It’s so seldom East Texas gets to experience a Winter Wonderland. Last Thursday night it began snowing and Friday morning everyone woke to a beautiful sight; THREE INCHES of snow! The words from the song, Winter Wonderland, are a perfect description: “In the lane snow is glistening, a beautiful sight, we’re happy today (tonight), walking in a winter wonder land, in the meadow we can build a snowman….” It was awesome with everything looking so clean, pristine and quiet except for the laughter and fun of kids playing in the snow and building snowmen. Lots of pictures were shared of snowmen around town and people playing in the snow. Jo (Roach) Smith had the day off from Brookshire’s and spent it playing with her granddaughter, Mary Catherine. They made snow angels, a snowman and had a snowball fight. Delbert Reynolds used a 4-wheeler to pull his 12-year-old son, Weston, on a homemade snow board. It was hard to stand on the board and when Weston laid on it he got a shirt full of snow. His mom Jennifer had to go to work and miss all the fun.

Jonathan Smith built a homemade sled out of a wooden pallet for his wife Bridgette and their 3-year-old son, Cole; they had a blast!  Ruby Medina and her daughters, 16-year-old Bianca and 13-year-old Leslie, enjoyed using the snow on their vehicle to make a small snowman. Friday morning they made a much larger green-eyed snowman that lasted throughout the day. Thursday night when it began to snow Charlie Mann took his 12-year-old grandson Eule outside and raked enough snow off his vehicle to make a small snowman. The next morning, Eule and his twin sister, Ellie, played in the snow with their dad, Chuck Mann, and didn’t want to go to school. Bro. Kenny Hibbs made a large snowman in the backyard for granddaughter, Maddie Pesek. His wife Carrie wasn’t too crazy about Kenny waking her up during the night to get up and look at the snow and yet Carrie denies throwing a snowball at Kenny while he was still in bed.

They were home to enjoy the snow but Jan and Burlon Wilkerson have returned from a 5-day cruise out of Galveston on Carnival’s Triumph into Mexico where the climate was much warmer. Jan sent me the following details. First port of call was Progresso.  We visited the Mayan Ruins of Dzibilchaltun.  It was amazing to walk through the ruins and see the work these people did hundreds of years ago.  Burlon climbed several of the ruins. We both got to put our feet into the water of a huge sink hole on the property. Both of our guides that day were Mayans. Following the tour we did some shopping along the pier. On Thursday we were in Cozumel for the day.  Our tour that day included a trip to the Discover Mexico Park.  This park is filled with miniatures of all the ruins within the country.  The tour guide provided some very interesting information on the development of the country.  While at the park we enjoyed a “Taco Tasting” and were able to watch a show of “Flyers.”  Five men in costumes dived from a 30 foot high pole and “flew” to the ground attached to ropes that unwound as they came down. The stop also included an hour or so of shopping in the fantastic shops of Cozumel. Serious money can be spent on that island. On board the ship we enjoyed several shows, including a great magic show with the Magician “Anders.”  A private party on board opened one of their performances by Matt Gumm to everyone.  This was a wonderful show filled with impersonations.  Of course, the food was WONDERFUL! It was a great relaxing trip and after Burlon decided he could not drive the boat or do repairs, he relaxed and had a good time.  I am already planning our next trip!

Mystery “Baby D” has arrived. From the time Cassi and Stacey Davis learned they were going to be parents they made the decision not to learn whether it was a boy or a girl, so the baby was referred to as “Baby D”. The mystery was solved January 22^nd when Jase Mikel Davis made his debut at Herman Hospital in The Woodlands. He weighed an even 8 lbs. and was 20-1/2” long. His proud maternal grandparents are Karon and Dennis Lenderman. Great-grandparents are Raymond and Sophie Lenderman and Marlon and Jean Register. With all the women in that family Jase will be one spoiled little boy!!

