The Memorial Buzz - July 2026

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

We are excited to share the winners of our 21st annual Buzz Photo Contest, which is a favorite issue of mine and one that generates a lot of reader response. I am often asked why certain photos were chosen. There are certain elements of photography that must be met, but as with any contest like this, decisions are inherently subjective. Our judges are professional photographers and there is much discussion and debate. Often, my personal favorites do not end up among the winning images, but I am not a professional photographer nor one of the judges. I do, however, observe the judging and have a good understanding of what the judges look for (read mores on page 22). Congratulations to all of our winners and especially to our Grand Prize winner, Eloise Carey – an impressive accomplishment, particularly given that she’s 15. Thank you to everyone who entered, to our sponsor Houston Camera Exchange, and to our judges for their time and expertise. We hope you enjoy this visual feast and look forward to seeing more of your photos in next year’s Buzz Photo Contest. michael@thebuzzmagazines.com

THE BUZZ MAGAZINES

BELLAIRE • WEST UNIVERSITY • MEMORIAL • TANGLEWOOD/RIVER OAKS

Published by Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC 5001 Bissonnet, Suite 100, Bellaire, Texas 77401 info@thebuzzmagazines.com • p: 713.668.4157 • f: 713.665.2940

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X thebuzzmagazines.com

Editor-in-Chief

Joni Hoffman

Publisher Michael Hoffman

Editor Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld

Editorial Assistant Mackenzie Malveaux

Design Manager John Duboise

Staff Writers Tracy L. Barnett

Sharon Albert Brier

Cindy Burnett

Andria Dilling

Angie Frederickson

Todd Freed

Cindy Gabriel

Cathy Gordon

Michelle Casas Groogan

Dai Huynh

Annie Blaylock McQueen

Jennifer Oakley

Ben Portnoy

Cheryl Ursin

Accounting & Contract Administrator Meena Dost

Account Managers Andrea Blitzer, Jo Rogers

Interns Layne Gasper, Halliday Mafrige, Emily McDowell, Shannon Pacholder, Lucy Walker

On our cover: Mary Duggan, 55, took this photo of Stratford High Men’s Varsity Lacrosse players. Pictured: Finn Maguire, Beckett Willard, Liam Osbon, John McKemie, and Robert Black.

The Buzz Magazines has made all reasonable attempts to verify the accuracy of all information contained within. Advertising claims are solely the responsibility of the advertiser. Copyright © 2026 Hoffman Marketing & Media, LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of

without

Your letters, thoughts, opinions

Urban farm is blooming

It was a delight to read the article recognizing Finca Tres Robles – Small Places [A Healing Harvest: Growing hope in a Houston food desert by Michelle Casas Groogan, May 2026] and what Tommy Garcia-Prats is doing in the 2nd Ward. He and his brothers took a beat-up abandoned lot and turned it into an urban farm. Their recent event Salsa de Mayo was a huge hit. Thanks to your article, people from your readership attended and were delighted to join the festivities. This urban farm is meeting the needs in this area. They are learning healthier ways to provide for their families and bring the community together.

Thank you for highlighting this wonderful endeavor. River Oaks Garden Club enjoyed working alongside Small Places to meet their greenhouse needs.

Madeleine Sheehy

Buzzing about Finca Tres Robles

I wanted to personally say thank you for your support [A Healing Harvest by Michelle Casas Groogan]. The Spring Harvest farm dinner was a huge success and felt incredibly special, not only as a celebration of the spring harvest, but as a reflection of the community that continues to gather around and believe in Small Places – Finca Tres Robles. Support from partners like you makes that possible.

It's wonderful to see the farm filled with neighbors, supporters, and friends sharing a meal together. Moments like that serve as an important reminder of what happens when people invest in community-centered spaces and long-term neighborhood health.

And the Salsa de Mayo festival was a record year for us as we’ve watched this steadily grow over the last few years. Thank you for helping us bring together over 1,000 neighbors and friends to celebrate over the two days. I ran into several people at the festival who read about it in The Buzz and I keep running into people who saw the article. Thank you for including us and helping us spread our story. It truly means a lot.

Thank you again for helping us continue building a healthier, more connected East End through food, education, and community.

Tommy Garcia-Prats

An engaging ‘tail’

I thought the recent article about horse racing and the Kentucky Derby [Horsing Around: My family’s fascination with the Kentucky Derby by Halliday Mafrige] was timely, interesting, and very well written. Sharing the personal and family history kept me engaged – reading until the end!

Mary Grace Landrum

Cinco de Mayo: Past and present

I found Unmixing Tex-Mex History by Cindy Gabriel in the May Buzz interesting. Yes, the American colonists were not only supposed to become

Catholic but also learn Spanish! And not have slaves. All of which was not followed or enforced. In exchange they got good land. Not a bad deal.

As to Cinco de Mayo being a “bigger deal in the U.S.,” I totally agree. Years ago, my Delta Kappa Gamma Chapter was holding their May meeting in Houston and wanted Cinco de Mayo decorations. I happened to be in McAllen, Texas, which is across from Mexico. Could I bring decorations for the meeting? “Sure, no problem,” I said. Wrong. No Cinco de Mayo decorations were to be found in Reynosa or Progreso, Mexico. I could not believe it. Disappointed, I called and informed my DKG sister in Houston. Then she called me back saying, no problem, one of our other sisters had gone to San Antonio and she found all the Cinco decorations we needed! I agree, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated more in Texas (maybe even in the U.S.) than it is in Mexico.

Tonie

Maheshwari

Email us at mailbag@thebuzzmagazines.com. 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.

We are looking for residents for upcoming articles who:

• Have special fall traditions.

• Were recently married and would like to participate in an upcoming Wedding Buzz column.

• Know a Buzzworthy neighbor to feature.

• Have an interesting travel tale.

• Have a unique passion or hobby.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com or 713.668.4157, ext 102.

The Buzz Magazines’ 2026 Photo Contest

4 Publisher’s Note

Mailbag: Letters from Readers

The Journey Back: Honor Flight’s lasting gift by Cathy Gordon

We are pleased to present the winners of the 2026 Buzz Photo Contest. Congratulations to all of our winners and especially to Grand Prize winner Eloise Carey, for her winning image, Upside Down World.

Honor Flight Houston provides veterans a meaningful, all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital, where they visit memorials, share stories, and connect with other veterans. The nonprofit is part of a nationwide network.

Cold and Creamy: Ice cream you can make at home by Andria Dilling

Ice cream is always a treat. Homemade ice cream? Even better. Find recipes, including some that call for an ice cream maker and some that don’t.

Hooked on Galveston: Casting memories along the coast by Annie Blaylock McQueen

These Buzz-area families have reeled in great memories while fishing in Galveston.

From Our Archives: Galveston Restaurant Memories: Island favorites from the past by Russell Weil

Russell Weil’s “restaurant memories” stories, including this one on historic Galveston favorites, remain some of our most-discussed articles to date. This article was originally published in July 2018.

Rumor Has It by Sharon Albert Brier

Buzz Reads by Cindy Burnett

Book reviewer Cindy Burnett recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

Travel Buzz: A Houston Family’s Journey to Ecuador and the Galápagos by Tracy L. Barnett

Rupesh Nigam, Supriya Singh, and their daughters Saanvi and Eera share their adventures in Ecuador and the Galápagos.

SportzBuzz by Todd Freed

SportzBuzz Jr. by Annie Blaylock McQueen

Event Roundup by Mackenzie Malveaux

Fourth of July festivities, World Cup events, and more. Find events to add to your calendar this month.

Buzz Kidz: First place at PSIA State by Samuel Knott

Neighborhood Tails by Sugar

Buzz About Town by Angie Frederickson

Back Porch: Make Space in Your Suitcase: What to read this summer by Andria Dilling

When she travels, Carmen Gomez makes sure to leave extra room in her suitcase for multiple books. She recommends great summer reads.

by Cathy Gordon, staff writer

The Journey Back

Honor Flight’s lasting gift

In the shadow of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Rick Ruchaber pressed a paper against cool black granite and began tracing. With each pass of the pencil, graphite settled into indentations. Letters grew darker, more distinct, till a name rose from the stone like a figure emerging from the fog: Alan Robert Gerrish

One of more than 58,000 service members who never made it home.

As a Navy corpsman attached to Marine units in Vietnam, Ruchaber was responsible for treating wounded Marines in the field. As the lead corpsman on duty, he was often the first called when casualties occurred. On Aug. 23, 1968, he had been sent to another location when a Marine security outpost at Cam Le Bridge, south of Da Nang, came under attack. In his absence, another corpsman, Gerrish, answered the call, rushing to aid a wounded Marine. While rendering treatment, Gerrish was critically wounded by enemy fire.

Ruchaber visited him in the hospital, talked to him. “He seemed to be recovering.” But word soon arrived that he didn’t make it. His belongings were packed up, destined for family.

“He did everything he was supposed to do as a corpsman,” he says, his voice growing soft. “It’s a memory that will always stay with me.”

A traveling Vietnam wall had visited Houston before, but Ruchaber, 78, never felt ready to confront it. What changed was not the passage of time, but the company – fellow veterans who understood the language of loss, sacrifice, and service.

He found that camaraderie in the quiet power of Honor Flight Houston.

The nonprofit organization provides veterans an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital, where they visit memorials, share stories, and reconnect with a past that, for many, never feels quite as distant as years might suggest. It’s part of a nationwide network, relying on donations and volunteers to make the experience possible.

Over two whirlwind days, veterans travel from monument to monument, accompanied by volunteer guardians who push wheelchairs, carry bags, handle medications, and countless other details, so the veterans can focus on the experi-

ence. They visit the World War II Memorial. Lock eyes with steel soldiers at the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Search names etched upon the wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

What begins as a trip to Washington often becomes something far more personal. It’s a chance to honor fallen friends. And for some, an opportunity to rediscover pride in a service they rarely discuss.

What begins as a trip to Washington often becomes something far more personal. It’s a chance to honor fallen friends. And for some, an opportunity to rediscover pride in a service they rarely discuss.

Veterans who served during World War II, Korea, or Vietnam are eligible. Veterans from any service era with a terminal illness also qualify for the trip. Combat service or foreign deployment is not required.

“We encourage the guardians to sit together on the plane and the veterans to sit together on the plane because we want vets to visit with other vets, to feel like they’re one big family,” says Army veteran Alan Montgomery, 79, who has volunteered for Honor Flight Houston for 10

years. His job is to draw attention to its mission. The program typically hosts four flights per year, depending on funding. They rely on donations for the trips, which run $50,000 to $60,000 per flight. The Houston chapter has flown 850 veterans to Washington since being established in 2013. Its inaugural flight in 2014 hosted 23 World War II veterans. The umbrella organization, Honor Flight Network, started in 2005.

Montgomery’s involvement with Honor Flight Houston began years ago when he accompanied a World War II veteran friend as his guardian on a trip to Washington.

“I had been to the Vietnam memorial before but didn’t let it affect me emotionally. But when I went with my friend and saw all these vets get emotional…well, then it hits you. You walk down a hill and see that wall, and it brings back all the horrors.”

As a military photographer with the Army’s 1st Signal Brigade in Vietnam, Montgomery snapped his share of medal-pinning ceremonies and embassy dinners, but he also rode in the open doorway of helicopters, camera in hand, documenting bombing targets before and after B-52 strikes. There were no safety harnesses, no restraints back then, only an aluminum floor beneath him and air rushing past.

When ground fire erupted, pilots reacted instantly, throwing aircraft into hard banks and sudden turns, Montgomery holding on for dear life. “You’re sliding around and just hanging on,” he says.

Montgomery now chronicles Honor Flight Houston trips with a team of photographers. Two photographers are assigned per flight. They work quietly in the background, capturing veterans’ reactions at memorials, laughing with newfound friends, rubbing names etched in stone. They are there for the solemn moments, the joyful ones, and the unexpected in between.

Especially moving is mail

(continued on page 12

(continued from page 10)

call.

For most, explains Montgomery, mail call was the highlight of military life. “A letter from home lifted spirits, eased loneliness, and reminded them what awaited beyond the war.” Honor Flight revives that tradition one last time.

As the flight turns toward home, veterans are handed an 11-by 14-inch packet. Inside are letters from loved ones who were asked: What does this veteran mean to you?

Heads bow. Pages rustle. Then come quiet sniffles.

At the end of the trip, each veteran receives a professional photographic portrait and a coffee table book tailored for them, their interactions on the trip documented for prosperity.

When the flight returns to Hobby Airport, corridors are lined with cheering family, friends, and passing travelers caught up in the moment. American flags wave. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts stand shoulder to shoulder with members

of the American Legion. Families clutch handmade signs. Bands play. Sometimes there are bagpipes. Applause echoes through the terminal.

It’s a gratitude that many waited a lifetime to hear. Veterans smile. Some cry.

“The homecoming at Hobby Airport is amazing,” says Eileene Grozier, 76, a Vietnam-era Air Force nurse who went on Honor Flight’s 35th trip in April.

The warm welcome provides healing for Vietnam veterans who received little to no thanks for their service after returning home from war, she says.

Grozier, vice president of the Vietnam Veterans of America chapter in Baytown, primarily served stateside during the war, caring for injured service members. Physical as well as mental scars. Burdens followed service members home, long after fighting ended, she says.

“A lot of us have gone to Washington, D.C. before and seen these monuments. But when

you go with your fellow brothers and sisters in arms, it is totally different because we can share more than we can with the average person.” She was especially moved by the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, a bronze sculpture honoring the more than 265,000 women – 90 percent of whom were nurses – who served globally during the war. The statute depicts three uniformed women tending to a wounded soldier.

Grozier also did an etching at the wall. She lost a friend and neighbor to the Vietnam war, three months after he arrived there. “He was just 18. I did the rub. I’m going to frame it and put it on the wall in my home with other pictures of friends and family.” Among those pictures is one of her father, who was an infantryman in World War II.

World War II veteran George Chapman, 100, sits at home on a recent day, recalling when he heard that Nazi Germany had invaded Poland. “I was at Kemah in the water, swimming. It was September 1, 1939. I’ll

(continued on page 14)

(continued from page 12)

never forget it.”

He enlisted in the Navy at 17 and before long was a master at equipment most people had never seen. He served stateside, maintaining the intricate Norden bombsights used in aircraft such as B-17s and B-24s. Installed in the nose of the plane, bombardiers relied upon the complex instrument to accurately target enemy positions.

