Postcards Magazine Piney Woods December 2020

Piney Woods Edition

December 2020

Do You Know?

Dr. Alisa White

Texas Talent

Raising a Hand for Rett

Texas Treasures Tinsel Time in Texas

Business Focus

Huntsville Pest Control

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December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 3

December 2020 | Volume 10, Issue 12

FAVORITES

10 FEATURES 10

Do You Know?

Dr. Alisa White

20 Texas Talent

Raising a Hand for Rett

36

Texas Treasures Tinsel Time in Texas

44 Business Focus

Huntsville Pest Control

6 7 8 9 14 15 16 17 18 24 25 26 30 32 33 34 35 40 42 48 49 50

Letters from Our Readers Tickle My Funny Bone What Are You Reading?

From the Publisher “Seens” from Our World Dear Gabby Things My Granddaddy Said

20

Garden Post Pet Pals Living with Children Wildlife Wonders Recipes Star Students Touching Tomorrow Milestones Health Matters Community Postcards Puzzle Pages Glorious Grandkids

36

Out of the Mouths of Babes Mustard Seed Moments Community Calendar

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Letters from Our Readers

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Each month I look forward to receiving your Postcards Magazine to catch up on what is going on in the community. You do an outstanding job of featuring articles that are upbeat and interesting. I especially enjoyed the publisher’s article, “Was There Ever Really an Old Normal.”

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u ?

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From the Publisher Karen Altom publisher@postcardslive.com

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOUR TWO FRONT TEETH First things first. For all of you who requested the Stevens family soup recipe, you will find it included in this issue. What you will not find included are the things we sometimes do a little differently than the recipe. (The things my daughter says I do on purpose to keep hers from being as good as mine.) I promise it is not on purpose. I just forget until I’m doing it! I have done my best to give you the “real deal,” so go try it and enjoy. If you don’t like yours, I’ll make a pot and share when this whole Covid mess is done.

with a weird, crinkly-eye, overly enthusiastic smile, you will know that is what Covid did to me. Bless my heart.

I miss seeing people’s smiles. The only people who are seeing your teeth right now are the family you live with and your dentist! I also miss the money I saved before having to buy so much eye wrinkle cream.

Maybe Santa will bring me some.

In all seriousness, look for the good in your life. Find the funny and enjoy it. Be thankful for the One we remember this season. He loves Which brings me to the topic of this column. Covid has ruined my us – wrinkles and all. smile and given me wrinkles.

From our family to yours, have a very Merry Christmas!

How, you say? Simple. I now find myself squinting to smile. You know what I mean. I realized it one day when someone smiled at me and the only way I knew it was because their eyes crinkled. I looked in Until next time, the mirror with my mask on and realized my eyes don’t naturally crinkle much when I smile. Oh my!

~

Karen

Since I want people to know I am sincerely glad to see them, I began to squint my eyes when I smile with a mask on so they will know! As I thought about this, I wondered how I look doing this minus the mask.

Downright goofy – that’s how! So when this is all over, if you see me

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December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 9

Do You Know?

Dr. Alisa White Many things have changed during 2020. As a pandemic swept across the globe, terms like “masks” and “social distancing” became the norm. It became almost impossible to enter any public place without seeing dispensers and bottles of hand sanitizer in every direction you look. The world has been trying to adapt to a new normal.

In the midst of all this, another change has occurred. Sam Houston State University welcomed its 14th president, Dr. Alisa White. Without the pandemic, by now you would probably have seen or met Dr. White at any number of community activities and events; but, with the changes going on, those events simply have not happened.

Recently on a lovely fall afternoon, we sat outside in the center of the beautiful SHSU campus and had the opportunity to visit with Dr. White so we, and our readers, could get to know her a little bit better!

By Karen Altom Photos by Libby Rogers 10 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

I’ve read that you’re a native of Texas…is there a part The state of Texas has an initiative called “60 by 30.” They want 60% of residents to have some type of degree by 2030. That number does you’ve called “home”?

not just include graduating high school seniors. It also includes folks I was born in Weatherford. We moved to Dallas when I was one, then who have gone to college in the past who need to finish, or people who Bonham when I was three, and moved to Montana when I was about have education needs because of careers or changing careers. five. My dad’s a preacher. We moved about every four years…Texas, I think we will always be in some sort of “change mode” to accommodate Montana, Arizona, West Virginia, Tennessee… returning adults and any who don’t fit the model of the “18-year old coming to school to live in the dorm” for a four-year experience.

People say, “Where’s home?” Home is wherever I am at the moment, and you make it home, and you make it community…you dig deep Now, we know that we can accommodate people working full-time, there, wherever that may be. who want to take online classes, or need or want to obtain a learning experience in a short format, a class that meets more often for a I moved back to Texas in 1998. I was at UT-Arlington for a number shorter period of time. of years, then UT-Tyler. I was in Texas for 16 years. My son moved here with me when he was three, so he considers himself a Texan. My husband, who is from New York, has lived in Texas longer than I have! That said, I think it’s very important we realize a lot of learning is not But all three of our kids, our five grandkids, and my dad all live in Texas. just in the classroom. Kids grow up here. We provide a safety net.

Rather than just leaving home and entering the work world, they can I’m guessing that might have been a good draw to bring learn here, make mistakes here, and learn to redeem themselves. I hope we never lose the traditional experience, because I feel it is so you back to Texas? important to the development of many of our students.

It was! But I told the Chancellor, Sam Houston State is such a fabulous We talked about positives. Are there any unique opportunity… I would have taken this job if it had been challenges for SHSU you feel like need to be addressed? across the country. It is that kind of an institution.

Lucky for me, it’s in Texas, which is great.

Sam Houston has a good reputation in East Texas and Texas, but it’s not as well-known as I would like for it to What is it about Huntsville and SHSU that be. Our alumni are very proud of their experience drew you here? here, and we hear from employers they are excited about hiring our graduates because they are wellSam Houston is very well-known for its access prepared and ready to work. I would like to broaden mission and for student success. So, there is a that knowledge of our reputation. great responsibility the institution feels to get people “in and through,” not just “in.”

Another challenge for us, as well as most institutions, is to have enough financial support to do all we know we About a year and a half ago, I was part of an accreditation site should do, as well as to support students who face financial struggles review team that visited here. I spent three days on campus, met a lot in coming here.

While Sam Houston is one of the better-performing of people, and had done a deep dive already into budget, governance, institutions in the state of Texas, it is not one of the best funded. and the quality enhancement plan. So, I knew a lot about SHSU, but had no idea that the job of university president would come open here.

When people see a “Bearkat claw,” or hear “Eat’em up, When this job came open, I was nominated for it by someone (I don’t Kats,” what do you want them to think or see? know who), but I immediately thought, ‘Wow, that’s a great place to be!’

I didn’t know a lot about the community, just the institution. But what I have found is that it’s a great place to live as well.

Quality. That we graduate people who can do well and add value…

»

What has surprised you most about living in Huntsville?

This is so pedestrian… but really, how easy it is to get around! We are early everywhere, because it doesn’t take the time to travel like it did in other places I’ve lived.

We haven’t met a lot of people in town yet, due to Covid-19. We are looking forward to those opportunities, but trying to be respectful of people as well.

Speaking of Covid, what do you think the long-term implications of that are for the university?

I think this has helped us find out we can be “ingenious” in how we offer a higher education experience, and it may not look the same for every student.

December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 11

‘It’s not how you start; it people who are well-grounded and well-rounded.

