Postcards Magazine - Lake Conroe - July 2022

Lake Conroe

POSTCARDS The Vietnam Wall / SHSU LEAP takes on D.C. / Ruidoso, NM / San Houston Memorial Funeral Home

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FEATURES

July 2022

| Volume 11, Issue 7

10 Texas Treasures The Vietnam Wall

16 A Day in the Life

Cover Photo by Michele Miller

SHSU LEAP takes on D.C.

Submission in 2021 Postcards Cover Photo Contest

24 Trippin’ Ruidoso, New Mexico

32 Business Focus Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home

FAVORITES 6 7 8 9 14 20

Publisher’s Post Dear Gabby From Our Readers Let’s Celebrate Glorious Grandkids The Garden Post

21 22 28 29 29 30

Pet Pals Star Students “Seens” from Our World What Are You Reading?

Sudoku Solutions Health Matters

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What’s Cookin’ Milestones Vet Connect Sudoku Marketplace Community Calendar Mustard Seed Moments

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Publisher’s Post Karen Altom publisher@postcardslive.com

Your Local Community Magazine!

Spare Change

@PostcardsMag

If you would like to receive our magazine and are not currently on our mailing list, subscriptions are available.

We all know change is part of life. Some changes are wonderful. Some, not so great. And some are downright funny.

THE WONDERFUL. Since writing my last column, Wes and I have been blessed with the addition of two more grandsons. Not twins, but almost!

Born two weeks apart, Sutton Marshall Altom and Deacon Lanier Boyd made their entrance into this world and expanded this “Sassy’s” heart again.

When a friend asked how it felt to go from one grandson to three in just a few days’ time, Wes commented it’s the best return on an investment we’ve seen this year!

THE NOT SO GREAT. Last month, I mentioned the great flood event. What I didn’t mention is the horrible allergic reaction my husband had. Apparently, fiberglass dust settles in the walls, and when baseboards were removed and high-powered fans brought in to dry everything out, we found out how allergic to fiberglass he really is. The joys of the unknown.

THE DOWNRIGHT FUNNY. Like most of you I am guessing, I have a love/ hate relationship with technology. Most days, I really love it. It certainly can make life simpler, and it is very easy to get spoiled. Case in point: ALEXA. I love her. I can tell her to turn on my living room lamps – and turn them off when I’m ready to go to bed. She reminds me to get my clothes out of the dryer. She starts my day by telling me the weather report (very uninteresting as of late), what’s on my calendar for the day, and then plays my favorite music. One of the ways all this works is through an app on my phone. The other day as Wes and I were driving down the freeway, I realized I had said the “A” word in conversation, and the app indicated Alexa was waiting for me to speak. So, I said STOP…which is what you say when you want “A” to stop. However, it is NOT what your husband wants to hear when driving 75 miles an hour down the freeway! His confusion over why I wanted him to stop and my confusion over why he was confused led to a good few minutes of laughter. And as my brother Jon would say, “That right there’s funny, no matter who you are!”

Until next time,

~

PostcardsLive.com

Karen

6 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

MAILED to select postal routes in Conroe, Willis and Montgomery.

FREE rack copies at advertisers and businesses in towns listed above.

Published Monthly by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc. Publisher Karen Altom Editor Wes Altom Advertising Team Jennifer Abbrat Nancy Jolly Marshall Altom Design Team Mary Partida April Key Social Media Management Abby Altom Boyd

Printed in Texas by Shweiki Media Online: www.PostcardsLive.com Address: PO Box 690 • Huntsville, TX 77342 Call our Office: 936.293.1188 We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted.

The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of any unsolicited material. No material from Postcards Magazine™ can be copied, faxed, electronically, or otherwise used without express written permission. Publication of articles, advertisements or product information does not constitute endorsement or approval

by Postcards Magazine™ and/or its publisher. Business Focus stories printed in Postcards Magazine™ are drawn at random from contract advertisers. © 2022 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved.

Dear Gabby Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. Happy Independence Day! God bless America! America bless God! It’s officially summer. The Emergency Clinic has had its annual deluge of seat belt buckle burns, and the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance. Everyone’s common sense about what to keep covered has totally evaporated, and I would like to take this opportunity to remind you to dress for the body you have, not the body you want. If you need a little shade, just drop me a line to Dear Gabby at PostcardsLive.com.

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DEAR GABBY I am an older person intimidated by all of the new technology available nowadays. I don’t have or want a cell phone or doorbell camera.

Heck, I don’t even have a doorbell. What’s wrong with knocking?

GRUMPY GRAMPS DEAR GRAMPS Not only is technology intimidating, it can be embarrassing! I, fortunately, haven’t had need to be in the hospital lately, but recently went to a hospital to visit a friend. A technician followed me onto the elevator, wheeling a large, intimidating looking machine with tubes and wires and dials. I said, “Boy, would I hate to be hooked up to that thing.” “So would I,” replied the technician. “It’s a floor-cleaning machine.”

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From Our Readers I love your magazine and enjoy reading it cover to cover as I feel it keeps me in touch with our community. Thank you for covering our community with interesting stories and positive messages!

I love the feeling of hometown community, and that you can feel the care and love that’s involved in putting together each magazine.

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I’m so glad I decided to advertise in Postcards since it’s had such a positive effect on my business!

Hometown feel for sure. Keeps you abreast of happenings in our community. A chance for folks to weigh in with contests, kids, food, and travel. Well done publication!

