Postcards Magazine Piney Woods July 2021 by Digital Publisher

Piney Woods

POSTCARDS Meet the Wells / Lon Ed Sowell / The Dr. Seuss Experience / Arizona National Parks / The Plumber

Magazine

July 2021 Postal Customer

HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS PERMIT NO. 51 PAID U.S. POSTAGE PRSRT STD

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FEATURES

July 2021 | Volume 11, Issue 7

Inspirations

Just for Fun

Meet the Wells

The Dr. Seuss Experience

Do You Know?

Trippin’ Arizona National Parks

Lon Ed Sowell

66 Business Focus The Plumber

FAVORITES

Cover Photo by Lauren Walls

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From Our Readers From the Publisher Let’s Celebrate Gabby Pet Pals Star Students 20 Questions Milestones

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Snapshots! What’s Cookin’ Sudoku Marketplace The Grands Glorious Grandkids Creative Corner Along the Road Community Calendar

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The Votes Keep Coming!

Voted

Best of 2021

Date Night Summer has arrived; it brings with it more daylight and warmer weather — all good things if you’re looking to ditch the quarantine dates and get back out into the world with a special someone.

• See a play

You can find plays performed outdoors in the summer. The intimacy of an indoor theater is great, but the atmosphere you get when you see a production done out in nature is much cooler.

in The Huntsville Item’s Readers’ Choice Awards

• Outdoor concert

Best Pre-K Gibbs Pre-K School

Best Elementary Scott Johnson Elementary School

Best High School Huntsville High School

Best Teacher

Find shows at venues near you to appreciate how good live music sounds in the open air.

• Yoga

Take a class together. Relax and get centered for whatever else you decide to do that day.

Juan Torres, Huntsville Intermediate

Best School Administrator Josh Campbell, Principal Mance Park Middle School

Best Public Employee Shannon Duncan Communications Director

Best Boss Dr. Scott Sheppard, Superintendent

• Watch a sunset

See if you can find the most scenic spot in your area to snag the best view. We would love for you to share your photos to be published in Postcards Magazine.

Check out the calendar on pages 84-85 for events in your area!

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6 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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Submit your favorite date night and photo online at www.PostcardsLive.com.

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 7

We’re Moving!

New Location Coming Soon. We are pleased to break ground on our newest and more convenient Huntsville location at 2506 Pine Shadows. This beautiful, state-of-the-art branch will open soon to put You First!

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8 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Susie Garza Vice President NMLS# 493275

Kyle Whisenhunt Senior Vice President NMLS# 1182532

Publisher’s Post Karen Altom publisher@postcardslive.com

Your Local Community Magazine! PostcardsPineyWoods

PostcardsLive.com

If you would like to receive our magazine and are not currently on our mailing list, subscriptions are available. MAILED to select postal routes in Huntsville, New Waverly, Midway, Madisonville, Riverside and Trinity. FREE rack copies at advertisers and businesses in towns listed above. Published Monthly by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc.

Publisher Karen Altom Editor Wes Altom Advertising Team Janet T. Jones Nancy Jolly Marshall Altom Design Team Mary Partida April Key Social Media Management Abby Altom Boyd

We Have a STORIED Past Starting in January, we began the ten year celebration of the publication of Postcards Magazine. As we celebrate this year, I have tried to write down memories that have come up during our reminiscing. This month, I thought I’d share one of my favorites.

When we began the magazine, we were asked lots of questions from community members. Some were things we were ready to answer, and some were things we really had not thought of yet! One of my favorite questions came from my friend Dr. Tim Deahl when I was in for a visit with him. At the time, we were transitioning from a quarterly magazine to publishing bi-monthly. We had already published more than a year, and Tim asked me, “How are you going to get enough story ideas to keep this thing going?” That question gave me a moment’s pause before I replied, “You know, our goal is to be a community magazine for our area…and everyone has a story, whether they find themselves interesting or not!” And you know what? That was over 550 stories ago!

I think I’ve been proven right - because even those stories where the individuals think they are uninteresting allow us the opportunity to get to know someone else in our community a little better! I truly believe that with knowledge, understanding and unity can follow.

Printed in Texas by Shweiki Media ADVERTISE IN POSTCARDS Online: www.PostcardsLive.com Address: PO Box 690 • Huntsville, TX 77342 Call our Office: 936.293.1188 We reserve the right to edit or reject any material submitted. The publisher assumes no responsibility for the return of any unsolicited material. No material from Postcards Magazine™ can be copied, faxed, electronically, or otherwise used without express written permission. Publication of articles, advertisements or product information does not constitute endorsement or approval by Postcards Magazine™ and/or its publisher. Business Focus stories printed in Postcards Magazine™ are drawn at random from contract advertisers.

Ten years of sharing community, and we still want to remind you to take a moment and look at the advertising on each of the included pages. EVERY one of these businesses, from the smallest ad to the largest, is a partner with us in bringing you this magazine each month. If you enjoy what we do, please make it a point to let them know. Visit them. Call them. Tell them you appreciate them…because I assure you, we certainly do!

Until next time,

Karen

P.S. One of my favorite things we do each month is share your photos. Keep sending us those precious grandkids, pets, and snapshots of your life. It makes our community even stronger!

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 9

What Are You Reading?

Melissa Allen

Annel Guadalupe

reading

Love Based Culture

reading

By Ivo Nelson

By Anjuli Paschall

ACU Alumni Book Club reading

Beyond the Bear

Staying

By Dan Bigley and Debra McKinney

Tell us what you’re reading!

PostcardsLive.com

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Let’s Celebrate This Month’s Business Anniversaries: 1973

1999

Celebrating 48 years

Celebrating 22 year

Carter’s EnterpriseTexas Burger See their ad on page 42

1984

2019 Celebrating 2 years

TCS

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See their ad on page 4

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2020

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Celebrating 1 years

Celebrating14 years

Celebrating 37 years

Advantage Specialties

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Mr Brasil Paint & Remodeling

Pack and Ship See their ad on page 25

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1985

The Wells Team The Plumber

Celebrating 36 years

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Dr. Scott Logan See their ad on page 28

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2011 Celebrating 10 years

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Inspirations By Claudia Kirkwood Photos by Libby Rogers

Harold & Pat Wells June 15, 1951, to June 15, 2021. Seventy years. Seventy years of love, commitment, hard work and adventure! And Butterfingers! And now the story… 14 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

As Harold Wells remembers, and at age 92 he still remembers everything, he was part of a crew that was building a pipeline from Texarkana to Little Rock, Arkansas. The year was 1950, and the occasion was the company Christmas party being held at the Broadway Hotel in Prescott, Arkansas. As Harold and friends mingled with other guests, his gaze came to rest upon the girl who would become the love of his life. Pat Wren and her girlfriends were enjoying the festivities, and getting acquainted with her became his all-consuming focus for the rest of the evening. After meeting Pat and discovering

she loved to skate, Harold took up skating in hopes of spending time with her. As Harold recounts, “It took a while, but she finally agreed to a date. And no floral bouquet for her! Butterfinger candy bars were her favorite, so I would take 4 or 5 Butterfingers when I picked her up. That must have sealed the deal!” Harold and Pat dated for six months, then time came for her high school graduation trip at the end of May. Chaperoned by several adults, including her mom and her friend’s mom, Pat and her friend Sydney rode the bus

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 15

with the other graduates, followed closely by a car containing Harold and his friend Billy. The destination was the diamond mine area in Murfreesboro, and the day proved to be quite a significant one in the lives of both girls. Before the trip ended, both girls had been proposed to and returned home with rings on their fingers! And as Pat says, “Those rings were our tickets to a car ride back home with our brandnew fiancés!”

We were dancing and partying one night in June, and I told Pat that we might as well go ahead and get married right now Plans were made for a July wedding, but plans are made to break! As Harold tells it, “We were dancing and partying one night in June, and I told Pat that we might as well go ahead and get married right now. I called my boss and told him I was going to Texas to get married and would be gone 3-4 days.” As they headed out, they stopped in Hope, Arkansas, to tell her mother and dad of their plans, explaining that his uncle was the pastor at the First Baptist Church in Shepherd, Texas, and he wanted him to perform the ceremony. Promising to take good care of Pat and receiving the blessing of her parents, they proceeded on their journey to Texas. With a little laugh, Pat recalls she had to drive because Harold had had just a touch too much to drink. Kicking off her high heels for comfort, she drove all the way to Jefferson, Texas, and Harold finished the all-night drive to his parents’ house in Madisonville. Leaving in haste, they had not packed extra clothes and were still in their party attire. According to Harold, “My dad came out and saw the youthful Pat with no shoes on and was quite concerned I had driven her illegally across state lines AND that she was shoeless. My response, ‘Dad, people in Arkansas don’t wear shoes!’ Well, we got everything cleared up, and my parents were fine with it.” They obtained their marriage license in Huntsville and were married three days later, on June 15th, in Shepherd by his uncle’s assistant since his uncle was unable to attend. After a two-day honeymoon in Galveston, it was back to work in Arkansas. We’ve covered the “love” aspect and now have the commitment, hard

work, and adventure ahead of us, and adventurous it has been for these two lovebirds! Adventurous, yet not always easy. Through the next few years, they lived at various times in hotels, a house, and a travel trailer with each work or family situation dictating the living abode--but the love and commitment always prevailed. Harold continued to work in jobs relating to the pipeline, while Pat poured her life and love into raising five children: Becky, Jeff, Melanie, Dawn, and Leslie.

