August 10, 2015

Joe Anthony, who grew up in Diboll, came in the store to bring us some of his most delicious homegrown tomatoes. They weren’t as large as usual but they were by far the best tasting we have had all summer. Joe told me he had been sitting at home reading a copy of The Pine Bough, that wonderful magazine The History Center publishes (not often enough) about the history of Diboll and the good folks that made it what it is today. He came across an article that mentioned Geraldine Pouland. That made him think about her; thinking about her made him think about John Ralph; and thinking about John Ralph reminded him how much he loves tomatoes. And that’s how we got our tomatoes. Joe, thank you, keep reading and thinking about us.

JoNell Placker celebrated a recent birthday in Richardson, Texas in the home of Linda (Johnson) Cook. Most of the guests grew up in Diboll on Park Street and they have continued to stay close through the years. Friends helping her celebrate included Rita (Hutto) Howard; Mary Alice (Bunch) Shivers; Elaine (Bunch) Pinkerton and Kim Steward. Also present were JoNell’s daughter, Kim Chapman and granddaughter, Elizabeth Chapman. JoNell’s house on Park Street is where she grew up with her parents, Avis and Jack Vaught. It is the only house left on the short street but the good memories of growing up with the families on that street still linger there.

Returning to Diboll from Pflugerville is Tina (Wolf) & Phil Jowell. Phil will be teaching Chemistry in the Diboll ISD. It’s been 20 years since they left Diboll and moved to his hometown of Huntsville to teach. To bring you up today on their daughters; Christina teaches math in New Waverly ISD. Brittany and Steven Whitehead live in Huntsville. Diana and Jonathan Cortez live in Conroe and Brooke lives in California. Tina is happy to be home to care for her mother, Jeanette Wolf, after her dad, Dewey Wolf, recently passed away. Tina’s parents grew up in Corrigan and moved to Diboll in 1969 when Dewey was hired as a policeman. He became chief of police and later worked as the golf pro at Neches Pines. While living in Pflugerville and before buying a home, Tina & Phil rented from a member of the original Pfluger family that settled this German community. Phil taught in the Dell Valle ISD for ten years. We are happy they are back in Diboll.
William & Katie Weeks have a new addition to their family as of August 2nd. Three year old Jayleigh is happy to have a baby sister, Addyson Rae Weeks, who weighed 8 lbs. 11-1/2 oz. She arrived a week early allowing her daddy more time to be at home before school starts in Huntington where he teaches first grade. Grandparents are Karol and Charles Weeks, III of Diboll and Leslie Bradley of Lufkin.

2-1/2 year old Lewin Colwell is now a big brother to Gentrie Rose who weighed 8 lbs. when she was born July 31st. Her parents are Clay and Brooke Colwell. Grandparents are T.J. and Brad Colwell; Hollis Lakey of Apple Springs and Robin Lakey of Zavalla.

Good customers, John & Connie Cobb of Corrigan, are proud to introduce their first grandchild. Tinsley Klair Cobb made her debut July 29th weighing 8 lbs., 1 oz. and 20-1/2” long. Her parents are John and Jessica Cobb. John teaches history at Lufkin ISD where he is also the head baseball coach. Jessica works at the Jordan Dentistry and Grandpa John is excited he will get to babysit one day a week when she returns to work.

Clay Homan, age 10 and his brother Josh, age seven, live in Weston, WI. They have been visiting here for two weeks with Nana and Punk, Kathy and Howard Smith. They are the sons of Michael and Sarah Homan and enjoyed visiting with all their family in Diboll. They spent part of the time with Aunt Kristi Homan and Great-grandma Terrell while Nana and Punk worked. The boys, Nana and Punk and Grandma “T” spent three days in a trailer at Lake Tejas where they spent their time swimming, fishing and making s’mores by campfire at night. Another day, Grandma “T” carried them for a second visit to the Naranjo Museum. Nana, Aunt Kristi and Aunt Donya took them to see the movie, Minion and they also attended the wedding of Cody Stifle and Courtney Burchfield. They visited Jonathan, Jennifer and 2-year-old Jacy Terrell in their new home. Jacey argued the boys were her brothers, not cousins. Clay and Josh sadly returned to their home in WI but happy with their new Dallas Cowboys backpacks, cowboy boots and jeans.

This year is Pineland Day which will be October 3rd. 16-year-old Laura Beth Rhodes is one of the queen candidates. She and her mom, Marlo Rhodes, came in the store and took time to visit with us. That was the first thing that impressed me; that a 16-year-old would talk with an old person like me. I learned from this outgoing teenager that her family moved to Pineland 22 years ago when her dad, Tom Rhodes, was hired by Temple Inland as a Harvest Manager. She was born three months premature and weighed only ONE pound and 8 ozs. Laura Beth is a fighter and has learned how to live with Dyslexia. She is in the National Honor Society and absolutely loves math, science and chemistry. She is in band and competed in area UIL with her trumpet. She is also a twirler and competed solo at the state level. She has written the rough draft of a fantasy science fiction book and has begun to type it. Her plans after graduating from West Sabine is to be a member of the Texas A&M band and major in Engineering. We wish you well.

Pineland Day tickets are available at Temple Inland Credit Union and also here at Pouland’s. The Grand Prize is a Polaris Ranger ATV. 2nd prize is a zero-turning lawnmower and 3rd prize is a Ruger Hawkeye rifle.

On August 20th at the Temple Library at 6PM Cary Sims, Angelina County Extension Agent will be speaking about the Texas Cottage Food Law for anyone interested in learning the basic rules and regulations concerning the sale of agricultural products and processed foods made in your home. For more information call Mary Howell at 829-5497 or email her Mary@dibolllibrary.com

Another reminder to folks who may be interested in learning more about “Backyard Poultry”. The Angelina County Extension office will be discussing what is needed to raise chickens for eggs or meat production on August 17th at 6:30 at the Extension Office. The cost is $10 per person. Lisa Crager and I plan to attend so we can learn more about our chickens.

Come see us…’round the table.