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100 Years of Texas State Parks • Lone Star Lights • Perri Dermatology
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition
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WE ARE
THANKFUL FOR YOUR TRUST IN US! Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours. Perri Dermatology
Anthony J.Perri, M.D. BOARD CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST
The Woodlands 281-943-2749
Conroe 936-522-4966
9305 Pinecroft Dr. • Suite 305 The Woodlands, Texas 77380
4015 I-45 N @ League Line Rd. Conroe, Texas 77304
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November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition
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FEATURES 8
November 2023 | Volume 12, Issue 11
Texas Treasures
100 Years of Texas State Parks-Part 2 Cover Photo by Aileen Graybill
16 Local Treasures
Postcards 2022 Photo Contest Submission
Lone Star Lights
32 Business Focus
Perri Dermatology
FAVORITES Community Calendar -40
Medical Matters -24
Puzzle Solutions -15
Conundrum -38
Milestones -23
Sudoku Marketplace -39
Dear Gabby -25
Mustard Seed Moments - 42
The Garden Post -28
Giggles & Grins -37
Pet Pals -29
What Are You Reading -15
Glorious Grandkids -27
Publisher’s Post -6
What’s Cookin’ -30
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Two words. They were the first two words spoken by my husband this morning after he got out of bed, went to the bathroom, and unset the house alarm. They made me smile. Today is our wedding anniversary of 31 years. It hasn’t dawned on him yet. Way back in 1992 when we got married, the scenes of a lifelong romance danced through my head. You know, like those scenes from daytime dramas and romantic movies where you roll over in bed to greet each other in the morning with a soft kiss and a snuggle. Ha! No one ever acknowledges both parties have stinky morning breath and probably need to get up and empty their bladder more than anything else. Real life doesn’t look like movies and television. Real life is harder… and better. Today will be a good day. It will be a day we spend working together on this magazine and in our family business. The first time he realizes today is our anniversary may be when he edits this column...and that is okay. Because, while I have been writing this, he has been doing what he always does--taking care of me with his servant heart. I have heard him unloading the dishwasher and taking out the trash. Now I hear he has put Rosie the Roomba to work cleaning the floors. Some years, we plan ahead and have big anniversary celebrations. Some years, we don’t. Today, we will do what we have done every day for the last 31 years--life together. And that is a very good thing. From us to you - thank you for being a part of our life.
Until next time, ~
Karen
PostcardsLive.com
If you would like to receive our magazine and are not currently on our mailing list, subscriptions are available. 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 Operations Manager Marshall Altom Advertising Team Jennifer Abbrat Leah Lamp Nancy Jolly Kent Holder Marshall Altom Design Team Mary Partida April Key
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. © 2023 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved.
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November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition
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Texas Treasures Story and Photos by Mike Yawn
Texas State Parks 100th Anniversary
In part two of our salute to Texas State Parks, an informative account of one couple’s trip, full of adventure… and misadventure. Big Bend Ranch State Park at sunset.
My girlfriend Stephanie told me to take a left. We were headed to Estero Llano State Park. Established in 2006, it is one of the newer additions to the Texas State Park System. Nonetheless, at less than 30 miles from McAllen and, amidst the Rio Grande Valley and its 1.4 million residents, it helps the System fulfill one of its original goals: to provide the State’s residents, even those in urban areas, access to nature and nature’s blessings. I thought these blessings could best be found on the right. Gifted with a strong sense of direction, I am almost never wrong about these things. I turned right, where I found a winding paved road, then a dirt road, and then a dead end. Through some error in the urban planner’s design, I had been led astray.
Monahans Sandhills State Park
from drive, to reverse, to drive; there is the squealing of the axles as they turn; and there is distinctive sound of tires on an unpaved road. Fortunately for me, there was not the sound of anyone uttering, “I told you so.”
A three-point turn is surprisingly loud when there is complete silence inside the car. There is the difference in engine hum Green Jay spotted at Estero Llano State Park
Eventually, we found Estero Llano Grande (it was on the left), and we were soon enjoying another of the State’s 89 parks—a total that does not include historical sites. While at the Park, we saw green jays, chachalacas, and otherwise enjoyed our first foray into the Valley. Seeing the State Parks, we have learned, is a way to see Texas.
The Park’s Centenary This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Texas Park System, and when I first heard this, I became more serious in my goal to
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visit all of Texas’s Parks. To date, I have explored more than 30 parks, many of them multiple times. I have my favorites. Cedar Hill State Park, located just 18 miles from Dallas, is a great urban park; Caprock Canyon State Park has the largest bison herd in Texas; the coastal state parks offer numerous beautiful views; and Monahans Sandhills offers a unique geologic setting, what the Park refers to as a “Texas-sized sandbox.” There are some excellent guidebooks on Texas State Parks. I recommend Laurence Parent’s Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites.
Hueco Tanks Humans have occupied—or passed
»
Blessed
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through—Hueco Tanks since at least 10,000 BC. The Park’s mountains were made of sterner stuff than the surrounding rock and have eroded more slowly, leaving us with three large, rocky mounds. But even this hard rock has worn away in places, leaving hollows in the rock. The Spanish called these hollows “huecos,” and the historic site is named “Hueco Tanks.”
Hueco Tanks
Over millennia, the area’s inhabitants created more than 3,000 paintings that still grace various surfaces in the region. Some of the most famous are inside Kiva Cave—which sounds more impressive than “Kiva Crawlspace.” But crawl we did, scooching through tight spaces until we found all eight pictographs. It was an intriguing find, and we exited elatedly, with worm-like maneuvers to inch our way out.
