Issuu

Postcards Magazine

Piney Woods

October 2026

Robert Gauthreaux III • The Wynne Home • Paul Richie • Heartfield Florist

Contents October 2026 | Volume 16, Issue 10

Piney Woods | October 2026

Features

Robert Gauthreaux III Community Builders

The Wynne Home Texas Talent

Paul Richie

Advertiser Anniversaries ......................12 Calendar - Making Tracks.....................80 Dear Gabby............................................ 43 Feedback ................................................. 8 Funspace ............................................... 64 Giggles & Grins ..................................... 58 Glorious Grandchildren .......................40 Kidspeak ............................................... 36 Library Picks......................................... 10

BUSINESS FOCUS

Milestones ............................................. 29 Mustard Seed Moments ....................... 82 Pet Pals .................................................. 62 Puzzle Solutions.................................... 25 “Seens” from Our World........................ 26

Postcards

14 30 54

Do You Know?

Favorites

Snapshots..............................................20 Star Students ........................................ 22

70 Heartfield Florist

Columns

Publisher’s Post ...................................... 6 Sean of the South ...................................37 Medical Matters .................................... 38 Garden Post ..........................................44 Wildlife Wonders .................................. 74 Your Best AgriLife ................................. 76

Sudoku Marketspace ............................ 68 Tasty Bites ............................................. 46 Teachers Touching Tomorrow ..............21 Things My Granddaddy Said........................24

On The Cover 2025 Postcards Photo Contest 1st Place Winner Local Living

Cover Photo by Alyssa Puig

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, and Riverside. FREE rack copies at advertisers and businesses in towns listed above, as well as Trinity. 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 Halloween: Then and Now

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

oes anyone else remember when a Halloween costume required approximately five minutes of preparation and whatever you could find around the house? Want to be a ghost? Find an old white sheet and cut two holes in it for your eyes. Done. Or maybe you pulled out some old clothes, added a few patches, tied your pants up with a piece of rope, grabbed a stick with a handkerchief tied to the end, and went as what we called a “hobo” back then. Also done. There were no coordinating family costumes. No elaborate makeup tutorials. No packages arriving on the front porch containing “the one specific accessory” absolutely necessary to complete your look. We just rummaged through closets. And somehow, we thought we looked GREAT. I still remember one of my junior high girlfriends showing up dressed as an old lady. Her costume consisted (in part) of two rolls of toilet paper tucked into the front of her shirt and a roll of paper towels stuffed into the back of her pants. We thought it was HYSTERICAL. And honestly, it still makes me laugh. The best part? That same girlfriend and I now share grandbabies. Who could have imagined back then, while we were laughing ourselves silly over her homemade “old lady” costume, where life would take us? What a delight. Halloween has changed a bit since then. My kids and their families now do themed costumes, and I have to admit, they are stinking adorable. We’ve had Peter Pan, Wendy and Captain Hook. The entire Incredibles family. Snow White and her dwarfs. And the list goes on. These are not costumes thrown together 20 minutes before trick-or-treating. There is a PLAN. Everybody has a character. Everybody coordinates. And somehow even the smallest child gets incorporated into the theme, whether they understand what is happening or not. I look at the pictures and absolutely love it.

But I also have to laugh when I think about how different it is from Halloween when I was a kid. Nobody was asking, “What’s our family theme this year?” Our family theme was pretty much, “What do we already own?” Maybe that is part of what makes watching the next generation so much fun. Traditions change. Our kids take some of the things we loved, add their own spin, and then pass the fun along to their children. I still have a soft spot for those simple Halloweens when a sheet could turn you into a ghost and a pillowcase made a perfectly acceptable trick-or-treat bag. But I wouldn’t trade seeing my kids and grandkids dressed up together for anything. So whether your Halloween involves a perfectly coordinated family theme or two eye holes cut in an old sheet, I hope your night is filled with laughter, good memories, and way more treats than tricks.

Refinance your auto loan and put more money back in your pocket.

936-291-2171 walkercountyfcu.com 1802 Normal Park Dr. Huntsville, TX 77340 *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates subject to credit approval and may vary based on credit worthiness. See a loan officer for full details.

Feedback

Want to share something with us?

PostcardsLive.com/Share

Here’s the Hornet Buzz...

Piney Woods | October 2026

YOU CAN BUILD CHAMPIONS!

Happy Mail

In the midst of sadness and chaos, I got a little happy in the mail yesterday! My cutie-pie raccoon made the front cover of Postcards Magazine. Thanks for choosing my photo. What an honor! Lynette Dobbins

Postcards

8 Weekly Post

I would like to sign up for the free weekly post newsletter, but cannot find a sign-up place. A Moore Here is the signup link: https://mailchi.mp/ postcardslive/weekly-post The Weekly Post...your front porch view of the week.

Volunteer in HISD!

Friendly faces, local highlights, and stories that connect us all.

Want to share something with us?

PostcardsLive.com/Share

936-435-6300

huntsville-isd.org/Volunteer

Library Picks

Tell us what you’re reading!

PostcardsLive.com

You are invited to

Ladies Night AT WALKER COUNTY ACE HARDWARE & CLASSY COUNTRY CORNER

SHOP ALL DAY! Leeann Woods reading

Piney Woods | October 2026

The Doorman BY CHRIS PAVONE

November

REFRESHMENTS SERVED FROM 4-6PM

Take 30% off only in the Classy Country Corner Take 40% off Christmas Items *Excludes previously marked down items*

10 Postcards

Thursday

Sally Downs reading

The Lobotomist's Wife BY SAMANTHA GREENE WOODRUFF

The sale continues! Come shop Friday November 6th 7:30am-5:30pm Walker County ACE Hardware 1006 11th St. Huntsville, TX 77340 936-295-7751

Tom Evans reading

Never

BY KEN FOLLETT

If You’ve Been Told “There’s Nothing More We Can Do” About Your Nerve Pain, Read This Before You Accept That As Your Final Answer An Open Letter to Huntsville Residents Suffering With Numbness, Burning, or Tingling in the Feet, From a Clinic That’s Treated This Community for Over 40 Years Dear Friend, I’m going to say something your doctor probably won’t. The pills you’ve been handed for your neuropathy were never designed to fix your nerves. Gabapentin. Lyrica. Cymbalta. Every one of them does the exact same thing, they turn down the pain signal in your brain. That’s it. They don’t touch the actual nerve that’s damaged. Which is exactly why the burning always finds its way back. You already know this. You’ve lived it. You’ve taken the pills exactly as prescribed and watched yourself get a little worse every year anyway. Here’s the part nobody sat you down and explained: a nerve that’s damaged, not dead, can often improve, when it finally gets three things it’s been starving for. Most doctors never address even one of them. We built our entire approach around all three. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT TOM. Tom R. hadn’t felt the bottom of his feet in six years. Not “a little numb.” The kind of numb where you’re not sure your foot is really on the brake pedal. The kind of burning that keeps going even under a soft blanket at 2 am. He did everything he was told. Gabapentin left him foggy. Lyrica put 15 pounds on him. A round of shots bought him one good week, then nothing. His specialist gave him the line so many Huntsville patients have heard in that same office chair: “You’ll likely just have to manage this long term.” Tom quit his morning walks. Quit his Saturday golf game. And he almost sat out his own son’s wedding dance, because he no longer trusted his own feet to hold him up on a dance floor in front of everyone he loved. That’s the moment. That’s when something has to change. His sister-in-law told him about a clinic just down the road that had been treating Huntsville families since before he was married. He almost didn’t call. Six years of disappointment will do that to a person.

• Relief from inflammation. Swelling squeezes the nerve like a fist. No pill reaches down and loosens that grip. • The right kind of gentle stimulation, delivered consistently, to help support the nerve’s own ability to recover function over time. Skip even one of these, and you’re managing symptoms forever instead of addressing what’s actually happening. By Tom’s third visit, the burning in his legs had already started easing up. By week four, he slept through an entire night for the first time in years. By week eight, feeling was coming back, first his heels, then the rest of his feet. He walked to his mailbox and back without holding the porch rail. First time in six years. Eleven weeks after that first phone call, Tom danced at his son’s wedding. No cane. No hesitation. No fear. WHY LISTEN TO US? Dr. Brian McGee, DC has practiced for over 20 years and this clinic has served local families for more than four decades, long enough to have treated your neighbors, your coworkers, maybe your own relatives. We didn’t get that kind of longevity by managing people. We got it by helping them get better. HERE’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CALL You’ll be scheduled for a complete Neuropathy Relief Evaluation, the exact same evaluation Tom received. This includes: • A full nerve and circulation exam • Sensory and reflex testing • A one-on-one consultation to identify what’s likely causing your specific symptoms • A straight answer on whether our approach is a good fit for you, no pressure, no obligation

He’s glad he picked up the phone anyway.

New patient evaluation: $47. We keep monthly appointments limited so every patient gets real one-on-one time, call ahead to check current availability.

Tom’s name has been changed to protect his privacy. His story reflects a real patient case. Individual results vary, and not every patient will see the same outcome.

You’ve already spent years managing this. You don’t have anything to lose by spending twenty minutes finding out if there’s a better answer.

THE THREE THINGS YOUR NERVES ARE STARVING FOR • Blood flow. Most neuropathy patients have poor circulation reaching the small nerves in the feet and hands. A starved nerve cannot function the way it should.

Call 936-291-2111 Now. Don't Talk Yourself Out of It. P.S. Here's the truth about nerves: the longer damage goes unaddressed, the narrower your window to see real improvement. That's not a sales line, it's just how nerves work. If you've been putting this off for another month, another year, ask yourself how many more mornings you're willing to wake up numb before you make one phone call. 936-291-2111. *This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for personalized advice or treatment. This is a paid advertisement.Excludes beneficiaries of federally funded programs

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Advertiser Anniversaries

34 McKenzies BBQ Huntsville

Climatec Storage

Joetta's

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 45

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 49

Founded 2018

Founded 1992

8 Founded 2018

Piney Woods | October 2026

SEE THEIR AD ON PAGE 28

Bent Metal? No problem! Precision Repairs. Peace of Mind Family owned and operated since 1999

Postcards

936-295-6556 686 Interstate 45 South • Huntsville

amayascollision.com

Postcardslive.com Big Toys Need the Right Space

Stop by and check out all our options! October 2026 | Piney Woods

Enclosed. Covered. Outdoor.

13 Postcards

Big or Small, We Store it All 10% off

First Month 's Rent, Menti on This Ad

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

DO YOU KNOW?

