PAGE 10A, BUNA BEACON
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012
Lamar Lady Cards fall at Central Arkansas
Buna powerlifting boys, girls win big at Kountze
Larry Tidwell’s quest for a milestone victory had to be put on hold for one game after the Lamar University women’s basketball team dropped a 63-53 decision to host Central Arkansas in a Southland Conference game Saturday. The Lady Cardinals squandered a halftime lead for the first time this season as Central Arkansas rallied from a 25-23 deficit at intermission to keep Tidwell at 99 career victories. Lamar was 70 when leading at halftime before Saturday. Kalis Loyd had a game-high 26 points for Lamar (9-9 overall, 1-3 Southland), giving her 1,211 points for her career, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Central Arkansas (14-4, 4-1) from sweeping the season series. Loyd also led Lamar with eight rebounds. Gia Ayers had a career-high eight points and tied her career best with three assists for the Lady Cardinals. Brateicka Mock added seven points and a careerhigh six rebounds for Lamar. Lamar led by as many as eight points, building a 33-25 edge
The Buna High School boys and girls powerlifting teams competed at the Kountze Lions meet on Jan. 19, the first of the season. There were 66 lifters on the boys side. In the 148 pound class, Mason Burn placed first with 1080 pound total, lifting 420 pounds in squat, 220 in bench press, and 440 in dead lift. Cody Ireland placed fourth with a 850 pound total, lifting 300 in squat, 180 in bench press, and 370 in dead lift. Aaron Hardy placed third in the 165 pound class with a 895 total, lifting 315 in squat, 210 in bench press, and 370 in dead lift. In the 181 pound class, Bradley Arnold placed first with a 990 total, lifting 360 in squat, 245 in bench press, and 385 in dead lift. Ty Tamplin placed first in the 198 pound class with a 1100 total, lifting 435 in squat, 260 in bench press, and 405 in dead lift. In the 220 pound class, Nick Rhame placed first with a 890 total, lifting 325 in squat, 215 in bench press, and 350 in dead lift. Blaise Manak placed third in the 275 weight class with a 920 total, lifting 335 in squat, 250 in bench press, and 335 in dead lift. Garret Jarrell placed first in the SHW division with a 1300 pound total, lifting 500 in squat, 290 in bench press, and 510 in dead lift. There were 20 lifters on the girls side.
after Monique Whittaker drained a 3-pointer with 18:21 remaining in the second half. Lamar’s last lead came with 10:21 remaining in the second half as Loyd hit two free throws to put LU up 42-40. After that Central Arkansas went on a 15-3 over the next five minutes capped by a Courtney Duever jumper with 5:21 left that gave the Sugar Bears a 55-45 lead. Lamar got no closer than seven points the rest of the way. Central Arkansas shot 60.9 percent from the field (14-of-23) in the second half, including 57.1 percent (4-of-7) from 3-point range. Nakeia Guiden led Central Arkansas with 15 points. Duever had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Sugar Bears, while Megan Herbert and Micah Rice added 11 points apiece. Tidwell will try for win No. 100 again Wednesday when the Lady Cardinals host Northwestern State at 7 p.m. in the Montagne Center. For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715 or visit LamarCardinals.com.
DONALD AND MYRA Kingrey of Buna enjoyed a family Christmas vacation to DisneyWorld and remembered to bring along the Beacon. Also joining the Kingreys on vacation were their daughters, Kelly Edwards (Michael) and Jessica Sullens (John) and the Kingrey’s 11 grandchildren.
MAURICEVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOLER Matthew Cox recently won first place in the seventh grade division of the Science division at the Math and Science competition at Odom Academy. He is the son of Woody & Kim Cox, grandson of Elton and Mary Ellen Cole, and Agnes Beaty all of Buna.
Travel Channel to film at Museum of the Gulf Coast Museums are where America technology at Lamar State Coldisplays strange and curious remnants of the past. Behind each object is a story to be told and secrets to be revealed — often brimming with scandal, mystery, murder and intrigue. The Travel Channel series Mysteries at the Museum takes viewers on a revealing tour of America’s hidden treasures. The Museum of the Gulf Coast will be a part of that journey later this month when the Travel Channel films an episode focusing on the Karen Silkwood exhibit and collection. Karen Gay Silkwood was an activist and union whistleblower who died a mysterious death marked by controversy and many unanswered questions. She was born in Longview on Feb. 19, 1946 and was raised in Nederland, Texas. After graduating from high school, she studied medical
lege of Technology in Beaumont and married William Meadows in 1965. The couple had three children: Kristi, Michael, and Dawn. After divorcing Meadows in 1972, Silkwood moved to Oklahoma and got a job as a chemical technician at the Kerr-McGee plutonium fuels production plant in Crescent, Oklahoma. She soon became an active member of the Oil, Chemical and Atomic Workers Union where she was an advocate for plant safety. During the week prior to her death, she was reportedly gathering evidence for the Union to support her claim that KerrMcGee was negligent in maintaining plant safety, and at the same time, she herself was the victim of a number of unexplained exposures to plutonium. On Nov. 13, 1974, Silkwood had an appointment with a union staff representative and a New York Times investigative reporter. At this meeting, she was to provide documentation to the reporter, showing that her charges that Kerr-McGee had been negligent in quality control and had falsified records were justified. Silkwood was on her way to this meeting when she died in what seems to have been a onecar crash. The documents she was to have turned over to the reporter were never found. Silkwood, who died at age 28, was buried in Danville Cemetery in Kilgore. Since her death, her story has achieved worldwide fame as the subject of many books, magazine and newspaper articles, and even a major motion picture starring Meryl Streep and she is still considered a martyr by labor union activists around the world. The saga of Karen Silkwood continued for years after her death. Her estate filed a civil suit against Kerr-McGee for the alleged inadequate health and safety program that led to Silkwood’s exposure to plutonium. In 1986, twelve years after her death, the suit was headed for retrial when it was finally settled out of court for $1.3 million. Guided by the Museum’s curator Ami Kamara, the Travel Channel will tour the Museum’s permanent exhibit on Karen Silkwood located in the Notable People Gallery and get an upclose look at the objects that tell her story including garments worn by Silkwood at the time of her death. For more information about Mysteries at the Museum visit www.travelchannel.com/tvshows/mysteries-at-the-museum. The Museum of the Gulf Coast is owned and operated by the Port Arthur Historical Society in partnership with Lamar State College - Port Arthur and the City of Port Arthur. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 409-982-7000 or visit www.museumofthegulfcoast.org.
