POSTCARDS MAGAZINE - Lake Conroe - September 2023

10 Community Builders Family Promise

16 Texas Talent Grady Hillman

32 Business Focus Ward Furniture & Flooring

FAVORITES

Community Calendar -40

Conundrum -38

Dear Gabby -25

From Our Readers -15

Giggles & Grins -37

Glorious Grandkids -27

Let’s Celebrate -8

Medical Matters -24

Milestones -21

Mustard Seed Moments - 42

Pet Pals -28

Publisher’s Post -6

Puzzle Solutions -23

Sudoku Marketplace -39

The Garden Post -26

The Latest -29

What Are You Reading -23

What’s Cookin’ -30

Your trusted electric provider for over 80 years now o ers you high-speed fiber internet.

We’ve spent the last two years building a strong and reliable fiber backbone. Now, every MidSouth member has the opportunity to sign up for fiber internet.

MidSouth Fiber is bold and fast. With unlimited upload and download speeds up to 1 gig, MidSouth subscribers also enjoy:

• no contracts

• no data caps

• 24/7 tech support and outage restoration

Jump on the broadband wagon and join our growing fiber community at midsouthfiber.com

Cover Photo by Anthony Pinina Postcards 2022 Photo Contest Submission

Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving.

Lessons from a One-Year-Old

As I write this, Wes and I are in the middle of a one week visit by our 15-monthold grandson. His parents are off on a beach vacation on a beautiful tropical isle…and we are in the 106 degree oven of East Texas. Playing outside has not been much of an option.

Even so, the week has been everything I expected it would. Busy. Tiring. Fulfilling. Wonderful. Fun. Giggly. Silly. Exhausting. Sometimes all at the same time!

As the week is drawing to a close, I realize we have learned some very important things that need to be shared.

You can say a lot without saying a word—a look, a smile, a scowl, or a pointed finger speaks volumes.

• Snacks are best if you have one for each hand.

• Music with a good beat should be danced to.

• Silly sounds make everyone laugh. Make them often.

• Having a bedtime routine really does help you relax.

• Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

• A second breakfast is never a bad idea.

• Never underestimate the value of a good book. If you love it, read it more than once.

• Sample ALL the flavors at the frozen yogurt shop.

• Try new things. Sometimes they are scary, but you end up enjoying a lot.

• Naps keep you going.

• Spend time with the people you know love you no matter what. Time is short.

Being grandparents is still relatively new to us. There are three little boys we adore, and I am quite sure there are many more lessons to come!

Until next time,

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.

© 2023 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved.

Legal Corner: BENEFICIARY AS WITNESS TO A WILL

By: James M. Bright, Attorney at Law

In my practice, occasionally I am asked to probate a will in which one or more of the witnesses are also named beneficiaries in the Will. This creates problems which must be overcome if the bequest is to be upheld.

The General Rule in a case such as this is found in the Estates Code Article 254. 002 and is paraphrased as follows: Gifts to the beneficiary who is also a witness to a nonholographic Will are void, unless an exception to the rule can be established by sections recited in that statute.

Exception One: Art. 254.002(b)

If the witness/beneficiary in the will would have been entitled to a portion of the estate under the laws of intestate succession, then he/she would be entitled to that same distribution, but not more than would have been received under intestate succession.

Exception Two: Art. 254.002(c)

If the testimony of the subscribing witness/beneficiary by at least one disinterested and credible witness can be corroborated, then the bequest to the subscribing witness is not void.

The application of the above-stated rules and exceptions can cause dramatically different results. An example might be:

Fact Scenario:

A recent case handled by this firm dealt with the following facts:

*Decedent dictated the terms of this will to one of the beneficiaries (whom we will call Alice) with Alice writing it all down in her own handwriting. The decedent then signed the Will that had been dictated. Even though the will was handwritten, it could not be probated as a holographic will because it was not totally in the handwriting of the decedent.

* Alice, to whom the Will was dictated, was the grandchild of the decedent, but her mother (the child of the decedent) was still living.

* Alice, along with one other person who was named as a beneficiary, signed the Will as witnesses together with a third person who was not named as a beneficiary.

Application of the Law:

*Because two beneficiaries were also witnesses, they are disqualified from receiving proceeds from the property of the deceased unless they fall into one of the exceptions referenced above.

*The bequest to Alice is not revived by the first exception, above, because she would not have been a beneficiary under laws of intestate succession. The other beneficiary/witness, the son of the decedent, shall inherit under the will because his inheritance does not exceed what it would have been under intestate succession.

*In order to revive rights of Alice to inherit, we must rely on the second exception, above. In this particular case, the wishes of the testator could be carried out through testimony of the third witness as a disinterested party, because the testimony of the other two witnesses could be corroborated.

If the facts of this case had been slightly different, and the thirdparty disinterested witness was not available, the will would not have been admitted to probate, and all the wishes of the decedent would have been ignored in favor of the laws in intestate succession.

This type of situation comes up far too often and thwarts the wishes of the testator. A few dollars spent with an attorney of your choice can save a lot of time, money, effort, energy and heartbreak by avoiding this type of pitfall.

