Piney Woods
January 2024
POSTCARDS Magazine
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Shellie Geer • Chilly at the Lodge • Col. James Ray • Huntsville Memorial Hospital
BEFORE
AFTER 180 I-45 • Huntsville Mon. - Fri. 8-5:30 • Sat. 9-4 2 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
wardfurniture.com 936-295-2514 Like us on Facebook!
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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FEATURES
January 2024 | Volume 14, Issue 1
14 Do You Know?
Shellie Geer
30 Local Treasures
Chilly at the Lodge
Cover Photo by Brooke Willis Postcards 2022 Photo Contest 3rd Place Winner, Seasons
40 Inspirations
Col. James Ray
66 Business Focus
Huntsville Memorial Hospital
FAVORITES 20 Questions -13 Along the Road -39 Awesome Apps -21 Community Calendar -80 Conundrum -48 Creative Corner -79 Dear Gabby -20 From Our Readers -6 From the Mouth of Babes -72 Garden Post, The -24
Giggles & Grins -38 Glorious Grandkids -76 Kidding Around -62 Let’s Celebrate -12 Medical Matters -36 Milestones -27 Mustard Seed Moments - 82 Pet Pals -46 Publisher’s Post -9 Puzzle Solutions -28
4 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
“Seens” from our World -22 Star Students -54 Sudoku Marketplace -49 Teachers Touching Tomorrow -53 The Grands -77 Things My Granddaddy Said -26 What Are You Reading -10 What’s Cookin’? -56 Wildlife Wonders -74 Your Best AgriLife -78
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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From Our Readers Great Success Wow! What an amazing day. The Texas Mushroom Festival was a great success. There were lots of visitors, lots of laughter, and lots of happy vendors and volunteers. You and Postcards were a part of the success. Thank you for your continued support.
Camilla Viator
Contest What an honor! Thanks so much for the opportunity to be a part of this great publication! Full of great information!
Michele Miller
Thank you so much; I’m so excited! Look forward to seeing my photo on the cover!
Stacy Adams-Roberts
Thank you very much; this Photo contest is always a great contest.
Cade Crippin
Local Resource Postcards Magazine is such an awesome local resource!
Natali Maness
Shared recipes I love your magazine and look forward to receiving it every month. In the September edition, Dear Gabby shared some recipes for tuna, chicken, and shrimp salads all made with hard-boiled eggs. I have made the tuna and shrimp salads twice each so far. I have chickens, so was glad to see recipes that included eggs. I also sell my extra eggs and would like Gabby’s permission to hand out the recipes to my customers. What kind of permission do I need to obtain from her?
Lorie Campese
Funded in part by a grant from the City of Conroe.
6 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Editor’s Note: Glad you enjoy them and think they are worth sharing. You have our permission to do so!
START OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH HEALTHY SKIN.
HAVE YOUR SKIN CHECKED TODAY
BEST WISHES FOR A JOYOUS NEW YEAR FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!
936-522-4966 The Woodlands
Conroe
281-943-2749
936-522-4966
9305 Pinecroft Dr. • Suite 305
4015 I-45 N @ League Line Rd.
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
Conroe, Texas 77304
Visit us at: PerriDermatology.com January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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8 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Publisher’s Post Karen Altom
Your Local Community Magazine! PostcardsLive.com
If you would like to receive our magazine and are not currently on our mailing list, subscriptions are available. MAILED to select postal routes in Huntsville, New Waverly, Midway, Madisonville, Riverside and Trinity. FREE rack copies at advertisers and businesses in towns listed above. Published Monthly by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc. Publisher Karen Altom Editor Wes Altom Operations Manager Marshall Altom Advertising Team Nancy Jolly Kent Holder Leah Lamp Marshall Altom Design Team Mary Partida April Key
publisher@postcardslive.com
Blessings Big and Small As I begin this new year, I admit I am still thinking about Christmas cards. The reason? Thanks to them, I begin this year with a strong sense of gratitude. While addressing Christmas cards this year, I thought of each person(s) and the role they have played in my life. Some, I have known since childhood. Some, I met in my job traveling the country before Wes and I married. Many are friends we have made over the last 30+ years, but all are incredibly special to us and are counted as blessings. It also leaves me to wonder who I may address a card to next year that I do not yet know. New friends to be made…how much fun to think of that! The other reason I am still thinking about Christmas cards is because this year, we decided to only use our three grandsons for the photo (instead of the entire family). The most important reason for that is we never got around to taking the entire family picture, AND you grandparents know… those kiddos are just the cutest! We have giggled a little (ok, a lot) as our grown children have made comments like, “Guess now we’re just chopped liver,” and “Nevermind about your OWN kids!” Heehee. They’ll understand one of these days…but I will plan to have a family photo earlier in 2024 so they will not have to start therapy! We once again thank you as we begin this year. Thank you for the time you spend with us each month. Thank you for supporting the advertisers who make this possible. They are our heroes, because they believe in what we do and are investing in helping us keep our community connected. Please let them know you appreciate them, too! I believe strong communities stay that way by helping each other. Here’s to a wonderful year. We wish you and your family all the best! (And here’s a photo we took last week so they can stop whining!)
Happy New Year, ~
Karen
Printed in Texas by Shweiki Media Online: www.PostcardsLive.com Address: PO Box 690 Huntsville, TX 77342 Call our Office: 936.293.1188 We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of any unsolicited material. No material from Postcards Magazine™ can be copied, faxed, electronically, or otherwise used without express written permission. Publication of articles, advertisements or product information does not constitute endorsement or approval by Postcards Magazine™ and/ or its publisher. Business Focus stories printed in Postcards Magazine™ are drawn at random from contract advertisers. © 2024 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved. Deacon, Ryan, Abby, Karen, Wes, Marshall, Walker, Kathryn, and Sutton
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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Physical therapy keeps you
moving.
What Are You Reading? Lynne StewartBenavides reading
The Royal Succession By Maurice Druon
We celebrate the blessing of helping our patients achieve a more active and pain-free life.
Together we can overcome!
Debbye Jones reading
Angel Falls By Kathryn Casey
Joseph Shook reading
The Charlie I Knew By Francis J. Schuck, Jr.
Huntsville • 936.294.0283
Conroe • 936.494.1292
• 127 Medical Park Lane
• 1020 Riverwood Ct. Suite 120
• 227 Hwy 75 N • Suite 245
Tell us what you’re reading!
PostcardsLive.com 10 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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Let’s Celebrate! This Month’s Business Anniversaries:
1854 - Celebrating 170 years
1992 - Celebrating 32 years
First Christian Church, DOC
Dr. Means & Associates
See ad on page 58
See ad on page 69
1890 - Celebrating 134 years
1999 - Celebrating 25 years
First National Bank of Huntsville
Sims Dentistry
See ad on page 61
See ad on page 36
1966 - Celebrating 58 years
2000 - Celebrating 24 years
Heartfield Florist
G2 Construction
See ad on page 26
See ad on page 46
1971 - Celebrating 53 years
2001 - Celebrating 23 years
Moak & Moak
Main Street Huntsville
See ad on page 22
See ad on page 19
1980 - Celebrating 44 years
2005 - Celebrating 19 years
Huntsville Physical Medicine Institute
Davis Wealth & Risk Mgmt Inc
See ad on page 29
See ad on page 70
1985 - Celebrating 39 years
2009 - Celebrating 15 years
Kim’s Home and Garden Center
Vick Lumber LLC
See ad on page 53
See ad on page 26
MEMORIES ARE PRECIOUS AND DESERVE TO BE CELEBRATED.
Your hometown experts in celebrating life! shmfh.com Family-Owned and Managed since 2002 Huntsville • Montgomery • Willis 12 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Twenty Questions
Matt Carey
UGLY CONCRETE??
Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church Madisonville
1
SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED? Hearne High
2
FAVORITE MOVIE? Freedom Writers
3
HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST DOLLAR? Paper Route
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BOOK THAT LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU? Radical by David Platt
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LAST THING YOU BINGE-WATCHED? The Office
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WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU RIDING DOWN THE ROAD LISTENING TO? Christian music
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YOUR FAVORITE DISH? Pecan Crusted Chicken
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YOUR GO-TO BARISTA ORDER? Cafe Mocha
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FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY Going to Kings Island.
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SOMETHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE US ABOUT YOU? Born in Indiana
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WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING ON YOUR DAY OFF? Playing with grandkids
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HOW WOULD YOUR PERFECT DAY BEGIN? My quiet time
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HOW DO YOU CLEAR YOUR MIND AFTER A BAD DAY? Hang out with my wife
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ONE THING YOU’RE EPICALLY BAD AT? Singing
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BUCKET LIST ITEM YOU’RE MOST GLAD YOU’VE DONE? Mission trips out of the country
16
TOP THING LEFT TO DO ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? See my great-grandkids
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IF YOU COULD LIVE ABROAD, WHERE WOULD THAT BE? Philippines
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WHO DO YOU ADMIRE? My wife, she loves Jesus!
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BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN? My relationship with others depends on my relationship with God.
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ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF? Take time to enjoy my parents more.
Before
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For a free quote & design consultation Contact Cassie Quinlan
713.557.3566 Cassie@stampedecoatings.com January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
13
Dear Gabby Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. By the time you read this, we’ll probably have finished with our ‘To Do List for the First Week in January’, otherwise known as New Year’s Resolutions. May your troubles last as long as your New Year’s Resolutions. My only resolution was to stop lying to myself about making lifestyle changes. We all know me better than that! Submit questions (about life in general, or specific problems), to me by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share.
DEAR TIWUTS If you thought this was a technical hotline, did you ever get a wrong number! All I can do is commiserate with you about the avalanche of technology that has buried most of us. It’s a good thing the new phones perform most of their functions without much input from the users. Unfortunately, those people who are so excited about the new iPhone are the same ones that missed the awesome technology of using their blinker when they drive. GABBY
DEAR GABBY I am researching a new phone and got so confused with all the technology available on the new ones that I almost flunked my dry January protocol. There are pages of specs on categories that I wasn’t aware existed. The TrueDepth camera comes with Animoji and Memoji. I don’t even know what that is. The only choice I am fairly sure of is the color.
CONFIDENTIAL TO “UNDERSTANDING WOMEN” You guys really have a thing about this, don’t you? Once you understand why the pizza is made round, packed in a square box, and eaten as a triangle, then you will understand women.
