Join us for a time of fellowship, just for the ladies! We will have food, games, a guest speaker, & so much more! This event is completely FREE, but we do need a headcount of everyone who wants to attend.
Childcare will be provided
Date/Time Information:
Friday, April 26th from 6:30 pm to 10 pm
Location:
1501 S Wheeler St, Jasper, TX 75951
I was eating lunch with a group of ‘gentlemen farmers’ the other day who were discussing their expectations from their fruit trees. Figs, plums, pears, blueberries, peaches, and more were discussed. While some had high expectations for a harvest, others just enjoyed having a small orchard even if the squirrels and other animals ate most of the fruit.
Whether you are a hobby grower or a commercial fruit producer, we should be keenly aware of the fact that each summer, we are responsible for two growing seasons worth of fruit: the current season and the one to come. As we care for the current year’s harvest, our attention to water, nutrients, and pest control will have a huge impact on the following year’s fruit production. So, we as homeowners, and perhaps amateur fruit producers, should also keep the long game in mind as we manage our trees.
Around the base of your trees and shrubs, weed control coupled with mulching is a crucial practice. A good rule of thumb is to eliminate weeds and mulch as wide as the drip line.
As you clear out the area at the base of the trees and shrubs, please note if any new sprouts are coming up beneath the grafted portion of your tree. If you find sprouts beneath the graft, then you should prune them out.
Sprouts from below the graft will be a similar fruit species to what was grafted onto it, but we do not know what variety it will be. Said another way, there was some type of citrus rootstock below your grafted citrus tree. There was some type of stone-fruit rootstock beneath your grafted peach tree. However, the rootstock was selected for its ability to withstand drought, insect, and disease pressure below the soil. It may very well produce an acceptable fruit but mind you it was not the one that you purchased for harvest at the nursery.
Up higher in the canopy, we should focus on the pruning and training of limbs. Pruning practices vary widely from one fruit species to another. Be sure to research your fruit tree and prune it correctly and at the correct time of year.
Since we never know what the rainfall will be, we need to have a plan in place to irrigate fruit trees during a dry spell. Even though the average annual rainfall has been 50 inches for the past 30 years in our part of East Texas, everyone knows that “average” can vary widely and drought may be just around the corner.
Lastly, disease and insect pressure must be kept in check. Commercial growers know quite well how to scout for insects and maintain a protective barrier against fungal infections. As for backyard orchards, a simple fix is the “fruit tree spray” that you can find at most any feed store or garden center. Look for a fruit tree spray that has both an insecticide and fungicide in it to save you time with your number of applications.
A tremendous website for Texas growers is Aggie Horticulture. Enter that in your search engine and select the fruit type that you are growing for an abundance of research-based information.
Do all this and you too may be a ‘gentleman farmer’ who grows fruit just for the enjoyment of seeing what you can produce from your own backyard.
Play Runs April 18-20 in AC’s Blackbox Lab
Angelina College’s Theater Department is thrilled to present “Laundry and Bourbon,” a heartwarming tale of love, friendship, and life in a small Texas town. The student-led production will run for three nights starting Thursday, April 18, and closing on Saturday, April 20.
All shows start at 7:30 p.m. and take place in the Black Box Lab inside the Angelina Center for the Arts.
The three-person cast consists of Eryn Presley Forrest (Centerville), who plays the role of Amy Lee while also showing her directorial skills; Emma McMullen (Apple Springs), who brings enthusiasm to her role as Hattie; and Dianna Saenz (Lufkin), who is making her theater debut as Elizabeth Caulder.
The story, by the late American playwright James McClure, centers around three married women who share the struggles of raising families while “longing for their high school glory days” (TheaterKnoxville.com). With help from a bottle of conversation starter and a laundry basket overflowing with the town’s gossip, the three women come together to solve the world’s problems as only three friends can.
The productions are free to the public, and there is no admission charge. For further information, contact Kary Raine at kraine@angelina.edu.
