Westador Westwind On-Line

New WCA President Comments on Westador by Ann Koelling, WCA President

On October 27^th, after the general meeting of the subdivision had adjourned, I was elected by the Board of Directors of the Westador Civic Association to serve as President of this fine subdivision.  I appreciate this opportunity to volunteer my services to the community for the next two years, and I will look to the residents of this 699 home community for their input and support in order to achieve the goals that we as a community want to achieve for ourselves.

Richard Murphy has done a fantastic job the last two years as President.  He has served his neighborhood with great dedication and tremendous perseverance.  Richard and the Board of Directors have had some strong issues to deal with these past few years.  Under his leadership, the Westador Board of Directors has outlined guidelines for these issues, and the future work of the Board will be to define them in the best interest of the residents and in accordance to the laws set forth.

I also want to welcome aboard the directors on the ballot who were voted in by a vote of the homeowners of Westador!  This year, we are excited to have two relatively new residents of Westador come on board - Doug Barnes and Carl Mayes.  Their fresh approach and new ideas will be welcomed by all of us.

The incumbents who will carry out the remainder of their terms have contributed valuable guidance, experience and wisdom to keep Westador beautiful, safe and solvent!  We, as a subdivision, should applaud them heartily for the service they have unselfishly provided our subdivision.  As I travel up and down FM 1960 visiting other subdivisions in the area, I still marvel at our beautiful and well-maintained Westador!  We have so much to be proud of!  Visitors to our community fall in love with the gorgeous trees, amenities offered, and convenient location to all our personal needs!

Merry Activities Planned for Westador this December by Cindy Poetz

Bring home the holidays to Westador by partaking in one or more of the festivities planned this upcoming season.  There’s plenty for all to do…

            Looking for something personal to give to that special someone this Christmas?  Why not make them a photo album at Scrapbook Night, Monday, December 5^th from 7-9 PM at the Cali Clubhouse?  The event is FREE and there will be someone experienced to help you work at your own pace; just bring a handful of photos and your jolly spirit!  This event is sponsored by the Westador Women’s Group.  For more information, please call Amber Boyle.

Who doesn’t like cookies?  It’s the 2^nd Annual Westador Women’s Group White Elephant and Cookie Gift Exchange, Wednesday, December 7^th, 7-9 PM at the Nanes Clubhouse.  Bring a wrapped gift (something from home you would sell at a garage sale or a gag gift) to exchange and 4 dozen cookies.  Don’t forget your Christmas tin; you’ll be leaving with 4dozen after the exchange.  Yummy!  Call Andrea Barnes for more information.

 Dust off your Christmas lights and Christmas yard decorations as we’re lighting up Westador for the holidays..  Bring a photo of your yard on Sunday, December 11^th to the Cali Clubhouse at 4:30 PM to enter the “Best Holiday-Decorated Yard Contest.”  Good luck!  Winner will be announced at the Christmas Potluck and Caroling.

 Families and children of all ages (0-100) are cordially invited to bring their delicious covered dish and merry voice to the Cali Clubhouse on Sunday, December 11^th for Christmas Potluck and Caroling.  The social will begin at 4:30 PM and dinner will be served at 4:45 PM.  Santa and Mrs. Claus will join in the celebration and will greet the children during dinner.  A hayride will escort residents to view Westador’s Christmas lights and sing carols to our neighbors. If you would like to share your talents in this grand event, whether it’s singing, story telling, or playing an instrument, please contact Cindy Poetz for more information.

Residents Work Team Cleans and Improves Tennis Courts by Phil Bode  

Thank you to all who organized and participated in the tennis workday.

I wanted to take a minute and express my sincere appreciation to Richard Murphy and Mal and Sharon Thompson for organizing a workday to help clean up the tennis courts.  If you have not had a chance to see the improvements, I encourage you to stop by and see them.  The rust on the light poles is gone.  The nets are much whiter, and the windscreens no longer ripped.  While we still need to put on the last coat of paint on the light poles, I think you will agree that even with just the primer it looks much much better.

