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Piney Woods

POSTCARDS Dr. Lane Aiena / Kats Making New Tracks / Janet Batchelor / Chester Crawford

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FEATURES

March 2021 | Volume 11, Issue 3

Do You Know?

Texas Talent Janet Batchelor

Dr. Lane Aiena

Community Builders

Business Focus

Kats Making New Tracks

Chester Crawford

FAVORITES

Cover Photo by Lisa Cannon

4 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

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From Our Readers What Are You Reading? From the Publisher Milestones Garden Post Pet Pals The Latest Dear Gabby What’s Cookin’ The Grands Glorious Grandkids From the Mouths of Babes

51 Happenings 57 Creative Corner 58 Things My Granddaddy Said 59 Vet Connect 61 Along the Road 63 “Seens” from our World 64 Health Matters 66 Sudoku Marketplace 70 Wildlife Wonders 72 Community Calendar 73 20 Questions 74 Mustard Seed Moments

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Thank you for making me a part of your handsome 10th anniversary edition. The interview with Claudia Kirkwood could not have gone better, and Gina Turner did a fine job of photographing the exhibit. I think the article will encourage visitors to the Wynne Home which is a wonderful local asset. It was an ego trip for me, and I hope, for quilters everywhere. Again, my thanks and congratulations on your anniversary.

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As I write this, we are experiencing “Snowmageddon” 2021. I am, in fact, trying to finish this and send to our designer before the rolling blackouts reach us. When all this started, I was really worried about her, because she and her husband decided several months ago to live in an RV and work from the road while they see the country. How cool is that? Until we have “this” kind of cool, that is. But, being the uber intelligent people they are, they unplugged and are sitting in Florida while we are sitting here in the frozen tundra. That really IS cool! Before Wes and I married, I worked for a marketing firm and traveled all over the United States working with newspapers. Those travels included seeing winters in Juneau, Alaska, Joliet, Illinois, Terre Haute, Indiana, and whiteout conditions in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The hotel where I stayed in Terre Haute belonged to Larry Bird (of Boston Celtics fame), and one of the wonderful things about staying there was the “gift” they gave their guests each morning when an employee went to the parking lot and brushed all the snow and ice off your car. I really loved that! The hotel in Joliet was not so accommodating…and it snowed there a LOT. Joliet is about an hour southwest of Chicago, and it was cold… every…day. I remember so many people from those travels, and I still consider many friends. But all I remember about Joliet was the cold. That, and one particular event. After brushing the snow off my car that morning in order to get to the ice below and then scraping that until I could see, I walked into the newspaper and asked the staff if they knew there were other places they could live! They all looked so shocked! I began to explain to them what our winter was like. I explained how we only needed snow boots if we were going skiing in Colorado. I explained the joy of a jacket getting us through the winter instead of coats that would keep you warm in subzero temperatures. It was to no avail. They started talking of enjoying seasons…and snow… and all the fun they have in the snow. I told them we did too--for a day or two. Then they started getting really personal and saying ugly things about our summer. I told them we would just have to agree to disagree. As beautiful as the view is out my window, I know stepping outside could mean falling on ice. (I think I’ve already shared with you I am pro at that!) I would like to try a new recipe, but I forgot some of the ingredients at the store, and the roads are too treacherous to drive. Of course, if we lose power, the only cooking will be on the grill anyway-across the icy deck. Pray for Wes. And maybe we should start thinking about RV shopping.

Until next time,

Karen

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 9

Do You Know? By Claudia Kirkwood Photos by Gina Turner

10 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.” -Hippocrates of Kos “Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.” This quote, attributed to Hippocrates of Kos, a Greek physician in the 4th Century BC who was referred to as the “Father of Medicine,” well describes our featured guest, Dr. Lane Aiena. Dr. Aiena is a BoardCertified Family Practice Physician and accompanies his medical skills and knowledge with a deep enjoyment of the patients he serves.

to my family in Sour Lake, and my wife Missy’s family in Tomball. So, in 2017, I set up an interview with Dr. Larry Wells at Huntsville Family Medicine and arrived, impeccably dressed in my best suit and ready to impress. His first question was, “Why are you wearing a suit?” We’ve laughed about that ever since. I immediately felt at home in this clinic and in Huntsville, and the experience has been a true blessing for my practice and my family.

Please share some information about your early years and how you were influenced to become a physician. I was born in Beaumont, Texas and grew up in the booming metropolis of Sour Lake, boasting a whopping population of 1400. I remember fishing with my dad and spending time with mom, dad, and my sister at Toledo Bend. My granddad, Bobby Gunn, was an athletic trainer for the Houston Oilers, and was always interested in health, wellness, and helping people. In fact, he was one of the founders of the National Athletic Trainers Association, which today has an enrollment of 45,000. He wanted to become a physician, but World War II got in the way. We discussed medicine frequently, and because of these early conversations, he was very influential in my decision to go into the medical field.

Where did you receive your education and medical training? I attended Louisiana State University for my undergraduate degree and then received my medical training at Texas Tech University, two years in Lubbock and two years in Amarillo. The two years I spent in Amarillo were what steered me into the area of family medicine. During my third year in medical school, I did several different rotations including internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, emergency medicine, and family medicine. I enjoyed surgery and psychiatry and loved the ER, but I was most comfortable with the family medicine physicians. Dr. Rodney Young and Dr. Jerry Kirkland were great mentors for me during this time. They seemed so happy and their patients loved them. You ultimately must ask yourself what kind of life you want and which field of medicine will be most compatible with that decision.

Out of all the places in the big state of Texas to set up a thriving practice, why Huntsville? Growing up in a small town was tremendous, and I wanted to raise my family in the same atmosphere. I did my residency training at Conroe Regional Medical Center and Lone Star Family Health Center. While nearing the completion of my training, I contacted a service that was able to identify several locations where I could fulfill my dream of having a private practice in a small town. Huntsville was suggested as one location. It seemed the right size city and close enough for visits

COVID-19 has hit everyone hard. How has this impacted your practice? COVID-19 changed everything. It was like flipping a light switch. We knew it was coming our way and knew that it was going to be bad. Fortunately, when it did hit in March of 2020, our clinic had policies in place based on our understanding of the virus at that time. Of course, as the saying goes, we had to “build the plane while we flew it.” At that time, there was no certain knowledge on how it was spread, and there were mixed messages on the effectiveness of face masks. We decided that masks must work, so we implemented this policy in our clinic immediately. And, although we were already scrupulous in facilitating hygiene procedures, we doubled down on these. If a patient was suspected of having COVID-19, we would wear gown, mask and double gloves and visit them at their car. So far, we have not had a single case of COVID-19 spread in our clinic and, although there was one week when we practiced telemedicine only, we have not been closed a day. Having our policies in place from the start has benefited our patients and our practices. And on a positive note, we have seen fewer cases of flu, strep throat, and the common cold, and we attribute this to masking and social distancing.

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You have taken an active role in politics as they relate to medicine. How has this benefited your practice and our community? I got involved in the Texas Medical Association (TMA) and the Texas Association of Family Practitioners (TAFP) at an early stage, while a medical school student in Amarillo. One of my mentors, Dr. Young, was politically active in the TMA, and this got me going. Also, another mentor for whom I have great admiration is Dr. Doug Curran in Athens, Texas. He served as President of the TMA in 2018-2019 and would speak at the convention…. without notes! Dr. Curran is who I desire to be like in forty years. He is funny, kind, and a very genuine person. He would jokingly say, “Going to work now is like hanging out with my friends each day, and I even get paid for it!” If I can become a tenth of what he is, then my practice will be a success! “As a family medicine physician, I may not get paid as much as a I went to advocate to the Senate specialist does, but I get more hugs.” committee over a bill that would increase funding for student loan repayments for doctors who chose to serve in underserved communities over a period of four years. It was far from a “sure thing.” It had both a democratic and republican co-sponsor, so I opened my remarks with, “Thank you for letting me come testify on the Unicorn Bill.” As we were discussing the bill, I was asked, “We understand you want us to increase funding, but what keeps you from taking the money and running after four years, leaving those underserved communities?” I responded, “As a family medicine physician, I may not get paid as much as a specialist does, but I get more hugs. It’s hard to leave once you start getting those hugs.” He loved the answer. He was a veterinarian. The bill passed and was referred to as the “Unicorn and Hugs Bill.” I’ve continued to be involved with the TAFP, and in 2019 was awarded the Texas Association of Family Practitioners Political Action Committee award. And, I have been in direct contact with the offices of Senator Charles Schwertner and Representative Ernest Bailes on a regular basis. They have been fantastic and have helped me every step of the way. Being involved in this way enables me to reach out and get help on where to go with COVID-19 and getting vaccines for our county. We had a county-wide meeting of the Office of Emergency Management, the City of

12 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Left: Nurses Sadie and Castyn keep track of vaccine inventory. Right: Dr. Lane Aiena prepares to administer the Covid-19 vaccine.

Huntsville, and Huntsville Memorial Hospital, and all are working hard to be heard in Austin and to have the vaccine needs of our community and county met. We continue to fight and advocate for our community every day.

Politics turn the wheels of medicine whether we like it or not. If you want to be effective as a physician, you’ve got to be involved in politics as well. Medicine is a lot more than diagnosing and treating. That is my primary job, and I’m very blessed to help 24-30 people a day, diagnose

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Left: Other physicians in practice with Dr. Aiena are: Dr. Shao-Jen Chang, Dr. Mary Rosenquist, Aiena, Dr. Tremor Isnardo, Dr. Nicolas Alonso, Dr. Larry Wells

Surely, after engaging in a thriving practice and being politically active, some down time is well-deserved. How do you spend time relaxing?

them, work with them, treat them, and make them feel better. But if you can advocate and get a bill passed, a hub application approved, and a vaccine event planned, then you can help hundreds or thousands of people. This fact has been cemented for me during this COVID-19 pandemic. Being a physician in the office is especially important, but being a physician and an advocate for your community is an integral part of the overall success of meeting your goals.

