Postcards: Lake Conroe Edition

Lake Conroe Edition

â„¢ e n i z a g a M

September 2016

Do You Know?

Matt Martinez

Just for Fun Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History

Inspirations Inspiration Village

Business Focus Yummy Yummy

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 3

September 2016 | Volume 5, Issue 9

Do You Know?

10

Just for Fun

18

Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History

10

Inspirations

24 34

24

Inspiration Village

18 Favorites 6 7 8 9 14 15 16 22

Letters from Our Readers From the Publisher What Are You Reading?

“Seens” From Our World The Garden Post Things My Granddaddy Said Star Students Tickle My Funny Bone

Business Focus

Features

Matt Martinez

34

Yummy Yummy

23 28 30 32 33 37 38 39 40 42

Community Postcards Recipes Pet Pals Vet Connect Dear Gabby Glorious Grandkids Out of the Mouths of Babes Along the Road Calendar of Events Mustard Seed Moments

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CORRESPONDENCE

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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. Business Focus stories printed in Postcards Magazine™ are drawn at random from contract advertisers and the printing of these stories does not mean that Postcards Magazine™ endorses the advertiser or their business. © 2016 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 5

Letters from Our Readers

ADVERTISING WORKS!

Love the magazine, and looking forward to more!

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Magazine™

I really did enjoy the publisher’s article in the August publication on “failure.� I like the idea of changing the definition to reflect a more positive way in which to face day to day “stuff.�

Ramona Denson

I just want to let you know what fun it is to get your magazine. When I get ours, I go to “Tickle My Funny Bone.� I have been tearing out that section so I can tell the jokes to friends. Good community magazine-keep up the good work.

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Postcards Magazine has been an essential part of our advertising campaign this year. This magazine brings me right in the homes of our extended family. You really can't ask for a better way to advertise.

Remember, if you’re not part of the family, we both lose.

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Stranger Things…

From the Publisher Karen Altom

This is the earliest I’ve ever written my column. In fact, I imagine our editor and designers will probably “faint” when they see it. As I write this, our August magazine is still at the printer, and we haven’t begun laying out the pages for September. Why so early, you might wonder?

Because I’m experiencing one of the craziest things I’ve ever seen, and thought I’d share.

One thing I didn’t mention is that it is almost midnight as I write, and I am sitting beside the monument at the Texas Prison Museum (told you it was crazy). I am watching oodles of people walk around the memorial in circles, illuminated vaguely by the lights shining on the monument, along with the glow of their phones brightening their faces. Some are in groups, some in pairs. One of the pairs I see are the forms of my own two children. For those of you who don’t know about this craze that has otherwise normal people out at midnight walking and watching their phones, it’s all due to a new online game called Pokemon Go. Game maker Niantic, Inc. decided to do something that would encourage gamers to get up and move, so this is an online game that uses your phone’s GPS while you track down imaginary animals like “Fluffernutters” and “Thingamajigs” (ok, that’s not really what they’re called…but they’re re weird, and I can’t remember, so close enough). Gamers go to designated d

places called Pokestops (which iss why I’m here) and gyms to find these creatures, battle against other gamers, amers, and a whole lot more that I have no desire to attempt to describe. e.

What Niantic probably didn’t realize ealize is that they did some unexpected things, ngs, too. I watched a group of people, strangers rangers actually (who wouldn’t normallyy cross paths), talk to or share with each other, celebrate when they caught ught a creature or did something good in their game. In general, these folks are just enjoying the time spent with others in their communities. And since Postcards is all about community—I think this is just pretty cool. Still crazy, but cool nonetheless.

Until next time ~ Karen Unt

Email me at publisher@postcardslive.com

Sharing Community Is Easy!

PostcardsLive.com

We hear over and over from our readers that they love Postcards Magazine because it promotes a sense of community—they love seeing and learning more about local people they know!

Now we have made it easier for you to share all about you with our entire community! Do it directly on our website: postcardslive.com

Send us Your Photos ...of pets, grandchildren, milestones, funny sightings, vacation, or significant life events

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Magazine™ Digital PostcardsLive.com FREE Issues always available for online reading

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Get 12 issues per year by mailing your payments to: Postcards Magazine™ P.O. Box 690 Huntsville, TX 77342-0690

September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 7

NOW SERVING YOUR AREA! LITATION

The Choice Is Yours!

What Are You Reading?

Tell us what you’re reading! www.postcardslive.com Paige Hollingsworth reading

Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

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We want to see what you’ve seen! When you see the unusual, funny or absurd, break out your camera, take a picture, and submit it to us with a description!

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September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 9

Do You Know?

Matt Martinez Head H ead B Band and D Director, irector Montgomery High School

By Ruth Fields Photos by Kelly Sue Photography Matt Martinez was a trumpet player in the Lamar High School Band in Houston and excelled at jazz, but it was an English class that gave him the idea to become a band director. While reading The Last of the Mohicans, he noticed that every time music was mentioned, it foreshadowed a major event in the book. He wrote about his observation—one his teacher had never noticed—in an essay. “She absolutely loved it,” Matt says. “I think she held on to it and showed it to the next year’s class.” It was a defining moment: Matt realized that his aptitude for music might be his life’s calling, and he began to think about becoming a band director. Nearly two decades later, after graduating from Sam Houston State University and spending 13 years as a band director in Livingston and Willis, Matt is now the head band director at Montgomery High School. Music has indeed been his life’s work. “I think it worked out,” he says.

What made you decide to join the band program as a student?

My brother and I are 11 years apart. At the age of 6, I remember going to football games and marching band contest. My brother was a drum major; my dad was the band booster president. My parents came out for concerts and marching contests. They were very supportive of the band. I absolutely loved it. Those are my earliest memories, and I think that’s what later led me to pursue the drum and bugle corps. I grew up on a chartered bus seeing the nation that way. My parents were not band kids, but they really picked up on us being part of something big like the band, and they encouraged what we do, even to this day.

What are your plans for the Montgomery High School Band?

The new high school will open in two years, and I want to grow the program and make it a strong 6A program before we split. I want the person who takes over at the new high school not to have to worry about numbers. My goal these next two years is making sure the students stay interested. We also need to play out in our community more. We need to take the drum line and play at the elementary schools and play at the little league games and let the community see the great work these kids are doing. We have great fine arts programs here. Our drama program placed third in the state last year. The choir program has a long tradition of excellence, and the band is on the right track and picking up steam. It’s not like I walked in here and it’s in distress.

They have done a really, really great job. They just needed a head director to come in and take over and keep them in the right direction.

What can Montgomery football fans expect this year at halftime?