The centenarian is an adventurous sort.

At 49, he set out to hike the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail, completing the journey in sections over 11 years of summer vacations. The same spirit has carried him back to the Texas boys basketball state championships for 66 consecutive years, a streak so remarkable that it earned recognition from the University Interscholastic League.

A century of life has done little to dull his appetite for new experiences. He jumped at the chance to go on Honor Flight. His daughter, Mary Chapman Cantu, accompanied him as guardian.

“He was grinning from ear to ear and everywhere we went people came up to him and thanked him for his service. It was really overwhelming at times,” Cantu recalls.

Chapman cited two highlights of the trip: visiting the grave of Audie Murphy, the nation’s

most decorated soldier, at Arlington National Cemetery. And, as he jokingly puts it, “being pushed around by my daughter.” He was referring to the wheelchair she guided through Washington. But he delivered the line with a chuckle that suggests he enjoyed the pun as much as the ride.

Seeing Audie Murphy’s grave was a highlight for Korean War Navy veteran Bill Kelly, too, who went on an Honor Flight trip three years ago. His niece, Mary Lee, a retired U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs employee, was his guardian.

“It was quite a sight. Not a blade of grass looked out of place,” he says of the massive cemetery of white headstones, perfectly aligned with military precision.

Kelly, 95, admits not being entirely sold on the trip at first. “When my niece asked me if I wanted to go, I was thinking, ‘Well, won’t that be fun, going all the way to Washington, D.C. to just look at a bunch of statues and concrete pillars,” he recalls. “I couldn’t have been more wrong. It was wonderful.”

Kelly enlisted in the Navy after completing 10th grade. He was the bombardier on a seaplane flight crew. They flew patrols all over the

South Pacific, the Philippines, and Japan, among other places. “We patrolled places all over because of the conflict, keeping an eye on things. I was very fortunate that I wasn’t in the ground portion of it.”

Despite his service, he always viewed himself as “just another guy, nothing special,” he explains. “I thought it was just a job I did and that nobody cared. I more or less forgot about being a veteran until I went on that trip. Now I’m probably as proud to be a veteran as anybody.”

Some relationships are memorialized in granite, their stories carried across generations. Others, he says, begin unexpectedly on a flight to Washington and are nurtured in daily phone calls and gifts crafted by hand.

Kelly made a forever friend on the trip, a nurse assigned to that flight. “She calls me all the time, daily, to check on me,” he says. The avid woodworker made a jewelry box for her.

“I will never be able to sufficiently thank all the people on Honor Flight for what they do for veterans,” he stresses. “Going on that trip is the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done.”

For more information about Honor Flight Houston, see www.honorflighthouston.org.

by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Cold and Creamy

Ice cream you can make at home

There is no denying that living in Texas has its perks, and that one of those perks is yearround, 24/7 access to Blue Bell Ice Cream. Memories of a Moeller’s birthday cake served with a scoop of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla hold a permanent place in most Houstonians’ hearts.

Still, there is nothing like ice cream made in your own kitchen. It makes a random summer Tuesday memorable – you made ice cream?! And it’s the perfect inside, hot-weather project for kids. Watching simple ingredients like eggs, cream, and sugar transform into something frozen and delicious is pure magic. Just remember, if you’re using an ice cream maker, to store the bowl of the maker in the freezer, so it’s ready whenever you get the urge to make ice cream.

Here are a few versions of homemade frozen yumminess (mostly from our online Back Porch Table column), both with and without assistance from an ice cream maker. With these recipes on hand and the rewards ready to be scooped out from your freezer, you will (almost) be able to handle the summer heat.

Blackberry Shortbread Swirl Ice Cream

Sweet, creamy, and crunchy, this is everything you want in a summer ice cream with no need to add any extra toppings.

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

¾ cup sugar, divided

Salt

6 large egg yolks

12 ounces blackberries

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

5 ounces store-bought shortbread cookies, broken into coarse pieces (such as Walker’s)

In a small saucepan, simmer the cream, milk, ½ cup sugar, and salt over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Whisk the egg yolks in a small, separate bowl. Whisking constantly, slowly drizzle in about ½ cup of the hot cream mixture. Pour this back into the saucepan with the cream, and cook over medium-low heat until the mixture thick-

ens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour the custard into a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until it is cooled completely. Pour the custard into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

While the ice cream is churning, heat the blackberries, lemon juice, ¼ cup sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Let the berries simmer for about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and smash the berries roughly with the back of a fork.

When the ice cream is ready, transfer it to a lidded container. Pour over the blackberries and shortbread cookies, and gently swirl them into the ice cream, being careful not to stir everything together, so that you have streaks of berries and cream. Cover and freeze.

Blueberry Buttermilk Ice Cream

If you like a little tart with your sweet, this ice cream is for you. An easy custard base makes a super creamy ice cream, and the addition of buttermilk gives it a tangy twist that is next-level good. And then, if next-level can go next-level, fresh blueberry compote gets swirled into the smooth, sweet-tart cream.

5 egg yolks

¾ cup sugar, divided

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch kosher salt

Blueberry Compote, recipe below

In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolks just until they are broken up. Whisk in ½ cup of the sugar.

In a heavy saucepan, heat the cream and the remaining ¼ cup sugar over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture just begins to simmer. Reduce the heat to medium. Ladle about ½ cup of the cream into the egg yolk-sugar mixture, whisking constantly so that you don’t wind up with scrambled egg yolks. Repeat with another ½ cup of the cream. Then slowly pour the egg-cream mixture into the saucepan with the rest of the cream, stirring as you do. Stir constantly and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour the custard into a clean bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until it is cooled completely. Stir the cold buttermilk into the cold custard. Stir in the vanilla and salt. Pour the mixture into the bowl of an ice cream machine, then add the Blueberry Compote. Freeze according to the ice cream machine instructions.

Blueberry Compote

2 cups fresh blueberries

2 tablespoons sugar

Pinch of kosher salt

In a small, heavy saucepan, bring the blueberries, sugar, and salt to a simmer over medium heat. Stirring occasionally, cook until the blueberries have burst and the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool the blueberry compote in the pan.

Creamy

Cherry Frozen Yogurt

Who knew homemade frozen yogurt – whatever flavor we can dream up – could be sitting in our freezer waiting for us to dive in at any time?

Don’t be tempted to leave out the corn syrup; it turns the yogurt creamy instead of icy when it freezes. Another tip to keep things creamy: Let the frozen yogurt stand on the counter for 20 minutes or so before scooping it out. Or, if you want super-duper creamy, skip the freezer part and serve it straight from the ice cream maker. Soft-serve like you’ve never had it.

32 ounces whole-milk Greek yogurt

2/3 cup sugar

1 ½ teaspoons light corn syrup

2 cups pitted cherries, chopped

In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt, sugar, and corn syrup. Fold in the cherries. Pour the yogurt into the ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can serve it like soft serve, straight from the ice cream maker, or you can scrape the yogurt into a sealed container and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours. If you freeze it, let it sit on the counter at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before scooping.

Peach Ice Cream Heaven

Like peaches and cream, just frozen, with chunks of cold peach throughout. You could really use any fruit in this recipe – strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. Whatever you love.

4 large, ripe peaches, peeled and chopped into ¼-inch cubes (or smaller or bigger, depending on how you like your peach ice cream)

Juice of ¼ lemon

1 ½ cups whole milk

1 cup sugar

5 egg yolks

1 ½ cups heavy cream

Place the chopped peaches in a bowl, and drizzle the lemon juice over them. Set them aside. In a small saucepan, stir the milk and sugar over medium heat until the mixture is hot and the sugar has dissolved.

Pour the heavy cream into a medium-sized bowl, and set it aside.

In another bowl, beat the egg yolks with a fork until they thicken a bit and look pale yellow. While whisking, slowly add about a cup or so of the milk-sugar mixture to the egg yolks – incorporating the hot milk slowly into the yolks ensures that they won’t cook when they hit the saucepan. Pour the milk-sugar-egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk-sugar mixture. Cook, stirring slowly and continuously with a wooden spoon, over medium heat until you have a thick custard. If you want to use a thermometer to be sure the custard is ready, it should register between 165 and 170 degrees. Otherwise, just watch for the custard to thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Pour the custard into the bowl with the heavy cream, and stir it all together. Stir in the peaches and their juice. Chill the mixture (it doesn’t have to be freezing), then pour it into your ice cream maker. Follow the directions for the machine, or just turn it “on” for 30 minutes or so, until your ice cream looks like soft-serve ice cream. If you have some discipline, transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and stash it in the freezer for a couple of hours to harden. Otherwise, grab a spoon.

No-Churn Banana Pudding Ice Cream

If you are wanting to make ice cream at home but don’t want to mess with making a custard or wrangling an ice cream maker, have no fear. You can make an excellent version with the addition of a can of sweetened con-

densed milk in place of the eggs and sugar. It will keep the ice cream creamy (as opposed to its turning icy) and sweet.

If you are craving a flavor other than banana pudding, just follow the recipe omitting the banana pudding mix and replacing the Nilla Wafers and bananas with whatever you like. Some ideas: store-bought chocolate sauce and mini-marshmallows; peanut butter and crumbled graham crackers; mango that has been quickly pulsed in a food processor; roughly chopped, leftover birthday cake (don’t leave out the frosting).

3 cups heavy cream

1 3.4-ounce package instant banana pudding

1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

2 ½ cups (approximately) roughly crumbled Nabisco Nilla Wafers, plus about ¼ cup for topping

2 cups roughly mashed ripe bananas (use the back of a fork to mash them)

In a stand mixer, whip the cream together with the banana pudding mix until stiff peaks form. With the mixer on low, pour the condensed milk and salt into the cream. Whip just until smooth, about 30 seconds. Place ½ of the pudding mixture in a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan, then sprinkle ½ of the cookies and ½ of the bananas on top. Using the tip of a fork or knife, gently swirl the cookies and bananas into the pudding mixture, not mixing thoroughly. Repeat with the remaining ingredients. Top with the remaining ¼ cup crumbled cookies. Cover the loaf pan with plastic wrap and freeze for 2 to 3 hours.

Editor’s note: For more recipes, look for Back Porch Table by Andria Dilling every Friday online. You can also search our site for thousands of recipe ideas.

by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

Hooked on Galveston

Casting memories along the coast

For many Buzz families, some of the best moments on the water are not made at big resorts, but along the coast, fishing in Galveston.

Avid fisherman and outdoorsman Nate Alford said his earliest memories include the excitement of going fishing with his grandfather.

“I remember being 4, and I could barely sleep because I was going fishing the next morning,” said Nate.

Nate, a lawyer, now sees that same excitement in his own children as he teaches them to fish.

Nate and his wife, Victoria, are parents to Jefferson, 10, a rising fourth grader, and Kate, 7, a rising first grader. At their Galveston home, they have made fishing a central part of family life. Victoria, a lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP, calls it their family’s happy place.

Their home is tucked along a canal bordering the state park in Pirate’s Cove. There, they have made the kind of memories that seep in and linger like a summer night.

Jefferson has a kayak and spends hours exploring the canals while he fishes. Still, the family ventures beyond their neighborhood, casting lines in waters across the island. “My favorite fishing is surf fishing,” said Nate, recalling it was also his favorite in Bolivar, where he grew up fishing. Raised in Beaumont, Nate came to think of Bolivar as a home away from home.

The Alfords have created their own family tradition: night crabbing on the beach.

“Many of my favorite memories happen after the fishing is done,” said Victoria. “We’ll grab flashlights and head down to the beach to catch ghost crabs with our hands, and it’s impossible not to laugh watching the kids run all over the sand chasing the tiny crabs while giggling the entire time. I hope our kids remember those nights forever.” They often bring friends along.

For Nate, fishing has been part of life for as long as he can remember. He now fishes competitively on a team called Waist Deep Fishing, sponsored by Olshan Foundations, SeaTow, and Dirty Bay Lure Company.

Last year, the Alfords acquired a Shallow Sport X3 boat. The boat, which they named Ocean Weasel, is agile, and built to glide

through shallow water, providing easy access to flats, marshes, and hardto-reach fishing spots.

Galveston brings adventure with fishing. “We go to the jetties a lot. You never know what you’ll catch there,” said Nate. One night, they caught a 6foot alligator gar off their own dock under the green lights of the canal. “We reeled him in, and unhooked him and threw it back out,” said Nate. It is an experience the kids still talk about often.

Like many parents who fish with young children, Nate recommends keeping things simple at the beginning. He picks up his bait from Bait Daddys in the Jamaica Beach area. “All you need are some live shrimps and a bobber to start,” Nate said. “If you go out to the bay with that, you are guaranteed to catch something.”

of fried eggs. Another Alford favorite is Nate’s freshly prepared stuffed flounder.

For kids, it is all about the anticipation and excitement of the catch, not the size of the fish. When the Alfords are at their vacation home in Galveston, Nate says some form of fishing or crabbing takes up more than half their time. Slower mornings are spent with the kids eating breakfast Nate prepares from their catch on the skillet, often their favorite: trout with a splash of lemon, Tony Chachere’s seasoning, and a side

Some days are spent fishing from the boat near the jetties, where larger fish move through the channels. Other nights are quieter, spent fishing from neighborhood canals under glowing green fishing lights. No matter where they fish, special family days are spent casting lines together, sitting back, visiting, laughing, and watching to see what they might catch.

Nate says his favorite time to fish in Galveston is from spring to early summer. The water is just right, and it is not too hot. Still, he fishes yearround in Galveston with his family.

For the Wagner family, who also have a house in Galveston, fishing adventures have evolved into a beloved family pastime. Parents Chris and Keri Wagner spend time at the family’s vacation home in Galveston with their children, Elliott, 18, and Wells, 13.

What started as childhood curiosity casting a line from their dock has grown into a passion. Wells fishes often with his friend Thomas Crystal.

“I have always been interested in Galveston water,” Wells said. “Ever since I can remember, my sister and I had little nets, and we would catch anything that could go into them such as minnows and crabs.”

During the pandemic, the family spent significant time in Galveston, and Wells’ interest started to grow more.

“We enjoyed this activity as young children, particularly when we spent the majority of Covid in Galveston,” he said. “Then I really got into fishing. This was in elementary school. I fished in salt water whenever I could, trying to catch anything that would bite.”

