June 12, 2017

Christmas in June is what 9 year-old Brooklyn Hernandez recently experienced with her grandparents, Tina and Phil Jowell. One of Brooklyn’s Christmas presents last December was “Adopt an Animal” from the Cameron Zoo in Waco. Brooklyn chose to adopt an elephant named Tonya and was personally introduced to her at the zoo. It was an unforgettable one on one experience during an educational “behind the scenes” tour at the zoo. Tonya gave Brooklyn a “high 5” by putting her trunk into the palm of Brooklyn’s hand and also ate vegetables from Brooklyn’s hand. Tonya has been trained as an artist and painted Brooklyn a picture by blowing non-toxic paint onto a canvas. Brooklyn said this was the best Christmas present she has ever received!          Cameron Park Zoo rests on 52 acres adjacent to the Brazos River in Waco, Texas.  Lush native vegetation surrounds splashing waterfalls, a picturesque lake and ponds. In the midst of all this beauty, visitors see the wild ones in natural habitats with close-up encounters. The animal collection housed at Cameron Park Zoo includes more than 1,731 animals, representing 300 species featuring critically endangered Orangutans, Sumatran tigers, and Komodo Dragons.

Jimmie Woodard has been on another trip and sent me the following news. A trip to Las Vegas is always fun, but when you go with two other crazy ladies, it ends up being the old “What Happens in Vegas STAYS in Vegas” story.  Jimmie Woodard and two of her cousins, Linda Thompson and Sonnye Thompson spent 5 days sightseeing, walking, eating, shopping and laughing!  Jimmie had been to Vegas several times, Linda had never been and Sonnye had only visited for a short trip to enjoy a show.  So, Jimmie was the guide for the ladies and they were awed at the lights, casinos and hotels,  Fremont Street Experience, Hoover Dam, Ethel’s (M&M’s) Chocolate Factory, the Cactus Garden, the Eiffel Tower and  they even purchased RED SOLO CUPS for visiting Toby Keith’s, I Love This Bar & Grill. The ladies were shocked seeing the way some of the people dressed, especially on Fremont Street!!   And, YES, they enjoyed gambling, though none of the ladies came home any richer, it was fun hoping!  They enjoyed seeing the Righteous Brothers at Harrah’s and were totally amazed by the performances of the cast of Mystere by Cirque du Soleil!!!!  They also had a most marvelous dining experience at Gordon Ramsey’s Burger Restaurant at Planet Hollywood.  To top off the Vegas adventure, all three ladies got an ankle tattoo (temporary, of course! It only lasts about 3 to 4 weeks) just a spur of the day bonding moment!   Another great, fun adventure!!

Dianne (Tate) Gibson enjoyed a day trip recently to Houston to attend a luncheon for the graduates of St. Agnes Academy. Approximately 150 ladies enjoyed a delicious lunch held at the beautiful Junior League of Houston. Dianne and eleven other ladies represented their graduating class of 1958. A special recognition was given to a 95-year-old graduate who was present from the class of 1940.

Marlon and Jean Register traveled to Cleveland and out highway 32 to eat at the Ranch Hand Café. They had a chicken-fried steak and hamburger plus onion rings. They testified the small steak is all that you want to eat and the onion rings are wonderful.

Nine-year-old Camille Greer, daughter of Collin and Courtney Greer of Shelbyville, won Reserve Champion Charolais with her heifer “Sophie” at the Texas Junior Charolais Show at Tenroc Ranch near Salado. She also exhibited her last year’s show heifer, “Roxy” and Camille’s 6-year-old brother, Carter, showed Roxy’s calf, “Roscoe”. This sister and brother team won Second Place in the Cow and Calf Division at the same show. Proud grandparents are James and Becky Greer of Center and even prouder, great-grandmother of Diboll, Bettye Greer.

Grandparents, Keith and Kathy Spencer of Pollok, are very proud to welcome their first grandchild: Keith Alexander Spencer was born June 1^st. His parents are Michael and Laura Spencer of Katy. The baby being named “Keith” was a total surprise to Grandpa Keith which will be happy to show you pictures of his namesake.

Charlene Ryan, a resident of Trinity Mission, called to let everyone know how proud and happy she was to be able to attend church services in the new building at the historic Ryan Chapel Methodist Church. She also enjoyed having lunch at the annual reunion.

We are always grateful to those who bring us fresh produce from their gardens: Roy Lee Lyles brought squash; Gary Jones, tomatoes; Skeeter Scarborough, cabbage and watermelon and Keith Spencer, huge zucchini. Melvin Durham was in getting a flat fixed on his garden tractor. We are proud that David and Sherry Karnes have moved to Beulah and found a feed store for their animals that includes a goat. They also bought pickled quail eggs from our selection of gourmet foods.

The Angelina County Extension office is offering Summer Canning Workshops. Each participant will receive hands-on instruction, recipes and two jars of the delicious finished produce to take home. This workshop will give you the confidence you need to know you can safely and effectively preserve nature’s bounty. The Fruit Jam Workshop will be Monday, June 19^th, at 6 PM at Hudson High School but you must register by June 13^th. The Salsa Workshop is Monday, July 10^th at 6 PM also at the Hudson High School and register by July 5.

The 2017 Masonic Scholarship Shootout will be Saturday, June 24^th, sponsored by the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669. According to mason Keith Spencer, this lodge gave away $8,500 in scholarships last year. For more information, call 465-4699.

Don’t forget Sunday is Father’s Day and think about Pouland’s, The Everything Store if you need a gift.

Come see us…’round the table.