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

BY ALLIE PLUNK | PHOTOS BY TOM MILLER

Gauthreaux III Our area has a meteorologist to call “our own.” obert Gauthreaux III, Ph.D., brings a rare combination of meteorology, broadcasting, and higher education to Sam Houston State University. A Louisiana native, Gauthreaux has worked as a broadcast meteorologist since 2013, with stops in Louisiana, Texas and Ohio, while earning degrees in meteorology; climatology; and media and communication. His work has focused heavily on making

complex weather information understandable and accessible to the public, including weather communication in Spanish and American Sign Language. He now serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice in Journalism and Emerging Media at SHSU, where he brings his years of experience in broadcast news into the classroom.

15 Postcards

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Robert

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

What first interested you in meteorology?

Growing up in Louisiana, we got our fair share of storms. I remember, when I was in kindergarten, Hurricane Andrew hit. We lived inland, so a lot of extended family came up to stay with us during the storm. It made me realize what a big deal hurricanes are and kind of sparked my interest in learning more about weather. I moved to Seattle in third grade, and while they get a lot of rain, they don’t have thunderstorms like the South. I really missed that because I loved thunderstorms. Meteorology just seemed like a cool, natural fit for me.

You’ve worked for stations in several different areas. How has each impacted the way you connect with your community?

I started in Alexandria, Louisiana, at the number one station for the four parishes it covered, so it was very much a local station. I learned a lot about the impact of local stations. People started recognizing me and saying “hi” to me when I hadn’t ever seen them before. Then I moved to Baton Rouge, where I got my first taste of severe weather. That was a meaningful experience for me, because afterwards, I would get emails from viewers saying that

I saved their families, because they were able to get out in time. At the station, I’m just staring at a camera, hoping someone is listening, so it felt good to know what I was doing was impacting real people. Then I went to a local station in Lubbock, and I got to experience the whole range of weather there. I covered everything from tornadoes and dust storms to snow. After that, I went to Ohio for a little while, at another small-town station. It was mostly winter weather up there. The biggest thing I think I learned from all these stations is you have to get to know the community, especially if you’re doing local work. I mean, I

used to be a bingo caller. You must go out and be involved in the community so they know you and can trust you, and you also need to know the local landmarks. A weatherman named Nash Roberts was a big inspiration to me. He knew the community so well that when big storms were coming, they would call him in to cover them even after his retirement, because the station knew the people would trust what he had to say. That’s what I aspire to do.

How are you getting involved in the community outside of your work at SHSU?

What prompted your transition to Sam Houston?

After I finished my degree, I realized I have a pretty unique skillset. My Ph.D. is in media and communication, my master’s is in climatology, and my bachelor’s is in meteorology. I connected with a journalism professor here at Sam Houston, and I was very impressed with the school’s programs. One thing that makes Sam different is even freshman and sophomores can contribute to the university newspapers and newscasts, so there’s more of a hands-on focus. Something I want to work on with them is reporting on breaking weather! That is one of the most exciting things you get to do as a meteorologist—and one of the most chaotic. It would be great to give them that first taste of how hectic breaking news can be. I also get to apply my

real-world experience into teaching my students. I’m also keeping track of the changes journalism is facing, like AI newscasters, and staying on top of those developments so I can teach students how to use or adapt to them.

Speaking of those changes, what do you see in the future of journalism?

I think local journalism will endure, as long as journalists and meteorologists maintain their connections to the community. I mean, the best weather communicators started in journalism and moved to weather. To communicate risk, you have to be able to connect to the people you serve. You have to talk like them, act like them, be a member of the community. That’s something AI reporters will never have—that human connection. A lot of people think meteorologists are always wrong, but a lot of our data and mapping methods are genuinely

October 2026 | Piney Woods

I love the people here, they’re so friendly, and there is so much history here. I’d love to call bingo somewhere. I’ve started going out into the community more, and I have a few favorite places, Mr. Hamburger being one of them. I love going downtown, too, and eating at Cafe Texan. There are so many great places here. I’m active

in my church, and I do school talks for journalism as well.

”

Postcards

You must go out and be involved in the community so they know you and can trust you

accurate, especially in recent years. What can makes us seem “wrong” is an inability to accurately communicate the weather circumstances. It’s easy to get caught up in fancy terminology that is difficult to understand.

Piney Woods | October 2026

What does this transition mean to you on a personal level?

Postcards

I love to learn, and I’m always learning. I was honestly pretty nervous about being a professor, but my students seem to like me (or at least that’s what they put on their class evaluations), and I’ve been able to do a lot of interesting research. Academia is very different from the places I’ve worked before, and everyone seems genuinely supportive of each other. The students are willing and eager to be a part of building the weather program here. I’ve started to work with local media to provide weather reports to the city and keep people informed. Walker County is in a really distinctive location, where none of the major news stations report on the weather here, so I want to be someone y’all can trust to provide local weather information.

I want to be someone y’all can trust to provide local weather information.

”

You can follow Dr. Gauthreaux on social media at @drrgiii to keep up with the latest weather updates.

Jesus is Our Anchor When Seasons Change.

Covenant Fellowship Early Worship: Sunday Mornings, 9:00 am Bible Study: Sunday Mornings, 10:00 am Late Service: Sunday Mornings, 11:00 am

cfhuntsville.org 606 FM 1791 N. • Huntsville, Texas 77340 So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. ~ Ezra 8:23

Piney Woods | October 2026

Snapshots

Share Your Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com/share

Dancing in the Forest

First Cart

Submitted by Judy Battenberg

Submitted by Michael Thompson

Postcards

20 EVERY LIFE DESERVES A

Tribute AS UNIQUE AS THE PERSON BEING REMEMBERED.

We’re here for every step of the journey. Our Family Serving Yours Since 2002

A PLACE OF COMFORT. A COMMUNITY OF CARE.

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

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

Scott Bumbaugh

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

Jackson Hendricks Mr. Bumbaugh’s class was always the high point of the day. He not only makes you feel like family, but also makes learning fun.

Sponsored by:

October 2026 | Piney Woods

21 Postcards

Call TODAY to learn more about our October offers! Schedule your diagnostic hearing evaluation with a complimentary hearing aid test-drive.

936.755.4296 FAMILY HEARING & SENSORY NEURAL CENTER Serving Huntsville for over 40 years

$500 off

discount applicable on an AGX5, 7, or 9 two-device hearing system. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotional discount. Expires 10/30/26.

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

Star Students

Sanaya Bobhate

Jackson Hendricks

FAVORITE MOVIE:

FAVORITE MUSIC/ARTIST:

FAVORITE FOOD:

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Piney Woods | October 2026

Huntsville High School

Postcards

10 Things I Hate About You Mac Miller

Fettuccine Alfredo The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” – Eleanor Roosevelt Sanaya is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Dipti Bobhate and Vinayak Bobhate. Her activities include Grenadier Guard Drill Team, student council, FCCLA, Health Professionals Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National English Honor Society, HOSA, and National Science Honor Society. Following graduation, Sanaya plans to attend college and pursue a degree in nursing, ultimately obtaining a doctorate and becoming a CRNA.

Huntsville High School Avengers: Endgame Sabaton

Stuffed Pepper Soup “It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” – Teddy Roosevelt

Jackson is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the son of John and Sabrina Hendricks. His activities include tennis team, student council, Swingin’ Stingers Jazz Ensemble, drum major for Huntsville Military Marching Band, Eagle Scout Troup 98, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and Christ the King Methodist Church Youth Group and Praise Band. Following graduation, Jackson plans to attend Sam Houston State University to obtain a degree in special education, then pursue a master’s degree at SFA. He believes, “God first, then everything else will fall into place.”

Autumn Smith Madisonville High School FAVORITE MOVIE:

Where the Red Fern Grows FAVORITE MUSIC/ARTIST:

Treaty Oak / Ty Myers FAVORITE FOOD:

Steak & Pasta

FAVORITE QUOTE:

"Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.”

Autumn is a senior at Madisonville High School and is the daughter of Tammy Smith and Sean Smith. Her activities include FFA, 4-H, Ag Mechanics, horse showing, dog showing, quilting/ sewing, and athletic training. Following graduation, Autumn plans to attend veterinary school. She believes, “Never give up because you didn’t win. Come back the next day better and learn from your mistakes.”

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

QUALITY YOU CAN TASTE.

936-594-2591 Visit us at

3736 Hwy 19 Riverside, TX 77367

tallentsausage.com

Postcards

FRESH CUTS. Family Favorites.

Things My Granddaddy Said They're slower than molasses in winter. Not every lion that chased the deer caught it. But every lion that caught a deer chased it. You don’t build a fence in the middle of a stampede.

Piney Woods | October 2026

Hindsight is the only exact science.

Postcards

The shoemaker's children are always the ones who are barefooted. A frog in a well has never seen a sunset.

~ Jim Nissen

His hogs are so poor it takes six of them to make a shadow. You shouldn't go talking about ropes in the house of a hanged man.

Publisher Karen Altom and her Granddaddy J.C. Farris

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!

Puzzle Solutions Sudoku from page 68-69

nswers EASY

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

3 2 4 7 5 1 2

9 3 7 9 1 4 8

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

7 1 9

4 2 6

8 3 5

Sudoku #1 9 81 68 94 2 4 3 2 46 7 3 6 8 25 59 1 7 4 1 1 4 82 4 8 7 5 67 73 51 9 2 96 35 2 9 5 7 73 1 1 6 2 8 6 5 9 97 8 5 3 3 4 8 24 36 1

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

Sudoku #3 3 8 9 7 1 37 9 5 4 2 1 3 64 2 7 95 58 26 7 6 24 62 1 1 8 1 77 89 9 5 6 2 33 4 6 58 1 4 18 27 42 5 9 5 1 95 7 3 3 8 66 3 4 89 4

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

Sudoku #6 Sudoku #5 5 2 4 3 7 1 16 68 89 3 3 8 1 9 6 5 77 94 4 2 8 9 6 7 2 8 4 33 25 51 9 7 1 8 5 4 6 49 1 2 63 7 2 5 3 1 9 7 58 86 74 4 4 9 6 8 2 3 2 5 31 9 7 5 1 7 2 6 3 8 64 49 15 2 6 3 5 4 1 9 8 2 57 28 6 8 4 9 7 5 2 91 7 3 36 1

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

”

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

6 1 8 2 7 3

4 8

1 7 3 5 9 3 5

Sudoku #8

Sudoku #7

2 7 3 9 1

6 8 4 5

9 6 1 2 3

7 5 4

25 Postcards

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

Sudoku #2 2 6 5 3 7 7 9 8 5 1 1 4 3 6 2 It always seems6impossible 5 9 7 3 until it's done. 8 2 4 9 6 3 1 7 8 4 5 8 6 4 9 4 3 2 1 8 9 7 1 2 5

October 2026 | Piney Woods

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

Answers

Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 25, Book 1 MEDIUM

Piney Woods | October 2026

“Seens” from Our World

with one of How much for a room them gravy hot tubs?

