World War II veteran John Powers and his lovely wife of 70 years, Mable (Nivens) and their daughter, Johnnica Edgerley of Farmers Branch have returned from a trip to Galveston. The occasion was to attend the spring reunion of the Texas Chapter, 3rd Marine Division Association. Of the 40 that attended, four were survivors of Iwo Jima, John Powers was one of them. Arriving on Thursday evening, most of the group stayed at Gaido’s Seaside Inn on the seawall. With seafood everywhere, their first meal was at The Original Mexican Café (since 1916). The week-end reunion started on Friday morning with an impressive visit to explore the space shuttle replica Independence, mounted on top of the historic and original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. This is the world’s only shuttle mounted as such and the only one allowing the public to enter both. These veterans had their own reserved time to visit and were most impressed with this outstanding exhibit. From NASA the group carpooled to Santa Fe Seafood and Grill for a lunch buffet, then toured Haak Vineyards. Dinner that evening was at Nick’s followed by a meaningful “flag retreat ceremony” just for them around the flag poles in the parking lot. John and Mable’s daughter, Johnnica, sang the national anthem.
This reunion of the 3rd Marine Division continued on Saturday with a visit to Moody Gardens and a meal at the Garden Restaurant and a visit to the Bryan Museum. This museum has the world’s largest collection of historical artifacts, documents and artwork relating to the Southwestern United States. The evening banquet was held at Fisherman’s Wharf with special guest speaker, Joe E. Stepp who is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Lt. Colonel with extensive background in Counter-terrorism Operations and Intelligence. He is currently the regional intelligence coordinator within the Pasadena Police Department. Johnnica was again part of the program singing the Star Bangled Banner. The reunion ended the following morning with a final fellowship and good byes until the next reunion in San Antonio.
Justin and Krystal (Fergerson) Jimenez came in with their three cute children: Jori, age 4; Dallee, age 3 and Dillon, 11 months. Justin works in Monahans, Texas which is close to Odessa and comes home every chance he gets some time off.
JoNell Placker received news from Eric Martin of Carrollton, Georgia that his mother, Joyce Martin, recently passed away. At one time John and Joyce Martin lived on Park Street in Diboll while he served as pastor of the Pine Grove Church on FM 1818. As a master carpenter, he later built the nice 2-story home that overlooks the former Boots Havard’s pond and presently owned by John and Kathy Smith.
A precious baby boy, Jacen Luke, was born April 12th to Lawren and Jaci (Hubbard) Scarborough of Diboll. I know one excited great-grandmother ready to spoil him is Peggy Scarborough and then there are his grandparents, Hal and Janie Hubbard of Corrigan; Steven Scarborough and Chasity Murray. Other great-grandparents include Billy Brewer of Pollok and Charlotte who lives in Bald Hill.
Dianne Gibson called to say she is going to become another great-grandmother. She was excited it was only one as this baby will have two-year-old twin brothers who live in Huntsville with their parents, Zachery and Brittney Tate. Sue Baker came in with her grandson, Walker Baker, an 8th grader at Diboll ISD who enjoys being on the fishing team. Sue had to have a new battery.
Michael Dorman and Bettye Greer came in to get their annual supply of caladium bulbs. Everyone says caladiums need to be planted sometime around Mother’s Day. Don’t forget Pouland’s has caladium bulbs if you haven’t bought any. Wanda Fuller came in for okra seed and also bought petunias before she left. She reported her church, Diboll First Assembly, is very close to starting their new building on highway 59 in Burke.
We love to see Billie Jean Capps come in Pouland’s. This visit was to buy the type of potting soil that her dad used when they had Baker’s nursery. It’s the only potting soil she will use, it’s Redi-Earth. She brought us a jar of her famous mayhaw jelly for the round table and we truly love it! Her sister-in-law, Ginger Capps, came in for flower and rose food to make the plants prettier in her yard.
Tammy Bass was in buying candied pickles and Hal Hawthorn bought garden seeds. Chet Winger came in for fertilizer and reported he and his wife Tammy have lots of martins around their home on Lake Rayburn. Bill Stovall and Earl Carr came in early Saturday morning for Bill to pick up the overalls he had ordered.
Richard Spring stopped by with his new Konaice Shaved Ice truck and gave out samples which were very good. He said Konaice has given back 35 million dollars through fund raisers… He is set up to go to schools, day cares, tournaments, weddings, birthday parties and fundraisers. You can reach Richard at 936-676-2399.
We appreciate the many prayers for Jessica Pouland, the wife of our grandson, Brandal, who is breathing with new lungs after having her transplant surgery on Monday in Houston. Please continue to pray for her, her family and the family of the donor. God is Good!
Don’t forget Mother’s Day is May 8 and Pouland’s has some beautiful hummingbird feeders that make a special “I Love You” gift.
Come see us…’round the table.
Angelina County
Featured Community
The Everything Store 
J.R.'s Collections
