In an effort to decrease the dangers and consequences of alcohol purchased by minors in our county, the Angelina County Drug Free All-Stars have partnered up with the Sheriff’s Department and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
On a December minor sting operation, there was one store who sold to minors and nine who did not. We would like to commend those stores who did not sell alcohol to minors in our community:
⦁ 69 Kountry Store on 1051 Highway 69 North;
⦁ Big’s on 3644 Highway 69 North;
⦁ Dollar General Store on 3156 Highway 69 North;
⦁ 7 Star on 811 Kurth Drive;
⦁ Dollar General Store on 1401 Kurth Drive;
⦁ West Loop Chevron on 904 South John Redditt;
⦁ Lufkin Travel Plaza on 4110 South Street;
⦁ Kwik Check on 2215 East Denman Avenue; and
⦁ Pilot Travel Center on 1920 East Denman Avenue.
The Coalition, Angelina County Sheriff’s Department and the TABC thank all of these stores for being caring and considerate towards our Angelina County youth.
For more information, please contact The Coalition at (936) 634-9308.
Age has its perks. It is not always fun along the way, but it does have its benefits.
For a number of years I took my mother to Nashville on her birthday. She was a huge country music fan and so each year we flew out for a show at the Grand Ole Opry and a weekend at the Opryland Hotel. With each year that went by, I noticed she received more royal treatment than the year before. As age took over, she used a walker to maneuver around and the Opry officials would allow our driver to deliver us to the back door of the Opry, where all the celebrities entered.
Mom met many performers walking through the backstage entrance. She easily struck up a conversation with many country music stars. I remember thinking how my mom’s age really benefitted me since I was also able to meet and greet backstage. I was on the receiving end of the perks of her old age.
That story does not have anything to do with TxDOT or building roads except that along with the perks comes a little inconvenience. For instance, the year we sat on the runway tarmac for five hours in a Boeing 747 waiting out a torrential rain event and, as the pilot called it, a “window of opportunity” to land in Houston.
TxDOT is also celebrating a birthday this year. As this agency marks its 100th year, we know that we did not get here without a little inconvenience in the way of construction and delays. However, the public is on the receiving end of the perks in the way of modern, safe highways.
The Lufkin District will be commemorating the TxDOT Centennial in Nacogdoches at 2 pm on Feb. 28. It is fitting that we celebrate the event in the oldest town in Texas. We plan to be on the brick streets of the 300-year-old town with a 27-foot restored TxDOT Liberty Truck. There will be displays of how our agency has grown over the past century and some great speakers on hand to mark the event. You will hear more about it in coming weeks, but I encourage all of you to come enjoy and reflect on our history.
TxDOT has gotten better with age and we are proud of where we have come from. These East Texas roads have carried everything from horses and buggies to mule carts loaded with produce; and Model T’s driven by proud owners on dirt roads to modern-day Interstates and vehicles that drive themselves. The convenient fly-overs and modern divided US highways cut a path through these dense Pineywoods and we are excited as we upgrade them to prepare for an Interstate 69 that will travel through five of the nine counties in the Lufkin District.
These roads have led many to safety as they fled a threatening hurricane or flooding. They have served as a smooth ride for many an expectant father rushing his wife to a hospital for the birth of a new baby. They have provided a way for soldiers to return home to their loved ones and a safe means for bus travel, delivering thousands of schoolchildren each year. They have provided a dependable way to get a nervous groom to the church on time and a solid direction to get to the home of loved ones for the holidays.
These familiar East Texas roads are where many of us learned to drive a car. Today, we continue to trust them to help get us to our jobs each morning even though traffic is congested and we experience lane closures and construction.
For many of us who have spent a lifetime in East Texas, these roads have provided a smooth single lane of travel for a grieving family as a funeral procession slowly moved our loved ones to their final resting places.
