Postcards
Lake Conroe
ANTHONY J. PERRI, M.D.
Publisher’s Post
Connecting and “Being Nice”
Last month, we shared the story of meeting and interviewing influencer Landon Bryant. This month, our travel feature shares more about his hometown of Laurel, Mississippi.
I was watching one of Landon’s “Let’s Discuss” videos the other day—you know, the ones where he sits with his sweet Southern drawl and calmly addresses life’s biggest debates… like whether sugar belongs in cornbread. (Bless it, I still don’t know why everyone doesn’t agree with my momma.) But what got me thinking wasn’t so much the cornbread itself, but the kindness in the conversation. The way he says, “Now listen, we don’t have to agree, but we can be nice about it.”
Be nice about it. Imagine that.
Y’all, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard folks get all worked up over things big and small—whether it’s politics, preferences, or how early is too early to start decorating for Christmas. (This one hits close to home in our family.) But somewhere along the way, we’ve started confusing “different” with “wrong.” And that’s a shame.
Because the truth is, we are different. God made us that way. Just like a good stew needs more than potatoes, the world needs more than one flavor of people. And while some folks might be spicier than others—and yes, some might just plain get on our nerves—that doesn’t mean they aren’t worthy of kindness.
Kindness doesn’t mean we have to agree. It means we care enough to listen. It means we show grace, even when we don’t understand. It means we remember that every person we meet is someone’s baby, someone’s friend, and most importantly— someone God created and loves. It means we don’t have to berate people or call them ugly names in order to make ourselves feel better.
Kinda like a momma who loves all her kids—even the one who can push her buttons so well, he could do it blindfolded. So maybe next time we come across someone who thinks differently than we do, we can take a breath. Maybe even smile. And, remember: it’s okay to disagree… just be nice about it.
We don’t have to all eat the same kind of cornbread to sit at the same table.
Love y'all,
...somewhere along the way, we've started confusing "different" with "wrong."
Why?
Why am I not getting Postcards? It's been months.
Barbara Gilbert
From the Editor:
Thank you for your concern and for reaching out. At the first of the year, we moved some mailing routes to rack deliveries only. With the unprecedented growth along with the rising cost of postage and printing, we had to make some
tough choices.
We are replenishing our racks each month at several locations and if you have a place we should consider, let us know and we will contact the business to ask permission.
Thank you again for contacting us and being a valued reader. Should you want a copy mailed directly to your home, we do offer subscriptions for $36/year. The magazines are also available free online as a flipbook on our website www. PostcardsLive.com.
Editorial Feast
I really love the new look of the recipe section, it looks very editorial and a feast for the eyes!
Christa Ashworth-Perkins
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Where Beautiful Homes & Gardens Begin
Join us for the Spring Artists Walk May 17th
9 am - 5 pm
Over 50 artisans booths to shop. Music, Food, Fun! Additional sales in the Mansion & Garden Center
In the Garden In the Mansion
• Statuary
• Pottery
• Roses & Azaleas
• Shrubs
• Garden Decor
• Tropicals
• Herbs & Veggies
• Gifts & Antiques At the Award Winning Historic Top O’ the Hill
• Fragrances
• Tabletop
• Candles
• Gourmet Foods
• Linens
• Inspirational Books
Bella Vita Community Organization helps build a beautiful (and purposeful) life for those with special needs.
BY RUTH FIELDS | PHOTOS BY TOM MILLER
Ona warm spring morning, members of Bella Vita Community—all adults with special needs—start their meeting by being thankful. One young man appreciates an aunt and uncle who are renovating a country house; another enjoys having a great class. Most express thanks for friends and family. “I am thankful for just hanging out here,” one young woman says. “The glorious part of it is that they have each other,” says Linda Bartels, co-founder of the community.
Finding a purpose
Greg and Linda Bartels were the parents of three children ranging in age from 10 to 14 when their son Michael was born in 1995. The whole family embraced Michael, who was diagnosed at birth with Down Syndrome. “His life has had a positive impact on the whole family,” Linda says.