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Texas Treasures Story by Wes Altom Photos by Tom Miller

The Vietnam Wall Gets a Home in

Huntsville The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a U.S. national memorial in Washington, D.C., honoring service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam War. The site is dominated by a black granite wall engraved with the names of those service members who died as a result of their service in Vietnam and Southeast Asia during the war. The wall, completed in 1982, has since been supplemented with the statue The Three Soldiers and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. The memorial is maintained by the National Park Service and receives around 3 million visitors each year. The Memorial Wall was designed by American architect Maya Lin. In 2007, it was ranked tenth on the “List of America’s Favorite Architecture” by the American Institute of Architects. As a national memorial, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

Many recall overwhelming support and participation when the Traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial made a visit to Huntsville in 2004. There were visitors around the clock! The Traveling Memorial was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people who may not be able to travel to Washington D.C. the opportunity to visit and pay respects. It is an 80% replica of the famous Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., measuring 370 feet long and eight feet tall in the center, going down to four feet on the ends. It is complete with six software linked information panels that stand apart from the memorial with bios on some of the 58,320 names on the wall.

The company which operates the traveling wall recently retired the wall to construct a new one and offered H.E.A.R.T.S. the opportunity to give a permanent home to the retired memorial. This began an extensive effort involving planning, studies, collaborating, and fundraising. Culminating an effort of several years to make the permanent home possible, approximately 2,000 people attended the dedication at the end of March.

With no other memorial like it in the region, H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum Director Tara Burnett and board president Kenneth Lee are excited to finally be able to offer a tribute for veterans and their families to easily access.

Said Burnett, “This is an amazing tribute to not only our fallen from Walker County, but to all our fallen heroes from the Vietnam War. Through many conversations I have had with Vietnam Veterans, this wall has such an important meaning to them. This will give them the opportunity to come and reflect and pay their respects to persons they knew who lost their lives in the war.”

Plans include a memorial garden area near the apex of the wall with a special plaque to honor the fallen from Walker

»

July 2022 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition

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H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum The H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Every American Remember Through Serving) Veterans Museum was completed and opened on Nov. 11, 2009, after receiving FEMA and Office of Rural and Cultural Affairs grants totaling more than $5.2 million. The museum broke ground on Pearl Harbor Day in 2008. Since then, the museum has acquired a 2 ½ ton truck, a Gamma Goat used by Marines in Vietnam, two vintage jeeps, a Huey H-1 helicopter, a Cobra Attack Helicopter, an F16A Jet Fighter, and an M60A3 Patton Tank. The H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum also features the Medal of Honor Bike, a motorcycle signed by more than a dozen Medal of Honor recipients.

The museum has become a meeting place for veterans from far and wide. Each branch of the military has its own room at the museum. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on Highway 75 close to Interstate 45 in Huntsville.

County, as well as a Never Forgotten Garden, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The only empty tomb at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the Vietnam tomb. The remains originally entombed were identified and the tomb was left empty to represent all of our Missing In Action from the Vietnam War. Burnett says she is extremely thankful for all the entities, businesses, and individuals who have made donations or provided services to bring the memorial installation to completion; however, there is still a fundraising need. There will be perpetual care needs for cleaning and upkeep of the memorial. H.E.A.R.T.S. also hopes to add benches and landscaping in the near future.

Donations may be made via mail with check or money order (H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas, 463 State Hwy 75 N., Huntsville, TX 77320), over the phone at (936) 295-5959 or in person.

They may also be made in memory of a loved one. All donations must be specified that they are for the Vietnam Wall project. H.E.A.R.T.S. Veterans Museum of Texas is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

States and the Soviet Union and their respective allies.

Vietnam War, (1954–75)

Information from Encyclopedia Britannica

A protracted conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam and its allies in South Vietnam, known as the Viet Cong, against the government of South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. The war was also part of a larger regional conflict (see Indochina wars) and a manifestation of the Cold War between the United

At the heart of the conflict was the desire of North Vietnam, which had defeated the French colonial administration of Vietnam in 1954, to unify the entire country under a single communist regime modeled after those of the Soviet Union and China. The South Vietnamese government, on the other hand, fought to preserve a Vietnam more closely aligned with the West. U.S. military advisers, present in small numbers throughout the 1950s, were introduced on a large scale beginning in 1961, and active combat units were introduced in 1965. By 1969 more than 500,000 U.S. military personnel were stationed in Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the Soviet Union and China poured weapons, supplies, and advisers into the North, which in turn provided support, political direction, and regular combat troops for the

campaign in the South. The costs and casualties of the growing war proved too much for the United States to bear, and U.S. combat units were withdrawn by 1973. In 1975 South Vietnam fell to a full-scale invasion by the North.

The human costs of the long conflict were harsh for all involved. Not until 1995 did Vietnam release its official estimate of war dead: as many as 2 million civilians on both sides and some 1.1 million North Vietnamese and Viet Cong fighters.

The U.S. military has estimated that between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died in the war. In 1982 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C., inscribed with the names of 57,939 members of U.S. armed forces who had died or were missing as a result of the war. Over the following years, additions to the list have brought the total to more than 58,200.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

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A Day in the Life

SHSU LEAP

Special to Postcards Photos by Mike Yawn & LEAP Ambassadors

takes on D.C.

