Postcards
Lake Conroe
Publisher’s Post
The Best Gifts Are Above the Tree
Sometimes, the best gifts don’t come wrapped in shiny paper or tucked under a tree. They come quietly, wrapped in small moments we almost miss.
And no, I don’t mean grandchildren—with five little boys not much comes quietly, but they add plenty of sparkle and joy to the season. I mean the simple things. Like the sound of a three-year-old’s uncontrollable belly laugh while playing peek-a-boo with the dog. Or that sweet, patient dog who plays right along.
These past couple of weeks, we’ve had extra grandkid time, and it’s been wonderful. For the first time in a long time, I let go of the noise—the politics, the worry, the hustle—and just lived in the moment.
One afternoon, as my husband drove down the interstate, I looked up and remembered what it felt like as a kid to find the art God paints in the clouds. It got downright funny as I started naming what I saw: a bunny, an airplane, a revolver, a Thanksgiving turkey, a dancing elephant, a bear lounging in a recliner, a clown face, and even a gorilla on a jet ski. (I have a witness.)
That simple drive reminded me how much joy still exists in this world—it’s just waiting for us to slow down enough to notice it. The season we’re entering isn’t really about what we get; it’s about remembering the gifts we already have.
So this Christmas, take a deep breath. Watch the clouds. Listen for laughter. Hug your people tight. And when the world feels heavy—just look up.
You might find joy riding by on a jet ski.
From our family to yours—Merry Christmas.
Joy isn’t gone—it’s just waiting for us to slow down enough to notice it.
Feedback
Sudoku
I used to be able to solve the sudoku puzzles (easy and hard). Not any more. Am I missing something? Maybe you could help with tips. It's no fun if they can't be solved.
Douglas Parker
Editor's Response: Our sourcing has not changed. Unsure as to the cause of this. We are interested to know whether others feel the same. Readers?
Thank You
Thank you for printing my Homecoming 80 Years Ago photo. Her great-grandchildren were thrilled.
Glynda Turner Local
Just wanted to say how well your magazine is done. A little bit of everything. I subscribe to a lot of magazines, but look forward to receiving this one as it keeps me up to date on local things.
Anna lee Crespy
3 Heath Brothers
Enjoyed the piece, Karen, on the 3 Heath Brothers. What a great avenue to have them back and to perform at the PAC. Was so glad that, during Covid and the talk of closing and abolishing arts programs, HISD built a monster!
Lee Turner
“She Saved My Life”
submitted by: Alyson Bayer, Acupuncturist
Montgomery resident Dawn R. had been living with the painful effects of Peripheral Neuropathy for years.
“My feet and legs were extremely painful,” she recalls. “My doctor told me there was nothing they could do — that I’d have to take Gabapentin for the rest of my life.”
Peripheral Neuropathy causes pain, discomfort, and numbness resulting from nerve damage in the peripheral nervous system. For Dawn, even simple daily tasks like opening doors or using the bathroom became overwhelming.
“How can you live the next 30 years,” she wondered, “when you don’t even want to get out of bed to do simple things?”
She described the burning, numbness, tingling, and sharp pains that so many neuropathy sufferers know all too well.
“It’s equivalent to walking on glass,” she said. Dawn hadn’t worn socks in five years and wore shoes two sizes too big so nothing would touch her feet.
Sadly, Dawn’s story is one shared by millions. More than 3 million people in the U.S. live with Peripheral Neuropathy. Each patient’s story is unique, yet the struggles are familiar — sleepless nights from burning pain, difficulty walking or shopping, fear of falling, and frustration from medications that bring little relief and often cause uncomfortable side effects.
A New Path to Healing
Four months ago, Dawn found Clear Choice Acupuncture and Wellness, where Licensed Acupuncturist Alyson Bayer and her team are helping patients find hope and healing without invasive surgeries or lifelong medications. Using the
time-tested science of acupuncture combined with advanced technology originally developed by NASA to increase blood flow and accelerate healing, Alyson is achieving remarkable results for those suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy.
“Now when I go to bed at night, I don’t have those shooting pains,” Dawn says with excitement.
“I don’t have that burning sensation or pain running up my legs. I can wear socks and shoes again!”
Today, Dawn and her sister run a successful dog-walking business, often covering up to five miles a day.
“It’s life-altering,” she says. “As far as I’m concerned, she saved my life.”
A Commitment to the Community
Alyson and her team have been serving the senior community for nearly two decades, offering cutting-edge integrative medicine focused on chronic pain cases—especially those once labeled hopeless or untreatable. What was once a missing link in senior healthcare is now readily available to residents of Montgomery.
