POSTCARDS MAGAZINE - Lake Conroe - November 2026 by Digital Publisher

Postcards Magazine

Lake Conroe

November 2026

Hope Gathering • Comprehensive Dental

Contents November 2026 | Volume 15, Issue 11

Features

Community Builders

Hope Gathering

Favorites

Calendar - Making Tracks..................... 32 Dear Gabby.............................................. 9 Giggles & Grins........................................ 8 Glorious Grandchildren ........................15

Lake Conroe | November 2026

Kidspeak.................................................17 Milestones..............................................21 Mustard Seed Moments ....................... 34 Pet Pals .................................................. 24 Puzzle Solutions.....................................31 Sudoku Marketspace .............................31 Tasty Bites ..............................................18

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Postcards Magazine

Community. It's what we do!

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If you would like to receive our magazine and are not currently on our mailing list, subscriptions are available. DIRECT-MAILED to select postal routes in Willis, Conroe, and Montgomery. FREE rack copies at advertisers and businesses in towns listed above. Owned and Published Monthly by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc. PUBLISHER

Karen Altom EDITOR

Wes Altom OPERATIONS MANAGER

Marshall Altom

ADVERTISING TEAM

Tammy Farkas Nancy Jolly Makayla Downard DESIGN TEAM

BUSINESS FOCUS

Columns

Garden Post .......................................... 22 Medical Matters .................................... 30 Publisher’s Post ...................................... 6

On The Cover

34 Comprehensive Dental

2025 Postcards Photo Contest Submission

Cover Photo by Cade Crippin

Mary Partida April Key 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 material without written preauthorization. No material from Postcards Magazine™ can be copied, scanned, 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. © 2025 by Altom Consulting & Marketing, Inc., All rights reserved. Printed in Texas by Shweiki Media

Publisher’s Post We Go WAY Back

Lake Conroe | November 2026

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ave you ever come home from vacation and wondered if leaving was worth it? Before you go, you work twice as hard trying to get everything done. You answer emails, finish projects, make lists, leave instructions, and convince yourself (somehow) that you’ll return to a perfectly calm schedule. You won’t. Then you come home rested and relaxed…for approximately 14 minutes. The suitcases need unpacking. The laundry has multiplied. The emails have been breeding. Deadlines are waiting, people need answers, and suddenly you’re wondering, “Was that vacation even worth it?” Yes. Yes, it was. Earlier this year, Wes and I took a trip to the Northeast, and along the way, our vacation turned into a little family history adventure. We decided to do some genealogical research while we were traveling, which meant wandering through old cemeteries, searching for family names, studying weathered headstones, and visiting towns where our ancestors once lived… …and then we found something we never expected. At one point, we realized that Wes and I each had an eighth-great-grandfather buried in the SAME cemetery in Massachusetts. Not only the same cemetery, but their graves were less than 50 feet apart. Wes looked at me and said, “Honey, we go WAY back!” Apparently, we do. These two men weren’t related, but the fact that our family lines passed through the same little patch of Massachusetts soil hundreds of years before Wes and I ever met absolutely fascinated me. Two men lived their lives, raised their families, and were eventually laid to rest just a few steps from one another. They could never have known that generations later, two of their descendants would meet in Texas, fall in love, get married, and one day stand together in that very cemetery looking for them. That’s the kind of thing that makes me stop and think about just how big God’s plan really is. And maybe that’s one of the things I’m most thankful for this year. Not just the family sitting around our table today, but the

Karen Altom, Publisher generations that came before us (the people whose names we know…and the many we don’t). The lives they lived, the families they raised, and the choices they made that somehow became part of our own story. We spend so much of life focused on what is right in front of us: the deadline, the appointment, the problem that needs solving, the mountain of work waiting after vacation. But every now and then, something reminds us to look a little farther back and be grateful for the road that brought us here. So yes, coming home was overwhelming. The emails were still there. The laundry was still there. The deadlines were definitely still there. But so were the memories. And this Thanksgiving, I’m especially thankful for family… for the generations who came before us…and for a God whose plan is so much bigger than anything we could ever see coming. As Wes so perfectly put it, “Honey, we go WAY back!”

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November 2026 | Lake Conroe

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Giggles & Grins "Listen to your body." My body: Eat the whole loaf of sourdough, with butter. •••••••••••••••••••• A pirate walks into a bar wearing a paper towel on his head. The bartender says, "What's with the paper towel?" The pirate replies, "Arrr...there's a Bounty on me head."

