February 8, 2016

 

Gary Gores was a West Coast resident most of his life, spending over 50 years in the Washington Oregon area. He moved to Diboll after marrying a Texas girl in 2003, his wife Melba Gores. Last week Gary traveled back to Washington State to participate in a 60th wedding anniversary event for two of his dear friends that are godparents of his adult children. He also indicated this friend is the one who started him in the Savings and Loan business in the early 1970s. While in Washington Gary took every advantage to have fresh seafood at every meal and by staying with his son in Olympia Washington he was able to enjoy many seafood dishes on the southern end of Puget Sound which is called Budd inlet; the meals included prawns (Texans call these shrimp), oysters, salmon, halibut & calamari.

One of the Olympia areas icon restaurants is the Falls Terrace in Tumwater Washington. It overlooks the waterfall of the Deschutes River flowing into Puget Sound. You may have been aware of it as it was adjacent to the Olympia Brewery and the waterfall pictured in their TV commercials. The Falls are immediately in front of the restaurant to be enjoyed as you dine on a gourmet seafood meal .On the Olympia waterfront are three more well-known seafood restaurants: Anthonys, Bud Bay and The Olympia Oyster House. While visiting in Olympia Gary took advantage of every opportunity to have seafood for each meal… no catfish there.

Our thanks to Gary for sharing about his trip and also for the box of donuts he brought to the round table. Tina Jowell came in with her daughter Brittany and children, 4-1/2 year old Audrey and 1-year old Sophi Whitehead from Huntsville. They bought seed potatoes and anxious to start a garden and work in the yard. Shirley Terrell was also in and bought seed potatoes. Sally Foley enjoys our peach preserves. Brenda Dickens was in with her friend, Kathy Tompkins from Alaska, buying pintos and local honey. They have been friends since they were 4 years old and now Kathy is moving back to Texas from Alaska after living there 33 years.

Mark Hafernick frequents the round table and always has something to add to the conversation. He recently told us about Veterinarian, Dr. Doug Jungmann, retiring and selling his clinic but more importantly, Mark was proud to let us know that Pineywoods Veterinary Clinic is now owned by his veterinarian son, Dr. Brian M. Hafernick. The clinic has been in operation for approximately 40 years at its current site, 2518 Hwy 69 North in Lufkin. Brian is a 2002 graduate of Lufkin High School. He earned a BBA in Finance from Texas A&M in 2005, a BS in Biology from SFA in 2008, and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine. He has practiced veterinary medicine in Brenham, TX and at West Loop Animal Clinic in Lufkin since his graduation. Brian is married to Angela Caskey Hafernick, MD. When their young son, Gibson, comes to Diboll to stay with his grandparents, Mark and Ann Hafernick, he sometimes frequents the round table with his proud grandpa. Mark also told us that the clinic offers care for dogs, cats, and cattle as well as other farm animals and to go by or call 936-639-1550 to make an appointment.

Jessie Conner is still celebrating her 89th birthday. As she said, “you are only 89 one time in life” so this year’s birthday has been spread out over several days. Her birthday is February 8th but on Saturday evening, a large group gathered in the home of her daughter, Carolyn Smith-Bess, and enjoyed an old fashion birthday with Sloppy Joes, pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, dips, chips, etc., etc. On Monday evening, family members gathered at the Cotton Patch café and treated Jessie to another party. On Tuesday, her son-in-law Don, after having a total knee replacement only three weeks ago, drove Carolyn and Jessie to the Coushatta Casino and Resort where they met Jessie’s sister, Nadine McAda, from Lake Jackson. Plans were to spend the night there, visit and play to celebrate another day of Jessie’s birthday. The next few days will be spent planning a bigger birthday party for next year.

Aiden Morris celebrated his 7th birthday at Skate Ranch in Lufkin Friday Feb. 5th. Lots of his classmates & his basketball team friends attended. He had an adorable & delicious Ninja Turtle cake made by Fran McClain. Aiden is the son of Lindsey & Earl Morris, grandparents are Bob & Laurel Hendrick Youngblood of Lufkin & Tommy & Tony Morris of Center & Shonin Morris of Dallas.

Showlow Capps celebrated his 14th birthday, February 8th, getting groomed for his parents, Ginger and Kenneth Capps. Showlow is a Toy Poodle and got his interesting name from a town in Arizona where the Capps’ good friends, Todd and Jackie Smith, who moved to Show Low. Ginger and her sister, Judy Kellam enjoyed visited with Pam Shaw when they met in Tyler and ate at Mercado’s and did some shopping. Pam lives in Lewisville and still works for Bankamerica.

Gary Martel learned his daughter, Kendal, might be coming home a little early from her 2-year commitment to the Peace Corps in South Africa as a result of being in a bus wreck about three weeks ago. Kendal was not seriously injured but is sore and having to wear a neck brace. She called her dad to say they decided to fly her home and should arrive in Houston Sunday AM. Gary didn’t share any of this with his wife Susie but told her a few little lies Sunday morning as to why they couldn’t go to church but he would be back home by noon. In the meantime Gary did tell his younger daughter and husband, Kayla and Adam, who live in Waco; they decided to come and be a part of the surprise too. Kendal’s plane arrived at 10:30 in Houston with all her luggage. She was very tired from the 18 hour flight and their first stop was to get a soda. Kendal was upset that she didn’t get to say goodbye to her family and friends in South Africa as the US Government insisted she come home after the accident. Anyway, Gary, Kendal, Kayla and Adam arrived together at the Martel home. Gary went in first and told Susie he had an early Valentine gift for her when they all walked in. You can imagine the rest of the story. Someone else is coming in May when Kayla and Adam’s little boy, Luke Daniel, is scheduled to arrive May 12th.

Don’t forget, next weekend, February 20th, is the 5th annual Fabulous Black Tie Bingo “Heart to Heart Vegas Style”. For ticket information call 936-560-6844 or Patsy Colbert at 829-3543.
The Diboll Pilot Club had their regular monthly meeting and meal at Vintage Blooms in Diboll and are eager to let the public know about their new fundraiser. Mark your calendar for March 8th between 5 and 8 PM to eat at the Whataburger near Walmart in Lufkin. The Pilot Club will receive a percentage of all the meals purchased during that time but you must tell them you are there to support the Diboll Pilot Club. Don’t forget to support this fine organization because these ladies are always contributing back to our community.

Jimmy and Ulyesses Moye who worked so very hard with their successful Moye’s Catering for years and years have a few items left that they would like to sell from their home at 1535 FM1818 east of Diboll. On Thursday and Friday, February 11th and 12th between 8 AM and noon, you are welcome to stop by. They have a 2002 van, refrigerator, utility trailer, some commercial kitchen equipment and other items.

Don’t forget to be sweet to someone with Valentine’s Day coming up.

Come see us…’round the table.