What advice do you have for the community at large? Be patient. Work hard. We are all in this together. Don’t be afraid to advocate. One voice can make a difference!

I enjoy fishing with friends, especially since I’m atrocious at golf. A lot of my physician friends fish, so these outings have been big bonding experiences for us. My wife Missy and our two children Madelyn and Miles (who I got to deliver, by the way!) enjoy being outdoors and look forward to camping and other activities when the weather is warmer. It is such a blessing to come home after a long day at work and be with them. Missy and I met when I was about to take my medical boards, and she has been supportive of me through every step. I have been incredibly blessed with a wonderful family, enriching friendships, and stellar patients! This is the life I dreamed of and I’m so grateful to live it!

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16 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

The Garden Post By Kim Bius

A Little Something EXTRA for Your Soil Soil additives are “additions” to existing soil to give nutrients needed to successfully grow shrubs, trees, vegetables, herbs, flowers, roses, etc. The desired plant determines the desired recipe for the soil. A simple soil test will help you determine the nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium content of your garden area. These tests are available at many garden centers and at your local extension service office. If you need help interpreting results, take them to a garden center you know has certified nurserymen. Remember nitrogen is for root and top growth (stems, leaves etc), phosphorous is for flower and fruit production, and potassium is for overall hardiness and cold heat tolerance. Ever wonder why your tomato plant was 5’ tall with little to no tomatoes? Usually because it was fertilized with a high nitrogen fertilizer or fresh manure/ mushroom compost amendment. All growth from the nitrogen went to the plant growth and not to the fruit production, thus a balanced fertilizer is important. Planting/Landscape Mix is a ready-made amendment added to existing beds to give them the addition of the following ingredients: growers sand, black humus, composted mulch (heavily decomposed), composted peat moss, cow manure, and a low dose of a slow-release fertilizer such as 3-3-2 or something similar. Many forms do not contain fertilizer or peat moss, and their price is lower than mixes that do. Black Humus is one of my personal favorite ingredients for vegetable gardens. Black humus is the equivalent of having your own compost pile that has aged for years and made a rich, black, heavier soil, full of nutrients. A needed ingredient for sandy, nutrient free topsoil in our area if growing vegetables. Topsoil in our area of the state is a very light, sandy loam, grayish in color with a high amount of river bottom sand. We use topsoil to fill in low areas of the lawn, filler in the bottom of large containers, backfill for retaining walls, to build berms, for raising soil levels, and as a base filler for large gardens. Do not be fooled--many topsoils here have strong

nutrients, and soil components by area vary greatly--sandy loam to black caliche--but there is a cure for everything! Mulch is a component washed with misconception. Mulch is available in a multitude of wood varieties and consistencies--fine ground, shredded, and in large wood chunks with bits of fine ground in it. I prefer the medium ground or shredded for landscape use. Shredded bark stays in place, does not float, does not attract fire ants (large chunks do) and has enough consistency to last six months before replacement. Yes, bark mulch has to be replaced. It is an organic product that decomposes with time, adding nutrients to your soil as it decomposes…so you get benefit on both ends. DO NOT APPLY PLASTIC MULCH TO YOUR BEDS FOR ANY REASON. Mulch is available in hardwood varieties such as red cedar, cypress, black mulch, and red mulch. I like the look of red mulch against white limestone houses or tropical gardens for a punch of color. Pine wood mulch is a softer wood, that should be used in landscapes with azaleas, camellias, fern, roses, and other acid loving plants. A heavy application of hardwood mulch on acid loving plants, over a long period of time, will change the ph of the soil, resulting in “limey” green foliage and eventually death. Mulch should be applied 2-3 times a year and freshened by “turning the mulch over” every three months with a leaf rake for maximum benefit. Mushroom Compost is an excellent growing additive for veggie and herb gardening. Fresh mushroom compost can be “hot,” still releasing nitrogen at such a high rate it steams. In this case, the compost must be allowed to age a few months before use. The best way to use fresh mushroom compost is to allow to age for 6 months with a heavy black plastic tarp placed over it. The tarp will heat the compost faster (and hopefully enough to kill the weed seeds in the manure), thus it becomes sterilized. Bagged mushroom compost is already sterilized. Spring is finally here, enjoy our time with this beautiful season. Happy Gardening!

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The Latest by Ruth Fields

Native Texan and historical novelist Curt Locklear first read Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol when he was in high school in Austin. After majoring in English and minoring Visit Postcardslive.com to read the original story in in history at the the April 2019 issue. University of Texas at Austin, Curt became a teacher and school administrator. Through the years, A Christmas Story remained his favorite novel, and he read it dozens of times. Even after watching countless dramatic adaptations, however, two questions were never answered to his satisfaction: What happened next? And did Scrooge really change? After painstakingly researching and writing three acclaimed historical novels about the Civil War (the Asunder Trilogy), the retired educator decided to do something just for fun. “Have you ever wondered what happened to Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim? This is where you get to find out,” he says. Scrooge and Cratchit Detectives: A Dickensian Christmas Mystery was released in October 2020. The book begins two years after the familiar events of A Christmas Carol. “Scrooge and Cratchit have settled into a pleasant money-lending

business,” Curt says. “Bob Cratchit is now a partner—but at 49 percent.” When a good friend is accused, perhaps falsely, of murder, Scrooge and Cratchit agree to loan him money to escape to France. Then, with a hint of Dickensian style, ghosts appear to Scrooge and Cratchit, convincing them to solve the murder mystery. Curt’s flair for adventure is evident in his sequel, which includes multiple suspects and villains, strong female protagonists, shoot-outs, snowstorms, secret tunnels, dark caverns, the “dangerous and spooky tin mines of Cornwall,” he says, and “a dark-cloaked killer roaming about.” The story is also a character study: “Ebenezer Scrooge is not quite over his miserliness,” Curt explains. “Just like all of us when we try to do better, it’s still sometimes a struggle against those old habits.” Scrooge and Cratchit Detectives has quickly earned many five-star reviews. One reader calls the book “rollicking and suspenseful,” while others praise its plot twists and descriptions of nineteenth-century England. It is available at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com in multiple formats. Meanwhile, Curt is still writing and attending book signings, and he is once again able to make fun, historical presentations throughout the country. As always, he brings his banjo and guitar.

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Haney, Paschal & Romoser is pleased to announce Jeremy Romoser as a new partner at the law firm. He is a proud graduate of Baylor Law School. Jeremy previously served in the US Navy as an Aviation Ordnanceman. He managed a small cattle ranch and owned a horseshoeing business too. He and his wife have a daughter that is a graduate of Texas A&M University. Jeremy’s expertise is in litigation in multiple areas of law which includes family law, plaintiff’s personal injury, civil litigation, probate, deceptive trade practices and debt collection. Jeremy is fluent in sign language and can provide services to deaf as well as hearing clients. Stop by and say hello. Jeremy is excited to be an involved member of our community and would love to meet you! Join us in welcoming Jeremy Romoser!

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Thank You!

Care Center Huntsville would like to say thank you to all our faithful supporters and volunteers for making the Sanctity of Life BBQ a wonderful success!

We raised over $14,000 and served over 500 sandwiches. Special thanks to McKenzie’s BBQ and the McKenzie family for opening their restaurant on a Sunday, providing wonderful food and for working countless hours. Thank you to Mayflower Bakery, Schlotzsky’s and the Swann family for the donation of their delicious cookies. Please remember to support these local businesses throughout the year. Thank you to all that volunteered to make the BBQ a possibility, and thank you for your continued support of the Pregnancy Care Center of Huntsville. March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 21

Dear Gabby Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. Hope you all survived the blizzard of 2021! That was something, wasn’t it? Texas Independence Day is March 2nd and y’all better not forget it. Be thankful that you are either a native of the Great State of Texas, or you got here as fast as you could. If you’re a newbie Texan, you won’t fool anyone unless you can pronounce Kuykendahl. Nope, try again. Drop me a line by checking Dear Gabby on PostcardsLive.com/share if you have any question about life in general. Warning label: Do as I say, not as I do.

to do anything, especially something domestic, you might be able to see a change…when the swelling goes down. GABBY DEAR GABBY St Patrick’s Day is March 17th. I always wear green, but is it okay to pretend to be Irish that day? They seem to have more fun. FAUX IRISH

DEAR GABBY

DEAR FAUX

I’m new to Texas, but I have already found a really sweet Texas girl. She’s not much of a housekeeper, but great in so many other ways. We only get to see each other on the weekends, and I’m planning to see her at my house this weekend. The next weekend, I’ll go visit her at her home. What do you think about me telling her I’d like to see a clean house when I get there? YANKEE DON

I don’t see any harm in pretending to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. We pretend to be good around Christmas, don’t we? Here’s an Irish Blessing to send you on your way. “May the wind at your back not be from the corned beef and cabbage you had for lunch.”

CONFIDENTIAL TO SASSY, AREN’T YOU?: Yes, I am aware I talk a lot of smack Let me ease into this answer by giving you some advice about Texas girls. for someone who tips over putting on her Her uniform is cutoffs, flip-flops, and a tank top. If you’re doing something underwear. in warm weather (that’s not attending a wedding) and you want her to dress up, you better tell her in advance. Just because she grew up in a place where the high school football stadium looks like a professional stadium doesn’t mean she wants to watch football with you all the time. Bottom line is--you may want to ask her to clean her house. If you tell a Texas girl DEAR DON

22 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Touching Tomorrow

I am excited to be in my 15th year at HHS! I formerly taught with Lone Star College Montgomery (which I continue currently as the Dual Credit English instructor for HHS). Before that, I was a Bearkat (earning my Bachelors in 2003 and Masters in 2005). I currently chair the HHS English Department. I am also the Senior Sponsor for the Class of 2021. Needless to say, I am HORNET STRONG, HORNET PROUD and BLEED GREEN AND WHITE!

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

Sponsored by:

Nominated by Cody McLerran

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

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

Kelly Jordan

English, Leadership Teacher Huntsville High School

In my senior year, she has helped me to better understand the way to write. I have had some of my best papers written in her class. She does not just care about grades; she cares about us as students and young adults. Mrs. Jordan always checks on us and is extremely inspiring.

