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
Inever thought I’d be here.
Well, that’s not entirely true — I knew “older” would happen eventually. I’ve just always imagined it as a slow, gentle stroll. But lately, it seems that stroll has turned into a sprint… and someone’s trying to shove me aboard a bullet train!
Case in point: I glanced at my calendar this morning — two appointments scheduled. Normally, those are with clients. Today? Both were doctor’s appointments. Sigh. While I am truly thankful for good healthcare, is it strange that I hate having to use it?
So there I was, sitting in the waiting room with my sweet husband. I casually mentioned I didn’t have my reading glasses with me. He asked, “Didn’t bring them at all, or just left them in the car?” I replied, “Didn’t bring them at all — but I have plenty in the car.” He laughed out loud.
And that’s when it hit me… When did I reach the point where I have extra reading glasses — in multiple strengths, no less — stashed everywhere? Purse. Car. Kitchen drawer. Desk. Bathroom counter. Nightstand. I might even check the toolbox just to be sure.
Growing older comes with its quirks. Some days, it makes me chuckle. Some days, it makes me shake my head. But every day, it reminds me how precious life—and laughter—really are.
So, here’s to embracing every season, every stage, and every pair of glasses that help us see the beauty along the way.
Until next time,
Growing older reminds me how precious life— and laughter—really are.
On behalf of CASA of Walker, San Jacinto and Trinity Counties, we would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for your incredible support and involvement in the All About Kids Expo. This event was structured to provide valuable resources for families in our community while creating a magical day for the kids.
Your contribution played a vital role in making it a resounding success! Thank you for believing in our mission and providing a fun activity for children to take home and have fun!
Kim Weiser, Executive Director
Laura Green, Development Director
Pat Stephenson, CASA Board President
On behalf of everyone at SAAFE House, I wanted to extend our heartfelt thanks for your generous sponsorship to our Lucky Charm Bingo fundraiser. Your support means the world to us and plays a crucial role in helping us continue our mission in Walker County. With your contribution, we are able to provide vital services to those in need and make a positive impact in our community. Your commitment to our cause is truly appreciated, and we are incredibly grateful for your partnership.
Thank you once again for your kindness and generosity. We look forward to continuing our work together and creating more meaningful change in the lives of others.
Tammy Farkas, Community Relations Director
The purpose of the Hall of Champions is to acknowledge the outstanding lifetime achievements of former Huntsville Hornets in a variety of categories. The honor reflects personal and professional accomplishments, as well as larger contributions to our society at a local, state, national, or international level. Honorees are role models and represent Champions in life.
• Graduate of Huntsville High School at least 15 Years ago; Or
• Former HISD employee or trustee whose contributions left a lasting impact on the community; And
• Accomplished outstanding lifetime achievements as described above
At913 East Oak Street in Houston, a little white house sits sheltered between two gated townhouse communities. This is the headquarters of Hives for Heroes, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit. The narrow front door opens to a mighty-sized network stocked with $250 cases of Texas Tallow and Wildflower Honey harvested by veterans. What once began as a party of twelve has now grown into 9,000 members across 32 states. Hives is on a mission to save honeybees from extinction, increase the national food supply, and prevent suicide by giving veterans and first responders a continued purpose to serve…and Postcards sat down with four members of Hives for Heroes (including one from New Waverly!) to discuss the buzz surrounding their growing notoriety.
Mike Bussman
Diagnosed with MS for fifteen years, Bussman is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and a former stockbroker. He slowly hand-cranks the label machine, gently attaching the white “Heroes for Honey” label to each $20 amber-colored bottle.
How long have you been affiliated with Hives for Heroes?
About a year and a half. My wife sent me an article from a magazine and said, “Why not try this?” So, I came down one day, and I’ve been coming ever since.
Tell us about your first time in the bee yard.
I didn’t check all my zippers. <laughs> I went home, took a shower, and my wife and daughter picked fifty stingers out of my head. But it’s been a lot of fun and educational. I learn something new every day.
How has Hives for Heroes transformed your life?
When I showed up here, it was like coming home. I’ve heard about men without this built-in group. They’re lost, and I feel bad for them. This organization allows you to have a purpose.
A retired, soft-spoken U.S. Army Sergeant, Glenn served in the Gulf War and is a resident of Houston’s Fifth Ward. He points to the slogan on his white T-shirt: ‘21 healthy benefits of raw honey.’ After his mother passed in 2011, Glenn began his journey in community farming. Then in 2020, COVID-19 hit, and his master gardener passed away. Soon after, Glenn’s son met Jimenez, and they eventually met up. Glenn, a corporate beekeeper, gives back to his community through networking with Hives for Heroes honey and assisting his aunt in distributing food to the Fifth Ward.
Talk about your purpose with Hives.
One morning, I was going to work and asked God to feed abused and
oppressed, financially poor people of the world. A voice that sounded like the one in the movie The Blues Brothers told me, “YOU do it.” God promoted me from the dirt to the water to the plain. We did hydroponic gardens inside a forty-foot trailer.
Share your first experience with the bees.
I joined Steve (the founder) at headquarters. He had five hives in the backyard. Troy (who handles IT) was my mentor. Best honey I ever had. I said, “I don’t know tech, but I know how to sell.”
How do you sell the honey?
Word of mouth and my T-shirt. I have a couple of partners that help as well.
Connection, purpose, relationship, and service. That's our mission.
Steve Jimenez
The founder of Hives for Heroes, Jimenez is a retired U.S. Marine.
You started Hives for Heroes in Houston. How did you spread the word across the country?
We call ourselves a word-of-mouth network that brings a lot of people with a lot of skillsets together in a singular mission to stop suicide. It’s a peer-topeer mentorship platform. There are 9,000 members across the country, with 1,700 of those in Texas.
Do you promote events?
On July 5th, we have a bottling event In Houston at the American Legion from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, and we have a gala in the first part of November.
What is the cost of a start-up?
It doesn’t cost a veteran anything. No shipping, no handling, no anything. We take care of it all at headquarters, and they get a percentage of the sales. Whether it’s getting started or benefits like education, we say, “No excuses.” That’s what we call removing financial barriers and roadblocks for their success.
The organization is supported through product sales and a growing list of sponsors, including Hewlett Packard Enterprises, Rice University, Texas AgriLife Extension Center, Kodiak Gas, HEB, and the University of Florida.
Share about product quality.
80% of the honey sold in stores is filtrated, imported, is heated, and has no pollen content. It’s sugar water. So, we’re providing a premium product at a pretty darn good deal for you to take care of your health.
Have you talked about selling your honey in stores like HEB? Yes, HEB are good friends of ours. They provide a tremendous amount of money and scholarships to our organization. The truth is, the hands of a veteran touch every bit of this organization. That is more important to us than money.
