THE
MAY 2019
magazine
a n
o r i g i n a l
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LAST
SU E ! MON T H LY IS o Check out ur
~N E W~
Quarterly I ssue coming in
O C T OB E R ! (pg. 9)
HOM E T OU R | I N T H E K I T C H E N | 2 0 QU E S T IONS | W I SD OM F ROM T H E WOR D AG G I E
O W N E D
A N D
O PER AT E D
bes t of
M AY
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CINCO DE MAYO On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla. This single military battle signified defeat of a European colonial power, and a victory for the Mexican people. Cinco de Mayo has come to signify Hispanic and Mexican pride and a time to celebrate the rich culture.
MOTHER'S DAY Mother’s Day is always celebrated on the second Sunday in May. It’s widely celebrated as a special day to honor all mothers and motherhood. Together, let’s honor the women who raised us and all the mothers who sacrificed for their children.
SAWMILL SAMPLER The Texas Forestry Museum is hosting its annual Sawmill Sampler event! Discover what life was like in early East Texas sawmill towns. Sample a variety of beans in the Bean Cook-off, and try food samples from local restaurants. Enjoy the live music, performances, and demonstrations.
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MEMORIAL DAY Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.
ART CAMP The f irst week of Art Camp will start on Tuesday, May 28th. This will include Wee Art and Adult Classes only. Please check the Museum of East Texas website or Facebook page for more information about classes, or give us a call at 936-639-4434.
OUTBREAK CAR, TRUCK & BIKE SHOW This three day Car, Truck and Bike Show will award the Top 50 vehicles and a dozen specialty awards. Come out and see the beautiful classics and brand new hot rods for yourself. For more information, visit www. OUTBREAKTX.com.
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a l e t te r fro m th e
E DI T OR
This year, more than any other year I can remember,
the weeds from my own life so that new things can
I have paused to enjoy the transition from winter to
bloom. I’ve said it before; we can learn so much
spring. I’ve even actively engaged in the process by
when we are students of God’s creation, paying close
being diligent to f ill the bird feeder and keep all of
attention to how it operates.
the weeds away so that everything can grow to its full potential. We now have a consistent tribe of birds
As we move out of the routine of the school year, I
who eat to their heart’s content and f lowers and trees
pray you can enjoy the moments around you. Linger
bursting forth with new life. It truly is miraculous to
awhile as you watch what’s going on around you.
watch it all unfold.
Force yourself to just be still. God meets us in that stillness, and it’s a beautiful thing.
I’ve tried to determine why I’ve been so mesmerized by all of this. Perhaps my soul is ready to move from
All the way home,
the dim seclusion of winter into the bright light and warmth of spring. Maybe I’m ready to see new growth in my own heart. Maybe it’s time to pull
Beth
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CONT food & design
family
12
30
HOME TOUR
GA N DY NOT E S
20
32
IN THE KITCHEN
E V E RY T H I NG E L SE
34
24
KIDS' CORNER
L E T ' S C E L E BR AT E
TIPS
26
40
& TRICKS
REAL LIFE
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E NTS community
jour ney outdoors
46
88
2 0 QUE STIONS
C O N S E RVAT I O N F O C U S
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90
SPOTLIGHT
O U T D O O R S W I T H F A M I LY
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94
T RU E B E AU T Y
E AT OU T D O OR S
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96
W I SD OM F ROM T H E WOR D
OUTDOOR EVENTS
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THE
magazine
a n
o r i g i n a l
s i n c e
2 0 0 5
The Journey Magazine is available free of charge each month per reader. Mail service of The Journey Magazine may be purchased for $15 for 12 issues. Mail check to: The Journey Magazine, P.O. Box 150351, Luf kin, TX, 75915, or contact kogden@luf kinjourneymagazine.com.
OWNER & DIRECTOR: Kim Ogden kogden@lufkinjourneymagazine.com MANAGING EDITOR: Beth Johnson beth@lufkinjourneymagazine.com L AY O U T & A DV E RT I S I N G D E S I G N : Kelly Hudman kkhudman@yahoo.com F E A T U R E S P H O T O G R A P H Y: Lisa Crow CONTRIBUTORS: Kris Ball Emily Courtney/Nature's Eye Erin Cuccio Dr. Jacob Fitzgerald Angela Gandy Eric Griffith C O N TAC T U S : Mailing: P.O. Box 150351 Physical: 106 E. Lufkin Avenue Lufkin, Texas 75901 936-366-5463 Online: facebook.com/thejourneymagazine instagram.com/thejourneymagazine www.lufkinjourneymagazine.com
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a l e t te r fro m th e
OW N E R
How can The Journey Magazine reach more readers? This is something I struggle with often, especially when word on the street is that “print is dead.” The answer? Adapt. For the last 14 years The Journey Magazine – in my team’s hands and Stephanie Oliver’s – have worked hard to bring you the best of the best. The best human-interest stories, the best photos from our readers, the best content that keeps you connected to the community around you. We have consistently delivered a premium product to our communities and 14 years later we are still a force to be reckoned with. The decision to move to a quarterly publication was timely, as we are seeing a cultural shift towards a greater appreciation for an online presence. The platform we are creating is unlike anything we’ve done before, and as brand visibility is extremely important to any business, it’s become important for us to up our online game. We are constantly working to bring the best content to our loyal readers and I truly believe that this change will benef it this community even more. From the bottom of my mine, Beth’s and Kelly’s hearts we thank you for being with us on our journey these last three years and we are looking forward to what’s coming! Believe me guys this is going to be amazing! Here’s to a great summer with warm breezes on your cheeks and a smile on your face! We love you all and we will see you in October! Hugs –
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F
H OM E T O U R | I N T H E K I T C H E N | L E T ' S C E L E B R AT E | T I P S & T R I C K S
F O O D & D E S I G N
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W EN DY & JO SE
ROJ O welcome us home
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P hoto C r ed it - LISA CROW May2019.indd 13
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home | H O M E
T O U R
The architecture of our home is extremely unique for the time period in which it was built. Constructed in 1926, features such as the arched exterior doors and the arches on the porch made it an unusual build then; fastforward 93 years and it’s still such a distinctive, beautiful structure – we couldn’t pass it up.
