Postcards Magazine Lake Conroe August 2021

Lake Conroe

POSTCARDS Fellowship of Retired Coaches / Billy Bob’s Texas / Drink Smart Plus

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INSIDE Who To Call Legal & Financial Guide Special Advertising section

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FEATURES

August 2021 | Volume 10, Issue 8

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25

Community Builders

Who To Call

Fellowship of Retired Coaches

Legal & Financial Special Advertising Section

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32

Texas Treasures

Business Focus

Billy Bob’s Texas

Drink Smart Plus

FAVORITES

Cover Photo by Kelly Lawson

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From the Publisher Dear Gabby Health Matters From Our Readers From the Mouths of Babes Glorious Grandkids What’s Cookin’

24 36 37 38 39 40 42

Vet Connect The Garden Post What are you Reading?

“Seens” from our World Sudoku Marketplace Community Calendar Mustard Seed Moments

Milestones

Service Area Magnolia Conroe Montgomery North Houston New Waverly

Huntsville Willis Spring Tomball Pinehurst

Call or Text 713-570-6095 4 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

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August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 5

Publisher’s Post Karen Altom publisher@postcardslive.com

Your Local Community Magazine!

Travelin’ Shoes

PostcardsLakeConroe

Years ago, when I was in college, a new gospel singing group made its appearance. They called themselves Acappella. Founder Keith Lancaster believed the human voice was the greatest instrument God ever created, and he set out to glorify God in a new and different way. One of the first albums the group did was called Travelin’ Shoes, and when the album was released, I was working for our college radio station, KACU. (Yes, this magazine girl got started in radio…and still loves it as well!)

The day Acappella was performing a concert in Abilene, I was given the task to drive them from the venue to the radio station for an interview.

What a “task” that was! During the approximate 15-minute drive across town then back again, I was rewarded with my own private, in-car concert. The original bass singer for Acappella was a fellow by the name of Rodney Britt. Many of you may remember Rodney from much later as the last bass singer with The Sounds of Glory quartet, the group my dad Lanier was instrumental in helping found. If you’ve ever heard Rodney sing, you likely won’t forget it, so just try for a moment to put yourself in the place of this 21-year-old girl. Trust me, it was better sound than any Bose® or Alpine® surround sound speakers could provide!

Of course, there was no way to know at age 21 what an instrumental part (pun intended) Rodney and Keith would play in the life of Dad. There was no way for me to know what a special friendship Rodney and Dad would have. There was no way to foresee the day years later, when still in the hospital after surgery from a serious car accident, my Houston hospital room would fill with nurses and staff to hear Rodney sing Amazing Grace to me.

Things like these make me aware of how amazing my God is--how He intertwines our lives, our circumstances, and the timelines to work out best for His almighty plan. I do not claim to ever understand it. I cannot.

My brain can no more wrap around the mightiness of who He is than I can understand the vastness of the universe He created. I am pretty sure I sat through my college astronomy class with my jaw on my desk more than once. The fact that I can gaze at tonight’s sky--and the twinkling starlight I see actually left those stars thousands of years ago (or more) and is just reaching me tonight–truly blows my mind. Moments like those remind me “How Great Thou Art.” One other thing. You may remember a column I wrote a while back where I shared with you that I never really know what I am going to write until I sit down to do so. Since we believe God owns this magazine, I try to write what I feel led to write. Just so you know, I sat down to write about vacations and thought since I was ready to put on my “Travelin’ Shoes,” that would make a cute title. Maybe I’ll try to write that vacation column next month!

Until next time,

~

Karen

6 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

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If you would like to receive our magazine and are not currently on our mailing list, subscriptions are available.

MAILED to select postal routes in Conroe, Willis and Montgomery.

FREE rack copies at advertisers and businesses in towns listed above.

Published Monthly by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc.

Publisher Karen Altom Editor Wes Altom Advertising Team Janet T. Jones Nancy Jolly Marshall Altom Design Team Mary Partida April Key Social Media Management Abby Altom Boyd Printed in Texas by Shweiki Media ADVERTISE IN POSTCARDS 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 unsolicited material. No material from Postcards Magazine™ can be copied, 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. © 2021 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved.

Dear Gabby Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. I get a lot of questions about aging and how to know when you are officially old. I decided old age is when you still have something on the ball, but you are just too tired to bounce it. When I was young, I would sneak out of the house to go to parties. Now, I sneak out of parties to go home. No worries, though.

Eventually, you reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. Go to PostcardsLive.com/share and click on Dear Gabby to drop me a line for issues silly or serious. As we used to say in the 70s; “Write On!”.

DEAR MOM Keep a very close eye on him and find him a hobby that won’t be so hazardous to his health. He may grow up to be a mechanical genius (if you don’t give him a chemistry set) in the meantime.

I can relate. My son kept chewing on electrical cords, so I had to ground him. He’s an adult now and is doing better currently and conducting himself properly. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.)

GABBY

DEAR GABBY My son has a bad habit of taking things apart to see how they work and recently stuck a steak knife in the toaster to see what would happen.

That could have been disastrous! Any advice?

CONFIDENTIAL TO “SCRIBBLING DOG”: Okay, I’ll play along. Let me guess; it’s a Labradoodle

MOM OF RECKLESS

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it, or relieves it. The character of the pain is important as well. Is it sharp or dull like an ache?

And on a scale of 1 to 10, how severe is the pain? And please don’t consider this amount of detail to be fastidious; it will help the docs, and they will likely consider your interest to deserve extra attention. EXTRA IS GOOD.

Health Matters www.drjimshealthtips.com

By James W. Jones, MD, PhD, MHA

Be Aware of How to Boost Your Medical Care: In all of life’s necessary functions (such as financial or educational, but especially medical) where professional help is needed, it is shortsighted to seek help only after problems arise.

Be sure to seek help when appropriate for unexpected glitches, but remember prevention is the key. TRULY! Prevention of harms to health entails proper monitoring, especially as we get older. It is strongly recommended that an annual history, physical exam, and wide-ranging lab tests be obtained. One should consider scheduling a doctor visit every six months if one has significant chronic health problems.

Make accurate notes about happenings concerning your body and take them to the next doctor visit, especially those that concern general well-being: energy level changes, dizziness, memory changes, general emotional status, and general functioning status changes

are a few, other than pain. If you have chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or others, be sure to ask, “What signs should alert me of my condition worsening?” There may be subtle signs you need to be aware of to be properly warned, such as: if you have heart or lung conditions and find you are getting winded with less exertion, get checked out.

Years ago, before the myriad of diagnostic tests were developed, docs were extremely devoted to “physical diagnosis” of medical conditions, and they still get pointed in the right directions by meaningful info before employing the expensive tests. It should thus be highranking that you provide the meaningful info with your first-person accounts. HERE GOES. If you experience pain, note its exact location, whether it radiates from its origin, if it is constant or intermittent, and what brings it on, worsens

HOW MUCH COULD YOU LOSE

BY LABOR DAY?

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www.facebook.com/jannell.healthcoach 8 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

Bring a list of your medicines (including the doses and the schedule for taking them) to be sure you are in compliance with your doctor’s requirements. Also, if other specialists have prescribed meds, you want to be certain your primary care doctor knows what your ongoing medications are and how they are being used.