A U.S. Army Veteran, Yard is a corporate beekeeper from New Waverly and the IT Web Developer for Hives.
Working at headquarters, you seem to touch just about every aspect of Hives.
On the administrative side, that’s true. The sales piece really started with Cleveland. Mike served as the bottler, and Cleveland grabs cases and goes out there and spreads the news.
When it comes to communication, Hives has a monthly nationwide meet up on Zoom. We’ll also have YouTube live events where we’ll have a prominent beekeeper do an interview.
How do you view the mission of Hives?
All the money goes back to veterans in many ways. The Bee More Scholarship is for secondary beekeepers. They can win a thousand dollars to continue their education. The Bee U Scholarship is for every veteran and first responder to become a master beekeeper. We have an affiliation with all thirteen schools.
Connection, purpose, relationship, and service. That’s our mission. We connect veterans and first responders with beekeepers to give them a purpose while they’re learning to serve our nation by taking care of bees. Without bees, we have no food, and we have no you.
Do natural disasters and pesticides impact beekeeping?
Absolutely. Commercial beekeepers lost 62% of their bees last year. In North Carolina last year, we had a huge loss of bees and sent money directly to beekeepers within our organization to help them reestablish their apiaries. Everything we do in this organization is always for those out there supporting and providing for this nation.
What is your theory about beekeeping helping veterans? In the military, when chaos happens, we calm down; we relax. We stay focused (much like bees). We quickly assess a situation, because that’s where we feel at home.
We need ‘m&ms’—money and mentors. Sign up and become a mentor in a veteran or first responder’s life.”
Whenever asked how many veterans he wants to join Hives for Heroes, founder Steve Jiminez always says, “Just one more.” For more information, to donate, or if you’re a veteran or first responder and would like to become involved, visit hivesforheroes.org.
Pre-K thru 5th Grade Saturday, August 2, 2025 9:00am to 1:00pm (Snack & Lunch Provided)
Honoring
https://Wesleymemorialmc.mycokesburyvbs.com/register-child
Huntsville High School
Spanish
She
Huntsville High School
FAVORITE MOVIE:
Transformers: One
FAVORITE MUSIC/ARTIST: Loathe
FAVORITE FOOD:
Pho, and anything my Mom makes
FAVORITE QUOTE:
“You can’t be afraid of people willing to hurt you, ‘cause if you fear life, then you will never live.” --Chester Bennington
Priscila is a 2025 graduate of Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Jose Angel Varela and Maribel Varela. Her activities included painting, drawing, National Art Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society. Priscila plans to attend Sam Houston State University to study animal science and continue to work in art. She believes, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”
Huntsville High School
FAVORITE MOVIE: The Nightmare Before Christmas
FAVORITE MUSIC/ARTIST: (Unknown)
FAVORITE FOOD: Steak
FAVORITE QUOTE: (None given)
Brooke is a 2025 graduate of Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Justin and Kelly Blissett. She has enlisted in the U.S. Army and plans to be a combat medic. Brooke will leave for bootcamp in August. She believes, “Never settle for less.”
Fridays:
Evening Guided Hikes – Family-friendly activity!
Saturdays:
Gator Talks – Informative presentation, including a live baby alligator!
Fishing with a Ranger – great activity for young ones
In many cases, a state fishing license is not required in Texas State Parks…but it varies by body of water type and location.
For example, in Huntsville State Park, the entire lake is within the park boundary, so no state license is required. At Lake Livingston State Park, the lake extends beyond park boundaries, so a state license is required. facebook.com/HuntsvilleSP (936) 295-5644
Folks
Fun space from page 62-66
Kennedy
Grandchild of Cynthia Bowman
Slater Oates
Grandchild of Danny & Melanie Oates and Chad & Michelle Clossin
Waylon & Scarlett McClure
Grandchildren of the McClure, Stiner, & Wunderlich families
Augustus (Gus) Leroy DeBorde
Great Grandchild of Jean Tinsley
Grandchild of David & Stephanie Bailey and Phil & Michelle Smith
Caleb Ritter (holding) Shepherd Karr, Jonah Ritter, Brendan Karr, Ethan Ritter, Harrison Karr
Grandchildren of Anne Karr-Woodard & the late Spencer Karr
It’s definitely “better late than never” for this Texas artist finding footing in his forties.
BY AMY BARNETT | SUBMITTED PHOTOS
At43, Texas country artist Nate Burnham is hitting his stride with a fresh sound and a growing fanbase. After years of running his own business, this husband and father of four is focused full-time on music, blending heartfelt songwriting with energetic performances. His latest release, a bluegrass-tinged duet with Randall King on “Mirror, Mirror,” reimagines the Texas hit with a new twist. With two albums and more than 35 songs released since 2021, Burnham is making his mark on the Texas Music Scene.
You have taken a song by country artist Randall King and given it a completely different feel – almost bluegrass. Tell about the decision to record “Mirror, Mirror.”
Grace Partridge (who plays fiddle and is also a western swing artist) and I were both listening to Randall King at the time and decided to make a TikTok. We decided to play “Mirror, Mirror” a little upbeat. We started playing around with it and laughing, but we thought it sounded good, so we recorded a version of it and tagged Randall King. He said, “This is great. You should record it and have me sing on it with you.” So, we did!
What a nice surprise! How does it feel to have a duet with Randall King?
When Randall’s voice comes in, it sounds great. It’s really cool to be able to work with Randall, who is one of the biggest acts in Texas now. You are always looking for a break, and something like this doesn’t come around often, so I am very grateful.
You’ve had many songs out on streaming now. Share how you got started in music.
I grew up listening to Pat Green, Cory Morrow and Charlie Robison and all the Texas Red Dirt singers and Oklahoma guys, and I thought that was the coolest thing in the world – to have people write music and it be a window to the world of what’s going on in their life.
When I started playing guitar, I realized it’s cheaper than therapy— being able to put your emotions and feelings into a song. When I started writing songs, I wrote the songs just for me. It was an outlet, but then opportunities happened. I put a song out, and learned people connected to what I was doing. That ultimately pushed me to pursue music.
After I got married, I started doing
open-mic nights in Austin. Then in 2012, I cut an album and released it. Wire Road Studios had just opened in Houston, where Beyonce, Pat Green and Seinfeld have all recorded. But right when they opened, I got to be the guinea pig.
Then I moved to Idaho and started a pest control company the same year. I was naïve to think I could do both. Starting a business just starts taking everything over, and so I released the album, but never toured with it. I just made a CD and still have boxes of CDs that I never sold or gave away. The album was called “Crash Course,” because the whole process was a crash course in music and recording; plus, I have a song on the album called “Crash Course with Lonely,” so the title just kind of worked out.
When did you decide it was time to give up the pest control business and do music full time?
My family and I left Idaho to move back to Texas in 2020, and then COVID happened, so I started really pursuing music – recording and playing shows –in January 2021. I’ve released 35 songs and two albums since then.