Part of the quality comes from the fact that so many of our faculty work with active learning, which is a higher level. You can memorize, but you learn more when you can synthesize. This is important in the process of applying learning to solve problems.

I think another aspect of quality is the culture we have on campus. Not that everybody here agrees, but this is a very civil campus. People disagree respectfully.

You want an institution where people can be different and talk about things that are important to them, but do so in a way that is respectful.

I believe our employees do quality work. Our grounds are gorgeous. This is one of the cleanest campuses I’ve ever been to. Our buildings are really well done and well-maintained.

Sam Houston himself had a pretty colorful history. Have you read much on him, and do you have a favorite “Sam Houston moment?”

Sam Houston was a governor of both Tennessee and Texas. I left an institution named after Austin Peay, who was governor of Tennessee. I may be the only university president who has been president of two schools named after their state governor! <laughs>

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S n a H c f

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t; it’s how you finish.’

Something I really value personally about Sam Houston’s life is, ‘It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.’ Sam Houston, as a man, made a lot of mistakes. But, if you look at his life, he didn’t sit in them.

He changed things. He changed himself. As he grew, he was able to create a legacy. That is a wonderful story of redemption with lessons for our students.

All presidents leave their mark. As you look forward, what do you hope your mark will be?

I have been fortunate to follow excellent presidents. Dr. Hoyt was a good president, who followed a good president. I think one of the marks of a good president is to build on what was done before. I think one of President Hoyt’s greatest accomplishments is the medical school, something that will be vital to the health of our communities across the state. So, one of my important areas of focus will be to get that medical school thriving. Secondly, branding. I want Sam Houston State University to be “top-of-mind” for anyone thinking about going to college. Finally, continuing on this emphasis of “60 by 30.” We just had another record enrollment, in spite of Covid. We need to look around and ask, ‘Who is missing?’ We need to work to help all our communities rise.

Welcome to our community Dr. White. We look forward to an even brighter future for SHSU under your leadership.

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Dear Gabby

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Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. We’ve almost made it!!

This is the last month of 2020! I’ve heard about drinks named after events or times. If 2020 had a drink named after it, it would be colonoscopy prep!

It’s almost behind us, so let’s enjoy Christmas and all the cheer that goes with it! I’m not a big fan of Santa Claus, due to a case of Claustrophobia.

It started when I was a kid, and Santa brought me a pack of batteries with a tag that said “toy not included.” Drop me a line at Dear Gabby at PostcardsLive.com/ and let’s prepare for a new beginning in 2021. Merry Christmas, and never forget the real reason for the season!

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December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 15

Good Banks Make Good Neighbors

Things my Granddaddy said...

Wise and witty ways to talk like our grandparents

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The Season of Perpetual Spring

by Kim Bius

Thanksgiving has passed, and Christmas is well on the way. I love the Christmas Season! Christmas lights are going up, cookies are being baked, and beautiful poinsettias are everywhere.

Poinsettias are the plant most symbolic of Christmas and one of the most misunderstood plants around. They are not complicated, just “over and under cared for.” Poinsettias are tropical plants native to the mountains of southern Mexico.

Poinsettias are members of the euphorbia family and named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first US Ambassador to Mexico. In 1826, Mr. Poinsett brought several specimens to South Carolina and, through cultivation, the plant began in popularity in the 1830s.

The Poinsettia has long been seen as a symbol of Christianity. The star shaped foliage has been referred to as the Star of Bethlehem, the red leaves signify Jesus’s sacrificed blood and the love of God. Congress has even deemed December 12th as National Poinsettia Day to

commemorate the day of Poinsett’s death.

By the early 1900s, poinsettias were force bloomed early and grown in California before spreading to the other states to be sold as potted plants during the holiday season. The city of Ventura, California is even known as the Poinsettia City and capital of the world.

Fast forward a century, and the poinsettia is grown in almost every color or hue of the rainbow--from blue to yellow and every shade of pink or red imaginable.

They are available in miniature form to tree size, and in every price range. Floristgrown in greenhouses beginning 3 months before delivery, the plants must receive 12 hours of total darkness and 12 hours of light to be “forced” into bloom by the holiday season. Large rolls of black plastic are often placed over the poinsettia houses from 6 to6 each day until red leaves begin appearing. If left to grow naturally (only in the southern-most tip of Texas), the plants would bloom in late January to mid-February. As previously mentioned, poinsettias are tropical and should not be exposed to

temperatures below 40 degrees or heavy drafts.

The plant is fairly fragile, and brachts break easily. For this reason, always ask for a plastic sleeve for transport purposes if one is not offered. As with all plants, premium grade poinsettias are given a premium deluxe status (label) and lesser quality plants (smaller, less blooms per plant, smaller blooms, less expensive) are sold as such with a lower price tag. Higher quality poinsettias will last much longer (often into summer).

Poinsettias love high light and require watering several times a week. The plants do not do well with soggy root systems and must be allowed to drain from the “foil hat” most are placed in.

The season is here! Enjoy, celebrate, go out of your way to bring joy to another in some small way and spread the Love Jesus gave to us…the gift of Christmas. Happy Gardening.

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Raising

S “

H

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Kevin Black and Dave Clements are no doubt “Texas talents,” but when it comes to their story, having a “gift” is just the first chapter. They are both extraordinary photographers who capture incredible moments in time though their camera lenses; and Kevin has enjoyed a successful 30-year career as a singer and musician.

While the art they create is undeniably breathtaking, it’s their grit and “no quit” attitude that make their tale a real page turner.

More than 17 years ago, Kevin and Dave set out on a mission to raise awareness for Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that most often affects females.

When children with Rett reach a year to 18-months of age, their social and motor skills begin a state of regression, and they live the rest of their lives similar to an infant.

Kevin knows all too well how Rett can impact a child and a family. His daughter Cortney passed away from Rett in 2003 when she was 16 years old.

In 2016, Postcards Magazine sat down with these two talented photographers and shared their journey in creating a book, Raising a Hand, that showcased their photography of famous singers, each with a hand raised.

Their mission was to sell these unique coffee table books to raise money for Rett syndrome awareness and research, and they did just that – selling over 10-thousand copies.

While some would call their success a happy ending to a tale of two dads, they’ve decided to add another chapter to their story, or in this case another book – Raising a Hand, Volume 2.

20 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

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Dave Clements and Kevin Black

By Amy Barnett Submitted Photos

k m a o l b m a m

a Hand t t e R for

So, first things first, which one of you said, “Let’s do Volume 2?”

what Kevin had to What can you tell us about Volume 2? do...our daughter was the same age Kevin: It wasn’t me. (laughs) In fact, after as his daughter.

Dave: First, I can say we are ahead of Volume 1, Dave and I were getting out of the schedule. Part of the reason is we had the book business. We weren’t gonna stop the Kevin: Dave was the person who energized template – Volume 1. We learned how to get mission, we were just gonna change direction me to be more useful than walking away from in touch with artists more effectively, and and find another way to raise money and Rett and other families and to do something we’ve become better photographers. Put all awareness. It took three years to do the first to honor Cortney’s name and her life; so that’s that together – we are well on our way with book, and three years is a long time. how we got into this 17-year, action-packed the new book and months ahead of schedule. journey. We’ve been raising money in all kinds The good news is we have great artists who Dave: It was one of the hardest things I of different ways since 2003. have said yes to being in Volume 2. have ever done in my life. It was a stressful experience to do the first book.

