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Postcards Magazine

Lake Conroe

September 2026

Cowboy Jack • Clear Choice Acupuncture & Wellness

Contents September 2026 | Volume 15, Issue 9

Features

Texas Talent

Cowboy Jack

Favorites

Calendar - Making Tracks..................... 32 Dear Gabby.............................................. 9 Glorious Grandchildren ........................15

Lake Conroe | September 2026

Kidspeak.................................................17 Milestones..............................................21 Mustard Seed Moments ....................... 34 Pet Pals .................................................. 24 Puzzle Solutions.....................................31 Sudoku Marketspace .............................31 Tasty Bites ..............................................18

Magazine

Community. It's what we do!

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If you would like to receive our magazine and are not currently on our mailing list, subscriptions are available. DIRECT-MAILED to select postal routes in Willis, Conroe, and Montgomery. FREE rack copies at advertisers and businesses in towns listed above. Owned and Published Monthly by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc. PUBLISHER

Karen Altom EDITOR

Wes Altom OPERATIONS MANAGER

Marshall Altom

ADVERTISING TEAM

Tammy Farkas Nancy Jolly

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BUSINESS FOCUS

Columns

Garden Post .......................................... 22 Medical Matters .................................... 30 Publisher’s Post ...................................... 6

On The Cover 2025 Postcards Photo Contest Submission

Clear Choice Acupuncture & Wellness

Cover Photo by Cade Crippin

DESIGN TEAM

Mary Partida April Key Online: www.PostcardsLive.com Address: PO Box 690 Huntsville, TX 77342 Call our Office: 936.293.1188 We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of any material without written preauthorization. No material from Postcards Magazine™ can be copied, scanned, faxed, electronically, or otherwise used without express written permission. Publication of articles, advertisements or product information does not constitute endorsement or approval by Postcards Magazine™ and/or its publisher. Business Focus stories printed in Postcards Magazine™ are drawn at random from contract advertisers. © 2025 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved. Printed in Texas by Shweiki Media

Publisher’s Post Whining and Dining

Lake Conroe | September 2026

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y husband and I recently found ourselves having dinner at a beautiful historic inn in the Northeast while on vacation. It was one of those places with creaky wood floors, low ceilings, soft lighting, and enough history in the walls to make you wonder who had dined there through the centuries. We thought we’d simply be enjoying a nice dinner. Instead, the special that evening wasn’t on the menu. It was a generous helping of whining with our dining. The hostess seated us at a table right next to another couple who appeared to be a decade or so older than we were. Mind you, the restaurant had plenty of empty tables. We looked around wondering why, of all the places available, we were placed within arm’s reach of strangers. It didn’t take long to find out the couple was on a date. We know this because they told each other… loudly. Very loudly. In fact, by the time our appetizers arrived, we knew they had met at the local senior center. By the time our entrées arrived, we knew he’d recently suffered from back spasms and a bout of gout. A few bites later, we learned he’d had something removed from his ear by the dermatologist. They had found another suspicious spot, removed it, and now he was sporting a Band-Aid. He noticed how tan she looked and guessed she’d been walking more. She seemed pleased that he’d noticed. We also learned about his knees, her ankles, his cataract surgery (one eye down and one to go), and the fact that she no longer likes driving at night because she just can’t see well enough. There wasn’t a medical chart in sight, but there certainly wasn’t any HIPAA in effect either. Somewhere around dessert, I realized something. When we’re young, we impress each other with stories about adventures, careers, dreams, and places we’ve been. As life moves along, our stories change. They become conversations about doctor’s appointments, aches that come and go, medications that finally worked, surgeries that went well, and whether the

Karen Altom, Publisher new knee is behaving today. At first, I couldn’t help but chuckle. But then I found it unexpectedly sweet. Here were two people who had found each other later in life. They weren’t pretending to be twenty-five. They weren’t trying to impress anyone. They simply showed up exactly as they were—Band-Aids, cataracts, sore joints, and all. And someone wanted to hear every bit of it. That thought was driven home later that evening when we joined a crowd on the lawn for a concert. We heard someone behind us say, “I can’t see them.” Without missing a beat, their companion replied, “It’s music…you don’t need to see!” We laughed out loud. Maybe that’s one of the quiet gifts of growing older. You stop worrying so much about perfect circumstances and simply enjoy being there… together. As for Wes and me, we left smiling. It’s not exactly the stuff Hallmark writes greeting cards about. But if we’re fortunate enough to reach that season ourselves, I hope we’ll still be sitting across the table from one another…talking a little too loudly…and grateful that someone still wants to listen.

