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DETCOG Board to Hold April Meeting in Center

By
Ezra McMullen
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Jasper, Texas – The Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) will hold their regular monthly meeting Thursday, April 26, 2018 at the John D. Windham Civic Center in Center, Texas. A luncheon will be served at noon with the board meeting to be held immediately following.

Welcoming members and guests to Shelby County will be Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison; Center Mayor David Chadwick; Shelby County Commissioners Rosco McSwain, Jimmy Lout, Charles Barr and Bradley Allen and Shelby County Minority Representative Baby Lou Gardner.

DETCOG’s President, Lufkin City Councilperson, Lynn Torres, would like to extend an invitation to the meeting to all interested parties. Anyone needing information may contact the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Office in Jasper at (409) 384-5704.

How Parents Can Help Boost Kids’ Financial Literacy

By
Statepoint
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April is Financial Literacy Month, providing the perfect opportunity to actively engage kids on the topic of money.

“Even young children should learn about basic money concepts, like saving for a goal and spending only what you can afford,” says Alison Summerville, business administration executive and head of Corporate Citizenship at Ally Financial. “Building an understanding of basic money skills and good savings habits at a young age can positively impact your children by giving them a solid foundation that they can use to manage their finances at every phase of their lives.”

This month and beyond, consider the following lessons:

Money Basics

Conceptualizing how money works can be challenging for kids, who may see you using credit or debit cards, buying things online, and even purchasing movies on televisions and mobile devices. Since many consumers rarely use cash, children may not realize when you are actually spending money.

Discuss the prices of various products and services. Explain how money can be spent only once, and that after buying something, a person needs to earn more money in order to buy something else. To teach this concept, play “grocery store” or other games that involve buying and selling items. Take turns being the cashier and the customer.

Start Saving

An allowance can be an opportunity to teach kids how to save. Having “give,” “save” and “spend” piggy banks is a simple but effective way to illustrate the three main uses of money and teach them about giving. Kids can practice math skills by tracking the amount saved for future spending on the things they want.

To maximize the benefits your child receives from saving money, you may want to consider a Uniform Transfers to Minors Act (UTMA) or custodial bank account. For example, those offered by Ally Bank, Member FDIC, require no minimum balance to open, and offer competitive interest rates and no monthly maintenance fees. When opening such an account, take time to discuss interest and other basic banking concepts.

Needs vs. Wants

Help your children learn the difference between needs and wants. Explain how you have to pay for needs like food, shelter and heat, before buying items that you want, such as toys and electronics. Help your children come up with a plan to save and spend their own money that takes into account their needs and wants.

Helpful Resources

Turn to free resources that your family can use to help teach kids financial concepts. For example, Ally, a digital financial services company, released “Planet Zeee and the Money Tree,” a book for parents and educators that uses a fun and futuristic story line to teach kids ages 6-10 basic financial literacy. Parents can visit allywalletwise.com to download the book and play “What’s Zeee Answer?” an interactive game where players answer questions based on the concepts covered in the book. Additional resources for all ages are also available at fdic.gov/moneysmart.

This April, take the time to plant the seeds of money mindfulness and boost your children’s financial knowledge.

-Statepoint

Eye On The Home Stretch Lady Roadrunners Hosting NTCC on Wednesday, Looking to Solidify Playoff Spot

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College’s Emilee Cernosek makes a diving catch in a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners host Northeast Texas Community College in a Wednesday doubleheader scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

Angelina College pitcher Kacy Capps stares down a batter during a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners host Northeast Texas Community College in a Wednesday doubleheader starting at 3 p.m at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

Three weeks and 16 games remaining in the regular season.

That’s all the Angelina College Lady Roadrunners have left on the schedule before the conference tournament beginning on May 4 in Port Arthur.

It may seem a little early for playoff projections, but the Lady ‘Runners know those weeks will go fast, and they know that to earn an invitation to the tourney, they’ll need to make good use of the allotted time.

All they have to do is continue what they’ve been doing: Beating the teams they should beat while surprising some of the others.

AC (19-14, 7-7) currently sits in fifth place in the Region XIV East Division standings, a game behind Trinity Valley CC and Navarro College (8-6 and 8-4, respectively). Tyler JC and Bossier Parish CC are tied for first place at 11-3.

