Issuu

Postcards Magazine

Piney Woods

January 2026

Henry Elliott • Sean of the South • Balloon Museum • Huntsville Main Street

Contents January 2026 | Volume 16, Issue 1

Piney Woods | January 2026

Features

Advertiser Anniversaries ......................12

Henry Elliott

Calendar - Making Tracks.....................80

A Special Conversation

Dear Gabby............................................ 41

Sean Dietrich

Feedback ................................................. 8

Just For Fun

Kidspeak ................................................37

Balloon Museum

BUSINESS FOCUS

Funspace................................................ 62 Giggles & Grins ..................................... 78 Glorious Grandchildren ....................... 26 Library Picks......................................... 10 Milestones ............................................. 29 Mustard Seed Moments ....................... 82 Pet Pals ..................................................60 Puzzle Solutions.................................... 25 “Seens” from Our World........................40

Postcards

14 30 54

Do You Know

Favorites

Snapshots..............................................20

70 Huntsville Main Street

Columns

Publisher’s Post ...................................... 6 Sean of the South .................................. 36 Garden Post .......................................... 42 Medical Matters .................................... 38 Your Best AgriLife ................................. 76

Star Students ........................................ 22 Sudoku Marketspace ............................ 68 Tasty Bites .............................................44 Teachers Touching Tomorrow ..............21 The Latest....................................................... 28 Things My Granddaddy Said........................24

On The Cover 2025 Postcards Photo Contest Submission by

Dalva Keener

Postcards Magazine

Community. It's what we do!

POSTCARDSLIVE.COM

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 Huntsville, New Waverly, Midway, Madisonville, and Riverside. 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

Nancy Jolly Tammy Farkas 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. © 2026 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved. Printed in Texas by Shweiki Media

Publisher’s Post Home is Where the New Year Begins

Piney Woods | January 2026

Postcards

’m lying in a hotel bed, wide awake, listening to New York City slowly come to life. The steady hum of traffic begins first, followed by delivery trucks idling below our window. The clang and bang of trash trucks making their rounds, and eventually the unmistakable sound of horns beginning to honk with purpose. It is only a few right now, nothing like the overwhelming cacophony of yesterday’s arrival, but it is unmistakably New York. I’m here with my mom and two of my dearest friends in the world, my college roommate and her sister. This trip is a Christmas gift for my mom, and all three of us absolutely adore this woman. We are celebrating her by taking her to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular (during their 100th anniversary season), something she has never gotten to experience. Watching her excitement reminds me that the very best gifts are never things. They are moments, memories, and time together. In just a few short weeks, this city will be packed wall to wall with people ringing in another new year. The famous ball will drop, and crowds will gather shoulder to shoulder in the cold. Compared to that, the Christmas crowds we have already navigated will seem mild. There is something electric about it all, and I do love visiting New York. It energizes me and reminds me just how big the world really is. But every time I’m here, it also does something else. It makes me deeply thankful for our sweet corner of the world back home. For quieter mornings. For familiar faces. For community events where you know the people standing beside you. We may watch the ball drop, but I will be more than happy to do it from the warmth and comfort of my own home. As we step into a new year, I hope we all find time to appreciate both the excitement of the world beyond us and the beauty of the place we call home. Here’s to a fresh start, meaningful moments, and another year of community, connection, and gratitude. Happy New Year!

Find time to appreciate both the excitement of the world beyond us and the beauty of the place we call home.

Kickstart Your New Year with Confidence: First Financial Bank is Here to Support Your Financial Goals! We are here to help you navigate your financial journey in 2026. We offer a range of loan solutions tailored to meet your needs. Visit us today and see how we put you FIRST in the new year.

Personal Loans | HELOC | Refinance | And More!

YOU FIRST | FFIN.com

All loans subject to credit approval.

Feedback

Piney Woods | January 2026

Ham Grenade

Postcards

Loved the article about Margaret McManis' Ham Grenade. My mother also "inexplicably" put a canned ham in the oven to warm while we were at church. It is made all the more inexplicable given that she had masters degree in home economics. It said, "Ready to eat. Just heat and serve." The joke in our family was to ask for her ham recipe. We had a big surprise when we returned from church. It blew the oven door off one of its hinges. I bet that kitchen still has little shreds of ham somewhere. I wonder who gave that story to the pastor to share at her funeral. Glynda Turner

PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE HEART OF TEXAS.

Every day, families across the state choose Texas public schools for their strong academics, unique opportunities, and unwavering commitment to student success. From the time a child enters a Texas public school to when they walk the stage at graduation, they are supported by caring educators who help build strong foundational skills for both the present and the future.There is no greater time to share your love and support of Texas public schools.

Help Us

I live in Huntsville and used to get your magazine in the mail, but now I don't. May I please receive your magazine again? Please?

Thank you, HISD Board of Trustees!

Donald Kopnicky Editor's Note: We purchase select entire mailing routes for our mail distribution. We recently ADDED some mailing routes in Huntsville due to growth in the community, but we have NOT deleted any Huntsville routes.

Ken Holland, President

Tracy Stoudt, Vice President

Cathy Schweitzer, Secretary

As a reader, if you were receiving the magazine in the mail in Huntsville and now do not receive it, please contact us and let us know your address. We will then determine if there has been a USPS route change we are unaware of or if we need to address delivery

Amanda Burris, Trustee John Hendricks, Trustee

Sherry Odom, Trustee

Rissie Owens, Trustee

issues with USPS. Your assistance in making us aware of delivery issues is appreciated. We can only work to fix things when we know about them, so please share!

936-435-6300

www.huntsville-isd.org

Library Picks

Piney Woods | January 2026

Postcards

PostcardsLive.com

Betty Niels

Carrie Blankenship

The Things We Cannot Say

Tell Me Everything

The Widow

BY KELLY RIMMER

BY ELIZABETH STROUT

BY JOHN GRISHAM

reading

Tell us what you’re reading!

reading

Ed Standley reading

Postcardslive.com

January 2026 | Piney Woods

11 Postcards

Advertiser Anniversaries 172

136

First Christian Church, DOC

First National Bank of Huntsville

Normangee State Bank

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 51

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 35

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 67

Founded 1854

Piney Woods | January 2026

Normangee State Bank Normangee State Bank

Heartfield Florist

Founded 1966

Founded 1890

Moak & Moak

Founded 1971

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 25

114

Founded 1912

Huntsville Physical Medicine Institute Founded 1980

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 75

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 45

Postcards

Kim's Home and Garden Center

Founded 1985

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 25

Means & Associates Optometry Founded 1992

Founded 1999

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 81

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 20

G2 Construction Founded 2000

Sims Dentistry

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 13

Main Street Huntsville Founded 2001

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 26

Postcardslive.com 21

Davis Wealth & Risk Management

Mighty Oak Self Storage

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 79

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 40

Founded 2005

Join us in congratulating these businesses! They help bring you Postcards every month.

Founded 2025

Specializing in: • Custom Home and Wastewater Treatment System Installer

13 Postcards

• Wastewater Maintenance Provider • Home Remodeling • Concrete Construction, Paving, Refinishing, Removal, Resurfacing and Repair. • …and more!

G2 Construction Llc. Philippians 4:13

nategrigsby2017@gmail.com

Nate Grigsby, Principal/CEO

cell: (936) 714-8163

Locally owned & operated OSSF Installer II OS0034180

January 2026 | Piney Woods

From Foundation to Finish -We Do It All!

OSSF Site Evaluator OS003496

OSSF Maintenance Provider MP0002236

DO YOU KNOW

Piney Woods | January 2026

Henry Elliott Postcards

Memories and wisdom from an early resident of Riverside, Texas. STORY AND PHOTOS BY TOM MILLER

January 2026 | Piney Woods

enry Elton Elliott was a riverboat captain who worked in that profession for over 30 years. His experiences took him along many interior tributaries such as the Mighty Mississippi River, Illinois, Missouri, Allegheny, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers, along with many inner coastal waterways. Captain Elliott logged over 7,000 miles of inland waterways in his career. Henry’s older brother Ervin was working at the Houston Ship Channel and introduced him to the profession. Once Henry began his career, he met Captain John, who mentored him. John told Henry if he wanted to make it into a wheelhouse or pilothouse, he could do it in a year’s time. Usually, it took three to four years to get assigned to a wheelhouse. John said it would be a lot of work and lost sleep with no extra pay, but Henry could do it in a year. Henry said he was all in and started the quest on Dec. 22, 1952. On August 8, 1953, 8 months later, he was assigned his first pilothouse watch. The rest is history. If it weren’t for health issues, he would still be on a riverboat. Henry retired in the mid-80s and has no regrets.

Henry piloting a boat

14 year old Henry

Henry was born in 1932 in Trinity, Texas. His mother Mary died when he was 10 years old. His father, Henry Elliott, remarried, and within a couple of years, Henry moved in with Ervin. Ervin, also known as “Cotton,” owned a service station and icehouse in Riverside. The folks used to call Henry “Little Cotton.” He remembers how the town of Riverside started to boom. World War II had started, and soon after, the town started to grow. Henry said there was a bicycle shop, feed and grocery store, dry goods store, filling stations, drug store, post office, an additional grocery store, and a couple of old buildings. A prisoner of war camp called Country Campus was built in May of 1942. The German camp had the capacity to house 4,800 men. Many of the prisoners were leased as

laborers by local farmers. Henry’s uncle had a contract with the camp and made deliveries of ice to Country Campus, and Henry tagged along. The prisoners unloaded the ice, but Henry wasn’t allowed to leave the cab of the truck. The prisoners, some knowing the English language, would strike up conversation with Henry. Many shared that they did not want to return to Germany after the war ended. One in particular confided in Henry that if he were to die, he wanted to be buried in America. Henry reminisces about his school days when he was living at home. He wasn’t very fond of school and had some struggles during those years. He shared a story of how he was introduced to volleyball and began to practice all the time. He admitted he wasn’t very good at it but did have the ability to strike the ball with extreme

Postcards

Early years

Piney Woods | December 2025

force, which resulted in some sore hands of his opponents. He attributes the ability to hit the ball so hard to the work at the icehouse, moving 300pound blocks when he only weighed 100 pounds himself. Henry recalls in 1944 he went regularly to the movie theater on Friday night. He asked his daddy for a quarter, and that was enough for admission, popcorn, and a coke. Henry said, “My dad used to call me Baby. He said, ‘Baby, you don’t know how I come about my quarters.’ One Friday, he gave me my quarter and never said anything about it. I wondered as I made my way to the movie theater why my daddy didn’t say anything to me that day.

Postcards

Brothers Charlie, Ervin, and Henry pictured with their dad Henry

The lesson instilled in me the will to work hard all my life.