Community Builders

Story by Ruth Fields

by Gina Turner

Diana Reyes can talk about it now, but in 2019--when she realized she had nowhere to go--she could hardly get the words out between sobs.

Diana had an associate degree from Lone Star College in health sciences and had always been financially stable, but when she became a single mother, she found she didn’t make enough money to survive. “That is a place that I never thought I was going to be,” she says. She turned to her family for help, but after a contentious disagreement, they sent her on her way. Stung by her pride and feeling guilty about what her children were having to go through, Diana, along with her five-yearold daughter and four-year-old son, spent a terrible night in her car. The next morning, she spoke with employees at Texas Health and Human Services. She said, “I have nowhere to stay. I don’t know what to do. I need a shelter.” Equipped with a list of local shelters, Diana began calling and leaving voicemail messages. Within five minutes, Family Promise of Montgomery County called her back.

“They did what my family did not do: they took me in,” Diana says. “They sent me to a church. They were so very welcoming. They were the hands and feet of Jesus. I remember that we had dinner. It was, like, the best meal! The volunteers played with my kids.” One volunteer even took care of Diana’s puppy. Another, a 91-year-old woman, gave Diana hope by sharing her own story of perseverance. “That night, I prayed, ‘What’s going on?’ I don’t know how God talks to you, but I remember him saying, ‘You are inside my house.’ Even in my most difficult times, he was there. Sometimes we forget that God is faithful. Even though we can’t see him, he is right there.”

By taking care of her basic needs for 90 days, Family Promise was able to help Diana get back on her feet. The organization also improved Diana’s long-term stability by finding a grant that enabled her to complete her education. Today, Diana is a registered nurse.

Photos

Combining efforts of area churches is the “secret sauce” to this non-profit, which gives struggling individuals and families a hand up.

Diana Reyes

She hopes to one day work for Veterans Affairs so that she can help veterans (like the two in her family). “I am so grateful,” she says, “because God is faithful.”

Fishing

An often-quoted proverb states, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Family Promise embraces this concept, striving to empower—rather than to enable—families. “We teach a man to fish,” says Marilyn Kasmiersky, executive director of Family Promise of Montgomery County. “The goal of Family Promise is to transition families with children under the age of 18 into long-term stability, creating generational change.”

Family Promise meets the immediate needs of unsheltered families by providing food and housing for 90 days; meanwhile, the organization coaches families on such important topics as personal finance and budgeting, positive parenting, nutrition, and life skills. Counselors also advise program participants about how to maximize their earning potential. For example, in some cases, acquiring a certification can make a noticeable difference in hourly pay.

Imari, a mother and a current Family Promise resident, was recently thrilled to find out she’d been offered a job as a special education aide to preschool students in Conroe Independent School District. It’s ideal, she says, because she’ll have the same time off as her three children. Not long ago, Imari was new to the area and quickly running out

of money. “When I came here, I was very much in need of help,” she says. “I was trying to find an apartment, but I ran into problems because of my credit.” Finally, Imari Googled shelters for women and children. “I prayed, asked God, and he sent me here,” she says. “He sent me to Family Promise.”

Secret Sauce

Family Promise has its roots in the Interfaith Hospitality Network, which was formed in 2001 to help unsheltered families in the area. While many people assume homelessness is a problem affecting adults, the reality is many families cannot afford housing, Marilyn says, noting that there are 415 homeless children who are currently registered in Conroe ISD alone.

Interfaith Hospitality Network created a network of churches throughout Montgomery County which, by pooling their efforts, were

able to provide food and temporary shelter for families in need. In 2006, the organization became an independent affiliate of Family Promise, and churches still form the foundation for its services. “Our churches are the secret sauce,” Marilyn says. Although the pandemic took its toll, 17 churches have since renewed their support of Family Promise.

In the early years of the program, families, after being issued air mattresses, rotated from church to church every week. Churches provided meals, companionship and shelter, often converting educational space to dormitories. Churches also recruited volunteers to spend the night at the church so that there was always someone to respond in case a need arose. When the pandemic caused churches to close their doors, Family Promise was crippled.

Imari, Godric, Jaida & Isaiah

So, Marilyn got busy and applied for two grants from Montgomery County Community Development. With one, Family Promise was able to purchase an office building with multiple rooms. With another, the building was gutted and remodeled. The result was the Family Promise Guest Center, located

off F.M. 2854, just west of I-45. The guest center has six rooms with private bathrooms, including two handicapped-accessible rooms. It also has a computer lab, where guests can work on their resumes, a dining room, and a family lounge, complete with toys and books. It even has a laundry room,

which often fascinates guests--because the washing machines and dryers do not require quarters.