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 23

Star Students KeNysha Johnson Huntsville High School

Cody McLerran Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Star Wars Favorite Music/Artist: Luke Combs Favorite Movie: Roll Bounce

Favorite Food: Breakfast Tacos

Favorite Music/Artist: Keyshia Cole

Favorite Quote: “Jesus First, Others next, then Yourself

Favorite Food: Fried Chicken

Favorite Quote: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

eNysha is a senior at Huntsville High School. Her activities include 4-H and basketball. Following graduation, she plans to attend the University of Houston - Downtown and major in business. KeNysha believes, “Love yourself or nobody else will. Don’t a l l ow o t h e r s t o ch a n g e yo u . Yo u a r e yo u f o r wh o you are.”

(Spelled J-O-Y)” – Linda Byler

ody is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the son of Brandy and Graham McLerran. His activities include football, baseball, National Honor Society, and FFA. Following graduation, Cody plans to attend college and major in kinesiology. He believes, “The way that I live my life is by treating others the way I want to be treated. I want to always put others first and help when I ca n.”

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24 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

S y

Olivia del Rio

Savanna De La Fuente Huntsville High School

Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: The Prestige Favorite Music/Artist: Cavetown Favorite Food: Cuban Sandwiches Favorite Quote: “God can draw a straight line with a crooked stick.” – Martin Luther; (also Exodus 3:15)

l iv i a 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 a n d i s t h e d a u g h t e r o f M i ch e l e d e l R i o a n d Adrian del Rio. Her activities include art, Food Club, Chess Club, UIL Academics, track/cross country, B u z z T V, N a t i o n a l H o n o r S o c i e t y, a n d A r t H o n o r Society. Following graduation, Olivia is undecided and c o n s i d e r i n g c o l l e g e , a r t s ch o o l , o r c u l i n a r y s ch o o l . S h e b e l i e ve s , “ W h a t h a p p e n s h a p p e n s . A l way s t r y your best.”

Favorite Movie: The Hunger Games Series Favorite Music/Artist: Drake Favorite Food: Anything Italian! Favorite Quote: “Do hard things.” – Angela Gaston

ava n n a 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 Micaela Moreno and Everardo Moreno. Her activities include soccer, cross country, and 4-H. Following graduation, she p l a n s t o a t t e n d S a m H o u s t o n S t a t e U n ive r s i t y t o study biology, then pursue a career as a physician’s a s s i s t a n t . S ava n n a b e l i e ve s , “ Wo r k h a r d f o r wh a t you want.

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Community Builders By Janet Davidson Photos by Libby Rogers

Kats Making New Tracks

Honor. Tradition. Strength. Grit.

26 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 27

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Honor. Tradition. Strength. Grit. When alumni, current students, coaches, faculty, staff, and other individuals were asked, “What do you think of when you hear Sam Houston State University?”, these words were repeated across the polled populace. How does one take those words and pare them down so they are reflected in a logo, through a mascot, and ultimately into a strong, unwavering future of a university? Russell Martinez, Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, explained the process of updating the symbols that project the valor and sense of community future Bearkats and alumni hold dear. “Tradition is not just for the time you spent at Sam Houston; tradition dates back to when this institution started in 1879. Then, it is built on every year, by every class.” “In this day of the power of the brand, it is important to have some consistency, not only in terms of a logo, but also what represents the institution,” Martinez, shared. “Under the original SHPaw, we experienced one of our most successful decades in the university’s athletic history.” A Bearkat that looked more like a tiger was added in the mid-90s, but it did not sustain any official longevity. “The logo had a very 90s feel to it, with graffiti edges, etc. As digital media became more in use and textiles became more detailed, our mark became difficult to reproduce. Since there was no consistency in the logos being reproduced for us, it was too difficult to obtain a federal copyright.” Case in point, as six coaches arrived for a focus group, six different logos came through the door. “Not one of them had the same SH-Paw logo on. Dependent on where you ordered the merchandise, that determined what logo was received. Our licensees were not replicating our logo correctly. There was a lot of brand confusion, and the orange and white was getting lost. It was also important to us to bring Sammy back to the forefront,” Martinez pointed out. The licensees now have an easier logo to reproduce, and the cost of reproduction has decreased. “The paw is modernized with a lot of motion to it. It is moving forward with aggression. It is a very clean mark, and each team has its own wordmark.” SME out of New York City, who are connected to CLC Licensing, the school’s licensee, was tasked with giving Sam’s logo its facelift. “We told them to take the wheels off. ‘We want to see the widest scope of what you think represents the university.’ We knew that anything too far ‘out there’ would not work, but we still wanted to see it. We made sure to pay attention to every detail,” Martinez commented. Although he had not been involved in a branding process or logo design before, Russell enjoyed watching the evolution of previous elements of the logo into a modern, yet traditional symbol. After culling the number of 20-30 designs down to two, focus groups of alumni donors, student athletes, students, faculty, staff, and coaches were

28 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

shown the end product. “We received mixed results. It takes a while to digest and accept change. Once the participants got past the initial shock, the overwhelming majority of participants really liked the new look. The company emboldened the primary mark. We also were not sure how Sammy was going to be depicted in this new direction. We viewed about four or five different versions: from a “Tom and Jerry” looking cat to the strong mascot from the 1950s. We are going back to the tradition of orange and white. Since we have launched the new look, we have received great, positive feedback from leaders in the collegiate athletic marketing and branding industry. Change can be shocking, but I encouraged everyone to ‘let it breathe like a wine’. The updated Sammy has some battle-marks and scars, with one of his teeth showing. We

Russell Martinez, Associate Athletic Director

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have the brand showing the full-sized Sammy and also a representation showing just his head. This gives us all sorts of options when we are creating apparel for our athletes or items for retail. Now that people have seen the SH-Paw in reproduction, on helmets, uniforms, caps, etc., they love it! We now have consistency across the board! Each team possesses its own wordmark.” A great internal committee of people worked alongside Russell to successfully bring this project to fruition: Trevor Isaminger, Kyle Barnard, Josh Weitz, Travis Lies, Nick Olsson, and Stephanie Knific. “Athletic Director Bobby Williams and the previous University President, Dr. Dana Hoyt, put me in charge of this project and let me run with it. I told Bobby the day the logo launched, ‘You gave me the keys to your car, and entrusted me with this task,” Russell stated. They worked together to ensure the new mark would be polished, professional, and powerful. “Everything was completed strategically. From the planning to the design to the rollout, I was able to use my background in politics to guide the strategy. It was a true team effort! This was one of the most exciting and rewarding things I have done in my life…I will always be part of this effort to leave a mark on this university. As an alum and an employee, that means a lot…to know that when we play on television, a project I worked on will be visible.”

want to pull at their emotions. We wanted to pull in those who felt they had been disconnected from the university and pay homage to the men and women who had been here before us. Community is Bearkat, and Bearkat is community. The video ties into a lot of history. We reached into the archives and pulled as many things as we possibly could, and married it with the modern,” Martinez said. The video won a gold rating in an industry awards competition and will be entered in the Major Athletics Association contest as well (The video can be viewed on the Bearkat Athletics Facebook page). Sam Houston’s Videographer, Mike Foster, filmed and edited this project along with Jason Barfield, Sports Information Director, who provided the athletics footage. “We worked collaboratively on an overall theme. The final piece, where Mike was able to take our new marks and animate them in the video, made me very emotional. Everything we had worked on for two years was finished!” Russell reflected.

Come to the games and support the athletes as they don the new look and continue to carry on

The university created a video to launch the new, strong, consistent logo. “We really wanted to tie into the community. My memories of Sam Houston as a kid were the Homecoming Parade, the football games at Pritchett Field, Sammy, Orange and White everywhere. That is the emotion we wanted strike with people. To get people to buy in, you

Tradition with Strength, Honor, and Grit!

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Over the past thirty-eight years, there has been a beacon for Jesus shining bright in North Walker County. Located at 1207 FM 980, you will find this beacon called Northside Baptist Church. Over Ove the years of this bright New Testament church, we have placed community high on our list of priorities. Local missions are what drive us. We at Northside want you to see the love of God in very practical ways. Our local mission teams may have served you by being served a meal at Huntsville or New Waverly Schools, or the Walker County Fair. You may have received a bottle of water from one of us at The Fair on The Square or the Huntsville Memorial Hospital. We pioneered paring with our local schools as we adopted Huntsville Elementary several years ago to serve the student bod and staff throughout the school year. We do all of these things and more so that the love of God is spread in our body area. Some of you have thought about coming out to NBC. You are invited to join us at any of our services on Sunday morning 9:30 AM Bible study and 10:50 AM Worship or Wednesday nights which begin with a meal at 5:00 PM. Then, we have ministries tailored for everyone from crib babies to adults. So, you are invited anytime to join us. On Sunday, March 7, 2021, at 2:00 PM, you are invited to a special event at Northside. The mission started in a mobile home in the early 1980’s, and on this special day in March 2021, we will dedicate the third worship center in the church’s history. It is the most modern, cutting-edge worship center our church family has had the opportunity to be in. It features the latest technology in sound, video and lighting and will accommodate 750 people in theater type seating with special event capacity of over 1000. There is room for you and your family. We invite you to come for the regular morning service, then stay for lunch followed by this very special service.

We hope you will come and celebrate with us or join us anytime at Northside.

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March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 31

What’s Cookin’ Roasted Chicken With Cranberry & Popped Mustard Seed Chutney

1 pinch of dried chili flakes

Ingredients

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries thawed

1/3 cup water

For Roasted Chicken:

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1 whole organic free-range chicken

zest of half an orange

1 orange zested. reserve half of zest for chutney. slice remaining orange into quarters

pinch salt

salt

Directions

fresh cracked pepper 2 Tbs high heat oil such as corn peanut, vegetable, or canola

For Roasted Chicken:

For Chutney:

Step 1: Heat the oven to 375°.

