ETX Postcards October

October 2023

Volume 1, Issue 5

8 Do You Know? Zack Harkness

14 Texas Treasures

100 Years of Texas State Parks

18 Business Focus Sinful Southern Belles

Community Calendar -22

Dear Gabby -6

Glorious Grandkids -12

Mustard Seed Moments -23

Pet Pals -7

Publisher’s Post -5

Puzzle Solutions -23

Sudoku Marketplace -21

Things My Granddaddy Said -17

What’s Cookin’ -13

Crippin

Postcards 2022 Photo Contest Submission

Cover Photo by Cade

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It’s been an eventful month! As I write this column, I am envisioning cooler temperatures and pumpkins. I admit, that’s quite a stretch to imagine, even for this fall lover. And speaking of stretches - there have been an awful lot of those in my world! After we went to press last month, I had knee replacement surgery. I’m now at post-surgery week 3 and finally convinced I will survive. One of my physical therapists thinks I’m a little dramatic…and for the life of me, I don’t know why. I only mentioned once that I thought he was trying to kill me.

And speaking of drama…my brother texted me from Abilene after he saw a story regarding the latest alligator incident at Huntsville State Park. One of the reptile residents decided to investigate a group of Girl Scouts a little too closely. This gator was reportedly around 14 feet long, but I’m fairly certain they were unable to determine…at a distance…in the water…whether it was male or female. In spite of that, the Girl Scouts apparently named it “Karen.”

Now, I am starting to get a little tired of this Karen stuff. I may occasionally ask to “speak to the manager” when I deem it necessary, but I am always calm and reasonable…unless I am on serious medication…or being stalked by an alligator. But seriously…at this rate, I’ll be fortunate to have a great, great, great-granddaughter named after me! Let’s pick a new name, okay? Because I really do not want to have to “go all Karen” on you!

Enjoy the fall and enjoy a laugh--even if it is at a dramatic friend’s expense. I bet they’ve had plenty of practice laughing at themself.

Later gator, ~ Karen

October is here, and we find ourselves grateful to have escaped major hurricane incidents thus far, but the dry conditions and sporadic wildfires were not without their challenges. This month presents us with a wealth of cooler outdoor activities, a stark contrast to the scorching 105-degree heat of summer. Fall festivals and community gatherings offer delightful family experiences, and before we know it, the emergence of pumpkins is the sure sign autumn has arrived.

Kent Holder

Over the past few months, we’ve asked for your support for this magazine, both through your content contributions and your appreciation for our advertisers. Your response has been nothing short of remarkable. It’s truly heartwarming to engage with you, our readers, hearing about your favorite sections of the magazine and the joy it brings to your lives. Most rewarding of all is when we visit our advertisers and find them thriving, thanks to your support!

Marketing a brand or a business isn’t a short-term endeavor; it’s a continuous journey. In just four short issues, our community magazine is already making a meaningful difference for some of our local businesses and organizations, all because of your support. Our advertisers make this publication possible, and our incredible reader base makes this positive impact on our community possible. Thank you for being the heartbeat of YOUR magazine’s success.

See you around town, ~Kent

Karen Altom

Dear Gabby

Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. I don’t recall ever being this excited about the beginning of fall and cooler weather! You folks with convertibles have your two perfect days of top-down weather coming around the corner. Don’t worry--there will be two more in the spring. Enjoy Columbus Day (even though the fellow was a shade late) and Halloween. I’m especially looking forward to Halloween, because it’s the only day of the year that it’s okay to ask “What are you?” When in doubt about most anything, ask Gabby. Send your questions to me by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share.

DEAR GABBY

I’m almost 70 with natural silver hair and sun-damaged skin. (I don’t hide my age!) Men now address me as, “Young Lady, how may I help you?” How can I respond to let them know I don’t appreciate their sparky “Young Lady”? They never called me that when I was younger!

DEAR NYA

I suppose that’s better than “Old Lady,” but it is rather condescending… and more common than I thought, because it has also happened to me. I prefer not to be rude in return, because I don’t really think they mean it to be derogatory. My favorite retort, while looking them seductively (wink, wink) in the eye, is “I love it when you lie to me.” We both laugh and go about our business.

GABBY

DEAR GABBY

This Artificial Intelligence business is really creeping me out. I feel like all these high-tech gadgets with girl’s names are spying on me. Am I being paranoid, or are we under surveillance?

DISTRUSTFUL

DEAR DIS

You’re not delusional. I don’t even Google what I want to shop for anymore. I just shout it out and ads start popping up. Creepy is an understatement.

GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO “FEELING MY AGE”: I totally understand. I see people my age mountain climbing. I feel good getting my leg through my underwear without losing my balance.

Zack Harkness

A glimpse into the multifaceted world of a public servant with a love for lifelong learning.

I don’t know who authored the book that contained the quote, “You can’t do it all,” but they never met Zack Harkness, and he definitely never read that book. Join as we learn more about Harkness, his passion for learning, and the many hats he wears on his journey through life as a public servant (and this was a challenge in itself—because, as this interview proves, he is never still for long.)

Story by Wes Altom

Submitted Photos

Share a bit about your career background.

It started with me graduating from the police academy in Lufkin in 2004, not long after 9-11. I was 21, and I had always wanted to be in public safety. My definition of public safety includes police, fire, EMS, and military service. So, I am currently a certified peace officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, and I have been a member of the Coast Guard reserve since 2005. Within the police and fire disciplines, I am also a master peace officer, a firearms instructor, an advanced TCOLE instructor, an advanced structural firefighter, an advanced arson investigator, an advanced fire inspector, a hazardous materials technician, and a plans examiner. I also graduated from the National Forensics Academy, an accomplishment I’m particularly proud of, and I did that at my own expense.

Tell us about law enforcement experience.

I started with Cleveland PD, and I’m still with them as a reserve. I’m dual commissioned. I’ve worked for Harris County, then Liberty County Sheriff’s Office as an investigator, and now I’m the Constable for Liberty County Pct. 6. I loved working for Harris County. The only reason I gave it up is because I joined Houston Fire Department.

Share about your progression through the fire service. I went to the police academy first, because there were more police jobs posted at the time. While I was working for Cleveland PD, I went through the fire academy. It was a nighttime academy, and the police department allowed me to adjust my schedule for the 9 months necessary to complete the training. When I worked for Houston Fire, they sent me through EMT certification. I am currently a part-time paid firefighter for Cleveland FD. The most I can work at the fire station is 4 days per month, and I usually average 2 days a month.

Describe your Coast Guard service and duties.

When I was researching joining the military, I looked at all the branches and the available jobs, and was steered toward the Coast Guard because of the law enforcement aspect of the available position. I am a First Class Petty Officer. I work in Sector Houston/Galveston (based from Ellington Airfield), and my job title is Maritime Law Enforcement Specialist. Our primary mission is to go offshore, where we board tankers and high interest vessels, checking documentation and conducting inspections. This usually takes place 17-20 miles offshore. Our secondary mission includes shoreside patrols of waterfront facilities, checking security plans, and smaller vessel checks along the coast.

The station I work out of is the second busiest in the nation, second only to New York. Search and Rescue missions usually fall to full-time CG personnel, but if such a mission arises while we are present working with them, we also participate. They definitely have more training and expertise in that area.

For readers who may not know, share what constables do.

In some parts of the state, the constable’s office only does civil process. In our area, it is expected that constables will also patrol, take calls, enforce laws, and do other “crimefighting” beyond just serving civil papers. We have great relationships with Cleveland PD, the Sheriff’s Office, and Cleveland ISD PD, and we all struggle with the two “R”s— recruiting and retention. The difference (and possible advantage) for a constable office this size in this area is that we are not 24/7 and we don’t

work holidays. The fastest growing local law enforcement agency, though, is definitely Cleveland ISD PD.

As the constable’s office, we have 5 full-time deputies, serving 80,000 people, with our primary mission being service of civil process. Some days we have plenty of time to patrol, assist on calls, and make arrests—and some days we just don’t, and we’re booked up with civil process.

We haven’t really touched on personal background. Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Los Angeles County, California. I was born in Texas, but raised by a single mother out west. We lived in in a very rough, poor area; I came back to Texas as fast as I could.

Your wife is Jennifer Bergman-Harkness, the county district attorney. I bet that creates for some interesting conversations and non-conversations.

We have four-year-old twins. By the time we both get home, those twins don’t leave us alone. We don’t really have work discussions or “political” talks. She does lean on me to find out responder training and equipment needs. Over the last two years, with my help, she put together over 200 hours of classroom and practical training for local officers. We also replaced about 20 ballistic

vests and purchased 41 Byrna less lethal pepper ball guns (which have significantly greater range than the taser). I became an instructor for the Byrna, along with 9 other officers in the county, and we taught local officers to use this tool. She is able to use drug seizure funding for these programs and equipment, so it doesn’t cost the taxpayers any extra money. This is how we talk about work and partner together.

You are also on the board of directors for the Chamber of Commerce. What events are you involved in coming up?

