Lakes on Eldridge North

Volume 20, Issue 12

December 2021

A Little Lady with a Giant Christmas Spirit by Jackie Devine

Dulce Cain, a native Venezuelan, met and fell in love with her husband, Jim Cain, when he was on assignment in Venezuela. He asked her to marry him and move to the United States. Forty-three years ago, she said yes, and they have been happily married ever since. Dulce combines her Venezuelan heritage with her adopted American life to create a melded traditional holiday season. They have a blended family of seven children. Together they have 18 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one greatgreat-grandchild Many folks in Cypress hire a team of elves to help them decorate for the holidays. But not Dulce Cain. If you want to talk about the holiday spirit, Dulce has it! When Dulce invited me to her home to see her Christmas collections, I could tell that she felt Christmas was one of the most memorable times of the year and that she was determined to make sure her home would be filled with magic and tradition. She led me into her formal dining room, which now served as a salute to Christmas. I found a beautifully illustrated snow village laid out with 49 illuminated houses, stores, and churches on my right. Everywhere I looked was a different scene. Trains were zooming through the countryside; carolers were caroling, trolleys were delivering shoppers, and children were sledding down the mountainside. To my left, I discovered an elaborate Venezuelan village with over 100 tiny houses made of wood or ceramics, brightly hand-painted and creatively lit. I could feel the excitement of the miniature villagers as they ushered in the yuletide season. Festive miniature trees filled every available nook and cranny. Little people appeared to be dancing, singing, and having a grand old time. Just like an actual city, cars swept through the village, people shopped, and carolers spread joy. Dulce then escorted me toward her living room, where an illuminated tree in silver and gold hues delighted my eye and gave me a nostalgic sense of a classic tree collected-over-time look. As we moved down the hall, I found numerous collections of one-of-a-kind nativity scenes and displays of the angelic realm. Copyright © 2021 Peel, Inc.

As we moved into the kitchen and great room, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a host of Santas, more trees, scores of poinsettias, and what felt like hundreds of candles all lit and welcoming me into the room. There is no doubt; I was truly blessed to be the recipient of a one-of-a-kind local Cypress Christmas tour. But, equally important, I've since learned that having a home all decked out for the holiday season can not only put a spring in a person's step but also elevates one's frame of mind. Thankfully, I was one of the beneficiaries. I'm convinced that having the holiday spirit brightens our mood, lifts our attitude and promotes mental health well into the new year. Dulce genuinely has discovered the recipe. I know because I was the beneficiary of her love and dedication to the spirit of Christmas.

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021

Lakes IMPORTANT on Eldridge North NUMBERS Harris Co. Sheriff - (non-emergency)....................713-221-6000 Cy-Fair Fire Department - (emergency).................281-466-6161 (non-emergency)..................................................281-550-6663 Poison Control...................................................1-800-764-7661 Texas DPS.............................................................713-681-1761 Texas Pride Disposal .............................................281-342-8178 (trash collection Mondays & Thursdays, recycle pick up Mondays) TNG MUD 370...................................................281-350-0895 Harris County Tax Office......................................713-224-1919 Centerpoint Energy.............................................. 713-207-7777 (give pole # of street which is out) Centerpoint Energy...............................................713-659-2111 Comcast Cable......................................................713-341-1000 Houston Chronicle...............................................713-220-7211 Metro Transit Info.................................................713-635-4000 Kirk Elementary................................................... 713-849-8250 Truitt Middle School.............................................281-856-1100 Cy-Ridge High School..........................................281-807-8000 Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc....................advertising@PEELinc.com, 888-687-6444 Deadline for submitting articles for the Lakes On Eldridge North

Christmas Tree Recycling Let these Boys Have a Blast, Taming Tinsel-Time Trash! We'll pick up and recycle the trees Placed Curbside and Ornament Free ... The Cub Scout Packs and Boy Scout Troops of Fairfield will be working together to collect and recycle Christmas trees (lights & ornaments free, Please) after the holiday season. Please have your tree on the curb by 7 a.m. on Saturday, January 8th, 2022 to be picked up for recycling! Remember…Don’t let those trash guys waste your Tree’s potential!! Let the Scouts give it back to the Earth! 4 **Tree Drop off also available at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church back parking lot, from Dec 26th thru Jan 7th**

Newsletter is the 10th of each month. Submissions are subject to space limitations and editorial approval. Email Articles to loen@PEELinc.com. PERSONAL CLASSIFIED ADS: Deadline for submitting personal classified ads is the 8th of each month for publication in the following month's newsletter. Email personal classifieds to loen@PEELinc.com. ADVERTISING: Deadline for submitting ads is the 8th of each month for publication in the following month's newsletter. Please contact Peel, Inc. Sales Office at 512-263-9181 or advertising@ PEELinc.com for information on advertising.