Lake Conroe | November 2026

••••••••••••••••••••

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A woman was found guilty in traffic court, and when asked about her occupation, she said she was a school teacher. The judge rose from his bench. "Madam, I have waited years for a school teacher to appear before this court!" With a delighted smile, he said, "Now sit down at that table and write 'I will not run a red light' five hundred times." •••••••••••••••••••• When you realize "I did four years of college without ChatGPT" is the new "I used to walk 5 miles to school" line your parents brag about. •••••••••••••••••••• Them: Stop it with all the corny jokes. Me: What are you gonna do - call the crops? •••••••••••••••••••• Someone just emailed me a professional email that ended in "We could've snipped it in the butt earlier." SNIPPED IT IN THE BUTT Nipped it in the bud - correct Nipped it in the butt - incorrect Snipped it in the butt - incorrecter

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Dear Gabby

Send me your questions at

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Welcome back to the November 2026 edition of the Dear Gabby advice column. We’re still in the “ber” months (months that end in ber). This one, and the next, are loaded with faith, family and food! Just FYI - Never try to serve an 18 pound turkey on a festive plastic Thanksgiving platter from Walmart. Our holidays this month are Veterans Day on November 11th, to honor all military veterans who served in the US Armed Forces, and Thanksgiving on the 26th. We should thank every veteran we see, no matter what day it is. Elmer Davis said it best. “This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” Send your questions to me by clicking on Dear Gabby at www.PostcardsLive.com/share. My kids are getting worried about me because I am becoming so forgetful. I can usually recall what I was trying to remember a short, or long, time after they leave. I don’t think my memory is any worse than anyone else’s my age. How can I reassure them that I’m normal? ABSENT MINDED

GABBY

TRYING TO BE NICE

DEAR TTBN I came across this quote that said: “You don’t have to be nice to be a good person. Being good means being honest, setting boundaries, and taking care of yourself without compromising your values. Being nice may give you temporary approval, but it rarely leads to respect or helps you form real connections. Honor your truth.” That’s what you should do, but don’t forget to bring up politics at dinner. It will save you money on Christmas gifts. Follow me for more holiday tips. GABBY

CONFIDENTIAL TO “WHO STARTED THIS”: “What we’re really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?” —Erma Bombeck

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

DEAR AM Your mind is not absent; it’s just late for class. Just tell them what I told my kids. They were so impressed (or incredulous) that they never questioned my memory again. Maybe it was because their BS level was full, but I firmly believe this to be true; After 70, our brains are slower because we know so much. It takes a while to recall something from that vast storehouse of information. People our age tend to lose focus, daydream, or misplace thoughts easily because we are still busy making new memories. There could also be some subconscious intentional omissions involved. That’s enough pseudo science for today. Welcome to the club.

What should I do on Thanksgiving when my relatives ask me why I’m still single, what my next “career move” will be, or when I’m going to have kids? They’re beginning to verge on bullying the younger generation, particularly me. I used to attend to be respectful and see my elders, but now I’m coming to eat because the food is delicious, and that’s it. If they start the 3rd degree again, I’d rather go to McDonalds.

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P COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Lake Conroe | November 2026

Hope Gathering

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Helping widows find hope and healing.

BY RUTH FIELDS | PHOTOS BY GINA TURNER

n September 2021, Mike and Becky Godsey were preparing to visit the Dominican Republic with friends when Becky’s mother became seriously ill. Becky, who traded caregiving duties with her sister, nearly canceled the trip; however, the two couples had been planning the vacation for nearly a year, and the Godseys ultimately decided to go after all. Soon after arriving in the Dominican Republic, the four friends had an otherworldly experience when they realized they were traveling within a rainbow. The rainbow seemed to move at the same speed as their vehicle, so for several minutes, they could see the proverbial “end of the rainbow.” Mike was moved by the sight and, probably thinking about Becky’s mother, told Becky, “Just remember, everything will be okay.” Eight hours later, he suffered a fatal heart attack. Becky and her friends were in a terrible predicament. They had been traveling after dark; they didn’t know how to get help and didn’t even speak the local language. Over the next few days, they endured many frustrations with police, the coroner, and the United States Embassy. They weren’t familiar with local customs, and the language barrier made everything more difficult.

Becky was told it would take three to four weeks to finalize details; however, she arrived home with Mike’s remains 11 days after his passing. “God showed his hand to us over and over,” she says. Then Becky began “putting the pieces back together,” she says. “What you find out is that your friends are around for a while, but they’re couples and you kind of become a fifth wheel. All of a sudden, you realize, ‘I’ve got to re-establish me.’ Who are you? What’s your purpose in life now?” Becky is not alone. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, most American women outlive their husbands, often by many years. The average age for a woman to be widowed is 59, and a staggering 54 percent of American women over the age of 75 are widows. Many struggle to find happiness.