The couple, unfamiliar with the implications of Michael’s diagnosis, soon became students of brain development. They started teaching
Michael to read when he was just 12 weeks old. Over the next decade and a half, Linda, with help from private tutors, homeschooled Michael before enrolling him in public high school. When he graduated three years later, his education was deemed complete; however, Greg and Linda knew that the human brain has great potential for learning throughout life. Learning doesn’t stop just because a diploma has been awarded.
After much research, Greg and Linda discovered that Houston Community College (HCC) offers advanced learning opportunities for adults with special needs through its Vocational Advancement and Skill Training (VAST) Academy. So, the Bartels left their home in Missouri and moved to Texas so Michael could attend. In 2018, Michael graduated from the HCC program and began his collegiate studies at Lone Star College’s Life Path Program. “Both are incredible programs,” Linda says. In 2022, Michael graduated from Lone Star College with an Associate of Occupational and Life Skills degree.
years, their dream became a reality.
In 2021, Greg and Linda purchased 55 acres near the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport and began transforming the outbuildings on the property, turning them into a classroom, a lunchroom and a dance studio. They began learning how to operate a small farm and spent time researching the most suitable animals to raise. They eventually settled on two
those with special needs.” In time, Bella Vita Community became a 501(c)(3) organization.
In May 2023, Greg and Linda opened their gate to other young adults with special needs, including those with Down Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder and other brain disorders. Bella Vita Community meets on Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Some young adults participate on all four days; others come just one or two days a week because they travel for many miles to attend. In May 2025, Bella Vita Community celebrated its second anniversary.
Although he is a good reader and is well educated, it was hard for Michael to find gainful employment, and Greg and Linda worried about his long-term job prospects. With time, their worry became a vision of a place where Michael could find continued educational opportunities and purposeful work in a loving atmosphere. They dreamed this haven would benefit other young adults with special needs, too. Over the next few
types of chickens—queen cinnamon, which are known for their large, brown eggs; and Americanas, which lay eggs in various shades of blue. They also decided to raise St. Croix sheep, which are gentle and do not need to be sheared. The farm even began raising worms so they could harvest their castings, a popular fertilizer among organic gardeners. “We have 100,000 worms,” Greg says. “Worm castings are black gold.”
Bella Vita
In 2022, the Bartels invited Michael’s friends and their families to come explore the farm one day a week. There, no charge to the families, young adults with special needs learned about farm life and enjoyed spending time with their friends. Greg and Linda were grateful for Debbie Ehrhart, a retired teacher, who began her long tradition of volunteering at Bella Vita at that time. Those days on the farm were the first step toward creating the community that Greg and Linda envisioned. They named the farm Bella Vita, Italian for “the beautiful life,” because it captured the essence of their goal. They also adopted a slogan: “Building a beautiful life for
Members of Bella Vita Community have gained much knowledge on their days at the farm. Melissa Barber, a certified special education teacher with 13 years of public-school experience, conducts the classroom portion of the day’s activities with help from Linda. (Because children go to class and adults go to meetings, the Bartels call the classroom portion
Greg explaining the worm bed process
The sheep know it is feeding time
feel good when we learn something new or accomplish something.”
In addition to attending classroom meetings, the young adults at Bella Vita participate in dance lessons, combining the brain-stimulating disciplines of music, exercise and choreography. They also complete farm tasks, such as bottle-feeding lambs, tending raised-bed gardens and worm beds, and gathering the eggs from a growing flock of chickens. (The non-soy, non-GMO eggs are available on Saturdays at Montgomery Farmers Market.) There is even time to show affection to the six Great Pyrenees dogs that patrol the farm. Days are busy, but because it was founded on Christian principles, the Bella Vita Community always takes time during the day for prayer.
Greg and Linda are pleased they are helping members of the community find their niche in life. “We all need to have a reason to get out of bed. We need to be needed. We need to have purpose,” Greg says. “They all have things they are good at and things they like. They all have a skill set. Once we hone in on that work, we find something for them to do so they can say, ‘That’s my job.’ They are doing something meaningful. They are doing something productive. We give them independence so they can have a fulfilling life.” Linda agrees. “Everybody has something important to do, like feeding animals or gathering
eggs,” she says. “That’s important so that they can be a part of a community and have purpose. That’s what makes life happy.”