LEAP Ambassadors, immigration attorney Robert Cates, and area residents participating in the HPL/LEAP “Citizenship Preparatory Course” The Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics at Sam Houston State University promotes unique, high-quality learning opportunities for students. Such opportunities include hands-on learning, mentoring, and internships, with the idea that the students involved in the program will give back to their communities through volunteerism and leadership. These “LEAP 16

Ambassadors” recently had an opportunity to gain foundational knowledge and learn from public leaders on a trip to Washington, DC. When LEAP Ambassadors travel, they make the most of it. Such was certainly the case when SHSU students Yvette Mendoza, Morgan Robertson, Jessica Cuevas, and Erin

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

Juarez traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference over spring break. In addition to learning from leading public officials about key topics in urban government, the Ambassadors also visited the capital’s major museums, and even ventured into Virginia, where they visited the history and architecture

behind our nation’s founding.

“Our hope is to provide the foundation students need to become leaders,” observed Mike Yawn, Director of the Center for Law, Engagement, And Politics, “so we wanted them to learn as much as possible from as many people as possible.”

The conference itself was a unique educational opportunity. Over the course of two days, the students took a deep dive into policy, attending panels on the “digital divide,” “cybersecurity,” “homelessness,” “municipalities and the law,” and the “American Rescue Plan Act.” These topics not only tie into the students’ majors, but they are also related to the students’ volunteer efforts and internships locally.

This trip really highlighted LEAP’s emphasis on diverse learning perspectives.”

In their tour of museums, the students were blinded by the Hope Diamond; dwarfed by a T-Rex skeleton; taken on a trip through history at the National Portrait Gallery; dazzled by the stained glass in the National Cathedral, awed by the work of Monet, Rodin, Van Gogh, da Vinci, and Calder; and spent much time exchanging (opposing) views on the merits of abstract and figurative art.

“Prior to the trip,” recalled LEAP Ambassador Jessica Cuevas, “I did a lot of research over art, particularly Impressionists, so seeing Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, and Cassatt was probably my favorite part.”

Three of the students—Cuevas, Robertson, and Juarez—have interned for the City of Huntsville, and Mendoza works for the Huntsville law firm Smither, Martin, and Henderson. Their experiences allow them to learn the basics of government and law, while also contributing to their communities.

“I have been interning for the City Secretary’s office,” noted LEAP Ambassador Robertson, “so I have been exposed to many of these issues, but the conference really offered indepth learning opportunities. It was great to be able to represent SHSU while also learning as much as I did.”

For Juarez, who interned at the Wynne Home this spring, “seeing the work of Jesus Moroles and James Surls was a high point. I have seen their work in Houston, at the beautiful Wynne Home in Huntsville, and on SHSU’s campus, but it’s another thing to know they are part of the exhibits at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Gallery of Art.”

In addition to learning about specific policies, they were also able to soak up general knowledge from speakers who rank among the leading public figures in the nation. Indeed, one of their first speakers was Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who discussed, among other things, supply-chain issues. He was followed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Joe Biden.

“One day…” joked Robertson. “Seriously, though, it was a great opportunity, particularly since we actually had the chance to see a press conference on the grounds of Capitol Hill, as well as the chance to hear from and see the President at the conference.”

“It’s rare that students have the opportunity to be a few feet from a Cabinet Secretary, a Speaker of the House, or a President,” noted LEAP Ambassador Cuevas, “but we learned from all three over a two-day period!”

Beyond the conference, the students also visited the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Cathedral, and the National Gallery of Art, while also walking the entire National Mall. “One aspect of LEAP,” noted Ambassador Mendoza, “is that our learning is multi-disciplinary. Our advisor wants us to see how the disciplines fit together; therefore, we study law, politics, art, history, civil rights, science, and economics.

LEAP Ambassadors (L-R): Yvette Mendoza, Jessica Cuevas, Morgan Robertson, and Erin Juarez

The LEAP Ambassadors also had the chance to visit the Capitol, the White House, and the Supreme Court. For students who want to go into law and public administration, the opportunity to visit was both inspirational and aspirational.

The students were also impressed with the architecture. “The classical architecture,” noted Cuevas, “is just so different from what we see in most cities. It was really beautiful.”

The students explored architecture more extensively while venturing into Virginia, where they saw the homes of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. To be sure, the Madison home was impressive, and the students were eager to learn more about the “Father of the Constitution,” but few homes are as appealing, unusual, and innovative as Monticello.

From the seven-day perpetual calendar in the foyer to the oculus in the dome room, the classically symmetrical house is an architectural marvel. Each Ambassador had their own favorite room, fact, or artifact, but for Mendoza, the overall look of the home

“LEAP” at Monticello

Former LEAP Ambassadors with the President of Ghana, John Mahama was most notable: “Its classical symmetry is perfect, and we learned from our professor that it inspired the look of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, which was also interesting.”

The Ambassadors’ study of Jefferson’s architecture continued with a brief look at the Capitol of Virginia and, more thoroughly, at the University of Virginia (UVA), both of which Jefferson also designed. The Rotunda and the Lawn at UVA are part of what Jefferson termed an “Academical Village,” which, as the University notes, suggests an ongoing interactive process between instructors and students that is “vital to the pursuit of knowledge.”

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July 2022 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition

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Making Connections

That process is also vital to the concept of LEAP, which emphasizes collaborative, inter-disciplinary and lifelong learning.