What is your favorite song you have written?
Someone asked Pat Green this a long time ago, and he said, “My favorite song is my next one.” That always rang true with me. Every song tells a story, so they are each a part of you. The most recent song before “Mirror, Mirror” –“If it Kills Me” – is super special to me. It’s about: There is a bad storm, but I have been gone so long that I have to get home, and I am going to be there if it kills me. When I wrote it, I was traveling a lot for business and was gone on a 2-week run and living in Idaho. I flew into Salt Lake City and had to drive three hours home that night; it was snowing, like a blizzard. It was really bad and had me thinking – maybe I should wait. But I had been gone for so long that I was like – I am going to drive through this storm and crawl into bed with my wife tonight if it kills me. About halfway through my drive, the whole idea came to me. I started humming and coming up with a melody, and I pulled over at a gas station. I got my guitar and wrote the song, and then I drove home.
What artists inspire you?
I feel like I have all these phases of music – but Dirks Bentley, Dwight Yoakum and Chris LeDoux have always inspired me – Miranda Lambert, too. I met her and her dad before “Kerosene” came out. She had just finished Nashville Star, and I was going to college in Arizona. I was starving for Texas music, and this girl from Texas was coming to play at the bar. I sat in the back and talked to her dad for a while. He was the nicest. I watched her career from that moment on, so I’ve always been a Miranda fan. Her songwriting is phenomenal.
What can people expect when they see you perform live?
People say I am funny, and I didn’t realize that was part of my schtick. I tend to blurt things out and I hope people find it funny, but I like talking to the audience and connecting with people. I love to bring the
energy, but I like the highs and lows and sharing the stories of my life. I feel people are connecting just like I was when I would go hear my favorite artists tell the stories behind their songs. I like taking people on the journey with me.
Do you have a favorite venue to play?
There are so many. I recently got to play Gruene Hall for the first time with Hayden Baker. That’s been a bucket list place for obvious reasons. My daughter’s middle name is Gruene. Our favorite dance hall is Coupland Dance Hall. It’s where my wife and I fell in love, and I got to play there last year. I love Southern Junction, too. I live in Rockwall; it’s a great dance hall, and it’s cool to have a hometown show there. Around Texas – those are the three I love the most.
People say I am funny, and I didn't realize that was part of my schtick. I tend to blurt things out..." ”
How do you like to spend your time when you are not playing music?
I am a big hunter, a big outdoorsman. As a family, we love to go to state parks and museums. We are always looking for new places to explore. I like archery elk hunting, so I go to the mountains every September to hunt. I also do a lot of duck hunting with my boys in the winter. It’s like songwriting; getting outdoors is cheaper than therapy. My wife will tell you, when I get back from the
mountains I am as stress-free as I am all year.
Anything else you want new fans to know about you?
My wife and kids are the best things going on in my life. We have four kids, so it’s a challenge to be an up and comer in the music industry; but somehow, I have been lucky enough that they all support me. One of the challenges of being gone is being away from them. If I’m gone for three or five
Visit www.nateburnham.com to learn more about Nate and find out where he will be playing next.
days, it starts to hurt. I have two boys and two girls, and you just want to get hugs from your girls and wrestle with your boys. It wears on you after a while, but we feel we have something with the music. I am fortunate to have a wife who is willing to let me have a run at it.
You hear people say it’s never too late to start over; I guess I am in the process of trying to answer that question, so wish me luck.
I was in a taxi today, and the driver said, “I love my job. I’m my own boss. Nobody tells me what to do.”
Then I said, “Turn left here.”
••••••••••••••••••••
Two of my friends have never met each other. Before they were going to meet and speak to each other, I told each of them that the other is a bit deaf. They shouted at each other for about five minutes before they realized I’m just a jerk who thought that would be funny.
••••••••••••••••••••
I need to re-home a dog. It’s a small terrier and tends to bark a lot. If you’re interested, let me know and I’ll jump over my neighbor’s fence and get it for you.
••••••••••••••••••••
If you unfriend me and later decide to send me another friend request…there will be a $29.99 reconnection fee.
As I lay there, my naked body covered in chocolate and whipped cream, I hear those five inevitable words… “Clean up on aisle three.”
••••••••••••••••••••
Right before I pass away, I’m going to swallow a whole bag of popcorn kernels…just to make the cremation a bit more exciting.
••••••••••••••••••••
You know what annoys me? When you go to someone’s house, and they ask you to take your shoes off at the front door. 99 times out of 100, they don’t even have a bouncy castle.
••••••••••••••••••••
Just before sweet potatoes are mashed, they become very quiet. This is known as “the silence of the yams.”
Me: What could possibly go wrong?
Anxiety: Sit down, I made a PowerPoint presentation.
••••••••••••••••••••
My boss said I intimidate my coworkers. So…I stared at him until he apologized.
••••••••••••••••••••
I told my husband I wanted to donate my clothes to starving people. He said anyone who fits them isn’t starving. His funeral is today at 3 pm.
••••••••••••••••••••
At a couples counseling meeting, the speaker mentioned that couples today are so disconnected that 85% of husbands don’t even know their wife’s favorite flower.
Mick turned to his wife and whispered, “It’s self-rising, isn’t it?”
I hate it when you can’t figure out how to operate the iPad, and the resident tech expert is asleep. Because he’s five. And it’s past his bedtime.
••••••••••••••••••••
I went into my boys' bedroom early one Monday morning to wake them up. My oldest got up quickly. CJ (my youngest), however, stayed in bed with heavy eyes and said, "MOM, I can't do it! MOM, I need help. I can't do it!"
It's just going to get harder as the years go by, kid.
••••••••••••••••••••
I told my daughter, "Go to bed, the cows are sleeping in the field." She said, What's that got to do with anything?" I said, "It means it's pasture bedtime."
••••••••••••••••••••
After days of searching for a tiny Lego my teary-eyed son needed to build his new set, I spent $6 for a replacement part I found online. This morning, I felt something inside my shoe and pulled out the missing piece. He said, "Oh, yeah! I put it in there so you'd step on it! Hahaha."
••••••••••••••••••••
Every morning, my 2-yo sits up in her bed and yells, "HELP, I WOKE UP"... and I think we can all relate.
••••••••••••••••••••
My son got his report card today. Academically, he did well, but his teacher wrote a note specifying, "He needs to use kind words with friends." I asked him about it, and he said, "My friends are dumb, and they need to know."
Do your knees ache after working in the yard? Does your child get headaches during allergy season? Maybe your back feels stiff after a long day, or your teenager is sore from sports.