With the equipment we have, we will do very traditional military marching. Our drill writer is a former A&M drum major. Football games are a big community thing. It’s a good rally point. The cheerleaders are there, the drill team is there, the band is there, and (obviously) the football team is there. I don’t think we would be able to do what we do without the Friday night football games. It’s an opportunity to perform our contest show, but at the end of the day, it’s an opportunity to support the kids. One of the things I did in Willis was to play for

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... we are not just band directors teaching music; we are teaching our students to be better adults, better people.

What comes first? There are going to be some sacrifices, but what’s most important to you?

Band may not be the most important thing to them, but when you are here with us, that time is valuable. We always preach they need to be doing something. We want all of them to keep busy. I think that’s what my parents believed in from the beginning. They always knew who I was with. It’s Friday night. It’s September. It’s 10:00 at night. Do you know where your band kids are? Yes. They’re with the band on a bus coming home from a game.

the boys’ soccer team. I really never knew how much it meant until five or six of those boys found me in the hallway and thanked me. They liked to hear the fight song when they scored a goal. The parents absolutely loved having us there. You expect the band to be at the football games, but I think the football kids and the Research indicates that learning to read and parents feel the same way. We have a show to play music is good for brain development. Do take care of at halftime, but we have a job to you agree? do for our football team during the game, and There is a connection with how the brain I take a lot of pride in what we do. maps music. You use different parts of the If I were a prospective band parent, would you encourage me to enroll my children in band?

Band is what kept me in school. I always looked forward to going to school, because I was going to get to be in band. I don’t think I would have been as prepared for college if I hadn’t been in band. I had to figure out how to study for my algebra test and be at band rehearsal. It really helped me prioritize my time and get focused, because I had to pass to be eligible. Being in band there is a lot going on, and it helps students to align their priorities.

As an adult, that’s a hard thing for us to do.

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brain. To really be successful as a musician, there is a constant adjustment going on all the time. We play to the strengths and weaknesses of the instrument, because there are parts of the instruments that don’t work as well as others, and you have to make tiny adjustments; it’s changing every second. It’s almost like tightrope walking. Every move they make, it’s a little adjustment. It has been proven that band kids do well in their other classes. They learn to focus, multi-task and solve problems, because that happens all the time in ensembles. They learn self-discipline and how to keep themselves on task. They learn how to process things really quickly. We have found some kids may struggle a little bit in early years, but as they got into band, it helped them concentrate and study a little bit more. You end up getting

Matt, his wife Dawn, and daughter Maricela

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

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a well-rounded student by the 12th grade year.

Not all our students are gifted and talented, but it really helps them to find their strengths and weaknesses and prioritize, and it helps them be prepared for the real world. For those who don’t end up in music later on, hopefully it will help them out. We always joke and say we are not just band directors teaching music; we are teaching our students to be better adults, better people.

Tell us about a typical year for a band student.

We start a week before August with our leadership team, and then the first two weeks in August we do full band rehearsals from 7

until 4. As soon as school starts, we have after school rehearsals three days a week. The first performance is at the football game on the first Friday of school. We are also getting ready for our contest season to start in October. We have four marching contests we go to in October, including our UIL performance. That is a busy time, because several of those weeks we are doing Friday football games and Saturday mornings getting ready for contests. That’s two long days in a row most weekends. You just kind of put your head down and work until the end. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s scary, it’s tiring, but we just don’t stop until we are done.

We just rest in November. The last scheduled football game is the first week in November, with playoffs after that. That’s also when the students start to work on the individual region audition process, where they get to qualify for the region band. If they are at the top, they go on to area with a chance to make the state band. During all that, we are getting ready for Christmas concerts. In January, those who want to qualify for the state solo and ensemble contest will be practicing with pianists. The contest is the third week in February. If they make a superior rating, they qualify to go to the state contest in May. During this time, January through March, all three bands will

Free agent with every policy.

be doing after school rehearsals to get ready for the UIL concert contest at the end of April.

Then, we will hopefully be going on our spring band trip. That may be another contest as well.

That’s the reward for the two semesters of work.

Right as that ends, we will start getting ready for marching band for the next year. We will get the eighth graders over to the high school and introduce them to marching. It’s not easy, but they will get the hang of it. We will have our spring concerts. We will listen to the kids audition for bands, and they will try out for drum major and leadership positions. We have spring graduations, and school ends, and we will start the process over again.

Whew! Do you have any spare time?

My wife Dawn is associate director of bands at Conroe High School. She writes a lot of percussion music for the Conroe marching show, and I will start to write her contest drills.

When we are home, we are still working. We have a 19 month-old girl, Maricela. They will change your life real quick, but it has been a joy. My wife and are avid cyclists, and we also both play with the Houston Texans Pep Band.

It’s our 11th year.

I guess we will take that as a no!

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The

kale, and mustard starters will need shade if temperatures are over 90 and perform their best when temperatures are in the 80s, so bolting does not occur. If planted early enough (late July through August), a second crop

by Kim Bius of watermelon, cantaloupe, corn, and pumpkins is very “doable,” and who doesn’t like to watch the he Fall planting season has begun in southeast pumpkins grow for Halloween? Remember, a few Texas….hip, hip hurray! Fall is my favorite summer tomatoes and peppers may have survived, planting season. The temperatures are cooler, but as annuals, these plants are “spent” and will rain is plentiful, insects and disease have decreased, harvest best when replaced with new, fresh plants. but most importantly...the plants have 9 months to become established before summer heat arrives Many of you are thinking, “I do not have room (or again, and this small point always seems to be the time or expense) to create a garden just for veggies.” magic recipe for many gardeners.

No worries. Just tuck a few veggies and herbs in your existing perennial and annual beds, and let Old timers call this time of year Indian summer--a your vegetable varieties create a fall landscape. I time of year unseasonably warmer than expected do this every year with a small bed just off the back and generally occurring in late autumn, which would of my pool, and it works beautifully and is easily be our mid-September to early October time frame. accessible for daily harvest of tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, squash, and my favorite herbs. This As I write this early morning in mid-August, the can also be easily accomplished with containers on fall planting season has officially begun, and it is your patio. Add a few pansies or calendulas to your time to till your old summer garden under, refresh fall gardening pots to complete the “look,” and you the soil with another inch of nutrient rich humus, get the full meaning of companion gardening. If fertilize, and plant seed or vegetable starters. The you are container gardening, remember to replace rule of thumb is plant seed in early to mid-August your potting soil every season or a minimum once (depending on germination time) and starter plants a year, and fertilize according to the specific needs the end to early September (depending on variety). of your plant varieties.