As the years passed, Wells became more skilled.

“I got so much better at fishing throughout the next few years,” he said. “Then I caught my first gar, which really confirmed that this was my thing. I was having so much fun.”

Thomas and Wells often fish in the bayside canals. “The boys often go back and forth fishing on each other’s docks, depending upon the day and where the fish are biting,” said Keri.

A favorite spot to fish for Thomas? “The marshes near Waterman’s Marina,” Thomas said. “My favorite thing to catch is alligator gar because they are hard to fight, and it is a fun experience with my friends.”

For families, Galveston offers the perfect place for children to learn to fish. Several family-friendly fishing locations are the Galveston

Fishing Pier, which remains one of the easiest places for children to fish because equipment rentals, bait shops, restrooms and food are all nearby. Along the Seawall, families can also learn the basics of casting and the important skill of patience.

West Bay marshes near Waterman’s Marina are ideal for families looking for calmer waters. Surf fishing along the beach remains another favorite for families with younger children because the setup can be simple. Parents often bring chairs, snacks, buckets, and sand toys so children can alternate between fishing and playing on the beach.

In addition to fishing in Galveston, children can collect shells and explore the beach for other treasures.

For the seasoned angler and the first-time fisherman alike, it is a place where memories are made, and where a love for fishing can be passed down for generations.

Nathaniel Burton’s Stuffed Flounder

A favorite meal at the Alford family's Galveston home is stuffed flounder, a dish Nate often prepares using this recipe:

Renowned New Orleans chef Nathaniel Burton (1914-1986) was the chef at Hotel Pontchartrain’s Caribbean Room for many years and later was the executive chef at Broussard’s Restaurant in the French Quarter.

His famous recipe for stuffed flounder has been a longtime favorite.

Yields: 6 servings

6 (1-pound) flounder, boned

Salt and black pepper to taste

¼ cup melted butter

1 cup minced onions

1 cup minced celery

½ cup minced red bell peppers

½ cup minced green bell peppers

¼ cup minced garlic

1 cup white wine

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 pound lump crabmeat

Italian breadcrumbs

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup water

Lemon slices and lemon zest

Fresh Italian flatleaf parsley, minced and for garnish

Preheat oven to 375°F. Thoroughly clean, scale, and remove heads from 6 flounder. Using a sharp paring knife, cut a slit down the center of the dark side of each flounder from head to tail. Following the rib bone, cut a pocket down each side of the fish. Season flounder well, inside and out, with salt and pepper.

In a large sauté pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, bell peppers, and garlic. Sauté 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are wilted. Deglaze with ½ cup wine and reduce to half volume. Pour in cream, bring to a rolling boil, then reduce to a simmer. Blend in crabmeat. Season with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle in breadcrumbs, 1 cup at a time, until stuffing consistency is achieved. Try to use a minimal amount of breadcrumbs to hold the mixture together. Remove from heat and fold in Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Adjust seasonings if necessary.

Place flounder on a large cookie sheet and divide stuffing equally among the fish. Stuff each slit generously. If desired, add a slice of lemon and a dash of paprika on top of the stuffing in each pocket. Add remaining wine and water to the bottom of the cookie sheet.

Bake 25 minutes, or until stuffing is heated throughout. Garnish with parsley and green onions. Serve immediately.

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

by Russell Weil, contributing writer

Galveston Restaurant Memories

Island favorites from the past

This article was originally published in July 2018.

Writer Russell Weil's "restaurant memories" stories, including this one on historic Galveston favorites, remain some of our most-discussed articles to date. Have memories of beloved dining spots on the Island or in Houston? Email info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

Editor's note: Over the last 25 years, we have printed thousands of stories spotlighting inspirational neighbors and interesting topics. Now, in our From Our Archives column, we are highlighting some of our stand-out articles from over the years. For some, these stories may be new to you. For others, a familiar story may resonate in a different way now. Find all Buzz articles online at thebuzzmagazines.com.

Driving south on I-45 to Galveston for a quick getaway remains a favorite road trip from Houston. While sand and surf are attractions, Galveston’s dining scene always has been a big part of the island experience.

Here, we take a look back at historic Galveston restaurants from times past. We know these names will spark some memories.

Throughout the 20th century, the Port of Galveston was the gateway for tens of thousands of immigrants to the United States. While some proceeded to other destinations across the country, countless stayed in Galveston to start new lives. Many opened restaurants serving their favorite family recipes.

The Smecca family has maintained a presence in the Galveston dining arena for decades. Sicilian-born Giovanni Smecca came to Galveston in 1967 with aspirations of becoming a professional fisherman. When that didn’t work out, he teamed with a friend to serve “pizza pie” on Galveston Island, opening Mario’s Flying Pizza, currently located at 2202 61st St. and in Pirates Beach. Giovanni continues to remain a fixture at his restaurants.

His brother, Tony Smecca, a Sicilian raised in Gela, Sicily, eventually settled in Galveston in 1973 with his wife and sons, Johnny and Joey. Tony made his own mark on the Galveston restaurant scene with Mario’s Seawall Italian Restaurant. The pasta dishes have an authentic

New York flavor, and hand-tossed pizza has always been an attraction, but their classic spaghetti started it all. Mario’s is located on Seawall Boulevard at 7th Street with views of the Gulf of Mexico. While Tony Smecca passed away in 2015, his sons and their partners carry on the tradition as Galveston Restaurant Group, which includes sushi, steaks, seafood, pizza and Italian restaurants.

Longtime Galvestonians may recall a Greek immigrant named Theodore Christie, later referred to as “Old Man Christie” by patrons, who arrived on the island in 1917 from New York City. Christie, distinguished looking with gray hair and wire-framed glasses, opened a food stand selling fried-fish sandwiches in Galveston. This small establishment, known as Christie’s, became a hit. Christie’s Famous Trout Sandwich put them on the map. Served with julienne potatoes and tartar sauce for 25 cents, it was

prominently displayed at the top of an early 1930s menu. Another favorite was the fried shrimp platter with tartar sauce, a signature dish. For the meat-lovers, there were Kansas City sirloin steaks and hamburgers.

Christie’s Seafood was originally located on the bottom floor of The Tremont, but eventually relocated to Houston near the Texas Medical Center in 1934. Granddaughter Maria Christie said recently, “While others later utilized the Christie’s name in Galveston..., no other family-owned Christie’s remained on the island after relocating to Houston.” Theodore Christie passed away in 1968, but Christie’s still serves up seafood at 6027 Westheimer Road in Houston, run by a new generation.

Former Galvestonian and current Buzz-area resident Gerilyn Farb Gordon has her own old favorites from the island. “The first place I ever had pizza was at Giusti’s on Seawall Boulevard. We would always

order cheese pizza or pepperoni. I don’t think we knew that pepperoni wasn’t kosher. It was always such a treat to go to Giusti’s.” Giusti’s Café (pronounced Joosty’s) at 828 Seawall Boulevard, operated by John Giusti, opened its doors on Galveston Island during the 1940s. Specializing in pizza pies, Giusti’s served traditional Italian dishes including lasagna. This beachfront café was popular with local residents as well as island tourists until closing down in the middle 1960s. A vacant lot exists where Giusti’s once operated.

Gerilyn also remembers John’s Oyster Resort and how it was always crowded each time they visited. The island seafood favorite was located at 7711 Broadway overlooking Ofatts Bayou just south of the causeway. Owned by the Celli family, John’s was always packed with locals and visitors from Houston. “We would go there for dinner every Sunday night, and after we finished our meal, we would walk down to the water behind the restaurant.” Fried shrimp was Gerilyn’s favorite, while her brother enjoyed the fried tenderloin of trout. “Mr. Celli would come through and talk to everyone. He was very friendly.”

John’s offered indoor dining, but a coveted spot on the back porch overlooking the water was the best seat in the house. Built in 1917 near a terminal of the Interurban (a train that linked Galveston to Houston), John’s closed in the late 1980s. The building later became Immanuel Baptist Church. The white stucco and green accents were painted pink once the church took

over. The building, which had been vacant for many years, was eventually demolished in 2009. A newer steakhouse, Number 13 Prime Steak and Seafood, stands near where the original John’s Oyster Resort once served Galveston.

During the 1950s and 1960s, most of the hotels on Galveston Island were motor hotels, where a visitor could drive up and park right outside the door to their room. Doors opened up to parking lots, the pool area or walkway balconies along the second or third floors. One of the more prominent places to stay during this time was The Jack Tar. Guests splashed around in their kidney-shaped swimming pool, with a bridge crossing the resort-like setting. This midcentury playground located on Seawall Boulevard at 6th Street was across the street from Stewart Beach.

The Jack Tar had various restaurants and clubs, including The Coffee Cove, which opened in 1949. The cafeteria-style room was open 24 hours a day. While some would stop in for a cup of coffee, many hotel guests and locals would grab a bite after being out on the town, enjoying everything from burgers to chili, according to a May 2004 article by Victor Lang from the regional online newspaper, The Guidry News. Later, in 1968, the after-midnight crowd had to find another hangout, as The Jack Tar was sold. It became a part of Galveston history for good in 1973 when the property was demolished to make way for the

Emerald Condominiums, now known as Emerald by the Sea.

A walk down the island’s memory lane must include Gaido’s. This venerable dining establishment, located at 3828 Seawall Boulevard, has been serving Galveston for over a century. Fried shrimp and ketchup kept many a kid, including me, happy while their parents lingered. Waiters in white jackets would sprint to the table with stainless trays of crackers and butter for us to snack on while we waited for our meal to be served. My parents would always order baked potatoes, and I marveled at the carousel of condiments our server brought out as toppings for those potatoes.

Italian immigrant San Giacinto Gaido operated on a straight-forward directive when he first opened Galdo’s doors in 1911. He made it a point to learn what diners wanted to eat and then served it. At the current location since the 1940s, where windows overlook the Gulf, walls of memorabilia tell their story and document the history of Gaido’s, the fourth generation of the Gaido family maintains Mr. Gaido’s simple, effective approach.

The original location was actually on the beach at Murdoch’s Bathhouse just down the street at 2115 Seawall Boulevard. Gaido’s has always relied on the Gulf of Mexico for the daily catch. Today’s Gaido’s is easily identifiable by a gigantic fiberglass crab that has adorned the entrance since 1960.

The Buzz Magazines’ 2026 Photo Contest

Congratulations to the winners of The Buzz Magazines’ 21st annual Photo Contest, and a special congratulations to our grand prize winner, Eloise Carey! Eloise will receive a Nikon Z 30 compliments of our contest sponsor, Houston Camera Exchange.

Although our annual contest is exclusively for local amateur photographers, the quality of photos we receive astounds us each year. With any contest like this, the process is inherently subjective. However, there are basic principles of photography that must be met, such as lighting, focus, exposure, and composition. Each judge – local professional photographers – prioritizes different factors in their deliberation, but they all look for images that are purposeful, powerful, and unique. The judges consider the level of skill required to capture each photo and take the time to scrutinize the smallest intricacies. Judging for the photo contest is blind; the judges do not see names or information about the photographers.

We’d like to thank all the talented photographers who submitted images, and our expert judges for their time and expertise.

Our readers have a voice in the contest as well. The top 50 finalists were posted to our Facebook page, and the photos with the most likes became our Readers’ Choice winners.

This year, we received over 1,500 entries from Buzz-area residents ranging from 12 to 86 years of age. And for the first time, two of our winners are a married couple – Ed Diaz, who placed in our contest in the past and encouraged his wife, Suzanne, who’s new to photography, to enter this year’s contest. Congratulations again to all of the winners! If you have a knack for photography, keep our 2027 contest in mind; submissions open in March.

Grand Prize, Upside Down World by Eloise Carey

Eloise Carey, 15, an incoming sophomore at St. John’s School, took this photo of a piece of glass reflecting a tree for her photography class. She says, “This year was my first time ever shooting photos, and I have loved it! We were told to experiment with shadows and reflections on film cameras. I saw the piece of glass and thought that it would make for a very interesting photo. As soon as I left the classroom, I saw the tree and thought it would be interesting in a photo, with its many branches and details. I then developed the photo in the darkroom and had to choose which exposure to do! My friend had to hold up the piece of glass for me, so her hand is in the photo. The glass flipped the image upside down, which I thought looked cool.

“The tree in the photo is growing on a special place on campus, called the Quad. Only seniors are allowed to step foot on the Quad, so I had to zoom in and take the photo of the tree from far away!”

Comments from Our Judges

Here’s what our judges had to say about Upside Down World:

“I chose this image because it stayed with me. It has a mood. The black-and-white brought to mind the Southern Gothic atmosphere of photographers like Sally Mann, where beauty and unease seem to live in the same frame. But beyond the style, what stood out most was the point of view. This photograph feels authored. It made me think not only about what I was looking at, but about the person behind the camera, what they noticed, what they felt, and why they chose to frame the world this way. That sense of perspective is what made it rise to the top for me.” – Dylan Aguilar

“While the image may look random, it shows a high degree of creativity and original thinking. The photographer chose to see things in a different way and gave us a solid black-and-white image totally different from anything else in the entries. It reminds me of a favorite quote: ‘The goal of any artist is to show you something you might otherwise not have seen…’” – Michael Hart

“Whether consciously or not, fine art photographers like Keith Carter have left impressions on this artist. I applaud the way they pushed landscape narratives from traditional compositions, and even into spiritual meanings, such as ‘as above, so below,’ or deeper conservation themes. This image demonstrates significant creativity and thoughtfulness in its presentation, allowing the viewer to ponder various meanings.” – Nikky LaWell

“I love the dreamlike and poetic quality of this image. It has a wonderful atmosphere and there is something mysterious about the details in the shadows. What is the object that is being held? And what happened in that field or near that tree? The image leaves the viewer uncertain of the story that is being told. Congratulations to the photographer for creating a beautiful and compelling image.” – Terry Vine

Category: Animals

First Place, Surrounded by Love by David Holland

David Holland, 71, took this photo in September in South Africa. He shares, “Exiting a vehicle was not allowed, so I compensated by lowering my camera to ground level while attached to a monopod upside down in order to get a low-level angle. We parked in this river bottom hoping thirsty elephants would soon appear. They did and several babies were amongst the herd. Of course, getting a clear shot of a youngster and proper lighting was a challenge. Suddenly this little one raised its trunk and seemingly looked right at me. I clicked away with the remote cable release and got this image.”

