March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014 by

 

IT’S TIME FOR TEXAS TRASH OFF! Volunteers will be picking up litter throughout Texas. (So unnecessary…littering, that is). Keep Diboll Beautiful will meet volunteers in Old Orchard Park at 8:30 AM Saturday, April 5th to give assignments. Or, according to Fran McClain, you can help the DHS Class of 1969 with their Adopt-A-Highway section and meet them in the Dollar General parking lot at 9AM. If neither of these work for you, please just pick up litter around your area as a lot of people already do that on a regular basis. Keep Diboll Beautiful will be serving pizza for lunch. If you plan to work and eat pizza, please call Elvia Esteves-Garza at city hall, 829-4757 by Friday. Trash bags will be provided but you will need to bring your own gloves. Also, don’t forget that Diboll’s Operation Clean-sweep is scheduled for Saturday, April 26th. Volunteers and donations are needed!!

Diboll Alumni Association is working hard to contact all former employees of DISD to recognize them at a special time during Diboll Day this year. Please let Fran McClain (829-2779) know if you have any contact information for the following employees that worked during the 1990’s: Jeannie Bacon, Sandy Crespin, Maria Dejesus, Traci Eakin, Lula Garcia, Debbie Gault, Delores Harris, Tommy Hodges, Shane Holman, Clyde Jackson, Ruth Lemmond, Sharon Lusk, Dr. Craig Morton, Debra Oladovich, Melissa Petty, Leslie Roberts, Kim Roberts, Becky Robins, Lacey Joe Roden, Pam Rogers, Craig Russell, Francisca Silva, Melanie Spark, Candice Stine, Brandon  Taylor, Maria Torres, A. Van Schoubrock, Susan Wier and John Yonker. Fran’s email is fr****@**********ed.net.

It’s two more great grandchildren for Dianne and Mike Gibson of Diboll. Twins Jude Kenneth and Lennon Morris Tate were born March 18th in Huntsville. Their parents are Brittani and Zachary Tate and grandparents are Vicki and Barry Tate. Both boys are doing well and yes, they were named after Jude Law and John Lennon.

Enjoyed visiting with John Oates and learned that his and Ruth’s daughter, Rachel, is getting married.  Last May when Rachel received her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from UT Tyler she also received a marriage proposal from Chemical Engineer, Ryan Bloser. She accepted his proposal and began her new career the following Monday. Rachel is working for The Crisis Center of Jacksonville having to complete 3,000 hours of apprenticeship. Their wedding is May 31 in Flynt Texas at the Centaur Arabian Farms that offers a country elegance wedding venue and reception. Matthew (Rachel’s brother) and Mary Oates are expecting their first baby on the 24th of May and everyone is holding their breath hoping that baby Adam Malloy arrives in time for his mother to be Rachel’s matron of honor.

Billie (Goins) Bryce has enjoyed getting re-acquainted with a childhood friend, Ira Jean (Black) Wooten, whom she had not seen since the 8th grade. They both are attending Pine Grove church in Beulah. Two other classmates also live in the area: Bobbie (Havard) Goolsby and Wanda Torbert.

Sue Johnson reported the Burke Chapter #1098 Order of the Eastern Star had a HUGELY SUCESSFUL Baked Potato sale on March 27th.  They would like to thank everyone who bought potatoes including the Diboll schools, the Central schools and all the others who always help their chapter with its fund raisers. Sue said there are too many to name without leaving someone out; however, one of their buyers not only buys but makes a BIG donation and for that and all the others, they are truly grateful. The biggest “thank you” goes to The Golden Corral who not only bakes the potatoes but has them ready and they are awesome! Their manager, Jason and his staff, always go above and beyond to help this local chapter and the ladies can vouch that the food is great and encourages everyone to try The Golden Corral.

Congratulations to Jack and Donnie Jenkins who are both very active in the SASS, Single Action Shooter Society, which is competing with 6-shooters. Jack won 3rd Place in the Texas state championship and also won “Spirit of the Game” award. Donnie won 4th Place in the state in her division. The event takes place in Oakwood, Texas.

Congratulations to Mike Waters who was awarded the Joe Richardson Most Distinguished Athletic Training Award from SFA. He is an ’86 SFA alumni and his picture is in the current SFA Sawdust magazine.

Joe Donald Smith celebrated a birthday dinner on March 31st at Los Jarritos. With him was his wife, Emma Lee; their son and daughter-in-law, Joe Henry and Diane Smith and son, Bill. All five ordered fried shrimp and loved their dinner. On April 3rd. Joe Donald and Emma Lee will celebrate their 66th wedding anniversary. That is awesome, congratulations!!

Billie Jean Capps also enjoyed her March 31st birthday with all four daughters, Susie, Shannon, Sharla, Sherry and families home for the weekend. Later in the week, her husband, Donald, treated her to breakfast at IHOP. Happy Birthday Billie Jean; it’s been a long time since you and I walked home after school to 8 Bakers Café almost every day and listened to Percy Faith’s A Summer Place.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars April 12th for the 2nd Annual Music in the Park. Beginning at 6PM Old Orchard Park will be rocking with music from The Crime stoppers Band. Opening for them will be one of DISD’s school choirs and concessions will be available from volunteers with Project Celebration.

Also on April 12th,  Angelina County 4-H will be having a BINGO at the Angelina County Extension office. The doors will open at 5:30 and the games begin at 6PM. The cost is $2 a card for 8 games.

The Angelina County Master Gardeners Annual Plant sale will be this Saturday, April 5th beginning at 8 AM at the Farmers Market in Lufkin.

Our bedding plants, flowers and hanging baskets have arrived and made the front of Pouland’s an array of colors.

Come see us…’round the table.

 

Filed Under: March 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

March 17, 2014

March 17, 2014 by

 

We met up with Nathan and Lesa Terrell at Los Jarritos and learned they had just returned from Atlanta, GA. I asked him to tell us about their trip and

appreciate what he sent me; Nathan wrote the following. This is the 3rd week out of the last 4 that Lesa had to go to Atlanta, GA with Georgia Pacific to work.  I went with her as a tag along cuz I was tired of being a bachelor on a weekly basis.