I invite you to help us celebrate our birthday and tell us what you think about the progress of roadways through East Texas. We hope to continue building roads for many years to come. We love watching the future unfold while enhancing a safe journey for you. We hope you enjoy the benefits of our old age.
Both Angelina College basketball teams are embroiled in the usual battle for placement in the conference standings, and they’ll continue their fight this week in front of the home crowd.
Angelina College’s Alexzine Andrepont and the Lady Roadrunners will host Coastal Bend College in the opener of Wednesday’s women’s/men’s doubleheader at Shands Gymnasium. The Lady ‘Runners tip off at 5:30 p.m., and the Roadrunners host Jacksonville College at 7:30 p.m. (AC Press photo/Marcy Flores)
In Wednesday’s home doubleheader, the Lady Roadrunners will host Coastal Bend College, with the Roadrunners following in their game against Jacksonville College. During the men’s game, the team will recognize students from Kurth Primary, Anderson Elementary and Lufkin Youth Basketball. Students from those school, along with their families, get in free and are encouraged to wear orange and blue in support of the AC teams.
Scheduled activities include teachers from each school playing each other during half time of the men’s game. In addition, students will be allowed on the floor 10 minutes prior to tipoff to greet the Roadrunners as they exit the tunnel for pre-game warm ups. There will be other contests and prizes offered throughout the game.
The Lady ‘Runners, currently 11-8, 4-5, fell 78-69 at Kilgore College on Saturday. AC’s ladies battled back from a 19-point deficit, cutting the Kilgore lead to just six points late before the Lady Rangers used free throws to pull away. The Lady ‘Runners on Wednesday will face a Lady Cougar team still looking for its first win in conference play.
The Roadrunners (13-6, 5-3) dropped a 77-59 decision last Wednesday on the road at Lamar State-Port Arthur. Despite the loss, the ‘Runners maintained their second-place spot in the Region XIV South Division standings. AC will face a tough Jacksonville team currently in fourth place at 12-6, 4-5.
The Lady Roadrunners tip off at 5:30 p.m. The Roadrunners and Jacksonville are scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Both games will be live streamed by logging onto the Angelina College web site and clicking on the Athletics link.
Need plans for Valentine’s Day? Tomé Catering Chef Britany Vinson has the perfect date night for you and your significant other.
For the second year in a row, the catering company is hosting their annual Date Night on Feb. 12 and 13 at 6:30 p.m. Both evenings will include a candlelit table for two and a gourmet five course meal prepared by Chef Britany Vinson.
We chatted with Tomé Marketing Director Ashley Berry to get more information about the annual event. Keep reading to learn more about Date Night.
Tell me about Date Night.
Date Night came about last year. It was a way for Chef Britany Vinson of Tomé Catering to showcase her skills. We wanted to bring something much different to Lufkin. Typically people go to Houston for what’s considered “fine dining,” but there are phenomenal chefs right here in Lufkin, Chef Britany Vinson being one of them.
What do both nights include?
The Date Night includes a romantic two-top, candlelit table for two with a gourmet five course meal prepared by Chef Britany Vinson. This year we are partnered with Shelton’s Place. We’ll dim lights and set the tone with with soft music in the background. We’ll also have “Date Night” conversation topics on the table to help create one-on-one time and conversation every relationship needs. Plus, professional photos by Laurie Cordray will be available for $5 each.
Do couples need to RSVP?
Yes, couples do need to make a reservation. They can visit tomecatering.com to reserve the table. It’s $135 per couple with complimentary wine. VIP tables are available at $175 per couple, which includes a waterfront table or a table in a private suite.
What do you want others to know about the event?
Date Night is different. It’s fun; it’s romantic. Plus, it’s in Lufkin. You don’t have to leave town for a romantic evening paired with a great meal. The menu will be released on Feb. 1. Stay tuned!
What is your favorite part?
My favorite part of Date Night is hearing just how much fun the couples had. So many people realized last year that Lufkin really does offer some great fun and food!