2/3 cup granulated sugar

Step 2: Rub chicken with oil. Generously season entire chicken and cavity with salt and fresh cracked pepper. Place the quartered orange and zest inside cavity.

1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1 1/2 tsp olive oil 1/4 tsp cumin seeds

Step 3: Tuck chicken wings behind the back to avoid burning. Using kitchen twine, tie the legs together. Place the chicken, breast-side up, in a roasting pan.

1/4 tsp fennel seeds 1/4 tsp yellow mustard seed 1/2 cup diced red onion

Step 4: Roast chicken in oven until internal breast

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temperature registers 160° with a thermometer. (roughly 50 to 60 minutes.) Remove and lightly cover with foil. Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes before carving. For Chutney: Step 1: Meanwhile, Bring sugar and vinegar to a boil over medium-high heat in a small saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove to a heatproof bowl and set aside.

CRAWFISH SEASON IS HERE

Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and return pan to heat. Add olive oil, cumin, fennel and mustard seed. Stir until mustard seed starts to pop, about 2 minutes. Step 3: Next, add onion and cook until onions just beginning to brown, stirring continuously, about 6 minutes. Step 4: Next, Add ginger and chiles flakes, vinegar mixture, water, cranberries, orange zest and salt. Step 5: Simmer until juices thicken, stirring often, about 20 minutes.

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What’s Cookin’ Directions

Simple White Cake Ingredients

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x9 inch pan or line a muffin pan with paper liners.

1 cup white sugar ½ cup butter 2 eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 ¾ tsp baking powder ½ cup milk

Step 2: In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan. Step 3: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven. For cupcakes, bake 20 to 25 minutes. Cake is done when it springs back to the touch.

A 9th generation Texan and longtime resident of Walker County, Madilene Loosier announces her candidacy for District Clerk. She states, “I have a passion for public service and I bring a lifetime of experience serving my community as a leader, volunteer, and business owner/operator.” Loosier was born in Houston and graduated from Lamar High School in Arlington, TX. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy from SHSU in 1996 after transferring from Texas Tech. Her professional career began at The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research as a Registered Music Therapist, and later became a Dispatcher for the Walker County Sheriff’s Office. She has been running Madilene’s Piano Tuning & Repair since 2004. These diverse experiences have prepared her to recognize and meet the challenges of the District Clerk position. With her organizational skills and attention to detail, she delivers outstanding customer service to her clients. In addition, Madilene has first-hand experience in district court rooms with judges in 4 counties, testifying as a victim/witness in 3 capital murder trials. Through this process, she worked with multiple law enforcement agencies, State Representatives, the Attorney General’s office and the Walker County District Attorney. She was also directly involved with the Crime Victim Assistance Coordinators in Walker County, TDCJ and Austin. Loosier adds, “I have a unique perspective and understanding of how the District Clerk functions in the court room and the role she plays in serving the public”. Loosier serves on several Boards including Walker County Republican Women, Huntsville Leadership Institute (Class 38 graduate), SHSU Alumni & Friends, and President of Huntsville Area Newcomers Club. She served as delegate at several GOP state conventions and elected in 2018 and 2020 to serve on the State GOP Legislative Priorities Committee. She was recognized in the 2018 Marquis Who’s Who for Professional Excellence in Consumer Services as well as holding the honor of ‘Woman of the Year’ by the National Association of Professional Women. Loosier has been married to Precinct 2 Constable Shane Loosier for 26 years and they have 3 adult sons who attended Alpha Omega Academy. They are active members of First Baptist ChurchHuntsville where Madilene leads with the worship team playing viola and singing. She is also a Lifetime Member of WCFA. Loosier has the proven leadership, ethics, and familiarity with the court processes to continue the level of excellence in the District Clerk’s office. Loosier says, “Everything I have personally and professionally accomplished, up to this point in my life, has prepared me to serve as District Clerk and I would be honored to have your support”.

Loosier can be contacted at 936-581-0094, mloosier@hotmail.com or PO Box 9411 Huntsville, TX 77340 Pol. Adv. paid for by Madilene Loosier Campaign

34 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | February 2021

Madilene

LOOSIER running for

Walker County District Clerk

Dirty, Dirty Rice Ingredients 1 Tbs vegetable oil 6 oz boneless pork shoulder, diced 1 yellow onion, diced ½ cup diced celery ½ cup diced green bell pepper 1 Tbs paprika 2 tsp ground cumin 2 tsp freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp dried oregano ¼ tsp dried thyme 1 andouille sausage, diced, or to taste 8 oz chicken livers, minced 2 cups long-grain rice 2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste 4 cups chicken broth 1 bay leaf 1 dash Worcestershire sauce ¼ cup sliced green onions ¼ cup chopped Italian parsley

Directions Step 1: Heat oil in a high-sided pan over medium-high heat. Cook and stir pork until well browned and fat is rendered, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, celery, and bell pepper; saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in paprika, cumin, black pepper, cayenne, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables continue to soften, about 5 minutes. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add andouille sausage. Cook and stir to release some flavor, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in chicken livers and rice until well coated. Season with salt, pour in broth, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add bay leaf and Worcestershire sauce. Cover tightly; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, without stirring, until most of the liquid is absorbed and rice is starting to get tender, about 25 minutes. Step 3: Add green onions and parsley; mix well. Continue cooking over low to medium-low heat until rice is tender, about 10 minutes more. Taste for seasoning and remove bay leaf before serving. February 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 35

What’s Cookin’ Superb Sauteed Mushrooms Ingredients 3 Tbs olive oil 3 Tbs butter 1 lb button mushrooms, sliced

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¼ tsp garlic salt, or to taste freshly ground black pepper to taste Directions Step 1: Heat olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Step 2: Cook and stir mushrooms, garlic, cooking wine, teriyaki sauce, garlic salt, and black pepper in the hot oil and butter until mushrooms are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Step 3: Reduce heat to low and simmer until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 8 more minutes.

Ingredients 2 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro 4 cloves garlic 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp Himalayan pink salt 1 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 tsp salt-free seasoning blend

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Step 1: Place cilantro and garlic in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Step 2: Toast cumin seeds in a small pot over low heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Allow to cool, 5 minutes. Grind into a powder. Step 3: Transfer ground cumin to a small bowl. Add Himalayan pink salt, turmeric, paprika, Italian seasoning, seasoning blend, and black pepper to make seasoning mix. Step 4: Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add ground beef; cook and stir until browned, about 5 minutes. Stir in 1/2 of the seasoning mix. Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add potato and carrots. Cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes Step 5: Stir tomatoes into the pot and bring sauce to a boil. Reduce heat to mediumlow; stir in cilantro-garlic mixture and remaining 1/2 of the seasoning mix. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors combine, 30 to 40 minutes. Thin sauce with water if it seems too thick. Step 6: Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook angel hair in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until tender yet firm to the bite, 4 to 5 minutes. Drain. Serve sauce over pasta.

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38 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 39

Texas Talent

T r S h J W p w s

By Ruth Fields Photos by Gina Turner

J t c o a R B

J t 2 t m 2

T Janet, Boo & Daisy

Janet Batchelor One Saturday morning in 1995, Janet Batchelor took her coffee out on the front porch of her country home east of Willis, where she lives with her husband Tom. It was summer, but the temperature was still pleasant, so Janet sat down on her porch swing to enjoy the wooded beauty of the property. Without warning, a lizard appeared on the arm of her swing, and the two beings—one human, one reptile—startled each other. Not being one to shy away from talking to animals, Janet recovered quickly and said, “You look like a little alligator!” She noticed that, thanks to her Texas accent, “alligator” sounded more like “owligator.”

J f i i b d w J

W s t p s h d

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The creative part of Janet’s brain kicked in, and after a few minutes, she realized she had plotted a children’s book her grandchildren might enjoy. So, she went inside and began to write the story in rhyme. “I bet it took an hour,” Janet says. “I felt like it was a gift, because it’s usually not that easy.” Janet entered her manuscript, Al and the Owligator, in the Woodlands Writers Group’s regional contest for children’s fiction. When it won first place in its division, Janet realized perhaps her story had merit. She didn’t want to publish it until it was illustrated, however, so when she ran into snags, she put it aside. But it remained on her bucket list—for 25 years. Janet, now retired, is in her 70s. In 2020, she realized, “If I am ever going to do this, I had better do it.” So, she contacted an online illustrating company that represents several artists. She was pleased when the owner of the company, Mike Motz, a Canadian artist, liked her book and suggested he do the illustrations himself. He also recommended Will Robertson, who owns the independent publishing company Will Makes Books. Janet navigated the entire publication process of her book online during the pandemic, and Al and the Owligator was released on November 13, 2020. “I am the only person I know who would publish a book on Friday the 13th in 2020,” she says with a laugh. “One of the grandkids I had in mind when I wrote the book now has children of his own. When you wait 25 years to get to your bucket list, that happens!”