We arrived on Sunday, March the 9th, got checked into the hotel, then started searching for a place to have dinner. While walking on Peachtree Street we saw banners advertising the NCAA Southeastern Conference, SEC, Mens Basketball Tournament.  This was exciting as Texas A & M is part of that conference. I did not really have anything to do once we got back to our hotel room so I searched for tickets on the computer.  The event was taking place at the Georgia Dome, which is walking distance from the hotel.  I was able to get tickets for the nights of Wednesday and Thursday plus the afternoon Session on Thursday. On Wednesday night, Lesa and two of her coworkers, Michael Dorman and Lori Smith were able to go with me.  The Session was not a sell out and we were able to sit anywhere we wanted.  We got there early enough to score Floor Seats on the 7th row Center Court!!  Being so close to the floor we got a real good look at the players, those Basketball players are TALL & BIG!!  There was one 7 foot and a couple of 6 foot 11 inch ones.  We watched South Carolina beat Auburn in a blowout.  After the first game, Lesa and Lori left to go back to the hotel room to work.  Michael and I stayed to watch Mississippi State beat Vanderbilt, another blowout.  The next day the games started at 1:00 PM, I went by myself and watched Texas A & M go into Double Overtime against Missouri before getting handed a loss.  I and a handful of folks were cheering for the Aggies, but we were loud!  At the night session, Lesa and Lori came back to the Georgia Dome to watch Alabama get beat by LSU.  We did not stay for the final, I was tired after watching 3 games that day and Lesa and Lori, again, had to go back to the hotel to work.

One other thing I did while Lesa was at GP working was to take a tour of CNN headquarters in Atlanta.  It was a short walk to the CNN building, which is located beside Olympic Park.  While walking toward the CNN building I saw a couple of Fashion Model Photo shoots and one Reality TV show film crew working on the street. In the TV shoot I fell in with the “Xtras” when the director yelled “Action” for them to walk across the street.  I don’t know the name of the TV show or if I will be in any of the footage, but it was fun.  On the tour of the CNN building I saw where Wolf Blitzer and all the other folks bring us the news and weather.  The thing I noticed the most was, upon getting my ticket I was subjected, along with the other folks in the tour, to a MAJOR SECURITY scan.  This was more thorough than the airport!  The tour lasted about 45 minutes and at every turn we made in the building, there were Security Guards.  At the end of the tour we were in a room for a Q & A session and one guy ask had there been an incident, that now is the cause, for all of the Security, the tour guide answered, Yes!

If you like Southern Gospel music, mark your calendar for March 29 at 6PM at Calvary Baptist Church in Lufkin to attend a benefit for Relay for Life. The admission is free but a love offering will be taken for the American Cancer Society. Jack Havard will serve as the MC for the evening with entertainment from the following groups: The Waymakers; The Stanleys; The Martin Family; Narrow Road Quartet; Ransomed Quartet and Emily Rhoades.

According to good friend Carol Chalfant, the first Saturday in April will be the Annual Plant Sale sponsored by the Angelina County Master Gardeners. April 5th beginning at 8AM until 2PM at the Angelina County Farmers Market you will find annuals, perennials, natives, fruits, roses and so much more.

When you are out and about town take time to look at the entrance of the Lottie and Arthur Temple Civic Center and see the new landscaping that the Diboll Civic Center Committee has implemented. The extensive work is being done by Johan Terbough who is married to former Dibollian,  Andra (Willmon). Johan is from South Africa where he grew up on a farm. I love his accent. You don’t listen to him long before you realize he loves his work and appreciates beautiful flowers and landscaping. When he was quite young his mother decided she wanted to landscape their home and Johan said it grew into a 3-acre manicured park.

People everywhere are ready for spring and wanting to plant their gardens. We do have a large selection of bulk vegetable seeds, onion plants, fertilizer, potting soil, weed/feed, trimmers, etc. to help you get started. We also plan to have a large selection of bedding plants and flowers just as soon as we feel that winter is gone.

Buddy Shipp and Gary Jones were in buying seed potatoes. Mark Hafernik came in with his adorable 15-month-old grandson, Gibson. Mark is ready for the Purple Martins and has seen “scouts” in his yard. Chet and Tammy Winger said they already have 15 pair in their yard on Lake Rayburn. Roy McCall was in town during the weekend and came in three different times to buy corn. Wayne Clark bought local honey. Joe Paul Stovall bought a new Stihl trimmer. Ken St.Ama sent Pam in to buy lawn fertilizer just before the rain was to arrive.  Ray Smith is 80 and still delivering mail to Diboll. He is also planning to plant an extra large garden. Newly married Daniel and Lisa Eddins were in buying trailer tires. Deer Trace neighbors Stephen and Dortha Jackson and Jay Wyatt were in buying weed & feed for their lawns; J.R. and Tellie Williams bought a new rain gauge. Carolyn and Eddie Smith came in to buy milo for all the beautiful red cardinals in their yard and said her Christmas cactus is still blooming.

Jan Wilkerson sent an email to remind us all to SAVE THE DATE!!!

Diboll Civic Club presents its second “Music in the Park” on Saturday, April 12, at 6 p.m.  The Crime stoppers Band will be featured, and the Temple Elementary and Intermediate School Choirs will be on the program.  Old Orchard Park is the site, and it has some bench seating, but everyone is encouraged to bring your own lawn chairs.  There is no admission charge.

The Diboll Civic Club needs you!!!  The annual Operation Clean-Sweep is coming April 26. Repairs, outside painting, yard work and other types of “fix-up” projects will be undertaken for community members in need.  Churches, school groups, businesses, organizations and individuals are needed to form work teams for the day. Donations of building supplies, tools and money are needed to help with the projects, along with food and drinks for the volunteers. Nomination for homes needing assistance will be received until April 4.  To volunteer, make a donation or to receive a nomination form, contact: Fran McClain 829-2779 or franmc@consolidated.   Trey Wilkerson 637-3418 or 366-7215.

If you haven’t noticed Diboll is a busy place with lots of activities. There is always something going on that needs volunteers and support. Get involved!!.

Come see us…’round the table.

 

Filed Under: March 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

March 3, 2014

March 3, 2014 by

 

Mark and Ann Hafernick of Diboll, along with their son Brian Hafernick, DVM, of Lufkin, recently attended the Sky Ranch Gala at the Omni Hotel in Dallas.  The event was entitled Cowboys & Cowboys and in attendance were former Dallas cowboy football greats and Pro Rodeo cowboys.  The purpose of the gala was to raise money for scholarships to send underprivileged boys and girls to Sky Ranch.  This is a Christian based weeklong camp located in Van, Texas.  Michael Irvin was the honorary celebrity chair and Walt Garrison and Rope Myers were celebrity co-chairs.  Mark got his picture made with Tony Dorsett and Jay Novacek.  Mark and Ann’s daughter, Lauren Hafernick, of Dallas, was the event planner for the event.  Some of the more popular auction items were:  Alaskan Salmon fishing trip, Golf trip to Colorado Springs via private jet with Michael Irwin and PGA Pro Shawn Stefani, Dinner prepared by nationally recognized chef David Holben at Walt Garrison’s ranch with him and Roger Staubach, Two floor tickets to George Strait’s farewell concert at Cowboy stadium in June along with an autographed Martin guitar.  Approximately 600 people attended the gala and it was estimated it raised enough funds to send more than 300 kids to camp this year!

