Postcards

Lake Conroe Edition

October 2016

Do You Know?

Jay Ray Haese

Texas Talent Cody Johnson

Inspirations Caring Cards Project

Business Focus McKenzie’s Barbeque & Burgers

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 3

October 2016 | Volume 5, Issue 10

Do You Know?

10

Texas Talent

18

Cody Johnson

10

Inspirations

18 24 34

24

Caring Cards Project

Business Focus

Features

Jay Ray Haese

34

McKenzie’s Barbeque & Burgers

Favorites 6 7 8 9 15 16 22 23

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

“Seens” From Our World The Garden Post Star Students The Latest Community Postcards

28 30 32 33 37 39 40 42

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

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 5

Letters from Our Readers

ADVERTISING WORKS!

I enjoy your publication and feel it would be even better if you could put captions on the photos inside the magazine. Some do have captions, but most do not.

It would help if the reader could identify the photo content or persons pictured.

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Editor’s note: Mr. Parker - you are right! We will work on doing a better job of that. Thanks for sharing with us!

I have used Roy’s AC since Paul Lamp used to work for Roy, and I can say Paul is one of the most honest people I have ever met. Now that Paul owns the business, he has gone out of the way to help when he can. Example: My wife was having bridge at our home one night, and the AC died. She said, “What am I going to do?�

This was about 6:45 pm. My wife called Paul, and he came right over and got the AC going. I have other stories about Paul Lamp and how he has gone out of his way to help his customers. Bless you, Paul! You are a good man. Thanks for the good service all these years.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

From the Publisher

Stitched with Love...

When I was a girl, I wanted to learn to sew.

I vividly remember the day I asked my mom to teach me. We lived in Madisonville, and I had a new pair of pants I wanted to hem. I still remember the print—black and white small checks. I worked on those pants for what seemed a very long time—well over an hour— and finally finished the first leg. Incredibly excited to see how they looked and make sure they were the right length, I stood to try them on and stuck my leg into the pants, but my foot stopped. Yes. I had sewn the bottom of the pants together while hemming. Right then and there, I handed them to mom and said my sewing days were done.

Karen Altom

I didn’t think about s e w i n g again until I met Ann Altom. Ann is my mother-in-law (or as I call her, my “other mother”), an expert seamstress, and an avid fan of this magazine. Yesterday, she passed from this life unexpectedly and, as usually happens, the memories came flooding back. I realized that Ann (Mammaw) left behind so many things that she had stitched with love.

There are quilts and dresses for a little girl which are more beautiful than anything you can find in a store…a wall hanging for our children’s nursery, stitched from the clothing her children (now parents) had worn. I remember Mammaw laughing about my hemming mishap…she must have decided I wasn’t salvageable, because she never tried to teach me how to sew. She did all of my mending until her fingers didn’t cooperate any more. I remember her laughter when I brought her my favorite pair of jeans to mend (again), and she said, “Honey, I have to have some material to sew TO, and these are so threadbare…but I’ll try.” And she did.

stories about awful mothers-in-law, and I was nervous to meet them. From the day I walked in the door, she treated me as her own. You see, she had an amazing way of stitching things together.

She stitched me right into the family as though I’d been born there. For the past 25 years, I have watched her stitch our family together as she would a quilt…phone calls and cards…hugs and meals…answers to our gardening questions. And her stories! Stories allowed her to connect the past with the present and the future for her children and grandchildren. So today, I realize she did teach me, after all. I just hope I can be as good at stitching as she was. Until we meet again, I will do my best.

She was only 5’1”, but had the heart of a giant…I really could use some off her stitches to mend my heart about bout now.

Until next time, go o hug someone you love. ~ Karen

I didn’t meet Ann and Harold Altom until after Wes and I were engaged. Girls grow up hearing Ann Altom 1934-2016

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Do You Know?

ay y Ray

Haese

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

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Photos by Kelly Sue Photography Jay Ray Haese, known to most people as Ray, got off to an early start to adventure, so it’s understandable that at age 92, he is content to live a quiet life with his memories in a senior citizen residence in Conroe.

Ray was born in San Antonio and grew up during the Great Depression. At the age of 16, he went to work for Zachary Construction Co., where he learned how to be a heavy equipment operator. While building runways for fighter airplane schools in Laredo, he met and married Ollie, who would be his companion for 67 years until her death in 2008.

“I went into the Army when I was 17,” Ray recalled. Actually, there was a little bit more to the story than that, explained son Barry, a Houston businessman. He pointed out that Uncle Sam deliberately recruited him. “The Army contacted construction companies looking for heavy equipment operators. Dad had experience. They didn’t care what his age was; they got him.”

Ray said after a training period as a combat engineer, the army shipped his outfit “to England first, where we waited for about a month, then to Marseilles, France, then to Omaha Beach as part of the Normandy invasion on D-Day.” The combat engineers were in the second wave of the invasion, behind the combat troops.

Recalling the invasion, Ray said, “Well, we landed there, pitched tents, stayed about three

days waiting for the weather to clear and for transportation to go to Bitche, France.” As a combat engineer, Ray’s duty was to operate a bulldozer to clear roads of debris and snow to keep supply lines open. He slept his first night in Germany in a tent. “It was cold. I left my boots outside the tent, and when I put them on the next morning, the tongues broke off, it was so cold,” he said, chuckling.

Eventually, Ray’s outfit cleared away war-ravaged Germany all the way to Munich, arriving just in time to see captives of a nearby concentration camp break out, scouring the damaged buildings for food. Because the camp had been filled to maximum capacity, long lines of abandoned railroad cars still contained prisoners.

Most of them were dead, Ray remembered.

“I cleared streets right by the concentration camps. In the city, all you had were streets.

Outside the city, you had the Autobahn, but it was getting through the city that was the main problem. We had to get all the debris cleared away before the supplies could reach soldiers.”

When the war ended, Ray remained in Germany and Austria for a time, bulldozing barricades and other structures erected by the Nazis. After his discharge, he returned to his family in San Antonio, where he found work opportunities were scarce. “I didn’t do much of nothing but little jobs for a year, because everything was so dead. But then I finally got work in San Antone, a little bit with the

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October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 11

streets and different things. My dad had a gravel contract to put gravel on a bunch of roads, so I worked with him for a while.”