On November 2nd, the Chamber monthly lunch is going to be a First Responders Appreciation program with awards. There will be special food vendors and cooks contributing their efforts to this lunch.

We will also be helping with the annual Rock-N-Ride cyclist event coming up on Saturday, November 11th. Cyclists will be riding either a 28-mile or 52-mile route, and there are also bands and food.

That night, I have partnered with the PWR Texan Theatre, and we are doing a free chili dinner and a free show for veterans. We are working on a flyer for that, and more information will be coming out soon.

Grandchildren of Pat Roberts & the late Danny Roberts

Jensen Grandchild of Kathi & John Lineback

What’s Cookin’

Witches Brew Punch

Ingredients

1 cup boiling water

¾ cup white sugar

2 (3 oz) pkgs lime-flavored gelatin mix

1 (46 fl oz) can very cold pineapple juice

1 (2 liter) bottle ginger ale

½ gallon orange sherbet

3 cups orange drink

20 gummy candies, or more to taste

Directions

Step 1: Mix boiling water, sugar, and lime-flavored gelatin together in a large bowl until sugar and gelatin are dissolved. Stir in pineapple juice.

Step 2: Pour pineapple juice mixture into a punch bowl. Add ginger ale, orange sherbet, orange drink, and gummy candy; stir well until blended.

Texas Treasures

Story and Photos by Mike Yawn

Texas State Parks: A Centenary Celebration

Highlighting the birth and development of our state park system.

Sam Houston may have written that “Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision,” but Texans were slow to embrace and preserve the natural beauty that so impressed Houston. It was not until 1923 that Texas created a true state park system, and even then, government leaders have been hesitant to provide adequate funding. Much progress has been made in this regard, and today—in the state park system’s centenary—the system can boast more than 800,000 acres of preserved land, within which every Texan can experience the state’s diverse regions, natural beauty, rich history, marvelous and sometimes eccentric wildlife, and unique geologic features.

Texas State Parks: An Idea Takes Root

The concept of a state park system did not come easily to Texans. For the most part, citizens of the Lone Star State are averse to the idea of public regulation, public management, or public ownership, so the notion of setting aside public lands for the common good wasn’t an easy sell. And when the idea did come, it did so in fits and starts, always beset by challenges.

By the end of the 19th century, however, national trends, at least, were favorable. A nostalgia for a pre-industrial America was emerging as the country’s western frontier was closing. Yellowstone was established as a National Park in 1872, the first such designation in the country—and the world. Yosemite, Sequoia, and Mount Rainier followed, all in the 19th century. Theodore Roosevelt employed the “Antiquities Act” to expand preservation efforts, and in 1916, the National Park System was created. “National

Parks,” Wallace Stegner noted, “are the best idea we ever had.”

In Texas, this trend manifested itself in greater support for historical sites rather than in a simple regard for the preservation of nature. In 1891, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) was formed, in part, to preserve historical sites. In 1897, the legislature allocated $10,000 for the purchase of the San Jacinto Battlefield—where General Sam Houston won Texas’ independence as a nation—and it became the first “park” owned by the State of Texas. Similar efforts were made to preserve the Alamo, Gonzales, Washington-on-the-Brazos, and other historical sites over the next decade.

To develop a full-fledged park system, however, Texas needed a politician with the will and zeal to go “beyond historical monuments” and, as author Cynthia

Brandimarte has noted, “to showcase the diversity of Texas’ landscape, encourage tourism, and promote conservation.” That politician was Pat Morris Neff.

According to contemporary accounts, Neff “was not like other boys.” As Stephen Harrigan recounts, Neff, “though Texas born,” had “never shot a gun, baited a fishhook, used tobacco in any form, nor drunk anything stronger than Brazos water.”

He did, however, have a vision for Texas’ future, which he laid out in a series of reelection speeches between 1922-1923, as well as calls for legislative action. According to authors Dan Utley and James Steely, Neff called on the state to “establish parks, both large and small, throughout her borders. The people should have the breathing spots where they can enjoy nature in stream and tree, in rock and rill.” He proposed such a bill, enjoining the legislature to create a state parks board and to fund a new parks system.

Texas State Parks: Growth of the System

The legislature was recalcitrant, and while it approved a parks board, it provided only a bare minimum of funding. Indeed, its annual budget in the early years was only $375, with no funding for staff, the acquisition of land, or the improvement and maintenance of such land.

