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FEATURES
July 2021 | Volume 10, Issue 7
10 Texas Talent Ray Redding
24 Business Focus
16
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Texas Treasures The Dr. Seuss Experience
FAVORITES
Cover Photo by Holly Racca
6 7 8 14 15 20 21 22
From the Publisher Dear Gabby From Our Readers Milestones Glorious Grandkids The Garden Post What’s Cookin’
23 28 29 30 31 32 34
What Are You Reading? Pet Pals From the Mouths of Babes Health Matters Sudoku Marketplace Community Calendar Mustard Seed Moments
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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 5
Publisher’s Post Karen Altom publisher@postcardslive.com
Your Local Community Magazine! PostcardsLakeConroe
We Have a STORIED Past Starting in January, we began the ten year celebration of the publication of Postcards Magazine. As we celebrate this year, I have tried to write down memories that have come up during our reminiscing. This month, I thought I’d share one of my favorites.
When we began the magazine, we were asked lots of questions from community members. Some were things we were ready to answer, and some were things we really had not thought of yet! One of my favorite questions came from my friend Dr. Tim Deahl when I was in for a visit with him. At the time, we were transitioning from a quarterly magazine to publishing bi-monthly. We had already published more than a year, and Tim asked me, “How are you going to get enough story ideas to keep this thing going?” That question gave me a moment’s pause before I replied, “You know, our goal is to be a community magazine for our area…and everyone has a story, whether they find themselves interesting or not!” And you know what? That was over 550 stories ago!
I think I’ve been proven right - because even those stories where the individuals think they are uninteresting allow us the opportunity to get to know someone else in our community a little better! I truly believe that with knowledge, understanding and unity can follow.
Ten years of sharing community, and we still want to remind you to take a moment and look at the advertising on each of the included pages. EVERY one of these businesses, from the smallest ad to the largest, is a partner with us in bringing you this magazine each month. If you enjoy what we do, please make it a point to let them know. Visit them. Call them. Tell them you appreciate them…because I assure you, we certainly do!
Until next time,
~
Karen
P.S. One of my favorite things we do each month is share your photos. Keep sending us those precious grandkids, pets, and snapshots of your life. It makes our community even stronger!
6 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 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. In the USA, we commemorate the Declaration of Independence in July! I must say…I find it very irresponsible whoever is in charge of national celebrations selected July 3rd for National Eat Beans Day with all the fireworks on July 4th! Drop me a line to Dear Gabby at PostcardsLive.com if you have any independence or dependence issues, and I will give you advice on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
DEAR SHIFTY As we say in East Texas, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Getting older is just one body part after another saying, “Ha Ha, you think that’s bad? Watch this!”
Normal? Yes. Reversible? No. When I was very young, I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected! Mirrors don’t lie, and (lucky for me) they don’t laugh.
DEAR GABBY
GABBY
I am a middle-aged female, and things are starting to change on my body. I haven’t changed anything I’m doing, but “things” seem to be shifting, ever so slowly, like they think I won’t notice. Is this normal and/or reversible? SHIFTY
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From Our Readers
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Thanks for publishing What Are You Reading? and blessings to everyone at Postcards! Mary Ellen Sims
I really enjoy your magazine. I look forward to getting it every month. Marshall Clouser
My wife and I love Postcards. We look forward to it every month and both read it cover and cover. Keep up the good work! Jack Heintschel
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Ten years of Postcards means SO many things. Community, kindness and love! I have learned so much about so many people and places, even people I already knew! On a professional note, your writers and layout artists are top notch - the story they did during 2020 about our Curves at-home workout was beyond professional and amazing! Great work, love to be a part of this magazine! Tish Humphrey
I love your magazine and enjoy reading it cover to cover as I feel it keeps me in touch with our community. Thank you for covering our community with interesting stories and positive messages!
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Texas Talent Story by Amy Barnett Submitted Photos
Ray Redding, aka “TexasRedd”
Houston native and renowned photographer Ray Redding, aka TexasRedd, stands with works from his latest project that showcases art found where you’d least expect it – on the streets of Houston.