Lauren Havar has been an Event Planner for ten years and is the daughter of Mark and Ann Hafernick of Diboll. Mark, Ann, their son Brian and his one-year-old son, Gibson were excited to attend her lastest event, along with 600 other guests last weenend at the Omni Hotel in Dallas

Sky Ranch is one of North America’s premiere Christian Camp. It exists to provide people with a positive, recreational, fun and memorable experience while being exposed to the truths of the Word of God. I love their Mission Statement: Leading youth and families to know and follow Christ. The ranch opened in 1955 in Denton, Texas as a vision of Mel & Winkie Brewer, with 66 campers.  There are now located in three states serving more than 50,000 individuals every years.

This years Gala featured superstar of the Football Field and Rodeo Area. Michael  Irvin was the Honorary Celebrity Chair

Mark frequents the Round Table more often now that he is officially retired from The Campbell Group. He’s been retired less than a year and I heard him say he is just now getting where he doesn’t look at every log truck now; for 40 years he looked at every load of logs on the highway and could tell by the logs which mill it was going to and most of the time knew the driver of the truck, the logging company he worked for and probably been on their job site at one time or another. It is amazing to hear him call people by their names that worked with him many years ago. I don’t think he ever forgets anyone he’s ever met.

It was nice to “catch up” on Caurie Cheshire when she came in the store. She is the daughter of ?? and I remember her when she was a checker at Brookshires while attending Diboll ISD and graduating from SFA in just three years. She is presently living in Houston and teaching Special Ed in an inner city school. She also has a passion for mission work and in her young life has been to Haiti six times and one time to Africa which she says is beautiful. She is a member of the Providence Community Church in Atasacita. About a year ago, she was wearing a teeshirt that said “Here to Serve” which attracted the attention of Morgan Gantz who is also a missionary. These two are being married March 8th. They plan to spend their honeymoon in Mexico aboard a cruise ship and they are excited about spending this summer in Zimbawaee, South Africa, doing mission work. Congratulations and may God bless you both.

Another young woman and high school classmate of Caurie shares the same passion of helping people. Kendal Martel is presently living in Africa while serving in the Peace Corp for two years.

Lee and Desirae Allen came in and we learned they have just returned from their first trip to Las Vegas where they celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary. Both were impressed with the sights while staying at the Flamigo Hilton. They enjoyed the Dolphin show and the Million Dollar Quartet which was the story about Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. They were impressed with the magic shows of David Copperfield at the MGM and Mac King at Paris. While observing the beautiful white tigers at the exhibit in the Mirage, they personally saw and took pictures of one of the greatest magicians, Sigfried, as he was visiting in the crowd telling them about the tigers and other animals in their exhibit.

John Ralph and I stopped by the Brisket House one evening when we noticed lots of construction work. We met Brice Curl who is having the work done and learned he presently manages the Bed and Breakfast, The Mansion at Manning. His plans are to reopen the building and serve BBQ, burgers and anything that can be cooked on a pit. He has experience in the restaurant business starting at 14 when he bussed tables in his grandparents’ family restaurant, Hills’ Seafood on the seawall in Galveston. The new restaurant will be named T.K.’s Smoke House after Brice’s son, Trevor Keith Curl. Trevor also has experience and will be moving here from Liberty where he works at the Landmark Steak House that was voted “Best Steaks in East Texas”. He also worked at Legends in Baytown for five years. It’s great Diboll is getting another place to eat!!

The contractor on the jobsite for building the pit room at the old Brisket House looked familiar and no wonder he did because it was John Wojhan, a graduate of Diboll, whose dad, Eddy Wojhan, was a well known contractor years ago. John and his wife, Lisa, the daughter of Van and Bernice Harris, live below old Manning. Their four children are Heather, Amy, David and Rachael and they also have four grandchildren.

 

Filed Under: March 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

February 24, 2014

February 24, 2014 by

 

John Powers and his wife Mable (Nivens) who both grew up in Diboll have recently returned from Wichita Falls where John attended a reunion for the Survivors of  Iwo Jima during World War II. It was 69 years ago that 17-year-old John Powers was part of the invasion of Iwo Jima. His 21st Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division was there on February 20th. The invasion lasted until Easter Sunday, April 4th 1945. During that time 6,830 people were killed and 18, 800 were wounded. John himself was hit in the knee but didn’t let that stop him. While in the field, on February 23, 1945, John looked back over his shoulder and witnessed the actual raising of the US flag that has been immortalized in pictures and sculptures. Even today, 99% of the time when you meet John Powers he is wearing a bolo tie with a miniature of the flag raising. While in Wichita Falls, John and Melba were impressed with the friendliness of the people and were proud to see someone who served with him; Bud Williams, who received the Medal of Honor from President Truman. Approximately 30 survivors attended the reunion. Some of them including John were given a special badge from the Commanding Officer at Fort Sill who gave them a personal tour and update of the equipment and technology being used today. A sincere “thank you” to those who served and are serving is just not enough to express our gratitude for your service. May God Bless America!!

Fran McClain sent me the following email. Over the past 22 years, the Diboll High School Alumni Association has given 165 Scholarships to DHS Graduating Seniors for a total of $97,650. Scholarship Forms for Seniors 2014 are available in the DHS Counselor’s Office. Deadline for turning in a completed application is May 9, 3:30p.m. The Association accepts donations at any time for the following Scholarships:  DHS Class of 1952, Classes of 1962 & 1963, Class of 1969,Class of 1982,Class of 1995-Mike Suarez & Michelle Lawrence Memorial, Dixie Cook Memorial, Joe & Beth Denman, Joseph Hambrick Memorial, Sean Hendrick Memorial, Robert & Rita Ramsey Memorial, Pop & Sis Rich Memorial and Melissa Baxter Simmons Memorial. For additional information or to make a donation, contact Fran Mcclain, Sec/Trea.  829-2779  or fr****@**********ed.net

Fran also sent another email which I greatly appreciate and ask any of you that will, send me your news. A big Thank You to Betty Capps, Glenn Price, Bessie Furgurson, Carol Gartman, Ginger Capps, Jimmie Woodard, Jana Coulter and Louis Landers for their work in putting together a list of past DISD Employees.  Now the Alumni Association needs help in finding contact information on each one. Check out this column in the next several weeks for lists and also on the DHS Alumni Association page on Facebook.  Several people have agreed to help.  If I haven’t contacted you, and you would like to help, please give me a call 829-2779 or email – fr****@**********ed.net  A Reception to honor all past and present DISD Employees will be held on Diboll Day, Oct. 4.

Congratulations to 11-year-old Macy Ward who placed 4th at a Benefit Roping last Saturday for Ryan Broussard, a good friend of the family from Garrison, Texas. Macy is the big sister of Paige; the daughter of Wayne and Amy Ward and the granddaughter of Ken and Pam St.Ama and great-granddaughter of Wayne Steele.