If pain has caused you to miss tee times or avoid volunteering because you’re afraid of falling, it’s time to call Clear Choice Acupuncture and Wellness. Let your golden years truly shine.
Call (936) 703-5040 today to schedule your complimentary consultation, or visit www.clearchoiceacupuncture.com to take advantage of the New Patient Offer.
Clear Choice Acupuncture & Wellness
21105 Eva St • Montgomery, Texas
Located in the Heritage Place at the intersection of Hwy 105 & 149, across from the old Methodist Church
This is a paid advertisement.
Group helps struggling women in the Greater Houston Area get “on the road” to a better life.
BY RUTH FIELDS | PHOTOS BY TOM MILLER
Withthree young children and an abusive husband, life was not easy for Vivian, but she tried to remain true to her marriage. When her husband abandoned her, however, she had no choice. She applied for jobs in her home state of Florida, as well as in Houston, where she had once visited, and asked God to direct her steps.
When Vivian got an interview for a promising job in Houston, she made flight reservations for herself and the children. Unfortunately, when she arrived in Houston, she discovered her husband had terminated her cell service, and she had no way to find the hotel she’d booked. Providentially, there was a woman named Brandy on the flight who saw Vivian struggling and offered to help. “She was a godsend to me,” Vivian says.
Vivian got the job, and a friend in Florida helped her ship her vehicle to Houston; however, her troubles were not over. Her car soon developed serious mechanical problems. “I was always worried it would stop in the middle of the road,” she says. A mechanic reported the vehicle’s engine needed to be replaced—a repair Vivian could not afford. That’s when Brandy told her about God’s Garage. “She told me God’s Garage helps single moms get cars. I didn’t know people like that existed,” Vivian says. She applied online but didn’t expect much.
In early 2025, Brandy invited Vivian to her church, Restoration Church, and asked her to tell her story to the congregation. While she was at the pulpit, she saw something behind her. “I couldn’t believe my eyes,” she says. It was people
from God’s Garage, who surprised her with the keys to a 2012 Toyota Sienna. “It was a big relief and a big blessing to me and my children,” Vivian says.
Humble beginning
In 2010, a group of men—all automobile enthusiasts—met regularly at a friend’s home. There, they tinkered on their cars and enjoyed each other’s company. One day, one of the men was driving down Highway 105 when he saw a woman and two children walking alongside the busy road. When he stopped to ask if they needed help, the woman told him she couldn’t afford the repairs needed to make her car drivable. He replied that he and his friends were shade tree mechanics and offered to fix her car at no charge.
That first complimentary car repair became the start of a unique ministry. At first, single mothers were able to have their cars repaired at no cost; over time, thanks to the generosity of members of the community, donated vehicles were made roadworthy and given to women in need.
Being without a vehicle can be crippling for a single woman, especially one with minor children. Without a car, explains Justin Coggins, executive director of God’s Garage, it’s difficult to find work; furthermore, school and medical appointments usually require travel by automobile. Even a trip to the grocery store is exponentially more difficult when a person has to rely on spotty public transportation.
God’s Garage became a nonprofit organization in 2016, and the organization’s focus was soon expanded to include widows. “The word of God instructs us to take care of widows,” Justin says. Eventually, God’s Garage began including the wives of deployed servicemen, too. “If the men go off to war and their wives are here,” Justin says, “who’s going to take care of them?”
In 2019, God’s Garage got a boost with help from singersongwriter Kelly Clarkson, a native Texan. God’s Garage gave away a car to a single mother on the nationally-televised Kelly Clarkson Show. “That brought a lot of light to God’s Garage and really put us on the map,” Justin says. In 2025, God’s Garage will give away between 55 and 60 cars in the Greater Houston Area, with the goal of gifting 100 cars in 2026.
Unfortunately, there are more women in need of reliable transportation than there are refurbished automobiles to give them. So, God’s Garage uses custom software to sift through the 3,600 to 4,000 applications the organization receives each year. Staffers have named the software “The One,” based on Matthew 18:12-24, where Jesus described a shepherd who left 99 sheep to look for one that was lost. “We are going to go after that one, and then find another one. We will keep going until we find all the ones that need it,” Justin says. “We look for the ones that are the most in need.”
God’s Garage also looks for women who are motivated to change their circumstances. “There are a lot of women who are at the poverty level, but they are just a few steps away from being independent,” Justin says. “That car can do that for them. It brings consistency back to their lives,” he says.