Seen by: PC Staff

Is it bigger than a Dread

Postcards

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

PostcardsLive.com/share

box?

Seen by: PC Staff

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

New patients are welcome— call us today! 936.525.3600 SHSUPhysicians.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Visit our Conroe ofﬁce for adult medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, psychological counseling and osteopathic manipulative treatment services.

27 Postcards

Postcardslive.com

Piney Woods | October 2026

GOT PROBLEMS?

Postcards

We’re your problem solvers! TDLR# 006486625C

Pete

n s o h o J Wrecker Servicen

• Light & Heavy Car Carriers • Flatbed Carriers • 58 Years of Service • 24 Hour Emergency Service • Texas Towing & Storage Association • Unlock Cars • State Licensed

(936) 291-1119 631 Ryans Ferry Rd. • Huntsville

Share Your Milestones!

PostcardsLive.com/share

Milestones

Casey & Natalie Cox

Senior year!

their 13th anniversary!

first day of

celebrated

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Miguel & Cruz Pulido

The ﬁrst piece may bring you through the door. The From engagement rings and anniversary gifts to relationship is what brings you back. meaningful heirloom redesign, Elliott will help you create From engagements and anniversaries to redesigning family a one-of-a-kind piece using natural diamonds and jewelry and ﬁnding the perfect gift for any season, Elliott is precious metals, with care for part theofmoments here for crafted the moments that become your story. that matter most. Discover the Difference of a Private Jeweler

By Appointment Only Only By Appointment Book Your Private Jewelry Experience

6 Days a WeekExperience Book Your Private Jewelry 6 Days a Week ElliottsJewelers.com

Call: 936-284-5656 | Text: 936-661-5363

ElliottsJewelers.com Call: 936-284-5656 | Text: 936-661-5363

Postcards

CustomA Jeweler Jewelry Designed for More Than Moment AroundOne Your Story

P COMMUNITY BUILDERS

The Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center

Piney Woods | October 2026

Local “home for the arts” celebrates 20 years since its opening.

Linda Pease stands on the balcony of The Wynne Home in 2010.

Postcards

he Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center in Huntsville will celebrate its 20th Anniversary on October 2, 2026 from 4-7pm, in a come-and-go event with remarks at 6pm. The public is invited to celebrate, and light food and refreshments will be served.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY MIKE YAWN

The Wynne Home: a home for the arts

In September 2006, Linda Pease, the city’s Cultural Services Coordinator at the time, finally saw a vision reified: scores of residents and tourists walking through the doors of The Wynne Home to enjoy the arts. And 20 years later, the facility remains an important cultural institution in Huntsville, hosting art exhibitions, classes, field trips, workshops, community programs, and tours, while also serving as the gateway to the Huntsville Cultural District. Its stated mission is straightforward: “to promote and share the arts and our community heritage.” But the history of The Wynne Home began long before anyone imagined an art gallery inside it.

The story begins in 1882, when Sandford and Sallie Gibbs gave property on 11th Street to their niece, Samuella Gibbs, and her new husband, Gustavus Adair Wynne, as a wedding gift. Their home was originally designed in Queen Anne style, with an asymmetrical form, a steep-pitched roof, and intricate detailing. By the mid 1910s, however, the Wynne family opted to renovate the exterior, giving the home Classical Revival elements. Generations of Wynnes called it home. The couple’s son, Gibbs Adair Wynne, and his wife, Lela Mae Brown Wynne, also lived there, raising daughters Ruth and Samuella in the house. Lela Mae, an accomplished pianist, passed along an appreciation for music and art to her daughters—an appropriate legacy given the home’s eventual use. Pease remembers visiting Ruth while she still lived there. They worked on some community history together, and Pease received a tour of the home. What Pease could not have known during that visit was that she would one day help oversee the transformation of the private residence into a community institution.

In response, city officials settled on another financing approach, and the project marched forward. The Meadows Foundation offered a matching grant near the end of the fundraising campaign, helping push the effort toward its goal. Then came another problem: the contractor handling the project went out of business. A second contractor was selected in January 2006, and according to Pease, things finally began to “sail right through.” The process had taken years and involved scores of residents. Gene Pipes, city manager at the time, formally agreed to accept the home. Mary Frances Park chaired the management committee and became one of the project’s most determined advocates. Una Grace Nash helped found the Friends of the Wynne and served as chair. Roberta Plant chaired publicity and marketing; Patty Davis chaired programming; Bill Nash headed the architectural committee; and Ralph Lawson, Dan Davis, and Don Kramer served as finance chairs. Mac Woodward, a city council member from 2003-2011 and Mayor from 2011-2015, supported the Home, even in the face of sometimes stiff opposition on Council. “I was proud to support the city’s vision and commitment to preserve and

A gift--and a challenge

The Wynne sisters—Samuella Wynne Palmer and Ruth Wynne Hollinshead— inherited the home in 1984 from their mother, Lela Mae Brown Wynne, and

Artist James Surls poses with SHSU students at The Wynne Home at the opening of his Exhibition.

October 2026 | Piney Woods

A family home

contemplated ways to manage the home. By the late 1990s, they began discussions to give the home to the City of Huntsville, an act of generosity that culminated on December 30, 1998. The home was donated with a specific purpose in mind: the property was to be used for cultural activities, particularly the arts and historic preservation. Receiving a historic home, however, and managing the property are two different things. City representatives traveled to Dallas to consult with the Meadows Foundation. Consultants solicited public input, and in January 2000, the Huntsville City Council assigned the Huntsville Arts Commission (then chaired by Ila Gaines) responsibility for developing a community vision for the property. Pease handled the formidable task of managing the restoration, forming committees, working with architects (who followed the Department of Interior’s guidelines for adaptive reuse), and raising funds, with much help from grants. Not everyone was enthusiastic. Some residents objected to the City’s acceptance of the historic home— particularly because its restoration was among several then-recent projects financed through debt.

Piney Woods | October 2026

The Wynne Home’s Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt

Postcards

restore The Wynne Home,” he recalled recently. “I agreed with the goal of providing a place to celebrate the history, arts, and culture in our community.” Palmer, meanwhile, remained involved with the project and lived long enough to see her family home begin its new life.

Opening the doors

By summer of 2006, Pease and others were working inside The Wynne Home, preparing exhibits, arranging (and obtaining) furniture, and getting ready for visitors. The Friends of the Wynne held a soft launch for their organization in July, announcing they had assembled a board of nine directors and 46 dues-paying members.

On September 23, 2006, the doors officially opened. The inaugural exhibition offered an indication of the ambitions for the new center. Stephanie Smither, who had helped guide development of the gallery, provided works from the collection she assembled with her late husband, John. The collection featured Texas artists and works ranging from Scores of children enjoy learning at The Wynne Home

That combination of art, education, and community involvement has characterized The Wynne Home for two decades. Today its programming continues to include exhibitions, art classes, outreach programs, field trips, and docent-led tours, often in partnership with other community organizations. Admission remains free. The property itself has continued to evolve as well. A memorial rose garden, developed with the Huntsville Garden Club and containing more than 40 donated rose bushes, added another dimension to the grounds. The Texas Thyme Unit, the local chapter of The Herb Society of America, crafted a beautiful herb garden with statuary, and they later crafted a children’s play area—replete with a mix of herbs that children can touch and smell. In 2007, The Wynne Home became a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, and in 2009, it became part of the

Promote and share the arts and our community heritage.

Artist, Michelle Miller

Still a home

Twenty years after its opening, The Wynne Home “has far exceeded everyone’s expectations,” notes Mac Woodward. But perhaps the most remarkable thing about The Wynne Home is that it remains true to both parts of its history. It is an arts center, but it still feels like a home. Visitors encounter exhibitions where a family once entertained guests. Children learn art in rooms built for another generation of Huntsville children. Meetings, receptions, classes, and conversations fill a house whose history now stretches across the 19th, 20th, and 21st

Councilmember Karen Denman holds up one of her favorites works (by Michelle Miller) at The Wynne Home

33 Postcards

”

state-designated Huntsville Cultural District—formally connecting it to downtown, Sam Houston State University, museums, other historic homes, public art, and diverse cultural attractions.

October 2026 | Piney Woods

sculpture to drawings. Over the years, The Wynne Home exhibited the works of nationally and internationally recognized artists such as Jesus Moroles, Richard Haas, Charles Pebworth, Stanley Lea, and James Surls. These artists now have works in the Home’s permanent collection. But art exhibits are only one part of The Wynne Home’s identity. Classes, workshops, children’s activities, school field trips, community meetings, receptions, and other programs were launched. By 2014, Pease estimated more than 300 classes had already been offered; special events such as film festivals, public talks, and book signings are also hosted at The Wynne Home; and since 2008 or so, the property has held annual events such as a community Easter Egg Hunt and the Empty Bowls fundraiser, which raises money for Meals on Wheels of Walker County.

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

centuries. Over that span, the Home was guided by those who believed that art and architecture are more than community adornments. Cultural assets and a shared history bring people together,

strengthen a community’s identity, and create common experiences. The influence of the past, noted T.S. Eliot, “is tongued with fire beyond the language of the living.” For more than a century, The Wynne

Carrying the Vision Forward

serves as President of the Friends of the Wynne, helping support the same institution where she began her career. To Cardenas, the Home’s importance extends beyond its history and architecture. It is one of the community’s increasingly rare “third spaces”—a place outside home and work where people can gather and spend time together. It has worked as a “third space” for Victoria. Fittingly, she is the third President, following in the footsteps of Nash and Nancy Gaertner—the latter being the longest-serving President of the organization. She also serves alongside fellow board member Linda Pease—her former internship supervisor! Angela Robinson, The Wynne Home’s Event Coordinator, experiences its history from a different perspective—by working within it. “I get to work inside a piece of Huntsville’s history every day,” Robinson says. “There’s something pretty special about walking through these rooms and knowing

Fulfilling The Wynne Home mission— to promote and share the arts and community heritage—requires a continuation of effort. Today, many Huntsville residents, volunteers, Friends of the Wynne members, City employees, artists, and others work to this end. For Victoria Cardenas (née McClendon-Leggett), the connection stretches back to the beginning. Her first professional job was as an intern at The Wynne Home. Today, she

Angela Robinson

Home belonged to one Huntsville family. And for the last 20 years—owing to the vision of a few, the work of many, and the support of a community—the Home has belonged, in a different sense, to all of Huntsville.

this building has been here for 75 percent of Huntsville’s history.” To continue the Wynne Home’s mission, both Cardenas and Robinson encourage the community to get involved in the home’s many activities, classes, and events. Volunteers are always needed, and donations are always appreciated. For more information on The Wynne Home, or to discuss volunteer opportunities, contact Angela Robinson at 936-291-5424.