Patriotic Weekend will kick off with Walking to Remember on Friday, May 24th at 6 pm in Pineland Park. Hemphill VFW Auxiliary Post 10351 will present a Missing Man Table, and we will all have a chance to walk/run a mile in honor of someone we love who has fallen while serving our country. This event is graciously sponsored by Southside Bank (725 Sabine St, Hemphill, TX). Come dressed in red, white, and blue to show your American pride!
Date/Time Information:
Friday, May 25, 2024, at 6 pm
Location:
Pineland Park, Maple St, Pineland, TX 75968
Food Truck Wednesday is happening this Wednesday at the Chamber. I’ve Got Your Dog will be in the Chamber parking lot starting at 11 AM serving up delicious dogs!
Come join us! We’ll see you then!
Date/Time Information:
Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 11 am to 1 pm
Location:
1615 S. Chestnut, Lufkin
The National Work Zone Awareness Week campaign highlights the importance of safe driving in work zones
AUSTIN – Have you ever felt the blast of air from traffic on the side of a highway? The ceaseless noise, staggering winds, and two-ton vehicles speeding just feet away can be terrifying for highway workers in work zones.
With the Texas population continuing to grow, more and more projects are popping up to address congestion and improve safety. Crews at these sites just want to get the job done and come home safe to their families. But drivers are actually more often the people getting hurt in work zones.
Last year 190 people were killed in work zones, and 77% were drivers or their passengers. It’s a major concern, and during National Work Zone Awareness Week, April 15–19, TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign will give safe driving tips for navigating these work zones.
“Keeping our Texas highway system functioning and safe requires constant effort from dedicated crews,” TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams said. “Drivers should anticipate work zones and changing road conditions and always be prepared to slow down, follow signs and pay attention.”
Following two consecutive years of declines in the number of traffic fatalities in work zones, TxDOT is urging Texans to help continue this trend by slowing down, staying alert and obeying posted signage when driving through road construction or maintenance areas. The “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign offers five tips for safely navigating work zones:
TxDOT also reminds motorists to follow the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law that requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching TxDOT, emergency, law enforcement, tow truck or utility vehicles stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.
To spread work zone safety awareness and encourage safe driving behaviors, roadway safety professionals are encouraged to wear orange on April 17 for Go Orange Day.
TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.
For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@TxDOT.gov or (512) 463-8700.
Be sure to attend this special event in support of the COCISD Education Foundation!
The Education Foundation is a non-profit organization designed to help our students and school staff succeed.
Date/Time Information:
Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 6 pm
Location:
San Jacinto County Community Shelter Building
255 Live Oak Street Coldspring, Texas 77331
Contact Information:
713-306–7764
We have legitimate “pennant races” with our Angelina College softball and baseball programs. We had a Lady Roadrunner basketball player named to TWO All-American lists. We’re hosting a reunion for the only national championship team in AC Athletics history.
And, as always, we had student-athletes involved in our community.
We’ve been a little busy around here.
Here’s a recap of the week, along with some upcoming events.
Lady Roadrunner Softball Stays in Playoff Race with Alvin Sweep
The Lady Roadrunners aren’t finished yet.
AC’s ladies traveled to Alvin on Saturday to face Alvin College in a doubleheader, and the Lady ‘Runners pulled off the upset on the road.
The Lady Roadrunners took both games of the doubleheader, winning 6-2 and 7-5 to stay within striking range of an upcoming post-season berth.
In the opener, a 6-2 AC win, Sandra Quiroz-Catalan doubled twice to drive in three runs, then hit the pitching circle to throw two shutout innings to lift starter Paige Castillo (5 IP, 2 earned runs, 4 Ks) to the win.
The Lady ‘Runners then held off the Dolphins for a 7-5 win in the nightcap, with Riley Davila driving in a pair of runs. AC jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the top of the first, then rode the arms of pitchers Jocelyn Cantu and Madison Johnson to cap the sweep.
AC (15-33, 5-9) hosts Alvin College in a Monday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. at Lady Roadrunner Field on the AC campus.
Roadrunner Baseball Still Fighting for Postseason Spot
The ‘Runners dropped Wednesday’s opener of the three-game series with Tyler Junior College by a 20-10 score despite three RBIs each from Sam Hardcastle and Christian Letendre.