There’s a kind of hands-on medical care that may help. It’s called osteopathic treatment. Some doctors are trained to use their hands to gently stretch, press, or move parts of the body. This can help ease pain, improve movement, and support healing.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, OMT for short, can help with sore muscles, stiff joints, breathing trouble, stomach aches, and more. Some people feel better after one visit, and others come back for more over time. The goal is to ease pain and help your body heal without immediately needing medication or surgery.
OMT is one part of osteopathic medicine, which focuses on whole-body care. It’s used by doctors called DOs, or Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. Like MDs, DOs are fully licensed physicians who go through four years of medical school and residency. During their training, they learn how to treat the whole person, not just the person’s
symptoms, by understanding how the body’s systems work together to support healing and good health.
Not every visit with a DO includes OMT. It’s a specific type of treatment that can be added to your care plan when it fits your needs or requested as a special kind of appointment.
OMT can be used for people of all ages. It may help with:
• Back and neck pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Sinus pressure and allergies
• Sports injuries or joint pain
• Asthma or breathing trouble
• Stomach issues like constipation
• Pregnancy-related aches
• Stress or sleep issues in kids
• Stiffness or balance problems in older adults
Even kids with growing pains or older adults with sore joints may feel better after treatment.
If OMT is right for you, the visit starts with a talk about how you’re feeling. The doctor will gently check how your muscles and joints are working. Then
Dr. Gary L. Rhame, DO SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine
they’ll use their hands to stretch or move the areas that need care.
The treatment is gentle and safe. Many people say it feels relaxing.
Why It Matters in Communities Like Ours
In busy, active communities like ours, families are always looking for effective, convenient ways to stay healthy and manage everyday aches and pains. Whether it’s from weekend sports, time on the water, or juggling work and family life, OMT offers a hands-on option to help you feel better. You don’t always have to rely on medication or referrals. With its whole-body approach to care, osteopathic medicine supports your health in a way that fits into your lifestyle.
Where Can I Learn More?
OMT is offered by DOs across the country, including at SHSU Physicians in Conroe. Whether it’s for sore muscles, growing pains, or a sports injury, this hands-on approach may be worth asking about. It’s just one more way to care for your family’s health, supporting both mind and body.
1
School You Attended? Wylie High School in Abilene, Abilene Christian University, Southwest Graduate School of Banking at SMU
2 Favorite Movie? Tombstone
3
How Did You Make Your First Dollar?
Scoring a goal in soccer when I was three. Thanks, Mamoo! Also, Taco Bell at 16.
4
5
6
Book That Left A Lasting Impression On You? The Bible. It was a priority to my parents and their parents.
Last Thing You BingeWatched? Suits
What Would We Find You Riding Down The Road Listening To?
Texas Country Music
7 Your Favorite Dish? Chicken parm, fried shrimp, street tacos…
8
9
10
11
12
Your Go-To Barista Order? Black coffee guy. The rest is way too sweet.
Favorite Childhood Memory Age 10, the last morning with my dad at soccer practice before he was killed in an accident at work.
Something That Would Surprise Us About You? I’m a huge Texas Rangers fan.
What Would We Find You Doing On Your Day Off? Chasing my kids to all their activities.
How Would Your Perfect Day Begin? Waking up in the Caribbean somewhere then going to the beach.
13
14
How Do You Clear Your Mind After A Bad Day? Come home and focus on my wife and kids.
One Thing You’re Epically Bad At? Public speaking.
15 Bucket List Item You’re Most Glad You’ve Done? Atlantis in the Bahamas
16
17
Top Thing Left To Do On Your Bucket List? Stay in an over-water bungalow.
If You Could Live Abroad, Where Would That Be? Grand Cayman
18 Who Do You Admire? My mother. She is incredibly strong and hard-working, with a huge heart.
19
20 Advice To Your Younger Self? Take learning more seriously. Kyle Whisenhunt Bank Executive, First Financial - Huntsville
Best Advice You’ve Ever Gotten? Don’t miss a moment with your kids; you can never get those back.
Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. Our federal holiday this month is Independence Day, which is observed on Friday this year, the Fourth of July. In the words of Reverend Peter Marshall: “May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.” Swimsuit season is upon us. How are your summer bodies coming along, so far? Mine is looking like I have a great personality. Send me your questions by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share
DEAR GABBY
I live in Maine, and a Texan friend sent me a copy of Postcards Magazine, so I thought I’d send you a question. I’m contemplating a trip to Southeast Texas next month and keep hearing jokes about the heat. I think they must be pulling my leg. Seriously, how’s the weather there around August?
COOL DUDE
DEAR COOL
Have you ever been cremated? Now, calm down. If you wanted a serious answer, you should have asked a serious person. While summer here is hotter than a jalapeño’s armpit, everyone should experience summertime in Texas, at least once. Where else will you wonder if you’re still wet from the shower or already sweating? Come on down, the hospitality here makes up for a little discomfort. That’s how we got so tough!
DEAR GABBY
I am expecting my first baby and, the way that I love my fourlegged fur babies, I don’t think the transition will be very hard. Love is love, and I am so looking forward to becoming a mom. I hope I’m ready. Maybe the dogs and cats will have helped pave the way.
ANXIOUSLY EXPECTING
Wishing you all the best for your growing family! Being a little uneasy is perfectly normal for your first baby. Pets were a good first step. Being a dog mom can definitely help prepare you for babies. Being a cat mom will more likely prepare you for teenagers.
Gabby
Gabby
CONFIDENTIAL TO “WHEN IS THE ONLY TIME RED, WHITE AND BLUE DO NOT REPRESENT FREEDOM?:
When they are flashing behind you! Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
ATexas summer always separates a pansy from a seasoned Texan (literally and figuratively)! It is July, and the heat is on. It is time (actually past time) to replace the spring annuals with heat tolerant plant varieties. Here’s a list of tips to get your garden through the heat and prep for fall.
• Spring annuals and some perennials can be revived by moving the plants (such as geraniums, petunias, and calibrachoas) to a morning sun-shady afternoon location. Hanging baskets that have become “leggy” should be trimmed to the rim, fertilized, and new growth will appear in weeks.
• Hardy, blooming, summer annuals for ½ day sun to all day sun are: vinca, blue daze, purslane, portulaca (moss rose)
• Hardy blooming, summer perennials are numerous, but here are our favorites: salvia, echinacea, gazanias, plumbago, coreopsis, lantana, buddleia, bee balm, roses, daylilies, and iris.
• Blooming, deer resistant annuals or perennials for deep shade: hmmm, God has not sent the memo on that one yet! Try heuchera (coral bells) or ajuga. Both are ground cover perennials that are deer resistant and have a variety of blooms during the summer. A summer favorite for bright color in deep shade is caladiums and coleus; neither are deer resistant, but a must in a summer landscape. P.S. – there are sun tolerant and shade loving caladiums and coleus, too.