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Dear Gabby

Send me your questions at

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Welcome back to the September 2026 edition of the Dear Gabby advice column. Labor Day is September 7 and honors the American labor movement and workers; Patriot Day is September 11 and remembers those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks; Constitution Day is September 17 and celebrates the adoption of the U.S. Constitution; and National POW/MIA Recognition Day is the 18th (always the 3rd Friday in September, and honors missing and prisoner of war service members). Now, before we pumpkin spice the planet, let’s not forget summer isn’t over until Tuesday, September 22. Fall will be most welcome--especially if it brings cooler weather! Any questions? Send them to me by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share. DEAR GABBY I think I remember from last season that you are no fan of pumpkin spice. Well, everyone is entitled to their wrong opinion. Who needs a prince when you can have a pumpkin? SPICE GIRL

Leggings, leaves, and lattes, oh my! Please don’t offer me anything pumpkin spice. I’m not one of those. I am well aware that I am outnumbered in the pumpkin spice latte game, but I am entitled to my opinion. My opinion was formed for good reasons. I once spilled a pumpkin spice latte on the ground,

GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO “SHE SAID SHE WANTED TO TALK!”: Maybe she wanted to do the talking. Listen and silent are spelled with the same letters. Think about that.

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Shiitake 5K Run/Walk

September 2026 | Lake Conroe

DEAR SG

and a bunch of ants started making brunch plans and doing yoga. I was behind a woman in the pharmacy line this week, and she asked the pharmacist if her medication came in pumpkin spice flavor. She was told to pick up her meds and move along. You know those white pumpkins popular now? They are regular pumpkins that are drained of their spice by illegal poachers. If you are “one of those,” please demand ethically sourced pumpkin spice lattes. That spice is in everything! If I see pumpkin spice bologna in the grocery store, I’m fasting until January.

TEXAS TALENT

Lake Conroe | September 2026

Cowboy Jack

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This dad leans into the fact that, "Our heroes have always been cowboys."

STORY AND PHOTOS BY JULIE KNIGHT

How did Cowboy Jack come about?

We were always one of those families who said we weren’t allowing our kids to watch TV. Then Covid happens, and I’m home with my young child and my wife, spending a lot of time

together and Daddy’s got to work, so we’re turning on the TV! My son really gravitated to these big, flashy, crazy wild shows. I kept telling my wife Andrea there’s got to be something better out there. Why can we not find something like Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers, just something of a slower pace? I just kept talking about it, and eventually she said, “Well, if you hate it so much, why don’t you make your own show?” So, we did.

How did you come up with the cowboy theme?

When we started Cowboy Jack, we had our son Caden and my wife Andrea had just given birth to our daughter Addison, who is now 5 1/2 years old, and Caden just turned 8. It amazing we’ve been doing Cowboy Jack all these years.

You must have this huge production team that follows you around, right? Oh yeah, it’s really huge. My cameraman is Andrea. My editor is Andrea. My publisher is Andrea.

Who created the outfit, and how are you going to keep enough copies of it if you mess one up?

I’m actually in a very significant bind on the outfit, because the shirt is a Levi’s brand. When we first started, I bought two of those shirts. I am down to one. I have launched a global search through my network, and we cannot find another. There will come a time where we have to have to pick a new shirt.

I love that you focus on Texas locations for your episodes. How do you pick, and how far do you go from home?

Home is in Montgomery, Texas, and since Cowboy Jack is not the sole provider for the family, we have to be cognizant of how far we can get away from home to film. We have to manage how it fits into our regular work schedules. We’re heavily concentrated in the Houston Metroplex and the East Texas side of things, but we have filmed shows as far as San Antonio, Dallas, and Fort Worth. We actually had a great opportunity this year to travel to North Carolina to film with the North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission.

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We became mega-fans as we got to know John and excitedly watched his show take off, get picked up on multiple platforms, and his viewership soar on the socials. We even got him to make a repeat appearance at the bakery for a gingerbread house making episode a year later. John’s the real deal. He’s devoted to his family and wants to put out fun, educational, and quality programming. I know you’ll love getting to know him.

My creative director is Andrea. My scheduler is Andrea. The brains of the operation is Andrea. Then there’s this guy named John who wears a big funny hat and does all the talking.