Shell Oil Co. was doing some drilling in that region of Texas, and Ray took a job with the company as a roughneck, and stayed with it for eight years, working on both land rigs and inland barges. He liked roughnecking, he said, but was ambitious to advance. “And I did. Over the next 24 years, I got to be a rig manager, and I went all over the world.”

In the 1960s, Shell began shutting down some of its drilling operations, and two days before Christmas in 1962, Ray and his crew got the word to shut down their rig in Louisiana.

“After the layoff, we were coming up the Mississippi River, and there was a derrick erected onto a ship that was docked in the river near New Orleans. What we were looking at was a drillship owned by Global Marine Drilling Company. The name of the drillship was Glomar IV. So we stopped there, checking for jobs. They wanted us to go to work the next morning, me

and my crew. I said, ‘No, I’m going home first, then I’ll come back in four days.’”

Ray said he and his crew returned to Global Marine in four days. That was the beginning of his 24 year career with Global Marine, “Traveling all over the world. My wife was with me every day. My wife and I loved it. You don’t see many women like that.”

His employment with Global Marine led to another adventure as operations superintendent on the Hughes Glomar Explorer. In 1971, the Central Intelligence Agency had

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permission to build the Hughes Glomar Explorer, a $350 million drillship which was publicized as built to retrieve manganese nodules from the ocean floor. Actually, it was designed to recover a Soviet nuclear submarine that had sunk in 1968 in 16,000-plus feet depths more than 1,800 miles northwest of Hawaii.

American intelligence had discovered the sub after the Soviets had given up the search. Ray mentioned that all rig personnel had to go through security clearances and were sworn to secrecy about the project. Finally, in 1974,

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under the disguise of mining the ocean floor for manganese nodules, the Glomar Explorer began its recovery efforts.

During recovery operations, Ray said, the Soviets were circling the ship in small boats and helicopters. “Every day, the boats would come around, then go out about a half a mile, stay there, and then come back the next day with the helicopters to follow. “It took us a long time to lower the barge with that 16,800 ft. depth,” Ray said. “We started up with the sub, and part of it broke off. There were six bodies in it. We put them in a freezer. We had a crew change in Hawaii, and after we got off, the lead crew took it out to sea and gave the Russians a formal burial.” After the

real purpose of the operation became public knowledge in 1975, the American government discontinued salvage operations. The Glomar Explorer was later sold to a private company, converted for commercial use, and in 2015 sold for scrap.

Ray retired from Global Marine in 1980, moved to Montgomery County, and later set up on Rabon Chapel Road what Barry and another of Ray’s sons, Bobby, said was “the model emu farm in the U.S.” According to Ray, the farm covered 10 acres with 50 breeding pens. “Business looked like it was just going to be real good. We had meetings all over the U.S. We were going to produce meat and emu oil.”

Although the Haeses continued with the farm

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for several years, it was costly, with feed bills reaching $2,500 per month, so in the 1990s, facing insufficient yearling stock to render for products and mounting maintenance costs, the co-op shuttered the operation.

Ray built a new house in Walden and worked a while for Barry, whose business was selling diesel parts to drilling companies and other aftermarket customers. After the death of his wife, Ray moved to Silverdale Lodge in Conroe.

“I would have to say that the success behind Dad was Mom,” Bobby said. “She was his strength.

I don’t think Dad could have been who he is, gone where he traveled, did what he’s done without a woman like Mom behind him.”

“That’s for sure,” Ray agreed.

He said he does not have anything else he especially wants to do. He enjoys visits from Barry and Bobby, another son Calvin (who lives in Houston), and a daughter Linda (who resides in The Woodlands), as well as from his six grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, and friends.

“I enjoy life,” he said.

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out our soils of needed nutrients and plants will benefit from a fall dosage of iron, especially gardenias and azaleas. The limey green foliage is the first sign of iron deficiency. For the 15 minute group, use Copperas or Holly-tone for good results, but if you have the time to spray, liquid iron with a

by Kim Bius soil acidifier (Ferti-Lome or Green Light) will give you almost next day results when foliage applied, all is the planting season for non-drought instead of a soil drench. Late October is also the tolerant plants, such as azaleas, camellias, time to apply a winterizer to your lawn. Winterizer dogwood, and trees. Can these plants be is the term given to fertilizers used in the fall to planted and do well in spring? Yes, but they will promote overall hardiness for protection from hard do even better, planted in the fall, especially if you freezes and a medium dose of nitrogen for feeding do not tend your garden as much as you intended! the root system while the top growth is dormant.

Here are a few tips to make your transition from Plants do grow in the winter, but at much slower summer to fall and fall to winter easier, less costly, rate. A healthy root system makes for a healthy plant. and less time consuming.

Fertilome Winterizer is my favorite, with a 10-0-14 Fertilize – Plants need that slight boost coming analysis. Phosphorous is not needed, because the out of a rough summer to look their best in the plant is not producing fruit or blooms it is also the fall. Everyone has a preference of liquid versus one element that is rarely non-sufficient in your soil. granular fertilizer. There are many good products Seeds/Bulbs – Fall is the time to plant wildflower on the market and a few excellent ones. The “I have seeds, such as bluebonnets for germination in the 15 minutes to be a gardener once a month” folks spring. Fall is also the season to divide perennials should always go with a slow release granular such that have not been divided in the past 4 years. If it as Osmocote, or Ferti-Lome Gardener’s Special for has been more than 10 years, the bulbs will begin blooming potted plants and flower beds, for 60-90 to die out. This is simple. Gently lift the bulbs from days of coverage. For the gardeners who love to the bed with a fine-tined pitchfork, or lift 12” of do soil analysis, use hose end sprayers and always soil with a pitchfork for easy division. With a sharp plan on a weekly gardening day, try liquid humate knife, divide the bulbs into single bulbs and replant or Medina HastaGro. Bayer makes an excellent with a tablespoon of bone meal under each bulb insecticide/fungicide/fertilizer for roses that can for sturdier blooms and color. You may now have also be used on azaleas and camellias with great three times more bulbs than you could ever use, success. Again, excessive summer water leaches

Garden Post

Fall Tips

F

so consider these as gifts for gardening friends, donations to local gardening clubs, or set up your own beautification project in your neighborhood.