It took three years to create the first book. Who said “yes?” Can you give us some hints?

What did you learn from creating Volume Yet, you felt motivated to do it all over 1 that made the decision to do Volume 2 Kevin: Garth Brooks is one of the biggest again… why is that? easier? names in the music industry, and he personally said yes and chose his picture. Gene Simmons Dave: My motivation has really been to help Kevin: We are just two dads who weren’t in with KISS personally said yes, and so did Lionel keep other families from having to do what the book business and didn’t know anything Richie. my friend Kevin and his family had to do... about it. We had to learn along the way and and that was bury a 16-year-old girl. The day ask questions. Then we were going into Dave: A big one for us is Tom Petty. To get of Cortney’s funeral pretty much changed my self-publishing, not being in the publishing an estate – the family of Tom Petty – to agree… life – not because I knew Cortney – and not business. Initially it was a struggle, but then that’s a big deal. The good news is we have because I knew about Rett syndrome. Both we thought we had a wonderful book that every genre covered. We have the state of Texas my wife Cathi and I stood in the shadows that showed so much respect for the artists who let covered. We have Conroe covered, and we have afternoon watching a family bury a child, and us use their likeness and their brand for our 30 more artists than we had in Volume 1 – 234 my thought was – I couldn’t imagine doing cause. We thought we had something special.

»

Looking for Bethlehem

Join Us in December

First United Methodist Church - Madisonville Sunday Worship Services 8:30 am • 9:45 am • 11:00 am Phone: 936-348-2691

Website: fumc-madisonville.org

102 S. McIver Street • Madisonville, TX 77864 • Senior Pastor: Rev. Jim Jackson • Email: fumcadm@outlook.com December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 21

the artists. I wrote some, Kevin wrote some – the idea was so good that I couldn’t say no.

Kevin: Yeah, we have some really cool stories about how we met the artists and what happened. It’s a real special section of the book.

What are your hopes for Volume 2?

Dave: Early on in our process, we met a guy named Tom Brown, and he was able through a family trust he managed to make a $250-thousand

Above: Kevin and brother Clint Black in total. We have some famous actors, too – Dennis Quaid, Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Costner, and Steve Martin.

I understand you have a new section in Volume 2, kind of a “behind the scenes” look…

Dave: Yes. Kevin said, “We need Volume 2 to look a little different than Volume 1.” So, we ended up writing a section called “Stories from Behind the Lens.” It includes stories of our interactions with

Above: Gene Simmons

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22 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

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donation annually to Texas Children’s Hospital in the spirit of Rett syndrome – as a result of hearing Kevin’s story. So, we don’t know what will happen with Volume 2. If there is another “Tom Brown” or “Thomasina Brown” out there that is touched by this story, who knows the impact it could have. What if it’s an artist… we don’t know. But, if you’re not doing anything, it stops.

What are you most proud of in your journey to help Rett families?

Dave: What I’m most proud of is not that we’ve raised so much money, but we’re giving a lot of Rett families hope. We’ve provided a lot of joy. A lot of people love music, and when they see our photos, it brings back their personal stories about these artists, and it tells the Rett community there are a lot of pretty famous artists that know enough about their child’s disease to agree to be in the book.

What do you think the future looks like for the two of you and your journey to raise awareness for Rett syndrome?

Dave: Our whole mission is to raise money and awareness so other families don’t have to go through what Kevin’s family had to go through.

Until there’s a cure, we are committed to doing everything in our power within reason to raise money and awareness for Rett syndrome.

Kevin: I know at some point Dave is gonna say, “What about Volume 3?”

Dave: I do think that when Kevin gets to the end of his time on earth and reflects back on his life – high on that list will be what he gave back to a community that desperately needed him. So, I have no qualms about it.

Kevin: For me, it’s when a Rett family says “thank you” – because it means so much more. These families work hard to take care of “Raising a Hand, Volume 2” can be preordered on raisingahand.com. The their children. They often have multiple children, and life changes for book is $35. Visit the website to learn more about Rett syndrome and how the other children. My two boys didn’t get to grow up the same way you can make a donation to help bring awareness to this disorder. they would have if they had had a sister without Rett syndrome. Life changes for everyone in the family, and because I am a Rett father, when they tell me their story, I can say, “I understand what you’re going through,” and I feel so bad for them. My heart breaks when I go somewhere and there are Rett families, because I know they are still going through it. All I can recommend is for them to hold on, get as close as they can to their spouse, set their problems aside, and figure out how to love one another.

Dave: Every day Kevin makes a difference that I can’t make, because he walked in their shoes. I take my hat off to him, because I have not let him bury his daughter emotionally. She guides us – she intervenes in what we are doing -- that’s a blessing and a curse for Kevin; and it’s a motivational factor for me. By his presence and his daughter’s spirit – the project will help people we will never know about.

Above: Kevin Black

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2 Financial Plaza • Hwy 30, West of I-45 • Huntsville, TX 77340 December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 23

by John K. Rosemond

Adoptive Children and ‘Adoption Trauma’ Nearly every time I talk to an adoptive parent, I become saddened, disgusted, angry, or each in turn. It recently happened again.

The parent in question is the mother of a pre-teen boy who was adopted in early toddlerhood – at least a year before the ability to remember past events develops. Research has established that no matter the intensity of an event occurring before thirty-six months (on average and very rarely before twenty-four months), a child will not have recall of it. When “memories” of infancy and early toddlerhood are subjected to verification, they seldom pass the test.

The parents of this young fellow have been told by their assigned adoption specialists that adopted children retain subconscious memory of their “real” parents, separation from whom induced trauma, even if the separation occurred early on. Mind you, those claims cannot be proven. According to said specialists, the trauma in question requires adoptive parents never say or do certain things lest a subconscious traumatic memory surface and begin wreaking havoc on the child’s psyche. Examples of said “memory outbreaks” include just about any dumb, antisocial, self-destructive thing human children are prone to doing (whether adopted or not).

A tantrum, for example, is not simply an expression of a child’s natural self-centeredness, requiring a firm disciplinary response. It is an expression of the adopted child’s ongoing grieving, requiring that his parents cuddle and rock him to help him fill in the emotional

gaps in his earlier childhood. I did not make that up. It is precisely what adoption specialists told the above mother. Another specialist told a mother that her five-month-old adoptee knew, from Mom’s heartbeat, that Mom wasn’t really Mom. That borders on criminal.

Sadly, it is not a one-off.

I have long concluded that adoption specialists primarily specialize in infecting adoptive parents with “adoption bogeymen.” They claim, for example, that nearly every adopted child has “reactive attachment disorder,” one of the most ill-defined of all ill-defined psychiatric diagnoses. The diagnosis, as bogus as it may be from a scientific perspective, allows adoption specialists to point to just about anything and say, “See! Reactive attachment disorder!” In that fashion, they infect adoptive parents with anxiety and self-doubt, and a self-fulfilling prophecy is invoked.

It is a fact that the more anxious a parent, the more the child will begin acting in ways that affirm the parent’s anxiety. Around and around this dynamic begins to spin, the result being a parent who is increasingly beset by worry and sinking ever-further into self-doubt and a child who is increasingly the subject of much anxiety and confusion.

Adoption is compassion. There is nothing inherently risky about it.

The risk seems to be the consequence of getting involved with certain adoption specialists.

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WILDLIFE WONDERS IT’S JUST DUCKY

By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center There are several different species of ducks in our area, but here are two species that are very common.

