Postcards Magazine Piney Woods April 2021 by Digital Publisher

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FEATURES

April 2021 | Volume 11, Issue 4

Do You Know?

Inspirations Let the Sparks Fly

Gene Roberts

A Day in the Life

Business Focus Bluebird Haven Estates

Bella Becho Book & Print Bindery

FAVORITES

Cover Photo by Janice West

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6 From Our Readers 9 From the Publisher 15 20 Questions 16 What Are You Reading? 18 Pet Pals 20 The Latest 21 Dear Gabby 24 Star Students 32 Glorious Grandkids 34 The Garden Post 38 Wildlife Wonders 39 Happenings

45 The Grands 46 What’s Cookin’ 51 Giggles and Grins 57 From the Mouths of Babes 58 Things My Granddaddy Said 59 Vet Connect 61 Let’s Celebrate 63 “Seens” from our World 64 Sudoku Marketplace 67 Health Matters 68 Community Calendar 70 Mustard Seed Moments

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From Our Readers First, let me tell you how much I enjoy your magazine. I read it cover to cover (including advertisements) the day it reaches me. Then I share portions of it with my two young grandchildren who come here daily.

It’s just so refreshing to receive something in the mail where we can learn more about those we know and a lot about those we don’t! So hometown, and just downright enjoyable!

Keep up the good work in making us aware of local news, those cute grands, and the “Vet Connect” by Dr. Steve Van Wagner.

Renee Spencer

Sara Hardy Bartee

The recipe for the roasted chicken with the cranberry chutney looked good but you reference GINGER in the chutney instructions; however, no ginger is listed among the ingredients.

Thank you to Postcards Magazines for sponsoring the Huntsville/Walker County Chamber of Commerce Small Business Breakfast! We had a great turnout and a great program by you! We love the magazine and all that you do to promote our community! Congratulations on all that you and your team have accomplished. Laura Green

AA Henderson From the Editor: Our apologies! Ginger was not on the ingredient list in the copy submitted; however, we were able to backtrack to the source. The ingredient list should contain: 1/2 piece fresh ginger, peeled, cut into matchstick-size strips

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Publisher’s Post Karen Altom publisher@postcardslive.com

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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 Huntsville, New Waverly, Midway, Madisonville, Riverside and Trinity. 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 Call our Office: 936.293.1188 Online: www.PostcardsLive.com Address: PO Box 690 • Huntsville, TX 77342 Phone: 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.

A Wonderful Mistake Don’t you just love it when an accidental frustration turns into something wonderful? As I write this, I am doing so on the notes in my phone--not nearly as simple as typing on my computer, but it’s important to tell you this because it goes with the story. As you well know, last month we experienced “Snowmageddon,” and we were certain our March magazines would be at least a week late because everything in Texas had ground to a halt (or at best, a slow crawl) the entire week. We were amazed when this was not the case. The reason? The employees of Shweiki Media, our printing company, worked crazy hard to get us out almost on time! Thanks to them, we were only a day or two behind our normal delivery! Our staff started talking about what a great job they always do for us and decided we wanted to do something for them, so we planned to drive to San Antonio and serve them lunch. One of our reps and her husband wanted to go and help, too. Since the best day for the Shweiki staff was a Thursday, we decided to stay and work from there on Friday to do some planning. I stayed up late the night before, packing all the things we would need for our planning session, along with the things I needed to finish my final responsibilities for the magazine you are holding (this column being among them). I rolled my briefcase and bag to the office door and, when we arrived at the hotel and began unloading, I realized that was where they still sat! Wes had loaded the car with our personal belongings, but I forgot to mention the office things, just assuming he would see them. I was so frustrated, but he said, “There’s always a reason for everything.” I admit, I still fumed for a bit, but then realized, short of driving back home, it “was what it was”...so relax and enjoy. And we did. We laughed and talked. We played cards and laughed some more. I didn’t realize how much good a “real” day off would do me. I am without my computer, but my column is still due, thus the typing on my phone…from the hotel room…in San Antonio. We will head home later, but as I spent the morning thinking about how much I’ve enjoyed my “wonderful mistake,” I just thought I’d share the lesson. The next time something discouraging happens, step back and remember… sometimes frustrating mistakes have the most wonderful results.

Until next time,

Karen

P.S. Our friends at Shweiki were very appreciative we recognized their hard work. What a special day for us, too. I challenge you to think of someone who makes your job easier, and take a moment to thank them. It will make you both feel great! April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 9

Do You Know? By Mike Yawn Photos by Gina Turner

Gene Roberts Gene Roberts is an attorney, but not otherwise dangerous. He arrived at Huntsville eight years ago with his wife Celeste and son Jack, following work at various law firms in Dallas. He is the Director of the office of Student Legal & Mediation Services at SHSU, and he is involved in various state-wide and local organizations.

What’s your favorite lawyer joke? I don’t know any lawyer jokes. What I hear is all true.

it. I thought about it, applied, and ended up attending SMU School of Law.

That’s right! Lawyers don’t think lawyer jokes are funny, and non-lawyers don’t think they are jokes. Seriously, though, many lawyers are nice people, and they are some of the first people called when help is needed. It’s also true that my father was a great raconteur and joke teller, and he could probably do the jokes justice, but I didn’t inherit that gene.

Was that a big transition in terms of culture? There were some cultural and economic differences, but there were also people like me who didn’t come from money or large towns. It was pretty diverse, and to everyone’s credit, they were all very accepting.

Where did you grow up? West Orange, Texas. My father was a serial entrepreneur. He was in the mortuary business, and for most of my upbringing, he ran a medical equipment company in Orange. He also ran a dry cleaner. My mother often worked at some of the businesses, too, and developed the ideas, especially the dry cleaner, and the children’s clothing boutique she ran. She also had a career as a radiology technician and was a stay-at-home mom for a while, with a lot of community involvement. My dad died about three years ago, and my mom is still alive.

You worked for multiple law firms, one of which was Bracewell & Giuliani. They have more than 400 attorneys. Was it intense working there? Somewhat. We were expected to bill about 2,000 hours a year. It was a good firm, but like much of big law, there was a real emphasis on billing, and that can be problematic.

What was the best thing about West Orange? It was a good community to grow up in. There are large petro-chemical and shipping industries there, and this brought a lot of people—many engineers and managers—to the area. We had a diverse population, and we worked together on things. I was in band, debate, and boy scouts. It was the small kind of town where, for good and ill, everyone knew what you were doing. This was good for the development of self-discipline. Also, if you enjoyed fishing, hunting, or camping, there were a lot of activities in that part of the state, right on the Louisiana border. Gene earned a debate scholarship to Houston Baptist University, but then transferred to Lamar University for his bachelor’s degree and the University of Houston for his master’s degree. What prompted your interest in law school? I worked in a law firm while working on my master’s degree, and several people there encouraged me to go into law. One was a legal intern, who was in law school while she was interning. She actually gifted me a copy of Black’s Law Dictionary and inscribed

A 50 year-old lawyer passed away unexpectedly. When arriving at the Pearly Gates, he complained to St. Peter, “How could you have me die? I am only 50!” St. Peter looked at his book and responded, “Only 50? According to the hours you’ve billed, you should be 83.”

Why did you leave? There were many reasons. One may have been cultural. Once, I was giving one of the firm’s partners a ride to a meeting, and I was driving my older-model Honda Accord. He asked, “Gene, is this your car?” I responded affirmatively, and he observed the car didn’t really “display the image we expect of an attorney at our firm.” He was a nice guy, even a mentor, but it was a different culture. Another factor was I was becoming more interested in mediation, and that’s not usually a charge-bythe-hour service, which makes it unattractive to larger firms. I saw lawsuits as a problem to be solved, and mediation takes that approach. When did you meet Celeste? In 2003, when I was working at Bracewell, and she was working

Gifted copy of Black’s Law Dictionary

in Nashville. I visited Nashville with some friends, and we were introduced by a mutual friend. We didn’t necessarily think a DallasNashville relationship would work, but we traded emails, then began speaking on the phone, then met, and then started to travel back and forth. We were married the next year, and she moved to Dallas. Not too long after that, you decided to run for district judge. What prompted that? I thought I would be a good judge, and the incumbent had some vulnerabilities. So, I got out there and knocked on doors, called people, and put out signs—across all of Dallas County. It’s a big county. It was a close election. The early results were promising, but I knew we had other precincts coming in. I received a lot of congratulations on election night, but as it turned out, we didn’t make it. Did Celeste enjoy campaigning with you? Probably some of the time. We would walk in parades and push Jack along in a little stroller; he was very young then. We had a “Vote for my Daddy” sign on his stroller. It was a good experience, and we were at peace with the outcome.

» Jack, Celeste & Gene Roberts

What prompted the move to Huntsville and the job at Sam Houston State University? I saw an ad for the position. I was still practicing law, but I was also teaching a paralegal class at SMU, and I liked the academic side of things. I applied for the job, and I received a call asking if I would come to Huntsville for an interview. A number of people at the university interviewed me, including Dr. Keith Jenkins and Vice President Frank Parker. Rhonda Beassie, who had previously held the position, was a part of the process, including escorting me around campus to my meetings and interviews and answering my questions.