Fall is a great month to purchase your bulbs for December/January planting. Bulbs such as tulips, muscari, anemone must be refrigerated for 6-9 weeks before planting to ensure the bulbs get the “cool” time required to set blooms. Bulbs such as narcissi, amaryllis, and daffodils do not require “chilling time,” but can be force bloomed indoors for beautiful holiday blooms.

Fungicide - The heavy rains and cool nights have brought dormant fungal spores into full bloom and the evidence is in almost every St. Augustine yard in town. Treat with a systemic granular fungicide, such as F-Stop. If you have been treating with F-Stop for several years and it does not appear to be working, switch fungicides to a liquid systemic and spray on.

Fungal strains can develop resistance to fungicides over a period of years…much like antibiotics in people. Irregular dead patches of sod are appearing everywhere. Fungi is easily spread from one yard to another by mowers, pets, air currents. The easiest way to treat fungal growth is to stay aggressive and apply as a preventative at least twice a year--spring (April) and fall (October).

Most of all, enjoy! We have been placed as good stewards of our gardens and homes, so enjoy the fruits of your labor. Happy Fall Gardening 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.

AMERICA WE STAND

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aycee is a senior at Richards High School and is the daughter of Christy Tousha. Her activities include FFA president, shotgun shooting, horse riding, volleyball, National Honor Society, and senior class president. Maycee plans to attend Texas A&M University to become a veterinarian. Her philosophy is, “God has given us many blessings, and today is one of them—so, be thankful!�

K

atelyn is a senior at Conroe High School and is the daughter of Donna Beasley. She enjoys bowling with her family and drawing and doodling. Following graduation, she plans to start college at Lone Star, then transfer somewhere to pursue a degree in business. Katelyn hopes to be successful while serving Jesus during her studies and career. She believes, “Be true to yourself, and everything will work out alright.�

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Favorite Music/Artist: Classic rock, classical, and alternative Favorite Food: Italian and Chinese

Favorite Quote: “If a thing is free to be good, then it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.” ~ C.S. Lewis

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atherine is a senior at Montgomery High School and is the daughter of Bryan and Wendy Rennell. Her activities include clarinet and drum major for band, and she plays in the Mims Baptist Church orchestra. She also teaches English 3 with Ready Set Teach and participates in the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. Catherine plans to attend a liberal arts college in Texas with a focus on literature, religion, or music. Her philosophy echoes Paul from I Corinthians 10:31, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

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Favorite Movie: Fight Club Favorite Music/Artist: Twenty One Pilots Favorite Food: Reese’s Pieces

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I

saac is a senior at Alpha Omega Academy and is the son of James and Karyl Horn. His activities include student council, Interact, yearbook, and soccer. After graduation, he plans to pursue an engineering degree from Texas A&M University. His personal philosophy is, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.”

Go Far

October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 17

By Amy Barnett

One conversation with Cody Johnson and there is no doubt he is the “real deal.” The Grovetonraised singing cowboy has an unmistakable smoky baritone filled with truth, emotion, and conviction.

His music portrays his life as a God-fearing family man who, before playing music, was a professional bull rider and TDCJ prison guard. Postcards had the pleasure of visiting with him just before the release of his newest studio album Gotta Be Me. This amazing Texas Talent shares with us his journey in making music, how his faith has gotten him where he is today, and how he spends his “down time” at home with his family in New Waverly.

Josie Drenner

Submitted Photos

Any country artist I was allowed to listen to as a child was someone that was a vocalist. Glen Campbell is a vocalist…Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, even the Statler Brothers. Those kinds of people who sang with that gospel kind of background, that is what I listened to.

I used to try to emulate those artists because, as a young kid, that is what you do; you listen to something on the radio, and you try to sound like them.

Josie Drenner

What was your early introduction to country music? What inspired you?

just a part of who I am and what shaped me What made you want to become a performer? through those growing years.

I am not sure what drew me to want to perform, to be honest. I was always curious about what went on in those honky-tonks; I could hear country music coming across Lake Livingston when I was out fishing on a Saturday night with my dad. When I graduated high school, I started a band (after being in a high school FFA band) and started hitting every honky-tonk and bar I could, and Mama was right—nothing good happens after midnight (laughs).

You were working at the prison and playing gigs at night. At what point did you decide you should play music full time?

Whenever I met my wife Brandi, she gave me the confidence I needed to do it. My manager and the warden I worked for encouraged me, too. So, it came down to saying a prayer, pulling my hat down, and going after it.

Your last two albums were huge successes in Texas Country Radio, and Cowboy Like Me debuted in the Top Ten on the Billboard Country Albums Chart. Now you are releasing your third album produced by friend Trent Willmon. What approach did you take in making Gotta Be Me?

Your career first led you to professional bull riding. After your fair share of injuries, you began working for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Huntsville as a prison guard.

Obviously, rodeo life has influenced your music.

Did working in a prison affect your music in I felt in my heart that this album was gonna any way? have more of a spotlight on it than anything I had done so far, so it really needed to represent Oh, absolutely. On my album A Different who I am. There are four outside cuts that I Day, which was two albums ago, there is a didn’t write, but I put aside my own material, song Guilty as Can Be, and it is pretty much a because I couldn’t deny how good these other true story, with the name changed to protect songs were and how they just fit how I wanted the guilty. When you work in a prison, it really to represent myself on this album. puts life in perspective, and it toughens you up some, too—probably more so than bull riding. The album’s title cut, Gotta Be Me, basically I don’t think rodeo life or life working in the says, “You can polish me up, but you can’t penitentiary will ever leave me, because it is change me.” That sums you up, doesn’t it?

»

October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 19

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codyjohnsonmusic.com It does. David Lee and I wrote that, and David is one of the greatest songwriters that has ever lived, in my opinion. He knows how to get the best out of me. I think it is true with any cowboy—you can polish me up all you want, but the real thing has to remain. If not, there is no integrity in it. At the end of the day, there is a line drawn in the sand that I won’t cross, and I want to make that clear.

With You I Am is your first release, and it is a great ballad. I always hear songwriters say it is important to write songs that women like to hear. So I have to ask, what does your wife think about this song?

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

She loves it. Trent Willmon, David Lee, and I wrote it. You are talking about three guys in different age groups with different backgrounds, but we all have that one common thing, and for us it is our wives, hands down.