You will more than likely see Muscovy ducks in area ponds and lakes. The males have fleshy red canuncles (warty bumps) on the face and at the base of the bill. Females have smaller caruncles or have none at all.

Muscovies are not native except in three Texas counties near the Mexican border. With the exception of these three counties, Muscovy ducks are considered invasive--which means they can take over habitats, can stress the natural ecosystems, and even eradicate native plants and animals. They are prolific breeders, and it doesn’t take long for their populations to increase dramatically, driving away native species.

Feral Muscovy ducks have become a real problem for many neighborhoods. They wander into yards and leave their waste droppings everywhere. They can destroy landscaping while foraging for food. They can be a hazard for drivers as they waddle across neighborhood

streets. Some report that the ducks are aggressive.

On the other hand, some are happy to have Muscovies around. They eat algae and weeds in ponds, flies, roaches, ants, spiders, small fishes, reptiles and slugs. They also eat mosquitos. For this reason, they are very valuable in keeping unwanted insect populations down. They are “dappling” ducks, which means they float and tip themselves forward, butts up in the air, to grab insects, small fish, etc.

Mallard ducks are the most common ducks in North America. The male duck has a bright green head, yellow beak, a light-colored body and dark brown chest. The female is much less colorful and is light brown with dark brown mottling from the neck down.

Mallards begin pairing up in the fall, but courtship can extend into early spring.

Generally speaking, they are monogamous. I say “generally” because males will engage in “forced copulations.” Several males will chase a female and then forcefully mate with her.

Mallards are omnivores, with 2/3 of their diet consisting of plant matter and 1/3 animal protein. They eat small fish, snails, moths, flies, bugs, grass, seeds, grains and fruits. They are also dappling ducks.

• Ducks eat gravel, small stones and sand. The rocks are stored in the gizzard and help break down food.

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• Ducks have a field of vision of 340 degrees and can see up close and far away simultaneously.

They also see in color.

• Ducks have no blood vessels or nerves in their feet so their feet don’t feel the cold in icy waters.

• Ducks normally don’t fly over 4,000 feet in the air when they migrate. However, they have the capability of flying much higher. A jet once struck a Mallard at 21,000 feet!

• Preening is a method used to clean the feathers of dirt, dust and parasites. When they preen, they also spread a waxy oil on their feathers making them waterproof.

• Male ducks are drakes; females are hens and babies are ducklings.

Before you grab that loaf of bread to go feed the ducks, please choose a healthier option (peas, cut up grapes, corn, rice, cut up lettuce and other greens, dry dog or cat food). Too much or uneaten bread that becomes moldy can cause illness.

TWRC Wildlife Center is your source for information on Texas wildlife. Have questions?

Call us, email us or check our website.

713.468.TWRC info@twrcwildlifecenter.org www.twrcwildlifecenter.org

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December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 25

Recipes Green Bean Casserole Remix Ingredients 2 (9 oz) pkgs frozen cut green beans, thawed 10 slices bacon 10 small fresh mushrooms, chopped ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder 1 cup half-and-half cream ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese salt and pepper to taste

with garlic powder and onion powder. Cook and stir until tender, about 4 minutes.

Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place green beans into a 1 quart or similar sized casserole dish.

2. Fry bacon in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat until browned and crispy. Remove to drain on paper towels. Drain off some of the grease, leaving enough to coat the bottom of the pan. Add mushrooms to the grease in the pan and season

3. Pour the half-and-half into the pan with the mushrooms and stir to scrape the bacon flavor from the bottom of the pan.

Simmer until thickened slightly, about 5 minutes. Pour this mixture over the green beans. Crumble bacon over the top and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the sauce is bubbling and the top is toasted.

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26 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

We’ve had lots of requests for this recipe mentioned last month in our publisher’s column. So here you go!

Stevens Soup Ingredients 1 lb. lean stew meat 1 small onion (or dried minced onion) 1 can cream style corn 2 - 15 oz cans crushed tomatoes 2 - 8 oz cans tomato sauce 1 - 11.5 oz can tomato juice 3-4 potatoes, cut in cubes 1 can sliced carrots, drained Large elbow macaroni - handful or two Spices: salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, sugar Directions 1. Brown stew meat and onion in 1-2 tablespoons of oil in a dutch oven. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

2. Add about 1/2 pot of water and cook on low for 1-2 hours.

3. Add cream style corn and cook another 15-20 minutes.

4. Add tomato products. Season with salt, pepper and sugar. Cook for 10-15 minutes.

5. Add potatoes and carrots (and any other veggies you’d like) and cook until potatoes are almost done. Final seasoning with garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper and sugar - all to taste. (We are pepper people.)

6. Boil 5 minutes or until macaroni is done. Serve with saltine crackers.

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Auto H Residential H Commercial December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 27

Apple Crisp II

Recipes

Ingredients 10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1 cup white sugar

Cabbage and Dumplings

1 Tbs all-purpose flour 1 tsp ground cinnamon ½ cup water

Ingredients

1 cup quick-cooking oats

½ cup butter

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 onion, chopped 1 head green cabbage, chopped 1 cup flour

1 cup packed brown sugar ¼ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp baking soda

½ cup water

½ cup butter, melted

salt to taste

Directions

Directions 1. Melt the butter in a skillet. Cook the onion and cabbage in the butter over medium-high heat until the cabbage is translucent.

2. Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Mix the flour and water together into a dough. Drop the dough by small spoonfuls into the boiling water and cook until firm; drain. Add the dumplings to the cabbage mixture. Season with salt to serve.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. 2. Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, and ground cinnamon together and sprinkle over apples. Pour water evenly over all.

3. Combine the oats, 1 cup flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

4. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes.

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Ingredients 1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved 2 Tbs olive oil 1 Tbs minced fresh thyme salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 cup fresh cranberries 2 Tbs pure maple syrup Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place Brussels sprouts in a bowl and toss with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper.

3. Spread out evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. Stir in cranberries.

Continue roasting for 10 minutes.

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Cook’s Note: Add more maple syrup if you prefer things a little sweeter.

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Celebrate Recovery: Tuesdays • 7 pm at the church Church Email: Church Website:

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shophearttoheart heart2hearttx December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 29

Star Students

  Sebastian Patterson Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: John Wick 3 Favorite Music/Artist: Rap Favorite Food: Hamburgers



Favorite Quote: “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” –Vince Lombardi

S

ebastian is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the son of Janet and Bradley Patterson. His activities include football. Following graduation, Sebastian plans to attend college, play football, and study criminal justice. He believes the advice from Coach Lombardi and plans to work hard.



Sarah Nan Duncan Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Selena Favorite Music/Artist: Kacey Musgraves Favorite Food: My Honey’s Roast & Taters



Favorite Quote: “Be the light.” - Matthew 5:14

S

arah is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Kirk and Shannon Duncan. Her activities include golf, student council, and class council. Following graduation, Sarah plans to attend Sam Houston State University, pursue a career in criminal justice, and eventually have a family.

She believes, “When you focus on the good, the good gets better.”



The Alpha Omega Academy Family wishes you and yours a Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful New Year filled with only the best.

Artwork Designed by Esme Ward

A classical, Christ-centered Pre-K-12th grade school

30 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

alphaomegaacademy.org

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  Nicole Kohers

Alpha Omega Academy

Favorite Movie: The Parent Trap Favorite Music/Artist: Reckless Love Favorite Food: Honey Baked Ham

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icole is a senior at Alpha Omega Academy and is the daughter of Gerald and Suzette Kohers. Her activities include volleyball and softball. Following graduation, Nicole plans to attend Texas A&M University. She believes, “Every day is a chance to get better.”