Polypharmacy is when a person is taking five or more medications--very common in seniors. Your annual exam should provide an evaluation as to whether one or more can be safely discontinued. Similarly, the dose of certain meds can be reduced when a goal has been reached. The dose of statins can be reduced as long as the desired cholesterol level is achieved, and lesser doses have fewer side effects. This holds true for medicines to lower blood pressure and some other conditions. To receive added info by email send your email address to docjimjones213@gmail.com.

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From Our Readers POSTCARDS introduced me to many local people that I was not familiar with. I even enjoy reading the ads. The best magazine on the market and I read it from cover to cover.

Betty Nelson

Thanks to Postcards and one of your advertisers, I found out there is a treatment for dry eyes that doesn’t involve drops everyday. You can be evaluated to see if you are a candidate. Thank you!

I really like the fact that you cover people that we all know and highlight their accomplishments and things about their lives that some of us didn’t know! Good job!

Lynda Churchwell

Love your spotlights in each edition! We learn about people we haven’t met yet and more about ones we already knew.

Love it!

Ken Holland

Sheila Patterson

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August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 9

Community Builders Story by Ruth Fields Photos by Gina Turner

When Hurricane Harvey dumped prodigious rainfall on coastal Texas in August 2017, the home of Bill Smith, the former head football coach at Aldine High School, was flooded with more than three feet of water. Soon, many coaches and former athletes, as well as former coaches, came to Bill’s house to clean up the soggy mess. Among those was Huntsville resident Mitch Reed, who had been a member of Bill’s football coaching staff at Aldine High School during the 1980s and 1990s.

After a few days, there were only a handful of workers left to finish the clean-up and move Bill and his wife Brenda to another house. That’s when Mitch experienced a lightbulb moment.

“The retired coaches were the ones who were able to show up as help was needed, because everybody else was working,” he says.

Mitch Reed and his father, Bob Reed 10 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

As Mitch remembered the great fellowship he and other coaches had enjoyed during his years of coaching, the metaphorical lightbulb grew brighter. “As a staff, we spend hours and hours together. The bond and the camaraderie we have is pretty tight,” he says. After retiring in 2016, Mitch missed that fellowship, and he imagined other retired coaches might miss it as well. Furthermore, he realized that retired coaches have much to offer and would certainly be willing to help other coaches who were experiencing hardship. He envisioned a network of retired coaches who would get

together to socialize, but who would also be willing to deploy as needed to help other coaches, both active and retired. Mitch shared his idea with other retired coaches, and they seemed to like the idea.

So, Mitch formed a Facebook group called Coaches Helping Coaches, hoping retired coaches throughout Texas who needed help— and those willing to supply it—could connect.

He soon found, however, that retired coaches have spotty participation on Facebook realized he needed a dedicated organization in order to function efficiently.

Mitch’s New Year’s resolution in 2020 was to turn his loose network of retired coaches into a non-profit organization, and he discussed it with his wife Lisa, a registered nurse at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe. “She bought what I was selling,” Mitch says. The couple funded the start-up themselves; soon, Mitch’s parents made a generous donation to the new non-profit, as did Kitty Spence, a former Aldine High School assistant principal and football enthusiast. On May 20, 2020, Fellowship of Retired Coaches (FRC) became a 501(c)(3) organization with a vision of uniting active, retired, and future coaches through fellowship, service and scholarships.

Anyone who has coached at a junior high or high school in Texas is eligible for free membership, including those who have

coached, but who later moved on to other careers. “Once you’re a coach, you’re always a coach,” Mitch says.

A “fortunate career” Mitch ran cross country and track at Pearland High School and Stephen F. Austin State University, and by the time he had finished college, he had decided to become a coach.

He began his career in Aldine Independent School District in 1980, coaching for two years at Stovall Junior High before moving to Aldine High School. There he coached football and cross country and was the head girls track coach. During the 80s and 90s, Aldine High

School Coaches Association’s All-Star Football Game that year, and Mitch was honored to participate.

Mitch also coached track and football in Tomball for four years and at The Woodlands College Park High School for another 12 years. In all, he coached for 36 years before retiring in 2016. Besides being associated with a legendary football program, he had the privilege of accompanying several athletes to the state track meet. “I had a fortunate career,” he says humbly. “I was at the right place at the right time.”

Friends predicted he’d become bored in retirement, but as the executive director of FRC, Mitch has a retirement job that keeps him busy. There was much to learn, but Mitch, thankful for his rewarding coaching career, is devoted to building FRC into a thriving, statewide organization. Soon after putting his plan in motion, he was joined by two former colleagues, Cathy Roach and Dwaine Wyman, and the trio became the first members of the organization’s board of directors.

“Once you’re a coach, you’re always a coach” School was a football powerhouse, going to the playoffs every year but one, and going to the state finals twice. In 1990, Aldine High School won the state football championship and was recognized by ESPN as the best high school football team in the nation. The football coaches at Aldine High School were selected to coach the South All-Stars in the Texas High

Cathy, who coached a variety of sports at Aldine High School, applauded Mitch’s idea.

“I thought it was really pretty cool,” she says. Now that the coronavirus pandemic is becoming an unpleasant memory, she

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“Coaching is a service profession” is looking forward to socializing with other retired coaches. She is also pleased that FRC funds scholarships for future coaches, as well as the children and grandchildren of coaches.

Dwaine, who coached football and track with Mitch at Aldine, Tomball, and College Park, agrees.

“Coaching is a service profession,” he says. “It’s hard when you are a coach. There are times during the season when you are working about 100 hours a week.” In retirement, there is more time. “If we can do something productive, it’s a good thing,” he says. He has been attending FRC socials and hopes to renew ties with former colleagues as events become larger.

Area law enforcement participates in FRC fundraiser.

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From locker room to boardroom A bit overwhelmed with the prospect of starting and operating a nonprofit organization, Mitch got help from legalzoom.com; soon thereafter, he met David Hall, president of Palm Small Business Marketing in Conroe. David liked Mitch’s idea and offered a discount to help with business and marketing concerns. The company helped FRC with several tasks, such as designing a logo and building an interactive web site.

Mitch Reed

Others provided help, too. Cathy’s daughter, Brittany Duke, volunteered to tweak the organization’s website to make it easily accessible to members and prospective members. Former athletes—now in business—became sponsors of FRC’s inaugural golf tournament, which greatly exceeded expectations. “We did really well on our first golf tournament,” Mitch says. As a result of the fundraising effort, FRC was able to give $2,000 in scholarships in 2021: two $500 scholarships to students who aspire to be coaches and two $500 scholarships to the children of coaches. FRC’s goal is to provide ten, $1,000 scholarships in 2022.

As FRC moves past the pandemic that hindered its start-up, the organization wants to get the word out to coaches throughout Texas. “We need more members and more people to become aware of us,” Mitch says. While some retired coaches may simply want to socialize, others might be inclined to volunteer to help coaches who are experiencing hardship, or to help active coaches. Mitch envisions active coaches using FRC’s website to find retired coaches who can provide assistance.

For example, active coaches might appreciate having knowledgeable volunteers at track meets. “We want active coaches to find out what we do,” Mitch says.