Victoria Cardenas

Kidspeak I was singing "You Are My Sunshine" to my 3-yo, and he told me he hates that song. I said that's a shame because I used to sing it to him when he was in my tummy before he was born. He looked me dead in the eyes and said, "I hated it then, too." ••••••••••••••••••••

Piney Woods | October 2026

Juliet thanked me for getting "reasonably sized paper towels this time," and I don't really know what that means, but it feels like a backhanded compliment to both me and the paper towel industry.

Postcards

Kara Tipton

My 7-yo, after watching me (unsuccessfully) negotiate with the 2-yo for several minutes: "It's tough having a baby like that." •••••••••••••••••••• Today, my 7-yo came into the room crying. I asked him what happened, and he said that his 5-yo brother put 80 cows in his house in Minecraft while he was offline, and it was "entirely too many cows." Honestly...I have no idea how to parent any of this.

A teacher asked the children in her Sunday School class, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale, and gave all the money to the church, would I get into heaven?" "NO!", the children all answered. "If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the yard, and kept everything neat and tidy, would I get into heaven?" Again, the answer was "NO!" "Well," she continued, 'then how can I get to heaven?" In the back of the room, a 5-yo boy shouted out, "You gotta be dead!"

Sean of the South Sean Dietrich

37 Postcards

arriages are down 60 percent since the ‘70s. Divorce rates are soaring. And the New York Times reported that more 40-year-olds are choosing to live alone than ever before. Another recent survey of U.S. high-schoolers showed that the percentage of 12th graders who have ever dated has fallen 85 percent since the ‘80s. It has fallen another 50 percent within just the LAST FIVE YEARS. What the heck is going on? Why aren’t people dating, or getting married? What’s to blame? I can’t answer that, I’m too busy scrolling my phone right now. Nevertheless, one marital expert chimes in. “The problem is risk. People want guarantees these days. We are a nation of consumers, and consumers require return policies. We need guarantees.” Another psychologist has a different assessment. “It’s helicopter parenting that’s killing marriage. How can a 20-year-old decide to get married when they haven’t ever built a fort in the woods or ever played House?” Well, I decided to approach the marriage crisis by asking random people to give their opinions and advice on the institution of matrimony. Gary and Delores have been married for 54 years. Gary

October 2026 | Piney Woods

The Marriage Crisis

says: “My 38-year-old son has never been married. Recently he asked what it’s like to be married, so I told him to ‘LEAVE ME ALONE!’ When he did, I asked why he was ignoring me.” Simon and Anne have been married 62 years. They were married the same year Kennedy was shot. “Marriage is simple. You can either be happy or you can be right. But you can’t be both. Too many people want to be both.” Lydia and Eddie, 48 years: “Nobody tells you that you don’t fall in love before you’re married. It takes years and years to fall in love. A little more every day.” Pearl and Jacob say: “People don’t realize that you actually can survive on love. They’ve been told otherwise.” Dan and Kristie say: “In marriage, don’t use ‘absolutes’ such as, ‘You never,’ or ‘You always.’ They never work, and you always end up sounding like an absolute idiot.” Karen and Dale, 41 years: “I once gave my wife the silent treatment for a week, and at the end of the week she said, ‘Hey, we’re getting along pretty good, lately, aren’t we?’” Kevin and Rachel: “Don’t ever point out your husband’s weaknesses during an argument. Wait until the next morning.” Ron and Tiffany, 32 years. “I told my nephew that I haven’t spoken to my wife in 20 years, and that’s why our marriage worked. My nephew said, ‘Why haven’t you spoken to her?’ I told him ‘Because she hasn’t stopped talking.’” Ella and Charles, 59 years: Ella says, “I always tell my married daughters, ‘Remember that the grass is always greener over the septic tank.” Peter and Catherine, 56 years. “I told my husband that I had a dream he’d given me a diamond bracelet for our 30th anniversary. He smiled and said, ‘Wait until tonight, and you’ll see.’ That night, he gave me a book called ‘Interpreting Your Dreams.’” Sylvia and Tyler. “If your mom is laughing at your dad’s jokes, it means there are guests in your house.” Sarah and Greg, 49 years: “When we got married it was for better or worse. I couldn’t have done better, and she couldn’t have done worse.” Gina and Todd, 55 years: “If you ever think that women are the weaker sex, try pulling the blankets back to your side.” Sandra and Thomas, 62 years. “If you’re not laughing together, you’re not really married.” Rhonda and Brian, 55 years: “If you ever start to think you’ve got marriage figured out, just ask your wife if that’s true.” Dori and Andrew, 58 years: “A good husband is someone who, after taking out the trash, acts like he cleaned the whole house.” After all my research, I have come to this conclusion. Marriage has no guarantees, if it’s guarantees you’re looking for, marry a set of Craftsman socket wrenches.

Medical Matters Avoiding and Managing the Flu:

Tips for Staying Healthy

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

Family Medicine

lu season typically peaks between December and February, but with the right prevention and care, you can lower your risk and recover faster if symptoms appear. Use these quick tips to stay healthy and handle the flu effectively.

3. Take antiviral medications If prescribed, antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu) can reduce symptom severity and recovery time. They work best within 48 hours of symptom onset, so contact your healthcare provider right away if you suspect the flu.

How to Avoid the Flu

4. Relieve symptoms

Elizabeth Sargent, DO

1. Get vaccinated It’s not too late for your flu shot! The vaccine is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness. Updated each year to fight new strains, it reduces your risk of catching the flu and prevents serious complications. 2. Practice proper hygiene Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after coughing, sneezing, or touching shared surfaces. When soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer. 3. Avoid close contact with sick individuals Flu spreads through droplets in the air. Keep your distance from those showing symptoms like coughing, sneezing, or fever. If you’re in a high-risk area such as a clinic or hospital, consider wearing a mask for extra protection. 4. Strengthen your immune system Healthy habits help your body fight infections. Eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, get 7–9 hours of sleep, and manage stress through exercise or relaxation techniques. 5. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces The flu virus can live for hours on hard surfaces. Clean items like doorknobs, light switches, and keyboards regularly with disinfectant wipes or sprays. What to Do if Symptoms Appear Early action can shorten recovery and ease discomfort. 1. Stay home and rest Give your body the downtime it needs to heal. Avoid work, school, and gatherings to prevent spreading the flu. Rest allows your immune system to fight the infection effectively. 2. Stay hydrated Fever and congestion can cause dehydration. Drink plenty of water, herbal tea, or broth, and use electrolyte drinks if needed to replace lost nutrients.

• Reduce fever and aches with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. • Ease congestion with a humidifier or saline nasal spray. • Soothe a sore throat with warm saltwater gargles. 5. Watch for complications Seek medical attention if you experience trouble breathing, chest pain, confusion, or persistent high fever, especially if you have a weakened immune system or underlying conditions. The Bottom Line Prevention starts with vaccination, good hygiene, and healthy daily habits. If you do get the flu, rest, hydrate, and act early to recover faster. Staying prepared and mindful helps protect you, your family, and your community this flu season.

FALL IS A GOOD TIME TO COME HOME. Life gets busy. Schedules fill up. And sometimes we simply need a place to slow down, reconnect, and remember what matters most. There’s a place for you here.

BELIEVE. BELONG. BE LOVED. You belong at HCOC. Huntsville Church of Christ 3737 Hwy 30 West • Huntsville 936 • 295 • 3884

HCOC.CHURCH

Glorious Grandchildren

Piney Woods | October 2026

The Seven

Postcards

Grandchildren of Scott & Shannon Williams

Libby & McKinlee

Share your cute grandkids photos

Grandchildren of

PostcardsLive.com/Share

AOA Volleyball

Chris & Colette Proske

AOA Football

AOA Cross Country

Good Luck Lions! We are looking forward to an exciting new year with all of our AOA Athletes.

There really is a difference!

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

936-438-8833

Postcards Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcardslive.com

Dear Gabby

Send me your questions at

PostcardsLive.com/Share

Welcome back to the October 2026 edition of the Dear Gabby advice column. We’re approaching the middle of the “ber” months (months that end in ber). This means you should get ready for Halloween, Renaissance Festivals, football, and lesser sports (sorry, I was raised in Texas). Our federal holiday is Columbus Day/ Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday, October 12. In defense of my last month’s column, it is now officially fall. My pumpkin spice comments, in no way, apply to pumpkin pie or pumpkin rolls. Those two applications are where they belong. Send your questions to me by clicking Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share. DEAR GABBY

DEAR GABBY

Is anyone else getting tired of “them” telling us what we can do and what we can have? I am a lady who has lived long enough (independently) to make most decisions of my own volition, and I resent the intrusion. How do you feel about that?

I am trying to differentiate between friends and acquaintances. Some people I think are my friends don’t always seem to have my best interest at heart. And some I was thinking of as acquaintances turn out to have my back, and then some. How do you know?

MOTHER MAY I?

FRIENDS OR NOT?

DEAR MMI

GABBY

DEAR FRIENDS OR NOT My hero/husband Dud has a saying as true as they come. You can count your friends on the fingers of one hand. All the other people are acquaintances. I say: friends are like panties. Some get a little twisted, some are your favorite, some are holey, some are cheap, some are naughty, and some actually cover your butt when you need them. Assuming you are asking about lady friends, it is really hard to tell in advance. Eleanor Roosevelt explained it best: “A woman is like a teabag you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO “MY BODY IS A TEMPLE”: My body is not a temple. It’s a haunted house. It’s slowly falling apart, makes weird noises, and contains the spirit of an old person who’s always mad about something.