Shelbea Permenter won third place in the 123 pound class with a 560 total, lifting 170 in squat, 80 in bench press, and 195 in dead lift. In the 132 pound class, Melanie Batchelor won first with a 560 pound total, lifting 230 in squat, 95 in bench press, and 235 in dead lift. Keana Ratcliff took home second place with a 445 total, lifting 180 in squat, 85 in bench press, and 180 in dead lift. The Buna girls swept first, second, and third, in the 148 pound class. Chrystal Ballin won first place with a 675 total, lifting 280 in squat, 110 in bench press, and 285 in dead lift. Logan Vaughn won second place with a 585 total, lifting 215 in squat, 115 in bench press, and 255 in dead lift. Chelsea Cripps took home third place with a 445 total, lifting 175 in squat, 75 in bench press, and 195 in dead lift. In the 165 pound class, Lily Bayer wont first place with a 450 pound total, lifting 160 in squat, 110 in bench press, and 180 in dead lift. Rachel Smith took first place in the 181 pound class with a 505 total, lifting 195 in squat, 105 in bench press, and 205 in dead lift. Amber Sterling won second place with a 470 pound total, lifting 185 in squat, 95 in bench press, and 190 in dead lift. The team will compete next Thursday, Feb. 2 in Warren.
Learning to Live By Amber Hawk The last column I wrote was about change. I confessed that I often change my mind. Apparently the title of my column was not exempt from the idea of change. As I have figured out over the past year, sometimes the news writes itself. Other times you have to write the story, rewrite it, and then make more changes until it just fits right. I think that’s what has happened with my column. At first I thought I would use my column to shed light on specific topics, bring out the positive in a bad situation, or spotlight a certain community issue. Hence, I named my column, “This little light.” While I still may do some of those things occasionally, I’ve realized that my column was turning out to be more about how much I’m learning about life. It seems like every week I’m learning something new. I believe that’s because of you. You, the Buna Beacon reader, are teaching me so much. I’m always thinking about what you would want to read, how the newspaper can best suit your family and your life, and what the Buna Beacon means to commu-
nity members. Chad, the Buna Beacon owner, and I are working to build a partnership with the Buna and Evadale school districts in hopes to increase readership in the younger generations. However, even when they begin to regularly read the paper, I will still fall below the average age of the Buna Beacon readership. At the ripe old age of 24, I completely realize that I haven’t seen a whole lot of life. As Terry Albritton always tells me, “I have socks older than you.” I’m a firm believer that the longer you are alive on this earth, the more opportunities are presented for you to learn from. Now, we all know people who clearly have not taken advantage of all their learning opportunities, but I know they had a chance. Although I learned many things at Sam Houston State University, it’s the School of Hard Knocks that I know has taught me more. So that’s why I’m changing my column title to “Learning to Live.” That’s truly what I feel like I’m doing. Every day I’m learning a little bit more what living looks like.
Mrs. Buna From page 1A Birmingham replied. Following the completion of Business College in Cuba, she moved to California.. After more than five years of patiently waiting and completing stacks of paperwork, she gained her United States citizenship. The Birminghams moved to Buna in 1991 following a five month business visit. They compared the manners of the younger generations and the hospitality of the small town to what they had experienced in California. “I wanted to call Buna my home,” said Birmingham. “And I’m more proud to do so with each year I’ve been here.” The couple have four girls, Mary, Cindy, Linda, and Kim, and three grandchildren, Christus, Forest, and Felicia. A smile extends from ear to ear as she speaks of her family and the closeness they share. “We don’t get to see them as
often as I’d like to because they don’t live near us,” she says. “However, I enjoy every minute of the time we’re together and really look forward to them being here for the festival.” Birmingham is on the program for her official roasting at the King’s Feast on Feb. 3, and she admits she’s a little nervous about it. “I appreciate the community choosing me for this honor although I don’t feel deserving at all,” said Birmingham. The Buna Women’s Civic Club King’s Feast will be held on Friday, Feb. 3 at the First United Methodist Church MAC building. Meals will be served from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with coronation beginning at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at Keeler’s, from any Civic Club member, or at the door.