POSTCARDS MAGAZINE - Piney Woods - July 2023

Joe B. Henderson Jr. • Ricky Skaggs • The Boot in the Breeches • Small Engine Shop

14 Do You Know?

Joe B. Henderson Jr.

30 A Special Conversation

Ricky Skaggs

40 National Treasures

The Boot in the Breeches

66 Business Focus

Small Engine Shop

20 Questions -27

Awesome Apps -74

Community Calendar -80

Conundrum -48

Creative Corner -35

Dear Gabby -21

From Our Readers -6

From the Mouth of Babes -73

Garden Post, The -24

Giggles & Grins -38

Glorious Grandkids -76

FAVORITES

Kidding Around -62

Let’s Celebrate -12

Living with Children -75

Medical Matters -36

Milestones -53

Mustard Seed Moments -82

Pet Pals -46

Publisher’s Post -9

Puzzle Solutions -28

“Seens” from our World -22

Snapshots -20

Star Students -54

Sudoku Marketplace -49

Teachers Touching Tomorrow -13

The Grands -77

Things My Granddaddy Said -26

Vet Connect -39

What Are You Reading -10

What’s Cookin’? -56

Wildlife Wonders -78

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Cover Photo by Abby Altom Boyd Postcards 2022 Photo Contest 3rd Place-Local Living

Small Businesses

I enjoy looking at businesses. Thank small businesses!

2023 - 2024 STUDENT REGISTRATION INFORMATION

IN-PERSON CENTRALIZED REGISTRATION EVENTS: New Students - Paper Registration, only Returning Students - Paper or Online Registration

On-Site at Huntsville High School • 515 FM 2821 E

Thursday, July 27 • 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Friday, July 28 • 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday, July 29 • 8:00 AM to Noon*

(*in conjunction with the Community Praise Ministry’s Back-to-School Supply Giveaway)

Please limit the number of people from each family attending registration, if possible. All children will need to be supervised by the parent/guardian during the registration process.

ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR RETURNING STUDENTS ONLY*:

Now thru Saturday, July 29

Online via Home Access Center (HAC) - 24/7 Access

*Our upgrade to a new system could cause possible delays to Online Registration, please monitor school email for any updates.

First Day of School - Tuesday, August 15, 2023

For all Registration Details, visit... For more information, contact 936-435-6300

www.huntsville-isd.org

The Simple Things

I love Postcards Magazine simple things. You off my precious grandsons, us to get to know our I love new recipes and Grins section. truly something that that I ENJOY!!

Love the Babies

I love to read “Out Babes” and see the grandbabies!

Community News

My favorite features include “Do You the High School Seniors We enjoy seeing students and community are doing good things

What to share something

Altom

Oh, Mercy Me!

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Publisher Karen Altom

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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.

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In every family, I am guessing there is at least one person who is your family “historian” (the one who keeps the genealogical records and knows whether you are third cousins or first cousins twice removed). That has never made sense to me, so I choose not to remove anyone and just count backwards by generations. No…actually, thanks to my Aunt Nancy, I have a chart.

On the Stevens side of our family, Nancy Page (my dad’s sister) is our family genealogist. We have learned over the years to be careful what we ask her regarding family relationships, because she knows a lot more than we could have imagined when we asked! Every once in a while, she just amazes me with something I would probably have never known were it not for her investigative work.

Case in point: Recently, she shared the finding of my 10th great-grandmother, Mercy (Hurd) Brigham Rice Hunt. Mercy was our first grandmother to arrive in America at the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Puritan Great Migration. She was a Quaker, born around 1615 in England, who is said to have come with her sister due to religious differences from which they “suffered annoyance and persecution at home.” She emigrated from England to Massachusetts aboard the Susan and Ellen in 1635.

Apparently, Mercy was a strong-willed woman made of sturdy stock. She and her sister traveled to America without a male relative. She reportedly ran men off her land when they attempted to repossess pigs that were not fenced in. She was recorded as owning land in 1680, much earlier than was common for women. After the death of her second husband, she sued one Robert Wilson for debts owed to the estate of her husband. I have to believe that was almost unheard of at the time.

While most women of the time lived to 39-40 years of age, Mercy outlived three husbands and died in 1693 at the ripe old age of 78. During her third widowhood (which was the last 26 years of her life), she saw two bloody Indian wars.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, it is awe-inspiring to me that my grandmother Mercy had come to America 141 years prior to the beginning of our country! The things she and our ancestors lived through and endured are more than any of us today could imagine.

Mercy appears to have been quite capable of handling herself. In fact, in today’s lingo, she might have been called a “Karen.” Or Sassy. Apparently it runs in the family. Who says genetics aren’t amazing?

As the fireworks are lighting up the sky this year, I will be thinking of those who fought for our independence. And I’ll be thinking of (and thankful for) those who came before, like my grandmother Mercy.

God bless America, ~ Karen

Greg

Let’s Celebrate!

This Month’s Business Anniversaries:

1973 Celebrating 50 years

Carter’s EnterpriseTexas Burger

See their ad on page 21

1984 Celebrating 39 years

Advantage Specialties

See their ad on page 64

1985 Celebrating 38 years

Dr. Scott Logan

See their ad on page 45

Precision Pest Control

See their ad on page 62

1989 Celebrating 34 years

Glyna & Ray Brown, PC

See their ad on page 51

2001 Celebrating 22 years

Aireserve of Huntsville

See their ad on page 81

2007 Celebrating 16 years

Mr Brasil Paint & Remodeling

See their ad on page 17

2011 Celebrating 12 years

Salon Chic & Boutique

See their ad on page 34

2019 Celebrating 4 years

Sweet Karoline’s

See their ad on page 49

2020 Celebrating 3 years

Pack and Ship

See their ad on page 55

Stampede Coatings

See their ad on page 19

The Wells Team

See their ad on page 43

2022 Celebrating 1 year

All Star Dog Lodge & Spaw

See their ad on page 55

The Hag House

See their ad on page 50

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.”

Cameron Shirley

Huntsville High School

Physical Education; Assistant Coach, Varsity Football; Head Coach, Freshman Football

Sponsored

Nominated by Cooper Hooks

Coach Shirley pushes me to be the very best I can be personally, academically, and athletically. There are weeks when I think he probably spends more time with me than he does with his own sons, and I will forever be grateful for his influence in my life and his impact on the man I become.

Nominate a special teacher today by going online: www.PostcardsLive.com. Those chosen for publication are awarded a gift card to 1836 Steakhouse.

Local citizen reflects on his path of service, which includes having served as Walker County’s first County Court at Law judge.

Story by Claudia Kirkwood

Photos by Tom Miller

Joe B. Henderson, Jr.

From Fayetteville to Huntsville, and from his early years through high school and sports, college and military service, then on to a career in law, Joe B. Henderson, Jr., has blazed a trail that is brimming with family, friendships, and more accomplishments than this short article can hold. Let’s meet Joe and get a brief glimpse of the milestones along this journey.

Share a few details about your early years and your educational achievements.

Born in 1945 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, my family moved to Stuttgart, where I spent my childhood and teen years. I was actively involved in sports and enjoyed football, basketball, and baseball. After graduating high school, I attended the University of Arkansas where I majored in business, finance, and accounting. During those college years, I was fortunate to serve in the student senate, be tapped for ODK, and elected president of my fraternity. During my sophomore year, I enrolled in ROTC and was commissioned at graduation as a Second Lieutenant and destined to be an armor officer, which would not have been too pleasant a role since the Vietnam war was raging. Fortunately, having applied to law school at Southern Methodist University, I was accepted into the program and spent the next three years studying law. As it turns out, I never had to wear a uniform during that time, but was always on standby to be called up. That was common for graduates who were not needed in the service at that moment. Probably half of my class from the University of Arkansas were in Vietnam within

six months of graduation. I was fortunate to have bypassed that experience. Many of my classmates came back damaged in some way or never came back at all.