Jack Roberts during a Flag Retirement

Did you have any reservations about moving to a smaller town? No. I was raised in a small town, but it was an adjustment in some ways. Celeste and I had friends in Dallas, and we were both active in our church, so leaving Dallas

meant separating from that. But, you know, when I interviewed here, I was walking into the student center, and a student in front of me held the door open for me, and that made an impression. When I told Celeste about the interview experience, one of the things I mentioned was the student holding the door open for me. You don’t see that everywhere. It was also a job shift for Celeste. Correct. She originally took a position at SHSU, as a Clinical Nursing Professor. She then went to work for Huntsville Independent School District, and now she works as the School Nurse for New Waverly Independent School District. You were in Scouts; did you encourage Jack in that direction? That was Celeste. She was friends with Mary Carden at HISD, and Mary put her in touch with Michelle Rush, who was starting a pack. One thing led to another, which led to Jack going into Scouts. Where does Jack fall in the Scouting hierarchy? Jack just completed his Arrow of Light, which

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is the highest award you can earn in Cub Scouts. He is now transitioning to the Scouts BSA, and tonight will be his second meeting. He has also been involved in martial arts, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, and golf; also, he attended Camp Invention. Is he particularly talented in any of those? Of course he is; he is excellent in all sports and academically. Celeste agrees, and we both say that with complete objectivity. You are currently on the board of trustees for the Josey Lodge. What does that role involve? The organization’s mission is to preserve the lodge and its use for scouts. It’s a unique building, historic and majestic. But, being a historic building that is in constant use, it is in need of work: new heating units, new windows, new logs, a paint job. We have a caretaker’s cabin and the annex, and they, too, need some caretaking. The building dates back to the 1930s, is that correct? Yes, Dr. Will Oliver at SHSU put together a history on the building, and that helped us list it on the National Registry of Historic Places. The Lodge is also an official Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. The community came together during the Great Depression and came up with the money and materials to build the Lodge, and the result was wonderful. One of the scouting principles is thriftiness, and I think we’ve been thrifty for about 80 years, but we now need work done. We are starting a capital campaign and asking community members to do what they did 87 years ago and come together and support the Lodge. And, more importantly, to support what the Lodge stands for: a great, historic structure, where we can teach the young people of Huntsville important values they may not get elsewhere.

what that involves. We do two primary things: we provide legal advice to students, and we also provide mediation services and conflict-resolution training. What are a few of the most common problems students face, legally speaking? Much of it has to do with housing. For many of our students, it is their first time to sign a contract, and it’s an expensive contract. We help review the contract for them and help them navigate issues when they are renting. We also have a large number of students with family-law issues or employment issues. Or, a student might get a ticket, and we counsel them on ways to handle that. In the process of doing this, I try to also convey a sense of comportment: how you dress in the courtroom, how to communicate effectively and professionally, even in situations that might be tense; I think that is part of the higher-education mission at SHSU. Tell us about mediation in your office. The mediator’s job is to help facilitate communications between two or more parties, to work toward a resolution. The mediator does not make decisions, but helps the parties reach their own settlement.

Gifts. Flowers. Coffee.

In some ways, Gene’s work is unsung. He is limited in what he can discuss, and his “clients” are experiencing problems that are both unsettling and personal, making them unlikely to be particularly vocal about the help they receive. But Gene’s colleagues are aware of the work he does, and a committee of faculty, staff, and students awarded Gene a “Sammy” for his service to the students and the University in 2020. Gene’s service extends well beyond the The Sammy Awarded to Gene Roberts

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What other activities are you involved in locally? Well, I was a member of the Huntsville Leadership Institute, class 32. I am a member of the Walker County Bar Association. Celeste and I attend University Heights Baptist Church, where I facilitate a small-group study. And I have been on a number of university committees. Your day job is Director of SHSU’s Student Legal and Mediation Services Center. Tell us

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campus. He served as the President of the Texas Association of Mediators and is currently the Chair of the State Bar of Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. In addition to his work, his service, and his family, he is also finishing his Ed.D, his fourth degree and his second doctoral degree. Even with all this, he has a little time for leisure activities… What is your favorite movie? Maybe The Untouchables, with Sean Connery and Kevin Costner. And your favorite book? I like the Sherlock Holmes stories.

What are you reading right now? A book called The Gene. It is about the history of DNA research. A lawyer comes to his client… ….no…. …and he says, “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that the DNA evidence is in, and it shows your DNA is all over the crime scene.” The concerned client responds, “What’s the good news?” “Well,” the attorney responds, “your cholesterol is 130.” See, lawyers care about justice and their clients’ health.

Including interviews and photography and writing, this article took about two weeks. While I was researching lame lawyer jokes, Gene continued his work at SHSU, helped BSA Scouts come up with food for SHSU’s Food Pantry (a resource for SHSU students), worked on his doctoral dissertation, and along with other Trustees for the Josey Lodge, launched a capital campaign for building improvements (which has raised approximately $17,000). To donate to the campaign to refurbish the Josey Lodge, visit https://www.joseyscoutlodge.org/support/donate or mail a check to: Robert A. Josey Lodge Inc., PO Box 8752, Huntsville, Texas 77340. Robert A. Josey Lodge, Inc. is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Josey Lodge

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Twenty Questions

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The Latest

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Visit Postcardslive.com to read the original story in the December 2019 issue.

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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails a free, highquality book each month to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income.

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Locally, over 700 children are now enrolled in the program. It costs about $25 to send books to one child for an entire year. In order to raise money to support the program, a 5k Color Run will be held on May 1, 2021 at the SHSU Education Center.

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You support the “Run with Your Imagination!” event by being a sponsor or a runner ($25 entry fee per runner). This is a great opportunity to come together as a community to support local children and families.

For additional information on the event or to register a child to receive books, visit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at imaginationlibrary. com; email tpms1@msm.com; or call (936) 435-0303.

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IN BUSINESS SINCE 1982! 20 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

“

Dear Gabby Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. Can you believe this year is already a quarter over? As I often say, “Life is like a roll of toilet tissue. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes! With that in mind, I’m combining April Fool and Easter this year. I’m sending the great-grandkids out to look for eggs I haven’t hidden. And you know those chocolate eggs that are about the size of a grape? It’s really funny when you eat all the chocolate and wrap grapes in the shiny wrappers! Drop me a line at Dear Gabby at PostcardsLive.com/share if you need a no-nonsense solution to an asinine problem. They’re my specialty. DEAR GABBY I hate housework, and I hate to admit it, but rearranging piles and spraying them with Febreeze is my cleaning strategy. Does that make me a bad person? LAZY DAISY DEAR L D We can’t both be wrong! That’s my idea of Spring cleaning, too. I decided many years ago that both of us can’t look good at the same time--it’s me or the house. Many years ago, that strategy worked much better. GABBY DEAR GABBY I am barely middle-aged and still have all my faculties, but staying home for months on end has dulled my time perception. I’ve always been punctual, but now I’m always late, and I miss important dates. Please tell me this will go away when life returns to “normal.” WHITE RABBIT DEAR RABBIT When I was a little girl, our panties had the days of the week embroidered on them. Those would be very helpful right now. I have to believe we will all become ourselves again someday soon. Hopefully, we’ll be more thankful and more empathetic versions of ourselves. I would say to hang in there, but I hate it when people tell me that. At my age, I’m hanging everywhere. GABBY

EARLY VOTING: APRIL 19–27 ELECTION DAY: SAT., MAY 1 Huntsville ISD’s last successful bond measure to improve educational facilities was in 1998 (23 years ago). The proposed bond package was prioritized by a diverse cross-section of the Huntsville ISD community.

PRE-K & ELEMENTARY IMPROVEMENTS MIDDLE SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS HS & DISTRICT-WIDE IMPROVEMENTS STADIUM RENOVATIONS & SUPPORT FACILITIES PROPOSED BOND TOTAL:

$127,000,000 $0 TAX INCREASE FOR VOTERS 65+

CONFIDENTIAL TO “DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?”: Yes, I do. He is risen!

(above exemption ceiling on homestead property)

WWW.HUNTSVILLE-ISD.ORG/

2021 BOND

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 21

Travel Therapy There are so many health and wellness benefits associated with getting out there and visiting spectacular destinations - from relieving stress to enhancing creativity, or even just a much-needed change of scenery. This Spring, set sail to vacation nirvana and slip into the carefree island attitude at Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe | Houston with nature kayaking sessions, dynamic fitness classes, restorative spa treatments, poolside vibes, and tranquil lakeside views.

ST. SOMEWHERE SPA

Our serene escape invites you to break away from daily stress and relax with restoring wellness experiences, therapeutic massages, and rejuvenating body treatments. Open seven days a week. EINSTEIN’S SURF & BOAT SHOP

Reconnect with nature and get on the water with a pontoon, ski boat, kayak or paddleboard rental on the lake. JOLLY MON WATER PARK

Swim, lounge or float your way to fun and relaxation, or simply soak up the sun on our private beach. FINS UP! FITNESS CENTER

Sign up for a dynamic group fitness class or workout with a variety of cardio equipment, free weights, spin bikes and Pilates machines. JOE MERCHANT’S COFFEE & PROVISIONS

Serving healthy and quick grab-and-go food and drink combinations to power your day, including smoothies & Starbucks™ Coffee.

600 Margaritaville Parkway, Montgomery, TX 77356 | Phone: 936.448.4400 margaritavilleresortlakeconroetexas.com 22 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

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

At Tomorrow’s Promise … “What’s old is NEW again…

and BETTER THAN EVER!”

What once was an “old house” is now part of the Highest Quality Learning Environment for Your Child

Montessori Child Care 6 wks to 12 yrs. old

Brittney Wade

Anderson Shiro High School

936-435-0303

2817 Old Houston Rd. • Huntsville Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM

Teaches High School Biology and Anatomy & Physiology; graduated from Texas A&M University in 2009 with a degree in Animal Science. This is her 10th year of teaching. Nominated by Christian Kelarek Mrs. Wade is always willing to help you, inside and outside of class. She’s a great teacher!