”

“About 3:30 the next morning, I found out why he didn’t say anything. After waking me up, we gathered some tools and walked from Trinity to Pagoda. A four-mile hike with a crosscut saw, double-bladed axe, wedges, everything you needed to cut logs. We turned off the main road into the woods just about daylight and cut timber all day long. We got home at dark, and I took a bath and went to bed. We ended up working about 19 hours that day. Sunday morning, I woke up with something clear in my mind. I sure can make my spending money easier than cutting

logs for a living. That Friday night was the last time I asked my daddy for a nickel, dime, or any kind of money. I constantly worked to earn my money and became a ‘workaholic’ of sorts. That was a valuable lesson I never forgot. It instilled in me the will to work hard all my life.” While living with his older brother Ervin, he started delivering ice. He remembers the days were long and hard, but rich with community. He woke up at 3:00 a.m. to drive to Huntsville for ice. He made deliveries to Groveton and returned to Huntsville for another load to take back to the icehouse in Riverside

before going to school. After school, he delivered to residential customers. In those days, it was not unusual to put in 14 to 18 hour days. He started driving a bigger truck that didn’t have a driver’s side door. “They told me if I was ever in a spot where I thought I was going to have an accident, that I should jump free of the truck because the force of the ice shifting could kill me,” Henry says. “One day, another vehicle ran me off the road, and I jumped out of the cab. The result of the accident caused the ice to completely flatten the cab of that truck. The Lord was looking out for me that day.”

Career and Marriage

At 17, Henry joined the air force. He says, “Those were some of the best years of my life.” He was quick to share that he served three years, five months, four days, and 22-1/2 hours in that outfit. When he got out, he was dropped off in Sweeny, Texas, which is close to the Gulf Coast. Henry soon got connected to the riverboats right after he was discharged.

Right: Celebrating their 50th anniversary in Utah.

17 Postcards

Above: Henry & Dianne shortly after being married in 1967.

together 58 years.” Henry says, “The secret to being married for so long is just to keep your mouth shut.” Dianne says, “The secret to a long marriage is the determination of both to make it work, no matter what. God deserves the credit because He is who we depend on, and He never fails.”

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Henry first met his wife Dianne “when she was still in pigtails.” She was the sister of one of his friends. Some years passed, and he saw Dianne working in a local café. He frequented the café often, and the two of them got to know each other better. “Before you know it, we were dating, ended up marrying in 1967, and have been

Piney Woods | January 2026

93 year old Hank

Postcards

Henry is now 93 and lives near Tyler, but his mind and spirit are strong. He admits his body causes him to slow down, but he still finds time to do things around the house and occasionally operate his track hoe. He also spends quite a bit of time writing these days. In 2015, he completed a book about his years as a riverboat captain. The book Tows, Locks, and Gator Crossings is available on Amazon. It is comprised of short stories, jokes, and adventures of the best career ever. He has also been working on his memoirs so his family can reflect on all his time here on earth. One thing Henry shared that meant a lot to him is that over the past several years, he prays every morning and gives thanks to God for another day. At night, he prays and gives thanks for allowing him to enjoy the day. “Hank” is a blessed man and leads a gifted life, giving all the glory to his heavenly Father.

2026 Happy New Year

Stop by McKenzie’s Barbeque Sunday the 25th for your next lunch outing for this community event! Care Center Huntsville’s Sanctity of Life Sunday

BBQ lunch Fundraiser

Employment Opportunities Available! Front Door Sales • Pickers • Packers

Join us for food and fellowship

More than 40 positions available!

Sunday (25th), 11AM-2PM

www.montereymushrooms.com

**or until we run out at McKenzie’s Barbeque

Spent Compost For Sale

Saving lives in the womb and for eternity.

Postcardslive.com Store Your Fun When You’re Done!

Come check out our new addition! We’re growing to better serve you.

Ad 2.44” x 9.45”

January 2026 | Piney Woods

1 /3 V Enclosed. Covered. Outdoor.Page

19 Postcards

pg 19 Big or Small, We Store it All

(936) 662-6440 Eastexstorage.com 3156 State Highway 19 Huntsville

Piney Woods | January 2026

Snapshots

Postcards

Huntsville physician Dr. Lane Aiena was recently installed as parliamentarian for the Texas Academy of Family Physicians

Share Your Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com/share

Seen from the deer blind - Submitted by Hunter Jolly

Teachers Touching Tomorrow TEETH CHATTERING? LET’S GET YOUR HEATER WORKING PROPERLY.

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

Serving: • Huntsville • Trinity

• Conroe • Willis

Find us on Facebook

1618 Hwy 30E • Huntsville

• Shiro • Onlaska

• surrounding counties

Emergency Service Available 24/7 #TACLB14989E

936-291-2640

mcgilberrymechanical.com

Cathy Knebel Alpha Omega Academy English

Brianne Tu She pushed me to become a better and more efficient writer.

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

Sponsored by:

21 Postcards

NOMINATED BY

January 2026 | Piney Woods

We are a family owned & operated business in Huntsville with over 20 years experience.

Star Students

Ja’Kavion Pettie Piney Woods | January 2026

Trinity High School

Postcards

FAVORITE MOVIE:

Transformers

FAVORITE MUSIC/ARTIST:

Drake

FAVORITE FOOD:

Pasta

FAVORITE QUOTE:

“If not me, then who?” Ja’Kavion is a senior at Trinity High School and is the son of Cedrian Pettie. His activities include football, baseball, FBLA, Culture Club, and student council. Following graduation, Ja’Kavion plans to join the U.S. Navy. He believes, “Live and let live.”

Drew Stewart

Brianne Tu

FAVORITE MOVIE:

Huntsville High School

Alpha Omega Academy

FAVORITE MUSIC/ARTIST:

Everything Everywhere All at Once

FAVORITE FOOD:

Josiah Queen

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Steak

The Patriot (2000) Waylon Wyatt or Zach Top Tex-Mex

“Without Jesus, life is just an empty pursuit of things that never satisfy the soul.” Drew is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the son of Charity and BJ Stewart. His activities include Criminal Justice Club, art, and youth group ministry leader. Following graduation, Drew plans to attend Worldview Crux gap year program in Canon City, Colorado and pursue a career in ministry. He believes, “The sole purpose of why we are here is to glorify God.”

If not me, then who?

”

FAVORITE MUSIC/ARTIST: FAVORITE FOOD: FAVORITE QUOTE:

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” –Paul the Apostle Brianne is a senior at Alpha Omega Academy and is the daughter of Bridget HollanTu. Her activities include track, VEX Robotier, FFA Quizzer, Interact, and Club America. Following graduation, Brianne plans to pursue a career in engineering. She believes the words of I Corinthians 10:31: “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Postcardslive.com Terri Coleman

YOUR REAL ESTATE EXPERT

BUYING OR SELLING REAL ESTATE? LET'S WORK TOGETHER! you don't have the right real estate agent. With over 30 years of experience, you can rely on me to get you the best possible result.

(936) 581-4434 MyRealtorTerri.com

Depend on us for dependable equipment!

• Party Supplies • Tables & Chairs • Canopies • Wedding Supplies • Air Compressors • Backhoes • Electric Tools • Trenchers

• Yard & Garden Equipment • Concrete Equipment • Generators • Moonwalks • Cotton Candy & Popcorn Machines • Snocone Machines • Much More

805 FM 2821 • Ste. B • Huntsville, TX 77342

936-295-6417

Discount Moonwalks Party Rentals

936-295-0366

23 Postcards

RENT Don’t Buy

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Buying or selling can be a stressful process if

Things My Granddaddy Said

She walked across his heart like it was Texas. He's as tight as a hawk’s butt in a nosedive.

Piney Woods | January 2026

Love can’t grow in the shade.

Postcards

Men are like the weather. Nothing can be done to change ‘em. Women come and go, but your tools last forever. It’s better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you ain’t.

There is

A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument. If you stir it, it’s gonna smell. My cow died. That means I’m no longer in need of your bull.

Academic and Educational Tutoring Sessions After School Daily Transportation To and From School

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

And Endless Support and Encouragement

114 York Drive • Madisonville

936-348-0276

Curtis & Donna O’Brien, Owners

Puzzle Solutions Turn Your Moment into Memories With The Perfect Valentine’s Day Flowers

Sudoku from page 68-69

Answers EASY

ER ORD OR F W NO TINES N VALE AY D

Answers MEDIUM Sudoku #3

1525 Sam Houston Ave. • Huntsville

936-295-5448

huntsvilleheartfieldflorist.com

ELECTRIC Licensed • Bonded • Insured

CALL US For All Your Wiring Needs Huntsville: (936) 295-2831

Conroe: (936) 539-5411

Bryan/College Station: (979) 250-6091

TECL-19206

Visit our lighting showroom at 1711 Sycamore or visit us online at

www.mccaffetyelectric.com

3 3 9 1 8 4 5 6 1

9 2 5 6 7 4

8 7 2

7 3 2 4

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

Sudoku #5 Sudoku #3 9 2 4 5 6 3 1 8 7 2 8 5 6 3 4 9 7 1 3 7 1 8 9 4 2 6 5 1 7 4 2 5 9 6 8 3 8 6 5 1 7 2 3 9 4 6 3 9 8 7 1 2 5 4 6 7 1 8 2 that 9 ugly 3 5childhoods I4believe 5 9 1 7 6 8 3 4 2 1 3make 2 people. 6 9 5 8 7 4 pretty 4 6 8 3 1 2 5 9 7 6 5 9 -Sean 7 Dietrich 4 3 2 1 8 3 2 7 9 4 5 8 1 6 2 4 8 6 5 9 7 1 3 9 5 6 4 2 7 1 3 8 5 1 6 3 4 7 8 2 9 7 1 2 5 8 3 4 6 9 7 9 3 2 8 1 5 4 6 8 4 3 1 9 6 7 2 5

”

Sudoku #7

25 Postcards

McCAFFETY

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

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

January 2026 | Piney Woods

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

Piney Woods | January 2026

Glorious Grandchildren

Postcards

Share Your Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com

Wyatt & Landry

Jack Harbor

Hank & Duke Sherman

Grandchilren of

Grandchild of

Grandchildren of

John & Kim Sanders

Jeb & Vanessa Dotson

John & Julie Knight, Greg & Rhonda Ellisor Smith, and Billy Sherman

Postcardslive.com

alphaomegaacademy.org 3891 Hwy 30 W. • Huntsville A classical, Christ-centered school Pre-K through 12th grade

936-438-8833

Postcards

TAPPS Division II STATE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS 2025

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Congratulations Lions!

The Latest

GOT PROBLEMS?

Ken Johnson

Piney Woods | January 2026

January 2014 (written by Claudia Kirkwood)

Postcards

When we ran our original feature on Huntsville’s Ken Johnson, he had completed running in 750 lifetime races at age 73. Twelve years later, he has doubled that total! In December, Ken Johnson ran the Reindeer 5k in Lufkin for the 10th time. This made 1500 races for this dedicated runner. His first race was a 10k at Fort Hood in May of 1983. His current running streak is over 1,600 consecutive days. His races include: 50 miler [1] 50k (31 miles) [21] Marathon (26.2 miles) [79] 25k (15.5 miles) [23] Half Marathon (13.1 miles) [84] 10 miler [56] 10k (6.2 miles) [179] 5 miler [77] 5k (3.1 miles) [941] Odd distance races [39] You inspire us, Ken!

We’re your problem solvers! Pete

n s o h o J Wrecker Servicen

• Light & Heavy Car Carriers • Flatbed Carriers • 49 Years of Service • 24 Hour Emergency Service • Texas Towing & Storage Association • Unlock Cars • State Licensed

(936) 291-1119 Toll Free 1-800-743-1029 631 Ryans Ferry Rd. • Huntsville

Share Your Milestones!

PostcardsLive.com/share

Milestones

Florence Weatherly

their 35th Anniversary

her 101st Birthday

celebrating

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Gregg and Nancy Jolly

Anniversaries, promotions, new beginnings, every milestone deserves a beautiful reminder of your journey. At Elliott’s Jewelers, we design jewelry that reﬂects your strength, your love, and the unforgettable chapters you’re writing. Honor the moment with something meant just for you.