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20 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
www.CallMcWilliams.com
Awesome Apps
Headspace
A few minutes could change your whole day. Meditation has been shown to help people stress less, focus more. and even sleep better. Headspace is meditation made simple, teaching you the life-changing skills of meditation and mindfulness in just a few minutes a day. Browse the Headspace Library and pick from courses and single meditation sessions to suit your mood and lifestyle. Choose your session length, replay your favorites, and learn how to apply mindfulness to your everyday activities. “I never thought I’d be able to meditate. Not only can I meditate now, but this app has actually cured my longsuffering insomnia.”
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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“Seens” from our World
Bet he gets into heated discussions with his customers!
This could result in a steeplechase!
Seen by: Jamie Brinegar
Seen by: Sally Turlington
Share the funny and unusual things you’ve seen!
PostcardsLive.com
PROFESSIONAL
LAW FIRM & LEGAL SERVICE Wills & Probate • Estate Planning • Guradianships Trusts • Elder Law • Business Planning • Real Estate
www.moakandmoak.com 1315 11th St. • Huntsville, TX
(936) 295-6394 Attorneys at Law Sam A. Moak 22 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Serving East Texas Since 1972
Licensed by The Texas Supreme Court
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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The Garden Post By Kim Bius
It’s Not Too Early to Shop and Plant! Welcome 2024! January 2nd marks 39 years for me in the nursery, garden center, and landscape industry—and what a beloved journey it has been! Many things have changed, but the passion and basic “known” techniques are the same. Revolutionary new technology is on the way that will change the industry and our lifestyles forever. New products and a definite return to “cleaner” methods, nongmo seeds, and “home gardens/ locally grown” for controlling your food source is a top priority. All this seems a bit higher than our local spectrum, so we will return to our area gardening front.
Oak Leaf Holly
24 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
January is traditionally the month bare root fruit trees, shade trees, and roses arrive to garden centers. Premium garden centers will soak the roots overnight, plant in their own special potting/fertilizer solution (recipe), and place in biodegradable peat containers for consumer
Savannah Holly purchase. If you are searching for something unusual or just want “first pick” on hard-to-find varieties, January is definitely the time to begin. Folks often make the mistake of shopping when they see the plant blooming or producing fruit; optimum planting time is when the plants are dormant and generally 60-90 days prior. We are often asked, “When can I begin planting?” Southeast Texas has a 10-12 month planting season, and you can plant trees and shrubs between 35-95 degrees. Can you plant outside of these parameters? Absolutely, but be prepared to water daily or use freeze protection, if the plant is not dormant. To date, our overnight temperatures have been slightly above freezing, making this the perfect time to plant trees, shrubs,
but a natural food source for our feathered friends. Keep your birdbaths clean and full of fresh water. For the home crafter, start with a florist green wreath foam and make your own outdoor wreath from holly, pine, and other readily available foliage from your landscape. Spray with water every few days and they will generally last a few weeks, and be fragrant, too. They need cooler temperatures inside, but can always be moved outdoors again after the party or company leaves.
perennials, and cold weather annuals. When planting new trees and shrubs, apply a root stimulator to increase production of anchor roots and not stem and leaf production. Fertilome makes an excellent root stimulator we have used for decades. It gives plants a mini-insurance policy going forward. Use 4 tablespoons per gallon of water for every 3’ of plant height (instructions are on the label)
“Building the American Dream” A True Custom Home Builder
Sullivan Classic Homes, Inc.
Email:
psullivan@sullivanclassichomes.com
upon planting and again in 6 weeks. Sickly looking plants (not due to watering, disease, or insect issues) can often be cured by feeding the root system. Do not forget to feed the birds this season, and add a large holly shrub (such as American, Savannah or Oak Leaf Holly) to not only bring elegance to your plantings,
January is also the time for making plant and product requests to your local garden centers, as well as attending workshops. Check out websites and social media pages, and you will be sure to find local seminars and events to attend. January is also a great time to reach out to local gardening groups or even apply for spring “plant technicians”-every garden center needs experienced pros on hand who love working in the garden! It has been a fun and love filled journey, sharing gardening tips with everyone through the years. Sending well wishes for great health, joy, and prosperity in the New Year! Happy Gardening.
New Year.
New Hair!
Website:
www.sullivanclassichomes.com
Making our customers dreams become a realty in Walker, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Montgomery, and other surrounding counties.
New Construction & Remodeling Metal & Pole Buildings Paul Sullivan: 936-672-4713 Danica Reese: 979-571-4000
Follow us on Facebook to see our current projects
1370 Hwy 75 N Huntsville • 936-291-7100 January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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VICK
Things My Granddaddy Said
LUMBER LLC
A journey of a thousand miles… sometimes begins with a swift kick in the pants.
Mon. - Fri. 7 am - 5 pm • Sat. 7 am - 12 pm 206 West Magnolia Street • Madisonville, TX
936-348-3522 We can handle all your building material needs! ~ Randy & Rita Lowery Owners
Each moment in a day has its own value. Morning brings hope, afternoon brings faith, evening brings love and night brings rest. Hope you will have all of them everyday in the coming year.
Happy New Year
Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
Be neither a hedgehog nor a doormat.
If it’s dirty–it’s doubtful. (Meaning if it’s questionable – don’t do it.)
In for a penny, in for a pound.
If you can’t be good, be careful.
The bigger the battle, the bigger the victory.
Publisher Karen Altom and her Granddaddy J.C. Farris
huntsvilleheartfieldflorist.com 1525 Sam Houston Ave. • Huntsville 26 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
(936) 295-5448
As I grow older, more and more often I find myself saying, “Like my Granddaddy used to say…” In an effort to keep some of these old sayings alive, we are sharing them here. Please feel free to share yours with us!
Milestones
Share your Milestone!
PostcardsLive.com/Share
Juliet Logan is 1!!! Parents: Kirby & Taryn Logan Big Brother: Wells Logan Grandparents: Scott & Janet Logan Great-grandmother: Robbie Kirby Photographer: Kinsey Dulaney
Happy 77th birthday to Roy Stevens
MR BRASIL
Paint & Remodeling Specialist
“No Job Is Too Small” Paint • Stain • Wall Textures Sheetrock • Pressure Wash Carpentry • Wood Floor Fence • Wood Deck & Tile
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936-662-0756 January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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3 9 7 4 8 1 2 6
5
Sudoku #3 Sudoku #4 5 4 2 79 11 38 76 9 2 58 86 2 4 8 7 45 23 59 11 7 3 6 9 2 24 5 4 15 97 1 9 66 53 34 98 22 8 7 1 4 7 3 3 8 6 6 5 7 Puzzle Solutions 4 89 5 1 29 4 3 68 1 7 34 6 3 9 8 72 91 16 6 5 37 4 8 5 2 6 65 39 88 2 7 5 1 4 1 71 39 6 5 54 77 4 2 23 88 1 9 3 6 from page 48 CONUNDRUM 2 1 1 3 4 3 5 8 5 62 25 7 6 13 38 69 7 1 94 5 2 4 8 4 9 7 a ball of thread or yarn. It comes to us from 9 CLUE 4variant 2 clew, 6 of 57 82- a 7 1 3 9meaning 6 83 44 8 2 91 29 85 3 7 46 6 5 7 1 Middle and Old English. According to Greek mythology, when Theseus entered 3 the 67 Labyrinth 5 73 51to kill 89 the 58 a8 2ball 79of2string 6 behind 9 3 3 7 45 a14clew, 6 2 minotaur, 8 46 1 1he unraveled him, so he could find his way back. 8 2 4 1 7 2 5 4 9 6 3 99 72 5 1 38 86 77 14 63 9 4 2 5 5 8 9 4 2 9 6 1 4 33 7 6 2 7 58 4 3 2 9 62 91 46 55 3 1 8 7 1 8 from page 49 SUDOKU
MEDIUM
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Sudoku #5 Sudoku #6 8 6 91 8 9 3 5 12 24 77 63 8 55 44 2 7 63 91 86 4 8 59 3 3 3 69 7 8 54 7 6 45 92 21 1 4 8 76 1 4 97 55 33 6 9 82 7 27 35 9 2 46 83 11 34 98 2 1 4 82 3 1 79 28 6 7 16 45 5 61 58 6 5 1 2 37 99 83 74 6 92 27 4 3 81 6 9 5 8 25 16 4 79 13 5 6 28 44 72 51 3 7 9
Sudoku #4 4 5 2 7 6 1 7 3 9 8 3 4 8 6 1 9 3 7 5 2 2 4 9 6 1 9 4 5 7 2 6 8 5
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Sudoku #7 Sudoku #8 56 25 9 1 63 8 8 92 74 17 3 2 5 4 17 32 3 6 25 74 59 68 4 1 9 8 1 3 71 48 4 7 49 12 36 25 53 8 6 7 9 84 5 1 7 2 58 26 45 33 79 6 1 9 8 4 3 16 8 5 84 39 71 17 92 4 5 6 2 95 69 2 3 97 61 14 56 88 2 4 3 7 PERSONAL INJURY 28 87 1 9 16 55 83 42 34 7 9 2 6 66 1 3 8 5 32 73 5 4 7 1 47 28 99AND 69 94 6 8 32 93 6 7 81 25 5 7 4 1
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CIVIL TRIAL LAW
KEVIN R. KNIGHT BOARD CERTIFIED PERSONAL INJURY TRIAL LAW TEXAS BOARD OF LEGAL SPECIALIZATION
Kevin R. Knight, PC Attorney at Law 714 S. Madison Madisonville, TX 77864
936-348-3543 kknight@knightfirm.com
28 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
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Ask The Doc: Knee Arthritis… Best Non-Surgical Options? Dr. Brian McGee, DC Welcome to “Ask the Doc,” your go-to source for valuable healthcare insights and advice from our expert team at Huntsville Physical Medicine Institute. What Causes Knee Arthritis? Knee arthritis is primarily caused by the wear and tear of the joint’s cartilage, a condition known as osteoarthritis. This deterioration can be accelerated by factors such as aging, obesity, injury, and joint overuse. Recent research has discovered the role of specific proteases, a type of enzyme found inside joints with arthritis, that breaks down the cartilage and contributes to loss of cartilage in the knee joint. These proteases act like termites inside the joint and slowly but surely over time eat away and destroy the cartilage inside the joint. Just like termites in a house, it is important to get rid of these cartilage damaging proteases in order to stop the progression of arthritis. A Comprehensive Approach
Act Quickly to Avoid Surgery
To successfully treat knee arthritis using a non-surgical approach, three things must be done. First, the joint damaging proteases (termites) must be stopped. This is done by drawing blood from the patient, isolating specific factors that stop the proteases, and then injected those factors back into the joint. We call this exterminating the joint termites and is an out-patient procedure performed by our medical provider on site.