I love the fact that people have told me, “Man, this song makes me think of this or that,� and sometimes it is not even a person. The believability and raw authenticity is what I love so much about it, and so does my wife.

You included a gospel song on the new album, as you have on previous albums. Why is that important to you?

I have seen me try to do things without praying every day. Anybody who knows me knows I am not scared to fight, I’m not scared to have a beer, and I have been known to have a cuss word come out of my mouth every now and then. I am not going to put those songs on my album to try to be a preacher and claim that I am living some type of perfect lifestyle—I’m not. I think that’s the point of it; none of us is perfect, but I know I can’t do what I am doing without the Good Lord behind me. I try to pray and be humble and keep God in my life, my band’s life, and my family’s life, and give it to him and let him do with me what he wants to do; that’s kind of the point I make.

You recently performed at Dosey Doe in The Woodlands as part of the Real Life Real Music radio broadcast, and the crowd witnessed two milestones that night. You were the first person to sell out the newly expanded barn, and you told the crowd it was the first time that your little girl got to watch you perform live. Tell us about your experience that night at Dosey Doe. I love that place. I think it is one of the most beautifully sounding rooms ever. If I had my way, I would go there every day with just my guitar, sit in the empty room, and practice. It

Real Life Real Music

Cameron Powell

just sounds so beautiful. Clara has gotten to come to some sound checks, and she knows Daddy plays the guitar; I love to serenade my little girl at home, but she had never seen me actually sit behind a microphone while I am playing. To watch her reaction was something very special.

How do you want to be defined?

I want to be defined as what I am‌just me... my brand of country music. Country music is so versatile, and I am so thankful for that. I am not going to hate on these guys that rap on the radio; that is their version of country music. It is what they want to do. I can’t do It is hard to classify your music. I don’t call that, but I also think those guys can’t put on a you the new Nashville Country. I don’t call cowboy hat and be what I am, either. I just call you Texas Country. You think of Texas country it playing my brand of country music. artists as people who play Texas honky-tonks What do you do when you get a few days off and rodeos, but you are playing in Kansas, to go home to New Waverly?

Colorado, Utah, Oklahoma‌it’s like you are Chris LeDoux all over again.

I spend as much time as I possibly can with my family and friends and do normal things.

I appreciate that; that is a hell of a compliI get on the tractor, go out on the property, ment! I thank you for that. get sweaty and work, and do everything that doesn’t have anything to do with who I am on

the road. I do love my job, but I also have to make time to be normal Cody, too.

What is the next step in your career?

No matter where this thing goes, no matter what classification people put on it, I am just me. I didn’t start doing this to try to become rich or famous; I am just trying to play what is in my heart—that’s who I am.

The Who I Am singer is now on the road promoting his new album. Don’t miss an opportunity to hear him perform live. You can find his tour dates and purchase the new CD at codyjohnsonmusic.com.

Thank you, Cody, for sharing your story and gift with us. You are a true Texas Talent!

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Update on

Morris Bateman

Update Written By Ruth Fields Photos by Kelly Sue Photography

On December 12, 2015, Conroe resident Morris Bateman turned 100 years old. To celebrate the event, 118 friends and family members gathered for dinner and entertainment. “It was really wonderful,” Morris says. “I enjoyed it, and everybody got a kick out of an old codger like me still putt-putting around.”

Since that time, Morris has had some health setbacks, including a broken hip.

To make life easier, he and his wife Barbara Metcalf Bateman recently moved to Carriage Inn in Conroe, where they enjoy their new living quarters, as well as the meals. Morris says most of the residents are about 90, so he and Barbara fit right in. He only has two regrets: he had to find a new home for Sam, his lovable cat, and he is no longer able to drive his red convertible. “My son has it at his house; he won’t let me have it back,” he says.

§ latest Appeared first in January 2016 Read Story Online postcardslive.com

Morris, a 68-year member of the Conroe Noon Lions Club, volunteered his time for years restoring eyeglasses to be donated to local schoolchildren. He has taken a hiatus from the job, but hopes to be able to return in the future.

Just a few months shy of his 101st birthday, Morris has become accustomed to the awe he inspires in others. “Everybody is so surprised when they find out my age, because I’m walking around doing this and doing that. I don’t know where I got my genes, but I am really proud of them,” he says. “It’s a wonderful life.”

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

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Community Postcards

As part of Montgomery County Food Bank’s (MCFB) mission to provide nutritious meals to hungry children, adults and senior citizens of Montgomery County, MCFB hosted a food fair at Grangerland Intermediate School. The event, which was open to any member of the community that does not have regular access to nutritional assistance, was a huge success.

Montgomery County Food Bank (MCFB) is pleased to announce the appointment of Darlene Underwood to Chief Operating Officer.

Underwood will assume responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the organization as they continue to further push sustainable growth and reach more neighbors in need.

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October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 23

Inspirations

Caring Cards Project

Facebook: The Caring Cards Project vlchrisman415@gmail.com

By Claudia Kirkwood Photos by Libby Rogers A picture is truly worth a thousand words, just as the adage expresses. To describe a beautiful image, a thousand words may be required.

But, just as true is the fact that a picture may impart a thousand words—words of friendship to the lonely, encouragement to the downtrodden, hope to the hopeless, and beauty to a wounded soul. Beautiful images and words of hope, friendship, and encouragement are all bound together in The Caring Cards Project, a labor of love created by Valencia Chrisman of Conroe.

Valencia lost her niece Michaela to suicide in July 2013. Michaela was 11 years old at the time. Her passing was an unspeakable tragedy to the entire family, family friends, teachers, and many others acquainted with this sweet young girl. And, although nothing can bring Michaela back to loved ones, her memory is being honored through the sharing of hope and encouragement to others. This, in fact, mirrors the young life of Michaela, who possessed a heart full of love for others.

One snapshot in time of Michaela’s life will speak volumes about her love and concern for others. Upon moving to Boston, Michaela, going into a nearby café, noticed that the café was understaffed and that the owner was

trying to accomplish all of the necessary tasks by himself. She went home and wrote a note to the owner, saying that if her parents would allow, she would be glad to wipe tables and take out trash or help him in any way possible. This offer of charity from an 11 year-old girl would no doubt be a touch of pure sunshine to this overworked café owner.