Second Place, Macaw Landing by David Holland

Holland captured this image in June in the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica. He describes, “While driving along rugged terrain of the rainforest, several Scarlet Macaws flew across the road. We stopped and saw where they had perched in a large tree. After a short wait, they began to fly back towards us, one at a time, to a palm tree full of dates. They’d grab one date, return to the perch tree to eat it, and then repeat the trip! This went on for more than 30 minutes and was truly a special encounter.”

Third Place, Queen by Scott Kinsel

“This photo was taken in Tanzania (summer 2025) at an incredible Kopje (steep-sided bedrock formations) where the lions lounge around during the day to get views above the tall grass and capture some warmth during the cold snaps,” says Scott Kinsel, 48. “On this particular trip I had my dad with me and this was his first time to Africa. It’s moments like these that make the Serengeti so special. A pride of 30+ all in the rocks playing, fighting, and sleeping. A moment I will never forget.”

Fourth Place, Flamingo 246 by Zoey Shen

Zoey Shen, 16, a rising senior at DeBakey High School for Health Professions, captured this photo of a Chilean flamingo in December. She describes: “As soon as I clocked out of my volunteer shift at the Houston Zoo, I made a beeline towards the Birds of the World exhibit. That afternoon, I brought my camera and was ready to give my first shot at animal photography. I knelt on the concrete in a half squat, the stench of bird manure lingering in the air, and the sight of brilliant, vibrant plumage separated from me by only a guardrail. I frequently see flamingos with their unique, shrimp-induced pink being used as a symbol for standing out when compared to other non-flamingo birds, but in a lake full of flamingos, none of them stood out to me! I scanned the exhibit. An ID tag on the leg of a flamingo ‘246’ – a perfect sequence of even numbers – caught my eye. Tags, though usually used as a symbol of conformity, allowed this flamingo to stand out to me. I took this photo because I wanted to capture the contrast between the order created by humans and the chaos of the natural world.”

Fifth Place, Sapphire Stripes by Faith Bender

Faith Bender, 17, a rising senior at Houston Christian High School, took this photo of a zebra on the Armadillo Ranch in East Texas. She says, “I admired the beautiful animal and wanted the capture the essence to share with others. It’s not every day you see a zebra in person! The image was involved in a technique I used that is called ‘negative sandwich.’ I hand painted on a small sheet (the blues in the photograph) and 3D scanned them and used Photoshop to place the colors on the background over the black and white image to enhance the stripes as well as the subject.”

Category: Landscapes

First Place, Giant Egg by Kevin Zhang

Kevin Zhang, 57, describes: “During an autumn night in 2025, while traveling through Beijing with my wife, daughter, and son-in-law, I stood before the National Centre for the Performing Arts and felt something quietly shift inside me. The glowing dome rose from the darkness like a heartbeat, and its reflection on the still water created a moment so calm it felt almost sacred. There are no people in the frame – only light, silence, and the gentle curve of the architecture – but behind the lens, my family stood with me, sharing the same breath of wonder. I took the photo because the scene felt like a pause in time, a rare moment when beauty, family, and memory aligned. Even now, the image carries the warmth of that night, reminding me not just of Beijing’s elegance, but of the feeling of being together, present, and deeply grateful.”

Second Place, Milky Way Over Indian Ocean Vessel by David Holland

David Holland, 71, took this photo in September on Benguerra Island off the coast of Mozambique. He says, “This special photograph was taken in the middle of the night over the Indian Ocean (Southern Hemisphere so the Milky Way is in a unique position) and the DeixaFalar [the name of the vessel]. On this remote island there are no roads, no cars, and no boat slips! What appears to be a beached broken vessel is actually a fully functional fishing boat with nets ready for the next day. The Deixa-Falar (‘Let them talk’) was [also] the first Samba school to introduce Samba songs to the iconic Brazilian Carnaval.”

Third Place, Hvitserkur by Matthew Lai

Matthew Lai, 27, shot this image near the end of 2025 of his friend Venu Kantamani in Iceland as they drove the Ring Road encompassing the circumference of the country. This landform is called Hvitserkur and is often referred to as “Rhino Rock.” Matthew says, “We noticed how empty and reflective the beach was, so I asked him to pose under Hvitserkur as it would be a nice shot. I wanted to use black and white to emphasize the textures present in the frame.”

Fourth Place, There It Is! by Suzanne Diaz

Suzanne Diaz, 51, spotted the London Eye in late November during a London Christmas Light tour and quickly snapped a shot. Suzanne says, “I am just starting to get into photography and rented a Leica D-Lux 8 to take with me on our London trip. This was my first sighting of the London Eye on my trip, so I was eager to take the pic. I heard the tour bus host say the ‘London Eye is on the right’ so I quickly turned to take the pic, while the bus was moving down the street. It was freezing this night sitting on the bus, but I saw such beautiful sights in London during the early Christmas season.”

Fifth Place, Tunnel to MIHO Museum by Yueh Chin J. Liao

Yueh Chin J. Liao, 70, took this photo of her travel partner and college friend Yui-Xiou Wu inside the tunnel to the MIHO Museum, an art museum located southeast of Kyoto, Japan, in November. She describes, “The steel surface of the tunnel cast the light in an amazing way; beautiful various effects appear wherever you are in the tunnel. It felt like walking through ‘eternity’ towards the magnificent setting of the MIHO Museum. The metal pins around the opening add extra effects to the setting. I was totally fetched. This photo is just the beginning of a lifetime experience – I highly recommend spending a day there. Walking through the wonder/tunnel, visitors will be awarded with the beautiful Museum setting and architecture/exhibitions.”

Category: Nature

First Place, Carefully Tucked In by Brian Reid

Brian Reid, 32, took this photo near Silverthorne, Colo. (around 10,000-foot elevation) in August. He describes, “It was the last day of a two-week vacation with my wife and our dog, Lily. I think I had my 400mm zoom lens setup on my camera because I had photographed some hummingbirds earlier. I took some sunset landscape photos, and then I happened to notice this wispy, specter-like cloud floating towards the moon in the sky. Since my lens could go to 400mm, which is passable for moon shots, I immediately started photographing the cloud’s approach and eventual pass of the moon. I particularly liked this one, where the wispy cloud looks like a pillow that the moon is resting on.”

Second Place, Nautilus Shell by Robert Davis

“This nautilus shell is the beautifully, geometrically precise external casing of the chambered nautilus, a marine cephalopod related to squids and octopuses,” says Robert Davis, 85. “Famous for its mathematical perfection, the shell is divided into interior chambers that act like a submarine’s ballast tanks, allowing the animal to control its buoyancy. I am very amazed at Nature’s creations especially how various organisms evolve so that they can exist in their own particular environment. These ‘living fossils’ survive in the deep coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific. They are rare because they are sought after. I managed to obtain one on-line and set out to capture its beauty with a macro lens and arranged lighting. I used a 90 mm lens and a Sony camera.”

Third Place, Madame Secretary by David Holland David Holland, 71, took this photo in September in South Africa. He says, “This Secretary bird was perched high in a tree early one morning. I opted for a high-key image of this unique bird. Low ISO, wide open at f4 and increased exposure compensation were the settings I chose. I zoomed in at 560mm for this headshot. Named for its long, black head feathers that resemble the quill pens used by office clerks centuries ago.”

Fourth Place, Day of the Jackal by David Holland Holland also captured this photo in September in South Africa. He says, “At daybreak, White-backed vultures swarmed a carcass of some sort. The scene was chaotic, and the light was limited. I intended to wait for better light and some semblance of calm when suddenly a black-backed Jackal appeared. The Jackal charged right into the vulture feeding frenzy. Survival of the fittest was on full display. I focused on the jackal as the vultures leaped at the intruder. The jackal did get a morsel and I thought this image best told the story of the action.”

Fifth Place, Barn Owl by David Holland Holland took this photo in April near Waller, TX. He says, “We’d seen Barn Owls swoop into an old barn several times in the past month or so. The landowner needed to get something out of the barn and told me that an owl might fly out. It was midday. I positioned myself relative to the sun as best I could and prepared for an immediate owl departure. In total silence the Barn Owl suddenly appeared and then quickly disappeared. I was fortunate to get this shot in the brief window of opportunity I had.”

Category: People and Portraits

First Place, Three Cowboys, One Punchline by Bernard Silgardo

Bernard Silgardo, 69, took this photo at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March. He describes: “The three cowboys were volunteering at the Mutton Bustin’ event, having just finished wrangling a lively group of young competitors. A few riders had taken early tumbles, but one determined kid managed to hang on all the way to the end. I couldn’t hear the conversation between the cowboys, but their expressions carried a mix of admiration and amusement, as though they were genuinely impressed by the grit and determination they’d just witnessed. I felt it too. I remembered it as being a good feeling moment, and I liked the way the setting sun highlighted their smiles.”

Second Place, Side by Side by Peyton Stewart

Peyton Stewart, 17, an incoming senior at Episcopal High School, participated in a photojournalism class in which each student was to choose a theme to document outside of school. She chose “western” in tribute to meaningful time spent at her family’s farm in Industry, TX. She captured this photo of her cousins Beau (6, on left) and Rhodes Woolsey (7, on right) in February at the farm. “I took this photo after Rhodes and Beau had sprinted across the hay bales and couldn’t stay serious to pose for a photo. For a split second, they slowed down just enough for me to capture them exactly as I know them. I recognize now that I hadn’t been photographing ‘western life.’ I was photographing childhood. I hope this photo reminds them that no matter where they go, they will always have each other. Side by side.”

Third Place, Haze by Lea Garcia

Lea Garcia, 17, a rising senior at Houston Christian High School, took this photo of her friend Julia Park last August in the school’s photo room. Lea says, “Our teacher wanted us to try to get different lighting techniques, and I was able to get a beautiful halo lighting. This image brought me joy when I saw it because of Julia's facial expressions and the color of light we chose. The light shows all the little imperfections in her little baby hairs and reflects onto her face. Julia isn’t looking directly into the camera, which causes a sense of maybe longing or slight unknown.”

Fourth Place, Train Gov by Ed Diaz

Ed Diaz, 54, took this photo of a stranger on the London Tube in November. Ed says, “I had a quick chat with this guy after he complimented my camera. I liked his vibe and thought he looked cool, so I asked if I could take a quick shot. He was cool with it. I wish I knew how to reach him because I’m sure he’d love this photo!” He took this photo with his Canon R5C and his RF 15-35mm F2.8.

Fifth Place, Art at First Light by Frederick Charlton Frederick Charlton, 19, shot this photo at the Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden in Tokyo in August. He says, “It had started raining so we went to the Taiwan Pavilion to wait it out and there was this group of student photographers and this model who were taking photos. I decided to join in since I had my camera with me, and this photo in particular was taken just as the rain stopped and the sun started to peek out from the clouds again. This is one of my favorite photos from when I was in Japan. It was taken with an Om System OM-1.” Frederick is a 2025 graduate of The Awty International School and is an incoming sophomore at University of California San Diego.

Category: Sports, Action, and Miscellaneous

First Place, Diving by Mauricio Recinos

Mauricio Recinos, 54, snapped this picture during a family summer vacation in the Grand Cayman Islands. He describes, “There was this big floaty that was anchored to the bottom of the ocean and people were climbing and jumping from it. I was in the water with my family when I noticed this couple trying to jump through a doughnut shaped floaty. They were having fun. I had my sports camera with me, and I took a few shots. They missed the floaty several times but ultimately the lady made it through. I was able to take a picture at the right moment. Black and white made the silhouettes of the couple pop out and made the whole picture more interesting.”

Second Place, Feel The Noise by Daniel Flores

Recent Bellaire High School graduate Daniel Flores, 18, captured this moment of his bandmate Celeste Roussie at Butler Stadium during Bellaire’s Homecoming game. Daniel says, “As a member of the band, I love taking photos of my friends, and brass is my favorite section to take photos of, so I captured this one of Celeste playing one of the stand tunes.” He will attend Houston Community College to pursue Culinary Arts.

Third Place, Sunset at Lineup by Mary Duggan

Mary Duggan, 55, took this image of the Stratford High School Men’s Varsity Lacrosse team warming up at Magnolia Youth Park in March. She says, “All the stirred-up dirt on the dry field caught the colorful light of the setting sun through the old pine trees.” The players in the photo are part of the Varsity defensive line (long sticks). Pictured are (from left) Finn Maguire, Beckett Willard, Liam Osbon, John McKemie, and Robert Black. Mary’s son, Jake, is a rising senior on the team, and his twin sister, Abby, is on the Girls’ Lacrosse club team.

Fourth Place, Backlight by Patrick Bergin

This photo is of a softball catcher receiving a pitch during an October fall ball game between College Station High School and Bryan High School. The photo was taken at Bryan High in October about 30 minutes before sunset. Patrick Bergin, 61, says when he covers a game, he aims to capture an image of every player. He describes, “I was shooting almost directly into the setting sun, which made the original color image very difficult. The backlight and haze washed out much of the color, and the wider frame included parts of the batter and umpire that did not help the final image. I almost passed over the photo for those reasons. “When I looked at it more carefully, I realized the same difficult light had created the strongest parts of the image: the outline of the catcher, the ball coming into the glove, the rim light on her arm and helmet, and the cloud of dust or chalk caught by the sun. Converting it to black and white and using a tighter crop let the image become more about shape, timing, and atmosphere than color. The photo was shot in RAW with a Canon R3 and a Canon 200mm f/2.0 L lens at 1/2500 sec and ISO 500.”

Fifth Place, Laser Focus by Daniel Flores

Flores took this photo of Rodrick Brown, one of the infielders on the Bellaire Varsity Baseball team, in April. He says, “Rodrick hard focused on the close game between Bellaire and Heights, watching his teammates bat from the dugout. There’s usually a lot of downtime when it comes to photographing baseball, so I like to focus on the small details and expressions of the players, with this being one of my favorites.”

Category: Readers’ Choice

Third Place, Sunset at Lineup by Mary Duggan Sunset at Lineup also received third place in the Sports, Action, and Miscellaneous category.