Sponsored by:

Nominate a special teacher today by going online: www.PostcardsLive.com.

Those chosen for publication are given a gift card to 1836 Steakhouse.

281-808-4893 April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 23

Star Students Christian Kelarek Anderson-Shiro High School

Sara Schweitzer Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Tangled Favorite Music/Artist: Pop/Jon Bellion Favorite Movie: Hawaii 5-0 (TV)

Favorite Food: Chocolate ice cream and sushi

Favorite Music/Artist: Hip Hop

Favorite Quote: “The noblest art is the art of making people

Favorite Food: Strawberries Favorite Quote: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

hristian is a senior at Anderson-Shiro and is the son of Larry and Kristie Kelarek. His activities include football, track, golf, National Honor S o c i e t y, a n d F FA . Fo l l ow i n g g ra d u a t i o n , C h r i s t i a n plans to attend Tarleton State University to major in horticulture. He believes, “Take pride in everything you do, and do your best.”

When you support a local realtor

happy.” – P.T. Barnum

ara is a senior at Huntsville High School and is t h e d a u g h t e r o f Ti a S ch w e i t z e r. H e r a c t iv i t i e s include HHS Military Marching Band, tennis, and Houston Youth Symphony. Following graduation, Sara plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study communication sciences and disorders. She believes, “Appreciate others despite your differences. Everyone in your life is there for a reason.”

Woods Tree Service

Texans Serving Texans

You support an entire family Thank you Huntsville! Daiquiri Beebe, Realtor 1212 12th St. • Huntsville HuntsvilleTXRealEstate.com 936-870-5276

24 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

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Destiny Raven Martinez Huntsville High School Favorite Movie: The Call Favorite Music/Artist: Billie Eilish Favorite Food: Pasta Favorite Quote: “When we are no longer able to change the situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” – Viktor Franki

e s t i ny i s a s e n i o r a t H u n t s v i l l e H i g h S ch o o l and is the daughter of Debra Martinez. Her a c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d e s o c c e r, N a t i o n a l H o n o r S o c i e t y, N a t i o n a l E n g l i s h H o n o r S o c i e t y, N a t i o n a l Spanish Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Following graduation, Destiny plans to attend Sam Houston State University to study accounting or business finance. She is interested in photography and plans to do freelance work during college.

Scholarship fundraiser and

Cassidy Landrum Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Lilo and Stitch Favorite Music/Artist: Snoop Dogg Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers Favorite Quote: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:21

family day at Alpha Omega Academy

April 24 • Gates open at 11

Lions vs. Legends at noon BBQ Lunch Baskets • Snocones Cotton Candy Children’s entertainment sponsored by

Jump Around Moonwalks

assidy is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Curt and Cathy Landrum. Her activities include film, powerlifting , National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, and National German Honor Society. Following graduation, Cassidy plans to attend Sam Houston State University to study kinesiology. She believes, “Always be happy.”

Donations can be made directly at First Financial Bank Huntsville April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 25

Day in the Life By Linda W Perkins Photos by Gina Turner

Step into the small building on Hurfus Drive in Houston which houses Bella Becho Book and Print Bindery, and it feels almost as if you’ve been transported to another world. The cozy foyer, a semicircular room that surrounds you with floor-to-ceiling shelves of specialty books and albums, is warm and inviting. Leather-bound Bibles and memory books lay open for browsing. This is clearly not an inexpensive, run-of-the-mill book binding factory. This is the kind of place that caters to people who are looking for something special. Bella Becho is the brainchild of owner Deborah Karchmer, a petite brunette with a wide smile whose friendliness welcomes customers of all types, but who privately admits that she would be just as happy staying behind the scenes. Fourteen years ago, her creativity and passion for helping people preserve their memories led her to start a small custom photo album business run from her kitchen table. Today, Bella Becho is one of the top book bindery companies in the United States. Looking around the client area and in the back rooms where they make and repair the books, one might think this business is all about paper and ink, or perhaps the beautiful suedes and cowhide that so many customers opt for as book covers. After five minutes with Deborah, though, it’s clear that to her, Bella Becho is all about people. “It’s so rewarding,” she says. “You know, the people that come in, sometimes they’re really troubled. Sometimes they’re very happy. We celebrate all the moments [of their lives].”

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Deborah continues, “These days, you know, everyone thinks that everything is digital. That’s why the book has become so special. It’s not just a commodity anymore, right? It’s treasured.” She immediately takes us back to the vestibule to show us some examples of books that were made to honor people at various milestones of their lives, such as birthdays or retirement. “See, now this is the guy who started Express, Michael Weiss. There he is, wearing his famous glasses. So what we did was do a blind deboss of his glasses on the cover,” she explained. She pulls out another book. “Look at this man, he’s almost 100 years old and he’s skydiving! This is a story of his life and the people who love him. His name is Jackson Grayson, one of the founders of The Houstonian and a big philanthropist. People in his organization wanted the story of his life, and they had a party to celebrate it. In the back, you’ll notice there’s a little box for notes and cards.” The foyer’s books are full of stories, some of famous people and some of just ordinary folk. Deborah pulls one that was used as a wedding proposal, and another that served as an invitation for Jennifer Lopez to come perform at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. Some are made while the people are alive, whereas others are made to commemorate the lives of loved ones after they have passed away.

“We celebrate all the moments of their lives”

Owner Deborah Karchmer

And while making books is a staple of the business, many customers utilize Bella Becho for repairing existing books like family Bibles, yearbooks, cookbooks, and children’s books. “If you can make a book, you can fix a book. So people come in and they have a special book. Maybe their mom or dad or grandfather wrote something on the inside of the book, but they’re going to do everything they can to save that signature. And we can do that,” Deborah said. Deborah walks to the back of the shop, over to a rack filled with a variety of books with order slips attached, and explains the typical repair process. “Most people will find us on the Internet. So people will come in, they will bring their book if they’re local, which is great. Otherwise, they ship them in.” “Once they arrive, back here they get opened and they get quarantined. We then call the customer (or meet with them, if they are local and

came into the shop) and have a consult to review their options and confirm their order.” Deborah’s husband Jeff, a business attorney who also handles the website for Bella Becho, explained that people’s first choice in book restoration is whether to have a new cover made or to save the existing cover. “A lot of people are trying to salvage the [original] cover because it has sentimental value. We use different techniques based on the circumstances. With some books, we can use the ‘splice’ method, in which we create a new spine and then splice the cover and the new spine together,” Jeff explained. “If the cover is too thin to splice, we seat the original cover and spine into a ‘well’ frame. This is a newer, state-of-the-art technique we got into awhile back, and people love it.” While keeping the original cover is certainly an option, Deborah says she often recommends creating a new cover. It is less expensive for the customer, and with a large selection of cover materials to choose from

» April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 27

and a graphic design department that can recreate printed covers, the results are often similar to the original, only better. “Like here is a Bible that is old and needs to be redone. We are going to make a replica of this. So we’re going to go for a grainy black leather, just like on the original, and then we’re going to mimic exactly the gold Holy Bible stamp here. The only thing we’re adding new is the name of [the customer’s] grandfather.” The next step in the process is to examine the pages to see if any of them need to be repaired using an archival tissue paper that is laid over the original page and binds it together. If a page can’t be repaired by tissuing it, then Bella Becho can replicate it digitally and replace that page in the rebound book. Once again, however, this is a customer decision.

28 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

“See the tape here on this page. Sometimes if it’s old enough, it will just pop off. If not, we can just tissue over it. We don’t want to take anything away. If we wanted to, we could recreate and replace this page, but [the customer] doesn’t want that. He wants this page just the way it is, because grandpa put this here with his hand.” From tissuing to trimming to stitching, there are a number of steps that go into or repairing each book, which can be unique to each project. “Everything is segmented. Because there are so many steps, I tried to count once, and it was ridiculous. So rather than have a station for each step, I created an assembly line of little buckets of duties,” Deborah said. While some of the books Bella Becho repairs are just old, others are in need of repair due to storm damage or because of the specific

“If you can make a book, you can fix a book.” materials used in the original books. One example is Art Leather, which was a popular brand of wedding album in the second half of the 20th century. The covers are made of a synthetic imitation leather that can break down and get sticky as it ages, so Bella Becho now does a lot of business replacing those covers. Bella Becho also rebinds custom memory books designed and purchased online, which look beautiful but often separate from the binding because the pages are glued in rather than stitched.

» 1314 10th St. • Suite 130 Huntsville, TX 77320 936-295-1151

Your feet are in good hands Clayton Toole, DPM

Christopher L Davis, LUTCF Financial Advisor chris.davis@mutualofomaha.com

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Foot and Ankle Specialists of Huntsville provides foot care for many foot and ankle conditions including:

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April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 29

“The glue dissolves, or they used animal glue and little bugs eat that because it’s sweet,” Deborah explained. “Our books are going to last because we stitch them. Nobody’s going to eat that thread.”

if there is one story that stands out from all of her years in this business. She shares a story of Dr. Bob, a small-town emergency room doctor.