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This was quite enough excitement for Stephanie, who did not want to do “overdo things.” Prudently, I refrained from scoffing, but, confident in my own abilities—I am almost never wrong about these things—I was in no mood to stop exploring. Stephanie retreated downhill, leaving me with a parting reminder to “be careful.” These words floated by me as I began my climb. Because it is steep, generally slippery, and rocky all over, rangers have installed a chain “rope” to help visitors ascend. Cleverly referred to as the “bawl and chain” trail by some, it can be a strenuous hike. I certainly didn’t need the chain. I roamed, crawling over boulders, squeezing into tight places, and enjoying the views from the top of the mountain. Eventually, I descended, doing so with a certain elan, walking purposefully toward the base of the mountain. Encouraged by my rapid pace, I cavalierly refused to use the chain supports. This sense of confidence abandoned me when my foot hit the ground a bit awkwardly, landing in a slick spot next to a small ridge. My body landed to the right of the chain, and my left arm dangled to the other side, forcing my armpit into the role of a gondola lift, keeping my upper body erect and guiding me such that I slid perfectly parallel with the chain, which collected pieces of my arm. I skidded 20 feet down the mountain, a one-man impersonation of a toboggan, haunted by the words, “be careful,” echoing in my ears.
Big Bend Ranch State Park Hoodoo Trail
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Big Bend Ranch State Park It was late at night, and a few hours before we would arrive at our destination: Big Bend Ranch State Park. Running low on gas, I suggested we stop at the next gas station. The “next station” appeared shortly. True, there were no external lights, the eaves were bent and dangling, and there were potholes in the parking lot, but it was a gas station, and the pumps were seemingly operable. Stephanie, however, hesitated…suggesting we get gas “at the next station.” I assured her it would be okay. I manfully disembarked and began fueling. With the fuel pumping, I wandered, getting in some steps around the unlit lot—when, to my right, I detected movement. I glanced over, seeing what appeared to be a black cat running in my direction. I do not like cats, and they often sense this, so it was an odd sight to see one running toward me. Odder still, it stopped about five feet from me, slowly turned around, and raised its tail. It was then I noticed the black fur was tinged with a white stripe. The ride to Big Bend Ranch State Park is a long one. From Huntsville, it is approximately a nine-hour drive. But it is longer still when one of the car’s occupants has been sprayed by a skunk. For the next two days, we repeatedly doused the vehicle’s interior with Febreze—using half a bottle in the process. We also left the windows down, even while the car was parked outside our line of vision. It is a new, somewhat expensive model, and we were on the border, in lawless lands west of the Pecos--but no thief was so bold as to approach it. Apart from the smell, the days were a joy as we took in the natural beauty of Big Bend Ranch. Derrick Birdsall, a friend and photographer, has long extolled the Park’s virtues, and we followed his suggestions in exploring the largest of Texas Parks. We drove along the El Camino del Rio, which author Laurence Parent
»
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 11
described as perhaps “the most spectacular drive in Texas.” We visited old churches; stopped at Fort Leaton; hiked Ojita Adentro and the Cinca Tinajas Trails, and we enjoyed the beautiful views. On our last day, we embarked on the Hoodoo Trail, a short hike abutting the Rio Grande and predictably adorned with hoodoos, which Park literature describes as “rock structures with strange animal shapes” that “embody evil spirts.” There was, however, nothing foreboding about this hike. It was bright, clear, and beautiful. As the day and the trip drew to an end, we made our way to Closed Canyon. Tackling this hike at golden hour, I thought, might offer intriguing photographic possibilities, topping off what had mostly been a wonderful excursion. Closed Canyon is a “slot canyon,” or a narrow channel, typically with a depth-towidth ratio of at least 10:1. In places, the canyon narrows to a width of six-to-eight feet, while the sheer walls tower some 200 above the trail. Fortunately, these walls were not crowned
with hoodoos carrying evil spirits. We were, however, given fair warning about troubles that can befall careless hikers. The trail’s brochure encourages hikers to be on the lookout for rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and flash floods from even small amounts of rain.
I trekked on for half a mile, before a tinaja full of water blocked my path. I looked for ways around the obstacle, but I was stymied. There was no safe path to the trail’s conclusion. This was disappointing, but I know my limitations. I am almost never wrong about these things.
While hiking, we saw evidence of these floods, which had washed and polished some of the canyon’s rock bed. Such floods had also eroded parts of the canyon floor, producing small waterfalls and, in turn, tinajas beneath the waterfalls. The visual effect is striking, but the practical effect is the canyon is marked with slopes and pits that can make access difficult. “Do not go down any slopes,” a park ranger noted, “that you cannot get back up.”
Thus, I returned. Stephanie looked relieved when she caught sight of me, but as I approached her, it was I who became uneasy. She seemed to have grown taller in my absence; or, more accurately, the slope on which she stood seemed to be higher and steeper. With some trepidation, I made my first attempt at climbing out, which proved in vain. Before my second attempt, I handed my gear to Stephanie, lightening my load, but this attempt, too, was fruitless.
For half a mile, all was well. We spotted lizards darting through the canyon; eyed birds flying; and we marveled as the day’s last light reflected on the canyon’s walls. But we also noted the canyon floor was becoming steeper in places.
I paused my efforts, which were both exhausting and futile. I got the sense that Stephanie was looking in my direction with disapproval, so I looked elsewhere. I glanced behind me, up the canyon walls, and toward the setting sun.
When we arrived at one drop of about 20 feet, Stephanie declined to go further. After some negotiation, she agreed to let me continue, so long as I promised to “be careful.”
In this dwindling sunlight, I saw bats flitting;
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heard owls hooting; recalled the trail brochure, warning hikers of the danger of mountain lions. I remembered the park ranger’s admonition: “Don’t go down any slopes you cannot get back up.”