Texas tomboy Janet was born in Velasco, Texas, near the Dow Chemical plant where her father and grandfather both worked. “You can’t tell people you were born in Velasco,” Janet says, “because it was blown off the map by a hurricane.” (Today, the area is known as Freeport.) She moved with her family to Louisiana when she was about four, but moved back—to the East Texas town of Woodlake—when she was nine. “I thought I had died and gone to heaven. There were woods and trees,” she says. “I was an outside girl. I was such a tomboy. When I was very young, I asked for a crowbar for Christmas one year.” Janet hasn’t moved away from Texas since. When she was still a child, Janet discovered she possessed a unique gift. “I have two older sisters, and they are pretty and smart and all the things any little girl would want to live up to,” she says. Janet found her own voice through humor. “I found early on I could make people laugh. It became my shtick,” she says. “I enjoy making people laugh.” This ability served her well. She married young and had four children in 10 years; she jokes that her higher education was “learning from life.” Once, on a “wear your college colors to work day,” she wore black and blue. Over the years, Janet worked in a variety of positions. “I’m a jack of all trades, master of none,” she quips. Her first job, which she held at a questionably young age, was cracking 300 eggs for breakfast at the Piney Woods Baptist Encampment near her home. Since then, she has worked in the fields of human resources, purchasing, and accounting. She also worked for a plastics company for 11 years. At one point, she lamented the company’s lack of a good system to keep up with raw material inventory. “I thought, ‘There’s got to be a better way to do this,’” she says. So, she invented an inventory system that was so efficient, the company adopted it for use at all its locations. Janet traveled to Denver to teach employees there how to use the system. “Apparently, it worked well,” she says. Janet’s favorite job was in Cleveland, Texas at a regional hospital that hosted a group for seniors. For 12 years, until her retirement in 2012, Janet coordinated the group’s activities. “I never worked so hard or had so much fun in my life,” she says. The group’s membership

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 41

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swelled to 600, and Janet was able to travel to places like Italy, Scotland, Ireland, and the Canadian Rockies with “30 or 40 of my best friends.” She learned to speak before large groups of people, which was something she never dreamed she’d do. And she made them laugh. “If I could make them laugh, it would make my day,” she says. She also enjoyed helping the seniors participate in activities they wouldn’t do on their own. “Once a year in June, we would get bushels of peas. Eighty-eight people sat around in a circle and shelled peas,” she says. “There were 44 conversations going on.” She reports with a chuckle that her job also equipped her to become an expert Bingo caller.

Master storyteller Always a storyteller, Janet learned during her school days she had a flair for writing stories and poems; while working with the group of seniors at the hospital in Cleveland, she sharpened those skills. She wrote for the group’s newsletter, and her articles, often about travel and health, were also published in the hospital chain’s national publication, Inside Circle, as well as Liberty County Outlook magazine and the Cleveland Advocate newspaper. “I would get such feedback and reaction, it was very gratifying, so I just kept doing it,” she says. She sometimes wrote about the humorous side of growing older, and also found inspiration in everyday occurrences she found funny. For example, once she checked into a hotel, but when she opened the door to her room, a man was asleep in bed. Another time, in search of a public restroom, she went inside a county courthouse and was ultimately locked inside. “Crazy things happen to me,” she says, “and I write about them when they do.”

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936.438.4060 42 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

A s m o e c w T s h

W t t F

Left: Janet wiring the Shelby Cobra.

Shelby Cobra built by Janet & Tom

A few years ago, Janet picked up a copy of Postcards Magazine and subsequently queried publisher Karen Altom. Since then, she has written many articles for the magazine. Some are about travel, such as her piece on Oak Island, Nova Scotia. Other are about personal experiences. For example, she once wrote about her visit to former Houston Oilers’ head coach Bum Phillips’ ranch, where she rode Bum’s horse, Mouse. (Bum was her husband Tom’s junior high and high school coach in Nederland, Texas.) Her article “Pretty Is as Pretty Does,” about the greedy, meanspirited hummingbirds at her backyard feeder, hilariously theorizes that hummingbirds get drunk on sun-fermented sugar water. When she’s not making people laugh, Janet enjoys lots of outdoorsy things. She and Tom are fond of their border collies, Boo and Daisy, and they enjoy their 15 acres, which are within the Sam Houston National Forest. “I found a home in the East Texas Piney Woods, and I’m not

leaving,” she says. The property is not fenced, so deer, foxes, armadillos, ‘possums, and coyotes often pass through. (So do lizards.) At one point, a feral cat adopted Janet and Tom. “I think he’s meaner than the coyotes,” she says, “so I think he’s safe.” Janet and Tom also own a 1953 Jeep CJ3B Willys. Several years ago, they had his-and-hers Harley-Davidson motorcycles. “We’ve been over every mountain pass in the west,” she boasts. When they sold the motorcycles, they continued their travels in a Shelby Cobra they built in 2001. Carroll Shelby himself autographed the dash. “I wired the car, and the electrical actually worked!” Janet says. The car won its class in Houston’s AutoRama twice. At 50, Janet took flying lessons and soloed. She and Tom, a retired professional pilot, also built an airplane. At 60, she learned to SCUBA dive. It seems nothing is too outrageous for Janet.

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Next on the bucket list Currently floating around in Janet’s head are another children’s book, a novel, and a humorous book about her family. She also promises a sequel to Al and the Owligator. Meanwhile, the original is available at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and walmart. com. Janet discourages spoilers, but agreed to disclose the book includes examples of problem-solving and shows how the characters learn to accept their obvious differences. The book contains a cleverly-disguised life lesson for children, she says, because “kids don’t like you to try to teach life lessons.” For more information, visit alandtheowligator.com.

Janet, Boo & Daisy Meanwhile, Janet’s goal is for her book to ultimately become a classic. If it takes after its creator, it will.

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Living with Children By: John K. Rosemond www.rosemond.com

Discipline vs. Punishment Misusing terminology is not simply a matter of semantics. A person who confuses the meaning of words is likely to behave accordingly. That occurred to me during a conversation with a parent who was using the word discipline as a synonym for punishment. When I pointed that out, he said, somewhat defensively, “What’s the difference?” “We’re talking here about a problem you’re experiencing with one of your children. It’s a problem of discipline, not a problem of punishment.” “Sorry, but I don’t understand,” he said, still a bit prickly. “You seem to think the problem in question requires punishment. I, on the other hand, believe it requires discipline. Discipline is instruction. Punishment is a disciplinary option, but it is not necessarily instructive. That depends on how it’s delivered.” I can only hope that what I told him “stuck.” Too many parents make the mistake of thinking discipline and punishment are one and the same. The root word of discipline is disciple. A child-disciple looks up to the parent (respect), follows the parent’s lead (obedience), and subscribes to the parent’s values (loyalty). That set of characteristics is brought about by being a proper role model and providing proper instruction. Correction is one aspect of the process, and punishment is sometimes the best corrective,

but when punishment is not delivered with a correct attitude on the part of the parent, it can be counterproductive. It can make matters worse. The right attitude is one of calm intolerance. The child should know, without doubt, that the parent is strongly disapproving of the misbehavior in question, but it is vital the parent not be in the grip of anger. When anger dominates a parents’ attempts at correction, it is likely to be nothing more than retaliatory, as in, “I’ll show you!” That accomplishes little if anything. Furthermore, most parents have difficulty following through with consequences described in anger. They tend toward overkill. How does one enforce, “No more Christmases for you, ever!”? The proper attitude is translated, “I don’t like punishing you, but what you have done demands it.” The sorts of things that call for punishment include belligerent disrespect, blatant disobedience, lies that are harmful to someone else, theft, and unjustifiable aggression. Proper punishment makes an impression on a child, one that imparts a permanent memory (which is why a few minutes in time-out is generally worthless, especially for children who have outgrown toddlerhood). Big misbehavior demands a big response, but the way to prevent ever having to enforce a big response is to nip misbehavior in the bud. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The bottom line: The more you instruct, the less you will have to punish, and the less you punish, the better for all concerned.

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February 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 45

The Grands

What is your grandparent name and does it have a special meaning? The kids call me Gran. Our kids called my mother-in-law Granny, and I loved her dearly, so I wanted something like that.

Number of grandchildren and age range? Three grandchildren who are 25, 27 and 31 and now two great-grandchildren who are 7 and the newest 7 months!

Favorite activity with grandkids? Anything they loved to do, I loved it. Tyler played baseball through college. Kelsey played volleyball through college, and Hunter is my singer. I could listen to that boy sing all day.

Advice to other/new grandparents? Enjoy every second of it! Have fun and love them a bunch. You can’t give them too much love! God loans them to us to help Him bring them up the way He wants us to.

What’s your fondest memory of your grandparents? I called my grandmother “Mama” because she really raised me. My favorite memory is how she would put me on a low tree limb and let me run my hands through the leaves. I loved to do that with her.

What do you hope your grandchildren remember about you? Hunter bought me a sign that says, “I can at Grandma’s” and he is right! I want memories to be made here and I want them all to be good ones.

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Glorious Grandkids Josey Jones Granddaughter of: Alex & Roxy Gilchrist, Darla Gilchrist, Glen & Leslie Jones

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48 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

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From the Mouths of Babes... While changing in the bathroom, my then 3-year-old son slapped me on the bottom and said “This is so cool mom, it just keeps going.” HA HA HA! I didn’t think it was really THAT funny!

Christina S.

I just remembered when my daughter was three she asked if she could drive, and I told her she could when she was a grownup, and she said “Yeah, and then I can say ‘speed up or get off the road, dumb butt!’” Oops... mommy had to check her road rage after that!

Autumn W. My 3.5 year old said, “Mommy, Daddy says there might be ice on the moon, but he’s wrong because there’s no water on the moon.”

Who needs a warm bed when you have a warm mommy?

Erin B. We were driving over a hill in our mini-van loaded with extended family when my then 3 year old son shouted, “Hold on everybody, we’re going down.” (it may have been his voice and the timing on that one, but it was hilarious when it happened)!

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

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Happenings Devon Barry has been named as the new director of The School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences at Sam Houston State University. Berry comes to SHSU from Oregon Health & Science University’s School of Nursing in Portland where he concurrently served as the executive associate dean, clinical associate professor, and the interim senior academic officer for DNP Programs. The School of Nursing at Sam Houston State University is one of the most reputable and state-of-the-art nursing schools in Texas as well as being nationally recognized.

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March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 51

Business Focus Story by Rosa Coss Photos by Libby Rogers

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52 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Anyone who has lived in the Huntsville area for a while has likely at some point met Chester Crawford, owner of Chester Crawford Insurance and Tax Services. He’s been doing business here for the past 40 years. He is no stranger to the community, having been born and raised in Huntsville. Crawford graduated from Huntsville High School in 1976. During his senior year, he was the sports editor for the school paper, The Hive; he was also class president and was voted most likely to succeed. He went on to attend college at Sam Houston State University, and he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1980. Soon after, he began working at Huntsville National Bank as a bank teller. “I was the first black male bank teller in Huntsville. I always thought I wanted to work in banking, but that never happened,” said Crawford. While working at the bank, a man started talking to him about working as an insurance agent. Soon after, he obtained his insurance license and opened his own business in December 1981. Since then, he has been providing insurance and tax services to the Huntsville community and surrounding areas. Originally, between 1987 until 1997, his office was located at the old Bennett Building (which was located next to the current Rather Park) before moving to his current location at 100 Hwy 190 East (11th Street).