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the public, ages 10 and up to Makerspace: Wind Spinners on Monday, Jan. 30 at 5:30 p.m. All participants will create a unique wind spinner of their own design, along with an electronic sensor and device to capture the data. This program has it all: creative expression, electronics and digital data analysis. Please call 936-559-2970 to register for this free event.
STEAM 4 Kids: Make a Fruit Piano
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites children ages 7-11 years to participate in STEAM 4 Kids on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Participants will hook various pieces of produce, liquids and other objects up to a computer to see what noises we can make … and learn about electrical circuits in the process. Please call the library at (936) 559-2970 to register. Spaces are limited.
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library is excited to host weekly STEAM Labs for children ages 7-11 years who share a passion and a curiosity for all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
Madden 2017 Tournament at the Public Library
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the community to an Xbox One Madden 2017 Tournament on Friday, February 3rd at 5:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their “A” game to a one-on-one, head-to-head single elimination tournament for teens and adults, ages 13 and up. Enjoy pizza, soda and other games before and after your turn at the controls. Prizes will be awarded to the top placers. The event is free, but registration is requested. Please call 559-2970 to reserve a spot.
Fostering a Healthy Appetite in Children at the Public Library
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the community to an interactive workshop, Fostering a Healthy Appetite in Children, on Saturday, February 4th at 1:30 p.m. Participants will learn what influences children’s appetites, why children are picky eaters and tips on how to manage picky eaters. Videos and an interactive scenario will help reinforce takeaways. Darla O’Dwyer, Ph.D., of SFA Human Sciences will be presenting. The program is at the same time as Minecraft, so kids can play while parents learn. The events are free, but registration is requested. Please call 559-2970 to reserve a spot.
STEAM 4 Kids: Math Art
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites children ages 7-11 years to participate in STEAM 4 Kids on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 5:30 p.m. Did you know that math can be beautiful? Participants will use math to create a valentine card with dazzling patterns and scintillating symmetries. No prior math experience necessary! Please call the library at (936) 559-2970 to register. Spaces are limited.
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library is excited to host weekly STEAM Labs for children ages 7-11 years who share a passion and a curiosity for all things Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.
Makerspace: Movie Makers at the Public Library
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the community to Makerspace: Movie Makers in a three-week series, February 6th, 13th, and 20th at 5:30 p.m. Participants will learn about movie magic and write, plan and shoot their very own movies which will be screened on Thursday, February 23rd at 5:30pm. Each week will build on the last, so please plan to participate in each of the three Movie Makers sessions. Makerspace is for anyone age 10 and up. The events are free, but registration is requested. Please call 559-2970 to reserve a spot.
Clothing Swap at the Public Library
The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the public to a Clothing Swap on Saturday, January 28th at 2:30 p.m. Gather gently used items you no longer need and come to a clothing & toy swap party. You may bring adult’s and children’s clothes, as well as toys, to exchange with others. Party leftovers will be donated to a local charity organization. Please call 936-559-2970 to register for this free event.
The Friends of the Library are on Facebook (as Judy B. McDonald Public Library) and Twitter & Instagram (as @friendsofnacpl).
I’m just going to be straight up honest and tell you that today’s article has nothing to do with fitness and health. Well, maybe a tiny bit, but that’s stretching it. Fitness is my occupation, but it doesn’t consume my life. My kids, on the other hand, do. That’s not a bad thing. I like it like that. When my kids are happy and at peace, I’m happy and at peace. When my kids are hurting, Mama hurts.
I’ve told my son that no matter how hard this bench-warming season is, God has a lesson for him and is refining him through this process.
We are a sports family. This school year has been a whole new world for us in the realm of sports. We have three kids, and they all love sports. Not just a little. They love them. Our oldest two (one has recently graduated college and the other is in college) were standouts in their sports. The accolades were many. The wins were abundant. Between those two, we went to State in three different sports a total of five times. Man, it was fun. It was stressful, too. Not everybody likes you or your child if your child is a star in his or her sport. Even with that kind of junk, it was just an overall blast. That was then. Life is different now. Our third child is a freshman in high school, and we are experiencing a whole new existence. We are bench-warmer parents.