Like many conditions, knee arthritis will only get worse if not properly treated. It is important to take action before additional cartilage damage occurs in your knee joint. For over 40 Years, Huntsville Physical Medicine Institute has been successfully helping people get rid of their joint pain and avoid surgery. Call us at 936-291-2111 for help with your Knee Pain. Mention this article to receive a FREE Reversing Knee Pain Consultation.
Second, we begin the process of restoring normal movement, flexibility, and strength to the areas of the body responsible for moving the knee. This is done through physical rehabilitation and chiropractic care. And third, we extinguish the bad inflammation and create the right environment inside the joint for pain free movement. This is accomplished through diet and nutrition.
936-291-2111 901 Normal Park Dr, #201 • Huntsville TX 77320
*This article is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for personalized advice or treatment
BACK PAIN * JOINT PAIN * NEUROPATHY • CHIROPRACTIC * PHYSICAL REHAB * MEDICAL January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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Local Treasures Story and Photos by Mike Yawn
Chilly at the Lodge 30 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
“Chilly at the Lodge” is about “Chili,” and it’s also about fun. The event, held annually on the first Saturday in February at the Josey Scout Lodge in Huntsville, Texas, involves bands, vendors selling their wares, community, and, (of course) chili tasting. This free event was the vision of Karla Christian, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Josey Scout Lodge. “We needed to raise money for some much-needed repairs to the historic buildings,” Christian noted, “and I wanted to do this in a way that was both fun and benefitted the community. We also wanted the community to be able to see and experience Josey Lodge. It just so happens that everyone loves chili.”
The Weekend This concept—that everyone (or almost everyone) loves chili—is the central aspect of the event. Chili-chefs, known as chili-heads in the business, will be peppered around the Lodge, preparing chili for competition and offering samples to visitors. But there is a lot more. Vendors will be offering items for sale; KSAM will have “Bryan and Tracy” serving as “celebrity judges;” and live musical guests will also be on hand to entertain guests. In the past, acts such as Kate Watson, Shannon Maisel, Audy Armentor, and Drew Fish have performed, adding spice to the already peppery proceedings. Scout Leaders and supporters of the Josey Lodge are also on hand to offer tours of the historic building and its grounds.
The Lodge The Josey Scout Lodge was built in 1934, constructed specifically for the use of local Boy Scouts of America troops. The money for its construction was donated by Robert A. Josey, a Huntsville native who grew wealthy as a Houston oilman. Additional support was provided by the Gibbs Brothers, and the project was built under the auspices of the Civil Works Administration. Josey was at the dedication of the building, as were the Huntsville Mayor and the Texas Governor, a reflection of the Lodge’s centrality to the community. This was not lost on Josey. According to Dr. Will Oliver, who compiled a short history of the building, the importance of the Lodge and the Boy Scouts of America stayed with the Huntsville native, throughout his life. In a letter to a friend, Josey wrote, “In the oil business which I have been engaged in for nearly 50 years, tremendous profits are sometimes made on a small investment. But I can think of no investment that I have ever made which has… paid greater dividends in happiness than the Boy Scout Lodge at Huntsville…” Since its construction, it has served as the local home of the Boy Scouts of America, and, more recently, the Girl Scouts of the USA. The property, however, is managed independently by the nonprofit Robert A. Josey Lodge organization, which is responsible for maintenance on the property and structures—two of which (the Lodge and Caretaker’s Cabin) are on the National Register of Historic Places. Time, however, has taken its toll on the structures. Some of the logs need repair; a new paint job is needed; weatherproofing is called for; and the caretaker’s cabin (located on the same property) requires much care. These needs are what prompted Karla Christian to think of ways to raise funds for the Lodge, while also spicing up a community event. And, in Texas, what cause can unite Texans more than chili?
» January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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Mix that basic tenet with a bit of Texas chauvinism, and you have some strong feelings. President Johnson, while still President (and, presumably needing votes outside of Texas), nonetheless publicly noted that “chili concocted outside of Texas is a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing.” Johnson’s chili patriotism is the type of attitude that made writer Calvin Trillin observe, “I love chili, but not enough to discuss it with someone from Texas.”
The Chili Texans are known as an independent bunch, but if there is one thing they can agree on, it’s that chili is a gift to food lovers, particularly in what passes for cold weather in the Lone Star State. It is, after all, the “State Dish,” so designated in 1977. The origin of chili is a fiery matter of contention, with different regions staking a claim to “inventing” the dish. A Franciscan friar noted in 1529 that the Aztecs cooked a type of stew with chilis and frog, lobster, or fish. But Texans have long claimed that chili, properly understood, involves red meat. And, according to food writer Robb Walsh, the first record of such a dish is in 1827 in San Antonio, when a visitor to the city noted that poor Tejanos mixed the “cheapest beef” with peppers. By the late 1800s, “Chili Queens”
were well known in San Antonio, and as news accounts and travelers proliferated, Texas became more closely identified with “true” chili—so long as chili is defined as red meat and peppers.
This disagreeable tone isn’t really in the spirit of Chilly at the Lodge, but it is a competitive endeavor. The “cook-off” consists of three divisional competitions: (1) an International Chili Society (ICS) Division, that is open to their members; (2) a Community Adult Division open to adults not affiliated with ICS; and (3) a Community Youth Division for young people ages 10-17. Each division
And that is pretty much how Texas writer Frank X. Tolbert described it in his book, “A Bowl of Red,” which he wrote in 1966. “When speaking of a bowl of red,” he noted, “I refer to chili con carne—honest-to-God chili, and not the dreadful stuff masquerading as chili which is served in nine out of ten cafes.” Helpfully, he laid out what “honestto-God chili” is: beef, “cooked slowly and for a long time in boon companionship with the pulp of chili peppers,” along with oregano, cumin, and garlic. Notably absent from his ingredients was beans, an omission that The Washington Post credits with establishing the Texas “no-beans law.”
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has its own competition and prizes, and the winner of the Community Adult Division on Saturday earns the right to participate with the ICS cooks on Sunday. Over the past two years, more than 50 contestants have entered the competitions, some from places as far flung as Arizona and Nebraska. In fact, in 2022, its very first year, seven previous national champions competed. What this means for residents is some amazing chili. The contests include categories such as “traditional red,” “chili verde,” “homestyle,” and “veggie.” Some of these categories allow ingredients that one suspects Frank Tolbert would disapprove of—including crawfish, meat substitute and…beans.
But “Chilly at the Lodge” is also about the camaraderie that comes from a tight community, which Christian hopes the event continues to foster. For the World Championship Chili Cook-off, judges are required to complete a “Certified Chili Judge” onsite class, but for regional competitions, judges are simply selected for their impartiality, willingness to follow rules, and their community involvement. They cannot be related to anyone in the contest, but they
need not be chili connoisseurs. According to Christian, “we tell them they just need to know what they like and what they don’t like.” Leanne Woodward, a Board of Trustee member who recruits judges, is impressed by people’s willingness to serve. “People are so willing to give their time to support the event and the Lodge. It’s another example of the great-hearted people of Huntsville.” Derrick Birdsall, who was a judge in 2022
»
The People There is a global community of chili-lovers, and within the inner circle, these people are “chiliheads.” Indeed, the ICS notes that “as fellow Chiliheads, we pledge to continue the friendship and comradery that was established back in 1967 and continues today.”
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and is serving again in 2024, considers the judging a privilege. “I love chili, so there’s that. It’s interesting to taste the different flavors, wondering what the cooks did to produce their version of chili. But it’s also just a fun event, and it’s good for the community.” Gene Roberts, a “Scout Father” who doubles as a member of the Lodge’s Board of Trustees, also relishes the event: “Huntsville Scouts do so much for the community. So, it’s great for the scouts to
see the community come out and support them and the historic Lodge while they are supporting another event that’s good for the community.” But the event isn’t just for “seasoned professionals.” Morgan Robertson, an SHSU student who attended “Chilly at the Lodge” the last two years, says it’s a great opportunity to try chili. “For $5, you get a ‘tasting kit’ of six spoons, which you can use to sample from among the many chili chefs. It’s a good way to try new foods, and you’d
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Don Cullum, the Chief Judge, providing instructions to the “Celebrity Judges” be surprised how filling six samples are!” Those who purchase the tasting kit also receive a “people’s choice ballot,” which allows the public to select the “people’s” winner, reinforcing the community-centric nature of the event.
The Event This year, “Chilly at the Lodge” will occur on Saturday, February 3, 2024. The event is free to the public, although visitors should
donate $5 if they wish to sample the chili. This is Texas, so it may not be “chilly,” but it is a perfect weekend for those with the appetite for music, fun, and lots of chili. The event is open to the public Saturday, February 3 from 9am-3:30pm, with chili available beginning at 11am. All proceeds go to Josey Lodge’s capital campaign for repairs to the organization’s historic buildings. For more information, go to joseyscoutlodge.org/ chilly.
Scoville Scale: Named for American pharmacist Wilbur Scoville, the scale attempts to measure the pungency or heat of a pepper. This method has been superseded by the “high-performance liquid chromatography” (HPLC) test, but even so, the HPLC often converts its results to the Scoville scale to help with interpretability. So, what is hot? Well, a jalapeno comes in with about 5,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), a cayenne emits about 40,000 SHU, and habaneros possesses about 300,000 SHU. The world’s hottest pepper is the “Carolina Reaper,” with 2,200,000 SHU. Chiles: Myriad peppers or “chiles” are used for chili, according to taste. Robb Walsh, in his book “The Chili Cookbook,” sorts them by “dry” and “fresh” according to heat. Among the dry are Ancho (mildest), New Mexican Long Red Chili, Pasilla, Chipotle, and Japones (hottest); the fresh include New Mexican Long Green Chile (mildest), Poblano, Jalapeno, Serrano, and Chile Pequin (hottest).
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Medical Matters Suzanne M. Stovall, DO
What is Integrative Medicine? Integrative medicine is an approach that combines practices and treatments from complementary medicine with conventional medicine. Through a combination of therapy and lifestyle changes, integrative medicine uses an evidence-based approach to treat the whole person, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs to improve health and wellness. The goal of integrative medicine is to achieve optimal health and healing by “integrating” conventional and complementary therapies. Integrative medicine providers work to identify the root cause of illness and contributions to disease including medical history, current health, nutrition, stress, toxins, allergens, genetics, and your gut health to incorporate traditional and complementary disciplines into a personalized care plan. “Integrative and functional medicine’s goal is to dive deeper as needed to identify the root cause of disease and provide a personalized plan,” Dr. Stovall said. “The approach is to remove what causes imbalance and provide what restores optimal function to our body’s systems.”