By Appointment Only. Book Your Private Jewelry Experience 6 Days a Week ElliottsJewelers.com | Call: 936-284-5656 | Text: 936-661-5363

Postcards

Celebrate How Far You’ve Come

Postcards Piney Woods | January 2026

SPECIAL P A CONVERSATION

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Sean Dietrich

Meet a writer, storyteller, artist, musician… and all-around encourager.

31 Postcards

BY KAREN ALTOM | SUBMITTED PHOTOS

have interviewed a lot of people over the years—singers, cowboys, comedians, cooks, and small-town heroes of every shape and size. But I have never sat down with someone and secretly thought, “That’s who I want to be when I grow up.” Until Sean Dietrich. You may know him as Sean of the South—the man who spins long, winding sentences into stories that somehow land right in the middle of your heart. He writes about front porches and funeral homes, church ladies and baseball, dogs and grief and God and the quiet decency of ordinary

people. He can make you laugh and cry in the same paragraph (which ought to be listed somewhere as a superpower). I first met Sean in person in Lufkin, visiting with him backstage. I told him how I follow his work. How I hurt for him knowing how as a young boy he lost his father to suicide. How I read along daily as he and his wife Jamie walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. How on the day he wrote the short piece about leaving his father’s hat at the cross, I sat at my desk and sobbed like a baby. Part of it was the power of those few

words. Part of it was knowing people all over the country were praying them through that journey. And part of it was simple gratitude that someone out there is still telling stories that remind us to let go, to hang on, and to look up. In January, Sean and Jamie are coming to Huntsville to spend an evening with us at the Old Town Theatre. Before that happens, I wanted Postcards readers to get to “meet” him the way I did—not as a celebrity, but as a real southern gentleman who is honest about brokenness, generous with grace, and very sure about who the real Author is.

I write a column once a month, and sometimes it takes me weeks to figure out what I’m supposed to say. You do this every day. How? In the newspaper world, they call it “the daily miracle.” That’s pretty much what it is for me. You sit down and say, “All right, God. Is there anything for me to write? What do I need to say? What happened to me?” I think writing more often takes some of the pressure off. It is harder to write less frequently, because the pressure builds and builds. I can get it wrong for days in a row, and it’s okay. When you do it every day, there’s less pressure to get it perfect, and more room to just show up and explore.

I followed you and Jamie all along the Camino. When you wrote that very short piece about leaving your dad’s hat at the cross, I bawled. Has that “letting go” stayed with you? Oh, yeah. I’ve got a picture of that hat at the cross sitting on my mantle right now. We printed it and framed it. Leaving it there was powerful. Everybody out there is carrying something, and that spot on the trail becomes a tide of people saying, “Let’s let it go.” I worked to get to that place. My legs were taped up. I kept walking away from the cross and then turning around thinking, “Maybe I should keep the hat. Nobody cares if I leave it or not.” But that little voice kept saying, “You need to let it go. Keep walking.” After I left it, pilgrims I had never met kept sending me photos of that hat. For days and weeks. Then, months later, somebody emailed and said it was gone. So, maybe now it’s on someone else’s head, at the beginning of their journey. Maybe it’s doing some good instead of just holding pain.

I wasn’t. But in sixth grade, I had a teacher who did something nobody had done before—she treated my writing like it mattered. Not as a cute hobby for kids, but as something important, something worth our time. She put my work on the wall. She told me to stop doing other things so I could write. Most writers I meet have a voice on their shoulder saying, “This doesn’t matter. This isn’t your job. This doesn’t take care of your family.” That voice wears them down. My teacher gave me a different voice. She let me know what I was doing had value, that I should spend time on it. A teacher who can change the way you think can change your whole life.

You’re a different kind of “triple threat”—you write, draw, sing, and play a small orchestra of instruments. How did the music part begin? Music is my earliest memory, really. My mother says the neighbor lady used to watch me through the window when I was raking leaves. She couldn’t hear me, but she could see my mouth

Your life story is fascinating, but I’m especially drawn to your education story. I left school about the middle of seventh grade, tried to go back a little in eighth, and then that was it. One minute I was in school, the next minute

Sean & Jamie on the Camino de Santiago

moving because I was always singing. They took me to talk to the music minister at church, and I started singing there around age seven. It was a small church, so once they realized I’d do it, I was up there all the time. My dad bought a piano out of the classifieds for my ninth birthday. I wanted lessons. He said, “No. I already spent everything we had on this piano. If you want to learn how to play, you’ll learn how to play.” So, I watched the church pianist, went home, tried to copy what she did, and over time it clicked. Piano is still my main instrument, but I play guitar, fiddle, banjo, accordion, flute, mandolin… I try to put them down before people realize I don’t know what I’m doing. I just love having a place to put all that. When you have interests and no outlet, they wither. I’m grateful I get to use them.

How did the writing and the music turn into these live shows you do now? Like a snowball you didn’t see coming. After I went back to school and finished, I tried to get into a big university to study music and writing,

Sean performing at the Grand Ole Opry but it fell through at the last minute. We’d already rented an apartment near campus, stocked it with furniture, and then the school said, “We can’t let you in. Your transcripts won’t work.” I went home with my tail between my legs and started painting. That led to selling paintings, and then I started writing little pieces to go with the paintings. People paid more attention to the writing than the art. So, I started a blog. Folks said they looked forward to reading every day, which was a shock to me. One Christmas, I printed 150 books and gave them away. People figured out how to pay my wife on PayPal, and we used every bit of that money to print more copies and give those away. After a few years of that, a library in Dothan, Alabama, asked if I would come speak. I told them, “I’m not a speaker.” They said, “Come anyway.” So, I went. I stood there and said, “What do you want me to do?” They said, “Tell us a story.” Then, “Read us something.” Then, “Play us a song. We didn’t know you did music.” We never advertised after that. We never announced, “This is a thing now.” But people kept calling and asking us to come. That was about ten years ago, and we’ve been doing it full-time ever since.

A teacher who can change the way you think can change your whole life.

”

What is your favorite part of those shows? I love to make people laugh. I love to make them feel good. That’s my goal, whether you’re reading something I wrote or sitting in the theater. This world is tough. It’s hard to find joy. If I can help nudge somebody toward a little bit of happiness for one evening, then I feel pretty good myself.

Piney Woods | January 2026

My favorite part is hearing the laughter and then hugging necks after the show. Jamie and I stay and hug everybody. I love hearing their stories. That’s important to me.

Postcards

You said something during our conversation I can’t stop thinking about. I asked how many people you think you touch, and you answered with a pen analogy. Will you share that again? If you read a really good book and it blesses you up one side and down the

other, it would be silly to go to the author and say, “Can I hold your pen? This pen has changed my life.” The pen didn’t do it. I’m just the pen. Pixels on a screen. Full of ink. The Author is the one doing the real work. I’m humbled to be part of it, but I know who’s really writing.

Someday, when people talk about you, what would you most like them to say? I wouldn’t hate being compared to Mr. Rogers. I love him. When people talk about Mr. Rogers, they don’t really talk about him—they talk about the people he loved on his show. The kids he cared for. The time he put his feet in the pool with a black police officer to cross a barrier. They talk about the helpers. He removed himself from the center of the story, and that left a big space for people to look up. If anyone remembers my name, I hope they remember the people I pointed to. Other than that, they don’t have to remember my name at all.

For more information, visit www.seandietrich.com

Come Sit with Us! On Friday, January 30th at Old Town Theatre in downtown Huntsville, Sean will walk out onto stage. There will be multiple instruments. There will be music. There will be stories. There will be laughter that turns into a lump in your throat before you know what happened. Most of all, there will be a gentle reminder in a world that can be loud and sharp around the edges, kindness still matters. Small towns still matter. Your story still matters. I hope you’ll come sit in the room with us. We are also excited to let our readers know that starting now (with Sean’s permission), Postcards will feature one of Sean’s columns every month. Take a moment to read it. But know that in January, you’ll get to hear it live, feel it in the shared silence, and maybe even leave a little lighter than you came.

First National Bank of Huntsville Announces Promotions The Board of Directors of First National Bank of Huntsville is pleased to announce the promotions of Brad Silva and Clint Waters to the position(s) of Vice President. John Sanders, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, stated "Brad and Clint are longtime FNBH employees with banking experience in various positions throughout our bank. Additionally, they are actively involved in the community that we serve. Brad is leading the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce as it's 2026 Chairman, and Clint is a Leader in the Masonic Lodge #19 and is a mentor for A Time 2 Read. We are proud to have such service-minded and capable lending officers on our team.”

Bradly R. Silva, Jr.

Clinton C. Waters

Vice President - Mortgage & Consumer Loan Officer

Vice President - Loan Officer

Brad Silva has lived in Walker County since 2008 after choosing to attend Sam Houston State University. He earned his B.B.A. from Sam Houston State University, and has worked for First National Bank of Huntsville for nine years in various capacities. He was promoted to AVP in the Loan Department in 2021. Brad and his wife Jessica have been married for 9 years and are the parents to two young sons. Brad has been on the Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce Board for the past 4 years and is the current 2026 Chamber Chairman. Congratulations Brad!

Clint Waters moved to Huntsville in 2008 to attend Sam Houston State University. After graduating with his undergraduate degree in 2013, Clint began his career with FNBH the same year. He earned his EMBA in the fall of 2018, and was promoted to AVP in the Loan Department in 2019. Clint is a longtime member of University Heights Baptist Church, he is Treasurer of the Kiwanis Club, a Board Member for A Time 2 Read as well as a volunteer, and is active in Forrest Masonic Lodge #19. Congratulations Clint!

Since 1890, First National Bank of Huntsville has proudly helped our community grow into the city it is today. We are equally proud to be Huntsville’s only locally owned community bank. FNBH is a subsidiary of First National Bancshares of Huntsville, Inc. with its main office and branch in Huntsville as well as branches in Crockett, Madisonville, Franklin and Bryan/College Station.

936-295-5701 • www.fnbhuntsvilletx.bank HUNTSVILLE • CROCKETT • MADISONVILLE • FRANKLIN • BRYAN / COLLEGE STATION

Sean of the South Sean Dietrich

Piney Woods | January 2026

What the Bag Boy Said

Postcards

let him help me out to my truck. He was a supermarket bag boy. Maybe 19. Nice kid. Reddish hair. Warm smile. He spoke with a significant speech impediment. I could not understand what he was saying, per the impediment. The cashiers had decided, apparently, to ignore him. This had to be embarrassing, but it never stopped the kid from trying. After he bagged my groceries, I could faintly understand him say: “Do you need help out to your car?” As it happens, I DID need help with my groceries. Namely, because a few days ago, I went tubing on the lake with my goddaughter. For those of you who don’t know what “tubing” is, this is a full-contact water activity not meant for middle-aged men with extremely high copays. Tubing is when you ride on an inflatable tube attached to a speedboat by a ski rope. My goddaughter had a marvelous time tubing. So did I. Until I dismounted. Whereupon I flew off the tube at high speed and “slightly” bruised my ribs. At least that’s how the doctor put it. “You will experience slight discomfort,” the doc said with a slight smirk. Sleeping on my on my side has been “slightly” fun. Sneezing sends you into the Fifth Circle of Hell. Pushing a heavy shopping buggy becomes an extreme sport.