Please fill in some details about your service as an army officer.

Toward the end of my time at SMU, I put in for a transfer from Armor to the JAG corps. JAG stands for Judge Advocate General’s Corps, the legal arm of the Army. JAG was fortunate for me because when I passed the bar exam, I would be a Captain instead of a First Lieutenant tank officer. Nixon was bombing Cambodia at the time, so staying on home soil was preferable. By this time, I had married my college sweetheart (Jane Bell from Houston, Texas), and after passing the bar, we headed straight to the University of Virginia where I took a twelve-week military law course. While there, we enjoyed touring the East Coast, especially the fascinating historical sites in the area.

What were some of

the experiences and situations you dealt with as a JAG officer?

I was first stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, which is home to the 82nd Airborne and Special Operations Forces. I worked briefly on the well-known case of Dr. Jeffrey MacDonald, who was convicted in 1979 of murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters while serving as an Army Captain and Special Forces physician. I also prosecuted soldiers who were involved in a mutiny that occurred during field exercises. I spent considerable time counseling Army wives about their domestic situations. Husbands coming home from war were, many times, filled with anger which resulted in heavy drinking and spouse abuse. On some days, I would counsel as many as 25 women, explaining their options and what services were available to them. Also at Ft. Bragg, I was appointed to the Board of the Ft. Bragg Federal Credit Union and

Joe during the time he served in the Army.

served in that capacity until I left that post. Very memorable during these years was the birth of our first son, Joe Boyd Henderson III (Trey).

From Ft. Bragg to Ft. Hood, now on Texas soil, how did this move impact your career?

My next assignment was Ft. Hood, Texas, home of the 1st Cavalry Division. The Army was improving its legal services and moving toward a more professional system. They wanted experienced attorneys in key positions, so I was appointed Chief Defense Counsel for the 1st Cav. I remained in that position my entire time at Ft. Hood. In addition to my military duties, several nights a week I taught business law classes at Central Texas College in nearby Killeen.

Out of the military and on to civilian life, what were the next steps in your career?

Although I was only one step away from becoming a Major, I had completed my obligation to the Army and was honorably discharged soon afterward. After a brief stint of practicing law in Killeen, Jane and I, along with our son, moved to Huntsville. Her parents owned ranch property in Grimes County, and she had relatives in Huntsville. We bought a home and settled in. Soon, our daughter Aynsley Bell Henderson was born. Dr. Bobby Marks, who had been one of my professors in the business school at the University

of Arkansas, hired me to teach business law at Sam Houston State University. We hit it off and became close friends until his death. While teaching three courses a semester, I put my shingle out and started a solo law practice as well. I began to think about running for the office of County Attorney when the county judge approached me about it. By the following Monday, I was appointed to the vacant position, and from that point on I limited my private practice to

civil work. As County Attorney for the next 2-3 years, having won a full term, I handled the county commissioner’s work, civil work, and misdemeanor criminal charges, and assisted the district attorney as needs arose. Jerry

Sandal was the district attorney and was a wonderful man to know and work with.

At this time, the new Walker County Court at Law had been created by the Legislature. That position required an experienced licensed attorney. I accepted that job as an appointment and was later elected to a full term. Since this was a new court, I had to

set up its policies, procedures, and day-today operations. This is a domestic court and handles serious misdemeanors, contested divorces, juvenile matters, and probate in the county. It was 1977, and our third child, a son named Gibbs Callaham Henderson, was born. Career-wise, I felt I was umpiring instead of playing, so when the Smither law

firm approached me to join them, I eagerly accepted. I became a partner in the firm which became Smither, Martin, Henderson P.C., where I have now been the managing senior partner for many years. During this time, I acquired partial ownership in Walker County Title and currently serve as president of the company.

A growing career in a growing city; how have you been involved in the growth of Huntsville?

It has been rewarding to watch Huntsville grow and to be able to make a positive impact. When we moved here, the population was approximately 17,000. It is now over 46,000. One of the greatest needs for any community is a good hospital. In 1976, I worked with the county judge and others to successfully pass a bond election that would finance the building of the new Huntsville Memorial Hospital. Soon afterward, I was hired to be the attorney for the Walker County Hospital District, which owns and maintains the facility. I continue to serve in that position. The Hospital District is managed by a public board, with members elected by the »

Joe & his legal assistant, Ruth White Lynch

community. I’ve worked with many fine board members, and we have been able to ensure the hospital is on solid financial ground. Luckily, our hospital was able to survive while many other rural hospitals had to close their doors. It’s been a pleasure to represent the hospital district all these years and to build good relationships with other local and state attorneys in the process.

My career in law has been extremely rewarding. I also have served as a deacon and elder at my church and have been chairman of the Walker County Chamber of Commerce and president of the Huntsville Lions Club, helping to start the flag project which has been well-received by the community. My other activities have included being president of the Walker County Bar Association, and president of the Red Top Cemetery Association (a family cemetery in Grimes County founded by my wife’s ancestors more than a century ago).

And lastly, I must add that I have been blessed to have a remarkable legal assistant, Ruth White Lynch. Her help has been invaluable, competent, always professional, and delivered with an award-winning attitude. She has been and continues to be a pleasure to work with.

With this demanding career, have you been able to enjoy hobbies?

Hobbies over the years have included fishing in our ranch lakes, hunting at the ranch, and trips over the years with my sons and

Above: Caroline, Joe, & Annabelle

Right:(front row) Piper & Win (Back Row) Boyd, Olivia, Caroline, & Annabelle

relatives to Arkansas to duck hunt and to South Dakota for pheasant. Those times were great fun. When the boys were young, I coached a number of their sports teams. It wasn’t unusual for me to arrive just in time for practice or a game, still attired in my pinstriped suit and cufflinks.

My favorite hobby, however, has always been my family. Our three children have given me great joy, and now the six grandchildren only add to that. Our lives have been filled

with new and exciting experiences, usually involving the family. I am slowing down and have begun limiting my law practice to only certain areas. Jane and I hope to spend more time with the grandchildren, traveling, and at our CalBel ranch. We will celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary this August. She has been my constant companion, a wonderful mother to our children, and the person who has helped me become the man that I am. I am deeply grateful for her.

•

•

Joe & his dog Major, hog hunting

Joe’s 70th birthday with Trey holding Boyd, Palmer & Aynsley, Joe, Jane, Marjon holding Piper, Sudie, Walt, & Gibbs (front) Annabelle, Caroline, & Olivia

Robin Miller shared her backyard “froggy friends”.

Tim Morgan and his granddaughter, Kinley, putting up

Dear Gabby

Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. Happy Independence Day! God Bless America; America Bless God. Ronald Reagan once said: All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” Tag; you’re it! It’s summer vacation time. Several years ago, I hung a map in my house to put pins in all of the locations I have visited. I had to go to Cape Flattery, Washington and Madawaska, Maine first, so the map wouldn’t fall down. This year, I checked my summer vacation budget. I’ll be going to a movie. Send your questions to me by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive. com/share.

DEAR GABBY

My husband loves gadgets. Consequently, he has one of everything, and it’s very hard to buy him gifts. Do you have any suggestions?

avoid buying for him. My husband Dud really likes to keep the household knives very sharp. He thinks they are actually less likely to cut you badly since you’re not required to put much pressure on what you’re cutting. He sharpened the blades the old fashioned way, so I bought him a fancy new electric sharpener for his birthday. I used to have a nice large wooden cutting board. Now I have two small ones. It’s going back!

