March 7, 2016

Lots of folks were in buying fishing licenses for spring break. April Richard came in to get a fishing license although her plans were to just “go along for the ride” while her husband Phillip and son Drew fished for perch. Drew was to participate the next day in the high school fishing tournament representing Diboll ISD.

Naomi Holeman came in to buy a fishing license with her son John. She and family members had two cabins rented at Harvey’s Cabins for three days and some were planning to stay in a tent. John’s plans weren’t to fish but to help babysit some of the younger ones. Naomi said the menu included fish that was donated by her sister, Letha and Junior Grandgeorge, and BBQ. About 12 to 15 family members plus dogs were looking forward to this campout.

Arlene and Winston Hook were also making plans to enjoy Spring Break and getting some time off from his job with Diboll ISD. They had plans to “rough it” in their RV while camping at Sandy Creek on Dam B. Although these two are veteran Dutch Oven cookers, Arlene didn’t plan to do much cooking but spend more time relaxing and riding their bicycles.

Lorene Rhiddlehoover made her first visit to Pouland’s looking for pot holders for Lodge cook wear. She and her husband retired from their boot and shoe business in Carthage and moved to Lufkin to be closer to their grandchildren; Landon, age 12 and Reagan, age 11. Their parents are Jimmy and Joy Rhiddlehhover and Jimmy is the manager of the beautiful Ivan Smith furniture store.

A couple from Elgin, Texas had already stopped at two other feed stores Saturday morning looking for Lady Cream Pea seeds. Randal and Karen Wilkerson live in Elgin, Texas and were in Diboll to attend the 100th birthday party for his aunt Oda Wilkerson. Randal’s parents were Vann and Cora (Stephens) Wilkerson who spent time in Diboll. Randal is VP of Claims and Risk Management for Texas Hospital Association and Karen is Senior VP of Risk Management of United Heritage Credit Union. They have three children: Gary and his wife, Norma live in Laramie, WY; Gayle of Dripping Springs and Celeste of Lyon, Texas. Randal was happy to find a Lodge cast iron pot and cookbook.

Family and friends from near and far came to celebrate the 100th birthday and reception of Oda Wilkerson last Saturday, March 5th. Not only was Diboll well represented but also Lufkin, Pollok, Mt. Pleasant, Austin, Elgin, Houston, Madisonville and even Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia. Mrs. Wilkerson’s children and grandchildren along with nieces, Sandy Hendrick and Janie McCann, hosted the successful event. About 200 guests came to share memories and renew aquaintances. Diboll has been Oda’s home for the past 80 years and has been a great place to live. The family wishes to thank everyone who came to honor Oda and also thanks to First Methodist Church of Diboll for the use of their facilities. Oda and Dewitt Wilkerson’s children are: Bobbie Joyce Burnett of Houston; Betty Fridell of Diboll; George Wayne Wilkerson of Houston and Peggy (can’t remember her middle name) Wilkins of Houston

On Friday, March 4-5th, several women from First Baptist Diboll enjoyed a wonderful start to their spring break at a Women’s Living Proof Live Conference with speaker, Beth Moore and worship lead by Travis Cottrell. The event was held at the Extraco Event Center in Waco, TX with more than 7,000 people in attendance from 28 states! Beth Moore focused on life events that cause us all to be “shaken.” Whether it be health concerns, issues with finances, family, relationships, a job or some sort of addition, each attendee received a word from God through Beth’s message. Each woman in the FBC group was able to come away from the weekend with a new focus on life specific to them. From being inspired to use their story to help others, or being able to understand God’s power through heartache in their lives. From learning to have a stronger faith in God’s provision and love or in receiving Christ’s love and grace through salvation in Jesus Christ, this past weekend made evident to many that our “unshakable” God is not dead, but still changing the lives of so many!! Those attending were: Dawn Baxter, Jana Colter, Judy McGuire, Julie Scott, Lindsey Hines, Tiffany Nash, Vickie Pettey, Theresa Burns, Autumn Kesinger, Becky Day, Carrie Hibbs, Gloria Dunlap, Jamie Smith, Marci Fenner, Amber Pesek, Linda Hall, Stacey Minton, Staci Morgan, Crystal Williams, Heather Nash and Lacey Chandler.

Dr. Neal and Mary Naranjo stopped in on Saturday on their way to Canton’s First Saturday. Mary was rushing Neal who enjoys looking at feed store “stuff”. During his short visit he did mentioned that on Friday he had taken Diboll ISD 5th graders on a tour of the Naranjo Museum of Natural History and I was proud to hear him say, “They were a bunch of smart 5th graders.”

It’s time to mark your calendar for the Angelina County Master Gardeners’ annual spring plant sale, April 2. It will be held at the Angelina County Farmer’s Market. The plants are chosen by the Gardeners that are adaptable for our area and should grow very well in the soils and climate in our part of the world. Gates will open at 8 AM.

Remember to come see us…’round the table.