POSTCARDS MAGAZINE - Piney Woods - Feb. 2023

Cover Photo by Michele Miller Postcards 2022Photo Contest Submission

Marjean Creager

a Calendar Girl!

February is here…the month of Valentine’s Day…also known as the holiday all new year dieters despise, because the chocolates and candies appear in every store aisle about ten minutes after you’ve made your New Year’s resolutions!

I’m not sure about you, but the calendar is incredibly important in my world. In fact, before I go to sleep at night, one of the things I do is check to see what is on the calendar for tomorrow. We often share with team members who join Postcards to be prepared never to know what month they are in. For example, here I am during the second week of January writing the February column and working on March and April magazines. No wonder I have to check my schedule!

2023 will be the year of two Christmases for our family. We will have one in January and one in December. (At least we are planning one in December.) Of course, we planned for one in December 2022 as well, and thanks to schedule changes and illnesses, it didn’t happen. In fact, as I pen this column, we are anticipating Christmas with our children and grandchildren now only one week away. Yesterday, one of my friends asked me if our grandson liked a gift she knew was under the tree for him. I replied, “I have no idea. He hasn’t seen it yet!” It is also possible (wink, wink) that my children may have Valentine candy hearts in their Christmas stockings… but hey, that can just be another memory to laugh about, right?

Speaking of calendars, it is good to again see events coming out of postCovid hibernation, and fun to make plans to attend those. Be sure to check out our calendar pages in the back to see what kind of neat things might be in store for you and yours. If you don’t see anything that tickles have never visited and stop by. If you can’t stop by, then call them and let them know you appreciate what they do to make Postcards possible. We sure do!

Until next time, ~ Karen

Karen Altom

I’m

Partners

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When we were children, Valentine’s Day was for swapping funny cards and candy hearts in school. When we were teenagers, it was for letting your secret crush know you had “a thing” for them. When we became adults, it was for romantic evenings with our significant other, away from the pressures of work, kids, or life in general.

Even when we’re older, Valentine’s Day can still be about all those things! But the older we get, the more Valentine’s Day becomes something else, too. It’s an opportunity to tell everyone I care about how important they are to me. And that includes you.

So, for this Valentine’s Day, we just wanted to let you know how much you mean to us and our team. Getting to serve, to help, to know people like you is why we do what we do.

We cherish the memory of all our past conversations and interactions… and we look forward to all the conversations to come!

As you may know, Valentine’s Day was originally a celebration of a saint who lived during the Roman Empire. Valentinus, or Valentine, performed secret marriages for soldiers and persecuted Christians. Those he helped would recognize him for the ring he wore with the image of Cupid engraved upon it.

Discovered and imprisoned, Valentine befriended his jailer’s daughter, sending her letters signed, “From your Valentine.” Since then, Valentine’s Day has become a celebration of love and friendship of all sorts.

You are much more than a client. You are a valued friend. So, it’s in that spirit we submit – not from your financial advisors, but from your Valentines. However you choose to spend the day, I hope you always remember you are loved, appreciated, and cared about – especially by all of us here at Global Financial Partners. We hope you have a very happy Valentine’s Day!

Tim Johnson reading Traction

By Gino Wickman

Marsha Dickens reading Rules of Civility

By Amor Towles

Megan Spencer reading Lincoln Highway

By Amor Towles

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

Touching Tomorrow

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

Maria Plotts

Groveton High School

FCCLA / Culinary Arts / Nutrition / Restaurant Management

Nominated by Megan Goss

Mrs. Plotts helped me come out of my shell by giving me the opportunity to give back to the community. She gave me the chance to grow as a person.

Nominate a special teacher today by going online: Those chosen for publication are awarded a gift card to 1836 Steakhouse.

Sponsored by:

Community Builders

Story Claudia Kirkwood Submitted Photos

EMPTY BOWLS

understand the empty bowl is actually “Empty Bowls,”

the ability to breed creativity in persons of any age who are ready to take on the challenge.

Empty Bowls began in 1990 as a fundraiser for a students were inspired to create ceramic bowls which would be auctioned to raise money for the drive.

organization raising millions of dollars to feed the hungry and has launched fundraisers in schools and organizations across the country. A student intern with SHSU’s Center for Law, Engagement and Politics (LEAP) brought the idea to Huntsville.

The Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center has sponsored thisprojecteachyearforthepastseveralyears with abundant results, and again this year offers the community the opportunity to get involved in this very worthy endeavor. According to Sarah Faulkner

(CulturalServicesManager)and Angela Robinson (Event Coordinator), those who have participated in past years have returned again and again to enjoy the

ceramic bowl. This seems daunting to the unskilled, but that concern has been addressed by providing instructors who can guide the most timid of “wannabe” artists in the making of a pottery bowl from start

time participants from ages 5 through 82 and older have been elated with their accomplishments, with many returning each year to craft another unique, one-of-a-kind masterpiece! And this year, thanks to Senior Center of Walker County Board member Linda McKenzie, residents of the Center had the opportunity to decorate bowls for this event. Although the bowl preparation portion of the project has already taken place for the March 2023 event, Angela invites the public to check the website this coming fall for class times to create a bowl for next year’s event. The bowls are crafted in November and December each

Photo By SHSU LEAP

Photos by SHSU LEAP

Tracy Rikard

•Assistance on Monday, March 6, to prepare for the event

•Assistance to assemble, serve, and clean up the meal on Tuesday, March 7

year, with the actual event occurring around March. Cork & Canvas, a local paint and pottery studio located at 1109 12th Street in Huntsville, partners with The Wynne Home in providing bowls for painting and glazing.

fashioned in all shapes and sizes, colors and designs, from plain to fanciful, only limited by the skill and imagination of the artist. And there are few limitations, as you will see once you lay eyes on these (more than 200) works

of art! The bowls are now ready, and we move on to the next phase of the project.

It is time to explore service opportunities, and there are several ways citizens and local businesses can get involved. The Empty Bowls event will take place at The Wynne Home Arts & Visitors Center on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. For a suggested donation of $15, the public is invited to come and enjoy a light lunch of soup, accompanied by trays of sandwiches, fruits, and vegetables.

HEB and other businesses have been generous in providing funds for the purchase of menu items, and the Culinary Arts Program of Huntsville High School prepares and donates soup for the event. In fact, this soup has been a crowd-pleaser every year and, according to Sarah and Angela, it goes fast--so come early! While consuming these delicious meal offerings, participants are invited to purchase one of the newly created masterpieces or to simply donate toward the fundraising goal.

Photos by SHSU LEAP

Bowls have beenmade,lunch hasbeenenjoyed,funds have beenraised,and now the thisworthwhileendeavor?All fundsraisedthroughourlocal

Senior Center of Walker County to support the Meals on Wheels program. This program provides meals to senior citizens in the community, either served daily at the Senior Center or delivered to those who are homebound and in need of this service.

According to Stacey Loll, Executive Director of the Senior Center, approximately 50,000 meals are provided annually by Meals on Wheels through the gracious gift of time and effort by more than 96 volunteers. As she shares, “It is a tremendous task that meets

a crucial need in our community. We are grateful for the contribution the Empty Bowls project provides toward this end.”

So, as you see, an empty bowl can most

touching lives in many ways. Local artists volunteertheirtimeandexpertise;young and old alike are inspired to learn a new skill

The Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center

1428 11th Street Huntsville, TX 77340 936-291-5424 • arobinson@huntsvilletx.gov www.thewynnehome.com https://www.facebook.com/TheWynneHomeArtsCenter

and create a unique work of art; those who enjoy serving others are provided with opportunities to do so; and the hungry are fed. This is theproverbialwin-winsituation. Thisprovidesanopportunityto get involved in a worthy cause that County.

The Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center is pleased to host the Empty Bowlseventeachyear,aswell asthemanyothereducational workshops and courses that it offers, free to the public, throughout the year. Course descriptions and schedules are available on their website and Facebook page. The Wynne Home staff and volunteers look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at the Empty Bowls event from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. donation to help our senior citizens.

Senior Center of Walker County Stacey Loll, Executive Director 936-295-6151

Event starts 2-1-23

DEAR GABBY

Why do ladies make resolutions to lose weight in January, only to be given boxes of candy in February? If my boyfriend does that to me again this year, he’s history!

RESOLUTE

DEAR GABBY

I understand giving up alcohol in January is a real thing, but I didn’t get around to that resolution in time. I got a DUI last month, so I really need to stop drinking. Can you give me any advice to keep me on track?

NOT USUALLY A QUITTER

DEAR NUAQ

As I always say, if you don’t really want to know, don’t ask. I always recommend that people stop drinking while it’s their idea. One problem with drinking and driving is that you live in East Texas. Trees defend themselves very well. I can’t say as much about other humans. Think about that. Life is not a fairy tale. If you lose your shoe at midnight, you’re drunk. If you wait until your Check Liver Light comes on, it may be too late. Think about alcohol like all other drugs, because it is. And don’t try to quit alone. Pray.

DEAR RESOLUTE

I commend you on your willpower! Please, at least drop your guy a hint before you ditch him because he fell for the Russell Stover commercials. His intentions are probably noble and romantic. Charles Schultz, of Snoopy fame, summed it up well. He said, “All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.”

GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO “SUPER SNACKER”: If we are not supposed to eat at night, why is there a light in the fridge?

as

2 year old Bret Burns at the Elkins Lake Playground in Huntsville. He is the son of Cord & Mallory Burns.

Share

Cayden and his big brother Xavier White getting ready to eat some seafood at Fulton Beach!

KSAM & KHVL, The LAKE was selected by The Huntsville/Walker County Chamber of Commerce as Business of the Year for 2022. The selection was announced at the 88th Annual Gala on Saturday, December 10, 2022.

Left to right: Bryan Reeder, Glenn Edwards, Tim Johnson, Stephanie Pitts, Brenda Hooker, & Ray Hernandez.

Tarkington,

TX (Burton B. Tarkington)

Burton B. Tarkington (1790-1861) and his wife Sarah Berry Tarkington migrated with their family from Indiana in the mid-1820s to the Mexican state of Coahuila. They settled west of the Trinity River in present northwest Liberty County, and began ranching and raising crops. The area around their farm became known as Tarkington’s Prairie, and a creek in the area is called Tarkington Bayou. According to family legend, the Tarkingtons and other early settlers had to vacate their property in 1836 when Santa Anna’s forces advanced prior to the Battle of San Jacinto.

Apparently Tarkington did not have a land grant from the Mexican government for the land he claimed, but when Texas gained independence from Mexico in 1836 he received a headright land grant of one league and one labor (4,605 acres). The grant was patented in 1847 by the new state of Texas and became known as the Tarkington Survey.

Tarkington became a leader in the community. He served in the Texas Militia in 1842, and was elected Liberty County commissioner for three terms beginning in 1854. He received recognition for his service from Governor H. R. Runnels.

Tarkington died Feb. 2, 1861 and is buried in the McGinnis Cemetery (.25 mi. W).

Marker is near 22353 TX-321, Cleveland Texas.

If you don’t get it…this might be you! :)

Seen by: PC Staff

We really, really hate the metric system in Texas!

Seen by: Robert Allen

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 to us with a description at: PostcardsLive.com

Sandra

Shelby

Adriane Hunter

Owner, Cabins and More of Texas

1SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED?

Huntsville ISD through 10th grade and then homeschooled.

2FAVORITE MOVIE?

The Princess Bride

3 HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST DOLLAR?

Working in the family business with my dad.

4BOOK THAT LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU? The Bible and then Divine Disruption

5LAST THING YOU BINGE-WATCHED? NCIS New Orleans

6WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU RIDING DOWN THE ROAD LISTENING TO? KSBJ

7YOUR FAVORITE DISH? My grandmother’s enchiladas

8YOUR GO-TO BARISTA ORDER? Honey Almond Milk Flat White

9FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY Our Colorado Family Vacation

10SOMETHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE US ABOUT YOU?

I volunteered at the Fire Department in my 20’s

11WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING ON YOUR DAY OFF? Who has a day off??? What’s that??? LOL!!!

12 HOW WOULD YOUR PERFECT DAY BEGIN? Being able to turn off everything.

13 HOW DO YOU CLEAR YOUR MIND AFTER A BAD DAY? Nap in bed and watch something while chatting with my kids

14ONE THING YOU’RE EPICALLY BAD AT? I am getting better, but setting boundaries.

15BUCKET LIST ITEM YOU’RE MOST GLAD YOU’VE DONE? Cruise!

16 TOP THING LEFT TO DO ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? Northern Lights

17IF YOU COULD LIVE ABROAD, WHERE WOULD THAT BE? Greece

18WHO DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY? My kids and the strength they have shown

19BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN? You will make it, one step at a time.

20ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF? You’re gonna be okay.

If

National Treasures

Through informative displays, visitors discover the stories held behind the prison walls. At the “Big House across the River,” displays of cells and artifacts reveal the prison’s past. A walking tour includes the prison building, the prison industries building, and the warden’s house. Located next to the prison building, the prison industries building (broom factory) was built to raise revenue, manage the prison population, and maintain a

was built to raise revenue, manage the and maintain a workshop year-round

Story and Photos by Wes Altom

History

The prison was built in 1872 and began accepting prisoners in early of operation, 11 escaped. By 1877, the prison was overcrowded. As the considered more appropriate for those with light sentences. During the 1880s, the prison was under capacity, with as few as three prisoners at one time. However, in 1889, a second cellblock was constructed, expanding capacity to 150 and providing a central kitchen, dining hall,

Photo by Michelle Blair

The Auburn Prison System was adopted to manage the prison population.

Butch Cassidy

Under this system convicts were sentenced to hard labor, required to be silent at all times, wear black and white striped uniforms, and their identities removed by replacing their names with numbers.

In 1890, Wyoming became a state, and the facility was transferred to the new state, which already had planned a new facility in Rawlins. Butch Cassidy was incarcerated here in 18941896. Prisoners were transferred to Rawlins in 1901; the prison was closed in 1903 and given to the University of Wyoming.

The university operated the property to conduct experiments in livestock breeding until 1989. In 1991, the property opened to the public. In 2004, it was established as Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site.

Famous Residents

•Robert LeRoy Parker aka Butch Cassidy, George Parker, and George Cassidy from 1894-1896. He began his outlaw career near Centerville, UT. His father had purchased a ranch known as a den for horse thieves and rustlers. Robert was tutored by outlaw Mike Cassidy and later

of note happened in 1897 in Colorado, but prior to that he was in Wyoming and involved in petty theft. His favorite haunts were Brown’s Hole, Hole-in-theWall, Lander, Sheridan and Thermopolis

(all these areas are in Wyoming except Brown’s Hole, which was where Utah and Colorado met Wyoming).

•Clark Pelton, aka Billy Webster, aka “The Kid,” from 1880-1882; It is thought that

Front row left to right: Harry A. Longabaugh, alias the Sundance Kid, Ben Kilpatrick, alias the Tall Texan, Robert Leroy Parker, alias Butch Cassidy; Standing: Will Carver, alias News Carver, & Harvey Logan, alias Kid Curry; Fort Worth, Texas, 1900.

Wild Bunch (aka Fort Worth Five)

Guards Quarters

Bill Bevins taught Pelton the ways of a road agent. He also ran with other noted outlaws who plagued the stage line that ran the Cheyenne River and was involved in murder, rustling, highway robbery, and interfering with the mail.