GABBY

DEAR JTTH

Make a note to yourself: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out my mouth (especially considering the subject of the conversation). The ability to keep your mouth shut is usually a sign of intelligence. Unfortunately, you failed your IQ test. Regarding the ladies speaking to you, have you tried an apology? If that doesn’t work, you should buy a tent. Your next home may be the National Forest”

GABBY

DEAR GABBY

My wife, her mother, and I were discussing end of life wishes. My mother-in-law said she wanted to die a natural death, so I offered to drop her off in the National Forest. Now, neither of them is speaking to me.

JUST TRYING TO HELP

DEAR PUZZLED

Not knowing anything about your husband, I’m sorry, but I don’t. But, my husband is the same way. I do have a suggestion of something to

CONFIDENTIAL TO “PET PEEVE”: That is exactly mine, too. To fly Old Glory in an improper or tattered condition is not honoring what she stands for. Please replace any worn or discolored flags. Thank you, and have a safe and happy Independence Day!

By Kim Bius

Summer is Here!

With so many fun things to do and places to see, summer gardening needs to be relaxed, carefree and enjoyable. To get to “carefree,” here are a few tips to keep your gardening chore list on the lighter side.

Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper is a must. This granular preemergent will kill all seeds in the soil to a 5” depth, so be careful to only apply to sod or garden beds where reseeding annuals are not an issue. Apply after cleaning the bed, and you will notice NO new seed germination for 30-45 days. For weeds that are above ground, use Fertilome Weed Free Zone. This is a liquid “selective” herbicide and will not affect established St. Augustine sod. Read the label; many plants are tolerant of the herbicide and can be over-sprayed. Ensure the sprinkler system is off and no rainfall for 48 hours to give the herbicide time to absorb and to obtain maximum “kill” rate.

Headed out of town for a 7-10 day vacation? Place pot plants in a heavily shaded area in a round, plastic kiddie

Ice Plant

pool with 1” of water--or place in a heavily shaded area (even if sun lovers) where the sprinkler system will hit 4x a week. Ensure your sprinkler system is in working order before leaving for an extended period (and that it will “kick back on” if the power goes out).

Love summer color, but not so great at remembering to water several times a week? Try purslane, portulaca, or ice plant. These hardy, sun loving, blooming annuals make excellent hanging baskets and pot plants (also great companion color for rock beds areas with a xeriscape design or limited water). If deer are a problem, consider vinca (periwinkle), lantana, or plumbago.

It is time to move petunia, geraniums, and calibrochoa baskets/pot plants into areas with morning sun and no direct sunlight after 12:30 pm. Some of these plants will need to be pruned back to the rim of the basket or pot (due to becoming leggy). Fertilize

with Osmocote 14-14-14 for a slow-release formula that will last till August.

Keep a keen eye out for chinch bug in the lawn and spider mites on tropicals. This is definitely their favorite time of year. Both can be treated with a systemic granular or liquid organic. Fertilome Triple Action Plus is an excellent organic insecticide, miticide, and disease control that can be used up until the day of harvest. It can also be applied bimonthly as a preventative.

Keep tropicals fertilized monthly, and remember to only use hibiscus food on hibiscus. These beauties can be killed with high phosphorous fertilizer. Phosphorous content needs to be 5% or lower (save the Super Bloom for your blooming annuals).

Plant pumpkin seeds now for a Halloween harvest. Kids love watching them grow!

Enjoy outdoor time, because the next time we visit, it will be fall gardening time! Happy Gardening.

Things My Granddaddy Said

He did it quicker than a minnow can swim a dipper.

He’s all horns and rattles. Don’t throw away the old bucket ’til you know whether the new one holds water.

Love is like kudzu — it spreads. Only a fool argues with a skunk, a mule, or a wife who can cook.

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!

When it comes to dating, there are more horses’ butts than horses. All I want from you…is away.

She was as mad as a calf with a barbwire tail.

If you can’t bite, don’t growl. If I had to marry him, I’d draw straws and marry the straw.

your

gallons or more when you mention this AD or $3 Off with this coupon.

Publisher Karen Altom and her Granddaddy J.C. Farris

Tammy Farkas

Relations Director, Saafe House

SOMETHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE US ABOUT YOU? I

high

11 WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING ON YOUR DAY OFF?

HOW WOULD YOUR PERFECT DAY BEGIN? Waking up early in the mountains

HOW DO YOU CLEAR YOUR MIND AFTER A BAD DAY? Glass of wine and mindless television

ONE THING YOU’RE EPICALLY BAD AT?

Singing - I can’t carry a tune. 15 BUCKET LIST ITEM YOU’RE MOST GLAD YOU’VE DONE? Going to Europe. 16 TOP THING LEFT TO DO ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Jimmy Buffet concert. 17 IF YOU COULD LIVE ABROAD, WHERE WOULD THAT BE?

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE?

My grandmother - very strong, independent woman whose family always came first. 19 BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN?

Trust God to take care of it. 20 ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Hang in there - You’ve got this!

Community

Story by Wes and Karen Altom

Submitted Photos

Ricky Skaggs

That’s right! When we got married, I wanted to let Sharon know how much I loved her, so I said, “I guess I’m a ‘drafted-in’ Texan.” She cocked that leg around, like Texas women do, shifted her weight to that one leg, and said, “You’re not a ‘drafted-in’ Texan. YOU are a ‘wannabe’.” So, I knew my limitations right then.

The term “storied career” certainly fits when thinking about Ricky Skaggs. He is a member of 6 different Music Halls of Fame, and his awards include 15 Grammys, 8 CMA (Country Music Association), 9 ACM (Academy of Country Music), and 13 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association. And the story continues when Ricky Skaggs

and his band Kentucky Thunder perform at Huntsville’s Old Town Theatre on Sunday, August 20th!

As you think about your career and all you’ve accomplished, what do you hope you’ll most be remembered for?

I move with a lot of faith. I’m a Christian who believes the Bible and believes what God says. I pray…I’m not sure I’m the greatest in obedience—sometimes I feel like the Lord drags me kicking and screaming to move forward on the path--but I believe God has more of a purpose for us besides just music. But music is the vehicle with which we get

to deliver the message. There are people we come into contact with who would never enter a church, but Jesus is for everyone.

I would rather be known as a Christian than as a great player, as a great singer or songwriter, or for awards.

How is that reflected in your music?

We don’t do a “Christian” show—it’s not a Gospel show—but the influence shows. In this day and time, there are so many people who are so confused, and they’ve heard such horror stories about the church and about the Lord. It’s not the Lord’s will that any should

You weren’t born a Texan, but at least you married one!

perish. We have the opportunity to go into the marketplace and make a difference. It’s impressive to kids these days to actually see people making their own music and playing an instrument. It’s exciting to me to see people learn that, maybe they have a gift…and it’s in their heart, but it hasn’t really been developed yet.

What’s new and upcoming in your world that folks may be excited to learn about?

Here I am 68 years old, and I’m investing a

Add author to the storied career as well.

His book, Kentucky Traveler: My Life in Music is an honest, deeply American story of the power of faith, family, and music from one of America’s most beloved bluegrass and country artists.

Despite the hit singles, gold records, and successful tours, Ricky knew there was more to his mission. With a failed marriage and a sometimes-strained relationship with his children, Ricky had to make a choice. He would follow God’s plan, and rededicate his life to Christ, to his

lot of money into a business with my studio, a place where I’ve recorded for a long time. It is the place where I do my personal work, but we really want to rebrand it as a working studio open to anyone who wants to rent it. We’re in the process of a major renovation and hoping it will be available to use by August or September.

In 1997, after Ricky’s then-current recording contract was coming to an end, he decided to establish his own record label – Skaggs Family Records. Since then, Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder have released an amazing 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated classics,

family, and to the music that made him. He would carry the torch lit by his musical heroes Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, and Bill Monroe--and, most importantly, live the life and play the music that would make his mom and dad proud. Telling the intimate stories of a successful career built on passion, drive, and faith, sharing tales of his influences, and fondly recalling the instruments that have shaped his sound over the years and the friendships that have shaped his life, Skaggs paints a unique insider look at the evolution of bluegrass.