The Bartels are working hard to perfect their innovative concept, simultaneously striving to make Bella Vita financially feasible in the long run while keeping it affordable for families. Their ultimate goal is to make Bella Vita Community a suitable place for young adults with special needs to live. Meanwhile, members of the community enjoy their days at the farm. “My favorite thing about coming here is coming to see the sheep, lambs, and chickens and learning all about
the digestive system for the human body,” says one member of the community. “They are excited when they get home,” Greg says. “We know from the parents’ feedback that they like it. They have something real, so they fit in as a cog in a wheel.”
Greg and Linda have lofty goals and aspirations, but they have already succeeded in providing camaraderie and happiness to the members of their budding community. As one reticent young woman says shyly, “I always look forward to coming to Bella Vita every Tuesday.”
Bella Vita Community welcomes donations, as well as volunteers. For more information about the farm and community, visit bellavitacommunity.com.
Left: Ms. Barber with students, preparing to feed the sheep
Below: Mary Jo, Matthew, Emily & Michael petting Happy (Great Pyrenees) & Chloe
Right: Students with a litter of Great Pyreneese puppies
Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, is the nation’s foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. Memorial Day is a day to reflect on their sacrifice and to honor their memory with gratitude. Let us never forget. Yes, it is still spring but, according to my tissue usage, it is still allergy season. My favorite allergy season song is “Blowing in the Wind” by Peter Pollen Mary. May the fourth be with you until Cinco de Mayo. Send me your questions by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share
DEAR GABBY
I have a highbrow friend who questioned my use of the word “synchronicity” when I should have used “coincidence.” I should not try to match her vocabulary. Would you please give me a simple example so I may not make this horrendous mistake in her presence again?
COMMON MAN
DEAR CM
I’ll never know why you picked me to answer this question, but I’ll give it my best shot. Synchronicity is when you are thinking of someone that you haven’t heard from in a while and, out of the blue, they call you. Coincidence is when you get a new puppy, and you are in the process of scattering newspaper pages all over the floors in your house. By the time you get the first page on the floor, Frank Sinatra comes on the radio singing “Start Spreading the News.” Here’s a suggestion: Find a friend who is more interested sharing in friendly competition than orchestrating contests that are designed to attack your self esteem.
Gabby
DEAR GABBY
My husband and I are going on an extended vacation this summer. Everywhere we’re going, we may be up close and personal with dangerous critters. My husband is thrilled, but I am more than a little nervous. Do you know any rules of thumb to help keep us out of trouble?
LIVING DANGEROUSLY
DEAR LIVING
That is nowhere near the vicinity of my wheelhouse, but I do remember a couple of things I’ve heard over the years. When it comes to bears: If it’s black, fight back. If it’s brown, lie down. If it’s white, good night. And if you see coastal water, taste it. If it’s salty, there are sharks in it. If it’s not salty, there are alligators in it. Please rethink your plans. The zoo is always a good option.
CONFIDENTIAL TO “GRACEFUL AGING”:
I envy people who grow old gracefully. They age like fine wine. I’m aging like milk; getting sour and chunky.
wine, & unforgettable
Gabby
Glorious Grandchildren
Tasty Bites
Coconut Milk Ice Cream
INGREDIENTS
1 (13.5 oz) can unsweetened coconut milk
1/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp salt
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Whisk together coconut milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a small bowl until sugar dissolves.
Step 2: Chill until cold, at least 2 hours.
Step 3: Churn in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions.
Step 4: Freeze in an airtight container at least 4 hours or up to 3 months.