How different did the downtown streets of Houston look in the spring of 2020? During the first three months of COVID, the streets downtown were a ghost town – it was amazing! We’d go out on a Sunday morning, and I’d stand in the middle of an intersection and have not one iota of fear of getting run over. You could literally see all the lights turn green, going all the way from the south side to the north side of the main streets. And there were no cars. It was crazy.
If you are a fan of live music and have ever visited Houston’s iconic Mucky Duck, Goode Company’s Armadillo Palace, or The Heights Theatre, chances are you’ve seen Ray Redding. No, he’s not a musician with a guitar strap over his shoulder– he’s the man with a camera around his neck. Gifted with an incredible talent for storytelling through a photographer’s lens, Ray, also known as TexasRedd, has covered the walls of these popular music venues with photos of singers, songwriters, and bands who have made tour stops in the Bayou City. For 30 years, Ray has made a name for himself in the music industry, but when the pandemic halted life as we knew it, it also put the brakes on his livelihood. As the world tried to “flatten the curve,” he looked for ways to occupy his time. His wife Jen admits she was worried he would go stir crazy, but instead, he started riding his bike in downtown Houston and soon discovered art where he never expected it.
pothole. So, I’m riding along and start to see a pattern show up, and I’m like oh my gosh – there is art in here. Because of the general condition of the streets and the paint marks made by road crews, it looks like some kind of hieroglyphics. The markings have a meaning to the people on road crews. Some of them are where power lines are or where main water lines run. Add the sun baking down on the roads and cars driving over them, and it’s an ever-changing pallet of art.
So, how did you discover this hidden art on the streets of Houston?
The photos are incredible. What are you looking for that makes you stop riding and take a photo?
Think about the nature of riding a bike. You’re always looking forward and looking around, and you look down a lot because you want to make sure you don’t hit a seam or a
When I ride my bike, they jump out at me. Jen will go with me on bike rides. If she sees me grab the camera, she knows she’s going to have to be prepared for multiple stops, and
10 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2021
she has done it enough times with me now that she is a good spotter. I’m looking for shape, texture and color. I guess what attracts me is the relationship of those things. I can see a red stripe on a texture, but if it doesn’t look like it’s working together in an integrated sort of way in my mind’s eye – then it’s not true. But I will revisit an area sometimes, and there is something that I passed on initially that I am seeing in a different light or in a different way. One thing about street art is it doesn’t last forever. I can go back on some of the trails that I originally shot, and the stuff won’t still be there, or it will be decayed to a certain point where it’s different. And now I’m at the point where a lot of the bike trails I was originally shooting on – the city has come in and repainted them; so, they have fresh paint and different markings. Downtown has been under a major flux of
construction – lots of cranes in the sky with buildings being built and a lot of infrastructure improvements – so it’s kind of serendipitous. I was in the right place at the right time for this concept to congeal.
What reaction have you received from people when they see your art? I have received so many great comments on social media. The project has been very well-received. I think one of the coolest responses I’ve gotten is when a man saw me downtown while I was taking pictures. I was on a fairly new trail on Austin Street, between the main HCC campus and the Pierce Elevated. I’m out there on the street taking a picture of distressed paint on a manhole, and I’m focusing on composing
the shot. All of a sudden, I hear this British voice say, “Excuse me!” I turn around and see a man marching toward me and he said, “What are you doing?” I said, “Well, I’m taking a picture of this manhole with art on it.” And then he said, “You take pictures of manholes?!” I started to explain that I do street art, and he was so excited and said, “Oh my gosh! I’m going to tell my wife! I shoot manholes. I am going to tell her, so she knows I’m not crazy!” He was charming, and it was just so funny! And now we are mutual fans of each other and follow each other on Instagram.
Do you have a favorite photo from your street art collection? Sometimes I like the ones that are simpler and more subtle. Other times, I like the ones that are more garish. There is something for everyone in that mode. If you like really organized or Mondrian-style art or have rules, there’s stuff like that in there; some look like naturally occurring graffiti – it’s so haphazard. Some of my photos look like flags to me because of geometric shapes. I have done hundreds of these, and if I had to pick my favorite ones, they would change by the week.
