A note from Megan Whitworth: Veteran’s Day is a day we take to remember the brave men and women who have fought for our freedom and defended our liberties. I am the daughter of a veteran, Robert Stephen Ault. My father served for four years in the United States Air Force and bravely fought along other men and women during the Vietnam War. I am grateful to be his daughter and for the service he gave. I grew up listening to his memories and can recall how proud he was of the service he gave. We would not be the land of the free without each of our service men and women. In honor of this beloved day, I would like to share my father’s statement on why he reported to the Phu Cat Air Force Base, located in South Vietnam on Dec. 4, 1970. He wrote this on Nov. 29, 1977, three years after his service was complete.
A photo of Robert Ault during his service in Vietnam.
I received orders from the United States Air Force to be assigned to the 12th Combat Support Group, Phu Cat Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. I was to be there on Dec. 4, 1970. And on that day I did arrive in Vietnam. The United States was engaged in an undeclared war.
This is my statement on why I went and fought in this war, which so many people were against it. I believe that North Vietnam was and has now at the present time of this writing attempted to dominate and to deprive another of his free agency (meaning the country and the people of South Vietnam), and that South Vietnam being a weaker nation was being unjustly crushed by a strong and ruthless North Vietnam.
I, Robert Stephen Ault, being loyal to my country and my God in the protection of free men everywhere
did enter and protect my life and the life of my fellow man. However, at no time did I knowingly cause injury or death to the enemy. I feel that to “deprive an intelligent human being of his free agency is to commit the crime of the ages. So fundamental in man’s progress is his inherent right to choose, that the Lord would defend it even at the price of war. Without freedom of thought, freedom of choice, freedom of action within lawful bounds, man cannot progress…. The greatest responsibility of the state is to guard the lives, and to protect the property and rights of its citizens: And if the state is obligated to protect its citizens from lawlessness with its boundaries, it is equally obligated to protect them from lawless encroachments from without — whether the attacking criminals be individuals or nations.”
A present day photo of Robert Ault, right, and his wife, Marsha Ault.
These words I believe even as if they were said by my own lips, however this quote was said by David O. McKay.
I believe that war should be renounce and proclaim peace. We should seek peace by peaceful negotiation and adjustment, even when this fails to enter war on the offense is wrong. I believe as Moroni said,“And thus he was preparing to support their liberty, their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of Christians.”
When I was in Vietnam I was there “in memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.”
This is my statement for why and if called upon again that I, Robert Stephen Ault, would enter into war.
Leggings are my favorite pants for very obvious reasons!
They are so much more comfortable than jeans. They come in a variety of styles, sizes, and fabrics, and they are overall amazing. My favorite spot to buy leggings at the moment is Old Navy. They are inexpensive, high quality, and they have many different styles to choose from.
I wear leggings to workout in all year round, but especially when it is cooler outside and they can provide a little extra warmth. Sneakers, a workout hoodie, and compression leggings are your perfect fix for workout clothes!
For a casual outfit: you can wear combat boots and a big hoodie with your “go to” pair of leggings!
For a night out: wear a tunic, chunky necklace, a vest, your favorite booties, and a pair of leggings!
For a chilly day: wear fleece lined leggings, a cute sweater, and cozy boots!
To incorporate a flannel: get a longer flannel, or a flannel dress with a vest (Sam’s has them for under $5 right now), leggings, and ankle booties!
You can wear leggings in so many ways. Have fun with it and have a happy Fashion Friday!
New York City is a remarkable city full of beautiful places, incredible food, and very fascinating people. I got the wonderful opportunity this summer to move there and get a small taste of what a “New York minute” actually means. You can see it in movies, but nothing will ever come close to the real thing.
A photo of me with a view of the New York skyline, while I was walking on the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time.
When I found out I got the internship, I just remember being stunned. I could not believe it was happening. I had been to New York City twice and was just in love with it both times, but moving there was going to be a completely different experience. I found out in January 2016 and had four months to wait.