October 2026 | Piney Woods

I’m with you, Sister! Let me tell you a little story. A number of years ago, I went to a grocery store in Austin and bought: a pound of sliced ham in a plastic bag, a loaf of bread in a plastic bag, a gallon of milk in a plastic jug, a pack of napkins in plastic wrap, a store-made salad in a plastic tub, a plastic bottle of mustard and catsup, but they wouldn’t give me a plastic bag to carry it home because the plastic bag was bad for the environment! I’m happy to report the city of Austin overturned that ban when the Texas Supreme Court ruled the single use bag ban violated state law. Who are “they”, anyway?

43 Postcards

The Garden Post

Fall is for

Ginger Vybiral

Planting and Planning! Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

ctober! Days become shorter than nights, and temperatures cool down. Did you know one of our main signs of fall, the fiery colored leaves, is not due to cooler weather? It’s actually due to the lack of sunlight from shorter days. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 - “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.” Let the fall color explosion begin! Now is the time for fall mums and Celosia! They are perennials and will come back for you in following years. And don’t forget about snapdragons, pansies, violas, ornamental kale and cabbage, dianthus, stock, and calendula. These beauties love the cooler temps and will give you an amazing show. Your local nursery will have an array of outstanding, rich colors to choose from. If you haven’t already, get any cool weather crops (like greens, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale) planted, so they can have enough time to develop before the colder temps slow their growth. Your local nursery should have starter plants ready to go. Herbs can also be planted for a fall harvest. Remember, “fall veggies” doesn’t mean they can withstand colder temps. Be ready to cover them if we get a blast of cold. It is also time to plan. Stock up on supplies you may need in the winter months. Frost sheets, old sheets, tarps, empty milk jugs, heat sources, extension cords, etc. You can bag up shredded leaves to use as mulch and insulation. Now is also a good time to clean and evaluate your garden tools. Thinking about a new area to plant a garden in the spring? If the area is full of grass and weeds, be proactive and treat it with a safe herbicide or cover the area with black plastic. The plastic heats the soil, which helps kill roots, bacteria, and fungi. It also blocks access to water, helping eliminate weeds and grass. Consult your local nursery or county extension agent for guidance on herbicides if needed.

Bobo’s Nursery Buffalo, Texas

Fall is prime time to plant trees, shrubs, or to move any shrubs that aren’t doing well in their present location. Fall gives any new additions or relocatees several months to establish their root systems before the harsh Texas heat returns. Be sure to use a root stimulator to boost their chances. Remove damaged or dead branches. Only prune shrubs for cleanup and touch-up. Wait for major reshaping in February. If you plan to save any seeds from your spring and summer veggies or flowers, make sure they aren’t hybrids. You may or may not get the outcome you want, since hybrids are a cross between two specific parent plants. Want to save your caladiums for next year? It’s time to dig them up! Let them dry a week or so, remove any dead foliage and soil, then store them in sawdust or something similar, in a cool, dry place (55 degrees) until spring. You can divide and relocate your perennials like coneflowers, coreopsis, daylilies, and irises. You can also get your amaryllis, lily, paperwhites, and daffodils in the ground. Tidy up your perennials by removing any dead leaves and branches. Continue mowing your lawn until the first frost. By doing so, you reduce the risk of disease, maintain its appearance, and prepare it for winter dormancy. Fertilize to help it withstand the winter months. A 2-1-2 ratio is recommended for our area. Be sure to water it in after application. Critters are still terrorizing us! Caterpillars keep munching until they enter their cocoon stage for the winter. Keep an eye out for any unwanted insects to catch them early. If you’re not sure, bring your bug to your local nursery for advice. Powdery mildew is always a problem this time of year with milder temps, mixed with our humidity and rainfall. It can show up on plants as well as creep into our lawns. Stay diligent. Catching critters and diseases early will give your plants a better chance.

Autumn… the year’s last, loveliest smile. -William Cullen Bryant

”

Postcardslive.com T H E D E PA R T M E N T O F T H E AT R E & M U S I C A L T H E AT R E P R E S E N T S

K E N

L U D W I G ’ S

Adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas

7:30 PM 2:00 PM

“Ken Ludwig's The Three Musketeers” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com

E R I C A S TA R R T H E AT R E , U T C

SCAN FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION shsutickets.com | tickets@shsu.edu | 936.294.2339 1740 Bobby K. Marks Huntsville, TX 77341

24 Hour Surveillance Elevator Access

edwardjones.com/ﬁndyourrich | Member SIPC

Climate Controlled Units Online Leases Available

What makes your life feel rich? Whether it’s watching your kids discover new passions or ﬁnding what brings your family closer, we're here to help you build a life you love.

Contact me today.

ALL CUSTOMERS RECEIVE A FREE DISC LOCK AT MOVE - IN

CLIMATECSTORAGE.COM 276 IH 45 South • Huntsville, TX 77340

(936) 241-4662

Ken Holland

45 Postcards

SECURE STORAGE STARTS HERE!

October 2026 | Piney Woods

NOV 19-21 NOV 21-22

Tasty Bites Queso Chicken and Rice

Piney Woods | October 2026

INGREDIENTS

Postcards

1 Tbs olive oil 1 ½ lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1 ½” pieces 1 tsp garlic powder, or to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 yellow or white onion, finely chopped 1 Tbs butter 1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice 1 (1-oz) packet taco seasoning 2 ¾ cups water, or as needed 1 cup prepared queso dip green onions, pico, avocado, cilantro, or jalapeños, for topping (optional) DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high

heat. Add chicken and cook, undisturbed, until browned on one side, about 2 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until lightly browned, about 2 minutes (chicken will not be fully cooked at this point). Step 2: Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften. Add butter and allow it to melt. Add rice and cook, stirring, until rice is coated and lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Stir in taco seasoning until well combined, about 30 seconds. Step 3: Add water and stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil. Stir once more and reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until liquid has been absorbed, about 20 minutes. Step 4: Warm queso in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Top chicken and rice with queso and serve immediately with desired toppings.

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

THE EXPERTS IN

PEST CONTROL SINCE 1981!

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Rodent Control

Ants

Sunday Worship Service 10:45 AM State of the Art Hearing Technology Available

Roaches

Mosquito Control Household Pests

Spiders

A Movement For Wholeness In a Fragmented World

Weed Control

Termite Control & Inspection

19th Street Quilt Stroll

Lawn and Ornamental Treatment

October 10 • 10 AM - 3 PM

D.L. Shiver II

Enjoy your day strolling through the churches on 19th street to view

936-291-2902

Don Shiver

936-348-9135 Follow us on Facebook!

Licenses: Licenses: TPCL TPCL 0774786 0774786 TPCL 6769 6769

beautiful quilts.

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

(936)295-3677

Fcchtx.org

Postcards

Serving Huntsville and Madisonville for more than 40 years!

Tasty Bites Italian Penicillin Soup

Piney Woods | October 2026

INGREDIENTS

Postcards

8 cups lower-sodium chicken broth 2 cups chopped sweet onion 1 1/2 cups peeled and coarsely chopped carrots 2 celery ribs, coarsely chopped 6 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled 3/4 tsp kosher salt 4 thyme sprigs 2 fresh bay leaves 1 (2 oz) Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind, plus grated cheese for garnish 4 oz uncooked pastina pasta 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Bring broth, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan or small Dutch oven over high. Reduce heat to medium-low, and

simmer until vegetables are softened, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer vegetables and 1 cup of broth to a blender. Step 2: Secure lid on blender, and remove center piece to allow steam to escape. Place a clean towel over opening. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Stir blended carrot mixture back into soup. Step 3: Add thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese rind. Bring to a boil over medium-high. Add pasta, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender, 18 to 20 minutes, adding shredded chicken in the last 3 minutes of cooking. Step 4: Remove from heat. Remove and discard thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and ParmigianoReggiano cheese rind. Step 5: Serve immediately; garnish with parsley and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

49 Postcards

Tasty Bites Pumpkin Cheese Ball INGREDIENTS

2 (8-oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened 1 Tbs bottled hot pepper sauce 1 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp minced garlic 2 cups finely shredded yellow cheddar cheese 1 stem from a bell pepper crackers for serving

Piney Woods | October 2026

DIRECTIONS

Postcards

Step 1: Combine cream cheese, hot pepper sauce, paprika, and garlic in a food processor. Process until well combined. Step 2: Add 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese and process until cheese is finely chopped but still very visible. Step 3: Sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of the remaining shredded cheese into a 4-inch pile on a large piece of plastic wrap, and top with a rounded scoop of the cheese ball mixture.

Step 4: Sprinkle the cheese ball mound with the remaining shredded cheese. Step 5: Pull sides of plastic wrap up and over the cheese ball mixture to wrap tightly and shape into a ball. (If needed, wrap with an additional piece of plastic wrap to ensure the mixture is very tightly wrapped.) Step 6: Wrap 4 wide rubber bands around the cheese ball, evenly spacing them to create the indentations that are found on a pumpkin. (Depending on the size of the rubber bands, you may need to double wrap each one to create indentations that are deep enough.) Step 7: Chill cheese ball in the refrigerator at least 3 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld and the cream cheese to become firm. Step 8: Before serving, remove rubber bands and unwrap cheese ball. Place a bell pepper stem on top of the pumpkin and gently press to adhere. Serve with crackers.