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The exterior of our home is a technique called German Smear; it’s stucco placed over the top of the original brick and gives it an Old World charm. An interesting fact is that during the renovation to the interior we found cement and brick walls under the sheetrock! The look was so gorgeous and unique that we left the walls with the mix of materials for all to enjoy.
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home | H O M E
T O U R
Our furniture is a hodgepodge of so many wonderful things. The colorful chair in our living room was purchased from a vintage shop and reupholstered using a blanket my husband and I bought in Mexico during one of our mission trips. I purchased our dining table from a friend and had it ref inished; now my friend regrets selling it to me! The island in the middle of the kitchen is from The Wishing Well in Luf kin. It has a machine base with a top made from a bowling alley lane! We have an eclectic taste, and our home def initely showcases that.
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home | H O M E
T O U R Truthfully, the design in the bathroom might be my favorite in the entire house! From the shiplap on the ceiling, to the cement walls complimented by 93-year-old wallpaper and paired with an amazing claw-foot tub and chandelier, our bathroom is truly beautiful.
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While our original plan was to buy a home in the Luf kin area, it was in God’s plan that our roots be planted in Henderson. This home brings us so much joy and my husband and I plan on loving it for years to come. We are only the 4th family in 93 years to live here, so it truly has been loved for a lifetime!
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home | I N
T H E
K I T C H E N
Summer Sippers 20 | M AY 2 0 1 9
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Strawberry Watermelon Refresher INGREDIEN T S 2 c. fresh strawberries 1/4 c. lemon juice 1/3 c. sugar
2 c. seedless watermelon 2 c. crushed ice
INS T RUC T IONS Dissolve sugar in lemon juice. Combine
the mixture and remaining ingredients in a blender and blend until slushy.
Shirley Temple INGREDIEN T S 1 c. Sprite
1/3 c. Orange Juice
2 tbsp. Grenadine Syrup 1 Maraschino Cherry
INS T RUC T IONS Fill a mason jar halfway with ice. Pour
ingredients in the jar in this order: orange juice, sprite, and trending syrup. Top with a cherry.
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home | I N
T H E
K I T C H E N
Fruity Wine Slush INGREDIEN T S 3 c. of frozen fruit (any combination will work...strawberry/pineapple, peach/ mango, etc.) 2 c. white wine
1 c. crushed ice
INS T RUC T IONS Add all ingredients into a blender and blend until slush forms. Pour into glasses and enjoy!
Grown-up Lemonade INGREDIEN T S 3 c. lemonade
1/2 c. sliced strawberries
4 oz. vodka
large handful of fresh mint leaves lime
ice
INS T RUC T IONS Combine lemonade, 1/4 cup of the strawberries, vodka, and half of the mint into a bowl or large pitcher. Stir until the strawberries start to break apart. Fill 2 mason jars with ice and divide the remaining mint and strawberries between them. Pour over the lemonade mixture and garnish with the lime.
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Pineapple Splash INGREDIEN T S 3/4 c. pineapple juice 1 oz. grenadine
1 oz. Malibu Pineapple Rum 1 TBS cherry juice
INS T RUC T IONS Mix all ingredients together. Serve over ice, garnished with a cherry!
Lime Slush INGREDIEN T S 2 c. of cold water
1 packet of lime-flavored Kool-Aid
1/2 c. of sugar 4 c. of ice
INS T RUC T IONS Place the ingredients in the blender in the order listed above. Blend until you reach a nice slush consistency. Pour into glasses and enjoy!
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home | L E T ' S
the grad C E L E B R A T E
LET'S CELEBRATE
Our guide to the perfect gift for the grad in your life.
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1
C A SH
Always a top notch choice for any graduate! Whether they use it for clothes, books, pizza or gasoline, you can’t go wrong with giving green!
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P OR TA B L E C H A RGER S
Truly a gift any person would appreciate these days, portable chargers can help with those Snapchat calls home or keeping their phones charged for all the photos they’ll be sending back home of their new adventures.
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ALEX A
Besides just playing their favorite music, Alexa (or even Google Home) can help them with research, winding down after a study break, or even help them keep track of notes. Think of it as you’re giving them their very own personal assistant!
MUSIC OR T V S T RE A MING SER V IC E S
This is great for kids who don’t want to miss the shows they’re used to watching from living at home! Graduates going into the workforce or heading off to college will appreciate a little comfort of home.
NOISE C A NC EL L ING HE A DPHONE S
Ideal for jamming out on the way to class, while studying in the library or for just hanging out in loud dorm rooms. There’s no down-side to drowning out the world’s noise sometimes.
G A S C A RDS
Enough said! Heck, any person (young or old) would feel blessed to get a gas card!
E X PERIENC E S
What is your grad’s favorite band? Movie? Destination? Try going in with another couple to buy tickets to something/ somewhere the new grad would love to go. Not only are you checking “gift giving” off your list, you’re also giving them memories to last a lifetime.
LUGG AGE
A small suitcase or an overnight bag is great for quick weekend trips back home or easy to carry on a weekend away with friends.
T ER V IS T UMB L ER S COL L EGI AT E EDI T ION
Buy them a gift that fits their new lifestyle as a high-school graduate and one that won’t leak in their car or on their desk.
TO OL K I T
One for the car or one for their new digs, a tool kit is never a bad option when it comes to gifts. An easy go-to when they need a hammer for hanging photos or a screwdriver for putting together those pesky “do it yourself” pieces of furniture.
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home | T I P S
&
T R I C K S
Easy Steps to Writing a RESUME
CO V E R A L L T H E B A S I C S .
The goal of a resume is to best represent your applicable skills and accomplishments, and every resume requires these basic elements:
• Relevant educational degrees or certifications and/or licenses • Relevant work and volunteer experience
• Contact information. Your full name, the city where you live, your email address and phone number
• Relevant skills and your level of mastery
R E S E A R C H O T H E R R E S U M E S F O R I N S P I R AT I O N .
It can be useful to see how other people have written about their skills and experiences. Someone else’s resume might feature a similar history and offer an example of how to frame this experience in a compelling way. USE A S FEW WORDS A S POSSIBLE.