Michaela’s favorite flower, a big, bright yellow sunflower, as cheerful as sunshine itself, is the perfect flower to describe a life that continues to bring sunshine to others.

Valencia began The Caring Cards Project in early 2015 with a photograph of sunflowers.

Valencia is an avid photographer, and her lens work is absolutely stunning. Images of flowers, animals, architecture, statuary, and other fine art subjects have taken a pathway through her camera lens and onto prints, which then being mounted on cardstock, are readied for an appropriate message to an emotionally needy recipient. The first card bearing her photograph of sunflowers was sent to a nursing home

with the handwritten message, “You are the sunlight in someone’s day.” As Valencia put it, “Michaela’s death was tragic, and I want her memory to have honor. Bringing hope to another person is something that would bring happiness to Michaela.”

Valencia’s goal is to reach as many people as possible who have an emotional need—those residing in nursing homes, pediatric and adult patients in local hospitals, those serving in the military, and those who are lonely—people in all types of situations and all walks of life.

Her husband John assists with the project by accompanying her on photographic excursions, helping to critique images, and selecting photographs to meet the specific needs that are targeted. After selecting images, Valencia will spend an entire Sunday afternoon assembling the cards and choosing scriptures that are appropriate to the emotional needs she will be addressing.

In a given month, Valencia will send out 60-90 cards to nursing homes, as well as

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respond to requests on her Facebook page or email from people asking her to send a card to a loved one who may be lonely, going through a difficult medical procedure, experiencing a period of low self-esteem, or enduring some other type of trauma. As one nursing home staff member related, many of their residents never receive personal mail. “Receiving a personal card containing a beautiful photograph and a

handwritten message has a strong emotional impact for good on the recipient,” Valencia reflected. “It is so much more than a text or Facebook message. It is something tangible that you can hold in your hand, a gift of communication that someone has taken the time to write, address and send to you.”

Valencia also sends a number of cards each month to three military organizations who place them in Care Packages and send them overseas to our soldiers. The Ronald McDonald House is frequently on her mailing list as well. In a year’s time, Valencia has produced and sent out 1,300-1,500 cards. That figure represents 1,300-1,500 people and their loved ones who have been touched by the kindness of both Valencia and John. That number also represents care and compassion in action! (And at their own personal expense.)

To recoup some of her expenses for stationary, prints, stamps, and envelopes, she decided last year to sell her pictures at the Conroe Festival, held each fall in the cafeteria at Conroe High School. She hoped this would also bring more publicity to The Caring Cards Project. A picture of Michaela with a hand-knitted yellow sunflower attached to the frame was placed at her booth and it, indeed, brought many inquiries as to who the pretty young girl was and why the picture was there. Joining her at the booth was a gentleman named David whose 13 year-old son also died of suicide. Together, they were able to talk with a number of high school students who had questions about the topic.

“Do not brush off any comment that a friend or loved one makes about suicide. Consider that it may be a true cry for help. Don’t ever tell them to ‘get over it.’ Allow them the help that they need,” was Valencia’s plea. She also urged students to be encouragers rather than those who ridicule.

Valencia further explains that depression, which can certainly lead to suicide, can start

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

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“

In a year’s time, Valencia has produced and sent out 1,300-1,500 cards.

early in one’s life. If it is not addressed, the person may look at options to get out of the situation, one being to take one’s own life. “Although it is not a purposefully selfish act, it is a selfish act none-the-less. I can tell you from personal experience that family and friends never recover from it. It is senseless and devastating.� Having this pain in her own life and the life of her family, Valencia is able to understand loss and suffering. Her prayers and words of hope, comfort, and encouragement, so lovingly written inside her beautiful cards, make these a treasure to receive and cherish.

And, in speaking to a young girl recently, she told her, “the value that you have as yourself and as a member of your family is so much more important than what someone says to you or does to you.� The young girl left with a smile on her face and words to ponder and treasure.

Asked if she ever stays in touch with people she has written to, the answer was an enthusiastic, “Yes!�

“A friend asked me in July 2015 to send a card to her mom, who had just learned that she has leukemia. I prepared a card for her, wrote an encouraging message and a prayer, and placed it in the mail. I soon received a card back from her! Over the past year, I have sent her several cards. Each time, she reciprocates with a card of her own. How thoughtful she is! Then, I received a card from her daughter expressing thanks for what I had done. The card she sent me was one that her own daughter, at a very young age, had made for her. You can be sure that that card is a keepsake for me! I get such pleasure out of what I do. It is returned to me tenfold!� “Last year on Facebook, I came across a young boy who has a rare and debilitating disease. His request was that people would send him cards.

Perfect! Right up my alley! I can do that! In fact, I got everyone in my office to send him a card.

We sent all sorts of pictures of cute animals.

He probably got more cards than he could ever have imagined!�

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“Capturing a beautiful image on camera is so fulfilling and exciting to me. I get so excited to pick up my pictures and see them for the first time. I bring them home and spread them all out on the table.

John and I critique them, selecting those that would make great birthday cards, expressions of sympathy, and those that will brighten someone’s day. I always think of Michaela in the process. She would be excited to see the images. I enjoy the moment. I love the art.

And it gives John and me profound pleasure to touch someone’s life in a way that brings blessing and hope.�

Valencia may be reached on her Facebook page, The Caring Cards Project, or by email at vlchrisman415@gmail.com.

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October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 27

Recipes 2. Grease the bottom of a 10 by 15 inch pan

HERSHEY’S SYRUP BROWNIES

3. After melting butter in microwave, cream sugar and butter together.

Ingredients 1/2 cup butter (no substitutes, melt in microwave)

4. Add eggs, one at a time, and beating well after each addition.

1 cup granulated sugar

5. Add vanilla extract.

4 eggs

6. Add flour, and mix well.

1 tsp vanilla extract

7. Add Hershey’s syrup, and mix well.

1 cup flour 1 (16 oz) can Hershey’s syrup 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

8. Add chopped nuts, if using.

9. Pour batter into pan.

Icing 3 cups confectioners’ sugar

10. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until brownies test done with a toothpick.