Crawford “wears many hats” while serving the community in various capacities. He is an Independent Insurance Agent who works with various companies. This allows Crawford to search for the best policies for his clients. Through the years, he has been able to build trusted relationships with his clients and prospective clients through networking, word of mouth, and referrals. His agency offers life and auto insurance, homeowners, and renters insurance. Additionally, he is an enrolled IRS agent and prepares tax returns for individuals, small businesses, S Corporations and partnerships. S Corps are sometimes formed when small businesses start growing. They are business entities that offer tax advantages while maintaining the flexibility of ownership. Crawford also stated he advises clients regarding IRAs, 401k rollovers, and much more. According to Crawford, being an enrolled IRS agent means he can represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, and being awarded the status of an enrolled agent is the highest credential presented by the IRS. This elite status comes with a great deal of responsibility to adhere to ethical standards. Enrolled agents are also required to complete 72 hours of continuing education courses every three years. Crawford is a member of the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the National Society of Tax Professionals. Both of these organizations provide yearround tax continuing education. As if those things weren’t enough to keep him busy, Crawford is a TitleMax Automobile Appraiser, serving Huntsville, Bryan College Station,

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 53

Madisonville, and other surrounding areas. Utilizing the TitleMax App, he uploads photos of vehicles and other pertinent information from the borrower to submit to TitleMax. They then determine a title loan amount in accordance with the value of the vehicle. Finally, Crawford also serves as a Texas Notary Public for anyone needing certification of legal documents, etc. According to Crawford, the COVID pandemic has not adversely affected his business. In fact, it has--in many ways--improved the efficiency of how he does business with his clients. Since people do not currently feel comfortable with face-to-face visits, they have found it more convenient to correspond via emails, text messages, and some even send screen shots of documents they need to submit. All in all, he says business is doing well. Over the years, Crawford has been engaged with his community. Early on in his career, he coached the first championship tee ball team in Huntsville in 1981. He was a member of the Huntsville Leadership Institute class #2 in 1983. He is an active member of the SHSU Booster Club. He was appointed by Dr. James Gaertner to the SHSU alumni board, where he served for 5 years, and is a Life Member of the SHSU Alumni Association. He has been a member of the first Greek fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, for 43 years. Crawford said he enjoys being a part of this fraternity because it promotes brotherhood, develops leaders, and believes in providing service to communities. It teaches men how

Chester Crawford, owner

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to become better men, and it has also been a great way to make connections outside of the local community.

“One of the advantages of working in the same town you grew up, is that you get to know a lot of people, and I know a lot of people,” he said, while nodding at the same time. A great number of them, he met during his childhood, and many others during his college years, as an adult, or through his business. As he reminisced, he pointed out that he grew up in a house across the street from his current business site. He said, “This building was once the East End Washateria, and it was owned and built by Mr. Scott Johnson.” He remembered being about 15 or 16 years old and walking across the street and telling Mr. Johnson he wanted to own that building, and Mr. Johnson would say, “You don’t want to own this,” and he’d respond, “Yes, I do!” He said he also remembers when the old courthouse burned down, when schools were integrated in 1968, and when Martin Luther King was killed. “I was 10 when that happened.” He added that, at this stage of his life, he now knows more people who have died than people who are alive. He stated he sees that as a blessing, because it means he has been around for a long time. Crawford and his wife Pam live in Conroe. She is also an SHSU alum. She worked in oil and gas for 36 years and recently retired. When he’s not at work, Crawford enjoys spending time with his wife and going to church. They attend IMPACT Church of The Woodlands, the same church he and his wife have been going to since they were married 22 years ago. He is also a part of the music and worship ministry at his church. He enjoys traveling, and they have been fortunate to

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have visited various countries. “Two of my most favorite places have been the Vatican, because it’s breathtaking, and Pearl Harbor…it moves me, every time I go.” He also enjoys exercising and runs two miles every day.

On a final note, Crawford reminds everyone that tax season began in January, and he is available to help you prepare and file your tax returns. The deadline to file taxes is April 15, 2021. If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, call 936-661-0692.

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www.alphaderalabs.com 56 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Creative Corner

Flowers or Weeds? By Sara Hardy Bartee

(written in 1991 about her granddaughter Kayla Hatcher [now Mrs. Geoffrey Wright])

The little three-year-old, dressed in her bright colored outfit, bounced out of the house on her way to Sunday School. As she ran toward the car that would carry her and her devoted grandmother to the church, she espied a “flower” growing in the yard. She ran to pick up the flower as her mommy was chiding, “Hurry, so you won’t keep Mam-Maw waiting.” The grandmother was silently thinking, “We only have a few minutes to get to church, or we’ll be late.” But, time means very little to a small child. To her, the most important thing at this particular moment of her life was to pick this flower and present it to her mommy. In this simple act, she was expressing her great love for the one who loves and cares for her each day. She plucked the “flower” with her little hand and on her face appeared pure, sweet love. As she ran to her mommy, who was waiting in the doorway, she saw another

“flower,” just waiting to be picked. Sensing the adults thought she might need to hurry, she pulled the second flower and raced to the mother. “I picked these for you” was the expression on her little face. Following the morning worship service, the grandmother, mother, and child were walking to their cars. Again, the eyes of the child spotted more “flowers.” She picked one for her mommy and on for Mam-Maw. The adults accepted them with half-hearted thanks because their thoughts were on what they believed to be more pressing matters. But later, as the grandmother carried her “flower” from the car and placed it in a small glass of water in her kitchen, she thought about the meaning behind this “flower.” This flower and the ones the child had found in her front yard were recognized by adults as weeds. But this precious child beheld them as flowers. She saw only their beauty and wished to share them with those she loved. She did not pull them up and toss them aside; nor did she just walk past and ignore them. She made them into something worthwhile—a gift to a loved one.

As our heavenly Father looks down from our home on high, he sees us mortals as flowers that can be used to bring joy to those around us. To other humans, we may appear as unsightly weeds, but through His love for us, we are transformed into a flower—a flower that can bring comfort to a bereaved friend, joy to an elderly shut-in hungry for a friendly face, or happiness to someone just in need of an understanding shoulder to lean on. Some flowers are large and showy; others are dainty and delicate. The flowers picked by this child were quite small in size, but coupled with her love, they were equal to an American Beauty rose or the finest orchid. As we begin each day, let us ask ourselves, “Will I be a weed or a flower today?” We do not know the boundless joy we could bring into the lives around us if we would but allow God to use a “weed such as we” to become a flower in the life of another. The flowers picked by the small girl will wither and die, but the love she shared will live on forever in the hearts of the two people to whom she gave her flowers.

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Things my Grandaddy said... Don’t try to hold a barn cat against his will.

Whatever the illness, time is the best cure.

A cat that licks his paw may be scratching his tongue.

Don’t lick a frozen pump handle.

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58 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Vet Connect: By Kim VanWagner, D.V.M.

Alternative/Complementary Medicine Did you know holistic/alternative medicine can be incorporated into the care of your animals as well as yourself? People today are considering alternative medicine more of an option because it may be more compatible with their beliefs regarding the nature and meaning of health and illness. Some people are dissatisfied with conventional treatment options because they have found them to be ineffective, having negative side effects, too costly, impersonal, lacking nutritional or preventative medical counseling and with a lack of health education. Some feel alternative medicine is less authoritarian and empowering, offering more personal autonomy and control over health care decisions. You may have already tried alternative medicine approaches and not even realized it. Some of the more frequently used alternatives to conventional medicine are relaxation techniques, chiropractic, and massage therapy.

based on which part of the world herbs are gotten from (i.e. Chinese Medicine). Homeopathy – based on the principle “like cures like.” Using natural substances to stimulate the body’s natural healing process. Some examples include arnica for pain and sulfur for certain skin conditions. Some commonly used alternative practices--including veterinary recommended acupuncture, behavioral modification, chiropractic treatment, hydrotherapy, naturopathy, and rehabilitative therapy in conjunction with more traditional practices--can help to restore your pet back to health and comfort more quickly.

Terminology can sometimes be vague and confusing. Common terminology mentioned when discussing alternative medicine: Holistic/Integrative/Alternative/Complementary Medicine – an umbrella term for medical approaches not considered conventional (Western) medicine. Holistic medicine attempts to treat the patient as a whole instead of just treating an illness. It also attempts to prevent illness by placing a greater emphasis on optimizing health. Integrative and complementary combines conventional and holistic or “non-traditional” approaches. Herbal Medicine – medication made from plants or plant extracts. These are generally broken down into studies

Finding appropriate remedies can be especially difficult and should be handled by professionals. Make sure you consult or seek professional advice after thorough diagnostics have been done to obtain a definitive diagnosis by your veterinarian. For example, a qualified animal chiropractor will work under the supervision of a veterinarian and, at times, will require definitive diagnosis viewed on radiographic images. Herbal medications can be used cautiously to manage several disease states, ideally under the care of a veterinarian, since some holistic treatments can actually be harmful if used inappropriately. For example, certain essential oils can actually be toxic to pets. If you’re interested in trying a more holistic approach to your pets’ care, visit with your veterinarian about alternative treatment options that might be available for your pet.