Fast producers such as tomatoes, peppers, and squash will harvest early, but there is time for lettuce, Fall is mum season or chrysanthemum season, turnips, beets, cucumbers, and a host of other warm and what landscape would be complete without this weather vegetables. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, hardy blooming perennial? Pansies will be out soon,

Garden Post

Fall Planting

T

but resist the temptation until the temperatures drop to a high of 88 degrees. Annuals such as calibrachaos, petunias, marigolds, vinca, and coleus will do fabulous during the heat of fall until the first true frost. Snapdragons, dianthus and stock will move you easily into the Holiday season. Most importantly….enjoy the fall planting season.

Kim Stewart Bius has more than 30 years experience in the garden and landscape industry. Questions or comments should be directed to Postcards Magazine via our website www.PostcardsLive.com or emailed to kim@kimshomeandgardencenter.com.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

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Kiwanis Kids Day at the Park •11am-2pm (Held in conjunction with KidFish) September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 15

Star Students

Ă•

Brittany Brown Conroe 0QOP ;KPWWT

Ă•

Ă• Ă• Makenna Evans Conroe High ;KPWWT

Favorite Movie: A League of Their Own Favorite Music/Artist: Country, Classic Rock & Roll, 2000s Pop Favorite Food: Buffalo Wings and Pizza

Favorite Movie: The Emperor’s New Groove

Favorite Quote: “Leaders don’t create followers; they create more

Favorite Music/Artist: Christian / Micha Tyler

leaders.� ~ Tom Peters

Favorite Food: Sushi Favorite Quote: “Thy will be done.�

B

rittany is a senior at Conroe High School and is the daughter of Stephony Garrett. Her activities include choir. After graduation, she plans on pursuing a degree, but is undecided on a college and major. His philosophy is, “I live according to God’s will, or I at least try to.�

M

akenna is a senior at Conroe High School and is the daughter of Will and Kara Evans. Her activities include softball, powerlifting, Montgomery County Junior Committee, Conroe 4-H, Circle of Sisterhood, and lifeguarding. After graduation, Makenna plans to attend college, play softball in college, and pursue a coaching degree. Her personal philosophy is to wake up every morning and make today better than the day before, and to make someone smile every day.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

Õ

Kara Robison

Õ

Q;KPWWT 0QOP

Favorite Movie: The Blind Side Favorite Music/Artist: Luke Bryan Favorite Food: Hamburgers

Õ

Favorite Quote: “Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress.”

Star Students

Lee *IT][MS ?QTTQ[ 0QOP ;KPWWT

Favorite Movie: The Avengers Favorite Music/Artist: Smash Mouth Favorite Food: Crab

K

ara Robison is a senior at iSchool High and is the daughter of Vince and Sharon Robison. Following graduation, she plans to complete a degree and become an architect. Her personal philosophy is, “I’m an open book.”

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Favorite Quote: “You’re only given a spark of madness, you must not lose it.” ~ Robin Williams

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After graduation, he plans on pursuing a degree, but is undecided on a college and major. His philosophy is, “Don’t eat the yellow snow.”

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September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 17

By Kara Tipton

The Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History is a must-visit, Photos by Kelly Sue providing an educational and fun Photography experience for the whole family.

I loaded up my preschooler and baby for the hour drive to Bryan to check out the museum, which was founded in 1961 by the American Association of University Women to provide hands-on education of natural sciences. The museum was originally located in the Brazos County Courthouse, and as the collection grew, found a new home in the Brazos Center, a multi-use facility operated by Brazos County.

The new location afforded the

museum both increased square footage and exposure. Upon arrival, visitors can begin the journey through history by picking up a museum visitor guide at the front desk. The guide gives extra details about the exhibits and ensures nothing is overlooked.

The first display when walking into the main showroom is the featured Tarzan: Myth & Mystery exhibit. My preschooler and I got a thrill seeing the majestic (though mounted and stuffed) lion, as well as the jungle cat and baboons, depicting a wild “survival of the fittest� scene. The Tarzan exhibit

explores the legend of the jungle man of West Africa, invented by author Edgar Rice Burroughs in his 1912 novel Tarzan of the Apes, and the subsequent evolution of the story. Included in the collection is Hollywood memorabilia from some of the 48 Tarzan movies, sure to excite any film buff. This exhibit runs through October 29th.

The Ice Age and Prehistoric exhibits are impressive and informative. We particularly enjoyed the American Mastodon fossils and the Glyptodon (also known as a Giant Armadillo) shell. My preschooler lingered at each

Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History

Dr. Deborah Cowman, Executive Director, stands in front of 40 foot by 11 foot Brazos Spring mural

display, marveling at the sheer size and age of the bones, wondering what happened to these magnificent creatures, and what it would be like if they were still alive today.

A large (40 foot wide by 11 foot tall) Brazos Spring mural hangs over the entire exhibit, presenting the artist’s interpretation of how Central Texas may have looked thousands of years ago, when the climate was significantly colder and many of these now-extinct creatures roamed the Earth.

A third exhibit showcases a more recent time in Texas history, during the early days of ranching

and cotton farming. Authentic tools, such as a cotton gin and plow and forge, can be found alongside the world’s oldest cotton bale. Visitors can also learn about the evolution of the handgun in the cowboy era, and check out a chuck wagon.

Outside the showroom, a separate room houses the wildlife exhibit. Toads, scorpions, snakes, and turtles from around Texas are housed in aquariums for amphibian and reptile lovers to enjoy. A real, working observation beehive provides a glimpse into a life of pollination and honey making. I

3232 Briarcrest Dr, Bryan, TX 77802 www.brazosvalleymuseum.org (979) 776-2195

could not bring myself to take a close look at the tarantulas, though my preschooler assured me they are gentle spiders and nothing to fear. I did make friends with a Common Snapping Turtle named

Boris. He may have been watching me closely to see if I would feed him, but I like to believe he simply wanted to be my friend.

Carter Creek Nature Trail is across from the museum entrance and is a great opportunity to continue the natural history education in the great outdoors.

The floodplains of the Brazos Valley are a perfect home for many native Texas plants and animals, and trail markers along the way point out where they can be found.

Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History exists to serve the community and has numerous

»

September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 19

resources to educate and engage all ages. The museum hosts nature camps in the summer (and over winter and spring breaks) for children ages 4 through 12, embracing non-traditional teaching methods that allow campers to interact with nature and explore science, animal behavior, and history. The museum also provides a museum instructor to lead large groups on field trips through the exhibits and hands-on activities, which is a wonderful tool for teachers and homeschool groups. Brazos Valley

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Museum is a unique location for a children’s birthday party, too, with party themes of the child’s choosing, such as mad scientists, creepy crawlies, outer space, or dinosaurs, and a museum instructor provides relevant crafts and games.