Hope and healing

Unbeknownst to Becky, a woman in Brenham had navigated a similarly difficult journey a few years before. Tami Glasco was widowed shortly before her 51st birthday when her husband died in a freak accident. She grieved, bereft and lonely. In 2015, however, she and two widowed friends acted on a shared vision, inviting 25 area widows to Tami’s home for what they called An Evening

of Hope: “A community of widows finding hope and healing in Christ, encouraging one another in the journey and seeking God’s purpose for our lives in this season.” To the three friends’ astonishment, 17 women attended. It was the birthing of Hope Gathering, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission of “helping widows find hope and healing in Christ-centered communities.” There are currently 74 Hope Gathering Communities in 17 states and Canada. “The need is great, and widows are desperately longing for hope and community,” Tami says. “We are grateful for every opportunity to serve, and we give all the praise and glory to God.” In early 2024, a friend approached Becky about starting a Hope Gathering community in Conroe. Becky, a retired public-school administrator, was reluctant, but agreed to serve as the head of the group’s leadership team. West Conroe Baptist Church offered a spacious meeting room, and in April 2024, dozens of widows from throughout the Conroe area—ranging in age from their 40s to their 80s— attended the first meeting. The West Conroe Hope Gathering was born. Today, the group is flourishing. About 25 to 30 women attend each

We have even met them at the flagpole so they don’t have to come in by themselves.

Lake Conroe | November 2026

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monthly meeting, and many members report that they look forward to the gatherings all month. Each meeting includes dinner and a short devotional, as well as an activity, such as a craft project or a game night. Sometimes guest speakers present topics of interest to single women. The leadership team tries to make each meeting memorable. “We want it to be nice, to look pretty. We always have placemats and centerpieces. We want them to say, ‘Oh, how nice,’” Becky says. “Then they will remember it. We want them to walk away with smiles on their faces.” Many women find friendships through Hope Gathering; they also find a network of women who can help with shared challenges. For example, members often recommend reliable tradespeople, such as plumbers or handymen, to perform tasks once assigned to their husbands. Some women also participate in Weekend of Hope retreats, which are held every fall at Camp Allen in Navasota. “Through worship, encouraging speakers, breakout sessions, heartfelt conversations, and time spent reflecting on God’s faithfulness, women leave knowing they are deeply loved by God, strengthened by genuine community, and filled with renewed hope for the journey ahead,” Tami says. “The retreats are wonderful, spiritual weekends,” agrees Gail Graham, a member of the leadership team of the

Postcardslive.com West Conroe Hope Gathering.

Leaving the cave

In 2025, Hope Gathering distributed 8,195 Hope Boxes— goodie boxes designed especially for widows. People often nominate widowed friends and family members to receive the boxes, which are delivered at no cost. Boxes are packed full of helpful materials, including a Bible, a devotional book, a journal, and even a tube of waterproof mascara. “We believe no widow should have to travel this journey of grief alone,” Tami says. Hope Boxes have been instrumental in spreading the word about Hope Gathering. “What begins as a tangible reminder that a widow is seen and loved often becomes her first introduction to Hope Gathering,” Tami says. “Many women have gone on to connect with local communities, while others have felt called to step out in faith and lead new communities in their own areas.” There are also Hope Gathering groups in Spring and Magnolia. For more information, visit hopegathering.org.

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Hope Boxes

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

After losing their husbands, some women retreat to safe and predictable lives, says Cheryl Padgett, another member of West Conroe Hope Gathering’s leadership team. “Our caves are very comfortable places,” she says. “One of the pillars we talk about with Hope Gathering as you are walking down this path you have never been down before, is that you need to make changes and learn new things. Don’t forget to have fun.” “Most have been caregivers,” Becky agrees. “Their lives have been so consumed by that mission that they have stopped living. They forget how to laugh.” For some women, she says, the most difficult part of joining Hope Gathering is getting started. “I tell people all the time, ‘the hardest thing you do is to find that flagpole and walk through those doors.’ Once they get in, the burden is gone. I’m not the only one who lost my best friend. We have something in common,” Becky says. “We have even met them at the flagpole so they don’t have to come in by themselves.” When a neighbor told Brenda Preheim about Hope Gathering, she was nervous about attending, thinking she wouldn’t know anyone. Brenda need not have worried. As soon as she walked in, she heard someone shout, “Brenda!” Carol Bramlett, a friend from her quilting group, had spotted her. Brenda also recognized two women from her church. “And I didn’t think I would know anybody!” she says. Brenda has been attending Hope Gathering meetings ever since. She tries to sit with people she hasn’t met before so she can get to know everyone in the group. “Everybody is so friendly,” she says. “We just feel so welcome. I recommend it.” She encouraged another widow from her church to attend, and she even invited a recently-widowed woman she met at Walmart. She looks forward to meetings, she says, and doesn’t want to miss. “Everybody is in the same situation,” she says. “Everyone’s attitude is uplifting. It’s just a feel-good evening.”