Students with artist James Surls.

When the LEAP Ambassadors travel, they do their best to make connections to their hometowns and their adopted town of Huntsville. Probably the quickest connection they made on their trip was when they saw a James Surls piece in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. They have seen Surls’ work in the Upper Kirby District in Houston, on SHSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine in Conroe, at SHSU’s main campus in Huntsville (Gaertner Performing Arts Center), and the Wynne Home. In fact, the students met Surls last year at the Distinguished Alumni Gala, making the connection more vivid and lasting.

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I found it interesting,” commented Robertson, “that everyone knows he was President, but in his epigraph, he only mentions that he authored the Declaration of Independence, drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and founded the University of Virginia. But he was also a great architect.”

He was also Ambassador to France, which, with much imagination, gave the LEAP Ambassadors a sense of kinship.

“We learned so much in such a short period of time,” remarked Cuevas.

“We were fortunate to have this opportunity, and we hope to carry it back with us to our classes and activities. I think we made the most of our time, and we look forward to returning.”

The LEAP Ambassadors are a “majority-minority” organization, with five of the six members coming from underrepresented populations. All six work part-time, carry a full load of classes, and have an average GPA of 3.75. The members participate in 50100 learning and volunteer activities per year.

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Community Leadership The knowledge and skills acquired by the Ambassadors are not merely for personal development, they are also meant to be put to use. Following their trip to Washington, D.C., where the students learned much about their government and its founding, the students partnered with the Huntsville Public Library to offer a “Citizenship Preparatory Course.”

This course is designed for local immigrants who wish to naturalize, but who may need assistance passing the civics exam portion of the process. For five weeks the students worked with local immigrants, helping them learn information required by the test: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Who is the father of the Constitution?

How many seats are there on the U.S. Supreme Court? Who is the Speaker of the House? The naturalization process can take a while, typically 13-18 months. Over the 15 years the program has been offered, more than 350 immigrants have participated, and more than 125 have earned their citizenship—suggesting that civic education is a gift that keeps on giving.

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July 2022 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition

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The Garden Post

By Kim Bius

Crape Myrtles – the Queen of Summer Bloomers No plant says Texas summer like a crape myrtle in full bloom. These Texas hardy deciduous shrubs cannot be beat for overall return on a landscape investment--beautiful blooms in the summer, colorful fall foliage, and showy white bark in winter. Crape myrtles are often referred to as trees, but are actually shrubs available in a large range of sizes, from miniatures under 3’ to small trees under 25’.

Crape myrtles have simple requirements: sunny location, good air flow, well-drained soil, and water as needed. Powdery mildew often becomes a problem when plants have little chance of air movement in the corner of a building. Crapes love high heat, humidity, tolerate severe drought, and will grow in any Ph level and any soil.

colors are stunning, with foliage in hues of red, purple, bronze and gold, depending on the variety.

This info should give you a basis to decide which crape myrtle variety best fits your needs.

Pink Velour – brilliant, rich fuchsia pink, 10’12’, fair resistance, deep orange fall color.

Catawba – royal purple, 12’-15’, hard to find variety, good disease resistance, red/orange fall color.

Dixie Series of Miniature Weeping Crapes – height 2-5’ max, fair disease resistance, little fall color. Includes varieties Baton Rouge(red), Bourbon Street (watermelon red), New Orleans (purple), Delta Blush (light pink)

Bashams Pink – the tallest at 25’-40’, good disease resistance with orange red color in fall.

Petite Series – available in pink, lavender, plum, red and white. Some fall color and max height at 8’

Dynamite – true red, 25’+, good disease resistance, good fall color.

Standard Series Varieties – max height of 12’ – 18’+. The older varieties fall into this category.

Crapes bloom on new growth wood and have the best show of blooms when the plant is pruned in mid-February. Crapes can be left to grow naturally in a large shrub form, but will not attain the bloom “show” or manicured look unless pruned. While large knots of scar tissue should be removed every 5th year and are not attractive, you have to keep in mind, this is merely a pruning technique.

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Miami – dark pink, 20’ +, good disease resistance, bright orange fall leaves.

Natchez – to 30’, excellent disease resistance, white, beautiful red/orange fall foliage.

Of course, the preceding is just a sampling of the many varieties of crape myrtles on the market, but they are hardier and more disease tolerant than some of their brethren. New varieties enter the market annually and should not be discounted because they do not have a track record. Ensure you allow room for the variety of your choice to grow, and do not try to keep a 20’ variety trimmed to 8’…you will not be a happy gardener.

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Star Students Sponsored by Wischnewsky Dodge

Aryel Grimaldo

Ethan Jones Homeschool

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Favorite Movie: Princess and the Frog Favorite Music/Artist: Justin Bieber Favorite Movie: McFarland, USA

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than is a senior homeschool student and is the son of David and Jennifer Jones. He is leader of the Youth Deacons at Fellowship of Huntsville Church, part of the National Society of High School Scholars, and he plays basketball and golf. Following graduation, Ethan plans to attend Texas A&M University to study neuroscience, then become a psychologist.

He believes, “Love God and love others.”

A

ryel is a recent graduate of Madisonville High School and the daughter of Yolanda Rode and granddaughter of Yolanda Rodriguez. Her activities included Beta Club and Honor Society. Aryel plans to attend the University of Houston to study psychology, then attend law school to one day become a family lawyer in Houston. She believes in working hard for what you want.