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What motivates you in your artistic journey?
photography and other art he has done. It’s about connection and joy and catching the moment.
think about it at all. Or, if you do, it’s about potholes and cracks and things that make you lose a hubcap. You really don’t think about it for anything other than what its intended use is. And if you look at it in a very macro way,
moment.” She said that, and I thought – I’ve never really thought about that before.
What do you hope people feel when they see your street art?
Jen: To me, his art in general has always had this element that interconnects everybody at a moment. It’s the same in the live music
I think the thing I want people to take away is the street is just a thing that transports you from point A to point B, and you never really
the way I’m doing it – just little segments at a time – there’s a really interesting story going on there. Again, there’s color, texture, and pattern…and the ah-ha moment, or takeaway, is – wow, I’ve never really seen the street in that kind of way.
Jen has said, “You are always in the pursuit of joy. You are always looking for that joyous
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Jen: A takeaway for us was we did not realize the extensive bike system Houston has. Had COVID not happened, we would not have discovered this extensive opportunity to explore the city. We knew the main trails
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Ray and Jen continue to enjoy the unique scenery and art the Houston bike trials provide and admit they will never look at the streets of Houston the same. Fortunately, live music is back, and Ray is back in his natural element. Check out Ray Redding’s full collection of street art along with his massive portfolio of live music photography on Instagram at @texasreddimages.
July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 13
Milestones
George Ahrens will be celebrating his 100th birthday July 17 with family and friends. Pictured: Brock, Braden, Grandpa George, Bradley and Bryce.
Congratulations to LeeAnn & Chris Garcia, married April 10, 2021. Parents: Glenn & Laura Green and Carlos & Joan Garcia.
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Glorious Grandkids
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Just for Fun By Marshall Altom Photos By Marshall Altom
The Dr. Seuss Experience “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” - Dr. Seuss, from
Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Theodor Seuss Geisel, or Dr. Seuss, has inspired and entertained hundreds of thousands of children throughout the years. The Dr. Seuss Experience seeks to bring his works to life by creating rooms filled with his mythical creatures and whimsical designs. For the first time EVER, I get to write this article from the perspective of a parent who took their child to this experience.
We took our son Walker, who just turned one in May, and he absolutely LOVED it. When you first walk into the exhibit hall, you think you may be in the wrong place--but trust me, wait for it. Once you proceed a little farther, you will start to see some copies of drawings and mounts of animals from the world of Dr. Seuss. You see large hanging banners of some of his most famous stories and a gift shop and a large rectangular white box. There are opportunities to take photos with the Lorax and Cat in the Hat at different times outside the entrance to the box. After we had some
photo ops and looked around a little bit, we went to the entrance of the mysterious box. (This is the part where you show your tickets). Once you enter the box, you are met with a large balloon maze in the center of the room. Do not worry, there are multiple ways out, and you can see through it if you get separated, or if your little one takes off through the walls of balloons like ours did! After you get a grasp on your surroundings, you will see that the maze is surrounded by other rooms which take you into the different books of Dr. Seuss.
We entered the Lorax room first with a strong reminder written on the wall. “I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” After the entrance, you walk into a brightly colored room with tall fuzzy trees from the Lorax. There are even swings you can swing on, and it is a great place for photos. After we finished all our photos and swinging, we continued onto the next room which was
The Cat in the Hat. This room had A LOT going on (just like in the book)! There is an interactive Cat in the Hat that will talk and respond to you and your children. They have large boxes in the middle of the room that blow air and silk scarfs in the air. The atmosphere is chaotic, but it makes the book come to life.