Employers need to quickly understand your work experience. Format your experience as a list of short, scannable statements, rather than writing out dense paragraphs. The typical resume is two pages maximum, so make sure all the information you’ve included is essential. If you can’t decide what is essential, ask yourself if what you’re including is relevant to what the employer is asking for in the job description. Q U A N T I F Y YO U R A CCO M P L I S H M E N T S W H E N E V E R P O S S I B L E .
Numbers and data bring your work experience to life and help hiring managers envision the potential impact you could have in their organization. Always try to back up your achievements with real data to boost your credibility and add informative detail to your resume. U S E K E Y W O R D S T H AT E M P L OY E R S A R E U S I N G I N T H E I R J O B D E S C R I P T I O N .
Hiring managers want to see that you can speak their language and know the language that’s commonly used in their industry, and if your resume will be posted to an online database, the right keywords are critical to getting found by employers. Also, check out job postings that interest you, and take note of the terms and phrases that employers are including there. You may begin to notice commonalities and can include some of these words or concepts in your resume if they are applicable to your background. PR O O FR E A D, PR O O FR E A D, PR O O FR E A D. Unfortunately, a single typographical or spelling error can be enough to get your resume discarded early in the game. Proofread your resume multiple times, doing a thorough line-byline, word-by-word edit. It may help to get an outside perspective, so try asking a friend, mentor, or family member to review your resume for you before you begin submitting it to employers.
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F
G A N D Y N O T E S | E V E RY T H I N G E L S E | K I D S ' C O R N E R | R E A L L I F E
FA M I LY
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f a m i ly | G A N D Y
N O T E S
Life Lessons Baseball F ield on the
Written by -
ANGELA GANDY
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I
It’s that time of year! Baseball is in full swing. Our days are long, but the homeruns are longer. I’m a proud baseball Momma! I’ve always enjoyed baseball, and as I’ve gotten to watch my boys grow up playing the game, I’ve started to love it even more. There’s something about the sport that makes it mesmerizing. But what is truly amazing about baseball, is that it teaches you invaluable lessons for life.
Pinch Hit ter
Sometimes in life, you need help in a pinch. Whether it’s the 3am call into work because you have a sick kid, or the “I’ve got this for you” conversation with your husband because you are visibly stressed. I love that in baseball, the hitter who can get the job done in the most critical game, can be called from the bench. It gives the coach a sense of relief to have someone to rely on. It gives the hitter a sense of pride to be recognized. It’s truly a win-win on the diamond and in life.
Turn and Take It
It’s amazing to me how kids are trained to “take” a pitch that they know is going to hit them. But, I know that it isn’t bad advice. The coaches know that if they can get a runneron base, regardless of how, it could help them in the long run. I think that’s completely applicable to life. Sometimes, situations that we’re in suck. But if we can “turn and take it,” we can emerge like a glorious butterly who is victorious in the end.
Pitch Selection
It goes without saying, but we are bombarded with so many different choices and selections in our life. Just as a hitter prepared by watching a pitcher warm up, we should be prepared for decisions in our life. We should be looking for “signs”. And once that perfect “pitch” comes your way, you have to be ready to swing. You can't have a delayed reaction, or you'll miss the ball.
Don't Get Burned
Outfielders are told to take a step back first when a ball is hit to them, rather than forward. The theory is, it's a lot easier to run forward if you realize the hit is short, than running backward. Isn't it funny how when things are going smoothly in life, you can move forward with ease. But if you're having to live in the past, working on fixing relationships or trying to clean up someone's else mess, maybe you should take a tip from an MLB outfielder. Step back for a minute and examine the situation before jumping all in.
Work the Strike Zone
If at first you don't succeed, try again. So you didn't get the job you applied for, but you got offered something else. Can you “work it” so you don't get that strike call? Absolutely! So you let a good guy slip through your fingers. Do you have other batters to face? Yes! Keep attacking that zone, and the call will eventually go your way. Keep working on your game. You're an all star in the making! Xoxo,
Angela
Angela is a multi-tasking wife and mother of two boys who keep her on her toes. She loves a good story and enjoys writing. You can contact her at angelagandy@gmail.com.
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f a m i ly | E V E RY T H I N G E L S E
Wr it ten by - K
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RIS B A L L
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S
Spring has got to be my most favorite time of the year. The grass is growing, trees are blooming, and pollen is accumulating on everything. It’s just part of the wonderful weather we have in East Texas. I really do love it. I can remember a time, just a few years ago, when people complained about their allergies, and I just shrugged it off. I think when I turned 37 or so is when I first started noticing all the sneezing and coughing that accompany this time of year for me. This go around, I even had to go to the doctor for a steroid shot.