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For the births of their first three children, no matter where they were, and within only days of the due date, Harold and Pat would pack up the car and head to his parents’ home in Madisonville. When this occurred for the birth of their third child Melanie, it was a drive from Washington state with two small children, then a drive back to Washington two days after giving birth. As daughter Dawn states, “Mom, you are a trooper!” They eventually moved to Madisonville and were living there for the births of Dawn and Leslie.

Love

Harold and Pat were never ones to turn down a person in need. When a job move took the young family to Iowa a week after the birth of their second child Jeff, they found themselves needing to care for a sick friend. The friend slept in the bed while Harold and Pat slept on the sofa bed in the living room with their newborn and toddler. Pat cooked for the friend’s special diet as well as their own meals and cared for the needs of a toddler and newborn. On another occasion, a move to New York was necessitated for a sixmonth job. It was the Christmas season, so a U-Haul was packed up with all their personal belongings, including the Christmas tree and all the trimmings. The long, snowy drive was made with five kids, a small dog, and a friend. A hotel served as their home during this stay, and when the family Christmas dinner was served, guests included 2-3 neighbors who were without their families. Strangers don’t stay strangers long in the presence of the Wells. While in New York, three of the children were school age and attended Niagara Falls 95th Street School. Being from the South, the kids were made fun of for the way they “talked funny,” and therefore were presumed to be less educated. They quickly dispelled this myth by excelling in their classes and winning a spelling bee. Now the northerners wanted to know what their secret was for being so smart! Pat’s time and meticulous attention to their education was the secret. She also made sure they had a hot meal each day, so when the lunch period began, the kids would come home to enjoy chicken fried steak or some other favorite and would bring some delighted friends along for the feast. In addition to being a wonderful cook, Pat enjoyed decorating the home and sewing the children’s clothes. When an outfit was needed the following day, it was ready and waiting for the occasion. Whether dresses, cheerleader outfits or other attire, Pat made sure the kids were well-dressed. Through all the challenges growing families bring, she would selflessly provide the needs at each stage with the positive attitude she is still known for. Pat is not one to slow down so, in her forties, she

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took up running 6-8 miles per day, even winning a 10K in Huntsville. She enjoys nature, books and reading her Bible. Harold’s last welding job was the Alaska pipeline in 1975-76, after which he became construction manager for several Colonial Pipeline projects in Atlanta. In 1979, he ran the Gulf Interstate Pipeline Inspection Division in Houston before serving as Vice President of Universal’s Pipeline Inspection Division for twenty years. He later started Wellsco and Houston Field Inspection Company and in 2016 established the pipeline inspection division of Cleveland Integrity Services, where he is still working today at 92 years of age. “Harold loves being with people,” Melanie shares, “and the more people the better! He is known for his integrity and for being a true friend, and his friendships span the globe.”

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When asked the secret to a 70-year marriage, Harold and Pat both agree treating each other with the same love and respect as God treats them is the key. In fact, treating everyone in this manner brings success and a wealth of friendships and blessings. They thank God for their family (including 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren, and for each and every day they are blessed to enjoy. And it’s no surprise Butterfinger ice cream pie is a family favorite!

Dear Gabby Welcome back to the Dear Gabby advice column. In the USA, we commemorate the Declaration of Independence in July! I must say…I find it very irresponsible whoever is in charge of national celebrations selected July 3rd for National Eat Beans Day with all the fireworks on July 4th! Drop me a line to Dear Gabby at PostcardsLive.com if you have any independence or dependence issues, and I will give you advice on life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

DEAR GABBY I am a middle-aged female, and things are starting to change on my body. I haven’t changed anything I’m doing, but “things” seem to be shifting, ever so slowly, like they think I won’t notice. Is this normal and/or reversible? SHIFTY

DEAR SHIFTY As we say in East Texas, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet!” Getting older is just one body part after another saying, “Ha Ha, you think that’s bad? Watch this!” Normal? Yes. Reversible? No. When I was very young, I wanted to be older. This is not what I expected! Mirrors don’t lie, and (lucky for me) they don’t laugh. GABBY DEAR GABBY I have struggled financially all my life. I am now in a position to make purchases over and above necessities. It is very hard for me to spend any “disposable income” because I worked so long and hard to have it. Do you have any advice to make it easier for me to enjoy the fruits of my labor without feeling guilty about it?

WALKER COUNTY!

Wow!!

Ten years and it has been an incredible ride since we opened the doors of Salon Chic & Boutique in 2011. All of the Salon Chic & Boutique family would like to thank Huntsville and the surrounding areas for believing and supporting us the last ten years. We are honored and humbled that you choose us for your salon needs. There is no doubt that we owe our success to our clients and friends. We promise to continue to always do our best to meet your beauty expectations and needs. There are many quality salons in Huntsville and the surrounding areas, we know you have lots of choices and we are honored to serve you at Salon Chic & Boutique. Thank you again for ten remarkable years of support, warmth and friendship. Our clients are not just clients – they have become a part of the Salon Chic & Boutique family. We welcome all ages and are a full-service family salon. Salon Chic & Boutique carries multiple lines of beauty products to meet all of your beauty needs. Stop by the salon and check out all the goodies the boutique has to offer and meet our expert stylists. We would love to style you from head to toe! We look forward to seeing you in the shop soon!

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!! Your Salon Chic & Boutique stylists, Kaitlyn Timberman, Ondria Collins, Kaitlyn Warren, Courtney Woods, Melisa Dehnert and Tara Boyd

ONCE A MISER…

DEAR OAM You have been living to work and not working to live. Using common sense (which is actually rare), loosen up a little and enjoy a little pleasure after a lifetime of sacrifice. There’s no glory in being the richest one in the cemetery. GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO “GO FUND ME”: When we were kids, GO FUND ME was called hauling hay.

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The Garden Post By Kim Bius

Gardening in Monsoon Season Texas has a new “first” for 2021, the monsoon season. If there was a silver lining to the rare winter blizzard and near zero temperatures, the intense May rains would be it. The heavy moisture has saturated the ground, “saving” many winter damaged plants and reviving damaged tissue with heavy oxygen for new growth and quicker recovery. Be very slow in removing large trees and shrubs to ensure the plants are truly unsalvageable. Many of you are questioning my logic and looking at failed gardens, fruits trees, and shrubs dying in place due to over saturated beds. There is definitely good with the bad; here are a few tips to help! Newly planted fruit trees and woody-stemmed shrubs, (especially peach trees, and azaleas) will wilt when the root system sits in standing water for more than 2 days. Black tips will appear on the ends of the

281-808-4893 20 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

leaves, and the leaves will droop before defoliating. These plants will need to be removed and either planted “higher” in a 12” ant hill or removed to a new site with good drainage. Pot plants easily get plugged drainage holes and may need to be turned on their side and have the drainage hole reopened if roots or debris have decreased the pots drainage ability. Bedding plants such as vinca, marigolds, and zinnia quickly develop downy mildew and should be sprayed with fungicide weekly. If the plants are in a saturated bed, they will need to be removed to a pot where water can be controlled (place under the eave or covered patio to control water adsorption). Same with succulents and cacti exposed to the elements. What plants thrive in wet, soggy, poorly drained soil? More than you think! Fern - This family of plants will survive and thrive in wet soil. your area is sunny, consider asparagus, foxtail (not true ferns, but for practical purposes), holly fern and wood fern.

I f

For half a day’s sun to shade, all other varieties of ferns, plus the sun lovers. Sedge – King tut, papyrus and lit tut sedges make excellent bog plants Trees – Weeping Willow, Bald Cypress, River Birch, Sweetgum, and Red Maple are all great choices for low-lying areas that tend to hold water. Remember, during drought conditions, these trees will need ample water to survive… we do not get it both ways! Perennials -- think elephant ears, alocasia, philodendron, iris, hardy hibiscus, creeping jenny. With heavy rain come mosquitos. Empty every pot, lid, container, or vessel that has even a tablespoon of water in it. One tablespoon can hatch 1000 mosquitos! Plants such as citronella, lemongrass and garlic will act as a deterrent for 10 sq’. If lining your patio with citronella is not an option, try Mosquito Beater by Bonide. This is an excellent

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Do You Know? By Claudia Kirkwood Photos by Claudia Kirkwood

Lon Ed Sowell Love at first sight --let’s qualify that by saying

TRUE LOVE

at first sight--CAN happen. Ask Lon Ed Sowell. When home on leave from his duties during World War II, he met Bobbie Kimmey, who was to become the true love of his life for 73+ years!