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I devised a plan. I began collecting rocks, the largest I could carry, and I piled them at the base of the pit. As I depleted the rocks in my vicinity, I roamed further to find new rocks, necessitating longer hauls. After 100 or so rocks, I tried another climb, again to no avail. But I was closer. Stephanie, ever-resourceful, took my cameras, removed the straps, and tied them together, producing a “rope” of sorts more than sixfeet long. This rope, combined with the rock scaffolding, did the trick. I emerged from the pit, still a half mile walk to the car. Hiking can be quite loud when there is no conversation. Bats’ wings whir, owls hoot noisily, wind whistles through the canyon, and hikers’ breathing is heavy. But, fortunately, there was no sound of anyone saying, “I told you so.”
Coda Our departure from Big Bend Ranch State Park was bittersweet. Even in the face of recent misadventures, I wished I could stay in the midst of this natural beauty, remain connected to nature, and see more wildlife. I reflected as we reached the Closed Canyon parking lot, and I turned briefly to bid the trail adieu. Vestiges of the sunset persisted, and I looked admiringly at the orange streaks against a purple sky. It was beautiful, a fitting afterglow to a three-day trip that taught me a bit about Texas…and a lot about myself. Armed with this knowledge, I entered the car, detecting a faint aroma of Febreze. For a moment I wondered, “Left or right?” Regaining my confidence, I turned right. I am almost never wrong about these things.
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 13
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Sudoku #2 Tell us what you’re reading! 5 9 2 6 7 3 1 8 4 7PostcardsLive.com 4 1 8 5 2 3 9 6 6 8 3 4 1 9 7 2 5 Puzzle Solutions 3 5 4 7 8 1 2 6 9 8 6 9 2 3 5 4 7 1 1 2 7 9 6 4 8 5 from 3 page 38 CONUNDRUM 2 the 1 Latin 6 9November 8 meaning 5 4 nine. 3 7 was the NOVEM from ninth month9until 3 January 6 1and2February 8 to the 7 5were 4 added Roman calendar making November the eleventh month. 4 7 5 3 9 8 6 1 2 SUDOKU EASY
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Local Treasures Story by Wes Altom Submitted Photos
Spotlighting this Christmas attraction… which—like the holiday itself—is about much more than lights.
What is Lone Star Lights? How do you describe it? Over 1.2 million lights, live music, dinner theatre, snow zone with real snow, sledding hill, vendor market, zip line, petting farm, Santa, Nativity—these bullet points fit easily on a brochure or website--yet, they fail to tell the full story. Even a catchy phrase like “Many marvels on a mission to make memories” doesn’t capture it all. Postcards sat down with Wes Armstrong, Director of Lone Star Lights, to gain insight as to the beginning and progression of the inspiration that became Lone Star Lights. 16 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
This included examining technologies and suppliers as well. “We work with the same companies that supply lights for Disney World, said Lone Star Lights Director Wes Armstrong. We run on a very technical standard, including a control room where all our lighting, audio, and video systems are networked.” In 2019, the board almost gave a “green light” to the project, but staff wasn’t quite ready yet. This turned out to be a blessing in that it allowed the initiative to avoid a pandemic shutdown immediately after startup. Thus began a waiting period with another year in development to refine the plan and the end product.
A lightbulb of an idea Winter months are, by default, a low activity period for camp centers. Carolina Creek wanted to develop a plan to use their property and resources during this time to help community and families to connect with each other and with Jesus. In their research, they located a camp in Washington which had a walkthrough holiday light experience.
immersive Christmas environments—to learn what worked and what could have worked better.
Let there be light! In January 2022, the official “green light” came. January through November was
»
In 2016, they developed a plan to create a similar experience at Carolina Creek. Thus began a two-year period of travel to conferences, other camps, Christmas events, theme parks, and botanical gardens—anywhere that created
T hanksgiving is much more than a day in November….
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In its inaugural season of 2022, Lone Star Lights had just over 1 million lights and saw 16,000 attendees over 16 nights. Over 2,000 people participated in the dinner theatre experience with Houston-based A.D. Players, 270 tons of snow were trucked in, 38 animals were in the Petting Farm, and more than 1,200 prayer requests or praises were written and hung in the Prayer Arbor.
Spreading the Light So, what’s new for the 2023 season? A lot! Of course, more lights. This year, there will
a sprint of ordering, receiving, and (in the words of Wes) “learning a lot of things we didn’t know that we didn’t know” in the first year of the attraction. With the uniqueness of their creativity in orders and requests, Carolina Creek found they were also challenging the lighting and display vendors to think bigger as well. “They came into it thinking they were just filling an order for a camp center, and a camp center is not going to be doing these big or crazy things,” said Wes. “Our creative
requirements were: it has to be immersive, and it has to be interactive. You can go see Christmas lights a lot of places. Lone Star Lights had to be highly interactive to be unique. This shines through in things like… the three venues in the park where we invite community performers…the custom talking reindeer… seeing Santa in his workshop… or building your own toy at Toymaker’s Workshop. We tried to create experiences that engage all the senses, not just your eyes in looking at lights.”
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be 1.2 million lights! A Chuckwagon Roundup experience will debut. This is a 45-minute family-oriented dinner experience featuring Coyote Joe with singing, dancing, live animals, and comedy in a highly interactive show with prizes (as well as cowboy stew, cornbread, and peach cobbler). The A.D. Players will return for the dinner theatre experience with a fun, new comedy, “A Christmas of Many Errors.” There will also be a new high adventure activity called Crate Stackin’.