Postcards Lake Conroe | November 2026

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Glorious Grandchildren

Sedona Kay Whaley

Grandchild of

Robert & Stacie Wright

Judi & Gabriel Martinez

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

Callan Tunks

15 The Department of Dance Presents

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHOIRS | SPECIAL GUESTS

Dec 4-5 | 7:30 pm

Payne Concert Hall

Dec 3-5 | 8:00 PM Montague Dance Theater

Box 2393 Huntsville, TX 77341

SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY | HUNTSVILLE, TX FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION shsutickets.com | tickets@shsu.edu | 936.294.2339

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The School of Music presents

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Kidspeak Teacher: What is half of 8? Student: Horizontally or vertically?

Dad: Would you like anything to eat for dinner?

Me: Please eat your kiwi.

Teacher: What do you mean?

Son: What are my choices?

Son: They're gross; it's like licking a tennis ball.

Student: Horzontally it's 0; vertically it's 3.

Dad: "Yes" or "no."

Me: No, it's not.

••••••••••••••••••••

5-yo: Dad, why do people congratulate you when Mom is the one making the baby?

Son: Have you ever licked a tennis ball? Because I have, and I'm telling you it's the same.

Having been told it's rude to call dinner "gross," our 4-yo is finding increasingly creative ways to express himself.

Me: I helped.

••••••••••••••••••••

5: How?

"This sends my mouth into outer space." (that's bad)

Me: ...

"Cauliflower is [pinches fingers together] this much delicious."

5: ... Me: I read her the instructions.

What?!

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

"This tastes...unlucky to me"

My 7-yo informed me last night that he can hear me and his dad talking at night and that it's "mostly just useless information, but he's still going to gather it."

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Tasty Bites Stuffed Pepper Soup INGREDIENTS

Lake Conroe | November 2026

1 lb ground sirloin 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 cup finely diced onion 1 (29 oz) can diced tomatoes 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce 1 (14 oz) can chicken broth ¼ tsp dried thyme ¼ tsp dried sage salt and pepper to taste 2 cups water 1 cup white rice

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DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir ground beef in the hot skillet until browned and crumbly, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain and discard grease. Step 2: Add green pepper and onion; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Step 3: Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, thyme, and sage; season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer until peppers are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes. Step 4: Meanwhile, bring water and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and water has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Step 5: Stir cooked rice into soup; heat through and serve.

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November 2026 | Lake Conroe

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Tasty Bites Worth the Wait Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Lake Conroe | November 2026

INGREDIENTS

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Dough: 3/4 cup warm milk (110 degrees F) 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast 1 Tbs sugar 1/4 cup melted butter 1 egg 1/2 cup pumpkin purée 2 Tbs sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour Filling: 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 Tbs cinnamon 1 tsp pumpkin spice 1/2 tsp salt Icing: 4 oz cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla 1 tsp milk

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Combine milk, yeast, and 1 Tbsp sugar. Whisk and let sit for 10 minutes until yeast is activated. Step 2: Mix in remaining dough ingredients. Cover and let rest for 1 hour, until dough has doubled in size. Step 3: Mix together filling ingredients. Step 4: Roll dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Add filling and cut into 10 (or 12) equal strips. Roll, place into a greased 9 × 13 baking dish, cover and rest for 30 minutes. Step 5: Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes. Step 6: Mix icing ingredients. Spread icing on rolls and serve.

Milestones

Share Your Milestones!

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Riley Farris

their 5th anniversary!

her 20th birthday!

celebrated

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

Joseph & Addison Gray

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A Meaningful Way to Say, "I’m Grateful for You"

The Garden Post Autumn’s

Golden Vibes

Lake Conroe | November 2026

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here’s nothing like walking out the door on an early November morning! The air has changed from sticky and humid to crisp and cool. But what gets me is the stillness. The earth exhales deeply, resting and preparing for winter. The leaves are starting to change color and drop, and we could get the season’s first frost. Don’t let the leaves go to waste; collect and save them to protect tender plants in the winter or compost them. Warm-season flowers and vegetables are on their way out; it’s time to replace them with cool-season choices. Plan and have protection ready for any plants that need to be covered from frost or freeze. Let’s add some color to your cool-season landscape! Check your local nursery for annuals such as showstopper pansies, violas, and snapdragons in a variety of vibrant colors. From pastel pinks to deeper purple and amber hues, there’s something for everyone. Ornamental kale and cabbage, dianthus, stock, sweet alyssum, and calendula are also great choices. Some of these are considered soft perennials and may reseed in spring but prefer cooler temperatures. Dusty Miller and even herbs like rosemary and thyme add elements of texture that can really draw attention. Feed with a soluble fertilizer and mulch. You can still plant edibles like kale, greens, lettuce, and Swiss chard if available at your nursery, but you need to get your transplants in ASAP. No time for seed planting; mulch and be prepared to protect them from expected freezes in our area. Same goes for cool season or perennial herbs. Now is your last chance to plant shrubs, trees, and ornamental grasses. They still have a great chance of getting their root systems established before Texas unleashes