Enjoyed visiting with Larry and Jan Porter who live on Galveston’s West Beach. They were excited about attending The Southern Heritage Ball in Houston which is sponsored by SCV, the Sons of Confederate Veterans, of which Larry is a member. When their granddaughter, Grace Edwards, was born Larry applied for her membership into the UDC, United Daughters of the Confederacy. This year, 18 years later, Grace was to be one of the four debutants introduced at the Heritage Ball which is always held in commemoration of Robert E. Lee’s birthday in January. Grace’s great-great-grandfather, William Porter was a 4-year veteran of the Civil War and also the Mexican War of 1844.

Jan Porter has retired from marketing with the Salvation Army but is directing the 4^th Annual Salvation Army of Galveston County Style Show and Luncheon. It will be March 20th at the Galveston Convention Center. Tickets are $100. For tickets or more information contact Jan Porter at 409-763-1691.

We are so happy that Andrew Bass works here at Pouland’s because his grandmother, Margie Bass, is constantly bringing him homemade goodies that she shares with us. One morning she brought an entire breakfast for everyone. She is always trying new and old tried-and-true recipes and is a wonderful cook. We also want to thank Earnest and Connie Rast for the fresh cabbage from their garden.

Sue Johnson managed to prepare us a delicious chicken and spaghetti dinner between all her visits to the hospital with her sister Mollie and brother, Bo. While Sue was gone, she left instructions with J.D. when to turn the oven on. Everything turned out perfect! While in the waiting room at Woodland Heights, she visited with friends and family of Clyde Maxey who was having surgery to replace a knee. Others there included Linda Maxey, their pastor Keith Broyles, Joe Gage, Milford Ruby, Becky Donahoe and Charles Poindexter.

Good friends to Diboll, the Jimmy Moyes, have finally retired their “Moye’s Catering Service” after spending 35 years in the business. They are having an auction at 1310 N. Temple Dr. on February 22 to sell the restaurant equipment and supplies.

Pouland’s has tickets available for the 16^th Annual National Wild Turkey Federation Banquet which is February 7^th at the Nacogdoches Civic Center. We also have $25 tickets for the 10-gun raffle.

Don’t forget to come see us…’round the table.

Chris and Joe Capps both have January birthdays; hers is the 11^th and his is the 31^st. The tradition has been to have a “get together” sometime near the 31^st to celebrate both birthdays… until this year. Chris realized her birthday, January 11^th was on a Saturday and decided to throw herself a party. She invited Joe, their daughter Carmen Nerren and her daughter Helena (who’s 9 going on 29). She also invited two of Joe’s brothers and their wives, Donald and Billie Jean Capps; Kenneth and Ginger Capps; her “English” friend, Isabelle Hardy and her best friend from their home country of Germany, Brigitte Stachurski. Gerrysue Williams was also invited; she is Chris and Brigittes’ personal hair dresser.

In place of a traditional birthday cake, Chris made an authentic German cheese cake just like her mother always made for her while growing up in Germany. She said it’s better than Sam’s and NEVER put a topping on it; that would be an insult! Chris said the attendees were made up of mixed cultures and religions: There were 2 Germans; 1 English and rest Americans; there were Baptists, Methodists and Catholics and all participated in a toast with wine or ginger ale to everyone’s birthday in 2014. The party lasted all afternoon with the guys watching ballgames and the girls solving all the world’s problems and everyone agreed it was the “best party” of the year.

Cooper Horton, 7-year-old son of Kellie and Rayburn Horton rode his first bull at a Bull Riding event sponsored by the Cross Timbers Church and scored 77 points. Way to go Cooper! Loree Olson came in to buy lime for her garden and shared she got a nice 15-point buck this season. Melvin Linton, Sr. sat at the round table while having new tires mounted on his “mule”. Bill Dean Yates was in getting electrical parts when we learned he celebrated a birthday on the 18^th. Butch Parish was buying local honey. Jan Allbritton, who teaches at St. Cyprians and also writes a column for The Free Press, was in getting a flat repaired on her car. Jimmy McCall came in to buy hen scratch for the hungry birds around his house.