Yes, Crate Stackin’--a competitive activity in which the participants stack plastic milk crates as high as they can, all the while climbing the stack to place the additional crates on top (with harness and belay assist for safety). Also new will be Silver Bell Bakery, where guests can decorate their own sugar cookies. Santa and Rolly the talking reindeer will be in an all-new zone this year called Candy Cane
Lane, where you will also find Holly Hall, a community performance stage. Young guests will enjoy The Storybook Place, an outdoor venue where characters will be reading classic Christmas stories. The Fractile Forest zone from last year has been reinvented with the addition of a light maze. And last, but certainly not least, the parking area has been expanded to more than twice the size as last year.
»
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“Our primary motivation in producing Lone Star Lights is to create a family-centric, community-oriented event where people can make memories through the Christmas holidays,” said Wes. “We really have a heart of making it accessible to all. From a price point, we try to keep it as low as we possibly can. If there’s something we can do for free, we’re going to do that. I can’t tell you how many people were surprised last year when they had their photo with Santa, and it was free. People walked up with their wallets open and couldn’t believe it. The snow zone is included. The petting farm is included. The performance stages are included. We really try to make it something that’s affordable for the whole family to come.” While Carolina Creek is a faith-based organization, you won’t see them forcing this message onto guests. “The way we accomplish our mission is not by preaching a Gospel message,” stated Wes. “Rather, the way our team and staff interact with and treat others should evidence our faith. Guests should walk away feeling like they experienced Jesus in a new way.” And while there is a zone in the attraction
called Reason for the Season, with a largerthan-life Nativity and the Prayer Arbor, these exist simply as an invitation—guests can lean into the experience at their comfort level—or not at all.
some special Christmas memories this year. The event runs from November 24 through December 22. Tell your family and friends, then bring them along! Visit lonestarlights. org for more information.
Speaking of invitations, you are invited to experience Lone Star Lights and create
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Carolina Creek was founded in 2002 by a group of men and women who called Houston home, but saw a need for a space for youth to be able to reconnect with Creation—to have a change of pace and setting that wasn’t inner-city.
teambuilding, and have hosted groups from companies such as H-E-B, Chickfil-A, and Walmart.
The first camp center opened with 200 beds. The property now has three camp centers with 1,200 beds. Each center is self-sufficient, with its own lodging, dining hall, and activities—so three different camps can run simultaneously and never cross paths. Carolina Creek programs are designed for K-12. They write their own curriculum and can provide turnkey events. They also do daytrip events and multi-day retreats for corporate
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20 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
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Crate Stackin’: $5
Zip Line: $7
Aerial Course: $12
Chuckwagon Roundup: $20
Challenge your wits and Take in the lights from new stack those crates as high heights as you zip over the as you can climb ’em! River of Light! Traverse the elements and explore the treetops in a whole new light.
Come along with Cyote Joe around the campfire as you enjoy authentic chuckwagon fare and join in on the hillarious antics of the roundup!
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November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 21
22 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
Milestones
David, Elton, and Karen Cleveland. Elton turned 106 on October 10, 2023! He loves to play the piano every day and also has interests in photography, astronomy, and trains. He is posing in this photo with his son David & daughter Karen.
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Medical Matters By Sachin Allahabadi, MD
Signs it’s time to see a doctor about your knee pain Knee pain is hard to ignore. You feel it with just about every move you make. And if you’re active, an achy knee can also make the first few minutes of a workout pretty miserable — or totally disrupt your exercise routine, if the pain is bad enough. It’s not long before you’re looking to do something about it, but what’s the best way to get knee pain relief? And should you see a doctor about it? Knowing how to get rid of knee pain starts with trying to get to the bottom of why your knee hurts in the first place, as well as whether the pain warrants seeing a doctor or if there are things you can safely try at home first. “Knee injuries tend to be the most common in recreational
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athletes, and they tend to be bothersome as they’re used for almost every daily activity, in addition to sporting activities,” says Dr. Sachin Allahabadi, orthopedic surgeon at Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital. “In general, if you have an injury that causes new pain that exceeds normal soreness, results in instability (feeling that your joint is ‘giving way’), or large amounts of swelling, it is helpful to be evaluated sooner than later.” The most common causes of knee pain include: • Overuse (too much activity) – which can also lead to misuse • Growing pains – such as growth plate changes in young people • Arthritis – typically in older adults • Injury – meniscus or ligament (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL) tears Of those, only injury is cause for immediate action. If you experienced an acute injury to the knee — felt or heard a pop, for instance — make an appointment with your doctor. “The major signs to get evaluated for a new
If you’ve tried the at-home remedies for achy knees and you’re still dealing with trying to stay active through the pain, it’s time to see a sports medicine doctor. “Pushing through injuries or pushing too hard can only make an existing injury worse or increase the risk of additional injuries,” says Dr. Allahabadi. And if knee pain is new and you’re worried about it, don’t be shy about looking for help, even if it feels minor. “Pain, even if minor, which is not improving, should be evaluated to understand the cause and if it is something that could get worse with more activity and time. Many times, if we can catch a minor injury early, we can help guide a recovery process that allows you to get back to being active sooner.”
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knee injury would be: any trauma, instability (feeling that your joint is ‘giving way’ or buckling), inability to fully move your knee in either straightening or bending, swelling, and popping that causes pain,” says Dr. Allahabadi. “Furthermore, if you have a minor pain that is not improving with rest and time, it is worthwhile to be evaluated.”
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24 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
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Dear Gabby
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. November is a month of remembrance and giving thanks. Please remember our veterans on Veteran’s Day, Saturday, November 11. Thank them for protecting our freedoms by serving our country. May God bless them and their families. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 23, and commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621. Be thankful for your blessings and for those who prepare the food and wash the dishes. Gobble ‘til you wobble. Just remember; it’s all fun and games until your pant buttons start popping. Send your questions to me by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share.