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

• Shop & Field Fabrication - Repair • All Type Of Metals • Custom Fabrication • Wholesale Steel

• Pole Barns • Pipe & Cable Fencing • Large & Small Jobs • Free Estimates

No Job to big or to small. Shop (936)

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PO Box 1477 • 1023 FM 1696 West • Huntsville, TX 77342-1477 • Fax # (936) 294-9728 March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 59

60 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Along the Road Padre Island Area 209 sq mi Length 113 mi Width 1.61 mi Counties: Cameron, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Willacy Padre Island is the largest of the Texas barrier islands and the world’s longest barrier island. The island is located along Texas’s southern coast of the Gulf of Mexico and is noted for its white sandy beaches. Padre Island is the second-largest island by area in the contiguous United States, after Long Island in New York.

body-a

HEADING-1A

The town of South Padre Island is located on its southern end, with the city of Corpus Christi situated at the northern end, but the island as a whole is sparsely populated. The central part of the island is preserved in a natural wild state as Padre Island National Seashore and part of the lower island is protected as part of the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. Padre Nicholas Balli, for whom the island gets its name, was the first European to bring ranching to the island. He and his nephew Juan founded El Rancho Santa Cruz de Buena Vista (later known as the Lost City), where he kept cattle, horses and mules. The actual ranch and outbuildings, located about 26 miles north of the island’s southern tip, were little more than thatched huts known as jacals. Because of its natural fences of water, the island was a perfect spot for raising livestock. Ironically, Balli never lived on the island that bears his name today. He left the day-to-day operations of the ranch to his nephew Juan, who also held title to a sizable amount of the island. The Padre spent most of his time on the mainland ministering to the spiritual and material needs of his people. He served as a missionary priest and collector of finances for all the churches in the Rio Grande Valley. He also founded the first mission in present-day Cameron County.

•HERITAGE •STRENGTH •STABILITY •SERVICE Excelling in Member Service for more than 64 years!

Padre Balli died on April 16, 1829 and was buried near Matamoros.

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walkercountyfcu.com Your savings federally insured to at least $250,000 and backed by the full faith and credit of the United States Government. Membership restrictions apply.

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 61

awesome apps!

Spring is in the air... and so are ALLERGIES! Is your pet itching, scratching, & sneezing? Make an appointment, we can diagnose your pet! We offer allergy testing, hypoallergenic foods, soothing medicated bathes for your fur babies.

11th Street Veterinary Hospital Your Pet, Our Priority! Schedule an Appointment Today for Your Four-Legged Family Members

(936) 293-8900 1705 11th Street • Huntsville

Mon., Wed., Thur., Fri. 7 to 6 • (closed 1-2)

Tues

7 to 1

62 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Sat.

8 to 12

Adobe Photoshop Camera Adobe Photoshop Camera is a fun, free photo-editing app that lets you express your unique style with creative photo art. Use cool effects like blur background and over 100 different lens options including Dreamy, Monochrome, Vintage, and Ambient Skies, plus lots of fun filters, and dazzle with your beautiful camera work on social media.

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

Photoshop Camera is packed with fun and amazing AIpowered features that help you choose the right lens and take gorgeous selfies, food and scenery shots, the perfect portrait, and more. Quick auto-tone fixes and portrait controls mean you can apply unique photo effects like blur background and fun filters for your pictures to create high-quality photos with a simple tap or swipe of your finger.

“Seens” from our World

Sad, not sad to see Joe go!

Wonder if this one’s half price?

Seen by: Robert Allen

Seen by: PC Staff

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

Because Pets Are Family Too Quality Veterinary Care

• Internal Medicine • Preventive Care • Vaccines/Titer testing • Online Pharmacy and Medical Records Like us on Facebook!

455 W SH 150 • New Waverly

• Surgery • Spay & Neuter • Digital Dental Xrays • Dental Care • Microchipping

www.vethospitalnewwaverly.com

• Convenient Drop Off and Pick Up Hours • Geriatric Care • Laser Therapy • Equine Reproduction

936.344.8469

February 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 63

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

Must Covid Vaccination be Causation for Frustration or Celebration of Salvation? There are colossal numbers of microorganisms (commonly called germs) coexisting with us. Germs preceded us by billions of years! Nearly incalculable numbers live on our skin, in our nose and mouth, and especially in our bowels. The lining tissue keeps us safe. However, certain germs (especially viruses) have developed the ability to enter our internal bodies defying our resistant barriers. Our immune systems are geniuses almost beyond imagination as they function to keep us safe from the dangerous viral marauders we bump into. They are far more complex than any factory ever designed, because they recognize invaders, send killer cells to intercept and imprison them, and produce submicroscopic molecules to destroy them. The process takes time for the initiation of producing the demolisher molecules, which allows the virus to multiply and damage the infected one’s body. The time is required for a set of immune cells to assemble the internal molecular structure to make the neutralizing antibodies. For varying lengths of time after the invader has been eliminated, the amazing immune system retains the ability to rapidly remanufacture

those exact saving molecules. Before all this was known, an English physician named Edward Jenner noted that cow maids did not get the deadly smallpox (which was killing huge numbers of people) if they had been infected with cowpox, which produced similar skin lesions, but mild disease. GREAT! He vaccinated children with serum from boils of people with cowpox in 1796 and became the Father of Immunology. The covid-19 virus is the most destructive beast to come around in over a century, but two vaccines (and soon to be more) hold promise to end the American epidemic. But wait, over a third of Americans still say they refuse to be vaccinated…and it will take over three–fourths vaccinated to end the epidemic. Surprisingly, more holdouts are in vulnerable groups with higher infection rates! Holdout thinking is even more amazing when the wonderfully beneficial results from huge scientific vaccine trials are considered. The protection was much better than the flu vaccine, with well over 90% safeguarded and, of the few who came down with Covid, there was over 97% protection from the severe form which hospitalizes and kills. Holdouts consider hollow reports of the vaccine’s side effects. Side effects are minor aggravations signaling your body’s immune system is just gearing up. Wholesome! Out of thousands receiving the Moderna vaccine, three died--but three receiving the placebo died, and the FDA ruled deaths in those vaccinated were unrelated to the vaccine. AMAZING! So, opposing views about the vaccine’s benefits appear to be unfounded. Free will is a great part of our social, religious, and political lives; it allows us to live the life we choose as individuals and (mostly) do what we want if not damaging others. So, if one chooses, one can jump out of an airplane without a parachute (but only once, never twice). THINK! For more Covid info go to drjimshealthtips.com.

n u R e l p p a Pine EXPO LINEUP

•Jaws of Life demo •Drunk Driving Simulator •KIDS Korner •STEP Program •Seatbelt Safety •Texting/Driving Simulator • and More! FREE TO ATTEND!

64 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | February 2021

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Health Matters managingfear.com By Stanley Popovich

Learn How to Manage Your Everyday Stresses and Anxieties Everybody deals with stress and anxiety; however, the key is to know what to do when your stressed out. It is not always easy to keep your feelings from getting the best of you. With this in mind, here are seven tips to help manage daily stresses and anxieties before they get out of control. 1. Get all the facts of the situation: Gathering the facts of a certain event can prevent us from relying on exaggerated and fearful assumptions. By focusing on the facts, a person can rely on what is reality and what is not. Most importantly, do not focus on your fearful thoughts when you are stressed out. 2. Take a break: Sometimes, we get stressed when everything happens all at once. When this happens, take a deep breath and find something to do for a few minutes to get your mind off the problem. Take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper, or do an activity that will give a fresh perspective on things. 3. Carry a small notebook of positive statements with you: Another helpful technique in managing fear is to have a small notebook of

positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed, open your small notebook and read those statements. 4. You can’t predict the future: While the consequences of a particular fear may seem real, there are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. We may be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is that one percent to make a world of difference. 5. Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking: When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Focus on the reality of your situation and not on your thoughts. Your fearful thoughts can make things worse, so try to focus on something positive when you get anxious. 6. Divide your activities into separate steps: When facing a current or upcoming task that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps, then complete each of the smaller tasks one step at a time. Completing these smaller activities will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success. 7. Take advantage of the help available around you: There are many individuals who have been expertly trained in the field of psychology to help us find ways to manage fear and anxiety. Seek out someone you trust to provide sound advice and guidance. This same professional can also help you create an action plan for dealing with fears and anxieties in the future.

When you support a local realtor

mckenziesbarbeque.com 1548 11th St • Huntsville

(936) 291-7347

Open: Mon.-Thurs. • 10:30 am - 8 pm Fri. - Sat. • 10:30 am - 9 pm

1711 E Main St • Madisonville

(936) 348-2118

Open: Tue. - Wed. 10:30 am - 2 pm Thurs. • 10:30 am - 8 pm Fri. - Sat. • 10:30 am - 9 pm

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

February 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 65

inery First W lker a W in County

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

104A Knox Circle • Huntsville

936-293-8855

Suduko Marketplace Easy Sudoku Exhibit Now Showing

El Camino Real de los Tejas: Its History, People and Places January 12 – March 21, 2021 Exhibit Gallery Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center 1402 19th Street, Huntsville, TX

samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com M E M B E R T H E T E X A S S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y S Y S T E M

Woods Tree Service Texans Serving Texans

• TOTAL REMOVAL • TRIMMING • STUMP GRINDING • LAND CLEARING • INSURED LOCALLY • FIREWOOD • FREE ESTIMATES • SENIOR AND VETERAN DISCOUNTS

Owner: Gene Woods

Resident of Walker County for 44 Years Graduate of HHS & SHSU

www.Joettas.com is always open!

located inside West Hill Mall

936-661-8180 Satisfaction Guaranteed!

66 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

936-661-6125

Getting home should be EASY.

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

I'll make sure it is.

Fax: 832-201-5359

see answers on page 21 Your key to great service.

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kelly@kellylawson.realtor 936-525-9589 RESIDENTIAL • FARM & RANCH • COMMERCIAL

What our advertisers are saying...

Congratulations

POSTCARDS Magazine

Fun classes are coming your way!

Postcards has consistently been the most effective form of advertising we use. Customers come in from all over, and we have seen specific growth from using the Lake Conroe edition of Postcards! Just recently a couple came in and said the photos of our store in our ads were so pretty, they just had to come up and see it for themselves! We hear this all the time. Postcards is a good quality form of advertising that people notice and pay attention to!