In the grand scheme of things, having seasonal allergies is not a big deal. It’s nature's little version of her annual spring cleaning. We did some spring cleaning ourselves this last month and had a garage sale. I personally love garage sales. It’s an opportunity to have tons of strangers in your yard and garage, talking about all the things that we want to get rid of. I like visiting with all the strangers. Some like to ask questions. “Where did you get that?” or “How long have you had it?” “Would you take a quarter?” I enjoy those questions because it opens up an avenue for me to tell a story about something. I’m a collector of things, you could say. I’m also a story teller. My wife would agree with both of those statements. I pick things up all over the place in hopes that I might could use it one day. Then I move it around the garage, it gets moved to the barn, until I finally get tired of moving something around and decide to sell it. I’ve even pulled over on the side of the road to pick up things that have blown out of people’s trucks. Coolers, straps, sheets of plywood. I collect things. It could be the start of a hoarding disorder, but I’m praying about that, so we will see where it goes. I was thinking about how I like to hold on to things, thinking I may one day need it. Or maybe there is an emotion or memory attached to something that I’m just not read to get rid of. We collect things all of our lives. I’m sure that most of us have some baby clothes or hair clippings from when we were born. How about that doll or blanket that was yours when you were a baby, that stays packed away in the attic not to be seen until it’s handed down to your children. We’ve all got stuff that we drag around. From grade school to high school, to college maybe, then to our homes, then to our children’s homes. We pack and carry around things our whole lives, just because we can’t bear to “clean house” and start fresh. The same can apply to spiritual baggage. Spiritual baggage, to me, is past experiences, good or bad, that affect the way I feel or act in my present life. Often, they are things that take away from me living in the moment. Things that happened to us as children that we still carry around with us or past failures and disappointments that haunt us to this day. Failed marriages or lost jobs. How about a good job that you had, that went out of business? But all you can think about is how your current job isn’t as good as that last one. Is that even relevant to your current situation? Why do we as humans want to feel embarrassed about childhood experiences or past failures when they have no impact on what we are doing today? Coming from a broken or abusive home does not define us,
unless we allow it to. You see, spiritual baggage is something that we drag around our whole lives, never admitting that we need to do a little spring cleaning of our own. I’ve got some good friends that call this a “personal inventory.” Just like any good business that does an inventory. They have to throw out things that they don’t sell or expired products. That’s the same kind of inventory we have to do mentally. We have to get rid of those resentments, that guilt, that self-pity and the old ideas so that we may be of maximum service today. Right here, right now. What can I do to better the world? That’s something that the media will never understand. They want you to focus on the past, on people’s mistakes and embarrassments, and then judge them for it. That’s not my job, and I wouldn’t be good at it if it was. It’s also not my job to drag around spiritual baggage. God doesn’t want that. God says that’s his job. God wants to take all that baggage I’ve been pulling behind me my whole life and wipe it away. God wants to bless us. About a week ago we had some beautiful weather on a Thursday. It was 7pm and the boys didn’t want to come inside. They were playing by the pond, and Leslie and I decided we would build a fire by the water and cook hot dogs over the fire. She gathered everything we needed from the house while the boys and I made the fire. We told ghost stories while we cooked. At one point my youngest son Luke exclaimed, “I can’t believe y’all are letting us do this!” I immediately repeated that phrase in my head directed to God. “I can’t believe you’re letting me do this, God.” Blessings, when I choose to receive them, flow like a river into my life. Live in the now. Clean out that “old inventory” that clutters up your life. God will gladly take it off your hands. "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25
Kris Ball grew up in Mt. Pleasant, Texas but has called Lufkin his home for the past 20 years. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. He briefly toured as the Ringmaster for the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus. He was disbarred from the circus community after supporting the efforts to continue with live elephant performances. Kris has been married to his lovely wife, Leslie for 13 years. They have two boys, Brett who is 7 and Luke who is 5. In his spare time, he enjoys farming, hunting and coaching t-ball.
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- FEATU RI NG -
COOL CATS There are so many fabulous kids doing amazing things! Do you know a Cool Cat who needs to be recognized? Email the details to kogden@lufkinjourneymagazine.com and you just might see them featured here.
LET'SLOL
WORD FI N D AN D MORE !
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Greatto haveDaya Great Day! It's a
START
BBQ
KITE
BEACH
PICNIC
CAMPING
PLAY
FUN
HOT
ICE CREAM
POPSICLE
JUMP
SAND
FINISH
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Two St. Cyprian's students Alex Tiu (7th grade) and his sister Sydney Tiu (2nd grade) will both be competing at the PSIA (Private Schools Interscholastic Association) State Competition next month! Alex claimed first place in math, first place in science, and first place in spelling at the regional PSIA competition two weeks ago in Tyler, and Sydney earned first place in spelling for her age division! They compete at TCU in Fort Worth on May 4th. Good luck from everyone on The Journey team and all of Luf kin!
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U I T Y E N D Y S & A LEX
g n i R E W O P em
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FRUIT KABOBS INGREDIENTS5 large stawberries 3 kiwi Package of red seedless grapes 2 bananas 1 pineapple 20 wooden skewers
INSTRUCTIONSCut fruit in a size that can be threaded onto a skewer. Thread the strawberries, kiwi, grapes, banana and pineapple pieces alternately onto skewers, placing at least 2 pieces of each fruit on each skewer. Arrange the fruit skewers decoratively on a serving platter.
LET'S
4.
3.
L O L! 2.
1.
WHAT DID THE DOG SAY TO THE FLEA?
WHAT DO FROGS ORDER AT RESTAURANTS?
WHAT LETTER CAN STING YOU IF YOU GET TOO CLOSE?
WHO COMES TO A PICNIC BUT IS NEVER INVITED?
1 . S T O P B U G G I N G M E 2 . FRENCH FLIES 3 . BEE 4 . ANTS May2019.indd 38
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Kids love playing outside, especially during the summer months. Exercise, fresh air, and limited sun exposure to make vitamin D, are all healthy for kids. But too much sun exposure can be dangerous, especially to children. Damage from exposure to the sun builds up over time, so knowing about sun safety and how to protect your child from the sun should start early. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. When your kids spend too much time exposed to UV rays without protection, they can also damage their eyes and immune systems. And just one blistering sunburn in childhood could double the risk of getting melanoma (the most serious skin cancer) later in life. Here are some sun safety tips on protecting your children. Sunscreen should be used on babies 6 months or older. Younger babies should use other forms of sun protection. When choosing child’s sunscreen, pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if your child is spending time in the water or perspiring. Avoid exposing your child to the sun during peak hours — generally 10 a.m. to 2 p.m Dress your child in protective clothing, a hat with a brim and sunglasses. If your baby is younger than 6 months, keep him or her out of direct sunlight and find a shady area instead. Have your child drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.
Get
MOVIN G
GET MOVING OUTDOORS WITH A PICNIC FOR YOUR FAMILY. HERE ARE 7 TIPS YOU MIGHT NEED TO MAKE YOUR PICNIC PERFECT. 1. Always pack heavy items in your basket first. 2. Don't forget a blanket to sit on. On days when the dew is heavy, pack a plastic liner, like a shower curtain liner, to prevent your blanket from getting wet. 3. Be sure to pack items such as: plates, paper towels, plastic utensils, stackable containers and different size ziplock bags for storing leftovers. 4. If you are using different types of condiments, use a muffin tin and seal it with plastic wrap. Just be sure to keep it flat in your basket. 5. Pack a couple of frozen water bottles to keep your food cold. 6. Making simple sandwiches with your favorite meat and cheese before hand will save you time when you get to your perfect picnic destination. 7. Don't forget your yummy fruit kabobs.