September 2026 | Lake Conroe

he first time I met Cowboy Jack (whose real name is John Havard) in person, was at our bakery in Huntsville, in August of 2021 when he came to film an episode of his YouTube show. My grandson Duke was just getting to the age of watching a video here and there, and our family was desperately looking for good content for him. We stumbled on this show called “The Cowboy Jack Show.” The show was a low key, calm, informative program, and Cowboy Jack was a man who spoke with a regular voice and didn’t have a lot of gimmicks. He was down to earth and could really pique Duke’s interest.

Lake Conroe | September 2026

Do you have any favorite episodes, and have any really hit big in the view counts?

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Some I think are going to just be explosive don’t really do anything, then something so simple can take off like crazy. Personally, my favorite experience was filming with Life Flight on top of Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Houston Medical Center (I have a special place in my heart for first responders). I got to meet a flight nurse, Ryan Price, and spent some time with him talking about the actual helicopter, what they do, and how they do it in the air. That was an incredible experience. We also got to film with the Houston Texans. We got to go in the stadium and learn some cheers with the cheerleaders. That was fun. Those experiences are great, but surprisingly, they didn’t drive a lot of views. Sometimes what drives the views are things as simple as me giving my dog a bath. Things resonate with kids differently, and you just never know where that’s gonna take you.

You have a great theme song written and sung by Shiny Ribs. Tell me how that happened.

Yeah, that was really cool. I have a good friend who happens to know Shiny Ribs, (whose actual name is Kevin Russell.) He’s been one of my Texas country music heroes for a long time. I was telling my friend I really needed

a theme song, and she said she had an idea. The next thing I know, she’s telling me she talked to her friend, and he wanted to make my theme song. I asked her who it was. I was like, “The Kevin Russell, like Shiny Ribs?” and she was like, “Yeah.” That’s the theme song I have still to this day. I can’t get enough of it. I love it.

Tell me about, “Don’t make fun of my hair!”

Everything we do is unscripted. We show up on location, and I just roll with it, and Andrea chases me around with a camera. I think kids appreciate that authenticity. But this one time we were filming, and I took my hat off to scratch my head, and I just thought, I bet my hair looks funny. So, I just made a thing out of it. Kids really liked that, and they were mimicking it at home. Now I do it in almost every episode.

When did you first get recognized when you were out in the real world?

My first celebrity appearance was when I came and filmed at the bakery in Huntsville, and Cowboy Duke was really the first little cowboy fan I ever got to meet. I showed up, and he was dressed to the nines and ready to meet me, and that was literally my first encounter with somebody recognizing me. It still happens to this day, and it’s fun. If anybody ever recognizes me, please come and say, “Hi.” That absolutely makes me feel ten feet tall. I love that so much.

What do you think it is about Cowboy Jack that kids and grown-ups can relate to? What do you think is your secret sauce? In life, I’m always trying to make

people laugh. I’m always trying to be the center of attention. The show gives me the opportunity to do that in a wholesome way. I think it’s because I try to be relatable, to be down to earth. And kids may think I’m cool because I’m Cowboy Jack, and they think they’re meeting a celebrity or something, but, you know, when I take the hat off, I’m really just a normal suburban dad.

What does John like to do aside from being Cowboy Jack?

My son is a really great baseball player, so we’re very involved in his Little League, but we like to sneak off and go fishing every chance we get. Also, I am a Native American artifact nut, and I love to get out there and go hunt for arrowheads whenever I can.

How can our readers find Cowboy Jack episodes?

We’re on almost every platform now. We just got picked up by Pluto TV. The easiest way to find us is YouTube Kids and YouTube, but we’re also on Amazon Prime, Yippee TV, and other platforms. I also have a good Facebook and Instagram following, and I post as Cowboy Jack there.

What are your hopes for Cowboy Jack going forward into the future?

We’re going global. We’re trying a lot of different things, including a book series. We just got it translated into Portuguese and Spanish, and Farsi is coming soon. We’re doing a lot of things to try to globalize Cowboy Jack, especially in countries that really like cowboys. And we are going to stay here in Texas and keep doing our thing.

Do you accept ideas for episodes?

Yes, if you are a business owner and think something is cool kids would like to see, reach out to me. It could be as simple as being a librarian or working in a post office or working in a welding shop. I would love the opportunity to get kids exposure into skilled trades. I think that’s a big part of our country’s trajectory for the future.