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November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 25
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26 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
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November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 27
The Garden Post By Kim Bius
November is a beautiful season. Trees are beginning to “color,” sasanqua camellias are beginning to bloom, and the Holidays are beginning to “peek” into our day-to-day routine. The scope of gardening has become a lifestyle today. Our homes are now designed with outdoor living spaces (outdoor kitchens, pools, multiple gardens, fireplaces and more), not just patios--and gardening now encompasses “home and garden.” In the South, gardening is as much a part of our culture as iced tea and homemade pie. Our gardens are an extension of our lives-we eat out of them, we decorate out of them, we live in them, and we raise families and teach values through them. Our garden may not be the traditional 10’x10’ vegetable garden--it may be a container garden or a collection of indoor windowsill plants--but gardening runs deep in our veins. Fall is the best planting season of all. Planting now allows root systems to grow deep and establish themselves before the summer heat arrives. Trees and non-drought tolerant plants such as azaleas, gardenias and camellias, will especially benefit from being planted in the fall. Transplanting a tree should NOT be considered until after the
second “killing freeze” (which is generally in late January). Sasanqua camellias are heavily budded now and beginning to bloom. These southern belles bloom beautifully in shade and wilt badly in heavy sun. The Japonica camellia is heavily budded also, but do not expect blooms until late January. Both camellia varieties require well drained, rich humic soil. Do not fertilize now or these beauties will drop their buds. Give camellias a bit of room, at least 4’ apart and 3’ from a structure. With age, camellias can be trimmed into a tree and underplanted with shade loving annuals and perennials. Fall is also the time to fertilize with winterizer fertilizer to give your lawn the dose of nitrogen and potassium it needs to grow strong deep roots and increase hardiness. It is also the time to apply a granular pre-emergent herbicide to keep those pesky winter weeds out of the lawn. Pansy season is here, and hopefully warm weather does not return, or the pansies will “bolt” (grow rapidly upright and leggy). Pinch the top 2-4” out of the pansy, and new growth will begin. Fertilize pansies with 1 tablespoon
of blood meal under each 4” plant and reapply every 30 days. Water in immediately. Remember, pets will love this, so water in quickly. Blood meal is a 10-0-0, giving your pansies the natural element they crave-nitrogen. Remember to mulch your beds with 2”-3” of bark mulch to retain moisture, insulate the soil, and keep weeds at bay. Keep in mind, hardwood mulch can change the ph of the soil over time for acid lovers such as azaleas and camellias, resulting in chlorosis. It is best to use pine bark mulch around azaleas, gardenias, camellias, magnolias, and fern. We now have more varieties of plants to choose from than any time in history. Gardening is no longer a hobby--it is a lifestyle. The difference in big box home and garden centers and independents (which are a dying breed themselves) is knowledge, service, craftsmanship, and quality. So, the next time you are wondering why your local garden center has become a home and garden center, you will know.
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November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 29
What’s Cookin’ Sweet Potato Crunch
Directions
Ingredients
Step 1: Place sweet potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and peel.
6 sweet potatoes ⅓ cup butter 2 Tbs white sugar ½ cup milk 2 large eggs, beaten 1 tsp vanilla extract Crunch Topping: ¾ cup brown sugar ¾ cup sweetened flaked coconut ¾ cup chopped pecans 3 Tbs all-purpose flour
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
Step 4: Make the topping: Mix brown sugar, coconut, pecans, and flour together in a bowl; stir in 3 tablespoons melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle 1/2 of the topping over sweet potato mixture in the baking dish. Pour remaining sweet potato mixture over topping and sprinkle with remaining topping. Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven until cooked through and topping is lightly browned, about 1 hour.
Step 3: Mash sweet potatoes, 1/3 cup butter, and white sugar together in a bowl. Beat milk, eggs, and vanilla into sweet potato mixture using an electric mixer until smooth; pour 1/2 of the mixture into a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
3 Tbs melted butter
Turkey Salad
Step 2: Transfer turkey mixture to a medium bowl. Mix in mayonnaise, prepared Dijon-style mustard, cider vinegar, white sugar, and salt until well combined. Cover and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight, before serving.
1 Tbs cider vinegar 1 tsp white sugar
Ingredients ¾ lb cooked turkey meat 2 stalks celery 2 green onions ½ red bell pepper 3 Tbs mayonnaise 2 Tbs prepared Dijon-style mustard
¼ tsp salt Directions Step 1: Place cooked turkey meat, celery, green onions, and red bell pepper in a blender or food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
Happy Thanksgiving Here’s hoping that whatever you do today brings you delight from morning until night. May the holiday bring you wonderful things in abundance.
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30 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad Ingredients
Directions
1 med butternut squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
1 Tbs olive oil, or as needed 6 slices bacon 1 cup sliced onion 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce ⅓ cup pecans, toasted and chopped ⅓ cup raisins 2 Tbs maple syrup, or to taste
Step 2: Brush cut sides of butternut squash with olive oil. Wrap each squash half tightly in aluminum foil. Step 3: Roast squash halves in the preheated oven until they begin to soften, about 20 minutes. Remove squash from the oven and let sit until cool enough to handle. Remove foil and slice into 3/4-inch thick slices. Remove skin from each slice and cut into 3/4inch cubes. Set aside 8 cups of the cubed squash, reserving any remaining squash for another use. Step 4: Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat,
turning occasionally, until crispy, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Add onions to the skillet and cook in the bacon grease for 2 to 3 minutes. Add 8 cups squash and cook, tossing occasionally, until onions are soft and beginning to caramelize, and squash cubes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Step 5: Place romaine lettuce in a large serving bowl; crumble bacon on top and add pecans and raisins. Add butternut squash-onion mixture; toss to combine. Drizzle with maple syrup and serve warm.
