Grab your lawn chair and instruments for a fun filled week of Pickin’ n Grinnin’! There is something for the whole family. Join a workshop, drive in the golf cart parade, feast at the potluck, and play some Banjo Bingo!
Book your accommodations with Salmon Lake Park 936-687-2594
Tent Camping $15/night
Rv 30amp $30/night 50amp $35/night
Cabins pricing varies
Schedule:
This is subject to change
Monday: Devotions, Workshops, Big screen Movie & Ice cream Social
Tuesday:
Devotions, Workshops, Banjo Bingo
Wednesday: Devotions, Workshops, Golf Crat Parade
Thursday:
Devotions, Workshops, Stage Show
Friday:
Devotions, Workshops, Stage Show
Saturday: Devotions, Workshops, Stage Show
Sunday: Devotions and Worship
Not Allowed:
No smoking in seating or vendor area No alcohol in seating or vendor area No pets in seating or vendor area No golf carts in seating area
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – As fall-like weather occurs across the state, Texas A&M Forest Service urges all Texans to help reduce the spread of oak wilt and invasive insects by taking preventive measures and being cautious when collecting, transporting and purchasing firewood.
As Texans travel for hunting or camping trips, they may unknowingly be bringing deadly, invasive pests and pathogens along for the ride if they bring firewood with them.
“Many devastating, tree-killing pests present in Texas forests live and breed inside firewood,” said Demian Gomez, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Forest Health Coordinator. “The spread of wood borers, such as the invasive emerald ash borer, have been on the rise this year. These invasive insects have caused devastating impacts, practically wiping out entire tree species from some regions of the country.”
The emerald ash borer, detected in 27 Texas counties, has killed millions of ash trees across the eastern U.S. The redbay ambrosia beetle continues to spread west from the southeast, killing redbay and sassafras trees along the way. Similarly, pathogens such as the one causing oak wilt, have killed oak trees in Central Texas in epidemic proportions.
Since insects like the emerald ash borer do not travel extreme distances naturally, it is presumed that firewood transportation was the origin of the emerald ash borer introduction in Texas which also intensified its rapid spread in the last few years. The emerald ash borer was first detected in Texas in 2016 in Harrison County. In 2024, emerald ash borer expanded to 12 new Texas counties.
Forest pests and diseases cause severe ecological and economic impacts over time. While they can spread on their own, accidental transport by humans is one of the main ways they move greater distances, sometimes quickly jumping state and county lines. Firewood is the common way many of these pests are moved. Even wood that looks clean and healthy may still have insect eggs or fungal spores that can start new infestations.
“We can limit the spread of invasive tree pests,” said Gomez. “The best rule of thumb is to burn the firewood near where it’s bought or picked up. Moving firewood can easily introduce insects and diseases to new areas, particularly during hunting and camping seasons.”
For diseases like oak wilt, this is critical. Transporting and storing infected wood from red oaks can spread oak wilt fungal spores to previously uninfected neighborhoods and properties. Because live oaks tend to grow in large, dense groups, oak wilt spreads quickly, and one infected tree can lead to large patches of dead and dying trees.
While firewood is an important commodity in the fall and winter, Texans can help prevent the spread of these pests and diseases by purchasing, collecting and burning firewood locally.
Just last week, I kneeled down to get a closer look at a weed and put my knee squarely in a fire ant mound. I swatted my pants leg and got all of them off without getting stung. It was a rookie mistake.
Despite our dry weather, fire ants are typically quite active in the fall, gathering up their food stores to survive the coming winter. This fall flurry of activity can give homeowners a great opportunity to greatly reduce their numbers come spring. The scarcity of food resources that occurs each fall makes the foraging fire ants much more likely to pick up insecticide baits and feed upon them all winter long.
Fire ants are native to South America. They entered the U.S. through Mobile, Alabama, probably in soil used for ships’ ballasts. They were accidentally introduced around the 1930’s and have been spreading since.
Red imported fire ants are very aggressive and efficient competitors. Since the 1950’s in the southeast corner of Texas, this ant has been spreading through Texas in all directions. They now fully infest the eastern two-thirds of the state, and most every urban area in west Texas. Perhaps the only area of Texas they may not get established is the panhandle, due to the panhandles dry weather coupled with cold winter conditions.
Some fancy terms that I heard some years ago about fire ants is that they are “thermo-regulatory” and “hydro-regulatory”. Indeed, they will often seem to disappear when they are just deeper in the ground looking for moisture and more moderate temperatures.
While the bad news is that they are a permanent problem, the good news is that, with relatively little cost and effort, you can prevent most of the problems they cause using currently available methods.
When applied correctly, baits will greatly reduce their chances of surviving the winter. As a result, landscapes can have significantly fewer fire ants (and their mounds) in the spring following a good fall control program.