Ginger Vybiral Bobo’s Nursery Buffalo, Texas

its scorching heat on us. (TIP 1) When you remove your plant from the pot, if its roots are severely circling in the pot, you need to cut them vertically in three places (they don’t magically unwind when planted). (TIP 2) Don’t leave your tags on shrubs or trees; they could strangle the plant over time. Instead, keep the tags and document the location they were planted. Always use root stimulator and always mulch. Mulch reduces evaporation, moderates soil temperature, and reduces erosion. Make mulch your best friend! Maybe move or get some bulbs in the ground for a pop surprise this spring. If you’re planting a group of bulbs, do your homework! Make sure your shorter ones are in front of your taller ones. It’s also a good idea to plant your bulbs according to when they bloom so you’ll have color from late winter through the spring and summer, and possibly through early fall. Don’t forget about your porch plants. You will need to bring them in to protect them from a freeze. Have a plan for what they need to get through the winter months. Water, fertilizer, and light needs differ for many plants when they take their winter naps. Oh yeah, don’t forget to check for critters before bringing your plants in. Speaking of critters, yes, they’re still around. Aphids and caterpillars are still out there and need to be treated. It’s too late to treat brown patches in lawns; they will recover in spring. If you come across a problem, give your local nursery a call or bring your critter in. November is a time for thanks. Step back, breathe, be thankful for the people and blessings in your life.

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.. -F. Scott Fitzgerald

”

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Gather Together. Stay Connected. November 2026 | Lake Conroe

From sharing holiday memories to video chatting with family far away, MidSouth Fiber delivers fast, reliable, safe internet for every moment this holiday season.

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Lake Conroe | November 2026

Pet Pals

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Share Your Pets Photos with Us!

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Lily & Kona

Princess Carolyn

Molli & Lexi

loved by

Ron & Vee Graves

An Truong

Sandy & Marc

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November 2026 | Lake Conroe

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BUSINESS FOCUS

The Business Focus is chosen each month by random drawing from among Postcards contract advertisers.

Montgomery & Conroe Lake Conroe | November 2026

Comprehensive Dental Centers A broad approach to dental care connects everyday comfort with a longstanding commitment to the community.

BY TAMMY FARKAS | SUBMITTED PHOTOS

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smile may be the first thing people notice, but the work behind it often reaches beyond appearance. A damaged tooth can make a meal difficult. A dental emergency can interrupt an entire day. For patients weighing their options, having several kinds of care available through one practice can make the next step easier to understand. Montgomery & Conroe Comprehensive Dental Centers, offices of Dr. Timothy E. Gardner & Associates, brings that approach to two Montgomery County locations. Its services range from preventive visits and cosmetic dentistry to dental implants and full-mouth restorations. Alongside that work is a history of providing care through donations and supporting local students.

Dr. Timothy E. Gardner, DDS

Care that considers the whole picture

Dr. Todd Leiker, DDS

27 Dr. Bernard Boback, DMD, MS

Dr. Francesca Scalise, DDS

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Digital impressions, digital X-rays, intraoral cameras, and CT imaging are among the tools used by the practice. In-office crown production is another part of its approach, offering same-day crowns that can reduce the need for a separate return visit. For someone facing extensive treatment, the choices can feel overwhelming. The practice offers several approaches to replacing missing teeth, including conventional dentures, removable dentures supported by implants, and fixed implant-supported restorations. Presenting those options gives patients a starting point for discussing the care that suits their needs. Convenience also matters when a problem cannot wait. The practice advertises same-day emergency appointments for patients who call by noon, as well as after-hours calls answered by a team member. Both offices welcome new patients, including children, making the practice an option for families seeking care across generations.

Dr. Kimberly Raabe, DDS

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

Dr. Gardner is a longtime Montgomery County resident whose dental education began at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors in 1991. His later training includes a fellowship through the Las Vegas Institute. Continuing education is a recurring theme in the practice’s materials, reflecting an interest in both the appearance and function of a patient’s teeth. That emphasis is evident in the range of services available through the practice. In addition to crowns, bridges, root canals and dentures, the offices offer porcelain veneers, whitening, orthodontics and implant placement and restoration. The goal is to handle much of a patient’s dental care within the practice, with treatment planned around the individual. The practice also offers services for jaw joint and bite concerns, commonly referred to as TMJ or TMD, as well as dental approaches to sleep apnea. Those services extend the conversation beyond how a smile looks to concerns patients may have about comfort and daily function.