Chef John’s Fresh Salmon Cakes
INGREDIENTS
1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup minced onion
2 Tbs minced red bell pepper
2 Tbs minced celery
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs capers
1 ¼ lb fresh wild salmon, coarsely chopped
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 pinch seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay®)
1 Tbs panko breadcrumbs, or to taste
2 Tbs olive oil, or as needed
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir onion, red pepper, celery, and a pinch of salt in hot oil until onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add capers; cook and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Stir salmon, onion mixture, mayonnaise, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, garlic, mustard, cayenne, seafood seasoning, salt, and ground black pepper together in a bowl until well-mixed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firmed and chilled, 1 to 2 hours.
Step 3: Form salmon mixture into four 1-inch thick patties; sprinkle remaining panko breadcrumbs over each patty.
Step 4: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook patties in hot oil until golden and cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Casa de Luz Water Bottling Plant: MISSION COMPLETE Be an Angel
In 2023, we featured Be An Angel, a Texas-based non-profit organization which helps children with disabilities by providing adaptive equipment, hearing aids, respite care, select services, and support programs. In addition to helping children across our state, the organization helps support a special needs orphanage in the Dominican Republic—Casa de Luz (House of Light). This mission effort helps abandoned children with severe special needs by providing a home, medical care, nourishment, physical therapies, and a loving family environment.
Jim Anderson, member of BAA Board of Directors, provided details in that feature of a mission trip to assist with construction of a water bottling plant adjacent to the orphanage. This idea was the vision of Ray Solcher, with the goal of making the orphanage financially self-sufficient.
Be An Angel coordinated and worked with the nonprofits Water at Work Ministries and Rotary International to raise over $380 thousand dollars in funding for this project and to get the water plant built.
Fast Forward to Today
This was a long and tedious effort, with a phase of required studies, followed by a phase of grant requests. Water at Work Ministries took the lead in the construction of the plant, which took over a year and a half to complete. There were many requirements of the local government which had to be met, as well as weather delays.
After completion, there was a period of hiring and training 10 employees to run the plant on a day-to-day basis.
Finally, with the completion of the plant and passing all tests, the plant commenced bottling and selling the water. On April 26, 2024, a ceremony attended by many of the local community and church members was held to dedicate the plant to the memory of Ray Solcher, whose vision had now become a reality.
The plant has now been producing 5-gallon water bottles on a regular basis and has increased production every month with a total of 16,028 produced since April and profits of over $10K during that time. The goal to provide funding for the 38 special needs children at the House of Lights orphanage and 12 full-time staff
who take care of these angels has now become a reality.
Thanks to North Shore Church, who together with Be An Angel, has provided funding to the orphanage for over 13 years and has been a faithful partner in this adventure. And lastly, I must recognize my lost friends, Ray Solcher and Steve Watkins, who were so instrumental in providing inspiration and dedication for this special place for so many years. They are special people who never leave us, even after they have gone.
Jim Anderson, BAA Executive Board
(written by Jim Anderson)
The new water bottling plant at House of Light.
The Garden Post
Watering 101
Did you know there is a “right” way and a “wrong” way to water plants? With summer on the way, this is a great time to review your landscape’s water needs. If the plant is alive and looks great, the battle is won. If the plant you keep replacing dies, yet again, there is a problem. So, before we jump into watering, let’s discuss the planting and soil prep needed for healthy growth and success. Consider this the CliffsNotes version of Landscape 101. Prepare the soil before planting. For plants such as azaleas, roses, gardenias…it is imperative to have a raised prepared bed of 1/3 humus, 1/3 sandy loam, and 1/3 compost or peat-and raise to 2”to 3” above grade. If the soil has a heavy clay base, add ¼ cup of gypsum per plant, for existing beds.
For new beds, turn up the soil to a depth of 6” plus, add your landscape mix and gypsum (or whatever mix is appropriate for your plant selections).
If the clay is heavy (which new home builds will have due to dense properties of contractor clay used to build a slab and foundation), treat with gypsum prior to tilling. If you can, remove as much as 12” of clay and backfill with a topsoil/ humus mix, then PLANT YOUR NEW SHRUB 1”-2” ABOVE GRADE. Do not plant flush to the soil. The plant will settle with time, and if the established woody stem of a shrub or tree goes below the soil level or if bark mulch is raised too high, the plant typically dies. A wood stem will not become a root. That only works on tomatoes!