With no funds, the Board pushed for donations, often having to beg the donors to provide additional funding for improvements and maintenance. What followed, according to former Parks Director Carter Smith, were “grueling political battles, eleventh-hour land saves, go-for-broke land deals, extraordinary feats of civic pride, [and] boundless displays

San Jacinto Monument

of generosity from citizens across the state…”

One of the citizens who spearheaded the campaign for donations was Huntsville native Marian Rather Powell, whom author Jennifer Bristol described as “brilliant” and “fiercely organized.” These qualities would serve her well as she led a letter-writing campaign; attended and spoke up at meetings; and lobbied legislators on behalf of Texas parks. Powell’s efforts were successful. In 1927, the legislature agreed to accept the donation of 24 parcels of land, each of which would serve as a State Park. Without real funding, however, the supervision and maintenance of the parks was left to local municipalities. But as Representative W. R. Chambers noted at the time, “It requires more than a cow pasture and an excited Chamber of Commerce to make a park go.”

Texas State Parks: A Park is Born

Pat Neff regarded all these sites as more than cow pastures, but one had a particular place in his heart. Shortly after he was elected governor, Neff’s mother passed away at the age of 91. “Mother Neff,” according to Utley and Steely, “bequeathed a small part of

[her] homestead ‘as a park for the public, for religious, educational, fraternal and political purposes.’”

Although Texas had previously designated public lands as “parks,” such sites had been selected for their historic importance. Mother Neff, at least in Pat Neff’s mind, was the first State Park to be established in the National Park mold, a land of natural beauty, with support for diverse activities and rich wildlife. This land, on which he had reached

maturity, was his inspiration of what a park system could provide.

In its earliest iteration, the Park was only six acres, but even today, at 259 acres, Mother Neff State Park is one of the state’s smaller recreational parks. It lacks the desolate grandeur of Big Bend Ranch, the brooding beauty of Caddo Lake, and the towering spires of Palo Duro. But, as Utley and Steely note, “Mother Neff State Park is everything a park should be.”

A deer at sunset in Mother Neff State Park

Nestled in Texas’ hill country, Mother Neff State Park is approximately 30 minutes from Waco. Such placement is consistent with the original concept of the park system, which sought to provide city dwellers quick access to rustic environments.

Mother Neff’s “parkitecture” themed visitor’s center and xeriscape grounds provide an attractive gateway to the park—and a home for a diverse number of butterflies and birds. Its modern look, however, belies its claim to being one of the oldest parks in the system. But the Park’s rich history is easily discovered in its interior. A short trail from the main road, for example, takes visitors to a “rock cave” occupied by the Tonkawa Indians hundreds of years ago. Another short trail offers access to “Wash Pond,” a small, spring-fed body of water used by Civilian Conservation

Corps (CCC) workers in the 1930s.

The CCC was central to the development of Mother Neff State Park, but the Park is not unique in this regard. More than 50,000 men worked for the CCC in Texas alone, with approximately 30 Texas parks housing CCC camps. In Mother Neff State Park, there are several CCC structures, most of which reflect the distinctive stone construction favored by the Corps. In typical fashion, the construction materials were locally sourced, allowing the structures to blend with their surroundings.

The Park also features more than three miles of hiking trails—many developed by CCC—which wend through prairies, rocky landscapes, and along the Leon River. Given its four distinct habitats and proximity to the river and other water sources, the Park

features an abundance of wildlife, with deer, armadillos, and rabbits, particularly visible. Perhaps its most striking feature, at least in the spring, is its wildflowers, which bloom across the Park’s prairies, at the visitor center, and at the entrance portal, the latter also constructed by the CCC.

Mother Neff State Park is not the State’s most dramatic park, but it is to an unusual degree, a successful representation of what it was meant to be: a rural oasis, that, as Governor Neff hoped, enhances the “health, welfare, and happiness” of Texans, by providing them with “leisure periods…for rest, recreation, and relaxation.”

This is the first of two pieces celebrating the State Park System’s centenary. Next month, Postcards will highlight some of the State’s most dramatic and unusual parks.

Things My Granddaddy Said

It’s easier to patch a broken mirror than a reputation.

Some fellas have more wishbone than backbone.

The only thing worse than finding a worm in your apple is finding half a worm.

No woman is truly free until she can change a flat tire.

A mule can’t help it if his daddy is a jackass.

When talking about someone who has a very “laid back” personality, my Grandaddy Cavanaugh would say, “It wouldn’t bother him if syrup went to a dollar a sop.”

-Karen Altom

Publisher Karen Altom and her Granddaddy J.C. Farris

As I grow older, more and more often I find myself saying, “Like my Granddaddy used to say…” In an effort to keep some of these old sayings alive, we are sharing them here. Please feel free to share yours with us!

