Contents ON THE COVER: Rose Poole Photo Credit: Patricia Hudson
Serving the Communities of Bridgeland & BlackHorse Ranch
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Rose Poole: Cy-Fair Photographer Goes to Great Lengths to Capture “The Perfect Shot”
10 Cypress Happenings 12 Astros Dog Days Delights Fans, Elevates Canine to Celebrity Status 14 PinPointe Magazine Salutes Community Eateries, Beverage Businesses and Artisans for Charity Fundraising
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16 This is Home: A Letter to My Community 18 How Watching Cartoons With My Child Made Me a Better Parent 20 Canine Corner 22 Cypress School News 23 Cy-Ranch Kicks Off Year with a Mustang Round Up Carnival and Pep Rally
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PINPOINTE RESIDENT PROFILE
Rose Poole Cy-Fair Photographer Goes to Great Lengths to Capture “The Perfect Shot” Story by Patricia Hudson - Photos by Rose Pool Photography
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s journalists, the daily perusal of social media Facebook sites often produces potential story lines. A recent venture into the Cypress Photography FB page, this editor was mesmerized by the majesty of the Union Pacific Railroad Big Boy, captured through the lens of a camera. I wanted to know more about the talented photographer, Rose Poole. Rose and her husband, Radney, moved to the Bridgeland community in late 2009. “I have been a volunteer with 4H for over 16 years. I also contribute as a volunteer in the neighborhood for groups such as the Bridgeland Garden Club and Bridgeland Community Supports Veterans, Inc. as well as area non-profit groups.” The Poole’s 18-year-old daughter, Ruth, is a 2021 graduate of Bridgeland High School; she will be attending college at Lone Star this fall. “She had decided not to apply to colleges this year. They all called, asking her to consider them. As a graduate with high honors, apparently, she was on their radar. She plans to get her basics this year, and study Medical Administration,” shares Rose. 6 September | October 2021
Rose explains the role that photography has played in her life. When did you first become interested in photography? How has this interest evolved into a business? I started taking and developing photos when I was in high school. It was one of my 4-H project areas and also took photos for the school newspaper. While at Texas A&M I took many photojournalism classes as part of my degree plan in Agricultural Communications and worked as a part-time photographer for local publications while in school. While working on my master’s program I studied photography as an art class. Prior to Covid-19, I was employed as a contractor for Kinsmen Lutheran Church as their Communications Director. It was after my contract ended, that I decided to start my photo business. In preparation for taking senior photos of my daughter I decided to start taking more portraits and offered my
including our many local and migratory birds. How do you improve your photography skills?
services in the neighborhood for senior and family portraits and events.
I practice and challenge myself to try new things. Learning from my successes and failures helps me improve. Besides monitoring online photography groups, I learn from speakers and competitions through the Northwest Houston Photography Club. During the COVID shut down, I spent many hours taking various online courses from top photographers in the country.
What are your photography subjects?
Professional photographers are quick to criticize cell phone photography. What is your view of cell phone cameras?
Just about anything. I do a lot of shooting as a volunteer for events. In addition to portraits, I do sports, real estate and nature photography
Even my old iPhone 6 has been great for taking photos. I have many great photos that I took with my cell phone. I currently have two of my cell
phone photos in a juried art exhibit at Lone Star College in Kingwood. As most know, the best camera is the one you have with you — and it is not always a DSLR with interchangeable lenses but it does the job. Reminiscing about the past Although my current camera equipment is heavy, I am actually
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carrying less gear these days then decades ago when I used to shoot news for the TV station and the camera and the recorder I carried weighted 40-50 pounds together. Which of your photo shoots has been your favorite? Astrophotography in Big Bend. Even though this involved shooting all night, it was amazing see the resulting photos of the Milky Way and star trails. How far would you go for “The Perfect Shot?” I have negotiated large slimy rocks through the water in the dark to get a sunrise shot, photographed from a plane and helicopter, walked up the Great Wall of China, and climbed to the top of mountains. Recently, I went out early to get a good spot for shooting Big Boy and waited for hours in the heat. What advice would you give a beginning photographer? Learn how to shoot in different lighting scenarios. Learn your camera controls, and practice shooting in manual mode. I am currently teaching photography to two young students in my neighborhood and we spend a lot of time talking about the exposure triangle and how changing one setting affects another.