On Saturday, the Apaches completed the sweep by beating the Roadrunners 4-1 and 8-0 in Tyler.
The Roadrunners (15-27, 6-15) continue fighting for a post-season berth this week. First, AC will host Dallas College-Mountain View in Monday’s non-conference game. The single, nine-inning game is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Poland Field on the AC campus.
The ‘Runners on Wednesday then host Paris College in the opener of a key division series. AC faces the Dragons at 1 p.m. at Poland Field before traveling to Paris on Saturday for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.
AC currently trails fourth-place Paris College by just two games in the race for a post-season berth.
Walker Earns Two All-American Nods
Angelina College’s Amyria Walker had herself quite the year in 2023-2024.
The sophomore from Burleson, Texas led all of Region XIV women’s basketball in scoring by dropping 19.8 points per game. She was also first in the league with total points (635 total, with 314 occurring during conference play) and free throws, converting 134 of 189 attempts.
Her efforts earned plenty of notice: Walker was named Region XIV’s Most Valuable Player, and this past week she picked up a couple of national honors.
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) named Walker to its 1st Team All-American list. Days later, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) followed suit, placing Walker on its list as well.
For the full story, click the following link: https://angelina.prestosports.com/general/2023-24/releases/aclrbbamyriawalkerallamerican2024
AC’s Coaches Against Cancer Earns Donation to Alliance of Hope
Back in March, Angelina College hosted a “Coaches against Cancer” day that included everything from AC baseball, softball, and basketball games to numerous other activities. The goal: Raising money for cancer awareness.
Cancer survivors Ashley Berry and Daisy Brumley threw out ceremonial first pitches for softball and baseball, and the college hosted several other activities all designed both to honor those affected by the disease and to generate donations from a generous community.
On Tuesday, AC coaches and staff members presented Berry, chairperson of the East Texas Cancer Alliance of Hope, with a check representing those donations.
For the full story, click the link: https://angelina.prestosports.com/general/2023-24/releases/acathleticcanersallianceofhopepresentation2024
Softball National Champions 10-Year Reunion: Yes, 2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Angelina College’s only national title: The Lady Roadrunner Softball team’s 2014 national championship.
This Saturday (April 20), the program will host a reunion for the champs in a ceremony scheduled to start at noon on the softball field. Should inclement weather wreck the day’s game plans, the ceremony will take place inside Shands Gymnasium.
One way or another, we’re going to honor those national champs.
For the full story, click the following link:
https://angelina.prestosports.com/general/2023-24/releases/acsoftball2014teamreunion2024
Men’s Basketball Celebrates March Madness with Area Students
The Roadrunner men’s basketball team received an invitation to Lufkin Middle School to help celebrate basketball’s “March Madness” events.
Head coach/athletic director J.J. Montgomery said the event takes place every year, and the class showing the most school spirit wins special prizes and recognition. The ‘Runners were there to hand out popcorn and draw the names of the winners.
This Week’s Schedule (NOTE: Baseball and softball are subject to change with pending inclement weather):
Roadrunner Baseball:
Monday, April 15: AC vs. Dallas College-Mountain View, a single 9-inning game starting at 3 p.m. at Poland Field on the AC campus.
Wednesday, April 17: AC vs. Paris College, a single 9-inning game starting at 1 p.m. at Poland Field on the AC campus.
Saturday, April 20: AC at Paris College, doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. in Paris.
Lady Roadrunner Softball:
Monday, April 15: AC vs. Alvin College, DH starting at 2 p.m. at Lady Roadrunner Field on the AC campus.
Wednesday, April 17: AC at Lamar State College-Port Arthur, DH starting at 1 p.m. in Port Arthur.
Saturday, April 20: AC vs. Blinn College, DH starting at 1 p.m. at Lady Roadrunner Field. A 10th-year reunion for the 2014 National Championship team will start at noon, and the Lady Roadrunners will celebrate Sophomore Day following Saturday’s final game with Blinn College.
For up-to-date information on any potential schedule changes, AC fans can visit the Angelina College Athletics website (www.angelinaathletics.com) or follow on social media (@ACAthletics on X/Twitter, or Angelina College Athletics Facebook page.)
