ruth Steinfeld went through as a child and even later on in her life. She is an amazing lady. 

Great picture of the whole family on the last page. That must have made her so happy.  

David Spolane

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