(8 of which went on to earn the revered award) while also opening the label to a variety of other musical artists, all the time keeping emphasis on bluegrass and other forms of “roots” music.

Nowadays, people can record at home in their bedroom, but it sounds like that to me when I hear the finished product <laughs>. The studio will have an enlarged recording space where we can get creative and do a lot of video in there as well, including livestreaming. It’s pretty exciting. I felt drawn into it.

What’s your “sweet spot” on tour dates per year?

We don’t really have a set amount. This year has been our busiest so far. We did 22 shows in January alone. It’s the best year we have seen since “the shutdown” we all had to go through.

In recent news, Darin & Brooke Aldridge’s new single, “Jordan,” featuring Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney & bassist Mark Fain hit Bluegrass Today’s Gospel Charts #1 position in June. This song is up for both Gospel Recording of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year honors.

Near the end of our conversation with Ricky, he became reflective.

I did an album back in 2010 called “Mosaic.” It’s a Gospel album, but it doesn’t sound Gospel. Some of the songs sound like the Beatles if they’d have gotten born again! <laughing> My co-producer, Gordon Kennedy, co-wrote all the songs on the project.

There was one song in particular he brought to me late in the project. It’s called Return to Sender It’s not the Elvis song—Gordon had a friend of his who asked him about his

Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Ricky Skaggs, Mo Pitney & Mark Fain

father. Jerry Kennedy was a well-known musician here in Nashville, and he ran Mercury Records for years. He produced Roger Miller, Jerry Lee Lewis, early Reba stuff… Anyway, his friend said, “Hey Gordon, did your dad play guitar on Elvis’ Return to Sender?” Gordon said, “No, it was Good Luck Charm But you know, I think I want that on my tombstone.” That opened up an idea to Gordon to write a song that said, “When I’m gone, just return me to the One that sent me here. Put ‘Return to Sender’ on my tombstone.”

History will say what they want to about me, but it’s what the Lord says about me that’s most important. I want to be remembered as a man who loved God, loved his family, loved his neighbors, loved his country, and was a patriot. I’ve got patriot blood running through my veins from the Revolutionary War and the French and Indian War…it goes back many generations. I’m proud of that. I’m not so proud of how things are right now in our nation, but I have faith, and I believe with all my heart that’s going to turn around.

I’m looking forward to the days and years ahead. I don’t know how many years the

Lord has me on this earth, but He knows. The Holy Spirit’s gonna speak out of us unless we try to hold it back and quench the Spirit. I don’t want to do that.

For more information, visit rickyskaggs. com. For info about the upcoming local appearance, visit oldtowntheatre-huntsville. org.

Creative Corner

Remembering…

By Pamela Richardson

Oh, how I love seeing this!

Growing up, my parents always took us on massive road trips. Things were so much different doing road trips in the early 60s!

There were few highways…it was mostly just two-lane roads going through the countryside.

My parents were both from Alabama and had thick, southern accents. We stopped at every fire tower we came to in order to climb it, but I was a great deal older before I realized that these were fire TOWERS and not Fire TIRES.

Medical Matters

By Rebecca L. Martin, AuD, CCC-A, FAAA

First Christian Church

you and yours a happy and safe 4th of July

Embracing Tradition

• Traditional Music

• Weekly Open Communion

S

Sermons that make you think A Spiritual

Sanctuary

First

Christian Church

worship service @ 10:45 AM Sunday School @ 9:30 AM

5 Signs it is Time to Get Your Hearing Checked

It’s one of your five basic senses, but how much do you really know about your hearing? Is it normal? Are you doing things that might be damaging it? Would you even be able to tell if it was getting worse?

“Seeing an audiologist is a good way to check on your ear health and establish a baseline of your hearing,” explains Dr. Rebecca Martin, an audiologist at Houston Methodist ENT Specialists at The Woodlands. “If you do have hearing loss, your audiologist can explain what it means for you moving forward and recommend ways to prevent further damage.”

Signs it’s time to see an audiologist

• You’re not hearing well in certain environments or situations. Whether you’re turning the TV volume up or you don’t always hear well enough to keep up with conversations.

• Someone else has noticed a change in your hearing. It is common for hearing changes to first be noticed by a spouse, child, loved one or friend — not the person with hearing loss.

• You have pain, pressure or drainage in your ears. This is typically a sign of an underlying ear problem that needs to be treated.

• You’ve noticed a ringing in your ears. This early sign of hearing loss can also sound like static, buzzing, humming or cricket-like sounds.

• You have a family history of hearing loss. A family history of hearing loss is a good reason to establish a relationship with an audiologist.

What happens during a hearing test?

You’ll be asked about your hearing and ear health history, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing. From there, a physical evaluation of your ear health and hearing begins.

“We look inside the ears to make sure there aren’t any occlusions (blockages) due to ear wax or something else,” explains Dr. Martin. “Next, we do a pressure test, applying a little bit of pressure in the ear to make sure that your eardrums are functioning as expected.”

Then there’s the actual hearing test, in which your hearing is measured as you listen to sounds of different pitches and volumes. Word recognition and comprehension are also assessed.

What happens next if a hearing test uncovers hearing loss?

“In some cases, a hearing impairment is the result of an underlying issue that can be resolved, such as an ear infection or fluid in the ears,” explains Dr. Martin. “If that’s the case, your audiologist will likely refer you to an ENT doctor for treatment.”

In situations where the hearing loss is permanent, audiologists are able to recommend the best amplification options to treat and improve quality of life.

Giggles & Grins

“How do you drown a hipster? Throw him in the mainstream.”

“A man tells his doctor, “Doc, help me. I’m addicted to Twitter!”

The doctor replies, “Sorry, I don’t follow you …””

“How does Moses make tea? He brews.”

“What sits at the bottom of the sea and twitches? A nervous wreck.”

“Why can’t you explain puns to kleptomaniacs? They always take things literally.”

“What kind of exercise do lazy people do?

Diddly-squats.”

“Why don’t Calculus majors throw house parties?

Because you should never drink and derive.”

“How do you keep a bagel from getting away? Put lox on it.”

“What does a nosy pepper do? Gets jalapeño business!” Some

By Steve VanWagner, D.V.M.

Vet Connect: Food for Therapy vs Western Medication

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine food therapy has been gaining popularity. Food therapy is an art and a science using selected food ingredients and/or superior herbs to feed individuals based on age, species and breed, geographical locations, personality, and current disharmony or disease processes. Food therapy can be used as a primary treatment or adjunct therapy for specific health conditions, to promote health, and for prevention.

Types of food energies are hot, warm, cool, cold, and neutral. Hot/warm are used to treat cold patterns and cool/cold for heat patterns. The more processed the foods (i.e. dry kibble), the more heat it creates. Canned food is less “hot” than kibble. Hot/warm includes chicken, mutton, venison, shrimp, pepper, and cinnamon. Cold/cool foods clear heat, drain fire, and cool blood. These include turkey, white fish, crab, watermelon, and bananas. Neutral foods are for maintenance and include pork, beef, potato, and Chinese cabbage. Cold foods can act as anti-inflammatories and antispasmodics

where warmer foods promote circulation, improve organ functions, and stimulate and strengthen. Balance is the key. Excesses will lead to problems. Foods with high water content tend be cooling. Longer and slower cooking methods, such as roasting and stewing, produce more warming effects than quicker cooking methods.