“Can I plant in the summer”? The answer is YES, providing you will be watering on a consistent basis and keeping a vigilant eye on the landscape. Almost all commercial landscape projects begin in mid-summer and end in late August, because that is the nature of the construction business (and landscape is always the tail end of the dog, so to say). These landscapes always do well; so yes, you can plant during the summer months.
• If the rains stop and the summer becomes extremely dry, watch out. For those who live in an area with a heavy deer presence, nothing is off limits—and your irrigated landscape can become the buffet. If you feed the deer, it is a guarantee they will start into your landscape, because a precedent has been established.
• July 1st is the date to plant pumpkin seeds for harvest by Halloween, and it’s also a great time to get in that second crop of watermelon and cantaloupe. Till under spring selections that have gone to seed; add humus and be ready for fall seed planting that begins the first of August.
• Heavy rains and frequent watering leech the soil of needed nutrients. Consider using a liquid organic fertilizer by
Kim Bius President, Kim's Home & Garden Center
Foxfarm, Medina, or a slow release such as Osmocote to keep the landscape lush. Iron sulphate, aka copperas, is a great granular additive for plants such as hydrangea, gardenias, and azaleas that are showing an iron deficiency. Green veins and lime yellow leaves are dead giveaways.
• Be on the lookout for spider mites, chinch bugs, and lace bugs. They are “visiting” and leaving destruction in their path. Lace bugs are notorious for loving azaleas and lantana. The white crispy leaves are telltale signs of lace bugs. Check the underside of the leaves and you will see tiny black dots. Spider mites are microscopic and cannot be seen, but their webbing and the overnight brown leaves are a sure sign they are present. Systemic insecticide is the only viable treatment once spider mites become an issue. Work in the garden early or late in the evening, stay hydrated, and garden on.
Enjoy the summer!
INGREDIENTS
Dressing:
2 Tbs white wine vinegar
2 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbs freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 ½ tsp Italian seasoning
1 ½ tsp honey
1 clove minced garlic
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp dried basil
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
⅓ cup olive oil
Salad:
1 lb thin spaghetti
1 cup baby spinach, rinsed and dried
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup frozen peas
1 carrot, grated
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 Roma tomato, diced
4 oz crumbled goat cheese, or to taste
¼ cup toasted sliced almonds, or to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Whisk together white wine vinegar, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, honey, garlic, Dijon mustard, basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until well combined. Gradually mix in olive oil, whisking constantly. Set dressing aside.
Step 2: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes.
Step 3: While spaghetti cooks, prepare all the vegetables. Combine spinach, broccoli, peas, carrot, red onion, cucumber, and tomato in a large bowl.
Step 4: Drain pasta and add to the bowl with the vegetables. Toss pasta and veggies together. Pour dressing over pasta and veggies and toss until thoroughly combined. Add goat cheese and almonds and toss again to combine.
Step 5: Cover pasta, and chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours to overnight. Taste pasta salad, and season with more salt and pepper, if necessary.
COOK’S TIP
You can increase, decrease, or sub out any veggies you wish. Some excellent additions to this recipe would be bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, zucchini, cauliflower
INGREDIENTS
Cornbread: cooking spray
1 (16 oz) pkg cornbread mix
1 ½ cups water
Salad:
10 slices bacon
1 ½ cups sour cream
1 ½ cups mayonnaise
1 (1 ounce) package ranch dressing mix
2 (15 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained
3 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped green onion
2 (11 ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: To make the cornbread: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray the bottom and sides of an 8x8-inch pan with cooking spray.
Step 2: Combine cornbread mix and water in a large mixing bowl until smooth; pour into prepared pan.
Step 3: Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool; crumble and set aside.
Step 4: Meanwhile, make the salad: Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon slices on paper towels.
Step 5: Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, and dressing mix together in a medium bowl.
Step 6: Crumble 1/2 of cornbread in the bottom of a large serving dish. Evenly layer with 1 can of pinto beans, 1/2 of the tomatoes, 1/2 cup green bell pepper, 1/2 cup green onions, 1 can of corn, 1 cup of cheese, 1/2 of the bacon, and 1/2 of the sour cream mixture. Repeat the layers. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.
If a surgeon told you that cutting is your only option…stop! There is another way, and you deserve to know about it before you go under the knife.
If You’re Over 40 And Sciatica Is Slowing You Down… This Is For You.
You know that pain, it starts in your lower back, shoots down your leg, and maybe into your calf or foot. Sitting hurts - standing hurts. Walking more than a few minutes? Forget about it.
That’s sciatica. And it doesn’t just steal your comfort, it steals your freedom.
But here’s the truth no one else is telling you:
This Is Not “Just Something You Have To Live With.”
We hear it every day, “My doctor said it’s part of getting older.” No, it’s not! It’s part of a bigger problem that can be fixed.
That pain, that numbness, that burning down your leg…it’s a nerve being pinched. And the longer you ignore it, the more damage it can do.
You Don’t Need Another Pain Pill or Injection, You Need a Real Plan.
Pills don’t fix sciatica. At best, they numb the pain. At worst, they cause side effects and leave you still hurting. And surgery? Expensive, risky, and it doesn’t always work.
At Huntsville Physical Medicine Institute, we do things differently.
Our Sciatica Relief Program: Built For People Like You.
This isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” clinic. We build custom plans based on your condition, your lifestyle, and your goals.
• Gentle spinal decompression to relieve pressure from the sciatic nerve
• Chiropractic adjustments to improve alignment and nerve flow
• Rehab to strengthen weak areas and restore balance
• Inflammation support and nutrition to help you heal faster
No drugs - No surgery. Just a smart plan to get you better.
“I couldn’t even sit through church without sharp pain down my leg. Now I can sit, stand, and even walk with my grandkids again.” –David L.
“I thought I’d need back surgery. They helped me avoid it. I’m so glad I found this place.” –Nancy B.
Sciatica gets worse the longer it’s ignored. Numbness can become permanent. Pain can spread. Your world gets smaller and smaller.
We’re now offering a Sciatica Relief Evaluation to see if we can help.
CALL (936) 241-7673 TODAY
If you’re tired of sciatica controlling your day, and ready for a real solution, this could be your turning point.
Let’s fix the problem and let’s get you moving again. Call now, don’t wait for it to get worse.
-Dr. Brian McGee, DC
P.S. We only set aside a limited number of Sciatica Relief Evaluations each month. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Call (936) 241-7673 now and grab your spot before someone else does. This could be the call that changes everything.
INGREDIENTS
1 ¾ cups water, divided
1 (8 oz) can pineapple chunks, drained (juice reserved)
¾ cup white sugar
½ cup distilled white vinegar
2 drops orange food color
¼ cup cornstarch
2 ¼ cups self-rising flour
2 Tbs vegetable oil
2 Tbs cornstarch
1 large egg
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground white pepper
1 ½ cups water
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1-inch cubes
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
2 green bell peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Combine 1 ½ cups of water, reserved pineapple juice, sugar, vinegar, and orange food coloring in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; set aside.