Technology with a practical purpose

Lake Conroe | November 2026

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A commitment beyond the dental chair

Community service has been part of Dr. Gardner’s work for years. He established Dentistry for Veterans in 2011 to provide free dental care to area veterans. That effort has provided $1,137,000 in donated dentistry. Dentistry from the Heart, which Dr. Gardner has hosted since 2009, has provided $550,912 in free dental care. Together with the practice’s scholarships and sponsorships, these events represent nearly $2 million given back to the Montgomery County community. For Michael, a longtime patient and U.S. Army veteran, that commitment has personal meaning. In a video testimonial shared by the practice, he recalls returning to the dentist after a 20-year absence because of a persistent toothache. After receiving care from Dr. Gardner, he became a regular patient who looked forward to his visits. Having served in field artillery, Michael also expresses appreciation for the practice’s service to fellow veterans. Education is another part of that local investment. The Timothy E. Gardner, D.D.S. Scholarship Award has been awarded annually since 2010. The program provides $1,000 scholarships

for college-bound seniors from Conroe, Willis, Lake Creek, and Montgomery high schools, with applications evaluated based on academic achievement, activities, volunteer service, and written responses. The practice’s accolades Montgomery County Best of Conroe Dentist 2024 and 2025, and BBB Awards for Excellence 2026 Winner of Distinction. The 2026 award marked its seventh consecutive year of recognition from the Better Business Bureau of Greater Houston. For Montgomery & Conroe Comprehensive Dental Centers, the story includes both the services available in the offices and the work carried out in the community. Helping local residents access care and encouraging students as they prepare for college give that story a broader reach.

Montgomery & Conroe Comprehensive Dental Centers

Montgomery: 951 Lone Star Parkway, Montgomery, TX 77356 Conroe: 2210 N. Frazier Street, Suite 120, Conroe, TX 77303 936-261-4899 | www.drtimgardner.com

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November 2026 | Lake Conroe

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Medical Matters A Place for Everyone at the

Holiday Table

Lake Conroe | November 2026

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hen we talk about managing diabetes, we often focus on medications, blood sugar levels, and food choices. But support from family and friends matters, too.

If someone at your Thanksgiving table has diabetes, a few thoughtful choices can support efforts to manage their health while enjoying the celebration. You do not need a separate menu. Start with communication, offer options, and let your guest guide you. Ask before assuming. There is no single menu that works for everyone with diabetes. Food choices depend on a person’s medications, activity, and individual care plan. Ask privately, “Is there anything I can have available or plan around to make the day easier for you?” Your guest may need to know the mealtime, appreciate an unsweetened drink option, or prefer to bring a dish. Let them tell you what helps. Share the schedule.

Glenda Read, MD SHSU Physicians

Offer variety. Keep the family favorites while including non-starchy vegetables, such as green beans, broccoli or salad. Serve dressings, sweet glazes, and toppings on the side when practical. Offer water, unsweetened tea, or sparkling water. Remember that carbohydrates affect blood sugar, and they are found in more than desserts. Potatoes, dressing, rolls, and cranberry sauce also contribute. Knowing a dish’s ingredients can help your guest make informed choices. “Sugar-free” does not necessarily mean carbohydrate-free. Leave food commentary off the menu. “Are you allowed to eat that?” can put someone on the spot. People with diabetes can often include favorite foods, including dessert, within their care plans. Trust your guest to choose their portions. Avoid commenting on their plate or asking about blood sugar readings in front of others. Offer privacy if they need it.

Thanksgiving dinner can drift from noon to “whenever the turkey is ready.” For someone using insulin or certain diabetes medicines, a delayed meal can increase the risk of low blood sugar.

Make connection the main event.

Share your expected mealtime and let guests know if it changes. Make it comfortable for someone to have a snack or step away to manage their care. They can follow their healthcare team’s instructions for handling delays.

Diabetes care continues through the holidays, but it does not have to become the focus of the gathering. A little flexibility can help someone you love care for their health and feel at home at your table.

Invite everyone for an optional walk, bring out a board game, or catch up away from the buffet.