Apply bait when no rain is expected for several days after treatment. Baits are slow-acting, taking weeks to months to reduce ant mound numbers. Unlike a mound treatment that is supposed to work quickly on each mound you find, baits can be taken back to work on several different mounds – even those you do not see. Their work is conducted underground, all winter long, slowly but surely reducing their numbers.
To maximize your effectiveness, work with neighbors to apply bait. Since fire ants frequently travel from yard to yard, team up with your neighbors to implement fire ant control programs at the same time. Decide what control method to use and find a sunny weekend to get it put out.
I’m cannot list all the products as there are literally dozens on the market that will do job. I do strongly recommend going to your local feed store or garden center and asking a knowledgeable manager for their product recommendation.
As always, be sure to use the product according to the directions on the label. There is a wealth of good information contained in the tiny print on the back of the package. Closely follow label directions. Today’s baits are gentle on the environment and are best applied using crank-type seeders or spreaders.
For more information on fire ant control and the latest research being conducted, go to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project at fireant.tamu.edu.
Soccer’s regular season is winding to a close, but thanks to their excellence in the regular season, both the Lady Roadrunners and Roadrunners will be competing in their respective Region XIV Conference Tournaments scheduled to begin this week.
Baseball and softball also are finishing out their fall schedules in the next few days.
But don’t worry. Basketball is ready to get the ball rolling.
Here’s a quick rundown of the week’s events, along with what’s coming up next:
Lady Roadrunner Soccer Wins Seventh Straight, Will Host Playoff Match
Seven straight matches.
That’s how long the Lady Roadrunner soccer team has extended its current winning streak. AC’s ladies traveled to Brownsville on Friday and shut down Texas Southmost College by a 2-0 final. Paula Suarez, who now leads the team with eight goals on the season, scored both AC goals, getting an assist from Sarah Riboe on one of those goals. The blanking also marked the fifth straight match the Lady Roadrunner defense held an opponent scoreless.
AC’s ladies then wrap up the regular season with a home match against Jacksonville College on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The match kicks off at 5 p.m., but the team will recognize its sophomores with Sophomore Night pre-game activities.
Because of the team’s red-hot, late-season streak, the Lady Roadrunners (9-4, 7-3) will host the first round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament. AC will face Paris College (5-8-1, 4-7) this Friday, Oct. 25, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Angelina College Soccer Complex. A win over Paris would have the Lady ‘Runners at home on Sunday, Oct. 27 against an opponent to be named later.
The match will be live-streamed on TSBN Sports.
No. 13Roadrunners Endure Tough Road Matches, Prepare for Playoffs
The 13th-ranked Roadrunners made the long trip to Beeville on Tuesday to face No. 14 Coastal Bend Community College, and despite blasting 10 shots on goal at the Cougars, the ‘Runners couldn’t find the net in a 2-0 loss.
The scoring frustration extended to Friday when the Roadrunners and Texas Southmost College played to a scoreless draw in Brownsville.
The Roadrunners will wrap up the regular season at home on Sophomore Night on Tuesday, Oct. 22 against Jacksonville College. The match will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and will be live-streamed on TSBN Sports.
In addition, AC already has clinched a post-season berth. Final seedings won’t take place until after all of Tuesday’s Region XIV matches are complete, but the ‘Runners currently are on track to host Paris College at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30.
That match also will be live-streamed on TSBN Sports.
Roadrunner Basketball Handles Tribulation Prep in Home Scrimmage
(Men’s basketball photos by Maria Andrade and Elizabeth Craig) (Men’s basketball photos by Maria Andrade and Elizabeth Craig)
There weren’t any stats kept since it was a scrimmage, but the new-look Roadrunner men’s basketball team showed off its size, quickness, and depth in beating Tribulation Prep 81-61 Thursday at Shands Gymnasium.
The Roadrunners’ next home game will mark the tipoff to the regular season, as AC’s men will host Strength ‘N Motion at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2 at Shands Gymnasium.
Roadrunner Baseball Finishes Fall Season at Home
AC’s baseball team will wrap up its Fall 2024 schedule on Friday, Oct. 25 against TCS Post Grad. The game is set for a 1 p.m. start at Poland Stadium.
Opening Day for the Spring 2025 season is set for Jan. 24, 2025, as the Roadrunners are set to travel to Galveston College. The first home game will be against those same Whitecaps on Sunday, Jan. 26.
Lady Roadrunner Softball Wraps up Home Fall Season
The Lady Roadrunner softball team capped its home schedule of “Fall Ball” this past weekend, and now will finish off the fall portion of the schedule with road trips to Houston Christian University (5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23 in Houston) and at the University of Texas-Tyler (doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 in Tyler).
AC’s ladies are scheduled to open their Spring 2025 season at home on Wednesday, Jan. 29 against Cisco College.