8 September | October 2021
If you know of an exceptional Greater Fairfield, Towne Lake, Bridgeland/Blackhorse Ranch, Coles Crossing, or Cypress Creek Lakes individual or family that needs to be featured in an upcoming issue of PinPointe Magazine, please contact me: texasteacher024@outlook.com.
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Cypress
HAPPENINGS
Bridgeland Farmers Market (2nd & 4th Sundays) 10519 Fry Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433 • 12:30-3:30pm Boardwalk @ Towne Lake Farmers Market (3rd Sat) 9945 Barker Cypress Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433 • 12:30-3:30pm
Fairfield Farmers Market (Starting in Feb 3rd Sundays) 15103 Mason Rd, Cypress, TX 77433 • 11am-3pm
VFW Post 8905 September BBQ Cook-Off Thursday, Sept. 9 - Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 21902 Northwest Fwy • Cypress, TX 77429 Presented by VFW Post 8905 and the Post 8905 Auxiliary VFW Post 8905 and Auxiliary would like to invite all cookers to compete in our annual September BBQ cook-off. This will be an IBCA sanctioned event. Cash prizes and trophies. Raffles, Cake Bake, 50/50, and more! www.vfw8905.org
Bridgeland Community Friday Night Bites Second Friday of every month Friday, September 10 & October 8, 2021 • 6-10pm Lakeland Village Center • 16902 Bridgeland Landing • Cypress, TX Grab your lawn chairs, blankets and enjoy great food truck fare and live music!
The Jersey Village Farmers Market (1st & 3rd Sundays)
Cy-Fair Women’s Club Shop ‘til You Drop
Jersey Village Civic Ctr. Parking Lot 16327 Lakeview Dr. • 12-3pm This family-friendly event features locally grown food and handmade merchandise.
Saturday, Sept. 11 • 9am-5pm Berry Center • 8877 Barker Cypress Rd. • Cypress, TX 77433 Strollers and wagons will not be allowed to facilitate social distancing. It is recommended that people wear masks inside the Berry Center. Hand sanitation stations will be available throughout the venue. Guests should stay home if they have respiratory illness symptoms consistent with COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID-19, are awaiting results from a COVID-19 test or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. www.cyfairwomensclub.org
Tomball Farmers Market (Saturdays) • 9am-1pm A year-round weekly North Houston Farmers Market, with over 60 local vendors featuring farmers, producers, bakers, artisans and more. Located in historic Downtown Tomball, TX TFM provides a diverse, fun, pet friendly, family outdoor shopping experience. Visit www.tomballfarmersmarket.org • (832) 422-5669
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Fun Run/Walk For Heroes
Pawsome Shopping Night Sponsored by: The Andrea Curran Team Wednesday, September 15, 2021 • 6-8pm Brook Home & Gift 12344 Barker Cypress • # 160 • Cypress, TX 77429 20% of all purchases will be donated to Cypress Lucky Mutt Rescue.
Dewberry Farm 2021 Fall Festival Open September 25 - November 14, 2021 77045 FM 362 @ Morrison Road • Brookshire, TX 77423 Over 40+ Attractions to enjoy during Fall! www.dewberryfarm.com
Oktoberfest Music Fest Saturday, October 2, 2021 • 11am-11pm The Burger Ranch Restaurant & Lounge 16702 House & Hahl Road • Cypress, TX The Burger Ranch and Cypress Music Scene have partnered up for one full day of family fun with 5 great artist groups, food, and vendors. General Admission $25. Ages 6-12 $7.50.