Churches are still the “secret sauce,” providing the evening meal for residents one week at a time. When volunteers arrive with the food, they often stay to visit with the

Marilyn Kasmiersky

Tiffany Hankerson Warren Evans

families. “Our Uno cards are nearly worn out,” Marilyn says. Warren Evans, host coordinator for The Woodland Community Presbyterian Church, says he has no problem recruiting volunteers. “People who have done it before know the drill,” he says. “They’re eager to come back and do it again. We got into this program because it was for homeless people that had families. So, because there’s kids involved, we can have our volunteers bring their kids, too.” The kids play together while the adults are chatting, Warren says, and one family’s four-month-old baby recently got “passed around.” Warren is thrilled that Family Promise now has a guest center, which makes it easier on families and churches alike. Churches no longer have to rearrange rooms to make suitable places for the families, and families don’t have to bounce from church to church.

Relief and delight

When families arrive at Family Promise after “couch surfing” or living in their cars, they usually express relief, says Tiffany Hankerson, case manager. “They have a bed, the kids have stability, their own bathroom and their own bed. They get meals. We have a pantry full of snacks.” New families are presented with brand-new sheets, comforters, pillows, laundry baskets and hygiene baskets filled with items like toothbrushes, soap and shampoo. Children, Marilyn says, are often delighted to learn they will get to take their comforters and pillows with them when they graduate from the program. “One little girl said, ‘Is this mine?’ She hugged it,” Marilyn says. Family Promise also helps get children enrolled in school. “We work closely with the school districts,” Marilyn says. “Some kids aren’t in school because they are ‘couch surfing’ and don’t know where they’ll be sleeping,” she says.

Warren & Volunteer preparing a meal.

Shannon, Kenerdick & Enijah »

“My kids like it here,” says Shannon, who recently dialed 2-1-1 when faced with an emergency. She hadn’t heard of Family Promise at the time, but she is grateful the organization has been able to assist her family. “Everything is provided for us. Our needs are met. We can get counseling if we need it, and help getting work,” she says. Shannon is looking for a job as a cashier, in a warehouse, or in customer service. “Family Promise is allowing me to get on my feet while I am in the process,” she says. “I say God lined me up with Family Promise.”

For more information, visit familypromiseofmc.org or facebook.com/FPMCT.

Guest center areas including; handicap-accessible room, laundry room, computer lab & bedrooms

Thrilled!

Thrilled y’all are moving down our neighborhood.

Highlighted People

Scott Luzny

From East to West

I really enjoyed the Ricky Skaggs article. I already have a signed copy of Ricky’s book and recommend its reading to all who love Ricky and Bluegrass music. My husband and I love to see Ricky perform and have attended his concerts from east to west and in Germany.

Lisa

I enjoy your magazine. I have either met or seen many of the people you highlight. Thank you!

Pat Roberts

Thank You

Thank you for mailing me a copy of Postcards Magazine. I enjoy reading it. I love the Pet Pals.

Wanda Franklin

Every Month

Every month I can’t wait until Postcards Magazine arrives in my mailbox. When it does, I enjoy reading it cover to cover. I especially enjoy seeing the grandkids and learning about local businesses from the business story. Thank you for taking the time to create such a wonderful publication!

Ella Austin

Grady Hillman

POET ANTHROPOLOGIST ARTIST URBAN PLANNER WRITER TEACHER TRANSLATOR

Grady Hillman is a poet, anthropologist, artist, urban planner, writer, teacher, and translator. It’s not so much he has separate careers; rather, he has found a way to roll these careers into one livelihood and one lifetime. His work has taken him around this country and to more than 20 other countries, to the betterment of diverse communities and populations. Over the past dozen years or so, he and wife Mandy Gardner have combined talents in these endeavors.

Story and Photos by Mike Yawn

Mandy Gardner & Grady Hillman

Act I: A Nomadic Education

Where did you grow up, and how did this develop your facility with language?

All over: Mississippi; New Orleans, and other parts of Louisiana; Houston; Beaumont; Odessa; and Maracaibo, Venezuela. In New Orleans, French was required; in Venezuela, I had Spanish instruction; and in high school, I took German.

How did that turn into a career in poetry?

I was studying Humanities at Southern Methodist University, but I took a break from school and sort of did the hippie/activist thing; I became a carpenter. I moved to Austin where all the artists, writers, and dancers were banging nails as the city was beginning to grow. I would do poetry readings with construction buddies. But I was always interested in people, the stories they tell, and the things they believe in that help them make sense of the world. I ultimately graduated from the University of Texas and found understanding those things could benefit communities and earn me a living.

Act II: A Nomadic Educator

How did you wind up teaching in schools and in prisons?

began when asked to be part of ‘Poets in the Schools’ in Huntsville. I did that, then Bob Pierce from Windham (Windham is the school district for TDCJ) contacted me about doing ‘Poets in the Schools’ in prison. This had never been done.

How did you and the program evolve?

I ended up teaching in more than 100 prisons! Some of that work was the subject

of the award-winning film, Lions, Parakeets and Other Prisoners (1984); I also received a Texas Humanities Council grant to do Jailin’ in Texas, a discussion program about prison storytelling. That was especially gratifying. How do people react when you tell them you taught in more than 100 prisons?