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Glorious Grandchildren

Benjamin & Daniel Beard

Grandchild of

Grandchildren of

Kim & Ed Willis

David & DeLonn McCall

September 2026 | Lake Conroe

Hannah

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Kidspeak 5-yo came home after school and proudly announced that he was giving up bedtime for Lent. Nice try, little dude. But no. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Me: Stop smacking your brother's butt! 8-yo: He wants me to! Me: Not saying 'no' is not the same thing as saying 'yes.' 8-yo (to brother): Do you want me to smack your butt? Toddler: Yes. ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• "I've never gotten in trouble at daycare, ever. I just went to timeout two...no, three times today." - Cordelia, age 5 Garrett Carson

September 2026 | Lake Conroe

On the first day of teaching school, I went over the list classroom rules and procedures. A kid in the back mumbled, "This could have been an email." I am now encouraging him to be a school principal when he grows up.

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Tasty Bites Fall-off-the-Bone Instant Pot Ribs

Lake Conroe | September 2026

INGREDIENTS

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½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup chili powder 1 Tbs dried parsley 2 tsp salt 2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp ground black pepper 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp smoked paprika 2 small or medium racks baby back ribs, membranes removed 1 cup water ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1 (12 oz) bottle barbecue sauce

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Mix brown sugar, chili powder, parsley, salt, garlic powder, pepper, cumin, onion powder, and paprika together in a bowl using a fork, breaking up any large clumps. Step 2: Rub spice mixture over both sides of ribs. Step 3: Place a steam rack inside a multi-functional pressure cooker. Pour water and cider vinegar into the bottom of the pot. Step 4: Lower ribs into the pot (with bones vertical) by curving them around the edge. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set the timer for 25 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build. Step 5: Release pressure carefully using the quickrelease method according to manufacturer’s instructions, about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid. Step 6: Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven’s broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; place ribs on the foil. Top with barbecue sauce. Step 7: Broil ribs until sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes.

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Tasty Bites Chewy Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookies

Lake Conroe | September 2026

INGREDIENTS

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½ cup butter, softened ½ cup peanut butter ½ cup white sugar ½ cup packed light brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 large egg ¾ cup all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 1 cup quick-cooking oats 3 Tbs butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar ½ cup smooth peanut butter 2 ½ Tbs heavy whipping cream

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Step 2: Beat 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup peanut butter, white sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until light and creamy. Add egg and beat until fully incorporated. Step 3: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a separate bowl. Add flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture and stir until just combined. Stir in oats until evenly incorporated. Step 4: Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten each mound with a fork to form 1/4-inch-thick cookies. Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven until edges are lightly browned and centers are set, about 10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheets briefly before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Step 6: To make the filling: Cream 3 tablespoons butter with powdered sugar, 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter, and heavy whipping cream. Spread filling onto half of the cooled cookies, then top with the remaining cookies to form sandwiches.

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Milestones

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September 2026 | Lake Conroe

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The Garden Post

A New

Beginning Lake Conroe | September 2026

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eptember, the beginning of the second season of gardening! One of the best months to garden in Texas, hands down. Time to start planning your fall and winter vegetable gardens and landscapes. But, you can still count on your summer warriors to add a little color to help carry you through the rest of the summer. Here are some summer heroes. Lantana, a perennial that comes in an array of color combinations. It’s an excellent attractant for all pollinators, hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Periwinkles also come in a multitude of colors and forms, upright, trailing, and miniatures. And don’t forget about these summer troopers: zinnias, Mexican heather, and tropical hibiscus. Check with your local nursery for availability and possible sales! Planning a vegetable garden? Some excellent coolseason choices are broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, greens, kale, and lettuces. Good root crops to plant from seed are radishes, turnips, carrots, and beets. Herbs can still be planted, too! Most varieties produce attractive blooms that add color to the garden, while trailing types bring texture and visual interest to the landscape. Remember to rotate your crops each season to help reduce pests and disease while keeping your soil healthy. Time to evaluate your landscape. Fall is a great time to plant ornamental grasses, shrubs, and trees. This allows their root systems to become better established before next year’s summer heat stress. You may need to move plants that didn’t do well in their existing location. Or you might have to replace or add plants. Be thinking about what cool-season color you want to plant later. Some good choices are snapdragons, stock, and ornamental kale/cabbage. Followed by pansies and violas later. Mum alert!!! Chrysanthemums will soon be available in a rainbow of colors and sizes! Have a game plan before going to your local nursery. Do your homework and get ideas of what plants, shrubs, or trees you like that would do well in your area. Take pictures of existing landscape and know the