The next room is based off “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?” and is quite the showstopper. There are plenty of gears and activities to keep kids of all ages occupied! There are fans that levitate a ball and even a vacuum port that sucks in little fuzzy balls and shoots them out the top! The whole room looks as if it was pulled out of a cartoon factory! The following room is based
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walk in the room and are shrunk down into a field of flowers where Horton found Whoville. The flowers bend as you walk through them, and Walker had fun moving throughout them. It is plain and simple, but very pretty.
on “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!” and is geared towards kids a little older than Walker. Do not get me wrong, our little one still had a blast, but could not appreciate the aspect the room is meant to bring. This room is designed like a hide-n-seek challenge. There are critters hiding all around the room and the goal is to find all of them. There are wozets in closets, waskets in baskets, zamps in lamps, and so much more!
The next room surprised us. When you enter “If I Ran the Circus” you will see a swing carousel! Walker got to ride, and we even saw some adults riding, too! I guess if I ran a circus, I would want to have fun while doing it!
Once we finished our hunt, we continued to my favorite room, “Horton Hears a Who!” You
After we finished the ride, we moved to the next room which is the classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Here, you are provided fishing poles you must use to collect presents. Walker and I had fun trying to hook the presents. For added difficulty for adults, just hold your child while trying to get a present. It undoubtedly makes it harder with a squirming child who is moving the pole!
The final room is based on “The Sneetches”. It is a single-family exhibit where you go into a room and have to try to count all the
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sneetches, but there is a twist! The rooms walls are all mirrors, adding a bit of difficulty for younger children to count all of them! Once we finished all the rooms, we may or may not have played in the maze a little more. When you exit, you are (of course) ushered through the gift shop, so parents, BE PREPARED! The good thing is they do have books and educational items, so it is not a
total trap. If you decide to make the trip to downtown Houston, make note that Discovery Green Park is right across the street. The Park boasts fountains, playgrounds, walking trails, a café, and more! For us, it topped off the perfect day!
The Dr. Seuss Experience is located at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Exhibit Hall A. The address is 1001 Avenida
De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010. This is a limited time event! It will only be here until August 15th, so be sure to act quickly if you are interested! You can purchase tickets online at www.experienceseuss.com and look at their FAQ. This is a great event for all Seuss lovers! If you do go, share your photos with us! You can tag Postcards Magazine on Facebook or email us at publisher@postcardslive.com.
July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 19
The Garden Post By Kim Bius
Gardening in Monsoon Season Texas has a new “first” for 2021, the monsoon season. If there was a silver lining to the rare winter blizzard and near zero temperatures, the intense May rains would be it. The heavy moisture has saturated the ground, “saving” many winter damaged plants and reviving damaged tissue with heavy oxygen for new growth and quicker recovery. Be very slow in removing large trees and shrubs to ensure the plants are truly unsalvageable. Many of you are questioning my logic and looking at failed gardens, fruits trees, and shrubs dying in place due to over saturated beds. There is definitely good with the bad; here are a few tips to help! Newly planted fruit trees and woody-stemmed shrubs, (especially peach trees, and azaleas) will wilt when the root system sits in standing water for more than 2 days. Black tips will appear on the ends of the leaves, and the leaves will droop before defoliating. These plants will need to be removed and either planted “higher” in a 12” ant hill or removed to a new site with good drainage. Pot plants easily get plugged drainage holes and may need to be turned on their side and have the drainage hole reopened if roots or debris have decreased the pots drainage ability. Bedding plants such as vinca, marigolds, and zinnia quickly develop downy mildew and should be sprayed with fungicide weekly. If the plants are in a saturated bed, they will need to be removed to a pot where water can be controlled (place under the eave or covered patio to control water adsorption). Same with succulents and cacti exposed to the elements.