Fourth Place, What Big Eyes You Have by David Holland David Holland, 71, says, “The Short-eared Owl (SEO), while hunting, often covers great distances in a crisscrossing or roughly circular route. They course silently over grasslands on broad, rounded wings, especially at dawn and dusk. This image was taken at the Attwater Refuge [in Colorado County, Texas] on Dec. 2, 2025 at 6:05 p.m. (sunset was 5:34). There were dozens of people along the auto-loop and I distanced myself from all of them. Although silent inflight, the SEO does make a distinctive call while hunting. I heard this one and spotted it from a distance. It veered from the crowd of photographers, and I hunkered down in the tall grasses. The SEO turned directly my way and I slowly raised the Z9 and began shooting. It kept flying right towards me. At f5.6, 800mm and 1/1250 camera settings, it flew about 20 feet directly overhead and I was able to get this image.”

Fifth Place, Bloody Cheetah by David Holland Holland says, “Unlike most large cats that hunt at night, cheetahs are primarily diurnal, hunting in the early morning and late afternoon. The black ‘tear marks’ running from the corner of the cheetah’s eyes to its mouth are believed to help reduce sun glare and improve its binocular vision while hunting. Early on Sept. 10, 2025 in South Africa I spotted two cheetahs feeding on a recent kill. Cheetahs must eat fast because other stronger predators will often steal their meal. I knew I only had minutes to get extremely close to the preoccupied pair. I waited for a head raise and this one looked right at me with its bloody face, and I was able to get this image.”

Judges’ Bios

Dylan Aguilar is a filmmaker and creative producer with an MFA from SCAD, where he made award-winning short films – one even caught the eye of Variety. His work blends experimental storytelling with genre filmmaking. In grad school, he was at the forefront of an emerging technology, directing a film entirely within a virtual production soundstage. This led to an internship with Tesla’s Product Knowledge Team, where he produced content for the company’s YouTube channel. Dylan served as Associate Producer on “Luv Ya, Bum,” a documentary about the Houston Oilers that won an Audience Award at SXSW 2025. He now works with Rice University in the Office of Public Affairs. Off-set, he travels, runs, and works in his garage studio mixing darkroom photography with motion graphics – a Leica always close by.

dylanaguilar.com

dylan.m.aguilar@outlook.com

Michael Hart photographed an NBA game at the age of eight with a Brownie Holiday Flash camera while living in Fort Wayne, Ind. He completed his first paid assignment at age 14, when the whole world was still in black and white! He has had a commercial photography business in Houston, Texas since the late ’70s and regularly travelled the globe doing annual reports and other assignments for corporations, design firms and ad agencies, racking up a million and a half air miles in the process. While still fulfilling commercial assignments his primary focus is now on his personal photography, which is driven by a deep appreciation for design and composition, where every frame is carefully crafted to balance form, light, and space. Recent awards and exhibitions include the Art League of Baytown, FotoFest 2026 Exhibit; Pixels + Silver FotoFest 2026 Exhibition; Harris County Juried Exhibition at Silver Street Studios; 11th Annual Allegany National Photography Competition and Exhibition; The SE Center for Photography “Shades of B&W” and “The Landscape,” and “All About The Light”; Black and White Spider Awards; Texas Photographic Society “TPS 32: The International Competition” and “Foto Texas III”; The Visual Arts Alliance “40th Juried Open Exhibition”; and The International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum “Black and White and Monochrome” Exhibition. His book, Biggio: The Final Game, is in the library of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and a photo from it is in The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. michaelhartfineart.com mhart@hartphoto.com

Nikky LaWell, certified professional photographer and master craftsman photographer from the Professional Photographers of America, holds a BFA in photography from the University of Houston and owns a boutique studio specializing in family portraits with a personal perspective. Nikky has been the keeper of memories for the most important of moments, from babies and graduations to weddings and promotions. She is known for listening closely to her clients and coming up with ideas for intimate and creative photography sessions. Her awards include “Best Portrait of a Senior Professional” from the Professional Photographers Guild of Houston, “Best Wedding” from the Southwest Professional Photographers Association, “Best Wedding” from the Texas Professional Photographers Association, and the illustrious Kodak Gallery Award. lawellphoto.com nikky@lawellphoto.com

Terry Vine, recently named one of the 200 Best Ad Photographers Worldwide by Lürzer’s Archive, is an advertising and lifestyle photographer who specializes in creating custom images for the healthcare, hospitality, and corporate industries. His ability to capture the essence of an experience as it relates to a destination has landed him assignments around the world and earned numerous awards. His work has been featured in Communications Arts, Graphis Photo, Print, American Photography, Applied Arts, and PDN Photo annuals. Terry’s fine art images are in many museum and private collections around the country. Having grown up in Ohio, Terry now lives in Texas with his wife, two children, and a rambunctious Golden Retriever named Ranger. www.terryvine.com terry@terryvine.com

. by Sharon Albert Brier, staff writer

Rumor Has It

Designers galore. Gucci, Hermes, Valentino, and Prada walked into a temporary thrift boutique like no other. The once-a-year Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Chic Boutique was the ultimate shopping frenzy. Chair Lesha Elsenbrook and her team Pam Sengelmann, Maggie Austin and Dodi Willingham, Mary Camden, Maura Montgomery, Susan Perdue, Jennifer Allison and helpers Stacey Christ and Connie Voss oversaw the chaos, where bargain hunters snagged Yurman and Jay Strongwater jewelry via a VIP entrance. Missed the discount luxury madness? Plan to grab elite names for minimum prices next year. Your wardrobe will thank you.

Hollywood vibe alert! The birthday event was worthy of an Oscar. Wayne and Tammy Tran Nguyen kicked off Tammy’s birthday month by renting an entire IPIC Theater for 70 glamorous guests to watch The Devil Wears Prada 2. This fashion-forward crowd sipped champagne while violinist Xiangwei Sun played tunes from the original movie. Next, the party strutted to MAD for appetizers, cocktails, and cake. The stylish evening also found a beautiful purpose: Instead of gifts, guests donated to the Genuine Cup soccer tournament, hosted by Genine Foundation. Founded by Ignacio and Isabel Torras, it promotes neurodiverse inclusion through team sports – perfectly matching Tammy's mission as founder of KNOWAutism. Spotted looking fabulous in the crowd were Dr. Bridgitte Shen Lee, Tracy Faulkner, Shanshan Wei, and Jean Wilson. Giving back is always in style!

See you in September. The Art Circle season closed in style at home with Liz and Steve Crowell, whose stunning contemporary home –complete with soaring 26-foot ceilings – showcased a once warehoused collection now glowing with new life. Patrons Bunny Radoff, Rhonda and Bill Glick, Lindy and Santy Kahn, Debby and Natalia Regan and Diego Gotthelf, Eugene and Debby Goldgar, Barbara Drell, Sheila Aron, Orna Feinstein, and Marsha Glickman wandered happily among the color and texture. Art Circle co-chair Charlotta Hill welcomed new co chair Liana Schwaitzberg for the 202627 season. Art Circle connects Holocaust Museum Houston members and the greater

Houston community with artists and collectors engaged in social, political, and/or human rights issues. Join the next gathering in September to view private collections and galleries by contacting Jeff Luna at jluna@hmh.org before the art starts judging you.

Red, white, and blue. Nothing screams liberty like hot dogs and bingo! Hammersmith Garden Club's star-spangled bash had treasurer Kathy Long managing the bucks. Judges Libby Power, Judy Thornton, and Irenka Douglas crowned Jody Henderson as costume champion. Jody's pashmina featured 25 political buttons from Kennedy forward, earning a $100 Carrabba’s gift card! Co-chairs Ginger Jackson and Barbara Higgins led an elite squad: Cheri Mahoney, Charlotte Hamilton, Judy and Gary Gondzur, Patsy Flowers, Fred and Carolyn Ogle, Brad Dorsey, Steve Castle, Tim Conner, Bedford Pearcy, Jack Brasher, Debbie Miller, Rebecca Craft, Kim Montgomery, Michael Martinka, and Olivia Esparza Jeff Montgomery and Peter Feldman took photos; Debbie Pitman deployed bingo. God bless America!

Love at first bark. Proud pet parents Paul and Ellen Orseck, alongside Lesley and Dan Stevens, are thrilled to announce the tailwagging formal marriage of their beautiful furchildren, Bogey B. Orseck and Dolly Stevens. An intimate, backyard wedding took place at Bogey’s Bellaire home. The stunning bride and dapper groom both proudly barked “I do” in exclusive Amazon Prime originals. Bogey, a distinguished graduate of the Lee Weinberger Academy, plans to continue his passionate career of chasing tennis balls and shredding expensive paper goods. Following separate honeymoons to maximize nap time, the newlyweds will happily reside in Houston. The yappy pair is registered at Crate & Bone.

Celebration of Reading. The Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation raised $2.2 million

for literacy, making this officially one for the books. Over 1,100 guests showed up, proving people will actually read if you entice them with star power. NCIS legend Leon Carroll Jr. revealed his grandmother taught him to read at age 4. Meanwhile, Admiral William H. McRaven and comedian Rob Riggle brought maximum backup, while Yolanda Adams sang well enough to make everyone forget they haven’t opened a paperback since 2024. Chairs Maria and Neil Bush and the Bush family introduced the authors. Julie Baker Finck, Ph.D., president and CEO of the foundation, thanked the patrons. Evidently, the patrons proved that reading is officially cooler than doomscrolling.

Teen CEOs rule summer. Five years ago, Kinkaid besties since kindergarten Annabelle Bowden, Charlotte Stillwell, and Bailey Bickers saw a need for creative girls' activities – and their own need for cash. Enter Summer Fun Camp! Now, these teenage business masterminds run a highly successful enterprise complete with serious business plans and budgets. Based at Annabelle’s house (because she has the pool), campers aged four to eight experience daily chaos from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. One day it’s crafts, the next it’s a random pony or a giant inflatable pool slide. Watch out, Wall Street, these future businesswomen are already taking over!

MORE ONLINE

See Rumor Has It at thebuzzmagazines.com for additional photos. Have some good news to share? Email us at info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

. by Cindy Burnett, staff writer

Buzz Reads Five picks

for July

Buzz Reads is a column about books by reviewer Cindy Burnett. Each month, Cindy recommends five recently or soon-to-be released titles.

Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves (fiction) – Travis is the personification of death in the modern world. His job is to offer individuals comfort in their final hours of life. He’s stoic and gentle, but he never attempts to alter anyone’s fate. Then Travis meets Dalia and her energetic and precocious eight-year-old daughter Layla, who live across the hall, and despite his best efforts to keep his distance, he finds himself wholeheartedly embraced by other people for the first time. Reeves has crafted a stunning tale that will make you want to cherish every moment you are given and to try and take nothing for granted. I plan to recommend this one to everyone I know, and Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt is a standout read of 2026. Have tissues at the ready. It will appeal to those who love beautiful, lifeaffirming stories, thought-provoking premises, and stellar writing.

The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders (fiction) – This deeply immersive and powerful debut explores the ways we learn to define ourselves through our family, how we carry on after great loss, and how the past lives on in all of us. Aubrey Lamb is a mess – she just lost her father, her relationship blew up, and she cannot seem to settle on a stable job. When Aubrey learns that she has inherited a shared stake in a Tennessee farm from her father, she travels there, where she meets relatives who entertain her with the family’s complicated history. As Aubrey learns this history from her living relatives, the ghosts of her ancestors interject with their own indignant, gossipy commentary on the flaws and failings of relatives still living and long deceased. These ghostly interjections are absolutely delightful, and I adored everything about this stunning debut. I have not stopped thinking about it since I set it down, and it will be a favorite of 2026. This book will appeal to those who love family dramas, clever premises, how the past informs the present, and great writing.

The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers (romance) – On the evening of her 35th birthday, Ruby is transported to an alternate reality where she is living out her 13-year-old self’s MASH (Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House) game. Ruby has a mansion reminiscent of a Barbie mansion, scads of fish, a tie-dye Jeep Wrangler, and a purple bed, and she runs a disco roller-skating restaurant. According to her teen MASH game, she is supposed to end up with her twin brother’s best friend, Penn. Since she and Penn aren’t together yet in this MASH world, Ruby determines that her way home to her real life requires Penn to fall in love with her. This rom-com is so fresh and fun, and I absolutely loved it. Ruby and Penn’s banter is delightful, the 1990s nostalgia and references superb, and the resolution so incredibly perfect. This book will be a great fit for readers who love fresh plot lines, humor, and fun rom-coms.

Retro by Jessica M. Goldstein (speculative fiction) – When Ash, an out-of-work actress, gets a job as a tour guide for Retro, an ultra-luxury time travel company, she initially revels in her good luck. But the more time she spends visiting other time periods, the more she discovers her trips to the past could upend her present. I loved reading about the places Ash and her clients visit as Goldstein vividly brought the various eras to life. The time travel science was straightforward and never detracted from the story itself. I love the book’s exploration of what it means to be human: how we impact each other, the importance of memories, and how we leave our own mark on the world. Fans of time travel, thought-provoking premises, and unique stories will enjoy this one.

The Top of the World by Ethan Joella (historical fiction) – Told in dual perspectives, the novel opens in 1974 as Maggie Bishop is searching for answers about her brother Chip’s final days after he abandoned medical treatments for one last summer at a mountaintop resort in the Poconos. As she retraces his steps, Joella crafts a moving story about memory, sibling relationships, the power of human connection, grief, and second chances. I loved the Poconos mountaintop resort setting and the nostalgic vibe that brought to the story as well as the 1970s time period – the music, the movies, and what was happening in the world. This is a quick but powerful read, and I am still thinking about it long after I finished it. Readers who love compelling dramas, a strong sense of place, and stories about human connection will devour this one.

Editor’s note: Book reviewer Cindy Burnett also writes our weekly Page Turners column at thebuzzmagazines.com. She hosts an award-winning book podcast entitled Thoughts from a Page Podcast www.thoughtsfromapage.com, runs the Instagram account @thoughtsfromapage, and regularly speaks to groups about books.

TRAVEL

.

by Tracy L. Barnett, staff writer

Travel Buzz

Bucket List in Reverse: A Houston Family’s Journey to Ecuador and the Galápagos

It was well past sunset when the captain’s voice crackled over the intercom. Rupesh Nigam, Supriya Singh, and their daughters Saanvi and Eera were in their cabins aboard a trimaran named Horizon anchored in the Pacific, somewhere off the Galápagos archipelago, when the announcement came: hundreds of bull sharks had gathered around the boat, drawn by the lights. And a school of flying fish were leaping skyward, their dorsal fins gleaming against the dark waves.