Being a bench-warmer parent isn’t for the faint of heart. It is a tough place to be. It doesn’t bother me personally. It’s not about ego or pride for me. The tough part is watching a young boy agonize on the bench while his best buds are on the court. It’s hard seeing him sit there, sometimes an entire game without ever going in, in his cool basketball shoes that he carefully, excitedly selected before the season. My heart aches watching him sit dejected and losing confidence each game. It might not be so bad if he didn’t love the game of basketball so much, if he was a kid just grateful to be on the team. That’s not my child though. He longs to play and that’s what is so tough.
I’m not a delusional parent who thinks her kid is better than he is and should be playing a lot. He is small and hasn’t matured yet. He has a long way to go to be close to the top players on his very talented team. I’m realistic about his talent level. While we are happy and excited for the success of the team and those who constantly play, it’s tough.
[pullquote]”I’ve told him that no matter how hard this bench-warming season is, God has a lesson for him and is refining him through this process. He is refining me, too.”[/pullquote]
I have learned a whole new appreciation for parents who go to game after game only to see their child play a minute or two if any. I feel remorse that I never understood their struggle in the past when my kid was one who never came off the court. I wish I had been more appreciative of what those parents were going through; how difficult it must’ve been to come up with encouraging words after games. I wish I had thought more about how their kid’s hearts must have been hurting. I get it now.
I’ve told my son that next year should be better. Don’t give up. I’ve told him that no matter how hard this bench-warming season is, God has a lesson for him and is refining him through this process. He is refining me, too.
Left to right: Brian Bray, Diana Walker, Clayton Collier, Ryan Blackburn, Wes Jensen Rick Ainsworth, Mike Kelly, Hilda Broom and Emily Kerr.
The Lanana and Banita Creek Trail Committee, a sub-committee of the Friends of Historic Nacogdoches, Inc., was recently awarded a grant from the National Board of Realtor’s for beautification of Ab’s Park, a public park located along Banita Creek near the intersection of Powers and Pearl Streets. The funds allowed for the creation of a planting area filled with native plants selected for their value to pollinating and other beneficial insects, which in turn will encourage other forms of wildlife, including song birds. The plant selection follows guidelines allowing the City to apply for designation as a Monarch Waystation and recognition with Parks for Monarchs.
Additionally, two benches and a large sculpture, created by Jeff Brewer, were installed as part of this project. This was a great partnership between, the City of Nacogdoches, the Trails Committee, National Board of Realtor’s and SFA’s Native Plant Center. The park will be a living reminder of the wonderful work Dr. Ab Abernathy put into our growing trail systems.
President Trump flies to the Capitol via helicopter for breakfast before the inauguration. (Photo by Lee Miller)
Lee Miller, CEO of Lufkin’s MSGPR and Vice President of Broad Comm, teamed up with federal agencies to manage the radio frequencies for the 2017 Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C. from Jan. 17 to Jan. 21.
President Trump travels in the Presidential Motorcade with several vehicles that create what is referred to by many as the “bubble” that disrupts RF signals around the motorcade as it passes.
As a part of the Radio Frequency Enforcement Team, Miller worked to document, permit, and ensure that each person and entity using a radio frequency did not interfere with one another. He worked with hundreds of news broadcasters and government agencies such as the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Secret Service.
Miller said MSG and Broad Comm have done radio frequency management for several of the last U.S. inaugurations.
“This was my first time on the team for the inauguration,” Miller said. “We help manage by first doing a frequency survey analyzing the spectrum in the location, which started back in early December.”
Photo taken from Lee Miller’s Facebook page along with the comment: “From my office today…wow.”
