– Esparanza Cordero and her family, characters in this year’s NEA Big
Read book selection, The House on Mango Street, long for their own home. As part of
the celebration of this book, the Nacogdoches Public Library will host the workshop,
Buying Your Home (Comprar Su Casa), on Tuesday, October 12th at 5:30 pm.
Juan Gonzalez, branch manager for the South Street BancorpSouth location, will
present information about mortgages, preparing your credit, and other tips. The
presentation will be in English and Spanish and participants will have a chance to ask
questions. For more information about the workshop, please contact library staff at
(936) 559-2970.
NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership
with Arts Midwest

The Dia de Muertos Fiesta return this year and so does the Calaveras Contest. Calaveras are satirical, rhyming poems that mock death or scoff at the living in such a way that5 suggests they’re dead. These poems are widely popular in Mexico. Calaveras for the contest may be written in English or Spanish and may be submitted by individual youth or individual adults or groups of students less than 17 years. Poems will be judged by a committee and will be featured at the Dia de Muertos Fiesta on November 6th. The deadline to enter is October 12th. For complete contest rules and entry forms, please visit the Nacogdoches Publie Library in-person or online at www.nactx.us/library.

Homeowners that are thinking about adding fruit trees to their home landscape need to first start by taking an honest look at their site. Before we get excited about peaches or pears or citrus or other fruits, we need to be honest about our available space, the amount of sunlight it receives, as well as the soil type.

Fruit trees do best with a full day of sunshine. Other trees on the edge of your property that block the morning sun as well as the afternoon sun will greatly limit the success of whatever fruit producing tree you choose to plant. Finding that spot that gets a full day of sunshine is often a difficult task for those that live in heavily wooded residential areas.

If you have a place that will receive plenty of sunlight to have a bumper crop, we next need to look down and evaluate our soil. There are many, many fruit tree types that require excellent internal drainage. Internal drainage is the ability of a soil to accept water from rainfall or irrigation and for that water to percolate down through the soil. Ground that slopes has “run-off”. Sloped ground may or may not have good internal drainage.

The accepted way to determine if you have excellent internal drainage is to dig a hole and carefully monitor how well the water seeps down into the soil. Ground that takes days for the water to dissipate will be very unsuitable for the majority of fruit trees you wish to plant.

If you have established that you have plenty of sunlight and good soil for the production of fruit, then we can begin talking about what you can plant. Let’s discuss a few popular fruit varieties, some easy to grow varieties, and a few different ones that you may want to consider.

Peaches are by far one of the most popular fruit crops in Texas. Peaches are also one of the fruits that are most difficult to raise. A peach tree will simply not tolerate poorly drained soil. They require excellent internal drainage. Pruning a peach tree properly is an art that can be learned, but indeed must be learned to insure the best production. Peach trees have several insects and diseases that require a good, quality pest control program to ensure a full crop.

Pears are another hardy standby in any Texas landscapes. The old Kieffer pear can be found on numerous landscapes as well. Pears will need a cross pollinator, so you’ll have to plant two. And though not as broad as a peach, they will require protection from disease and insects as well as extensive pruning.

An easier to grow fruit variety is figs. While figs certainly prefer well drained soil and produce best on that type of soil, they can tolerate the wide variety of soils. Figs can be planted without any cross

pollinator. Pruning is minimal and they have been proven very resilient to extreme heat and even extreme cold such as we had this past February.

The native blackberry should also be considered by folks on less than ideal soil types that may be limited on space. Gone are the days where you must have a thorny blackberry plant. While those thorny types are still certainly available, there are several high-quality thornless varieties that the home gardener should consider having in their fruit orchard.