“It was almost like a feeding frenzy around our boat,” Rupesh recalled. “That was a surreal experience.”

Surreal, it turns out, was the baseline for this trip.

The Nigams are a Bellaire family with a penchant for adventure. Rupesh is an internal medicine physician, and Supriya is a pulmonary critical care and sleep specialist. A few years ago, they realized that the window for unhurried family adventure was narrow.

“Saanvi is a freshman in high school," Rupesh explained. “We’ve got essentially just a few summers with her. And Eera is in seventh grade –same story.” The girls attend Bellaire High School and Pin Oak Middle School, respectively.

He describes his family’s travel philosophy as “a bucket list in reverse.” Most people save the big adventures for retirement, when the kids are grown and the calendar is finally clear. Rupesh and Supriya are doing it the other way around.

The Nigams have operationalized that philosophy into an annual rhythm: one national park trip, one international adventure. They’ve covered the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Olympic National Park. They’ve traveled Europe, and their motherland of India. Last spring it was Machu Picchu and the Amazon, whetting their appetites for more of South America. This spring break, it was Ecuador – Quito first, then eight days on the water in the Galápagos.

Where the equator meets the Andes

The family landed in Quito close to midnight, emerging the next morning to find the city’s famous Virgin Mary statue glowing on the hill-

side outside their hotel window – a 17th-century building in the heart of the old town. Quito is the second-highest capital city in the world at roughly 9,350 feet, and holds the distinction of being the first city designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A guide walked them through cobblestone streets past centuries-old cathedrals. He was struck by a plaque on the wall listing the names of the enslaved people who built it, dated 1534.

“Those kinds of memories just stick in your head,” he says.

Supriya’s highlight was different: the equator itself. “It's something that you grow up reading about, and to be actually there was really fun,” she said. Guides demonstrated how water drains in opposite directions on either side of the line, and then tourists attempted – often successfully – to balance an egg on the head of a nail.

“I could never get it to balance,” she said with a laugh.

Saanvi, 15, found herself captivated by the architecture of the old quarter – and by a chocolate tasting that made an impression. “They gave us all-natural cacao chocolate,” she recalls. “They were saying, ‘All that chocolate you get

in America – is it real? This is real chocolate.’ It was definitely a crazy experience.”

Islands that time forgot

An early-morning flight the next day – Quito to Guayaquil to Baltra Island – delivered the family to the Galápagos. Before they even reached their boat, the islands announced themselves.

“As soon as we got out of the plane, we saw a giant land iguana,” Rupesh says. “That was our first exposure to the wildlife – which is just very typical of the Galápagos.”

For eight days, the boat became home base: anchoring in the Pacific each night, then launching smaller Zodiacs to reach the shores of different islands for hiking, snorkeling, and breathtakingly close encounters with wildlife.

For Saanvi, the timing couldn’t have been better; she had been studying Darwin's theory of natural selection in her freshman biology class just weeks before departure.

The notion of seeing in person what she had been reading about in textbooks was particularly exciting. What she found: water so clear she could watch fish swimming from the shore (“It's not like Galveston,” she notes with a laugh), sea lions

sprawled across the beach with complete indifference to human visitors, and Sally Lightfoot crabs – vivid orange against black volcanic rock – carpeting the shoreline in the thousands.

“It was just so pretty,” Rupesh says. “On a black lava rock, you see this bright orange crab. It was a phenomenally beautiful sight.”

Eera had her own underwater revelation: the bright red and orange and blue sea stars. “I had never imagined they could be so colorful and so huge,” she says.

Nothing quite prepared them for the prehistoric-looking marine iguanas. Nicknamed “Baby Godzilla,” they are the only lizards on Earth that forage in the ocean – and the Galápagos has them by the thousands. The Nigams observed them sunning on the rocks and snorkeled alongside them.

“You could see them diving,” Saanvi says. They watched birds land on basking iguanas to pick dead skin – an impromptu grooming service – and orange-headed lava lizards scurry across their backs to catch flies. One marine iguana, photographed face-on by Rupesh, stared directly into his lens.

we’re allowed to visit.”

Then came the moment the captain announced sperm whales. The family scrambled up from below deck. “There were just so many of them – they were all around our boat,” Saanvi says. “It was crazy.” Rupesh got the shot: a whale tail fin breaking the surface mid-breach. He’d been hoping for it. He got it twice.

Four species, one rock

Among the hundreds of photographs Rupesh brought home, one stands apart. On a sun-warmed rock somewhere in the inner Pacific, a Galápagos penguin, a sea lion, a marine iguana, and at least three Sally Lightfoot crabs are sharing the same small patch of warmth – utterly unbothered by one another, and by the humans watching.

“This happens only in the Galápagos,” Rupesh said. “There is no other place where you would see penguins and sea lions and iguanas. They’re all just like buddies.”

scrambled over each other toward a single large leaf frond.

Back home in Houston

The Nigams have a world map on the wall. Every time they return from somewhere new, Rupesh places a pin. Ecuador has one now. He hopes there will be many more – Switzerland is next – but the Galápagos felt like something distinct.

“Every travel destination they've been to, it has been so interesting that they are able to apply it to school,” he says. Eera, who studies Spanish, connects the language to the history they've now seen traced across two South American countries. Saanvi walked through Darwin's living laboratory the same semester she studied natural selection.

“He saw us and started posing,” Saanvi recalls. Supriya, watching the same scene, found herself thinking about it differently. “The animals don’t know they’re supposed to be afraid of you,” she says. “You're walking through a world that evolution built without us in it, and somehow

The giant tortoises of Santa Cruz Island offered a different kind of wonder – slower, older, more ancient in feeling. The breeding center there exists because the tortoises were hunted nearly to extinction for their meat; now conservationists raise hatchlings and repatriate them. Rupesh stood next to one estimated to be 130 years old, roughly five feet long. Nearby, tiny hatchlings – barely bigger than a fist –

But the lessons Rupesh values most are harder to test. He describes standing in a cathedral in Quito with his daughters, telling them: “Think about it – out of the eight billion people on this planet, maybe a few million have been through these doors. Kings and emperors and popes and high priests walked on these same streets that you guys are walking on.”

He also wants them to notice simpler things: the taste of fruit picked the same morning, fish that melts in your mouth because it was never frozen, the gap between what people have and how carefully they tend it.

WILDLIFE EVERYWHERE Clockwise, from upper left: A whale dives beneath the surface near the family's yacht; a bright orange Sally Lightfoot crab stands out against black volcanic rock; sea lions bask near a beach, often approaching visitors with little fear; and a remarkable Galápagos scene brings together four species in a single frame – a penguin, marine iguana, sea lion, and Sally Lightfoot crab. “This happens only in the Galápagos,” Rupesh Nigam said. “There is no other place where you would see this happen.” (continued on page 46)

ISLAND HIGHLIGHTS Clockwise, from upper left: Galápagos flamingos, a resident population found only in the archipelago, wade in a coastal lagoon; a sea turtle glides through clear waters in a photograph captured with an underwater camera during one of the family's snorkeling excursions; the Nigam family – Rupesh, Saanvi, Eera, and Supriya (pictured, from left) – straddles the equator, with half the family standing in the Northern Hemisphere and half in the Southern Hemisphere; and a Galápagos sea lion naps beside the fish market on Santa Cruz Island.

(continued from page 45)

“If those people who are so poor can do so much to preserve the environment around them and try to live in harmony,” he says, “we could do a little bit of that, too.”

He reflects on what his daughters gain from their travels. “It's making them a global citizen.

By Rupesh and Supriya Nigam

The world is not just the United States – the world is the world. There are so many nice and beautiful places, and so many nice and beautiful people out there, just as we are, living their lives and enjoying every day. The more they see, the more their horizons are widened.” He pauses.

Tips from Our Travelers

“Their brain grows this way.”

Saanvi, for her part, keeps it simpler. “It was a really incredible trip,” she says. “Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing – we got to see so much wildlife, and go so up-close to them. It was so cool.”

Worth the splurge: The cruise itself. Don't try to do this land-based to save money – you'll miss 60 percent of the best wildlife sites. The Horizon specifically is worth every dollar for the stability (trimaran) and small group size.

Don’t miss: Snorkeling. Whatever you do on land is wonderful, but the underwater experience – swimming with sea lions, penguins, marine iguanas, and sharks in the same session – is unrepeatable anywhere else on Earth.

Favorite restaurants: Casa Los Geranios, located in Barrio Ronda, close to the old city. Amazing empanadas and ceviche.

Currency: Use USD – Ecuador’s official currency. Bring some with you or use ATMs in Quito. Credit cards work in Quito hotels but carry cash for tips on the boat.

Don’t bring: Anything you don’t want to get wet or dirty. Reef-safe sunscreen only (regular sunscreen is prohibited in the national park). Leave nice clothes at home – you're wading ashore from pangas daily.

Don’t forget: Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, dry bags for your camera/phone on wet landings, motion sickness medication even if you think you won't need it (for the channel crossings), and good walking sandals you can get wet. The boat provides wetsuits and snorkel gear. Avoid this local scam: Honestly, the Galápagos is remarkably scam-free since most visitors are on organized tours. In Quito, the standard Ecuador precaution applies: Don’t take unofficial taxis off the street – use an app (InDriver or Cabify) or have your hotel call one.

Local favorite: Ceviche!

Safety tip: Don't touch the wildlife – not because they’ll hurt you, but because it’s illegal and they genuinely don’t understand personal space. A sea lion will climb into your lap and you’ll want to pet it. Don’t.

Not really worth the trouble: Worrying about seeing specific species on a schedule. The wildlife is everywhere and unpredictable in the best way. Let go of the checklist mentality.

Unexpected hit: Snorkeling – we were all a bit apprehensive about snorkeling in the Pacific. That turned out to be the highlight, however, particularly with all the wildlife that we saw underwater. Having giant sea turtles swimming next to you is an amazing experience.

SportzBuzz SPORTS

. by Todd Freed, staff writer

With his game-winning home run in the final at-bat of the third and deciding game of the state semifinals versus Dripping Springs, Memorial Mustangs senior Isaac Richardson propelled Memorial to the UIL state baseball finals for the first time in school history. “It was one of the greatest moments of my entire life,” said Richardson. “As I turned first base after the homer, I looked over at my teammates and they were going crazy. I was jumping around the bases myself.”

“It was crazy,” said Mustangs senior Jake Earnest about the game-winning heroics. “I didn’t even hit it, but it was probably the best moment of my life. You couldn’t have asked for a better way to go to state. I’m just so happy for Isaac and the entire team.”

“It couldn’t have happened to a better kid, really someone who’s been grinding all year,” added Memorial head baseball coach Brooks Haack. “For this team to advance to its first state final is super special. Even growing up down the road you always heard about Memorial baseball and the legacies that have rolled through here and you always knew they had something special.”

While the Mustangs’ incredibly special season ended in a 9-1 defeat to Tomball in the state championship game, there was no taking away from a season which included a 23-game winning streak, a 34-8 overall record, and a historic berth to the UIL state finals. “It’s amazing,” said Mustangs senior Tanner Drda. “I always knew we had a shot of getting to state but actually doing it feels incredible.”

The Mustangs made history behind a dominant pitching staff led by University of Texas junior commit Grant Sperandio (11-1), senior University of Texas signee Matthew Manis (71) as well as outstanding contributions from junior pitchers Ben Fuqua, Wyatt Baskin, and Jack Byrd. “The fire and hard work those guys put forth day in and day out is special,” said Haack. “Our pitching coach Jared Rothenberg just did a really great job with those guys. They were in a rhythm all season long. It’s almost like dealing with a bunch of wide receivers; they all want the ball and deserve to be on the mound.”

The football analogy from Haack seems quite

appropriate considering that Haack is actually Memorial’s head football coach, only taking over as the baseball program’s interim head baseball coach early in the season following the departure of longtime head coach Jeremy York

“I’m a pretty blunt guy, and I told the kids when we first met that my playing and coaching experience doesn’t lead me to a team like this, but what I can do is facilitate from a leadership or culture-based standpoint. I think it was more the mentality side of things that I brought rather than are we going to squeeze bunt, hit and run, or whatever it is in game situations. I had full trust in our coaching staff to be able to make those decisions.

“I mean, this whole season is just a testament to our kids and especially these seniors. It’s a tight-knit bunch who took control of the team and were really the catalyst of all we achieved.”

Ina fantastic finish, the St. Thomas Eagles captured the TAPPS 6A State Track & Field Championship by a single point margin over Concordia Lutheran; they won the meet by a final 110-109 margin. The victory also secured the Eagles third consecutive state championship in track & field.

“We were 21 points behind leading into the final two races of the meet, so it really was an exciting comeback victory for our kids. The team really came together in the end to pull it out,” said

St. Thomas track and field coach Nathan Labus

The Eagles comeback victory was propelled in part by a strong third-place finish by Isaac Knape in the 1600 meters, which was the second to last race of the meet. It set the stage for the 4x400 meter relay, where the Eagles would need a second-place finish at best to win the state championship.

In that final race of the meet, the Eagles foursome of Caleb Soluren, Jaden Stephenson, Sebastian Chapman, and Logan Debose all rose to the occasion by running personal-record times in each of their respective legs of the race as the Eagles finished second in the race to secure the state championship.

“Those guys knew they had to do it and they came through by all running a personal best in each of their 400 meters,” said Labus. Over the course of the meet, the Eagles also scored points in a significant 11 events. “Everybody that went to state for us scored at least one point, so the entire team contributed to our championship,” added Labus.

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email todd@thebuzzmagazines.com.

. by Annie Blaylock McQueen, staff writer

SportzBuzz Jr.

Welcome to SportzBuzz Jr., a column spotlighting neighborhood athletes in elementary and middle school.

Back-to-back champs

The Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association 7U Lightning softball team from Frostwood Elementary closed out the season with a 19-5 victory, securing back-to-back SBMSA Gold Bracket championships. The team also completed its second consecutive undefeated season, marking another strong year of consistent play and steady improvement. The 7U Lightning have established themselves as one of the league’s standout teams and the girls had fun together in the process. Pictured (front row, from left) are players Ava Buller, Peyton Lui, Avery Johnson, Bridget Selber, Sadie Bejar, Adelaide Hoffman, Lori Green, Summer Abarubia, Carley Clyburn, Emma Waltmon , and Hadley Scott . Coaches are (back row, from left) Sal Bejar, Ryan Johnson, Trent Hoffman, Ford Scott, Matt Waltmon , and Jonathan Lui .

