Home Blog Page 712

Pro Logger Training Starts October 9, 2014

By
Charles Roberds
-
0

LUFKIN, TEXAS – The Texas Pro Logger Training, hosted by the Texas Forestry Association (TFA) will be held October 9-11, 2014, at the Texas A&M Forest Service Cudlipp Training Center and Angelina College Business Center in Lufkin.

 

The workshops are designed to promote sustainable forestry among those in the logging industry, including logging contractors as well as foremen and foresters. Sessions will begin Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 1 p.m. and will last through the afternoon on Saturday, October 11, 2014.

 

Topics include Best Management Practices, Business Management, Wildlife, Special Sites, Endangered Species, and ends with a safety training session, allowing those who hold the Pro Logger status to maintain safety recertification.

 

Cost for the training is $40 per workshop, or a total of $160 for the entire weekend. Seating is limited and early registration is required. To find out how to register, please visit the TFA website at texasforestry.org or call 936-632-8733.

 

In order to receive designation as a Texas Pro Logger, all four courses must be attended and continuing education must be taken yearly to maintain that status.

 

The training is sponsored by the State Implementation Committee, the TFA, Texas A&M Forest Service and the Texas Logging Council, and exists to promote forest stewardship through logger training, landowner outreach and public awareness.

 

Forestry PAC Announces Support for Congressman Louie Gohmert

By
Charles Roberds
-
0

LUFKIN, TEXAS – The Texas Forestry Association Forestry Political Action Committee has announced their support for Louie Gohmert, District 1 Congressman for the state of Texas.

 

This announcement, made during the 100th year of Texas Forestry Association as the voice of forestry is a key moment. “Gohmert opposes tax increases and excessive government regulations,” said Ron Hufford, Executive Director of Texas Forestry Association.  “This is very important for the forestry community as well as other businesses in Texas and we are pleased to support him for U.S. Congress.”

 

Gohmert, who attended Texas A&M  and graduated from Baylor University, was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to serve as Chief Justice of the 12th Court of Appeals, after serving three sessions as District Judge. He currently serves on the House Judiciary Committee, the Natural Resources Committee, and the Subcomittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

 

“Having served as a judge in Texas, Gohmert has the tools necessary to stimulate a strong, balanced economy” Hufford said.  “We are confident that he will be a strong advocate for Texas, including the creation and growth of markets for wood products.”

 

Texas Forestry Association Hosts 100th Annual Convention

By
Charles Roberds
-
0

LUFKIN, TEXAS – Texas Forestry Association will host its 100th annual convention at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center in Lufkin, Texas, October 21-23, 2014, an event designed to showcase Texas Forestry Association’s proud history as the voice of forestry for 100 years.

 

As part of its centennial celebration, Texas Forestry Association is honored to announce W. Goodrich Jones, II will be its keynote speaker Thursday morning, October 22, 2014. Jones, who grew up in College Station, Texas, has strong and fond memories of his grandfather, William Goodrich Jones, who was the founder and first president of Texas Forestry Association.

 

The featured speaker for the President’s Banquet Wednesday evening, October 21, is Sheriff J. B. Smith, a humorist who has appeared on CBS’s Early Show with Harry Smith and NBC’s Today with Matt Lauer. Smith manages one of the largest jails in Texas, housing over 1,000 prisoners, oversees over 355 personnel, has over 100 vehicles and feeds more than 3,000 meals a day, while overseeing an annual budget over $27 million.

 

Lynn Wilson, Executive Vice President of Forest Resources for Rayonier, will present Rayonier’s outlook over the next few years to maintain a strong presence in the forest products industry, including their investment in Texas. Mark Luetters, Executive Vice President of Building Products for Georgia-Pacific LLC, will address the future of the forest products industry and their holdings in Texas.

 

Other speakers include Richard Peberdy, who joined Drax in 2012 after working 30 years in UK forest industry and will present a perspective on European demand for wood pellets from North America and their efforts to coordinate sustainability requirements for the sourcing of fiber.  Lawrence Seltzer, president and CEO of The Conservation Fund, will discuss the future of our forests and communities and the role of certification. Hughes Simpson, who coordinates Water Resources and Ecosystem Services programs for the Texas A&M Forest Service, will present Ecosystem Services and The Private Landowner.