Recipe Tip: You can cook the butternut squash on an outdoor grill over indirect heat, if you prefer.
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 31
Business Focus
The Business Focus is chosen each month by random drawing from among Postcards contract advertisers.
Story by Ruth Fields Photos by Tom Miller
Perri Dermatology A Texas-raised and Texas-trained dermatologist. A team that is like a family. Patients who can get timely appointments and compassionate care. It’s what Perri Dermatology does best. Texas raised and Texas trained Dr. Anthony Perri grew up in Corsicana, Texas, where his father was a general urologist. The younger Perri followed in his father’s proverbial footsteps and became a physician himself; however, when it came time to choose his own medical specialty, he found his father’s own surprising and sobering diagnosis had influenced him the most. During a routine skin screening, the elder Dr. Perri learned that he had developed a melanoma—an aggressive, deadly skin cancer. Fortunately, early detection allowed him to make a complete recovery.
32 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
Maria Rojero
After graduating from Baylor College of Medicine with honors, the younger Dr. Perri completed his dermatology residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch and became a board-certified dermatologist. As he often tells people, he is Texas raised and Texas trained. When he was ready to set up his own practice, he remembered how much he liked growing up in a smaller Texas city, so he joined a large, multi-specialty practice in Conroe. In 2012, the practice closed, endangering thousands of patients who were without access to their physicians. Dr. Perri soon formed Perri Dermatology so his patients were not left in the gap. “I am proud that my patients did not experience any disruption in their treatment or care for their dermatological needs,” he says. “My practice provided peace of mind, stability, and security on top of dermatological care
Melissa Crawford
during very difficult months.” His commitment to his patients did not stop there. It can take months to get appointments with some dermatologists; however, Dr. Perri is committed to providing patients with easily accessible care. He notes it can be stressful for patients to have to worry about worsening skin conditions while waiting to see a dermatologist; furthermore, timely appointments can help detect skin cancer and other conditions when they are most treatable. “Fast access is one of the pillars built into my practice’s standard day-to-day business operations,” Dr. Perri says. “At Perri Dermatology, we know life is busy. We proactively work every day to make sure your interaction with us is efficient, so you are discouraged from postponing your medical care,” he adds. Not only are his patients able to get appointments without long waits, but
they can expect to see Dr. Perri personally when they come to the office. In addition, they can readily speak with trained staff and will have their insurance claims processed quickly.
The Perri Dermatology family Dr. Perri is backed by a loyal staff that seems almost like a family. Many members of the Perri Dermatology team have been with the practice since it opened in 2012, and several members worked with Dr. Perri even before he founded his solo practice. Alba Galvez, office manager, estimates that two-thirds of the staff have been working for Perri Dermatology for five years or longer. “We are a family,” she says. “We work together for a common purpose: helping our patients. We make a difference.”
»
Melissa Johnson
Alba Galvez
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 33
“It’s kind of like a little family unit here,” agrees Melissa Crawford, who has worked at the practice for 12 years, serving as medical assistant, clinical supervisor, and OSHA compliance officer. Like many of the staff members at Perri Dermatology, she is interested in medical issues and enjoys helping people. Crawford and other staff members have high praise for Dr. Perri and enjoy being a part of the Perri Dermatology team. “Dr. Perri treats the staff with respect,” she says. Tiffany Rushing, whose primary job as a certified medical billing and coding specialist is to help patients with insurance claims, concurs. “Dr. Perri is a really good person to work for,” she says. “He is a loyal employer.” Rushing, who began working with Dr. Perri Melissa Crawford, Maria Rojero, Melissa Johnson, & Alba Galvez
34 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
before he founded Perri Dermatology, has continued to work for the practice even after moving many miles from the office. She enjoys educating patients about their insurance concerns and works hard to ensure their claims are processed correctly. She is proud to be a part of the Perri Dermatology family. “We genuinely care about our patients,” she says. “I try to make sure their experience with us is a good one.” Melissa Johnson, like Rushing, is a certified medical billing and coding specialist and began working for Dr. Perri before the formation of Perri Dermatology. “I am very proud to have been a part of this dedicated team of professionals for many years,” she says. She enjoys helping patients, especially those who are confused by the complexities they encounter when they switch to Medicare. “We love our Medicare patients,” Galvez says, noting that Johnson listens carefully to patients’ concerns. “I will take the time to explain it to them,” Johnson says. “Once they get the hang of it, they can feel more confident in their understanding of their insurance.” Staff members also work with patients to make sure they understand skin diagnoses and treatment. Maria Rojero, a clinical supervisor who joined Perri Dermatology in 2013, particularly enjoys helping patients in this way. She answers their questions and makes sure they know what to do in the days ahead, striving to treat patients the way she’d like to be treated herself. “I make them feel comfortable and make sure they get the appropriate information they need before they leave the office,” she says. “I’m proud of being able to work with Dr. Perri and to be able to educate patients about different dermatology diagnoses.” By greeting patients with a friendly smile, treating them with respect, and taking the time to answer their questions, the Perri Dermatology team works together to make sure patients have a positive experience when they visit the office. Team members share a desire to help others and are proud to be able to give assistance to Dr. Perri’s patients. And, behind the staff is a dermatologist who is known for his skill and compassion. Perhaps that is why so many people have been Dr. Perri’s patients since he first founded his practice. “I am honored to be their dermatologist,” he says. “I appreciate and value each patient’s trust.” Perri Dermatology has offices in The Woodlands and Conroe. For more information, visit perridermatology.com or call 936-522-4966.