How did the two of you meet? I was back home in Huntsville for a thirty day leave from my overseas duties in the U.S. Army Air Corps. While in downtown Huntsville on the square, catching up on the latest news with my buddies, I kept hearing about the pretty girl who worked at the local dime store, Butler & Grimes. They remarked that she was only 14 and was not allowed to date. As we walked around town and came to the store, I decided that I’d like to take a look at this pretty girl, and so I went in and introduced myself. That was about it on that day. The following day, Sunday, as I was riding around in my truck, I passed a

taxi. A hand stuck out the window and waved at me. It was Bobbie. Not one to let a good opportunity pass me by, I turned around and followed the taxi to her house. As we were talking, her momma came out and scolded her saying, “What are you doing talking to that soldier?! You know better than that! Get in this house!” At that point, I introduced myself to her mother and told her that my grandfather had been sheriff of Madisonville for 21 years. That’s all it took. She knew of our family, so I got invited in for supper. You might say that I got my foot in the door!

That first foot was in the door! What happened next? After eating supper with her family, her mother said, “I sort of like you.

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 23

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You can go out together tonight to the show, but you better be in by 10:00 or I’ll have the law after you!” Well, we did go to the show, and we were back by 10:00. The next day, I told Bobbie that my leave was over and I had to go back overseas…and that I didn’t know when I would return. We didn’t write letters or communicate while we were apart. But, 2 years and 11 days later, I returned. I walked into the dime store, and she came running. We had the biggest hug! The owner of the store gave her the rest of the day off. That’s when I announced that he’d better give her two days off because I was going to marry her! We went to her house where I asked her mom and dad for permission, and they said “Yes!” We were married the next day and have never been apart until her recent passing on May 14th. She truly was and is the love of my life.

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What made your marriage so successful? We loved and trusted each other. That was the main thing. We also enjoyed doing things together. We took trips and collected mementos which are now displayed all over our house. Bobbie also loved riding horses, going on trail rides, and hunting. Our ranch in the Hill Country was a great place to hunt, and several of her trophies hang on the walls of our home. On Tuesdays, she would go to a church meeting with her friends, and when not at church, she would help me. She was a good cook, and I enjoyed starting each day

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with a plate of her bacon and eggs. She sure did know how to cook! God sent her to me for some reason, and I’m glad he did!

Please share some facts about your military service. I was a sergeant major in the Army Air Corps, which later became the United States Air Force, and was stationed in England. We flew everywhere. I was a tail gunner, and we flew in several different types of aircraft. We went to North Africa, Italy, Spain, and a number of other places. I did a rather good job as tail gunner, and the pilots were glad to have me on the mission. I know I saved several lives. When I got back home, there were no jobs. A major finally contacted me and asked, “Do you have a job?” I replied that I didn’t yet. He said, “Yeah, you do.” He told me to come to Lackland Air Base in San Antonio. They provided us with a furnished house and everything we needed. We stayed there for over seven and a half years.

What did you do after? When I finished my military service at Lackland, we moved to Huntsville, I got involved in the construction industry, and have done that ever since. I own two construction companies, B Bar L Enterprises and S&S Construction. Both of these are headquartered in Huntsville, but we serve the surrounding areas, including Madisonville, Conroe, and Livingston. We have done a lot of work in the Livingston area. We build and remodel homes and apartments and have even built a church in Conroe.

What’s next? I will continue to work, because staying active is what has kept me healthy. And I will enjoy the many memories that my life has been blessed with, especially those with my beautiful Bobbie.

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26 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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Pet Pals

REBEL, LAMBY & BUTTERSCOTCH

GREYBO

BELLA & BEAST

loved by

Big Lew Letter

Jason, Miranda & Ethan

Kalli Share your pets with us by submitting a photo and information to:

PostcardsLive.com

Snoring is a Symptom Snoring – nobody is really a fan of it, especially if you are the one listening to it in the middle of the night. The general perception is snoring is a benign, somewhat humorous situation. However, in his informative book, Snore, No More, James Mosley points out “Snoring is abnormal and can be hazardous to your health!” Most snorers eventually develop Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This condition results in a stop in breathing which may occur many times per hour. These pauses in breathing may last from a few seconds to more than a minute. To start breathing again, a person must wake up (even though they may not be aware of it). This means they will rarely be in the deeper stages of restorative sleep long enough to get rested, process memories, and allow the body to regenerate. This can occur in young children as well as mature adults. In fact, OSA can be misdiagnosed as ADHD in many young people. Snoring and sleep apnea can be an inherited characteristic. Just as you inherit the size of your nose and ears, you also inherit the length and shape of your soft palate, the size and shape of your airway, and the size of your tongue. If one or both parents snore, there is a strong possibility you may as well! This puts you at greater risk of OSA. There is app called SnoreLab with a free version that will let you know if and how loud you are shaking the room! Another finding of those who struggle to keep their airway open is clenching of teeth (bruxism). When the teeth are clenched, it is easier to force the tongue forward to reduce its blocking your airway. As dentists, we see this all the time.

Office (936) 291-6589

3205 Robinson Creek Parkway • Huntsville 28 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

A mechanical, air-pump device (CPAP) that forces air into your lungs through different styles of mask is the typical prescription, but many cannot tolerate wearing the device. There are other alternatives. One obtained through a Qualified Sleep Dentist is a Mandibular Advancement Device (MAD), and it postures your jaw and tongue forward throughout the night to keep the airway open. Snoring isn’t a benign activity. Many chronic health problems are directly associated, including elevated blood pressure, irregular/abnormal heartbeats, tachycardia, gastric reflux or IBS, tension and migraine headaches, not to mention an increase in the risk of heart attacks, stroke, and a variety of other concerns. The important thing is your health. If you have questions about OSA, call our office for more information. Sleep tight! If you have a question or a topic you want to be discussed, send an email to drlogan@ drscottlogan.com.

Scott Logan, DDS

www.drscottlogan.com

BELLA

PEPPER

FLUFFY

loved by

Kari & Ron Harmon

Wes Altom

Jeff

“We serve distressed veterans.” ARMATUS REINTEGRATION PROGRAM

We exist to assist distressed veterans avoid homelessness while they obtain critical counseling and job readiness training. Housing options offer veterans a safe place to gather the proper tools needed for them to survive and more importantly, to thrive.

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Our Armatus team brings encouragement and life changing presentations and curriculum to support our veterans as they prepare for a successful transition into society.

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www.armatusveterans.org July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 29

Star Students Chelsea Russell Alpha Omega Academy

Madison Kyle Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Revenge of the Sith Favorite Music/Artist: Motionless in White Favorite Movie: Step Brothers

Favorite Food: My Grandmother’s Chicken and Dumplings

Favorite Music/Artist: SZA

Favorite Quote: ”I prefer not to think before speaking. I like

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helsea is a senior at Alpha Omega Academy and is the daughter of Pam Russell. Her activities include piano, guitar, painting, and art. She plans to pursue a career in music production. Chelsea believes, “Work smarter, not harder.”

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being as surprised as everyone else by what comes out of my mouth.”

adison is a senior at Hunts ville High School and is the daughter of Stacie Pierson and Wes Kyle. Her activities include band (drum major) and theatre (thespian officer). She plans to attend Sam Houston State University for music/education, then become a school band director. Madison believes, “ I f yo u t a k e l i f e t o o s e r i o u s l y, yo u ’ l l n e ve r m a k e i t out alive.”

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Maria Bravo

Kylee Lehman

Huntsville High School

Favorite Movie: Remember the Titans Favorite Movie: 5 Feet Apart

Favorite Music/Artist: Luke Combs

Favorite Music/Artist: Travis Scott

Favorite Food: Chicken Wings

Favorite Food: Shrimp

Favorite Quote: “You are enough.”

Favorite Quote: “Do hard things.” –Mrs. Gasten

aria is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Yolanda Bravo. She plans to attend Sam Houston State University. Maria believes, “Y.O.L.O. (you only live once).”

ylee is a senior at Huntsville High School and is the daughter of Kathy Lehman. Her activities include softball, track, National Honor Society, N a t i o n a l Fr e n ch H o n o r S o c i e t y, N a t i o n a l S p a n i s h Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, cross country, and volleyball. Kylee plans to attend Navarro College for two years, then transfer to a university. She believes, “Hard WORK pays off!!”

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 31

T a c E b c t p t

Just for Fun By Marshall Altom Photos By Marshall Altom

The Dr. Seuss Experience “You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!” - Dr. Seuss, from

Oh, the Places You’ll Go! 32 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | June 2021

W s j a fi y w f f c o S o a b w o s w ( O l D y i b

Theodor Seuss Geisel, or Dr. Seuss, has inspired and entertained hundreds of thousands of children throughout the years. The Dr. Seuss Experience seeks to bring his works to life by creating rooms filled with his mythical creatures and whimsical designs. For the first time EVER, I get to write this article from the perspective of a parent who took their child to this experience.

