January 27, 2014

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 22^nd 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 4^th 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 16^th Annual National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet which is February 7^th 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.