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f a m i ly | R E A L L I F E
PING PONG BALLS
Written by ERIN CUCCIO
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I am a momma to three boys. I remember once I was grocery shopping with the three of them (pre-grocery pickup era—and all God’s mommas said, “Hallelujah!”). An older gentleman saw us and asked, “Are they all yours?” From the tone of his voice, you’d have sworn I had 15 of them. I was indignant, offended, and slighted. But like any good Southern lady, I flashed him my kindest, most polite smile and said, “Yes sir, they sure are. They definitely keep me on my toes!” Some time has passed since then. And today, I often ask myself the same dang question with less indignation, offense or slight… “Are these jokers all mine??”
us all out alive. As we got closer to the truck, I opened the door for them to all get in, and they all ran ahead. They had seen something that caught their attention, and they all ran right past the open door to pursue their find (rocks, because… boys). Finally, with only a shred of my sanity remaining, I got them all loaded and buckled and settled. And then I started in on my mom speech. You know the kind. You turn to face the back seat and every ounce of wisdom you’ve ever acquired starts flooding out and mid-way through you think, “Holy Moses, I sound just like my mother.”
Alas, they are. And God help me and my little exhausted momma brain, I sure love those little suckers.
But the wisdom was there. And like most of my parenting speeches, I was delivering it to my littles, but the echoes of its meaning were flooding through my own mind.
Hey, friend, why don’t you lean in for a little wisdom? If you are a momma of more than three, God bless you, you will go straight to heaven. I’m convinced. Do not pass GO, there are no more dollars, just straight to the mansion. If you are a momma of less than three, let me let you in on a little secret…
“Guys, I need to remind you that the safest place for you is right by my side. No matter where we are going, I need you to stay close by me. I was standing there with the door wide open and you missed it. You ran ahead to do your own thing, and you missed me standing there holding the door open for you.”
Ping pong balls. Listen, I want you to imagine that you climb yourself to the top of a very tall building and then you let go of three tiny ping pong balls. And then you have to try to track them down. Can’t you imagine how bizarrely difficult that might be? Congratulations. You have just envisioned what it is like to attempt to parent three kids 93% of the time. Sure, they have their sweet, calm, well-behaved moments. But most of the time? Ping pong balls. Good luck.
Well, haven’t I certainly been there? Running ahead on my own path? Not staying close by my Father’s side? Missing the best open door because I was too busy chasing after something that had caught my eye? Guilty, guilty and guilty.
Other than the grocery store, I think my children like to show their crazy most in moments of brushing teeth, finding a seat at the table, and getting in the vehicle to leave. Lord, help us all. Not that long ago, we were leaving church. I was herding them through the parking lot as they ran too fast and then walked too slow and darted off and ventured too far and I tried my hardest just to get
And well, maybe you’ve been there too. It’s easy to find ourselves bouncing around like ping pong balls. It’s easy to run off without good direction—going too fast or too slow or venturing out too far while we just try to make it out of this thing called life… alive. Here’s the thing: the safest place for you is right by your Father’s side. No matter where you are going, stay close by Him. He’s likely standing there with the door wide open for your next steps, and you don’t want to miss it. Don’t run ahead chasing after your own thing. The door is open, and He is waiting…
Erin Cuccio is a wife, momma to three wild and handsome boys, and a writer and speaker. After nearly a decade as an educator, she retired to her true passion - Chief Operating Officer of the Cuccio Household. Today, she spends her time traveling to speak, doing administrative work from home, getting her cardio in by wrangling her boys, and supporting her husband in his entrepreneurial adventures while embracing the grand adventure. Her hidden talent is bringing order to any kind of chaos, and she is most satisfied with a good cup of coffee and a quiet afternoon. Erin is a published columnist, contributing writer for several online sites, and author of her personal blog (www.erincuccio.com)
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f a m i ly | G R I F F
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S P E E DY M Written by ERIC GRIFFITH
Many of us have pets. Whether you’re a Great Dane, Mini Aussie, or Maine Coon person, you have an attachment to your 4-legged family members. Today, I’d like to share a story about an adventure that occurred many years ago. It’s about one man’s attempt at rescuing one dog. The man was me. The dog was an abandoned 15 lb. Dachshund who was later appropriately named “Speedy”. It was a warm, sunny afternoon when I spotted this majestic beast sitting on the side of the road on my way home. He was a magnificent creature…regal, if you will. From his perch on the roadside, he watched me drive by as he stared into my soul and plotted against me. This show-quality stray was obviously in need of rescuing. I informed my mother of the situation, and that’s when my life forever changed. After all, she had an affinity for anything with four legs. I digress. Anyway...she insisted we get in her car and immediately extract this poor creature from the imminent danger he was obviously facing. Away we went. I spent the 38-second drive trying to get my game face on. I tried to summon my inner Steve Irwin. However, I should have tried to summon my inner Usain Bolt, because I was not prepared for the athletic prowess this creature possessed. We arrived on scene. My mother was driving, and I was in the passenger seat wearing shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops. She felt the need to instruct me to “catch him”. Sounds easy, right? WRONG!! This demon spawn of a canine was obviously born with physical abilities known to no man. He showed me all 6 of his teeth…then, he ran. The chase was on. I ran full speed into the woods, for what felt like 63.8 miles. Briars, tree limbs, fire ants, 8 spiderwebs and a possum were just a few of the things I encountered while in hot pursuit. As this obviously lab-enhanced monster eluded me, I continued to get more cuts, scrapes and insect bites. I just couldn’t seem to catch this beast of lore. When suddenly, I caught a break. He ran out of the woods and onto the open grassy knoll along side the
road where this debacle had started. I emerged from the woods only steps behind him, never gaining ground. I was missing a flipflop, my shirt was torn and I’m pretty sure I was missing a pocket from my shorts. His apparent genetically modified 4” legs moved at a pace that would outperform the wings of a hummingbird. There I was…still running 2mph faster than the speed of smell, apparently. Bloody, bruised, and out of breath, I continued the chase. In my peripheral vision, I noticed a car driving up next to me. It was my mother…. with the window down…. reminding me to run faster, catch him, and don’t let him get away! You know…those inspiring tidbits this battle torn individual needed to carry on. This went on for the next hour (I’m guessing at the time as I didn’t have the breath to ask what time it was). Just as I was reaching down to snatch up the evasive, genetically altered beast, he darted into anther heavily wooded area…and I gave up pursuit. At that moment, I wasn’t sure I was ever going to catch my breath. I knew I was a goner. I felt like such a failure. All that work without anything to show for it. Unless, of course, you count the blood, one missing flip-flop, missing pocket and countless ant bites. Once I caught my breath, I performed battlefield triage on myself. Apparently, I “should have been more careful.” I was certain that the mythical creature I had pursued had escaped with the superpowers that he had been given. But don’t worry…there’s a happy ending. The next morning, Mr. Demon Dog was sitting in my backyard. He had obviously surrendered. I attribute his surrender to the motivational speech I gave him while he ran for his life the day before.