As a resource for teachers, the museum hosts teacher workshops throughout the year, and has Discovery Kits available to rent for use in classrooms. Discovery Kits are available in a variety of topics, including fossils, insects, Native Americans, endangered species, 808 W. Montgomery (FM 1097) Willis, TX 77378 Main# - (936) 890-4707 Fax# - (936) 856-1980

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and many more, and contain artifacts, specimens, lesson guides, and related activities to bring the museum right to students.

Many adult-focused programs take place at Brazos Valley Museum, including bird and wildlife watching with the Rio Brazos Audubon Society, and educational classes taught by Texas A&M professors and local experts. On October 1st, the museum will host a Chuck Wagon Cook Off and the 8th Annual Buffalo Stampede: HalfMarathon and 5K Race.

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Volunteers and Members are vitally important to maintaining the museum. Giving of your time or financially helps ensure the Brazos Valley Museum is around to educate and engage the community for a long time. The museum website, www.brazosvalleymuseum.org, provides a list of volunteer opportunities, from assisting in events like the half-marathon, to adopting an exhibit animal like the Speckled Kingsnake or Emperor

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Scorpion, ensuring the animal is cared for and happy.

Exhibits at the museum are constantly evolving and rotating, so each visit provides a new experience. I highly recommend making a trip to Bryan to explore the museum!

Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children 4 to 17, senior citizens, friends of the museum, and university students, and

free for children under 4. There is a group discount of $3.50 per person with 10 or more visitors.

The first Tuesday of the month, admission is only $1 per person.

Brazos Valley Museum is adjacent to the Brazos Center at 3232 Briarcrest Drive in Bryan. More information can be found at www.brazosvalleymuseum.org or by calling (979) 776-2195.

Dr. Cowman shows off one of the massive American Mastodon fossils on display

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Tickle My Funny Bone PostcardsLive.com Students in a Harvard English 101 class were asked to write a concise essay containing four elements: religion, royalty, sex, and mystery. The only A+ in the class read: “‘My God,’ said the Queen, ‘I’m pregnant! I wonder who did it.’”

A woman was taking an afternoon nap. When she woke up, she told her husband, “I just dreamed that you gave me a pearl necklace.

What do you think it means?” “You’ll know tonight,” he said. That evening, the man came home with a small package and gave it to his wife. Delighted, she opened it to find a book entitled The Meaning of Dreams.

Astronomers got tired of watching the moon go round the earth for 24 hours…so they decided to call it a day.

Why does Waldo only wear striped shirts?

Because he doesn’t want to be spotted.

Two blondes walk beside each other down What did the grape say when it got stepped on? the street. One of them sees a broken piece Nothing…but it let out a little whine.

Want to hear a Potassium joke? K. of mirror on the ground, grabs it, looks at it and says, “This girl looks so familiar, but I can’t remember where I know her from.” The other girl grabs it from her hand, takes a look at it, I got tasered picking up my friend from the and says, “It’s me, you dummy!” airport today. Apparently, security doesn’t like it when you shout, “Hi, Jack!”

Police were called to a daycare center today where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.

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22

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

Community Postcards

Five Star Professional is pleased to announce that 7 REALTORS of Mariner Realty have been chosen as Houston Area Five Star Real Estate Agents for 2016 and were Submitted by Frank Matthews featured in a special section of the June 2016 issue of Texas Monthly. Pictured L to R are: Brandi Chapman, Kelly Lawson, Lauren Dauzat, Cindy Waters, Tracy Boulanger, Zonia Alvarez and Wendy Welsh, Broker.

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Inspirations Connie Price, Co-founder of Inspiration Village

Inspiration Village

By Samantha Barker Photos by Libby Rogers Inspiration Village is a residential ranch, designed for intellectually-disabled adolescents and adults, carved out of 90 acres of East Texas Piney Woods on Hwy 94 in Trinity. The non-profit 501 (c)(3) was formed in February 2005 by a group who has invested everything to turn this dream into a reality. We recently walked the grounds with co-founder Connie Price to hear about the work being done and the impact they are having in the lives of clients they have been working with from Trinity and the surrounding counties.

What is the story behind Inspiration Village?

What made you guys decide to start this place?

I have a son with severe autism. He is a client here. His father and I were watching a news program about a lady who had been running a group home for several intellectually-disabled men, and she had been locking them up in a shed. What do you make of that? We already knew that we were going to have to do something with our own son, but we wanted him to have a place to go where he would be able to find himself. We wanted him to be able to find a level of independence and be able to socialize. Most of our clients will have been through the school system, usually for 14 years or more, and have benefited from it as much as possible. When they graduate, if they are not able to read and write, at that point they likely won’t. Here our goal is not to provide an educational setting, but to facilitate these mentally-challenged adolescents and adults to live and work with dignity and become as independent as their abilities allow. We try to do that by the incorporation of learning with everyday life experiences like safety awareness, general hygiene, basic animal care, gardening, enhancing social skills, arts and crafts, music, and they spend some time playing and practicing for the Special Olympics.

www.inspirationvillage.org (936) 594-1588

They train for the Special Olympics?

Yes, this year our clients have decided our shirts are going to be camo with orange writing, and we are going to be the Inspiration Village Woodsmen. We will have people competing in bocce, bowling, power lifting, track and field, and we are going to try swimming, I think.

The first qualifiers are in Huntsville this year starting in September. It is a lot of fun for them; they get so excited about the games. They practice bocce out here pretty often.

So Inspiration Village is family owned and What services do you offer at Inspiration operated?

Village?

Well, we helped found it, but we are not running it. We have a board of directors and an advisory board. My husband is on the board of directors. I am considered a non-paid worker.

My daughter does work for Inspiration Village, she does a lot out here, and one of my sons is a client. My husband and I did purchase the land, which we rent to Inspiration Village for $1.00 a year. We kept a small piece of the land and are in the process of building a house there so we can be here full-time and continue working to get things where we want them to be.

We would love to grow it into a full-time operation with some independent housing in the future, but for now, Inspiration Village is a day program. We start running the vans early, around 6:45 every morning, and we pick up in most of the surrounding counties. We are actually open from 9:00-3:00. Once all the clients arrive, they go with their groups to their stations. Right now, our clients run from 18-78 years old. Each month, they switch stations so that everyone can work every area. Some different areas we have are the goats and

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In Home Water Testing Inspiration Village clients have fun making silly faces at the camera!