Above: Volunteers Ron Swasta, Mike Sanders, Justin Coggins, Kevin Umbehr, Hector Blanco, Charlie Wolfe
Below: Justin sharing history of the property and the building that existed when they first bought the place in 2019
There’s a lot of tears and a lot of joy happening there for sure. ”
Cars that are given to worthy recipients generally have about 170,000 miles on the odometers, Justin says, but are overhauled, cleaned, and detailed before they are given to women. Hopefully, the recipients will be able to drive them for two to three years—long enough to get them back on their feet.
When a woman is handed the keys to a car, it’s usually an emotional event. “There’s a lot of tears and a lot of joy happening there for sure,” Justin says. “Every single one is such a big deal. There’s really nothing like it.”
Justin has been a part of many car giftings, but one was particularly memorable. A single mother knew she was receiving a car at God’s Garage’s headquarters on East Davis, but wanted to surprise her two children. Afterwards, her son
Sherry Swasta, Shelley Singletary, Chery Gegelman, Karie Cornelius, & Debbie Franklin
Above: Wall of honor & many names and faces of all who are involved.
approached the God’s Garage team. “He said, ‘All I have known is for people to take things from our mom and our car was stolen, but you guys are giving my mom a car.”
Restore U
One Saturday a month, God’s Garage hosts Restore U for about 30 women who have applied for cars and have passed the first phase of screenings. “We want them to feel like a queen for the day,” Justin says. When the women arrive, their names are called individually, and volunteers welcome them like cheerleaders (with actual pom-poms). Restore U participants are able to meet other women in similar circumstances, and the day includes instruction on topics like financial management, car maintenance, and job interviews. Volunteers from Conroe Church of Christ serve lunch prepared in crockpots, and each woman gets to take home a crockpot. The day is designed to encourage women who are more accustomed to being discouraged. “They’re always beaten down, trying to make it day to day,” Justin says.
Although God’s Garage gives women practical help, the organization has a loftier goal. “We want to make an eternal impact,” Justin says. “We want them to know God sees them. We present the Gospel to them; we are not bashful about that. It changes everything about a God who sees you, knows you by name, knows everything you have gone through, just waiting for you to join the Kingdom of God.” At the end of the day, a volunteer places a crown on each woman’s head, prays with her, and presents her with a Bible.
How to help
God’s Garage is grateful for the many donations of used cars that it has received over the years. Some people generously donate low-mileage vehicles, which are “flipped,” usually generating enough money to put anywhere from four to seven older cars on the road. While some donated cars are what volunteers call “runners,” many are not currently drivable. That’s OK, because cars that can’t be successfully refurbished can be used for parts or scrap. “We take everything,” Justin says, noting God’s Garage will pick up donated cars within a 75-mile radius. God’s Garage is also thankful for its 190 volunteers, many of them mechanics, who log 16,000 volunteer hours every year.
God’s Garage also accepts monetary donations, including car sponsorships. For $1,000, an individual (or group) can sponsor a car that will be given to a worthy recipient.
“One of the unique things we get to do is partner with a lot of local ministries,” Justin says. God’s Garage works closely with more than a dozen local organizations, including Family Promise and Journey Home. “When you are donating to us,” Justin says, “you are impacting these other organizations as well.”
For more information, visit www.godsgarage.org.
State of the art auto mechanic shop with all the latest equipment and some of the donated vehicles
Display in office which follows the volunteer hours by name
Dear Gabby
Welcome back to the December edition of the Dear Gabby advice column. Talk about December celebrations! We have Hanukkah, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve. May your December be filled with warmth, peace, and joy, no matter which celebrations you observe. We hope this month brings you moments of reflection, connection with loved ones, and a sense of gratitude as the year concludes. Just a quick note to Santa: I’ve been good for the last week or so. Let’s just focus on that. Holiday safety tip: If your birth year starts with 19, you should no longer wrap gifts on the floor. Send me your questions by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share.
DEAR GABBY
My grandmother is really beginning to worry me. She tells tall tales about things when she was younger that are really hard to believe. She looks good and usually makes sense, but some of those things she is claiming are really hard to believe. It seems like you have a slight attitude, but maybe you can decipher what is going on.
Grand Skeptic
DEAR GRAND SKEPTIC
I may have a teensy bit of attitude, but they say with age comes wisdom. Therefore, I don’t have wrinkles, but I do I have wisecracks. Not knowing how old you are or what kind of stories your Gram is telling, she could very well have done some things that are unbelievable today. Never underestimate what young people have done over several generations. Some
young ladies smoked (even on airplanes and in hospital rooms) and drank liquor. Kids could buy liquor or cigarettes (and even withdraw money from a bank teller) with a simple note from a parent. There were no seat belts in cars, no portable phones, and most stores were closed on Sunday. TV went off air at midnight (right after the National Anthem). Everyone dressed up to go to church or the airport, and we could go shopping with S&H green stamps. We played in the fog of the mosquito spray truck, and the milkman would just announce himself, come inside, and put the milk in the fridge. Our home phone was a party line (phone lines shared by neighbors), and we had to get up to change the TV channel. Those were the days. I’m not aging like fine wine; I’m aging like milk (getting sour and chunky). I’m so old, I can remember going a whole day without taking a picture of anything.