4015 Interstate 45 North, Suite #200 Conroe, TX 77304 9305 Pinecroft Dr., Suite #305 The Woodlands, TX 77380 perridematology.com (936) 522-4966
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 35
Legal Corner: SAFETY DEPOSIT BOXES By: James M. Bright, Attorney at Law
The following is for informational purposes. It should not be construed as legal advice.
A
A document found in the safe deposit box which appears to be the decedent’s will may be delivered to the clerk of the court that has probate jurisdiction in the county where the decedent resided or to the person named in the document as the executor of the decedent’s estate.
There are two basic approaches to accessing a decedent’s safe deposit box which are authorized by the Texas Estate Code.
A document which appears to be the deed to a burial plot in which the decedent is to be buried or which appears to give burial information may be turned over to the person conducting the examination.
question that often arises after the death of a loved one is “how to gain access to the decedent’s life insurance policies or Will if they were kept in a safe deposit box”.
WITHOUT A COURT ORDER: If the institution (bank) which has leased the safe deposit box to the decedent is willing to work with you. The Texas Estates Code authorizes an examination of a decedent’s safe deposit box. The person or bank or other institution which possesses or controls a document delivered to them by the decedent for safekeeping or who leases a safe deposit box to a decedent may permit certain persons to examine the document or the contents of the safe deposit box. The persons who may be authorized without a court order are the surviving spouse of the decedent, a surviving parent of the decedent, a descendant of the decedent who is at least eighteen (18) years old or a person named as executor of the decedent’s estate in a copy of a document that that person possesses which appears to be a Will of the decedent. The examination should be conducted in the presence of a person who possesses or controls the document or who leases the safe deposit box. In the case of a bank safe deposit box, the examination should be conducted in the presence of one of the bank’s officers or the officer’s designated representative. If the bank or other entity that leased the safe deposit box to the deceased person cooperates in permitting examination, what happens next?
Before any of the documents referenced may be delivered by the bank or other entity holding the documents, they must be requested by the person making the examination. The person making the examination must then issue a receipt for the document(s). WITH A COURT ORDER: If the bank or other institution controlling the safe deposit box will not voluntarily offer inspection under the guidelines outlined above, then what are the steps involved in obtaining a court order permitting examination? This question is answered in Est. §151.001-151.002. A petition should be filed with the judge of the court having probate jurisdiction of the decedent’s estate.
After a court hearing and declaration by the court, the representative named in the court’s order shall examine the decedent’s documents or safe deposit box in the presence of the judge or an agent of the judge and an officer or agent of the bank Obviously, the quickest and easiest manner to examine a safe deposit box is with the lawful cooperation of the bank or other entity that leased the box to the decedent. This attempt at cooperation should always be tried first and a court order sought only when efforts to achieve cooperation have failed. Depending upon the exact relationship and the persons involved, it may be advisable to avoid the entire procedure by giving trusted persons permission to access the safe deposit box long before the death of the decedent. Typically, this can be accomplished by adding the name(s) of trusted person(s) to the bank’s records and advising such trusted persons that your will, insurance policies, burial policies, etc., may be found in the safe deposit box.
The judge may order a person or entity to permit a representative named in the court’s order to examine a decedent’s documents or safe deposit box if, at a hearing before the court, it has been shown to the judge that: 1. The person so ordered is in possession of or controls documents sought or that they leased the safe deposit box to the decedent; and 2. The documents or safe deposit box may contain a will of the decedent, burial policies or life insurance policies. This is a paid advertisement
36 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
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Giggles & Grins Some parents run a tight ship. I run a pirate ship. There is some swearing, some drinking, and a touch of mutiny from the tiny raiders I created.
“Them: How many pushups can you do? Me: If they’re the orange flavor, I know for a fact I can do 7 of them in one sitting.”
I just got myself a pet termite. I’m going to call him Clint…Clint Eats Wood.
I told my coworker that she swallowed too many kids, and that’s why everything that comes out of her mouth sounds childish. Now I have a meeting with HR.
You can’t hurt my feelings. I’ve had to back up a trailer in front of my dad.
Thankful
for our Patients, our Staff, our Friends, and our Family. We are also grateful for all those who are
Me at 14: Can’t wait to travel the whole world once I’m earning my own money. Me now: Mustn’t forget that Tupperware container at work; it’s my only one.
In high school, our gym teacher asked us who we thought the smartest teacher in the school was. We guessed the AP chem teacher, the pre-calc teacher, the AP physics teacher, etc. He said, “Nope, it’s me…because I get paid the same as those guys, and I play dodgeball all day.”
away from their families at this time of year serving our country. May God bless you all!
Huntsville 936.294.0283
Conroe 936.494.1292
• 127 Medical Park Lane
• 1020 Riverwood Ct. Suite 120
• 227 Hwy 75 N - Suite 245
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 37
see answers on page 15
COLLEGE OF ARTS & MEDIA NOVEMBER EVENTS
Art GLOSSOLALIA EXHIBITION Oct. 16 – Nov. 24 University Gallery, ART Free Admission Music WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT Nov. 1 | 7:30 p.m. Payne Concert Hall, GPAC Dance SENIOR STUDIO Nov. 2 – 4 | 8 p.m. Dance Theater, GPAC Music OPERA WORKSHOP SCENES PROGRAM Nov. 16 – 18 | 7:30 p.m. Payne Concert Hall, GPAC Theatre & Musical Theatre SHE LOVES ME Book by Joe Masteroff Music by Jerry Bock Lyrics by Sheldon Hernick Nov. 16 – 18 | 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 | Matinee | 2 p.m. Erica Starr Theatre, UTC
38 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
Music JAZZ BANDS CONCERT Nov. 21 | 7:30 p.m. Payne Concert Hall, GPAC Dance DANCE SPECTRUM IN CONCERT Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 | 8 p.m. Dance Theater, GPAC
College of Arts & Media CAM ARTIST SERIES: HOLIDAY CONCERT Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 | 7:30 p.m. Payne Concert Hall, GPAC
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chestercrawford.com Income Tax • IRS Representation • Insurance • Notary Public 100 Hwy 190 East (936) 291-1887 (Direct) Huntsville, TX 77340 (936) 661-0692 (Cell) Email: onecdcrawford@aol.com (936) 291-1789 (Fax) National Association of Enrolled Agents • National Society of Tax Professionals
ARE YOU TURNING 65? NEW TO MEDICARE?