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the chickens, the cows and miniature horses, the garden, the kitchen, the craft room, and the activity room. The clients are all given certain chores depending on their ability, and they are expected to do their jobs at each station. It gives them pride and a sense of purpose to have something that people are relying on them to do. They have friends here they can socialize with and accomplish tasks with. Plus, a lot of times, just working with the animals can help calm the clients. Along with the day-hab here on the ranch, we do day trips. We have been to the Lufkin zoo, the movies, bowling, one year we tried the Rodeo. We take them to pools and the splash pad in Huntsville. They like to get out and experience things and have fun.

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I know Inspiration Village is non-profit. Do the clients pay, or do you have any type of support coming in from the community?

We contract through DADS (Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services), and they pay about $20.00 a day usually, which is not very much when you consider what is being done out here. We have several fundraisers throughout the year. We do catfish plates at Joseph’s Restaurant once or twice a year. We have had a booth at places like the fair, Fair on the Square, and the Mushroom Festival, where we sell the crafts the clients make. For Halloween this year, we are going to do something new. We are going to have a haunted drive through some of the trails here and have

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booths set up around. Hopefully, we can get some new people to come out and see what we have going on, and also raise some money to continue to build the necessary facilities to help more clients in the future. We have had some businessmen from the community come out to help us. Dean Price and Ed Tindall have both been out here on their dozers doing work, helping clear the land. Ed did the pads for the buildings when we bought them. Mike Fulsom, he has been with us since the beginning and does a lot to try to get the word out about Inspiration Village–including telling Postcards about what we are doing out here.

I have people say all the time, “Oh, you guys are doing fine.� I know that when you look at what we have been able to accomplish, it may

seem like we don’t need any help; in truth, my husband and I both work full-time jobs and put nearly everything we make into this place out of our own pockets. Inspiration Village is a non-profit, but we still have bills. We still have needed facilities to build. Right now, we have three full-time employees, one part-time employee, and the gas bill to pick up the clients every day is over $1,000.00 a month on its own. There are a few things we could greatly benefit from, like a barn big enough to house and allow for the care of animals inside, and an activity center with enough room to hold all of the clients during bad weather when we can’t be outside. We would love to build the proper living facilities to be able to take clients for independent living, so that we could continue

to see positive growth in the lives of our clients.

We just have such big plans for this place!

So you know exactly what you would do if you won the lottery?

(Laughing) Well, I wouldn’t quit my job, because I wouldn’t have any money left! If we were able to finish the barn and activity center and a few projects like that, I would slide over to central Texas, buy some more land, and do it all over again. This type of organization is necessary. There are far too many people who fall into the intellectually-disabled category who have nowhere to go to belong—nowhere to find purpose. We have plenty of vision.

We know what we want to accomplish, but organizations like these take more than one person. It takes a community willing to step up and help those who are not always able to help themselves.

We are very thankful to all of the people who have supported us out here in any way—very thankful for everyone helping us reach our goals and helping our clients find a sense of belonging.

To find out more, call (936) 594-1588 or visit their website at www.inspirationvillage.org.

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Recipes

Tuna Stuffed Avocados Ingredients 1 can solid white albacore tuna, drained 1/4 cup diced yellow pepper 1/4 cup diced onion 1/4 cup diced tomato 1 whole avocado, pitted 1/8 cup chopped cilantro 2 Tbs lime juice 1 cup Greek yogurt Salt and pepper to taste Directions 1. Halve the avocados lengthwise and remove the pits. Reserve the skins.

2. Scoop out the flesh into a bowl and mash.

3. Add yellow pepper, onion, tomato, cilantro, 1 Tbs lime juice, salt and pepper. Stir gently until everything is combined.

4. Make sure your tuna is drained, and add to the avocado mixture. Stir gently.

5. Make your sauce by adding 1 Tbs lime juice, cilantro, salt and pepper to the Greek yogurt. Stir together.

6. Scoop tuna and avocado mixture into the avocado skins.

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No Peek Chicken Ingredients 1 box Uncle Ben’s Long Grain Wild Rice (original recipe) 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cream of celery soup 1 can water (You can add another can of water for moister rice.)

Chicken breasts or tenders

1. In a greased 9 x 13 pan, mix the box of rice, cans of celery and mushroom soup and one can of water. ( If you want moist rice add the extra can of water.)

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Cajun Shrimp Pasta Ingredients 3 -1 lb pkgs linguine

According to the CDC 2/3 of the population is either obese or overweight. You don’t have to be ashamed if you fall into the 2/3 majority, but you should be concerned!

1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb peeled and de-veined large shrimp Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbs Cajun seasoning 2 Tbs butter 2 Tbs all-purpose flour 3/4 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish

People who are obese or overweight suffer an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.

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1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Directions 1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup pasta water, and return to pot.

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3. Wipe out skillet and add butter.

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4. Once melted, stir in flour and whisk until golden, 1 minute.

5. Add heavy cream and whisk until creamy, then add Parmesan and 1/2 cup pasta water. Whisk until creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

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6. Return pasta to skillet and toss until creamy, then add shrimp and parsley and toss until combined.

7. Garnish with Parmesan and serve.

5 Minute Slaw Ingredients 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 2 Tbs white sugar 2 tsp salt 1/3 tsp celery seed 3 green onions, thinly sliced 2 (8 oz) packages coleslaw mix Directions 1. Whisk red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, celery seed, and green onions in a salad bowl until sugar and salt have dissolved.

2. Toss coleslaw mix with dressing.

Refrigerate 4 to 6 hours.

Share your favorite recipes with us! PostcardsLive.com

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Vet Connect Article submitted by: Kim VanWagner, D.V.M.

Is Your Pet in Pain?

How exciting to join The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) in celebrating Animal Pain Awareness Month to help educate pet owners on common signs of pain.

What if you couldn’t tell your doctor that you were in pain?

Animals suffer from pain just like we do. Pain comes in many forms: surgical pain, arthritis, and cancer, just to name a few. Acute pain is obvious and distressing. Chronic pain can be subtle and masked as “getting old” or “slowing down.” Age is not a disease, but pain is. There are many options to treat the various causes of pain in animals, including pain medications, physical rehabilitation, and acupuncture.

Recognizing pain in animals is a challenge; however, there are some species-specific behaviors that can indicate pain and help us recognize it. For example, animals that are natural predators, such as dogs, behave differently when in pain than do prey animals, such as rabbits and horses. Prey animals tend to hide their pain, making recognition of pain even more difficult in these species.

Vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure may be used to assess responses to an acute painful stimulus, particularly during surgery or after severe trauma. These indicators by themselves are not specific enough to distinguish pain from other stresses such as anxiety, fear, or physical responses to certain medical conditions (such as anemia).

In other words, an animal can still be in pain, even if its heart rate and breathing rate are normal.

Recognizing pain-induced behaviors is difficult or impossible without knowing the normal behaviors of a particular species or breed. Behavioral changes associated with pain may be subtle 32

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

and not easily recognized during routine checkups or examinations in animals.

Common Signs of Pain in Dogs Decreased social interaction; Anxious expression; Submissive behavior; Refusal to move; Whimpering; Howling; Growling; Guarding behavior; Aggression; Biting; Decreased appetite; Self-mutilation (chewing); Changes in posture Common Signs of Pain in Cats Reduced activity; Loss of appetite; Quiet/loss of curiosity; Changes in urinary/defecation habits; Hiding; Hissing or spitting; Lack of agility/ jumping; Excessive licking/grooming; Stiff posture/gait; Guarding behavior; Stops grooming/matted fur; Tail flicking; Weight loss Natural and holistic pain relief methods for pets, like those for people, have become a topic of much interest. Many different vitamins, herbal preparations, nutraceuticals, and natural remedies are available.

Most of these therapies have not been tested in scientific trials, so they are not guaranteed as safe and effective. Some may prove neither helpful nor harmful, a few might be helpful, and others might actually be harmful. If you are interested in giving your pet a nutritional or herbal supplement, consult your veterinarian to make sure it will not interact with any other drugs your pet is taking.

Several scientific trials have been conducted using acupuncture as a pain relief technique for pets, with encouraging results. Soft tissue manipulation, massage, heat, and laser therapy may also provide relief from musculoskeletal pain, especially of the neck, back, and hips. Further research is needed to determine the optimal combination of pharmacological (drug) therapies and complementary or alternative techniques for various types of pain.

Dear Gabby

A proud part of the team.

Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. I rarely eat sweets, except at birthday parties. I think it’s rude not to share someone’s birthday cake, but I always have heartburn afterwards.

I asked my doctor what I could do to prevent having heartburn from eating birthday cake, and he told me to take off the candles! Drop me a line to Dear Gabby at PostcardsLive.com, and I can give you some advice that’s as good, or better, than I got from my doctor.

DEAR GABBY My boyfriend is so stingy, I’m pretty sure he started singing in the church choir because he noticed they don’t pass the collection plate up there. Should I keep dating a guy like that?

ON THE FENCE DEAR FENCE SITTER

The orthopedic surgeons with the Huntsville Memorial Hospital Sports Medicine Team proudly provide our community with the best possible care to fit any athletic lifestyle. From collegiate level, to local athletes, to weekend warriors, we are committed to keeping you in your game, and equipped with the necessary tools to prevent future injury.

I think you might be dating my cousin’s ex-husband; he was tighter than bark on a tree! He bought a “share size” candy bar and thought they’d put a joke on the wrapper. I went to school with him, and apparently, some people are just born that way. In grade school, the teacher gave us a test question: If you have 10 chocolate cakes and someone asks for 2, how many do you have left? He answered 10. You can survive in a relationship like that, and maybe even be happy—just don’t expect much in the way of gifts.

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Because Pets Are Family Too

DEAR GABBY There’s a girl I like, but she has a characteristic that is driving me nuts. She’s not lazy; she works hard, but takes her time doing it. I’ve never seen anyone who moves as slowly as she does. I spend so much time waiting, it’s making me rethink the relationship. She’s really pretty and funny, but I’m beginning to think that she’s wasting my time, as well as hers. Any suggestions?

SLOW’S BEAU DEAR BEAU I, too, have a friend that would make a snail look like it was speeding! I once met her for lunch (after a long wait) and thought she’d acquired a tattoo since I last saw her. Turns out it was graffiti! Look at it this way; she probably thinks you’re annoying because you race around all the time. If she’s willing to overlook your hyper (compared to hers) lifestyle, she might be worth waiting for.

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936.344.8469 September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 33

Focus <XPP\ <XPP\ Business

The Business Focus is chosen each month by random drawing from among Postcards contract advertisers.

To learn more call 936-293-1188.

Angie Cochran-Murphy, General Manager

www.YummyYummyWillis.com (936) 890-8899 Sunday - Thursday 11am-10pm Friday - Saturday 11am-11pm

By Leah Lamp Photos by Kelly Sue Photography Yummy Yummy restaurant is a rare and surprising culinary find. Located in Willis, just off of I-45 in the Kroger shopping center, the restaurant boasts the only Mongolian barbecue and sushi bar in the area. Walking in from the parking lot of the bustling strip center, I was pleasantly surprised by the unexpected elegance and coziness of the eatery. With its sophisticated ambiance, coupled with affordable lunch and dinner prices, Yummy Yummy is a refreshing break from the ordinary dining experience.

The restaurant has another location of the same name in Huntsville, and a sister restaurant, Wild Ginger, in Conroe. General Manager Angie Cochran-Murphy started at the Wild Ginger location but, as a resident of Willis for over 20 years, she was thrilled to be able to manage Yummy Yummy since its opening in February of 2013.

Cochran-Murphy says, “The Willis area is growing quite a bit. I like the location. I try to compete with the prices of area drive-thru restaurants, while providing a healthier choice than a hamburger and fries. Our restaurant has a nice, family-oriented, dine-in environment that is still economical.” I asked about the differences between Wild Ginger and Yummy Yummy. “Wild Ginger is a larger location with hibachi tables. It is more of an up-scale location for special occasions or business lunches. Here at Yummy Yummy, we are scaled down and more of a fast-paced restaurant for family dining.”

When asked about the unusual name of the restaurant, I was told that the old Chinese symbol of their logo literally means “Eat our food” and the name Yummy Yummy naturally progressed from that. “It was to attract people to good food,” says Cochran-Murphy.

The food served at Yummy Yummy is unique in that everyone creates their own meal or “bowl.” Mongolian barbecue is a patron-prepared stir fry. Cochran-Murphy

explains, “You come in, select your meat, select your vegetables, sauce, and whatever dry seasoning you would like.

You can watch it being prepared on our grill, and then it will be brought to your table. We also offer zucchini and cabbage as starch substitutes. We do our best to cater to those with certain food allergies. There is a separate grill that we don’t allow any shellfish to touch. When deciding on our menu, we wanted to have something for everyone and also offer some healthier choices. Our bowls are $7.95 at lunch and $8.95 at dinner.”