We took our son Walker, who just turned one in May, and he absolutely LOVED it. When you first walk into the exhibit hall, you think you may be in the wrong place--but trust me, wait for it. Once you proceed a little farther, you will start to see some copies of drawings and mounts of animals from the world of Dr. Seuss. You see large hanging banners of some of his most famous stories and a gift shop and a large rectangular white box. There are opportunities to take photos with the Lorax and Dr. Seuss at different times outside the entrance to the box. After we had some photo ops and looked around a little bit, we went to the entrance of the mysterious box. (This is the part where you show your tickets). Once you enter the box, you are met with a large balloon maze in the center of the room. Do not worry, there are multiple ways out, and you can see through it if you get separated, or if your little one takes off through the walls of balloons like ours did! After you get a grasp on

your surroundings, you will see that the maze is surrounded by other rooms which take you into the different books of Dr. Seuss. We entered the Lorax room first with a strong reminder written on the wall. “I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.” After the entrance, you walk into a brightly colored room with tall fuzzy trees from the Lorax. There are even swings

and your children. They have large boxes in the middle of the room that blow air and silk scarfs in the air. The atmosphere is chaotic, but it makes the book come to life. The next room is based off “Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?” and is quite the showstopper. There are plenty of gears and

you can swing on, and it is a great place for photos. After we finished all our photos and swinging, we continued onto the next room which was The Cat in the Hat. This room had A LOT going on (just like in the book)! There is an interactive Cat in the Hat that will talk and respond to you

June 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 33

There are wozets in closets, waskets in baskets, zamps in lamps, and so much more!

p a a w

Once we finished our hunt, we continued to my favorite room, “Horton Hears a Who!” You walk in the room and are shrunk down into

activities to keep kids of all ages occupied! There are fans that levitate a ball and even a vacuum port that sucks in little fuzzy balls and shoots them out the top! The whole room looks as if it was pulled out of a cartoon factory! The following room is based on “There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!” and is geared towards kids a little older than Walker. Do not get me wrong, our little one still had a blast, but could not appreciate the aspect the room is meant to bring. This room is designed like a hide-n-seek challenge. There are critters hiding all around the room and the goal is to find all of them.

The next room surprised us. When you enter “If I Ran the Circus” you will see a swing carousel! Walker got to ride, and we even saw some adults riding, too! I guess if I ran a circus, I would want to have fun while doing it! a field of flowers where Horton found Whoville. The flowers bend as you walk through them, and Walker had fun moving throughout them. It is plain and simple, but very pretty.

After we finished the ride, we moved to the next room which is the classic, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Here, you are provided fishing poles you must use to collect

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presents. Walker and I had fun trying to hook the presents. For added difficulty for adults, just hold your child while trying to get a present. It undoubtedly makes it harder with a squirming child who is moving the pole! The final room is based on “The Sneetches”. It is a single-family exhibit where you go into a room and have to try to count all the sneetches, but there is a twist! The rooms walls are all mirrors, adding a bit of difficulty for younger children to count all of them!

Once we finished all the rooms, we may or may not have played in the maze a little more. When you exit, you are (of course) ushered through the gift shop, so parents, BE PREPARED! The good thing is they do have books and educational items, so it is not a total trap. If you decide to make the trip to downtown Houston, make note that Discovery Green Park is right across the street. The Park boasts fountains, playgrounds, walking trails, a café, and more! For us, it topped off the perfect day!

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The Dr. Seuss Experience is located at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Exhibit Hall A. The address is 1001 Avenida De Las Americas, Houston, TX 77010. This is a limited time event! It will only be here until August 15th, so be sure to act quickly if you are interested! You can purchase tickets online at www.experienceseuss.com and look at their FAQ. This is a great event for all Seuss lovers! If you do go, share your photos with us! You can tag Postcards Magazine on Facebook or email us at publisher@postcardslive.com.

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38 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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

Acupuncture in Veterinary Medicine If you are like most people, you have not considered acupuncture as a treatment option for your pets or animals. For most, there are lots of unanswered questions when it comes to the topic of acupuncture. Acupuncture is a medicinal technique used as alternative therapy for many physical ailments and issues. Tiny needles are inserted into specific points on the body that have specific actions, when stimulated, to produce a healing response. Ancient Chinese medicine has shown imbalances of vital energies in the body cause illness. Acupuncture focuses on restoring the balance in the body and promoting healing. Specific acupuncture points have been well-charted for both humans and animals and connected with each other and various internal organs by meridians or channels, many of these following along the body’s major nerve trunks. Each point has specific actions once stimulated. Blood flow is improved increasing oxygenation to tissues, reducing the amount of waste products made, and increasing the amount of metabolic waste the body can remove. Muscles are relaxed at the location the needle is placed as well as those located other places, working both locally and generally.

Acupuncture was around before modern science could prove and study it, but now many important studies have been done to show how it works. According to the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society, functional MRI has been used to examine 15 of the many points proving the mechanism of acupuncture, showing that stimulation to specific points results in specific changes in the central nervous system. For example, points with pain relieving properties associated with them tend to activate specific pain – associated brainstem regions. A consensus statement has been given by The National Institute of Health saying there is compelling evidence that acupuncture was useful in the management of osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal pain. Acupuncture is now known to assist the body in healing itself by affecting certain physiological changes such as stimulating nerves, increasing blood circulation, relieving muscle spasms, and causing the release of hormones such as endorphins (a pain chemical the body uses) and cortisol (a natural form of steroid). Many other effects are still unknown, and further research is needed to discover all the benefits and techniques. Functional problems that involve paralysis, noninfectious

inflammation such as allergies, and pain can be managed effectively (for example, arthritis, back problems, traumas, asthmas, skin inflammation, GI problems such as diarrhea, seizures, and some repro conditions). Acupuncture should never be done without a proper veterinary medical diagnosis and an ongoing assessment of the overall condition by a licensed veterinarian. Pain could be masked (as well as other clinical signs that may delay proper diagnosis) if treatment is implemented prior to veterinarian evaluation. Decreasing pain could also allow the animal to increase activity, which could delay healing or worsen the original condition. A veterinarian who is certified and properly trained in acupuncture can also determine whether the animal is likely to benefit from treatment or if another treatment is more appropriate. Your primary care veterinarian should be able to help you find a trained local veterinary acupuncturist. Acupuncture is used worldwide, either along with or in conjunction with Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of conditions in every species of animal. Veterinary practices in China have used acupuncture for thousands of years to treat many ailments. It is also used for preventative medicine as well. The use of acupuncture is increasing as clinical research has been showing positive results in the treatment of both animals and humans. Acupuncture will not cure every condition, but it can work very well when it is indicated.

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“Seens” from our World

Anyone else see a pig wearing curlers?

Seen by: Mark Hensarling

Keep those windows up or we might have a CAT-astrophe!

Seen by: Gayle Metcalf

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

PostcardsLive.com

Committed to giving your loved ones the same care we’d give our own. Focus on your family, we will do the rest.

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Greg Smith and son, Will Smith

Wildlife Wonders

Your pet’s ticket to relaxation! t will Your pe new ur enjoy o nd! u playgro

THE BARKING FROG

By Cheryl Conley, TWRC Wildlife Center

I looked across my living room the other day and noticed a green glob on the wall. I try to keep a fairly clean house, so I was a little surprised to see this and wondered what the heck it was. I walked over for a closer look and realized it was a green tree frog! How did this little guy get in my house? I guess it doesn’t matter—I just had to get it out. Success. He’s now outside where he belongs.

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American tree frogs can be found around just about any body of water from Delaware to Florida, in the Gulf states, in Arkansas, eastern Texas, western Tennessee and Kentucky, and parts of southern Illinois and Missouri. In Texas, their range is relatively small. They reside east of the I-35 corridor throughout the Piney Woods and Coastal Prairies ecoregions. The most interesting thing about the American green tree frog is they can change color. When resting and cool, the frog will be gray in color. Once it warms up and is active, it turns vivid green. Male tree frogs are noisy little things. During mating season (March to October), they produce a nasal honk or bark which they repeat up to 75 times per minute. Their mating call is distinct from their other calls and is used to defend their territory or to announce rainfall. Rainfall is especially important to them since breeding takes place after a rain. After a male fertilizes a female’s eggs, she deposits the clutch in shallow water among aquatic plants. Depending on the area of the country, a clutch can be from 700 eggs to 2100! The eggs hatch in about a week, and the tadpoles turn into frogs in about a month. When full-grown, they’ll only be about two and a half inches long. Tree frogs have interesting feet. They have sucker-like adhesive disks on the end of their fingers and toes which aid in climbing and clinging to grasses and floating vegetation. Their diet consists of mosquitoes, flies, crickets, moths, and other small insects. Tree frogs live in groups called an army or chorus. They are largely nocturnal and breathe through their skin.