FRC, although still a budding organization, is growing. It has monthly socials in the Houston area, and a second annual fundraising golf tournament is planned. The expanded board of directors now includes two other former coaches: Ann Fuller and Mary Justice. Meanwhile, Mitch is becoming savvy on the internet. He encourages people to make easy, painless donations to FRC through smile.amazon.com, and even tweets, he says with a roll of his eyes. He hopes that his efforts will pay off and that retired coaches throughout Texas will be able to reconnect and serve the coaching community. “We lose touch with each other,” he says. “We need to be able to go back and help each other.”

For more information, visit fellowcoaches.com.

Youth Soccer

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Subject to change based on enrollment. $30 Conroe Resident, $37 Non-Resident Register by August 6 online or at C.K. Ray Recreation Center (1203 Candy Cane Lane) Games and Practices at Carl Barton, Jr. Park

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Youth Flag Football

Fall League Boys & Girls Ages 6-13

$30 Conroe Resident, $37 Non-Resident Register by August 6 online or at C.K. Ray Recreation Center (1203 Candy Cane Lane) Games and Practices at Carl Barton, Jr. Park

936-522-3900•www.cityofconroe.org August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 13

From the Mouths of Babes...

Partners Submitted by: Brian B Smith, CFP®, Bryan M Masten, CFP® & Riley W. Smith

What’s the plan, the written plan? Is there a plan?

As Linda and I load up for some higher elevation and cooler temperatures, packing our GFP (Global Financial Partners) technology, that allows me to work remotely some of this 2021 summer, I got to thinking about several things.

What a blessing to enjoy this freedom we celebrated as we honored those before us on the recent Memorial Day just passed. What a blessing to live in a country of opportunity to plan and forge our own path, including the struggle of the journey in doing so, making our appreciation of the blessing so much greater. The blessing of parents that taught love, integrity, work ethic, thrift, investment, and planning.

Something reminded me however, of those that didn’t get that education or a life lived by example.

I was reminded of several things I’ve read over the years about planning, and particularly a “written” plan, and how goals and plans were much, much more likely to be achieved when they are “written”.

My son asked at the dinner table, “Mom, are bugs good to eat?” “That is disgusting.

Don’t talk about things like that over dinner,” my wife replied. After dinner she asked him, “Now, son, what did you want to ask me?” “Oh, nothing,” our 5 year old says. “There was a bug in your soup, but now it’s gone.”

John Ocalla

While driving on the interstate with our 2.5 year old in the back seat, she said: “Any idiots out today, Dad?” Holly R.

Search your internet for two subjects: 1.

stats on people make written plans

2.

vs. search for probability of winning the lottery

Wow! What info we have at our veritable fingertips!

So many simple articles are available with headlines and details such as: •

Survey Finds Two-Thirds of Americans Do Not Have a Plan for Their Life

•

Those With Goals Are 10x More Likely to Succeed: Here Are 15 Tips to Set Yours

•

This Is the Way You Need to Write Down Your Goals for Faster Success You are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down.

•

5 Reasons Why Writing Down Goals Increases The Odds Of Achieving Them

6 yr old: Mom, I’m not going to school anymore.

Mom: Why not?

6 yr old: Because Monday my teacher said 4 plus 4 equals 8. Then the next day she said 5 plus 3 equals 8. Yesterday she said 6 plus 2 equals 8. I’m not going back until she makes up her mind!

VS. an alternative to a “written” plan!

•

www.webmath.com/lottery.html Calculate Your Chance of Winning the Lottery

•

Or maybe for you it’s not the lottery, it bit/dodge etc. coin of the day or month. We’ve been managing money a long time, and there’s always a new season of “the future”

•

If the six numbers on a ticket match the numbers drawn by the lottery, the ticket holder is a jackpot winner—regardless of the order of the numbers. The probability of this happening is 1 in 13,983,816.

Boom! I think I’ll spend some time thinking about something other than 1 in 13 Million.

As some in our family turn 65 this year, I’m sure glad we had a written plan, consisting of goals, some financial, but mostly just life, dreams, travel, family and others. The financial was just the toolbox to help achieve the goals.

One of my wife’s third graders was wearing a Fitbit watch, which prompted my wife to ask, “Are you tracking your steps?” “No,” said the little girl. “I wear this for Mommy so she can show Daddy when he gets home.”

Jimmy Avery

What are your goals? Have you shared them with someone who can put a “written” plan together, one that can be flexible, and yet still help keep you on course towards your goals?

At GFP, we do that. Call us. We’ll show you how to begin to Live Life on Purpose.

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14 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

This morning, my wife told my 3-year-old daughter that owls were nocturnal. My daughter responded, “Mom, owls are not turtles.”

Glorious Grandkids

Kyndal, Kinsey, Anistyn & Aubrie Grandchildren of Mary & Brad Alford, Denise Cox, and Mike & Barbara Bruno

Elle, Blaire & Barrett Metcalf Grandchildren of: Ray & Katie Metcalf and James & Libby Gibson

Emily & Christopher Grandchildren of: Stacy & Claudia Philpitt and Syble Colburn Simmons

Share Your Grandkid Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 15

Texas Treasures Story by Amy Barnett Submitted Photos

“The World’s Largest Honky Tonk” celebrates 40 years of music and bull-riding fun.

16 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

everything is bigger in

Texas

We all know the adage – everything is b i g g e r in Texas. So, it was likely no surprise to anyone when Billy Bob Barnett, a Texas A&M graduate and pro football player, teamed up with a Fort Worth nightclub owner to turn an abandoned 100,000-square-foot department store and former open-air cattle barn into a nightclub. It was 1981, and their go-big-or-go-home attitude resulted in the one-of-a-kind live music venue and dance hall known as Billy Bob’s Texas, which is still promoted as “the World’s Largest Honky Tonk.”

“When Billy Bob’s Texas opened in ’81, it was a week-long celebration in true larger-than-life, largest honky-tonk fashion,” said Terran Fleenor, Director of Marketing, Billy Bob’s Texas. “We kicked off the celebration with a private show by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.”

“That was a big night,” remembered Rudy Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers. “It was kind of a private gettogether with a couple thousand people invited.

But somehow, a whole bunch of people got in there, and the place was packed! I later heard the fire marshal came and stood at the door and said, ‘nobody goes in until somebody comes out!’ Billy

Bob’s also gave us a red and gold-trimmed satin jacket at the grand opening, which a few years ago I donated to the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.”

The Gatlin Brothers

The Gatlin Brothers have played at Billy Bob’s Texas at least 10 times since they helped open the venue 40 years ago. Other A-list country music legends who have performed in the iconic venue in the Fort Worth Stockyards include Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Charlie Daniels and Merle Haggard.

In 1983, while performing on stage, Haggard offered each person in the crowd a whiskey shot.

The drinks totaled 40 gallons and earned Haggard a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the purchaser of the biggest round ever.

“This place has so many stories,” added Fleenor.

“When Garth Brooks first played here, he played to 500 people. When he came back six months later, he played to a sold-out crowd. Another cool fact – Miranda Lambert is still the only female and only solo artist to sell out full-capacity, back-toback nights. I think that’s really cool. Girl power!”

