"It ain't no town. It ain't no city. It's mighty small and mighty pretty."

Phil Harris said it best. The silver-hair set will remember the lyrics from the 1950s hit song. The younger residents will shrug and say "Phil who?".

Phil was talking about a place called 'Do Wah Ditty', but he could have been describing Northampton. We're not a city. There's no city council. We're not a town. No mayor. If you search for a one-word label, how about "Northampton is family".

Northampton, with its 5,000 neighbors and friends, has a group of organizations working for the benefit of all of us. These are residents of the subdivision who work and play together to improve our lifestyle. These volunteers do not include the regular sports rivalries on the tennis and basketball courts, the Friday night bridge foursomes, the weekly poker buddies, the Boy Scouts nor the cute little elves who spoil our New Year's diet resolutions with Girl Scout cookies.

Following is a brief description of the groups, all composed of volunteers who give their time, talent and energy.

NORTHAMPTON HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
Social and civic activities are planned and carried out by NHOA board members who are chosen by residents during regularly scheduled elections. Funding for NHOA activities is voluntary, and a small charge is included each month in the bill for water, garbage and sewer services.

Ongoing projects of NHOA include publication of the Northampton Neighbor, a monthly newsletter that gives all residents and groups an outlet for their news items. It is distributed free to every home. Another important responsibility is the annual publication of the Northampton Resident Directory. Complete with names, addresses and telephone numbers of all in the subdivision, it is an important tool for newcomers to be integrated into our 'family'.

NHOA also sponsors several special events during the year. These include the Valentine Soda Shop for sweethearts of all ages, a once-a-year garage sale at a central location. In recent years it has been held at Klein Oak High School's parking lot.

Other recent activities include a Crawfish Boil in May, Fourth of July parade and party, a Teen Back-to-School party, special Halloween refreshment and safety stands for little trick-or-treaters, a Texas two-stepping Chili Cook Off and special Christmas programs including Breakfast with Santa for the tiny tots and their big brothers and sisters.
Volunteers are always welcome to help in NHOA activities.

NORTHAMPTON MAINTENANCE FUND
The responsibility of the fund, which is overseen by an elected and voluntary five -member Board of Trustees, is to administer a uniform master plan for the improvement and development of Northampton homes and building sites. To accomplish this, a set of Deed Restrictions have been adopted for the subdivision. These restrictions outline requirements for building, improving and changing existing homes. Enforcement of these rules by the NMB is designed to support property values and provide a safe and desirable atmosphere for the Northampton family.

The Maintenance Board is funded by an annual fee charged each homeowner. This fee pays for such activities as security by contract constable services, electric power for public-area lighting, esplanade maintenance and landscaping, mosquito spraying, deed restriction enforcement and administrative costs.

NORTHAMPTON M. U. D. BOARD
The prime responsibility of the Northampton Municipal Utility District is to deliver safe drinking water to every home in ample quantities and to dispose of waste water in a safe and sanitary way.

The M. U. D. Board is composed of five volunteers who are elected to alternating four-year terms by all residents. The board has the responsibility of working with consultants and contractors, who operate the water and sewer plants, collect and remove garbage, levy and oversee collection of M. U. D. taxes and maintain and administer various Northampton recreational facilities.

These include the children's playgrounds on Northcrest and Inway Drives, the two swimming pools, the Northcrest and Inway clubhouses and pavilion, the Inway exercise room, the Northcrest and Inway tennis courts and the Northampton Center M. U. D. headquarters building. A new park is in the planning stage.

Many of the older recreational facilities were financed and built by an earlier group, the Northampton Club. Membership in the Northampton Club was restricted to members who paid an annual membership fee. Several years ago the M. U. D. board agreed to take over these facilities and assume the financial responsibility for their ownership, operation and upkeep. This provided the use of these facilities for all residents at no cost or a reduced fee.

NORTHAMPTON ARTISTS & HANDCRAFTERS
Since 1976 this group has provided creative outlets for Northampton members and guests. Meeting monthly, the crafters present programs that share art and craft skills by experts in various fields. It is open to membership to beginners as well as more experienced crafters and artists.

During one of the fall months, usually October, the Northampton Artists & Handcrafters sponsor a 'Crafters Christmas Market' where members and other vendors display and sell their wares to the public. This well-attended event usually is held at and near the Northcrest Clubhouse and pavilion. Profits generated by the group fund a scholarship for deserving art students at Klein Oak High School.