Food therapy can also be based off sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty, and bland tastes. Sour foods (such as plum, lemon, and vinegar) stimulate contraction and absorption, act as an astringent, and benefit digestion (used for excessive sweating, chronic diarrhea, and urinary leakage). Bitter foods (such as apricot kernels, bitter melon, and rhubarb) draw out dampness and heat, improve appetite, and

stimulate digestion. Sweet foods (yams, corn, and rice) harmonize all other foods. They can be used for general weakness and deficiencies and help relax and relieve pain. Pungent foods disperse stagnation and promote circulation, energy, and blood. These can be used for tumors and edema (includes ginger, garlic, and mint). Salty foods moisten and soften things and improve circulation (includes seaweed and sea cucumber; used for lumps and constipation). Bland foods (such as pearl barley) would act as a diuretic and used for edema.

Check with your vet to ensure there are no contraindications for your pet. Rules of food therapy include diversification (provide variety), moderation, 2 meals a day for dogs, and eat until ¾ full. Providing nutrient variability is a must to prevent further issues.

THE BOOT IN THE BREECHES

A personal account to inspire and reflect around Independence Day.

Story By Janet Batchelor

Submitted Photos

Joel Phillips, Sr. was my 5th great-grandfather and my Daughters of the American Revolution Georgia Patriot. This story is as true as can be verified by oral accounts and history recorded. There are records of his bravery in battle and his Christian generosity. The most frequently recorded, and repeated, story is of the Sabbath Day that the Patriot boot met the Tory breeches.

My name is Joel Phillips, Sr. I am an American Patriot. The year is 1790. I was born in Virginia in 1728. My wife Elizabeth and I met and married in North Carolina. We judiciously moved to Georgia in 1773 with 5 sons and 2 daughters, the youngest of which was 9 months old.

We settled on land ceded by the Cherokee, betwixt Little River and Kettle Creek, near Fort Heard, which later became Washington, Georgia. The Kettle Creek Chapter of DAR requested monuments on the site of the Battle of Kettle Creek

forests abound in deer, black bear, wolf, wildcat, and small game, such as squirrel and rabbit. Quail are secluded in the underbrush, until they take flight with a mighty ruckus, and the clear, swift streams are full of fish.

My land is flanked on two sides by Cherokee and Creek Indian country, so I fortified the living quarters and outbuildings until our original property became recognized as Fort Phillips. In those days, we reasoned the only threat to our safety and well being would be from the Indians.

I put up a grist mill on Little River to supply my family’s needs, and those of the public, for wheat and buckwheat flour and corn meal. The mill stones were cut from rock found in the Paris Basin of the Seine River in France and made from sedimentary stone. After the stones were cut, they were transported to the Savannah area by boat and on to this area by ox cart.

In 1786, sixteen of my neighbors were holding church services in the mill, so I bequeathed the land on which Phillips Mill Baptist Church was built and helped to build it. My family worships there and we will likely be buried in the churchyard. Elizabeth has been a steadfast companion of good humor, and my offspring have made me very proud. I have endeavored to set an example for them as to how to be God-fearing, self-sufficient and resourceful, while being a contributing part of the community.

I was past 50 years of age when the Revolutionary War came to Georgia. I had no way to know, in the early years of the War, that I would be skirmishing my own Government in my own backyard. There are many tales that I could tell about my life -- some inspiring and some disheartening. But the story of the Battle of Kettle Creek is an account of the most harrowing time in my life--even more so than defending kith and kin from the Indians for nearly 10 years.

By 1779, Colonel James Boyd, with 600 British sympathizers (Loyalists or Tories), was on his way to covey up with the British Army in Augusta to bring Georgia wholly under the King’s control. The backwoods frontier of north Georgia proved to be difficult and severe for the British Army, in their dandy uniforms, whereas the terrain was as familiar as our old smocks to us. Our one thorny issue was a recent barrage of thunderstorms, most unusual for February, that saturated the

Patriot graveyard overlooking the ravine and creek at the Battle of Kettle Creek site

ground.

When word reached the British that a few leathery farmers in North Georgia had formed a resistance movement in Fort Heard, Colonel Boyd was ordered to scout the area. The Tories were hard to miss with their numbers and their bright red jackets. That encounter was how the Patriots came to know that the Loyalists were already in Wilkes County.

In a secluded area near Kettle Creek, on the night of February 13, 1779, Patriot troops, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Clarke, Colonel John Dooly, and Colonel Andrew Pickens, encamped. Colonel Pickens had 200 South Carolina militia, while Colonel Dooly and Lieutenant Colonel Clarke, my commanding officer, had 140 Georgia militia in the area, primed to overtake the Loyalists, who were far too close to home to suit us.

On the morning of February 14, 1779, Colonel Boyd and his men were camped beside a bend in the recently flooded Kettle Creek. The enemy was sleeping on my land. They had sentries posted, but their horses were grazing. Most of the men were busy

slaughtering Phillips cattle or scavenging the countryside for food on my property. The political injustices of the Government had now become personal.

Early that morning, with only 340 men, The Patriots launched a surprise attack on the British forces bivouacked at Kettle Creek. The Tories had slept warmed by a fire, but we had relinquished comfort for concealment. There were three Patriot columns; Colonel Dooly was on the right, Colonel Pickens was in the middle, and I was following Lieutenant Colonel Clarke on the left. Colonel Pickens had sent an advance guard ahead of the columns to scout for the British. Our Patriot scouts happened upon the Loyalist sentries and opened fire.

The gunfire alerted Colonel Boyd and quashed our surprise attack. Colonel Boyd rallied his men, took a small group and advanced to a nearby hill, where they waited behind rocks and fallen trees for cover. Colonel Pickens continued his advance to the top of the hill, but the two columns under Colonel Dooly and Lieutenant Colonel Clarke were hindered by the high creek water,

swamps, and cane breaks. On the approach of Pickens Patriots, the Loyalists opened fire, and the lead men of the Patriot column immediately fell victim to the first rounds.

It was bitter anguish to hear our fellow men yelling, while we were impeded in getting to the battle. From the location of the cries, it sounded as if our side was losing. We struggled on, even harder--determined to save this patch of Georgia from the tyranny of the British. Damn the flooded creek and damn the cold. It may sound far-fetched to yearn to arrive at a battle, but that’s just how we felt. Our very independence was at stake, and we were fully prepared to die for it.

By what may have been Divine Intervention, a Patriot musket ball mortally wounded the British commander, causing panic among the Loyalist militia, who pulled back pell mell to the camp in the ravine. As Colonel Pickens’ men gained the high ground above the camp and began to fire from above, the Loyalists realized their mistake and tried to escape by crossing Kettle Creek.

Just as the forward Loyalist line made it to the far side of Kettle Creek, Colonel Dooly’s

men broke into the open. Suddenly, our column, too, broke out of the swamp, and the battle was on. By my God, it was brutal. The Loyalists began a second retreat, more disorderly than the first. After three hours of perilous fighting, on both sides of Kettle Creek, disorder turned into defeat. We had defended Kettle Creek and, by the grace of God, only 7 Patriots were killed.

Of the 600 Loyalist troops, at least 20 died at Kettle Creek and another 22 were taken prisoner. The rest had, on the face of it, seen enough of Georgia. Colonel Pickens was later quoted as saying, “Kettle Creek was the severest check and chastisement the Tories ever received in Georgia or South Carolina”.

That was a mighty fearful time in my life and, even though I am a Christian, I am not a man to forgive and forget easily. To leave your family to go to war, only to return and hear about the suffering and malice endured by your beloved wife, at the hands of the

enemy, is mighty hard to abide.

My intense loathing of the British festered like a boil, long after the war ended. When we were building Phillips Mill Baptist Church, we had placed the log floor joists, but did not yet have the structure floored. The congregation, in the meantime, was sitting on those logs, which were the sleepers for the building. Just before services one Sabbath, I was in the church, kneeling in prayer, when a Tory entered. I pray that the uncharitable act that followed will be soon forgotten.

With God as my witness, I rose from my knees, stepped from log to log to where the Loyalist was sitting, and ousted the intruder. Taking him by the scruff of the neck, I escorted him back across the room and added a resounding kick at the door. When I resumed my prayers, I did so with the apparent approval of the entire congregation.