Kelsey Drane

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elsey is a senior at New Waverly High School and is the daughter of Jennifer and Kristopher Drane. Her activities include volleyball, wrestling, National Honor Society, Beta Club, FFA, Walker County 4-H Horse Club, New Waverly 4-H Food Club, Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, and UIL One Act Play. Following graduation, Kelsey plans to attend Texas Tech University to major in animal science with a business concentrate, then attend veterinary school to become a large animal vet. She believes, “The past is where you learned the lesson. The future is where you apply the lesson.”

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December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 31

Touching Tomorrow Sponsored by:

Partners Submitted by: Brian B Smith, CFP , Bryan M Masten, CFP® & Riley W. Smith ®

What a Way to Start A New Decade In late 2019 we often heard people compare the upcoming decade to the roaring twenties of the last century. There was a lot of optimism that we were headed into a decade of positive economic activity and growth. The reality of 2020 did not take long to set in, and to call this year a dumpster fire would probably be an understatement. While this has been a challenging year for many of us, let us take some time to find the positive things that have happened in 2020.

Honoring teachers who work with our kids day in and day out. They go above and beyond and really do “Touch Tomorrow.”

Those chosen for publication will also be given a $50 gift card to 1836 Steakhouse.

Nominate a special teacher today by going online: www.PostcardsLive.com.

1. Families have spent more time together – While it may be difficult to balance work, with home chores, and homeschooling the kids, it would be hard to argue that it is a negative to spend more time together as a family. It may be as simple as having more time at home due to working from home but being more involved with our kids positively impacts everyone. In addition, many parents have newfound respect for teachers.

2. Neighbors have taken care of each other – While you will not see it in the news headlines, neighbors have gone out of their way to help each other. It became obvious early on that certain portions of the population where at higher risk with the virus. To help mitigate that risk neighbors have aided with everything from grocery shopping, to a friendly check-in on higher risk individuals. It is further evidence that we all have more in common than differences.

3. Consumers have focused on small businesses – While the big retail and restaurant chains are important, small businesses are really the fabric of this country. Small businesses provide an enormous amount of employment and support our communities in so many ways. When restrictions on how they could do business where enacted, their communities responded to support them. Whether it was simply ordering food for curbside pick-up, or ordering goods to be delivered from your favorite local shops, we all came together to keep our community small businesses in business.

I am sure that we could all come up with many more positive outcomes from the past year.

It is imperative that we look for the good. One of the things that makes this country great is the ability to adapt. We have always overcome adversity, but sometimes we forget how difficult past situations have been. Let’s all hope for a better 2021 and take some time to reflect on the positive in our lives as opposed to the difficulties we have undoubtedly faced.

Happy New Year from your friends at Global Financial Partners!

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(936) 294-0201 • 1211 Financial Plaza • Huntsville Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member, FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Cambridge and Global Financial Partners are not affiliated. Cambridge does not provide tax advice.

32 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

RICKY COLE

New Waverly High School Nominated by Kelsey Drane

I have had Mr. Cole for the past three years for Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. He has grown my knowledge of math and helps me learn something new every day!

Milestones

Retirement!

Congratulation to Dr. Richard Eglsaer, SHSU provost and Vice President for academic affairs. Dr. Eglsaer will retire at the end of the academic year after more than 37 years.

Happy Birthday!!

Emmalin Weiser celebrated her 5th birthday on September 27th. Emmalin is the daughter of Collin and Kimberly Weiser.

Join us as we celebrate life’s “mile markers” with our friends and neighbors. Share your milestones with us by submitting a photo and information to PostcardsLive.com.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!!!

Do you owe the IRS $$$ Chester Crawford, EA Since 1981

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1370 Hwy 75 N • Huntsville • 936-291-7100 December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 33

Health Matters www.drjimshealthtips.com

By James W. Jones, MD, PhD, MHA Reassess to Possess and Bless Cheerfulness These are indeed perturbing times, such as one faces once in a lifetime, but we must avoid embracing self-pity. Those happenings beat the crap out of happiness. When I was an intern at the esteemed Philadelphia General Hospital (now closed), one of the jobs was to collect blood from prisoners at the state prison. Prisoners would lie down on cots on a basketball court to donate blood and receive $5.

Loud music played in the background. I would go from one cot to another, inserting needles, and assistants would collect the blood. One day, the guards had machine guns rather than clubs. I asked, “What is going on?” “These are the worst of the worst,” a guard replied. “They will only go out of here in a box.”

I passed down the aisle inserting needles… and yes, I was glad they were locked up. Then I approached an inmate with a big “Howdy Doody” smile. “You seem extraordinarily happy,” I said. “Doc, here I am lying flat on

my back in the middle of the day, listnin’ to good music, and makin’ five dollars. I got it made!” For more than a half century, when I feel a pity party coming on, I remember that moment, and everything straightens out.

Presently, there is a constant barrage of unpleasant information, part of which is news.

One should limit exposure to unpleasant news.

I hardly watch or listen to the news anymore, because it is easy to overdose. Especially on the news channels, reporters collect everything bad that has recently happened. News rarely reports the millions of good, self-sacrificing events, because humans are fascinated by tragedy much more than everyday good deeds.

Regret is an emotion where we face the fact we could have acted differently and avoided an unfortunate outcome. It is reliving a bad time, with guilt superimposed. It is traveling through life looking through a rearview mirror (not wise). We need to learn from our mistakes,

then travel onward without suffering guilt by revisiting the situation with regret. If one learns from his or her past, the past is closed as a meaningful experience and does not need to be relived.

One of the principle venues for happiness is to look where there is meaning. Meaning, according to a modern philosopher Robert Nozick, requires communication with other intelligent beings. As mentioned, but worth repeating, the most valuable painting in the world according to Guinness World Records is the Mona Lisa. It is insured for over a half billion dollars. It has a great deal of meaning (in addition to its value), but if it were preserved in a locked vault where no one could appreciate it, it would retain value but lose meaning.

I had a good, remarkably resilient Jewish friend who, when disappointed, would shrug and say, “This too will pass”. AND IT WILL! Visit drjimshealthtips.com for more.

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34 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

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Community Postcards

Woods Welding Inc. Shop & Field Serving The Area Since 1976

• Shop & Field Fabrication - Repair • All Type Of Metals • Custom Fabrication • Wholesale Steel • Pole Barns Above: Danny Pitts, Gretchen Richter, Barbara Richter, Kenneth Richter, Karl Richter, Jonathan Richter Right: Gretchen Richter, Kenneth Richter & Barbara Richter

“Octoberfest 2020, Texas Style” The Richter family embarked on a new adventure during the “Octoberfest” season. For the past few years they have traveled to Germany during this eventful time, but due to the Coronavirus, plans had to change. This did not stop them from getting the near real experience by going to the Texas Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, TX. Dressed in lederhosens and drindls, they felt as if they had traveled overseas and experienced the real thing in just a days trip!

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Sam Houston State University is now offering an additional option for free COVID-19 testing on the Huntsville campus for students, faculty and staff.

“We can handle all your building materials needs!”

A walk-up testing kiosk opened on campus outside of the Lowman Student Center to administer the tests. Funded by the State of Texas Dept. of Emergency Operations, self-collected COVID-19 kiosk testing provides a great avenue to increase screening testing at no cost to the university with the goal of more often identifying COVID-19 in order to the spread of the virus on campus. A current BearkatOne card is required for testing.

Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 5 pm • Sat. 7 am - 12 pm

~ Randy & Rita Lowery, Owners

206 West Magnolia Street • Madisonville, TX

936-348-3522 December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 35

TEX S TREASURES

By Wes Altom

We thought we would share some insights on uniquely Texan holiday hallmarks, as well as a look into the history of the Truly Texan Christmas tamale!

Fredericksburg: German Christmas Pyramid (Nov 12-Jan 6) Wooden Christmas Pyramids are a traditional German decoration dating back to the 16th century. It is an art form that many believe evolved into our current custom of a Christmas tree. Artisans would create figurines depicting each part of a story and arrange them in order on the tiers of the pyramid. Typically, Christmas pyramids tell the Nativity story of Jesus’ birth and include angels blowing their trumpets, shepherds visiting the stable, and magi bringing gifts.

While still a storytelling form of art, Christmas pyramids serve a mainly decorative purpose today. Most are table-top size and used in homes as a holiday decoration—filling children and adults alike with holiday cheer as lighted candles spin the windmill round and round.

San Antonio: River Walk Christmas Lights (Nov 9-Jan 4)

San Antonio River Walk or Paseo del Río is 15 mi long. Its major highlights include the Arneson River Theatre, Marriage Island, HemisFair Park, the Tower Life Building, San Antonio Museum of Art, and the city’s five Spanish colonial missions, which are listed as World Heritage Sites.

Fredericksburg’s 26-foot Christmas pyramid, handcrafted in Germany, Christmas Lights display on the River Walk features over 100,000 lights was first displayed at Marktplatz during the 2009 holiday season. It is arranged over the trees and buildings lining the River Walk. The lights illuminated each year in November, kicking off the Christmas season on the river stay on from 6 pm to 8 am. The River Walk is a public in Fredericksburg, and remaining lit through the first week of January. space and visiting the display is free. However, you can take a paid It was the first large-scale German Christmas Pyramid in the United river cruise on an illuminated boat to fully experience the lights magic.

States and stands every holiday season symbolizing the town’s lasting German heritage.

36 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

Dallas: The Trains at NorthPark Mall (Nov 14 – Jan 3) This holiday tradition has been in place for 33 years.

The model train exhibit includes 1600 feet of track on a journey across America. The trains travel from the autumn foliage of New England to San Franciso’s Golden Gate Bridge, with stops along the way in New York City, Washington DC, Dallas, the Grand Canyon, and more.

The event is an annual fundraiser benefitting Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and has raised over $13 million to date.

Galveston: Dickens on the Strand (Dec 5-6) For more than 46 years, Galveston Historical Foundation has hosted Dickens on The Strand in downtown Galveston to experience the architecture, sights, and sounds of a Victorian holiday. This year finds the beloved annual event in a new configuration while addressing the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Each of five Dickens themed squares will feature entertainment, pubs, and food options with a specially designed holiday market on Pier 21 while adhering to local, state, and federal guidelines on public gatherings. Guests in Victorian attire will receive a limited-edition commemorative keepsake.

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December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 37

Galveston: Moody Gardens (Nov 21-Jan 2) Enjoy a festive stroll along this mile-long trail featuring more than two million lights and lighted scenes themed to holiday music that take you around the Moody Gardens property with spectacular views of Galveston Bay. See Star the Dancing Tree of Light. Measuring in at 4 stories tall, this magnificent digital dancing tree of light shines brighter than any Christmas tree in Texas!

Marshall: Wonderland of Lights (Nov 25-Dec 31) Conceived in 1987, Wonderland of Lights rivals the best Christmas lighting events in the country. Millions of white lights illuminate the historic Harrison County Courthouse as downtown Marshall is transformed into a Winter Wonderland. 2020 will be a modified year observing limited nightly activities and amended special events.

There will be no ice skating, carousel, train rides, or traditional Santa’s Village this year as a COVID-19 precaution.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR 2021 Would you welcome more energy for your crazy busy life?

Would you like to sleep better and wake up feeling refeshed?

Wouldn’t it be great to fit into your skinny clothes?

Precision Pest Control Your hometown business since 1987

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COPE Certified Health Coach www.facebook.com/ jannell.healthcoach 281-850-6426 • j219nell@gmail. com Piney Woods Edition | December 2020 38 Postcards Magazine:

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Christmas Tamales The custom of making tamales originated with the native American people who lived in Texas and Mexico and interacted with Spanish explorers, sharing their cuisines.

Like most Tex-Mex corn-based dishes, the name tamale was derived from the Nahuatl language of the Aztec people, who lived in Texas during the time of the Spanish exploration.

The first Spaniards to arrive in Texas encountered a variety of Native American groups who ate different diets. Sedentary

groups, such as those at La Junta de los Ríos, cultivated such crops as corn, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, squash, pumpkins, sunflower seeds, and peppers.

In early times, the Native Americans ate corn in one form or another at almost every meal. In its tender (roasting ear) stage, it is eaten fresh as elotes or boiled and dried for future use. In its mature stage, corn is toasted on a comal and ground into fine powder. Early in the twentieth century, corn tortillas were made almost daily.

The Spanish word for “dough,” masa is made with sun- or fire-dried corn kernels that have been cooked in limewater. After being cooked, then soaked in the limewater overnight, the wet corn is ground into masa. Masa harina, available in many supermarkets across the state, is flour made from dried masa. These days, most people her buy masa flour at the supermarket to make their tamales.

A century ago, tamale-making was such a time-intensive process that tamales were considered a special occasion dish, made only for celebrations and solemn offerings. Today, Christmas, Easter and saints’ days are often honored with tamales. Well worth the time and effort, every tamale is a delicious gift waiting to be unwrapped.

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Dr. Phillip Allred, Ph.D., FAAA Dr. Christie Cahill, Au.D. December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 39

Sudoku Puzzles Easy Sudoku

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40 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

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(936) 291-0824 December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 41

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Grandson of: Blake & Leigh Millican

John Jr., Emily, and Aubrey Granddaughter of: Debbie & Jimmy Lovorn

Walker County ACE Hardware

One stop Christmas Shop!

We have gifts for everyone! Shop local this Christmas. We also have FREE gift wrap ALWAYS!

Walker County Hardware 1006 11th. St. Huntsville, TX 77340 936-295-7751 www.walkercountyhardware.com www.classycountrycorner.com @classycountrycorner 42 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

Wishing you and

your family a happy

Logan Kellar Grandson of: John & Mary Kellar

holiday season!

Landon Grandsons of: Shelley Massie

We encourage you to shop locally and support the local businesses who support our students and schools!

These businesses are helping us Build Champions!

936-435-6300

www.huntsville-isd.org

Kinleigh Brae Baggett Granddaughter of: Pamela & Bruce Baggett December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 43

Focus Business

By Rosa Coss Photos by Gina Turner

Shannon, D.L., Diann & Don Shiver

Huntsville Pest Control Huntsville Pest Control, located at 1027 B IH 45 South, Suite 7, in Huntsville, Texas, has been locally owned by D.L. Shiver since January 26, 2018. The pest control business is nothing new to D.L., since he grew up working for his parents, Don and Diann Shiver, owners of Shivco Termite & Pest Control in Madisonville. It’s safe to say the pest control business has long been a “family affair,” since the Shivers’ have been in the business for the past 35 years.