NORTHAMPTON BABY SITTERS COOP
This group consists of stay-at-home mothers and fathers, many of whom work either part-time or in their homes. They meet several times a year to plan schedules and conduct social outings. Purpose of the group is to provide a safe and secure baby-sitting arrangement for the member parents. The coop organizes play groups and summer activities for the little ones and their families.

The coop service is available seven-day-a-week and flexible hours make it very convenient for participants.

NORTHAMPTON GO BIRDS
The old saying "You are only as old as you feel" can be applied to these energetic on-the-go 'seasoned' citizens of Northampton. The Go Birds was formed to provide a series of traveling adventures to those 55 years and older. Free transportation by comfortable air-conditioned buses is provided by Harris County Precinct 4. The Go Bird group is a very informal organization with no dues, no officers and no obligations other than pay a small fee for some of the trips. Arrangements are made by various members of the group.

Recent trips have included the George Bush Presidential Library at College Station, Moody Gardens in Galveston, the Fine Arts Museum and Museum of Natural Science in downtown Houston and the Sam Houston Race Track. Although not scheduled on a regular basis, the Go Birds make several trips each year, and everyone 55 and older is welcome to be a Go Bird.

NORTHAMPTON HOME & GARDEN CLUB
If your interests include home decorating and gardening, this is the organization for you. The NHGC meets each month except during the summer to share tips on beautifying your home, garden and public areas around Northampton. The members provide and install the nativity scene at the main entrance to Northampton during the Christmas season.

An annual fund raiser supports the various beautification projects around the subdivision, and the members schedule field trips throughout the year.

NORTHAMPTON TENNIS ASSOCIATION
Since 1995 the NTA has sponsored and organized tennis activities for players of all levels within the subdivision. With some of the finest, well-lighted courts in Harris County, M. U. D. has provided tennis enthusiasts facilities that bring many outsider admirers to Northampton. Northampton fields several men's and women's teams playing in various leagues around the area.

Although membership in NTA is not a requirement for Northampton players, the small annual fee for membership provides funds to pay tournament expenses, social activities and similar events to promote the sport. One of the highlights of the year for NTA is the Summer Mixed Doubles Team Tennis. It is open to men and women of every skill level and provides a forum for social contact as well as competitive combat.

WILLOW CREEK GOLF CLUB
Once a member-owned 18-hole course, Willow Creek now is a business-owned facility in which more than two-and-a-half million dollars has been invested recently to make it one of the premier layouts in Southeast Texas. This infusion of cash has made a great course even better.

With picturesque and historic Willow Creek winding its way through the lush fairways and past the beautiful clubhouse and dining facility, Willow Creek Golf Club greatly enhances the beauty and values in Northampton and brings hundreds of outside golfers to visit our area. Club memberships are available for golfers, and a new social membership category has been established to give non-golfing Northampton residents an elegant dining facility for family and friends.

NORTHAMPTON PINES GARDEN CLUB
Formed during the early days of Northampton's development, this group emphasizes stimulating interest in gardening and exchanging knowledge about the maintenance of our ecology system within the Northampton area. Membership is open to all residents who are invited to attend the regularly scheduled monthly meetings.
The group brings special guest speakers to enlighten their members and schedules interesting field trips, luncheons, fund raisers and workshops throughout the year.

SPRING VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
Northampton is fortunate to have a fire station and modern rolling equipment right at the front of the entrance to the subdivision. Many of the volunteers who respond to fires as well as other emergencies or major disasters in the SVFD area live in Northampton. Founded in 1955 the SVFD maintains five stations and has approximately 125 members. Each undergoes rigorous training and many are Texas State Certified Fire Fighters. Some of the fire fighters who volunteer their free time are employed by career fire departments in Houston, The Woodlands and Conroe. Many have industrial and military fire fighting experience.

The SVFD is funded by the Harris County Rural Fire Prevention District No. l. Training is provided for Northampton volunteers and others who wish to serve the Spring area.
These then are the men and women, boys and girls, parents and grandparents who help make Northampton the 'family' that we all enjoy every day. Each resident makes his or her own contribution to a wonderful lifestyle. If you wish to be one of them and volunteer your time and talents, information concerning who to contact can be found in the Northampton Resident Directory.