My faith assures me that God has forgiven me, and he may also have approved.

The author at Joel Phillips’ grave in the cemetery of the Phillips Mill Baptist Church.

loved by Don & Dianne Davis

loved by Alyssia, Alvin, Janice & Otis

MONA

loved by Whitney Robinson

Sudoku #8

Hard

Sudoku

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

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.

Andrea Correa recently celebrated her 40th birthday with son Sam.

Jim & Linda McKenzie recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on May 26th

Mahala Hughes is turning 2!

Star Students

Sharon Holland Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Coach Carter

Favorite Music/Artist: Frank Ocean

Favorite Food: Seafood

Favorite Quote: “I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength.”

Sharon is a recent graduate of Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Ken and Nicole Holland. Her activities include National Technical Honor Society, tennis, and coaching The 15s on Texas Pride Volleyball. Sharon plans to attend college, get a good job, and start a family. She believes, “Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice

Michelle Glover Huntsville High School

Favorite Music/Artist: I like a variety of music

Favorite Food: Cream Cheese Noodles

Favorite Quote: “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” –Oprah Winfrey

Michelle is a recent graduate of Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Tamara Braun and Kevin Glover. Her activities include Business Professionals of America, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Girl Scouts, Texas Association of Future Educators, National Technical Honor Society, and Reporter for the Senior Class. Michelle plans to attend either Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology (Denver) or Vet Tech Institute of Pittsburgh to obtain vet tech certification. She believes, “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.”

Reliable

Kristen Tolliver Madisonville High School

Favorite Movie: Shark Tale

Favorite Music/Artist: R&B / Chris Brown

Favorite Food: Seafood

Favorite Quote: “Learn as if you were to live forever; live as if you were to die tomorrow.” --Gandhi

Kristen is a recent graduate of Madisonville High School and is the daughter of Roshandra Smith. Her activities include basketball manager and track manager. Kristen wants to walk without assistance and go to school to become an ultrasound technician. She believes, “Don’t let anyone tell you something is impossible. There is just someone who hasn’t done it yet.”

Favorite Movie: Scream

Favorite Music/Artist: SZA

Favorite Food: Chicken Strips

Ciera Austin Huntsville High School

Favorite Quote: “Impact is always greater than intent.”

Ciera is a recent graduate of Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Latoya Austin. Her activities include TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators), Key Club, National English Honor Society, and National Technical Honor Society. Following graduation, Ciera plans to attend Sam Houston State University to major in communication sciences and disorders, then become a speech language pathologist. She believes, “Above all things, respect yourself.”

What’s Cookin’

Raw Corn Salad

Ingredients

2 ears corn, kernels cut from the cob

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced

1 avocado, diced

1 small sweet onion, finely chopped

¼ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped, or to taste

1 green onion, green parts only, thinly sliced

1 drizzle extra-virgin olive oil

1 lime, juiced

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Smashed Peach and Poblano Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

2 peaches, halved

1/2 tsp ground ancho chile pepper (optional)

4 slices sourdough bread

3 oz sliced sharp white Cheddar cheese

1 large poblano pepper, roasted and cut into strips

4 slices crisp-cooked bacon

2 Tbs butter, softened

Directions

Step 1: Sprinkle cut sides of peach halves with ground chile (if using). Using a potato masher, a flat-bottom heavy skillet, or the flat side of a meat mallet, gently smash peach halves to 1/2-inch thickness. Top 2 bread slices with Cheddar cheese. Layer 2 peach halves, half of the poblano strips, and 2 slices bacon on top of the cheese. Top with remaining bread slices. Butter both sides of each sandwich.

Step 2: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook, turning halfway through, until bread is toasted and cheese melts, 4 to 6 minutes.

How to Pick the Perfect Peach:

• Look for firm peaches with a pleasant aroma.

• Pick full-colored peaches.

• Bigger can be better when it comes to peaches!

• Choose tree-ripened fruits.

Rhubarb Poppyseed Muffins

Ingredients

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/4 cups white sugar

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1 Tbs vanilla extract

1/4 tsp almond extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 Tbs poppyseeds

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt

1 1/2 cups finely chopped rhubarb

Directions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line two muffin pans with liners.

Step 2: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add in eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Turn the mixer speed up to medium-high, and beat batter until it is very light and fluffy, and has lightened in color, about 5 minutes. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.

Step 3: Add in 1 cup flour, poppyseeds, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg; mix on low speed until just combined. Add in yogurt and mix until just combined. Add in remaining 1 cup flour and mix until just incorporated. Fold in chopped rhubarb.

Step 4: Divide batter between the lined muffin cups, filling each one about 3/4 full.

Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven until muffins spring back lightly when touched, 20 to 23 minutes. Allow muffins to cool in the pan a few minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

BBQ Sausage and Peppers

Ingredients

2 lbs spicy Italian sausage, sliced

1 large red bell pepper, cut into large chunks

¼ lb jalapeno peppers, cut into large pieces

1 large red onion, cut into chunks

1 (12 fl oz) can beer

½ lb sliced provolone cheese

Directions

Step 1: Place sausage, red bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, and red onion in a large bowl. Pour in beer. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil grate.

Step 3: Alternately thread sausage, red pepper, jalapenos, and onion onto skewers. Cook on the prepared grill until sausage is evenly brown and vegetables are tender. Melt provolone cheese over the hot ingredients during the last few minutes of cooking.

Jalapeno Popper Spread

Ingredients

2 (8 oz) pkgs cream cheese, softened

1 cup mayonnaise

1 (4 oz) can chopped green chilies, drained

2 oz canned diced jalapeno peppers, drained

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Step 1:lStir together cream cheese and mayonnaise in a large bowl until smooth. Stir in green chiles and jalapeno peppers. Pour mixture into a microwave safe serving dish, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Step 2: Microwave on high until hot, about 3 minutes.

Baked Variation: If you would like to brown the cheese, bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for about 30 minutes.Serve with sliced sourdough baguettes, tortilla chips or crackers.

Homemade Blackberry

Lemonade

Ingredients

¾ cup white sugar

4 ½ cups water, divided

1 cup blackberries

2 Tbs white sugar

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

ice cubes

Directions

Step 1: Heat 3/4 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan

over medium heat. Cook and stir until sugar has dissolved, about 2 minutes. Let cool.

Step 2: Place blackberries and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Step 3: Combine simple syrup, blended blackberries, remaining 4 cups of water, and lemon juice. Place a finemesh sieve over a pitcher and pour lemonade into the pitcher; discard solids. Serve over ice.

I Spy of JuLy 4 th

Story By Courtney Burleson

Photos by Christi Reeves

Life for Korey Hagaman has taken a few twists and turns. He went from rodeo life to becoming a mechanic and general manager for the Small Engine Shop. While he never envisioned himself operating his dad’s small engine business in Madisonville, Texas, Hagaman has settled in and continues to successfully run the family business.

Established in 1994 by Korey’s dad, Whitt Hagaman, the Small Engine Shop serves customers from the Madisonville area and beyond. Whitt’s wife Kay described Whitt as an entrepreneur at heart. “He was always busy doing something and looking for ways to make money,” she described. “This was another avenue for that, and it turned out well. It was one of those things that just flowed into being.” Before opening the shop, Whitt ventured into cattle, oil, and real estate. Whitt passed in February 2022, and now Korey has taken the reins at the Small Engine Shop. Along with Korey, there is head mechanic James “Flinch” Stanton, who has been with the company for 13 years; and

Alex Glover, who handles most of the pickup and deliveries.

“If you use it in the yard, we can take care of it,” said Korey. “If it breaks, we can fix it.” Korey also refers back to his dad’s motto which still hangs on the wall, ‘We can fix your saw, trimmer, and mower. Jesus can fix your life.’

it breaks, we can fix it.”