Conditions Treated with Integrative Medicine Anyone facing a chronic or newly diagnosed condition can benefit from integrative and functional medicine. Some of the most common conditions evaluated and supported can be, but not limited to: • Endocrine disorders (Adrenal, Thyroid, Pre-diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Fatty Liver) • Women’s Health (PCOS, PMS, Menopause, Endometriosis) • Neurological and Energy (Cognition, Parkinson’s, Chronic Fatigue, Insomnia, Anxiety, Depression, Nutritional Deficiency) • Immune (OA and RA, Arthritis, Autoimmune, Crohn’s, UC Support, Fibromyalgia, Urticaria Histamine) • Cancer and Post Covid supportive care • Cardiovascular disease (Advanced Lipid Testing, Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Resistance). • GI (Food sensitivities and allergies, Candida, Intestinal Permeability, SIBO, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Reflux)
• Men’s Health (Andropause) • Environmental (Metals, Mold, Non-Metal Toxic Chemicals) “Health is 20% hard wiring of our genes and we are finding out that the other 80% is our lifestyle and environment that contributes to the expression of our genes,” Dr. Stovall said. Integrative medicine is a partnership focusing on empowering patients through education and striving to utilize evolving technology for better health outcomes. Innovative technology, such as AI and functional medicine labs, can help to measure and analyze functional changes in health, allowing healthcare and integrative medicine to intervene at earlier stages of dysfunction and impact long-term health outcomes. “Our goal is to partner with you, provide education and optimize your health to achieve longevity and a good quality of life,” Dr. Stovall said. “The human body is amazing and can heal with interventions. Our practice will partner with patients and work hard to help achieve any health care goals.” The next step is a personalized plan to address your needs including physical, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress to help you take charge of your health
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In every partnership, there is a person who loads the dishwasher like a Scandinavian architect and a person who loads the dishwasher like a raccoon on meth.
My husband (the extrovert) and I (the introvert) got separated on our flight. We’re in middle seats on the same row. I’ve already apologized to the people sitting next to me like 7 times. My husband is sharing beef jerky with strangers, and I think he’s now in someone’s wedding.
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Along the Road Geographic Center of Texas The geographic center of Texas is an imaginary point whose co-ordinates divide the state into four equal areas. In straight-line distance, it is 437 miles from the state’s most westerly point on the Rio Grande River above El Paso, 412 miles from the most northerly point in the northwest corner of the Panhandle near Texline, 401 miles from the most southerly point on the Rio Grande below Brownsville and 341 miles from the most easterly point on the Sabine River near Burkeville. Maximum border-to-border distance is 801 miles from north to south and 773 miles from east to west. Enclosed within the 4,137-mile perimeter of the state are 267,339 square miles, or 7.4 percent of the nation’s total area. Fifteen of the 50 states could be readily accommodated within Texas’ borders -with more than 1,000 square miles left over. Brewster, in southwest Texas, is
the largest of the state’s 254 counties with 6,208 square miles, an area larger than the state of Connecticut. Smallest county is Rockwall in northeast Texas with 147 square miles. Texas elevations rise from sea level along the 624-mile coast of the Gulf of Mexico to 8,751 feet atop Guadalupe Peak in the Guadalupe Mountains. Altitude at this point is 1,545 feet. The marker is on the east side of US 377 between Brownwood and Brady. As the marker points out, the exact center of the state is 5 miles northwest on private property. From the marker, drive about a quarter of a mile south and pull into Heart of Texas Park, with a small observation tower you can climb to see the true center amid the rolling hills, oak and mesquite trees, round hay bales, and cattle.
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Inspirations Story by Ruth Fields Submitted Photos
Ruth &Col. James Ray with POW bracelet
Col. James Ray How a simple bracelet led to lifelong connections with a real hero. 40 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
When I was an eighth grader in 1972, the Vietnam War was always in the news. Lots of people, including many of my friends, wore POW/MIA bracelets. Each simple bracelet was etched with the name of a prisoner of war or a soldier listed as missing in action, as well as the date of capture or loss. The goal of the effort was to raise awareness of the plight of military personnel who were missing or held captive.
I wrote to Ray’s family through the POW/ MIA awareness organization, and his mother wrote back. She told me her son had been
This sounded like a good idea to me, and I had enough babysitting money to pay for a bracelet, so—like millions of other Americans—I ordered one. Mine was etched with “Capt. James E. Ray” and “5-8-66.” Months went by. My dad was the head football coach at La Porte High School, and a member of his coaching staff was married to a woman who had gone to Conroe High School. I’ll never forget the day their son looked at my bracelet and announced, “Mom! She’s got James Ray on her bracelet!” I soon learned that Ray had gone to Conroe High School, and furthermore, he had graduated from Texas A&M University, where my father, grandfather, two uncles, and a cousin had attended. He was a U.S. Air Force pilot whose F-105 fighter-bomber had been shot down over North Vietnam.
reported missing on Mother’s Day of 1966. About nine months later, his status was changed from missing in action to prisoner of war. Three years after his capture, his parents finally got a letter from their son. Mrs. Ray wrote, “That was a great day!”
In early 1973, the POWs came home. Some of my friends wore bracelets that bore the names of soldiers who did not return, but “my” POW came home, and I watched the TV coverage closely. Ray had been released after spending six years, nine months as a POW—a length of time that seemed overwhelming to me. Years later, I did the math and realized that at the time of his release, Ray had been held captive for almost exactly half my life. La Porte isn’t far from Conroe by Texas standards, so my dad drove me to Ray’s homecoming celebration at the Conroe High School stadium. All over town, yellow posters announced “Welcome Home Major James Ray.” (Unfortunately, the townspeople jumped the gun--Ray hadn’t been promoted to major yet.) At the conclusion of the ceremony, the honoree rode around the track in a convertible, waving to the people in the packed stadium. When the car came around to where we were sitting, my dad, a maroonbleeding Aggie, flipped Ray a thumbs up. Ray responded in kind. Unbelievably, our family soon learned that the pastor of our church, Dr. Ray Mayfield, had been the pastor of Ray’s church, First Baptist Church of Conroe, when Ray was in high school. Our pastor contacted the
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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inspiration to me would probably be an understatement. I kept a scrapbook of newspaper and magazine clippings; I took off my bracelet, bent it flat and saved it in the scrapbook. I remember many details from this time, including my admiration for Ray’s heroism, his military bearing and his obvious delight to be home. One story left me particularly in awe. I heard that for years, Ray’s father and a few men from First Baptist Church in Conroe met once a week to pray for Ray’s safety and release. One fine morning in 1973, the prayer group had a guest appearance by the former POW himself. I’ll bet there were some sweaty eyeballs that day.
A captive audience
I knew many people who had worn POW bracelets, but I didn’t know anyone else who had experienced a face-to-face meeting. To say that Ray’s homecoming was an
CL
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EA N
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TAN TIM K AT A
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recently-released POW—who was practically a celebrity by then—and invited him to speak at our church. I got a front row seat that day and was thrilled to get to meet “my” POW.
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Six years later, I was a sophomore journalism major at Texas A&M, taking a course that required students to write one article per week for publication in The Battalion, the campus newspaper. One day, my brother, who was a junior in the Corps of Cadets, told me that Col. James Ray would be speaking to cadets. Would I like to cover the event for The Battalion? I could probably count on one
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“I kind of enjoy it when it’s my turn to talk to a captive audience.” hand the number of college classes that I skipped, but I cut a class that day to attend Ray’s presentation. I loved it when his speech included the perfect ending to my article: “Ray said he doesn’t mind talking about his experiences as a POW because ‘I kind of enjoy it when it’s my turn to talk to a captive audience.’” Ray spoke to a captive audience once again on Veterans Day 2023— 50 years after his release—at the invitation of the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County. Of course I attended. Many of Ray’s high school classmates were there, and I witnessed lots of hugs. During his presentation, Ray talked about the unlikely jobs he’d held before entering the U.S. Air Force that had helped him when he was in pilot training. He also mentioned a Conroe teacher whose husband
had been a Japanese-held POW during World War II, and how he had been able to read some of the man’s first-hand accounts about his experiences as a POW. “I know this was kind of preparing me for some events later on,” Ray said. Ray mesmerized the audience with details about his dangerous mission, his fiery aircraft, and the radioed warnings to “Get out, get out, get out!” He reported that he “used escape and evasion techniques for about four and a half minutes” before his capture. He then described in detail the horrific torture he endured. There were also lighter moments, such as his tales of retaliatory pranks on over-zealous upperclassmen while he was a freshman at Texas A&M. He then told about using some of the same techniques to outwit his captors in Vietnam. Unlike
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his experiences in Aggieland, however, the consequences for being caught were torture or possibly even death. Ray also told how the “tap code” prisoners used to communicate while in solitary confinement was crucial to their well-being. Prisoners were kept in solitary confinement when space allowed, Ray said, but as the war lingered, the number of POWs grew. At one point, he lived with three other men “in a room that was smaller than a lot of walk-in closets.” He noted that there was a Southern Baptist, a Mormon, an Episcopalian and a Jew in the same cell, but their shared belief in Judeo-Christian principles helped them through their ordeal. Ray also told the audience why he was willing to serve and endure unspeakable hardship. He quoted part of the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident...life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness...deriving their just powers
from the consent of the governed.” Never before in history had a government derived its power from the consent of the governed, and this, he said, makes America worth defending. “After the Bible,” he said, “the two most important documents in the history of the world are the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. At the end of the presentation, Dr. Suann Hereford, executive director of the Heritage Museum, asked for a show of hands. How many attendees had worn POW bracelets with Ray’s name? At least 20 hands went up. Then, she asked how many people had their bracelets with them. A handful of us raised our hands. Apparently, I was not the only person who was inspired by Ray’s heroism. For more information about Ray’s wartime experiences, watch the American Warrior series on YouTube.
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The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from past conflicts to their families and the nation. Research and operational missions involve coordination with hundreds of countries and municipalities worldwide. As of the latest update on May 22, 2023, more than 81,000 Americans remain missing from WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the total, approximately 75% of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific region, and over 41,000 of the missing are presumed lost at sea (such as ship losses and known aircraft water losses).
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Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck.