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Trippin’ Story and Photos by Linda W. Perkins

A Summer Road Trip Worth Taking Desperate to get out of the heat, Postcards writer Linda Perkins and her husband Ben set out last summer to explore cooler temps in the state next door. What they found was a gem worth the long drive, with enough facets to explore for future road trips to come.

Traveling northwest from the Piney Woods of Southeast Texas, in the middle of July, it is hard 24

to imagine we could be headed into cooler weather. The humidity gradually turned to arid desert heat – hotter than where we had been-as green scenery began to turn brown.

Ah, the joy of driving through West Texas, where shrub brush and cacti give way to oil derricks pumping “black gold” out of the ground day and night. Giant windmills reach

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

high into the sky, harnessing the wind of the high plains. Somewhere around Lubbock we began to see green again, thanks to expansive irrigation systems watering crops that a century earlier would not have been able to be grown out here.

From desert to wildflowers, and into the mountains

Downs, Ruidoso, and Alto. The area also includes the Mescalero Apache Reservation, which covers over 460,000 acres of pristine land and is home to 4,000 Native Americans, Ski Apache, and Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino.

Driving in from the east, we were first greeted by the Ruidoso Downs Race Track & Casino.

While it is not a fancy track, it’s a busy one, with multiple races each week during the summertime. It is known as the home of the All American Futurity, the richest race in Quarter Horse racing. Inside the track facilities, local vendors sell everything from Native American jewelry to metal Texas signs, a clear signal they are catering to tourists from the Lone Star State. Just across the street, not far from the Walmart parking lot, a farmer and his wife were selling Hatch chiles, which he roasted on-site.

Turning north, it wasn’t long before we arrived in “Midtown” Ruidoso, a quaint and bustling main street comprised primarily of restaurants and cafes, boutiques, art galleries, wineries and brewpubs. With wrought iron lamp posts, fresh flowers, and wine-barrel looking containers concealing the trash cans, it is easy to feel you’ve just found a little mountain paradise.

A paper map won’t tell you when you finally cross over into The Land of Enchantment, but the scenery will. I am not sure if it was humans or Mother Nature who planted miles and miles of yellow wildflowers, but it was a beautiful greeting as we entered the state of New Mexico and continued west. We were still over 150 miles away from our destination of Ruidoso, but that seemed miniscule compared to the more than 750 miles we had already driven.

A little over an hour from the Texas border, we stopped in Roswell, New Mexico. Known for being the home of the UFO Museum, there were signs and statues of “little green men” everywhere. They looked out--with big black eyes and their long, thin extremities reminiscent of ET’s pointy finger--reminding

us all to “phone home.” Impatient to get into the mountains before the sun went down, we skipped the museum, but put it on a list of things to do the next time we are in the area.

Not very far from Roswell, we began to get a glimpse of things to come. Mountains appeared in the distance, their cool blue hue beckoning us to come closer. Before we knew it, we were enveloped in lush green hilltops and valleys, and the temperature was already starting to drop.

Horse racing, cafes, art galleries and ski slopes As we drove into town, what immediately jumped out at us was just how much there was to do in the area. We quickly discovered when people say “Ruidoso,” they are really talking about the combined villages of Ruidoso

Our first stop, after checking into our Airbnb, was Sacred Grounds Coffee and Tea House.

Billed as a cabin-like coffee shop, it exudes a mountain town atmosphere. The spacious deck overlooks a hillside creek, where it’s not uncommon to see deer and elk roaming by, and a large bar is tended by a certified mixologist whose creations have been featured in national magazines. At the front of a big room set up with tables and chairs for diners, a husband-and-wife country singing duo from Texas, The Hamiltons, entertained the crowd that had gathered to kick back and relax on this cool summer evening. The staff, some of the friendliest people we have ever met, are a mix of locals and transplants ready to share ideas on where to go hiking or to say why they love living here. It all feels like family, a little akin to what was depicted in the

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If the lakes around Ruidoso are small, the mountains are not. The drive up to Monjeau Lookout – a stone tower completed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1940 to serve as a fire lookout tower within Lincoln National Forest – is an adventure in itself. The 5.5-mile gravel road is narrow and steep, with no railing to keep a car from going over the edge.

1990’s TV show Northern Exposure.

Upon waking the next morning, we were reminded why it was worth the drive across Texas to get here. Walking out onto the porch, it was a scant 55 degrees. The high for the day was estimated to be around 73. We donned our sweaters and jackets and headed off to the mountains.

Treacherous drives and spectacular views, but not much water

Knowing there were a couple of lakes in the area, we had brought our kayaks, hoping for some good paddling on our trip. Alas, we are used to kayaking Texassize lakes, and when we arrived at Alto Lake, Ben described it as “mostly a glorified fishing pond” and not worth unloading our boats for.

Later on our trip, we decided to check out Grindstone Lake, which is larger and crowded to capacity on weekends (we went on a weekday). Looking up at the mountains while paddling was nice, but it didn’t hold a candle to the hiking and other activities we enjoyed.

The most beautiful water is at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, but their lake is only open for rentals Thursday through Sunday.

With my fear of outdoor heights (and being in the passenger seat, the side next to the dropoff), I wasn’t sure if I would make it all the way to the lookout, but at a rest stop a mile from the top, I decided it didn’t make sense to turn around when we were so close. Upon arriving at the tower, I was glad not to have chickened out. The tower itself was beautiful in its own rustic way, and the view was spectacular. I could see why this was a “mustsee” recommendation by the locals.