Three guys came in the store that we’ve never seen. They were passing through and decided to stop and see what “The Everything Store” had to offer. They were Merl Dickson, Ed Honeycutt and Richard Perot. Of course when I learned they were from West Monroe, Louisiana, I had to ask if they knew the renowned Duck Dynasty family. They did know them and Mr. Dickson who is a commercial salesman for Ryan Auto Group was involved in filming the episode where Willie’s son, John Luke, wrecked his dad’s pickup and they came to Ryan’s Auto to rent a pickup. During the filming in his small office, Mr. Dickson said there were 32 people, 5 cameras and 2 makeup artists for 8 hours to film a small segment of the 30 minute episode. He said they would film for about 30 seconds, stop, redo makeup, change clothes and film another 30 seconds or so.

Merl, Ed and Richard were all very familiar with the Robertson family and told me about Phil Robertson, the father, who attended Louisiana Tech on a football scholarship. He was a quarterback starting ahead of a guy named Terry Bradshaw but wouldn’t show up for practice. The coach told him to choose between football or hunting; he chose hunting! The saying around Monroe is “Terry Bradshaw went for the bucks; Phil went for ducks.” It was not all rosy for Phil back then. He owned a bar and was pretty bad when Mrs. Kay suggested he visit with a preacher. Phil says, “I was blown away by the story of Jesus Christ, his teachings and resurrection from the dead”. It was after becoming a Christian and getting his wife and family back together that he offers his two suggestions to a good life: 1) Love God and 2) Love each other because “at the end of the day, you’ll be “happy, happy, happy”.

Angelina Animal Hospital will be hosting a Rabies Clinic here at The Everything Store this Saturday, January 25^th, in the parking lot from 2 until 5PM. All dogs must be on a leash.

Vintage Blooms located in J.R.’s Party Barn is a new venture for Teresa Pouland. The Party Barn has been remarkably transformed into a gift shop with unique items and antiques, a flower shop and a beauty shop for now. Coming a bit later will be a sandwich shop and Roho plans to have boiled crawfish and shrimp in the back. The flower shop is taking orders for Valentine’s Day. Stop by or call 829-5556.

It’s not too early to begin thinking about gardening and getting ready for spring. Don’t forget we want to be your garden store so; come see us…’round the table.

Former Dibollian, Dr. Ted Mullins, was home during the holidays visiting with his mom, Ruth Mullins and his sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Bob Pennington. The three were waiting for him at the airport and anticipating Ted’s flight to arrive in Houston at 10PM. He texted to let them know his plane was not going to be able to land in the stormy weather and because of fuel shortage was directed to Louisiana to refuel. It was 2 AM before his plane actually made it back to Houston and landed. The group had reservations in Austin and drove on in the wee hours of the morning. Diane was the tour guide and had planned four days of activities in Austin. They arrived back in Diboll on Christmas Eve where Ted and Ruth enjoyed Christmas dinner at I-HOP.

Sunday, December 29^th, was Ruth’s birthday. After church, Ruth, Ted and Diane (Bob was working) drove to Tyler and enjoyed a delicious birthday meal at Rudy’s BBQ and then did shopping. While he was here Ted found time to drive to Livingston to Manny’s for his favorite… hot boiled shrimp. Ted is just “Ted” when he comes home but his work staff calls him Dr. Mullins (Ph.D., Bio Services).Ted lives in the community of Jeffersonton and works for ACC in Mannesse, Virginia. Simply stated but highly classified, Ted serves as a liaison between his company and CDC (Center for Disease Control) in Atlanta, GA and Homeland Security in Washington, DC. A lot of the people Ted works with in VA look forward to his return from Texas because they love and expect him to bring them lots of peanut butter logs and Chick’O sticks from Atkinson Candy.

Saturday, January 11^th was Emma Lee Smith’s birthday. She and Joe Donald met with friends and family to celebrate with lunch at the airport. Those enjoying the food and fellowship with them were her niece and husband, Mary and Jerry Clark; longtime friends, Geraldine Pouland, Mary Lou Havard and a surprise visit from a special friend, Othal Lowery, who brought her fresh flowers. Others present were Fran McGilvra, Kathryn Chuke and DeShea Franks.