So I replied to the bagger, “A little help out to my car would be nice.” The boy pushed my cart through the parking lot. It was a hot day in Alabama. The boy unloaded my heavy bags, sweating through his clothing, and he was talking up a blue streak. I felt bad because I couldn’t figure out what the boy was saying, I had to keep asking him to repeat himself. Finally the boy used all his fortitude to say the following sentence: “I know you can’t understand me, I’m sorry.” “Don’t be sorry,” I said. “It’s not your fault you’re forced to make conversation with a banjo player. You’re doing great.” He smiled. I attempted to lift one bag of groceries, and the kid saw me wince in pain. “Are you okay?” he stammered. “Define okay,” I said. The boy asked what had happened to me. So I told him that I had been dragged by a moving vehicle. “Seriously?” he said. “Sort of.” Then he said something else. It took a full minute for him to actually say it, but it touched me deeply. “Can I pray for you?” he asked. I felt a little weird, letting a young supermarket employee pray for me. But he was so genuine. So I agreed. The kid bowed his head. So did I. He said words I did not understand. The only thing I could make out was the final amen. When he left me, I watched the young man walk into the supermarket, collecting stray carts, smiling at customers. I hopped into the truck, turned over the engine, and noticed that my ribs actually did feel a lot better. Which means that Someone out there can understand the kid just fine.

Kidspeak Overheard conversation between second grade boys: Do you think you'll ever fall in love? I don't know. I think if she likes pancakes, then probably. •••••••••••••••••••• Tried to sneakily put my 5-yo to bed an hour early because I was exhausted, figuring I could get away with it because it was cloudy and dark outside. Little dude looked me dead in the eye and said, "Alexa, what time is it?" ••••••••••••••••••••

... Did I just realize he's brewing moonshine? •••••••••••••••••••• My daughter: Daddy, come snuggle with me. No, not like that... Stop breathing on me. Your beard is gray and stubbly. Why are you so hairy? Wait, where are you going? GET BACK HERE! ... Y'all. She's gonna make a great wife. •••••••••••••••••••• My kids are extremely helpful. Example: When I ask them to do something, they recommend another sibling who could do it instead. •••••••••••••••••••• Just overheard my 8-yo son tell the little boy who lives across the street, "You have to go now. I've hit my limit for being around other people today."

37 Postcards

DADDY! SNUGGLE!

January 2026 | Piney Woods

My 4-yo dropped half a corncob into a water bottle, called it "corn water," sealed it up, checks it daily, guards it like treasure, then took a sip tonight and said, "It needs one more day."

Medical Matters Heart Health in the New Year:

Simple Steps Make a Big Difference

Piney Woods | January 2026

Postcards

eart disease remains the leading cause of death and one of the leading health concerns for adults in Texas. In communities like ours, many families balance busy lives, outdoor work, longer commutes, and less convenient access to specialty care. As we begin a new year, small steps toward better heart health can make a lasting impact. Whether you are managing high blood pressure, trying to improve your cholesterol, or simply wanting to feel better day to day, the new year is an ideal time to check in with your primary care physician and make a plan tailored to your needs. Know Your Numbers Some of the most important indicators of heart health are silent. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar often have no symptoms until they cause serious problems. A simple office visit can help you modify risk factors by evaluating and tracking: • Blood pressure

Glenda Read, MD Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics

• Cholesterol levels • Blood sugar and A1C • Body weight and waist circumference • Family history • Lifestyle factors like smoking, diet and exercise habits Knowing your risk factors gives you a clear starting point and helps your physician guide next steps.

Choose Heart-Healthy Foods More fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, lean proteins (including poultry, fish, or beans), limiting salty snacks, fried foods, processed foods, and high sodium packaged meals can make a big difference. Staying hydrated and choosing water more often than sugary drinks also makes a difference.

Move a Little More You do not need expensive equipment or intense workouts. Even 20 to 30 minutes of walking most days of the week can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve heart function. Healthy ways to begin include: • Walking around your neighborhood, park, or property • Taking shorter, more frequent walks if mobility is limited • Choosing activities that fit your lifestyle, such as gardening, dancing or playing with grandchildren If you have joint pain, underlying health conditions, or concerns about starting a new routine, talk to your doctor first.

Manage Stress and Sleep Well Chronic stress and poor sleep can raise blood pressure, increase inflammation, and take a toll on your heart. Try setting a consistent bedtime, limiting screentime in the evenings, and finding enjoyable ways to unwind, such as reading, stretching, or light outdoor activities. The Bottom Line Better heart health starts with small, steady changes that fit into your everyday routine. Working with a primary care physician helps ensure your goals are safe, realistic and tailored to your needs. A strong heart supports a stronger year ahead.

Postcardslive.com Wreck Happens

When it does, we’re ready to repair it right. Family owned and operated since 1999

January 2026 | Piney Woods

686 Interstate 45 South • Huntsville

amayascollision.com

Clear the Clutter for the New Year. The Cars Deserve the Garage. Store Your Stuff With Us.

Climatecstorage.com 276 IH 45 South • Huntsville

(936) 241-4662

Postcards

936-295-6556

Piney Woods | December January 2026 2025

“SEENS” from our World

I'm afraid to ask... !

Seen by: PC Staff

Juuuust a bit out of da te. Seen by: PC Staff

Postcards

40 Share the funny and unusual things you’ve seen!

PostcardsLive.com/share

Dear Gabby

Send me your questions at

PostcardsLive.com/Share

Welcome back to the January 2026 edition of the Dear Gabby advice column. December is history. When what to my wondering eyes should appear, but 10 extra pounds on my hips, thighs and rear. The only New Year’s resolution I’m making is to write 2026 instead of 2025. Resolutions are a waste of time. At my age, bones and resolutions break pretty easily. Last year went by so fast, I didn’t even have time to lose weight! Send me your questions by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share. May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions!

DEAR GABBY

LOST IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY

DEAR LOST

GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO “Have times really changed?” Oh, yes! In 2000: Don’t get in car with strangers. In 2015: Don’t meet people from the internet alone. In 2025: Order yourself a stranger from the internet to get into a car with alone. Those who like my Dear Gabby colun are happier, better looking, and more intelligent than those who don’t (according to a study I made up).

41 Postcards

Enough said. I am a human GPS: Generally Poor Sense of direction. My ancestors navigated the ocean using the stars, and I miss exits with audio play-by-play directions. It was a real shock when I arrived at a cemetery to leave some flowers a while back. My GPS announced that I had reached my final destination! I bought a cheapo GPS for my last car, but ‘You’re getting warmer’ or ‘You’re getting colder’ just didn’t do it for me. This time, I bought the senior citizen version GPS. It not only tells me how to reach my destination, it also tells me why I wanted to go there. It still overestimates my ability to comprehend 600 feet, though. I chose Matthew McConaughey as my GPS celebrity voice. He sounds terrific, but now I can’t turn left! He keeps saying alright, alright, alright.

January 2026 | Piney Woods

I was excited to drive to an unfamiliar neighborhood in a strange town for my new boyfriend’s family Christmas dinner. My dessert contribution was carefully packed in the car, and my outfit and hair cooperated in a most unusual fashion. The address was plugged into the navigation screen. What could go wrong? Three guesses: G…P...S. I arrived late. Need I say more?

The Garden Post New Year’s Forecast

Kim Bius President, Kim's Home & Garden Center

Piney Woods | January 2026

Postcards

elcome 2026! The weather forecast is mild from now until spring with only a few nights in the low 30s. The weather has been amazing, and the roses are still in full bloom. There is a tinge of frost burn on annuals, and the desire to remove and replace is real. Do we prune or throw away? The tomatoes are still producing, and the garden is thriving…so, what should we do? If we fertilize and cold weather returns, new growth will be damaged...or, do we cover, prolong the growing season, and roll the dice? Personally, I am rolling the dice, fertilizing lightly, pruning, and covering as needed. The plumeria will leaf out again, the bananas will produce this summer without dieback, the bougainvillea will not need replacing, and the bird of paradise may bloom this year...and the citrus are producing like “gangbusters.” If the weather stays fairly mild (which is temps above freezing), what do we do in January? We plant fruit, shade and nut trees, roses, and other deciduous plants. Blueberries, grapes, avocados, citrus, figs, and blackberries are also good choices for planting in January/February. Where do we find these plants? At independent garden centers! Independents know their regions and what grows well when; they also bring in the right selections for the chilling hours your area receives. The term “chilling hours” is garden lingo for the amount of time (hours) plants must receive before 43 degrees to set blooms. The Woodlands/Spring area is 400-450, Conroe

is 500-600, Huntsville and 30 minutes north is 675-775. What does this tell us? It tells us that a Tex prince peach with a chilling hour of 400 will thrive and produce from Galveston to Conroe, but with a low chilling hour, the plant will bloom out early in mid to late March and a late frost will kill the spring buds…..thus a higher chilling hour of 650 is recommended for the Walker County area to avoid “bloom out” too early before the last freeze date. Check with your local favorite “garden center” and join the email list for upcoming workshops and seminars on roses and fruit trees. January/February is generally the timeframe, and most have a VIP list that receives first notification. January is also the month the first shipments of fruit trees and roses arrive at garden centers, and you can get the best selection. Remember, if you see the blooms or the fruit, you missed the planting season! Looking forward to an amazing 2026 and celebrating 40 years of service in the garden/ landscape/and home industry. It has been quite the journey!

Postcardslive.com REFUSE TO stay here again! -Mr. Mouse

THE EXPERTS IN

PEST CONTROL SINCE 1981!

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Rodent Control

Ants

Roaches

Mosquito Control Household Pests

Spiders

Weed Control

Termite Control & Inspection Lawn and Ornamental Treatment

D.L. Shiver II

936-291-2902

Don Shiver

936-348-9135 Follow us on Facebook!

Licenses: Licenses: TPCL TPCL 0774786 0774786 TPCL 6769 6769

Postcards

Serving Huntsville and Madisonville for more than 40 years!

Tasty Bites Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Piney Woods | January 2026

INGREDIENTS

Postcards

1 (14 oz) can chicken broth 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup 1 (4 oz) can chopped green chile peppers 1 (1.25 oz) package taco seasoning 1 ¼ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast 2 (15 oz) cans great northern beans 1 (15 oz) can white corn, drained ½ cup sour cream ½ cup shredded pepper Jack cheese, or to taste

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Layer chicken, great northern beans, and corn in a slow cooker. Step 2: Mix chicken broth, condensed soup, chile peppers, and taco seasoning together in a bowl. Pour broth mixture over top. Step 3: Cover and cook on low until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 8 to 10 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees. Step 4: Transfer chicken to a cutting board. Shred with two forks or cut into bite-sized pieces. Return to the slow cooker. Step 5: Stir in sour cream and pepper Jack cheese; cover and cook on Low until cheese is melted, 3 to 5 minutes. COOK’S TIP

If you use cooked, chopped chicken in Step 1, you can cook it on low for 3 to 4 hours.

Can’t Sit, Stand, or Sleep? If Sciatica Pain Is Taking Over Your Life, Read This Now. (Especially if you’ve been told your only option is pain meds or surgery…) This Is For You If You’re:

Enough Is Enough Susan, 62, thought her active days were behind her. “I had shooting pain from my back to my leg,” she said. “I couldn’t stand long enough to cook dinner, sit through church, or even sleep through the night. My doctor gave me pills, but they just made me feel groggy. And I was still in pain.”