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Pumpkins to Petals

1525 Sam Houston Ave. Huntsville

(936) 295-5448

Postcards

From

Tasty Bites Apple ‘Cider Bath’ Cinnamon Rolls with flour and roll into a large oval. Dust again and flip dough over. Use your hands and gently stretch the dough to form a rectangle. Continue rolling until you have a rectangle that is approximately 18x12 inches. Step 5: For the filling, combine butter, apple butter, brown sugar, white sugar, and cinnamon in a bowl. Step 6: Spread filling onto the dough, leaving about 1.5 inches of dough bare on the long opposite side. Scatter over walnuts. Roll dough up tightly and Filling: carefully without pressing out the filling, finishing 4 Tbs soft butter with the seam side down. Use your hands to press 1/3 cup apple butter into a uniform tube. Score into 12 equal portions, 1/3 cup brown sugar trimming a little bit of the dough off each end. Use 1/3 cup white sugar a string or knife to cut dough roll into 12 rolls. The 2 Tbs cinnamon extra dough can be added to the bottoms of some of 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) the smaller rolls. Step 7: Transfer cinnamon rolls into a buttered 13x9 Bath: baking pan or dish. Cover and let proof until the rolls 4 cups apple cider have risen by about 50% and are touching each other, 2/3 cup cream about 1 hour. Step 8: For the bath, pour apple cider into a saucepan Icing: and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil until 1/4 cup reduced apple cider apple cider has reduced by half, about 12 minutes. 2 cups powdered sugar Ladle out 1/4 cup of reduced apple cider and reserve for the icing. Continue cooking until the cider has DIRECTIONS reduced to about 1/3 cup and gets syrupy, about 12 Step 1: Pour warm milk into a small bowl and sprinkle more minutes. Turn off heat and stir in cream. Set yeast on top. Allow to sit for 10 minutes. Add sugar, aside until rolls are fully proofed. melted butter, egg, and salt. Whisk to combine. Add Step 9: Once cinnamon rolls are proofed, ladle the cider flour and stir with a wooden spoon handle until bath evenly over the rolls, coating as much of the everything is well combined and a sticky dough surface as possible. forms. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes. Step 10: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Step 2: Wet your hands. Uncover dough and do a set of Step 11: Bake cinnamon rolls in the preheated oven 6 or 7 “stretch and folds” of the dough with your wet for 30 to 35 minutes. The internal temperature in the hands, turning the bowl as you go. Wet your hands center of each roll should read 190 degrees. Remove again and shape the dough into a smooth ball. Cover from the oven and allow cinnamon rolls to cool for 10 and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours. to 15 minutes while preparing the icing. Step 3: Transfer dough to work surface and press out Step 12: Whisk powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, into the air. Grab dough from the edge and stretch it over the reserved reduced apple cider until you have a the top to the center. Repeat about 5 times, going smooth, thick, yet pourable icing. Drizzle icing over all the way around, until the dough comes together. the rolls using a whisk. Allow cinnamon rolls to cool Flip dough over and use your hand and a bench until just warm and serve. scraper to form the dough into a tight ball using a circular motion on the table. Set dough into an oiled Cook’s Note resealable bag and refrigerate overnight. Regular cinnamon roll filling uses 8 tablespoons of Step 4: The next day, transfer cold dough to a floured butter, so if you don’t have apple butter, use an entire surface and press flat into a rectangle shape. Dust stick of butter for the filling. INGREDIENTS

Piney Woods | October 2026

Dough: 1 cup plus 2 Tbs warm milk 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast 1/3 cup white sugar 6 Tbs unsalted butter, melted 1 large egg, beaten 3/4 tsp fine salt 4 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Postcards

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

53 Postcards

TEXAS TALENT

Piney Woods | October 2026

Paul Richie

Meet this area “Maker,” who takes leather, metal, gold, silver and other metals and transforms them into handmade, artist quality bits, spurs, buckles, and jewelry.

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TOM MILLER

Postcards

eeting Paul Richie was not formal. I walked into his inviting shop in downtown Madisonville, and I heard him call out from somewhere inside, but I didn’t know where he was located. I continued speaking with him until I figured out he was located upstairs and around the corner! He greeted me with a smile and a handshake, and it felt like I had known him for a long time. He was working on a sterling silver cross, putting the final engravings on it. Paul is a western art maker who is exceptionally gifted. His shop is filled with beautiful western art that is handmade by him and his maker friends.

Tell me about growing up.

I was born and raised here in Madisonville, Texas. My parents owned a ranch, and my dad was known for his horsemanship. Dad taught many young people how to ride over several decades, including me. My mom passed away when I was twelve years old. Dad remarried, and I ended up with a new stepbrother who was a year older than me. He was much bigger, so I learned how to fight. I had two older brothers (but one passed) and one older sister who was in high school when I was born, so having a brother close to my age altered my life. It grounded and humbled me. We still enjoy going fishing together and have a great time doing so.

My wife Jana and I met when I was in seventh grade at the local horse show. She is a barrel racer, and I was in the ‘ride around and frown’ crowd. I would make my dad stay late after the horse

Share about your work history.

I had been working at a fiberglass plant while going to college, and when I finished my ag degree in range management/turf grass management from Sam Houston State University, I thought I would go the superintendent route. I took a job at the local country club golf course. My salary at the golf course was not enough to make a living, even though I loved working there. I worked a couple of other jobs over the next few years, then got hired as an insurance adjuster for an adjusting firm. I advanced to VP during my tenure, but I was not satisfied in the business of insurance. Much of my employment during a span of eighteen years or so kept me away from the Madisonville area.

But not away from horses, correct?

My wife and I have always worked with horses and have been breaking and raising horses for decades. About twenty-five years ago, I got to know a clinician named Charlie Hill. I have much respect for Charlie because of the way he works with horses. He is a deep thinker, who thinks through the process of training. I learned as much as I could from him about being a good horseman and, in the process, he also taught me how to work with leather. He was a big inspiration for me to learn the craft, as I had zero talent back then. I started taking classes and worked hard to better my skills.

So your craftmanship started with leather, then what? I started following a guy online by the name of Wilson Capron, who was well known for spur and bit making. Attending classes with like-minded people who shared the same interests inspired me to work harder and more

October 2026 | Piney Woods

So, you were a horseman from early on?

shows so I could talk to her, but it wasn’t until I was in college that I asked her out on a date. We dated for about seven years and got married in 1995 after we both graduated from Sam Houston.

55 Postcards

Paul & Jana Richie

Postcards

56 Piney Woods | October 2026

often. My first spur-making class was with Wilson. He does a four-day class taught onsite, and we all stay in a bunkhouse. Wilson’s wife Katie cooks for all the attendees, and the joke is we all come back for her cooking and not the training. I made my first set of spurs and felt like this was the perfect path I wanted to take in my life. I signed up for a bit-making class and made my first bit. I couldn’t do overlays very well, so I went back to class to learn it. The more I learned, the better I got, and I was determined to be the best I could be. Following Wilson Capron led me to search out other expert makers of spurs, bits, belt buckles, and jewelry.

I’m the furthest thing from it, but what I am is dedicated and driven to learn. I want to improve my abilities the best way I know, which is why I seek out some of the best to learn from. People like: Wilson Capron, Charlie Hill, my wife, Cary Schwarz, Scott Hardy, Matt Humphreys, Wes Griffin, and Greg Darnell.

Making a set of spurs takes about twenty-five to thirty hours. There are several components, and everything is handmade. Even small pieces, that are available premade, I fabricate by hand. I just prefer it that way. A lot of customers come to me with certain preferences and styles, and each pair is tailored to their needs. I use 4130 steel to fabricate the heel band, 1018 or 4130 steel to make the shank. Depending on the use of the spur, I design the rowel for each individual’s need. Once the fabrication is complete, I start the ornamentation process. The silver accents are overlayed and engraved. The hardest part of making a set of spurs is making the second one match the first. I have to say, of all the pieces I make, I enjoy making spurs the most. Ever since Paul decided to take a leap of faith and follow his heart, he has become quite talented at making

”

western art and, in the process, has grown closer to his heavenly Father. He is a fine horseman and a maker, through and through. What he has accomplished has been achieved through hard work and dedication, but he isn’t looking for accolades. He does it because he loves to do it. If someone shows interest in being a maker, he wants to teach them what he has learned. Nothing would make him happier than giving back and helping to lead some others down the path that has brought him so much joy and happiness. Paul Richie is a humble man with a passion for the Lord, a determination to be his very best, and a love of life and his fellow man. If you ever meet Paul, you will know all these things in a matter of minutes. He might not think of himself as an artist, but I would definitely beg to differ. He and his maker friends are truly gifted and produce quality western art that should be experienced by all who visit the area.

Paul’s business, RNR Trappings, is located on the west side of the square in downtown Madisonville. The address is 110 S. Elm Street. You can see more of his work at rnrtrappings.com.

Each quarter, Paul and a group of business owners and friends collaborate with the City of Madisonville to organize “City of Madisonville Cowboy Days”. This is a “sip and shop art faire” to bring folks to Madisonville to enjoy the antique and western shops, dummy roping, wine tasting, signature cocktails, live music, and much more. The most recent event was spectacular, and the plan for the next one is to make it even better with additional attractions.

57 Postcards

What goes into making a set of spurs?

I want to improve my abilities the best way I know, which is why I seek out some of the best to learn from.

October 2026 | Piney Woods

You seem to be very talented.

Giggles & Grins

Share Your Giggles with Us!

PostcardsLive.com/share

My friend with a stuttering problem just went to prison. I'm afraid he may never finish his sentence. •••••••••••••••••••• My coach says I'm one of the best crastinators he has ever seen. I'll probably go pro one day, but I keep putting it off. •••••••••••••••••••• Why are they called ex-fiancees...and not near-Mrs.?

Piney Woods | October 2026

••••••••••••••••••••

Postcards

"There are no words in the English language that have all the vowels in alphabetical order," he said facetiously. •••••••••••••••••••• Apparently, keeping tropical fish at home has a calming effect on the brain. Must be all the indoor fins. •••••••••••••••••••• A comma, a period, and an exclamation mark were called into court. They were being sentenced.

JUSTICE SERVED. RIGHTS PROTECTED.

•••••••••••••••••••• Someone broke into our house last night and stole a dozen eggs.

PERSONAL INJURY AND CIVIL TRIAL LAW

They also left a pan of boiling water on the stove. Police believe it was poachers. •••••••••••••••••••• Some people wear boots because they ride horses. I wear boots because the last time I tied my shoes, the room went sparkly, and I'm 92% sure I shook hands with Jesus. •••••••••••••••••••• Costume party... Host: What are you? Me: A harp. Host: Your costume's too small to be a harp. Me: Are you calling me a lyre?

KEVIN R. KNIGHT

BOARD CERTIFIED PERSONAL INJURY TRIAL LAW TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION SINCE 1995

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

936-348-3543

Postcardslive.com SEE THE DIFFERENCE LOCAL CARE MAKES. Means & Associates has cared for Huntsville families’ vision for generations. Today, Stephen Means, O.D., and Grant Means, O.D., continue that tradition with personalized eye care for every generation of your family.

EYE CARE FOR EVERY GENERATION Comprehensive Eye Exams Prescription Glasses & Contact Lenses

936-291-8282 109 Medical Park Lane • Huntsville, TX 77340

Stephen H. Means, O.D. Grant P. Means, O.D.

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Expert Lens Fitting & Adjustments

59 Postcards

Postcardslive.com

Celebrating 50 Years 1976 - 2026

Piney Woods | October 2026

We are grateful to those who have trusted us through the decades. Your support has made this milestone possible. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the same craftsmanship and integrity for years to come.