Step 2: Mix 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water together in a small bowl until smooth; pour into the sauce, stirring continuously, until slightly thickened.
Step 3: Place flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, egg, salt, and white pepper in a large bowl; gradually whisk in 1 1/2 cups water to make a thick batter.
Step 4: Add chicken pieces; stir until well coated.
Step 5: Heat oil in a large, deep skillet or wok to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Fry chicken pieces in preheated oil until golden, about 10 minutes; remove and drain on paper towels.
Step 6: Layer green peppers, pineapple chunks, and cooked chicken pieces on a platter; pour hot sweet and sour sauce over top.
INGREDIENTS
10 unpeeled red potatoes
¾ cup sour cream
¾ cup mayonnaise
½ white onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1 Tbs apple cider vinegar, or to taste
1 Tbs Dijon mustard, or to taste
1 tsp celery salt
salt and black pepper to taste
5 hard-boiled eggs, roughly chopped
1 Tbs dried dill weed
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: Place potatoes in a large pot, cover them with water, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the potatoes are cooked through but still firm, about 20 minutes. Remove from the water, let cool, and cut potatoes into chunks. Set aside.
Step 2: Stir sour cream, mayonnaise, onion, celery, vinegar, mustard, celery salt, and salt and pepper together in a bowl until well combined.
Step 3: Place potatoes and eggs in a large salad bowl; sprinkle with dried dill. Pour dressing over potatoes and eggs; mix lightly.
Step 4: Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes or overnight. Serve cold.
INGREDIENTS
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 (29 oz) cans tomato sauce
4 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbs chopped fresh basil
2 lbs ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
DIRECTIONS
Step 1: In a large pot mix together garlic, tomato sauce, tomato paste, parsley and basil. Bring sauce to a boil and then turn down the heat and simmer.
Step 2: In a large bowl mix together the ground beef, ground pork, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder and parsley. Shape into balls the size of a child’s fist. In a skillet, fry meatballs in hot olive oil until brown. Add to sauce mixture. Simmer over low heat for four hours.
TIP
You can make the sauce with the meatball recipe included here or substitute a 2-pound beef shoulder or pork rump. For vegetarian version of the sauce, substitute 2 1/2 pounds of zucchini.
While parts of the area are difficult to access, it’s easy to “fall” for the breathtaking beauty.
My husband and I have taken many road trips throughout Texas, hiking at scenic spots such as Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Big Bend National Park, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park. There’s a lot to see and do in Texas. In April, however, we ventured to an adjacent state. In about the same amount of time it took us to reach the aforementioned Texas parks, we arrived at Boxley Valley, Arkansas. Although the area had been suggested by a friend who is from Arkansas, we weren’t fully prepared for the natural beauty that awaited us.
In 1972, the Buffalo River became the first national river. Now managed by the National Park Service (NPS), the Buffalo National River remains one of the few undammed rivers in the contiguous 48 states. Meandering through the Ozark Mountains for 135 miles, it is popular among people who like to float down the river. It’s not hard to find outfitting companies that provide canoe and kayak rentals. Elk graze along the riverbank. According to the helpful people at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Ponca Nature Center, the seven-mile strip along the Buffalo National River between the tiny towns of Ponca and Boxley is considered one of the best places in Arkansas to view elk from the safety of an automobile. At dawn and dusk, elk are often spotted in the verdant pastures along the river. Be careful! Elk sometimes cross the road.
We saw plenty of elk on our spring trip, but to see impressive antlers visit in the fall, because elk shed their antlers in early spring before growing them again during the late spring and summer. In the fall, visitors also have the opportunity to hear the bull elks’ impressive bugling as they attempt to gain the affection of the cows—and might even see them battling with their long antlers.
If that’s not enough to make a trip seem worthwhile, consider that the mountain creeks which feed into the Buffalo National River are known for a proliferation of waterfalls. They are especially impressive in the spring. According to Tim Ernst, author of Arkansas Waterfalls, “The Buffalo River region in northwest Arkansas is a land
of towering limestone and sandstone bluffs, caves, springs, rivers, and countless waterfalls.”
Some of these waterfalls are hiking destinations. One of our favorites was Glory Hole Falls, which is one of the most easily recognized waterfalls in Arkansas. Water pours through a hole in the roof of a cavern, and hikers can view this spectacle from above and below. The out-and-back hike is rated “moderate” in difficulty. It is about two miles roundtrip and features a muscleburning uphill section on the way back to the trailhead. There were slippery rocks to navigate, but we took our time
and managed to return to our vehicle without injury. It was worth the walk. Twin Falls (sometimes called Triple Falls) was our favorite waterfall. It is located on the edge of the Boy Scouts of America’s Camp Orr. The road to the trailhead is treacherous, and we found ourselves wishing our vehicle had four-wheel drive. The walk to the falls, however, is short, and we knew we were getting close when we could hear the roar of water. The scene is breathtaking: water pours over a cliff in three distinct streams nearly 50 feet before splashing in a pool below.
Eden Falls is also a popular destination. The trail begins at the Lost Valley Trailhead, which is managed by the NPS. The hike allows people to see several named waterfalls, as well as many unnamed ones, including one in a cave. (The rocks at the mouth of the cave looked quite slippery, and the trip necessitated a jump over a stream, so we decided to bypass the cave waterfall.) Meanwhile, we also decided against attempting the hike to one of the most well-known waterfalls in Arkansas, Hemmed-in Hollow Falls, which is in the area. The water cascades more than 200 feet, making it the highest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rockies. The NPS warns that the hike to access Hemmed-in Hollow Falls is on an “extremely steep and strenuous trail that will humble even the most experienced hiker.” Noted. (One website mentions an easier hike, but it is only accessible during canoeing season— March through June—by floating the upper Buffalo River.)
The creeks that provide the water for destination waterfalls contain many smaller, unnamed falls. We lost count of the waterfalls we saw in just a few days of hiking. Thankfully, I had a well-charged camera battery. Everywhere I looked, I seemed to find a photo opportunity.
One of the first things we discovered on our trip was that some hiking destinations seemed to exemplify Gary P. Nunn’s song You Can’t Get There from Here. One situation was almost comical: according to Google Maps, Eden Falls was a scant .7 mile from our cabin. Our Airbnb host pointed out the location but warned the area is “muddy and snaky.” (Nope.) To get to the trailhead, we drove 9.9 miles, which took nearly 25 minutes, but it was worth the trip.
Also, be aware that, because of the mountainous terrain, roads in the area are serpentine and change in elevation. Many road signs warn the roadways are “crooked and steep.” We are used to the wide, open spaces of Texas, where a 20-mile drive takes about 20 minutes (even less when headed toward west Texas on I-10); however, in this mountainous region of Arkansas, a 20-mile trip takes about an hour.