John and Gloria Ogden came in last Saturday morning to buy fertilizer for their yard. The Ogdens moved into Deer Trace last year and work in their yard all the time. Everywhere they have lived they have always had beautiful yards; some that have been featured in magazines. I’ve always heard February is the time to prune roses and I asked Gloria what she did for her roses. To my surprise she said she buries banana peels around her roses and uses Epsom salt on almost every plant. I guess that’s why she had eaten banana pudding for breakfast that morning; she needed the banana peels for her roses.

Earl and Joyce Carr traveled with other members of the Lufkin Sam’s Club to the Double Heart RV Park outside of Jasper to spend a couple of days relaxing. With no TV or phone reception there was lots of domino games, reading and eating. At night, with no TV, Earl enjoyed watching John Wayne movies. The group arrived on Thursday morning, got their trailers set up and drove to the Catfish Cabin in Jasper for lunch. On Friday at noon everybody brings a pot luck dish and the evening meal is “left overs”.  Joyce baked Sue Johnson’s recipe for a French Coconut pie which was a big hit. The Sam’s Club is 30 years old and the group celebrated with a birthday cake. Other couples traveling to Jasper were John and Carmelita Rhodes; Robert and Mary Shanks; Tommy and Nita Hurst; Leonard & Billie Robison; Pat and Harvey McHan and Raymond and Gerry Dunkin who came from McKinney. Raymond said, “We’ve made friends in McKinney but we still mill our friends in Lufkin and Diboll.” The group disbanded on Saturday morning. Earl and Joyce drove several miles out of their way through FM 1818 just to come by Pouland’s for a cup of coffee.

We want to thank everyone that voted for Pouland’s having the “Best Cup of Coffee”. The Diboll Business Association and The Diboll Free Press sponsored the neat idea of this survey, “The Best of…75941”. My sincere thanks to those that voted for me for “Best Newspaper column”. About 75 people gathered with anticipation at a reception that was held last Thursday in the library to announce all the winners. Thank you again!

The Diboll Business Association is having a Ribbon Cutting at 5PM this Thursday, February 27th at the new restaurant in the back of J.R.’s Barn. Roho Pouland is the owner with substantial and experienced help from many others. The menu will vary from shrimp (boiled and fried), catfish (filet & whole), fresh cut French fries, corn on the cob, cold slaw, hushpuppies and more all served in a very informal family atmosphere. Please tell your friends about the Ribbon Cutting and stay around and eat.

Come see us…’round the table.

 

Filed Under: February 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

February 17, 2014

February 17, 2014 by

 

What writer wouldn’t be pleased to know they have 22 million readers? Tracy (Maxey) Cox can say that after her thoughts were read on February 19th in the  Methodist daily devotional, The Upper Room. According to the Internet this little book has been translated around the world and has more than 22 million readers a day. Her devotional was taken from Matthew 17 about faith that can move mountains. Tracy’s application is different than most. “In my vision, I am pushing a wheelbarrow and carrying a shovel. I’m moving my mountain one rock at a time. If it is God’s will we can call on our faith in God’s power to move mountains, rock by rock.” That’s good!! Tracey’s proud parents are Clyde and Linda Maxey who raised her in the Diboll United Methodist Church. She is married to Jim Cox and they have two children; Kelsey, age 11 and Gavin, age 8. They live in North Ft. Worth and attend Alliance Methodist Church in Keller, Texas.

The most unusual Valentine’s gift would have to be Christi Quarles’. It seems Christi loves donkeys and hopes one day to own a real miniature donkey. So, on Valentine’s Day she was thrilled, even though it was “yard art”, to find a little white donkey in her flower bed.

The most thoughtful Valentine’s gift was for Darlene Kee when her husband Donnie prepared a candlelight dinner for two of filet mignon, baked potato and coconut pie for dessert. Donnie had been at the round table earlier in the day visiting with Woody Ingram and John Ralph about his gliding experiences. Valentine’s Day was absolutely beautiful and when asked, “Why aren’t you gliding today”, Donnie said, “I know better than to choose gliding over Darlene’s day.” Donnie Kee sold his insurance agency and is now fully and joyfully retired. For years he loved scuba diving and trained many people how to dive including Darlene who eventually loved it and actually chased a shark. Darlene does not share Donnie’s love for gliding. He keeps his glider near Katy and goes every opportunity he can. On his Facebook page, he has a short video from a camera inside the cockpit; it’s very impressive! Although he’s never had to use it, I heard him say, “Parachutes are required to be “repacked” every 180 days and replaced every 20 years”.

Enjoyed visiting with James and Amber Paulette from Angleton when they stopped by for him to buy a new Spin cast feeder. They are retired and came to “help out” at a ball tournament for their granddaughter who plays on Hudson’s Junior Varsity. Her parents, Bo and Paige Paulette were both having to work so her grandparents volunteered to work in their place. Before they left the store, James was surprised to see and visit with an old friend, Sandy Bate.

Andrea cooked a hefty amount of “Firehouse Spaghetti” one day; enough for the “Teacher Appreciation” meal at the high school and also for our lunch. Joining us for lunch that day was DOT Trooper Joe Cole who was off duty. Joe grew up in Beulah and enjoyed visiting at the round table with brothers, Barley and Dennis Lenderman, who also grew up in Beulah. They all reminisced about eating “moon pies” at C.B’s Grocery store. Tom Squyres was also sitting at the table and remembered the boys sitting in his lap when he played “Santa” at the Beulah Community Center.

Sue Baker also helped with the Teacher Appreciation dinner at the high school and after eating the Firehouse Spaghetti, came by later for the recipe.

Donnis Bergman, a 1942 graduate of Corrigan high school stopped by one cold day looking for an insulated vest. While visiting with him he said he remembered in his younger days coming to the Antler Hotel to dance with the pretty girls.

The DHS Alumni Association needs help in locating past DISD Employees. A reception to honor both past and present DISD Employees will be held on Diboll Day, October 4, 2014.  The event will precede the “All Years’ Reunion Dance. Please let the association know if you can provide addresses or contact information on any of the following employees. From the 60’s: John Beasley, Cecil Couch, Mary Christopher, Nancy Cummings, Saddie Davis, Vivian Hickerson, Lucy Hill, William Johnson, Mrs. Billy Latham, Raymond Manchester, Jerry Modisette, Claude Redman, Lynette Walker, Stephen Wheeler. Employees from the 70’s: Joe Barron, Pam Clayton, Barbara Hall, Mary Ann Hall, Kathryn Holberg, Lavine Howard, Maderia Latham, Taddy Maddox, Richard Sheridan, Gloria Singletary, Ginger Smith, Mylinda Smith, Chery Sutherland, Frances Terry, Gloria Webb and Alice Wyatt.

If you have information on any of these, please call Fran McClain 936-829-2779 or email her at fr****@**********ed.net or send her a message on Facebook.