Postcards

Thank you for being part of our journey. Terry Woods

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

Shop (936) 294-9708 Mobile (936) 577-4300

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

Tractor Mini-Excavator Trencher Much More Mon. - Fri. 7am - 5pm

936-439-4848 Sat. 8am - 12pm

103 Hwy 30 East Huntsville

Piney Woods | October 2026

Pet Pals

Share Your Pets Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com

Tucker

Sasha & Sukie

loved by

Tucker

Sadie

Sophie Rose

loved by

the Grays

the Kleypas Family

Postcards

the Ruffs

Nathan, Denna & Finley

Adrienne & Owen

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

63 Postcards

Funspace

Piney Woods | October 2026

NERDS

Postcards

BABY RUTH

PAYDAY

BIT O HONEY

RAISINET

CANDY CORN

REESES

WHOPPERS

SKITTLES

GUMMYBEAR

SMARTIES

JOLLY RANCHER

SNICKERS

KITKAT

STARBURST

MILKYWAY

TWIX

MOUNDS

TWIZZLERS

There are twelve differences in the images below. Can you spot them all and win the game?

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

This co-op appreciation month, join us in celebrating the communities that make MidSouth what it is. Planning some fall landscaping?

Know your utility guidelines before you plant or dig.

Visit midsouthelectric.com

Postcards

Reliable is What We’ve ALWAYS DONE.

Funspace

Knit Codeword Puzzle the Number in Each Square Corresponds to a Letter | Free Printable Puzzle Games

12/29/25, 11:58 AM

1. How did the tree get a new job? She had the right qua-leaf-ications. 2. What is the best book to read in autumn? Gourd of the Rings 3. Why was the robot couple’s anniversary in the fall? They were autumn mated.

Piney Woods | October 2026

4. What do Jedi trees say to each other in the fall? May the forest be with you. 5. What do you call a small pepper in late autumn? A little chili 6. What do farmers wear under their shirts when they’re cold? A har-vest. 7. Why shouldn’t you tell a secret in a cornfield? Because the corn has ears.

Postcards

8. How do you fix a broken pumpkin? With a pumpkin patch! 9. What is it called when a tree takes some time off? Paid leaf. 10. Why did the pumpkin lose the boxing match? He let his gourd down.

https://www.supercoloring.com/puzzle-games/knit-codeword-puzzle-the-number-in-each-square-corresponds-to-a-letter

And all at once, summer collapsed into fall. ~Oscar Wilde

”

Page 1 of 1

Postcardslive.com Your family's future, protected today. We are here to help you every step of the way. Thoughtful planning starts with meaningful conversation. Our experienced attorneys provide the time and attention you deserve.

REAL ESTATE

WILLS & TRUSTS

PROBATE

BUSINESS LAW

Let us help protect what matters most.

Partner

ER S M SMHMEANIRTHDE TI N & RSON &H

A TT O R NE Y S A T L A W

1224 University Avenue Huntsville, Texas 77340

Angela Shimek Valis Associate Attorney

(936) 295-2624

ROOTED IN COMMUNITY. COMMITTED TO CLIENTS. SINCE 1919

smithermartin.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Alvin Lloyd Martin

67 Postcards

Employment Opportunities Available! Front Door Sales • Pickers • Packers

More than 40 positions available!

montereymushrooms.com Spent Compost For Sale

Sudoku Marketspace Receive one-on-one service www.myuhcagent.com/Lauri.Wenzel 832-244-1973, TTY 711

Piney Woods | October 2026

Fax: 832-201-5359

Postcards

Blend In While Standing Out 936-291-3222 Check us out at

advantagespecialties.com

Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 25, Book 1

Sudoku #1Easy

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

Sudoku Marketspace Do you owe the IRS $$$ Chester Crawford, EA Since 1981

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

Novice Sudoku by KrazyDad, Volume 25, Book 1

8 3

6 8 3

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

Schedule an Appointment Today for Your Four-Legged Family Members

Tues

7:30 to 1

(936) 293-8900

1705 11th Street • Huntsville

Fall Hair Never Looked Better. Turn Over a New Leaf With a New Hairstyle

5 4004 A Sam Houston Ave. • Huntsville, TX

6 4 3 6 1 7 5

7 4 8

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.

Sat.

8 to 12

936-291-3737

69 Postcards

7 2 8

Your Pet, Our Priority!

Above all, beware of Zeal!

2 5 7 6 1 3 4 8

11th Street Veterinary Hospital

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Sudoku Medium #1

We Are Your Other Family Doctor

Piney Woods | October 2026

Heartfield Florist Danny Pierce reflects on history, family, and a lifetime of service.

70 Postcards

BUSINESS FOCUS

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

STORY AND PHOTOS BY TOM MILLER

eartfield Florist has been in operation since 1957. The original owners were Blanche and Jerry Heartfield. A young Danny Pierce knew the Heartfield’s daughter and worked part-time at the florist shop. At age 24, Pierce bought the business from the family after the Heartfield couple retired in 1966. He decided it was a good opportunity to purchase the “shop,” and his instincts were right. Sixty years later, Heartfield Florist is resilient and thriving. We sat down with Danny and talked about his life, his family, and his over sixty years of history with this family owned and operated business.

Danny & Cindy Pierce

Your success is what you put into it.

”

October 2026 | Piney Woods

Heartfield Florist Now & Then

71 Postcards

Danny graduated from high school in 1960. He grew up in Conroe near the San Jacinto River Basin in western Montgomery County, before Lake Conroe existed. He attended Sam Houston State University and, while he was going to college, he worked in construction as a bulldozer operator. He also took a job at the local Dairy Queen. Danny worked for a local contractor and the Carol Construction company, clearing the right of ways for Southwestern Bell telephone company. He worked in that capacity for quite some time before he bought the florist shop. He had saved as much as he could during that time. When Danny purchased the shop, it was located on the corner of the

street, and the building was old and in disrepair. Originally, it was a Zesta Cone ice cream shop and had an old ice cream cone sign that hung out over the street. Back then, State Highway 75 was called “Avenue L.” In 1968, Mr. Heartfield decided to build a new building and completed construction in 1970. The business is run in the same building today. Danny had learned enough about the operation of the business while working there and had no trouble continuing shop operations. “Back in the days when most folks were trusted, I had a key to every church in town,” said Danny. If a delivery needed to be made early in the day, he had a way to open up to make the delivery for a funeral.

Danny and his wife Cindy were married in December 1981 and have three girls together—Sicily, Krystal, and Natalie. Danny was previously married and had two sons and two daughters—Dan, Jason, Debbie, and Joy. The florist shop has always been a family owned and operated business, and all the children have worked there at one time or another. Krystal shared a story about what it was like to work at the shop and how she felt it was more an expected assignment than a voluntary one. “One day, I was working there, and I sat down for a bit, while everyone else was working hard. Mom and dad saw it as an opportunity to teach me a lesson, so I got fired…but for that week, I was

Piney Woods | October 2026

still expected to work, without pay!” Needless to say, Krystal did not let that happen ever again. Danny ran for office in 2001, was elected in 2002, and took office in 2003 as county judge. He held office for 20 years. During that time, Danny would help at the shop whenever he could, but he credits Cindy and her two daughters with running the majority of the business. Danny shares that the business is about ninety percent service. The other percentage is split between labor and marketing. “We do whatever it takes to make sure the customer is happy,” he says, “and that means starting early and often finishing late. It’s an all-hands-ondeck operation, all day long and seven days a week.” Danny reflects back to the days he used to drive an ambulance for the funeral home, and he also assisted in preparation for the deceased before a funeral. “We were more than just florists then, and we feel we are the same today.” Cindy added, “It’s very

Postcards

Danny, Cindy, Sicily, Allie, Kinzie, & Krystal

special to have customers comment to us that we made the arrangements for their wedding and now we are doing the same for their children. We get those kinds of comments from our customers all the time, and it means so much to us that we are trusted to take care of their needs over and over again. Bonds and friendships are made, and knowing your customers by name says a lot about the relationships we have grown over the years. We have become a household name, and because of that, we pride ourselves in keeping those standards high.” When asked about what advice he would offer to young people on running a successful business, Danny says be prepared to work long hours, day and night, nearly every day of the week; do your very best to ensure you have a good team of support staff; and expect to go the extra mile to treat your customers how you would want to be treated. Sicily adds, “Your success is what you put into it. We work a lot

of hours and, just because our store is not the largest, we still produce a tremendous amount of product, and that may seem deceiving to some. If you are asked to do something extra, don’t say no. Do what you know is essential to running a successful business no matter the time of day or night.” Heartfield Florist has a strong history of community involvement. They sponsor all sorts of events and functions, often donating flowers. Danny and Cindy have both served as president of the Walker County Fair Association and served on the Walker County Rural water board. Both have also served on the Boys & Girls Club board. Sicily and Krystal have also served as chairpersons and on different committee positions. Danny Pierce is an entrepreneur in every sense of the word. One who undertakes, a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, especially a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk—an employer

of productive labor. His daughters would laugh at that last statement and probably have much to say in return. Sicily and Krystal have worked at the florist shop for as long as they can remember, many times twelve plus hours a day, seven days a week. During this interview, I witnessed the respect shown to Danny while he spoke. The esteem was genuine and continuous, and the love this family has for one another is, without question, a huge part of what makes Heartfield the success it has been for sixty years. It truly is a “Family” owned and operated business.