Saturday, October 16, 2021 • 8am Festival Park • Bridgeland Landing Drive START TIME: 8:00 am for adults and 9:00 am for children 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies for the 5K &10K race winners. Registration is $35 for adults/ Kids 10 & under $15-20 Join us during and after the race for a Children’s Superhero Costume contest, vendors, food trucks & more! Register at: www.bridgeland.com/event/fun-run-walk-for-heroes/
13th Annual Bridgeland NatureFest Saturday, October 23, 2021 • 10am-4pm Oak Meadow Park • House & Hahl Rd, Cypress, TX 77433 Featuring zoologist Jack Randall, Jack Randall Petting Zoo, Food Trucks, Bounce Houses, Rock Wall, Outdoor Laser Tag, Paddle Boat Rides Canoeing, Kayaking, and more! Admission, stage performances and many activities are free of charge, while some will require a small fee to participate. All proceeds will be donated to Cy-Hope, an amazing local organization whose goal is to bring hope and opportunity to every child in the Cy-Fair area. For more info, call 281-304-5588.
For more upcoming Cy-Fair events, visit: www.bestofcyfair.com
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Astros Dog Days Delights Fans, Elevates Cypress Canine to Celebrity Status Story by Patricia Hudson • Photos by Juli Radcliff
The term Dog Days of Summer typically conjures up images of hot, sultry nights in the South. For Houston Astros fans, the annual August Dog Day event is an opportunity to have canine family members join in the fun at Minute Maid Park. While a late rally by the Seattle Mariners resulted in a loss for the Astros, it didn’t seem to faze these park visitors. One Cypress dog basked in the limelight, garnering the attention of delighted fans. Kuzco Radcliff, a Pomeranian/Husky mix with astonishingly piercing eyes, is a resident of Blackhorse Ranch, and makes his home with his dad, Jeff, mom, Juli, and his human siblings, Carter and Brady. Big brother, Tyler, and his new bride, Kasside, came along for the fun. “He made the Jumbotron and the Houston Astros twitter,” shares Juli delightedly.
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Find Your Place in the World ANDREA CURRAN Realtor® 832-707-4900 andrea@andreacurran.com
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PinPointe Magazine Salutes AROUND Community Eateries, Cy-Fair Beverage Businesses and Artisans for Charity etta’s Local Eats Dine Out for Charity culminated its 2021 second quarter fundraising with an M Fundraising awards presentation held at Creekwood Grill. With Story by Patricia Hudson Photos by David Postma - Genesis Photographers
more than 40 food and beverage businesses participating, the event recognized the top fundraisers. MLE Dine Out for Charity raised over $30,000, surpassing the $27,000 raised for Cy-Fair Helping Hands’ programs in 2020. “These funds will allow us to better serve the homeless, as well as Cypress families struggling to put food on the table,” explains Executive Director of Community Outreach, Pat Hudson. “We are grateful to each of the participating restaurants, bakeries, and beverage businesses. We would also like to express our appreciation to the Metta’s Local Eats ‘foodies,’ for supporting Dine Out for Charity and to the hard working and caring Dine Out for Charity Executive Board.” Award Recipients in each category were presented with a framed certificate. In place of this edition’s restaurant review, PinPointe Magazine recognizes the top fundraisers.
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Metta’s Local Eats Dine Out for Charity 2nd Quarter Top Contributors 2021
Cottage Baker/Artisan 1st - Old 300 Ranch 2nd - Alchemy Bake Lab 3rd - The Spice Hippies 4th - The Flour Petal Bakery
Fred Stewart, GM - Backyard Grill with Committee
Restaurant 1st - The Backyard Grill 2nd - The Union Kitchen Cypress 3rd - Cypress Trail Hideout/Pappa Charlie’s Barbeque 4th - The Union Kitchen Katy 5th - Bao Bros Bistro
Multiple Location 1st - The Union Kitchen 2nd - Ambriza 3rd - Romero’s Las Brasas
Craft Beer/Wine 1st - Brew: 30 Taphouse 2nd - Wicked Boxer Brewery 3rd - The Hidden Cellar Wine Bar
Anthony Messina, GM - Union Kitchen Towne Lake with Committee
Storefront Baker 1st - Angel’s Churros ‘n Chocolate 2nd - Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee and Bakery 3rd - Cake Fine Pastry 4th - The Cupcake Cowgirls 5th - Just Love Coffee
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This is Home.