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 41

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

How to Ensure Your Children Sleep on Their Own Q: I’m a working single mom with a 4-year-old daughter who won’t go to sleep unless I lie down with her. Plus, if she wakes up in the middle of the night, she comes and crawls into bed with me. If I attempt to persuade her to go back to her bed, she starts to cry. To be honest, I just don’t have the strength to fight it. She knows what I want her to do, but she also knows I have yet to enforce it. Can you provide me with a workable plan that will not cause her – and therefore me – anguish? A: Sorry, but there is no such thing as an anguish-free method of turning your daughter into an independent sleeper. Your story is evidence of what I’ve been saying for years: independent sleepers are happier, more well-adjusted children. Let’s face it--you are describing a 4-year-old bedtime basket case – yet another in a long list of casualties of parent/ child co-sleeping. First, the longer you cater to your daughter’s bedtime drama, the worse it is going to become. I strongly encourage you to begin your daughter’s bedtime rehabilitation next Friday night, at the latest. If possible, take Thursday and Friday off work and implement the following solution on

Wednesday night. That gives you four nights of “cure” before you go back to work, and four nights ought to do it. Second, there is no way of doing this without upsetting your daughter. Just keep in mind her screams are symptoms of withdrawal, and withdrawal is painful but not harmful. Third, the solution will be more traumatic for all concerned if introduced in stages. It absolutely must be introduced all at once, cold turkey…and once introduced, you must not waver. The solution: On Tuesday night, tell your daughter you’ve spoken with her doctor, and he said you can no longer, come the big day, lie down with her at bedtime, nor can she come into your bed in the night. Remind her that people are required by the laws of common sense to do what their doctors tell them. But, you’ve decided that after you put her to bed and leave (Do not linger!), she can turn on every light in her room and take her time falling asleep. You’ll even give her a sleeping bag and set up a tent for her to sleep in if that’s what she wants. Sleeping can be an adventure! But she must sleep in her room. The doctor said so, and that’s that. Furthermore, the doctor said that when you go to bed, you must lock your door. She can drag her sleeping bag into the hall outside your door and sleep there, but you cannot so much as open your door until morning. Again, the key is not to waver. Your daughter is probably going to scream, cry, beg, and make promises to the effect that if you allow her to sleep with you just one more night, she’ll never ask to sleep with you again. Be prepared for a night straight out of a Stephen King novel, but don’t you dare open that door! In the morning, act like nothing happened. Only two or three more nights to go! Keep this in mind: When this is over (and it soon will be), you’ll see a much happier little girl waking up in the morning.

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42 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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Senior Pastor Dr. Jason Bay July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 43

Giggles & Grins

DALLAS WILLIAMS voted

BEST PHYSICAL THERAPIST

Q: What do you call the King’s rabbit? A: The hare to the throne.

inThe Huntsville Item’s Reader’s Choice Awards Q: What kind of tea is sometimes hard to swallow? A: Reality.

Q: Why did the student eat his homework? A: The teacher said it was a piece of cake.

00 - 2020 0 2

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44 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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The woodpecker might have to go.

Twenty Questions

Mark Holly 1

SCHOOL YOU ATTENDED? HHS and SHSU

FAVORITE MOVIE? My wife JoAnne says it’s Steel Magnolias – I say Coal Miner’s Daughter (ok it’s Steel Magnolias but don’t tell anyone!)

HOW DID YOU MAKE YOUR FIRST DOLLAR? Mowing yards

BOOK THAT LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION ON YOU? Letters from Dad by Greg Vaughn

LAST THING YOU BINGE-WATCHED? The Andy Griffith Show

WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU RIDING DOWN THE ROAD LISTENING TO? Very eclectic – Country, Rock, Pop

YOUR FAVORITE DISH? My wife’s chicken pot pie

YOUR GO-TO BARISTA ORDER? Black coffee

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY Taking 2 weeks off school and going pheasant hunting with my dad and granddad.

10 SOMETHING THAT WOULD SURPRISE US ABOUT YOU? Cry at movies a lot

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11 WHAT WOULD WE FIND YOU DOING ON YOUR DAY OFF? Working in my woodshop 12 HOW WOULD YOUR PERFECT DAY BEGIN? Waking up next to my wife 13 HOW DO YOU CLEAR YOUR MIND AFTER A BAD DAY? Mow the yard 14 ONE THING YOU’RE EPICALLY BAD AT? Taking orders 15 BUCKET LIST ITEM YOU’RE MOST GLAD YOU’VE DONE? Riding in a hot air balloon 16 TOP THING LEFT TO DO ON YOUR BUCKET LIST? Buy a new Mustang GT 17 IF YOU COULD LIVE ABROAD, WHERE WOULD THAT BE? Nope – don’t want to. 18 WHO DO YOU ADMIRE AND WHY? Gary and Brenda House for mentoring JoAnne and I as a young married couple when we didn’t even realize they were. 19 BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN? “Get your butt back in school” by Thelma Mooney 20 ADVICE TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF? I would say work hard in school, complete college in four years and start saving early!

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shophearttoheart heart2hearttx July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 45

Trippin’ Story By Ruth Fields Photos By Ruth Fields

Arizona National Parks 46 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

It all started when our middle kid Hunter moved to Phoenix. My husband Charlie and I had never visited Arizona, and we promptly scheduled a trip. We soon learned the 48th state, with its rugged beauty, rich history, and indescribable Arizona-ness, cannot be properly experienced in one trip. So, we went again. And again. Arizona is the home of three national parks—Saguaro, Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon—as well as 21 historic sites, monuments, memorials, and recreation areas administered by the National Park Service (NPS). Each is worthy of a visit!

Saguaro National Park For many, the mention of the American West prompts a mental image of the stately, tree-sized saguaro, which means “giant cactus” in Spanish. There is a mind-boggling array of these giants in Saguaro National Park, located in southern Arizona near Tucson. Saguaro National Park is actually two parks for the price of one. The Tucson Mountain District (West) and the Rincon Mountain District (East) are separated by about 30 miles. Each has its own visitor center and gift shop (I know this because I have a thriving collection of national park coffee mugs.). If time doesn’t allow excursions to both sides of the park, don’t worry--both sides are spectacular. While the western section has a denser cactus population and is known for memorable sunsets, the eastern section is significantly larger, with more miles of hiking trails. It is noted for its older, larger saguaros. On both sides of the park, visitors can experience dramatic views of mountains and saguaros from their vehicles, on bicycles, or on foot. Although a few strays can be found elsewhere, saguaros grow almost exclusively in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona and Mexico, but they grow there abundantly. It is a surprisingly slow-growing species: the saguaro’s iconic arms don’t usually appear until a cactus is about 75 years old. Given ideal conditions, a saguaro might live 150-200 years and can grow to a height of over 40 feet. (Think three- or four-story building.) Many saguaros have holes where woodpeckers have hollowed out nesting spaces; when they abandon their homesteads, other birds (including owls) become tenants. In the spring, the saguaro blossoms sensationally, and its flower, which is white with a yellow center, is the state flower of Arizona. In the summer, saguaros produce red fruit that is a source of food for insects, birds, bats, reptiles, and small mammals. Saguaro fruit was also a traditional food for Native Americans, who harvested it with poles made from the spines of dead saguaros.

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 47

Petrified Forest National Park

look at the prehistoric artwork.) At other stops along the way, visitors can see the ruins of ancient pueblos, including one made of petrified wood. The Petrified Forest is located within Arizona’s famed Painted Desert, and parts of the park have otherworldly views of mountains striped with gray, lavender, blue, and maroon.

I-40 bisects Petrified Forest National Park a little more than 100 miles east of Flagstaff in northern Arizona, and the NPS’s website suggests stopping at the park to take a break from traveling; however, to do justice to the many wonders found within Petrified Forest, visitors could easily spend a full day. Much of the park can be seen from vehicles, although there are short walks to viewing areas and a few hikes of one mile or less that offer closer observation.

Much of the petrified wood in the park is located toward the southern end, and its sheer abundance is only equaled by the dazzling array of colors, including green, gold, and rust (and even Aggie maroon and Longhorn orange). Some of the pieces have embedded crystals. At Newspaper Rock one stop, a short walk takes visitors to a 110-foot, naturally-formed bridge made of a petrified tree. (The NPS added supports in the early 1900s to keep it intact for The visitor center and gift shop are located north of I-40, visitors.) At one of the southernmost points of the park, a onewhile most of the attractions are on the south side. As visitors travel third mile loop takes visitors through a forest of giant petrified logs in southward, they are treated to many interesting spectacles. Being a splendid color. writer, I was captivated by the sound of Newspaper Rock, which turned out to be a boulder covered with ancient petroglyphs. (Because of the It is illegal to remove artifacts from national parks, but never fear-danger of defacement, the rock isn’t accessible by petrified wood souvenirs are available in the park’s gift shop, and there foot, so bring binoculars or use the are nearby stores that sell chunks of petrified wood, as well as art, built-in binos available jewelry, and even furniture made from petrified wood. at the overlook to get an up-close

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Grand Canyon National Park

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In the mid-1800s, the area now known as the Grand Canyon was a blank void on maps of America and was often called the “Great Unknown.” It was known, however, that the Colorado River ran through the area, and in 1857, Army First Lieutenant Joseph Christmas Ives embarked on a reconnaissance mission—the first since Spanish explorers abandoned the area in 1540. Ives began his journey on a steamboat; when it crashed, he continued in a skiff and then on foot. He admired the breathtaking vastness of the canyon, calling it “astounding” and “profound.” Ives could not, however, properly envision the future of the Grand Canyon. He wrote: “The region is, of course, altogether valueless. It can be approached only from the south, and after entering it there is nothing to do but leave. Ours has been the first, and will doubtless be the last, party of whites to visit this profitless locality. It seems intended by nature that the Colorado River, along the greater portion of its lonely and majestic way, shall be forever unvisited and undisturbed.” In nearly-comical contrast to Ives’s prediction, the canyon has been visited by countless Americans, as well as people from across the globe. In 2019 alone, about six million people visited the Grand Canyon, making it the second-most visited of the nation’s 63 national parks. Grand Canyon National Park encompasses 1904 square miles—more than the state of Rhode Island—and 277 miles of the Colorado River. On average, it is one mile from the rim of the canyon to

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the river below, and the average distance from rim to rim is 10 miles. Its vast beauty, which showcases the phenomenal power of nature, is awe-inspiring. Many people hike along the rim; others brave seeminglyendless switchbacks to hike into the canyon itself, and some intrepid souls obtain permits and hike from “rim to rim.” Most people, however, utilize the efficient shuttle bus system that links scenic overlooks and points of interest along the canyon rim.