Sinful Southern Belles

With

Story by Kelly Thomas

Photos by Cara Williams

Nestled in the heart of Cleveland, there’s a boutique that brings the essence of the South alive--a marriage of classic charm and bold brilliance. Welcome to Sinful Southern Belles, the brainchild of Kelly Barnaba, a woman whose journey in the fashion industry has been nothing short of eclectic and inspirational.

The name Sinful Southern Belles is a playful

nod to Kelly’s love for a brand that she came across during her tenure at a big corporate retail store. Mesmerized by their unique tattoo art-inspired designs, rhinestones, and splashes of vibrant colors, the brand ‘Sinful’ became an integral part of her wardrobe. But the ‘Southern Belle’ component? That’s all Kelly, a woman with a deep-rooted love for the charm and elegance of the South, as her family would often tease. Kelly combined her two worlds. ‘Sinful’ for her audacious spirit, and ‘Southern Belle’ for her southern charm. Thus, Sinful Southern Belles was born, encapsulating Kelly’s vibrant and multifaceted persona.

Kelly started in the fashion world at age 18. From a corporate retail store to an exciting journey across the country setting up booths at trade shows and rodeos, Kelly’s experience is as diverse as her style. At 26, armed with a dream and an apartment that doubled as her workshop, Kelly began crafting jewelry and headbands. This marked the inception of what would later become a brand synonymous with distinctive style.

Sinful Southern Belles opened its online store in 2017, followed by its storefront location in June of 2021. Both offer a whimsical blend

of hippy, gypsy, and cowgirl styles. Imagine if Dolly Parton decided to throw the most fabulous birthday bash--that’s the vibe! But it’s more than just clothes; it’s a story, a memory, an emotion. Every visit is an experience, whether you’re hunting for that perfect concert ensemble, a date night dress, vacation vibes, or everyday clothes. With an amazing team including Kay Bass and Mya Pennington, the boutique offers every woman a chance to find her own unique style. More importantly, Kelly emphasizes inclusivity, ensuring there’s something for every woman, irrespective of size.

Kelly’s mantra is clear: think outside the box. Twice a year, she scours markets… searching not for bestsellers, but for overlooked treasures, unique pieces that

Kay Bass, Kelly Barnaba & Mya Pennington

Sinful Southern Belles can transform into every woman’s must-have. They then bring these pieces back to the shop and show women how to style them to their liking.

Kelly’s vision transcends commerce; it’s about building relationships, forging connections, and giving back. In 2022, they won the best customer service award from the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce. Actively participating in local events, Sinful Southern Belles is a testament to Kelly’s belief in community engagement and local upliftment.

What’s in store for Sinful Southern Belles?

Nashville! Kelly’s 10-year vision includes a storefront on Broadway in one of her favorite cities, with aspirations to expand as the brand continues to flourish. And if the journey so far is any indicator, this dream isn’t far

from reality.

For those looking to walk the entrepreneurial path, Kelly offers sage advice: “Stay true to yourself. Find your niche, stand out, and always be genuine. Find what sets you apart, and let that be your compass.”

Home is where the heart is, and for Kelly, Cleveland is home. Married for six years, mother to two adorable children, Kelly’s business is a true family affair. From setting up booths at events to being involved in the day-to-day operations, the family stands united in making Sinful Southern Belles a success.

Among Cleveland’s many offerings, the new theater with a live music venue, reminiscent of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, is one of the things Kelly loves best about Cleveland right now. A fan of all things vintage, this theater

holds a special place in Kelly’s heart. She even had the opportunity to decorate the green room for the visiting artists. Of course, she decked it out in vintage records and her funky style!

Ready to embark on a stylish southern adventure? Visit Sinful Southern Belles at 109 North College, Cleveland, or dive into the online experience at www. sinfulsouthernbellesbtq.com. And if social media’s your thing, find them on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok.

You’re invited to come discover what makes Sinful Southern Belles not just a store, but a lifestyle!

Sinful Southern Belles 109 North College, Cleveland, www.sinfulsouthernbellesbtq.com (832) 579-4238

Don’t Look Back

Do not remember the iniquities of our forefathers against us; let your compassion come quickly to meet us. – Psalm 79:8

Don’t let your yesterday keep you from your today and your tomorrow. God has forgiven the mistakes we made in the past, and he has a bright future in store for us. Jesus died to save us from our own evildoings, and His compassion has fallen on us—while we were yet sinners.

In Christ, we don’t run—we stand. In Christ, we don’t doubt—we trust. In Christ, we don’t lead—we follow. We don’t need to add anything to what Jesus has already made perfect.