Chester Crawford, EA Since 1981
chestercrawford.com Income Tax • IRS Representation • Insurance • Notary Public 100 Hwy 190 East (936) 291-1887 (Direct) Huntsville, TX 77340 (936) 661-0692 (Cell) Email: onecdcrawford@aol.com (936) 291-1789 (Fax) National Association of Enrolled Agents • National Society of Tax Professionals
50 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
GLYNA & RAY BROWN, P.C. Certified Public Accountants PO Box 357 710 S. Madison Madisonville, Texas 77864 (936) 348-2705
Fax: (936) 348-5905
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see answers on page 28
k 50
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Honoring the life & times of Sam Houston
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3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. RESOURCES SECURITY, INC. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork. License numbers: C-02898, ACR-1696
In time of trouble, men of talent are called for, but in times of ease the rich and those with powerful relatives are desired. -- Italo Bombolini
How calmly may we commit ourselves to the hands of Him who bears up the world -- of Him who has created, and who provides for the joy even of insects, as carefully as if He were their Father! -- Richter
8
MUSEUM HOURS Tuesday - Saturday 9 am - 4:30 pm Sunday 12 pm - 4:30 pm Mondays and Holidays Closed
samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com
Old man winter is here.... Get prepared with the 4 Ps!
4 Pipes 4 Plants 4 Pets 4 Preventative Maintenance on your heating system
With McGilberry Mechanical, that is one less thing to remember... because with a Preventative Maintenance Agreement we will call you when it is time to service your heating unit! Serving: • Huntsville • Trinity
• Conroe • Willis
Inshows business since 1972 Need a little help? The hints page a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page Locally owned and operated if you really get stuck.
1618 Hwy 30E Huntsville
Security and Fire Systems Fire Inspections • Access Control Cameras • Alarm Monitoring PO Box 425 • Huntsville 7022 B Hwy 75 South • Huntsville
• surrounding counties
We are a family owned & operated business in Huntsville with 20 years experience.
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mcgilberrymechanical.com January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
51
Taking care of our members for 67 years!
the BEST
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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024
Personal and Business Accounts Land Loans • Construction Loans
walkercountyfcu.com 52 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
1802 Normal Park Dr • Huntsville 936-291-2171
Teachers Touching Tomorrow Honoring teachers who work with our kids day in and day out. They go above and beyond, and really do “Touch Tomorrow.”
Nominate a special teacher today by going online: www.PostcardsLive.com. Those chosen for publication are awarded a gift card to 1836 Steakhouse.
Charlotte Neal Huntsville High School Nominated by Emily Lamb Ms. Neal helped me uncover my love for the medical field.
Sponsored by:
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
53
Star Students Emily Lamb Huntsville High School
Anastasia Cormier Huntsville High School Favorite Movie: The Proposal Favorite Music/Artist: Classical
Favorite Movie: Strange Magic
Favorite Food: Sushi Roll
Favorite Music/Artist: Beyonce
Favorite Quote: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then
Favorite Food: Gumbo Favorite Quote: “Don’t hate. Elevate.”
A
nastasia is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Laquita Bass-Cormier and Ezekiel Cormier, Jr. Her activities include Grenadier Guard Drill Team. Following graduation, Anastasia plans to obtain a degree in public health, then become a cardiothoracic surgeon. She believes, “Be considerate of others, no matter your personal feelings.”
walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” --Martin Luther King, Jr.
E
mily is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Trey and Christy Lamb. Her activities include Huntsville Hornet Military Marching Band Drumline, Business Professionals of America, student council, class council president, tennis, Walker County 4-H, and participating on the worship team at church. Following graduation, Emily plans to major in biology in college and become a physician’s assistant. She believes, “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.”
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Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a registered investment advisor. Cambridge and Global Financial Partners are not affiliated. Cambridge does not provide tax advice.
54 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
936-661-6125 Locally Owned & Operated by Sandy Newman
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Benjamin Hendricks
McKenna Fraley
Huntsville High School
Madisonville High School
Favorite Movie: La La Land
Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice
Favorite Music/Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite Music/Artist: Flatland Cavalry
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Food: Torchy’s Chips & Queso
Favorite Quote: “Do it with passion, or not at all.” –Rosa
Favorite Quote: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
Nouchette Carey
B
enjamin is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the son of John and Sabrina Hendricks. His activities include HMB Drum Major, Swingin’ Stingers Jazz Band, tennis, National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, National German Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Eagle Scout BSA Troop 98, and Christ the King Methodist Church Youth Group and Praise Band. Following graduation, Benjamin plans to attend Sam Houston State University, majoring in music education, then become a high school band director. He believes, “Whatever you choose to do, give it 110%.”
for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
M
cKenna is a senior at Madisonville High School and is the daughter of Matt and Alice Fraley. Her activities include tennis, FFA, student council, National Honor Society, Beta Club, church, teaching swimming lessons, and Bridge Ministry. Following graduation, McKenna plans to attend Texas A&M University, majoring in kinesiology, then become a physical therapist. She believes, “Everything happens for a reason.”
HAPPY NEW YEAR Wishing you a year filled with love, joy, and peace..
First Baptist Huntsville 1229 Avenue J
Learn more fbchuntsville.org
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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What’s Cookin’ Salmon Wellington Ingredients 1 (12-oz) skinless salmon fillet 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1/4 tsp ground black pepper 1/3 cup mayonnaise 2 Tbs Dijon mustard 1 tsp chopped fresh oregano 1 tsp chopped fresh basil 1 tsp chopped fresh dill 1 tsp lemon zest 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 egg, beaten 1 Tbs water lemon wedges to serve Directions Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Step 2: Pat salmon fillet dry with paper towels. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of salmon fillet. Step 3: Mix mayonnaise, mustard, oregano, basil, dill, lemon zest, and thyme in a small bowl. Set aside ½ of the mixture
Cashew Basil Pesto Ingredients 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup cashews with sea salt 1 garlic clove, or more to taste 1/2 cup olive oil 1 Tbs lemon juice Directions Step 1: Place basil, Parmesan cheese, cashews, and garlic, in 56 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
for serving. Spread remaining mixture on the top of salmon fillet. Step 4: Unfold puff pastry on a lightly floured surface. Use your fingers to even out the folds in the pastry. Spread spinach in center of pastry in a rectangle the size of the fillet, and sprinkle with feta cheese. Step 5: Place salmon, mayonnaise-side down, on top of feta cheese. Step 6: Beat egg and water together in small bowl. Brush the edges of pastry with egg wash to ensure the puff pastry is “glued” together. Lift edges of pastry and slightly stretch to enclose the salmon. Pinch edges to seal. Place the bundle, seam-side down, on prepared baking sheet. Brush egg wash on tops and sides of pastry. Cut several small slits in top of pastry to allow steam to escape. Step 7: Bake in preheated oven until pastry is golden brown, about 40 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the salmon should be at least 145 degrees. Let stand for a few minutes before serving. Serve with reserved herb Dijon mixture and lemon wedges.
the bowl of a food processor or blender. Pour in olive oil and lemon juice. Blend until a smooth paste.
Tuna and Artichoke Wraps Ingredients 2 (5-oz) cans tuna, drained 1 (7 1/2-oz) jar artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 1 mini cucumber, chopped 1/2 cup chopped grape tomatoes 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/2 tsp ground mustard 1 tsp garlic salt 1 lemon, zested 2 Tbs fresh lemon juice
Tomato Toast with Sriracha Mayo
3 (10”) sun-dried tomato basil tortillas
Ingredients
6 lettuce leaves
1 Tbs mayonnaise
6 Tbs French-fried onions
3/4 tsp lime juice 1/2 tsp Sriracha sauce
Directions Step 1: Stir tuna, artichokes, cucumber, tomatoes, mayonnaise, mustard, garlic salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice together in a bowl. Step 2: Lay out tortillas on a work surface; Place 2 lettuce leaves on each tortilla. Spoon tuna mixture in a line across the middle of each tortilla; top tuna with 2 tablespoons French-fried onions. Fold opposing edges of tortilla to overlap the filling. Roll 1 of the opposing edges around the filling creating a burrito-style wrap.
2 slices bread 1 large heirloom tomato, chopped or sliced 2 tsp everything bagel seasoning, or to taste Directions Step 1: In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, lime juice, and sriracha sauce. Set aside. Step 2: Toast bread in a toaster or toaster oven. Top with tomato, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning to taste, then drizzle with sriracha mayo.
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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Potato Chip Cookies
vanilla and repeat. Stir potato chips and chocolate chips in with a spatula until just combined. Add flour mixture; continue mixing in with a spatula until flour disappears and dough comes together.
Ingredients 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking soda
Step 3: Wrap and chill dough for about 30 minutes, or until ready to bake. Dough can be used immediately if desired. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment.
1/2 tsp salt 1 cup very soft unsalted butter (2 sticks) 1 cup white sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar
Step 4: Scoop dough by rounded tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheet. Space evenly, as dough will spread when baked. Bake in the preheated oven until outside edges of cookies are lightly browned, about 12 minutes. Cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, before removing cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. For best results, let cool completely before serving.
1 large egg 2 Tbs milk 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 2 cups lightly crushed potato chips 1 cup dark chocolate chips Directions Step 1: Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl; set aside. Step 2: Beat butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and mix until fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Add milk and
Chef’s Note: Feel free to play around with varieties, but what I think works best is a nice, thick crispy kettle chip. I used regular sea salt flavor.
Upcoming Special Events January 13th • 4:00 pm Hymn Sing followed by a Cobbler and Ice Cream Social
Embracing Tradition • Weekly open communion • Sermons that make you think • Great music
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Sunday Worship Service @ 10:45 AM
January 14 • 10:45 am
Adult Bible Study and Children’s Sunday School @ 9:30 AM
Celebrating our 170th
Sunday Youth Group from 3:00-5:00 PM
th
Anniversary with Regional Minister Rev. Dr. Andy Mangum Preaching January 14 • 4:00 pm th
Church of the Wild at St.
Nursery Available Wednesday Bible Study @ 10:00 AM The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): A Movement for Wholeness in a Fragmented World.
Worship services are live streamed on our FB page First Christian Church - Huntsville, TX
Stephen’s Episcopal Church
1800 Ave. R. Huntsville, Texas 77340
Bird Sanctuary
(936)295-3677 Email: firstcchuntsville@gmail.com Pastor Daniel Paul
58 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Website: Fcchtx.org
Directions Step 1: Beat Neufchâtel cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and peanut butter together in a bowl until smooth and well combined. Set aside.
Peanut Butter Mousse Ingredients
Step 2: Place heavy whipping cream in another bowl and whip until medium peaks form. Add peanut butter mixture and whip just until combined. Step 3: Divide evenly into 2 serving glasses. Serve at once, or cover and refrigerate.
2 ounces Neufchâtel cheese, softened 1/4 cup peanut butter
Cook’s Note
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
Regular cream cheese can be substituted for the Neufchâtel cheese.