Ginger Vybiral Bobo’s Nursery Buffalo, Texas

measurements of your garden beds. Know what direction all your beds face to consider sun exposure. If you come prepared, it will be easy for them to assist you in making the best choices for your yard. Late September is the time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to your lawn to prevent uninvited weedy guests mingling with your lawn grasses. Brown patch can be treated with a fungicide in late September and again in mid-October. Possible reasons for brown patch could be attributed to overwatering or over-fertilizing. Just because we may get a break from the heat doesn’t mean we can stop watering. If we don’t have consistent rain, our soil will be dry and needs to be kept moist. Yellow leaves don’t always mean fall foliage. You can still prune roses back by 1/3 to have a beautiful fall show. Deadhead any spent blooms on your annuals and perennials, as well as dead leaves and stalks. Cut back herbs that are looking ragged; they’ll put back out fresh new growth. Begin dividing your bulbs, relocate or give to neighbors and friends; you’ll be everyone’s best friend! Fertilize any new annuals, perennials, and ornamental grasses. Hold off on fertilizing shrubs and trees; they need to slow down on their growth and prepare for dormancy. Now that cooler temps are possible, be on the lookout for diseases. Powdery mildew loves our area this time of year due to our high humidity. Two main hangouts for mildew are your roses and St. Augustine grass. Gray leaf spot and brown patch, which we’ve touched on earlier, need to be kept under control and treated. The middle of September is the last month to treat the demonic nut sedge (or nut grass, as we call it here). Time for your monthly critter report! The usual little culprits are still out there causing destruction: aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, etc. But now some new players are entering the game: caterpillars, grubs, and worms! Webworms in your trees look like something from a horror movie! Be on the lookout and treat them early to avoid severe damage. Your local nursery can help with what kind of treatment you need. Always bring in pictures or dead bodies to help move forward with your eradication mission. Remember, life began in a garden!

Lake Conroe | September 2026

Pet Pals

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Share Your Pets Photos with Us!

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Buddy & Sam

Wally & Maggie

Princess Carolyn

loved by

Jo Melder

Becky & Jerry

An Truong

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September 2026 | Lake Conroe

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

BUSINESS FOCUS

Clear Choice

Lake Conroe | September 2026

Acupuncture and Wellness

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Methods with many patient success stories…including the owner! BY RUTH FIELDS | PHOTOS BY TOM MILLER

lyson Bayer was nine years old when she experienced her first migraine. More headaches followed. Alyson’s family lived in The Woodlands, and her parents took her to many doctors in the Houston area. “I saw quite a few neurologists,” she says. She underwent MRIs and EEGs, and was prescribed pain medications that were available at the time. Unfortunately, the drugs gave Alyson only two choices: to endure “eye-watering pain” or to be “knocked out.” After high school, Alyson attended the University of Texas at Austin before transferring to Texas Women’s University (TWU) in search of a smaller college experience. As she approached the completion of a degree in human biology, her migraines increased in frequency, often arriving every week or two. About that time, a confluence of events put acupuncture on Alyson’s radar: her sister began seeing an acupuncturist, their parents began exploring alternative medicine, and one of Alyson’s physiology professors lectured at length about the efficacy

of acupuncture. Alyson remembers thinking, “I am going to try it.” While visiting friends in Austin, she sought treatment from a respected acupuncturist. “It was life-changing,” Alyson says. Although she had previously seen many healthcare professionals, acupuncture introduced her to a holistic approach unlike anything she had ever experienced. The acupuncturist helped Alyson pay attention to migraine triggers and prescribed Chinese herbs that Alyson still takes today (more than 20 years later). With continued acupuncture treatments, Alyson found considerable relief from the pain that had robbed her of many childhood activities. She was even able to discontinue taking migraine medications. Alyson’s experience was so transformative, she began to consider acupuncture as a career, successfully applying for admission to the AOMA Integrative Medicine School in Austin to study acupuncture and Chinese

medicine. After graduating from TWU, she earned a four-year master’s degree– and ultimately a two-year doctorate— from AOMA, amassing thousands of hours of practical training in acupuncture and herbal medicine.