If you happen to live in USDA cold hardiness zone 8B or warmer, there’s a very good chance that you could grow citrus. Citrus varieties have been bred over the years to take colder temperatures. Looking around your neighborhood, homeowners are sure to find neighbors who had a citrus tree that may have frozen back to the ground as a result of winter storm Yuri. If that citrus has re-sprouted and continued to grow, then we need to pay special attention to it and consider it for our landscape. For beginning citrus growers consider the Arctic Frost satsuma or the Meyer lemon.

A native fruit that is well known in Southeast Texas is the mayhaw. Now, mayhaws are known to grow in swampy areas even to the point of dropping its fruit into standing water around it. Mayhaws can also be quite successfully grown on good, well-drained soil. Mayhaws are used for jams and jellies and juices. If you have any interest in this fruit, I urge you to check out the Louisiana mayhaw growers’ association for production tricks tips in varieties.

Are there several more fruit options available? Absolutely. Finding something that your family enjoys eating, and you can grow without too much trouble, is the key to a successful home orchard.

By far the best location for in-depth information on the fruits mentioned above, and many others, is the website https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/. Search for it in your web browser and then click on the Fruit and Nut Resources link.

Artist’s Reception Scheduled for Oct. 5

Angelina College’s Visual and Performing Arts will in October host “Blue Crush,” an exhibition from Leigh Merrill, an Associate Professor of Art at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Merrill currently is represented by the Liliana Bloch Gallery in Dallas.

The exhibition runs Oct. 4-28 at the Angelina Center for the Arts gallery on the AC campus. An artist’s reception is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 5 in the ACA foyer.

Merrill describes the work as “a series of photographs of constructed realities, assembled from multiple sources, digitally collaged photographic and video works that explore the impact of desire, simulation, and perception on our contemporary landscapes.”

Merrill has taken part in exhibitions throughout the U.S. and abroad in venues such as the Phoenix Art Museum, the diRosa Art Preserve, The Lawndale Art Center, FotoFest International, the Fries Museum (Netherlands) and the Museum of Texas Tech University. Her work has been included in online and print publications such as the Washington Post, Afterimage Magazine, Places Journal, Dwell.com, BLDGBLOG blog, the Dallas Morning News, and the Houston Chronicle.

From the artist’s statement:

“My artwork explores photographic perception and the physical and cultural formation of place. I am interested in photography’s ability to be evidence of existence—creating an image with seeming veracity—and simultaneously, a system to mediate and construct reality. I use photography as a tool to observe and then digitally combine my photographs to construct spaces that do not exist, allowing the creation of images that, through metaphor and illusion, reveal both the desire and simulacrum present around us and within photography itself.”

Both the exhibition and reception are open to the public. There is no charge for admission.

Bridge replacement will require road closure

THIS PROJECT WILL BEGIN TOMORROW. September 22, 2021.

A virtual pre-construction meeting was held in the Lufkin Area Office Friday signaling the start of a new construction project in Angelina County that will require a road closure to through traffic for the replacement of two bridges.

Crews will set barricades in coming days on FM 2497 (Ryan Chapel Road) for the demolition and reconstruction of bridges and approaches at Cedar Creek and Cedar Creek Relief. The road is scheduled to be closed to through traffic on Sept. 15. Detour signage will be provided for the duration of the closure.

A.L. Helmcamp Inc., Buffalo TX, will serve as contractor for the $5.2 million construction project that will include safety upgrades and extended length and elevation of both bridges. The project is scheduled to be completed by March 2022, weather permitting.

“This project is expected to alleviate flooding that we often see in this low-lying area of the county. We have dealt with the roadway being impassable many times during heavy rains at Cedar Creek and Cedar Creek Relief and these new bridges should help prevent that,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “We urge motorists to stay aware of the closure and avoid the area during construction.”

As this project begins, motorists are urged to stay alert to signage announcing the closure, obey all traffic control in the area and choose alternate routes until the project is completed. The closure will be monitored by local law enforcement and TxDOT crews.