LOEN Board Of Directors President:......................................................... Mark Overton Vice President: .............................................. Stephanie Preto Secretary: ................................................................ Lara Bany Treasurer: ........................................................ Derek Montes Director: ......................................................... Farah Paliwala

We appreciate each one of these individuals' willingness to serve on the Lakes On Eldridge North board. Special thanks to Tom, Linda, and Garrett for their years of service!!!! Lakes on Eldrige North Website: www.loenhoa.nabrnetwork.com

Article Submissions

Please e-mail articles and/or photos to loen@peelinc.com. Submissions must be received by the 10th of the month for the following month's issue. (Advertising deadline is the 8th of the month.) 2

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021

Lakes on Eldridge North

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021

Lakes on Eldridge North

Ladies Club News

The LOEN Ladies Club wishes all LOEN ladies a very happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year. We are looking forward to 2022 and getting back to providing all LOEN ladies with a relaxed and friendly way to meet one another through regularly scheduled monthly events. Although the pandemic forced us to cut back our activities, some of our groups have persevered and continued to be active. The Club is currently planning on resuming inperson events in January 2022 and providing all LOEN ladies with opportunities to meet their neighbors, make friends, and socialize. Look for more information in the January 2022 edition of this LOEN Newsletter. If you would like more information about LOEN’s Ladies Club, please email Jeanne MacKenzie at loenladiesclubpresident@gmail.com.

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021

Lakes on Eldridge North Lead Vocalist, Artist, Author, Cypress Music Contributor

Connect on Facebook Hurry Sundown Band Cypress Music Scene

EXPLORE & JOIN! Visit CMS on Facebook Scan the QR code!!

*12/10 – THE BARN EMILY GLAZNER, 6PM *12/11 – THE BARN CHAD MILLER & GOOD FORTUNE, 8PM *12/17 – THE BURGER RANCH STEVEN MARSHALL, 6PM *12/18 – CREEKWOOD GRILL DANVILLE TRAIN, 6PM *12/24 – HOLIDAY *12/25– MERRY CHRISTMAS! *12/31 – OPEN *1/1 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!

DECEMBER 2021 HWY 99 BAND CMS advertised over 120 LIVE MUSIC events in November alone! 2021 has been an explosive year for the Cypress Music S c e n e ! Wa t c h i n g local artists and venues come alive again is a great thing to see happening -

from the inside out. One of the hidden treasures of this community is The Highway 99 Band! They have recently played at the local stops The Burger Ranch (HouseHahl Rd, 77433), Pearl & Vine (in Katy), and at Tony’s Mexican Kitchen (Ella Blvd.), and they are continuing to make appearances around town! The Highway 99 band includes (L-R) Timothy O’Briant (bass), Kevin Janecek (drums), Joyce Skala (cntr), Michael Moras (Lead Vocals, Guitar), and John Macklary, aka Lumpy Rutherford (Guitar). I was honored to hang with them during the CMS SPOTLIGHT Event held at The Burger Ranch in July of this year. They play your favorite classic country, rock, and pop tunes suitable for dancing and all occasions! Duos, trios, and full band arrangements are available for hire! On select weekends, you can catch Michael Moras playing his solo acoustic show at Murdoch’s Backyard Pub (Mueschke Rd. 77429). Be sure to visit them on Facebook! Search the handle @highway99band, and you can watch videos, give them a FOLLOW and keep up with their event schedule! Be sure to check out @cypressmusicscene on Facebook also. Scan the QR code at the top of the page to EXPLORE and JOIN! *All shows subject to change, no guarantee. Updates are available on Facebook by visiting @CYPRESSMUSICSCENE You can reach out to me with your music news, alerts, happenings, and questions! Artists/Venues/Agents Welcome. NO SPAM. please email me: joycebehindthemic@gmail. com.

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021

Lakes on Eldridge North The Lakes on Eldridge North is a private publication published by Peel, Inc. It is not sanctioned by any homeowners association or organization, nor is it subject to the approval of any homeowners association or organization, nor is it intended, nor implied to replace any publication that may be published by or on behalf of any homeowners association or organization. At no time will any source be allowed to use the Lakes on Eldridge North Newsletter contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from Peel, Inc. The information in the Lakes on Eldridge North Newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Peel, Inc. DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021

Lakes on Eldridge North

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021

Lakes on Eldridge North PO Box 1148 Round Rock, Texas 78680

Lakes on Eldridge North - December 2021