Another treacherous drive worth taking is to Ski Apache, which sits high in the mountains west of Ruidoso, close to the highest peak in the range, Sierra Blanca. The route there is again steep, narrow and windy, but at least it is paved with guardrails. I did notice, however, that some of those rails were bent and broken, leading me to wonder out loud if anyone went over the edge during ski season, when the roads aren’t as navigable as they are in July.

An hour later, Ben and I found ourselves stuck at the top of the mountain with about 30 other people who had ridden the gondola up but couldn’t take it back down due to a thunderstorm rolling in. On the bumpy ride down the ski slope in a pickup truck driven

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

by one of the Ski Apache staff members, I asked the question. Yes, apparently people do occasionally drive off the edge of the mountain in the winter, but the buses from the Inn of the Mountain Gods always make it up and back safely. Good to know, I thought. If I return here to ski, that’s where I’m staying.

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The magic of Ruidoso and beyond What we loved the most about Ruidoso wasn’t just the cool air or the amazing nature, which included seeing a fawn being born in the wild behind our Airbnb. It was the variety of experiences to be had, both in Ruidoso and beyond. In less than a week, we enjoyed live music, incredible dining, kayaking, hiking, and shopping in and around town. We went to a spa and got a couple’s massage. We could have gone horseback riding and gambled too, if that were our thing.

Being Texans who love to drive and explore, our time also included a trip 30 minutes north to the Smokey Bear Museum in Capitan, and an hour south to the White Sands National Monument.

The tiny mountain town of Cloudcroft was another quick stop that made our list of places to go back to.

No doubt about it, an 11-hour road trip is a long drive, one we broke up with overnight stays in Austin and Abilene. But if you’re dying to get out of the Southeast Texas summer heat, the road to Ruidoso is worth taking.

Things to See and Do in –Ruidoso– •

Live music at Sacred Grounds

•

Green Chile Cheese Burgers at Hall of Flame Burgers

•

Wild horses, deer and elk sightings around town

•

Carriage rides through Midtown

•

Down home cooking at Alto Café

•

Rocky Mountain Christmas

•

Mountain Arts gallery

•

Noisy Water Winery

•

Inn of the Mountain Gods

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Lincoln National Forest

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Monjeau Lookout

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Grindstone Lake

•

Ruidoso Downs

•

Ski Apache

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Health Matters www.drjimshealthtips.com

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Taking the Self Off the Self (We Must Agree) Helps to See the Real Me the compass that directs us and the framework to evaluate our environment, especially characterizing situations and gauging others around us. By knowing our personality’s beliefs, we can hone our lives by coordinating our intuitive foundational person with our conscious activities.

The self-concept dates back a long time, and its developers include such notables as Rene Descartes and Sigmund Freud. It relies heavily on what our conscious brain concludes, but self’s processes are subconscious.

The challenge of knowing about our innermost self initially may sound hackneyed or unintelligible with a response, “Of course I am my own self, and I understand myself explicitly.”

However, self is the core of one’s being. Each of our selves differentiates from all others who are or have ever been, and in doing so, illuminates one’s uniqueness, the SELF. We briefly brush the surface when we identify favorites, such as my favorite color, time of year, or the many others.

The self is our being’s foundation from which come our standards, needs, values, principles, and beliefs that create our personalities. Self is

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Set aside a time when you will be undisturbed or undistracted and get the consideration underway. What are the happenings and individuals in your lifetime that have shaped your life cycle and your innermost self? Who and what made you who you are? This should be a deep examination of who you really are; refrain from embarking on a “What if something else had happened?” What happened certainly came about.

What principles and values are most significant in guiding your life’s choices? How have these beliefs motivated your lifestyle? Are you pleased with what you have accomplished? Make a mental list of major accomplishments. Most of us have a few down blips on a line that just kept on heading upward as time went by.

Keep returning to your inner self’s voice that will point toward your truth. Identify what could

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be enhanced in your self’s repertoire and vow that your consideration can be implemented.

Consider what should be improved to establish a better environment for you, loved ones, and associates. Seriously evaluating your inner-self likely will improve your personal emotional intelligence (which is a substantial boost to your happiness and that of your loved ones).

Guiding our lives through improvements in our behavior by adjusting our self can be a fantastic improvement.

Recognize that you are responsible for your happiness and you can substantially impact the happiness of those around you. Ask yourself more often about feelings that happen, and gradually have the “core self” achieve the perspective desired by your fully “mindful self”.

Try to reduce judgment of others based on previous incidents (either good or bad). This is judging an occurrence because it just looks the same as something earlier. In other words, unless danger is involved, delay judgment until specific circumstances occur. Knowing more about crucial subjects is continually better, and what is more important than yourself?

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Business Focus Story by Claudia Kirkwood Submitted Photos

“The privilege of serving families during a difficult time in their lives is our reward and our life’s dedication.”

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

Walk into the beautiful foyer of any of the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home locations, and you are warmly greeted by compassionate staff who care and are here to serve you during your time of loss and grief. As Reagan Cooksey, Pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Huntsville, expressed in a recent video, “You can trust them and place a lot of confidence in them. That’s just how they are.”