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Start out the New Year knowing your kids are loved and cared for! Infant Program • Preschool Before & After School Programs
Rita’s Playschool & Day Care 114 York Drive • Madisonville 936-348-0276 • Curtis & Donna O’Brien Owners
Where we LUV your children! January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
59
Mini Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tarts Ingredients
a fork. Place the puff pastry squares on prepared baking sheet. Step 3: Bake puff pastry squares for 7 minutes. Remove tray from the oven; flatten squares using the backside of a spatula. Return puff pastry to the oven to bake until golden brown, about 5 more minutes.
½ sheet puff pastry 3 tablespoons butter ¼ pound mushrooms, sliced 2 cloves garlic, crushed
Step 4: Meanwhile, melt butter in a skillet over mediumhigh heat. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook and stir until mushrooms are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat.
½ cup crumbled goat cheese 4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley Directions Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking tray.
Step 5: Top baked puff pastry squares evenly with mushroom mixture; crumble goat cheese over mushrooms and sprinkle with parsley. Serve warm.
Step 2: Lay puff pastry out on a lightly floured surface and cut into 8 squares. Prick the squares in several places with
Call TODAY to learn more about our January offers! Schedule your diagnostic hearing evaluation with a complimentary hearing aid test-drive.
936.755.4296 FAMILY HEARING & SENSORY NEURAL CENTER Serving Huntsville for over 40 years
2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023
Dr. Christie Cahill, Au.D. • Huntsville • 1909 22nd St • FamilyHearingCenter.com 60 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Happy New Year! Your New Year’s Resolutions list would not be complete without… 1) Reviewing your investment goals. 2) Planning for your retirement. 3) Creating a plan to provide for future generations. 4) Contacting our Trust Department.
At First National Bank of Huntsville, we offer a complete slate of financial services including Wealth Management and Trust Services. Our experienced and knowledgeable team managing our Trust Department can help you achieve these goals. Put your Trust in Huntsville’s Only Locally Owned Community Bank and let us help you make resolutions you can keep.
First National Bank of Huntsville Trust Department Sean Carpenter, Sr. Vice President & Trust Division Manager Ashton Villarreal, Assistant VP & Trust Operations Manager Levi Porter, Trust Officer Maddie Cobler, Operations Assistant
Since 1890, First National Bank of Huntsville has proudly helped our community grow into the city it is today. We are equally proud to be Huntsville’s only locally owned community bank. FNBH is a subsidiary of First National Bancshares of Huntsville, Inc. with its main office and branch in Huntsville as well as branches in Crockett, Madisonville, Franklin and Bryan/College Station.
936-295-5701 • www.fnbhuntsvilletx.bank HUNTSVILLE • CROCKETT • MADISONVILLE • FRANKLIN • BRYAN / COLLEGE STATION Please Note: Nondeposit investment products are not insured by the FDIC; are not obligations of or guaranteed by First National Bank of Huntsville; and will subject the purchaser to investment risk, including possible loss of the principal amount invested.
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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62 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Join Us for IF:2024 2 Day - Women’s Ministry Event February 23-24 All Women: College Age through Senior Adult
Hosted by Elkins Lake Baptist Church 206 State Highway 19 Huntsville, TX 77340 for details and RSVP
We thank you for your business. and look forward to working with you in 2024.
Discount Moonwalks Party Rentals
805 FM 2821 • Ste. B • Huntsville, TX 77342
936-295-6417
936-295-0366
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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3 LETTERS HAT ICE 4 LETTERS COAT COLD MELT SNOW 5 LETTERS BOOTS NIPPY SCARF SLEET SLUSH SNOWY 6 LETTERS CHILLY FRIGID GLOVES HEATER JACKET SHIVER
7 LETTERS FLANNEL MITTENS SWEATER WINTERY 8 LETTERS BLIZZARD FLURRIES HOT COCOA SLIPPERY SNOWSUIT SOLSTICE 9 LETTERS FIREPLACE JACK FROST LONGJOHNS SNOWSTORM 12 LETTERS FREEZING RAIN
Luxury Boarding
Start your new year off right with a TX Burger in one hand and a Blue Bell ice cream shake in the other! All Natural Nolan Ryan Angus Beef Burgers and Blue Bell Ice Cream!!! Family owned since 1973 with an attitude of excellence! 2902 E Main St • Ste 104 Madisonville, TX 77864
64 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
• Safe Professional Care • Owners on Property
Let us pamper your PAWS with a little SPAW time!
All Star Dog Lodge & Spaw Book your appointment today! allstardoglodge.com (936) 444-6015 161 Robinson Rd, • Huntsville
Winter Trivia Answers: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-C, 5-C, 6-A, 7-B, 8-C, 9-A, 10-C, 11-B, 12-A, 13-B, 14-C, 15-A
Trust us with your greatest treasures.
Third location coming soon!
Two locations to better serve you Montessori Child Care 6 wks to 12 yrs. old
936-435-0303
2817 Old Houston Rd. Huntsville Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM
906 10th Street Huntsville Monday - Friday 6:00 AM - 6:30 PM
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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Business Focus Story by Claudia Kirkwood Photos by Julie Knight
The Business Focus is chosen each month by random drawing from among Postcards contract advertisers.
“Wherever the art of Medicine is loved, there is also a love of Humanity.” --Hippocrates This quote by Greek physician Hippocrates of Kos (c. 460 BC - c. 370 BC), known traditionally as the Father of Medicine, accurately describes the mindset and passion that drive the leadership, medical staff, and personnel of Huntsville Memorial Hospital. The hospital was chartered on April 4, 1927, almost 100 years ago, as a memorial honoring the military heroes of World War I. The original mission of the hospital was to provide “benevolent and charitable services” to those in need. Over the years, the hospital has undergone many changes and continues its quest for excellence under new management by Community Hospital Corporation (CHC). As CEO Patrick Shannon explains, “We started in 2020 right before Covid hit, and after weathering that unusual event, began implementing our business plans for growth, with one of the goals being to increase the service lines to meet Walker County needs.”
66 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Jose Guerra, Chief Nursing Officer with Patrick Shannon, CEO
HMH is supported by a staff of almost 200 physicians, including independent and community physicians, Emergency Department physicians, surgeons, hospitalists, Primary Care physicians, and specialists, all working toward the goal of providing quality medical care for patients. Physicians employed by the hospital include: • Dr. Jeff Spaw - Orthopedics • Dr. Curtis Montgomery - OB/GYN • Dr. Ashley Taylor - General Surgery • Dr. Sharad Sharma - Vascular/ Dialysis Access Surgery HMH recently held their election for positions on the Medical Executive Committee, and the election results are: Chief of Staff - Stephen Antwi, MD; Vice Chief of Staff - Stavan Parmar, MD; Past Chief of Staff Sudhir Sehgal, MD; MEC elected positions - Specialists: Dr. Shukla, Dr. Kenworthy, and Dr. Khurana; and Primary Care: Dr. Aiena, Dr. Young, and Dr. Rollins. These new newly elected positions are effective January 2024.
VELYS Robot
Dr. Townes Leigh leads both the HMH Primary Care Clinic and the Family Medical Residency program, a three-year training program for Family Medicine Residents--with the hope that after graduation, many will stay in Huntsville to practice. The
four Family Medicine Residents, Dr. Steven Munassi, Dr. Jordan Clark, Dr. Yumna Shams, and Dr. Kerolos Youssef, currently provide patient care at both the Primary Care Clinic and hospital. Plans are to increase the enrollment of this program to twelve residents. Nurse Practitioners are also a part of the Family Residents program. The hospital is currently recruiting additional physicians in the fields of OB/GYN, orthopedics, vascular, and spine surgery, and is adding neurology. These have all been identified as needs in the community. Other planned improvements include increasing full-time physician coverage in the hospital and continuing to add more state-of-theart medical and surgical equipment. Recent additions include new surgical towers, new anesthesia and endoscopy machines, as well as a Velys robot and an Aquablation Therapy machine. Dr. Spaw utilizes the Velys robot to achieve maximum accuracy in orthopedic procedures, and the Aquablation machine allows Dr. Kenworthy and others trained on this equipment to perform prostate surgery with no or very minimal side effects to the patient. The HMH Women’s Health Clinic also utilizes top-of-the-field equipment to produce 3D tomography, a highly accurate mammogram procedure.
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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Emergency and outpatient services handle over 22,000 visits per year, with the number of surgeries up 40% year over year. The Emergency Department (ED) is a Level IV Trauma Center available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is staffed by boardcertified emergency physicians and Certified Emergency Nurses. Lead physicians and physician assistants are certified in Advanced Trauma Life Support and all members hold certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
The signs of a stroke are:
Balance watch for sudden loss of balance
Eyes
check for vision loss
Face
look for an uneven smile
Arm
check for weakness in one arm
Speech
listen for slurred speech
Time call 911 right away
In 2023, HMH received the Gold Plus Stroke Award from the American Heart
THANK YOU for the trust you have placed in our firm. We look forward to serving you in the coming year.
From our family to yours, we wish you a healthy and happy new year!