✔ A woman over 50 with chronic back or leg pain

She didn’t want surgery. She didn’t want to be stuck on medication. She just wanted her life back. That’s when she called out clinic Huntsville.

✔ Done trying every pill, stretch, or shot with no lasting results

“They gave me something I hadn’t had in a long time, hope. And even better, a real plan that actually worked.” Sciatica Doesn’t Just “Go Away” That sharp, burning, or numb pain down your leg? That’s your sciatic nerve under pressure, and it won’t fix itself with time. You can ice, stretch, rest, or medicate it all you want... but if you don’t treat the cause, it usually gets worse. Too Many Women Are Told:

✔ Missing church, social events, or family time because of pain ✔ Worried about losing your independence

✔ Ready to fix the problem, not just cover it up The Sciatica Relief Evaluation, Only $47 (Regularly $249) For a limited time, you’ll receive: ✔ A Full Nerve & Spine Evaluation ✔ Ortho and Neuro Examination ✔ Advanced Digital Imaging ✔ 1-on-1 Consultation with Dr. McGee to Map Out Your Plan

• “It’s just aging.”

Warning: Only 7 Discounted Evaluations Available This Month:

• “Try yoga or stretches.” • “Let’s try another injection.” • “You’ll probably need surgery eventually.” This kind of advice keeps people stuck. And for many, it leads to more pain, more pills and a growing fear that they’re losing control of their body and independence. What If You Could Finally Get Relief…Without Surgery or Drugs? Women just like Susan are experiencing just that at our clinic. Our non-surgical approach relieves the pressure on your sciatic nerve so you can: ✔ Sleep without waking in pain

We limit this offer to ensure quality care and attention for each patient. These appointments fill up FAST, especially for women looking for real answers. A Final Word From Dr. McGee “You’ve been told to manage the pain, take another pill, or prepare for surgery. But what if you didn’t have to do any of that? What if your next step could be your breakthrough? You’re not out of options. You’re not too late. You just haven’t tried the right plan…yet.” Call 936-241-7673 NOW Let’s get you back to living, moving, and doing what you love.

✔ Stand, sit, and walk comfortably again ✔ Drive without dreading the ride ✔ Play with grandkids, attend events, and feel like yourself again ✔ Finally feel in control of your health and your future “I went from limping and barely making it through the day…to walking, smiling, and even helping my husband with yard work again. I got ME back.” -Susan M., 62

PS: Every day you wait, your nerve pain could be getting worse. The sooner you act, the easier it is to fix. You don’t have to suffer, guess, or settle for surgery. Hundreds of women have already found relief. You can too, but only if you take the first step. Call us at 936-241-7673 today. Your future self will thank you. *Excludes beneficiaries of federally funded programs

*This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for personalized advice or treatment. This is a paid advertisement.

Tasty Bites Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken

Piney Woods | January 2026

INGREDIENTS

1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper 1 Tbs olive oil 1 cup chopped yellow onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 3/4 cup chicken broth 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper, or more to taste 3/4 cup whipping cream 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 tsp pepperoncini brine 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers chopped fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Cut chicken breasts into cubes; season both sides with salt and black pepper. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken in skillet and cook until lightly browned and no longer pink in the center, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 165 degrees. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside. Step 3: Add onion to the skillet; cook 2 minutes. Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add broth, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Step 4: Stir in cream, Parmesan, and pepperoncini brine. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Step 5: Return chicken to skillet and toss to coat. Add sliced pepperoncini. Step 6: Serve garnished with parsley if desired.

Postcards

COOK’S TIP

This is a great weeknight one skillet meal that’s quick and easy to make! Serve with orzo, potatoes, pasta, or rice.

Postcardslive.com Start the New Year with high quality home care for your loved one.

Let us bring your loved one the care they deserve. Schedule your free consultation today.

January 2026 | Piney Woods

(936) 339-CARE 227 State Hwy 75 N Suite 140 Huntsville, TX 77320

All Natural Nolan Ryan Angus Beef Burgers and Blue Bell Ice Cream!!! Family owned since 1973 with an attitude of excellence! 2902 E Main St • Ste 104 Madisonville, TX 77864

Postcards

Start your new year off right with a TX Burger in one hand and a Blue Bell ice cream shake in the other!

Tasty Bites Persimmon Bread BY CHRISTY ATKINS

Piney Woods | January 2026

INGREDIENTS

Postcards

3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2-1/2 cups sugar 2 tsp baking soda 1-1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp ground nutmeg 2 cups puréed persimmons 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled 4 eggs 2/3 cup bourbon 2 cups chopped walnuts or other nuts 2 cups raisins or other dried fruit

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter two loaf pans and dust with flour. Step 2: In a bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg. Make a well in the center. Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine persimmon purée, butter, eggs, and bourbon. Step 4: Add to well in dry ingredients and stir to blend. Add nuts and raisins and stir until just combined. Step 5: Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Happiest of New Years to You May your days ahead be greater and brighter than the days gone by…

May He always shower you with an abundance of joy, constant good health, and an overflowing sense of happiness. Wishing you all God’s blessings in the new year. Early Worship: Sunday Mornings, 9:00 am Bible Study: Sunday Mornings, 10:00 am

In His service, ~Your Covenant Fellowship Church Family

Late Service: Sunday Mornings, 11:00 am Celebrate Recovery: Tuesdays, 7 pm

Covenant Fellowship

So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. ~ Ezra 8:23

Lead Pastor: David Valentine

cfhuntsville.org • 606 FM 1791 N. • Huntsville • (936) 435-0993

Tasty Bites No Bake Pecan Pie Dip

Piney Woods | January 2026

INGREDIENTS

Postcards

8 oz cream cheese, softened 4 oz whipped topping, thawed 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 3 Tbs cold butter, cut into small pieces 1/3 cup light corn syrup 1 cup chopped pecans 1 large egg 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp kosher salt apple slices, pretzel crisps, or graham crackers for serving

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Combine cream cheese, whipped topping, and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Step 2: Spread mixture along the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate and refrigerate while you prepare the topping. Step 3: To make the topping: Combine brown sugar, cold butter, corn syrup, pecans, vanilla extract, egg, and salt in a saucepan. Bring mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, and remove from heat. Step 4: Allow topping to cool for 10 minutes before stirring and pouring evenly over the cream cheese layer. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve. Step 5: Serve with apple slices, pretzel crisps or graham crackers.

Postcardslive.com LOOK SHARP Make 2026 the year of style and confidence. Visit Lee Baron for suits, shoes, and accessories that elevate your everyday look.

A Movement For Wholeness In a Fragmented World Sunday Worship Service 10:45 AM State of the Art Hearing Technology Available Adult Bible Study and Children’s Sunday School 9:30 AM Nursery Available

Huntsville’s home for men’s style.

Wednesday Bible Study 10:00 AM

Worship services are live streamed @ First Christian Church - Huntsville, TX 1800 Ave. R. • Huntsville

1524 11th St Huntsville, TX 77340

(936)295-3677

Fcchtx.org

January 2026 | Piney Woods

“Lee Baron keeps Huntsville looking sharp. Quality, class, and friendly hometown service.” — Russell Humphrey, Mayor of Huntsville

51 Postcards

Tasty Bites Crispy Tiger Butter Bars INGREDIENTS

Piney Woods | January 2026

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 (11 oz) pkg white chocolate chips ½ cup butterscotch chips ¾ cup crispy rice cereal (such as Rice Krispies®) ½ cup peanut butter DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Step 2: Place semisweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave until melted, about 1 minute. Stir chocolate until smooth.

Step 3: Combine white chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in a separate microwave-safe bowl; heat in microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Stir mixture until smooth. If chips aren’t completely melted, continue heating in the microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring after each interval until smooth. Step 4: Stir crispy rice cereal and peanut butter into white chocolate-butterscotch mixture; pour into the prepared baking dish. Step 5: Spoon semisweet chocolate in lines across the peanut butter mixture. Run a knife in the opposite direction of the chocolate lines to achieve a swirled, tiger-stripe pattern. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, at least 10 minutes. Cut into small squares. COOK’S TIP

You can use chunky or smooth peanut butter as desired. Store in an airtight container.

Postcards

52nd Annual Ducks Unlimited Banquet Thursday, Enjoy a steak dinner, February 12th raffles, and a night of at the fellowship, all in support of Walker the wetlands that keep our County wildlife thriving. Fairgrounds Doors open at 6PM!

Scan here to book your tickets or table: For more Information:

936-661-1700

Postcardslive.com

More than Just a Place to Put Your Foot • Quality Materials • Exceptional Craftsmanship • Enhance Riding Ability • Built in Foot Stability • Attention to all details

1087 Nettles Lane, Madisonville 936-348-6541 NettlesStirrups.com

January 2026 | Piney Woods

“Best of Tack and Gear Runner Up” for 2025 Western Horseman Magazine.

53 Postcards

Piney Woods | January 2026

JUST FOR FUN

Houston’s Pop Air Balloon Museum Experience

Postcards

Sometimes, 54 art really can be “uplifting.” STORY AND PHOTOS BY MARSHALL ALTOM

hen I first heard about the Balloon Museum coming to Houston, I’ll be honest — I didn’t think much of it. “Museum” brought to mind quiet rooms, careful steps, and signs that say “do not touch.” I figured it might make for a quick solo stop one Friday when my schedule allowed, something to see and move on from. When that Friday rolled around, my wife just so happened to have seen a social media promotion about it. She asked if I could wait and go on Saturday morning with her and the boys. I thought, “Why not load up the family and see what all the fuss is about?” I’m glad we did.

January 2026 | Piney Woods

A whirlwind of color and air

Each room felt like stepping into a new world. The first few exhibits introduced us to oversized sculptures and glowing shapes that seemed to float in midair, pulsing with color and sound. But what really stood out was how interactive everything was. This wasn’t a “stand behind the rope” kind of place; this was an invitation to touch, jump, and play. The kids darted ahead, drawn toward anything that lit up or made noise, while I tried to take in the sheer artistry of it all. There’s a moment in every parent’s outing when you realize you’re having just as much fun as your kids. This was that moment.

55 Postcards

From the moment we walked through the doors of the Pop Air Experience, I realized this wasn’t your typical museum. It was art that moved, bounced, glowed, and quite literally breathed. What started as a curious visit quickly became a morning filled with laughter, light, and a few unexpected lessons about creativity — and patience.

Piney Woods | January 2026

The music of movement

Postcards

We lingered longer than most in one of the balloon rooms, and that’s when I started noticing details I might’ve missed if I’d gone alone. The room wasn’t random chaos; it was choreography. Music filled the space while fans on the walls and floor created a constant swirl of motion. At first glance, it looked like balloons were just bouncing around. But after a few minutes, I realized they weren’t moving at random. They were following a rhythm, a pattern synced with the music. The air currents shifted intentionally, almost like a dance. Even the paint patterns on the balloons weren’t chosen by chance. The colors were placed strategically so they’d catch the blacklight just right as the air moved them. While the kids were laughing and running through

the swirl, I found myself appreciating the precision and artistry it took to create such a moment. It made me think about how beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, and sometimes, the difference between chaos and art is simply how long you’re willing to stop and look. Of course, not every member of our family was quite as entranced by the artistic planning; one found just as much joy in discovering a small rock outside before we even went in. It was a good reminder that wonder comes in all shapes and sizes.