As we prepare to leave, I contemplate the amount of emotion going into creating and repairing these special books and ask Deborah

“He was telling me about a lady who told him she was dying. He said to her, ‘You have the dwindles. You’re not dying. I would tell you if you were dying.’ He’s very straight up with her. He didn’t think she was physically dying, but he had a feeling because she was so sure she was dying.” Deborah continued, “So anyway, she started reading the Bible. It was in pieces, and since we had done work for him several times before, he sent it to me. He was like, ‘Can you fix it, and can you fix it fast?’ I told him yes, and so we did. He gave it to her, and he said she was very emotional. So he gets emotional. Then I’m emotional. So we’re crying on the phone. And you know, he said that it was just a few hours later that she died. But he said she died with a smile on her face.”

2421 Hurfus Drive Houston, TX 77092 713-880-8294 www.bellabecho.com Mon-Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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Congratulations

POSTCARDS Magazine

I love Postcards Magazine How lucky we are to have a publication like Postcards Magazine in our community! Over the last 10 years, they have been a partner I have learned to trust. They have always listened to my needs and responded with a solution. Because they keep the magazine fresh and relevant, my customers enjoy receiving the magazine and reading it... and that makes me happy! Advertising with them has been easy, enjoyable, and effective. Month after month, year after year... it just keeps working! Our customers have learned to look for our coupons and our phone number in the magazine that is always on their end table.

Thank you Postcards!

276 IH 45 South • Huntsville, TX 77340 30 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

Emily Evans Vice President office 936.582.0968 cell 936.215.1074

Suduko Solutions

from page 64

EASY

MEDIUM

Suduko History The game first appeared in Japan in 1984 where it was given the name “Sudoku,” which is short for a longer expression in Japanese – “Suji wa dokushin ni kagiru” – which means, “the digits are limited to one occurrence.” Sudoku continues to be highly popular in Japan, where people buy over 600,000 Sudoku magazines per month.

HARD

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 31

Glorious Grandkids

Audrey Kate

Emily & Christopher

Lucy Kellar & Ashlyn Kelley

Grandchild of: Pawpa & MoMo Tellez, Pa & Nae Nae Jackson

Grandchildren of: Stacy & Claudia Philpitt & Syble Colburn Simmons

Grandchildren of: John & Mary Kellar

Share Your Grandkid Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com

Vision Care for the Entire Family

Ocular Diagnostics and Therapeutics

Dr. Stephen H. Means & Associates Therapeutic Optometrists

32 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

936-291-8282

109 Medical Park Lane (Behind Hospital) • Huntsville

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

John Tucker Drake Grandchild of: Connie Slocomb

Preparing for Financial Emergencies

In February, Texas and a lot of the United States were hit with an extremely harsh and abnormal winter storm. It froze interior waterlines, rivers, lakes, even bays in of the Gulf of Mexico! In Texas, we tried as best we could to prepare, but we are not used to that type of weather. It does not show up often, but you can bet your boots, we will be ready next time! Add to this, the pandemic we have experienced over the past year. Not only has this impacted our lives from a social standpoint, but potentially from a financial standpoint as well. These types of events are out of our control, but we can try to prepare for whatever comes our way. Were you ready? If not, what will you do differently? Acting and preparing now, could pay huge dividends later! What kind of rainyday fund do you have in savings, or investments that is easily accessible? Many people rely on a 401k, or some type of retirement plan because it often has the bulk of their liquid net worth. There may be issues in utilizing this style of account in the form of taxes and penalties that many are not aware of.

Olivia Grandchild of: William & Dee Nixon

Others may have a nice nest egg in money market accounts or Certificate of Deposits (CDs) at a bank. Although these are good tools, having too much of your net worth in these may be costing you potentially earned interest, or taxes, as opposed to being in some other investment vehicle. The low interest rate environment we are currently in, and have been in for more than 10 years, makes it tough to find a competitive rate of return is these types of bank instruments. So, what balance in the savings or investment account works for you? Every person or couple’s financial picture looks different. Find a financial advisor, or a team to work with and build a plan for you, and your family’s financial prosperity and security. With a good strategy in place, you can weather the storm and Live Life On Purpose! Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not assure profit or protect against loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk. Depending on the types of invests, there may be varying degrees of risk. Investors should be prepared to bear loss, including loss of principal.

www.financialpartner.net Ivan Anderson Grandchild of: John & Mary Kellar

(936) 294-0201 • 1211 Financial Plaza • Huntsville Securities offered through Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer, member, FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Cambridge and Global Financial Partners are not affiliated. Cambridge does not provide tax advice.

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 33

The Garden Post By Kim Bius

How to Care for Your Landscape… After the Freeze The record cold temperatures were devastating to area landscape, but take heart, all is not lost. Many plants are heavily damaged, foliage was burned and froze to the root system, but will return. Perennials such as variegated ginger, hydrangea, and banana trees are beginning to show signs of viability. Whether this is a portion of the root or the entire plant is yet to be determined. Be careful and patient, many plants may not show signs of life until late April or even May. Keep in mind the soil temperature is still very cool

34 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

(by our standards), and this will determine your plants rate of return. How do we “check” for live tissue? Cut into the tip of the stem--is it green? Does the branch bend and is supple to the touch? This is a good sign it is alive. Is the branch/stem dried and brittle and breaks easily upon bending? The tissue is dead at that area and will need to be pruned off. How far back can I prune? Prune until 60% or greater of the inner stem is green and visible on the cambium layer. If less than 40% of the inner green cambium layer is visible to the soil, the plant is too damaged to return. Perennials that are not grafted can be easily pruned to the root system with no repercussions. Woody-stemmed shrubs should not be pruned more than 12” from the soil level. If you do prune to the ground, the plant may return multi stemmed (if it returns). The following will help guide on what to replace and what to “encourage” to grow.

ANNUALS AND TROPICALS - The annual bedding plants, tropical plants (hibiscus, bougainvillea), indoor plants (ficus, ivy, orchids, bromeliads, violets) and citrus trees (lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc.) will need to be replaced. Tropical plants damage at 32 degrees, and 6 degrees is lethal. Keep in mind that everyone lost these plants (including growers), and these plants will be at a premium this year, if available. It will take growers two years to replenish their inventory on larger plants--so please, do not chastise the retailer or grower. It is not of their control, and the further away the plants are brought in from, the higher the freight bill. AZALEAS – the foliage is burned, but the plant is alive. Some azaleas will bloom this year, with burned foliage. If you cannot stand the “look,” prune to the desired height now and fertilize. Fertilize again in 6 weeks with Fertilome azalea food. Strip the burned foliage off with a good pair of leather gloves. Start at the base of the branch and run your hand to the end of the stem to strip away dead leaves. Will they eventually drop? Yes, but this speeds up the “new” leaf return rate by 100%. WOOD SHRUBS – prune as discussed above. PERENNIALS – Prune to the ground, and check to see if the bulb/root is white and firm. If the roots are brown, mushy or “smell,” the plant is ready for replacement. Roses did not fare for the worse and are already putting on spring buds. SOD – In many areas, St. Augustine burned badly, but the roots are alive. The dead top growth will need to be raked out with a soft rake for a quicker return. Fertilize now with a weed and feed or a straight fertilizer, and add your pre/post emergent separately. Weeds are returning at a normal rate (so, no luck on the winter being a deterrent on weeds). Sod growers had damage, too and have been waiting to release their product in order for it to show viability……sometimes the proof in is new growth. PALMS – those of you who are further south may not have the damage we see in Walker County. Tropical palms, such as Queen, King, and Robellini, will need to be replaced. Sagos will need to have the side fronds pruned off. If you wait, the dead fronds will become very difficult to prune when mixed with new foliage. The trunks will look like stumps for a period of several months, but growth will return. If the trunk is soft on any variety, the palm will need to be pruned to 6” below the soft growth. This is a difficult job and will require a chainsaw. This year, plants that you never “really fertilized” will need that extra boost to come out quickly and make the root system stronger. We love Bioblast and Root Stimulator, to name a couple. If you have a question, please drop us an email to sales@kimshomeandgardencenter.com or drop a question on our Facebook page. Happy Gardening.

Paul “Jacob” Paschal graduated from Huntsville High School, The University of Texas at Austin and Baylor University School of Law. He received his Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Baylor School of Law and was licensed to practice law in 2008. Jacob practiced for 5 years in Houston before returning to Huntsville in 2013 and has since practiced law with Haney. Moorman. Paschal, P.C. now, Haney Paschal and Romoser, P.C., becoming Senior Partner in 2021. Jacob has been recognized by multiple organizations for his accomplishments. He has also served Walker County and Huntsville on various boards and committees. Jacob and his wife, Aubree, have four daughters. When he is not working or volunteering, he is spending family time with Aubree while shuffling kids and watching the girls in all of their extracurricular activities.

Haney, Paschal & Romoser ATTORNEYS AT LAW 1300 11th St. • Ste 405 Huntsville, TX

936-295-3712

www.huntsville-texas-attorneys.com

He has risen! He is not here.

just as He said. Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

Parenting Classes • Pregnancy Tests STD Testing • Counseling Much More

www.carecenterhuntsville.com

Telling the Truth about Healthy Life Choices 1215 15th Street • Huntsville, TX 77340 • 936-294-0404 April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 35

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April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 37

Wildlife Wonders AVOIDING CRASH LANDINGS By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center

It’s happened to most of us. We hear something hit a window, and when we go outside to check it out, we find a little bird on the ground. The same thing happens with other shiny objects like chrome car bumpers, car mirrors, grills, and gazing balls. Why do birds fly into these objects? There are a couple of reasons. The most likely explanation is that birds see the reflection of the sky or vegetation, and thinking it’s real, try to fly into it. Another reason is some species are territorial and aggressive; when they see their own reflection, they think it’s a rival, and they try to attack it. This happens more frequently during mating season. It’s estimated that up to 1 billion birds die every year from window strikes, but there are things you can do to protect our fine-feathered friends. • Put tape on your windows. You can purchase reflective tape on Amazon made especially for protecting birds. There are many other sites as well. Just do a general search on how to protect birds from window strikes. Be sure to follow the instructions for correct placement. • Decals. Companies like Window Alert sell decals specifically made to protect birds from window strikes. They also sell a unique spray that

can be applied to your windows. Check other websites as well to get the best price. • Add screens to your windows. Easy Up Shade (easyupshade.com) offers shades that attach with suction cups so they can be easily removed if needed. • Get creative and paint your windows with non-toxic tempura paint. You can easily change your artwork with the seasons or for special occasions. • Close your drapes or blinds. • If you have feeders near windows, consider moving them away from the windows. • Place small mesh netting over your windows. You can use a frame to make it easy to hang up and remove. It should be at least 3 inches from the window. • Collide Scape (collidescape.org) makes a one-way transparent film that allows you to see out but makes the window appear opaque from the outside. • Install outside sun shades or shutters.