Over the first round of division play, the Lady Roadrunners went 3-1 against the teams currently listed below them in the standings (they have yet to play last-place Paris College because of rainouts), and the team is 4-6 against the teams listed above. Tyler College, the No. 3 team in the nation, has swept AC – but in the last doubleheader, the Lady Roadrunners showed they’re closing the gap in a 9-7 loss. The Lady Roadrunners also earned a split on the road against No. 15 Bossier Parish.

All that from a lineup typically fielding at least seven freshman per game. After opening the season 1-3 against Tyler and Navarro, AC’s ladies went on a nine-game winning streak to show they’re not just looking ahead to next year.

AC will host Northeast Texas Community College in a doubleheader on Wednesday. The Lady Roadrunners swept the Eagles 11-0 and 4-0 on March 17 in Mount Pleasant, getting shutout pitching from Shelby Mixon and Leigh Luker and the typical offensive outburst from the rest of the lineup. AC’s team batting average is .336 with a slugging percentage of .565; despite losing numerous games to inclement weather, the team has bashed more than 50 homers, with Emilee Cernosek bopping 10 of those. Nikki Whitehead has seen her average climb steadily toward the .500 mark, and Sydney Brown is blasting the ball to the tune of a .797 slugging percentage. Jessica Husband has converted her .440 on-base percentage to a team-leading 29 runs scored.

Wednesday’s doubleheader starts at 3 p.m. Viewers can log onto angelinaathletics.com to watch the game via live stream.

Angelina College’s Nikki Whitehead has raised her batting average to nearly .500 to lead the Lady Roadrunners in hitting. AC hosts Northeast Texas Community College in a Wednesday doubleheader scheduled to start at 3 p.m. at Roadrunner Complex in Lufkin. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Angelina College Hosting Psychology Conference April 19

By
Nancy Reynolds
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LUFKIN, TEXAS, April 10, 2018 – The Angelina College psychology department will host its 15th annual conference April 20 from 9 a.m. until 12:50 p.m. in the Community Services building, room 104. The event is free and the public is welcome to attend.

Benetha Jackson, Angelina College psychology instructor is coordinating the conference. “The psychology conference gives our students the opportunity hear from professionals working in the social sciences and human services fields,” Jackson said. “The conference allows the students to see real professional putting to use what they have learned in the classroom and provides the community with information that may be beneficial.”

Dr. James Morris, and Robert J. Hurt will host a session titled “Undergraduate Research Transforming Students” beginning at 9 a.m. Dr. Morris is an assistant professor at Stephen F. Austin State University. He holds a Ph.D in social work and a Master of Social Work, both from Tulane University as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts. Hurt is an Angelina College alumnus and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work at SFASU.

Dr. Mark Ludorf will lead a session titled “Cognitive Psychology Research” beginning at 10 a.m. Ludorf earned his Ph.D, Master of Arts Bachelor of Science degrees

in experimental/cognitive psychology at the University of Kansas. He is a psychology professor at SFASU.

James Hagemeier, prison minister from Livingston, will host a session titled “Prison Ministry: Praising Jesus on the Prison Floor” at 11 a.m.

Deana Jones will lead a discussion titled “Why Many Don’t Seek Help for Their Mental Health and How to Address It” at noon. The discussion will focus on increasing awareness of community resources for mental health. Jones is an Angelina College alumna studying psychology at SFASU.

For more information about this event, contact Benetha Jackson at bjackson@angelina.edu.

Texas Book Festival Grant

By
Ezra McMullen
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NACOGDOCHES, TX – The Nacogdoches Public Library is pleased to announce that it received a $1,500 Collection Enhancement grant from Texas Book Festival. The funds will be used to purchase downloadable audio books and graphic novels for children and teens.

Texas Book Festival was founded in 1995 by former First Lady Laura Bush and its mission is to connect authors and readers. Every year the organization awards grants to libraries across Texas to assist with collection development. This year 48 public libraries received more than $100,000 in grants from Texas Book Festival.

“We are very appreciative of the Texas Book Festival for awarding us this grant. The demand for eAudio books and graphic novels has grown tremendously over the past few years. The grant funds will help the library stretch its budget to meet these needs,” said Mercedes Franks, library director. The books purchased with this grant will soon be available for check-out and will be part of the summer reading book challenge that will begin in June.

For more information about the grant or library programs, please call 559-2970.