Falling into fun

One of the biggest highlights of the Pop Air exhibit, both literally and figuratively, is the giant ball pit. The moment you walk in, it’s impossible not to smile. The pit stretches across the

The thought behind the wonder

”

Before it floats away

The Pop Air Experience by the Balloon Museum is touring cities around the world, from Rome and Paris to Madrid and now Houston, bringing its mix of inflatable art, light, and sound to audiences of all ages. The Houston installation runs through April 19, 2026, at 2501 Commerce Street, and it’s absolutely worth a visit. Whether you go for photo ops, creative inspiration, or just a reason to laugh and play together for an hour or two, you’ll find something unexpected waiting inside. I may have walked in thinking I was visiting a museum, but I left feeling like I’d just been part of one giant, floating celebration, proof that sometimes, art really can lift you up. For more information, visit www.houston. balloonmuseum.world.

57 Postcards

That’s what surprised me most about the Balloon Museum. It’s not just an exhibit to see, it’s one to feel. Every installation has an intention behind it, from the lights that sync with the beat of a song to the gentle hum of fans that shape invisible waves of air. You start to notice how much creativity and technical thought go into something that feels so effortless. It’s art made accessible. There is no art degree required, and no long placard necessary to explain what it “means” (even though there are some staff there to explain and talk about how those pieces came to be). It’s just a place where imagination takes up physical space and invites everyone in, from the youngest toddler to the most skeptical dad. By the time we reached the final room, I realized the Pop Air Experience isn’t just about balloons; it’s about perspective. It reminded me that art doesn’t always have to hang on a wall; sometimes, it floats above your head or swirls around your feet. And sometimes the best art isn’t just what you see, it’s how it makes you feel while you’re standing in the middle of it.

Be the sunshine, and lift everyone up like a hot air balloon January 2026 | Piney Woods

room and is about 36 inches deep, filled with over two million white balls that shimmer under the lights. Before entering, the staff gives you a straightforward instruction: when you get in, don’t step down — fall back like a trust fall. It’s partly for safety, but it also sets the tone for the experience. You don’t ease into the fun here; you dive right in. Once you’re floating in that sea of soft white spheres, the lights dim and a 10-minute show begins. Colors ripple across the walls and ceiling, pulsing to the beat of the music while patterns reflect off every surface. You lose track of time in the best way. It’s part art, part play, and part pure joy. The kind of moment that reminds you why these experiences matter.

936-291-2171

www.walkercountyfcu.com

Piney Woods | January 2026

Pet Pals

Postcards

Share Your Pets Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com

Cruzer & Bailey

Gringo

Gus

loved by

Anthony & Cecilia

Cody & Kirbie Traylor

Jason & Haley Hatthorn

No Job too big or too small

• Customer Fabrication

• Pipe and Cable Fencing

• All Types of Metals

• Free Estimates

• Pole Barns

Woods Welding Inc. Shop & Field Serving The Area Since 1976

Shop (936) 294-9708

Mobile (936) 577-4300

Postcardslive.com

Schedule your diagnostic hearing evaluation with a complimentary hearing aid test-drive.

936.755.4296 Serving Huntsville for over 40 years

Discount

Applicable on AGX5, 7, or 9 two-device hearing systems. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotional discount. Expires 2/1/26.

Dr. Christie Cahill, Au.D. • Huntsville • 1909 22nd St • FamilyHearingCenter.com

61 Postcards

FAMILY HEARING & SENSORY NEURAL CENTER

$500 Off

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Call TODAY to learn about our January offers!

Funspace

5, 5:38 PM

january - Word Search Labs

Piney Woods | January 2026

january

I X P Y M T B M J H I N G O J S W C F Z G D D E L T S Z K H A F M D Z L E U R H M C U S C S Y R L I T S F Y U I O I E I Q X W Z C K N B R U H N A B Z W P A E J M I Q E L T J O T K N E E J H I G V Z V G G O A L S A B I W T T H D E N N W I I U V P T L M N B L S K T D W K D O C N D C C U H L P U U L I E I Z Y H Y I Z G Z O E Y G F A A U R A Z M H N J X T K S T U L L I X B R F C I N Z A H N G U L M B N E A N K C Y K A X F K A K R Q L L S C T B M D B O E W X T P W E R E J O I M F D R R I G N A A K E N V R T D R S H Q T O A E M F F O H B F I S H C F B E C J Q W T H P W E S T O R M Z D M P A R G U O N I T K P T R N E W Y E A R H E A T E R R O P E F T A M F E V K J B K Q P A A Y N N O N O I U E K H J U I B H G C I Q S F A M I L Y F I R E P L A C E P X Y G L B T Y S J X E T L N Q X L W M R G I T B 2. Goals

3. resolution

4. january

8. mittens

9. blanket

10. thermal

11. windy

Postcards

1. NewYear

5. countdown

16. celebration

wordsearchlabs.com/view/1316464

17. midnight

5. freezing

6. blizzard

BLANKET

HEATER

BLIZZARD

JANUARY

CELEBRATION

MIDNIGHT

CHILL

MITTENS

CONFETTI

NEWYEAR

COUNTDOWN

NOISEMAKER

FAMILY

RESOLUTION

FIREPLACE

STORM

FREEZING

THERMAL

GOALS

WINDY

7. heater

Spot 813.Differences 12. storm chill 14. fireplace

18. confetti

19. family

20. noisemaker

1/1

Postcardslive.com Slitherlink In a Slitherlink Puzzle, you connect horizontally or vertically adjacent dots to form a meandering path that forms a single loop, without crossing itself, or branching. The numbers indicate how many lines surround each cell. Empty cells may be surrounded by any number of lines (from 0 to 3). Slitherlink Puzzles Puzzles from from Krazydad, Krazydad, Volume Volume 1, Book 1, Book 1x's 1 There is one unique solution, and you should be able toEasy findEasy itSlitherlink without guessing. You may find it helpful to make small

Slitherlink Slitherlink #1-4 #1-4

between dots that cannot be connected.

Slitherlink Slitherlink #1 #1

2 2

Slitherlink Slitherlink #2 #2

3 3 3 3

3 3

0 0 2 2

3 3

2 2 3 3 2 2 3 3

2 2 2 2 1 1

2 2

1 1 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3

1 1

2 2

3 3

2 2 3 3

3 3 2 2 3 3

2 2

3 3

2 2 2 2 3 3

1 1

2 2 3 3 1 1

1 1

3 3 3 3

3 3

U-RENT-EM U-RENT-EM, WE-GOT-EM

3 3 3 3

1 1

2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 1 1 2 2

2 2 2 2 Tractor

3 3 2 2

Mini-Excavator Trencher

2 2

Much More

936-439-4848

2 2 3 3

2 2 2CALL 2 US TO RID YOU OF 3 3 1 1 UNWANTED GUESTS!

2 2 1

Complete Pest Control 1 3Do 3It Yourself Chemicals Termite Control Rodent Control

2 2

3 3

2 2

3 3 3 3 3 3

3 3 3 Commercial • Residential

130 Col. Etheredge Blvd. • Suite D2 3 Huntsville, 1 1 TX 77340 2 2 3 3 (936) 755-8086

0 0 edwardjones.com

edwardjones.com/financial-advisor/kenholland

3 3 3

3 3

Preparing for and Living in Retirement Saving for Education

There There is one is one unique unique solution, solution, and and you you should should be able be able to find to find it without it without guessing. guessing. You You maymay find find it helpful it helpful to make to make smallsmall x's between x's between dotsdots that that cannot cannot be connected. be connected.

Ken Holland Financial Advisor

936-291-9473

meandering meandering pathpath that that forms forms a single a single loop,loop, without without crossing crossing itself,itself, or branching. or branching. The The 103 30 Eastlines numbers numbers indicate indicate howHwy how many many lines surround surround eacheach cell. cell. Empty Empty cellscells maymay be surrounded be surrounded by by Huntsville any any number number of lines of lines (from (from 0 to 03).to 3). 130 FM 2821 • Huntsville

2 2

Mon. - Fri. 7am - 5pm TPCL #5704 Your hometown business since 1983 Sat. 8amIn- 12pm a In Slitherlink a Slitherlink Puzzle, Puzzle, you you connect connect horizontally horizontally or vertically or vertically adjacent adjacent dotsdots to form to form a a

63 Postcards

Slitherlink Slitherlink #4 #4

0 0 2 2 3 3 3 3

1 1

member SIPC

Slitherlink Slitherlink #3 #3

1 1

3 3 3 3

January 2026 | Piney Woods

2 2

2 2 2 2 3 3

Assist with 401k, 403b, 457, Optional Retirement Plans and more.

Funspace

Easy Mazes by KrazyDad, Book 1

Maze #1

EASY

Escape the

Begin at the GREEN arrow and

Piney Woods | January 2026

navigate to the RED exit arrow.

Tough Mazes by KrazyDad, Book 1

64 Postcards

Maze

HARD KRAZYDAD.COM/PUZZLES

Need the answer? http://krazydad.com/mazes/answers

Maze #1

Postcardslive.com

January 2026 | Piney Woods

65 Postcards

Funspace 12/15/25, 3:45 PM

january - Word Search Labs

january

What do snowmen call their kids? Chill-dren.

What did the icy road say to the car? “Want to go for a spin?” What falls in the winter but never gets hurt? Snow. What do you call it when a snowman throws a temper tantrum? A meltdown.

Piney Woods | January 2026

Why did the girl keep her trumpet out in the snow? She liked playing cool jazz.

2 2

3 2

2 3

3 2

1 3

3 3

3 2

2 2

3 2

1 3

2 2 3

2 0 3 3

1 3

2 0

12. storm

16. celebration

https://wordsearchlabs.com/view/1316464

3 1

1 3

2 3

2 0

2 2

3 2

1 3

#12

2 2

#11

3 1

3 3

5. freezing

11. windy

17. midnight

18. confetti

6. blizzard 13. chill

19. family

7. heater

14. fireplace 20. noisemaker

#10

#8 2

#7 2

4. january

10. thermal

2 2

3 0

1 2

3. resolution

9. blanket

#3 2

1 1

2. Goals

8. mittens

Easy Slitherlink Puzzles from Krazydad, Volume 1, Book 1

3 2

1. NewYear

15. countdown

Postcards

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Icy. Answers Icy who? #1-12 Icy you!

2 2

3 2

1 1

1 3

1/1

Postcardslive.com

January 2026 | Piney Woods

67 Postcards

Enjoy this year with

Peace of Mind Pre-planning simply makes your wishes known to your family, reduces their stress...and costs NOTHING. Let us help!

SHMFH.COM • 936-291-7300 Serving Huntsville, Willis & Montgomery

Sudoku Marketspace New Year. New Style. New You.

Stand Out Among the Rest 936-291-3222

4004 A Sam Houston Ave. • Huntsville, TX

936-291-3737

Piney Woods | January 2026

Do you owe the IRS $$$

Postcards

Since 1981

Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 26, Book 1

Sudoku #1Easy

chestercrawford.com Income Tax • IRS Representation • Insurance • Notary Public 100 Hwy 190 East (936) 291-1887 (Direct) Huntsville, TX 77340 (936) 661-0692 (Cell) Email: onecdcrawford@aol.com (936) 291-1789 (Fax) National Association of Enrolled Agents • National Society of Tax Professionals

WE TREAT MORE THAN SYMPTOMS At SHSU Physicians, we take time to understand your full health picture - not just today's concern. Our team delivers thoughtful, whole-patient care rooted in listening, trust and long-term wellness.

