October 10, 2016

 

The perils of getting older. John Ralph and I finally decided together on the purchase of a new car, a Toyota from our friend Joe Loving and young but experienced salesman, Scott Ratliff. Color was our biggest difference but when we saw this car on the show room floor we were both attracted to it and the “Crème Brulee/Champaign” color instantly sold us. The next day Scott spent about two hours with me explaining all the “whistles and bells” and I still haven’t mastered locking, unlocking and starting the car without a key! If that wasn’t enough to comprehend and studying the 2” owners’ manual, I decided it was finally time to give up my old “slide” cell phone for a new slim line phone that is as slippery as a fish. I have trouble holding on to it and after three days I still can’t find the dial pad much less all the other new features and applications. It’s a new learning process for me and as John Ralph says, “getting older ain’t for sissies”.

My friend Betty Hendrick sent the following news. One of the best kept secrets in the area is the Larry Bruce Gardens/restaurant near Kennard. The Sunday brunch is especially delicious and well attended. For those wanting to have a touch of an old fashioned church service, Larry Bruce and family or staff members offer that beginning at 10:45.  Songs from the Stamps Quartet era are used, with the gathered congregation being encouraged to join in, followed by a brief sermon. On Sunday, October 9th, JoAnn and Richard Rainwater and Betty Hendrick celebrated the Rainwaters’ anniversary and JoAnn’s birthday. It was a beautiful fall day to travel to the country; with a bit of patience and following road signs down winding roads, the trio joined others for the activities. The brunch was especially tasty with choices of two meats, as well as vegetables and other products from the family owned gardens. Larry, his wife and staff members made everyone comfortable by visiting diners and keeping them well supplied with drinks and homemade rolls/desserts. Along with canned produce from their garden, the Bruce family also has a couple of guest houses and plant nursery available for use. Reservations are requested, especially for the Sunday brunch. The lovely setting and beautiful dining room make the trip to the country well worthwhile.

          My busy, traveling friend, Jimmie Woodard, sent the following news. My friend Vivien Standridge and I (Jimmie Woodard) went to Las Colinas for 4 days, where she attended a business conference.  I, however, enjoyed riding the Dallas transit system, DART, and roaming around Dallas, Las Colinas, Frisco and Plano.   I went to the Mustangs of Las Colinas museum, Dallas zoo, Aquarium, antique shops in Frisco, and site seeing at West End.  I saw the biggest Bed, Bath and Beyond I have ever seen and ate at several unique and wonderful restaurants.  If you are ever in the area and like Italian be sure and eat at Victor & Harry’s, it was more than excellent and very well priced.  Mexican food at JusMex was wonderful and well-priced and the ambiance would make you smile!  Now, for the Gas Monkey, which I found out can be seen on the TV show, served my food in an oil pan, very interesting and unique! I had an outstanding time; now back to my very own reality show.  Life goes on!!!!!

Joe Henry and Diane Smith traveled with Ronnie and Sharon Flournoy for a vacation that started in Albuquerque, NM at the amazing Balloon Races. From an insider tip, the group was told where to park to watch the balloons from an uncrowded site. About 325 colorful balloons slowly and continually rise for hours into the clear blue skies over Albuquerque. The Flournoys had never been to this part of the country so they enjoyed visiting Four Corners and standing on the spot where the boundaries of four states touch. Then it was on to Durango, Colorado to ride the vintage steam train 45 miles to Silverton soaking in the beautiful views and cooler temperatures of Colorado. A couple of hours was spent touring the historic mining town of Silverton before re-boarding for the 2-1/2 hour trip back to Durango. They chose not to ride the train in Chama but went on to Pagosa Springs and enjoyed taking hot tub baths in temperatures that reached 108 degrees. They all agreed there wasn’t much to see in Taos, NM except antelope and they were all ready to eat good tasting BBQ upon arriving back in Texas.

Melvin and Kay Linton celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary on October 5th Melvin said after that many years Kay deserved a new Ford Escape SUV. Soon-to-be fours year old, Kyndall Martinez, was very happy to receive an early birthday present of a precious 3-week-old pot-bellied pig. As long as Kyndall was holding “Susie” everything was quiet but when someone else tried to hold her, Susie let out some loud squeals. Kyndall reluctedly lets her siblings hold Susie: Khloe, age 5; Alicia, age 9 and Xavier, age 12. Most of you know her mom Cecilia who is a manager at Los Jarritos and her dad is Jay who is starting a new job at Palm Harbor Homes.

A new business, Second Image Resale Boutique & Salon, has moved into the former building occupied by Vanity Salon. DeAnne and Wes Tobias own the building and the new business at 305 N. Hines Street. Their daughter, Samatha, works in the shop and her grandmother, Glenda Tobias, frequently stops by to visit. Their number is 936-526-2504 and email is secondimagediboll@yahoo.com. Stop in and browse.

The Diboll Lions Club met Tuesday at noon at the First Methodist church in Diboll. A Charter Banquet will be October 22 at 6PM in the Temple Civic Center for all new members to actually sign the charter and enjoy an evening of good food, fun and auctions. It’s not too late to become a charter member of this international service club. For information to join, contact Gary Gores at 465-8215, Marcie Bowen at 972-345-5960 or Loretta Christmas at 829-5888.

The guest speaker at the Diboll Lions Club was Jill Navarro with her husband, Armando. October is Breast Awareness Month and Jill gave her personal testimony of being diagnosed with cancer. She had no history of breast cancer in her family, never smoked or used alcohol. She praised her physician, Dr. Caskey; the cancer surgeon, Dr. Arlene Ricardo and Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Jay Shenaq. She thanked God and her husband for the incredible support and they both highly recommended the Westside Surgical Hospital & Breast Center in Houston and insisted that everyone take time to have annual mammograms.

As a service organization, the Diboll Lions Club is active in eye screening for young children and is in the process of providing fire protection for approximately 100 homes in Diboll. Lions will be volunteering to help with the Zombie Walk during Halloween and some will be participating in the “Be A Hero–Walk In Her Shoes” event to raise money for Breast Cancer. This event, sponsored by the City of Diboll will be October 29th. Registration fee is $25. The walk starts at 10:30 AM in front of the Diboll Administration Building and will end at the Diboll Free Press. Funds raised will go towards a woman in Diboll who is currently going through cancer treatments.

Hopefully, you have noticed that the City of Diboll is “Painting the Town Pink” in support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Pink ribbons are showing up all around town and a “Pink Boot” will be passed around to collect donations. For $2 a pink magnetic ribbon can be purchased to write someone’s name on it and placed on a white van at city hall in honor of someone who has had or is fighting or is a cancer survivor.

Just a reminder that this Saturday and Sunday, October 15 (10-5PM) and Sunday (1-5PM) is the Deep East Texas Association of Builders Parade of Homes. Magazines are available in businesses around town.

Come see us…’round the table.