Miranda Lambert

Waylon Jennings

While Billy Bob’s is known for nighttime entertainment, it gets quite a few guests during the day who want to tour the massive venue and

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Greg Smith and son, Will Smith August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 17

check out each wall that is covered with memorabilia and handprints of many singers who have performed on the big stage.

Hometown artists included in the Wall of Fame are Huntsville’s Cody Johnson, Montgomery’s Josh Ward, and Conroe’s Parker McCollum.

“The Wall of Fame got its start in 1989 when our Entertainment Director at the time, Robert Gallagher, was looking for a way for artists to cement their place at Billy Bob’s.

The first handprints were done in a bus tub in the kitchen. Some artists do handprints to commemorate sold-out shows; we ask others to do it because we know they are on their way up and we want to catch them while they are here,” explained Fleenor.

Some have left more than just handprints.

“Ray Benson put his boots in, and Denna Carter put her feet in because she always performed barefoot,” added Fleenor. “For a lot of them, it’s a milestone in their career to do their handprints here but also to sign the backstage wall. That’s another milestone they can check off their bucket list.”

Guests can also check out Billy Bob’s indoor bull-riding area – that’s right, live music and

Sept. 10 - 26

Tickets

Friday & Saturday 8 pm Sunday Matinees 2 pm

Adults Seniors Youth

Funded in part by a grant from the City of Conroe 18 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

26 22 $ 17 $ $

For tickets: stage-right.org or call Box Office (936) 520-7525

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live bulls under the same roof.

“Gilley’s was the hot place after Urban Cowboy, and everyone visited Gilley’s to ride the mechanical bull. Billy Bob Barnett wanted to one-up Gilley’s, so he put in a real riding arena with the slogan, ‘real bulls, not steel bulls,’ and we had shirts and bumper stickers made. We were still holding bull riding events Friday and Saturday nights, pre-COVID, and hope to again really soon. You pay $4 to see the bull riding and then go to the show,” said Fleenor.

dedicated to the live albums recorded at Billy Bob’s on the big stage titled, “Live at Billy Bob’s Texas.”

successful albums. Pat Green went on to sell out 15 consecutive shows after that,” said Fleenor.

“Live at Billy Bob’s Texas is a record label we created in partnership with the Smith Music Group in 1998. They did the first one with Pat Green. It was supposed to be a test run for

Billy Bob’s Texas also has an in-house restaurant, Honky Tonk Kitchen, with great Texas favorites – burgers, barbecue, and tacos; and the Pizza Kitchen, which serves a variety of pizza and nachos.

“It’s a cowboy’s Six Flags,” laughed Gatlin.

Billy Bob’s Texas could not think of a better way to celebrate its 40th anniversary than by bringing back the Gatlin Brothers. On April 1, 2021, Rudy, Larry and Steve kicked off the multimonth celebration.

Also on the Billy Bob’s tour, you won’t see a disco ball above the massive dance floor but something more spectacular.

“We have a rhinestone saddle,” said Fleenor. “The backstory varies. Some say it was inspired by the movie ‘Rhinestone’ starring Dolly Parton; others say it is from the movie.”

And then there is a section of the venue

Merle Haggard, so they recorded the album and by the time it was done, Pat Green had blown up and now it is still one of most

“We had so much fun. We had a couple of old band members come back and play a couple of tunes with us. Red Steagall joined us too,” said Gatlin. “It was great getting the band together and kicking it up a notch.”

R E S O R T DAY PA S S E S N OW AVA I L A B L E

Paradise is closer than you think - now on Mondays - Thursdays, you can enjoy access to Margaritaville’s three acre Jolly Mon Water Park, Parrot Island Mini Golf, Fin City Arcade, and the tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts for the day with the purchase of a Paradise Pass.

TO P U R C H A S E A DAY PA S S , V I S I T M A R G A R I TAV I L L E R E S O R T L A KECO N R O E T E X A S .CO M

August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 19

If you’ve never been to Billy Bob’s Texas, Gatlin and Fleenor encourage you to stop by for a show, or simply to walk through.

“There are a couple of places in Texas that every good Texan needs to visit – the Alamo in San Antonio; Matt’s El Rancho in Austin; and Billy Bob’s Texas in the Fort Worth Stockyards,” added Gatlin.

“As a music lover, it’s such a landmark and iconic spot.

I believe Billy Bob’s is the heartbeat of the Fort Worth Stockyards,” said Fleenor.

“We are hoping for another 40 years of country music and honky tonkin’. Through the rest of 2021, we are bringing in as many great artists as we can and providing a fun place for people to listen to live music and experience western lifestyle and western heritage.”

Billy Bob’s Texas continues to bring in more live acts to commemorate its 40th year.

Visit billybobstexas.com for a full list of events and to purchase tickets.

A couple enjoying dinner at the Honky Tonk Kitchen

Conroe 1351 W Davis St, Suite B Conroe, TX 77304 (936) 283-5450

Mon-Fri: 9:00am - 7:00pm Sat: 10:00am - 6:00pm Sun: Closed

ORDER ONLINE! WE DELIVER! NothingBundtCakes.com

20 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

What’s Cookin’ Strawberry Cream Cheese Squares Ingredients Shortbread: ½ cup salted butter, at room temperature ½ cup powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour Cream Cheese Layer: 1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 (8 oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed

½ (3 oz) pkg strawberry-flavored gelatin 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries Directions Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Step 2: Beat butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until well combined. Add flour and continue to beat until dough comes together and is no longer dry.

Step 3: Press the dough into an 8x8inch pan, smoothing the surface evenly with your fingers. Prick the dough all over with a fork to allow any steam to escape.

Strawberry Layer: ½ cup water ¼ cup white sugar 1 Tbs cornstarch

Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven until the edges begin to brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.

Step 5: Meanwhile, make the filling.

Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth. Fold in whipped topping until combined.

Refrigerate while the shortbread cools and you prepare the strawberry topping.

Step 6: Whisk water, sugar, and cornstarch together in a small pan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly.

Add gelatin and whisk until incorporated. Remove from heat and set aside to cool, whisking occasionally to prevent a skin from forming on the top.

Step 7: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled shortbread. Top evenly with sliced strawberries then pour gelatin mixture evenly over the strawberries. Refrigerate until set.

Cut into squares.

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806 N. Loop 336 W. • Conroe, TX August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 21

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¼ cup chopped fresh parsley ¼ cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese, divided salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and red pepper; cook and stir until soft, about 3 minutes.

Step 2: Stir corn, zucchini, and chicken into the onion mixture; cook and stir until all vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.

Step 3: Sprinkle parsley and about half the cheese over the vegetable mixture and toss to mix; season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Transfer the vegetables to a serving dish and top with remaining cheese.

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22 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

Milestones

Modern day repair with old fashioned care!

Happy 31st anniversary to Rick & Carla Smith.

3

Don't Drive a Toyota? No problem...We fix those too!

; 5 Cayden James White is celebrating his 1st birthday on July 3rd and Xavier Estrada is celebrating his 5th birthday on August 25th. CJ and Xavier are the children of Kyle and Juliana White, grandchildren of Jerry Dean White and Tammy Michele Seeders, and great grandchildren of Marquis and Fannie White.