Besides the Mongolian barbecue, Yummy Yummy also serves a variety of sushi. The sushi is made by order, and you can see it being prepared at the sushi bar. There is the standard fish and rice sushi, hand cut Sashimi sushi, special rolls, regular rolls and featured item rolls.

Cochran-Murphy says, “We are absolutely famous for our red lobster rolls. It’s like a little slice of heaven in your mouth. We also serve hot appetizers and salads.

And if you don’t have time to come in and sit down, all our food is available for take-out.”

The restaurant has a full bar and offers happy hour specials. In fact, there are three different happy hours.

The regular Happy Hour is from 2 to 6 pm on Monday through Saturday, Reverse Happy Hour from 9 to 11 on Friday and Saturday nights only, and Sunday is an all day Happy Hour. They serve many bar specials, specialty drinks, and house wines.

Cochran-Murphy stresses that the restaurant is very community-oriented. “Being from the area, I know so many of our customers personally, and we offer special discounts to almost everyone. There are discounts for students if they show their student IDs, or even if they just dress in purple WildKat clothing. We like to make it fun. We are constantly doing specials and taking care of our customers.” There are also discounts and

»

September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 35

LEFT TO RIGHT: Tori Bachmann, Anthony Offutt, Sierra Young, Kara Bushnell, Melanie Childers, Angie Cochran-Murphy, Hector Molina-Ramirez, Sara Hegedorn, Austen Merryman, Janet Miller specials for teachers, as well as for military veterans. Every Tuesday night from 4 p.m. is $6.50 Custom Bowl Night. Like pictures of family, their Facebook page is full of pictures of happy customers celebrating birthdays or just enjoying good food together. You can also find out about their current specials.

Yummy Yummy is available for private parties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do catering on some of our bowls, our sushi, and our sashimi. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll come and set it up. Our restaurant is also available for parties. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll cater anything from a family function to anything.â&#x20AC;? Cochran-Murphy likes to tell about the private party they held for Texas governor Greg Abbott.

Manager Cochran-Murphy tries hard to keep the family feel of the restaurant. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have a great team, from management to staff of about 15-20 employees. We have recently re-vamped our staff in order to stay an upbeat, happy family restaurant. We aim to please everyone and make sure they are satisfied before they leave our restaurant.â&#x20AC;? Whatever they are doing, it works. From an online customer review, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You can load your own bowl with whatever you want from the vast array of fresh food. I like the fact you can put as much of whatever you like and season it to your taste. Pretty simple to get the flavors you want and have a cook prepare it for you. Here you get more than you

can eat for a great price. They also have a full bar, all this hidden in a little storefront setting.â&#x20AC;?

Open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, Yummy Yummy is unlike any other restaurant in the Willis area. As patron Brandi Douglass says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have great service in a comfy atmosphere. Amazing fresh stir fry cooked to your liking; I would recommend Yummy Yummy to anyone!â&#x20AC;? So if you want a unique family-friendly atmosphere with good, affordable food then stop in for a bit. Take it from their website, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We invite you to join us and experience the thrill of our Mongolian grill.â&#x20AC;?

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Out of the Mouths of Babes...

This feature is dedicated to sharing all those hysterical things that come out of the mouths of little ones. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re probably the stories that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve told over and over for years... we look forward to hearing yours!

A mother tells her little boy, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Johnny, you mustnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eat too many lollies, or Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll hide the lolly jar.â&#x20AC;? Johnny asks, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why?â&#x20AC;? His mother says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because something bad will happen! Your tummy will blow up big like a balloon and then pop!â&#x20AC;? The next day at church, the boy is sitting next to a pregnant woman. He points to her belly smiling and says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I know what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been doing!â&#x20AC;?

My 7 year-old was convinced she could speak Spanish, thanks to the TV Show Dora the Explorer. One day at a Mexican restaurant, the waitress said â&#x20AC;&#x153;Gracias!â&#x20AC;? and with all the conviction in the world my daughter responded, â&#x20AC;&#x153;PiĂąata!â&#x20AC;?

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My little sister was at the doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office for her annual check upâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;she had to be somewhere around 3. The nurse was asking all the standard coordination type questionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;touch your nose, put your hands up, jump, etc. Being a healthy, capable little devil, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing everything fine.

Then the nurse says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stand on one foot.â&#x20AC;? My little sister looks at the nurse, looks down, and hesitates. Then she walks over and stands on one of the nurseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet.

My girlfriend was in the pediatricianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office with her 5 year-old son for a routine checkup. A nurse glanced at his chart and announced that he was overdue for a particular shot. When the nurse left the room, the little boy threw himself back upon the examination table and stage-whispered, in a wavering voice, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Do you have any ideaâ&#x20AC;Ś(pause for drama)â&#x20AC;Śwhat Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been through?â&#x20AC;?

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A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and was turned to salt.â&#x20AC;? His son asked, â&#x20AC;&#x153;What happened to the flea?â&#x20AC;?

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

Along the Road CONROE

NEW WAVERLY

The town is named for Isaac Conroe, a Union cavalry officer in the American Civil War turned lumber man, who established a sawmill there in the late 1800â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. The mill became large enough for International & Great Rail Road to run tracks to it and a post office was opened known as Conroeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Switch. The name was eventually shortened.

Waverly was platted and incorporated just before the Civil War. The town was said to be named after the writings of Sir Walter Scott.

New Waverly was founded by the Houston and Great Northern Railroad Company in 1870 ten miles west after the residents of what became Old Waverly refused to grant the railroad a right-of-way through their community.

WILLIS

RICHARDS

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s In A Name?

Willis became a community when the Houston and Great Northern Railroad decided to run a track from Houston to Chicago, and brothers P.J. and R.S. Willis donated their land in 1870 to the railroad. Willis grew in population after the trains began to travel through the town. The tobacco industry played a vital role in Willisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; growth and development during that time.

Founded in 1907, when the residents of Spring, officially respelled Coldspring in 1894. several communities in the vicinity of Lake Became the county seat of newly established Creek moved to a newly constructed line of the San Jacinto County in 1870.

Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway. Named by railway officials for W. E. Richards, prominent CUT AND SHOOT South Texas banker and organizer of the Valley Apparently named after a 1912 commuRoute and Townsite Loan Company. nity confrontation that almost led to violence.

According to the different versions of the story, COLDSPRING the dispute was either over the design of a new According to local tradition, the settlement steeple for the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only church, the issue HUNTSVILLE was named by Joseph Graves for the cold of who should be allowed to preach there, or Founded by Pleasant Gray and named for springwater found there. The first post office, conflicting land claims among church members.

