From Whoville to 'White Lotus'! Gingerbread Battle Raises Cash — and a Few Eyebrows

From Whoville to 'White Lotus'! Gingerbread Battle Raises Cash — and a Few Eyebrows

Members of team Grinch Please build their gingerbread house

GALVANIZED BY DRAG performer Duckie DuJour, more than 30 teams gathered in Montrose to build one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses — for a cause.


At the Kindred Montrose church, the seventh annual competition, benefiting the local nonprofit Grace Place, was the biggest yet. Entries included homages to television shows Wednesday, The White Lotus and Yellowstone, plus Dolly Parton, naturally, and other icons. The winner was titled “Grinch Please,” a multi-tiered, table-length depiction of Grinch ascending Mount Crumpit.

Grace Place is a Houston based non-profit who empowers youths of all sexualities and gender identities who are experiencing homelessness. “Grace Place is a special organization, and it’s only able to exist because of the generosity of our Houston community,” said President of the Board of Directors Natalie Ferguson, “and we are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support this year.”

Event sponsor Randy Owens and Family

A young competitor enjoys her sweet creation

Competition team working on gingerbread house

A Yellowstone themed gingerbread house

Grace Place Board President Natalie Ferguson and members of Houston Gaymers

Grace Place Executive Director Courtney Sellers with first place team Grinch Please

Members of team Grinch Please build their gingerbread house

Parties
‘Natural Passion’ Makes Fourth-Gen Houstonian Sarah Callaway Sulma a Realty Star

AS A FOURTH-generation Houstonian, Sarah Callaway Sulma has a unique and invaluable view of the city. Her deep seated connection to Houston led her down the path to becoming one the city's most well-respected, and renowned real estate agents. Sarah's natural passion for the real estate industry from a young age led her to where she is today. "I know that it sounds cheesy, but it is the truth! I wanted to be in real estate from a young age," Sarah shares. "The late-great restaurateur, Tony Vallone, put me together with real estate legend, Martha Turner, and Martha put me together with Cathy Cagle. The rest is history-13 years of success and counting!" Now with over 13 years in real estate and $55M+ in residential real estate sales, Sarah brings a rare combination of knowledge, skill, and advocacy to each one of her clients.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Urban Harvest’s Saturday Farmers Market started in 2004 with just seven vendors, providing an outlet for local farms, community and backyard gardeners to sell fresh produce harvested directly from their soils. Now in its 20th year, the market has grown to be one of the largest markets in Texas, supporting over 100 local farmers, ranchers, and food artisans all from within 180 miles of Houston. The market draws 3,000 customers every Saturday morning and includes many original vendors like Animal Farm, Atkinson Farms, and Wood Duck Farm.

Keep Reading Show less

What year was your organization launched? Founded in Houston in 1947, as the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, the organization provided services to individuals with disabilities living in Houston and Harris County. In 1989, the organization changed its name and greatly expanded its services to meet the needs of its clientele. Today as Easter Seals Greater Houston, the organization provides multiple outstanding service programs to children, adults, veterans, and service members with all types of disabilities and their families in Harris and sixteen surrounding counties.

Keep Reading Show less