The small engine shop offers basic mechanic work, repairs, and warranty work. This includes equipment such as chainsaws, generators, pressure washers, welders, and blowers—just to mention a few. They are also a certified dealer for companies such as Bad Boy, Cub Cadet, Briggs, Honda, Homelite, Kohler, Kawasaki, Poulan, Stihl, Simpson, and M.T.D.

After years of enjoying college and the rodeo life of a team roper, Korey joined his dad

Korey Hagaman

“If

Whitt & Kay Hagaman

at 25 years old at the shop, where he learned the business. “I learned everything I know about the shop from my dad and a mechanic friend of mine,” explained Korey. “My dad was way smart. When there was a problem, he could bounce ideas off that no one else could think of.”

One of Korey’s friends was influential in helping Korey decide to join his dad at the shop. “I figured if my friend could tell me how to fix engines over the phone, I could learn even more about how to successfully

work on small engines in person,” explained Korey. So, Korey’s decision to work in the family business was solidified.

“When my dad opened the store, I built all the shelves and helped him get set up, then I had full intentions of doing my own thing and going back to the arena,” said Korey. “However, they changed my mind. My dad would slowly force me to learn the different aspects of the business, such as ordering parts and customer service--by not doing them himself--so I would have to.”

Dr. Debra Sims

Dr. Rodney Elmore

BELOW: Alex Glover

LEFT: James “Flinch” Stanton

Korey admits one of the most challenging parts of learning the business was the dayto-day activities and learning how to deal with the general public or customers he did not previously know. “I was still learning the business, so I didn’t want to answer the phones or talk to customers until I knew all I needed to know,” said Korey. “Talk to me about fixing horses, that I could handle-because that’s what I did.”

Those early, learning curve years have passed, with a lot of knowledge gained. Korey says he can now handle whatever

may come his way regarding small engines. “I like to figure out what the engine is doing wrong and make it right. At this point in my life, I have literally rebuilt carburetors in my dreams.”

Thinking through possible solutions and actually fixing the problem for customers is one of the aspects Korey says he enjoys most about his job. Kay, Korey’s mother, is not surprised. She says Korey has always had a natural talent. “Korey has such an intuition for this kind of work,” she explains. “He is very much mechanically inclined; it’s

the way his brain works. Even as a little boy, he always had an interest in tearing things apart and putting them back together.” Korey jokes, “I like turning wrenches more than the management side of the business.”

The 12,500 square-foot building houses not only a small engine shop business successful for the last 29 years, but also the legacy of a successful and strong bond between a father and son who worked together daily.

Along with the typical small engine parts that fill the store, team roping photos of Korey,

his dad, and other family members take up a section of the wall. Korey’s witty sense humor can also be found. From the mounted Longhorn cow ‘Curly’ to the Wall of Shame and the Aggie Man Cave sign, pieces of Korey’s life are scattered throughout the store.

When asked about Curly, Korey recalls the last time they tried to rope the steer. With full enthusiasm, Korey tells how, during roping practice one day, Curly started trying to hook the horses between their back legs—so, naturally, the horses started running off. After Curly was

eventually roped, Whitt, with two bad knees and a bad back, got off his horse and began stomping his feet at the steer saying, “We chase you Curly, you don’t chase us.” However, Curly soon retaliated and chased Whitt over an arena panel, where he got caught by his belt buckle; Curly then proceeded to flip Whitt several times, before a final somersault landed him on the ground. The Wall of Shame is a reminder to customers of what NOT to do with their small engine equipment. As Korey shows the different pieces, he tells stories of how blades

“I like

figure

what the engine is doing wrong and make it right.”

James, Korey, & Alex

became bent or broken, air filters became clogged, and more. “I thought it would be a humorous way to remind customers to take care of their equipment,” said Korey.

When not taking care of business at the shop,

Korey enjoys playing golf and spending time with his three children and their families: Tyler and his wife Michelle of Huntsville; Kaleah and husband Kelly of Newton; and youngest daughter Kate, who is a senior at Madisonville High School.

While Korey has no idea where the future might lead him, he is certain of one thing-his success is attributed to his dad Whitt and the fact that he pushed him to be his best, wherever life takes him. Who knows, Korey might even get a new horse and fade back into the arena. “They worked together a long time, and it worked out really well,” remembers Kay. “My husband was really proud of Korey.”

Curly

The Wall of Shame

Kaitlyn Blume Teller

From the Mouths of Babes

I’m talking to my husband with my 5-year-old granddaughter sitting between us.

I answer him with, “What does that have to do with the tea in China?

Kennedy, who is learning phonics, states, “ Grammy, China doesn’t have a “t” in it”. Speechless.

Kennedy Grekstas

Bedtime conversations with Cooper P:

Dad, I know this is highly unlikely, but what if SOMEHOW a chicken got to Antarctica and laid an egg...and it was big enough that it wouldn’t crack...and a penguin fertilized it, what would you have?

A Chinguin. You would have one penguin walking around saying, “Bock, bock,” and the penguins would just look at each other like, “That crazy chinguin...”

Me: Dude, calm down. Slow and steady wins the race. Kam: Not on my track team.

Submitted by Kevin Brayson

Told my 3-year-old he was my most favorite craft, because I made him myself...

Then he had a tantrum because I didn’t add wheels to him and make him red.

The Problem

Helpful literary criticism from my 6th grader: “If there’s a dog on the cover and the book won an award, I won’t read it, because the dog definitely dies.”

Disc Pain & Neuropathy NEW Non-Surgical Treatments

Back Pain & Neuropathy can often be annoying, frustrating, debilitating, and even stop you from enjoying life. At Huntsville Physical Medicine Institute, we provide unique Non-Surgical and Non-Invasive treatments to get rid of your pain and finally get you the lasting relief you deserve.

The New Way

With recent advancements in our understanding of the human body and how it heals, we are now able to successfully treat Back Pain and Neuropathy like never before. This “New Way” is called “Relief through Regeneration” and combines the most recent and best Non-Invasive therapies to help you get the right treatment and lasting relief once and for all.

About Huntsville Physical Medicine Institute

Founded over 30 years ago by Dr. Greg Peter DC, we have been helping the good people of Walker County and surrounding areas get rid of their pain and back to pain free living. Our professional staff includes Dr. Brian McGee DC, who is a native Texan and stays on the cutting edge of Non-Surgical and Non-Invasive treatments.

Over the past decade, we have helped thousands of patients who have suffered from Neuropathy (numbness, tingling, weakness), Chronic Back Pain, Sciatica, Bulging Disc, Pinched Nerves, Spinal Arthritis / Degeneration and much more. Through our unique Non-Surgical approach, these patients have been able to get rid of their pain, get off pain medication, avoid surgery, and enjoy “Pain Free Living!”

The Old Way

The “Old Way” of treating pain typically involves oral medication and steroid injections. These treatments can offer some temporary relief, but rarely fix the real problem that is causing the pain. Once we find and fix the damaged area causing the pain or other symptoms, the pain goes away... It really is that simple! Many of the patients that come to our clinic looking for help have tried medication or other treatments that just didn’t work, and they are ready for a new approach. They want to move better, feel better, and start enjoying their life again.

$200 Value

We are giving away 20 Disc Pain/Neuropathy Consultations this month!

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Motion Stills

Motion Stills aims to help you do more with the Live Photos you shoot on your iPhone. This Google offering does far more than Apple’s own Photos app.

On giving the app permission to view your photos, it will display a scrollable feed of pictures that animate as you browse. This alone makes Motion Stills worth a download, not least because the app applies stabilization technology to your Live Photos, eradicating wobble.

But with a few quick swipes you can quickly select a number of Live Photos, which can then be transformed into a tiny movie. Alternatively, you can turn Live Photos into collages, or add text and emoji to your favorites.