Now, let’s talk “watering.” The rule of thumb is 1.5” of irrigation a week during the heat of summer, which translates to 4x a week. If you have newly planted shrubs or trees (less than
Kim Bius President, Kim's Home & Garden Center
6 months old), additional hand watering may be required for that plant’s survival. Existing landscape has an established root system that is deep and can sustain itself on watering 2-3x a week. New plants do not and will struggle, if not die. Remember, the leaves always tell the story. A drought stricken plant will begin with yellow leaves that roll up. The leaves will become dry and crunchy, and the plant dies within a day or so. A plant with black tips on its leaves has too much water, or the root system is not draining properly. The truth can always be found in the new growth. New growth will tell the tale if the problem was temporary or persists.
If you are watering manually, a sprinkler is highly recommended, because it is almost impossible to stand and water adequately when temps are in the high 90s. Direct water to the root system only, and deep soak to a depth of 12”+, 3x a week. If you are “Zorro watering”, where you whip the hose back and forth over the foliage in a Z pattern, you are going to have problems.
Shrubs, trees, and bedding plants do not absorb water through the foliage or the air; water is absorbed through the root system only. Yes, we do demonstrations, and the slow count to 15 is needed on new shrubs, when watering with a hose. If you are headed out for a week or more during the summer, ensure your irrigation system is working and have someone who knows how to check the system go by to ensure it is working properly. Power outages have been known to keep systems from coming back on.
Happy Gardening….summer is on the way!
Pals
Rigby & Reggie
loved by Scott & Misty Blakeway
TC
loved by The McClure Family
Oatmeal
loved by Maddison
Root Beer
loved by Maddison
Trump
loved by The Peach Family
Daisy
loved by The Glass Family
Tgood and trustworthy. He knows this both as a consumer and as a con tractor who has been in the home improvement industry for 40 years. He comments, “This is the kind of industry where experience really matters. It’s advantageous for the homeowner to find someone with a lot of experience when dealing with their home.”
jobs are exactly the same. Every house is a little different, and every homeowner is a little differ ent. It’s not replicating the same exact thing again and again, so that experience compounds over time.
The beginning of Texas Remodel Team
Fox started as a young entrepreneur, building decks, then progressed to more involved home improvements. Ultimately, he became a high-level manager at a large home improvement company for more than a decade.
Following that, Fox says he wanted to develop his own business based on that experience, great customer service, and a repeat customer base. So, he built Texas Remodel Team from the ground up 11 years ago. “We have developed a large ‘bank’ of repeat customers who call us for their next projects,” Fox observes. “If you pull up one of our accounts, you will see we did a job for them 10 years ago; we did windows 8 years ago; we did an addition 5 years ago…a remodel three years ago, and then, this year, they’re calling us again!” Fox continues, “It’s exciting to develop relationships with people and have them want us back in their house.” Fox is quick to point out that such relationships help keep costs low and make Texas Remodel Team more competitive because they don’t have to do a ton of marketing.
The key to this, according to Fox, is to think forward. “We are always trying to think five years out with that customer. We are doing the current project with the thought of ‘how do we get them to want to call us back five years from now.’”
One thing Fox is most proud of is that Texas Remodel Team is a family business. “My son Austin, has been around the business from the beginning, since he was 14.”
Tim & his son Austin
Don’t just take their word for it
Just recently, Texas Remodel Team received the 2025 Best of The Woodlands Award from Woodlands Online® in the category: Best Home Repair and Remodeling. “This is our first win for this award, which is voted on by the public. It’s so meaningful, because there is such a large selection of companies in the area—and we are not a huge company.” Fox views the win as an affirmation of the credibility of the quality of the work, the communication with the office staff, follow-through, the value proposition—the entire experience with their business.
Getting to work
From Texas Remodel Team provides a wide range of services, including bathrooms, kitchens, sunrooms, additions—even exterior projects such as patios, pergolas, decks, and outdoor kitchens.