I looked at a million apartments, dorm complexes, and housing units, anything and everything. I looked at where they were in relation to where I’d be working, and I also wanted something that was close to Central Park. I finally found something at the very top of the Upper East Side, which was a 30-minute commute to work, but it was in a beautiful area. It was only two blocks to Central Park and only two blocks to the subway to work.
After four months of waiting, it was finally time to pack up and move. My dad was going to be traveling with me, so we packed four suitcases and two carry-ons and headed on our way. It wasn’t easy saying goodbye to my family and friends until August, but it made it a little easier knowing where I was headed. When we arrived in New York we spent the first few days unpacking, getting groceries, and exploring the area I’d be living in and practicing my route to work.
The company I worked at was called The Sak Brand Group. It’s a handbag company with three lifestyle accessory brands: The Sak, Sakroots, and Elliott Lucca. The brands are all different but all beautiful. The Sak has handcrafted crochet, textured leather and a casual, west coast feel. Sakroots, the most fun in my opinion, has colorful canvas bags with a slogan of “choose your karma” because each of the prints benefits different charities. Elliott Lucca has artisan fabrications, luxurious woven leather, and is effortlessly chic.
A photo of me and some friends at a New York Mets’ game.
On my first day my boss, Jamie, took me around and introduced me to all the people who worked there, from the designers to marketing, to the eCommerce team, which is who I would be working with. All of the people behind the brands were just as fun and inviting as the brands themselves. I could tell that I was going to love the environment.
I got my own desk and my own laptop, and I would learn so much about the fashion world that I hadn’t known before. I got to work with stores such as Macy’s, Zulily, Amazon, Zappos, and many others. My job would be a lot of data entry. I would fill in spreadsheets for our clients of product information they needed to sell on their websites.
I worked some with their orders and directly in the back offices of some of the companies and edited product information. I also got to work in the back office of our own website, editing product information to make sure it was all correct, reorganizing products in categories, and adding related products. I also filled in for the showroom coordinator several times. I sat in The Sak and Sakroots showroom at her desk and answered the phones, sent out samples to clients, and sat clients for meetings.
I got to experience market in August with all our clients coming to our showrooms to view the latest lines. I even got to sit in on a run-through with Seventeen magazine with one of the marketers. It was such an amazing experience getting to learn and grow with such a brilliant company.
A photo of the Korean ice cream that I got in Koreatown.
On top of loving my job and going to work, I also got to be a tourist for three months, going to shows, museums, Central Park, trying a bunch of different food, and all the other places I got to visit. I went to see Chicago, Cats, Aladdin, Wicked, The Lion King, Matilda, and I got to see The Rockettes. Cats was by far my favorite, it was spectacular.
I went to The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art, American Museum of Natural History, and the Frick Collection. I went to a Mets game. I went to The View, Live with Kelly, Good Morning America, and I got to see Demi Lovato live in Central Park at 6 in the morning at the Good Morning America Summer Concert series. I walked the Brooklyn Bridge, twice.
I got to see landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, the 9/11 Memorial, Radio City Music Hall, Chinatown and Little Italy, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and so many other beautiful places. I tried Indian food, and I also tried Bubble tea for the first time, as well as Eggloo, which is a Korean ice cream shop. I found a new favorite dish while I was there, chicken udon. I got to experience the real New York pizza, from a little hole in the wall pizza place right around the corner from my building and even got to try that famous Grimaldi’s in Brooklyn.
One of my favorite experiences while I was there was getting to go see The Macy’s 4th of July Fire Work Show. We got some snacks together and went to JFK drive, which they had completely blocked off, and we sat outside and waited for around four hours for the show to start. It started raining on us about 30 minutes before the show started.
We didn’t let that ruin our fun though, while everyone else was beginning to leave, we sat there and waited for those fireworks and I’m so glad that we did. The display was spectacular. I’ve never seen a firework show like it, and I don’t know that I ever will again. These are only a few of the amazing touristy experiences that I got to have this summer.
A photo of me at a broadcast of The View.