BIG OR SMALL, WE SHIP IT ALL FEDEX

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AND MORE (936) 291-3111

If you find a bird that has hit a window, gently pick it up and examine it for injuries. If there are no apparent injuries and you don’t see any blood, sometimes the bird just needs a few minutes to recover. Place it in the shade in a safe area and watch it. If it hasn’t recovered in 15 minutes, please call us. You may need to bring the bird to us for emergency care. 713-468-TWRC. Let’s work together to save our wild friends. TWRC Wildlife Center Houston, Texas

Happenings

WE’RE CELEBRATING

National Credit Union Youth Month!

LOTS OF CHANCES TO WIN $$$ Contests listed below!

The Alpha Omega Academy Boys Basketball team won the 2021 TAPPS 3A State Championship. This makes back to back state titles for the school. Congratulations!

Swing by the Credit Union for the coloring sheets, or download and print them from our website

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Momma and baby alligator catching some rays. Spotted by April Key at Alligator Lake near Lake City, Florida.

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April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 39

Inspirations By Ruth Fields Photos by Gina Turner

A Feather on the Water Rose Sparks and her sister bobbed in the water off the coast of Panama City, Florida, enjoying a much-needed vacation. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a feather floated across the water toward Rose. “How does that happen?” Rose thought. But then she knew. Rose’s only daughter, Lauren, had passed away a few months before, just four hours before her 26th birthday. During her short life, she had often found feathers and presented them to Rose. Rose plucked the feather out of the water. “I still have it,” she says. Many times since then, usually on the saddest of days, she has seen feathers floating by. “I know that she’s thinking of me, wanting me to accept that it’s the best thing,” Rose says. “And it is; I know that. It was the best thing for her.”

40 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

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transfusions, but that didn’t stop her from barrel racing. She competed—and won—at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. At just 84 pounds, Lauren had an advantage over other barrel racers, Rose says, and her skill, combined with the efforts of her mare Belle, produced a winning synergy. “They were a team,” Rose says. Rachel Wood, who was a friend of Lauren’s since the two were members of Lone Star College’s rodeo team, remembers Lauren’s accomplishments. “For sure she was the best, but she was always so humble about it,” she says. “There was never any kind of bragging whatsoever.” and barrel racer. “She could outrun seasoned runners at a young age,” Amy says. “She was tiny, but outrunning everybody. She was very, very good.” Lauren and Lane participated in youth rodeos and barrel races for years, unaware that another terrible diagnosis was about to shatter Lauren’s future. When the twins were 16, a series of mysterious symptoms ultimately resulted in a diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita, an exceedingly rare progressive genetic disorder that causes early aging, organ failure, and bone marrow failure. Lauren required increasingly-frequent blood

“She didn’t let her health struggles slow her down,” Amy says. “She always had a smile on her face no matter how bad she felt. And when it was her turn to compete, she was mighty and fierce and would set the pace with a blazing run.” In 2015, Lane once again stepped up, donating stem cells in the hope that it would save Lauren’s life, but on January 27, 2018, Lauren passed away.

Let the Sparks Fly Born to ride When Lauren Sparks was five years old, she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare congenital condition that made her bone marrow incapable of producing enough blood cells to sustain life. Although no other member of the Sparks family was a match, Lauren’s twin brother Lane came to the rescue, donating bone marrow to save his sister’s life. For many years, Lauren was a healthy child, and she took up barrel racing at an early age. She was a fierce competitor. Amy Pierce, who has been friends with Rose since before the twins were born, remembers Lauren as a young girl, already a capable horsewoman

Before Lauren’s passing, friends had hosted benefit barrel races for Lauren, and her twin brother remembered how much she appreciated them. “She enjoyed the benefit races and was completely humbled by all the people who showed up and supported her,” Lane says. “They came out in droves for her.” So, Lane had the idea of continuing those races, but as an event that awarded scholarships in Lauren’s memory. “I wanted to keep her name alive and make it an annual event to honor Lauren,” he says. And so, the inaugural Lauren Sparks Memorial Barrel Race, with the slogan “Let the Sparks Fly,” was held in 2019. It was one of those spring weekends with temperatures in the 30s,

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 41

Let the Sparks Fly but more than 400 barrel racers attended anyway. Lane, riding Lauren’s horse Belle, won the men’s division. “It was a blast. She’s a wild beast. I think she came in on two legs,” Lane says. “It was a lot of fun. It was an honor to run her. I don’t do as well as Lauren did, but Belle took care of me.” Last year, about 700 barrel racers participated. One lucky participant won a horse trailer, and two $2,000 scholarships were awarded. The Sparks family hopes this year’s event will be even more memorable. It will be held on April 30 and May 1 at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Conroe. It’s truly

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42 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

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It makes Rose sad when people reminisce about Lauren, but it’s getting easier. “I do smile. I am happy to see them, and I am happy they are there. I don’t cry as much, but sometimes I become overwhelmed, and it just happens.” She finds comfort in the fact that so many people remember Lauren with such fondness, like Lauren’s friend who recently told Rose her memories of Lauren. “She told me, ‘There was never a day that she didn’t smile and have something good to say to people and about people,’” Rose says. “She said, ‘I will never forget her.’” “She was just the sweetest, most genuine person,” Rachel agrees. “I became friends with her and her family very quickly, very easily. She was nice to everyone. She was never discriminatory. She was so nice.” Rachel finds it heartwarming that this “super-amazing person” is remembered every year at a barrel race in her memory. “She was such a positive person—so positive and so competitive that people may not have known she had any health struggles,” Amy says. “She was always smiling, always happy, always complimentary. Knowing what she was going through, it was always impressive to see how much strength she had and how competitive she was. To participate in her race is an honor. It means so much, because Lauren meant so much to so many people in so many ways.” Perhaps Rose says it best:

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44 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

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The Grands

Joe BOAZ

What is your grandparent name and does it have a special meaning? Papa. It’s what our children called my Daddy.

Number of grandchildren and age range? We have three grandchildren: Anabelle (9), Joseph (8), Marion (3)

Favorite activity with grandkids? We spend a lot of time swimming. They have become confident in the pool in the last couple of years.

Advice to other/new grandparents? Enjoy the time you get to spend with them. They grow up fast!

What’s your fondest memory of your grandparents? Growing up in Huntsville, I was fortunate both sets of grandparents lived here, so we saw them all the time. Plus my sister, brother, and I were the only three grandchildren, so we received lots of attention!

What do you hope your grandchildren remember about you? I want my grandchildren to know that Papa loves them very much and wants them to follow God’s instruction in Micah 6:8: “To do what is right, to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

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April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 45

What’s Cookin’ Make-Ahead Blueberry-Cinnamon Muffins Ingredients 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 4 tsp baking powder 2 tsp ground cinnamon ¾ tsp salt ½ tsp baking soda ¼ tsp ground nutmeg ¾ cup white sugar ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled 2 large eggs at room temperature 2 Tbs lemon juice 2 tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp almond extract 1 cup milk, at room temperature 1 cup sour cream, at room temperature 2 cups fresh blueberries ¼ cup turbinado sugar, or as needed ½ tsp ground cinnamon Directions Step 1: Whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and nutmeg in a bowl until well combined.. Step 2: Whisk together white sugar, brown sugar, and

46 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

melted butter in a second, larger bowl until well combined. Whisk in eggs, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and almond extract until thoroughly combined. Step 3: Add in milk and sour cream and beat until mixture is smooth, and no lumps remain. Pour in dry ingredients and fold in a few times until just moistened; there should still be some clumps of dry flour. Step 4: Sprinkle blueberries over the batter, and fold in until just incorporated. Batter will be lumpy, but should not have patches of dry flour remaining in it. Do not overmix. Step 5: Place batter in the refrigerator for 8 hours to overnight. Step 6: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease two 12cup muffin tins and line with paper liners (Recipe yields ~18 muffins). Step 7: In a small bowl, stir together turbinado sugar and cinnamon. Step 8: Fill each muffin liner to the top with the batter. Sprinkle sugar and cinnamon mixture over the top of each muffin. Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven until muffins are golden and spring back lightly when touched, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Mom’s Apricot Nectar Cake Ingredients 1 (18.25 oz) pkg lemon cake mix 4 eggs ½ cup vegetable oil 1 cup apricot nectar 2 cups confectioners’ sugar ½ cup lemon juice, or as needed 1 tsp lemon zest, or to taste (optional) Directions Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. center of the cake should come out clean or with moist crumbs. Check for doneness after 20 minutes.