US 59 Southbound Direct Connector Scheduled for All Day Closure

By
Rhonda Oaks
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LUFKIN – The US 59 Southbound direct connector in Lufkin will be closed throughout the day on Wednesday and motorists will be required to take a detour to access US 59 South.
Work is scheduled to straighten the concrete traffic barrier wall separating US 59 northbound and southbound traffic. This will also require the closure of the inside lane of US 59 northbound and the inside lane of the northbound frontage road near Whitehouse Drive. Throughout the day on Wednesday, motorists will be required to take the South First Street exit ramp to access US 59 South or choose alternate routes. Inclement weather caused the work to be postponed when it was originally scheduled in March.

This will be an active work zone and drivers are urged to remain alert to changing traffic patterns, reduce speed and prepare for possible delays during peak travel hours. Remember, the Move Over Slow Down law requires motorists to move to an outside lane when emergency personnel, law enforcement or TxDOT workers are working near the lane of traffic with emergency blue lights flashing. If an open lane is not available, speed should be reduced 20 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. Fines double when workers are present.
For more information about scheduled work and statewide closures, visit drivetexas.org. For more information on this and other Lufkin District projects, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

Popping the Question? How to Select an Engagement Ring

By
Statepoint
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“Will you marry me?” Be sure to pair these four little words with the perfect engagement ring. While there’s a bit of a learning curve when it comes to selecting the right diamond, the most important thing you can do is find a piece both you and your significant other will love.

That said, don’t let the business of choosing an engagement ring be a source of stress at this exciting time in your life. With a bit of knowledge, you can make the right selection with confidence. Consider the following.

• Consult with the leading authority: Be sure your diamond is Gemological Institute of America (GIA)-certified. Established in 1931, GIA is the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, colored stones and pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute, GIA is the leading source of knowledge, standards and education in gems and jewelry.

• Four Cs: Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so make your decision based on what looks most beautiful to you, however, knowing more about the four Cs – that is the cut, color, clarity and carat – of a diamond, can help you make a selection wisely. Created by the GIA, the four Cs are the global standard for assessing the quality of diamonds, allowing you to compare one diamond to another, which is extremely helpful in determining whether you are getting a fair price.

The cut is what gives a diamond its brilliance and sparkle, so this is an important factor. As far as color is concerned, the less color the better — tinting is indicative of a lower quality diamond. Clarity refers to a diamond’s relative flawlessness — blemishes are a mark against a diamond. Lastly, carat measures the weight of the diamond.

Be sure to view the GIA grading report specifying the exact quality of an individual diamond when making a decision.

• Design your own engagement ring with the help of an expert: An engagement ring is one of the most meaningful items you will ever purchase. So, why opt for the style everyone else is wearing? Consider working with a jeweler that specializes in bespoke engagement rings and quality diamonds, such as Enchanted Diamonds. With experience spanning generations, the family-owned and operated jeweler will work with you to custom create a ring for your unique specifications.

“You’re not just buying another mass-produced commodity, you’re commissioning a work of art,” says Joshua Niamehr, founder and CEO of Enchanted Diamonds.

• Shop online: Gaining access to a large selection of diamonds can be difficult when shopping at a brick-and-mortar store close to home. Consider shopping online for access to a larger and better selection of diamonds, including those found in New York City’s world-renowned diamond district. Doing so will give you a greater opportunity to find the perfect fit for your unique needs, style and budget without ever having to leave your home.

Before getting down on one knee, do your research. There’s a perfect engagement ring for every couple. Finding it just requires a little bit of legwork.

-Statepoint

Angelina College Bands in Concert April 19

By
Nancy Reynolds
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LUFKIN, TEXAS, April 10, 2018 – The Angelina College Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo & AC Big Band will celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month with a concert feturing special guest Phil Rumbley April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Hudgins Hall auditorium. Tickets are $5 for adults and $4 for seniors, students and children.

Bassist Phil Rumbley currently serves as orchestra director and assistant band director at Dogan Middle School in Tyler and is a faculty member in the music departments of the University of Texas at Tyler and Tyler Junior College. Rumbley has been the instrumental ensemble director for the Tyler Rose Festival and has been an orchestra member with the Texas Shakespeare Festival for more than twelve years.

As a professional bassist, he has played with the legendary trumpeter Bobby Shew, trombonist John Fedchock, Vince DiMartino, Shelly Carroll, The Texas Tenors and Ruta Lee to name just a few.

Rumbley has also has played with the the Tom Houston Orchestra, Tyler Big Band, Take 2, The East Texas Symphonic Band, the Tyler Community Band and is currently a member of the Jazz Connection out of Tyler.