Bebe Webb

D.L. Shiver, Stephen Craig, & Gordon Plumlee

44 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

Marty Fraley

“As a young business owner, some people might look at D.L. and think, I don’t know if this kid knows what he’s doing,” said Don, “but he has been around the business since he was 8 or 9 years old. He would ride with me occasionally and was always good with the customers. They really enjoyed talking with him. He is a people person and can talk to people of all ages. He got his apprentice license when he was only 16 and became certified to do applications soon after that. By the time D.L. was 21, he already had years of experience.

D.L. is a native of Madisonville, and after graduating from high school, he went to Texas A&M to pursue his undergraduate degree with a bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Development with an emphasis in Public Relations, and went on to his masters in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication. He met his wife Shannon while in graduate school. In fact, they were married by the professor who taught the class where they met. She now teaches in Katy. Coincidentally, Don was also an Ag major at Sam Houston State University when he met his wife Diann, who was also studying to be a teacher. Before retiring, she taught in Madisonville for 29 years.

According to D.L., he always knew he wanted to be in the pest control business. He worked closely with Dr. Briers at Texas A&M to get approval to do his internship while working for his dad. It just made sense to apply my knowledge and experience in my graduate studies.

With the help of Dr. Briers, he was able to complete his internship at his dad’s pest control business. After graduating from Texas A&M, D.L. told his dad he wanted to work in the family business. They discussed their options and looked at what would be the best way to get the ball rolling. “We’ll think on it and pray on it,” D.L. recalls telling his dad,

and literally that night, “I asked God to show me what I was supposed to do if this was meant to happen.”

The very next day, out of the blue, his dad got a call from Russell Mauldin, owner of Huntsville Pest Control at the time, and good friend of the family. He said, “Hey, I’m looking at getting out of the business, and you’re the first ones that came to mind.” Then he asked, “Do you want to buy me out?”

“Russell was in our wedding,” said Diann, “and we basically started our businesses around the same time. He was over the Huntsville area, and we were in Madisonville.” “We’ve remained friends throughout the years,” added Don, “so out of respect, we just didn’t play in each other’s backyards.” Don explained that, on occasion, a customer from this area would call him, and he would refer them right back to Russell, and sometimes, Russell would call him with similar circumstances.

When Don called D.L. to tell him Russell had called and offered to sell, D.L. wasn’t sure he wanted to work in Huntsville. As an Aggie, he had been considering working in the College Station area, “but I knew this was a good opportunity that I couldn’t pass up,” said D.L. Once he bought the business and obtained all the required licenses, he wanted the transition from one owner to the other to be as smooth as possible for the customers, or “friends,” as he likes to call them. D.L. started riding with Russell and was introduced to each of them, and gradually got acquainted with his new customers. He wanted to build mutual trusting relationships with his new friends. “Now, almost three years later, it has really been great getting to know everyone,” said D.L.

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walkercountyfcu.com 1802 Normal Park • Huntsville • 936-291-2171 December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 45

The pest control industry is a service-oriented business. “What we do is try to control outdoor pest invaders such as: ants, roaches, mosquitos, rats/mice, or wood destroying insects such as termites. We are getting away from calling ourselves ‘exterminators,’ because that is a misconception,” D.L. stated. “We offer weekly, bi-weekly, bi-monthly, quarterly, or 6-month maintenance. It just depends on the customers’ needs. Most of our customers are on a quarterly plan. This means that we’ll call you around 90 days to remind you that your house is due for a new treatment, but, if you have problems before then, we’ll come out and take care of the problem before the 90 days are up.”

Above Left to Right: Gordon Plumlee, Marty Fraley, Bebe Webb, Shannon Shiver, D.L. Shiver, Diann Shiver, Don Shiver, and Stephen Craig

The products used by Huntsville Pest Control are limited residual products, which means by the time the 90 days are up, it has totally dissipated, so it’s time to reapply. The product adheres to the surface when applied. When using termiticide, they dig a trench and treat the soil, because termites come up through the soil. They also have to make sure the weather is cooperating, and the ground is dry and has enough air pockets to allow the termiticide to dissipate into the soil to get the desired results. D.L. stressed that their products are intended to get rid of insects, but as long as it is used correctly and mixed properly, as indicated on the label, it is environmentally friendly and safe to use around humans and pets. “If you are spraying someone’s home, this means you have received the appropriate training and are qualified to do the work, which also means we have total trust in you,” said D.L.

Huntsville Pest Control provides both residential and commercial pest control services and serves Huntsville and the surrounding areas, which include: New Waverly, Willis, Conroe, Montgomery, Riverside, Trinity, Crabbs Prairie, and Shiro. Since their opening, they’ve designed a new logo, bought new equipment, new service trucks, and acquired new office space. Besides D.L., there are currently 4 other team members working at Huntsville Pest Control: Stephen Craig, Gordon Plumlee, Bebe Webb and Marty Fraley. “Gordon is like a double agent, because he has dual licensing, which means he can work for multiple businesses “It is very important to be accommodating and mindful that, when with the same license,” said D.L. “This is helpful when there is a sudden customers are letting you into their homes, they are in a sense letting increase in calls. Our guys working in Huntsville can then easily go you into their lives. This means there’s a great level of respect and trust help out at the Madisonville location when needed.” we have to earn in order for them to feel safe and comfortable. We believe the customer is always right. I feel fortunate to work with a

Grace your holiday table with beautiful centerpieces, flowers & gifts.

936-295-5448

1525 Sam Houston Ave. • Huntsville 46 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

Monday - Saturday 10 am - 7 pm Sunday 11 am - 6 pm

great team,” said D.L. “We trust one another, and know our customers trust us to go into their homes.” Don added, “I tell people all the time, I wouldn’t send anyone out to your house that I wouldn’t give a key to my house.”

Punctuality is just as important, according to D.L. “We pride ourselves on being on time. If we tell you we’re going to be there between 8:30 am and 9:30 am, we will be there! Most of the time we are early, but if we are going to be late for any reason, we’ll call you and let you know. We don’t leave customers wondering where we are.”

According to D.L., he goes out to about 60 houses a week, and says once he arrives at the location, he will remember details about previous visits at that particular house. For instance, if a family has an indoor dog, whether it tends to be friendly, or if grandma lives with the family and she’s on oxygen, so it’s important to be very careful about spraying around her room. Remembering these minor details and sharing them with team members is very helpful, especially if someone will be going out to a customer’s house for the first time.

Huntsville Pest Control is open Monday through Friday, and can be reached by phone at 936-291-2902, or via email: huntsvillepestcontroltx@gmail.com, or visit them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huntsvillepestcontrol/.

Although he’s always on call, D.L. says he tries to separate his work and personal life as much as possible. Weekends are mostly spent with family and friends. He enjoys spending time with his wife Shannon at home, cooking, or going to the movies. The couple also enjoys traveling and going on cruises, although they haven’t done much of that lately due to COVID. D.L. also enjoys hanging out with his friends, Aggie football, hunting, playing video games, riding around in golf carts in the neighborhood, and taking his dogs to the dog park.

Above: Shannon & D.L. Shiver

From our Family to Yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 47

A Christmas Gift The Christmas Season is upon us and with it, all of the wonderful experiences the season brings. A feeling of warmth embodies the soul of the nation and brings a type of humanity not often seen into the world. For animal lovers, an essential part of our holiday joy comes from being with our four (or two) legged companions. However, not all furry companions have a place to call home during the holiday season. Animal Rescues across the country try their hardest to provide warmth and comfort for their furry friends but often times this can be difficult. Little Woman Home for Animals is one such organization.