Jesse and Suzanne Bradford left for an eight-day cruise aboard the Carnival Magic on Sunday, December 8.  Tuesday was the first stop in Key West, Florida.  Boarding the Old Town Trolley, it took them on a tour of the island.  Their drivers told all about Key West. They visited the Butterfly Conservatory and Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum.   One stop was to the southernmost point of the U.S.

Wednesday the ship docked in Freeport, Bahamas.  They had booked a tour called “The Bahamas Seafood Culinary Experience”. They were told all about Freeport as minibuses took them to one of the beach areas.  The driver said there are no taxes in Freeport.  There is also no government subsidizing or welfare on the island.  The crime rate is very low.  There they watched a demonstration and then cooked their own island rice dish, fried conch fritters and fried conch.  The group went down to the beach to listen to one of the divers tell how they dove for the conch, showing them how to get the muscle out and then made an appetizer dish out of raw conch.

Thursday was a day in Nassau, Bahamas.  They booked the Atlantis Adventure Day tour.  They tubed the River Rapids, rode a tube through the shark tank which Suzanne says she will never do again because it was too rough. The day ended relaxing on one of the beaches and enjoying a great aquarium there.  They ran out of time for the 45-minute lazy river tubing ride.

Once they left the 40 degree weather in Galveston, most days were in the high 70’s and mid-80’s. The food on board the Carnival ship was outstanding and the service was great. Sunday it was back to reality.   Suzanne said Sunday evening she kept waiting for someone to cook her dinner, pull the bed covers back and put chocolate on her pillow; it never happened!!

We have received lots of goodies from the folks running for office when they come to visit the RT. Bobby Cheshire made a hit with the homemade tea cakes that his mom, Ruth Cheshire, baked for him. He carried them to the original round table at Lufkin Farm Supply first and brought us what was left.  Bob Brown, Charles Kent and the others guys must not eat like we do or else Ruthie made an extra amount of cookies. They were very good and did not go to waste.

Gabriella Roberts, a 6^th Degree Black Belt with 20 years’ experience in martial arts will be teaching a Self Defense and Spiritual Warfare class on January 25^th. It is “Art of Survival” for mothers and daughters 12:30 – 2:30 at the Clawson Assembly of God Church on Hwy 69 in Pollok.

We have tickets available for the upcoming Turkey Banquet, February 7^th, 6PM at the Nacogdoches Civic Center and we also have tickets for the 10-gun raffle.

Vintage Blooms, a flower shop and much more, located in J.R.’s Party Barn on Hwy 59 is pushing to be open by the 20^th of January in time to place orders for Valentine’s Day. It will also be a gift shop with antiques and more.

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Joe Carter Denman, Jr. He left a big footprint on Diboll and all who knew him or worked with him learned from him.

Come see us…’round the table.

December 20^th was a big day in the life of Zach Lenderman. That’s the day he graduated, along with 101 others, from being a recruit to a Texas DPS trooper. There were more than 4,600 applicants; 139 were recruited and only 102 made it to graduation. For 24 weeks the recruits endured intense training, living at the academy on a college-like campus in a military-type dorm with one small closet and one footlocker. Zach’s parents, Dennis and Karon, were present the evening before graduation for the “family night” activities. Arriving on Saturday were Zach’s grandparents: Jean and Marlon Register and Raymond and Sophie Lenderman; his sister and family, Ashley, Raul, Kylie, Kyna and Raul, Jr. Rios; his expectant sister and husband, Cassie and Stacey Davis; retired trooper and family friend, Dewayne and Gay Pruett; his cousin Mandy and Brandon Burris and sons, Mason and Tyson Burris and Jarrod Christmas, his best friend and college roommate. Barrett Duren, son of Mr.  & Mrs. Dave Duren, also graduated with Zach. Retired Trooper, Rocky Thigpen, traveled to Austin, to present Zach and Barrett and one other with a special key ring. After the graduation, almost everyone drove to College Station where Dennis treated everyone to a meal at the Texas Road House. Zach and Barrett will begin their new careers on the 13^th and both will be working in Polk County so, drive safely so you won’t get stopped by these guys. Thank you to troopers and law enforcement people who put their lives at risk to protect us at home while our military personnel protect us around the world.