A LETTER TO MY COMMUNITY.
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BY ALLISON OKUNEYE
here is no place like home. A phrase that we have heard a million times. Most of us know that it's never actually about the "home". It is the feeling, energy and love that we all want to experience inside of the home. The thing that I missed THE MOST about Cypress for the last 2 years was that Texas "feeling".If you know, you know. I never realized how important that feeling was in my daily interactions until we moved away. It's the little things, like chatting with the cashier at the grocery store, driving around without people honking their horns in anger at 16 September | October 2021
everyone,the genuine care and consideration for those around you, and the willingness to help and give whenever you are able. (I could go on and on..but you get the vibes) We knew we had to get back to this community, and two years later, here we are. Before we even had luggage out of the car we had neighbors offering their help. The thing about Texans, when they offer something, they truly mean it. That feeling, experience and community that we missed so badly was there right away upon arrival.
I got choked up and emotional because this was what we missed. This was Home, and I had not even stepped into our house yet. Over the next few days we met so many people who showed us so much love (and bourbon) and the genuine, caring, authentic excitement that was shown was overwhelming. There was a genuine excitement to welcome us into their homes and lives with open arms. I wanted to share this experience as a reminder to all of us that we are active participants in the lives of those around us and THAT is what makes this community unique. We all know how great Texans are at in times of need (Ice storms, Harvey, etc.) and
we should also keep that same energy in our daily, mundane interactions with each other. The love that we felt from our neighbors, and our community at 11:30 pm on a random Friday night in July after a 15 hour drive, meant EVERYTHING to my family. Thank you to our neighbors for the warm welcome, and thank you to our community for making the adjustment so easy. There TRULY is no place like home, and we are officially HOME.
Style Questions for next issue? Email highheelsnmohawks@gmail.com
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Watching Cartoons With My Child
How
Made Me a Better Parent by Liz Arrington
’m cuddled up on the couch with my six-yearold son to watch a new show that I’ve heard a lot of friends talking about. Classical music plays as the first scene opens to a family of cartoon dogs playing together in their living room. The dad is pretending to play piano, and then the bongos, on his two daughters while they squeal with laughter. What happens next can only be described as absolutely delightful mayhem. Bluey- the big sister- is not sharing with her little sister, causing conflict and frustration during the game. Eventually the sisters work out their conflict, ending the episode sitting contentedly together while Dad remains fully committed to his role in their silly game. It’s hilarious, meaningful, musical, playful, and magical all at once. We are immediately hooked.
Through Bluey, my kids and I were able to reconnect through the power of play. I found myself drawing inspiration from the episodes and was served with many reminders to be more aware of my tone of voice, my willingness to slow down and connect, and just generally enjoy more of the time I spend with my kids.
Over the course of our long summer break, my family has watched every episode of this Australian children’s show- appropriately named, Bluey. Even my teenager secretly admits that he likes it. Ever since my little one and I watched that first episode
As Bluey is gaining popularity in the US, reviewers and early childhood professionals alike are pointing out the significance of this show for today’s young families. It really seems to capture the essence of modern parenting.
I
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together, he frequently climbs into my lap and starts singing the tune that is played in that first scene. Without speaking, I understand what I’m meant to do, and I begin vigorously “playing” the tune out on his back, like a wiggly little keyboard. This show has brought the game of “Keepy-Uppy” into our house, a game called “Octopus”, as well as countless other small ways of adding more playful interactions into our daily life.
This idealized image of parenting can make some parents uncomfortable and possibly left feeling a little guilty as they watch the grown ups in Bluey’s world play and entertain their children in the most over-the-top and spectacular ways. But, it’s not all fun and games. Some storylines are genuinely touching and emotional. Particularly one episode where the mom, Chili, recounts intense worry and competition with other babies in Bluey’s playgroup, until a more experienced mom gives her a hug and a pep talk. The parents have to leave to go to work, or engage in hobbies, fix a toilet, or hang out with friends. Sometimes they’re a little impatient, too tired to play, or just bored. But they show us how to parent through the imperfection, empowering their littles ones in the process. If I could sum up a few of the key lessons for parents as demonstrated in the world of Bluey, here are a few of them:
● You can be playful and fun, while still maintaining boundaries and structure for children.