5 7

2 3 5 1 6 8 4 3 7 2 8 9 1 6 9 8 3 9 8 3 4 5 4 1 2 9 9 5 1 6 8 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. Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.

Reygan Farris Richardson & Clara Kelly - Agents 602 South Madison, Madisonville, TX 77864 | 936.348.2302 | reygan@farris-insurance.com

-- Jean Ingelow

Chester Crawford, EA

Check us out at

advantagespecialties.com

Sudoku Marketspace We Are Your Other Family Doctor

11th Street Veterinary Hospital Your Pet, Our Priority!

Receive one-on-one service

Exams • Ultrasound • Boarding •Day Care • Therapeutic Laser Dental Procedures • Radiographs • Microchipping • More Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. 7:30 to 6 • (closed 1-2)

www.myuhcagent.com/Lauri.Wenzel 832-244-1973, TTY 711

Schedule an Appointment Today for Your Four-Legged Family Members

Fax: 832-201-5359

Tues

7:30 to 1

Sat.

8 to 12

(936) 293-8900

1705 11th Street • Huntsville

Novice Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 26, Book 1

2 1

7 9 4 1 6 8 9

Solutions on page 25 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. Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.

69 Postcards

The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.

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

January 2026 | Piney Woods

Sudoku Medium #1

BUSINESS FOCUS

Huntsville Main Street

Piney Woods | January 2026

The Heart of Downtown: Celebrating 25 Years of the Huntsville Main Street Program

Postcards

owntown Huntsville, Texas, has always carried echoes of a proud and storied past. From the historic buildings whispering tales of early commerce, to the tapestry of public art, it’s a small-town charm that remains unmistakably ours. Preserving that history while building a downtown that thrives in a modern world is no simple task. That’s where the City of Huntsville’s Main Street Program steps in. Designated as a Main Street Community in 2001, the program has quietly shaped the vision to make downtown Huntsville a vibrant destination for residents, businesses, and

visitors—“a place where history meets hospitality.” With the 25th anniversary of the Main Street Program approaching, it’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and glimpse ahead to what’s next. The Main Street movement began with the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 1980 to counter the decline of traditional downtown commercial districts across America. Recognizing the success of this model, the state of Texas adopted its own coordinating program in 1981, the Texas Main Street Program (TMSP), which now encompasses over 80 communities statewide.

STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED

January 2026 | Piney Woods

71 For Huntsville, the designation meant more than a label; it provided technical expertise, design guidance, historic preservation support, grant opportunities, and a proven framework for revitalization built on four core pillars: organization, economic vitality, design, and promotion. These principles guide how we preserve heritage, support small businesses, enhance visual appeal, and promote downtown as a place where people want to visit, shop, work, and gather. Over the last several years, Huntsville’s program has become one of the strongest in the state, a true testament to the power of collaboration and community pride. As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Huntsville Main Street

Program, we celebrate milestones that reflect the heart of our community: historic restoration, business growth, beautification, public art, and the partnerships that bring these achievements to life. Over the years, downtown Huntsville has seen numerous buildings restored, facades renewed, and historic features preserved. The program has supported property owners through design guidance, façade grants, and preservation‑minded planning efforts. The program has also played a vital role in supporting local businesses. While many cities struggle with vacant storefronts, Downtown Huntsville has maintained steady commercial activity. New businesses continue to open, existing ones expand, and downtown remains one of the most competitive

business districts in Walker County. In 2024 alone, more than 650,000 people visited downtown Huntsville. In the past year alone, downtown Huntsville welcomed three new murals, each adding fresh color and character to the historic district. These additions join an already impressive public art portfolio that includes 13 iconic Richard Haas murals. Turning 30 next year, these trompe‑l’oeil masterpieces are more than local treasures; they form the world’s largest collection of Haas murals, right here in Huntsville. The Main Street Program is continuing a multi‑phase restoration effort to ensure these nationally recognized artworks continue to inspire and anchor downtown’s identity for decades to come.

Postcards

Milestones

Piney Woods | January 2026

Postcards

Events, investment, and collaboration

Events are another cornerstone of the Main Street Program, weaving together moments that create tradition, connection, and community pride. The Huntsville Christmas Fair transforms downtown into a holiday market, drawing families from across the region to kick off the holiday season. Scare on the Square fills the streets with laughter, costumes, and local businesses who set up game booths and trunk or treat activities for children each October. Touch‑A‑Truck offers children the chance to explore heavy machinery, big trucks, and emergency vehicles up close, while the Main Street Music Series brings local musicians downtown for free live performances for the public throughout the summer, strengthening Huntsville’s arts and entertainment scene. Junk-a-Palooza transforms downtown into a bustling marketplace with one-of-a-kind finds at bargain prices. The event gives rural residents the opportunity to reach hundreds of shoppers at once while saving buyers the hassle of driving

around town to multiple sales. These events do far more than entertain; they encourage people to spend time downtown, and they support a connected, resilient community. Another key component of the program’s success is its commitment to investment and opportunity. Through façade grants, vibrancy grants, and preservation assistance, the Main Street Program helps make revitalization accessible to small business owners and property owners. These grant programs have funded everything from restored storefronts to outdoor seating, lighting improvements, and creative signage, small but meaningful enhancements that collectively elevate the downtown experience. Each grant awarded is a statement that Huntsville believes in its small businesses and is committed to nurturing their success. The success of Main Street is rooted in collaboration. Volunteers, business

benefit the district. The Chamber of Commerce has also begun partnering with the program to provide resources and support for downtown businesses. Over the last 25 years, everyone has taken ownership of downtown revitalization, forming a close‑knit community of neighbors, friends, and colleagues.

Looking ahead

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

73 Postcards

For more information, visit www.huntsvilletx. gov/882/DiscoverMain-Street.

January 2026 | Piney Woods

owners, property owners, city staff, and local organizations all contribute to downtown revitalization. We’ve partnered with the LEAP Center & Honors College at Sam Houston State University and the Criminal Justice Club at Huntsville High School on multiple projects throughout the year. These partnerships not only help the program, but give students hands‑on opportunities to engage in their community. The Downtown Business Alliance has long supported revitalization efforts, frequently collaborating on joint initiatives that

As we look forward to celebrating the upcoming anniversary, it brings renewed momentum to ensure the continued success of the Main Street mission. Earlier this year, the city partnered with Downtown Strategies to create a Five‑Year Downtown Action Plan. This blueprint is already inspiring new investment, community‑driven initiatives, beautification projects, business support programs, and enhancements to walkability. Key priorities include expanding local entrepreneurship, improving pedestrian safety and accessibility, strengthening beautification efforts, and fostering an even stronger sense of place. In an era of rapid growth, suburban development, and online commerce, historic downtowns offer something irreplaceable: a sense of identity, authenticity, and connection. Downtown Huntsville is not just a place; it is a reflection of the people who call this city home. It embodies pride in local heritage, appreciation for the arts, support for small businesses, and a commitment to building meaningful spaces where residents can gather, celebrate, and belong. As we celebrate 25 years of the Huntsville Main Street Program, we honor not only a milestone, but a movement built through collaboration, creativity, hard work, and a steadfast belief in the value of preserving what makes Huntsville special. Here’s to the next 25 years in Downtown Huntsville, Texas!

Creative Corner A Lifetime Journey: My Father’s Citizenship at 80

Piney Woods | January 2026

by Tammy Kurkoski

Postcards

For 62 years, my father, Les Aitken, carried a green card in his wallet—a small piece of paper that marked him as a permanent resident, but never quite a full member of the country he’d called home since he was 18. That changed on October 8, 2025, when at 80 years old, he finally raised his right hand and took the oath of citizenship. A Canadian Beginning: Dad was born in Chatham, Canada, where he spent his formative years before coming to the U.S. in the early 1960s. His commitment was immediate and profound—he enlisted in the U.S. Military, receiving an honorable discharge in 1967 upon my birth. He settled in Houston, where he built a life as a drywaller, contributing his skills and sweat to the construction of countless buildings downtown. The Unexpected Countdown: Almost a year ago, my brother Thomas planned a cruise for Dad’s 80th birthday. While preparing for the trip, my husband Philip noticed Dad’s green card was just months from expiring. After maintaining

that same status for over six decades, the decision was made: it was finally time to become a U.S. citizen. The Study Sessions: What followed were weeks of preparation. Each week, we gathered to study the citizenship test questions together. Dad approached it with the same determination he’d brought to everything else in his life. We quizzed him on American history, government, and civics, watching as he absorbed information about a country to which he’d already given so much. The Interview: The day of the interview arrived, and Dad went in alone to face the immigration agent. We could only wait, hoping our study sessions had been enough. Time seemed to crawl. Then the door opened, and there he was—our dad, accompanied by the agent, both wearing matching smiles. Tears glistened in his eyes as she said: “He did it!” The relief and joy were overwhelming. The hard part was over. Now we just had to wait for the final step: the swearing-in ceremony.

The Ceremony: We stood beside him as he prepared to take the oath. Together, we watched as Dad raised his right hand alongside 1,553 others from 107 countries around the world. We heard him speak the words that would transform his status from permanent resident to citizen. At 80 years old, after a lifetime of contributing to this country—through military service, honest labor, raising a family—he finally became what he’d always been in spirit: an American citizen. After the ceremony, overwhelmed with emotion, Dad said something that captured everything we were feeling: “I just don’t know what took me so long.” Neither did we, Dad. But we’re so grateful we were there to witness it when you did My father’s story isn’t unique—millions of immigrants have followed similar paths, serving their adopted country, working hard, building families. But like every story, it’s deeply personal. It’s about one man from Canada, who came to America as a teenager and stayed for a lifetime. Welcome home, Dad. Officially.

New Year. New Cravings. One stop shopping is our specialty!

Full Service Meat Market • Fresh Produce Grocery Store • Deli • and More

From our family to yours, Happy New Year!

WC Auto Center

Complete Auto Repair Serving Huntsville Since 1997

936-594-2591 Visit us at

3736 Hwy 19 Riverside, TX 77367

tallentsausage.com

Tune-Ups • Brakes • Electrical • Major Engine Repair A/C & Heat • Computer Diagnostics • Custom Wheels Transmissions Repair • Tires/Alignment American Racing Dealer

Master Mechanics on Duty Two Locations For Your Convenience

1412 Sam Houston Ave 936-291-1093

1704 Hwy 30 East 936-295-2280

Postcardslive.com

Celebrating 40 Years Home & Garden

Landscape

Event Venue

Introducing the Mansion at the Top O’ the Hill

Event Venue

opening February 2026 January 2026 | Piney Woods

The Mansion will be closed in January as we transition to an event venue, for opening in February. All the decor you know and love will be in the expanded Garden Center. Bookings for weddings, private parties, corporate and sponsored events will begin in February of 2026.