 

The Association of Consulting Foresters will present “People and the Forest: A look at Private Forestry in Texas” Wednesday afternoon with a question and answer session.

 

For a complete meeting brochure, visit Texas Forestry Association’s website at www.texasforestry.org or email tfa@texasforestry.org.  Registration is also available online at www.texsforestry.org.  To exhibit or sponsor, please call (936) 632-8733.

 

Lufkin Panther Drive In Mentioned in Houston News Story

By
Charles Roberds
-
0

Check out this story in the Houston Press. “7 Texas Drive-In Theaters That You Can Still Visit”

Do you remember the old Lufkin Panther Drive In?  Tell us your thoughts!

Here is the story.

New Innkeepers at Texas Forest Country Retreat

By
Lee Allen Miller
-
0

New innkeepers and on-site event planning team took over this month at Texas Forest Country Retreat according to owners Bob and Genie Flournoy.

 

James and Jennifer Coogler reside on-site, providing full-service hospitality for bed and breakfast guests as well as those attending special events.

 

The couple has a special tie to the historic site. On June 14, 2014, they were married at The Mansion on Sawmill Lake, one of two locations at the rural retreat. They fell in love with the property and the idea of helping others plan their own perfect experience at Texas Forest Country Retreat.

 

Jennifer, a life-long resident of Lufkin, “brings a keen eye to detail and a passion for party planning,” said Bob. James, a former Houston-area resident. “He brings with him the love of gardening, wood-working, and superb culinary skills,” Bob continued. “Together, they make an amazing team.”

 

“We fell in love with them,” Genie said. “They are exactly what we need to provide the management and care that this resort destination deserves.”

 

For information on the Texas Forest Country Retreat, or to book a venue for a wedding, weekend getaway or corporate retreat, visit texasforestcountryretreat.com or call 877-829-2422.

 

ABOUT:

Texas Forest Country Retreat offers a variety of accommodations and venues that provide the “get away from it all” destination perfect for retreats, anniversaries, reunions, weddings, club meetings and simple couple getaways.

 

The Mansion on Sawmill Lake is the ultimate romantic getaway. It was the majestic home of an East Texas timber baron and his family. Built entirely from virgin longleaf pine, The Mansion is an American Four Square with craftsman influence style that overlooks the Sawmill Lake and the ruins of the old ghost town of Manning. The Mansion offers 4 bedrooms, two balconies and a sunroom for complete relaxation and enjoyment.

 

For those looking for a more rustic retreat, they will love Beaver Creek Lodge – the getaway of getaways. Located off the beaten path about one mile from the Mansion, it is secluded from the noise of traffic and people so you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of nature and just relax.

 

The Carriage House is perfect for the Meeting of the Board with A/V, Internet and plenty of room to spread out and step outside to clear the head for great ideas!

 

Texas Forest Country Retreat is located at 156 Grimes-Flournoy Road in Huntington, TX 75949. For more information about Texas Forest Country Retreat or to book the facility, please contact James and Jennifer Coogler at 877-829-2422 or by email at info@texasforestcountryretreat.com.

 

Super stocking of 240 Eastern wild turkeys launched in 2014

By
Charles Roberds
-
0
26 Eastern Wild Turkeys released at TPWD - Gus Engeling WMA in Anderson County.Photo by Dale Bounds

Over 40 people were on hand today at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area (GEWMA) to see 26 Easter wild turkeys released on the area. Children, some as young as 5 and adults were very excited to witness the wild trapped turkeys fly out of their boxes into the wilds of GEWMA.
This was the day GEWMA staff had been working toward for over 10 years. According to Scotty Parsons, NWTF East Texas Conservation Field Supervisor, “Our Texas NWTF Chapter has invested in habitat improvements all over East Texas. In the last 5 years, Texas NWTF has contributed $190,000 toward habitat work in East Texas and our NWTF team has leveraged that with TPWD, USFWS and USFS into $3.7 million, a 20:1 ratio. Some of those funds have been used on the project work at GEWMA.
Our goal for this particular project was to restore the grassland component in and oak-dominated upland on the GEWMA. We have restored a 424 acre site to 60% grassland and 40% canopy cover by mechanically (i.e., logging, skidding) removing dense stands of upland oak species from 254 acres. This work on the GEWMA represents $68,692 of habitat enhancement work in a 10 year effort.
Jason Hardin, TPWD Upland Game Bird Specialist, gave the group a brief history of the Eastern wild turkey in Texas.  According to Hardin, since 1979, over 7,000 Eastern wild turkeys were released in 58 East Texas counties. Population started decreasing in 2006 and the turkey season in some East Texas counties were closed.
Hardin said, “After a 10 year hiatus from Eastern turkey restoration activities, TPWD has reengaged in Eastern turkey restoration efforts beginning