Fern - This family of plants will survive and thrive in wet soil. If your area is sunny, consider asparagus, foxtail (not true ferns, but for practical purposes), holly fern and wood fern. For half a day’s sun to shade, all other varieties of ferns, plus the sun lovers. Sedge – King tut, papyrus and lit tut sedges make excellent bog plants Trees – Weeping Willow, Bald Cypress, River Birch, Sweetgum, and Red Maple are all great choices for low-lying areas that tend to hold water. Remember, during drought conditions, these trees will need ample water to survive… we do not get it both ways! Perennials -- think elephant ears, alocasia, philodendron, iris, hardy hibiscus, creeping jenny. With heavy rain come mosquitos. Empty every pot, lid, container, or vessel that has even a tablespoon of water in it. One tablespoon can hatch 1000 mosquitos! Plants such as citronella, lemongrass and garlic will act as a deterrent for 10 sq’. If lining your patio with citronella is not an option, try Mosquito Beater by Bonide. This is an excellent product, granular, organic, easy to use and last 5-10 days per application (package says 3 weeks, but that’s more hope than reality). Summer will be arriving shortly, so enjoy and prep now for July 4th entertaining. Happy Gardening.
What plants thrive in wet, soggy, poorly drained soil? More than you think!
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Vet Connect: By Kim VanWagner, D.V.M.
Acupuncture in Veterinary Medicine If you are like most people, you have not considered acupuncture as a treatment option for your pets or animals. For most, there are lots of unanswered questions when it comes to the topic of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a medicinal technique used as alternative therapy for many physical ailments and issues. Tiny needles are inserted into specific points on the body that have specific actions, when stimulated, to produce a healing response. Ancient Chinese medicine has shown imbalances of vital energies in the body cause illness. Acupuncture focuses on restoring the balance in the body and promoting healing. Specific acupuncture points have been well-charted for both humans and animals and connected with each other and various internal organs by meridians or channels, many of these following along the
body’s major nerve trunks. Each point has specific actions once stimulated. Blood flow is improved increasing oxygenation to tissues, reducing the amount of waste products made, and increasing the amount of metabolic waste the body can remove. Muscles are relaxed at the location the needle is placed as well as those located other places, working both locally and generally. Acupuncture was around before modern science could prove and study it, but now many important studies have been done to show how it works. According to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, functional MRI has been used to examine 15 of the many points proving the mechanism of acupuncture, showing that stimulation to specific points results in specific changes in the central nervous system. For example, points
with pain relieving properties associated with them tend to activate specific pain – associated brainstem regions. A consensus statement has been given by The National Institute of Health saying there is compelling evidence that acupuncture was useful in the management of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain. Acupuncture is now known to assist the body in healing itself by affecting certain physiological changes such as stimulating nerves, increasing blood circulation, relieving muscle spasms, and causing the release of hormones such as endorphins (a pain chemical the body uses) and cortisol (a natural form of steroid). Many other effects are still unknown, and further research is needed to discover all the benefits and techniques. Functional problems that involve paralysis, noninfectious inflammation such as allergies, and pain can be managed effectively (for example, arthritis, back problems, traumas, asthmas, skin inflammation, GI problems such as diarrhea, seizures, and some repro conditions). Acupuncture should never be done without a proper veterinary medical diagnosis and an ongoing assessment of the overall condition by a licensed veterinarian. Pain could be masked (as well as other clinical signs that may delay proper diagnosis) if treatment is implemented prior to veterinarian evaluation. Decreasing pain could also allow the animal to increase activity, which could delay healing or worsen the original condition. A veterinarian who is certified and properly trained in acupuncture can also determine whether the animal is likely to benefit from treatment or if another treatment is more appropriate. Your primary care veterinarian should be able to help you find a trained local veterinary acupuncturist. Acupuncture is used worldwide, either along with or in conjunction with Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of conditions in every species of animal. Veterinary practices in China have used acupuncture for thousands of years to treat many ailments. It is also used for preventative medicine as well. The use of acupuncture is increasing as clinical research has been showing positive results in the treatment of both animals and humans. Acupuncture will not cure every condition, but it can work very well when it is indicated.