Life in New York was amazing, but it wasn’t without its hardships. Once, I cut my thumb open and had to walk six blocks to the hospital, which was not a fun experience since I had never been to the emergency room before, that I can remember. I had to have stitches put in, and let me tell you, I was not a fan. I got lost at least three times a week. More often times than not it was every other day.
I remember leaving work one day and going to get some cupcakes at a bakery near work because my cousin was coming to visit. There was construction going on around my building the entire time I was there this summer. As I was crossing the street to get to the subway, I tripped on a huge bolt in the middle of the road, in my heels. I completely busted it. I was horrified. I looked around and waited for someone to offer a hand or ask if I was all right, but no one ever did. I just sat there for a few seconds until the light was about to turn green. People just kept walking past me and looking at me. I couldn’t believe it. And with my Southern hospitality I actually apologized to a few people as I was helping myself up because I was in their way. But, I got up and dusted myself off and headed to the subway.
We had sample sales at work of handbags and I was carrying three big shopping bags full of products I had gotten for friends and family, and one of them busted on the crowded six o’clock subway. It was a nightmare. I had to throw a bunch of bags on my arms while still carrying the other two, and making a lot of New Yorkers mad. The good times outweighed the bad 10-to-one, but not a lot of things come easy in New York.
It’s an experience I will remember forever. I may have only been there for a few short months, but I left a part of my heart in New York that I don’t think I’ll ever get back. There is nothing like New York, to me anyway. I wouldn’t trade the experience that I had for anything, and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing support from my parent’s and the rest of my family and friends.
If you ever get the chance to move to New York, even for a short period of time, I would take it. If this small town Southern girl can do it, anyone can.
The holidays can be super busy, so the faster the crafts the better, right? I had some wood slices left over from my wood slice wreath, so I decided to use them to make these super simple and super quick Wood Slice Ornaments. Let’s get started!
For this project you will need:
2 inch wood slices (I found these on Amazon)
Black chalky finish paint
Vinyl lettering (I found these images in the Silhouette online store.)
Foam paint brush
Drill
Twine
You could also cut your own wood slices if you wanted to!
First, I painted my wood slices and let them dry completely.
Then I applied my vinyl lettering. You can see my how to cut and apply vinyl lettering tutorial right {HERE}.
Next, I drilled a small hole in the very top of each ornament.
The last thing I did was thread some twine through the hole, and then I tied the ends together.
Senator Robert Nichols received the annual Silver Bucket Award at the 2016 Governor’s Small Business Forum and Texas Forest Country Economic Summit this afternoon at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center.
State Senator Robert Nichols, center, accepts the Annual Silver Bucket Award at the 2016 Governor’s Small Business Forum and Texas Forest Country Economic Summit at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center.
“Our recipient represents over 850 East Texans, despite that large number of people, it’s rare when he doesn’t attend an event or program. He’s been everywhere that we needed him. If we ask, he is there. He embodies everything East Texans need to ensure our communities continue to grow,” said Jay Shands, President of First Bank & Trust East Texas. “Today, we recognize State Senator Robert Nichols for his passion and deep love of East Texas. His efforts will ensure East Texas is a great place to live and work for generations to come. He truly totes a lot of water and wood for all of East Texas.”
Originally from Jacksonville, Nichols was first elected to the Texas Senate in 2006, where he has served on the Transportation Committee after being appointed by then Governor George Bush. He told the audience how he first got involved in politics nearly 20 years ago, which resulted in him first serving on city council and eventually mayor of his hometown.
A photo of Senator Robert Nichols.
“(Years ago) my city council man spot was open,” he said. “I went in and asked the city secretary, because no one had applied, and I said, ‘What happens if nobody files?’ And she said, ‘Whatever idiot comes in here one minute to five on the last day, that’s who your city council man will be.’ So I went down there to see who the idiot was, and it was me. And that’s how I got into politics.
“It’s not work when you love what you do,” he continued. “I absolutely love what I do. It’s been one of the greatest honors of my life to have the opportunity to represent y’all in the Texas senate, so thank you so much.”