1/2 cup butter, melted (no subs)

14. Add 1 tsp vanilla extract. Add the rest of the milk. Add enough to get the desired spreading consistency.

11. When the brownies are almost done baking, prepare icing.

15. Let brownies cool about 5-10 minutes.

4 Tbs cocoa 1 tsp vanilla extract

12. Bring to boil in the microwave, the butter, cocoa, and 1 Tbs milk.

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

13. In a mixing bowl, add confectioners’ sugar. Add the cocoa mixture to the sugar and beat well.

4 Tbs milk

16. Spread icing on brownies. Sprinkle with some more chopped nuts, if desired. The icing will harden to a fudge-like consistency.

17. Let brownies cool completely before cutting into squares.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

(reserve the stock) and allow 6. Layer 2 – In small bowl, mix to cool, then shred the chicken. milk and Bisquick. Slowly pour over chicken.

4. When building the layered 7. Layer 3 – In medium bowl, casserole, do not mix the whisk together 2 cups of the layers. chicken stock (strained, if 5. Layer 1 – In 9×13 or larger needed), chicken granules and casserole dish, melt 1 stick soup.

Once blended, slowly of butter. Spread shredded pour over the Bisquick layer. chicken over butter. Sprinkle black pepper and dried sage over this layer.

CHICKEN DUMPLING CASSEROLE

1 tsp black pepper and salt as desired

Ingredients 3 boneless chicken breasts, boiled and shredded

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 cups chicken stock (from boiling breasts above) 1 stick butter 2 cups milk 1 can cream of chicken soup 3 tsp Wyler’s chicken granules 1/2 tsp dried sage

2 cups Bisquick

2. Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in saucepan with enough water to cover the chicken. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat; place a lid on your pot and allow to sit for 10-15 minutes to finish cooking.

3. Remove chicken from stock

AVOCADO AND THREE BEAN SALAD Ingredients 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed 1 (15 oz) can whole kernel corn, drained

8. Bake until the top is golden brown- approx. 50-60 minutes.

1 bunch cilantro, chopped 2 large avocados, peeled, pitted and diced juice of 2 limes 1/2 cup olive oil salt and pepper to taste 2 cloves garlic, mashed or finely diced Directions 1. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.

1 large orange or red bell pepper, 2. Refrigerate for 1 hour before diced serving.

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Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

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any aggression. There is no requirement for basic commands or mitigating tasks since ESAs are not generally taken anywhere pets would not ordinarily go without permission (the exception being to fly in the cabin of an aircraft, even if the airline does not ordinarily accept pets).

Many people are surprised to learn there are over a dozen different specializations for Service Dogs.

Visual Assistance Dogs assist individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks, Hearing Dogs for the Deaf alert individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of Therapy Dogs, Service Dogs, and Emotional Support people or sounds, Wheelchair Assistant Dogs can Dogs (ESD) are all types of assistant dogs. A Therapy pull a wheelchair, Seizure Assistance Dogs assist Dog is one that is trained with specific commands to an individual during a seizure, Severe Allergy Alert provide comfort and affection to people in long-term Dogs alert individuals to the presence of allergens, care, hospitals, retirement homes, schools, mental Medical Alert Dogs and Diabetic Alert Dogs retrieve health institutions, and other stressful situations items such as medicine or the telephone, Brace/ to include disaster areas. Therapy Dogs provide Mobility Support Dogs provide physical support and people with animal contact--people who may or may assistance with balance and stability to individuals not have a form of disability. Therapy Dogs work with mobility disabilities, Psychiatric Service Dogs in animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted help persons with psychiatric and neurological therapy. The dog is commonly owned by the person disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive handling it, who considers the dog to be a personal or destructive behaviors. Military working dogs put pet. Therapy Dogs often work with their handler/ their lives on the line on and off the battlefields, owner during sessions. Handlers of these dogs might detecting explosives and finding contraband. be health care professionals who are members of the The only animals allowed to serve as service animals staff of a particular facility, or volunteers. A Service are any breed of dog and, in some cases, miniature Dog is a highly skilled dog that is to be used by the horses. With respect to Emotional Support client themselves for their own rehabilitation. They Animals, there are no species or breed restrictions. are specialized to work with clients. The ADA defines Consequently, cats, rabbits, miniature pigs, ferrets, a Service Dog as: any dog that is individually trained birds, etc. may be ESAs. to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, Service dogs provide companionship while inspiring sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental confidence and they live to serve, protect and assist disability. Other species of animals, whether wild their handlers. They help their humans perform or domestic, trained or untrained, are not service tasks, overcome disabilities, and live fuller lives. animals for the purposes of this definition. The Each of these animals dedicates and often risks work or tasks performed by a service animal must their lives to help their humans. be directly related to the individual’s disability. An Many assistant dog organizations have two Emotional Support Dog (aka Emotional Support objectives: to provide a trained companion animal Animal – ESA) is a domestic animal that provides for people in need and to save an animal’s life by therapeutic support to a disabled owner through using rescue animals for this work. With thousands companionship, non-judgmental positive regard, of dogs dying in shelters every year, simply because affection, and a focus in life. If a doctor determines they are homeless, it’s a perfect partnership. In that a client with a disabling mental illness would 2013, more than 380 rescued dogs were placed in benefit from the companionship of an ESA, a doctor jobs that saved their lives and benefited the person may write a letter supporting a request by the client they now serve. to keep the ESA in “no pets� housing or to travel with the ESA in the cabin of an aircraft. ESAs are Service dogs are therapeutic and trained to help not task trained like Service Dogs are. In fact, little their owner manage a variety of challenging physical training at all is required as long as the animal is and emotional disabilities, and they have a legal reasonably well-behaved by pet standards. This right to go everywhere in support of their person. means the animal is fully housebroken and has It’s appropriate to dedicate a month to celebrating no bad habits that would disturb neighbors such their work and honoring these loyal companions as frequent or lengthy episodes of barking. The who make life better for all of us. animal should not pose a danger to others or show

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

Dear Gabby

Let’s Fly! Take the fall season to new heights.

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DEAR GABBY I have always tried to be a good citizen and help my fellow man. Lately, it seems there are more scams to try to separate me from my money than there are legitimate charities. I get phone calls at all hours, mail offers, and people with homemade signs on street corners asking me to donate. Help!

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Focus Business

M Kenzie’s Barbeque & Burgers c

The Business Focus is chosen each month by random drawing from among Postcards contract advertisers. To learn more call 936-293-1188.