22 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2021
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What Are You Reading? Lori Slott reading
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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 23
Business Focus Story by Linda W. Perkins Photos by Gina Turner
Owners Carol and Bill Green
Walking into Nothing Bundt Cakes on West Davis Street in Conroe, it’s easy to see why it’s so popular. Everything about it exudes warmth and joy, from its friendly staff with wide smiles to the colorful cake displays placed around the store. There are examples of decorated cakes for every occasion, from graduations to birthdays to Father’s Day, and the display case shows off many sizes and flavors of Bundt cakes, from Red Velvet to Blueberry Bliss. 24 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2021
I have to admit I didn’t expect the cakes to be that special. Growing up with a mother who made spectacularly decorated made-from-scratch cakes for every birthday, I was spoiled. I have spent my adult life disappointed over and over again by cake mixes and bakeries alike, to the point where I told my husband to not even get me a birthday cake anymore. This year, however, I was given a Chocolate Chocolate Chip “Bundtlet” (individual serving Bundt cake) from Nothing Bundt Cakes for my birthday. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I was hooked. Light and fluffy, but still rich and chocolatey, with just the right amount of velvety cream cheese frosting, the Bundlet brought back memories of childhood birthdays filled with love and laughter and the kind of chocolate cake I hadn’t had in decades. From now on, I know where my special occasion cakes will come from. Calling a bite or two of cake a life-changing experience might sound a little far-fetched, yet that is exactly how Bill and Carol Green ended up with three of the Houston-area franchise locations of Nothing Bundt Cakes, including the one in Conroe. After selling his business, Bill was looking for a new entrepreneurial venture while Carol was still pursuing her corporate career. One day, someone at Carol’s office brought in a Bundt cake for a meeting. She took a bite, and it inspired her to look up Nothing Bundt Cakes online, where she saw they had franchises available. She called her husband and son Josh, who had graduated from Texas Tech with a restaurant and hospitality management degree. At first, they shook off the bakery idea as “kind of girly,” but they agreed to go and try the cakes for themselves. “They got their Bundtlets, went to the car, opened them up and tried them. Then they called me and said, ‘Okay, we’re in!’” explained Carol. It wasn’t long before Bill and Josh donned aprons and became the first two male trainees at Nothing Bundt Cakes, not just learning how to manage and market the business, but also how to bake the cakes. Soon afterward, the family moved down from Dallas to open the Houston Galleria location. In 2010, the Galleria store represented the company’s early growth, as location #30. The Green family’s store in West University was the 71st Nothing Bundt Cakes location. By the time Bill and Carol opened the Conroe location in April 2020, Nothing Bundt Cakes had 330 locations, and today it is nearing 400 nationwide. The company’s explosive growth hasn’t affected its home-grown feel, however. “There are 13 locations around the Houston area,” Bill said. “It’s a really close franchise. We all get along, and if any of us need anything, we reach out to the others for help.” Within the three locations the Greens own and operate, each family member has his or her own role. “Bill is responsible for the back of the house – the baking, frosting, training people – and he is our maintenance guy, going between all three of our locations,” Carol explained. “I do the accounting, and Josh manages the managers down in Houston.” “He (Josh) isn’t in the bakery as much as he used to be. When we were first getting started, we lived and breathed it 24x7,” Bill added. “Because, when we first opened in the Galleria, no one knew who we were. If you hadn’t been to Dallas and been to one (Nothing Bundt Cakes location), you wouldn’t know who we were, so that first year was tough. But now, just about everyone has heard of us.” While it was difficult getting the word out about the Greens’ first location, their third location in Conroe has had different challenges, as its July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 25
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THIS IS HOW WE DID IT! In spite of COVID 19 and its calamitous impact on our community, Assistance League Montgomery County served the needs of more than 40,000 persons through our 9 philanthropic programs while returning 83% of every dollar raised in our upscale thrift shop to Montgomery County residents through our 100% volunteer organization.
Standing: Kiley, Juliet, Manager Devon Bernal, Hailey, Amyia Seated: Owners Carol and Bill Green
936-760-1151
Join us. Shop, donate, and most of all Serving the needs of Montgomery County become a through our 100% volunteer organization. member 126 N. San Jacinto Street • Conroe, TX 77301 volunteer. Visit our website for special shopping hours
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opening coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. By the time their build-out was done and they were ready for permitting, everything was starting to shut down. “We literally got the very last health department permit in Montgomery County before they stopped issuing them. The guy came by, did our inspection, handed us our permit, and then said ‘Okay, we’re done.’” Bill said. Carol said it was hard to find employees to work when the Conroe store first opened. Their younger son Mitchell, a land manager, was in between jobs due to the downturn in the oil and gas market and agreed to come help for a while. They found high school and college students to staff the front of the house. And if the pandemic didn’t make it challenging enough, they opened two weeks before Mother’s Day.