CONFIDENTIAL TO “IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SANTA CHECKS THE NAUGHTY LIST":
I don’t have
to worry about that. My Christmas lights go out more than I do!
Sincere Christmas wishes from my family to yours! May peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!
Gabby
Advertiser Anniversaries
Season of Balance
December is a month that invites reflection, on our accomplishments, our relationships, and the values that guide how we spend both our time and our money. As families gather celebrate the season, it’s the perfect moment to think about financial well-being not just as numbers on a page, but as a foundation for a happier, more secure family life.
Redefining Financial Well-Being
True financial health isn’t measured by wealth alone, it’s about feeling confident, supported, and aligned with your priorities. For families, that might mean creating a budget that supports both daily needs and meaningful experiences, from family dinners to winter getaways. Financial well-being grows stronger when it’s rooted in shared goals and open communication.
Giving with Intention
The holidays often bring pressure to spend, but the most memorable gifts rarely have the highest price tags. Consider focusing on experiences and acts of kindness, like cooking together, volunteering as a family, or creating handmade gifts. These moments build emotional wealth that lasts far beyond the season and teach children the value of generosity without excess.
Planning Together for the Future
As the year ends, take time to sit down as a family and talk about your hopes for the year ahead. Maybe it’s saving for a college fund, a home project, or that long-awaited
vacation. Involving everyone in goalsetting fosters responsibility and shared purpose. Even young children can learn about saving and gratitude when they’re part of the discussion.
Protecting Peace of Mind
Financial security brings calm but so does knowing that you have plans in place for life’s “what ifs.” Reviewing your savings, insurance, and emergency fund before the new year helps protect what matters most, your family’s stability and comfort. Small, consistent steps toward preparedness can bring lasting peace of mind.
Celebrating What Money Can’t Buy
At its heart, December reminds us that the richest moments come from connection, laughter around the dinner table, a quiet evening by the fire, or shared memories that cost nothing at all.
This season, embrace financial well-being as more than a goal, it’s a gift you give your family every day, one rooted in mindfulness, gratitude, and love.
Merry Christmas from Global Financial Partners - “Your
Financial
Partner for Life.”
Submitted by: Brian B. Smith, CFP®, Bryan M. Masten, CFP® & Riley W. Smith, CFP®
Kathy Kimbrough reading
Cold Dead Night BY LISA PHILLIPS
Kem McVey reading
The Climax of the Bible
BY MILO HADWIN
Tiffany Coates reading The Keeper BY CHARLES MARTIN
Tasty Bites
Lasagna Mozzarella Sticks
INGREDIENTS
6 lasagna sheets
cooking spray
8 oz pimento cheese
6 mozzarella sticks, halved
4 large eggs, beaten
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
2 cups oil for frying, or as needed
Parmesan cheese (optional garnish)
chopped scallions (optional garnish) ranch dressing or marinara sauce for dipping
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; cook lasagna sheets according to package instructions. Separate each noodle and spray with oil or cooking spray to keep them from sticking together.
Step 2: Spread a thin layer of pimento cheese onto each noodle. Cut each noodle in half lengthwise.
Step 3: Place one halved mozzarella cheese stick onto one side of the noodle and roll inside the noodle as tightly as you can. Repeat with each noodle and place onto a baking sheet or plate.
Step 4: Place in freezer for 1 hour.
Step 5: Add eggs to a shallow bowl. Add panko to another shallow bowl. Coat each cheese stick with beaten egg, then roll in panko; press panko gently to coat each stick completely.
Step 6: Add oil to a depth of about 2 inches to a highsided skillet or Dutch oven; heat to 350 degrees. Fry mozzarella sticks until an instant read thermometer inserted near the center reads 160 to 170 degrees, 5 to 6 minutes.
Christmas Ornament Cheese Ball
INGREDIENTS
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 (1 oz) pkg ranch dressing mix
1 1/2 cups dill pickles, patted dry and chopped
1 cup finely diced cooked bacon
1/2 oz fresh dill, chopped crackers, for serving
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Mix cream cheese, ranch-style dressing mix, dill pickles, and bacon together in a large bowl; shape mixture into a ball.