Angelina College coaches continue their outreach to the community, and this week was the Roadrunner men’s basketball team’s time to shine.
Athletic Director and head men’s coach J.J. Montgomery and some of his players visited Coston Elementary in Lufkin, where Montgomery served as guest speaker for the school’s “Unity Day.”
From Montgomery:
“I was honored to serve as the guest speaker at Coston Elementary as they celebrated Unity Day and Fight Against Bullying. Unity Day, started by Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center in October 2011, is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. This is a day when we come together to send a visible message of building community through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. We wear and share the color orange.”
Live Streaming Reminder:
All AC Athletics regular-season home games will be live-streamed on TSBN Sports (a free streaming service for fans), with most of the conference road games also available for streaming. (This does not include baseball and softball fall games, as those are not considered official games.)
Once TSBN posts its schedules, AC fans simply need to visit the AC Athletics website, look at the scrolling schedule in the middle of the page and click the blue “Video” link.
TSBN also offers an app great for smart phones, devices, and smart TVs. (You’ve GOT to see those matches and games on the big screen.)
Reminder II: Admission to ALL Angelina College Athletics sporting events is free. Any link offering streaming for a fee is a scam.
Reminder III: For the most current schedule updates, visit the official Angelina College Athletics website (angelinaathletics.com).
Upcoming schedules:
Tuesday, Oct. 22:
Lady Roadrunner Soccer vs. Jacksonville College, 5 p.m., Angelina College (Sophomore Night)
No. 13 Roadrunner Soccer vs. Jacksonville College, 7:30 p.m., Angelina College (Sophomore Night)
Wednesday, Oct. 23:
Lady Roadrunner Softball at Houston Christian University, 5 p.m. in Houston
Friday, Oct. 25:
Lady Roadrunner Soccer vs. Paris College, 5 p.m., Angelina College (Region XIV Conference Tournament First-Round Match)
Roadrunner Baseball vs. TCS Post Grad, 1 p.m., Poland Stadium on the AC campus
Lady Roadrunner Softball at University of Texas-Tyler, doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. in Tyler
For any other information, contact Sports Information Director Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.
Pictured front row, from left: Natalie Murray, Ariel Webb, Alexis Pelletier, Elaina Day, Tatyana Eldridge, Madison Watson, Dyanna Torres, Jazlyn Gurrola, and Kenrick Butler Jr.
Second row, from left: Heyde Serrano, Ashley Martinez, Caelyn Ford, Sidnee Thompson, Sergio Jimenez, Ayden Woods, Hailey Lovelady, Isis Luna, Addison Aguilar, Rocio Arredondo, Joeana Alvarez, Emily Ramos, and Karisma Herrera.
Third row, from left: Samantha Nichols, Reagan McDonald, Ashlyn Wells, Sierra Havard, Lynzie Thompson, Hannah Jones, Mateo Gonzalez, Alexandrea Foy, Keyla Contreras, Alexandra Molina, Rigoberto Bautista, and Chezni White.
Back row, from left: Christian Shaw, Madison LaCount, Addison LaCount, Asael Sida, Savoy Burton, Oscar Cruz, Oscar Barboza, Marco Andrade, and Zack Hernandez.
For the Drug-Free All Star October meeting, the All Stars toured the Angelina County Jail and received training to participate in alcohol compliance checks. The Drug-Free All Stars of Angelina County are a group of high school seniors that serve as role models for the community by living an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free life. The Drug-Free All Star program, in partnership with TxDOT, aims to reduce crashes, injuries and death on Texas roadways. The All Stars saw first-hand the results of substance misuse and what daily life is like for inmates. During the meeting, Texas Alcohol & Beverage Commission (TABC) Sergeant Bryant Jones trained the Drug-Free All Stars to conduct compliance checks to prevent the sale of alcohol to minors by local businesses. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2020), 50.0% of people aged 12 or older used alcohol in the past month and compliance checks are an important prevention strategy to reduce sales to minors. A special thank you to Sheriff Tom Selman, Warden Nick Gardner, Judge Billy Ball, Captain Alton Lenderman, TABC Agent Jeremy Alexander, and Sergeant Bryant Jones for providing this experience for the All Stars. To find out more about the Drug-Free All Star program, contact Abby Baker at (936) 634-9308.
Since 1988, The Coalition has focused on eliminating the use of harmful substances by affecting public policy, laws, attitudes and behaviors, to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. Visit The Coalition’s website at www.angelinacoalition.org or follow @TheCoalition936 on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
With Halloween just around the corner, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s aren’t so far behind either. It’s really fun to receive gifts because it makes everyone feel loved, happy, and that they belong. So, keeping that in mind, you shouldn’t only be on the receiving end. It’s important to give back not only to those who’ve given to us, but also to those who don’t have anyone to receive anything from. If you’re worried about the cost of things, that’s okay! Giving back doesn’t always have to involve materialistic things. They say that time is worth more than money or any materialistic gift. A great way to give your time to give back to the community is by volunteering. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have the luxury to sit by the fireplace or near the Christmas Tree to open gifts, nor do they have the ability to have a feast with their family. They may not even have good memories of the holidays. This is where you come in.