A famous appendectomy

Acupuncture was practiced in China for nearly 3,000 years before other countries began to take note. When New York Times journalist James Reston was on assignment in China in 1971, he developed acute appendicitis and underwent an emergency appendectomy; he later reported that acupuncture successfully relieved his post-operative pain. His story caught the attention of then-President Nixon, and interest in the ancient art surged. In 1973, Nevada became the first state to legally recognize acupuncture; all other states eventually followed suit. Alyson often told this story while working as the onboard acupuncturist for Crystal Cruises in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, a job she took after graduation from AOMA. “I helped

a lot of people and got to see a lot of the world,” she says. Alyson enjoyed the adventure, but after about a year, dry land beckoned. In 2012, she opened Clear Choice Acupuncture and Wellness in Conroe. In 2023, she moved her practice to Montgomery after relocating to the area. She was the first and remains the only licensed acupuncturist who practices in the growing town of Montgomery. Alyson is pleased that she has been able to help so many people who suffer from migraines. She has also successfully treated numerous patients for many other conditions, including chronic pain, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, and infertility in both men and women. Acupuncture, she says, can relieve many painful conditions, often alleviating the need for drugs, and sometimes even surgery. Alyson also has a passion to honor our nation’s veterans and has helped many who suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Patients praise Alyson for listening and genuinely caring about them. “Alyson takes the time to get to know

you and your symptoms and treat you holistically,” one patient says. “Alyson is a great and caring practitioner,” says another. Some patients specifically mention freedom from the stress of failed conventional treatments. Patients often comment that Clear Choice Acupuncture offers a relaxing, tranquil atmosphere. While some patients opt for private rooms, others choose semi-private, lower cost treatments, while still enjoying a soothing ambience. Patients can also have peace of mind in knowing that Clear Choice Acupuncture uses only FDA-approved equipment. Patients sometimes seek help through acupuncture in desperation, after other avenues have been unsuccessful. Although some patients are skeptical at first, Alyson says, many now report significant improvements in their health and well-being. “I see her often, and I walk out every time feeling so much better,” one patient says. “Alyson is very thorough and honest,” says another, noting that Clear Choice Acupuncture offers a complimentary initial consultation with no commitment. The patient

Owner, Alyson Bayer

reports that Alyson was clear about what to expect based on previous experience with others who have the same condition; she then outlined a realistic treatment plan. Clear Choice Acupuncture also offers two innovative therapies: ATP Resonance BioTherapy® uses low-level electrical currents to relieve pain, while O3 ReBoot Therapy® detoxifies and heals by combining oxygen and gases naturally found in the earth’s atmosphere.

Blending old and new

Although none of her ancestors are Asian, Alyson has great respect for Chinese culture and enjoyed visiting China. She is passionate about acupuncture and the philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine. “Chinese medicine is more holistic,” she says, noting that it concentrates on finding the cause of illnesses, rather than simply treating the symptoms. “It treats the roots rather than the branches,” she says. Chinese medicine also recognizes the body’s ability to heal itself. Alyson uses an integrated approach,

Lake Conroe | September 2026

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relying on western medicine when needed, and also recommends improved nutrition, lifestyle changes and herbal supplements. She partners with Standard Process, a trusted company that makes vitamin and herbal supplements from whole foods grown on a certified organic farm in Wisconsin. “It is the largest organic farmland in the U.S.,” Alyson says, “and probably the world.” Alyson has been dedicated to the mastery of Chinese medicine for more than 20 years. Although she is already an accomplished practitioner, she hones her skills through continuing education. She is currently seeking certification in neuropuncture, a blending of traditional Chinese medicine and neuroscience. Neuropuncture treats many neurological conditions with a combination of acupuncture and mild electrical charges. Alyson studies with Michael Corradino, who developed the protocol, and finds it interesting that he sees no conflict in the traditional and scientific explanations for the effectiveness of acupuncture. The traditional view is that good health depends on the smooth flow of life energy, and that small needles placed at specific points clear blockages of that energy. Meanwhile, the scientific view holds that inserting fine needles stimulates sensory nerves; endorphins are released, thereby reducing pain. Alyson explains that ancient Chinese people who first mastered acupuncture spoke with the language of their time and culture, not modern, scientific jargon. “If you went back 3,000 years, would you be able to communicate with them?” she asks. Many loyal patients have conquered pain through Alyson’s integrated approach. Success stories abound, and one of them is Alyson herself. Today, thanks to acupuncture, avoiding triggers and focusing on nutrition, she rarely gets a migraine. Clear Choice Acupuncture is located near the intersection of SH 105 and FM 149 in downtown Montgomery. For more information, visit clearchoiceacupuncture.com or call 936-703-5040.