By Ruth Fields Photos by Kelly Sue Photography It’s about 2:00 p.m. on a weekday, but there is still a sizable lunch crowd enjoying slowcooked brisket, sausage, and pork spareribs in the spacious dining areas of McKenzie’s Barbeque in Conroe. Darin McKenzie excuses himself from the kitchen and, still sporting his apron, tells the Postcards team about the McKenzie family’s Texas barbeque tradition.

A lot has changed since 1995, when Darin decided to leave his job as an accountant and open his own barbeque restaurant. He already had plenty of experience in the business— while he was in high school and college, he worked for his sister, Shannon Fell, a Bodacious Bar-B-Q franchise owner in Longview. His brother Kevin owns the McKenzie’s Barbeque restaurants in Huntsville and Madisonville, and—not wanting to compete with family members—Darin and his wife, Kathy, decided to open the newest McKenzie’s Barbeque in the growing Conroe area.

34

The original restaurant was just 2,200 square feet, and it soon became crowded with patrons who appreciated the McKenzie family’s commitment to quality, consistency, and excellent customer service. In 2005, Darin and Kathy enlarged the restaurant, more than tripling its size and increasing the seating from 70 to 230. At the same time, they added a McKenzie’s Burgers and Fries under the same roof. Then in 2009, the couple opened another location on Walden Road in Montgomery, just north of the Walmart Supercenter. Along the way, the McKenzies decided not to remain open on Sundays.

“Originally, we were open on Sundays just because I was young, ambitious and finding my way,” Darin says. “Then it was brought to my attention that we have to have one day of rest—and we are commanded, basically, to have one day of rest. A year after we opened,

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

we started closing on Sundays, and our total sales never went down.”

McKenzie’s Barbeque recently began another delicious chapter in its history by offering breakfast at both locations. It all started when the McKenzies’ pastor, Wes Pratt of Northside Baptist Church, asked Darin if the church’s Monday morning men’s prayer breakfast could meet at the McKenzie’s Barbeque in Conroe.

Darin agreed, and also offered to cook breakfast for the men. After about a year, he decided to add a breakfast menu on Mondays through Saturdays to the entire community. “We were here working anyway. We might as well serve breakfast. Plus,” he says with a grin, “I like to eat it.” The breakfast menu includes such early-morning favorites as bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, breakfast tacos, and biscuits and gravy.

Darin McKenzie, Owner

mckenziesbarbecue.com

Quality ‘Q The McKenzie family is serious about its barbeque. Starting with only the best cuts of meat and quality spices, barbeque is slowsmoked up to 22 hours over hardwood fires.

It’s always served fresh, and never cut until ordered.

Darin remembers conversing with a caterer who provided meals for electrical crews during the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. The caterer was so impressed with the quality and taste of McKenzie’s Barbeque, he subsequently invited Darin to visit his operation in Oklahoma as a consultant. “He said, ‘I want my food to taste like yours,’� Darin says. When he arrived in Oklahoma, Darin discovered that the catering company prepared all its food a day in advance, reheating it before serving. “I told him, ‘I can

Paul Mayes, M.D.

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help you real quick: cook it fresh,’� Darin says. “It just makes a world of difference.�

Although McKenzie’s tender, lean beef brisket is its top seller, people who like the restaurant’s ribs tend to make more noise. “Ribs are more what people talk about,� Darin says. “There is one guy who comes from Austin once a month on business, and he always takes a bunch of ribs back with him—he loads up the cooler. He drives past how many barbeque places? And he takes ours with him.�

The two-meat platter with sausage and beef brisket, however, is Montgomery resident Jim Hamilton’s favorite. Jim has been frequenting McKenzie’s Barbeque for 16 years, and says he appreciates the effort that goes into the food there. “Darin doesn’t cut corners. It’s slow-cooked on oak firewood. He gets there

about 4 or 4:30 every morning and he doesn’t leave until about 4 or 5 in the evening, sometimes later. And he does it every day—except Sundays,� Jim says. “You can tell he cares what you think about his food. He wants you to enjoy it and come back.�

Now that breakfast is on the menu, Jim comes to the restaurant at least twice a week, and sometimes three times. He even has his own item on the menu: the Jim’s Special. “It’s four eggs—scrambled, only scrambled—two pieces of bacon, one sausage and a big ol’ biscuit,� he says.

McKenzie’s Barbeque has been featured in Texas Monthly and in Texas Highways magazines, and has won the The Courier’s “Best Barbeque in Montgomery County� award for 16 consecutive years.

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Conroe 1501 N. Frazer, 77301 Monday – Saturday, 6:30am to 9:00pm Closed Sunday (936) 539-4300 Montgomery 17099 Walden Rd., #200, 77356 Monday – Saturday, 6:30am to 9:00pm Closed Sunday (936) 582-7444 A Family Tradition Continues Already, an impressive number of McKenzie family members are serving up good Texas barbeque in five towns. Darin’s brother, sister, and nephews are in the barbeque business, and Darin and Kathy’s son Colin recently decided to join the family business when he graduates from Louisiana Tech in two years. “He got a really good test this summer,� Darin says. “I broke my arm, then had rotator cuff surgery.

He was here and watched things for me.�

The McKenzie children have been a part of the restaurant since they were born. “Colin was born a month before we opened up,� Darin says. “He was here in Kathy’s arms or in a playpen

right off to the side, or we were passing him off to customers.� When Colin was older, he had small jobs at the restaurant, as did his younger sisters, Lauren, who is now a freshman at Texas Tech University, and Abby, 10.

Whether they visit the original Conroe location or the newer one in Montgomery, whether they come for breakfast, lunch, dinner or utilize McKenzie’s Barbeque’s popular catering service, customers soon find that the McKenzie family is serious about serving good food. “When your name is above the door,� Darin says, “you tend to care about what is being served.�

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38

Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | October 2016

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

The board of education in a nearby town sold off a building that had been a one-room tavern. One day, an elderly man was walking by the place with his grandson and pointed to the building.

This feature is dedicated to sharing all those hysterical things that come out of the mouths of little ones. They’re probably the stories that you’ve told over and over for years... we look forward to hearing yours!