Living with Children

By: John K. Rosemond www.rosemond.com

Don’t protest the protest too much

Q: My 3-year-old, when I begin to do something, will yell, “I WILL DO IT!” When it’s something he can do, fine--but if it’s not, then I just say, “No, Mommy will do it,” and that’s the end of it. He also tells me, probably 10 times a day, “No nap, Mommy! No nap!” When it’s naptime, however, he goes upstairs and gets in his little bed without a fight. Finally, when I tell him to do something, he’ll say, “Ummmm, no.” But then he turns right around and obeys. Should I make an issue of any of this?

A: Not unless you want to begin creating a problem where one does not currently exist. Concerning your son’s harmless little displays of chutzpah, your great-grandmother would have said “Leave well enough alone,” and when it comes to children, your great-grandmother is my role model.

Older 2s and 3s are very imaginative and experimental. I’m thinking your son is simply experimenting with being oppositional (and at times insolent), but in your most blessed case, it seems experimenting is as far as it’s going to go. If you respond to these declarations with consequences, you stand a good chance of making a mountain out of a molehill, in which case you may end up with a power struggle on your hands. You’ve done a great job of responding very matter-of-factly to his pretend rebellion and preventing it from going further than pretend. Keep up the good work.

Isabella & Arabella Grandchildren of Dolly Rasco

Stevie Lynn Leach Grandchild of Kim Stabell

River Rasberry Grandchild of Rocky Rasberry

Lakelynn Kimich Grandchild of Ricky Kimich

Devin Walter Loggarakis Grandchild of John & Darlene Boyce

The Grands

1 What is your grandparent name and does it have a special meaning? Lovey. No meaning, just thought it was a great grandparent name.

2 Number of grandchildren and age range? Five. 1 year - 6 years

3 Favorite activity with them?

One favorite activity is having some special beach time. Just playing in general, and having special fun is best of all.

4 Advice to other/new grandparents?

My advice is to treasure every moment you can and do all you can do with them. They will grow up so fast.

5 What’s your fondest memory of your grandparents?

My fondest memories with grandparents include a wide range of things. Beach trips and Kentucky Fried Chicken... just enjoying doing things that we didn’t do at home. Grandparents were great at spoiling grandkids.

6 What do you hope your grandkids remember about you?

Sheri MILES

What I want them to remember about me is that my love for each of them is endless. I wouldn’t trade anything in the world for the special times I shared with them.

Wildlife Wonders

TREE FROGS

By Cheryl Conley

Lake Creek Preserve Board of Directors

The first and only time I’ve seen one of these tiny critters was on my living room wall. Don’t know how he got there, but he was quickly scooped up and transferred to the nearest tree. After doing a little research, I discovered he was a green tree frog. Tree frogs are amphibians (a cold-blooded vertebrate animal of a class that comprises frogs, toads, newts and salamanders). There are 800 species of tree frogs, and Texas is home to 14 of them. Interestingly, not all tree frogs make their home in trees. The ones that live in trees are called arboreal. Others live in ponds and lakes (or in moist ground cover) and are called non-arboreal. The physical feature that classifies them all as tree frogs is their feet. The last bone in their toes is shaped like a claw, and they have pads on their toes that help them climb. Of the 14 that live in Texas, the following tree frogs can be found in the east Texas area.

1. Cope’s Gray Tree Frog – native to the U.S. Lives in trees close to fishless ponds, where they mate. Grows to 2” in length. About the only difference between them and the gray tree frog is the mating call.

2. Squirrel Tree Frog – Native to U.S. Can live in woodland areas or urban areas. They don’t get larger than 1.5”. They are usually green. Similar to green tree frog, but with a different mating call.

3. Spring Peeper – They lay their eggs in water. Their call sounds like young chickens. Females are larger than males and are about 1.5” long. They are tan or brown with a black “X” on their back. They’re most active in the spring. Mating call is a “peep” sound.

4. Northern Cricket Frog – May migrate north to hibernate. They live near slow or still waters. Great swimmers and can jump up to 3’. Less than 1.5” long.

Variations of green, gray, and brown in color. Mating call sounds like a cricket.

5. Blanchard’s Cricket Frog – usually don’t live over 1 year. Endangered species because of invasive predators. Usually found in wetlands or near crop agriculture. Never larger than 0.6” long. Brown and tan, but can be olive green. Males have a mating call that sounds like a metallic clicking, similar to a cricket.

6. Green Tree Frog – a Texas native. Found in wet areas. Can grow to 2.3” in length. Usually green with smooth, oily skin. Males have wrinkled throats. Mating call is very nasal-sounding.

7. Strecker’s Chorus Frog – Lives in wet areas. They burrow in the woods using

their front feet. Up to 1.8” long. Green or gray-green. They have a clear, dark stripe through the eye and a dark spot below the eye. Mating call is similar to a bell and is made by the male.

8. Cajun Chorus Frog – They spend most of their time on the ground. They lay eggs in still bodies of water. Males are about 1.25” long, females a little smaller. They are dark brown with 3 black stripes down the back. Mating call is similar to a trill.

9. Upland Chorus Frog – They prefer moist areas, but can adapt to dryer locations near small bodies of water. No larger than 1.5” long. Brown or brown and gray. Skin almost always feels moist. Mating call sounds like a finger running along a comb.

Did you notice all these tree frogs are very small? All arboreal are small because they sit on leaves and small twigs.

Most tree frogs lay hundreds of eggs in water just below the surface. These clumps of eggs are called frogspawn and look like black specs surrounded by jelly. As they develop,

they nourish themselves by eating the yolk of their egg. Their tails begin to grow, and the eggs resemble the shape of a comma. At 1 to 3 weeks, the babies hatch and are called tadpoles. Some refer to the tadpole stage as the larval stage. At this stage, they have gills, a mouth, and a tail. They can’t leave the water, so they survive on vegetation in the water. Over the next 14 weeks, they grow

legs and their body changes shape. They can now start eating insects. The tails begin to shrink, lungs and eardrums develop, and skin grows over the gills. They have reached adulthood. The series of changes in the frog’s body form as it moves through its life cycle is called metamorphosis.

Tree frogs are carnivores and eat flies, worms, crickets, spiders, snails, and slugs.

Mustard Seed Moments

by Wes Altom

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes!

As a child, I vividly remember mom taking us to the shoe store when we outgrew our current pair. There would always be a measurement with a store employee on that metal shoe sizer, followed by selecting a pair, trying them on, “Raise your toe so I can see where it is,” then “Yes, I WOULD like to wear them out of the store.” But, for a child buying tennis shoes, the most important item on the checklist was, “Stand back so I can see how fast they are,” followed by a blazing run to the end of the aisle and back. Somehow, there seemed to be “magic” in those new shoes (or maybe it was a magical excuse to be able to run indoors without getting in trouble.)

Now that I’m older, I believe more than ever in the magic of a new pair of shoes. I have learned over time that the key to learning so many important life lessons—how to have compassion, how to be a servant, how to forgive, how to have humility…how to apply the Golden Rule in general—rests in our ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes (with Dictionary assist: To imagine oneself in the situation or circumstances of another person, so as to understand or empathize with their perspective, opinion, or point of view.)

I think one could argue, in fact, that we are never more Christ-like than when we do so. After all, he left heaven to walk a few thousand miles (and the road to Calvary) in our shoes…

Here is one thing that would complete my joy—come together as one in mind and spirit and purpose, sharing in the same love. Don’t let selfishness and prideful agendas take over. Embrace true humility, and lift your heads to extend love to others. Get beyond yourselves and protecting your own interests; be sincere, and secure your neighbors’ interests first. Philippians 2:2-4

One Nation Under God

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

Lead Pastor: David Valentine

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~ Ezra 8:23