When talk turns to Medicare, refer a friend Word-of-mouth still makes a difference As they approach Medicare eligibility, your friends may ask about your Medicare experience. Don’t be shy about sharing it.
Call a licensed Humana sales agent
RANDEL DUARTE 281-467-9784 (TTY: 711) Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. facebook.com/RandelKnowsMedicare
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November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 39
November
2023
Thru 5
CALENDAR
Conroe
9-12
1-2
nrgpark.com
Madisonville Band Booster Holiday
10
Vendor Market
Galveston
(936)348-8838
Steve Solomon thegrand.com
College Station “Mean Girls”
Willis Family Promise Fish Fry
Huntsville
opastickets.org
2-5
oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org
Disney on Ice: “Find Your Hero”
crightontheatre.org
owentheatre.com
Johnny Lee
Houston
“Clue on Stage”
“Leading Ladies”
Huntsville
Fundraiser
Marine Corps Birthday Party
familypromiseofmc.org
heartsmuseum.com
Houston PAW Patrol Live: “Heroes Unite”
11-12
10-19 Conroe
pawpatrollive.com
Holiday Market
“Anastasia”
3
crightontheatre.org
Cleveland Ronnie McDowell t
10-Dec 22
prwtexantheatre.com
3-12
Wurstfest wurstfest.org
11-Dec 6 Montgomery
Conroe 12th Annual Winter Market wcbc.us 5th Annual “Harvest in the Hills” Fall Festival thewoodlandhills.com
Huntsville Gene Watson oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org
Silent Auction
galvestonrrmuseum.org
folstewart.org
13 Brenham
Cleveland
The Gatlin Brothers
How to Homeschool
thebarnhillcenter.com
facebook.com/
Cleveland Rock-N-Ride Cleveland clevelandtxchamber.com
Conroe Henry’s Home BBQ Cook Off & Fundraiser henryshomesanctuary.org Relay & Bark for Life relayforlife.org/mocotx
College Station School of the Soldier Civil War Event americangimuseum.org
40 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
Charles Stewart Library:
The Polar Express
11
4
4-5
huntsvilleantiqueshow.com
Galveston
New Braunfels
Huntsville
Huntsville Veteran’s Day Banquet heartsmuseum.com
events/718470783456720
16-18 Huntsville “She Loves Me” shsutickets.com
17-Dec 27 Palestine The Polar Express Train Ride texasstaterailroad.net
17-Jan 15 The Woodlands The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center visitthewoodlands.com
18 Willis
COLLEGE OF ARTS & MEDIA PRESENTS
CAM ARTIST SERIES HOLIDAY CONCERT
Free Thanksgiving Drive Thru Dinner crbcwillistx.org
18-19 Conroe Big Top Shopping Festival bigtop.show/conroetx-23
NOV. 30 – DEC. 1 | 7:30 P.M. Payne Concert Hall Gaertner Performing Arts Center FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION SHSU.EDU/CAMEVENTS tickets@shsu.edu | 936.294.2339
18-Jan 6 Galveston Holiday in the Gardens moodygardens.org
19 Cleveland Community Wide Thanksgiving Service Liberty Church
Family Owned & Operated
Galveston “Annie” thegrand.com
24-27 Houston “The Nutcracker” houstonballet.org
25 Galveston “Jesus Christ, Superstar!” thegrand.com
Sales, Service, Financing Generators In Stock! Financing Available 13786 B H-105 W • Conroe, TX 77304 TECL# 37154
(936)588-9317
texasgenerator@gmail.com
www.texasgensolutions.com November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 41
Mustard Seed Moments by Wes Altom
For Every Action… One of the flaws in human nature, at least in our culture and time, seems to be a tendency to be more reactive than proactive. We are created in His image, yet we too often fail to take action as His hands and feet; we don’t effectively embrace the example He so often sets by actively pursuing and proactively showering us with blessings. Being habitually reactive can lead to being reaction-ary. Look no further than social media for your daily overdose of examples. By their nature, social media posts are designed to gain a “reaction,” and this inevitably and quickly seems to deteriorate into reactionary bickering of some form or another. Some seem to be eagerly awaiting an opportunity to pounce on another with the extremity of their response. This brought to my mind the words of Proverbs 29:18: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It makes sense to my logical brain that having vision would be a prerequisite to being proactive in following the example set for us.
Here are some additional translations of this verse to digest and meditate on: If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; But when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. MSG Where there is no message from God, people don’t control themselves. But blessed is the one who obeys wisdom’s instruction. NIRV Where there is no vision from God, the people run wild, but those who adhere to God’s instruction know genuine happiness. VOICE God, bring us to realize the only actions and reactions we control are our own. Help us to embrace a vision that compels us to act in positive ways, rather than react in negative ones.
Happy
Thanksgiving May your thanksgiving be filled with gratitude, love and laughter.
Mike Park and Rane Riley 227 SH 75 N., Ste. 230 Huntsville, Texas 77320
42 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023
Tel.: (936) 291-6660 raneriley@parklawfirmtx.com
November 2023 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 43
Thanksgiving is just one more day to say thank you for your business! Happy Thanksgiving
44 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | November 2023