Eric Griffith is a husband, a father, and a nurse who tries to find humor anywhere and everywhere. He states, "If you go through life without laughter, you're missing the point."
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PRESENTED BY -
C
2 0 QU E S T ION S | S P O T LIGH T | T RU E BE AU T Y | W I S D OM F ROM T H E WOR D
COM M U N I T Y
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A
LO O K
BACK TWENTY at Q U E S T I O N S M I K E
RE S T LE SS HE A R T
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L OV E
S CO T T B E R G E R
M I K E M AT H I S
S U S I E C A R R O WAY
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B I L L I E
N A KILI
A S H L E Y B E R R Y
M A L CO L M D E A S O N
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&
JA Z I
R AY
T R E N T A S H BY
DAV E
F E N L E Y
PAG E
A N N B A K E R
NATALIE THORNTON
T E D D
L O V E T T
DEMETRESS HARRELL
LY N N T O R R E S
J E R R I
K AY
B OY D
H A L L H E N D E R S O N
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c o m m u n i t y | S P O T L I GH T
Spotlight
K Y L I E
R I D I N G S
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“From a very young age, the moment I pulled my socks up to when
“It was very stressful,” said Kylie. “My parents and I were going city
be. I honestly believe whatever you put in is what you’ll get out of
event had people walking around with clipboards evaluating you
I stepped out on the soccer field, I knew it was where I wanted to something. I’ve found soccer is teaching me responsibility and a strong work ethic.”
to city every weekend for the large, open try-out weekends. Every
and watching your every move. It was worth every second for sure, but it was definitely tense.”
Kylie Ridings may not look fierce at first glance, but put her out
Selection of these players is not an easy task. Kylie along with the
4, Kylie knew soccer would be her calling. Beginning with fall ball
soccer player – technique, tactics, fitness/athletic ability, and their
on a soccer field and her spirit turns to fire. From the young age of and turning to playing year-round at only 7 years of age, soccer was
and still is the life Kylie appreciates. Playing for both LMS and her
club team, Challenge Pines, Kylie spends no less than 10 hours a week at her sport.
“To say we are proud of her is really an understatement,” said her
dad, Josh Ridings of Lufkin. “Kylie’s determination, her drive to get
out there every single day and work hard at becoming stronger, faster, more creative with her footwork… it’s an amazing thing to
other attendees were judged on four components that make up a attitude.
“Attitude is everything I think,” explained Kylie. “Attitude determines your development as a player, how you process
instruction from your coaches, and how your team interacts with
you. To show genuine sportsmanship, support my teammates and
offer them encouragement is a driving force behind my love of the game. Every component of soccer feels right to me.”
watch.”
With her prestigious invitation to train with the Olympic
Her parents weren’t the only one watching her skills progress.
hone her skills for her ultimate dream – collegiate soccer.
Earlier this year, Kylie was one of 40 soccer players in the state
Development Program, Kylie will also have the opportunity to
chosen from hundreds of hopefuls to participate in the US Youth
“Texas A&M is my first choice. After that it would be a tie between
program looks to identify players of the highest caliber, which in
of mine, and I am working hard to achieve it. The ODP is a game
Soccer Olympic Development Program. Also known as the ODP, the
turn will lead to increased success for the U.S. National Teams in the international arena.
Tennessee and Oklahoma State. To play at that level is a dream changer for me and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
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Working in Angelina County since 1984, Angelina Beautiful/Clean (AB/C) has a mission to educate and empower East Texans to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment and serves Angelina County and the surrounding area to help make it a cleaner, greener place to live, work and play. AB/C cultivates programs, services and education around litter reduction, recycling and beautification. The 9th annual Clay Shoot fundraiser presented by East Texas Asphalt is AB/C’s biggest fundraiser of the year and proceeds go towards education programs, litter prevention, beautification projects, solid waste disposal tools and many other types of outreach. The event will support AB/C, a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit, where funds go directly back into serving the East Texas community. While it is an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful with membership granting access to educational resources and grants, money raised from donations and fundraisers stay local. Texas is home to a diverse landscape and Angelina County is no exception with its beautiful natural resources. The annual Clay Shoot is way for East Texans to show off their shooting skills and the Pineywoods to show off the beautiful landscape throughout the course. The morning is spent in friendly competition in the great outdoors enjoying the unique cultural and natural history of East Texas that sets this area apart from the rest of the state. Supporters of the Clay Shoot, and other programming throughout the year, realize the importance of access to resources and making an impact on quality of life in East Texas. The first pillar that supports the AB/C mission is litter reduction. A study conducted by Keep America Beautiful measured the per capita cost of litter in the United States at $38 annually. A conservative estimate using that study could cost Angelina County $3.3 million each year in actual costs that stem from litter cleanup or unrealized costs that affects things like property values, population health, or lost economic development opportunities. Next, the pillar of recycling encourages community members to be aware and intentional about the waste stream. Each person has the ability to impact end-of-life recovery of materials to minimize the impact that we have on our natural environment so that the beauty we enjoy today can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come. Lastly, beautification can come in the form of enhancing our natural environment, but it can also mean revitalizing surroundings that already exist. With your support in time, talent, or funds, Angelina Beautiful/Clean can serve the Pineywoods by continuing to keep it a clean, green, and beautiful place to live, work and play for generations to come. For more information about this event or Angelina Beautiful/Clean, please contact Jennifer La Corte at 936-63CLEAN (936-632-5326), visit www.angelinabeautifulclean.org or follow on Facebook.