Reminder: Nearly all Angelina College games (even road games) are live-streamed on TSBN Sports. Visit the Angelina College Athletics web site (www.angelinaathletics.com), look for the scrolling schedule on the right, and click the blue “Video” link for the game you’re wanting to watch. (If there’s no blue link, that means TSBN isn’t streaming that particular game.)
For any other information, contact Gary Stallard at gstallard@angelina.edu.
We’ll see you at the games.
Gary Stallard
Email: gstallard@angelina.edu.
Phone: (936) 465-4614
The Coalition, Angelina Beautiful/Clean, and the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department are partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to host a Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27. The Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity to prevent medicine abuse and theft by safely discarding expired, unused, and unwanted medications. Bring your medicine for disposal to the Angelina County Sheriff’s Department at 2311 E. Lufkin Avenue, Lufkin, Texas 75901 on April 30 from 10 am-12 pm. The DEA cannot accept needles or sharps. This drive-thru service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. For more information, contact The Coalition 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, all in an effort to foster healthy life-long choices for the local community. For more information about medication and prescription disposal, contact Abby Baker at The Coalition at 936-634-9308.
Our state recently witnessed a total solar eclipse, a rare spectacle that will not occur again in Texas for at least another 20 years. Like many of you, I grabbed my eclipse glasses and stood outside looking towards the heavens to catch a glimpse of the moon aligning perfectly with the sun. As the eclipse unfolded and darkness set in, I couldn’t help but feel as though I was witnessing the extraordinary power of God.
In the days that followed, I came across a piece written by Stephen Danish, Chancellor Emeritus of the Immanuel Christian School in Virginia, that I felt worth sharing because of its poignant encapsulation of God’s power and the beauty of His creation.
“Scientists tell us that the sun is 390 times larger than the moon, but it is also 390 times farther away. Every eighteen months or so, they align perfectly so that the moon’s shadow passes over the earth, and those in the path of that shadow see a solar eclipse. This is often described as one of the great coincidences of our solar system.”
Astronomers also tell us that there are 295 moons in our solar system. And yet, ours is the only moon with the exact size and distance to perfectly match the sun and produce the amazing spectacle we see somewhere on our planet every 18 months or so. If our moon was any smaller, the sky would not turn dark, and if it was any larger, we would never see that brilliant corona. For many, it is a source of wonder, that the one place where these amazing eclipses occur, is the one place where there are observers to see them.
I’m also reminded that God reveals His truth to us in two ways: through the general revelation of His natural world and through the special revelation of His written word. Psalm 19 encapsulates this for us beautifully. ‘The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.’ (Psalm 19:1). There are no words, and yet the message of God’s existence and power is heard everywhere.”
With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol…
Capitol Update
Texas’s fight to secure our border with Mexico marches on in the face of federal absence and apathy. Last week, Governor Abbott announced that the Texas National Guard has deployed more than 100 miles of razor wire on our southern border. Additionally, Governor Abbott announced that since the beginning of Operation Lone Star, state authorities have made 506,500 illegal immigrant apprehensions, 41,200 criminal arrests, and seized 471 million lethal doses of fentanyl, which is enough to kill the entire population of Texas 15 times over.
Texas continues to lead the fight against the surge in illegal activity through initiatives like Operation Lone Star and increased funding from the Legislature for border security personnel and infrastructure. Despite our best efforts, the unfortunate reality is that the ongoing crisis at the border will persist so long as the federal government and this administration continue to ignore the problem. Nevertheless, Texas will continue to rise to the occasion and do everything in its power to keep Texas and the rest of America safe.
The mobile office is still on the road again this month, and our District Director looks forward to seeing you on the following dates on April 17 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9-11 a.m. and the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762 and my Capitol office may be reached at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will be posting regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and sharing information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.
Texas Forest Country Living is a digital online magazine featuring the lifestyle and community of the Texas Forest Country region. The Counties include Angelina County, Nacogdoches County, Sabine County, Tyler County, Newton County, San Jacinto County, San Augustine County, Jasper County, Houston County, Shelby County, Trinity County and Polk County
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