Thursday evening, February 20th at 5:30 in the Temple Library, The Diboll Business Association invites everyone to attend the results of The Diboll Free Press’ “The Favorites of 75941 Survey”. The recipients of the awards will be announced with a reception to follow. Come find out “Who is the Favorite….”

Just have to brag a bit about my granddaughter, Hiliary Cheyenne Swor. I can’t believe she’s already 16 and a veteran at exhibiting her animals but her heifer named “Katniss” (from the Hunger Games) “brought home the bacon” for Cheyenne. At the San Antonio Stock Show “Katniss”, an American Registered Breed, was 1st in her Class; 1st in her Division and was Reserve Grand Champion winning a $10,000 scholarship for Cheyenne. We are very proud for her and her parents, Kevin and Andrea Swor.

Aran Greene and Dalene Merrel have been out in the county advertising the upcoming PINEYWOODS CHILDREN’S CONSIGNMENT SALE. It is a children’s clothing sale of gently used spring and summer clothes, shoes, toys baby furniture, nursery décor, outdoor play equipment, books, movies, maternity items and much more. So, shop and save on great deals at great prices. The event will be February 20-22 at Abrams in downtown Lufkin. Thursday and Friday 10AM-6PM and Saturday, 8AM-3PM

This Saturday, February 22nd is the date of Moye’s Catering Going- Out-of-Business Auction at their kitchen facilities on Highway 59. The auction will be from 10AM until 2PM and it will be the last time to enjoy some of Moye’s good BBQ as they plan to serve lunch.

You might want to mark your calendars on April 5th for the Angelina County Master Gardeners Annual Plant Sale which will begin at 8AM until 2PM at the Farmers Market on the loop in Lufkin. According to the member that sent me this notice, Carol Chalfant, it will be a good time to replace those plants that did not make it through our many freezes this year. I will remind you readers again as the time approaches.

A more recent date to remember is next Wednesday, February 26th if you need fingerlings to stock your pond. The Fish Truck will be in our parking lot from noon to 1PM.

Come see us…’round the table.

Filed Under: February 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

February 10, 2014

February 10, 2014 by

 

Jessie Conner celebrated her 87th birthday on February 8th at home with almost all of her family members present. The theme was “Marti Gras” and Jessie enjoyed wearing the typical mask. Daughter Carolyn Smith was sick and had to depend on her sister-in-law, Diane Conner, and sister Glenda Richardson, to tend to the details. Enjoying the birthday cake, pizza, fun and festivities were Robert and Diane Conner; Glenda and John Richardson; Arlie and Autumn Conner; Crystal and Josh Ellis and children; Ashley, Stephen and children; Darina, Brad, Laurie and Kevin Delaney and children. Special guests were Jessie’s brother and sister-in-law. Pete and Ernestine Conner.

Denise Wilson, owner of The Cowboy and the Princess stables, was thrilled that her sister, Val Sinke, from Canada arrived during a beautiful day with temperatures in the mid 50’s. Denise has lived here 20 years and this was Val’s first visit to East Texas. These two along with four other sisters lived in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada. Four of the sisters grew up equestrians and continue to enjoy horses. In fact, that’s what brought Val and three of her young riders-in-training to Texas, to participate at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center in Katy, Texas. Traveling with her were her niece 15-year-old Taye; 13-year-old Lilly and 11-year-old Kate, all are trained Hunter-Jumpers and will be competing for the pony finals.

Val Sinke and her husband and family live outside Woodstock, Canada on their Eden Ridge Farm above their Hunter-Jumper Show Barn which is quite common in that area. Canada is experiencing the coldest winter since the blizzard of 1976. The morning the girls left, it was -40 Celsius with snow drifts as high as their flag pole. All five horses they brought had 5 blankets each and were in a fully enclosed trailer. The trip with four girls and 5 horses from Woodstock to Burke took two 12 hour days. In Nashville, Tennessee the temperature allowed them to remove one blanket from each horse and a few hours later removed a second blanket and by the time they arrived here they didn’t need any blankets, it was 55 degrees! The girls said East Texas is not at all what they expected and are looking forward to spending two weeks seeing as much as they can.

Brooke Colwell had the day off from her nursing duties at Memorial Hospital when she came in with her son, Lewin who just celebrated his 1st birthday on the 5th day of February. Our 10-month-old great-granddaughter, Bristol with her beautiful red hair, was playing in the floor. Lewin was in the floor with Bristol when Brooke’s scream scared us; it was nothing bad, she was just excited to see Lewin stand up and take his first two steps!!

Marcellos Jones came in and bought SIX pounds of Spanish peanuts. He was sending them to his sister-in-law, Rhoda Faye, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I couldn’t resist asking more about her. She was a sister to Marcellos’ wife, Vera. There were three girls, Vera, Mary and Rhoda Faye; daughters of Winston and Maddie Brown and known as the “Brown girls”. They were very active at H.G. Temple School where they played basketball and Rhoda Faye was a cheerleader. I later spoke to Rhoda Faye and there is no doubt that she is proud to be from Diboll. Her mother worked for the Chandlers and named her after Rhoda Faye Chandler. They attended Shiloh Church where Rhoda Faye became an Usher and after moving away and having nine children was honored on her 80th birthday as ”Usher of the Year for the state of Minnesota”.

Marion Abner loves to fish and better than that, he loves to cook and eat fish and invite hungry eaters to join him. We volunteered a cooker, a helper and a place to cook…here! The day just happened to be between J.D. and Sue Johnson’s birthdays, February 10th and 12th, so we celebrated their birthdays. J.D. helped Wayne Ward and Andrew Bass with frying the fish, French fries and hushpuppies. Those eating were: J.D. and Sue Johnson; Marion Abner; Skeeter Scarborough; Delbert Reynolds, Fran McGilvra, Bill Dean Yates, Newt and Chad Courtney; Glen McDaniel, Gary Jones who took a plate to his mother, Vera Jones and Woody Ingram who carried a plate home for Mary.

I learned that Newt Courtney and J.D. Johnson went to first grade together in Beulah. After school they would go to Steve and Margie Johnsons’, J.D.’s parents, where they would rope and try to ride Mr. Johnson’s steer calves. In later years, J.D. was a “pick up” man for local rodeos and Newt rode with the Angelina County Mounted Patrol.

It was my first time to meet Chad Courtney, who certainly favors his mother, Jeannene. Chad is like his father, a pilot, who flew 30 years for Lufkin Industries. His wife is Vicky and he also helps her in their new successful venture, Silent Partners EMR (Electronic Medical Records) Management; a service to doctors that helps with new patients’ information. They have three children; Grant and Emily live in Nacogdoches County; Matthew and Lindsey live in Big Sandy and have a 2-month-old baby daughter, Ada Marae; their daughter Annelise recently moved back from Longview and is working at Studio 319 in Lufkin.