The sanctuary was founded in 1999 by the late Dr. Carlos Arreola. At the Sanctuary, animals often have ailments or past wounds that make them difficult to adopt but they are given a lifetime home. Little Woman is truly a gift for the unwanted and unloved animals of the greater Huntsville area.

Christmas should be spent with those you hold closest to your heart and having a few furry friends in your heart never hurt anyone. We, at 11th Street Veterinary Hospital are currently collecting new donations needed for Little Woman’s. Please join us in this effort by supporting Little Woman’s or the rescue of your choice. Items can be dropped off at 11th Street Veterinary Hospital.

Items especially needed include:

• Dog and Cat toys

• Medium Dog Milk Bones

• Scoopable Cat Litter

• Dog Beds

• Purina One Complete for cats

• Friskies Pate

• Temptations Cat treats

• Pedigree dry dog food,

• Cash Donations will be accepted

m

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

M

My 3 year old was put in timeout for bad behavior. She turned to us and said, “You ruined my whole life!”

One of my students had just turned 10. He said, “I’m still not used to being in the double digits. It’s so strange to be old!”

I was shopping with our two year old and we saw a baby. He said, “Oh! A baby! I pet the baby?”

Me: No

My daughter’s 3 and 6-year-old girls play together, but often squabble. Being told she needed to be “the bigger person” sometimes, the 6-year-old asked what that meant. When told it meant compromising and letting her 3-year-old sister have her way; she answered, “Well, you got the wrong sister!”

Cindy W.

My 7 year old said, “Most inventors are smart, but not the person who invented homework. They are the worst of all inventors.”

Jennifer L.

Dr. Beth Williams and the staff of 11th Street Veterinary Hospital “Mom, I put my phone on airplane mode, but it didn’t fly!”

Izabella A.

Share the funny things your kids or grandkids say: PostcardsLive.com/share 48 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

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Th e M m o c h o

Th d w m

J t c A a

2 Year old: So just dogs then?

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas.

U

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Mustard Seed Moments

Using our Freedom for Good

The unwise use of our personal freedom can have consequences for ourselves and others as well. We must be careful to guard against our natural desire to put ourselves first and instead think about what God would have us do.

In a world fractured by political division and a raging pandemic, it is more important than ever to keep in mind we are free to do what we

By Linda W. Perkins want, but we are called by God to use that freedom for good. In Psalm There is nothing more precious to Americans than freedom. We cel- 119:45, David wrote “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself ebrate it not just on the 4th of July, but also on Veteran’s Day and to your commandments.”

Memorial Day, when we remember those who have served in our military ranks in order to protect it. We don’t just value freedom of May we remember the essence of those commandments, which are our own, either. Americans fought for the freedom of those in Nazi the foundation of our freedom: to love God with all of our heart, mind concentration camps during World War II and since then, our troops and strength; and to love others as God has loved us. have been involved in numerous missions to rescue hostages and other people from captivity.

The Bible teaches us that freedom a gift of God. It is freedom – freedom from the eternal consequences of sin – that Christ brings to all who believe. The Word also tells us freedom is something we must manage well.

Just as Adam and Eve were given the freedom to choose which food to eat in the Garden, so we are given the freedom to make everyday choices in our own lives. Not using that freedom wisely is costly.

Adam’s disobedience led to a separation from God that would affect all of mankind.

“It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.” – I Peter 2:15-16 (NLT)

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.

Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” – Galatians 5:13 (NLT)

The most incredible memories I have from childhood come from Christmas with my family. We gathered at my Grandparent's house in Oakhurst.

There was always a big fire going outside with lots of fireworks. The family came in from far away places like Houston, Pasadena, and Phoenix, Arizona... wherever that was! I remember all the food and festivities, the fresh-cut cedar tree that all of us went to the woods to cut, the simple decorations of popcorn strung on a thread for garland, and the ornaments that were older than me. I remember so many things about Christmas as a child.

Honestly, I remember the gifts more than anything.

I remember shaking and sizing up the boxes, all wrapped in brightly colored paper. I remember the anticipation of Christmas morning when we would finally get to open the gifts. It would have been something to just not open them... We would have never known what was inside.

There is a gift that will not be opened this Christmas by many. It is the Bible. The Bible is an amazing gift to us from God. I challenge you and your family to not leave this gift unopened this Christmas.

Reagan Cooksey, Pastor

northside-baptist.org December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 49

12 DEC 2020 BRYAN Downtown Christmas Parade Dec. 10 New Year’s Eve in Downtown Bryan Dec. 31 downtownbryan.com

American Cancer Society Bark for Life Dec. 5 relayforlife.org/ barkmontgomerycotx

GALVESTON

COLLEGE STATION

Dickens on the Strand Dec. 5-6 galvestonhistory.org

Santa’s Wonderland Nov. 13 – Dec. 30 santas-wonderland.com

HOUSTON

Breakfast with Santa Dec. 5 - 19 texasamhotelcc.com/events

Travis Tritt Dec. 4 arenatheatre.net

CONROE

HUNTSVILLE

Annual Christmas Shop Dec. 2 - 31 conroeartleague.com

Step UP Step Back: Quilts of Mary Laura Gibbs Nov. 4 - Feb. 15 thewynnehome.com

Lions Annual Christmas Parade Dec. 5 e-clubhouse.org/sites/ huntsvilletx 86th Annual Awards Gala Dec. 11 chamber.huntsville.tx.us

NEW WAVERLY

SPRING Home for the Holidays Nov. 8-Dec. 24 oldtownspringshopping.com

THE WOODLANDS Santa’s Morning Jingle Dec. 11

woodlandschildrensmuseum.org

Blood Drive Dec. 28 (936)439-6407

PALESTINE The Polar Express Nov. 13-Dec. 27 texasstaterailroad.net

Submit your calendar items:

12

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SALES - RENTAL - SERVICE NEW & USED EQUIPMENT SERVICE & REPAIRS

936-294-0282 6024 State Hwy 75 South • Across from McCoys

• Excavators

• Dozers

• Skid steers

• Trenchers

• Tractors

• Tractor Implements

www.lonestaroutdoorpower.com

Huntsville, Texas 50 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | December 2020

RENTAL EQUIPMENT • Excavators

• Trenchers

• Skid Steers

• Scissor Lifts

• Tractors

• Scaffolding

• Mud Buggies

• Post Hole Diggers

936-646-4028 13505 US 190 West Onalaska, Texas

benefitting CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties casaofwalkercounty.org

g

1. Cozy Cabin

2. Casita Linda

3. Noah's Ark

Built by Superior Homes Custom, Inc.

Built by M. Daigle Custom Homes

Built by Huntsville Church of Christ

All proceeds benefit child victims of abuse and neglect.

For a complete list of all locations and updated information, see our website at casaofwalkercounty.org

See the playhouses included in the parade thanks to our sponsor

Saturday Dec 5th 6:30 - 8:30 pm

CASA of Walker County December 2020 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 51

OUTSMARTING CANCER in The Woodlands Our nationally recognized specialists are finding new ways to outsmart cancer.

From screenings and diagnosis to the most advanced treatments, our leading cancer care is available in The Woodlands. And, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe â&#x20AC;&#x201D; so you can focus on healing, surviving and thriving.

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HOUSTON METHODIST CANCER CENTER

The Woodlands 45

936.270.3333 houstonmethodist.org/cancer-woodlands