And to all of the individuals that came out and spent a beautiful Saturday morning on October 15^th to make our courts look a whole lot better, thank you so much.  Bob Johns especially, was there from 7 in the morning until I don’t know when, because he outlasted me.  I think he may have scraped down every pole out there, and in some cases the rust was pretty deep.  Thanks, Bob, for all of your work.

Richard and Mal purchased all of the needed tools, paint, and windscreens and Richard furnished everything but the kitchen sink to make sure we had everything needed to make the day a success.  Thank you so much Richard and Mal.

Thanks also to Mal Thompson, Guy Wescott, Fred Novatny, David Shurtliff, and Pedro Guiterrez for the time they spent.  And for anyone else that I missed, please accept my apologies for forgetting you, and my sincere appreciation for your effort as well.

Veterans Were Honored at All-American Armistice Day Event

             More than 30 military veterans attended the first annual Armistice Day celebration at the Cali clubhouse.  With spouses and offspring, the attendance was more than 80.  State representative Deborah Riddle was on hand to offer her thanks to the service of the veterans.

                A Texas style buffet was prepared for the attending veterans, their families, and other guests. 

                Foster and Fenton Krupp and Claire Barnes presented the pledge of allegiance and Hali Poetz sang “God Bless America” at the opening of the event.

                After the buffet, Emily, Elizabeth, Hannah, and Rachel Lechmann, and Hannah Melvin entertained the guests with music and reading of military and war inspired poetry.

                Westador children and grandchildren provided a variety of posters as decorations.  Military memorabilia and flags, as well as personal war items and pictures completed the decoration scheme.

                Nana Midcap, who orchestrated the event, plans to make this an annual event and is grateful for all the support and assistance from participating volunteers.

Some Homeowners Have Not Paid Their Annual Maintenance Assessments as of November 11

Homeowners who are delinquent on the annual maintenance fees incur interest, collection and legal fees, have lien notices filed on their property. and are prohibited from using common facilities such as the tennis courts, pools, and clubhouses.  This month two addresses were deleted where the homeowner had begun making payments.

 The following list of addresses reflect only those homeowners who have a Lien Notice filed on their property or are delinquent for more than one year as of November 11, 2005.

Also, the Board has authorized stopping the trash and garbage collection service for homeowners who are delinquent for more than one year.  If a delinquent homeowner is making monthly payments in accordance with an arranged payment plan, that homeowner’s address will not be listed and trash and garbage collection service will not be suspended unless they cease to comply with the arranged payment plan.

Neighbors Can Band Together to Maintain Vacant Residences by Sharon Thompson

I live on the 1000 block of Baltic.  The corner house on our street has been vacant for a year now.

The responsibility to maintain the property rests with the homeowner, whether or not the owner resides in Westador. Our civic association has the properties mowed when the appearance gets out of hand, but doesn’t have the resources to routinely mow the yards of all vacant properties.

During the summer various neighbors mowed the grass a few times.  Some of us on the 1000 and 1100 sides of Baltic agreed to share in the cost of having the lawn mowed three times.  It was mowed right after Hurricane Rita and will be mowed two more times to take care of all the leaves that will be falling.

Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department Round Up

The Ponderosa VFD is a drop off point for food and toys for the Northwest Assistance Ministries.  We will make a final delivery on December 18, so please attempt to drop off your items prior to that date.

Fireworks season is just about here.  Our recommendation is to NOT buy them.  But if you insist --- please supervise your children, and do not allow aerial devices near buildings.  We have had many events that have caused injuries and fires.  Also consider your neighbors with the noise and smoke, and please clean the area of debris.

It is time to prepare for our winter, and that means you need to have your home heating unit serviced by a qualified company.  It is important to assure that your furnace does not have rust buildup.  Be sure to check your smoke detectors, and have a fire extinguisher available.