The Junior League of Lufkin’s vision is to enhance the lives of children and women in the community through our diverse projects and fundraising efforts. This year the Junior League of Lufkin is proud to announce the 7th annual Little Black Dress Initiative. The Little Black Dress Initiative is a poverty awareness fundraising campaign by the Junior League of Lufkin in which participants wear one black dress for five consecutive days to illustrate the effects poverty can have on your access to resources, your confidence and your employment opportunities.

Poverty remains an urgent problem within the United States, and we witness it each day right here in our own backyard. With close to 20% of Angelina County residents living below the poverty level, it is critical that the community strives to serve those in need. Many of our neighbors cannot afford basic items required for daily living such as food, clothing and shelter, and others will be overlooked for employment opportunities because of these limited resources.

Following the campaign, Second Chance Cash vouchers will be issued to local organizations who serve those in need to be redeemed at the JLL Second Chance Rummage sale. The Second Chance Rummage Sale will serve the community directly by providing much-needed items at greatly reduced prices and by donating hundreds of dollars in Second Chance Cash vouchers to other organizations such as the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, the Mosaic Center, Godtel and Buckner Family Services to name a few.

The campaign will run from September 20th through September 24th. For more information about the campaign and how to participate, visit the Junior League of Lufkin Facebook page or the website, juniorleague.org.

Transfer Programs Available in Fall of 2021

Angelina College and Texas A&M University’s partnership over the years has proved a huge benefit for students throughout East Texas, and the newest announcement guarantees even more opportunities.

Beginning in the fall of 2021, the two institutions will offer transfer programs for any student seeking a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Systems Management or a Bachelor of Science in Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

AC president Dr. Michael Simon said the latest alignment between the two institutions is an effort to allow local talent to remain local.

“Angelina College is pleased to collaborate with Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to offer students in the college’s service area an opportunity to pursue these career paths,” Simon said. “AC selected the programs in consultation with local employers to ensure that students who complete one of these degrees can pursue their chosen careers in East Texas.”

A ceremony commemorating the announcement will take place from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 22 at the Angelina Center for the Arts. Those wishing to attend are asked to email lpyle@angelina.edu.

For further information, please contact Krista Brown at kbrown@angelina.edu.

The Salvation Army continued service to communities impacted by Hurricane Nicholas in Southeast Texas on Thursday, serving hot meals and delivering water and food boxes. Two mobile feeding units, from Bryan/College Station and Victoria, have been working in the area and Salvation Army facilities have opened their doors to people in need.

Service has been limited to Freeport, Lake Jackson, and the Matagorda Bay area, where Hurricane Nicholas first made landfall in Texas. “While the impact of Hurricane Nicholas was not as severe as initially forecast, more than 40 Salvation Army staff and volunteers have been actively providing service in the coastal region, particularly in Brazoria County and the Matagorda Bay area,” said Alvin Migues, Emergency Disaster Services Director for The Salvation Army in Texas. “These teams are providing support, equipment and supplies that are needed to help people during the initial days of recovery while power is being restored.”

The Salvation Army has served 2,846 meals, 2,829 drinks, and 1,463 to those affected by Hurricane Nicholas, many who were left without power. Additional supplies including 800 food boxes and 240 cases of water have also been provided.

“The Salvation Army in Galveston requested additional supplies for a distribution in La Marque, and we delivered food boxes on Thursday in support of their efforts,” said Migues. “Damage has been limited with Nicholas with the biggest concern being the power infrastructure. Close to half a million homes have been without power but many have been or are being restored in the coming days. We have several Salvation Army churches, staff, and volunteers living and working in the affected area all year-round, and they will continue to help, love, and serve their communities.”

It is anticipated that food service will continue in Sargent, Texas, on Friday, from the mobile feeding unit from Victoria. All units will conclude service on Friday evening.

