Mark your calendar for 3PM Sunday afternoon March 5th to attend a free concert of our own East Texas Wind Symphony at the theater located at the Diboll ISD Family Education Center. According to Michael Parrish, Director of Operations and founder of this group of thirty “more serious amateur musicians” have been practicing here in Diboll under the direction of David Smith. They will perform a military medley recognizing veterans from each division of the armed services and will also perform one of the 130 marches written by John Phillip Sousa. I learned that Red Skelton was not only a comedian but also a composer and the group will perform two of his marches; one will be the Kadiddlehopper March written for one of his comic characters. The musicians come from Cleveland, San Augustine and all in between including Evelyn (Carr) Walker who grew up in Diboll. You can contact Michael at 936-676-3095 for more information.
It was a pleasure talking with Colton Moreno, a senior at DHS, who recently earned his Eagle Scout award through Troup 136. Colton designed and built a 3×3 square metal box for people to deposit worn or damaged US flags for proper retirement. The bright red box is sitting on the grounds of the National Guard Amory on Tulane Street in Lufkin. This is the highest honor for a Boy Scout and only 4% earn this prestigious honor. A scout is required to have earned at least 21 badges but Colton had 36! His proud parents are Josh and Amanda (Williams) Moreno. Josh has been a customer of ours since he was raising show animals for the youth fair. Colton plans to attend Tulsa Welding School in Houston after graduating in May. Congratulations!!
Enjoyed visiting with James Bray affectionately known as “Spot” to his DHS classmates who graduated in 1980. James is quite proud of his daughter Chenice “CiCi” who also graduated from DHS and Prairie View A&M. CiCi completed the RN Nursing program and passed her state exam in December. She is presently working in a Houston hospital. Her younger sister, Keundra, is in her sophomore year at Prairie View A&M and although she doesn’t know exactly which career path she plans to take, she knows it won’t be nursing. These girls’ sweet grandmother, Joyce Bray, is also very proud of them. James is presently working for Casey Industrial in Corrigan who is installing the equipment for the new Roy O. Martin plant.
Also enjoyed visiting with Harold Gasaway who grew up in Brookland and later married Zenova Scott who graduated from DHS in 1969. Her parents were longtime Dibollians, O.C. and Zeola Scott. Harold and Zenova both graduated from Prairie View A&M; Zenova with a teaching degree and Harold with a degree in mechanical engineering. Zenova taught 2nd grade her entire career which included some time in Diboll ISD where she taught our son, Roho (Hileory Powell). Harold got a job working in Kansas City, MO where they spent most of their adult life raising two sons, Bryon and Brandon. They now have five grandchildren and continue to spend time in Diboll. They were in for the funeral of Zenova’s sister-in-law, Yvonne Scott, the widow of Bennie Scott.
Early Tuesday morning coffee drinkers usually include Thomas Anderson and Ed Domingue. During the conversation, Valentine’s Day was brought up. Although Dr. Domingue said he rarely shops “online” he responded to an ad to order roses and chocolates that could be delivered on the 14th. He requested the order to arrive at his home between 2 and 4PM knowing his wife Annette would be working in the gift shop at Woodlands Heights and he could be home to accept the package. 2-3-4PM came and no flowers; Annette arrived home and the couple went out to celebrate a special evening without the surprise gift of flowers. But when they returned home there was a package on top of the car that had arrived at 6:30PM. They both were pleasantly surprised that the long stem roses were fresh and came with a vase to put them in along with a very small box of chocolates!
It was good to visit with former DISD Ag teacher Larry Poe and his wife Judy when they stopped by on their way to The Woodlands to watch their grandson Grant compete in Lacrosse. They were quite proud of the fact that Grant has signed to attend Syracuse Orange. Larry had a good visit with a former student, Jerry Cobb who was in with his 9-year-old son, Easton.
Bo Smith from Corrigan came in with his wife Cathy who was carrying their 1-1/2 year old French bulldog “Harley”. It seems when Cathy first asked if she could get a French bulldog, Bo said, “Only if I get a Harley Davison motorcycle”. Cathy settled that by getting the dog and naming him “Harley” who has captured Bo’s heart and made him forget all about the motorcycle.
Kevin Clayton from Nacogdoches was the winner of the Savage .270 rifle given away at the Boys and Girls Club Black Tie Bingo last Saturday. Kevin has worked for the Boys & Girls Club for 18 years and was recently promoted to Area Director. He has fond memories of knowing and working with Sam Coleman through the Boys and Girls Club and now works with his son Ronnie Coleman who is chairman of the B&G board in Diboll. The bingo in Diboll this year was fantastic! The civic club was converted into a colorful circus tent with decorated tables and lots of balloons. An Illusionist, Ben Jackson, kept the crowd entertained with disappearing tea glasses and money that reappeared in the most unusual places. A large “thank you” to everyone that made the evening extra special! It gets better every year.
A couple of customers came in bragging: Raymond Lenderman brought in a 6-1/2# purple top turnip he raised and Jerry Goins was proud of the 20 eggs he gets almost every day from his hens. Buddy Shipp, Gary Jones and others have bought potatoes and anxiously awaiting a time to plant. Ginger Capps purchased one of the Circle E candles that we now have in the store.
Have a great week and don’t forget to come see us…’round the table.