•George Currie aka “Flat Nose George” Widely quoted as being an outlaw “just for the fun of it.” He ran with the Hole-in-the-Wall gang for a time and left taking several outlaws with him. The Gillette-BuffaloKaycee area of Wyoming knew George as a likable rancher who may have done a little rustling. The large cattle operations knew George as a man who did train robbery, a lot of rustling, and a little ranching on the side! He was implicated in an ambush murder of a Converse County Sheriff and 1897 murder of a Johnson County deputy.

Warden’s House

Inside the Warden’s House

More About Butch Cassidy

Ofthose who werelockedincellshere, perhaps none is more notorious than Butch Cassidy. The famed outlaw spent roughly 18 months at the prison for stealing horses in the late 1800s, his only prison stint. Cassidy formed his “Wild Bunch” gang of criminals shortly after his release (which involved a pardon by the governor).

Cassidy obviously had charm and connections. Many viewed him as a kind of “Robin Hood,” carefully planning heists to steal from the richwhileattemptingtostaynon-violent. Not everyone in his gang, however, had a non-violent gene. We know for sure that three members--Kid Curry, George Curry and Will Carver--killed people during their reign.

Broom-making equipment inside prison industry building

Female prisoners worked doing laundry and sewing uniforms.

There’s a good chance that others in the gang killed as well. When there are gaps in historical by legend. Though there are many facts in the Butch and Sundance and legend persists. One ending is that the outlaws were trapped in San Vincente by Bolivian authorities, a werefounddeadafterward. Another version claims that 1908 shootout involved two other outlaws of pursuing authorities. This version has Cassidy returning to the U.S to

Grins

Q: What did the dog say when he sat on the sandpaper?

A: Rough, rough.

Q: What did the skunk say when the wind changed directions?

A: Ahhh, it’s all coming back to me now.)

Q: How do you spell mousetrap in three letters?

A: C.A.T.

Q: Where do you put a noisy dog?

A: In a barking lot.

Q: What did the caterpillar say to the

A: You’ll never get me up in one of those things!

Q: What are the four letters the dentist says when the patient visits?

A: ICDK

Q: What side of an apple is the left side?

A: The side that hasn’t been eaten.

By Steve VanWagner, D.V.M.

Is Your Pregnant Mare Ready for Foaling?

Most horse owners are nervous about their pregnant mare and have many questions about how to care for them. In actuality, there is little to be concerned about if some small steps are followed. Proper nutrition, deworming, vaccinations, and exercise can help ensure a normal, healthy pregnancy.

Mares should be vaccinated against Equine

months of gestation. Also vaccinations for Eastern and Western encephalomyelitis, West

Tetanus should be given 4 to 8 weeks prior to foaling to increase antibody levels in the mare’s colostrum so that when the foal nurses during

mare is pregnant, but also detect the presence of multiple embryos (twins). Ultrasound examheartbeat is detected. Sexing can be performed by experienced ultrasound personnel at around 60 to 70 days.

In 90 percent of mares with twin embryos, one or both will be resorbed or aborted during the occurs naturally could delay or interfere with a subsequent successful pregnancy. Of the small percentage of twins that survive past 60 days, it is unlikely that two healthy foals will be born; most will spontaneously abort at 6 to 8 months. If they do happen to survive they are usually born premature and have serious medical problems and are unlikely to survive. Early detection of twins provides an opportunity to eliminate one embryo, thus allowing the other to develop normally.

Always use good judgment. Transport your mare only if necessary. Use caution when exposing her to other horses. Provide good nutrition but do not overfeed. Supplements are NOT necessary if being fed a balanced diet. Make sure mare is current on vaccines, deworming, dental care and hoof care. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations. Do not administer any hormones unless prescribed by gestation, treat your mare as a non-pregnant one. Light riding is acceptable and actually a

intake until last 3 to 4 months of pregnancy. She should always have access to an abundance of clean, fresh water.

Vaccinations and deworming are an important part of maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

protection against those diseases. Mares should be dewormed several weeks before foaling because the mare can be the primary source for infecting her foal with parasites.

The average length of gestation in the mare is 340 days. However, normal gestation can range from 320 to 380 days. Do not get overly concerned if your mare is past due. Prolonged gestation is not generally associated with problems or extra large foals unless the mare is grazing fescue grass.

If you notice any vaginal discharge or dripping of milk during pregnancy contact your veterinarian immediately. Obvious signs of impending birth are: Waxing of the teats, Filling of the udder, Obvious dripping of milk. More subtle signs are: Relaxation of the vulva, Visible changes in position of the foal, Softening and

The time is now, no more waiting, your baby is almost here. If you have any questions contact your veterinarian. They will be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your foaling mare and also how to care for the newborn foal.

Day in the Life

Story by Ruth Fields Photos by Tom Miller

near Richards, hundreds more bottles await a learn a process that helps these empties come out of retirement and get a new lease on life!

Left to Right: Brandon, Scarlett, Ethan & Chris

An idea

In 2018, Montgomery resident Brent Stokes, a global business executive, was enjoying dinner with colleagues in Chile when he learned about a nearby business endeavor. Vagrants collected wine bottles to earn a meager living, and a local company upcycled them, transforming them into drinkware.

Brent was intrigued, and he purchased a set of glasses to bring home to his wife Scarlett. Then he thought about it some more. “I think we can take a wine bottle and make it into drinkware,” he told Scarlett. “He started playing around with it in the garage, trying to

Six months later, the project was too big for

the family’s garage, sending the Stokes family facility. Scarlett took care of the business end of things and became the business’ CEO, making A Second Round Glass, LLC a womanowned business with Brent as president. Brent and Scarlett’s son Brandon, a pole vaulter, was attending the University of Arkansas on track and academic scholarships. When he graduated, he became the company’s vicepresident.

A Second Round has continued to grow. Today, it has nearly outgrown its headquarters on McCaleb Road. The Stokes family—with help from employees and creative friends— has perfected a system of upcycling bottles, transforming them not only into personalized,

artisanal drinkware--but also home goods, such as lamps and planters.

The second life of an empty wine bottle

Rescue: Every Monday, employees of A Second Round pick up a truckload of empty bottles at Bernhardt Winery, and hundreds more at West Sandy Creek Winery. “We call this ‘rescuing’ the bottles,” Brent says. Several restaurants and wineries, including Breakwater Grill, Walden Yacht Club, H Wines, and The Rancher’s Daughter (to name just a few), also contribute their empties to A Second Round; individuals contribute, too. The Stokes family calls these partners “the bottle brigade,” and rewards them with a discount on upcycled products.

Bad Boy Mowers

clean adhesive from bottles. Some bottles have labels that are painted on, so they can start their second lives while still displaying their original brand.

As recently as a year ago, A Second Round used a labor-intensiveprocessto cut wine bottles. First, they scoredthebottlesatthe appropriate places to create glasses holding 8, 10, 12 and 16 ounces. Next, they heated them, and then plunged them into an ice bath, which cleanly split the bottles. To save time during production, Brent experimented with a specialized saw to accomplish the task. The method worked, so he soon upgraded to a larger saw. It’s quicker than the old method of splitting bottles, and for only about 20 percent of bottles. “With the old technique, they had imperfections every single time,” Brandon says.

“In the beginning we sanded by hand,” Scarlett says, “but we are small, so we don’t have a lot of hands.” The Stokes family clearly

the market. So, as they have done many times, they carefully considered the problem, thinking creatively; eventually, they “Frankensteined” a belt sander and a vacuum device.

technique,butBrandonsaysthestudenthas now surpassed the teacher. “Ethan can glaze in his sleep,” he says. Gravity takes over at this point, “slumping” the glazed rim into a rounded edge.