Step 2: Cover in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Step 3: Place chopped dill on a plate or in a shallow bowl. Remove chilled cheese ball from plastic wrap and roll the cheese ball in dill until evenly coated on all sides.
Step 4: Top with ornament top, optional. Serve with crackers.
Tasty Bites
Million Dollar Holiday Party Sliders
INGREDIENTS
12 oz frozen sweet potato fries
12 small soft rolls
3 Tbs mayonnaise
1 heaped tsp whole grain mustard
1 lb shredded turkey meat (or sliced deli turkey)
7 oz Brie cheese, cut into 1/2-inch slices
3 Tbs cranberry sauce
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Step 2: Spread sweet potato fries in a 9x13-inch dish. Bake in the preheated oven according to package directions until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from dish and set aside.
Step 3: Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
Step 4: Keeping the rolls together, slice them in half horizontally with a bread knife. Place base of the rolls into the same 9x13-inch dish you were using earlier. Mix mustard and mayonnaise together in a small bowl and spread mixture over the cut surface.
Step 5: Spread turkey on top of the mayonnaise, then top with crispy sweet potato fries. Lay Brie slices evenly on top. Dot all over with dabs of cranberry sauce.
Step 6: Place the tops of the rolls back on. Pour melted butter on top and evenly brush all over using a pastry brush.
Step 7: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Step 8: Bake sliders in the preheated oven at 350 degrees until Brie is melty and Parmesan is golden, 20 to 25 minutes.
*Members are limited to two (2) Skip-a-Pay extensions per calendar year. Not all loan types are eligible for Skip-a-Pay. Other terms and conditions may apply and are subject to change. Skip-a-Pay requests are subject to approval.
Glorious Grandchildren
Amelia Ruiz
Grandchild of Mary Partida
Jedson & Deacon
Grandchildren of Sassy & G
Kidspeak
6-yo: Do dragons fart fire?
Me: I don't know.
6-yo: I thought you went to college.
••••••••••••••••••••
I asked my son what time he wanted me to wake him up on the first day of school.
"6:30, so I have enough time to shower and cry."
••••••••••••••••••••
Two little boys were at a wedding when one of them leaned over to the other and asked, "How many wives can a man have?" His friend answered, "Sixteen... four better, four worse, four richer, and four poorer."
••••••••••••••••••••
Today in biology, the teacher asked, "Why do chromosomes have to stick together?"
And I whispered, "Because they're bromosomes."
The guy next to me just about died laughing.
••••••••••••••••••••
7-yo: You got a letter!
Me: It's a bill. I owe money.
7-yo: Not if you throw it away.
She's my financial planner now.
••••••••••••••••••••
My teenager said, "You don't know what it's like to be me."
You're right, buddy. I've never cried over a wifi outage while wearing $200 shoes I didn't pay for.
••••••••••••••••••••
Jacee's word for the day: "kilominators" Yeah, I'm keeping it for daily use.
Bobbie Lamp congratulations
She was recently honored by Conroe Church of Christ as being the longest standing member at 79 years.
Rick and Pam Thaler celebrating their 42nd Wedding Anniversary
Elizabeth Sargent, DO
Family Medicine
Avoiding and Managing the Flu: Tips for Staying Healthy Medical Matters
lu season typically peaks between December and February, but with the right prevention and care, you can lower your risk and recover faster if symptoms appear. Use these quick tips to stay healthy and handle the flu effectively. How to Avoid the Flu
1. Get vaccinated
It’s not too late for your flu shot! The vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness. Updated each year to fight new strains, it reduces your risk of catching the flu and prevents serious complications.
2. Practice proper hygiene
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching shared surfaces. When soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
3. Avoid close contact with sick individuals
Flu spreads through droplets in the air. Keep your distance from those showing symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or fever. If you’re in a high-risk area such as a clinic or hospital, consider wearing a mask for extra protection.
4. Strengthen your immune system
Healthy habits help your body fight infections. Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, get 7-9 hours of sleep, and manage stress through exercise or relaxation techniques.
5. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces
The flu virus can live for hours on hard surfaces. Clean items like doorknobs,
light switches, and keyboards regularly with disinfectant wipes or sprays. What to Do if Symptoms Appear
Early action can shorten recovery and ease discomfort.
1. Stay home and rest
Give your body the downtime it needs to heal. Avoid work, school, and gatherings to prevent spreading the flu. Rest allows your immune system to fight the infection effectively.
2. Stay hydrated Fever and congestion can cause dehydration. Drink plenty of water, herbal tea, or broth, and use electrolyte drinks if needed to replace lost nutrients.