“That’s where I went to school when I was your age.� “Really?� said the boy. “Who was your bartender back then?�

Mom: How are your grades this year?

I recently bought a set of CDs (Through the Bible in a Year) that I listen to when driving.

Son: Mother, what’s important is that we have our health.

Conversation in the backseat: Branson: Sugar, who is that talking on the radio?

Bryleigh (before I could answer): It’s God! Didn’t you hear him say (in her deep voice)...I am the Lord your God!!

Branson: Really? I’ll have to tell dad to get that station in his truck.

He likes God! Lisa Heath

My 4-year-old is currently singing a song he made up himself. He only has a chorus that goes, “You can’t soooooolve Mississippi’s problems.�

My son just turned two and is barely saying complete words. On Halloween, we took him trick-or-treating. When someone would hold out their hand with candy, he would inspect it, and if he didn’t care for what the candy was, he would look up and say, “No, thank you,� then start towards the next house. It was hilarious.

Share the hysterical things your kids and grandkids say

PostcardsLive.com

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Mark your Calendars BRYAN/COLLEGE STATION

14th Annual Fall Car, Truck and Bike Show Oct. 8 conroecruisers.com

Annual NCHA Cutting/Dinner/ Auction/Concert Oct. 4-9 michellelynnholsey.com

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Smokey Robinson Oct. 7 spahouston.org World Championship LEGO KidsFest Texas 27th Annual Conroe Fiddlers Festival Oct. 21-23 Cajun CatďŹ sh Festival Oct. 22 legokidsfest.com Oct. 14-16 worldchampionship Wings Over Houston Airshow fiddlersfestival.com conroecajuncatfishfestival.com Oct. 22-23 CENTER DALLAS wingsoverhouston.com Fall Vegetable/Herb Sale East Texas Poultry Festival State Fair of Texas & Open Gardens Oct. 6-8 “How to Succeed in Business Sep. 30-Oct. 23 Oct. 15 shelbycountychamber.com Without Really Tryingâ€? bigtex.com mcmga.com Oct. 26 – Nov. 6 COLDSPRING GALVESTON tuts.com “The Addams Familyâ€?

Wolf Creek Car Show Galveston Symphony Straight No Chaser: Oct. 21 – Nov. 6 Orchestra Oct. 15-16 I’ll Have Another‌ crightontheatre.org Oct. 2 20th Anniversary World Tour coldspringtexas.org Oct. 30 “Twistin’ with Chubby Checkerâ€?

CROCKETT CONROE emporiumpresents.com Oct. 15 Trade Days and Flea Market Montgomery County Master st rd “A Year With Frog and Toad�

1 and 3 Weekend Gardeners First Fall Plant Sale HUNTSVILLE Oct. 18 (936) 204-0731 Oct. 1 Fair on the Square “The Hunchback of Notre Dame�

Tanya Tucker Concert October 1 mcmga.com with Rob Landes, Organist Oct. 1 chamber.huntsville.tx.us Oct. 29 Broadway Comes to Conroe – Piney Woods PolkaFest “Noises Oâ€? thegrand.com Conroe Symphony Orchestra with Brave Combo Oct 5-8 Island Oktoberfest Oct. 15 Oct. 1 “The Love of the Nightingaleâ€?

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Mark your Calendars Annual Bazaar St Thomas LIVINGSTON RIVERSIDE Catholic Church “Asleep At The Wheel�

Trade Days Oct 16 October 1 Oct. 29 (936) 295-0653 facebook.com/riversidetradedays polkcountycommercecenter.com Huntsville Half Marathon, 1/4 Marathon and 5k MADISONVILLE THE WOODLANDS Oct. 22 National Night Out Houston Symphony 7hills.us Oct. 4 Hocus Pocus Pops Buttery Festival and visitmadisonville.org Oct. 7 Fall Plant Sale Prophets of Rage in Concert Annual Texas Oct. 22 Oct. 8 Mushroom Festival walkercountymastergardeners.org Oct. 22 Majic 102.1 Under the Stars Sam Houston Statue texasmushroomfestival.com Oct. 15 Birthday Celebration MONTGOMERY Oct. 22 Luke Bryan in Concert Conroe Lobsterfest 2016 huntsvilletexas.com Oct. 20 Oct. 6 Pumpkin Carving Flight of the Conchords conroe.org Oct . 27 in Concert th 6 Annual Texian samhoustonmemorial Oct. 25 museum.com Heritage Festival woodlandscenter.org Oct. 8 Scare on the Square Woodlands Area texianheritage.org Oct. 29 Quilt Guild Auction huntsvilletx.gov Oct. 8 NEW WAVERLY American Legion Auxiliary waqg.org New Waverly Public Library Chili Cooko The Orig. Halloween SpookTacular Dinner & Auction Oct. 29 Oct. 8 Monster Mash Party samhoustonpost95.org nwpublib@txun.net Oct. 31 woodlandschildrensmuseum.org

TODD MISSION Texas Renaissance Festival Oct. 8-Nov. 27 texrenfest.com

TRINITY Trinity Community Fair/Youth Livestock Show/Auction Sep. 30-Oct. 1 trinitycommunityfair.com

WILLIS Friends of the Willis Library Bi-Annual Book Sale Oct. 21-22 countylibrary.org/meador.htm

TYLER Rose Festival Oct. 13-16 texasrosefestival.com Je Foxworthy Oct. 22 cowancenter.org

WACO Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo Oct. 6-15 hotfair.com

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October 2016 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 41

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Salute to Rodeo’s Pickup Man

by Wes Altom If you’ve ever watched a rodeo, you’ve seen a pair of cowboys on horseback in the arena during the roughstock events. They swoop in after rides are finished or a contestant is bucked off, sidling up next to bareback and saddle bronc horses and helping herd ornery bulls out of the ring. Known as the “ghosts” of the arena, these riders choose to stay out of the limelight and act as a support system for those battling it out for success in the sport.

They are steadfast…always present, always watching, always there to lend a hand, rescue from danger, keep the action moving along, or even just give an encouraging word…all from the shadows.

Life is a rodeo—full of bucking stock, unexpected twists and turns, and quite a few falls where we have to get up, dust ourselves off, and get right back on. This real-world full-time rodeo of ours could use a better support system, with a lot more guys and gals saddling up to ghost ride…after all, it’s a big arena.

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