Several businesses across East Texas were honored with a Small Business of the Year from their respective counties, which included: Shelby County, Center Motor Company; Nacogdoches County, Ark Pharmacies; Houston County, Houston County Electric Cooperative; Trinity County, McClain’s Hardware; Sabine County, G.D. Edgar Lumber Company; Polk County, Hughes Petroleum Products; Tyler County, Tucker Professional Services; San Augustine County, Mills Hardware and Ace Flowers; San Jacinto County, Cora’s Corner; Angelina County, PID Services; and Jasper County, Affinity Hospice.
Kevin Wilson mixes ingredients for Boursin Creamed Spinach.
This recipe transforms a plain, ordinary leafy vegetable into a masterpiece to the point where even those who once scoffed at the suggestion of spinach now enthusiastically devour it as long as it is served this way. Just ask Kevin’s father, he will gladly share his testimony of such a transformation. Today, Kevin demonstrates for you just how simple and delicious this dish is. Boursin Creamed Spinach, located in “EveryDay with Rachael Ray,” Nov. 2011 edition, is the basis for his version. He is already planning on making this dish and taking it to our annual family Christmas dinner where we anticipate more rave reviews. Try it now; if you like it as much as we do, you just might decide to add it to your Thanksgiving or Christmas meal, too!
Happy Cooking,
Kevin Wilson & Mom
Boursin Creamed Spinach
1 (14 ounces) bag frozen chopped spinach
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 pkg (5.4 ounce) Boursin cheese
Defrost spinach and strain water. Add cream and cheese to a saucepan. Heat on low until cheese melts, stirring the entire time. Add spinach and stir until well-blended. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Lower the heat to low until ready to serve. Enjoy!
Angelina College’s La’Neique Nealey leads the Lady Roadrunners into Tuesday’s basketball doubleheader at Shands Gymnasium. (AC Press photo)
Angelina College’s Corinthian Ramsey leads the Roadrunners into Tuesday’s basketball doubleheader at Shands Gymnasium. The Lady ‘Runners face McLennan College at 5 p.m., and the Roadrunners take on the No. 24 Highlanders at 7 p.m. (AC Press photo by Marcella Flores)
Tuesday evening promises to be a big one for both Angelina College basketball teams, with the Lady Roadrunners finally playing their home opener and the Roadrunners squaring off against a nationally ranked team. In an effort to pack the house, the teams are offering free admission at Shands Gymnasium.
The teams will host a doubleheader against McLennan College, with the Lady Roadrunners tipping off against the Highlassies at 5 p.m. The Roadrunners get one of their biggest tests thus far this season, hosting the No. 24 Highlanders at 7 p.m.
The Lady Roadrunners went 2-1 on their season-opening road stretch, winning 94-89 in overtime at Weatherford before splitting games in this past weekend’s McLennan Classic in Waco. AC’s ladies dropped a 70-61 decision to Temple College on Friday, but bounced back with a 76-67 win over McLennan’s Highlassies on Saturday.
The Roadrunners kept their early-season record spotless with a pair of weekend wins at the East/West Challenge in Lewisville. AC held off a tough Howard College team with a 76-67 win on Saturday and followed up with an impressive 90-79 win over Western Texas on Sunday. The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu
Pictured are (L-R) Raven Britt, Emilee Cernosek, Kacy Capps, Sydney Brown (via Skype), Rachel Agnello, Nikki Whitehead and Shelby Mixon. (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)
The Angelina College softball program has evolved into a national powerhouse over the past three years, winning the NJCAA Division I national title in 2014 and spending time at or near the top of the national rankings in every year since, reaching the No. 1 spot on several occasions.
On Thursday, the Lady Roadrunners stocked up on talent for the 2017 season, signing seven new players in a ceremony held inside AC’s Shands Gymnasium.