Step2: Grease a 9x13-inch cake pan. Step 3: Mix lemon cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Stir apricot nectar into the batter and mix well. Step 4: Pour batter into the prepared cake pan. Step 5: Bake in preheated oven until the cake is lightly browned at the edges and the top springs back when lightly pressed, about 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted into the

Step 6: Cool cake completely. Step 7: Mix confectioners’ sugar with lemon juice, mixing juice in about 1 tablespoon at a time, until the frosting is fluid and easy to spread. Frosting should run slightly but not be a thin runny glaze. Step 8: Spread frosting on cooled cake and sprinkle with lemon zest to serve.

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Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Directions

Ingredients

Step 1: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water until partially cooked through but not yet soft, about 5 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cooled completely.

8 oz orzo pasta 1 tsp olive oil 3 carrots, chopped, or more to taste 3 ribs celery, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced ½ tsp dried thyme ½ tsp dried oregano salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 bay leaf

Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir carrots, celery, and onion in hot oil until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion becomes translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Season mixture with thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf; continue cooking another 30 seconds before pouring chicken broth into the pot.

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Step 3: Bring the broth to a boil. Partially cover the pot, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer until the vegetables are just tender, about 10 minutes. Step 4: Stir orzo, lemon juice, and lemon zest into the broth; add chicken. Cook until the chicken and orzo are heated through, about 5 minutes. Add baby spinach; cook until the spinach wilts into the broth and the orzo is tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls; garnish with lemon slices and Parmesan cheese.

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Step 3: Layer half the Canadian bacon in the prepared baking dish. Spread English muffins over meat and top with remaining Canadian bacon. Pour egg mixture over casserole. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight..

Eggs Benedict Casserole Ingredients cooking spray 8 large eggs 2 cups milk 3 green onions, chopped

Step 4: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp salt ¾ lb Canadian bacon, cut into 1/2-inch dice

Step 5: Sprinkle casserole with paprika; cover with aluminum foil.

6 English muffins, cut into 1/2-inch dice ½ tsp paprika

Step 6: Bake in preheated oven until eggs are nearly set, about 30 minutes; remove foil. Continue baking until eggs are completely set, about 15 more minutes.

1 (.9 oz) pkg hollandaise sauce mix 1 cup milk ¼ cup margarine

Directions Step 1: Spray 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Step 2: Whisk eggs, 2 cups milk, green onions, onion powder, and salt together in a large bowl until well mixed.

Step 7: Whisk hollandaise sauce mix with 1 cup milk in a saucepan. Add margarine and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low, simmer, and stir until thickened, about 1 minute. Drizzle sauce over casserole to serve.

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April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 49

RUN WITH YOUR IMAGINATION! 5K COLOR RUN Benefiting Walker County’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library

Creamy Tortellini Salad with Chicken, Bacon, and Ranch Dressing Ingredients 1 (9 oz) pkg refrigerated cheese tortellini ¼ cup ranch dressing 1 Tbs milk 8 oz cubed, cooked chicken 2 ½ oz fresh mozzarella, diced 1/3 cup chopped cooked bacon 2 Tbs chopped green onions 1 Tbs chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste (optional)

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Directions Step 1: Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in tortellini and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the tortellini float to the top and the filling is hot, about 3 minutes. Step2: Run tortellini under cold water and drain. Store in the refrigerator until chilled, at least 30 minutes. Step 3: Stir ranch dressing and milk together in a large bowl. Add chilled pasta, cooked chicken, mozzarella, bacon, green onions, and parsley. Step 4: Toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Salmon Patties Ingredients 1 (14.75 oz) can canned salmon 1 egg ¼ cup chopped onion ½ cup seasoned dry bread crumbs 1 Tbs olive oil Directions Step 1: Drain and reserve liquid from salmon. Mix egg, onion, bread crumbs and salmon together.

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50 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

Step 2: Make into patties. If mixture is too dry to form into patties, add reserved liquid from salmon. Step 3: In a frying pan, heat olive oil. Place patties in pan. Brown on each side, turning gently Step 4: Drain on paper towels and serve.

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Business Focus Story by Janet Davidson Photos by Libby Rogers

Bluebird Haven Estates Her brushes create vibrant, meaningful paintings; her home invites artisans to work on their masterpieces as they are surrounded by the breeze blowing through the oak trees secluding this hidden gem in the heart of Madisonville; and, the venue hosts varying events and retreats as well as providing a bride, a groom, and their friends and family many blessings as they cement their covenant in the Amazing Grace Chapel.

52 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

Like the mighty trees that enclose the 30-acre property that is Bluebird Twenty-four years ago, the house that now welcomes dancers, writers, Haven Estates, owner Sallie Reid boasts deep roots in the area; on both painters, composers (and more) became the home where Sallie created her mom and her dad’s sides, her family has resided in the area for at many memories as she raised her children. “I want to pass on a legacy least four generations. “I love this region! I love this county! Although I of faith and love to my three children and three grandchildren. They are was gone for 16 years, I always wanted to come back. It is in my DNA the delight of my life,” she mused. The Lord had placed a vision within to help promote Madison County and this region. I want people to know this is God’s country. It is a beautiful place! There is something special “The bluebird is something about this county,” Sallie reflected. “The bluebird that has been symbolic to me is something that has been symbolic to me about about God’s love; I felt like God’s love; I felt like it was a kiss from Heaven. it was a kiss from Heaven. When I lived in Walker County, I was walking out in the woods. When I looked up, I saw a tree full of bluebirds. It was such a special thing to see! Through the good times and the tough times, the bluebird has been a symbol of God’s love to me.” And thus, this venue was named.

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 53

her mind, but it was still frightening to take on the task of building this hamlet of love and creativity. “My faith is very important to me. I wanted people to encounter the love of God, a church with no walls, a place where they could create in the atmosphere of Heaven. I told God, ‘I can’t do this by myself!’ He said, ‘No, you can’t! But I can work through you!’ I wanted to see the dream that He placed inside me come true. I was jumping off the edge in faith,” Sallie shared. As a cornerstone to this endeavor, she placed her mom and dad’s Bible in

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a metal box in the right, far corner of the building that houses the chapel, seating in the wings, a kitchen, storage, and two spacious rooms where the bride and groom with their respective attendants can ready themselves to be united. “I have just started doing “all-inclusives,” where I do the decorating, etc. They just have to walk in and get married! They don’t have to worry about a thing. A reception for up to 200 people can be accommodated. We also have beautiful sunsets over the trees and the lakes that make phenomenal photo opportunities for the wedding photographers.” Some parties choose to take advantage of the full weekend packages (where they stay two nights at the venue) for a weekend of fun without worrying about traveling, etc. Sallie also blesses each couple with an original painting in which she has captured their story, the story of their love.

Call and make an appointment today. You will not be disappointed.

1370 Hwy 75 N • Huntsville 936-291-7100 54 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

“I want people to know how good God is and that He doesn’t fail us! I have kept my eyes on the Lord as I watched Him bring to reality the dream which He had given me…many people told me I had no business starting this venue… everyone has difficulties in this life, but with God’s direction, we push through to get to the other side. The impossible can be true! Although it seemed impossible for a single woman to step into this undertaking, I know it is the blessings of the Lord that have brought me to this point,” Sallie boldly stated. As one walks through the main house, which can sleep 18 people, beautiful paintings (with

equally beautiful stories to match) adorn the walls. Sallie beams as she shares the inspiration behind each canvas. Sallie is currently working with a musician who is composing music that can be listened to as a spectator views each creation. Music notes and colors have correlations that are explained in a science called Color Sensory Therapy. No matter in which room one finds repose for the evening, each location allows a conference attendee or member of a bridal party to drift off into slumber comfortably surrounded by astounding and spiritually uplifting pieces. Sallie also has written a children’s book, Annabelle, The Big Blue Horse, which reminds its readers, young and old, that God made us each uniquely with His purposes in mind. Her other book, The Color of Joy, displays her many paintings and the spiritual foundations of each one. If Sallie is not facilitating the retreat, she will be found in the kitchen preparing meals and snacks for those in attendance. She can serve meals to 25 people as they comfortably spread out among the kitchen and dining areas. “I love to cook and serve people. I cannot run the retreat and cook. Either I can lead a painting workshop, or I can cook and serve you while you run your retreat. I have taught painting for over 20 years. I love to teach, especially to children. I love to empower kids with their art and their creativity. It is important! All creators of art (musicians, painters, writers) need to be encouraged, no matter what age,” Sallie pointed out. People can also choose to follow Sallie as she

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leads a group to all create the same piece as they enjoy the fellowship with friends. As Sallie walks from the main house out towards the chapel, she proudly points out the many masterful projects that her son John Reid Carter produced. “He built these two tables, the fountain, the pier, the bridge, the cathedralwindow backdrops, and--most importantly-the cross. He did all the woodwork. He helped me get all the little finishing touches completed,” she beamed as she spoke. He is getting married in June, and of course, Sallie is hosting his wedding at Bluebird Haven Estates.

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From the Mouths of Babes... 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.”

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My three-year-old daughter stuck out her hand and said, “Look at the fly I killed, Mommy.” Since she was eating a juicy pickle at the time, I thrust her contaminated hands under the faucet and washed them with antibacterial soap.

I’ve been working on my PhD in engineering for the past five years, but my kids don’t necessarily see that as work. As we were driving past Walmart one day, my son spotted a Now Hiring sign and suggested that I could get a job there. Hoping to make a point, I asked, “Do you think they’re looking for an engineer?” “Oh, sure,” he said. “They’ll hire anybody.”