(chuckles) They might think it’s unusual or unsafe. If they ask, I just say, “It’s interesting, but not nearly as challenging as teaching a group of middle schoolers. Middle school is the toughest place I’ve ever worked.”

I taught in Beaumont, San Angelo, Terlingua, and other places. I taught in Mumford, a small town near Bryan, and I was in a classroom with children between the ages of five and nine, teaching them all at the same time. It required innovation, and it was a great learning experience for me, too.

What type of assignment would you give inmates at Windham?

I taught Dante’s Inferno, which has various characters from literature in various circles of Hell. They read the book, and I posed

questions, one of which was to assess the punishments that Dante assigned to his characters. I’m not sure if they thought I’d be turning over their answers to the parole board, but they were all in favor of harsh punishments, noting, “Oh, Dante was too lenient. They deserve much worse!” Whatever the motivation of their responses, they knew the material.

Act III: Rising Action

At the end of the 1980s, you obtained a Fulbright Fellowship and returned for your Master’s Degree. What prompted that move?

I was dependent on other scholars throughout the 1980s to do the programs I wanted to do. I had the ability to implement the big grants, but I did not have the graduate degree, and in the Humanities, you really need such a degree. The Fulbright turned into my graduate research. I was able to travel and work with Dr. Roger deVeer Renwick, and I learned a lot about the Incan culture and

language.

In fact, you took on the unlikely task of translating poetry from Quechua to English!

Yes, I had been to South America, and I was interested in the Incan Empire which, at its peak, was as large as the Roman Empire. The University of Texas taught Quechua, so I had this opportunity to learn. For the translation project, I worked with a professor named Guillermo Delgado, and he didn’t speak much English, and I didn’t speak much Quechua. Our common language was Spanish, and that’s how we worked, translating these Incan myths and poems to English.

Why did you choose anthropology for your Master’s degree, and how did your work change afterward?

It connected the things that interested me. It is studying people, and that’s what I do. I had more flexibility, and I could do larger projects. I put together cultural or historical plans for many communities: the King William District in San Antonio (TX), as well

as districts in Greenwood (MS), San Marcos (TX), Charleston (MS), Anniston (AL), and the cultural district in Huntsville (TX).

When did you meet Mandy, and how did that change things?

We met briefly in 2007; I then reached out to her in 2010 for something work related, and something clicked.

It didn’t so much change things as enhance them. She has a PhD in interdisciplinary studies, with a focus on pedagogy, literature, and sociology. She has taught in jails and homeless shelters, and she is a writer, often writing about health. This was a match for me, and her knowledge turned out to be helpful. At the time, all I knew was: I was at the top of my professional game, and I had met a wonderful woman.

Act IV: The Fall

This wonderful life stopped—literally—on June 26, 2011. While walking his dog, Hillman had a heart attack, a cardiac arrest, and a stroke—a medical hat trick. A short ambulance ride and three defibrillations later, his heart resumed beating. His fine motor skills and his voice, however, were slow to follow. The poet had lost his voice.

What do you recall about the moment you awoke?

I don’t have clear memories of much immediately following the stroke. I remember trying to communicate, but it was just gibberish. I also lost memory of events before the stroke. I didn’t even remember Mandy. That was her best chance to leave me. I wouldn’t have even known! (much laughter)

Mandy Gardner didn’t leave. In fact, she was essential to his recovery. They married in 2012, about nine months after Grady’s stroke. How long were

you unable to speak?

About two months. I was in the hospital for a month, then I went into rehab for five or six weeks. Even after I went home, I struggled, doing things like reading the paper upside down (laughs).

Mandy Gardner: He mostly babbled, and he would agree to all sorts of things, because he didn’t have a sense of time.

Grady: It’s a linguistic joke: “I lost my tenses.”

Mandy: It’s worth noting here that his speech therapists used his poetry to help him recover.

Grady: Yes, they taught me through “key vocabulary.” My poetry contained words that had meaning to me, and it helped me relearn language and speech.

When were you able to work again?

About a year later, I had my memory and most of my skills back. We got a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to do research. Beth Bienvenu, the Director of the Office of Accessibility for the NEA, contacted me and asked me to mentor writers teaching in a federal prison program. She said, “You still have your memory and your cognition, and we can work around your ability to talk.” So, I worked on that project for several years, until COVID put an end to it and similar projects.

Is the memory fully back?

Names and numbers give me the most problems. At times I cannot think of the correct word, and I have to use a circumlocution to describe it. It’s a slow, long recovery from losing about half my vocabulary. Mandy, Grady, and half his vocabulary now live in Albuquerque, and he still works and travels. He completed a book in the past year, “Arts in Corrections: 30 Years of Annotated Publications” by Grady Hillman.

Act V: Revival

It’s been a dozen years since the stroke, what ails you besides the vocabulary?

My right hand has lost some motor coordination, so it’s harder to write. Things come to me more slowly, which makes it difficult to toggle back and forth among topics. It’s like a large ship trying to turn around. I’m still recovering, and I’ve been humbled, but I am doing what I need to do. I am an editor, and I am editing myself, with the help of Mandy.