3. Take antiviral medications If prescribed, antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can reduce symptom severity and recovery time. They work best within 48 hours of symptom onset, so contact your healthcare provider right away if you suspect the flu.
4. Relieve symptoms
• Reduce fever and aches with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
• Ease congestion with a humidifier or saline nasal spray.
• Soothe a sore throat with warm saltwater gargles.
5. Watch for complications
Seek medical attention if you experience trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or persistent high fever, especially if you have a weakened immune system or underlying conditions.
The Bottom Line
Prevention starts with vaccination, good hygiene, and healthy daily habits. If you do get the flu, rest, hydrate, and act early to recover faster. Staying prepared and mindful helps protect you, your family, and your community this flu season.
We were pleased to receive over 700 entries to our Cover Photo Contest this year. We introduced a new category, Creative Edits, and our entrants leaned in and had fun with it! Apparently, so did our judges, because our Grand Prize winner comes from those submissions. Thank you to all who entered. It’s a privilege to share the work of so many talented individuals.
2025 Postcards Cover Photo Contest
GRAND PRIZE WINNER RECEIVES:
• Photo featured on a Postcards Magazine Cover
• 2 Nights at Margaritaville Lake Conroe Resort
• $250 Cash Prize
• Specially Customized Postcards Award Gift
• Recognition in Postcards Magazine
1ST PLACE IN EACH CATEGORY WINS:
• Photo on a Postcards Magazine Cover
• 1 Night at Margaritaville Lake Conroe Resort
• $50 Gift Card
• Specially Customized Postcards Award Gift
• Recognition in Postcards Magazine
The contest categories were Animals, Nature, People, Local Living, Seasons, and Creative Edits.
We thought you might appreciate knowing how the winners were selected.
• First, we removed any names or identifying marks from submissions.
• Our Postcards team then narrowed the field to multiple finalists in each category before the photos were submitted to our panel of judges. Photo contest judges consisted of several individuals (some local, some not) with photography experience and expertise.
• Each judge independently selected and ranked their top five photos in each category.
• From this information, we calculated numerical scores for the photos, which determined our winners.
2ND & 3RD PLACE IN EACH CATEGORY WINS:
• $25 Gift Card
• Recognition in Postcards Magazine
Thank you to our sponsor!
Grand Prize
Charity Morris
Animals
Creative Edits
Local Living
Honorable Mention
Honorable
Honorable
Honorable Mention
Cade Crippin
Honorable Mention
Cade Crippin
Lynette Dobbins
Robin Stonehouse
Robin Stonehouse
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Honorable Mention
Cissy Saccomanno
Denise Henderson
Rebecca Ammons
Cade Crippin
Kristen Crook
The Garden Post
Poinsettias and
Their Connection to the “Reason for the Season”
Thanksgiving has passed, and Christmas is well on the way. Poinsettias are the plant most symbolic of Christmas and one of the most misunderstood plants around. They are not complicated, just “over and under cared for.” Poinsettias are tropical plants native to the mountains of southern Mexico, that (over the years) have become symbols of Jesus’s birth and crucifixion. Poinsettias are members of the euphorbia family and were named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. In 1826, Mr. Poinsett brought several specimens to South Carolina. Through cultivation, the plant began growing in popularity in the 1830s.
The Poinsettia has long been seen as a symbol of Christianity. The star-shaped foliage has been referred to as the Star of Bethlehem, the red leaves signify Christ’s sacrificed blood and the love of God. Congress has even deemed December 12th as National Poinsettia Day to commemorate the day of Poinsett’s death.
Kim Bius President, Kim's Home & Garden Center
not offered. Premium grade poinsettias are given a premium deluxe status (label) and lesser quality plants (smaller, less blooms per plant, smaller blooms) are sold as such with a lower price tag. They are not the same plant, just as a Hyundai is not a Mercedes, nor are they made the same. Higher quality poinsettias will last much longer and often into the next summer.
Poinsettias can even be “saved” and grown as a houseplant. I keep mine potted on the patio until the threat of really cold weather appears, then they become houseplants. Poinsettias love high light and require watering several times a week. The plants do not do well with soggy root systems and must be allowed to drain from the “foil hat” most are placed in.