Six of the players and their families were present, while Sydney Brown (Ironwood Ridge High School, Tucson, AZ) participated – and met her future teammates – via Skype. Also joining the Lady Roadrunner program were Emilee Cernosek (Seven Lakes HS, Katy), Kacy Capps (Hudson HS, Lufkin), Nikki Whitehead (Kingwood Park HS, Kingwood), Rachel Agnello (Bryan HS, Bryan), Raven Britt (Vidor HS, Vidor) and Shelby Mixon (Woodville HS, Woodville).
Those players are expected to add considerable talent to a team building on last year’s 38-18 record and another appearance in the regional tournament. The Lady Roadrunners recently beat Stephen F. Austin University, a Division I program, in a fall game, and are expected to achieve a high perch near the top of the NJCAA rankings early in 2017.
AC head coach Mark Mattson said this new group will fit in well with his program, helping the Lady ‘Runners maintain their high expectations.
“We are very excited for this year’s class,” Mattson said. “Our signees thus far are a great group of young ladies who come from outstanding families. We expect big things from them as we do from all of our recruiting classes. We can’t wait to get them on campus and get to work.”
The Lady Roadrunners will host the regional tournament in March; they open the regular season on Jan. 27 as participants in the Coastal Bend Tournament in Beeville.
The Angelina College Swingin’ Road Runner Jazz Combo will team up with the AC Community Big Band for a concert Nov. 15 at 7:30 in Hudgins Hall Auditorium. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for seniors, students and children.
The jazz combo, comprised of students, will play classic jazz and blues standards arranged for a small group setting. The set list includes “Harlem Nocturne,” “Perdido,” “Summer Samba” and others. Combo members this year are Max Vallejo of Lufkin on tenor sax, Chance Haney of Hudson on trombone, Zack Allensworth of Nacogdoches on trumpet, Haley Holcombe of Hudson on alto saxophone, Hayden Havard of Lufkin on piano and director and AC music instructor, Larry Greer on bass.
The AC Community Big Band, will feature the music of early New Orleans Dixieland style with tunes by Louis Armstrong, Louis Alter and other early New Orleans jazz musicians. The band includes saxophone section members Michael Parrish, alto; Amanda Burns, alto; Dixon Shanks, tenor; George Scogins, tenor; and Bethe Girardi-bari. Trombone section members are Jeff Sorey (lead), Robert Shanks, LaVan Watts and AC music instructor Jimmy Battle. Trumpet section members are Scott Williams, Steve Brown, Ricky Gay and Mel Miller. The rhythm section includes Luigi Lazareno on piano, J.D. Salas on bass, Mark Saldana on drum set and Larry Greer on guitar.
For more information about the music program at Angelina College, call (936) 633-5233. For information about AC’s community band, contact Community Services at (936) 633-5206.
In order to facilitate an awareness of the sacred work of healing and dedication to holistic care of body, mind and spirit, CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial partners with ministers across East Texas. On Wednesday, November 2, CHI St. Luke’s Health leaders gathered with 30 pastors representing various churches and spiritual groups to show appreciation for the work they do. This second annual breakfast followed this year’s Pastoral Care Week theme of Spiritual Resilience.
“We know that we are helped tremendously by the numerous local ministers who volunteer their time and services to providing spiritual care to our patients,” said CHI St. Luke’s Health Vice President of Mission Integration Jay Gilchrist.
New Market CEO for CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Monte Bostwick also shared his faith journey with the group and spoke about his career in health care as a calling to serve God’s people. He affirmed CHI’s commitment to work alongside the faith community to provide the best care and to facilitate healthy behaviors. He also pledged CHI’s commitment to help build healthier communities, as well as to continue helping people get the best possible health care.
Jay Gilchrist, VP-Mission Integration expressed appreciation for the ministers’ support of the spiritual resilience of our people and communities and with providing support for people when facing life’s challenges.
“They are the primary spiritual care givers, and we are blessed by them,” he said. ”Our specialists in the health care setting, along with their spiritual guidance make us a good team. We want to team up with our local ministers and with everyone who wants to make this a healthier place to live.”
