The NacSpace Alive After 5 is almost here!
Remember, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be here for you to take photos and tell them what you want for Christmas! We cannot wait to see everyone there!
Date/Time Information:
Thursday, December 7, 2023, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm
Location:
NacSpace’s
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join us for Chamber’s Favorite Things, a part of our Women’s Networking Series presented by Regions Bank. It’s just around the corner on Tuesday, December 5, 11:30 AM to 1 PM and the best part, over 20 lucky attendees will walk away with a prize!
Don’t miss out—secure your spot by registering today! Capture the Christmas spirit with a snapshot with Texas Size Selfie, and rumor has it, a special guest might make an appearance!
Location:
Crown Colony Country Club
Register today >>> bit.ly/WNL-1223
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – More than four million real Christmas trees are sold annually in Texas, supporting farms and agriculture businesses throughout the state. As the holiday season nears, Texas A&M Forest Service encourages purchasing real Christmas trees to help boost the Texas economy.
Texas A&M Forest Service recently conducted an economic study showing how much value the real Christmas tree industry adds to the state. In 2022, the industry generated economic impacts amounting to more than $714 million, including direct, indirect and induced impacts, while supporting nearly 6,000 jobs. Of $714 million in total impacts, the Texas Christmas tree industry had a direct economic impact of $397 million, employing 3,896 people with a payroll of more than $97 million.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 2022 rank the Texas Christmas tree industry second in the U.S. South based on average annual employment and wages.
“It’s a tradition in many households to have a real Christmas tree,” said Dr. Aaron Stottlemyer, Texas A&M Forest Service Forest Analytics Department Head. “The process of going as a family to pick out a tree is a fun activity that supports rural economies across the state.”
While many may not think of southern states as growing many Christmas trees, they are actually grown in all 50 states. The most widely grown Texas Christmas trees are the Virginia pine, Afghan pine, eastern redcedar shortleaf pine, Arizona cypress and Leyland cypress.
The first recorded Christmas tree planting in Texas was in 1935 in Jasper, Texas. Since the 1970s, institutions such as Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M University and Stephen F. Austin have worked toward optimizing the health and growth of Christmas tree species to enhance the State’s Christmas tree industry.
“The Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association and Texas A&M Forest Service have been collaborating since the early 1980s,” said Fred Raley, Texas A&M Forest Service Tree Improvement Coordinator. “The collaboration has worked to develop locally-adapted Virginia pines, especially hardy and adapted to the Texas climate, to ensure that those that prefer a live tree can continue to have that Christmas experience for a very long time.”
In the U.S., the sale of real Christmas trees has decreased since 2018 and since 2020, the sale of artificial trees has been higher than real trees. But choosing a real Christmas tree should always be considered. Not only is cutting down Christmas trees good for our economy, but it is also essential for our ecosystem and forest sustainability.
After the holiday season, real Christmas trees can be repurposed and recycled for many uses. Real Christmas trees can be used as landscape mulch in yards and gardens as soil erosion prevention, nest-building materials for birds and natural water habitats for fish and wildlife in ponds or lakes.
Stottlemyer explains that the Christmas tree industry is crucial to fulfilling the trees’ lifecycle, expanding trees’ potential beyond their natural life and creating sustainable forests and economies.
“Christmas tree farms are essentially young forests,” said Stottlemyer. “They are able to provide us the same benefits as traditional forests by sequestering carbon, providing a natural habitat for wildlife, cleaning our water and providing recreational opportunities.”
Real Christmas tree shoppers can visit Texas Christmas Tree Growers Association website to explore the different Christmas tree farms in each Texas region.
The holiday season is upon us in Texas Forest Country, bringing a festive air filled with warmth and merriment. But, let’s be honest, it can also bring a dash of stress, especially when you’re playing host. This season, let’s turn the tables on holiday hosting, transforming it into an enjoyable and stress-free experience with some local flair.
1. Simplify the Feast with Local Delights:
2. Desserts to Delight:
3. Engage and Entertain:
4. The Art of Delegation:
5. Relax and Rejuvenate:
6. Decor with a Local Touch:
So, this holiday season, let the spirit of Texas Forest Country infuse your hosting. By embracing local produce, businesses, and the natural beauty of our region, you can create a holiday gathering that’s not only stress-free but also uniquely Texan. Remember, the essence of the holidays is to enjoy and make memories, so take a deep breath, relax, and let the festive cheer of Texas Forest Country guide you through.
It’s almost here. 2023 Miss Merry Christmas Pageant.