What are your current projects?

I am still publicizing the book, and I am working on a project to get back into a correctional facility to teach arts and poetry. I am also working on a book based on my travels in Peru. I wrote a lot of poetry when I was in Peru, which was during their civil war, and I kept journals.

Would it have been more difficult to recover from your stroke if you hadn’t been trained in linguistics and had so many diverse life and career experiences?

It would have. I was trained as a linguist and as an anthropologist. I know what’s wrong with my brain; I know what I am doing; I know where to go for help; and Mandy knows what I don’t. It is a blessing.

Happy 2nd birthday Jolie! Loved by parents, Rachel & Brandon Pizzino, greatgreat grandfather, Larry Pizzino, family, friends, and her dog Copper Ronny.

Happy 4th Anniversary

D.L. & Shannon Shiver

Happy 11th Anniversary to Erik &

Taylor Jenkins Reid

By Marianne Peck, MD Obstetrics, Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Women’s Health: Why Your Annual Exams Are Essential

Trying to juggle job, home, and personal life can make it hard to get it all done--grocery shopping, paying bills, getting your oil changed, making time to see all your doctors — all those responsibilities that, unfortunately, come with being an adult.

When you’re young and healthy, your annual physical exam might seem like a women’s checklist item that’s okay to brush off. But it isn’t.

“Keeping tabs on your health and staying up to date on recommended screening tests can save money, time, and (ultimately) your life,” says Dr. Marianne Peck, OB-GYN at Houston Methodist.

Dr. Peck explains why you should schedule your annual physical exam — even if you don’t have any health concerns -- with these questions and answers.

Q: What happens during a woman’s annual physical exam?

A: Your annual exam is a chance to focus on preventive care. Your checkup will include services (such as vaccines to prevent disease); screenings (such as mammograms) to check for potential health problems; and education and counseling to help you make informed health decisions.

Q: What screenings or exams should I expect?

A: After talking with your doctor, you’ll determine which screenings (or exams) are needed. Generally, these will depend on your age and current health status.

Q: What should I be prepared to discuss?

A: You’ll be asked about your medical history; family health history; sexual health and partners; last period (the first day of your

last period); changes in your health (such as eating, toileting, fatigue or sleeping problems); use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs; mental health history; relationship and safety; and medications.

Q: Should I prepare questions?

A: Making a list of questions will help you remember everything you intend to talk about. Don’t be embarrassed or afraid to ask questions. Open communication builds trust between you and your doctor.

Q: What is a well-woman exam?

A: Your annual checkup with your gynecologist. The visit may also include a Pap smear, breast exam, and pelvic exam — depending on your age, recommended screening guidelines, and risk for gynecologic issues. Even if you’re not due for a Pap smear, don’t skip your annual checkup with your gynecologist.

Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. September and Labor Day are always special for me because I was born on Labor Day. I know, all of you Smarty Pants, that we were all born on labor day, but I was born on the actual holiday. It’s back to school time, so watch out for the little children waiting for the bus and the older ones driving! School was much easier when I went, back in caveman times, because there wasn’t much history, yet. If you have questions about anything, other than history, send your questions to me by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share.

DEAR GABBY

I like to tell my wife about my day when I come home from work, but she asked if she could have some peace and quiet while she tried to cook dinner. So I took the batteries out of the smoke alarm. She failed to see the humor in that and I’m in the doghouse. Again.

TOO CLEVER FOR MY OWN GOOD

DEAR TOO CLEVER

Yes, you are. I live with one of those, too. One night my husband stopped for a beer after work and became very late for dinner. I called him and told him if he wasn’t home in 10 minutes, I was going to give the dinner I cooked for him to the dog. He was home in 5 minutes. I asked him why he made it home so quickly and he said he’d hate for anything bad to happen to the dog. The dog was kind enough to share his doghouse.

GABBY

DEAR GABBY

Has someone really done all of the stupid things that we are warned about on product labels?

NOT THAT DUMB

DEAR NTD

I truly believe that every warning label comes with an amazing back-story. My favorite warning label of all time was on a clear plastic bag on a pair of snowmobile gloves. It read: WARNING: To avoid danger of suffocation, keep this bag away from babies and children. Do not use in cribs, beds, carriages or playpens. THIS IS NOT A TOY! The next paragraph read: If you thought this bag was a baby toy, and the warning is actually news to you, then best of luck out there. Life will not be easy for you.

GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO

“MYSTERIES OF LIFE”: If you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn’t fit any of your containers.

The Garden Post

By Kim Bius

Fall Planting

Texas has been blessed with two planting seasons: spring and fall. Fall is cooler, generally brings more rain, and less bugs and disease.

What is better planted in the fall? For starters, trees and non-drought tolerant shrubs (such as azaleas, camellias, dogwood trees and redbuds). Once established, these plants are fairly hardy (after the first 2-3 years). By planting in fall, trees and shrubs have a longer period of root establishment before the drought and high heat of summer arrives. A fall vegetable garden has different selections of vegetables that will tolerate a frost, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, lettuce, and many of your leafy veggies.