The business handles a lot of replacement window and siding projects. Most of the time, these are a breeze. But… when they aren’t, that overall experience factor definitely comes into play. Fox shares, “We had a recent window replacement job at an older house in The Woodlands. The project was to replace all the windows on the back of the structure. In the process of that, we discovered that the whole back wall was rotted out. Rather than just put the windows in anyway because we had them and had our window people there, we “stopped the music” and took an assessment of what needed to be done. The wall needed to be reframed and redone. The good news for the customer was that they didn’t have to go call somebody else and try to coordinate all that. I gave them a very reasonable price because I have framing crews and drywall crews, and painting crews. We were able to keep the project moving the next day. Situations like that are what sets us miles apart from window companies. We have expertise to deal with the whole home and to get things taken care of in a reasonable way for people.”
This expertise more commonly comes into play in window replacements where the homeowner wants to change the size of an opening or the location/style of
doors—again, an advantage for the customer in getting things handled by one call to a trusted partner.
When asked how much better today’s windows are than those from decades ago, Fox doesn’t mince words. “When you go from single pane aluminum windows to dual pane, energy-efficient windows of today—that’s like driving an old truck that gets 8 miles per gallon, then turning in for one that gets 30 miles per gallon!” Energy savings, the comfort level, and noise reduction are all benefits of such a replacement.
It takes organization to get the job done right and timely. Fox has three project managers, and he steps in as well, to keep projects moving and avoid people waiting—whether it’s for their project to commence or to be completed. “The right people and the right systems,” says Fox, “are key to quality results and service.”
When it comes to describing their service area, Fox says it largely depends on the scope of the work. “Projects that require fewer tradespeople—like windows and siding, we can offer in a much larger service area (greater Houston area and as far north as Centerville). A complex addition or remodel, we want to do that fairly close to the office, because we may have 9 or 10 trades involved in that. To do that well, we have to be there a lot, so we limit those (no farther than North Houston, Spring, The Woodlands, Conroe/Lake Conroe, and Willis).
Texas Remodel Team is eager to hear from you and is happy to provide you with free estimates for any planned projects.
The Business Focus is chosen each month by random drawing from among Postcards contract advertisers.
Dr. Lane Aiena Family Practice
SSummer Safety
ummer is one of my favorite times of year. Days are longer, kids are out of school, and the smell of sunscreen and barbecue bring me back to my own childhood. I wanted to share a few tips to help you and your family stay safe and healthy all summer long.
Let’s start with sunscreen. Sun protection isn’t just about avoiding a painful burn. It’s about preventing longterm skin damage and reducing your risk of skin cancer.
Every time your skin burns, you increase your risk of developing skin cancer later in life—including melanoma, the most dangerous type. Sunburns also take a few hours to show up, so once you see the red, it’s already too late. That’s why it’s crucial to apply sunscreen before you start your outdoor fun.
I often get asked what SPF number is best. SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and it refers to how well a sunscreen can block UVB rays, which are the rays responsible for sunburn. Research shows that SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. Anything above that offers only a slight increase in protection.
More important than the number is
how you use it: apply generously and reapply every two hours—or more often if you’re swimming or sweating. And don’t forget spots like your ears, the tops of your feet, and the back of your neck. Also, consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective clothing, and try to stay in the shade if possible during the peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Next up, let’s talk water safety. We all like cooling off in a pool or lake, but water can be dangerous—especially for kids. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1-4, and most drownings happen in home pools. Drowning can happen so quickly – it only takes a second of not paying attention to your little ones. Supervision is absolutely critical. If you’re at a pool, keep your eyes on your kids.
If you have a pool at home, it should be completely fenced in with a selflatching gate. Check it frequently to ensure it is closed and stays closed. Alarms on doors and gates can add an extra layer of protection.
For kids who can’t swim confidently yet, put them in life jackets when they’re near the water—not floaties or inflatable rings, which can give a false sense of security. And speaking of
swimming—the earlier your kids learn, the better. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swim lessons starting as early as age 1, depending on your child’s readiness.