More than once, we wished we had a four-wheel drive vehicle, and we quickly discovered we needed to do our research before driving to a trailhead.
Not only were some access roads steep, many were unpaved, and some trailheads had little or no parking available. Fortunately, Arkansas Waterfalls (available on Amazon) gives pertinent details about 200-plus waterfalls, including more than 60 in the Buffalo National River region. The book provides photos, plus detailed directions to trailheads, parking information and the GPS coordinates of waterfalls, as well as difficulty ratings of hikes. Don’t worry: some waterfalls can be seen from vehicles or after easy hikes of less than a mile. Some trailheads have adequate parking, too.
We also observed that cell service in the area is spotty (sometimes nonexistent). We learned to take careful written notes of our directions before leaving our cabin, because Google Maps often became confused when cell service flickered.
One of the most surprising things about our visit was the lack of commerce in the area. We saw many isolated farms, but we never saw a single grocery store. We were glad we had stocked up on groceries before we arrived; otherwise, we would have had to drive for more than a half hour on snaky roads to find one. Furthermore, there were few restaurants. We saw only one or two. Gas stations were equally hard to find, so we were relieved we had topped off our tank before we plunged deep into mountain territory.
Much of the land in the Buffalo National River area is privately owned; our Airbnb host told me her farm has been in the family for nine generations. The farm has serene mountain views and lush grass, where healthy cows graze. Elk sometimes visit. She said, “I don’t know why I am the one who gets to be so blessed.” For once, I thought of the right thing to say. I told her, “Just be grateful.”
For more information, visit nps.gov/buffaloriver.
Who has to work on the 4th of July? Fireworks
What was the most popular dance in 1776? The indepen-dance.
What did the flag do when it lost its voice? It just waved.
What do you get if you cross a stegosaurus with a firework? Dino-myte.
Celebrating the joy of childhood, the power of creativity, and the local businesses that helped us make memories that matter.
We’re thrilled to share that our very first Postcards & Crayons Youth Coloring Contest was a colorful success — with more than 400 entries from local youth! What began as a fun, screen-free activity quickly blossomed into a colorful celebration of creativity, community, and connection.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to the businesses and organizations who sponsored coloring pages and donated fantastic prizes. Your support not only made this contest possible — it made it meaningful.
The excitement and smiles we saw at our Winners Ice Cream Prize Party (sponsored by First Financial Bank) reminded us exactly why we do what we do. At Postcards Magazine, we believe community matters deeply — and that includes our youngest neighbors. When children feel like they are part of something bigger, they are more likely to grow up proud of where they’re from.
That’s why we hope your little ones will stay connected — not just through contests like this and the puzzles we add, but by celebrating their birthdays, graduations, big accomplishments, and everyday joys with us. This magazine is for them, too. Because when they see their name or photo in these pages, it is more than a feature — it’s a celebration of their story.
Victoria Bassford
Cayenne Bennett
Courtlynn Calegon
Madison Chastine
Vaughan Claire
Wyatt Cotton
Elizabeth Diehl
Calla Faseler
Claire Faseler
Alister Gaston
Eloise Gaston
Tyrius Harrison
Scarlett Howe
Julian Juarez
Kingston Lewis
Emma McMillan
Leilani Moreno
Paisley Paschal
Stella Quintanilla
Elise Reynolds
Caroline Salazar
Antonio Sanchez
Harlow Schultz
Hudson Schultz
Cadence Seale
Kira Smith
Tarian Smith
Jeremiah Warr
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Advantage Specialties
Aim Agencies
Amaya’s Collision Center
Boys & Girls Club of Walker County
Cabins & More of Texas
Christ the King Methodist Church
City of Huntsville Parks & Leisure
Climatec Secure Storage
Community Service Credit Union
Covenant Fellowship
Direct PT
First Christian Church
First National Bank
Global Financial Partners
Heartfield’s Florist
Huntsville Church of Christ
Huntsville Memorial Hospital
Learning Rx
Means & Associates Optometry
Northside Baptist Church
Park Law Firm
Peyton Irwin Foundation
Tax Express
Tomorrow’s Promise Montessori Schools
Federal Credit Union
See us at the CASA Kids Expo –April 2026 where we will kick off next year's contest!
Turns out, the best way to brighten a town is to hand a child a box of crayons.
The Trinity River is the longest (710 miles) with a watershed entirely with the state of Texas. It rises in extreme northern Texas, a few miles south of the Red River.
The Trinity River was previously identified as the stream that Native Americans called Akokisa, meaning “river people.” French explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle, in 1687, named the river, Riviere des canoës (“River of Canoes”). In 1690, Spanish explorer Alonso de Leon named it, “La Santísima Trinidad” (“the Most Holy Trinity”).
The Trinity River has four branches: the West Fork, the Clear Fork, the Elm Fork, and the East Fork.
The river empties into Trinity Bay, an arm of Galveston Bay. Its river mouth is near the town of Anahuac, southeast of Houston.
(In the next few issues, we will explore some of the history “Along the Trinity.”)
As summer begins to take root, so are various wanted and unwanted vegetations. Everyone loves when warm season grasses are flourishing or when fruit trees are loaded with delicious produce. With these productive growing conditions also comes our friends, the weeds, especially in our ponds. Aquatic vegetation can create wonderful habitat for fish by providing cover and food sources; this growth is a necessity to a healthy aquatic environment—until it begins to take over. Some species of plants can and will take over the entirety of the pond if gone unchecked. From the coon tail and hydrilla (growing from the bottoms) to duckweed and algae (on the tops), these water dwellers can overtake large areas of your pond and outcompete others with ease. Below are some management techniques that will help keep your ponds healthy and diverse.
As a first step to regain control of your ponds, it’s critical to accurately identify the vegetation. There are four main categories of aquatic plants: algae and plankton; floating plants; submerged plant; and emergent plants. The ability to identify the category of growth will aid in narrowing down to what exactly the species is. Algae and plankton are best described as growth without true roots. They generally free float around without anything
tethering them down to the banks and bottoms. Algae can be microscopic up to hair-like in structure. Floating plants (like duckweed) have roots extending down into the water freely and get needed nutrients from the water; they do not take root in the ground. Submerged plants (like coon tail) root from the bottom of ponds and grow upward in the water column. While much of the plant is below the water surface, you may see some slight breaking through the water surface. Many have soft stem systems that don’t allow vertical growth outside of the water. Lastly, we have emergent plants These are commonly found around the banks and edges; they usually stand tall out of the water, while the root systems are mostly submerged. Common emergent plants are pads and lilies.