Today, the Poinsettia is grown in almost every color or hue of the rainbow. They are available in miniature form to tree size and in every price range. Floristgrown in greenhouses beginning three months before delivery, the plants must receive 12 hours of total darkness and 12 hours of light to be “forced” into bloom by the holiday season. If left to grow naturally (only in the southern-most tip of Texas), the plants would bloom in late January to midFebruary. Poinsettias are tropical and should not be exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees or heavy drafts. The plant is fairly fragile, and bracts break easily. For this reason, always ask for a plastic sleeve for transport purposes if one is
Christmas trees are going up in homes by the minute. To save yourself tons of frustration, divorce, and sanity, the following tips may be helpful. Never place indoor lights outside; this can cause lethal shorts. Do not place more than three strands of lights end to end on large light strands (unless noted on the box). Do not hose down a pre-lit tree. If really dirty, use a lawn blower to clean (do this outside). Do not flock a tree inside your home. Flocking will stain fabric, carpet, and has a heavy glue base. Stabilize “wobbly” trees with a quality tree stand or stabilize with high gauge fishing line to adjacent wall.
To add 8” of height to a tree, place on cinder blocks (or any stabilizing wooden box that can hold 150 lbs) and cover with a flat sheet that corresponds to your color motif. This gives you an extra 10” for gifts, Poinsettias or decorations.
The season is here! Enjoy, celebrate, go out of your way to bring joy to another in some small way, and spread the love Jesus gave to us--the gift of Christmas. Happy Gardening.
Postcardslive.com
Things My Granddaddy Said
Never saw on the branch that’s supporting you, unless you’re being hung from it.
There’s never a lane so long that it won’t have some hills and curves.
No use in me arguing with her - it’s like bringing a knife to a gunfight.
Count the orchard by the fruit it bears and never by the leaves that fall.
He’s as wild as a peach orchard hog.
As I grow older, more and more often I find myself saying, “Like my Granddaddy used to say…” In an effort to keep some of these old sayings alive, we are sharing them here. Please feel free to share yours with us!
Publisher Karen Altom and her Granddaddy J.C. Farris
The Color Bar
Determination, planning, and a customer-centered focus lead to growth and success for local salon.
Justin is uniquely qualified to be a salon owner. He holds a degree in business management from the University of Utah; when he didn’t find the corporate world to his liking, he graduated from the Aveda Institute. He was a hairstylist in the exclusive River Oaks area of Houston for several years before opening his own salon.
All seven of The Color Bar’s locations are now Aveda Lifestyle salons and use Aveda products exclusively. Justin estimates about 80 percent of guests receive color services, but The Color Bar salons also offer a full range of salon services. Guests range in age from toddlers to great-grandparents.
The Color Bar caters to all budgets, too: some stylists (like Justin) are master
acknowledges it’s impossible to achieve 100 percent success. For example,
dreams,” Justin says. “I wanted a company of opportunity. What we have
State University. Now lead stylist at the Magnolia salon, which opened in March 2025, Abby appreciates Justin. “Essentially, from the moment I walked in, it was breathtaking to see how much Justin poured into his people,” Abby says. “I love being here.”
“It’s a really fun job,” agrees Hannah Locke, who is lead stylist at the Montgomery location. She has a “really good team,” she says, and she appreciates the support she gets at The Color Bar. She also enjoys being able to connect with the community, making people feel good “on the outside and on the inside.”
Guests particularly like her help with blonding and hair extensions.
“Everyone has been so amazing,” says Lauren Lawrence, who has been lead stylist at The Color Bar salon in The Woodlands since October 2025. She appreciates the growth and educational opportunities at The Color Bar and says the team has been extremely supportive. Lauren tries hard to meet each guests’ hairstyle goals and enjoys “enhancing their natural beauty and getting them to feel confident about themselves,” she says. “I love when I turn them and they see themselves in the mirror. That big smile—I absolutely love that.”
Amanda Hobart, lead stylist at the Conroe location, has been a hairstylist for nearly 16 years and has been with The Color Bar for more than two years. She likes the creativity her job allows and enjoys “making people feel beautiful.” She also appreciates the camaraderie she finds at work. “I love our team vibe,” she says. “I love that we are a family.”
The family atmosphere extends to guests, too, says Donna Howell, who, as guest service manager, oversees all The Color Bar salons’ front desk operations. “We try to make them feel like they are a part of the family,” she says.
Education, Creativity, and Philanthropy
Spending time “behind the chair” is Justin’s creative outlet, so he is still an active hairstylist, too, and he can be found on occasion at all seven salons. He is, however, devoting more of his time to hair education. He has also
created a custom weft, as well as his own technique for installation, which will be introduced worldwide in about a year. These extensions, with the trademarked name Vomar, will last 12 weeks rather than the usual six to eight weeks, Justin says, without harming hair. Extensions do more than add length, he explains, because they can give hair more fullness and help it hold a style. “It helps make your hair healthier,” he says. “It’s an investment in your hair and your self-esteem—the way you feel about the way you look.”