After each glass is glazed, it is placed in an enormous cooler, which holds up to 42 glasses. “The cooler used to be on my boat,” Scarlett says with a laugh. Inside the cooler, the glasses cool slowly, giving them added strength. The glasses stay in the “annealer” overnight.“Theyareverydurablebecauseofthis process,” Brandon says.

Unfortunately, the glasses acquire a of it can be wiped off with a cloth, but carbon can also penetrate the molecules of the glass. In the early days of production at A Second Round, carbon deposits were scrubbed off the low-tech way—with a Brillo pad. At one point, a Sam Houston State University Band tuba player (who was interning during the summer at A Second Round) put his internet skills to work in hopes

successful. Today, glasses are soaked in a compound thatquicklyremovesthecarbon.(Theintern was rewarded.)

Glassesare now etchedwitha myriad of designs. Some are semi-standardized, such

names and dates, and A Second Round also makes fully customized drinkware. Designs were once sandblasted, but going forward, most will be etched with a laser engraving machine.

Finally, glasses are put to the test by subjecting them to heat. If a glass is going to break, the folks at A Second Round would rather it break in the production facility instead of in a customer’s home. Glasses, Brandon notes, are dishwasher safe.

While many of their glasses and home goods are sold at craft and home interior shows, such as Lone Star First Saturday in Montgomery, others are ordered via A Second Round’s website, a2round. com, and are shipped to customers. Demand is increasing, so A Second Round actively encourages its “bottle brigade” to continue contributing bottles. “We don’t want to generate demand for a product we can’t

Upcycling and recycling

While recycling uses discarded products to make new ones of the same type, Brandon explains that upcycling takes a product that has already been used and converts it into another usable product. A Second Round does both. Although both the tops and bottoms of bottles are used to make glasses and home goods, not every piece of glass is needed, and there is some breakage. However, A Second Round Glass dutifully recycles unusable glass so that it can be recycled into the wine bottles of tomorrow. “We produce as little waste as possible,” Brandon says. “Everything that comes through here either goes into making glasses or it gets recycled into what it once was.”

With time, and thanks to suggestions from people in the community, A

Second Round has discovered new ways to upcycle wine bottles. The company now offers a variety of decorator items, such as lamps and windchimes, and some bottles start their second lives while still holding

For example, Coca-Cola purchased Topo Chico, one of A Second Round’s contributing partners, in 2017. Before the acquisition, labels were painted on bottles, and upcycled Topo Chico glasses with labels intact are popular with customers. (Unfortunately, it’s getting harder to code. A Second Round now offers a bounty of $1 for each painted-label Topo Chico bottle.) Furthermore, some wine bottles have dimples— called punts—in the bottom. While glasses with punts look a bit unusual, some customers prefer them. “Some people like the punt because they get to brag on themselves that they are making a difference,” Brandon says with a smile.

The Stokes family is proud their company is able to rescue wine bottles and give them a new purpose. Meanwhile, the local community has embraced the idea. Some support the business by donating empty has observed that A Second Round’s success has been due, in large part, he says, “and we are passionate about supporting our community.”

For more information, to shop, or to learn how to donate bottles, visit a2round.com.

Medical Matters

By Patricia Thompson, MD

Health Numbers You Should Know

Your primary care provider, or PCP, is one of your most important health resources. But what does a PCP do?

“My job is to work with my patients to help them stay healthy over their lifetime,” explained Dr. Patricia Thompson, a specialist in primary care, pediatrics, and internal medicine at Houston Methodist Primary Care Group in Montgomery. “I help diagnose illness and monitor ongoing health challenges to try to prevent serious problems by catching issues early and educating my patients on the ways they can be healthier.”

How Your PCP Helps You Stay Healthy

Your PCP performs annual check-ups and is

arise. They help you understand and reduce your risk for developing a variety of health problems. PCPs monitor your health and can recommend testing or refer you to specialty care when needed. Plans can include increasing activity level, adopting healthy eating habits, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and learning how to check and manage your blood pressure.

“It is not a weakness to see a doctor,” Thompson said. “This is a partnership to help keep you healthy.”

Important Numbers to Know

The higher your BMI, the greater your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.

Fasting Blood Sugar - Healthy target: below 100 mg/dL

Also called hyperglycemia, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels and nerves that control your heart over time. It can also lead to type 2 diabetes.

Total Cholesterol - Healthy target: less than 200 mg/dL.

Excess cholesterol can build up in the walls of the arteries, leading to narrowing or blockages in your vessels, which increases your risk of heart attack or stroke.

Make an Appointment

Some risk factors are genetic or out of your control, like family history, age and sex — but there’s still a lot you can do to keep your numbers in a healthy range. Building a partnership with your PCP and working with them to know and manage your numbers can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease and other health complications.

The best way to know your numbers and understand how they impact your health is to visit your PCP.

visit your PCP.

To keep an eye on your health, your PCP monitors several key numbers. For a helpful next visit, be prepared to talk with your doctor about these important indicators and other risk factors you may have.

Blood Pressure - Healthy target: less than 120/80 mmHg

High blood pressure can negatively affect the function of your heart and other major organs, such as the kidney and brain. It’s also the leading cause of stroke.

Body Mass Index - Healthy target: 18.5 to 25 kg/m2

our PCP a ur doctor nd other ess than y affect major It’s 5

Story by Kali Camacho Photos by Wes Altom

Oakwood Cemetery

If area residents are wanting to learn more about local history, one place they may not consider is their local cemetery. Oakwood Cemetery, located on 9th Street in Huntsville, is home to the community what it is today. These include General Sam Houston, George Robinson (who founded ), SHSU presidents, and prominent attorneys. Guides for walking tours are available at the cemetery entrance which provide more information on some of the

Former Mayor of Huntsville Mac Woodward, who is also the former Director of Sam Houston Memorial Museum, provided in-depth information about the history of Oakwood Cemetery and why residents of Huntsville should visit and tour the cemetery.

What is the history and significance of Oakwood Cemetery?

Pleasant Gray, themanthatfounded Huntsville, donated this land to establish a city cemetery in 1847, and then it expanded to other sections. Standing near Sam Houston’s grave, we’re standing in the earliest part of the cemetery. The cemetery extended later all the way to Martin Luther King Drive in the late 1880s, which is known as the New Oakwood Cemetery. Then the Addickes Addition was added in the 1920s. This was where Sam Houston’s Steamboat House was originally located. You see a lot of graves in the original section that show a death date of 1867--that was a yellow fever epidemic in Huntsville, so you have a lot of people that died from that that are buried in the older section. There’s

prominent families, the Abercrombie family, the Thomas Ball family, and some veterans of the Texas Revolution and the Civil War that are buried here. This is a historic Texas cemetery which was awarded by the Texas Historical Commission because of its age and the important cemeteries in Texas.

Can you talk more about Sam Houston’s

grave?

Sam Houston died July 26th, 1863, and this is where he was buried. Originally, it was a little simple marker. In April of 1911, which was the 75th anniversary of the battle of San Jacinto, a sculptor created this monument. When this was dedicated, there were probably several thousand people here to dedicate the marker. Sam Houston’s family descendants were also here to dedicate the new monument. Every year on April 21st, they have a ceremony here to celebrate his birthday, which is called AMarchtothe Grave. HisslaveJoshua Houston’s son, Samuel Walker Houston, is also buried here. He started the real effort for black education in Huntsville-Walker County.

Interestingly,Pleasant Gray himselfisnot

Abercrombie Grave

Why should residents of Huntsville visit the cemetery?

This is the history of the people of Huntsville. In Walker County, this is a way people can come and learn about the different people that were part of this community. Some residents may not have grown up in Huntsville or they have moved here recently, but they’re part of the community, so it’s a part of their community, too. If you walk through here, you can follow the history of Huntsville. Cemeteries are very special to people and very interesting, because this is where their relatives or their ancestors are buried, so there’s almost a connection. I think it’s sacred in a way or spiritual that you have a feeling being here. Look how peaceful and quiet. I think there’s a good quality about it. Many people stop and go through this cemetery out of fascination.