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“It was crazy. It was the busiest Mother’s Day in the history of the company, nationwide,” explained Bill. “People were lined up all the way around the corner of the building to the dumpster in the back.” Nevertheless, they didn’t run out of cakes. “We worked all night and then all the next day to make sure we delivered on all our orders,” he continued, adding that all the cakes are made fresh onsite. The top-selling flavor is Chocolate Chocolate Chip, Lemon is popular in the spring, and each month they introduce a short-run flavor which is available for six weeks to two months. “Strawberries and Cream, which we recently finished up, is a big favorite. In June, we have Blueberry Bliss, which is like eating a blueberry muffin, and in July we will have Lemon Raspberry,” Carol said. The Conroe store’s manager Devon Bernal, who was hired in August 2020, not only makes sure the retail operation runs smoothly, but he also handles the franchise’s robust marketing and community relations program. “We donate cakes to a lot of people working through the pandemic, like at city hall and first responders at the hospital and the fire
Nothing Bundt Cakes 1351 W. Davis, Conroe, TX 936-283-5450 www.nothingbundtcakes.com
department. It’s our way of saying thank you for all they’ve done,” explained Devon. “We love doing stuff with the schools,” added Bill. “The administration building here in Conroe loves us!” he said with a chuckle. “We set up a reading program where the kids get rewarded for reading books, and when they read a certain amount, they can come in and get free Bundt cakes,” Devon expounded, adding that they donate cakes for Teacher Appreciation Week as well.
their business is an investment into their new hometown. They hint at the idea of opening yet another location but won’t say where. “We really can’t say,” Carol says. “It’s still in the dreaming phase.” Bill and Carol may not want to talk about where their dreams will take them next, but I won’t shy away from sharing one of my dreams. I am already imagining my next family birthday party, which will include a special treat from Nothing Bundt Cakes!
While Josh is content to stay in Houston, Bill and Carol are Montgomery residents, so
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28 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2021
From the Mouths of Babes...
Mark Peters, D.D.S. Dentistry With Excellence!
Who needs a warm bed when you have a warm mommy? Heather Jacobs Most
While changing in the bathroom, my then 3-year-old son slapped me on the bottom and said, “This is so cool mom, it just keeps going” HA HA HA! I didn’t think it was really THAT funny! Christina S.
My 3.5 year old said, “Mommy, Daddy says there might be ice on the moon, but he’s wrong because there’s no water on the moon.” Erin B.
A WIN-WIN SITUATION!!
My goal for my patients is to help them to “win the game” – in other words, to keep their teeth as long as they need them. My recommendations are not based on “How much dentistry can I do for my patients”? They are based on “How can I help this patient ‘win the game’ with the least amount of dentistry to predictably get there”? Thankfully, I have been blessed to be able to do a level of dentistry which few in my profession have been able to do. I have been blessed again with talent to do this level of restorative excellence and the benefits for my patients have been very gratifying for them, my staff, and me.
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We were driving over a hill in our minivan loaded with extended family when my then 3-year-old son shouted, “Hold on everybody, we’re going down.” (It may have been his voice and the timing on that one, but it was hilarious when it happened) .
When my daughter was three, she asked if she could drive, and I told her she could when she was a grownup, and she said “Yeah, and then I can say ‘speed up or get off the road, dumb butt!’” Oops... mommy had to check her road rage after that! Autumn W.