It’s always good to visit with Billie Lamb who knows so many people from working in the school and other places. She sat at the RT while getting new tires on her car. Jim McClain showed us a picture of Judy’s valentine gift that she bought for herself; a little ball of fuzz named “Buster” who is a Maltipoo puppy.

Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Ken Holt. They have birthdays one week apart and both celebrated their 86th birthday last week. Happy belated birthday to two great people.

Paula’s Pearls & More will be having a Jewelry Party on Saturday, February 22nd 10AM-1PM at Vintage Blooms located in JR’s Barn. Vintage Blooms is now open just in time for Valentine’s Day. Stop by and look around at the gifts and flowers or call them 829-5556.

Stay warm and dry; come see us…’round the table.

 

Filed Under: February 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

February 1, 2014

February 1, 2014 by

 

Richard and Jo Ann Rainwater decided to try out the newest ship in the Princess line over New Years. The Royal Princess was christened in June 2013 by the Duchess of Cambridge and is newly designed from the previous Princess ships. It features an expansive piazza area and a skywalk where you can literally walk over the water – from 16 floors above.

Setting sail on December 29 from Fort Lauderdale, the first stop was the private island of Princess Cays. New Year’s Eve was spent on the sea with the first formal night being a huge celebration topped by hundreds of multi-colored balloons being dropped three stories onto the piazza area at the stroke of midnight. When they awoke the next morning on January 1, the ship was docked at St. Thomas. Jo Ann was “convinced” by Richard that she didn’t need to be looking in any of the multitude of jewelry stores, so instead they found a great spot for lunch that was owned by a couple from Missouri. That night they watched Jo Ann’s alma mater, Baylor University, play in the Fiesta Bowl via a giant movie screen on the 16th deck. The night was as chilly on the deck as the Baylor football team was on the field, with an unexpected loss to the University of Central Florida.

January 2 the ship docked at St. Maarten. Again, it was a time to ignore all those pleas to come into their jewelry shops and just stroll around. Having visited these islands in the past, the Rainwaters were just happy to relax and enjoy the beautiful ship. Jo Ann had to have her nightly “fix” of listening to a fabulous pianist, Ray Coussins, who dazzled the audience with amazing speed and precision on the keys, always ending with an over-the-top rendition of “Rhapsody in Blue” that brought a standing ovation each time.

Two full days at sea on the return to Fort Lauderdale on January 5 ended a nice, relaxing Caribbean cruise for the Rainwaters and began 2014 with a splash, so to speak. They highly recommend the Royal Princess and the soon-to-be christened sister ship, the Regal.

Some folks enjoy relaxing on a cruise ship while others enjoy duck hunting. Danny Havard had the cutest picture of 7-year-old Cooper Horton taken after his first successful hunt using decoys. Cooper got both a mallard hen and drake. Also hunting with them was his dad, Rayburn. The group went back before the season was to close for one more hunt but the ducks must have gotten wise and didn’t show up. Cooper also had successful year deer hunting but got his first deer when he was six!

Dwayne Harris, Kenneth and Ginger Capps’ son-in-law, came in from Dallas to enjoy the last two days of duck season. Dwayne was happy to see his Labrador retriever named Emmitt who had to leave Dwayne in the city and move to the Capps’ home in the country. Emmitt seems to enjoy living in the country and also seemed to enjoy the duck hunt as well as Dwayne and Kenneth.

Bobby Chandler, Jr. and Stephanie came in with their neighbor, Nick Willmann who lives across the street from them. Nick had the day off from Quad Graphics and had his precious 18-month-old daughter Emily with him. His wife Deanna teaches 7th and 8th math at Diboll ISD. Bobby Chandler, Jr. has gotten out of the classroom into the great outdoors. He owns American Lawn Services and is presently working mainly in Nacogdoches but would love to add new clients here in the Diboll area. Stephanie helps out by doing the bookkeeping. Give him a call at 936-526-0021.

Former DISD Ag teacher, Larry Poe, was in town with his wife Judy and country neighbor, Doug and Pam Spivey. All of them live in the Martinsville area out of Nacogdoches. Doug lived in Diboll until the 6th grade; moved away and grew up to be a Game Warden although he is now retired. The foursome was in town to visit Jack and Donnie Jenkins. Donnie’s son is married to Larry’s sister.

Last weekend Angelina Animal Hospital had a vaccination clinic in our parking lot. As some of you may not know, Dr. Daniel Salas retired and sold his clinic to Dr. Lindsay Syler, a DHS, Texas A&M graduate and doctorate of veterinarian medicine. Lindsay was present of course along with others on her staff including her mom, Linda Syler and Lee Gilstrap. Lee works at Texas Timberjack and her son Clay Gilstrap is engaged to Lindsay Syler. Lee tried to explain to me about Ultra 4 Racing which Clay and his little sister Shelby have been involved in since she was 16 (she’s now 22). This type of racing is unlimited 4-wheel drive endurance and a brutal challenge racing up to 120 MPH and down to 1 MPH using gear ratios for technical rock crawling. Shelby and Clay both qualified for the Ultra 4 King of the Hammers race in in Johnson Valley, California (google it) which is February 7-8th. The race is only 190 miles and the starting line is also the finish line. It’s expected to take 7-8 hours to finish. Lindsay is not only Clay’s fiancée but she is also his co-pilot in this race. She has been training and working out in fireproof suits which are required. As co-pilot she is the one that has to jump out and manage the winch cables when the 4-wheeler gets stuck. We wish them luck!!

Congratulations to Thomas Jones of Huntington who came in with his wife, Bobbie, to get a Case knife for his 80th birthday.

Come see us…’round the table.

 

 

 

Filed Under: February 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

January 27, 2014

January 27, 2014 by

 

It’s so seldom East Texas gets to experience a Winter Wonderland. Last Thursday night it began snowing and Friday morning everyone woke to a beautiful sight; THREE INCHES of snow! The words from the song, Winter Wonderland, are a perfect description: “In the lane snow is glistening, a beautiful sight, we’re happy today (tonight), walking in a winter wonder land, in the meadow we can build a snowman….” It was awesome with everything looking so clean, pristine and quiet except for the laughter and fun of kids playing in the snow and building snowmen. Lots of pictures were shared of snowmen around town and people playing in the snow. Jo (Roach) Smith had the day off from Brookshire’s and spent it playing with her granddaughter, Mary Catherine. They made snow angels, a snowman and had a snowball fight. Delbert Reynolds used a 4-wheeler to pull his 12-year-old son, Weston, on a homemade snow board. It was hard to stand on the board and when Weston laid on it he got a shirt full of snow. His mom Jennifer had to go to work and miss all the fun.