Performers in the AC Swingin’ Roadrunner Jazz Combo are Max Vallejo (Lufkin) on tenor sax, Trevor Powell (Liberty) on bass and tenor trombone, Heather Barney (Liberty) on tenor trombone, Qurdale Huff (Clarksville) on bass, Tyler Dover

(Livingston) on percussion, David Evett (Nacogdoches) on percussion and vibraphone and Larry Greer, AC music instructor and band director on guitar and piano.

The combo’s program includes “Bag’s Groove,” “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy,” “A Night in Tunisia” and other favorites.

The AC Big Band saxophone section includes Michael Parrish, alto sax; Dixon Shanks, alto sax; Amanda Burns, tenor sax; Jimmy Simmons, tenor sax; and Bethe Girardi, baritone sax. The trombone section includes AC music instructor, Jimmy Battle, bass trombone; Ken Barnes, Trevor Powell and LaVan Watts. The trumpet section includes Scott Williams, Steven Brown, Ricky Gay and Mel Miller. The rhythm section includes Eric Chinn, piano; Phil Rumbley, bass; Mark Saldana, drum set; and AC music instructor, Larry Greer, guitar.

The big band’s set list includes “Now’s the Time,” “C Jam Blues,” as well as a tribute to Miles Davis, and other favorites.

For more information about this event, call (936) 633-5454.

Angelina College Theatre Presents “Plays in Ten”

By
Nancy Reynolds
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Angelina College students (from left) Logan Mosig, Eryn Forrest, Marina Zinck, Darbi Powers, Cody Carter, and Tonya Head rehearse a scene in “Cutting the Line,” one of the seven plays to be presented in “Plays in Ten” by David Raine April 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Temple Theater. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and children.

LUFKIN, TEXAS, April 9, 2018 – Angelina College’s theatre department will present “Plays in Ten” by David Raine, April 19, 20 and 21 in Temple Theater. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and children. AC students are admitted free with their college ID.

Angelina College students (from left) Tyler Arnold and Logan Mosig rehearse a scene in “Lessons in Fear,” one of the seven plays to be presented in “Plays in Ten” by David Raine April 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Temple Theater. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and children.

“Plays in Ten” is a collection of ten-minute plays that range from stories of paying it forward to revisiting the past and many more. Out of the collection, we have chosen seven plays. “Attic Treasure,” “Samaritan,” “Crosswords,” “The Tooth Hurts,” “Cuttin’ Line,” “Lessons in Fear” and “976-Lust.”

Director Retha Powers says, “One of the coolest things about this show is that all of these plays are written by local playwright David Raine. This is also our final show of the season that we call “Outrageous Theatre.” Usually that’s something that might make audiences a little nervous, but ‘Plays in Ten’ has a little bit of something for everyone that we hope they will enjoy.”

Powers is an AC theatre alumna and earned her bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University.

The cast includes AC students Cody Carter (Lufkin), Riley Elledge (Huntington), Marina Zinck (Nacogdoches), Gregory Bryce (Diboll), and Tanya Head (Lufkin); AC

alumni Tyler Arnold (Nacogdoches) and Darbi Powers (Huntington); and community members Eryn Presley, Linda Burnett, Logan Mosig and Art Vandalay.

Angelina College students (from left) Logan Mosig, Eryn Forrest and Marina Zinck rehearse a scene in “Attic Treasure,” one of the seven plays to be presented in “Plays in Ten” by David Raine April 19, 20, and 21 at 7:30 p.m. in Temple Theater. Tickets are $6 for adults and $5 for seniors, students and children.

For more information about this event, call the Temple Theater box office at (936) 633-5454, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Angelina College Basketball Holding Tryouts for Future Roadrunners

By
Gary Stallard
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By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

Angelina College’s Kevin Norman finishes off a dunk during a 2018 game. The Roadrunner basketball staff is hosting a tryout for potential players on Saturday, April 14 at Shands Gymnasium on the AC campus. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

Angelina College head men’s basketball coach Kyle Manary and his staff want to get a look at the local talent by offering a tryout for prospective collegiate players.

AC will host a tryout camp from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 14 at Shands Gymnasium on the Angelina College campus.

The fee is $30 for each athlete.

Manary said he and the staff will be evaluating all skills and positions in the camp, giving players the potential to earn a scholarship or a walk-on position. Campers can find a link to the registration form at http://www.angelina.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2017-Sports-Camp-Registration-Form.pdf. For further information, contact AC head coach Kyle Manary at kmanary@angelina.edu.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

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