Share your Milestone!

PostcardsLive.com/Share August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 23

Vet Connect:

By Steve VanWagner, D.V.M.

Today’s Veterinary World Veterinary medicine has truly had some interesting changes over the past 18 months. Covid hit and, because of veterinarians being considered essential businesses, most clinics, at least here in the Great State of Texas, continued to be busy. That created many challenges, such as juggling staff that needed to be quarantined, going to curbside only appointments, and other daily stresses associated with Covid.

Other factors have contributed to the business of veterinary practices.

People quarantined at home decided they needed a furry companion, so adoptions have increased 15-25% over the previous years. People working at home are spending more time with their pets and are more observant of potential problems their pets may be having. Pet owners that have new additions have decided that their existing pets need to get caught up on their preventative care. The result of all this has resulted in frustrated clients, overworked veterinary staff, and burnedout veterinarians.

Here is an example of a typical day in the life of a veterinary hospital.

The day starts with every appointment slot filled. The office opens at 7:30. Within 30 minutes, the office receives 3 to 5 phone calls from

clients and non-clients needing to get their pet seen with some type of urgent issue. Those clients are accepted on a drop-off basis to be worked in throughout an already full day. About 11:15, a client calls with an emergency. There goes the lunch hour for most staff and the veterinarian. The morning has finally ended. Staff members are feverishly trying to get client records and charges placed in the computer, while also needing to get medications together for each patient. The veterinarian is spending 10-15 minutes per urgent drop off, discussing findings and treatment options. Here comes the afternoon. Another full afternoon of appointments, wait for it, here it comes. It is now 4 pm, hoping to wind down the day. There are 2 more clients that need to be seen today with an urgent matter and also a 5:15 c-section that needs to be performed. Well, we finally wrapped it up around 7:30 to 8:00. The staff is exhausted and at their wits end, BUT GUESS WHAT, they have given you and your pet every ounce of care they have and used every ounce of their patience. The veterinarian has exhausted every brain cell they have to make sure your pet has the very best treatment. The good news is…they get to do it all over again tomorrow.

The veterinary staff is made up of truly amazing people. They come to work every day, not for the money, because they are underpaid and overworked, but because of a true calling in their lives to help animals.

Many of them had aspirations of being veterinarians and could have been under different circumstances, but they are just as dedicated to the profession as any veterinarian.

As you call your veterinarian today, before you get upset with the receptionist or you think the staff and veterinarian just don’t care about you or your furry loved ones because they don’t have any availability, take a minute to think about the scenario above and remember--every person working there has your pet’s best interest at heart.

Suduko Solutions

from page 39

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24 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

Who To Call 2021

Legal

&Financial

A guide to businesses who can help you prepare for the present and plan for the future.

postcards magazine special Advertising section

August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 25

From our initial founding on July 1, 1958 by Milton B. McGee…to our merger in February 2016 with Carr, Riggs & Ingram…our goal has always been clear--to serve the people of Montgomery, Walker, Harris, and surrounding counties with a full-circle tax preparation and planning service. We offer local, personal attention to every client’s needs with the resources and back-up available in a larger firm. Our office expertise includes high net-worth individuals, small and midsized businesses across a wide range of industries, and estate and trust tax services.

. &

Milton opened the first CPA office in Montgomery County knowing he wanted to raise his young children in the environment of a smaller town. In 1981, Virginia Miller joined the firm. It was the best decision Virginia ever made, as she would spend her entire career here. After forty years of practice, Milton retired, and Virginia took the reins. Long-time employees of Milton’s, Susan Nightingale and Lucinda Marshall, worked alongside Virginia as they all raised their families.

These ladies are probably two of the hardest working individuals you will find. In 2016, Virginia merged the firm into the regional firm of Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC. This southern firm has presence in 10 states and is ranked as one of the top 25 CPA firms by Accounting Today. CRI wanted an office in Conroe because “it is the most exciting market in the country.” In 2017, Amy Cannon joined our firm, with the opportunity to take over as Partner in Charge of the Conroe office. She came to us with extensive experience in both individual and business tax returns. Amy made partner in just three years and has over ten years of experience. Virginia will be fully retired in October, with forty years in the firm, just as her mentor Milton did. It was Virginia’s goal to provide long-term continuity to all our clients, some of which have been with us for four and five generations, and to continue to provide each one with personal attention. Amy is just the person to provide that service, along with Susan and Lucinda. Our newest addition, office manager Bettina Edgett, has been an incredible support staffer. Bettina manages it all, with a smile, energy, and pride in her work that are contagious. Here at CRI, we love what we do, we are passionate about helping others reach their goals, and we continue to strive to stay proactive in an everchanging tax environment.

Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC

-

414 W. Phillips St., Ste. 102 Conroe, TX 77301 936-760-3369 cricpa.com acannon@cricpa.com

Global Financial Partners is a local, independent financial services firm. Our professionals provide Financial Planning and Investment Management services. We have been serving Huntsville and surrounding areas for over 35 years. Being independent allows us to focus on our clients and their needs, not the needs of shareholders or other company stakeholders.

We embrace our role as a fiduciary for our clients and work diligently to help them achieve long term goals. Our goal for our clients is about so much more than growing their money – it is about finding what makes them happy and then tirelessly pursuing those things. Let us help you Enjoy More, Worry Less.

Partners

According to Warren Buffet, “Investing is simple, but not easy.” He’s right. Everybody knows to be successful in investing, just buy low and sell high. So why aren’t more people successful?

Probably because, as humans, we tend to be emotional. We get excited and buy when we should not or get worried and sell when we should not. It is difficult when managing our own finances to look at things objectively. That is why most people need a professional to guide them.

As professionals, we have a process. It is not about emotion or guessing what might happen next.

At Global Financial Partners we have been using the same process for many years. Our process is about following a stream of data and doing what the data tells us. We do not randomly buy investments and hope that if we hold them long enough, they will do well. We rank available investments and make purchase decisions based on the strength of the investment. It allows us to make investments based on what is currently happening in the markets. That is not to say we trade every day, but it does allow us the flexibility to make changes when necessary. When looking for a financial professional, look for a process you think can help you achieve your goals.

In addition to an investment process, you need to know where you are going. That requires some form of financial planning. Our planning process will start with identifying goals – what makes you happy? Do you want more time with family and friends, or is your happy place traveling the world? All these goals will require some monetary independence. We will help you identify where you are now and create a roadmap to help get you to that happy place. We will regularly monitor your progress along that route to determine if we are still headed the right direction.

Things can change, and we may need to adjust along the way. Working together, we can help get you where you want to be.

Global Financial Partners Enjoy More.

Worry Less.

1211 Financial Plaza Huntsville, TX 77340 936-294-0201 800-775-0201 www.financialpartner.net

Brian B. Smith, Paula Armstrong, Ally Grounds, Bryan Masten, Riley Smith

Greg Smith

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home Huntsville: 1700 Normal Park Dr; 936-291-8500 Montgomery: 20850 Eva St; 936-597-7300 Willis: 10129 FM 1097 Rd; 936-890-0454 shmfh.com

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home has three locations to serve families, located in Huntsville, Montgomery and Willis. Our Willis location is adjacent to our beautiful cemetery, Smith Memorial Park. Our funeral homes and cemetery are family owned and operated. We are large enough to give our families the same service as the largest funeral homes around, yet we are small enough that each Will Smith family gets the level of attention and care they deserve.