Jonathan Smith built a homemade sled out of a wooden pallet for his wife Bridgette and their 3-year-old son, Cole; they had a blast!  Ruby Medina and her daughters, 16-year-old Bianca and 13-year-old Leslie, enjoyed using the snow on their vehicle to make a small snowman. Friday morning they made a much larger green-eyed snowman that lasted throughout the day. Thursday night when it began to snow Charlie Mann took his 12-year-old grandson Eule outside and raked enough snow off his vehicle to make a small snowman. The next morning, Eule and his twin sister, Ellie, played in the snow with their dad, Chuck Mann, and didn’t want to go to school. Bro. Kenny Hibbs made a large snowman in the backyard for granddaughter, Maddie Pesek. His wife Carrie wasn’t too crazy about Kenny waking her up during the night to get up and look at the snow and yet Carrie denies throwing a snowball at Kenny while he was still in bed.

They were home to enjoy the snow but Jan and Burlon Wilkerson have returned from a 5-day cruise out of Galveston on Carnival’s Triumph into Mexico where the climate was much warmer. Jan sent me the following details. First port of call was Progresso.  We visited the Mayan Ruins of Dzibilchaltun.  It was amazing to walk through the ruins and see the work these people did hundreds of years ago.  Burlon climbed several of the ruins. We both got to put our feet into the water of a huge sink hole on the property. Both of our guides that day were Mayans. Following the tour we did some shopping along the pier. On Thursday we were in Cozumel for the day.  Our tour that day included a trip to the Discover Mexico Park.  This park is filled with miniatures of all the ruins within the country.  The tour guide provided some very interesting information on the development of the country.  While at the park we enjoyed a “Taco Tasting” and were able to watch a show of “Flyers.”  Five men in costumes dived from a 30 foot high pole and “flew” to the ground attached to ropes that unwound as they came down. The stop also included an hour or so of shopping in the fantastic shops of Cozumel. Serious money can be spent on that island. On board the ship we enjoyed several shows, including a great magic show with the Magician “Anders.”  A private party on board opened one of their performances by Matt Gumm to everyone.  This was a wonderful show filled with impersonations.  Of course, the food was WONDERFUL! It was a great relaxing trip and after Burlon decided he could not drive the boat or do repairs, he relaxed and had a good time.  I am already planning our next trip!

Mystery “Baby D” has arrived. From the time Cassi and Stacey Davis learned they were going to be parents they made the decision not to learn whether it was a boy or a girl, so the baby was referred to as “Baby D”. The mystery was solved January 22nd when Jase Mikel Davis made his debut at Herman Hospital in The Woodlands. He weighed an even 8 lbs. and was 20-1/2” long. His proud maternal grandparents are Karon and Dennis Lenderman. Great-grandparents are Raymond and Sophie Lenderman and Marlon and Jean Register. With all the women in that family Jase will be one spoiled little boy!!

Enjoyed visiting with Larry and Jan Porter who live on Galveston’s West Beach. They were excited about attending The Southern Heritage Ball in Houston which is sponsored by SCV, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, of which Larry is a member. When their granddaughter, Grace Edwards, was born Larry applied for her membership into the UDC, United Daughters of the Confederacy. This year, 18 years later, Grace was to be one of the four debutants introduced at the Heritage Ball which is always held in commemoration of Robert E. Lee’s birthday in January. Grace’s great-great-grandfather, William Porter was a 4-year veteran of the Civil War and also the Mexican War of 1844.

Jan Porter has retired from marketing with the Salvation Army but is directing the 4th Annual Salvation Army of Galveston County Style Show and Luncheon. It will be March 20th at the Galveston Convention Center. Tickets are $100. For tickets or more information contact Jan Porter at 409-763-1691.

We are so happy that Andrew Bass works here at Pouland’s because his grandmother, Margie Bass, is constantly bringing him homemade goodies that she shares with us. One morning she brought an entire breakfast for everyone. She is always trying new and old tried-and-true recipes and is a wonderful cook. We also want to thank Earnest and Connie Rast for the fresh cabbage from their garden.

Sue Johnson managed to prepare us a delicious chicken and spaghetti dinner between all her visits to the hospital with her sister Mollie and brother, Bo. While Sue was gone, she left instructions with J.D. when to turn the oven on. Everything turned out perfect! While in the waiting room at Woodland Heights, she visited with friends and family of Clyde Maxey who was having surgery to replace a knee. Others there included Linda Maxey, their pastor Keith Broyles, Joe Gage, Milford Ruby, Becky Donahoe and Charles Poindexter.

Good friends to Diboll, the Jimmy Moyes, have finally retired their “Moye’s Catering Service” after spending 35 years in the business. They are having an auction at 1310 N. Temple Dr. on February 22 to sell the restaurant equipment and supplies.

Pouland’s has tickets available for the 16th Annual National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet which is February 7th at the Nacogdoches Civic Center. We also have $25 tickets for the 10-gun raffle.

Don’t forget to come see us…’round the table.

 

Filed Under: January 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

January 20, 2014

January 20, 2014 by

 

Chris and Joe Capps both have January birthdays; hers is the 11th and his is the 31st. The tradition has been to have a “get together” sometime near the 31st to celebrate both birthdays… until this year. Chris realized her birthday, January 11th was on a Saturday and decided to throw herself a party. She invited Joe, their daughter Carmen Nerren and her daughter Helena (who’s 9 going on 29). She also invited two of Joe’s brothers and their wives, Donald and Billie Jean Capps; Kenneth and Ginger Capps; her “English” friend, Isabelle Hardy and her best friend from their home country of Germany, Brigitte Stachurski. Gerrysue Williams was also invited; she is Chris and Brigittes’ personal hair dresser.

In place of a traditional birthday cake, Chris made an authentic German cheese cake just like her mother always made for her while growing up in Germany. She said it’s better than Sam’s and NEVER put a topping on it; that would be an insult! Chris said the attendees were made up of mixed cultures and religions: There were 2 Germans; 1 English and rest Americans; there were Baptists, Methodists and Catholics and all participated in a toast with wine or ginger ale to everyone’s birthday in 2014. The party lasted all afternoon with the guys watching ballgames and the girls solving all the world’s problems and everyone agreed it was the “best party” of the year.

Cooper Horton, 7-year-old son of Kellie and Rayburn Horton rode his first bull at a Bull Riding event sponsored by the Cross Timbers Church and scored 77 points. Way to go Cooper! Loree Olson came in to buy lime for her garden and shared she got a nice 15-point buck this season. Melvin Linton, Sr. sat at the round table while having new tires mounted on his “mule”. Bill Dean Yates was in getting electrical parts when we learned he celebrated a birthday on the 18th. Butch Parish was buying local honey. Jan Allbritton, who teaches at St. Cyprians and also writes a column for The Free Press, was in getting a flat repaired on her car. Jimmy McCall came in to buy hen scratch for the hungry birds around his house.