Postcards

Answers

Sudoku #1 5 8 6 2 1 7 4 2 4 9 6 5 3 1 7 3 1 4 8 9 2 4 6 3 7 9 8 5 8 1 7 3 2 5 6 9 2 5 1 4 6 7 3 9 2 5 7 1 8 2 9 6

4 8

Sudoku #3 5 4 9 7 6 1 1 8 2 9 5 3 6 7 3 2 8 4 3 6 8 4 7 9 4 9 1 5 3 2 7 2 5 6 1 8 8 3 6 1 4 5 2 5 7 8 9 6 9 1 4 3 2 7 Sudoku #5 9 6 3 2 1 8 2 4 7 9 5 1 7 8 4 6 9 8 5 7 1 7 5 6 3 4 3 2 9 8 2 4 1 3 5 9 4 6 6 1 2 Sudoku #7 7 5 2 6 4 6 9 5 8 1 3 9 5 4 7 2 2 3 6 7 1 9 8 4 6 7 4 8 1 3 5 1

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

7 3

5 8

6 5 2

9 8 4 1 5

4 3 6 7 2

8 3 2 6 4 7 1 9

7 6 8 4 9 3 2 7 9 3 1 4 5 8 6

5 8 4 7 3 5 6 1 6 2 3 9 2 3 1 4 4 9 8 2 1 7 5 6 7 6 9 8 1 2 3 4 7 5 8 9

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Receive one-on-one service 9 3

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Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 25, Book 1

Sudoku #2 2 6 5 3 7 9 1 8 4 7 9 8 5 1 4 2 6 3 1 4 3 6 2 8 5 9 7 6 5 9 7 3 1 4 2 8 8 2 4 9 6 5 7 3 1 3 1 7 8 4 2 6 5 9 5 8 6 4 9 7 3 1 2 4 3 2 1 8 6 9 7 5 9 7 1 2 5 3 8 4 6 Sudoku #4 5 6 8 2 4 3 9 1 7 1 9 7 6 8 5 2 3 4 3 4 2 9 1 7 5 8 6 9 5 3 8 7 6 4 2 1 2 8 6 4 3 1 7 9 5 4 7 1 5 9 2 3 6 8 9 3 5 4 8 7 2 5 3 4 9

EASY

Sudoku Solution

Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve. Or use the answers page if you really get stuck. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork.

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

6 1 8 2 7 3

2 8 6

8 4 2 9 4 9 1 2 2 1 6 9 7 5 9 7 8 Sudoku #6 5 2 4 3 7 3 8 1 9 6 9 6 7 2 8 7 1 8 5 4 2 5 3 1 9 4 9 6 8 2 1 7 2 6 3 5 4 1 9 7 5 6

8 4

Sudoku #8 8 6 1 2 3 9 7 4 4 2 5 1

1 6 8 5 7 4 4 3 5 6 9 2 7 8 6 3 5 1 8 4 9 7 9

9 2

3 4 7

5 8 6

5 8 4 7 9 8 5 4 2 1 4 2 8 6 7 3 1 8 7

6 2

5 7 1 3

6 3 2 8 9 4

6 8 3 7

7 3 5 9 4 6 5 1 8 2 9 8 6 3 7 3 2 4 1 5 5 7 8 2 9 4 1 3 7 6 2 4 9 5 1 6 2 4 3 9 7 6 8 8 1

Sudoku #2Easy

Easy Sudoku Puzzles by KrazyDad, Volume 25, Book 1

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Sudoku Marketspace

November 2026

PostcardsLive.com

Thru 5

12 - 15

Austin Film Festival

Annual Women’s Conference: Broken & Beautiful

Disney on Ice: Magic in the Stars

AUSTIN

austinfilmfestival.com

Thru 29

TODD MISSION

Texas Renaissance Festival texrenfest.com

COLLEGE STATION

“Churchill and Roosevelt: The Christmas that Saved the World” opastickets.org

Postcards

Lake Conroe | November 2026

See More Events Online!

Chairman’s Choice Awards Luncheon

HUNTSVILLE

walkercountychamber.com

6 - 15

CENTERVILLE

facebook.com/events/4448244852109744

HUNTSVILLE

Seger System oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

MADISONVILLE

Cowboy Days Christmas Roundup madisonvilletexas.gov

7-8

SAN MARCOS

Texas Capital Air Show texascapitalairshow.com

HOUSTON

Jonas Brothers

CONROE

toyotacenter.com

owentheatre.com

10 - 11

“Lifespan of a Fact”

6 - 15

NEW BRAUNFELS

Wurstfest wurstfest.com

COLLEGE STATION

“A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical” opastickets.org

11 - 14

MONTGOMERY

“Sense and Sensibility” lonestar.edu/ticket-info

HOUSTON

reliantpark.com

12 - 15

HOUSTON

Nutcracker Market reliantpark.com

13 - Jan 3

COLLEGE STATION

Santa’s Wonderland santas-wonderland.com

13 - Dec 23 GALVESTON

“The Polar Express” Train Ride galvestonrrmuseum.org

13 - Jan 18 HOUSTON

Ice at Discovery Green discoverygreen.com

HUNTSVILLE

Max & Heather Stalling oldtowntheatre-huntsville.org

13 - 14

HUNTSVILLE

SHSU College Rodeo shsu.universitytickets.com

Making Tracks 13 - Dec 27

“The Polar Express” Train Ride

Christmas Spectacular

PALESTINE

texasstaterailroad.net

CONROE

Email: info@jazzyjunque.org

19 - 21 BRYAN

woodlandscenter.org

womansclubbcs.com

14 - 15

19 - 21

Texas Book Festival

Flowers, Stars, & Miracles: A Christmas Evening

AUSTIN

texasbookfestival.org

HOUSTON

Leanne Morgan toyotacenter.com

shsu.universitytickets.com

19 - 22

HUNTSVILLE

“Ken Ludwig’s The Three Musketeers”