If you’re out on a boat or near the lake, make sure everyone wears a life jacket. Lakes can have hidden currents, sudden drop-offs, and tangled weeds that make swimming more difficult than expected.
And finally, let’s talk grilling. Always grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area, away from overhangs, trees, or anything flammable. Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from the grill, and never leave it unattended once it’s lit.
No one wants to be the host who gave everyone food poisoning. Use a meat thermometer to make sure you’re cooking things to a safe internal temperature (Chicken and poultry: 165°F; Ground beef: 160°F; Steaks and pork: 145°F, with a 3-minute rest time).
Keep cold foods cold (below 40°F) and hot foods hot (above 140°F), and don’t let perishable items sit out for more than two hours—or one hour if it’s hotter than 90°F outside.
Keep the sunscreen handy, the life jackets buckled, and the grill safely sizzling. Have a great summer!
Sudoku Marketspace
6 3 3 1 9 2 7 8 2 8 7 4 1 9 3 6 6 5 8 3 1 4 7 3
Sundown at Sam’s samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com
BLANK Waterwood Women’s League Garage Sale location: Point Blank Community Church
Yaga’s Wild Game and Barbecue Cookoff ycfgalveston.org
LAND Alton Brown: Last Bite smartfinancialcentre.net
7 Bridges: Eagles Tribute thebarnhillcenter.com
All the King’s Horses 9th Annual Charity Golf allthekingshorses.org
Local Churches Blood Drive commitforlife.org
Mudbug & Music Festival madisonvilletexas.gov
Scottish Highland Games nacscottishgames.com
Wiggy Thump visitpalestine.com
Frankie
Keith Allynn: Neil
Diamond Tribute crightontheatre.org
Stingray Anthony: Rock n Rollers Tribute crightontheatre.org
Gene Watson oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org
By Wes Altom
Mustard Seed Moments Hope Lives On
Just two months ago, in our March issue, we published a piece in this space written by Pres Holcomb. He shared how his purposeful choice to reach out to minister to two older ladies in his church ended up blessing him as much or more than it did them (He shared this in a Facebook post; we sought his permission to share here with you). We met Pres and his family years ago, when they lived in Huntsville, attended church with us, and Pres was the girls’ soccer coach at Huntsville High School. His career removed them to Kingwood, but not from our hearts.
On April 5, Pres passed from this life, ending an over fiveyear battle with cancer. We followed the family’s difficult journey on a Facebook “Hope for Holcomb” page, and we prayed many prayers along the way.
Each of us longs to know our life makes a difference. We hear “Be the change you want to see in the world,” and “Leave the world better than we found it.” These are noble tasks, but can seem daunting, overwhelming, or even impossible at times.
I think Pres was onto something. It starts with the little things…a single choice, a single action, a single step down the
path. Speaking of paths, it’s not unlike The Good Samaritan— who made a single choice when encountering someone in need (along his literal path)—a story we are all still familiar with and talk about today.
God is faithful, and our hope is fulfilled. We always knew it would be. Pres was either going to be healed from cancer here…or in God’s arms. He is whole, and hope lives on. Hope persists in each opportunity we receive to make a single choice, a single action, a single step along the way that makes a difference.
For Christians do not grieve as those who have no hope.
- I Thessalonians 4:13
But not only that! We even take pride in our problems, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. This hope doesn’t put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
- Romans 5:3-5
Early Detection Starts With Your ANNUAL MAMMOGRAM
The recommended age to start your annual mammogram is 40. Schedule yours today.
At Houston Methodist Breast Care Centers, our board-certified experts use the latest imaging technology to provide you with cutting-edge breast screenings — such as 3D mammograms — to detect even the smallest lumps and abnormalities with accuracy. We offer:
• 10+ convenient locations across Houston
• Online scheduling with readily available appointments
• Expanded hours available at most locations
• Access to medical records and test results through MyChart
Scan the QR code, visit houstonmethodist.org/mammogram or call 346.356.PINK (7465) to schedule your mammogram today.
We do not require a doctor’s order for your annual screening mammogram.