What We Treat With Acupuncture Chronic Pain

Women’s Health

Low Back Pain & Sciatica Neck Pain Headaches & Migraines Shoulder Pain Elbow Pain Heel Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Knee Pain Chronic Injuries

Menopause PCOS Endometriosis Menstrual Dysfunction Morning Sickness PMS Infertility

Neuropathy Peripheral Neuropathy Post Stroke Recovery Trigeminal Neuralgia Post-Herpetic Neuralgia Bell’s Palsy Morton’s Neuroma And More

Autoimmune Rheumatoid Arthritis Multiple Sclerosis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Lupus Celiac Disease Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Men’s Health Erectile Dysfunction Heart Disease Prostate Health Depression Anxiety Degenerative Arthritis

Acute Conditions Back Sprains & Strains Tendonitis Post Concussion TBI Recovery Ligament Injuries Whiplash COVID Recovery

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Medical Matters

Back-to-School: It’s Stressing Me Out!

Lake Conroe | September 2026

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emember the pure joy of back-to-school shopping, when picking the newest, coolest 5-subject notebook was the perfect start to a new adventure? For many, heading back to school brings excitement with new teachers, classes, and opportunities waiting to be explored. For others, however, the final weeks of summer are filled with worry as the new school year draws near. If you are feeling some of that anxiety, you are not alone. Students worry about new teachers, classroom expectations, managing new schedules, and friendships. Parents juggle school supply lists, paperwork, transportation, extracurricular activities, work responsibilities, and the challenge of getting everyone back into a routine. Stress has a way of spreading through a family. When one person feels overwhelmed, everyone can be affected. Children might be quiet, irritable, or more emotional. Parents may notice they have less patience. This can result in small things becoming big issues…a misplaced lunchbox or forgotten permission slip can feel like a family emergency. If this sounds familiar, remember these reactions are a normal part of change. Whenever our routines, schedules, or social interactions shift, it’s common to feel stressed or anxious. You’re not doing anything wrong; you are simply adjusting to a new season. Stress doesn’t look the same in everyone. Some people get stomachaches or headaches while others become tired, moody, withdrawn, or unusually emotional. These reactions can happen to both children and adults. No one is immune to the challenges that come with changing routines. Fortunately, there are several things families can do to make the transition easier.

Karen Nelson, PhD SHSU Physicians

• Start your routine now. Begin shifting bedtime and wake-up times towards the school schedule before the first day of class. Even a few days of adjustment can make the first week much smoother. • Create predictable routines. Regular times for waking up, meals, homework, and bedtime help children know what to expect. Preparing meals, backpacks, and clothes the night before can also reduce stressful mornings and lastminute scrambling. • Protect sleep. Children and adults cope with stress better when they are well rested. Prioritizing good sleep is one of the simplest ways to support everyone’s well-being. • Make room for conversation. Try asking questions like, “What was the best part of your day?” or “Was anything harder than you expected?” At the same time, resist the urge to turn every car ride into an interview. Sometimes, silence, music, or simply being together is enough. Pay attention to yourself and your children. If worries become persistent, stomachaches continue without a medical explanation, your child refuses to go to school, or you notice major mood or behavior changes, it may be time to seek additional support. Your physician, school counselor, or mental health professional can help determine what’s happening and recommend next steps. Remember, the start of the new year is a beginning. And with anything new, it takes time to find your rhythm. Give yourself and your family permission to adjust, enjoy the daily adventures, and celebrate the small victories along the way. Know that a few challenging days now can become the foundation for a successful and rewarding school year.

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HEALTHCARE, ALL UNDER ONE ROOF From newborn and pediatric visits to adult and senior care, SHSU Physicians provides compassionate care for every stage of life.

3 2 5 1 5 7 7 6 4 6 4 1 8 7 3 5 9 6 9 3 2 4 1 8 2 8 9

Sudoku #5 4 1 7 9 8 6 3 4 5 9 2 8 9 7 8 3 6 5 1 2 3 4 1 8 6 5 2 9 6 4 5 7 3

5 7

7 2 5 6 8 3 6

3 4 2 7 9 1 4 8 1 5

9 5

4 1 4 3 8

2 1 7

5 8 6 2 7 3 1 9

8 6 2 9 1 3 5 2 9 4 7 8 4 7 3 5 6 1

6 3 2 8 1 9

1 2 8

7 6 3 6 3 2 1 9 8 5 4 7

Sudoku #8 8 7 1 9 6 5 4 2 9 3 2 1 2 6 7 3 1 8 3 6 4 9 5 8 7 1 8 5 3 4 6 7 5 2 9 4 1