View showing Colorado River The Grand Canyon is one of the most popular and incredible national parks, but it is also the deadliest. When I visited the Grand Canyon in 2019, I was dismayed when I saw people posing for daring photographs—including leaps and handstands on precipitous ledges—with little regard for safety. Several people die each year from falling into the canyon, especially while taking photographs. Please stay away from unprotected ledges and resist the temptation to take risky selfies. As the saying goes, “Safety is no accident.”

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50 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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America the Beautiful Those who plan to visit several NPS sites might want to consider an America the Beautiful pass. For $80 ($20 for people age 62 and up), pass holders gain admittance to national parks and other NPS sites for one year. Lifetime passes are also available. One pass admits all the people in a vehicle to parks that charge by the vehicle, and admits four adults to parks that charge per person. Since Veterans Day 2020, admission to national parks is free for activeduty military, veterans, and Gold Star Families. For more information, visit www.nps.gov.

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 51

Milestones

George Ahrens will be celebrating his 100th birthday years July 17 with family and friends. Pictured: Brock, Braden, Grandpa George, Bradley and Bryce.

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52 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Congratulations to LeeAnn & Chris Garcia married April 10, 2021 Parents: Glenn & Laura Green and Carlos & Joan Garcia

Cicily Ashcraft Photography

Congratulations to Gracie Barnett on her graduation from New Waverly High School!

i s d o a n M County Museum

Happy 80th birthday to Lana Plunkett!

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54 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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Christmas in July

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Friday, July 23, 2021 Walker County Fairgrounds Limited Tables & Table Sponsorships Available Tables start at $450 (Seat 8) • Individual Tickets $60

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information@casaofwalkercounty.org July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 55

From the Mouths of Babes... My young son ran to me, crying. “Daddy, I stubbed my toe,” he sobbed. “Let me kiss it and make it better,” I said. “Which toe was it?” “The one that has no roast beef.”

This morning, my wife told my 3-year-old daughter that owls were nocturnal. My daughter responded, “Mom, owls are not turtles.”

Gary Neal

My young son declared, “When I grow up, I’m going to marry you, Mommy.” “You can’t marry your own mother,” said his older sister. “Then I’ll marry you.” “You can’t marry me either.” He looked confused, so I explained, “You can’t marry someone in your own family.” “You mean I have to marry a total stranger?!” he cried. Phlylis Showers

My 4-year-old is currently singing a song he made up himself. He only has a chorus that goes “You can’t soooooolve Mississippi’s problems.”

A few months back, my wife showed a picture of herself to our 3-year-old daughter. In the picture, my wife is about 7 years old. “Do you know who this is?” Daughter: (gasps) “That’s me when I’m bigger!”

My 6 year old son asked, “Dad, can we get a cat?” Me: “Your Mom is allergic to cats, so no.” My Son: “When Mom dies can we get a cat?” Me: “Sure.””

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Snapshots! Karen Denman, Senior Loan Officer at Walker County Federal Credit Union, presents a prize at a recent SHSU baseball game sponsored by WCFCU. Winner was Paige Grace awarded with a baseball signed by the entire SHSU Baseball team and gear from WCFCU. Pictured accepting on her behalf is her husband Ramon Grace.

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 57

Fresh Summer Corn Chowder

What’s Cookin’

Ingredients 6 ears corn, husked ¼ lb unsalted butter 1 med onion, diced 2 bunches scallions, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 small new potatoes, cut into chunks 1 jalapeno pepper, minced (Optional) 1 ½ cups milk

S’more Brownies

1 ½ cups vegetable broth

Ingredients

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 (21.5 oz) pkg brownie mix

freshly ground black pepper to taste

6 graham crackers 1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows

Directions

8 (1.5 oz) bars milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

Step 1: Remove corn kernels from cobs and place in a bowl. Scrape ‘milk’ from cobs into bowl with the kernels. Reserve 1 cob.

Directions Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Spread into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Step 2: In a medium bowl, break graham crackers into 1-inch pieces and toss with miniature marshmallows and milk chocolate. Set s’more mixture aside. Step 3: Bake brownies for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove, and sprinkle the s’more goodies evenly over the top. Bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow brownies to cool before cutting into squares.

Step 2: Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, scallions, and garlic; cook until soft but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add corn kernels, corn milk, potatoes, and jalapeno. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes. Add milk, broth, and reserved cob. Simmer until potatoes are completely soft and soup is slightly thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove and discard cob. Step 3: Season chowder with cilantro and pepper and serve.

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9 3 6 - 2 9 3 - 1 1 8 8 58 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Cherry Wild Rice Ingredients 2 ½ cups water, divided ½ cup wild rice ¼ cup brown rice 1 cup pitted and sliced cherries

Combine cherries, brown sugar, and almonds in a large nonstick skillet; cook and stir over medium heat until brown sugar melts and coats cherries and almonds, about 6 minutes. Step 3: Stir in brown rice, wild rice, celery, orange juice, red wine vinegar, and orange zest. Cook, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 5 minutes.

½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup sliced almonds ½ cup sliced celery ¹/³ cup fresh orange juice 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tsp grated orange zest

Directions Step 1: Bring 2 cups water and wild rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Drain excess liquid, fluff rice with a fork, and cook uncovered, about 5 minutes more. Step 2: Bring 1/2 water and brown rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, about 45 minutes.

Cooks Note: Substitute frozen cherries for the fresh cherries if desired.

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 59

ELECT

Madilene

LOOSIER Republican for Walker County

District Clerk March 1, 2022

Italian Sausage Tortellini Ingredients 2 Tbs unsalted butter 1 (8 oz) pkg baby portobello mushrooms, sliced

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1 cup dry white wine, divided 3 cloves garlic, minced, divided 10 oz mild Italian sausage, casings removed 1 (16 oz) pkg three-cheese tortellini 14 ½ oz Alfredo basil sauce Pol. Adv. paid for by Madilene Loosier Campaign

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1 (5 oz) package baby spinach leaves

Directions Step 1: Heat butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir mushrooms, 1/2 cup white wine, and 1 clove minced garlic until liquid has reduced and mushrooms have softened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place in a bowl. Step 2: Heat the same skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir Italian sausage in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes, dividing it into bite-sized portions while stirring. Remove excess grease by placing paper towels onto a plate and dumping browned sausage onto it to drain. Return sausage to the skillet. Step 3: Return cooked mushrooms back to the skillet with sausage and add tortellini, Alfredo basil sauce, remaining 1/2 cup white wine, and remaining garlic. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes. Add spinach; cover and cook until spinach is wilted, 3 to 4 minutes more. Mix well to combine. Remove from heat and serve.

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Dani t a Reed Call or Text (936) 348-0559 2804 Lake Road • Huntsville 60 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Bakers Tip: To soften cream cheese to room tempurature quickly, cut into small cubes. Then on spread out on a plate. Let sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.

Apricot Salsa

Lemon Cheese Ball

Ingredients

3 cups chopped fresh apricot

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened

1 cup shallots, julienned

¼ cup butter

½ cup chopped green bell pepper

½ cup confectioners’ sugar

½ cup chopped red bell pepper

1 Tbs powdered lemonade mix

½ cup chopped fresh pineapple

¼ cup graham cracker crumbs

¼ cup chopped cherry tomatoes 1 habanero pepper, seeded and minced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp minced fresh cilantro ½ tsp cumin ¼ cup fresh lime juice

Directions Step 1: In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar and lemonade mix using an electric mixer. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Step 2: When mixture is completely chilled, shape into a ball and roll in graham cracker crumbs. Serve on a platter with your favorite crackers.

Directions Step 1: Mix the apricots, shallots, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, pineapple, cherry tomatoes, habanero pepper, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and lime juice together in a bowl. Step2: Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

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Hawaiian Tuna Sandwich Ingredients 4 hamburger buns, split 2 Tbs butter 1 (5 oz) can tuna chunks in olive oil 1 Tbs lemon juice

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salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 dash chili powder 1 cup shredded lettuce 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 4 canned pineapple rings

Directions Step 1: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees. Toast hamburger buns and spread cut sides with butter. Step 2: Drain half of the oil from the tuna. Combine the tuna and remaining oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and chili powder in a small bowl. Mix well. Fill each toasted bun with tuna salad, shredded lettuce, mozzarella cheese, and one pineapple ring. Step 3: Place sandwiches on a baking sheet, and heat until the cheese melts, approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

U-RENT-EM U-RENT-EM, WE-GOT-EM Protein Popcorn Ingredients ¹/³ cup light corn syrup

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Step 1: Bring the corn syrup, honey, and sugar to a boil in a saucepan; cook at a boil for 2 minutes. Immediately remove from heat and stir the peanut butter and vanilla into the syrup mixture until the peanut butter has melted completely. Step2: Pour the popcorn into a large bowl; pour the sauce over the popcorn and stir until evenly coated. Allow to cool completely and break into chunks to serve.