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. We realize each family is entrusting into our care the most important thing in their life; a loved one.

Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.

We invite you to discover what has made Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home the ultimate provider of creating healing experiences in the community. The heritage, vision, and the people behind Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home’s reputation of quality, sincerity, and trust are second to none.

When they sit down for coffee, B U S I N E S S

O W N E R S

A G R E E

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN POSTCARDS MAGAZINE!

9 3 6 - 2 9 3 - 1 1 8 8

Tax Services Plus 924 West Dallas St. Conroe, Texas 77301 936-788-5990

P

2021 Legal & Financial Directory

Certified Public Funeral Home Accountants Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home

Carr Riggs Ingram, LLC

r . r

414 W. Phillips St., Ste. 102 Conroe, TX 77301 936-760-3369 cricpa.com acannon@cricpa.com

Huntsville: 1700 Normal Park Dr; 936-291-8500 Montgomery: 20850 Eva St; 936-597-7300 Willis: 10129 FM 1097 Rd; 936-890-0454 shmfh.com

Financial Planner

Tax Services

Global Financial Partners

I have been assisting people with preparing their taxes since 2004. At Tax Services Plus, I educate our clients on understanding their personal exemptions and deductions. I work with business owners on allowable expense deductions and filing quarterly taxes. Knowledge is key. Tax laws are constantly changing, and it is my job to make certain you stay abreast of the latest requirements.

I welcome the opportunity to assist you with your taxes. Remember, the end of filing season is Oct. 15, 2021.

Tax Services Plus is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-6pm. For extension filers, the office will be open Oct. 1, 2021 – Oct. 14, 2021 from 9am-9pm. I would like to earn your business.

1211 Financial Plaza Huntsville, TX 77340 936-294-0201 800-775-0201 financialpartner.net

Tax Services Plus 924 West Dallas St. Conroe, TX 77301 936-788-5990

Everyone makes mistakes.

Let me defend yours.

Rane Riley

Attorney at Park Law Firm Criminal Defense – Personal Injury – Civil Litigation Rane was born and raised in Huntsville, graduating in 2011. He then attended the University of Texas, graduating in 2014. As a Cum Laude graduate of the SMU Dedman School of Law in 2018, he has made his way home and is proud to serve the community that was so good to him.

227 SH 75 N., Ste. 230 Huntsville, Texas 77320

Tax Services Plus

Tel.: (936) 291-6660

raneriley@parklawfirmtx.com August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 31

Business Focus Story by Rosa Coss Photos by Gina Turner

Drink Smart Plus 17156 W FM-1097, Ste 2 Montgomery, TX 77356 (936) 597-5707

It’s a well-known fact that water is essential to humans. After all, our bodies are composed of 55 to 60 percent water (depending upon if you are an adult male or female), and it is needed for various essential functions such as regulating body temperatures, supporting brain activity, and carrying oxygen throughout the body, to name a few.

Owners, Tonia & Anthony Malone with granddaughters Nahla & Cierra

32 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

When Tonia Malone decided to start her own business, it wasn’t by accident. For many years, she suffered with severe acid reflux. “I didn’t know what was wrong with me, and neither did the doctors.” When finally diagnosed, she was given a medication which actually made her symptoms worse. “I could hardly eat,” said Tonia, “and taking acid blockers was not a good long-term solution either.”

She began doing her own research about the possible benefits of drinking alkaline water, and soon after began experimenting with it.

Eventually, she began noticing she was no longer having problems with her acid reflux,

was finally able to eat without experiencing severe burning and pain, and was able to maintain a regular diet. After prolonged use, she decided to get retested for acid reflux, and the results were greatly improved, but she was spending anywhere between $300 – 500 a month--thousands of dollars a year. According to Tonia, back then she was ordering alkaline water from Canada and was paying $8 a gallon (including shipping), “It was very expensive,” she said. “Today, it is much more affordable and accessible for everyone.”

Tonia says she has been drinking alkaline water ever since, and because she has had

such a positive experience with it, she and her husband Anthony became big advocates.

“Since it helped me, I thought maybe it can help others as well,” said Tonia. Using her background in business, Drink Smart Plus was started with the help of the entire family.

Tonia recognizes the amazing engineering support of her loving husband, their daughter Sherrell (an environmentalist and a graduate of Texas A&M), as well as her parents, Clord and Beulah Merritt.

In 2016, Drink Smart Plus first opened in the Walden area, then moved two years later to their current location at 17156 W FM1097 #2 in Montgomery. In addition to offering alkaline water, they also provide home water filtration systems, a convenient option for customers who live far away and are unable to drive down once a month. Water filtration systems are usually placed underneath kitchen sinks or counter tops. Tonia says they are very cost-effective and eliminate the need to pick up heavy bottles. The alkaline water bottles come in various sizes ranging from 16.9 oz. to 2, 3, and 5 gallons. “Customers can either purchase bottles here or bring their own bottles to refill,” said Tonia. They also have alkaline nugget ice, which she says is similar to SONIC® ice in shape and size. It is made fresh at Drink Smart Plus and can be purchased in a 10 lb. bag.

» August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 33

Other merchandise offered in their store includes CBD products, health and wellness vitamins, and essential oils. Tonia also offers foot and hand reflexology, along with ionic foot baths to help rid your body of toxins.

Using a foot and hand chart to guide them, this practice involves applying pressure to parts of your hands and feet which correspond to other parts of the body. Tonia states both men and women can benefit from a reflexology and ionic foot bath session, which includes salt lamps, soft lighting, and soothing music to help you relax during your scheduled time. Reflexology is believed to aid with detoxification and relaxation, which can help relieve stress and anxiety, as well as improve sleep. These sessions are by appointment only, and last about an hour.

Many people ask, “What is alkaline water?”

Alkaline water is a pH balanced water-basically water that has been cleaned through a filtration system referred to as “reverse osmosis (RO).” This is a multi-state process which first removes all contaminants, then is treated with an ultraviolet light system to eliminate any remaining viruses or bacteria,

and then goes through a re-mineralization process to control the pH levels.

The water’s pH level determines how acidic it is, and can range anywhere between 0 and 14, with 7 being considered a neutral balance of acidic and alkaline. If the level is below 7, it is considered acidic, and if it is higher than 7, it is more alkaline, “But we put back trace minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and potassium that are good for your body,” said Tonia. “At Drink Smart Plus, our water is between a 9.5 – 10.5 pH. People love it for their coffee, tea, and say it makes them taste better.” In fact, Tonia says both of her granddaughters, Nahla and Cierra, love it! “They are my biggest fans,” said Tonia. It is also important to note that the pH level in tap water may vary as opposed to regular bottled water. Ultimately, Tonia advises it’s important to do what you feel is right for you. She knows she has benefited from it, as have many of her customers.