Sudoku #6 5 2 4 7 8 3 6 9 9 7 1 2 6 5 8 1 2 9 3 4 4 1 7 6 3 8 9 5 6 5 3 4 2 8 7

1 6 8

3 5 7 8 6 4 5 9 4 7 2 1 9 3

9 7 8 5 6 2 1 4

6 8 9 1 4 7 3 5 6 2 9 3 8 7 1 5 3 2 7 1 4 4 2 8 9 6 5

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

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4 6 8 5 7

Sudoku #3 3 5 2 7 4 9 6 7 5 1 1 8 4 6 2 2 9 5 4 3 7 1 2 8 3 8 9 5 1 9 3 6 2 6 8 7 4 3 1 9 2

1 9 7 6 3 8

9 8 1 8 4 2 3 9 5 1 7 6 6 3 9 7 2 4 2 5 7 4 1 3 5 6 8

9 2 4 1

6 3 7 8 5

4 3 8 7 6 5 2 5 1 9 2 3 8 4 9 4 7 5 2 1 6 1 8 6 3 9 7 5

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Sudoku #7 1 8 2 9 6 9 4 1 3 5 7 8 7 3 9 5 6 4 5 7 3 6 8 3 1 2

1 2 9

8 2 4 1 9 4 2 7 5 6

7 4

If it can't be expressed in figures, it is not science; it is opinion. -- Lazarus Long

5 6

September 2026 | Lake Conroe

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Sudoku #4 2 9 3 5 8 7 4 1 9 3 6 8 5 7 4 5 7 2 3 6 4 3 6 8 1 8 1 9 2 5 1 6 7 4 2 9 2 8 6 7 3 5 4 1 9 1 5 7 8 2 8 1 4 3 7 9 5 2 4 7 6 1 9 2 3

6 4 2 5 1 2 9 8 7 9 4 6 5 3 1 7 8 3

2 9 7 3 4 6 9 5 8 7 1

6 2 3 1 8 5

3 1 2 5 8 4 4 7 5 6 9 8 6 2 1 9 7 3

1 4 5 2 3 7 8 9 4 5 2 6 9

7 1 6 8

9 6 3 4 5 9 2 6 6 7 1 8 8 4 5 3

September 2026 12

15 - 27

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“The Music Man”

Lake Conroe | September 2026

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HOUSTON

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burlesoncountytx.com

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4-6

Galveston Island Wine Festival

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48 Hour Play Festival (free admission) shsu.universitytickets.com

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Aiden Ross: Homecoming (winner of The Voice Season 28) opastickets.org

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Comedian Etta May oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

24-26 CLUTE

Shell Show and Texas Sheller’s Jamboree houstonshellclub.com

HOUSTON

Phil Wickham: Song of the Saints Tour reliantpark.com

Making Tracks 25 - Oct 4 TYLER

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26-27

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Fine Craft, Art, and Design Show thewoodlandsartscouncil.org

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29 - Oct 4 HOUSTON

“The Sound of Music” houston.broadway.com

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Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys

September 2026 | Lake Conroe

Mustard Seed Moments By JRA

In the Field

Lake Conroe | September 2026

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or I have provided me a king. 1 Samuel 16:1

God has rejected Saul and is sending Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint another king. Notice what God told Samuel, “I have provided me a king.” God did the choosing, God did the guiding, and God did the blessing. Seven sons passed before Samuel, but the Lord had not chosen one of them to be king. “Are these all your children?”, Samuel asked Jesse. Jesse replies, “There is the youngest, and he is keeping the sheep.” The youngest, the sheep keeper, had not been invited to the lineup. Pay close attention to that last sentence…not invited. When David came before Samuel, God spoke, saying, “Arise, anoint him.” This youngest son, overlooked by his father and brothers, but not overlooked by God. When he came before Samuel, he still had the smell of the desert and sheep. In the field with the sheep is where God formed David, and by tending sheep, he learned how to be the king God anointed. Before he held a harp in his hands, he held a shepherd’s staff and a sling. God shapes his chosen in the fields before he reveals them to the public. It was in the fields tending sheep where God trained him for battles not yet seen. Paul may have had this story in mind when he wrote 1 Corinthians 1: 26-29. For ye see your calling, brethren, how not many men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. Do you feel uninvited, overlooked, or stuck in the field doing the lowly tasks? If so, remember this story about David and look up, for you were put here for a purpose. So, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. 1 Samuel 16:13 Anointed King, but David went back to the field with the sheep. Why…maybe because David was too young to be a king? Or maybe it was because God was still molding David. Alone with the sheep, David could think, talk to God, and be fed spiritually by God. He could lie on his back on the cool grass at night, look at the stars, and see the wonders of God. Here he could be still and come to know God…and learn how to call on and praise Him. David learned that oil drips in low places before it pours on the head to be crowned.