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home (SHMFH), a full-service funeral home, began in 2002. Owner Greg Smith opened the doors to the Huntsville location in September 2003 and Greg serves as both owner and director. As Greg states, “We are family-owned and not associated with a big corporation. We take pride in having a great reputation and are here to serve friends and families in our communities.” Greg’s son Will is also a part of the family business as both a director and an embalmer. The majority of the staff have been with the funeral home since its inception, are knowledgeable in dealing with the many needs that accompany the loss of a loved one, and provide these services with patience and understanding.

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home has three locations, Huntsville, as well as Willis and Montgomery. The Willis location has an 18-acre perpetual care cemetery, Smith Memorial Park, that adjoins the funeral home.

Families are served in one of two ways: either through pre-need planning, or atneed, meaning at the time a loved one has passed. Greg recommends pre-need planning so decisions can be made prior to a loss. Pre-need planning allows families to have more time and presence of mind to carefully think through their options, rather than having to make crucial decisions in the immediacy of the moment. A pre-need plan can be paid for at the time of planning, purchased along with life insurance to help with the cost, or paid at the time services are rendered. “They will work with you in any way to make it affordable, to make it what you want, and something that you are proud of. You can trust them and know that you have done your very best for your family member,” says Walker County Judge and client Danny Pierce. Pre-planning also allows a family to more effectively customize the funeral to the person’s wants and desires in a less stressful way.

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home excels in customizing your loved one’s service and offers several choices regarding the type of funeral service desired, the style of casket, the method of transport to the grave site, and other details. A full

July 2022 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition

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with the addition of cremation afterwards. For military veterans, the formalities of a service can include an honor guard provided by the American Legion or the casualty assistance office for the particular branch of the military, a 21-gun salute, and an American flag provided by the U.S. government. In honor of the veteran’s service, SHMFH offers discounts to these families. A planning session allows a staff member to inform the family of all options available so a suitable choice of service style and accompanying details can be made.

Greg Smith

funeral service is available, presided over by either the family’s minister or a pastor provided

by SHMFH. The chapels are equipped with sophisticated sound systems with an array of available musical selections. A family can also opt for live music using the digital organ/ piano or other instrumentation. Some families choose instead to have a full cremation service.

This service is exactly like a funeral service

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home offers a full selection of casket styles on site as well as additional choices available online from their Houston warehouse, with delivery within 24 hours. A casket can be personalized with hand-carved details, branding, or other unique features. Another aspect of the funeral that can be customized is the transportation of the casket to the grave site. As Greg states, “There is no limit to what we can do. We have transported the casket to the grave site by horsedrawn carriage or wagon or by motorcycle hearse. We will do our absolute best to fulfill your most cherished wishes.” Asked what cemeteries they use, Greg responded, “Any

Will Smith

cemetery. We have performed funerals at the National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., and have shipped overseas. Whatever location is selected, we will accommodate that request.”

If the family wishes, SHMFH can also produce a professional quality video which will serve as a lasting tribute to their loved one. When shown during visitation, it enhances the quality

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Milestones

Happy 8th Anniversary to Charles & Renee Spivey.

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Vet Connect:

By Kim VanWagner, D.V.M.

Relationship With Your Vet Healthy relationships are considered one of the pillars for your wellbeing, because they provide you with life energy that nurtures you from within. As humans, we feel the need to relate to others in order to feel worthy and to feel we belong. We are social creatures. All kinds of relationships play an essential role in our lives! Just being in the presence of people with whom you have something in common already contributes to your well-being! Healthy relationships will contribute to a good environment that anyone around you can benefit from energetically.

You probably never thought about your relationship with your veterinarian (or any other service provider) as a relationship at all. The main relationship with your vet is considered the veterinarian-clientpatient-relationship (VCPR) and is the essential basis for interaction among veterinarians, their clients, and their patients. It is critical to providing quality veterinary care and vital to animal welfare by allowing a veterinarian to regularly assess a pet’s entire physical status, family environment, and to regularly communicate with the owner. In Texas, veterinarians are required by law to maintain a current VCPR within the year in order to continue to dispense medications or even make recommendations for your pet. AAHA defines VCPR to require all of the following:

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• The veterinarian has assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of the patient and the need for medical treatment, and the client (owner or caretaker) has agreed to comply with the veterinarian’s instructions.

• The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge of the patient to initiate at least a general or preliminary diagnosis of its medical condition. This means the veterinarian has physically examined the patient within the past 12 months (or more frequently as dictated by the age of the patient, medical condition, or treatment therapy--such as with controlled substances).

• The veterinarian is available for ongoing care of the patient or has arranged for emergency coverage or continuing care and treatment of the animal by an appropriate veterinary professional.

• The veterinarian maintains complete and legible medical records, including assessment and treatment plan, in such a way that another veterinarian will be able to proceed with the continuity of care and treatment of that patient.

Healthy relationships require that both people respect and trust each other and have an open and non-judgmental dialogue, as well as a practice of give-and-take. Things most important in healthy relationships are trust, loyalty, happiness, respect, emotional support, humor, compromise, freedom/independence, safety, friendship, honesty, forgiveness, communication, quality time, and random acts of kindness.

When considering your relationship with your veterinarian, building trust, having good open and honest communication, and treating each other with respect will be greatly beneficial to the care of your pet.