Financial donations can be made at helpsalvationarmy.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY to support ongoing disaster response efforts. For the latest information please go to www.disaster.salvationarmy.org and watch for regular updates on our social media pages at www.facebook.com/salvationarmytexas/ and www.twitter.com/salarmytx

An evening seminar covering the how-to’s of home fruit production will be held at the Angelina County Extension Office this Tuesday, September 21 starting at 6:30 pm.

Many a home gardener dreams of fresh peaches, plums, apples, figs, and more gathered off fruit trees in their yard. The reality is that it can be difficult to reach a full harvest annually given our soils, pests, and weather patterns. This seminar will cover what it takes to grow the traditional and some non-traditional fruit that many want to produce.

One of the biggest challenges that homeowners face is finding the right place in their landscape to grow fruit. While our area has its challenges with soil and disease pressure, there is almost always a couple of options of fruit varieties that one can grow. True, some of the more popular varieties fruit species, such as peaches, need well drained soil and an extensive pruning and pest control. Others, such as figs, can be found or grown in almost any landscape.

Too many folks overlook the native grapes and mayhaws that can be grown here. The seminar will discuss varieties in management requirements for successful fruit crop from these native plants. Native muscadines can be found growing along nearly any county road and are abundant around the county. Some of the commercially available varieties have a much larger fruit and offer the chance for a large annual harvest.

There are even mayhaw varieties that are named and available for purchase. Homeowners simply need to find the right spot in their yard to plant these to see them produce each year. Louisiana has a Mayhaw Growers Association that provides an abundance of information that commercial growers and homeowners alike can utilize.

New favorites such as citrus, will be highlighted. Though many were frozen to the ground in the winter storm last February, several citrus varieties have proven resilient and a sustainable part of the home fruit orchard.

Additionally, some old forgotten fruits, such as pomegranates, will be covered in the seminar. Pomegranates are one of the options for home fruit production that many overlook. They don’t require an abundance of space and are relatively pest free when compared to some more traditional fruit tree options.

Participants will learn about the best varieties of peaches, plums, persimmons, blackberries, blueberries, muscadines, mayhaws and more at this event.

There is no need to pre-register. This seminar is free to the public. Handouts and materials will be provided. The Angelina County Extension office is located on south loop 287 at 2201 S. Medford Dr, between Café Del Rio and the Farmers Market.

Governor Abbott has reappointed Lonnie Grissom, Jr., Ivy Pate, and Jeanie Turk to the Lower Neches Valley Authority (LNVA) Board of Directors for terms set to expire on July 28, 2027. The LNVA has a duty to conserve, control and utilize the waters of the Neches River and its tributaries including storm and floodwaters. It also authorizes the storing, controlling, conservation and distribution of storm and floodwaters of the Neches River and its tributaries, within and/ or without such district, for irrigation, domestic, industrial and municipal uses, and for hydroelectric power. The Authority may also sponsor and participate in an economic development program within the areas served by the Authority intended to strengthen the economic base and further the economic development of the state.

Lonnie Grissom, Jr. of Woodville is the owner and president of Golden Pine, Inc. He is a former board member for the Texas Forestry Association and former president of the Woodville Rotary Club. Grissom formally served on the Woodville Independent School District School Board. He joined the United States Army after graduation from Kirby High School and received an honorable discharge after 4 years of service.

Ivy Pate of Beaumont was a regional vice president of Christus Southeast Texas Health System until she retired last year. She is a former member of the American Hospital Association, Texas Hospital Association, Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, and the Planned Giving Council of Houston. Additionally, she is a former member of the Rotary Club of Beaumont and the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, and is the 2015 Athena Leadership Award Recipient for Excellence in Leadership. Pate received a Bachelor of Arts from Lamar University.

Jeanie Turk of Sour Lake is the owner and broker of two REMAX offices. She is a member of the Houston Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, and the Graduate Realtor Institute. Additionally, she is a graduate of Leadership Southeast Texas and current chair of the Hardin County W.C.I.D #1 Flood and Drainage Committee. Turk attended Louisiana State University and Lamar University.