62 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Brighten someone’s day with Flowers!

Simple Teriyaki Sauce Ingredients 1 cup water ¼ cup soy sauce 5 tsp packed brown sugar 1 Tbs honey, or more to taste ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp garlic powder 2 Tbs cornstarch ¼ cup cold water

Directions Step 1: Combine 1 cup water, soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, ginger, and garlic powder in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until nearly heated through, about 1 minute.

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Step 2: Mix cornstarch and 1/4 cold water together in a cup; stir until dissolved. Add to the saucepan. Step 3: Cook and stir sauce until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.

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Share your favorite recipe with us by submitting to:

PostcardsLive.com

j219nell@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/jannell.healthcoach

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 63

Touching Tomorrow

I attended Texas A&M, graduated from the University of Houston, and married an army officer who took me around the world during his 22 years of service. He is now working as an assistant professor of military science at Sam Houston State University.

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

Sponsored by:

Nominated by Kylee Lehman

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

Karen Tymniak

Mrs. Tymniak was my first teacher to really take me under her wing and help me overcome so many things. She was a teacher I really felt comfortable talking through my problems with. –Kylee Lehman

Huntsville High School French 1, 2, 3, and 4

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HUNTSVILLE 1911 22nd St Dr. Christie Cahill, Au.D. 64 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | June 2021

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June 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 65

Business Focus Story by Wes Altom Photos by Gina Turner

With the term “green energy,” most people usually think in terms of less—less cost, less environmental impact, less usage. After meeting Jeremy and Andrea Buie, owners of The Plumber in Huntsville, I will forever think of them, The Plumber, and “MORE” when I hear the term. Moss may be green, too—but there is none growing on this busy couple with their seemingly endless supply of energy and effort.

Beginnings For years, Jeremy Buie worked in Houston as a union plumber. He then transitioned to working for a local plumbing company in Livingston for a time. In 2007, with encouragement from his wife Andrea, Jeremy obtained his journeyman’s license and opened his own company. Andrea’s uncle, Bob Bird, who was a master plumber, worked with them until Jeremy could obtain his master license. “My dentist Dr. Jenke, who is also my neighbor, was my first customer,” says Jeremy. “He stopped by the house and said he had a busted pipe at his office. He is still a customer today.” Within 6 months, the phones were steadily ringing, and Jeremy knew he had to have help. A 10’x12’ shed in his yard became the headquarters for two years. For the next five years, they rented a building on the west side of Livingston. Then, on the advice of the late Joe Pedigo, the Buies acquired a building in downtown Livingston. “Mr. Pedigo was a great mentor to me,” recalled Jeremy fondly. “He believed in me and encouraged me from before I even opened the business. He was always calling to check on us and to urge us on.”

66 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Expanding to Huntsville Locally, the Buies acquired Action Plumbing in Huntsville October 1, 2020, and have hit the ground running, rebranding with The Plumber logo and name. Currently, Jeremy runs the Huntsville location, and a

general manager handles the Livingston location. While an acquisition means an instant customer base, learning how to effectively structure, train, and effectively delegate in a growing operation is an ongoing process and challenge. “Hiring good plumbers is difficult,” says Jeremy, “especially this close to Houston.” The Buies were pleasantly surprised at how receptive and supportive the community has been since their arrival. “We know how folks can tend to be suspicious of businesses coming in from out of town, but everyone has been very welcoming.” You’ve heard of trial by fire? Well, The Plumber got trial by freeze with this year’s record-breaking event. “We were short-staffed, but thankfully had pre-purchased enough supplies to get us through the first two weeks. In a two-week span, the Huntsville location received over 1600 phone calls! The Plumber wants to be your full-service plumbing experts for residential, commercial, service, and maintenance needs. They are available 24/7/365 and offer the Hero’s Discount—10% off all services for police, fire, rescue, military, educators, and churches. Their service area for the Huntsville operations includes Madisonville, Trinity, New Waverly, and points beyond.

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 67

A new offering launched by The Plumber is their Green Shield Protection Program, an ongoing preventive maintenance program which includes water heater flush and check, water pressure test, toilet leak testing and adjustments, faucets and hoses inspection, and a water quality test. Program members also receive no regular trip fees, discounted repair pricing, and priority scheduling.

“Customer satisfaction is a big deal” Values When asked what has driven his growth and success, Jeremy stated, “I just enjoy helping people. It gives me great satisfaction to go into someone’s home, solve a problem for them, and have them be happy about it.” He expanded, “Customer satisfaction is a big deal. I train people to my standards, which are very high—not something everyone is used to.” Visibility in the community is another key component. Jeremy shared, “Years ago, I only had one truck, and it was before current vehicle wrap technology. I had it labeled front to back where it stood out, though. People would tell me, ‘I see your trucks all over town.’ So, I knew that worked.” The Buies developed their own logo, which has evolved over the years into the lime green version that brands their vehicles and locations. They also strategically selected locations in Livingston and Huntsville in the historic downtowns, seeing ongoing value in

both community investment and top-of-mind presence/awareness with community members. While a lot of service businesses look for cheap property at the edge of town, says Jeremy, “We want to be front and center.” Among the high standards Jeremy values is cleanliness. He impresses upon his team that appearance matters, whether it’s personal or your vehicle, and whether it’s the first service call of the day or the last.

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68 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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Even though the job may be dirty, the employee should take care to be clean and professional and wear shoe covers when working in homes to avoid tracking in. And, when your vehicle is part of your branding, cleanliness and organization is essential. Says Jeremy, “I can tell a lot about a plumber by the way he keeps his truck.”

And All the Rest! Currently, The Plumber in Livingston shares a building with Petalz by Annie, Andrea’s floral business. But Jeremy laughingly said he’s giving her the boot because he needs more space. Andrea will soon move her business to another building downtown. The couple recently bought the old Fain Theater building in downtown Livingston and hopes to begin work on restoring the historic fixture in the future. They also acquired All Star Home Services in Livingston four years ago, a carpet, tile, chimney cleaning, and restoration company (whose orange logo and branding marks it as conspicuously as does The Plumber’s lime green). Jeremy said this seemed to go hand-in-hand with the plumbing repairs because damage mitigation and restoration needs of customers often happen concurrently. Jeremy and Andrea have two children, ages 17 and 6. “That’s what happens when you start up your own businesses,” laughed Jeremy. Andrea added, “Yep. We didn’t see each other for eleven years.” “Anyone can tell you I can’t do it without Annie (Andrea), Jeremy stated. “She can do it all, and she’s good at all of it. She’s starting to put more into her floral

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 69

business, and it’s driving me crazy, because I want her to come back and work with me.” “Our employees are great as well,” he added. “Some contractors are afraid to hire anyone smarter than them, but not me. I want people who can take us farther than I could alone.” Both are quick to credit God for blessing them richly. “From day one, we’ve never had a slow day; it’s always been busy, busy, busy.”

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

Making Your Home a True Safe Haven Personal households are generally considered safe harbor, but surprisingly, homes provide the settings for substantial accidents. 60% of unintended injuries happen at home! Many falls at home are serious, with over 800,000 injured requiring hospitalizations and almost 40,000 deaths from head injuries and bone fractures. OMG! Besides falls, burns and poisonings occur too frequently in homes. I’m not saying your home is entirely unsafe; I’m telling you it can and should be made safer. Be certain sturdy handrails are on all stairways. Have motion sensor night lights in areas with diminished lighting and areas where people might go at night (hallways should be included). Throw rugs should have non-slip under liners or tape or be removed. Nonslip waxes for wood floors are readily available and do not need to be applied often. Replace any

unstable furniture and have chairs with steadfast arms to aid sitting and standing. More serious injuries can result when falls occur because of tripping on pets, especially dogs. Thus, be extra careful around pets when up and moving about. Never step over pets, even smaller animals. They can suddenly move underfoot. Watch carefully to keep pet toys from being left in walkways. In rooms having shelves, especially the kitchen, move all regularly used items to lower shelves no higher than shoulders for easy visual accessibility. Bathrooms and other locations where water could accumulate are higher risk areas, especially the shower. Place nonslip floorcoverings in areas where water could accumulate on the floors. In the shower, place nonslip floor mats or have a slip-resistant pebble mosaic floor installed. With that, even when feet

are copiously covered with soap, one cannot forcefully cause their feet to slip. Install a grab bar (or bars, depending on configuration) inside the shower and outside close to where you will towel dry. Also, place a plastic nonslip mat in the bathtub. Put a stable mat or mats where one can get into and out of the bathtub. Burns and scalds are other unintentional household injuries which are avoidable by planning forward. Mount and maintain household fire alarms and formulate a general plan of escape if they go off. Periodically examine exposed electrical wiring and replace any that is threadbare. Set your hot water tank temperature to 120 degrees. Burns occur rapidly at higher temperatures. Six seconds will scald at 140F and 30 seconds at 130F but temperatures at 120F will take five minutes! KEEP SAFE. Turn all pot and pan handles to the side. If you have a fireplace, have an expert inspect it every five years or anytime you see a change. For a burn injury, immediately place the injured flesh under cold water. Further, I consider my body the house for my mind. Exercise frequently, along with daily balance exercises. Consider choosing a comfortable chair and sit and stand repeatedly.