Miller explained that a frequency survey documents each and every entity using any kind of radio frequency. This year’s survey was 78 pages of hundreds of frequencies that needed management. Then, Miller and the team helped agencies obtain permits to use a certain frequency and operate in a certain space, such as the Lincoln Memorial, the location of the Celebration Concerts. Finally, Miller and the team went out looking for people who had not obtained a permit to operate, either accidentally or intentionally.
Lee Miller, Morgan Miller, Lee’s daughter, and Melton Miller, Lee’s brother, pose before the Great American Ball. (Photo by Lee Miller)
“From the time the event starts, we’re chasing those stray frequencies, especially ones interfering with others permitted for the channel,” Miller said.
During the inauguration, Miller was stationed on the roof of the Newseum, a museum of news on Pennsylvania Avenue. He was charged with helping primarily foreign news itinerants like BBC and Eurovision maintain their frequencies, and he had a clear view of the stage on which President Donald Trump was inaugurated.
Miller also said he had a hard time picking a favorite event at the inauguration because he enjoyed almost everything from the concerts at the Lincoln Memorial to the inauguration itself. He attended the Great American Ball along with other team members from Lufkin, Morgan Miller and Melton Miller. He said the energy during the ceremony and the other events was very high.
“The energy level was very, very intense,” he said. “It was very celebratory. When Trump actually walked out onto the steps, the cheers throughout the entire District of Columbia just gave you shivers. It made your hair stand up. It was just incredible.”
Lee and Kenla Miller are co-publishers of Texas Forest Country Living Magazine.
Whether you are in school, in a deadline-driven career, self-teaching a new skill, or just want to manage your time better, there are many ways to conquer a planner this semester.
As a junior at Stephen F. Austin State University and as a member of the “daily grind” (the workforce), I have and am currently facing the issue of managing my time. From low grades to low sleep, and from interviews to class projects and planning a wedding, I knew my previous scheduling habits were hurting my health and productivity. So, I tried several forms of scheduling to try to make a change in my life.
Each of these have truly helped me organize better, learn better, become less stressed, and operate in school and out more efficiently. So, take in these tips with a critical eye and determine how you could best initiate them into your daily life. However, each have also hampered me in some way because they are for a different type of person. So, I found out what mixture of scheduling techniques fit my personality the best. In order to help you choose the best planning system for you, I will add which personality types do well with which planner. The personality types I will be using for this list are Types A, B, C, and D.
People with a Type A personality are very organized, ambitious, and strategic people. Type A’s can be extroverts or introverts, but they are typically introverts with extroverted attributes. They are often stressed, but they operate well while stressed.
People with a Type B personality are flexible, uncompetitive, calm, patient individuals who enjoy small accomplishments and stopping to “smell the roses.” Type B’s are often extroverted and enjoy spending time in groups rather than alone. They operate well during times of change.
People with a Type C personality are sticklers for details, perfectionists, rule followers, deep thinkers, and investigators. Often introverted, Type C’s have a hard time making decisions and like to avoid conflict. They also like asking “why” and “how” things happen.
People with a Type D personality are creatures of habit, consistency, and emotion. Type D’s can be introverted or extroverted, but they need stability in their lives. They need stability and security in their life and will often avoid change.
So many different planners and scheduling strategies litter the web for creating a workable schedule. I have tried several different methods and have plenty of feedback on scheduling on the daily.
My mom gave me this planner she got from work, and it has helped me keep track of homework assignments and small, daily things as well as due dates far into the future.
The Planner
The most common form of scheduling is the daily/weekly planner. It is great for the Type A and C individuals who can organize their thoughts into a box and input data into small, tight spaces. Type B’s should avoid this form of planning for a more flexible form of planning, and Type D’s could have an equal amount of success or failure with this form; the consistency fuels their sense of security So, grab an inspirational, aesthetically pleasing functional planner from your school’s bookstore or from Walmart, and get those dates set. Add all important due dates and don’t forget to add time for both studying and having fun.