Saturday December 2, 2023 @ 2:00 PM
Come show support for our local beauties. For more info call 936-275-3610.
Location:
Augus Theater, San Augustine
Admission Fee:
$5.00
Bring the kids out for a magical night of lighted floats and Christmas cheer.
Date/Time Information:
Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 5:30 PM
Location:
Downtown Lufkin
Join us for the last First Friday Luncheon of the year, presented by Lufkin Coca Cola Bottling Company, and Business Hall of Fame Presentation, presented by Lufkin Economic Development Corporation, on Friday, December 1 at 12 PM!
We will hear from LEDC Director, Bob Samford as he shares how Lufkin is growing and how the growth is in a very diversified sectors of manufacturing and retail.
Save your seat by Wednesday, November 29 at 5 PM to be entered to win $100, brought to you by Servpro of Lufkin & Nacogdoches.
Location: Crown Colony County Club
Register here >> bit.ly/Dec-FFL-23
AC Athletics
(Men’s basketball photos by Maria Andrade)
Hey, everyone,
This week’s update will be fairly short (and partially sweet). Our AC teams had a relatively light schedule in comparison to previous weeks. The men’s and women’s basketball teams played a total of three games over the holiday week.
Following is a brief recap along with this week’s schedule of games.
Roadrunner Men Top Strength ‘N Motion
In their only game of the week, the Roadrunners handled Strength ‘N Motion by a 76-60 final Tuesday at Shands Gymnasium. Xavier Owens led AC with 28 points and seven rebounds. Nehikare Igiehon added 10 points and another seven boards in the win.
The ‘Runners have a pair of tough home games on tap for this week. On Monday, AC’s men will host an undefeated McLennan Highlander team starting at 7 p.m. at Shands Gymnasium.
And on Wednesday, the Roadrunners open conference play with a home game against Trinity Valley Community College. That game tips off at 7 p.m. Finally, the ‘Runners travel to Tyler JC on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tipoff.
Both games will be live-streamed on TSBN Sports.
Lady Roadrunners Drop Pair of Games in TVCC Classic
On Friday and Saturday, the Lady Roadrunners played a pair of the country’s top JUCO teams at the Budke/Serna Classic at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens.
AC’s ladies fell to No. 11 Three Rivers CC (MO) on Friday, losing by a 69-49 final. On Saturday, the Lady ‘Runners dropped a 64-52 decision to South Plains CC.
The Lady Roadrunners’ only game on the schedule for this week is a road game at 6 p.m. Tuesday at LSU-Eunice. The ladies’ next home game is Tuesday, Dec. 5 against Western Gulf CC. Game time is 6 p.m.
AC Soccer, Baseball Holding Evaluation Sessions in December
In hopes of finding some new Roadrunners, both the AC men’s soccer and baseball programs will host tryout/evaluation sessions in December.
The soccer program, fresh off back-to-back appearances in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament, will host its showcase starting at 9 a.m. and running until noon on Saturday, Dec. 9. The session includes a campus tour.
The event is geared toward providing high school students and college transfers the opportunity to train and experience skills evaluation from college coaches while learning more about the recruiting process.
The registration link for the soccer camp is https://www.angelinasoccercamps.com/.
Baseball’s showcase takes place the very next day: Sunday, Dec. 10 starting at 10 a.m. AC baseball long has served as a pipeline for players moving up to the upper levels of the collegiate ranks as well as the professional ranks.
Players at December’s session will be evaluated on their tools, (speed, arm strength, hitting, fielding, and power); there will be no scrimmage. Pitchers will throw brief bullpens to grade all of their pitches.
The link for pre-registration is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/baseball-evaluation-camp-december-9-2023-registration-755778402547?aff=oddtdtcreator.
That’s about it for this week. We’re winding down toward the end of the semester, so this is a good time to let everyone know: The campus will close for the holidays at the end of the day on Friday, Dec. 15. That’s the last day of games for our basketball teams until the Roadrunners host Lonestar College-Tomball on Friday, Dec. 29.
If there’s anything else you need, please let me know.
Gary Stallard
Email: gstallard@angelina.edu.
Join us Thursday, November 30 at 5:30 PM for a Cheers with the Chamber hosted by GLS as we celebrate their 40th anniversary!
Expand your network, exchange ideas, foster connections, and enhance your business growth. Remember to bring your business cards.
Location:
1609 S. Chestnut St. Lufkin
See you there!
NOV 28 | 6:30 PM | TEMPLE THEATER
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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