Huntsville, Alabama, former home of the named Coonskin, was opened in 1847. Within A small boy at the scene reportedly declared, Gray family. Huntsville, Alabama is named a year the office was renamed Firemanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to cut around the corner and shoot for Revolutionary War veteran John Hunt. and in 1850 the name was changed to Cold through the bushes in a minute!â&#x20AC;?

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September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 39

Mark your Calendars BEAUMONT

BUFFALO

CROCKETT

Neches River Rally September 10 bigthicket.org/ neches-river-rally

Buffalo Stampede and Barbecue Cook-Off September 17 buffalochamberofcommerce.org

Trade Days and Flea Market 1st and 3rd Weekend (936) 204-0731 St. Francis Day Festival September 24 (936) 544-5338 Tanya Tucker Concert October 1 pwfaa.org

CONROE

BELLVILLE Austin County Fair Shrimp Boil September 24 austincountyfair.com

BRENHAM Washington County Fair September 10-17 washingtoncofair.com

BRYAN Texas Reds Festival September 23-25 texasredsfestival.com Autumn Classic Arabian Horse Show September 16-18 gulfcoastarabians.com Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival September 29 – October 1 texasgrandslam.com

“Blithe Spirit” September 2-18 crightontheatre.org MCMGA Class – Bees: Caring and Raising September 10 mcmga.com First Baptist Church - 125th Anniversary Celebration September 10-11 fbcconroe.org Woodforest Craft TexasBrewed Beer Fest September 24 woodforesttx.com.

Oktoberfest September 24 glcsconroe.org All the King’s Horses Golf Tournament September 26 (281) 703-0860

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DALLAS State Fair of Texas September 30-October 23 bigtex.com

FREEPORT Summertime Blues Fest September 2-3 freeportsummertimebluesfest.com

GALVESTON Brewmasters Craft Beer Festival September 2-4 brewmastersbeerfest.com The Texas Tenors September 10 Mark Russell, “Politically Incorrect” September 17 Comedian Ron White September 22 Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen September 24 thegrand.com Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Festival September 23-25 galvestonshrimpfestival.com

Seth MacFarlane September 4 houstonsymphony.org Amazing Houston Comic Con September 9-11 amazinghoustoncomiccon.com Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas September 9 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastics Champions September 30 houstontoyotacenter.com/events “In the Heights” September 13 tuts.com Beyonce: The Formation World Tour September 22 nrgpark.com/events Josh Turner September 29 arenahouston.com Live Theatre and Musical Performances A.D. Players adplayers.org Alley Theatre alleytheatre.org Arena Theatre arenahouston.com Hobby Center for the Performing Arts broadwayacrossamerica.com

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

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Mark your Calendars HUNTSVILLE Heading to Haiti Supply Drive September 1-3 magnoliameyboutique.com American Legion BBQ Sandwich Sale September 2 samhoustonpost95.org H.E.A.R.T.S. Museum Garage Sale September 16-17 heartsmuseum.com Huntsville Antique Show September 17-18 huntsvilleantiqueshow.com Dan Shelton Memorial Friends of the Poor Walk September 24 (936) 436-0362 2016 Texas 10 Series September 25 texas10series.com Fair on the Square October 1 chamber.huntsville.tx.us

JACKSONVILLE Labor Day Mudd Bash September 2-5 (903) 724-4100

Fire Brigade BeneďŹ t Classic Car Show September 10 visitjeffersontexas.com

LUFKIN Illusionist Rick Thomasâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; A World of Imagination September 18 angelinaarts.org The Pines Presents: Jaci Velasquez in Concert September 20 thepineslufkin.com Texas State Forest Festival September 21-25 texasstateforestfestival.com

MONTGOMERY Wine and Music Fest September 17 experiencemontgomery.com

PALESTINE Texas State Railroad Piney Woods Train Excursions September 3, 10, 17, 24 texasstaterr.com

RUSK Sunday Funday Matinee Train Ride September 18 â&#x20AC;&#x153;Pints in the Pinesâ&#x20AC;? at Texas State Railroad September 24 texasstaterr.com

SURFSIDE BEACH Texas Navy Day Celebration September 17 brazoria-county.com/parks

THE WOODLANDS Houston Symphony, Music of the Rolling Stones September 2 Fifth Harmony in Concert September 5 Goo Goo Dolls and Collective Soul in Concert September 8 Brantley Gilbert September 9 Houston Symphony, Hispanic Heritage Celebration September 15

5 Seconds of Summer September 18 Oddball Comedy & Curiosity Festival September 22 Ray LaMontagne in Concert September 23 Alabama Shakes with Corinne Bailey Rae September 24 Counting Crows and Rob Thomas in Concert September 25 woodlandscenter.org The Woodlands BBQ Festival September 25 thewoodlandsbbq.com

TRINITY Trinity Community Fair/Youth Livestock Show/Auction September 30, October 1 trinitycommunityfair.com

Submit your calendar items:

PostcardsLive.com

PLANTERSVILLE JASPER

St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Catholic Church Bazaar September 4 smsj.org

Fall Festival October 1 jaspercoc.org

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RIVERSIDE

Labor Day Steam Train Special September 3 jeffersonrailway.com

Trade Days September 3 facebook.com/riversidetradedays

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Mustard Seed Moments

...The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you kYq lg l`ak emdZ]jjq lj]]$ Z] mhjggl]\ Yf\ hdYfl]\ af l`] k]Y$ Yf\ al oadd gZ]q qgm& Dmc] )/2-%.

Taking in the Sunshine

by Linda W Perkins I had lunch on my patio today. As I sat down at the table, I instantly felt relaxed. I basked in the warmth of the sunshine, which was offset by a cool breeze gently caressing my face. A cardinal sang out as he hopped into the bird feeder, while a hummingbird darted back and forth across the oak tree, looking for the perfect limb on which to perch. Nearby, a tiny yellow butterfly fluttered by. It seemed as if all of nature was enjoying this beautiful day as much as I was.

I commented to my husband how glad I was that we had found our little patio table, so we could take in days like this. Yes, it was a good investment. But I also thought about all the other beautiful days that had come and gone since our original purchase. How many had I missed? I could have enjoyed so many more, if I had just walked outside and sat down.

Lord, may I have ears to hear your invitation to spend time in the sunshine of your Spirit today.

So it is with God’s presence. How beautiful and wonderful it is, and yet how often do we go there? How many opportunities do we miss with our Savior, who can bring us such joy and peace? He stands at the door of our hearts, knocking.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | September 2016

September 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 43