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“
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
yt
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It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.� Audrey Hepburn
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“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true
of Hope. The money raised from ticket sales, t-shirt sales and
she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a
11th at 7PM at The Silo in Lufkin.
beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that woman grows with the passing years.”
raffles go to them. The BYFY Ladies Night will be Saturday, May
Audrey Hepburn
The fashion show is brought together through local boutiques
It’s been four years since this journey of a simple photo campaign
and makeup, this is women for the first time being able to walk
was born. With the help of the most beautiful women I know, we’ve come a long way to what I feel can best be described as
“Self-Love.” This campaign highlights a spectrum of women. Women who have been to college, started careers, live behind the white picket fence with their high school sweethearts with
2.7 kids and 1 perfect dog to women who never finished high
school, divorced, aren’t sure how rent is getting paid this month (and all the between).
No matter their backgrounds, they all find themselves trying
to grasp at the same thing...self-worth. This epidemic among
women doesn’t discriminate when it rears its ugly head. Most women experience a lack of self-love at some point in their life.
A photoshoot idea that was ignited after a night of “girl talk” has turned into a full-on campaign. It’s a place for all ages of ladies
to embrace their power to choose who they are, no matter what others say, what cards life has or hasn’t dealt them, their age,
and salons who donate their time. This isn’t just pretty clothes confidently in front of other women saying, “THIS IS ME and
that’s ENOUGH!” Bella Salon and Merle Norman are our hair
and makeup sponsors this year. Fashion attire will be provided by Rubie & Jane, Junk in The Trunk Boutique, HenLee Boutique,
Blonde Ambition, Pink Leopard Boutique, and The Hanger. Dinner will be catered by Tome’ Catering. Venue provided by
Limitless Venues (The Silo). Various boutiques and local business donate raffles and swag for this special evening. We are so
blessed to live in a community that so often says “sign me up!” as soon as a need is posted for such an event as this.
This year’s guest speakers include Ashley Berry, Erin Cuccio and
Lacey Martin. These ladies will speak to our guests about knowing who you are because of whose you are. Women will learn how to
be okay with living out the saying, “Be You. Not Them.” They will
hear from others how to walk in peace knowing they are valuable and worthy just by being themselves.
their race, their career path or even economic status.
Last year we had almost 300 women fill the room for BYFY, and
said about them that stuck with them, and then write one
probe ourselves from our appearance to past mistakes, so gather
The concept is simple; write one negative that someone has positive thing they know for sure about themselves. Then, they are photographed with both. No Photoshop. No editing their story or their truth. Raw and real. Participants can self-nominate
or be nominated by previous participants. These women and
their stories are featured on Oh Snap Photography’s web page, Facebook business page and the annual Be Yourself! Free
this year I can’t wait to do the same! Life is too short to pick and
up your broken beautiful mess and join us for BYFY19 as we show
you how to piece yourself back together and love who you are so that you can show others how to do the same!
Tickets can be purchased for Be Yourself! Free Yourself! Ladies Night Out 2019 through this website:
Yourself! Ladies Night Out.
www.ohsnapphotography.shop
After seeing the response to the campaign, I knew I needed to
If you have questions about the event or are interested in
use this platform to give back to the community, and I decided
to host the Be Yourself! Free Yourself! Ladies Night Out. This is a night of fun, fashion, food, fellowship and fundraising for local charities. This year’s BYFY recipient is East Texas Cancer Alliance
donating to raffles or swag bags, please contact Barbara Havard with Oh Snap Photography via Facebook business page: https://m.facebook.com/ohsnappics/
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c o m m u n i t y | W I S D OM F ROM T H E WO R D
God's got you! Written by DR. JACOB FITZGERALD
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“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do
fear anytime I fly or travel the tallest overpass or bow-hunt in a
Joshua 1:9
pastor, when a group of students challenged me to go rock-
God is with you wherever you go.”
Light was fading and our evening hunt was coming to an end.
tall tree. You can imagine how terrified I was as a young youth repelling. Peer pressure led me to comply. A guide led me up a tall mountain to the edge of a cliff. He gave me instructions
As darkness enveloped the hayfield where we were waiting for
– secure the harness, connect the rope, and grasp the carabiner.
our all-terrain vehicle to head for home. We hadn’t made it
edge!
a deer, my oldest son and I began to make the short walk to
very far when, in the distance, a pack of coyotes unexpectedly
Now, step to the edge of the cliff, turn around, and fall off the
announced their presence with a serenade of howls and yelps.
My blood pressure began to elevate, sweat began to build,
voice trembled with fear and concern while his steps accelerated.
before me grinning from ear to ear and spoke bluntly, “Dude, I
“Dad,” my son said, “let’s walk faster to the four-wheeler.” His
I calmly encouraged him, “It’s okay, bud. I’m right here with you. We have a flashlight and a gun. Everything is going to
and fearful thoughts of failure filled my mind. The guide stood got you! Just relax and step off the cliff.”
be just fine.” My words of affirmation calmed my son’s fear;
What I didn’t know then, but I do now, is that the guide had me
pace. In that moment, I was reminded of the significance of
guide was in complete control. He held onto me. He never left
he smiled at me peacefully, and his stride slowed to a leisurely my presence in my son’s life. And my son reminded me of the importance of God’s presence in mine!
tethered to himself. During the entire exhilarating descent, the me. He was with me the entire time! I understand, now, what he meant by, “Dude, I got you!”
Joshua also needed to be reminded of God’s manifest presence.
Sometimes I need to be reminded that “God’s got me.”
of Israel - was dead, God’s promises and plans for His people
Immanuel, which means “God with us.” A most encouraging
Although Moses - Joshua’s mentor and the legendary leader never die.