• • • • • • • •

Transmission Service Fuel Injection Service Tire Rotation Differential Service Brake Service • Tune-Ups A/C Service • Radiator Flush Check Che Engine Light Diagnostics BG Products Flush Services

MOTORCYCLE SERVICES

Our professional motorcycle services include:

• V-Twin Cycle Services & Repairs 808 W. Montgomery (FM 1097) Willis, TX 77378

(936) 890-4707

Email: 808@willis-kwikkar.com

www.willis-kwikkar.com 34 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

Physical therapy keeps you

moving.

Originally from the Houston area, To n i a says she likes her business just the way it is, because it creates a small family type of atmosphere.

Although her customers are mostly from the Montgomery area, where she and Anthony currently live with their six dogs, she also has customers that come from Huntsville, Conroe, Katy, and throughout the Houston area. “My customers are like part of my family,” said Tonia. When they come in, they always exchange great conversations, lots of hugs, and she always wants to get their feedback.

“If I were younger,” Tonia explained, “I may have thoughts of expanding, but my mother is 96 years old and needs a lot of care, and my husband and I would like to do a little traveling. Also, when my grandchildren go to the zoo, I want to be able to go with them. If I expand out, I would not have the time.”

To learn more about Drink Smart Plus, and their products, visit them on Facebook, Instagram, or stop by their new location on FM 1097.

Together, we can... v improve your mobility and motion v reduce pain without medication in many cases v improve surgical outcomes

127 Medical Park Lane Huntsville

936.294.0283

1020 Riverwood Ct. • Suite 120 Conroe

936.494.1292

August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 35

The Garden Post

By Kim Bius

Time, to Plant Your Own Veggies August marks the beginning of the second planting season. It is actually the fall planting season, but it is a hard sell to tell Texans it is fall in August. Nevertheless, it is time to plant your fall garden. The price of veggies and herbs in the grocery stores has more than a few folks wanting to “try their hand” at gardening for the first time. It is quite easy and simple. Soil, seed, sunlight, and water are still the mainstays, despite every new gadget and product under the sun telling you otherwise.

To begin, choose an area for your garden that receives 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. The area needs good drainage and easy access to water, so the crops can be watered 3x a week during the heat. A garden can be on a 6’ x 10’ apartment patio, a 15’ x 10’ area in the lawn, or you can nestle your veggies in your existing landscape beds, provided there is room for growth. Gardens require a quality sandy loam and a humus base, at 3”-4” of depth if planted in the ground.

If you are doing container gardening, starting with a great potting medium is essential. My personal favorite is Gardeners Magic (by LP), because it is a “ready –made” garden in a bag, but there are several good soil mediums on the market. If using manure, ensure it is aged

Real Volunteers Real Results

Over 1 Million Dollars in Scholarships awarded!

Since program inception in 2006

Through the Scholarship Program, scholarships are available for...

• Graduating high school seniors • Continuation scholarships for recipients now in their sophomore, junior or senior year in a Texas college/university • Adults needing to return to education to better their quality of life • Adults needing certification courses, and • Mentally - or physically - challenged individuals for therapeutic programs Our budget for scholarships has now grown to $150,000 per year!

Check out our website for more infomation.

126 N. San Jacinto Street • Conroe, TX 77301 Serving the needs of Montgomery County through our 100% volunteer organization.

Thrift shop hours 10-3 Tuesday - Saturday www.assistanceleague.org/montgomery-county Ask about becoming a volunteer.

Call Sandra Kaatri at 936-760-1511 36 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

and do not use poultry manure in the fall. Mushroom compost is a great planting medium when allowed to set under a black tarp for several months, to kill the weed seeds by heat….otherwise, pulling endless amounts of nutgrass will become your new cardio exercise.

Till to a depth of 12”, and form rows 3” tall in long lines (if planting in the ground), and do not forget to add additional humus or compost each season. Now that the bed is ready, choose the variety of seed you want to grow. This can be tricky when doing a small space or containers, because you will have more seed than you need, but the seed will save to next season and can be kept in airtight containers for several years.

Learn how to read the back of a seed package, and do not be afraid to ask questions (this is how you learn). The seed package will tell you the # of days till production, which should be at least 10 days before the first expected freeze date. From experience, I can tell you the first freeze has been from late October to mid-November for the past 8 years.

The following veggies should be planted from seed now for harvest in October: beans, beets, squash, cucumbers, okra, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, parsley, spinach and eggplant. Cool weather vegetables, planted from seed, that will easily withstand a frost: cauliflower, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, turnip greens, garlic, and cabbage. For those who wish to grow your own pumpkins, early July is your planting date for a Halloween harvest.

Starter vegetable plants will not be out until mid to late August for warm weather fall crops, and the cool weather fall crops should not be planted before late September or bolting will occur.

Fertilizer is a big debate and everyone has their favorite. The Texas A&M website (www.agrilifeextension.tamu.edu.com) recommends applying 2 – 3 lbs of slow release 21-7-14, per 100 sq’ of garden area and then apply 1 tablespoon of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) every 3 weeks around each plant and water thoroughly, provided you have an adequate phosphate level in your soil. If the level is below 8% a more balanced fertilizer with a phosphorous content of 10 or more is needed.

Always use a soil test each season, to ensure you are not over fertilizing, under fertilizing or just shooting in the dark. Soil tests are inexpensive and can be purchased at garden centers. If you are having problems with a crop year after year, and inconsistent watering is not the culprit, your soil recipe is probably off.

The last point (and possibly the most important) is that growing your own gives you full control of your food source. It may not always be the best harvest, but you did it and you can be proud of your accomplishment.

Growing your own saves money in the long run and you have fresh, straight out the garden veggies while you teach yourself and your kids.

This creates family time, exercise, teamwork, and memories that can never be replaced by a video game or time on social media.

Enjoy the fun!

Happy Gardening

What Are You Reading?

CONROE ADVANCED DENTISTRY

Jeff Foote

WELCOMES DR. STEPHEN VARGO TO THE CONROE AREA

reading

Grace

By Max Lucado

Dr’s Mark Peters and Stephen Vargo providing patient-centered dentistry.

We provide 1-on-1 time with the dentist to make you feel like family and provide custom solutions to predictably provide you the dentistry that you need and want.

Accepting new patients and we look forward to treating you.

Wes Altom reading

Dead or Alive

By Tom Clancy (with Grant Blackwood)

Paula Gilbert reading

The Bible

Conroe families have trusted our practice for over 35 years, and that’s because we constantly provide honest, friendly, and high-quality dentistry that always puts patient satisfaction first.

Frankie McCaffety reading

Reclaiming Surrendered Ground

By Jim Logan

Comprehensive Dentistry Aesthetics-Implants-Occlusion-Reconstruction-TMD-Wear

Stephen Vargo, D.D.S., F.A.G.D Mark Peters, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. 2040 N. Loop 336 W- Suite 207-Conroe, TX

936 – 756 – 2420

Tell us what you’re reading!

ConroeAdvancedDentistry.com

PostcardsLive.com August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 37

“Seens” from our World

Anyone else see a pig wearing curlers?

Seen by: Mark Hensarling

Keep those windows up or we might have a CAT-astrophe!

Seen by: Gayle Metcalf

THE EXPERTS IN PEST CONTROL SINCE 1981!

We serve Conroe, Willis, Montgomery & surrounding areas!