Three guys came in the store that we’ve never seen. They were passing through and decided to stop and see what “The Everything Store” had to offer. They were Merl Dickson, Ed Honeycutt and Richard Perot. Of course when I learned they were from West Monroe, Louisiana, I had to ask if they knew the renowned Duck Dynasty family. They did know them and Mr. Dickson who is a commercial salesman for Ryan Auto Group was involved in filming the episode where Willie’s son, John Luke, wrecked his dad’s pickup and they came to Ryan’s Auto to rent a pickup. During the filming in his small office, Mr. Dickson said there were 32 people, 5 cameras and 2 makeup artists for 8 hours to film a small segment of the 30 minute episode. He said they would film for about 30 seconds, stop, redo makeup, change clothes and film another 30 seconds or so.

Merl, Ed and Richard were all very familiar with the Robertson family and told me about Phil Robertson, the father, who attended Louisiana Tech on a football scholarship. He was a quarterback starting ahead of a guy named Terry Bradshaw but wouldn’t show up for practice. The coach told him to choose between football or hunting; he chose hunting! The saying around Monroe is “Terry Bradshaw went for the bucks; Phil went for ducks.” It was not all rosy for Phil back then. He owned a bar and was pretty bad when Mrs. Kay suggested he visit with a preacher. Phil says, “I was blown away by the story of Jesus Christ, his teachings and resurrection from the dead”. It was after becoming a Christian and getting his wife and family back together that he offers his two suggestions to a good life: 1) Love God and 2) Love each other because “at the end of the day, you’ll be “happy, happy, happy”.

Angelina Animal Hospital will be hosting a Rabies Clinic here at The Everything Store this Saturday, January 25th, in the parking lot from 2 until 5PM. All dogs must be on a leash.

Vintage Blooms located in J.R.’s Party Barn is a new venture for Teresa Pouland. The Party Barn has been remarkably transformed into a gift shop with unique items and antiques, a flower shop and a beauty shop for now. Coming a bit later will be a sandwich shop and Roho plans to have boiled crawfish and shrimp in the back. The flower shop is taking orders for Valentine’s Day. Stop by or call 829-5556.

It’s not too early to begin thinking about gardening and getting ready for spring. Don’t forget we want to be your garden store so; come see us…’round the table.

Filed Under: January 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's

January 13, 2014

January 13, 2014 by

 

Former Dibollian, Dr. Ted Mullins, was home during the holidays visiting with his mom, Ruth Mullins and his sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Bob Pennington. The three were waiting for him at the airport and anticipating Ted’s flight to arrive in Houston at 10PM. He texted to let them know his plane was not going to be able to land in the stormy weather and because of fuel shortage was directed to Louisiana to refuel. It was 2 AM before his plane actually made it back to Houston and landed. The group had reservations in Austin and drove on in the wee hours of the morning. Diane was the tour guide and had planned four days of activities in Austin. They arrived back in Diboll on Christmas Eve where Ted and Ruth enjoyed Christmas dinner at I-HOP.

Sunday, December 29th, was Ruth’s birthday. After church, Ruth, Ted and Diane (Bob was working) drove to Tyler and enjoyed a delicious birthday meal at Rudy’s BBQ and then did shopping. While he was here Ted found time to drive to Livingston to Manny’s for his favorite… hot boiled shrimp. Ted is just “Ted” when he comes home but his work staff calls him Dr. Mullins (Ph.D., Bio Services).Ted lives in the community of Jeffersonton and works for ACC in Mannesse, Virginia. Simply stated but highly classified, Ted serves as a liaison between his company and CDC (Center for Disease Control) in Atlanta, GA and Homeland Security in Washington, DC. A lot of the people Ted works with in VA look forward to his return from Texas because they love and expect him to bring them lots of peanut butter logs and Chick’O sticks from Atkinson Candy.

Saturday, January 11th was Emma Lee Smith’s birthday. She and Joe Donald met with friends and family to celebrate with lunch at the airport. Those enjoying the food and fellowship with them were her niece and husband, Mary and Jerry Clark; longtime friends, Geraldine Pouland, Mary Lou Havard and a surprise visit from a special friend, Othal Lowery, who brought her fresh flowers. Others present were Fran McGilvra, Kathryn Chuke and DeShea Franks.

Jesse and Suzanne Bradford left for an eight-day cruise aboard the Carnival Magic on Sunday, December 8.  Tuesday was the first stop in Key West, Florida.  Boarding the Old Town Trolley, it took them on a tour of the island.  Their drivers told all about Key West. They visited the Butterfly Conservatory and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum.   One stop was to the southernmost point of the U.S.

Wednesday the ship docked in Freeport, Bahamas.  They had booked a tour called “The Bahamas Seafood Culinary Experience”. They were told all about Freeport as minibuses took them to one of the beach areas.  The driver said there are no taxes in Freeport.  There is also no government subsidizing or welfare on the island.  The crime rate is very low.  There they watched a demonstration and then cooked their own island rice dish, fried conch fritters and fried conch.  The group went down to the beach to listen to one of the divers tell how they dove for the conch, showing them how to get the muscle out and then made an appetizer dish out of raw conch.

Thursday was a day in Nassau, Bahamas.  They booked the Atlantis Adventure Day tour.  They tubed the River Rapids, rode a tube through the shark tank which Suzanne says she will never do again because it was too rough. The day ended relaxing on one of the beaches and enjoying a great aquarium there.  They ran out of time for the 45-minute lazy river tubing ride.

Once they left the 40 degree weather in Galveston, most days were in the high 70’s and mid-80’s. The food on board the Carnival ship was outstanding and the service was great. Sunday it was back to reality.   Suzanne said Sunday evening she kept waiting for someone to cook her dinner, pull the bed covers back and put chocolate on her pillow; it never happened!!

We have received lots of goodies from the folks running for office when they come to visit the RT. Bobby Cheshire made a hit with the homemade tea cakes that his mom, Ruth Cheshire, baked for him. He carried them to the original round table at Lufkin Farm Supply first and brought us what was left.  Bob Brown, Charles Kent and the others guys must not eat like we do or else Ruthie made an extra amount of cookies. They were very good and did not go to waste.

Gabriella Roberts, a 6th Degree Black Belt with 20 years’ experience in martial arts will be teaching a Self Defense and Spiritual Warfare class on January 25th. It is “Art of Survival” for mothers and daughters 12:30 – 2:30 at the Clawson Assembly of God Church on Hwy 69 in Pollok.

We have tickets available for the upcoming Turkey Banquet, February 7th, 6PM at the Nacogdoches Civic Center and we also have tickets for the 10-gun raffle.

Vintage Blooms, a flower shop and much more, located in J.R.’s Party Barn on Hwy 59 is pushing to be open by the 20th of January in time to place orders for Valentine’s Day. It will also be a gift shop with antiques and more.

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Joe Carter Denman, Jr. He left a big footprint on Diboll and all who knew him or worked with him learned from him.

Come see us…’round the table.

 

Filed Under: January 2014, News from the Round Table at Pouland's
« Previous Page
Next Page »