Over 40 people gathered to witness the Eastern Wild Turkey fly out of the boxes to their new home at Gus Engeling WMA. Photo by Dale Bounds
Over 40 people gathered to witness the Eastern Wild Turkey fly out of the
boxes to their new home at Gus Engeling WMA.
Photo by Dale Bounds

this winter.  Last spring, TPWD and NWTF biologists evaluated a number of sites across East Texas utilizing TPWD’s new Eastern turkey habitat evaluation technique.  Of the sites evaluated, 3 scored high enough to receive a stocking.  Those sites are currently being Super Stocked with 60 hens and 20 gobblers for a total of 80 birds per release site.  In all, TPWD plans to release 240 wild turkeys this winter in East Texas. Super stocking has proven to show higher survival than the traditional method of block-stocking, which stocked 15-20 birds at 5-10 sites across a county.  Today, our goal is to identify the best available habitat and utilize super stocked turkeys to serve as a source population.  Over time, TPWD hopes birds will begin to move into adjacent unoccupied landscapes.

Pineywoods National Wild Turkey Federation Chapter sweeps awards for 2013 efforts !

By
Charles Roberds
-
0
L/R,NWTF Director Shawn Roberts, Banquet Chair Aubrey Luce, President Dale Bounds, Kitty Bounds, Gary Brock ,Kim Brock-Women In the Outdoors committee

The 2013 Texas NWTF Awards ceremony was held January 18 at the Hanger Hotel in Fredericksburg. NWTF chapter leaders and volunteers from the Lone Star State were in attendance to celebrate our 2013 efforts to deliver the  newly approved direction our NWTF conservation organization…”SAVE THE HABITAT,SAVE THE HUNT”.

Simply stated, this is our strategic plan to accomplish these goals and objectives by December 31, 2017 :

To increase and manage the wild turkey in Texas by improving 47,000 acres of public and private land, create 30,000 new hunters and develop 100,000 acres of public and private land access for hunting.

The categories for the awards presented reflect our efforts to raise funds that we leverage with our partners to accomplish these goals and objectives.

The Pineywoods Chapter of Lufkin Texas dominated the 2013 State NWTF awards event once again winning 8 awards.

Attending and representing the chapter Aubrey Luce, Sharon Luce, Kim Brock ,Gary Brock ,Kitty and  Dale Bounds accepted these honors listed.

1.Highest Membership 2nd

2.Highest Sponsors 1st

3.Best Wheelin 1st

4.Highest JAKES Membership 1st

5.Highest Gross Income 1st

6.Highest Net Income 1st

7.LA Dixon 2nd

8.Net to Gross 3rd

According to Dale Bounds, we continue to set the bar for the  NWTF in Texas. We have also been notified that the Pineywoods Chapter will be recognized again at the National Convention in Nashville with a LA Dixon Award as one of the top chapters in the 2000 plus NWTF Local Chapter system. Because of the work and dedication each of volunteers and members, we are making a difference in wildlife conservation and the future of hunting.

In the last 5 years the chapter has put over 125,000 dollars into habitat management and education efforts in East Texas. NWTF Conservation team has leverage that at a 20:1 ratio into a staggering 3.7  million dollars in East Texas .

Rudolph the Red Nosed Pump Jack?

By
Charles Roberds
-
0

 

Every year for almost 50 years, Rudolph the Red Nosed Pumping Unit has graced the City of Lufkin. Lufkin Industries, now owned by GE, has assembled and operated the holiday spectacle, a Mark 640 oilfield pumping unit and a 38-foot Ultra Light II dump trailer trailer which is decorated to be a sleigh complete with Santa. There are more than 1,000 Christmas lights decorating Rudolph and his sleigh. See Rudolph through the holiday season in the Lufkin Mall parking lot.