Are there any graves that are unknown?

There are some unmarked graves. The geography department with Sam Houston State University used a ground penetrating radar to try to

Sam Houston’s grave

Union Soldiers’ Graves from 1867-Markers state unknown,

locate grave sites. Before the site was all grown up and when the area was cleared out, you could see the depressions in the ground where the grave African American graves, but we don’t know who they are. The prison donated crosses to use as the grave markers that are used now.

What is the importance of the Christus Statue?

The Powell family was a family of prominent attorneyshereinHuntsvillethat moved to Houston. While they were living here, their son had his tonsils taken out and hemorrhaged and died. His mother was so grieved that she got

Christus Statue in Powell Sanctuary

monument, this statue,

donated this

in his memory. The original statue is in Copenhagen, Denmark, but I think this one is from Italy. I believe at the time, there were only four replicas in the United States. There are other members of the family buried here as well. All that behind the statue is a wilderness with trees, so we can keep it as a wildlife area.

How is the cemetery maintained?

The city took over between 2000-2002, and the cemetery is under the Parks and Leisure Department. We have asmallcrewthat helps maintain it. They also have community servicecrewsfromtheWalls(Huntsville) Unit who help. When COVID hit it became a bit of a struggle. They do it when they can, depending on their situation. Without them, contracting company that helps with mowing and trimming. Our cemetery attendant assists with new contacts and checking everything. history!Ifinterestedinassistingwith

year-old jumping on the trampoline, telling me to look out for him in case his head hits an airplane. After repeatedly stressing the importance of oral hygiene to my kid, I found a note that read, “Mom, I left my spit in the sink as proof that I brushed my teeth.”

My three-year-old is going through his noto return to his room. He walked in angry and said, “Sleeping is not that fun. And I just want to have fun.”

When my niece was seven, I accompanied classmates ran away from me. I asked her what the issue was—it turned out she’d told them I was a real-life vampire.

Mytwo-year-old’sgranolabarwrapper was pulled down slightly too low. After the meltdown I witnessed, I’m not sure he’ll ever be able to recover from it.

My six year-old daughter and I were listening to “Castles Made of Sand” by Jimi Hendrix while driving.

“What’shesingingabout,Daddy?”she asked.

“He’ssayingthatnothinginlifeis permanent,” I answered. She replied, “That’s not true! Markers are permanent!”

Happy 18th birthday to Sharon Holland!

Luis & Lynne Benavides of Madisonville celebrated their 39th anniversary on December 30th.

Bob & Carol VanWassehnova are celebrating their 40th anniversary on February 12th

Daniel DeMatos Alpha Omega Academy

Favorite Movie: Truman Show

Favorite Music/Artist: Hip-hop

Favorite Food: Chinese Food

Favorite Quote: “No man has the right to be an amateur in grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which

Daniel is a senior at Alpha Omega Academy. His activities include the National Honor Society, student council,

Following graduation, Daniel plans to attend college towards a business degree. He believes, “To achieve your goals, it is shown through the little actions you make every day that many think

Megan Goss Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Curse of the Black Pearl

Favorite Music/Artist: Set It Off

Favorite Food: Spicy Chicken Alfredo

Favorite Quote:

Megan is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Crystal and Davod Goss. Her activities include Drill Team. Following graduation, Megan plans to become a mechanical engineer at the Icelandic Space Agency, working to make space travel easier. She believes, “There is no failure—just results to learn from.”

Favorite Movie: King Kong

Favorite Music/Artist: Ariana Grande

Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo

Favorite Quote:

Kendyle McClenon Trinity High School

Kendyle is a senior at Trinity High School and is the daughter of Chrishara McClenon. Her activities include choir and dance team. Following graduation, Kendyle plans to attend Sam Houston State University to study music. She will then pursue a career in music therapy and one day own her own dance studio. She believes, “You don’t have to understand everything.”

Favorite TV Show:

Favorite Music/Artist: Juice World

Favorite Food: Pasta

Favorite Quote:

Kentavian McClenon

Trinity High School

Kentavian is a senior at Trinity High School and is the son of Chrishara McClenon. His activities include football,

plans to attend Sam Houston State University to study computer engineering. He will then pursue a master’s and a job with a big

What’s Cookin’

Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes

Ingredients

cooking spray

½ cup butter, melted

1 ½ cups brown sugar

24 maraschino cherries

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple

1 (18.25 oz) pkg pineapple cake mix

1 1/3 cups pineapple juice

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar (for dusting, or as needed)

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Move an oven rack to spray.

Step 2: Spoon 1 teaspoon melted butter into the bottom of each tablespoon of crushed pineapple on top and compact it with the back of a spoon into an even layer.

Step 3: Mix pineapple cake mix, pineapple juice, vegetable oil, and eggs in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until moistened, about 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium; mix for 2 minutes.

Step 4:

Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

Step 6: Line a work surface with waxed paper. Allow cupcakes onto the waxed paper; serve with pineapple and cherry sides up. Sprinkle cupcakes lightly with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Step 1: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add mushrooms, onion, celery, and carrot. Cook and stir until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, and

season with salt and cayenne pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.

Step 2: Pour vegetable and broth mixture into the container of a blender, and add 1/4 cup of the lobster meat. Cover, and process until smooth.

Step 3: Return to the saucepan, and stir in half-and-half, white wine, and remaining lobster meat. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently until thickened, about 30 minutes.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownies

Ingredients

1 cup white sugar

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 oz red food coloring

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp distilled white vinegar

¼ tsp salt

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese at room temperature

¼ cup white sugar

1 large egg

¼ tsp vanilla extract

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8x8-inch baking pan.

Step 2: For the red velvet brownies: Whisk 1 cup sugar and melted butter in a large mixing bowl; stir in cocoa, red food coloring, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, vinegar, and salt, one at a time, mixing well after each addition to avoid lumps. Mix in 2 eggs until thoroughly combined.

Step 3: set aside 1/4 cup batter. Pour remaining batter into the prepared baking dish.

Step 4: using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and extract; continue to beat until well blended and only small lumps remain, 3 to 4 minutes.

Step 5: Spoon cream cheese mixture in dollops over the batter in pan; gently smooth tops of dollops even with batter using a knife or offset spatula. Do not overmix. Drizzle reserved 1/4 cup of batter over the dollops of cream cheese mixture. Drag a knife or skewer through the batter and cream cheese mixture to create swirls.

Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven until top is dry and edges have started to pull away from the sides of the pan, about 30 to 35 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars; store covered in refrigerator.

Chefs Tips: get the cheesecake mixture, the easier it will be to spread. I think this is best served the next day!

Strawberry Vanilla Pancakes

Ingredients

2 Tbs brown sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt, or to taste

1 cup milk

1 large egg

2 Tbs vegetable oil

2 Tbs vanilla extract

1 cup chopped fresh strawberries

Directions

Step 1: in a medium bowl. Pour in milk, egg, oil, and vanilla; mix until well blended. Stir in strawberries.

Step 2: Grease and heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.

Step 3: Drop batter by large spoonfuls onto the griddle and cook until bubbles form and the edges are dry, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on the other side, about 2 minutes more. Repeat with remaining batter.

Step 1: If cutlets are thick, lay them between 2 sheets of wax meat mallet or bottom of a small, heavy skillet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Put 2 large (or 5 small) sage leaves on top of each cutlet, then wrap 2 slices of prosciutto crosswise around each cutlet, holding sage in place.

Step 2: Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 cutlets and cook until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter; tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining 1 ½ tablespoons oil and remaining 4 cutlets.

Step 3: Add wine to skillet and simmer, scraping up any browned bits, 1 minute. Add broth and simmer until slightly reduced, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add butter and swirl skillet until butter has melted and sauce is creamy. Spoon 2 tablespoons sauce over each cutlet and serve.

