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

How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

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People + Places

Lilith's Lullaby cocktail (photo by Angie Cavazos)

TO QUOTE THE wee one in Poltergeist: “They’re baaaaack!” Houston’s beloved gothic and girl-powered pop-up The Cursed Cauldron returns Friday, Oct. 4 to Aero Cocktail Co. in River Oaks. The new Aero Cocktail Co. will host the pop-up Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 4pm-12am, and Sundays 2pm-10pm. To help contribute to the spooky (and fun) vibe, visitors are invited to “don their magical attire;” kohl eyeliner and black nail polish are strongly recommended.

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Food