Thanksgiving in the Park
Thanksgiving in the Park is something that Greg Sims, the Shelter Manager at Family Crisis Center of East Texas, holds every year on Thanksgiving from 11am-3pm at Kiwanis Park, Lufkin. This has been a tradition for 7 years already. He truly has a wonderful passion to help those in need. The mission behind Thanksgiving in the Park is to give a sense of fellowship and belonging to those who don’t have that, and to feed the hungry. But really, it’s open to anyone who needs it. No one should be alone and without food for the holidays, so help make that a reality!
Sign up for volunteers are still open! Contact Greg Sims at (936) 229-0273 to ask about volunteering and anything else you may be curious about!
Center of Hope Polk County
The Center of Hope in Polk County is a Christian-based organization that empowers people of all faiths in need to break the vicious cycle of poverty, hunger, and hopelessness through prayer, education, and assistance. Their mission is to provide emergency food and other necessities to the needy of Polk County. They have a food pantry, they take part in disaster relief, they give support to those suffering from cancer, and they do so much more. Reach out and make a difference by volunteering with them!
Feed My Starving Children
The holidays, namely Thanksgiving, are almost here. What better way to celebrate than by giving back to the community and the world? Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a worldwide organization that fights hunger. It feeds people in need around the world, including victims of poverty, war, and natural disasters. FMSC has reservation-only volunteer opportunities. You can pack meals by yourself or with friends at a permanent packing site or at a MobilePack event that pops up around the country. When you volunteer, you’ll be helping to feed starving children in your own community and around the world. You’ll also be making a difference in the lives of those who are in need.
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is an international charitable organization that supports a wide range of causes. They provide job training and aid for veterans, domestic abuse survivors, trafficking victims, and the homeless. They also provide services for the poor. During the holidays, they’re very active in giving back. Look for the person ringing the red bell! Volunteer opportunities are available in most locations. Contact your local Salvation Army to find out if they have any volunteer opportunities for the coming holidays.
Families First
Families First is a charitable organization that sponsors families in need during the holidays. Volunteers can sign up to sponsor a family and then purchase items from their holiday wish list. Sign-ups have not yet begun for the 2024 holiday season, but family information is expected to become available during the first week of November. If you don’t manage to assign yourself to a family in time, there are plenty of other resources and opportunities available on the site, including year-round volunteer jobs and information on organizing toy drives in your own community.
Go Out and Make a Difference!
By volunteering at various places like these or some other places, you’re putting your time, effort, and care into the people that you help. By showing others that you care, you make a difference in their day. Even a simple compliment or smile to someone could lift their spirit. It may not always be obvious, but it still matters. While it’s also plenty great to give money or gifts, it means even more to give your time.
It’s almost that time again for Thanksgiving In The Park. Please get in touch with Greg Sims at (936) 229-0273 if you plan on donating food or to help serve food. Please share so it reaches as many as possible! Without all of you, this event would not be possible. Volunteer sign ups are still open!
Thanksgiving in the Park will be held on Thanksgiving day from 11am-1pm.
Please unite with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) by supporting the 2024 CASA Christmas Home Tour set for Thursday, December 5th, 2024. It is through the generous partnerships of community members and businesses that they are able to ensure permanency and stability for abused and neglected children. CASA thanks you for your valuable time, continued kindness, and community support.
Come-and-go Locations:
3 LaMadera St.
275 Plantation Dr.
1302 Tom Temple Dr.
110 Willow Oak Dr.
Individual Tickets are $20.00 now, and will increase to $25.00 on December 1st.
Next week, join us for a special Mid-Morning Coffee, hosted by the Family Crisis Center of East Texas. October is an important month as we raise awareness for Domestic Violence. We’ll hear from the team at the Family Crisis Center about the vital work they’re doing and how we can all play a part in raising awareness and offering support. Join us for coffee, connection, and an inspiring conversation on how we can make a difference together.
Mid-Morning Coffee Thursday, October 17th at 9:30 am Family Crisis Center 1512 E Loop 304, Building 200 Crockett, TX
Make sure to put this down in your calendar. It has always been a special event for the whole family to watch as the courthouse lights up with the holiday spirit. Come join us as the Merry Market will be open and filled with amazing vendors that make this evening even more spectacular! Help us, as we make our very own Downtown Jasper fit right into a Hallmark Movie. If you’re a store owner on the square, we would love for you to participate in the spirit with lights, storefront painting, etc. Working, growing, and succeeding together.
Date/Time Information:
November 23, 2024, from 5 pm to 8 pm