Once the plant has been properly identified, the next step is management. Management can be broken down into three categories: chemical, physical, and biological. Chemical means the application of herbicides that will enter the plant topically, killing the structure at the cellular level. When done appropriately, this method is extremely effective; it does require the most diligence, as some of these products can have adverse effects if used improperly. Many chemicals used will require a licensed applicator through the state of Texas applicator
Walker County ANR agent
programs. Physical management is a more labor-intensive method that mainly involves removal of growth from the pond. Utilizing rakes, nets, and hand pulling or saining, plants are uprooted and discarded out of the water. Physical management will work for some, but not all, species. Certain species will regenerate, spread from any remaining plant fragments, and come back to even more areas. Biological maintenance involves wildlife to help maintain the plant. Fish such as carp and tilapia feed on certain growths and can be obtained through the TPWD after permitting. Other wildlife (like ducks) will help maintain specific species as well.
The world of aquatic plant control can be a tedious battle. With runoff, seasonal changes, and wildlife constantly introducing new plants to areas, we can expect it will happen eventually—it’s just a matter of when. Thankfully, we have many resources and methods of control to help us aid our bodies of water and create the ecosystem we want to maintain. If you need any help with more information on your ponds, please contact us here at the Walker County office of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension or visit the AgriLife website aquaplant.tamu. edu. This site will help you with identifying and controlling aquatic plants. We at AgriLife would love to help you gain back control over your pond!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
o taller than a pint glass and about the size of a robin, they blend seamlessly with their surroundings (thanks to masterful camouflage). Eastern screech owls are highly skilled hunters and more often heard than seen, emerging at dusk to hunt through the night. They have a whistling call rather than an actual screech, which they use to communicate and defend territories under the cover of darkness. Eastern screech owls can be found throughout the Eastern United States (generally east of the Rocky Mountains). Their primary habitat is wooded areas, and they prefer trees with cavities for nesting and roosting. Don’t be surprised if you find one has moved into your squirrel box or a nesting box you’ve put up for another species. They’ve adapted well to populated areas and are happy to make homes in parks and residential areas with mature trees, as long as the trees are suitable and there is a food source. Screech owls are carnivores, and their diet consists mainly of small mammals like mice, rats, squirrels, shrews, and moles. They will also eat small birds, insects, lizards, frogs and toads,
By Cheryl Conley Lake Creek Nature Preserve Board of Directors
worms and spiders. They have exceptional night vision for hunting. Their eyes are very large relative to their body size and are fixed forward in their sockets. Many other birds have eyes on the sides of the head. Although owls can’t move their eyes, they have very flexible necks and can turn their heads almost 360 degrees, largely expanding their field of vision. Their vision is binocular (meaning they use both eyes together and see the same object simultaneously), giving them a three-dimensional view and enhanced depth perception. It helps them track their prey and adjust their movements in flight.
They can be either gray or reddish-brown; both male and female look identical, so you won’t be able to tell the difference between them. Females typically lay 3 to 5 eggs that are laid at 2 to 3-day intervals and incubation lasts 26 days on average. Only about half the eggs actually hatch. Interestingly, once the eggs are laid, the female will lose the feathers on her belly (which is a hormonal response to egg laying). This bald spot is called a brooding patch and enhances the transfer of body heat to the eggs. The female leaves the nest twice, usually at dusk and again at dawn to stretch, preen, and defecate. The male does all the hunting and delivers the prey to the female. During incubation, it’s interesting to watch the movements of the male. He will roost between 14 and 20 feet away. During the hatching process, he’ll move closer to the nest, even as close as 6 feet. Once all the eggs have hatched, he’ll move farther away again. He continues to deliver food to the family, and it’s up to the female to tear it into small pieces for the babies.
It takes 24-32 days for the young ones to reach the fledgling stage. They may be on a branch or on the ground. They hop and flutter and work on their flying skills. They continue to be fed and protected by their parents for up to 10 weeks. During this time, they are learning to fly and hunt. After 10 weeks, they are able to survive on their own.
As urban sprawl continues to wipe out our trees, suitable natural cavities can be scarce. You can provide a safe haven for these fascinating little birds by building a screech owl nesting box. Providing one is more than just a simple woodworking project; it’s an impactful way to support local wildlife. If you’re interested in having a nest box for eastern screech owls, a web or YouTube search yields building plans or ready-made boxes for purchase.
In January of this year, I hung a squirrel box and was surprised to see this little face staring at me a few weeks later.
Quilt Show: “All Roads Lead to Texas” wildflowerquiltguild.com
The Great DuBois: Masters of Variety thebarnhillcenter.com
Fuzzy Peach Festival fairfieldtexaschamber.com
HUNTSVILLE Texas Thimble Trail: Vendor Market texasthimbletrail.com
PALESTINE
“Alice in Wonderland” onthestage.tickets/palestine-community-theatre-inc
Upon a Butterfly brazosvalleymuseum.org
CONROE Camp Oz Day Camp nationalyouththeater.org
Houston Symphony: Music of Led Zeppelin woodlandscenter.org
Pines
BRENHAM “Snow White Goes West” unitybrenham.org
SHENANDOAH Strikeout Hunger Bowling Tournament cac-mctx.org
Aug 2
CONROE
“Hadestown: Teen Edition” crightontheatre.org
By R.J.A.
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
-James 1:2-4
When James penned these words, I picture him sitting and thinking back on scripture from the beginning of time. I believe he was remembering Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Joseph, Elijah, Elisha, and the many others who said “yes” to their Lord. Our Lord Jesus said “yes,” even to the cross, and look where He is now, sitting at the right hand of the Father. Notice the last two words in verse four, “wanting nothing.” These people were not in want of anything because they said “yes,” and even often before they were asked or informed what God wanted them to do.
In June, the McMichaels (BJ, Holly, Elijah, and Trinity) went on their fourth trip to Sandy Bay Children’s Home in Roatan, Honduras. They led a group of adults and teenagers (from University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville) in a building/ construction project for the Home.
Many of these volunteers said “yes” to this trip in June a year ago. They worked in the heat/humidity of Honduras for 7-8 days doing the project at the direction of Orsy, the director of the Home.
Besides working, this group also had opportunities to interact with children, playing games with them. As BJ often says, “Children speak the language of fun.” There was also time for worship; singing and praising; and learning about God, Jesus, and the Bible.
Like many in the Bible, these volunteers (and many more like them in other churches) have a YES mindset.
I just wonder what the world would be like if more professing Christians had a YES mindset? This world needs people with a mindset that says, “The answer is YES! Now Lord, ask me the question or tell me what you want me to do.”
I believe we would later also hear them saying, “We wanted nothing, because we said YES.”
Caring for the land is hard work. And although not everyone is built for the amount of effort it takes to get the job done right, you are. We know because we are caretakers ourselves, which means we also know exactly what you need to succeed. The best equipment you can buy, backed by over a century of industry experience, supported by trained professionals who know the machines and the people like you who operate them. You’re built for hard work. And we’re built for you.