● Imaginative playtime is the best playtime, and doesn’t have to involve a lot of “stuff”. ● Don’t be embarrassed about how your playful parenting looks to others.
● Your children learn by practicing and working through problems on their own. ● Messes can always be cleaned up.
● Engage fully when you can. A brief moment of fully engaged play is far more connecting than a long period of distracted or rushed play.
● Play is how children communicate and process their world. Play is the language of childhood. Liz Arrington combines her background as a professional children’s therapist with her love of music to provide early childhood music and movement classes to families of Cypress. Outdoor, Weekday, and Saturday classes available. See more at www.songfulbeginnings.com
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Canine Corner
H
appy Fall, y’all! My mom and I often wonder what ever happened to the dogs whose stories we have shared. Have they found loving homes? Are they living their “Happily Ever After?” We featured Beau, a sweet basset fostered through Basset Buddies Rescue of Texas in 2019. We were so excited to hear that right after our article was published, Beau was ADOPTED! Alison Malone, his foster mom, says, “He is spoiled rotten!” The Bartletts, his adoptive family, was happy to share some photos and an update by their teenaged daughter, Gabby, who has forged an amazing bond with Beau. “Beau has been with us for a little over two years now. For those two years, him and I have been best friends. Ever since the first day we got him, he’s been a sassy ball of light in our life, and loves swimming and snuggling with us. He’s blended so well with our whole family and our other dogs, constantly putting up with their craziness and them forcing him to “play” with them. Ever since the day we saw that Beau was looking for a home, we knew that our family needed him as much as he needed us. This turned out to be a decision that constantly keeps us all smiling.” If you know of a dog rescue organization with a foster in need of a forever home, please contact texasteacher024@outlook.com.
20 September | October 2021
By Patricia Hudson and Sophia Hudson, the Rescue Yorkiepoo
Beau
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CYPRESS SCHOOL NEWS Source: CFISD News Media
Salyards Middle School Teacher Selected for Classroom Makeover CFISD teachers were awarded hundreds of dollars to enhance their classrooms for their students as they were selected as winners of Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union’s Extreme Classroom Makeover competition. Salyards Middle School special education teacher Laura Coulter was chosen as one of the three $500 recipients.
Bridgeland HS Students Recognized at FBLA National Conference Bridgeland High School juniors Rithvik Katikaneni and Shreyan Katta received national recognition during the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) National Leadership Conference, held virtually this summer with more than 12,000 students from across the country participating.
Salyards Middle School special education teacher Laura Coulter
For Coulter, she said winning the money has helped her create a more welcoming and inclusive space for her students. “I am so excited about my new teaching environment,” Coulter said. “It has been so exciting to put in place all of my ideas for a classroom that will help my students with various accessibility differences. I cannot thank Cy-Fair Federal Credit Union enough for choosing me to win this amazing gift.”
Shreyan Katta, left, and Rithvik Katikaneni
Katikaneni and Katta were recognized during FBLA’s Awards of Excellence ceremonies for their competition finish. The pair worked together as a team to place eighth overall in Introduction to Business Presentation. This is the first time students from Bridgeland placed at the national competition. In addition to Katikaneni and Katta, Bridgeland sophomores Samah Ahmed, Shiv Palla and Rajvi Mishra competed in Introduction to Social Media Strategy at the national conference.
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Cypress Ranch Kicks Off Year with a Mustang Round Up Carnival and Pep Rally Story & Photos by Patricia Hudson Cypress Ranch High School invited Cypress to meet the Ranch Mustangs at a Round Up on campus, days before the start of the school year. Ranch athletes, club members, and organizations wrangled up a carnival atmosphere, complete with games, food trucks, and fun. A spirited pep rally capped off the day’s festivities.
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