Existing summer tomatoes and peppers should be replaced with fresh fall starters, which will be healthy and ready for harvest in October up until first average frost date –

November 18th (we have had hard freezes as early as October 28th, but very rarely).

Compost vs. Humus - Humus is the endproduct of decomposed compost; thus, humus is often considered the better product for gardens, but many will argue the opposite. Landscapers Pride makes an excellent product called Healthy Soil Compost, which is leaf mold from the forest floor. Mixed with black humus, it makes a nutritious and organic additive for your garden area.

Chinch bugs are still ravaging area lawns. The dried, brown area in your lawn (that you keep watering with no results) is chinch bug damage. These microscopic-size bugs suck the chlorophyll from the blades of grass, leaving the dried straw look to your lawn. Chinch bugs always attack the hottest and driest areas of the lawn, generally along sidewalks, driveways, and roadways due to reflected heat. The best curative is

a preventative granular insecticide. Turf Ranger by HI-Yield is a great product. Not to sound like a spokesperson, but HI-Yield and Fertilome products are made in Texas for Texas gardens.

October is our month to begin considering pansies in the landscape. Pansy season will not begin until the daytime high is in the low 80s, so we have a few days to go. It is mum season, and a fall garden is not complete without the addition of chrysanthemums.

Mums, as we call them, are the queen bee of the fall garden world. They bloom beautifully in spring and summer with adequate water. Mums are also deer-proof, tough as nails (as long as they are not heavily overwatered), and extremely drought tolerant once established. Happy fall y’all; it is not here yet, but it is on the way!

Lexi Knight Great-Grandchild of Perry & Mary Post

Maverick Naquin Grandchild of Daniel & Tonya Turner

Ezel Miles Rouse Great-Grandchild of Bea & John Rouse

Haisley Hilliard Grandchild of Kayla & Cordell Duerer

The Latest

Coach Michelle Rochinski

by Ruth Fields

Original story ran September 2022

When the Lake Creek High School softball team returned home after winning the state championship in June, all eyes on the bus were focused on Montgomery’s Chickfil-A. For the second consecutive year, the marquee congratulated the team, but this time it proclaimed, “Congrats LCHS Softball

2X State Champs 84-1.”

After the team’s 41-0 season in 2022, it was not a stated goal to go undefeated again, says Michelle Rochinski, head coach. Instead, the mission was to be back-to-back state champions. As Lake Creek’s winning streak got longer, however, people noticed. “It was adding a little bit of pressure to the kids and to the coaching staff,” Michelle admits. The team finished the season with a record of 43-1, setting a state record with its streak of 82 wins. It also joined an elite group: only 13 high school softball teams in Texas have won back-to-back state championships.

Michelle Rochinski says she coaches to help students, not for recognition, but she has been duly recognized. In 2022, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association named the Lake Creek softball coaches as best coaching staff, and Michelle was the Texas Girls Coaches Association coach of the year.

In addition, Michelle was surprised to be selected as coach of the year (of all sports) by the National Federation of High Schools. So far this year, Michelle has been named coach of the year for the district, as well as for the greater Houston area.

After the win at state, Michelle announced her decision to step down as head coach. “It was time,” she says. “As a coach and as a mentor, I had done things I never would have dreamed about.” Next year, she will continue in her role as assistant athletic coordinator and will be an assistant spring golf coach. Her son Cade will be a sophomore football player at Howard Payne University, and her daughter Kalee will be a freshman softball player at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Michelle is looking forward to watching their games. “It wouldn’t be fair to the kids at Lake Creek if my head wasn’t there all the time,” she says.

Michelle says it has been rewarding to watch team members blossom athletically, personally, and academically—and she cherishes “the lifelong relationships I have with the players I had the opportunity to coach.”

What’s Cookin’

Cowboy Candy (Candied Jalapenos)

Ingredients

1 pound jalapeno peppers, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces

1 ¾ cups brown sugar

¾ cup apple cider vinegar

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp celery seed

½ tsp ground turmeric

¼ tsp cumin seed

¼ tsp anise seed

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp red pepper flakes

1 pint-size canning jar

Directions

Step 1: While wearing gloves, rinse jalapenos and remove stem. Cut into 1/4-inch slices and set aside. To reduce the heat from the peppers, you may core out the centers with

the seeds and discard before slicing.

Step 2: Combine brown sugar and apple cider vinegar in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic powder, celery seed, turmeric, cumin seed, anise seed, salt and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer for 3 minutes. Add sliced jalapeno peppers and simmer for an additional 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 3: Remove jalapenos to a jar using a slotted spoon. Continue simmering liquid over medium-low heat until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes more.

Step 4: Pour liquid over the jalapenos and let cool. Use a strainer to remove excess seeds from the liquid, if desired. Refrigerate for a minimum of 3 days before eating. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Cook’s Note:

If you have extra liquid left over, it makes an excellent simple syrup for a spicy margarita!

How does a business that’s been here for four generations stay relevant?