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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.”

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After sitting her down to finish her pickle, I asked, with a touch of awe, “How did you kill that fly all by yourself?” Between bites, she said, “I hit it with my pickle.”

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1711 Sycamore • Huntsville 1610 A North Frazier • Conroe TECL-19206

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

www.mccaffetyelectric.com

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 57

Things my Grandaddy said... Talkin’ Texan

Female superiority - Roosters crow, hens deliver.

Get ready - Comb your fur and tune your purr.

Animals - Critters if they’re friendly; Varmits if they aren’t.

Shovel Handle - The blister end.

Bartender - He stays on the sober side of the bar.

Rural - We live so far out in the country that we don’t get Monday Night Football until Wednesday morning.

Popularity - No matter how popular you are, the size of your funeral depends on the weather.

Perfectionist - Don Meredith said of legendary Dallas Cowboys football coach Tom Landry: “If he was married to Raquel Welch, he’d expect her to cook.”

No Hurry - Get it done by the second Wednesday of next week..

Intelligence - She’s got more facts than a mail-order catalog.

Rolex watch - a Texas Timex

Your

Homegrown H E A R I N G E X P E RT S m

FAMILY HEARING & SENSORY NEURAL CENTER Serving Huntsville for 40 years

936.755.4296 Call today to learn more about our April offers! Schedule your diagnostic hearing evaluation with a complimentary hearing aid test-drive.

HUNTSVILLE 1911 22nd St Dr. Christie Cahill, Au.D. 58 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

FamilyHearingCenter.com

Genera t ions S alon

Vet Connect: By Dr. Steve Van Wagner

The Pregnant Mare and Newborn oal There are multiple areas of concern regarding the pregnant mare that can help ensure a healthy newborn is obtained. These areas include nutrition, deworming and vaccination of the pregnant mare, and the care of the newborn foal during the first month of life. Nutrition is a common area most pregnant mare owners overlook. I recommend starting with a balanced ration and feed according to normal feeding recommendations until the last trimester (8 to 11 months). During the last trimester, the mare’s ration should be increased by 20% (both grain and hay). I advise feeding a vitamin supplement that provides an adequate intake of both omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. After foaling, the ration should again be increased by 20% (both grain and hay). The pregnant mare should have a Fecal Egg Count (FEC) performed at some time during early pregnancy. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on a deworming protocol based on the FEC. I recommend deworming the mare just shortly after foaling (within 48 hours) to decrease the passage of intestinal parasites, such as strongyloides westeri, in the milk to the foal. Regarding vaccines, it is best to give Rhinopnuemonitis Vaccine (pnuemobort K) at 5, 7, and 9 months of gestation. I also recommend a pre-foal exam with vaccinations administered 4 to 6 weeks prior to foaling due date. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate vaccines needed. This will increase the level of antibodies in the mare and allow transfer of antibodies in the colostrum to the foal during the first 24 hours of life. I do not recommend strangles vaccination due to inherent risks involved (as well as it is not passed in the milk). The average mare has a pregnancy of about 340 days, but can range from 320 to 370 days. The pregnant mare undergoes 3 stages during parturition (foaling). Stage 1 consists of the nesting stage. This can consist of the mare being up, down and even rolling. The mare is somewhat in control of this stage because, if she is startled, she may stop it completely. Stage 2 is the actual expulsion of the fetus. This stage usually happens at night and should only last around 45 minutes. Stage 3 is the expulsion of the placenta (afterbirth). This stage should not take more than 3 hours after foaling. If Stage 2 or 3 last longer than the times listed above, contact your veterinarian immediately. It is also advisable to save the placenta in a cooled environment to be examined by your veterinarian for abnormalities and to ensure none was retained in the mare’s uterus, as this can result in laminitis. I recommend examination of the newborn foal by a veterinarian between 12-24 hours after birth. A thorough exam should be performed of both foal and mare. An onsite IgG (antibody) test should be performed to determine if foal had adequate passive transfer of antibodies (colostrum). This will help determine if the foal needs a supplement given and when the foal’s first vaccines should be given. The navel should be dipped in a dilute betadine or nolvasan solution, and an enema should be administered to help pass meconium (foal’s first bowel movement). All the areas listed above are critical to ensure the long-anticipated birth of your newborn foal goes smoothly for both mom and baby. Good Luck and Happy Birthing.

Dani t a Reed Call or Text (936) 348-0559 2804 Lake Road • Huntsville

A-1 Smith’s Septic Service & Portable Toilets, Inc. Serving Walker County Since 1989

We pump Commercial Grease Traps and Residental Septic Tanks to include Aerobic Systems. We rent portable toilets for: • Commercial Job Sites • Residential Parties • Renovations A1pumpingandrentals.com 313 FM 3478 Huntsville, TX

(936) 291-3526

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 59

Milestones

Happy 39th Anniversary - Russell and Tish Humphrey

Share your Milestone!

PostcardsLive.com/Share

We have what it takes.

ZERO-TURN MOWERS • UTILITY VEHICLES 141† HORSE POWER CAB TRACTORS

Henry Rand Hughes is turning 2 years old April 6, 2021

What do we have in common with the Easter Bunny?

We both specialize in deliveries! Dr. Tim Deahl

Huntsville Truck & Tractor

M.D., F.A.C.O.G., P.A.* Total obstetrical and gynecological care.

Serving Walker County for over 30 years.

(936)291-8103

2124 HIGHWAY 30 EAST • HUNTSVILLE, TX 77320

huntsvilletruckandtractor.com † For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the product operator’s manual. Power (HP/KW) and other specifications are based on various standards or recommended practices. KCDA-04-HTT-PM-1

60 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

260 I-45 South • Suite B Huntsville

936-291-2557

*Board certified specialists Fellow American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Let’s Celebrate This Month’s Business Anniversaries:

From then...

1954

Celebrating 67 years

Community

Service Credit Union

See their ad on page 21

To Now!

1979

Celebrating 42 years

Family

Hearing and Sensory Neural Center See their ad on page 58

1986

Celebrating 35 years

Global

Financial Partners Inc.

Thanks to our loyal customers! Join us for

Partners See their ad on page 33

Live Music Saturday Nights 7:00 pm

2002

Celebrating 19 years

Lone

Star Family Health Center

See their ad on page 5

April 10

Buford Snowden & Jeffrey Bankston Live

2015

Celebrating 6 years

The

Big E-Z

See their ad on page 61

2020

Celebrating 1 year

Nothing

Bundt Cakes

See their ad on page 7

Come on out and join us! • Crawfish • Shrimp • Burgers • Steaks and more!

April 17 Jerrett Zoch Live

(936) 295-2003 2707 S. SAM HOUSTON AVE. HUNTSVILLE, TX 77340

facebook.com/bigecrawfish

April 24 Philip Griffin Live

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 61

awesome apps! Duolingo Among free language apps, Duolingo can’t be beat. New in-app chat functionality lets you try your hand at short, casual conversations with a bot. PROS

This Month’s App We want to share one of our favorite awesome apps with you. If you have an amazing app you’d like to share with our community, let us know online at postcardslive.com

•Free language learning.

The fantastic web app comes with equally free mobile apps that let you practice your language on the go, and the iPhone app is, like the website, the best free language-learning app you can find. The majority of the content mirrors what’s on the Duolingo website, and it remains of very high quality.

•Multiple language learning at once. •Lessons available offline.

Supported Languages

•Well-structured content. •Good activity pace. •Fun exercises.

CONS •May contain some inaccuracies due to crowdsourced information, especially at higher learning levels.

62 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

If you speak English, the Duolingo iPhone app offers 20 languages for you to learn. They are Danish, Dutch, Esperanto, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Japanese (the newest language added), Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, and Welsh. Additional language-learning programs are available for speakers of other languages, so if you have Spanish speaking friends who are looking to practice English, Duolingo has a program for them, too.

“Seens” from our World

I’ll have mine cooked medium RAWRR!

Seen by: Sheila Ford

Is this what you call “guaranteed fresh”?

Seen by: Carol Knoxx

We want to see what you’ve seen! When you see the unusual, funny or absurd, break out your camera, take a picture, and submit to us with a description at:

PostcardsLive.com

• MORTGAGES • CONSTRUCTION LOANS • LAND LOANS • PREMIERE MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT • AND A LOT MORE!

New Waverly

Clay Bohan | Senior VP

936-344-6691

Huntsville

Rodney Cooksey | Senior VP

936-661-6903

Madisonville

Tammy Hoke | President

936-348-2711

Looking to build a home or a business? Then look no further than Prosperity Bank to finance those dreams. We’re a full service financial institution that delivers impeccable service to our customers. Stop by and give us the opportunity to exceed your expectations! We each look forward to serving you! prosperitybankusa.com |

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 63

www.MadilenesPianoService.com • HUB Certified

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 Brian Slaughter, CPA

936-291-8500

FR h Band wit Resistanceof Combo p -u n Sig ip* Membersh

Conroe • 936-890-7299

*With annual membership.

Huntsville • 936-295-3900

www.Joettas.com is always open!

located inside West Hill Mall

936-661-6125 64 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

Suduko Marketplace Easy Sudoku

Come see our fresh flowers, gifts and goodies!