Built for baseball

The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association 6U Dodgers baseball team claimed the Gold championship in an exciting final match, coached by Ben Harper and Elliott Sutter (pictured, back row, from left). Team members included (pictured, middle row, from left) Tate Harper, Jett Graham, Beau Ellis, and Grayson Frye; (bottom row, from left) Grant Holland, Beckett Sutter, Lawson Laborde, Travis Stone, Cedric Ton, Mason Walker , and Harrison Grimes . Bunker Hill Elementary’s Rookie League 6U boys’ teams turned in a strong season on the diamond, with all five squads, including the Bulls, Expos, Hooks, and Mariners, advancing to postseason play. The coaches stood proud as every Bunker Hill team secured a spot in either the silver or gold SBMSA playoff brackets. In addition to the Dodgers, the Expos went on to capture the silver championship title, marking an impressive showing for the Bunker Hill Lions.

Kings of the court

The Spring Branch-Memorial Sports Association Rockets basketball team claimed the Senior Boys 6th Grade Basketball champs for 2026 following a dominating championship game victory over the Spurs in Don Coleman Coliseum this spring. The Rockets raced through an undefeated regular season suffering just a single loss earlier in the playoffs to these Spurs, only to avenge that defeat convincingly in the decisive final game. Fans cheered on in excitement at the final match at Stratford High School. Pictured (from left) are head coach Stephan Shaw, Haden Dreibelbis, Davis Leitch, Jack Calkins, Beckett Stogner, Marcel Dionne, Cole Bringle, Aaron Bell, Mack Shaw, Patton Mullervy, Ramy Foty, and coach Ryan Dreibelbis

Editor’s note: Send your best high-resolution photos and behind-the-scenes stories about young local athletes, in both team and individual sports, to SportzBuzz Jr. at info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Include all contact info, names, ages, grades and schools. Featured athletes must live in Buzz-circulation neighborhoods. Items will be published on a space-available basis.

ENTERTAINMENT

by Mackenzie Malveaux, staff writer

Event Roundup

July arrives with a full calendar of festivities and can’t-miss events! Catch the final 2026 FIFA World Cup match in Houston, celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, plus more. Here’s a sampling of some Buzzworthy events this month:

Fourth of July Happenings

Patriot Family Day

Wed., July 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Heritage Society

Free

The Heritage Society celebrates the official launch of July’s America 250 programming with its Patriot Day event, a day of acknowledging history and heritage with hands-on fun. At the heart of the Semiquincentennial events is the American Revolution Experience, a traveling exhibit that explores the nation’s founding through artifacts, personal narratives, and interactive media, on view through July 18.

City of Bellaire’s Celebration of Independence Parade & Festival

Sat., July 4, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Bellaire Town Square

Free

The City of Bellaire’s Fourth of July features a parade, including a Children’s Bike Parade, followed by a festival at Bellaire Town Square. Look forward to food offerings, live music, and more. The parade starts at S. Rice/Valerie and the Children’s Bike Parade starts at S. Rice/Evergreen. Both parades will end at S. Rice and Linden. See www.bellairetx.gov.

West U’s Independence Day Bike Parade and Pool Party

Sat., July 4, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Colonial Park

Free

West University’s Fourth of July celebration includes a bike parade through the neighborhood starting in front of City Hall, followed by a pool party for the community. Parade participants will gather at West University Elementary at 8:45 a.m. See www.westutx.gov.

Villages

Independence Festival

Sat., July 4, 10:00 a.m.

Memorial Church of Christ Free

The six Memorial Villages, in partnership with the Memorial Villages Police Department and Village Fire Department, hosts a day of Fourth of July festivities featuring a Fun Run and Bike Ride, parade, and an outdoor festival. The Fun Run and Bike Ride begin at 9:45 a.m. at Memorial Church of Christ, followed by the parade at 10 a.m. The parade travels east on Gaylord to Piney Point Road, then south on Piney Point before ending at Ecclesia. The outdoor festival will begin at 10:30 a.m. with food, music, games and conclude with a “cool down” from the Village Fire Department ladder truck. See bunkerhilltx.gov.

STARS, STRIPES, AND SMILES Siblings Whitney and Hallie are decked out in starry outfits to celebrate Independence Day with the Memorial Villages’ community parade, family activities, and more.

Urban. Additionally, fans in town for Houston’s most anticipated soccer event can enjoy Fútbol Park, Liberty Park, the Kids Zone, Budweiser Zone, and Dr. Pepper’s Flavor Zone. The evening is capped with a spectacular, Texas-sized fireworks show. See www.houstontx.gov/july4.

Star-Spangled Salute Produced by Houston Symphony

Sat., July 4, 8:30 p.m.

Miller Outdoor Theatre

Free

Fourth of July Celebration at Bayou Bend Sat., July 4, 1-5 p.m.

Bayou Bend Free

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston honors Independence Day with an extravaganza of performers, crafts, activities, and refreshments. Highlights include the signing of a large Declaration of Independence, performances by Brave Little Company, and first-floor access of the house to view the George Washington: America’s Enduring Icon exhibit.

Freedom Over Texas

Sat., July 4, 3-10 p.m.

Eleanor Tinsley and Sam Houston Parks General admission: $15; children 12 and under: free with a paid adult

Returning for its 39th year, the City of Houston’s annual Freedom Over Texas event, includes a day of performances from Los Lonely Boys, Collective Soul, and headliner Keith

The illustrious Houston Symphony will let freedom ring with a Star-Spangled Salute featuring patriotic performances of fan favorites like 1812 Overture, The Stars and Stripes Forever, and America the Beautiful. The exceptional musical performance is followed by an unforgettable fireworks show.

2026 Fourth of July Events on Galveston Island

Sat., July 4, 6 p.m.

Galveston Island, Texas

Prices vary

Fireworks light up the Galveston shoreline as the island celebrates Independence Day with a variety of festivities including a parade and fireworks. The parade, featuring floats, marching bands, and local organizations, will start at 23rd and Seawall at 6 p.m., traveling west on Seawall before turning North on 53rd to exit. The night then concludes with a spectacular fireworks show displayed over the Gulf. See www.visitgalveston.com.

FIFA World Cup Happenings

The Round of 16 takes place on July 4, 12 p.m. at NRG Stadium (called “Houston Stadium” for the World Cup). See www.fwc26houston.com. See thebuzzmagazines.com for a roundup of World Cup festivities.

FIFA Fan Festival

Through Sun., July 19, open every match day of FIFA World Cup 2026. Gates open two hours prior to kickoff for the first match of the day.

EaDo

Free

The FIFA Fan Festival will show 70+ matches live on giant screens that mimic stadium atmospheres along with global celebrations, including live performances on a central stage, unique activities, and flavorful Houston-centric food choices. Bring your friends and family along to explore the historic neighborhood of EaDo during Houston’s most anticipated sporting event of the year. The event also features a special Kids Zone where little ones can play on mini pitches during the festivities.

FIFA Football Fiesta

Through Sun., July 19; event is held alongside the FIFA Fan Festival

EaDo

Free

Extending the vibrant atmosphere of the FIFA Fan Festival, the Football Fiesta creates a seamless transition into the East Downtown neighborhood with a party zone that invites fans to experience the festival and surrounding local businesses showcasing the local flavor and culture of Houston. Participating Football Fiesta establishments include 8th Wonder Brewery, Boozer's, District 7 Grill, Eight Row Flint East End, Huynh Restaurant, Koffeteria, Little Woodrow’s, Neil’s Bahr, Pitch 25, Rodeo Goat, Sunset Rooftop Lounge, Texas Tailgate Sports Bar Patio, and Truck Yard Houston.

Houston Dynamo Soccer Celebration

Through Sun., July 19, times vary Shell Energy Stadium

Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance. Alongside the FIFA World Cup, Shell Energy Stadium is hosting celebrations of the tournament featuring watch parties, concerts, and international friendlies. See www.houstondynamofc.com/soccercelebration or text SOCCER to 275748.

Kick It Off, Houston!

Through Mon., July 6, 9 a.m.-5 p.m

Children’s Museum Houston

General admission: Adults and children ages 1+: $21.95; children under 1: free

Enjoy a series of kid-friendly soccer-themed events at Children’s Museum Houston in honor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Guests are invited to explore an array of activities to experience like the opportunity to decorate soccer balls and create a soccer-themed “shrinky dink” accessory (through

July 6), as well as robotic soccer matches, motivating story times, and more.

Final Kickoff Soccer Party

Fri., July 3, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Children’s Museum

Houston

General admission:

Adults and children ages 1+: $21.95; children under 1: free Wrapping up Houston’s soccer festivities, the Children’s Museum will stay open for an extended evening. Design and decorate a teddy bear–sized soccer jersey in honor of your favorite World Cup team, jam out to music with DJ Tyler, get a soccer-inspired face painting, and more.

Kicking It at Hermann Park

WORLD CUP FEVER The City of Houston and visitors are gathering in EaDo for the FIFA Fan Festival, where more than 70 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches are streamed on giant screens alongside live entertainment, family-friendly activities, Houston-inspired activations and food offerings. Pictured: Santiago Lopez and Pilar Moya enjoying the lively Fan Festival.

Hermann Park Commons Through Sun., July 5, times vary Free

Hermann Park Conservancy is offering a lively mix of programs, diverse food offerings, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities. See hermannpark.org/kickingit.

Summer Soccer Celebration at Levy Park Through Sun., July 19

Levy Park

Free

Levy Park is hosting a series of free, familyfriendly World Cup watch parties. Each viewing event will feature a large-scale outdoor LED screen with professional sound, and will include art installations, including life-sized soccer themed photo backdrops and a tournament bracket. See www.levyparkhouston.org.

More Houston Events

Hermann Park Moonlight Movie Nights: National Treasure Fri., July 3, 8:30-10:30 p.m.

The Commons at Hermann Park

Free

Enjoy a night under the stars with the park’s Moonlight Movie Nights. Kicking off the month of July is a screening of National Treasure (PG). Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Summer Symphony Nights

Fri. & Sat., July 10, 11, 17, 18, 8:30 p.m.

Miller Outdoor Theatre

Free Classical music takes the stage as Summer Symphony Nights returns for the summer at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Each night offers an array of different sounds. Immerse yourself in musical performances like Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Dvořák and more. See www.milleroutdoortheatre.com/performance-list/.

Houston Grand Opera - Storybook Opera Sat., July 11, 11 a.m.

Levy Park

Free

Introduce kids to opera with an engaging, family-friendly program. Houston Grand Opera presents World Cup Women. Orchestrated by Meg Waters, the performance honors the inspiring triumph of Team USA during the 2019 World Cup.

Discovery Green Sunday Concert Series Sun., July 5, 12, and 19, 5-7 p.m.

Discovery Green Anheuser-Busch Stage

Free

In honor of Houston’s summer of soccer, Discovery Green brings a free concert series to the heart of Houston. Grab a picnic blanket and enjoy tunes from Matthew Hartnett and the Gumbo Jam and Westbury Jazz Collective (July 5), Babatunde and Friends and Batala Houston (July 12), and The Pew Band (July 19). Food trucks and restaurants will be onsite.

Editor’s note: Events are subject to change. See this article at thebuzzmagazines.com for links. Find more events at thebuzzmagazines.com/calendar and see our Weekend Roundup online every Friday.

by Samuel Knott

Buzz Kidz

IYOUNG WRITER, BIG WINS Samuel Knott, an incoming sixth grader at Yorkshire Academy, placed first at the 2026 Private Schools Interscholastic Association State Meet for Ready Writing. Here, he shares his experience and the preparation that it took to get there.

First place at PSIA State

started preparing for the 2026 Private Schools Interscholastic Association Meet for Ready Writing in October. Ready Writing is a competition where you are given a prompt, and you will get a certain amount of time depending on your grade level. Grades 3-4 get 45 minutes, Grades 5-6 get 60 minutes, and Grades 7-8 get 90 minutes. Essays are judged and graded by three main categories: creativity (50 percent), organization (35 percent), and grammar (15 percent). The top six essays are then ranked, and the winning writers are awarded ribbons or medals, with the top two essay winners being invited to compete at the state level. Even getting to the district meet takes a huge amount of hard work, dedication, and willingness to push yourself.

To prepare, every week, I was assigned a descriptive, persuasive, or expository writing prompt. Sometimes I saw doing this as a chore, but it com-

pletely changed the way I wrote. I became a lot more comfortable with writing about different topics and using different points of view. My teacher always chose exciting and challenging prompts for me to write about, which helped me win the contest.

The journey from district to state was even harder. I had less time to prepare, and the stress was high. Once again, Yorkshire helped me, which led me to win first place for Ready Writing!

Some of my favorite genres to write about are Fantasy and Mystery. I love to let my creativity flow. Writing has always been a place where I can just express myself. I love that there are no rules to what kind of story you can make. I don’t love to write persuasive or informational essays as much because it involves more research than creativity. My winning essay was a story about an ancient clock tower. Basically, three kids find

a key that opens the clock tower door. There, they climb up to the top floor and find a clock troll and a ghost! The clock troll is wound up and only he can make the clock work again with the key. So, the kids defeat the ghost and bring harmony to their town.

Though it took a lot of work, PSIA State was worth it. The experience was amazing, and I hope other people have a chance to enjoy it as well. Earning an award in the Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) contest was a big accomplishment. It is something that not many people can experience, and that’s what makes it special to go to these events. Writing is always a great skill no matter what career you want to choose. So, just have fun writing!

Want to be a Buzz Kid? Email approximately 350 words, a high-resolution photo and caption to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

PETS Neighborhood Tails

Sugar, age 12, Labradoodle, Pinewood Circle

Hi! My name is Sugar, and I am the quirky queen of my household. I may not be able to see so well anymore, but what I lack in sight I make up for in style. I love taking rides to enjoy any sneaky fries my mom or human sisters may give me. And if I see or smell fries on the table, I will throw a tantrum until you give into my cuteness. I have a neat combo of both social anxiety and FOMO, so you better let me sit in the corner of your social function – I get upset when you lead me away from the action, but I do not want to interact with anyone. This extends to my food habits, where I will take my food one mouthful at a time into the living room where my family is watching a movie and eat it there. No big deal, but I am the embodiment of beauty and grace.