The Bullet Journal
Here is an example of my bullet journal. As you can see, it’s a work in progress. I plan to add plenty of color and “pizzazz.”
A relatively new style of planning, at least to me, is the bullet journal. A bullet journal is the planner for the creative, on-the-go type of person, like a Type B or C. Types A and D might want to avoid this form of planning unless they add it to another form. Unfortunately, at first, it does require some assembly. You need to number each page and make sure you set aside pages for an index, but other than the first few details, there is very minimal instructions. The goal is to make a planner that is entirely yours. You are free to doodle, rip out pages, and write just about anything in the journal that you wish. I went to a couple sessions with a tutor at SFASU, and she brought me a journal with the words “She believed she could, and so she did” on the cover to use as my bullet journal. I’m not following the exact guidelines that BulletJournal.com says to follow, but I think that is the point. Plus, it just so happens that I found a coffee mug with the same phrase on it a few days later. I had much better success with this type of planner.
The marker board is great in any grid style. The six-by-six works, as well as the 7-by-1 or 3-by-4.
The Marker Board
The next form of planning is the marker board. I bought a magnetized marker board for work to keep on my file drawer and one for home to keep on my refrigerator. This is a week-by-week form of planning that is best used in addition to another, long-term planner by Types A, B, and C. Type D should avoid this form of planning because it lacks consistency. Marker board planning is simply drawing a visual of your week and adding the things you need to do each day of the week. It is easily erased and modified, and it is plainly visible on places like a refrigerator or a shelf.
The Smart Phone
Google Calendar is a great application to use to streamline your activities across multiple devices, but there are other applications available for free download if this one is not for you.
The final form of planner I am including is the smart phone. Almost every smart phone comes with a built in calendar, or Google Calendar is available for free on both Android and Apple devices. This form of planning is not good for personalities who need to feel a physical form of planner like Type B or possibly Type A, but it can good for Type B in that it allows the user to access it at any time or any place. If you are like me and often forget your planner every time you leave the house, then this is a great supplement or primary planning strategy.
When it comes to a planner, feel free to use one or any combination of strategies to best keep track of your schedule. You have to experiment to find which type is best for you. My current planning strategy uses each of these. I primarily use the marker board strategy for work. I primarily use the planner for homework and due dates. And I use the bullet journal and my smart phone for work, school, personal life, wedding planning, on-the-go appointment setting, and just about everything else.
Good luck to everyone in starting out this new semester on the right foot!
No matter the circumstances, grief recovery can be difficult and painful. CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial will again host GriefShare, a special seminar and support group to help members of the community to grieve in a positive way.
“Grief Share is a safe, loving environment where folks learn that they are not alone,” said Jay Gilchrist, CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Vice President of Mission Integration. “Most participants find it to be a turning point in their lives.”
The 13-week GriefShare program utilizes a support group setting to assist those who are grieving the death of a loved one. This third session to be hosted by CHI St. Luke’s begins Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Community Rooms A&B at the Lufkin facility. Each session, guided by a local facilitator and co-facilitators, includes a video seminar and the opportunity to interact with others who have experienced similar losses.
“This faith-based program allows people to share in a family-like setting,” Gilchrist said. “The facilitators have experienced grief and have learned successful ways to help people rebuild their lives. Participants help each other also, to walk a healing path.”
The support group provides a comfortable, safe and confidential environment and is open to the public. You do not need to pre-register to attend. You may bring a voluntary contribution to help with the cost of the workbook needed for the seminar. GriefShare is a 13-week program and will run through May 2.
CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial is part of Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI), a national nonprofit health system based in Englewood, Colorado. The faith-based system operates in 18 states and includes 103 hospitals, as well as long-term care, assisted and residential living communities; community health services organizations; home health agencies and outpatient facilities and services.
For more information or to register for the program, please contact program facilitator Karen Norton at (936) 632-5841 or Karen@lufkin.org. You may also visit griefshare.org to learn more.