According to David and Jackie Ward, owners of Ward Furniture and Flooring, a big part is by allowing younger family and new staff members the opportunity to join the excellent staff already in place. This combination creates energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas that propel a business forward. That reference was made in particular to the couple’s daughter Scottie Ward, the fourth generation to be involved with the family business, and project manager Brad Sherman, who was hired in 2022.

Without a doubt, David knows the feeling of being one of the “younger ones,” since he began working at the family business while he was in junior high. His starting job was to dust the entire store, and he also was tasked with raking the (then-stylish) shag carpet. Without realizing it, the family business, originally begun in 1944, was already getting into his blood as he watched his grandparents, and then his parents, stay committed to offering quality products and courteous service. While a student at Texas A&M University, David made the decision to return home to join Ward Furniture on a fulltime basis. His wife Jackie joined him in the business a few years later.

When asked if the family business was always her plan, Scottie replied, “No, not really. I went to school and majored in accounting. After college, I worked for a big, corporate accounting firm and realized it really wasn’t for me, so I found my way back home. The challenge for me was…where can I help? I am not a designer or a flooring or furniture expert, but I wanted to be able to help mom and dad grow the business.”

David said, “When we are thinking about the future of this business, we look to Scottie – She’s the future. The younger staff members bring fresh and new ideas to the table, and I need to get out of the way and let them do their thing.”

I asked David if that meant he was thinking about retiring. He grinned while shaking his head no, and Jackie confirmed, “No, but it would be nice to get to go for lunch!”

“As scary as it can be to think about running it myself someday, it’s also very exciting to think about the potential I see as our community grows,” said Scottie. “I watched my dad create the flooring part of our business when he saw the need. Knowing that can be done

Story by Karen Altom

Photos by Julie Knight

Jackie, David & Scottie Ward

Dr. Debra Sims Dr. Rodney Elmore

Brad Sherman-Project Manager

Kim Sanders & Janice Edwards-Designers »

makes me keenly aware of paying attention to other needs we might meet for our customers and community. It’s an exciting time to be involved!”

Jackie said a big change has been seen in some of the youthful styles many young adults prefer. “It is fun to see some of the youthful influences in the store. We want something for everybody. We still have plenty of styles that are more traditional, but if you happen to like contemporary, we want you to know we can do that as well.” She said Ward Furniture & Flooring is a place for young adults, too. “The more they come, the more we see and understand what they want.”

The one thing that will never change is that Ward Furniture stands for quality. Both David and Jackie are proud of the fact that for almost eight decades, the Ward Family has been serving the area with quality furnishings, flooring, and accessories. Said David, “We want to sell quality furniture that we can put in someone’s home and know they have something that is going to last them a long time.” Jackie agreed. “Whatever someone’s style is, our goal is to

have (or get) what they want to make their home beautiful for them, and to do it with the signature Ward Furniture service.”

In addition to quality – service is one of the things Ward Furniture is most known for. Not only can you expect excellence when you are purchasing an item, you can count on Ward’s to stand behind the products they sell.

Something people may not know about shopping with Ward Furniture is the added benefit of the two on-staff designers, Kim Sanders and Janice Edwards. Some customers ask for assistance with small tasks (like helping them arrange their new furniture purchases) or large ones (like assisting with remodels and new construction). “We have the best designers ever,” said Jackie, “and they are known for the beautiful designs they do in traditional homes, but they are also able to work with more contemporary styles, too.”

Kim said, “One of the things I enjoy most is helping customers in a way that shows we care. For example, we had an older client who came in and said, ‘I’m a little old lady, and my feet don’t touch the floor.’ Because we aren’t limited to just what we have on the floor, we were able to help her get exactly

what she needed to be comfortable. That matters to us.” Janice agreed and stated, “Often customers think they know exactly what they need, but they really don’t. With our years of experience, we are able to share things with them they may never have thought of. It’s very rewarding!”

A recent customer wrote, “One of the things I appreciated most about working with the Ward designers is that you helped me envision and create a plan we were able to implement in phases. You never made me feel like I had to do it all at once. Tremendous service, from answering the phone, to your designers, to delivery!”

Regarding seasonal changes, Jackie commented, “It is always fun to see what happens in the store each season as new inventory arrives. The fall and the upcoming holidays are when everything becomes festive.” Kim and Janice know this is the time of year customers think about the holidays and updating for guests and family. Said Kim, “This is when people tend to like to shop for new accessories and décor, as well as dining room and sofa sets. They also tend to think about whether they have

enough beds. Sleeper sofas and mattresses are really popular at this time of year.”

Jackie added, “Yes, when guests are coming, you need to think about your beds.” To which David quipped, “There’s this fine line between your beds being good enough so they’ll come back to visit, but not so good they’ll stay too long!”

According to Jackie, supply chain issues are almost back to pre-pandemic speeds. The only difference now may be the price. Jackie said, “If we have one on the floor, and we need to order another, the price may be slightly higher.” David said, “It’s kind of like ordering lobster at a restaurant – it’s market price out there right now. Some things we are still having to tweak and work through because of the effects of the pandemic.”