Carbon monoxide detectors are important for your family’s safety.  Do remember that a carbon monoxide alarm is NOT the same as a smoke alarm.  Unless you are experiencing nausea, a headache, or have skin reddening, please observe the detector and possibly reset to prevent a false alarm.  Read the instructions.

Voice Over Internet Protocol telephone service - Our position has not changed.  It is a personal risk to use this product at this time.  Some companies have a 9-1-1 system that works, some do not.  In addition, if the internet quits working, so does your phone service!  It is simply not worth the few bucks to be without 9-1-1!

November 8 Election Yielded Low Turnout in Precinct 111 by Casey Westell

                Nine Texas Constitutional issues did little to interest Precinct 111 voters.  Only 17 percent of the precinct voted.  On Tuesday, November 8, 2005, 277 citizens came to the polls and forty people voted early.

Westador Benefits from Continued and Continuing Involvement by Ralph Hague by Bill Streidl

Thirty-Five Years Of Service To Westador – Happy Birthday to Ralph Hague. 

Ralph and Fran Hague moved here in 1970 when Westador was in the early stages of development.  Ralph quickly became the first residential member of the Westador Municipal Utility District (MUD) Board, then staffed by developer’s representatives.

Ralph reached the age of 90 on November 1, 2005 while continuing to serve as MUD Board President, a position he has filled with high effectiveness for over 25 years.  He has concurrently served on the Ponderosa Powers Joint Authority Waste Water Board during much of that period and continues to serve as its President.

Both of these organizations owe much of their past efficiency and current effectiveness to Ralph’s dedicated, consistent and prudent leadership.  Westador residents are particularly indebted to Ralph for sustaining our low tax and water rates while continuing to maintain our water and waste systems at high efficiency.

Happy Birthday, Ralph we couldn’t have done it without you!

From Your Westador MUD Board of Directors -
Mike Engle, Nelson Jones, Gordon Landwermeyer, Bill Streidl, and Bob Thomas.

And all your satisfied friends, neighbors, and customers.

Following is the reprint from the March 2002 Westwind spotlighting Ralph.
Westwind Spotlight by Ann Koelling

This month’s spotlight is on Ralph Hague, long time Westador resident.

When you look into that warm generous face with the handsome friendly smile, you just want to talk with Ralph Hague for days.  I enjoyed listening to Ralph talk about his family, his career and recollections that make him happy.

He was born in Hoquiam, WA in 1915. Ralph recalls a few fond memories when he was a youth.  One, Ralph’s father owned a hotel and Ralph played cribbage with the traveling salesmen guests.  Another, Ralph’s father and brother asked Ralph to take his savings and invest in the stock market.  Ralph got cold feet and backed out – the market crashed – and Ralph was the only one in the family who had any money left.  Apparently Ralph has always enjoyed good common sense.  Ralph exclaims, “or luck”!  After high school, Ralph enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley where he earned a BS degree in Accounting.

After college, Ralph worked for the Purser of a cruise ship.  He did enjoy visiting the Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Shanghai (at the time), Hong Kong and Manila, but he didn’t enjoy a typhoon. That position became a “one time round trip” experience just prior to starting his career with Shell Oil in San Francisco.

Ralph worked for Shell Oil five years before joining the Army during WWII.  While stationed at Fort Ord in California, he received orders to be sent to the South Pacific.  He went to say goodbye to his Commanding Officer who was unaware that Ralph was leaving, began looking over the orders, and found that another fellow by the name of Hegg was actually the person that was supposed to leave.  Ralph was later reassigned.   He became a Warrant Officer auditing terminated war contract claims.  Funny how fate intervenes. 

After the Army, Ralph returned to Shell Oil in San Francisco and was soon transferred to Seattle where he met Fran.  Initially Ralph had a blind date with Fran, but Ralph forgot the date (having gone on vacation in the interim), Spotlight Continued

and Fran almost never forgave him this transgression.  But they soon learned they could “samba” together in perfect synch, so they ended up dancing to the beat of the Wedding March.  After having three daughters, ultimately three sons-in-law, seven grandchildren and two great granddaughters they celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary in 1999.