Sam A. Moak

Postcards

Service, Excellence, Quality & Integrity since 1985

PROFESSIONAL

LAW FIRM & LEGAL SERVICE Wills & Probate • Estate Planning • Guardianship Trusts • Elder Law • Business Planning • Real Estate

www.moakandmoak.com 1315 11th St. • Huntsville, TX

(936) 295-6394 Attorneys at Law

Serving East Texas Since 1972

Licensed by The Texas Supreme Court

Your Best Agrilife New World Screwworm

Update

Piney Woods | January 2026

Postcards

he New World Screwworm has been making headlines, as a reemergence of this pest crossed the biological barrier in Panama earlier this year. It has since begun to make its way north through southern Mexico, with isolated cases in other areas being reported sporadically. Many producers who dealt with this issue back in the 1970s know this fly all too well, but there is now a generation of producers who have not yet seen the devastating effects of this once eradicated pest. What is the New World Screwworm? The New World Screwworm (NWS) is a parasitic blowfly commonly found in South America. NWS lay its larvae into the tissue of live, warm-blooded animals. The eggs of the NWS are laid in any open wounds, mucous membranes, or umbilical cords of recently born animals. Once hatched, the larvae then feed off the live tissue of the host, causing deep wound channels and breeding grounds for infection and opening the host up to bacterial growth. After the larvae have had their fill, they then drop to the ground and burrow into the soil, before they emerge as the blowfly to repeat the cycle. These flies will lay eggs in any warm-blooded animal—including the likes of pets, livestock, and even humans. The smallest of cuts or nicks can become a target for the female flies. The CDC

Ryan McCormick Walker County Extension Agent

states a female has the potential to lay around 3,000 eggs in her month-long lifespan. Past to Present In the 1970s, the NWS made its way north across the Panama Canal and into southern Mexico before traveling into the United States. Favorably warm temperatures provided aid to these flies through the winter and enabled a larger area of distribution. Once they took hold in the U.S., cattle producers (primarily in Texas) began to feel the effects of this infestation. Approximately 90,000 cases reported in the 70s attributed to over $132 million of loss each year in livestock. Adjusted for inflation, that same number would be nearly $1.1 billion dollars a year today. The USDA and Mexico worked together to implement plans of how to eradicate the NWS. The best method of eradication fell onto sterile fly breeding facilities. These facilities would produce millions of sterile male flies that would overwhelm the wild male populations. The sterile males would then mate with the females and provide no viable offspring, thus curbing the population dramatically over time. This method of eradication is the most effective to date and is projected to be necessary for reimplementation to slow the spread of this new wave that is forecasted to impact us again. Currently, the USDA is working toward opening a new sterile fly facility in Edinberg,

Texas at Moore Air Force Base. This facility is expected to open in early 2026 with an estimated production of 300 million flies per week. The USDA has recently worked with Mexico to implement a facility in Tampico, Mexico that will be utilized for dispersal of sterile flies with an additional fly facility in Metepa, Mexico producing 60-100 million flies per week. Although this is a positive start to eradication, it will not happen overnight. This process may take years to reach full efficacy and may not stop the NWS from entering the U.S. We must plan for worst-case scenarios and hope for the best. It is not a case of if, but when the flies reach Texas. This is a very fluid situation with reports and updates coming in consistently. As we monitor the movements of the flies, the USDA is actively involved with Mexican authorities to step in as needed to aid the frontlines. Winter weather usually slows the northward progression of the flies and, as of December, the latest report was 370 miles south of the Texas border. AgriLife Extension agents are working with stakeholders to relay accurate and up-to-date information as we receive it. If you have any questions, please reach out to your local Extension office for more information.

Giggles & Grins Therapist: What do we say to people to let them know we're welcoming them into our lives? Me: Buckle up. Therapist: No... •••••••••••••••••••• My uncle just sent a message in the family group asking for money. I privately messaged him asking for banking details so I can deposit it. He responded saying he doesn't actually need money. He asked for money so that nobody in the family would ask him for money! Piney Woods | January 2026

••••••••••••••••••••

Postcards

I had a girlfriend in college who was obsessed with counting numbers. I wonder what she's up to now. •••••••••••••••••••• Last week, a friend told me she's looking forward to her toddler turning three because she's tired of the defiant stage. I'm still laughing.

Share Your Giggles with Us!

PostcardsLive.com/share

To start a zoo, you need at least three pandas, a grizzly, and two polars.

I would love to get paid to sleep...that would be my dream job.

It's the bear minimum.

••••••••••••••••••••

I asked the lion what he was doing in my wardrobe.

The three most terrifying words a woman can say to a man are..."Notice anything different?" •••••••••••••••••••• Why do they call it a mammogram and not an inbreastigation? •••••••••••••••••••• Cars these days have too many gadgets. I tried to reverse, and it played a video of somebody getting run over by a car. •••••••••••••••••••• Biologists have crossed a watermelon with a cauliflower. People who eat the new variety get a sense of sadness known as meloncauli.

He said, "Narnia business." •••••••••••••••••••• Rabbits jump...live 8 years. Dogs run...live 15 years. Turtles mind their business...live 150 years. Moral: Find a comfy spot and chill. •••••••••••••••••••• I was having dinner with some friends the other day, and one of them accused me of having no sense of direction. I got so angry, I packed up my stuff and right.

DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE

APPAREL for girls & guys

HOME & GIFTS plus seasonal décor

GREEK GEAR fraternity & sorority items

We're Social! scan the code to connect

www.thecrookedcrowntx.com

Postcardslive.com

Happy New Year! Wishing you prosperity and peace in the year ahead. With a new year come new challenges. If any of your challenges involve a legal matter, give us a call for a Free consultation.

Park Law Firm 227 TX-75 Suite 230, Huntsville, TX 77320 (936) 291-6660

Civil/Business Disputes Automobile Accidents

Financial Advisor 1314 10th St. • Suite 130 Huntsville, TX 77320

936-295-1151

chris.davis@mutualofomaha.com www.get-retirementright.com Million Dollar Round Table

Retirement Planning Managed Investments Income Planning 401 (K) Rollover Annuities Life Insurance Medicare Supplement Group Health long-Term Care Insurance Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Davis Wealth and Risk Management Inc. and Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. are not affiliated. Insurance products and services are offered by various underwriting companies

79 Postcards

Christopher L. Davis, LUTCF

Criminal Defense Wills and Probate

January 2026 | Piney Woods

With a combined 50+ years of experience in Personal Injury Mediation

January 2026 13

Santa’s Wonderland

Elana James and Hot Club of Cowtown

Hops n’ Hot Sauce Festival

santas-wonderland.com

3-4

GALVESTON

Bridal Expo marriedonisland.com

Piney Woods | January 2026

Postcards

PostcardsLive.com

Thru 4

COLLEGE STATION

See More Events Online!

HUNTSVILLE

Celebration of Gospel Concert eventbrite.com

3-31

PALESTINE

Faire of Champions faireofchampions.com

10-11

GRAPELAND

Piney Woods Living History and New Year’s Ball

SPRING

cypresscreekface.org

hopsnhotsaucefestival.com

16- Feb 7

24-25

Stock Show and Rodeo

Card Show

FORT WORTH fwssr.com

16-17

GALVESTON

Yaga’s Chili Quest and Beer Fest yagaschiliquest.com

THE WOODLANDS

Live2Lead

l2lthewoodlands.com

19- Feb 15 GALVESTON

“Dear Jack, Dear Louise”

oldwaysmadenew.com

unitybrenham.org

23- Feb 1

Miguel Zenon

“Rumors”

HOUSTON

CONROE

thehobbycenter.org

owentheatre.com

24-25

Travis Powell as ELVIS

The Bridal Extravaganza Show

HUNTSVILLE

oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

HUMBLE

HOUSTON

bridalextravaganza.com

HUNTSVILLE

facebook.com/profile. php?id=61578852929665

HUNTSVILLE

Wayne Toups oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

MONTGOMERY

2026 Chairman’s Ball chamber.conroe.org

NEW WAVERLY

Touch-a-Truck facebook.com/events/1596679241324706

CONROE

Regional Job Fair chamber.conroe.org

27 - Feb 1 HOUSTON

“Water for Elephants” thehobbycenter.org

Making Tracks 28 - Feb 1 HOUSTON

Houston Autoboative Show nrgpark.com

30-31 AUSTIN

Steve Martin and Martin Short texasperformingarts.org January 2026 | Piney Woods

HUNTSVILLE

Sean of the South oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

HUNTSVILLE

Songs of Transformation: Jason Vest and Ingrid Keller

81 Postcards

shsu.universitytickets.com

PERSONAL INJURY AND CIVIL TRIAL LAW

NACOGDOCHES

Comedian James P. Connolly graphite.sfasu.edu

31 - Feb 1 HOUSTON

“Gazillion Bubble Show” performingartshouston.org

HUNTSVILLE

Chilly at the Lodge chilly.joseyscoutlodge.org

KEVIN R. KNIGHT BOARD CERTIFIED PERSONAL INJURY TRIAL LAW TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION

Kevin R. Knight, PC Attorney at Law 714 S. Madison Madisonville, TX 77864

936-348-3543 kknight@knightfirm.com

Mustard Seed Moments By J.R.A.

Drinking from the Wrong Wells L

et anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. - John 7:37

Piney Woods | January 2026

Jesus was talking about more than just water in this verse; he is also talking about our spiritual thirst and the temptations we face every day, things only he can help with and satisfy.

Postcards

How often do we wake up in the morning, brush our teeth, comb our hair, get dressed, have a cup of coffee, and step into the day without even a thought of the God who created us and the Savior who died for us? When we forget God, we soon find out we are drinking from the wrong wells. In John chapter four Jesus comes to a city in Samaria and sits down at a well, known as Jacob’s well. When Jacob dug this

well, little did he know it would be the meeting place of Jesus and a Samaritan woman, and this meeting would change her life. You see, this woman had been drinking from the wrong wells. In the conversation, the woman told Jesus the well is deep, and you have nothing to draw with. Jesus told the woman, “Whoever drinks this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks the water I give will never thirst again.” This got the woman’s attention, so she asked Jesus for this living water. She soon found out Jesus knew all about her past, as he told her about her five husbands and the man she was living with at the time. She left her water pot to go tell others, but she left with living water in her heart. She came to the well to draw water that day, and she met a man who walked on water and gave her thirsty soul much more. The living water from the deep well of the presence of Jesus can change lives. In II Samuel chapter twelve, we find what God said to David through the prophet Nathan. David had slept with Bathsheba, so he had her husband killed. David drank from the wrong well. He should have been at war with his armies instead of lusting after a married woman. We see that even a man after God’s own heart (see Acts 13:22) can fall to temptation. God reminded David of all he had done for him. He had let him defeat a bear and a lion and the giant Goliath. He had made David king and given him riches. Then God said if that had been too little, I would have given you more. The wells of God’s grace and mercy are deep and never run dry. Grace: getting what you don’t deserve (an unwarranted gift) Mercy: not getting what you deserve (judgment, and wrath) Just like David and the woman at the well, we need help with our temptations and desires of the heart. They are deep wells that produce bitter water, for they separate us from God. The Bible is clear: we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Pay close attention to this verse, for if we do not see ourselves as sinners, we may not see ourselves as needing a savior. Are you thirsty? Do you need a drink? Let the Man that walked on water give you a drink from his well. Father in heaven, let us come to your well of grace and mercy and drink. Help us to pray, being honest about our desires, wants and temptations. Let us see that our temptations identify our deepest desires so we can lay them at your feet. Amen.

774 IH-45 S Huntsville, TX 77340 936-788-6680 KingRanchAgTurf.com