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Health Matters www.drjimshealthtips.com By James W. Jones, MD, PhD, MHA
Making Your Home a True Safe Haven Personal households are generally considered safe harbor, but surprisingly, homes provide the settings for substantial accidents. 60% of unintended injuries happen at home! Many falls at home are serious, with over 800,000 injured requiring hospitalizations and almost 40,000 deaths from head injuries and bone fractures. OMG! Besides falls, burns and poisonings occur too frequently in homes. I’m not saying your home is entirely unsafe; I’m telling you it can and should be made safer. Be certain sturdy handrails are on all stairways. Have motion sensor night lights in areas with diminished lighting and areas where people might go at night (hallways should be included). Throw rugs should have non-slip under liners or tape or be removed. Nonslip waxes for wood floors are readily available and do not need to be applied often. Replace any
unstable furniture and have chairs with steadfast arms to aid sitting and standing. More serious injuries can result when falls occur because of tripping on pets, especially dogs. Thus, be extra careful around pets when up and moving about. Never step over pets, even smaller animals. They can suddenly move underfoot. Watch carefully to keep pet toys from being left in walkways. In rooms having shelves, especially the kitchen, move all regularly used items to lower shelves no higher than shoulders for easy visual accessibility. Bathrooms and other locations where water could accumulate are higher risk areas, especially the shower. Place nonslip floorcoverings in areas where water could accumulate on the floors. In the shower, place nonslip floor mats or have a slip-resistant pebble mosaic floor installed. With that, even when feet
are copiously covered with soap, one cannot forcefully cause their feet to slip. Install a grab bar (or bars, depending on configuration) inside the shower and outside close to where you will towel dry. Also, place a plastic nonslip mat in the bathtub. Put a stable mat or mats where one can get into and out of the bathtub. Burns and scalds are other unintentional household injuries which are avoidable by planning forward. Mount and maintain household fire alarms and formulate a general plan of escape if they go off. Periodically examine exposed electrical wiring and replace any that is threadbare. Set your hot water tank temperature to 120 degrees. Burns occur rapidly at higher temperatures. Six seconds will scald at 140F and 30 seconds at 130F but temperatures at 120F will take five minutes! KEEP SAFE. Turn all pot and pan handles to the side. If you have a fireplace, have an expert inspect it every five years or anytime you see a change. For a burn injury, immediately place the injured flesh under cold water. Further, I consider my body the house for my mind. Exercise frequently, along with daily balance exercises. Consider choosing a comfortable chair and sit and stand repeatedly.
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Huntsville Gene Watson
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Conroe Stars, Stripes, & Symphony – Free Concert
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Montgomery Freedom Fest
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The Woodlands Stars at Night – A Salute to Service
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Huntsville Fourth of July Celebration
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Madisonville Fourth of July Celebration
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Tomball July Fourth Celebration and Street Festival
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CALENDAR
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5/15 – 8/15 Houston The Dr. Seuss Experience
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Clay Walker – The Homecoming Show with
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Gladewater
East Texas Gusher Days
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32 Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition | July 2021
CALENDAR 9-25
Conroe “Tarzan: The Stage Musical”
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Sealy Sealybration
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23-25 Conroe “Always…Patsy Cline” owentheatre.com
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Liberty Liberty Opry Music Review
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29-31 Clute Great Texas Mosquito Festival mosquitofestival.com
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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 33
Mustard Seed Moments by Wes Altom
In a Word… There are certainly times when a picture is worth a thousand words… but there are also occasions when a single word conveys volumes. When King Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great) invaded southern Greece, he sent a message to the Spartans: “You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.” The Spartans’ reply was just one word: “If.” One of my favorite one-word-speaks-volumes moments in Scripture comes with Christ addressing Peter:
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
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He said, “When.” The God of the Universe--who came down in human perfection, knows my faults and failings better than anyone, paid the cruel price for them, and loves me unconditionally in spite of them--has faith in ME. Though my faith falters at times, His does not…. He said, “When.” On days when our struggles seem great, rest in the knowledge that our God is greater. Sometimes, it’s not our faith, but HIS faith that sustains us. Let’s cling to “when.”
Dr. Bonnie J. Cameron Glaucoma Specialist Pediatric Specialist Therapeutic Optometrist
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SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENTS ONLINE AT: WWW.CAMERONOPTICAL.COM July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Lake Conroe Edition 35