Established 1962 Locally owned and operated by Jerry Larrison 1011 11th St. • Huntsville (936) 295-5747
Reliable Parts Co. Monday - Saturday 7:30 am - 7:00 pm
• Lawn Mower Parts • Batteries • Tires • Electrical & More
Main Street Auto Parts Bryan Jones
Haney, Paschal & Romoser ATTORNEYS AT LAW 1300 11th St. • Ste 405 • Huntsville • 936-295-3712
www.huntsville-texas-attorneys.com 68 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
110 East Main St. • Trinity, TX (936) 594-0325 Monday - Saturday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Association. This is awarded to hospitals that have shown a commitment to ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines. As a result, more lives are saved, and disabilities are reduced. The ED has worked tirelessly to improve its LWBS (left without being seen) metric from 12% to under 1% which is better than the national average, with their Google Star rating rising from 1.9 to 4.1. In addition to this improvement, they now have a locked-down correctional care unit for offenders away from the general population. The following conditions are among those considered to be medical emergencies and require a trip to the Emergency Room: (more information is available on the website)
• Signs of stroke or heart attack • Serious traumas or injuries • Loss of consciousness, unexplained disorientation, dizziness, or fainting • Difficulty breathing, severe allergic reactions • Severe pain impeding normal functions • Continuous bleeding, ingestion of harmful chemicals • Suicidal feelings The hospital undergoes two regularly scheduled assessments, one being an accreditation evaluation by the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality (CIHQ) aimed at ensuring that patient care is above minimum standards as set forth by the
federal government. The second critique is a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), part of the Affordable Care Act, requiring tax-exempt hospitals to complete a needs assessment every three years to identify the greatest health needs in the community. Implementing changes according to these findings assures the community that our hospital is striving to provide the highest quality patient care possible. In addition to these assessments, the following three boards provide guidance for the health of the hospital: the Walker County Hospital District, the Community Health Corporation board, and a local advisory board of community leaders. As medical and infrastructure needs are identified, HMH is moving forward to provide answers to these areas of need
»
H
AP
P Y N
Stephen H. Means, O.D. & Associates Therapeutic Optometrists
936-291-8282
E W Y E
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109 Medical Park Lane • Huntsville January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
69
including the installation of new elevators and HVAC systems. The total patient experience is important to HMH personnel, and this includes providing services for visiting family members. A Patient Experience Coordinator is available to help families through this challenging journey and can act as a liaison between the patient and hospital staff. For those non-English speaking patients, languages are no problem with an international service line that can translate almost any language, including ASL (American Sign Language). Other services include a cafeteria that is open to the public for breakfast and lunch (Taco Tuesday and the salad bar are favorites) and a well-stocked gift shop where you can find that perfect gift to brighten the day of your loved one. HMH is also in the process of rebuilding its Volunteer Auxiliary service. These members are a critical part of the life of any hospital, and those who may be interested are encouraged to call HMH to become a part of this vital service. On a financial note,
the hospital accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurances. For other financial questions, check the website or call 936293-4464 to set up an appointment with a Financial Counselor. Visitors are encouraged, and visitation hours are posted on the hospital website. To improve the experience at HMH, each patient receives a visit each day from someone on the medical team or on the leadership team of the hospital. Don’t be surprised if the CEO drops by your bedside to check on you. The leadership team includes: • Patrick Shannon – Chief Executive Officer • Ian Gibson – Chief Operating Officer • Jose Guerra – Chief Nursing Officer • Mary Bevier – Chief Financial Officer The Board of Directors includes Ray Hernandez (Chair), Joe Sapp (Vice Chair), Sudhir Sehgal, MD, Joe Thomason, Judy Upshaw, Trey Wharton, and Trey Young, MD.
Huntsville Memorial Hospital 110 Memorial Hospital Drive Huntsville, TX 77340 Main: 936-291-3411 www.huntsvillememorial.com PHYSICIAN OFFICES: Primary Care Clinic: 936-291-3219 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine: 936400-7221 Women’s Health Clinic OBGYN: 936439-1457 General Surgery: 936-755-4690 Dialysis Access Clinic: 936-304-1700 OUTPATIENT SERVICES: Radiology Scheduling: 936-435-7577 Women’s Imaging Center: 936-2914826 Outpatient Rehab (PT, OT, Speech): 936-291-4300 Cardiac Rehab: 936-291-4598 Infusion Services: 936-291-4570
1314 10th St. • Suite 130 Huntsville, TX 77320 936-295-1151
Christopher L Davis, LUTCF Financial Advisor chris.davis@mutualofomaha.com
www.get-retirementright.com Million Dollar Round Table
You have dreams. We all do... RETIREMENT PLANNING MANAGED INVESTMENTS INCOME PLANNING 401 (K) ROLLOVER ANNUITIES LIFE INSURANCE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT GROUP HEALTH LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE
What’s your dream? chris.davis@mutualofomaha.com Securities and advisory services offered through Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Davis Wealth and Risk Management Inc. and Mutual of Omaha Investor Services, Inc. are not affiliated. Insurance producats and services are offered by various underwriting companies
70 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Your Full Service Advertising & Promotional Product Solution Source! • In-house Embroidery • In-house Screen Printing • Signage, Flags, Banners, Table Coverings and Tents • Corporate Recognition Programs • Premiums and Incentives • Trade Show Programs • Safety Programs • Service Awards • Employee Recognition • …and so much more!
936-291-3222
Check us out at
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Patrick Shannon, CEO; Jose Guerra, Chief Nursing Officer; Mary Bevier, Chief Financial Officer; Ian Gibson, Chief Operating Officer
Hippocrates, along with us, would give a hearty thumbs up to all the good things happening at Huntsville Memorial Hospital.
Madilene's Piano Tuning & Repair
If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to contact a member of this team of professionals who care about you and your
loved ones, and making your lives as whole and healthy as possible. We are grateful for HMH and their services to our community!
YOUR STUFF SAFELY STORED!
Since 2004 Madilene Loosier & Brandon Loosier Certified Piano Technicians
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276 IH 45 South • Huntsville, TX 77340
(936) 241-4662
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
71
From the Mouths of Babes Norah: Mom, look at me! I’m chillin’ like a villain! Me: You are? Norah: Just kidding. I’m chillin’ like a xylophone.
Me: If a stranger came up to you and said, “I’m your mom’s friend, she told me to pick you up,” what would you say? 5yo: I’d say, “You’re lying. My mom has no friends.” Me: Not where I was going, but okay. Kara Tipton I took my 8-year-old to the office on “Take Your Child to Work Day.” As we were walking around, she started crying and getting very cranky, so I asked her what was wrong. As my co-workers gathered round, she sobbed, “Daddy, where are all the clowns that you said you worked with?”
Me: I like your shirt. 3yo: You can’t wear it. Me: I didn’t ask. 3yo: Because you’re too fat. Me: I DIDN’T ASK.
Daddy, do you think I’m old enough for a mouse? Games for second graders sometimes need a mouse, so can you get one for me, please?” (My son Xander’s way of asking for a computer)
My 8yo daughter met a girl at summer camp last year named “Internet.” I said, “No way. That can’t be her name,” but my daughter had been adamant. For almost a year we’ve been having this discussion. ANTOINETTE. I just found out her name is Antoinette.
Home and Land Ownership…The American Dream!
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Home and Land Ownership…The American Dream! 1702 E Main St. Madisonville, TX 77864
936-348-9977 (Office) www.dblrealestate.com
Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year! 72 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Crawl outta that bed and join us! We'll both be glad you did!
Believe. Belong. Be Loved. You belong at HCOC. SUNDAY WORSHIP - 10 AM hcoc.church
HCOC HUNTSVILLE CHURCH OF CHRIST 3737 Hwy 30 West • Huntsville 936 • 295 • 3884 January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
73
We have what it takes.
Wildlife Wonders DEADLY CONSEQUENCES By Cheryl Conley Lake Creek Preserve Board of Directors
ZERO-TURN MOWERS • UTILITY VEHICLES 141† HORSE POWER CAB TRACTORS
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(936) 291-8103 2124 HIGHWAY 30 EAST • HUNTSVILLE, TX 77320
huntsvilletruckandtractor.com † For complete warranty, safety and product information, consult your local Kubota dealer and the product operator’s manual. Power (HP/KW) and other specifications are based on various standards or recommended practices. KCDA-04-148494-1
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I can remember as a child when my teacher brought helium balloons to class and gave one to each child. She explained we were going to write notes, attach them to the strings, and release them. We were all hoping someone would then find our notes and contact us. It would be so much fun to see how far our balloons traveled. Sadly, no one responded. Now, decades later, I have learned just how hazardous to animals those balloons were. At least once a month, I hear of or see on the news people releasing balloons in remembrance of a lost loved one or in celebration of a special day or event. We know those who organize and participate in balloon releases have the best intentions, but they don’t consider the consequences of their actions. As you know, what goes up must come down, and those balloons turn into unsightly litter. They can be found along beaches; in rivers, lakes, and oceans; as well as in forests, farmland, and other green spaces. You can see them wrapped around power lines, in trees, and even in yards. In addition to being unsightly litter, balloons are extremely hazardous to domestic animals and wildlife. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) states, “Many balloons that are not properly disposed of end up in the ocean and along shores, becoming marine debris...Balloons can be mistaken for food, and if eaten and ingested, balloons and other marine debris can lead to loss of nutrition, internal injury, starvation, and death.” The latex or mylar gets lodged in the digestive tract, and the animal can no longer eat. It’s a slow, painful death by starvation. The strings or ribbons attached to the balloons are just as deadly. Birds can get them wrapped around their necks, beaks, or feet. Again, it’s a slow and painful death. So many animals have been killed--marine species like dolphins, whales, and turtles; cows and sheep; pet dogs; ducks and geese. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and local chapters of the National Audubon Society are urging people to stop releasing balloons and to find alternatives safer for animals and our planet. Several states and cities in the U.S and abroad have passed laws regarding mass balloon releases. The following ten states have laws banning or limiting the release of balloons: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia.
mckenziesbarbeque.com 1548 11th St • Huntsville
(936) 291-7347 Open: Mon.-Thurs. • 10:30 am - 8 pm • Fri. - Sat. • 10:30 am - 9 pm 74 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
More than 270 scientists and other experts rated balloons as one of the major threats to marine mammals, seabirds, and turtles. During an examination of more than 1700 deceased seabirds, researchers at the University of Tasmania found nearly one in five died from ingesting a balloon or balloon pieces. Soft plastics represented just five percent of the debris ingested, but caused 40 percent of deaths. In an effort to convince people to stop releasing balloons, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has even posted disturbing images of dead wildlife on their website.
Thank you, HISD Board of Trustees!
What can you do instead of releasing balloons? 1. Plant trees in honor of someone. This gives you a chance to honor that person year after year as you watch the tree grow. 2. Blow bubbles. You can make an ecofriendly bubble solution with dish soap. 3. Throw flower petals. 4. Hold a beautiful candlelight vigil. 5. Have a bonfire. 6. Fly kites. Get creative. Come up with some other ways to honor/celebrate. Be responsible and think about your actions. No one wants to cause harm to animals or our environment.
Ken Holland Vice President
J.T. Langley President
John Hendricks Trustee
Rissie Owens Trustee
936-435-6300
Tracy Stoudt Secretary
Cathy Schweitzer Trustee
Trey Wharton Trustee
www.huntsville-isd.org
January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
75
Glorious Grandkids
Jaci Nicole
THERE REALLY IS A DIFFERENCE
Grandchild of James & Janet Jones
Joshua Grandchild of Tony Nick
Share Your Grandkid Photos with Us!
PostcardsLive.com
Devin Walter Loggarakis Great-Grandchild of John & Darlene Boyce
Now Now taking taking applications applications for for Fall Fall 2024 2024
A classical, Christ-centered Pre-K-12th grade school
3891 Hwy 30 W. • Huntsville
936-438-8833
For more information visit: alphaomegaacademy.org
76 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
The Grands
Laura GREEN 1
What is your grandparent name and does it have a special meaning? Lolli
2
Number of grandchildren and age range? One, who is 5 months old.