We just thought it was cold here in East Texas. In Phillipsburg, NJ where Ricky Brasher is living, the temperature had risen from 3 to 9 degrees on the day I was visiting with him. Ricky is a Catastrophic Adjuster for State Farm and has a minimum of two years to live in New Jersey. If his wife Debbie learns to love it as much as Ricky, they might decide to live there for awhile. In the meantime, Debbie is working for Dr. David Fees in Lufkin and will be traveling to see Ricky sometime in the near future. Ricky’s neighbors love him because he is fascinated with operating a snow blower and went all around the block blowing snow off the sidewalks. Ricky said when it snows, property owners have to shovel the snow off the sidewalks in front of their property within 24 hours or be fined by the city.

Ricky and Debbie’s son, Josh Brasher, currently a manager in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, is getting a new position. In February Josh will be working for the Disney University traveling around the world to all their sites implementing a program he started that interacts with managers. Josh has been with Disney World almost 7 years when he went to work for them in their college intern program. One of his first jobs was being the Disney character, Chewbacca, from the movie Star Wars. Congratulations Josh!

Visited with Geneva Ard who shared she was happy to take care of her almost 4-year-old grandson, T. J., for a couple of days. His mom Allison (Ard) Gilmore traveled with family to the University of Oklahoma to watch her cousin, Justin Barley, receive his Master of Arts with a major in Museum Studies. Justin started the online study within weeks of his graduation from Texas A&M and also worked at the TLL Temple Memorial Library. He completed the work in a little over two years. Others that were there proudly watching Justin were his mother, Karen Barkley, his brother Clint who attends the University of Houston and his little sister, Brittney, a junior at Diboll high school; his cousin, Kallen Treadway, a freshman at Diboll; his grandmother, Joyce Treadway, Bruce Thompson and his 9-year-old son, Nathan. Allison’s husband, Dennis, kept their youngest son, almost 2-year-old Case to allow Allison to travel to Oklahoma. Congratulations to Justin!

The home of Glenn Price was packed with family members when his sister Janet came with her family from Illinois to visit during the holidays. Janet moved to Chicago years ago to study voice and met her husband to be, John Brockman, a native of Illinois. They married and continue to live there where the winters are so cold. Their home is about 45 minutes from Chicago. Traveling to Texas with John and Janet were: Hannah, age 17; Mitch, age 13; Emme, age 11; Mia, age 10 and Nathan, age 8. Glenn drove to Shreveport and brought their Aunt Nell (Melba Price’s sister) to his home to spend a few days with family members. Glenn and Nell were doing “The Hanky Panky” when Janet’s family walked in the front door. No, it didn’t really surprise them because they were anticipating an unusual welcoming and weren’t disappointed. John’s work keeps him busy in maintaining CH/A units. Janet is very active in their church where she is responsible for 3 children’s’ choirs and she also is a substitute teacher. Her day really gets busy when school is over and all the kids have to go in different directions with their many activities. It’s been a big help now that Hannah is driving. All of them came to the RT mainly to visit Geraldine Pouland who was a good friend of Melba Price.

I missed meeting Randy Birch and his wife, Eileen, when they came by to leave us a sample of their championship pinto beans. Randy is the son of Shelia Scoggins from Huntington where he graduated in 1979. After spending almost 30 years traveling as a sound technician putting up and taking down stages at concerts for popular singing artists, he continues to travel as the Corporate Chef and representative for Allegro, Fine Foods, Inc. While in the music industry they cooked part time and were 12 times Champion BBQ cookers and have won many 1^st Places with their pinto beans. He loves to cook and now gets paid to do what he loves. He and Eileen make their home in Nashville, TN but Randy still claims his Texas heritage. Be sure to look for the ALLEGRO brand and also for BLUES HOG BBQ sauce that they also promote; it’s a recipe from an old cooking friend in Missouri.

Let’s hope this cold weather is gone by the time you read this and it will be more comfortable to get out and come see us…’round the table.