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July 2022 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition

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CALENDAR July

8-24 Conroe

Thru 9 Conroe “Dearly Departed”

owentheatre.com

Thru 17 Houston Disney’s “Frozen”

“Grease, The Musical” crightontheatre.org

9 Galveston Bill Engvall Farewell Tour thegrand.com

thehobbycenter.org

Thru 31 Kilgore Texas Shakespeare Festival

texasshakespeare.com

Huntsville Sons of Bocephus oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

14 Sugar Land “The Masked Singer” National Tour

2

Conroe Stars and Stripes

cityofconroe.org

Montgomery Freedom Fest

15-16 Ennis Quilt Show visitennis.org

montgomeryareachamber.com

The Woodlands Rod Stewart with Cheap Trick

woodlandscenter.org

smartfinancialcentre.net

Hempstead Watermelon Festival hempsteadwatermelonfestival.com

15-17 Houston

4

Huntsville Fourth of July Family Fun Celebration

huntsville.tx.gov

Comicpalooza comicpalooza.com

16

The Woodlands

Conroe

Red, Hot and Blue Festival

The Brian Black Show with Stephen Pride

thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov

outhousetickets.com

Tomball

The Woodlands

July 4th Celebration and Street Fest

Santana & Earth, Wind, and Fire

tomballtx.gov

woodlandscenter.org

6 – Aug 14 Houston

16-17 Waco

“The Sound of Music”

Duel on the Brazos Drag Boat Racing

adplayers.org

sdbaracing.com/schedule

17

8-9

Canton Balloon Fest

balloonfestcanton.com

Huntsville Sting Ray Anthony’s “Juke Box Rock” oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

22 Conroe “Always Patsy Cline” owentheatre.com

Houston Josh Turner arenahouston.com

Huntsville CASA Christmas in July Bingo casaofwalkercounty.org

22-24 Willis VBS: HayDay, Growing in Friendship with Jesus crbcwillistx.org

24 The Woodlands REO Speedwagon and Styx woodlandscenter.org

Veteran commercial real estate professional Ron Brown is a valued addition to the MHW Real Estate team with nearly 30years of specialized experience.

His background includes major corporate training as well as personal entrepreneurship, owning and operating a number of successful businesses. Since joining MHW Real Estate, Brown's innovative approach to commercial real estate challenges has made him a vital asset to many clients and investors. Brown is active in local charitable causes and his wife serves as principal at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Conroe.

29-30 Naples Watermelon Festival and Rodeo facebook.com/naplesmelonpatch

30 Galveston Johnny Mathis thegrand.com

Houston Dude Perfect: That’s Happy Tour toyotacenter.com/events

Huntsville Gary Morris oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

EXPERIENCE SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY’S

COLLEGE OF ARTS & MEDIA

2022  2023 SEASON | COMING SOON LEARN MORE AT SHSU.EDU/CAM July 2022 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition

41

Mustard Seed Moments

by Linda Perkins

The Freedom of a Do-Over When my daughter was little, I ran across James Dobson’s book The Strong Willed Child.

Two pages into the introduction, I laughed and said, “Yeah, I think he wrote this specifically about my kid!” Add in a speech disorder that made her words come out jumbled, and we often found ourselves in a verbal tug-of-war.

On one particular day, things were getting particularly heated. My daughter was getting madder and madder about not getting her way, and I was getting more than a little fed up at our lack of ability to communicate and come to a meeting of the minds.

Finally, she just burst into tears. I looked at her little face, which had turned from frowny to sad, and my mother’s heart just broke for her. She had dug herself into a hole too deep to get out of, so she just sat there and cried in despair. She was beside herself and didn’t

know what to do next.

I looked over at her and softly asked, “How about we start the day over again? Would you like that?” “Yes please,” she responded quietly.

This was the start of something special in our relationship: the “do-over.” It’s something she knows she can ask for when she knows she has messed up and wants to make amends, but doesn’t know where to start. It’s the gift of grace.

How often in our own lives do we come to the end of ourselves, realizing what a mess we have made? Just as my daughter needs me to occasionally grant her a do-over, so we sometimes need a do-over of our own. Praise the Lord, we have the freedom to ask for one thanks to the grace offered us through Jesus Christ.

God gives us the freedom to make our own choices – good and bad – but He also gives us the freedom to come to His throne of grace to repent and do things differently going forward.

It’s never too late for a second chance.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

– Romans 6:23 “David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, ‘The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.’” – 2 Samuel 12:13 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

STAGE RIGHT OF TEXAS 2022 - 2023

Funded in part by a grant from the City of Conroe.

Sept. 9 - 25, 2022

Feb. 10 - 26, 2023

Oct. 21 - Nov. 6, 2022

Apr. 7 - 23, 2023

For Season Tickets and Audition Information Visit the website: stage-right.org 42

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2022

Dec. 2 - 18, 2022

Jul. 7 - 23, 2023 All performances at the Crighton Theatre 234 N. Main St. Conroe, TX 77301

Call 936-441-7469

Dr. Bonnie J. Cameron Glaucoma Specialist Pediatric Specialist Therapeutic Optometrist

Cameron Optical

936.448.1200

Therapeutic Optometrist & Glaucoma Specialist

15260 Hwy 105 West • Suite 127 Montgomery, TX 77356

Family owned and operated with over 60 years of combined experience

Located in the WaterPoint Marina and Shopping Center next to CVS

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENTS ONLINE AT: WWW.CAMERONOPTICAL.COM July 2022 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition

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