RESOURCES SECURITY, INC. License numbers: C-02898, ACR-1696

In business since 1972 Locally owned and operated Residential and Commercial Service Security and Fire Systems Fire Inspections • Access Control Cameras • Alarm Monitoring

936-291-0068

936-291-6929

PO Box 425 • Huntsville 7022 B Hwy 75 South • Huntsville

1329 University Ave Ste E • Huntsville, TX sweetkarolinesfloral.com

see answers on page 31 Medium Sudoku

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

Sam Houston Memorial Museum & Homestead

MUSTANG TITLE

Exhibit Now Showing

Cartooning Texas: One Hundred Years of Cartoon Art in the Lone Star State

Commercial • Residental • Refinancing • Land Services M-F 8 am - 5 pm

March 30 – May 29, 2021 Exhibit Gallery

(936) 349-8515

Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center

Email: dean@mustangtitletx.com 114 S. Elm Street • Madisonville

1402 19th Street, Huntsville, TX Samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com

mustangtitletx.com

A Division of Walker County Title Co.

Cartooning Texas, by Ben Sargent

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 65

Jerry B. Register, P.C. * Family Law

* Child Custody

* Assault

* Criminal Law

* Adoption

* Probate

* Oil and Gas

* CPS Cases

* Wills and Trust

* Divorce

* DUI

* Estate Planning

* Child Support

* Felony Misdemeanor

* Mediation

Jerry B. Register Attorney At Law

1202 Sam Houston Ave. Phone: 936-295-9109 Fax: 936-295-4424 Suite 5 jerrybregister.com Huntsville, TX Email: Registerjb@outlook.com

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

Monday - Saturday 10 am - 7 pm Sunday 11 am - 6 pm

66 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

Gift Baskets Available! Richard and Debbie Henriksen Wine Makers Friday 2-6 PM Saturday 11-6 PM Sunday 12-6 PM

inery First W lker a W in County

936-293-8855 104A Knox Circle • Huntsville

Suduko Marketplace

see answers on page 31

Hard Sudoku

Health Matters www.drjimshealthtips.com By James W. Jones, MD, PhD, MHA

Don’t Hesitate to Concentrate on Medication Information for Maximum Salvation Three-fourths of all adults in the United States regularly take prescription medicines, which are remarkable aids to maintaining healthy lifestyles. OH, MY! When taking these lifesaving components, it is very important not to manage them unless you are a health professional. I am, but I use my doctor’s management for my meds without alteration--always. Over time, you may decide to see about taking fewer meds because you seem to be doing well. Don’t do it on your own--especially with meds intended to treat heart problems, cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes. Instead, when appointments are made for routine checkups, ask if any meds can safely be diminished or discontinued. Generics are rigorously tested by the FDA to be sure they are identical to branded meds and are absorbed the same by the body. YES, SAME. Since generics average costing one-fifth as much, ask your doctor if they are available and will meet your needs Choose to use one pharmacy so medications will be checked to be certain they won’t interact badly, and you can get to know the pharmacist; as trained medical professionals, they can certainly be helpful to you. They can tell you which over the counter (OTC) meds they recommend (because not all are the same) and which might interact with your

prescription meds. Be sure to ask about safety of OTCs for you before taking meds for a cold. You can also ask your pharmacist to get all your medicine on the same refill schedule, which will help you manage your medicine replenishments more conveniently. Additionally, your long-term prescriptions can be filled for 90 days for further convenience. Follow instructions for taking meds carefully; they are there for a reason. Meds to be taken with food may irritate the lining of an empty stomach. Avoid grapefruit juice with meds and taking calcium (milk, etc.) with antibiotics. Take statins at bedtime, advises the British Heart Foundation. Here’s why: Cholesterol production in the liver is highest after midnight and lowest during the morning and early afternoon, so statins are most effective when taken just before bedtime. New research suggests the best time for people with hypertension to take their blood pressure pills is at bedtime rather than in the morning. “Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are taken in the morning, because they can interfere with sleep, especially as you begin taking them,” an expert says. Heartburn meds (Protein Pump Inhibitors, PPIs) really need to be taken on an empty stomach, 20 to 30 minutes before breakfast. But if you have mostly evening or nighttime symptoms, ask your doctor about taking omeprazole 20 to 30 minutes before dinner on an empty stomach, since none of the PPIs truly lasts 24 hours,” However, there are a number of meds that last 24 hours, and this can reduce missed doses; plus, one might arrange to take all their meds at the same time. YES!

Champions on The CourT and in The Classroom!

3891 Hwy 30 W. • Huntsville

936-438-8833 A classical, Christ-centered Pre-K-12th grade school

alphaomegaacademy.org April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 67

GOOD HAIR EVERY DAY FEATURING THE MOST REALISTIC WASH & WEAR WIGS YOU'VE EVER SEEN!

Huntsville Walker County Fair Premium Sale

Walkercountyfair.com

Conroe Free Concert-Cody Hibbard

CityofConroe.org

Huntsville

CALENDAR

April

Walker County Fair Non-Livestock & Freezer Sale

Walkercountyfair.com

9-10 College Station Professional Bull Riding – Aggieland Classic https://oss.ticketmaster.com

9-25

Conroe “Nunsense”

crightontheatre.org

Brenham Michael Martin Murphy in Concert

thebarnhillcenter.com/events

Huntsville Pineapple Run 2021

runsignup.com/stopdd5k

Junk-A-Palooza

HuntsvilleMainStreet.com

Call or Text Karen:

936-581-1776 Email: kaltom@me.com Consultant Exclusively for Godiva's Secret Wigs

New Waverly Market Day

email:

nwpublib@newwaverlypubliclibrary.org

Conroe Conroe Service League New Member Tea

conroeserviceleague.org

68 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

CALENDAR

April

VICK LUMBER LLC

15-25 San Antonio Fiesta San Antonio

fiestasanantonio.org

16-25 Houston Disney on Ice:

Mickey’s Search Party

nrgpark.com

Huntsville Diva Night

chamber.huntsville.tx.us

New Waverly Blood Drive at NW Public Library

giveblood.org

• Thermatru Doors

23-24 Magnolia Magnolia Showdown Barbecue Cookoff

• Complete Stock of Lumber

magnoliashowdownbbqcookoff.com

• Complete Line of Plumbing Supplies

23-25 Palestine 1836 Chuckwagon Races

• Complete Line of Paint

1836chuckwagonrace.com

• Painting Supplies Conroe

Hard • Complete Hardware Selection

Kidzfest

CityofConroe.org

May

“We can handle all your building materials needs!”

Huntsville “Run with Your Imagination!” 5K

~ Randy & Rita Lowery, Owners

936-435-0303

Madisonville

Dinner and Dance

936-348-3522

Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen’s Association

sidewalkcattlemens.com

Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 5 pm Sat. 7 am - 12 pm

Due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus, some events have been postponed or canceled. 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.

206 West Magnolia Street Madisonville, TX

April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 69

Mustard Seed Moments by Linda W. Perkins

Testing to Know the Truth Not too long ago, I made a shocking discovery no parent wants. I found a bag of gummies in my child’s bag labeled as a medical marijuana product. Everything looked as real as it could be. There on the blue cellophane package was a colorful logo, the manufacturer’s name, and the dosage amount. To say I was a little upset would be an understatement. When I confronted my daughter, she became equally upset because she insisted it wasn’t real, but a joke. She said a friend gave her the bag, and it was just filled with regular gummy candy. I told her I was not taking her word for it. One way or another, I had to know the truth. I was relieved when a drug test proved my child was not lying – the packaging had deceived me into thinking they had drugs in them, when in fact they didn’t. Everything still went into the trash, and we discussed how foolish she had been to go along with such a prank, but it got me thinking--How often do we fail to recognize the truth about people and situations? How do we know what we believe is true? In 1 John 4, we are taught the way to know the truth about people – to know if they are from God or not--is to “test the spirits.” One of the tests is their theology. Does it line up with the Bible and who does it say Jesus

is? A second test is the way the person acts. I John 4:8 says God is love, and anyone who doesn’t love others has never known Him. Galatians 5 elaborates on the second test by giving us a list of qualities that should be evident in the life of someone claiming to be a Christian: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is also a good “mirror test” with which to evaluate our own hearts. In a world of uncertainty, it is comforting to know the Bible gives us the tools we need to discern the truth from falsehoods. For as Jesus said, when you know the truth, the truth will set you free. “Dear friends, don’t believe everyone who claims to have the Spirit of God. Test them all to find out if they really do come from God. Many false prophets have already gone out into the world.” – I John 4:1 “Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 “Behold, I send you out at sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” – Matthew 10:16

Come as you are ! Covenant Fellowship CELEBRATE RECOVERY Tuesdays 7 pm

at the the church OFFICE 606 FM 1791 North •Huntsville Church Email: Church Website:

covenantpastor@gmail.com cfhuntsville.org

70 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | April 2021

Worship Time: Sunday Mornings 10:30am Worship Place: Alpha Omega Academy • 3891 Hwy 30 West

Church Phone:

(936) 435-0993

Office: 606 FM 1791 North • Huntsville

Lead Pastor: David Valentine

NSB

Rock Solid Banking

Normangee State Bank Locally Owned & Operated Open Tuesday - Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM 202 Main St. • Normangee, TX

936-396-3611

Online Banking Available:

NormangeeStateBank.com April 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 71

Leading Orthopedic Care to

KEEP YOU MOVING Our sports medicine specialists can help keep your body in motion. At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we know every movement matters. Our board-certified sports medicine specialists offer: • • • •

Conroe

The Woodlands

8 45

59 610

The latest imaging and technology Advanced nonsurgical treatments Minimally invasive procedures State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy

Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving. And, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe during your visit.

Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic — offering same-day care

19 convenient locations across Greater Houston

Same-day appointments for injuries. Schedule an appointment: houstonmethodist.org/sportsmed 936.321.8000