Persian Love Cake

Ingredients

2/3 cup unsalted butter, softened ¾ cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature ½ cup plain yogurt (or sour cream)

1 tablespoon rose water zest of 1 lemon

2cupsalmondmeal(oralmond

2 teaspoons ground cardamom ¼ teaspoon salt

1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon water

1-2 tablespoons pistachios, chopped

1 tablespoon dried rose petals

Directions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9-inchroundcakepanwith cookingsprayorlineitwith parchment paper.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer (or stand mixer) to beat the butter and sugar together until Add eggs, one at a time, and beat until each is incorporated. Add yogurt, rose water, and lemon zest and beat until incorporated.

Step 3: Turn the mixer to low speed cardamom, and salt. Beat until just combined. Note that the batter is very thick.

Step 4: Transfer the batter into the lined cake pan and spread it smooth with a spatula.

Step 5: Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the top of the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Allow the cake to chill in the pan for 15 minutes, then carefully transfer it to a wire cooling wrap to cool completely before icing.

Step 7: In a medium mixing bowl, combineconfectioners’sugar, lemon juice, and water. The icing should be thin enough to pour but thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. If the icing is too thin, add in a little more sugar. If it is too thick, add in a little more milk.

Step 8: Use a spoon to slowly drizzle the glaze over the cooled love cake and sprinkle chopped pistachios and dried rose petals on top.

ISPYaValentine

Art SCARCITY AND ABUNDANCE EXHIBITION

January 26 – March 4 Reception | January 26 | 6 p.m. University Gallery, HFAB Free Admission

Theatre & Musical Theatre FADE

By Tanya Saracho

February 14 & 16 | 7:30 p.m. February 18 | Matinee | 2 p.m. Showcase Theatre, UTC

Theatre & Musical Theatre THIS IS OUR YOUTH

By Kenneth Lonergan February 15, 17, & 18 | 7:30 p.m. Showcase Theatre, UTC

Music SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCERT

February 18 | 7:30 p.m. Payne Concert Hall, GPAC

Music

WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT February 23 | 7:30 p.m. Payne Concert Hall, GPAC

UPCCOMING G MARRCH EVEENT

College of Arts & Media

CAM ARTIST SERIES: TEXAS GUITAR QUARTET March 3 | 7:30 p.m. Recital Hall, GPAC

Photos by Gina Turner

Owners Carol and Bill Green

Walking into Nothing Bundt Cakes on West Davis Street in Conroe, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Everything about it exudes warmth and joy, from its friendly staff with wide smiles to the colorful cake displays placed around the store. There are examples of decorated cakes for every occasion, from graduations to birthdays to Father’s Day, and the display

Strawberries and Cream.

I have to admit I didn’t expect the cakes to be that special. Growing upwithamother who madespectacularlydecoratedmade-fromscratch cakes for every birthday, I was spoiled. I have spent my adult life disappointed over and over again by cake mixes and bakeries alike, to the point where I told my husband to not even get me a birthday cake anymore.

This year, however, I was given a Chocolate Chocolate Chip “Bundtlet” (individual serving Bundt cake) from Nothing Bundt Cakes for my

cream cheese frosting, the Bundlet brought back memories of childhood hadn’t had in decades. From now on, I know where my special occasion cakes will come from.

Calling a bite or two of cake a life-changing experience might sound a little far-fetched, yet that is exactly how Bill and Carol Green ended up with three of the Houston-area franchise locations of Nothing Bundt Cakes, including the one in Conroe.

After selling his business, Bill was looking for a new entrepreneurial venture while Carol was still pursuing her corporate career. One day, took a bite, and it inspired her to look up Nothing Bundt Cakes online, where she saw they had franchises available. She called her husband and son Josh, who had graduated from Texas Tech with a restaurant and

as “kind of girly,” but they agreed to go and try the cakes for themselves. “They got their Bundtlets, went to the car, opened them up and tried them. Then they called me and said, ‘Okay, we’re in!’” explained Carol.

two male trainees at Nothing Bundt Cakes, not just learning how to manage and market the business, but also how to bake the cakes. Soon afterward, the family moved down from Dallas to open the Houston Galleria location (which has now been relocated to Voss and Woodway).

In 2010, the Galleria store represented the company’s early growth, as location #30. The Green family’s store in West University was the 71st Nothing Bundt Cakes location. By the time Bill and Carol opened the Conroe location in April 2020, Nothing Bundt Cakes had 330 locations, and today it is nearing 477 nationwide. The company’s explosive growth hasn’t affected its home-grown feel, however.

“There are 15 locations around the Houston area,” Bill said. “It’s a really close franchise. We all get along, and if any of us need anything, we reach out to the others for help.”

Within the three locations the Greens own and operate, each family member has his or her own role. “Bill is responsible for the back of the house – the baking, frosting, training people – and he is our maintenance guy, going between all three of our locations,” Carol explained. “I

Left to Right: Mikaela, Hailey and Cortni do the accounting, and Josh manages the managers down in Houston.” “He (Josh) isn’t in the bakery as much as he used to be. When we were hadn’t been to Dallas and been to one (Nothing Bundt Cakes location), just about everyone has heard of us.” location, their third location in Conroe has had different challenges, as

its opening coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time their build-out was done and they were ready for permitting, everything was starting to shut down.

“We literally got the very last health department permit in Montgomery County before they stopped issuing them. The guy came by, did our inspection, handed us our permit, and then said ‘Okay, we’re done.’” Bill said.

cam han sai sa

Carol said it was hard to

opened.Theiryounger sonMitchell,aland manager, was in between jobs due to the downturn in the oil and gas market and agreed to come help for a while. An aunt was also instrumental in the opening of the Conroe location; she worked alongside Carol every day until the location was fully staffed. They found high school and college students to staff the front of the house. And if the pandemic didn’t make it challenging enough, they opened two weeks before Mother’s Day.

“It was crazy. It was the busiest Mother’s Day in the history of the company, nationwide,” explained Bill. “People were lined up all the way around the corner of

Congratulations and Welcome to Julie Love, CPA

Julie Love is a Certified Public Accountant at Neuwirth Slaughter & Associates, L.L.P. with 4 years of public accounting experience.

Julie believes in the core values of hard work, dedication, and a strong work ethic. She does what it takes to ensure her clients stay on track and reach their financial goals. Julie also stays on top of the ever-changing industry regulations, making sure she has the tools to help others succeed. Regardless of her client’s size and needs, Julie is committed to deliver tax and financial services that meet each client’s unique objectives.

Julie is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She earned her Masters of Science in Accounting from Sam Houston State University in 2020. In 2022, she passed the Uniform Certified Public Accounting examination administered by the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy.

Neuwirth

Slaughter & Associates, L.L.P. Certified Public Accountants

We got the very las Mont stop

“Weworkedallnightand thenallthenextdayto makesurewedeliveredon allourorders”

the building to the dumpster in the back.”

Nevertheless, they didn’t run out of cakes. “We worked all night and then all the next day to make sure we delivered on all our orders,” he continued, adding that all the cakes are made fresh onsite.

Chip, Lemon is popular in the spring, and each is available for six weeks to two months.

“It is an exciting time for our brand,” said Carol. “Beginning February 6, our featured to say what it is at the time of this writing, but be sure to check it out!” The Blueberry Bliss April 3 through May 21.

The Conroestore’s manager, Cortni Peters, not only makes sure the retail operation runs smoothly, but she also handles the franchisee’s robust marketing and community relations program.

As a way of saying thank you for all they do, Nothing Bundt Cakes loves working with the community via fundraisers, donations, etc.

“We love doing stuff with the schools,” added Bill.“Theadministrationbuildingherein Conroe loves us!” he said with a chuckle.