Justin is generous with his knowledge in many ways. At the invitation of the CEO of Aveda, Justin will be a member of a six-person panel that will address questions from new salon owners at an upcoming convention in New Orleans. And in another recent spurt of energy, Justin founded a non-profit organization, The Color of Hope Project, which will provide “cuts for a cause,” he says, with an ultimate goal of creating housing for domestically abused women.
For more information or to begin your “where your experience matters” journey, visit colorbartx.com.
The Business Focus is chosen each month by random drawing from among Postcards contract advertisers.
Montgomery Color Bar
The Woodlands Color Bar
Jade Rubio at the Conroe Color Bar
Merisol & Breely in the lobby of Magnolia location
Pals
Sheldon
loved by Dale & Kendra
Stewie
loved by The Roberts Family
Suki
loved by Dale & Kendra
December 2025
Thru 28
HOUSTON
“The Nutcracker” houstonballet.org
Thru 28
HUNTSVILLE
The Christmas Village thechristmasvillage.com
Thru 30
PALESTINE
The Polar Express Train Ride texasstaterailroad.net
Thru Jan 4
COLLEGE STATION
Santa’s Wonderland santas-wonderland.com
1
COLLEGE STATION
Voctave: “It Feels Like Christmas” opastickets.org
4-5
HUNTSVILLE Holiday Concert shsu.universitytickets.com
4 MONTGOMERY Holiday Benefit Concert lonestar.edu/ticket-info
4 THE WOODLANDS Holly Jolly Jingle woodlandcenter.org
5-6
COLLEGE STATION
Ballet Brazos & BVSO: “The Nutcracker 2025” balletbrazos.org
5-6
HUNTSVILLE
Journey Through Bethlehem journeythroughbethlehem.com
5-21
CONROE “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” crightontheatre.org
5-21
CONROE “A Christmas Carol” – The Musical owentheatre.com
5-7
GALVESTON Dickens on the Strand galvestonhistory.org
6-7
CONROE Christmas Over Conroe wcbc.us
6
CONROE Montgomery County Mistletoe Market facebook.com/events/9029000203859813
6
HUNTSVILLE Christmas Fair/ Winter in the Park huntsvillemainstreet.com
6
HUNTSVILLE Lions Club
Christmas Parade facebook.com/HuntsvilleTXLions
6
TOMBALL Deck the Depot Tree Lighting tomballtx.gov
6-21
PALESTINE
The Grinch’s Lair txjailhouse.com
9-24
HOUSTON
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” tuts.org
9
SPRING
Houston Brass Quintet: “Holiday Brass” cypresscreekface.org
Mustard Seed Moments
By Wes Altom
Proclaiming the Message
On a night long, long ago, the angels heralded the birth of Christ and proclaimed, “Peace on earth, goodwill to men.” This life-changing announcement was also an invitation…a call to each person from that point forward to not only recognize the gift from above, but to join in that peace and goodwill displayed by our Father through such a gesture. The power of this gift and invitation transcends time, languages, geographical boundaries, and all manner of human differences and deficiencies.
On Christmas Eve long ago in 1914, during weary, winter World War I battle at the front in Europe, the world witnessed soldiers lay down their arms in an impromptu and unauthorized truce. Men from both sides called out Christmas greetings, then ventured out into “no-man’s land” between the trenches. They shook hands, talked, and even exchanged gifts of food, tobacco, alcohol, newspapers, and souvenirs. The “Christmas Truce” is a powerful example from the past of mankind remembering in a compelling way “what
unites us is greater than what divides us.”
Then there is the power of music. In 1955, the hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth (and let it begin with me)” was written for and sung by the International Children’s Choir. From the mouths of babes, right?
Sometimes, messages from above are the most powerful and effective when they come from an unexpected or ironic source—like a lesson on peace from soldiers during war…or the inspiration of children schooling us all.
Today’s world could use a few more powerful reminders— examples of mankind reflecting God’s peace and goodwill. What difference will you make…what action will you take… how will you herald the message?
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”
- Isaiah 60:1
CONVENIENT, ADVANCED MAMMOGRAMS FOR YOU
Taking care of your breast health is important. And early detection starts with your annual mammogram. That’s why Houston Methodist Breast Care Centers offer:
• Innovative imaging technology
• Board-certified breast radiologists
• Online scheduling available when you are
• 13 convenient locations across Houston
Using cutting-edge breast screenings, such as 3D mammograms, to detect even the smallest lumps with accuracy, our breast experts have decades of experience and are all here to support you.
That’s the difference between practicing medicine and leading it. For you.
*Conroe offers screening mammograms only
houstonmethodist.org/mammogram 346.356.PINK (7465)