Congratulations on 10 years! 936-291-6929 Follow us on Facebook

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

David & Jackie Ward Ward Furniture & Flooring March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 67

www.MadilenesPianoService.com • HUB Certified

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

Suduko Marketplace

In business since 1972 Locally owned and operated

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Residential and Commercial Service Security and Fire Systems Fire Inspections • Access Control Cameras • Alarm Monitoring

936-291-0068 PO Box 425 • Huntsville 7022 B Hwy 75 South • Huntsville

Family owned and operated since 1977 3736 Hwy 19 Riverside, TX 77367

936-594-2591 Visit us at

tallentsausage.com 68 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

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

see answers on page 21

Custom Metal Art by Jeff Sullivan

Good Luck Sudoku Specializing in:

• Gates • Ranch Signs

• Entrances • Fireplace Screens

6753 FM 244 • Anderson, TX 77830

(936) 581-2218

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

MUSTANG TITLE

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

(936) 349-8515

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

mustangtitletx.com

A Division of Walker County Title Co. March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 69

Wildlife Wonders THE INVADERS – NUTRIA By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center

Simply stated, an invasive species is a non-native plant, animal, or insect that can cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. There is one invasive animal often mistaken for a beaver or otter, and it’s called a nutria. They were brought to the United States from South America for their fur and were kept on fur farms. Some escaped, and in the 1940s, many were released into the wild when the fur market collapsed. Nutria are now considered one of the most ecologically harmful species on the planet. They can be found in 40 states and all areas of Texas except for the Panhandle and extreme west Texas. Nutria are large rodents weighing up to 20 pounds, but are smaller than beavers, which can weigh up to 50 pounds. They have orange teeth, are semi-aquatic, and multiply very rapidly, having up to 3 litters every year. They have partially webbed hind feet to aid in swimming. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils sit high on their heads so they are able to keep their heads above the waterline. They have valves on their mouths and nostrils that seal out the water when they are submerged. Nutria have a rat-like tail, while beavers have broad flat tails. One sure way to distinguish a nutria from a beaver or otter are the whiskers. Nutria have white whiskers, while beavers and otters have black whiskers. So why are they considered invasive? Nutria live in burrows connected by tunnels dug near rivers, canals, and lakes--causing erosion and flooding.

They eat native wetland plants and will eat the entire plant—roots and all. Because the roots are eaten, the plants will not grow back. Additionally, with the root system gone, the soil is destabilized, which causes erosion. In addition to wetland plants, nutria eat many agricultural plants like rice, corn, wheat, sugar, peanuts, and more. They may even dine on your vegetable garden or newly planted grass. Because of their burrowing behavior, flood-control and water-retaining levees are damaged. They also burrow into flotation supports under boat docks, under building foundations, roads, streams, and dams. The damage weakens the structures and can cause them to lean, sink, or even collapse. Not only are nutria bad for our environment, nutria are host to many diseases and parasites including tuberculosis, septicemia, tapeworm, liver flukes, and nematodes. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, it can be a real health hazard for domestic animals, livestock, and people to drink or swim in water contaminated with nutria feces and urine. For information on controlling nutria, contact the nearest office of TexasAgriLife Extension-Wildlife Services. TWRC Wildlife Center is a wildlife rehabilitation facility that treats injured and orphaned wildlife. We also serve as a resource for your wildlife questions. We can be reached at 713-468-TWRC or check our website at www. twrcwildlifecenter.org.

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

936-344-2424

newwaverlypharmacy.com Mon. - Fri. 8:30 - 6:00 Sat. 9:00 - 1:00

9320 C Hwy 75 South New Waverly

281-808-4893 70 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

Giggles & Grins Don’t forget, you are what you eat…. I need to eat a skinny person.

Q: What did the egg say to the frying pan? A: You crack me up.

Supporting Our Youth! The Huntsville ISD Board of Trustees & Administration proudly supports the Walker County Fair & Pro Rodeo by recognizing March 26 - April 3, 2021 as “County Fair Week!”

Good luck to all of our HISD youth participants!

Q: How do bulls write? A: With a bullpen.

Q: How do you get an alien baby to sleep? A: You rocket.

2020-2021 HHS FFA OFFICERS Q: What did the hurricane say to the island? A: I’ve got my eye on you!

We invite you to join us in helping to support our HISD students participating with projects in this year’s fair...

JOIN THE HISD BUYERS GROUP Q: What is thin, white, and scary? A: Homework.

An investment in our youth through community involvement. We welcome and appreciate donations of any amount. Contact Shannon Duncan HISD Director of Communications

Q: What do you call a happy cowboy? A: A jolly rancher.

(936) 435-6397 or sduncan@huntsville-isd.org

936-435-6300

or visit www.huntsville-isd.org March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 71

Twenty Questions

Kay

King

GOT PESTS? CALL THE EXPERTS! • Rodent Control • Household Pests • Mosquito Control • Roaches • Ants • Spiders • Termite Control & Inspection • Lawn and Ornamental Treatments • Weed Control

Kay is a Huntsville native and is the owner of the Rusty Chippy Hippy Vintage, Antique & Repurpose Show. You can catch her out at the Walker County Fairgrounds March 13-14 this month during the event! 1

SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED? Huntsville High School and Sam Houston State University

FAVORITE MOVIE? Steel Magnolias

HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST DOLLAR? Oh wow - I’m sure doing something for my daddy, but I don’t know what it was!

BOOK THAT LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU? The Bible

LAST THING YOU BINGE-WATCHED? Firefly Lane

6 WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU RIDING DOWN THE ROAD LISTING TO? KSBJ 7 YOUR FAVORITE DISH? Lasagna 8

YOUR GO-TO BARISTA ORDER? I’m not a coffee drinker!

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY? Going to the Trinity River and water skiing every weekend with the whole family--aunts, uncles, cousins, you name it!

10 SOMETHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE US ABOUT YOU? I’m missing part of my finger! 11 WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING ON YOUR DAY OFF? Playing with my grandbabies. 12 HOW WOULD YOUR PERFECT DAY BEGIN? With my grandbabies! 13 HOW DO YOU CLEAR YOUR MIND AFTER A BAD DAY? I usually read.

Serving Huntsville & surrounding areas since 1981

D.L. Shiver II (936) 291-2902

14 ONE THING YOU’RE EPICALLY BAD AT? Making time for myself. 15 BUCKET LIST ITEM YOU’RE MOST GLAD YOU’VE DONE? Gone on a cruise with my daughter and friends. 16 TOP THING LEFT TO DO ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? I would like to go to Canada. 17 IF YOU COULD LIVE ABROAD, WHERE WOULD THAT BE? Australia 18 WHO DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY? My daddy, because he always set good guidelines for us and held us responsible. He taught us how to be hard workers. 19 BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN? Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Member of Walker County Chamber of Commerce License: TPCL 0774786

20 ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Kind of goes along with don’t sweat the small stuff - Will it matter a year or two from now? If not, don’t worry about it. 72 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

CALENDAR

March

Huntsville Sam Houston Birthday/Texas Independence Day Events

4-5

College Station Aaron Watson at Hurricane Harry’s

6-7

etix.com

Huntsville Run for the Wall RIDE and Auto Show HEARTS

6-7

huntsvilletexas.com

Gifts for every occasion

936-295-5959

Conroe Collaborative Mural with Vickie McMillan Hayes

conroeartleague.com

8-9

Huntsville Online Walker County Master Gardeners Spring Sale

facebook.com/walkercountymastergardeners

Conroe “Footloose”

owentheatre.com

Gifts. Flowers. Coffee.

13-14 Huntsville Rusty, Chippy, Vintage, Hippy & Garden Show

huntsvilleantiqueshow.com

20-21 Conroe Houston Music and Arts Festival

houstonartsfestival.com

20-21 Huntsville Hospitality House Virtual Golf Fundraiser

thehospitalityhouse.org

26-27 Conroe “An Authentic Tribute to the King!”

109 W. Trinity St. Madisonville, Tx 77864

Crightontheatre.org

936-348-5903

26-Apr 3 Huntsville Walker County Fair (judged events-check website)

shophearttoheart.com

walkercountyfair.com

hearttoheartflowers.com

Huntsville

shophearttoheart

Herb Festival at the Wynne Home

texasthymeunit.org

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.

heart2hearttx

March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 73

Mustard Seed Moments by Wes Altom AMPing it up in 2021 The Amplified Bible (AMP) is an English language translation of the Bible produced jointly by Zondervan and The Lockman Foundation. The first edition was published in 1965. It is designed to “amplify” the text by using additional wording and a system of punctuation and other typographical features to attempt to bring out a clearer meaning to the original texts. The whole point of amplification is to make scripture more meaningful and relevant for today without changing the original intent and meaning. This can often be done by providing additional words for clarity, and sometimes by helping context be more applicable today. Below are three versions of Ephesians 4:29 for our consideration:

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV) Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such

[speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. (Classic AMP) Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth [or from your keyboard or keypad], but only such [content] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear [or encounter] it. (Classic AMP w/author emphasis added) May the Spirit guide us as we guard our thoughts and speech in all forms of expression.

Welcome Dr. Aaron Fritsch! Dr. Scott Logan and staff are pleased to welcome our new associate, Dr. Aaron Fritsch, to our patient care team.

Scott A. Logan, DDS Master, Academy of General Dentistry

Aaron Fritsch, DDS Texas born and raised

Guest instructor at the worldrenowned Pankey Institute

Office (936) 291-6589

3205 Robinson Creek Parkway • Huntsville 74 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | March 2021

www.drscottlogan.com

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 March 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 75

COMPLEX NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS Treated in The Woodlands

At Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, our physicians collaborate across specialties to diagnose and treat common to complex neurological disorders. With innovative and advanced treatment options, we provide the most comprehensive care — close to home. Recognized as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, our experts demonstrate the highest level of skill for the treatment of serious stroke events. And, during the coronavirus outbreak, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe. Our team of physicians treats a variety of disorders, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders • Headaches and migraines

242

The Woodlands

HOUSTON METHODIST THE WOODLANDS HOSPITAL

• Neuropathy • Parkinson’s disease and tremors

• Sleep disorders • Stroke/TIA

To find a doctor or schedule an appointment, visit houstonmethodist.org/woodlands-neuro or call 936.270.3333.