While Josh is content to stay in Houston, Bill and Carol are Montgomery residents, so their business is an investment into their new hometown. They hint at the idea of opening yet another location but won’t say where.

“We really can’t say,” Carol says. “It’s still in the dreaming phase.”

Bill and Carol may not want to talk about where their dreams will take them next, but I won’t shy away from sharing one of my dreams. I am already imagining my next family birthday party, which will include a special treat from Nothing Bundt Cakes!

Tea John Wm. Unger

Sitting in the shade on a hot summer’s day with a tall glass of ice tea. Can anything be more appropriate in the South? I believe, without evidence other than long experience, that tea is the original “sports drink,” refreshing far beyond mere water. Tea has held that position in fact, if not in name, throughout the South for hundreds of years.

Her name was Willie Mabry Gay, a school teacher in rural Alabama during The War To End All Wars. Tea was her drink all of her life, even

beginnings. Tea pots, tea kettles, tea balls – for she did not need her tea in pre-packaged bags – tea spoons, tea cups for hot tea in the winter, and tea glasses for ice tea in the summer.

even when they had to close their stores in Texas after the East coast Mob did so much damage to them. Her daughter Lillian would later teach at Auburn University, where A&P stores still thrived. There Lillian would purchase for her mother boxes of this most favored of teas and ship them to her.

economic times, Southerners have found a way to drink it. Its roots in Southern culture reach back to pre-European times.

Charles Hudson records in his book Black Drink that, before the British imported tea from India, many in the South, (and especially those of the Creek Confederacy) drank tea made from the leaves of a shrub now scorned by those trying to clear their land – the lowly yaupon. As far back as 1564 European visitors were honored and entertained with a tea-party given by their hosts, using the leaves of the yaupon.

Ignorance and folktales have caused many to shun the yaupon. But the fact remains that a very refreshing tea can be made from its leaves, complete with caffeine! I have smiled over many a cup of “Indian Tea” as boy coming in hot, sweaty, perhaps after riding my paper-route, perhaps there were so many of us, the tea was made extra strong – and the bags left in the teapot.

We would get one of the large tea-glasses from the cabinet, add ice, the rest with water. Bliss unknown to crude Northerners and their harsh coffee.

Our father did not learn how to drink coffee until he was in an Army hospital with pneumonia just before the Battle of the Bulge. We learned how from him, and drink it still.

But the drink of choice, the drink of refreshment, peace, contentment, the drink best savored to the sound of the cicada’s song, sitting on the front porch on a hot Southern summer day, is a tall glass of sweet ice tea, poured from the teapot just two minutes ago.

Q:

By: John K. Rosemond www.rosemond.com

Living with Children Solution to Teens Leaving Clothes on Floor

rooms requires constant nagging from me. I’m at my wit’s end. Please help me out with this. It’s driving me slowly insane.

A: Speaking as your therapist du jour, it is my responsibility to inform you that you may already have crossed the line. Remember, the over and over even though you keep getting the same result.

You have nagged at your kids about this issue for—what? Five, six years? And if you nag excitedly enough, they decide it’s not worth the risk and they pick up their clothes and keep them picked up for—what? Two days?

I can’t solve your problem for you, but I can give you the solution. Whether you muster the mojo needed to carry it through is another matter.

because it worked for me, and it’s worked for lots of parents (who mustered the aforementioned mojo). Simply, do not ever again so much as politely request that your kids pick up their clothes. Don’t ever again mention it, even. Got that? Then, the next time even one item of clothing needs picking up, pick it up and put it precisely where it belongs. That’s right! YOU do it!

And then, simply wait for a golden opportunity to bring them face to face with Reality, sorely lacking in the lives of many if not most of today’s pampered, enabled, indulged, micromanaged children, which explains why so much of the behavior of so many of today’s kids is so underdisciplined, not to mention the negative effect this has on mental health.

Speaking proverbially, if an adult “leaves his

his employer will most certainly not nag. The employer will make his expectations clear and make sure the employee understands the expectations. If violations continue, the employee may receive one more warning, and

being forced to suffer a lower standard of living.

a child’s standard of living. Along that line, the next time either of the kids asks for freedom to leave the house and socialize with friends, say, “Oh, I’m so sorry, but I am forced to inform you that in the Real World, which I am obligated to acquaint you with, you cannot do what you want to do until you have done what you are supposed to do. In this case, you do not pick up your clothes, thus requiring me to do so, which I’ve discovered is so much easier than nagging. Nonetheless, I am not able to grant your request. Sorry.” And walk away.

Accountability is never easy for a parent to dispense, because it’s the hardest pill for a child to swallow. But a child gains much from learning to swallow it--early.

Arthur Latin II

Texas Talent – May 2018

By Karen Altom

When we last connected with Arthur Latin, the Texas native was living in New York and working as the drummer for the band on HARRY, a and we caught up with Arthur in New York once again, although he, too, was now a visitor to the Big Apple. He was once again playing in Harry’s band as they prepared to perform at The Lincoln Center for the

You’ve moved home to Texas since we last met. Tell us how that came about.

Well, I don’t think it’s enough to write a whole other story about! During Covid, Harry told us we weren’t going to be working for a while –possibly even up to a year--so I purchased some equipment and decided it was the perfect time for me to do some recording and get some music done. Right after I made the equipment purchases to do this, I got a call from one of my mentors, Keith Winking, a teacher at Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University). He told me Butch Miles was planning to retire and wanted to know if I would be interested in teaching. Butch has been the drummer for the Count Basie Orchestra and also played for Mel Torme. He taught Drum Set in the Jazz Studies program. I told him I thought I might be interested--and the rest, as they say, is history.

So, you are now teaching Drum Set? Well, yes…but that’s not all. At Texas State, we have degrees in Jazz Studies and Jazz Performance--along with education degrees and Sound there. I thought I would only be teaching Drum Set, but as part of the Jazz Faculty, they decided to give me a jazz lab band to conduct. That really made me pause to think about whether I was right for it or not, because I am a drummer! The Lord works in mysterious ways, because I never envisioned myself as a band director or someone working with a group of college kids…and here I am. I love it, but it’s a challenge.

What has been most challenging?

section. For me, teaching the drummers is no stress. It’s all fun. Even though I’ve been in a big band my whole career, this has taught me so much about horns and made me look at trumpets, trombones, and saxophones in a whole new light. This has allowed me the opportunity to really look into arranging and scores and conducting.

How are you able to teach full time and still continue to tour with Harry?

Since Covid, Harry hasn’t worked as much, and our tour schedule has slowed down. This tour has worked out because it was at the end of the

them was, “I already have a job, and I’m not quitting that job.” They said they actually wanted me to work and tour, because it is also good

but I actually teach Monday through Wednesday, so that has worked really well. We are also set up to work remotely, and have students upload lessons I can access digitally. One good thing Covid taught us is that we can do things differently than we used to.

Well, at least you are living back in the land of crispy tacos! (a reference to Latin’s statement in 2018 about what he missed most from Texas) For sure! Do you know I came back to New York about a year after I moved, and they had built a Taco Bell down the block from where I lived. I sure would have liked living here a whole lot better!

What’s next for Arthur Latin?

Teaching and continuing to play. Hopefully, impacting young people with the love of music and the joy I have in this life I am living.

Karen Altom with Arthur Latin, II

By Kim Bius

Grow Your Own Fruit

February is fruit tree and rose season in East Texas, and now is the best time to shop for

limited availability. The beautiful weather we have had has given area gardeners “spring fever,” and the desire to plant and create is overwhelming!

If you have decided 2023 is the year you will begin to control your food source and enjoy the ornamental, edible beauty of fruit trees in your landscape, let us do a review of the basic requirements for successful growth and production.