Rodent Control • Household Pests • Mosquito Control Roaches • Ants • Spiders • Termite Control & Inspection Lawn and Ornamental Treatments • Weed Control

D.L. Shiver II (936) 291-2902 License: TPCL 0774786 Follow us on Facebook!

38 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

Your New Waverly Pharmacy Retail Pharmacy Compounding & Custom-Made Medications

936-344-2424 Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 6:00 • Sat. 9:00 - 1:00

newwaverlypharmacy.com 9320 C Hwy 75 South New Waverly

TAX ime

John McKinley, Agent

Individual Returns • Small Business Returns All Schedules • All Tax Related Forms

Tax Services Plus 924 West Dallas St. Conroe, TX 77301

405 N. Loop 336 W Conroe, TX 77301 M 713.598.5984 O 936.756.4461 E jmckinley@txfb-ins.com

936-788-5990 main 936-788-5992 fax 832-378-6200 Spanish ph.

MON0221

Suduko Marketplace Easy Sudoku

We consider the whole picture.

Our firm considers your entire financial picture, both business and personal, with a down-to-earth approach that is both practical and prudent.

Neuwirth Slaughter & Associates, L.L.P. Certified Public Accountants

Dewitt Oleinik, CPA

168 Col. Etheredge Blvd.

Suite B Huntsville, TX 77340

www.MyCPAsaid.com

936-291-8500

Brian Slaughter, CPA

Receive one-on-one service www.myuhcagent.com/Lauri.Wenzel 832-244-1973, TTY 711 Fax: 832-201-5359

see answers on page 24

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

Income Tax • IRS Representation • Insurance • Notary Public 100 Hwy 190 East Huntsville, TX 77340 Email: onecdcrawford@aol.com

(936) 291-1887 (Direct) (936) 661-0692 (Cell) (936) 291-1789 (Fax)

National Association of Enrolled Agents • National Society of Tax Professionals

Sam Houston Memorial Museum & Homestead Honoring the life & times of Sam Houston 1836 Sam Houston Avenue Huntsville, TX

samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com

936-294-1832 Sam Houston State University August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 39

Thru – 8/15

Houston The Dr. Seuss Experience

experienceseuss.com

5-8

Conroe “School of Rock: The Musical”

crightontheatre.org

Because Pets Are Family Too Quality Veterinary Care

5-28

Conroe Wearable Art & Home Décor Trunk Show

conroeartleague.com

5

Houston Cheap Trick: In Another World Tour

arenatheatre.net

6-8

Schulenburg Schulenburg Festival

schulenburgfestival.org

• Internal Medicine • Preventive Care

• Vaccines/Titer testing

7

Freeport Kidfest

• Online Pharmacy and

facebook.com/cfhmuseum

• Surgery

Medical Records

• Spay & Neuter

• Digital Dental Xrays • Dental Care

• Microchipping

• Convenient Drop Off and Pick Up Hours

• Geriatric Care

• Laser Therapy

• Equine Reproduction

www.vethospitalnewwaverly.com

936.344.8469

Travis Powell: World Famous Elvis Tribute

oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

Palestine If That Ain’t Country Music Show

903.723.6291

Tomball Tomball Night

tomballchamber.org

13

Huntsville The Texas Tenors

oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

455 W SH 150 • New Waverly Like us on Facebook!

Huntsville

CALENDAR

August

Due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, some events may have schedule changes.

Please make sure to check the event website, social media, or call ahead to confirm an event is still taking place if you are interested in attending.

40 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

CALENDAR 14

New Waverly Blood Drive @ NW Public Library

giveblood.org

Brenham Lee Greenwood in Concert

thebarnhillcenter.com

Galveston The Texas Tenors in Concert

thegrand.com

15

The Woodlands Brad Paisley w/Jimmie Allen and Kameron Marlowe

woodlandscenter.org

21

Galveston AIA Sandcastle Competition

galveston.com

Huntsville

• Braces - Orthodontics

Family Fishing Celebration

• Bridges

936.294.5721

• Crowns • Dental Implants

21-22 Madisonville Gun and Hunting Show

• Dental Warranty • Root Canals

madisonvilletexas.us

27

• Teeth Whitening • TMJ Disorder Treatment

Huntsville

• Wisdom Teeth Extractions

Sting Ray Anthony’s “Juke Box Rock”

• Routine Checkups

oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

28

(936)

856-9969

PatientFirstDental.net

Huntsville Skate Park Grand Opening Celebration

huntsvilletx.gov

Liberty Liberty Opry Music Review

libertyopry.com

31

Huntsville Discover Local: Community, Commerce, Cuisine

chamber.huntsville.tx.us Due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, some events may have schedule changes.

Please make sure to check the event website, social media, or call ahead to confirm an event is still taking place if you are interested in attending.

Monday-Thursday 8AM - 5PM Friday By Appt.

Saturday & Sunday Closed 1336 League Line Road, Suite 400 Conroe, Texas 77304

August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 41

Mustard Seed Moments

by Linda W. Perkins

Refreshed by the Son Coming in from the backyard, all I could think about was the scorching temperature outside. The sun had beaten down on me until my face turned red and sweat poured from my body, soaking my t-shirt. I couldn’t wait to take a shower and cool off in the air conditioning.

While my vegetable garden was doing well, I didn’t really care about it at that moment. In that moment, I truly understood the phrase “heat exhaustion.” I was hot and drained and didn’t care if I ever left the house again.

As I sat on the sofa, cooling down with a glass of sweet tea, I reflected on recent days. So many things had just kept piling on. I felt overwhelmed and oh, so tired. I needed more than just A/C and a cold drink to make me feel better. I needed refreshment from the inside out. I needed Jesus.

I picked up my pink leather-bound devotional book and opened it up.

“Come to me, all who are weary, and I will give you rest,” I read. Yes, Lord, I seriously need some rest, I prayed. “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.” Yes, I needed the living water Jesus was offering.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” Okay, I was ready. I had been walking through fire, carrying a heavy load, and I was ready to lay it at Jesus’ feet.

As I bowed my head and meditated on the Word, I felt my stress melt away. I realized the Holy Spirit was doing for me what I could not do for myself. God’s grace was lifting me up when I had no strength left.

And when I opened my eyes, I knew I had been restored. I had needed a whole lot more than cool air and a glass of tea, and the Lord had delivered. I had been refreshed by the Son, and I was ready to take on whatever life – including the heat of summer and my circumstances – threw my way.

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” – John 7:37-38

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www.eascoair.com Genesis 8:22 42 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | August 2021

TA C L A 9 6 5

Spring/The Woodlands Conroe/Montgomery/Willis New Waverly/Huntsville

281-367-2653 936-539-COLD 936-295-3333

Dr. Bonnie J. Cameron Glaucoma Specialist Pediatric Specialist Therapeutic Optometrist

Cameron Optical

936.448.1200

Therapeutic Optometrist & Glaucoma Specialist

15260 Hwy 105 West • Suite 127 Montgomery, TX 77356

Family owned and operated with over 60 years of combined experience

Located in the WaterPoint Marina and Shopping Center next to CVS

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENTS ONLINE AT: WWW.CAMERONOPTICAL.COM August 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 43

BillFickFord.com

737 I-45 South Huntsville, TX 77340