3
Favorite activity with them? Snuggles.
4
Advice to other/new grandparents? See them often when babies! They change so quickly & enjoy EVERY moment! They are precious!
5
What’s your fondest memory of your grandparents? Spending summers with them. My grandfather would take me fishing. My grandmother would do crafts and bake with me.
6
What do you hope your grandkids remember about you? That we are fun! I want him to want to come to our house and spend time there!
Happy New Year! CALL US TO RID YOU OF UNWANTED GUESTS!
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936-668-1321 January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
77
Your Best AgriLife By: Kristy Titzman, Walker County Extension Agent – 4-H Youth Development kristy.titzman@ag.tamu.edu
Why 4-H? It seems the opportunity of “things to do” for kids is endless these days. Flyers come home from school to parents every day with some type of out-of-school activity for kids. As a parent, what makes you decide which activity is most suitable for your family? Is it the interest-level of your child…the fact the activity fits into the schedule of your everyday lives…because you know your child will learn a new skill or gain knowledge or confidence in themselves? Maybe it’s a combination of these things. Did you know local 4-H club does all of this in one? Long-term research studies of 4-H alumni show 4-H membership correlates with success in life, socially and economically. • 4-H members are more likely to be satisfied with their lives (and this number increases with the number of years of involvement in the organization). • 4-H members are community advocates. They are two times more likely to be civically active and four times more likely to make contributions to their communities. • 4-H members are two times more likely to make healthy choices. • 4-H members are two times more likely to participate in STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Math) activities outside-of-school time.
4-H Alumni report their 4-H experience impacted their lives in the following way: • 91% Being a good citizen • 91% Creating confidence • 86% Leadership skills • 79% Civic engagement • 78% Succeeding in work and career • 53% Choosing their career 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization, and it empowers young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. There is a 4-H program in every county in the state of Texas. It is managed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and you should make sure your child or grandchild is a part of this organization. There is something for everyone! Kids learn about things they are interested in, all while being part of a group where they feel like they belong and are free to explore those interests through hands-on activities. The 4-H slogan is “Learn by Doing,” and that is exactly what members do. They learn to cook, sew, raise an animal, care for a plant, shoot a firearm, or
Woods Welding Inc. Shop & Field Serving The Area Since 1976
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lead a group of their peers--all because they are allowed and encouraged to explore their interests in a safe environment. Sometimes, they learn other skills along the way (and don’t even realize it until they are much older and start raising kids of their own). 4-H clubs and experiences would not be possible without the dedication of adult volunteers willing to share their own knowledge, skills, and time with the younger generation. There are so many things adults can share and kids can learn, and 4-H bridges this gap so both youth and adults are able to reap the benefits. Walker County 4-H is always looking for adult volunteers to enhance our programs. If you have ever thought about volunteering your time, knowledge, or skills to make a difference in the community, you should reach out to the local County Extension Office to see where you can help. Young person or adult, get involved in the 4-H program, and see for yourself what type of difference you can help make. For information about Walker County 4-H, please contact Kristy Titzman at 936-4352426 or kristy.titzman@ag.tamu.edu.
Creative Corner
CRAWFISH SEASON IS HERE • Live Crawfish • Boiled Crawfish Lemon Meringue Pie and a Barefoot Boy By Glynda Turner Frances was never a fulltime cook, but she had a few specialties. Lemon meringue pie was one of the things the Parish kids were sure to rave about. She could be counted on to bake a pie for any occasion when one of the Parish kids came back home. One summer my Aunt Jessica (Parish kid #3) was in town with her son, Stan — about three years old. My Aunt Ann (Parish kid #2) was also in town with her daughter, Margie — about four. This is a window on how our summers went during the 1950s. I lived just a few blocks away (with Parish kid #5--I was about 6) so there was a constant influx of cousins for me to play with throughout summers. Frances had a pie ready. Jessica loaded up Stan and Margie and drove the three blocks to Frances’ house to pick up the lemon meringue pie. It was a beautiful pie with the meringue standing tall and a perfect golden brown. Being careful to get back to Grandmother’s house with the pie in all its perfection, Jessica carefully placed it on the back seat floorboard behind the driver. The children wanted to ride in the back so they could stand up — it’s just three blocks. “Just stand on the other side of the hump and whatever you do. . .” Right in the middle — a perfect footprint. (Did Margie push him? The case has grown cold in 67 years.)
• Hamburgers • Alligator • Frog Legs
• Boudin
• Oysters
• Gumbo
• Crabs
• Étouffée
• Axis
• Catfish
• Nilgai
• Shrimp
• Wings
• Steaks
• Po ‘Boys
Catering Available! Thank you for a wonderful year!
(936) 295-2003 2707 S. SAM HOUSTON AVE. HUNTSVILLE, TX 77340
facebook.com/bigecrawfish January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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January
2024 Thru Jan 6
CALENDAR 7
Galveston
Frisco
Conroe
Holiday in the Gardens
NCAA Division I FCS
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater
moodygardens.com
Houston Zoo Lights
Montgomery
11
arenahouston.com
Montgomery lcarw.com
Ron White
19-Feb 11 Houston
13
“Tina - The Tina Turner Musical”
“Pictures from Home”
Conroe
thehobbycenter.org
alleytheatre.org
Beatlemania64 crightontheatre.org
5-7 Rockport
Education Session:
Gospel Music Festival
Spring Vegetables
gospelforce.org/festival
mcmga.com
Galveston
Conroe
19 Huntsville Sundance Head oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org
20 Houston
Yaga’s Chili Quest and Beer Fest yagaschiliquest.com
A Tribute to Dean Martin & Friends crightontheatre.org
Monster Jam nrgpark.com
Huntsville
Huntsville
Montgomery
Comedian James Gregory oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org
Celebration of Gospel
2024 Chairman’s Ball chamber.conroe.org/events
15
of-gospel-concert-2024-
Victoria
Houston
tickets-736071879807
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
MLK Grande Parade Midtown
victoriasymphony.com
mlkgrandeparade.org
The Woodlands bigtop.show/thewoodlandstx2024
Candidate Forum
Sugar Land smartfinancialcentre.net
Boutique Bargains
18
12
2-7
eventbrite.com/e/celebration-
montgomeryareachamber.com
Shenandoah: Revival Tour
visitthewoodlands.com
Concert 2024
MACC Chairman’s Celebration
Houston
Town Center
Houston
ref=newsfeed
fcs-championship
Thru Jan 15 The Ice Rink at The Woodlands
events/2056979204017916?
ncaatickets.com/championship/
houstonzoo.org
The Woodlands
facebook.com/
Football Championship
Thru Jan 7
6
17
23
16-17 College Station “To Kill a Mockingbird” mscopas.org
80 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
Conroe 12th Annual Job Fair chamber.conroe.org/events
GOT PROBLEMS? 23-27 Houston “The Golden Girls: The Laughs Continue” thehobbycenter.org
23-28 Houston thehobbycenter.org thehobbycenter.org
24-Feb 8 Houston “Steel Magnolias” adplayers.org
26 Cleveland Annual Awards Banquet: Red Carpet clevelandtxchamber.com
26-Feb 11 Conroe “Wait Until Dark”
We’re your problem solvers! Pete
n s o h o J Wrecker Servicen
owentheatre.com
27 Conroe Annual Fruit & Nut Tree Sale mcmga.com
Huntsville Twitty & Lynn
• Light & Heavy Car Carriers • Flatbed Carriers • 49 Years of Service • 24 Hour Emergency Service
oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org
• Texas Towing & Storage Association
Round Top
• Unlock Cars
Asleep at the Wheel festivalhill.org
Sugar Land George Lopez smartfinancialcentre.net
• State Licensed
(936) 291-1119 Toll Free 1-800-743-1029 631 Ryans Ferry Rd. • Huntsville January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
81
Mustard Seed Moments by Linda W. Perkins
Epiphany: God’s Wake-up Call Epiphany. In church tradition, that’s the name of the feast celebrated on January 6 to remember the day the Three Wise Men (also known as the Magi) visited the Christ child. It officially marks the end of the Christmas season and begins Carnival season in New Orleans. But why the name “epiphany”? The epiphany I am most familiar with is an “ah-ha” moment, or a sudden revelation or insight, as in, “I just had an epiphany!” I can only imagine the surprise of the Magi when--after looking at biblical prophesy, current events, and the unique astronomical configuration of the stars--they concluded the Jewish Messiah had been born. Wow, what an epiphany that was! I like to think of an epiphany as God’s wake-up call that spurs us to action. It’s almost as if we are asleep with our eyes closed, then something happens and pop! We jolt out of our slumber, sit straight up with eyes wide open, and see what it is He is calling us to do. When Esther became queen and Haman plotted against the Jews, she had an epiphany that she was in the unique position to save them. Centuries later, fishermen and tax collectors would suddenly realize that Jesus of Nazareth was more than just a carpenter, and they would drop what they were doing to follow Him. Even those who scoffed at
Jesus during his earthly lifetime would have encounters with the risen Christ and become changed forever. Over my lifetime, I have had a number of wake-up calls leading me to a deeper trust in God and to a life of greater obedience. In some cases, I was called to take action; in others, I was called to be patient and still, and to know He was in control of the situation I was facing. God is not silent. He speaks to us in many ways. The question is, are we listening? What epiphany have you had recently that is calling you to go deeper with God? If you have unanswered questions about your life, pray for your eyes to be opened to the truth of what God is trying to tell you. According to Scripture (James 1:5) He will always grant us wisdom when that is our prayer. “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?’” – Esther 4:14 (NIV) “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. They their eyes were opened and they recognized him… – Luke 24: 30-31 (NIV)
Come as you are! Covenant Fellowship Bible Study: Sunday Mornings, 9:30 am Worship Time: Sunday Mornings, 10:30 am
Celebrate Recovery: Tuesdays, 7 pm Church Email:
covenantpastor@gmail.com
Church Website:
cfhuntsville.org
Address:
606 FM 1791 N. • Huntsville
Church Phone:
(936) 435-0993
So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer. ~ Ezra 8:23
Lead Pastor: David Valentine 82 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | January 2024
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FOR
CUSTOMERS,
FROM WE
e t a fu
WISH
OUR
YOU
A
l
Gr
WE ARE
OUR
FAMILY VERY
TO
FRIENDS.
YOURS,
HAPPY
NEW
YEAR!.
Normangee State Bank 202 Main St. • Normangee, TX
936-396-3611
Online Banking Available
NormangeeStateBank.com January 2024 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition
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