Ralph accepted a position in Shell’s Head Office in New York, NY.  Later, he was promoted to Treasury Manager of the N.Y. Marketing Division and transferred to Flushing, NY.  During this time, Ralph became President of the Flushing Chamber of Commerce, served on the Salvation Army Hospital Board and was voted Flushing YMCA Man of the Year.

In 1970, the Hagues were relocated to Houston along with Shell’s Head Office. Westador was in its infancy and they were amongst the early families to move to this subdivision. 

Ralph serves as President of the Westador MUD district, and also as President of the Ponderosa Joint Powers Agency that collects wastewater from seven water districts in the area.   He is very humble about his achievements preferring to speak with great pride about the present water board directors.   He said he is truly blessed to have such proactive, talented and dedicated persons on the board.  

Ralph loves to play poker, bridge, pinochle, and backgammon.  He has snow skied in the past, hiked the Grand Canyon, and has enjoyed many camping trips with his family over the years.  He plays the piano for his own amusement, has built some nice pieces of furniture, taken a number of cruises, and has traveled to Europe numerous times.  He has some property near Livingston, Texas which claims three refurbished buildings amusingly named the “Sow’s Ear”, the “Boar’s Tail”, and my favorite – the “Pork Shop”. 

Trash Service Information is Furnished by WCA by Jerry Butler

Reminder:  There will be no trash pickup on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24.  Service will resume on Monday.  With the extra visitors in Westador over that weekend, please be especially considerate not to place your refuse at curbside until 6 PM Sunday evening.  And, don’t forget to latch down your garbage cans to discourage hungry dogs and raccoons.

It Bears Repeating Department:  Since I often work late and travel, by the time I get home I can’t always respond to your messages in time.  Because the Republic driver doesn’t speak English very well, Republic insists on us calling Customer Service first so that they can radio the crew.  If your pickup is missed or bungled, please report it directly:

Republic Waste Customer Service

281-540-0513 or 281-446-2030

Guidelines for Curbside Trash Service are Detailed by Jerry Butler

As always, bundles of tree branches, shrub and brush trimmings, or newspapers and magazines should be tied and neatly stacked, forming an easily handled package not exceeding 5 feet long or 50 pounds, and 18 inches in diameter.  Our contractor has the right to not pick up your bundles unless they meet these requirements.  Please note that such bundles and lawn clippings in bags will be left behind if not placed at curbside.

Goblins, Witches, Princesses, and Toads Came To The Children’s Halloween Party On Saturday, October 27^th by Ann Koelling

They were all so wonderful!  We think everyone had a great time, as there were not many cookies or drinks left over when each one went home!  We distributed 70 goodie bags full of candy, chips and a spider ring.  They were all gone, so we figure the turnout was fantastic!

The children lead by “Captain Hook” paraded around the Cali Clubhouse and everyone cheered for the best costume, the prettiest costume and the most unique costume!  Afterward they played games and just plain had fun!

Thanks to Cindy Poetz, Andrea Barnes, and all the other volunteers who helped out at the party organizing games and donating homemade cookies!

A special thanks goes to Stephen Richie for spending so much time and energy helping with this event!  He should have come dressed as a bunny, because we kept him hopping all day long, and he was so very helpful and supportive to this event!  YOU ARE SPECIAL STEPHEN!

Cali Pool Resurfacing Has Been Completed

          Shortly after the publication of the October Westwind, the Cali pool-resurfacing project was completed.  The work has a 6-year warranty and the pool will not have to be resurfaced for another 10 to 15 years.  At a cost of about $47.000, the project cost (included in annual maintenance fees), amounts to about $5,000 a year, or $7 per homeowner per year. 

            The Nanes pool was resurfaced several years ago and is not in any immediate need of resurfacing.  The annual funding for Nanes is less because it is a smaller pool. 

