April 6, 2015

Diboll Christian Outreach’s former coordinator, Kathy Rodgers from Georgia, was in town last week to catch up with what’s been going on in Diboll. Kathy’s son Tim who lives in Dallas drove her to Tyler where she met Linda Maxey and Becky Donahoe. These three did some serious shopping for Christmas Blessings, an annual project that Kathy organized while she and Joe lived here. Kathy stayed in the home of Clyde and Linda Maxey where she and Linda spent two fun days of scrap-booking. One evening Kathy, Clyde and Linda, Milford Ruby and Charles Donahoe enjoyed visiting over a meal at the Cracker Barrel. After Methodist choir practice on Wednesday evening Kathy enjoyed visiting over a meal with Nita and Gary Hurley; Becky and Charles Donahoe; Delana and Gary Hendrick. The largest gathering of friends was on Thursday at Christian Outreach’s pot luck dinner where Kathy renewed old friendships and met new volunteers. It’s been almost a year that Joe and Kathy Rodgers bought a home in Georgia and Kathy has already gotten involved in a large charitable organization there while Joe works for his Canadian based company that has several plants in the southern US. Their two sons are doing well. Steve lives and works in San Antonio and Tim lives and works in Dallas.

Frank and Isabel Hardy have been longtime volunteers at Diboll Christian Outreach after retiring from T/I. The Hardys moved to Diboll from Evadale in 1980 for Frank to work in Temple Industries’ Environmental department. Sometime in the 70’s Frank first met Isabel’s dog in Silsbee while she was visiting from England. After he met Isabel, it was only a few months before they were married in China, Texas. Now they spend more time traveling around the country exhibiting their classic cars and are members of the CVAR Car Club, Corinthian Vintage Auto Racing. About six times a year these two work at the races. Frank is a flagman and sometimes works the “penalty” box while Isabel works in the control room where she keeps a running log of everything that is happening. Their 1972 MGB and 1958 MGZB sedan have won them 2-Best of Show; 2 First Places and a dozen Best of Class. They are looking forward to spending 2-1/2 days near Tomball attending the Texas Tour of old cars.

I had the pleasure of meeting the new pastor of Premier Iglesia Bautista in Diboll (formerly the Lakeview Baptist on Ryan Chapel Road). I first met Pedro Aviles in Los Jarritos on a Saturday evening when I stopped in there desperately needing someone to interpret Spanish. Bro. Aviles was standing at the counter checking out and graciously offered to help me. Bro. Pedro Aviles is from San Juan, Puerto Rico where he and his wife were missionaries for more than 30 years through the Southern Baptist Convention of Puerto Rico. They moved to Texas in 1984 where he studied at the Dallas Baptist University and at the same time pastored two churches. He and his wife have been married for 39 years and have four children. Delisse is a school principal in Grand Prairie; Yarlin is a 3rd grade teacher in Puerto Rico; their son Tony teaches Architecture in Dallas and their youngest daughter Andrea recently graduated from the University of Puerto Rico and plans to teach school in Dallas. They have five grandchildren: Caleb, Elisabeth, Naomi, Darell and Yarielis. Easter Sunday was Bro. Aviles’ first official day as pastor.

Last year J.D. and Sue Johnson told at the Round Table they had about a dozen unusual ducks at their house with long legs and bright orange-colored bills. Mark Hafernick overheard the conversation, went home to his shop and built a special wood duck box according to instructions from Wildlife Manager, Don Dietz. The Johnsons installed the box last year and this year they have anywhere from 24 to 36 more ducks. Mark would like to think it is because the ducks like their new home. The common name of these foul is Black Belly Whistling Tree duck. Folks that live around a field or pond might watch for these gaudy, noisy flocks that really do have a whistle for their call.

Kitty Bounds is the Program Coordinator for the support program, LIFT, Living Information for Today. It is sponsored by Gipson Funeral Home and is a social support program that helps widows and widowers adjust to the loss of a spouse by engaging them in educational, social and recreational activities. They meet on the last Tuesday of each month at noon and lunch is provided. The March program was Elaine Cameron, Master Gardener, who shared information about native plants. She also spoke about planting plants that take care of bees, butterflies and insects to maintain a healthy eco-system. Next month, at noon on April 28th, the guest speaker will be Scotty Nunn, of the Winnie Berry Animal Shelter. If you are a widow or widower and interested in attending this program, call Gipson Funeral Home at 634-4411. The program is free and if you like, someone will call to remind you of the meeting the last Tuesday of each month.

Sunday, April 12th at 10AM is the annual homecoming services at the Beulah Congregational Methodist Church. The founder and first pastor in 1892 was Allen Squyres. This year’s speaker is Trent Squyres, a 4th generation of the founder. Other early families included Weeks, Havard, Fairchild, Grimes, Strains, Wheelers and Scarboroughs. Another speaker will be Chet Strain, the youngest son of Thurman and Lila Strain. The message will be delivered by Pastor Trey Thompson who preached his first sermon at this church when he was 17. You are invited to attend the services and bring a covered dish for the noon meal.

Next Tuesday, April 14th, is the date for Angelina County 4-H’s Super Bingo Bash, 6PM at the Angelina County Extension Office. Proceeds benefit the scholarship fund and summer camps.

It’s never too late to participate in the Diboll Civic Club’s Operation Clean-Sweep which is April 18th. Past events have seen improvements made on 88 homes with more than 1400 volunteers. Again this year, volunteers are needed to work, provide tools, prepare food or make monetary or building material donations. Find more information on the Facebook pages “Diboll Civic Club” and “Operation Clean-Sweep 2015”.

That same day, April 18th, Diboll Beautiful Clean will sponsor the Texas Trash Off Day. Volunteers are needed to pick up litter around town. Contact Elvia Esteves-Garza at Diboll City Hall 829-4757 if you would like to volunteer. It is because of volunteers who care that makes Diboll the best place to live.

Come see us…’round the table.