HUNTSVILLE

shsu.universitytickets.com

huntsvilleantiqueshow.com

Holiday Market

BRYAN

Lights On!

HUNTSVILLE

destinationbryan.com

huntsvilletx.gov

Kickball Tournament

CONROE

Relay & Bark for Life

HUNTSVILLE

relayforlife.org/mocotx

Email: info@ctkmc.net

21 - 22

Fall Family Festival

THE WOODLANDS

Boni’s: The Nutcracker woodlandscenter.org

33 Postcards

14 - 15

HUNTSVILLE

November 2026 | Lake Conroe

Treaty Oak Revival

Christmas on Carter Creek

THE WOODLANDS

Mustard Seed Moments By JRA

Trading Problems for Peace

Lake Conroe | November 2026

Postcards

ut Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish. -Jonah 1:3

I just watched a clip on YouTube called “funny things animals do.” A high school boy was about to run in a track meet. When the race started, his golden retriever began to chase after him. The dog was having fun, but the race had to stop until the dog could be secured. The dog just wanted to be close to his friend. Somehow, this reminded me of Jonah trying to get away from God. Doing what God had told him to do become a problem for Jonah, and Jonah tried to run from the problem. Problems are like that dog in a way; they like to be close to us. They have a way of developing legs that can follow us anywhere we try to go (sometimes they even put on tennis shoes so they can keep up). They have tenacity and can become sticky as glue. Some people try to drown their

problems by drinking; this just compounds the problem, because problems learn how to swim or grab onto a flotation device. The question becomes, “How do we get rid of our problems when we can’t run from them or drown them?” If you are tired of running and trying to drown your problem, there is an easy solution…give it away. In Jonah’s case, all he had to do was what God told him. Is that what you might need to do, just obey? Instead of running FROM God run TO God and give him your problem, for he is the Master problem solver. He knows the end from the beginning and already knows how things will turn out. Don’t let your life become a storm out of control. Invite the One who controls the storm to come into your life and say, “Peace, be still.” Then feel the wind become like a baby’s breath and watch the waves still in the calm. Give the problem away…just give it away. Remember the words of Jesus, “My peace I give you.”

In Balance with Alyson Bayor

More Comfort for the Holidays Submitted by: Alyson Bayer, Licensed Acupuncturist

November often marks the beginning of one of the busiest times of the year. Holiday gatherings, travel, cooking, shopping, decorating, and changing routines can bring plenty of joy, but they can also place added strain on the body. For those already living with chronic pain, arthritis, neuropathy, back discomfort, or joint stiffness, the extra activity can make everyday tasks feel more difficult. Long hours on your feet, extended car rides, colder weather, and disrupted sleep can all contribute to increased soreness, fatigue, and inflammation. Acupuncture offers a gentle, time-tested way to support the body during demanding seasons. By stimulating specific points throughout the body, treatments help encourage healthy circulation, reduce inflammation, relax tight muscles, and support the nervous system. At Clear Choice Acupuncture and Wellness, we often meet patients who simply want to enjoy the holidays without their discomfort determining what they can and cannot do. We proudly offer Standard Process whole food-based nutritional supplements as part of our commitment to individualized wellness. Always happy to discuss nutrition and supplements!

Clear Choice Acupuncture & Wellness

For some, that means standing long enough to prepare a family meal. For others, it may mean traveling more comfortably, sleeping better, or having the energy to spend meaningful time with the people they love. What many patients discover is that acupuncture is not only about addressing pain when it becomes severe. Regular treatments can also help support mobility, relaxation, and overall function as the body adapts to increased activity and stress.

A Commitment to Healing For nearly two decades, our team has been dedicated to serving the Montgomery community with integrative, patient-centered care. We specialize in chronic and complex pain conditions and combine traditional acupuncture with advanced technology designed to support healing and improve quality of life. The holidays should be filled with memories, not limited by pain. If discomfort, stiffness, or fatigue is already affecting your plans, November is a good time to explore a different path to feeling better. Call (936) 703-5040 today to schedule your complimentary consultation, or visit ClearChoiceAcupuncture.com to learn more.

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