Senior Forum

Potluck Dinner Tuesday, December 6, 2005 6:30 PM

Christmas Celebration and Dinner - Start your Christmas season on an upbeat note.  Join other Westador seniors for dinner on Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at 6:30 PM at the Cali Clubhouse.  Our Senior Forum Christmas tradition will be continued when we share our dinner with the Westfield High School Pops Choir.  Don’t miss this opportunity for world class Christmas entertainment.

This dinner will be hosted by Gordon and Jean Landwermeyer and Pat and Susan Wheeler.

Remember –

√ Bring your Christmas spirit and be prepared to be entertained.

√ Bring a hot dish, salad, or dessert!  Since there will be almost 25 guests (the singers), attending seniors are asked to bring extra large servings or two hot dishes, salads, or desserts (or any combination of these).

Westador Residents’ Directory is to be Printed in January 2006

The current edition of the Westador Residents’ Directory is almost three years old.  With a new resident addition of an estimated 5+ per month, the current directory is obsolete.  Approximately every three months, an updated electronic version is distributed to residents who have registered their E-Mail addresses with Bill Streidl, but this represents less than 1/3 of the residents. 

An update form is provided with this Westwind, and residents are encouraged to complete it and return it no later than December 15, to block captains, the Westwind editor at 1003 Marne, or to Bill Streidl at 726 Baltic.  Residents may also call Bill or E-Mail him (Bills0188@Earthlink.Net) with the information.

There are 23 residences, as follows, for which there is no information for the directory.  Residents at these addresses are especially encouraged to complete the form.  Block Captains – Please visit these addresses personally and collect the forms, if possible.

Fifty plus NAM November/DecemberActivities.

Antique Group Trip to Martha’s Bloomers in Navasota and Montgomery Thursday, November 17, 2005 8:30 AM.   Cost is $10 plus lunch on your own.

Promenade Concert at Cypress Creek FACE – “Caroling, Caroling” Tuesday, December 13, 2005 3:30 PM.  Free to 50+ members.

Small Group Trip to Chappell Hill Historical Christmas Home Tour Saturday, December 10, 2005 9 AM.   Cost is $15 plus lunch on your own.

Cypress/Woodlands Junior Forum Holiday Party Wednesday, December 14, 2005 9:30 AM.  Cost is $1 daily user fee.

Antique Group Holiday Party (Pot Luck) Friday, December 16, 2005 11:30 AM at the home of Charla Hannibal.   Cost is a donation to the daily user fee.

Mahjongg Group Tuesdays at Noon.

Basic Beginner Line Dance Class Wednesdays at 1 PM.  Cost is daily user fee.

One Hour Exercise Class Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 AM. 

Duplicate Bridge Group Class Mondays at 12 Noon. 

Social Dance Class Tuesdays at 10:45 AM.

Yoga Classes Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 PM.  Cost is $85 for 17 classes and $1 daily user fee.

The Westador Information Sheet is Printed Quarterly

Westador’s Community Emergency Response Team is Active by Patrick Durkin, WCERT Member

We rely on the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department and Harris County Sheriff Departments to help us during emergencies and they do this even during severe weather conditions.  Have you ever wondered what life would be like without them?

There would be no one to help residents having a medical emergency, assist residents during flooding, check on a disabled person, or clear a tree from the street.  A community like this is a place where many of you would not want to live.  Have you ever considered what you would do if the fire department could not help you because a disaster prevented them from reaching Westador?  What if there was category 5-hurricane damage to a large portion of the area homes and emergency responders were overwhelmed? 

WCERT Training Rescheduled for December 1

Due to the Astros involvement in the World Series, the training originally scheduled for October 25 will be held on Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 PM at the Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department Station One.  The topic will consider how building construction affects emergency operations.  Gas and electric turn off procedures as well as other issues that make rescues and evacuations safer will be discussed.  All are invited to attend.