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June 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 71

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72 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Ken Holland Financial Advisor

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located inside West Hill Mall

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Happy 4th

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74 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

The Campus Camera, Baylor University, 31 April 1915, vol. 1,3. The Texas Collection, Baylor University, Waco, Texas.

July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 75

The Latest Catching Tunes with Gary P. Nunn By Mike Yawn

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

In August 2019, Gary P. Nunn was interviewed at the Old Town Theatre (OTT) by Postcard’s Amy Barnett. Since then, Nunn’s been more stationary than he likes; he’s been unable to tour because of COVID-related restrictions. But now, with most such restrictions lifted, he’s back on the road.

Thus, on June 5, Nunn performed at the Old Town Theatre in Walker County, doing a full 90-minute set for more than 200 audience members—some of whom travelled from out of state to see their favorite country-music performer. Nunn is one of the founding fathers of Texas Country; indeed, his influence on country music prompted Rolling Stone to refer to him as a “trailblazer” in a 2017 profile. He was Michael Martin Murphey’s bandleader in the early 1970s, and he also performed with Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson during the same period. As a solo artist, he’s released almost 20 albums, and his songs have been recorded for the likes of David Allan Coe, Roseanne Cash, and Tracy Nelson. Moreover, his song “The Last Thing I Needed, the First Thing this Morning” was a top 40 hit for Chris Stapleton and a top three hit for Willie Nelson. In fact, according to his manager, D. Foster, the song has been played 1.6 million times on commercial radio (as of 2019). Nunn performed this hit at the Old Town Theatre, along with the iconic “London Homesick Blues,” which served as the theme song for Austin City Limits for three decades. “The OTT show,” according to Nunn, “was one that attracted a special group. They were cowboys, lovers of the Western heritage, and you can’t beat those types of people. And, of course, we are especially grateful to Brian Smith of Global Financial Services; and Ty Copeland, of Copeland Family Dentistry, who brought very large groups of people. It was a great night.” Nunn is now in his mid-70s, and a few years ago there was discussion of retirement. For now, though, such talk has stalled, and Nunn is looking to “make up for time lost” due to the pandemic. He’s got a busy schedule of shows this month.

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For more information about Nunn and his tour stops, check out his website: https:// www.garypnunn.com/. For more information on upcoming acts at the Old Town Theatre, go to: https://www.oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org/.

76 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

awesome apps! This Month’s App

Forest

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

•

A novel approach to time management.

•

Many timer settings and the ability to safelist some apps.

Need to be productive, but can’t resist wasting time on your smartphone? Forest is an app that motivates you to stay focused by starting every work or study session with a planted seed in your very own virtual forest. You’ll have to stay in the app to watch the tree grow over the time period that you work or study and avoid leaving the app or risk killing the tree. The more you use the app to be productive (and thus grow more virtual trees), the more coins you earn. You can spend coins through the app as donations to help plant real trees in the developing world. To accomplish this, Forest partnered with the non-profit organization Trees for the Future, which helps improve impoverished farmers’ livelihoods by revitalizing degraded lands.

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“We were just passing through, and we stopped and had fried catfish and the gumbo was EXCELLENT and the bread pudding is THE BEST I’ve ever had!”

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Wednesday – Saturday: 11AM – 8PM Sunday: 11AM – 3PM

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 77

The Grands

Ken MARTIN Ken was the longtime pharmacist and owner of Walker’s Pharmacy, now Walker’s Cafe in Madisonville

78 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

What is your grandparent name and does it have a special meaning? Paw Paw. Cab, our oldest grandson, came up with it, and it just stuck.

Number of grandchildren and age range? Seven. Ages range from 11-18. Cab-18, Ellie-17, Caden-16, Jack15, Kolby-12, Annie-11, Solomon-11

Favorite activity with them? Ride horses. We ride all over our place. There are a lot of wide open spaces.

Advice to other/new grandparents? “Love ‘em all the time and enjoy them as much as you can.”

What’s your fondest memory of your grandparents? Visiting with them and just getting to be with them. I love their wisdom. Sure wish I would’ve written down all of their sayings.

What do you hope your grandchildren will remember about you? That I loved them always. They are loved and appreciated.

Glorious Grandkids

Walker, Londyn & Greyson

Leigh-Ann Hoot

Lucy Kellar

Grandchildren of: Scott & Sheri Miles; Great-grandchildren of Don & Lana Plunkett, George Miles, and Greg Sawka

Grandchild of: Matthew & Trena Quick

Grandchild of: John & Mary Kellar

Share Your Grandkid Photos with Us!

PostcardsLive.com

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Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 79

Kidding Around

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What our advertisers are saying...

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POSTCARDS Magazine

I love Postcards Magazine

Joke for the Month: Why did the teddy bear say no to dessert? Because she was stuffed.

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

Thank you Postcards! Emily Evans Vice President office 936.582.0968 cell 936.215.1074 July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 81

Creative Corner

You want it... WE BUILD IT! Nate Grigsby, Owner/CEO Locally owned & operated for 4 generations

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And the Oscar goes to… By Frank D. Minton

During the “stay-at-home” Covid-19 siege, I picked up something I had never done in all my 85 years—birdwatching! From my north and west windows overlooking Lake Conroe’s marina, my outdoor adventure is viewed. Bird species of all kinds are seen: bluebirds, black crows, blue jays, prehistoric-looking Great Blue Herons, black vultures that glide far above the others, pelicans, Mallard ducks galore, seagulls that roost on the roof of the motorboat slips, and don’t forget the sparrows! But my favorite bird to watch is an eagle-type called an Osprey. He flies in every morning to perch atop the masts among the many sailboats parked in their slips, many times with a fish in his clutches. The Osprey will sit for hours before suddenly flying away. This is when you can see his beautiful white breast. He has become such a daily visitor that I have given him a family name— Oscar. One day as I was walking lakeside, I spotted him perched atop the flagpole by the Walden Yacht Club. I hurriedly grabbed my phone and took a photo shot of Oscar. The moment I snapped it, he spread his wings to fly away. The photo looks as if he is the flagpole’s ornament. It is a treasure! I have found birdwatching, my adventure during the stay-at-home period, rewarding.

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mcgilberrymechanical.com 82 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

Share your Creativity!

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Along the Road Texarkana

Texarkana is a twin city with neighboring Texarkana, Arkansas. The two cities had a combined population of 65,974 in 2019 estimates, and the metropolitan area had a total population of 150,098. In 1874, the Red River Bridge opened and connected the Texas and Pacific Railroad with the Cairo and Fulton Railroad. The border was the logical place for the different railways to connect. On December 8, 1873, the Texas and Pacific sold the first town lots for the future city.

EA N

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The name Texarkana is known to be a portmanteau of Texas, Arkansas, and nearby Louisiana. However, accounts of the origin of the name differ, and it had been in use some time before the town was founded. The most popular tradition is that Col. Gus Knobel, a railroad surveyor, coined the name. He is said to have painted it on a plank and nailed it to a tree, saying “This is the name of a town which is to be built here.” Another story tells of a Red River steamboat named The Texarkana, c. 1860. A third account relates that a storekeeper named Swindle in Red Land, Louisiana, concocted a drink called “Texarkana Bitters.”

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5/15 – 8/15 Houston The Dr. Seuss Experience experienceseuss.com

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gusher-days.com 84 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

CALENDAR 9-25

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Huntsville Huntsville Churches Blood Drive

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Because Pets Are Family Too

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July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 85

Mustard Seed Moments by Wes Altom

In a Word… There are certainly times when a picture is worth a thousand words… but there are also occasions when a single word conveys volumes. When King Philip II of Macedon (father of Alexander the Great) invaded southern Greece, he sent a message to the Spartans: “You are advised to submit without further delay, for if I bring my army into your land, I will destroy your farms, slay your people, and raze your city.” The Spartans’ reply was just one word: “If.”

He said, “When.” The God of the Universe--who came down in human perfection, knows my faults and failings better than anyone, paid the cruel price for them, and loves me unconditionally in spite of them--has faith in ME. Though my faith falters at times, His does not…. He said, “When.” On days when our struggles seem great, rest in the knowledge that our God is greater. Sometimes, it’s not our faith, but HIS faith that sustains us. Let’s cling to “when.”

One of my favorite one-word-speaks-volumes moments in Scripture comes with Christ addressing Peter:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

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Now taking applications for fall 2021! 86 Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition | July 2021

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NormangeeStateBank.com July 2021 | Postcards Magazine: Piney Woods Edition 87

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Postcards Magazine Piney Woods July 2021

Articles inside

Community Calendar

The Grands

Snapshots

Sudoku Marketplace

Milestones

From the Publisher

Pet Pals