Can Changing Your Home Change Your Life?

By
Charles Roberds
-
0

The title may sound a little cliche, maybe even a little drastic, but guess what….even small changes in your surroundings can make a huge difference in your mood and ultimately your outlook!

Your home is a direct reflection of who you are and how you feel. Is your home where you want to be?  If not, lets get started. Changes don’t necessarily have to be expensive.  A fresh coat of paint on your front door, a small vase of fresh cut flowers brought into your kitchen and settled into a great vase….. even little things can mean alot!

Making changes in your home can stir great energy in the soul.  Home is truly where the heart is so what are you waiting for? We often wait; wait for the kid’s to grow up; wait for the dream home; wait, wait, wait.  Don’t wait for perfection, just start to create a space you will love coming home to.  So, paint that accent wall, brighten your walk with blooms, purchase new light fixtures or a new faucet, or pick up that new lamp you’ve been eyeing….. people will notice but better than that….you’ll notice!

Texas Size Mums

By
Charles Roberds
-
0

It’s Homecoming Week! Break out the mums, garters, celebrations, bonfires & cheerleaders! Yay!! Go Devils!!! I have seen a few prized mums this week, and I must say they are just as exciting to see now as they were all those years ago parading down the hallway and onto the field pinned with 4 giant safety pins to my bra strap just to keep it up.
I have always loved Football! And especially Texas Football, whether it be my favorite high school team, my alma mater or my beloved college team!! But even more exciting is Homecoming for the students and parents and of course the town football fanatics. I mean morale is high, spirit is high, the Dairy Queen is full and every florists, crafty hot glue using mom and bank account is drained!
I recently learned that mums are yet another Texas exclusive tradition. I knew I was proud of my State! I knew we were more fun than the rest! I knew if it was going to be done, it was going to be done BIG and proud! So out of curiosity I was looking up Homecoming Traditions, and I found out other states aren’t all about a mum as big as a dinner plate and heavy as a Thanksgiving Day turkey. I learned that other states simply wear a cute little corsage to the dance! The boyfriends, girlfriends, parents and friends don’t make sure you show up to Homecoming wearing a giant fake flower pinned to and your clothing making you sweat and at times trip over the very thing!
I have to speculate how this tradition even got started… so my research continued. They say what started out as a simple tradition to give your homecoming date a corsage just went way over the top down here in Texas… (I kinda rolled my eyes on this… I mean we aren’t known for that).
Here is my version… a nice looking lad showed up to the prettiest girl in school’s house to ask her to the Homecoming dance. She said, “Oh, I don’ t know, I have already been asked by a few others. I guess the one who brings me the best mum is the one I will go with”. Next thing you know you have a Homecoming tradition. I strongly believe this could be the truth. I mean, let’s think about it. First ole’ boy shows back up mum in hand. He proudly purchases with his paper route sales money. Then second fellow drives back up with his daddy’s truck and has little bigger mum he purchased with his feed store feed bag loading money. Then finally, our guy, the one challenged, arrives with a limousine, nice starched shirt tucked in, boots on, and he crawls out of the back with his daddy, momma and little sister. Momma and sister are carrying the mum that weighs as much as the family goat, and daddy has a camera is just taking pictures like his son just won the Nobel Peace Prize.
There you have it… my version of the Texas Size Mum Homecoming Tradition. It all started with a sweet young lady who wanted to see who liked her most and romantic Texas boy who decided there aren’t any boundaries to show the girl of his dreams his intent to please.
I hear the other states always say how everything is bigger in Texas. I have been to a few others, and I guess I can agree on most things being pretty big here in our great State. And one of the biggest things we show off down here is affection. We will go to any length, any measure to show the ones around us how much we like them… even if it means pinning a flower on us and parading in public.

About The Author:  Barbie Driskell (Aunt B) was raised in the shade of pine trees of East Texas. “I am very proud of my roots,  just like a pine tree, may not be deep but they sure take over when left to their own devices. I smile frequently, laugh genuinely and live simply.”

 

1...711712713...715Page 712 of 715