January 11, 2016

 
Miss McGillicuddy is moving back to Diboll. As a child, Mandy Smith’s dad, Raymond Smith, would embarrass her in front of friends by calling her “Myrtle McGillicuddy”. She hated it most of her life until it came time to find a unique name for a unique boutique that Mandy and her mom, Kim, were planning to open in Diboll. The girls agreed it was the perfect name when Raymond suggested “Miss McGillicuddy’s” The shop will move into the former building where Simple Simon’s was located. They are hoping to open the dress, accessories and gift shop by February 1st. The hours haven’t been set as yet but plans are to be open Tuesday through mid-afternoon on Saturdays. Mandy is married to Todd Foley, Diboll ISD’s head baseball coach, and they have a 5-month-old daughter, Maisie, who has two sisters; McKenzie and Lexie. Grandparents are Pat and Karen Foley and of course, Raymond and Kim Smith.

Mandy (Smith) Foley attended Diboll High School and was a Diboll Day candidate. We laughed about the queen candidates competing that year in a Lawnmower Race in the park. Matt Smith, Mandy’s younger brother, graduated from DHS in 2011 with an outstanding pitching career with the Lumberjacks and went on to play college ball. Most recently, Matt completed MCRD training, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, and graduated December 10th in San Diego. Proudly watching the graduation were his parents, Raymond and Kim Smith; his sister and brother-in-law, Mandy and Todd Foley and his special niece, Maisie. He is now in CampPendleton for 90 days of technical school and will immediately receive his assignment after completing the school.

Stubblefield Cleaning Services which is comprised of a husband and wife team, Patricia and Kenneth Stubblefield, have outgrown their storage building at their home off FM1818. They have moved into the former Flowers Body Shop building on Highway 59 that was purchased by Leonard and Billie Robison. They have expanded their cleaning services from just residential to commercial, churches, new construction and have plans to eventually add carpet cleaning and auto/truck detail. They have 14 years of experience. If you are in need of cleaning services, the number to call is 936-212-1885.

The Rustic Cactus is a new business that made an extreme renovation to the former Flowers Body shop at the corner of highway 59 and Brookwood Drive south of the Diboll Depot. The new owners of The Rustic Cactus is Cheryl Loggins of Huntington and Billy and Linda Edwards of Hudson, they have 10 years’ experience in retailing rustic items. The building is full of western décor, terracotta, metal works, yard works, home décor, dining tables, beds, kitchen and bath items, cow and buffalo heads, chimeneas, small gifts and lots of crosses. Their telephone number is 829-0388. Cheryl’s daughter-in-law is the former Michelle Weaver of Diboll and is married to her son, Clayton Weaver and they have two children: Case, age 4 and Lila, age 2.

Another new business in our area is the Building Blocks Academy at 211 Morris Road in Burke. The new owners are Ashley and John Courtney. John is the high school principal at Hudson ISD. Ashley is also a real estate agent for Timber Country Real Estate and they have three children: 15-year-old Cade; 12-year-old Carson and 7-year-old Addison. John and Ashley have been busy renovating the facility which includes a heated and cooled indoor gym. The Academy is now enrolling children ages 6 weeks to 12 years of age and for a limited time, offering a $50 gift card for referrals (some stipulations apply). For more information, call 936-829-2933 or bbadiboll.llc@gmail.com

Jimmie Woodard went to the Grand Opera House in Galveston this weekend to see Academy Award-winner Olympia Dukakis in a one woman performance of Rose. A two hour reading that retells the story of an octogenarian who survives the Warsaw ghetto and finally builds a life in American. It was a funny, touching and entertaining play. While in Galveston she also got to see the new beach that was just finished from 61st to 77th streets. She said it was pretty awesome imagining the amount of sand they had to haul in to build that beach. On the way to Galveston on highway 146 she stopped to visit the Winnie Flea Market but it was too cold to stay very long. Of course, while in Galveston she had to eat and chose Fisherman’s Wharf where she decided to dine on the Chicken Elissa! Although she said it was very tasty, I can’t believe she didn’t eat some selection of seafood.

Betty (Wilkerson) Wilson of Diboll celebrated a birthday lunch at the Red Lobster with her daughter, Bettina and 14-year-old granddaughter, Taylor. Another mother and daughter joined them; Betty Murphy and Debra Buster.

Eugene May celebrated a birthday on January 9th with his wife Sandy baking him an “Earthquake” cake. This is an award winning recipe that their daughter Meridith baked at a former Youth Fair baking competition some years ago since she is now graduated from college and working toward a doctorate.

Brenda and Benny Dickens are getting indoctrinated into the world of 4-H competition. Brenda’s great nephew, 12-year-old Garrett Peck, is a 4-H member and participated in the Belt Buckle Bash last Saturday in Groveton. Garrett’s mom, Star Peck, accepted the responsibility of the concessions at the event and got volunteers from her mom, Susan Payne and her husband, Rick, former 4-H’er Dillon Mason, and her aunt and uncle Brenda and Benny. The group traveled to Groveton Friday evening before the event on Saturday morning to get everything set up to sell hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, popcorn and all the other good stuff sold in concessions stands. A severe thunderstorm arrived about the time they were leaving to come home. Although Benny was driving Brenda was fearful of the large hail breaking the windshield and was grateful to make it home safely.

Looks like ‘ole man winter finally made it to Texas. Stay warm and come see us…’round the table.