First, choose a sight that receives full, direct sunlight (min. 8 hours) and has good drainage (heavy clay can be worked with, but generally a poor site choice). Fruit trees will not survive inwaterloggedsoil.Newplantingswill

need to be irrigated a minimum of twice a week during the next few weeks, and three times a week when temperatures stay in the high 70s. Fruit trees, as a rule, will require consistent watering throughout their lifetimes, production season.

droughtconditionslongerthanpeaches, plums or apples--but like any fruit bearing crop, consistent watering is a must. Leave a newly planted peach tree unwatered for 10 days during the summer…and you will be replacing the tree next season. Newly planted treesshouldbeprunedback20%before planting to stimulate growth and ensure the branching is not too extensive for the root system to handle. Most fruit trees will bear

all will produce on three-year growth--just not as much.

When shopping, choose healthy containerplanted trees when possible. Bare root trees forpurchasing.Manyindependentgarden centers bring in their fruit tree stock bare root, soak the roots, and then pot into their own “special recipe”, (1/3 topsoil, 1/3 humus, in biodegradable peat pots. The peat pots add compost to the soil and disintegrate over time from watering and rain.

Why Do I (or someone I know) Have Bad Breath?

We’ve all experienced it and I haven’t met anyone who enjoys it – bad breath. Millions of people suffer from chronic halitosis or bad breath and are unsure of its cause. In most cases, bad breath originates from the gums and tongue, but there are also a variety of other sources.

Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles and other debris remain in your mouth and collect bacteria which can cause bad breath. Food that collects can rot and the decaying debris produces a sulfur compound that causes the unpleasant odor.

Bad breath may also be a sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip which adheres to the back of the tongue, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances as well as liver or kidney dysfunction. If your dentist determines your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family physician to determine the cause of your bad breath.

One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums and create bad odors as the disease progresses.

Another cause of bad breath is a dry mouth. A side effect of a number of medications taken today is lowered production of saliva. Bad breath can also occur when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the

mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Not only is a dry mouth susceptible to bad odors, it is also more prone to develop gum disease and decay. If you suffer from dry mouth, consider products to moisten the mouth, increase your intake of water while decreasing drinks that contain caffeine. Hard sugarless candies can also stimulate the production of more saliva.

Tobacco products are another cause of bad breath. They also stain teeth, irritate gum tissues and reduce ones ability to taste foods. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease and are at a greater risk for developing oral cancer.

Certain foods and drinks such as onions, garlic and coffee may be detected on a person’s breath for up to 72 hours after ingestion. Onions, for example, are absorbed by the stomach and the odor is then excreted through the lungs as we breathe. Studies have even shown that garlic rubbed on the soles of the feet can show up on the breath!

I hope you don’t ever have a concern with bad breath, but if you do, you may want to discuss these and other options with your dentist.

If you have a question or a topic you want to be discussed, send an email to drlogan@drscottlogan.com

3205 Robinson Creek Parkway Huntsville

Scott Logan, DDS

A frequently asked question is, “What size is the best size to plant?” I prefer a tree in the 5’-7’ range, generally ½” caliber. Upon planting, ensure the tree is planted at the same level (or preferably, slightly higher) than the existing soil level. This means two things: the tree root ball should be above the soil level at least an inch, and that the existing soil level on the tree cannot be changed--not even 1/16”. Planting a woody-stemmed plant cause the bark to rot. As the bark deteriorates, the “blood vessels” slightly below the bark up and down the trunk, causing the plant to die off over a course of several months. Thus, the importance of keeping the soil level a minimum of 5” (can be more) below the graft (large knot at the base of the trunk).

There are two rules of thought on the application of root stimulator: To apply before or after planting. To me, it depends on the size

appropriate amount of root stimulator in the hole BEFORE planting the tree. Smaller trees can be watered in upon planting--keeps the mud mess down, and it is easier to mix 4 tablespoons per gallon of water for every 3’ of plant height when the tree is smaller. Root stimulator is a fertilizer (and a hormone) that greatly accelerates the growth rate of the root system so the tree can anchor itself and begin growing. It can be reapplied 6 weeks after planting.

of the tree. Trees over 3” in caliber should

When shopping, ask questions. Informed garden centers will be able to explain chilling hours, pollinator required (if any), texture, time of harvest, and sweetness of the fruit, as well as other bits of information that are “plant Cheers to all our gardening enthusiasts and readers.

AVOID A STICKY SITUATION

By Cheryl Conley

Lake Creek Preserve Board of Directors

Household pests are a way of life in our area. Treating your home for roaches and other insects is an expense you just accept if you want to live in the great state of Texas. Many people also have to deal with mice and rats. Everyone is at risk of a rodent infestation, no matter how clean your home is.

There are a lot of options when it comes to ridding your home of rats and mice. The one that is the most inhumane is the glue trap, and I

Advertisers of glue traps sell their products by telling you they are clean, non-toxic, and easy to use. What they don’t tell you is that the animal doesn’t die immediately. The animal suffers for days and eventually dies of starvation, dehydration, suffocation, or mere exhaustion. Animals may rip off their own skin or fur trying to escape. They may fracture limbs or even chew them off in an attempt to get free. It’s days of suffering.

Another problem with glue traps is that oftentimes unintended animals fall victim to them. If placed outside or in garages or warehouses, birds, snakes, opossums, raccoons, and squirrels can get stuck to them. If this happens, call a wildlife center or rehabilitator. Do NOT to try to free the animal yourself. This can cause more harm than good. You will need to take the animal with the glue trap attached to their location. The Houston area has three wildlife organizations that can assist you: the Wildlife Center of Texas, TWRC, and Friends of Texas Wildlife. If a domestic animal should get stuck, follow these instructions:

1. Get your supplies together. You’ll need a pair of gloves, baby oil or cooking oil, some tissues, and a damp cloth.

2. Cover the animal’s head. This helps to keep them calm.

3. With gloves on, massage a small amount of oil near where the animal is stuck. Continue to massage the area while gently working to free the animal. Use additional oil as needed.

4. Once the animal is free, use the tissues to cover the glue so the animal doesn’t get stuck again.

5. Use the damp cloth to remove any oil that is on the animal.

Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, two states and one territory in Australia, and four Indian states have banned the use of glue traps. Many companies like Target, CVS, Walgreens, and Dollar Tree have prohibited the sale of them. Do your part to end the use of glue traps. If you see them being sold in stores, help educate store management. Share this video from PETA with friends, family and on social media. https://youtu.be/PUSfxvbpHMs

Let’s put an end to the use of inhumane glue traps!

COLLEGE OF ARTS & MEDIA PRESENTS CAM ARTIST SERIES

TEXAS GUITAR QUARTET

March 3 | 7:30 p.m. Recital Hall, GPAC

DIEGO CAETANO AND FRIENDS FT. CARPE

DIEM STRING QUARTET April 24 | 7:30 p.m. Recital Hall, GPAC

by Wes Altom

Lending an Ear

This was the last miracle performed by Jesus before his arrest and rushing forward in their attempt to “cancel” Jesus ignore this event at the soon-to-occur trial. You would think a violent (even criminal) act by a follower of Jesus would be of utmost importance in proving their case against Christ, but there is no record it was used against him—perhaps because there was no evidence it happened due to the healing—or because acknowledging the attack meant also acknowledging the healing—or because Christ followed up with words making clear he would not advocate violence.

Next, Luke is the only gospel writer to mention the healing which followedPeter’sattack. Maybethisisnoteworthyto Luke because he is a physician— impressed by this aspect of the event and more concerned with humanhealth-and-wellbeing than the other disciples. How miracle in ministry before death impulsive, well-intentioned act-gone-wrong by one of those closest to Him. This gives me hope for me.

Finally, for those who like to take the Good Book literally (and/or with a touch of humor), this event gives a striking reminder, bringing a visual to the admonition of Matthew 11:15, “He that hath an ear, let him hear.”