Got a cute critter? Email a picture of your pet with approximately 150 words to info@thebuzzmagazines.com.

Get Your Morning Buzz

Every weekday morning, enjoy your coffee + the buzz in your inbox. Our e-newsletter, Morning Buzz, features buzzworthy stories about neighbors every day, Monday-Friday.

Sign up to find out what we’re buzzing about at thebuzzmagazines.com/morning-buzz.

Managing your aging parents’ money

The New York Times ran an article recently, “A 5-Point Checklist for Managing Your Aging Parents’ Money.” The subject resonates with everyone but aging parents, who know how you manage your money, and rue the day you manage theirs.

The June 6 article suggests: 1. Start talking early, 2. Understand their budget, 3. Get account access, 4. Ask about durable power of attorney, and 5. Verify that wills and beneficiaries are current.

Consider a different tack: 1. Start helping early, 2. Understand parents’ needs, 3. Explain how you share your own account access, 4. Tell them about your own durable power of attorney, e.g., your primary and alternate agents, and 5. Tell them why and how you last updated your will and beneficiary designations before asking about theirs.

Help parents with little things, e.g., handling old mail, refilling their meds, meeting them there if not taking them to doctor appointments. Help collate tax information for them or their CPA to prepare the next income tax return. Learn how to be both the child and the adult at the same time. Roles shift, and aging parents can either relish or resent it.

Budgets require more work than most of us can marshal or maintain. If your parents have a budget, don’t assume it’s current or addresses future needs, e.g., long term care, home health, or routine maintenance. A strong financial advisor can assist, but will need information and authority few children have at first. One step at a time.

Before account access, information without authority is a big step. With help, parents can aggregate their finances in an app all the children can see

but not touch, e.g., eMoney. One or more kids can be named a trusted person at the bank or broker, a contact person if incapacity or exploitation is suspected.

No bank or broker wants to see a parent’s power of attorney for the first time in the hands of a child. People are rotten, and custodians want delegation authenticated by the principal, not the agent. Ask parents to show their banker and financial advisor or broker-dealer their power of attorney, to request and sign the custodian’s preferred forms, and to share the written confirmation with the primary agent if not with you.

Anyone of means uses a lawyer to draft wills and trusts and to suggest beneficiary designations. Consider using the same lawyer for your own planning. If nothing else, ask if their lawyer can explain their plans to you. Volunteer to help your parents update beneficiary designations they never got around to.

Before worrying about aging parents’ money, practice acting as their servant, and not their master.

We write wills and go to probate court. Foreign nationals and international families welcome.

Russell W. Hall, Bellaire Probate, Attorneys at Law, 6750 West Loop S. Ste. 920, Bellaire, Texas 77401, 713.662.3853, bellaireprobate.com

. by Angie Frederickson, staff writer

Buzz About Town

A sea of pink

Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Jenny Todd, and Donna Lewis (pictured, from left) donned their finest pinks and florals at the 6th annual American Cancer Society’s Tickled Pink Luncheon. More than 650 supporters filled the

Post Oak Hotel and raised $650,000 for breast cancer research, education, and patient support services. Chaired by Shelley Boyer, Denise Monteleone, and Gaye Lynn Zarrow, with honorary chairs Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman and Dr. Sippi Khurana, Tickled Pink featured a live auction, sweepstakes tickets for prizes, bottomless champagne, and a floral photo wall. Recognized for their contributions to the community, this year’s honorees are Jana Arnoldy, Zane Carruth, Ellen Elam, Jennifer Fitts, Heidi Smith, and Travis Torrence.

Boogie down Brittmoore

On the last day of school, Rummel Creek Elementary (RCE) fifth graders (pictured) participated in the 35th annual end-of-the-year tradition: Boogie Down Brittmoore. To bid farewell to elementary school and prepare to become middle schoolers, the graduating class left the halls of Rummel Creek, escorted by principal Allison Kohtz and the fifth-grade teachers, and paraded down Brittmoore Road toward Plaza Oaks Pool. Younger students, families, and neighbors lined the route armed with water balloons, buckets, and squirt guns to soak the graduates in a joyful community-wide water battle. The celebration continued with pizza and swimming at a pool party to officially kick off summer. Congratulations, RCE Roadrunners!

The power of moral courage

Mike Morgan and Patti Morgan and Gary Weisserman (pictured, from left) were among the supporters at Holocaust Museum Houston’s 2026 Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner. Celebrating 30 years since the Museum’s opening, this year’s event honored Emmy Award-winning actress and activist Patricia Heaton. Nearly 1,000 guests attended the event at Hilton Americas-Houston to support the Museum’s mission of Holocaust education and combating hatred. The program opened with a performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by vocalist Sarah DyerJones, followed by an invocation and blessing over the meal delivered by Rabbi David Lyon and Reverend Dr. Mia Wright. Board chair Elyse Spector Kalmans honored Holocaust survivors at the event and thanked presenting sponsor Dorothy Wiesenthal Levinson, honorary chairs Patti and Michael Morgan, dinner chairs Jeannie and Gary Wermuth, and host committee chairs Nancy and Jack Dinerstein.

Growing for good

Legacy of Hope Luncheon, Growing for Good. The event was held on the school’s campus and raised more than $400,000 for comprehensive special-needs education for children and young adults with a range of developmental delays. Students of The Arbor School welcomed guests to the luncheon, where they heard about the school’s campus expansion plans, including adding programming for students 18 to 22 years old, and listened to keynote speaker, author and podcaster Cleere Cherry Reaves

And they’re off…

Scott and Lisa Olsson (pictured) watched the Kentucky Derby at The Revaire while supporting Bo’s Place. More than 350 guests gathered to experience the “most exciting two minutes in sports” at the 10th annual Hats, Hearts & Horseshoes: A Decade of Derby. Event chairs Libby and Mattison May and Shelby and Matthew Seligmann welcomed guests dressed in festive race-day attire who sipped mint juleps and raised $330,000 for grief support services. Honorary chairs included Fady Armanious and Bill Baldwin, Amanda and Terry Boffone, Julie and Stephen Chen, Megan and Luke Hotze, Jayne and Garrett Johnston, Alice and J.W. Lodge, Carol Lee and Allen Lyons, Alissa and Kevin Maples, Christina and David McAllen, Hannah and Cal McNair, Maddy

and Patrick Moffitt, Sheridan and Robert Plumb, Millette and Haag Sherman, Christie and Mark Sullivan, Hallie Vanderhider, and Kelli and John Weinzierl.

Joy grows here

Raymond Valdez, JJ Oshins, Kate Oshins, Antonella Signori, Gabriel Sanchez, and Kathy de La Mora (pictured, from left) supported GiGi’s Playhouse Houston at a fundraising event at the home of Kathy and Chris de La Mora Joy Grows Here: An Evening of Community, Celebration, and Vision generated funds to expand space to provide free therapeutic and educational programs for individuals of all ages with Down syndrome and their loved

ones. The evening featured a custom cocktail experience, music curated by Houston’s own Adam Stout, and a raffle. Supporters heard from executive director Raymond Valdez and board president Saveem Afraz who shared insights into the growth at GiGi’s Playhouse Houston.

The Safety Navigator

Audrey Hollis, Charlee Johnson, and Lindsey Herod (pictured, from left) shopped for a cause at the Pop Up Shop Soiree benefiting The Safety Navigator. Founded by Charlee after the tragic 2025 Hill Country flood, The Safety Navigator is a nonprofit created to provide resources and help summer camps implement strategies to keep children safe. The (continued on page 60)

shopping event was held at the home of Hallie Henley Sims, cohosted by Lindsey Herod, and featured items from Gylded Jewelry, The Hat Chick, and Mason’s Daughter, with a portion of sales supporting the new organization. The Safety Navigator debuted a parent guide focusing on questions parents may have for the 2026 summer camp season.

L.I.F.E. savers

Sippi Khurana and Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman (pictured, from left) were among the nearly 400 guests at the annual L.I.F.E. (Local Infant Formula for Emergencies) Houston Mother’s Day Luncheon. Supporters gathered at the Royal Sonesta Houston Galleria and raised more than $220,000 to provide emergency infant formula and nutritional education

to families in the area. Event chairs Nicole Lassiter and Jackie Ward welcomed the crowd to the afternoon event that honored Erika Jones, Sonja McCain, Sara MontelongoOyervidez, and Mary Morgan Stevens. Emmy Award-winning television personality Rita Garcia served as emcee, and Johnny Bravo led the live auction.

Solving the unsolvable

William and Huda Zoghbi and Nicole and Evan Katz (pictured, from left) celebrated at the 15th anniversary gala for the Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital. More than 450 supporters enjoyed an evening at Houston Museum

of Natural Science benefiting the efforts to “solve the unsolvable” through advances in treatment for brain disorders. Chaired by Anne and Albert Chao, Nicole and Evan H. Katz, and Katie and Robby Zorich , the evening began with a reception and program. The Institute’s founding director, Dr. Huda Y. Zoghbi, led a conversation with special guests, NBC News’ chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel and actress and founder of Eva’s Heroes Eva Longoria . The evening raised more than $13 million.

The twinkle of Periwinkle

Max Gerson, Sarah Sgarbi, and Cindy and Gary Gerson (pictured, from left) supported The Periwinkle Foundation at The Twinkle of Periwinkle: Igniting a Spark of Joy & Healing. More than 450 supporters celebrated at Royal Sonesta Houston. The event raised $700,000 for the foundation’s camps, arts, and survivor programs for children, teens, and families living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses who are treated at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center. The cocktail reception featured a Big Board auction, spirit and wine pull, grab bags, Heads or Tails, silent auction, and children’s art gallery. The party then moved into the ballroom where emcee Lisa Malosky introduced gala co-chairs Elizabeth and Frank Karkowsky. Periwinkle Foundation founder Paul Gerson presented The Gerson Award to his cousin David Steinhart to honor his work as a foundation board member and 36-year volunteer at Camp Periwinkle.

Be seen in Buzz About Town. Send your high-res photos and community news to info@thebuzzmagazines.com. Items are published on a space-available basis. Also share your upcoming-event listings on thebuzzmagazines.com.

. by Andria Dilling, staff writer

Back Porch

Make Space in Your Suitcase: What to read this summer

You might think that someone who brings five books on vacation would classify as a lifetime reader. But that isn’t the case.

Carmen Gomez, who was the press secretary for HISD before her children Alexis, 23, and Nico, 21, were born, says she didn’t enjoy reading until well after graduating from college. “I did not like it at all as a kid,” she says. “But sometime after college, my mom started handing me books she had read.” Carmen’s mother – and neighbor – Maria Abascal is also a voracious reader. “I picked it up as entertainment,” Carmen says. “It was something to do that wasn’t watching TV. When you’re not forced to do it in school, you can actually pick what you like.”

Now she reads everywhere. “When the kids were little, I’d read in carpool line; I’ll read at 3:00 in the morning if I’m up, in the evenings when my husband is watching a movie, in the pool. Whenever I have 10 minutes. I always have a book in my purse,” Carmen says, noting that she prefers the tangible weight of a book to a screen. “I turn pages, earmark, highlight, make notes.”

Besides, she shares the books with her mom, sister-in-law, niece, and friends. “I feel like I’m constantly dropping off bags of books to someone’s house,” she says.

Recently, those books have included Theo of Golden and Strangers Theo of Golden, the first novel by Allen Levi, is what The New York Times calls “a word-of-mouth smash hit,” Hoda Kotb says is “a treasure,” and Carmen calls “a good, heartwarming story.” About an older man who shows up mysteriously in the fictitious Georgia town of Golden, the book reminds readers that when we look closely enough, we see that everyone is carrying their own story. The story feels slow and sweet, and reading it might make you look at strangers with deeper compassion.

Belle Burden’s Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage chronicles her 20-year marriage that fell apart, seemingly out of the blue. Burden’s first book, Strangers is a quick, fully absorbing read that appeals to an audience far wider than women whose husbands have left them for another woman. For anyone, it begs the question: How well can we actually know the people we are closest to?

Carmen is currently reading The Astral Library, a magical realism novel by Kate Quinn, who is known for her historical fiction. When a young woman with a difficult life finds refuge in the Boston Public Library, she discovers a portal that transports her into the worlds of its books. If you have ever wanted to live out the classics like The Great Gatsby, Jane Eyre, and Sherlock Holmes, this story will take you there.

I Am Pilgrim: A Thriller by Terry Hayes is one of Carmen’s all-time favorites and her go-to book.

SUMMER READS Whether you pack them in your suitcase or upload them to your screen, there are lots of good books to add to your summer reading list.

“If I can’t find a book that piques my interest,” she says, “I pull out I Am Pilgrim and reread it. I’ve read it four or five times.” The New York Times says the book “has more kicks, twists and winks than anything of its dusty genre has provided in a long time.” With a gruesome Manhattan murder that calls a former intelligence operative out of retirement, a terrorist seeking to avenge his father’s execution by spreading an incurable virus across the United States, and a plot that takes readers around the world, readers should buckle up for the 900-page thriller.

Next on Carmen’s reading list? Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, the story of a tradwife social media influencer who is magically transported to the 1800s, where being a “tradwife” – a traditional, 1950s-esque homemaker who prides herself on subservience to her husband – isn’t the glamorous choice it is in the 2020s. Shifting

from eight million followers, curated social media content, and two behind-the-scenes nannies to being the matron of a working farm with no electricity, Yesteryear is a commentary on the tradwife phenomenon, fundamentalism, and a life lived to produce content.

Back to bringing five books on vacation –that’s real. “They take up a lot of space in my suitcase, but I make sure I have room,” Carmen laughs about the many trips she’s taking (and books she’s reading) as an empty nester. She and her attorney husband Alex travel to every one of the Wash U football games, where their son Nico is an offensive linebacker.

And if it’s a beach trip? “She ignores me,” Alex jokes. Still, there will be good dinner conversation. “Usually about the book,” Carmen says. Editor’s note: For more book recommendations, see Cindy Burnett’s monthly Buzz Reads column and weekly online column Page Turners at thebuzzmagazines.com.