1525 Sam Houston Ave Huntsville, TX 77340 (936) 295-5448 huntsvilleheartfieldflorist.com

Wildlife Wonders

A Moth in

Hummingbird Clothing

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

bout mid-August, I take out my hummingbird feeders, mix up a batch of hummingbird food, and wait. They are certainly amazing little birds. But occasionally, upon closer inspection, I see that it’s not a hummingbird at all. It’s actually a hummingbird moth. Hummingbirds and hummingbird moths are an example of what’s called convergent evolution. This is when two unrelated species develop similar traits because they live in similar environments. Over the course of millions of years, both organisms independently evolved toward the same highly efficient biological design. Let’s explore the similarities between the bird and the insect. While most moths fly at night, hummingbird moths are active during the day. The food source for both is nectar from flowers, which they drink while suspended in the air. Both can hover and can fly backwards and sideways. Both also have long mouthparts that are used to drink nectar— hummingbirds have an incredibly long tongue, while the moth has a long, coiled proboscis. A proboscis is a strawlike mouthpart that uncoils when the moth feeds. Both feed frequently throughout the day, and both help sustain a healthy ecosystem through pollination. So how do they differ? About half of a hummingbird’s diet is nectar, while the other half is made up of small insects and spiders. The adult hummingbird moth feeds on nectar. A hummingbird is covered in feathers, while the moth is covered in fuzzy hairs. Hummingbirds have a beak; the moth has antennae. Hummingbirds have two legs, which are often

By Cheryl Conley

Lake Creek Nature Preserve Board of Directors

difficult to see during flight, while moths have six. And, of course, hummingbirds are much larger. Hummingbird moths typically have a wingspan of only about 1½ to 2¼ inches. Hummingbird moths belong to the sphinx or hawk moth family, a group known for its strong, fast-flying members. Their plump bodies, rapidly beating wings, and ability to hover in front of flowers are what make them so easy to mistake for tiny birds. Some species even have mostly transparent wings, adding to their unusual appearance. Like other moths, they go through complete metamorphosis: egg, caterpillar, pupa, and adult. The female lays her eggs on plants that will later provide food for the caterpillars. After hatching, the caterpillars feed and grow through several stages before eventually pupating. In warmer southern climates, hummingbird moths may have more than one generation each year. Many overwinter in the pupal stage and emerge as adults when temperatures warm again. The caterpillar stage may look nothing like the graceful adult moth it eventually becomes. Hummingbird moth caterpillars are often called hornworms because many have a noticeable horn-like projection on the rear of the body. They can grow quite large and may be brightly patterned in shades of green, yellow, or white. Although the caterpillar and adult look completely different, they are simply two stages of the same remarkable insect. Once the adult emerges, it begins visiting flowers for nectar and, in the process, transferring pollen from one flower to another. This makes hummingbird moths valuable pollinators. Native flowering plants are especially important because they provide nectar for adults and food plants for caterpillars. So, the next time you see what appears to be a tiny hummingbird darting from flower to flower, take a second look. If it has antennae, six legs, and a fuzzy little body, you may be watching one of nature’s best impersonators. With its hovering flight and hummingbird-like appearance, it’s easy to see how this moth earned its name.

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

75 Postcards

Your Best Agrilife What Exactly Is Texas A&M AgriLife Extension?

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcards

ore than a century ago, Texas faced a challenge that may sound surprisingly familiar. Researchers were discovering better ways to farm, raise livestock and improve family life, but much of that information wasn’t reaching the people who could actually use it. The solution was a simple idea that continues to guide Extension today: take the knowledge of the university TO the people of Texas. The roots of Extension in Texas can be traced to the early 1900s, when farmers were facing challenges such as the devastating boll weevil. Agricultural educator Seaman A. Knapp believed farmers were more likely to adopt new practices if they could see them working firsthand. In 1903, farm demonstrations in Texas began putting that idea into practice. The concept spread, and in 1906, William C. Stallings was appointed agricultural agent in Smith County, becoming the first agent in the nation assigned to serve a single county. The county agent model was born. Extension soon realized that education could reach the entire family. Early boys’ corn clubs and girls’ tomato clubs taught agriculture, gardening, food preservation, and other practical skills. These clubs eventually helped form the foundation of what we know today as 4-H. In 1914, Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act, officially establishing the Cooperative Extension Service through America’s land-grant universities. The system created a partnership among federal, state, and local governments to bring research-based university knowledge directly into communities. More than 100 years later, Extension continues to evolve alongside the people it serves. 4-H is a perfect example. What began with projects such as corn, livestock, gardening, and food preservation has

Kristy Titzman Walker County Extension Agent

grown to include opportunities in robotics, photography, computer science, public speaking, shooting sports, food and nutrition, natural resources, leadership, entrepreneurship, and much more. The projects have changed, but the purpose has not. Young people still learn by doing. A corn plot once taught responsibility, science, and problem-solving. Today, those same skills might be developed while raising an animal, programming a robot, preparing a meal, conducting an experiment, or delivering a speech. The way Extension reaches people has evolved as well. Early agents traveled country roads to farms, homes, and community gatherings. Today, Extension still provides faceto-face education but also reaches Texans through websites, online courses, webinars, social media, videos, and other technology. “Meeting people where they are” no longer refers only to a physical place. It may be a pasture, classroom, community center, or 4-H meeting. It may also be a computer screen or the phone in someone’s hand. For more than a century, the tools, programs and challenges have changed, but the mission of Extension remains remarkably consistent: meet people where they are, provide information they can trust, and help them use that knowledge to improve their lives, families, and communities. Extension began by taking the university to the people. More than 100 years later, that is still exactly what we do. Want to see one way Extension is continuing to meet Texans where they are? Explore AgriLife Learn, Texas A&M AgriLife’s online learning platform, where you can find courses, publications, and educational resources on topics ranging from agriculture and food safety to child care, health, and professional development. Explore AgriLife Learn: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/

Postcardslive.com

October 2026 | Piney Woods

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

Postcards

Trusted Comfort For Changing Seasons

Piney Woods | October 2026

Postcardslive.com

Postcards

Live your best life possible.

227 State Hwy 75 N, Suite 140, Huntsville, TX 77320

Considering home care should never be scary.

No tricks, treat yourself or your loved one to quality care. Call now to schedule a free consultation.

(936) 339-CARE

Getting to Know Us Meet the people behind the pages. Every issue of Postcards is made possible by a dedicated team working behind the scenes. With Getting to Know Us, we’re pulling back the curtain to introduce you to the people who make it all happen—one little question at a time!

I always looked forward to going to Mrs. Deebelle Clapp’s house (across the street from my grandmother Wowo). She always made homemade popcorn balls. Fifty years later, and I still remember how they taste!

Karen Altom Publisher

Homemade popcorn balls. We had a special mold…I “helped” make them…and I would still be trying to get all the sticky off me a week later! Wes Altom Editor

79 Hot apple cider! Allie Plunk Media & Content

Caramel apples my mom would make. Yum! And a timeless favorite are the candy corn pumpkins (I think the actual proper name is mellow cream pumpkins). Nancy Jolly Advertising

Mary Partida Designer

Popcorn balls…my mom would make them every year! Tammy Farkas Advertising

My favorite was marshmallow treats.

Any candy with peanut butter. April Key Designer

Postcards

Dots and the pumpkin suckers!

Marshall Altom Operations Mgr.

October 2026 | Piney Woods

OUR TEAM

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN TREAT AS A CHILD?

October 2026 3-4

10 - 11

“Silent Sky”

Huntsville Card Show

Greek Festival

owentheatre.com

1-2

CONROE th

40 Annual Lobsterfest chamber.conroe.org

Piney Woods | October 2026

1-3

Postcards

PostcardsLive.com

Thru 4 CONROE

See More Events Online!

MONTGOMERY

“California” lonestar.edu/ticket-info

2-3

CONROE

“Deck the Halls” Fall & Christmas Market fbcconroe.org

HUNTSVILLE

The Great Pumpkin Shoot @ Able’s: MOW MoCo mowmc.org

HUNTSVILLE nd

52 Annual Fair on the Square walkercountychamber.com

HUNTSVILLE

Airport Fall Fly-In huntsvilletx.gov

HUNTSVILLE

Facebook: Huntsville Sports Cards and Collectibles Show

HUNTSVILLE

BINGO for Waterwood Women’s League Email: diannelcmusic@gmail.com

HUNTSVILLE

Jane Monheit in Concert shsu.universitytickets.com

6-8

BRENHAM

Christmas Magic giddingsstonemansion.com

COLLEGE STATION

“The Phil Collins Story” opastickets.org

9 - 11, 16 - 18 GRAPEVINE

Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine grapevinetexasusa.com/gvrr

BRYAN

Boonville Days brazosvalleymusuem.org

GALVESTON

galvestongreekfestival.com

HUNTSVILLE

Local Churches Blood Drive commitforlife.org

HUNTSVILLE

Fall Plant Sale facebook.com/walkercountymastergardeners

HUNTSVILLE

Carolina Creek Marina & SAAFE House BBQ Cook-off saafehouse.org

HUNTSVILLE

San Antonio Transit (Chicago Tribute) oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

MADISONVILLE

Tour de Madison Bike Ride 2026 bikeride.com/events

13 - 25 HOUSTON

“Mrs. Doubtfire” my.tuts.org

Making Tracks 15 - 18

Texas Rose Festival

Butterfly Festival

TYLER

texasrosefestival.org

16 - 18

BRENHAM

Texas Arts and Music Festival texasartsandmusicfestival.com

CONROE

“Frankenstein” crightontheatre.org

HUNTSVILLE

Tios Golf Tournament (936)355-4922

HUNTSVILLE

The French Family Trio oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

MADISONVILLE th

25 Annual Texas Mushroom Festival txmushfest.org

HUNTSVILLE

Haunted Trails huntsvilletx.gov

HUNTSVILLE

Mo Pitney Trio oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

29 - 31

MADISONVILLE

Haunted Grounds facebook.com/MadisonvilleFireRescueTx

30 - 31

COLLEGE STATION

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live opastickets.org

30 - 31

MADISONVILLE th

6 Annual Blues, Brews, & BBQ

23 - 25

Email: stephanie.kelley@madisonvillepd. net

Brazos Valley Fair and Rodeo

BRYAN

destinationbryan.com

HUNTSVILLE

Scare on the Square huntsvilletx.gov

81 Postcards

facebook.com/walkercountymastergardeners

October 2026 | Piney Woods

16 - Nov 1

HUNTSVILLE

Mustard Seed Moments By Ruth Fields

Giving Whole-hearted Thanks I

Piney Woods | October 2026

was recently reminded of the time my mother opened a thank-you note from the son of a friend and howled with laughter. It read—in its entirety— ”Dear Mr. and Mrs. Graves, thank you for the graduation gift. Love, Steve.”

Postcards

I sometimes think about young Steve (whose name has been changed to protect his anonymity). I’m sure his mother insisted that he write thank-you notes to the people who gave him graduation gifts, and Steve did what he was told! Recently, however, Steve’s lackluster thanks made me think about my own life. How thankful am I for the abundant gifts God has given me? Am I giving him the equivalent of a one-line thank-you note? Hebrews 12:28-29 tells us, “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. . .” Fortunately, there are many, many verses in the Bible that teach us to be thankful, and to therefore “worship God acceptably.” (One might deduce that showing gratitude is important!) Many of these verses talk about giving our

wholehearted thanks to God. For example, Psalm 9:1 states, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.” Other verses mention giving thanks in every circumstance, such as I Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” And Ephesians 5:19-20 instructs us to “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” These verses remind me that I should spend more time every day showing gratitude. Although Steve’s infamously brief thank-you note was penned decades ago, it still serves as a good reminder: be thankful. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6