David pointed out the addition of Brad Sherman to their team last year. “Brad has been a big asset for the store. As project manager, he helps with estimations and job visits for both residential and commercial customers. He’s much more savvy with technology than I am, and just an overall good person.”

When I mentioned to Brad that I’d like to get a quote from him, he was still in full project mode when he realized what I meant. “OH! THAT kind of quote! I was trying to figure out what you needed a price on!” Brad said his favorite thing about his job is easy to put into words. “My favorite thing is we are able to establish a relationship with people in our communities and serve them generation after generation. Ward (Furniture) was here long before I was, but I get to meet people who tell me they came to this area 40 years ago and bought from Ward Furniture then. It’s a powerful statement to what we’ve been doing here all these years, and I’m glad to

get to be a part of that.”

In a nod to the past, Jackie said, “A handshake was a contract back then. Our motto is still ‘where personal service is a tradition.’ Our personal service, in my opinion, can’t be beat.” And in a nod to the future, David said, “Scottie and Bradley are both really good at helping us on the new and the digital side of things for furniture stores…every single day we are learning!”

Ward Furniture & Flooring offers more than a great place to buy furniture, flooring, accessories, and custom window coverings. They pride themselves on their customer service and having a great team that can adjust to a customer’s style and price point. And that is how a family stays in business for four generations.

Giggles & Grins

Friend: Who is your favorite literary vampire?

Me: The one in Sesame Street. Friend: He doesn’t count.

Me: I can assure you that he does.

My kids are so open to experiencing culture. They’ll try anything, from chicken tenders at a Mexican restaurant to chicken tenders at a Mediterranean restaurant. Sometimes, I read a text and think, “What a psycho.” Then I press send.

A good relationship is when she is by your side during bad times to tell you that none of this would have happened if you had just listened to her.

One hundred years ago, everyone owned a horse and only the rich had cars. Today, everyone has cars, and only the rich own horses. The stables have turned.

Hacker: I have all your passwords.

Me: OMG, thank you, what are they?

Friend: Tell me something I don’t know.

Me: The word “nun” is just the letter “n” doing a cartwheel.

Therapist: And, what do we say when we’re sad?

Me: ADD TO CART.

Therapist: No…

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

see answers on page 23

Art

64TH ANNUAL FACULTY EXHIBITION

Sept. 5 – Oct. 7 University Gallery, HFAB Free Admission

Music

WIND ENSEMBLE CONCERT

Sept. 21 | 7:30 p.m.

Payne Concert Hall, GPAC

Theatre & Musical Theatre UNCLE VANYA

By Anton Chekhov

Translated by Annie Baker

Sept. 21 – 23 | 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 23 | Matinee | 2 p.m.

Erica Starr Theatre, UTC

Dance MASTERS OF DANCE

tickets@shsu.edu | 936.294.2339

Sept. 29 & 30 | 8 p.m.

Dance Theater, GPAC

Music

CHORALE FALL CONCERT

Sept. 30 | 7:30 p.m.

Payne Concert Hall, GPAC

ARE YOU TURNING 65? NEW TO MEDICARE?

When talk turns to Medicare, refer a friend

Word-of-mouth still makes a difference

As they approach Medicare eligibility, your friends may ask about your Medicare experience. Don’t be shy about sharing it.

by Linda Perkins Home Sweet Home

Most of us have heard the story of the prodigal son, told by Jesus to illustrate the depths of God’s love for us. Told from the father’s point of view, it is a story of grace and forgiveness--a story that promises a “welcome home” celebration for repentant sinners, even the worst among us.

What if the story were told from the perspective of the prodigal? For those who think you can’t relate, let’s compare his journey to summer vacation. When we head out, all we can think about is our imagined destination. Depending on where we’re going, it may be the cool island breezes, the quaint stores and restaurants, or the bright city lights calling out to us.

What we don’t think about are traffic jams, long lines at the airport or amusement park, and strange tastes and smells. We wonder how locals manage to drive up and down steep mountain roads that don’t seem wide enough for two-way travel. We find ourselves frustrated when there is no air conditioning, stores close early, and cab drivers don’t speak English. Perhaps it’s raining at the beach or the nearby forests are on fire. Suddenly, in the middle of our dream vacation, we begin to sound like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. “There’s no place like home,” we realize.

In many ways, we are all like the prodigal. If we knew all the obstacles we would face in life, we might never take a step forward! As youths, we step out of the comfort of our parents’ homes and are excited to take on the world. We know there will be unexpected things we don’t like, but we don’t want to hear it. We just go. But somewhere along the way, we get tired…and the very place we longed to leave – home – is the one place we really want to be.

The good news is with God, we always have a loving home to return to. We may leave Him, but He never leaves us. He gives us a place of peace we can return to every day. And if we find ourselves wandering away, we don’t have to worry. All we have to do is turn around and He will show us the path back to Him, back to home sweet home.

“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.” – Isaiah 32:18

“Come all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28