God passed the baton of leadership to Joshua,
giving him the daunting task of leading God’s people into the
Sometimes I need to be reminded of the name of Jesus, component of the Christian life is Christ in us! If you’ve trusted in Christ as Savior, then greater is He that is in you than He that
land of blessing and promise.
is in the world. And if God is for us, then who can be against us?
God commanded Joshua: Be strong. Be courageous. Do not
So, are you afraid? Read the verse again. This time, slowly.
probability of a potential problem. Joshua’s journey leading
you.
be afraid. Do not be dismayed. Each command implied the
the nation of Israel into the land of promise was difficult. It included countless obstacles and intense resistance. But God
Now obey Him, trust Him, and rest in His presence. God’s got
reassured Joshua with a promise--the promise of His presence.
Dr. Jacob Fitzgerald is crazy about baseball and all things sports
that led Joshua to success. In the end, Joshua isn’t the hero of
for 12 years and have two won-
The presence of God was the source of strength and comfort the story; God is.
Do you ever struggle with fear? We live in a world with no shortage of things to worry about and much to fear: weather,
war, political unrest, economic collapse, terrorism, sickness
and death, to name a few. Fear is debilitating, discouraging, and destructive. God does not want us to live overwhelmed by
fear, so He offers us His presence. The presence of God has the power to eliminate doubt, instill courage, and calm every fear.
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Speaking of fear, I don’t like heights. I am forced to overcome
not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your
related. He and his beautiful wife, Micaela, have been married
derful boys, Samuel and Grant.
Dr. Fitzgerald has been a preacher for 18 years and now serves as
the Pastor of Denman Avenue
Baptist Church in Lufkin. When he's not preaching, you can find
him coaching his boys' baseball
teams, enjoying the outdoors or raising chickens!
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& PLACES
FACES
M O S A I C C E N T E R H E A RT S F O R H O P E , H U D S O N D I A M O N D S P O RT S O P E N I N G D AY, E D U C AT O R S O F I N F LU E N C E & L U K E ' S L OV E
( P L A C E S & FA C E S P H O T O S P R O V I D E D B Y L I S A C R O W )
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | MO S A I C C E N T E R H E A RT S F O R H O P E
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The Mosaic Center’s 2019 Hearts for Hope Dinner and Auction was one for the books! On Tuesday, March 26, 2019, Pitser Garrison Convention Center in downtown Lufkin was filled with a sell-out crowd of over 500 attendees. The event historically raises about one-third of the center’s annual budget, helping support its mission as a non-profit Christian education center offering job and life-skills training to women 18 years or older.
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | MO S A I C C E N T E R H E A RT S F O R H O P E
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | MO S A I C C E N T E R H E A RT S F O R H O P E
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | H U D S O N D I A M O N D S P O RT S O P E N I N G D AY
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Excitement and the warm smell of hot dogs filled the air as almost 600 boys and girls took the field to kick off their own opening day ceremonies Saturday, March 30th. The Hudson Diamond Youth Baseball teams gathered together to celebrate a time when they get to feel like big league players. Families and friends gathered along with vendors, mascots and more to enjoy a day spent on the diamond!
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | H U D S O N D I A M O N D S P O RT S O P E N I N G D AY
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | E D U C AT O R S O F I N F LU E N C E
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During the month of April, dozens of teachers in the Lufkin Independent School District were acknowledged by students whose lives they impacted the most. Twenty of the top LISD graduates selected a faculty member who had the greatest impact on their educational career and surprised them in their classrooms with a formal acknowledgement of the impact they made and an invitation to the Panthers of Prestige Banquet, held before graduation.
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | E D U C AT O R S O F I N F LU E N C E
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | LU K E ' S L O V E
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Dozens of volunteers used their best sewing skills on March 22nd to make 'smell blankets' for babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Woodland Heights Medical Center. They're called "smell blankets" because parents take them home so it can have their scent on them, and bring it to the hospital so the baby can sleep with it while in intensive care. It's all a part of the 6th Annual Luke's Love Event, created by the Ball family whose son, Luke, was born with complications and was in the NICU at Texas Children’s Hospital for 10 days.
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p l a c e s & f a c e s | LU K E ' S L O V E
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W
hat a team! hat a record!
Many of us are knee deep in baseball season…rootin’ for our favorite team and players. And as we slide into May (National Stroke Awareness Month), Woodland Heights Medical
Center encourages you to know your risk and understand the warning signs when it comes to stroke.
Step up to the plate and ask yourself, “Do my medical history and lifestyle choices affect my likelihood of suffering a stroke?”
If you have one of the following risk factors, talk with a medical professional about how to minimize your risk:
• Age (over 55)
• Diabetes
• Family history of stroke • Smoking
• High blood pressure
• Abnormal heart rhythm/condition • Heart disease
• High cholesterol
Woodland Heights Medical Center recently earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval® and the HeartCheck mark represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations.
• High red blood cell count
• African American or Hispanic/Latino descent
• Previous “mini-strokes,” also called transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
Stroke is the number four cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the United States, according to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. On average, someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds; someone dies of a stroke every four minutes; and 795,000 people suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
Knowing the warning signs of a stroke could save your life or the life of somebody you are with.
Signs of a possible stroke include:
• Sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis of face or on one side of the body
• Sudden severe headache
• Unexplained dizziness and/or loss of balance • Sudden loss of vision • Difficulty swallowing
• Confusion or difficulty speaking/understanding
So now it’s the 7th inning stretch… and we need to make something happen. The game
can be won- more than 75% of strokes are preventable according to the National Stroke Association. When a stroke occurs, every minute counts and you can count on Woodland Heights to care for you and your loved ones.
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TO:
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re a d e r ' s | S HOWCA S E
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All Families Mortuary – Congratulations to All Families Mortuary in Burke on their Chamber ribbon cutting! They are a great group of people who want to ease the financial burden of funerals for families in their difficult time. Go see Meghan Garza and her lovely staff at 8166 US HWY 59 South.
Kovar Capital - Kovar Capital has moved to a new location and added Premier Pediatric Therapy to their newly remodeled offices at 415 S First St. Suite 300A. The Kovars and their staff would love to meet you! Visit them in the Republic Building downtown or call them at 936 – 899 – 5629.
Lopez Pressure Wash – Welcome to the Lufkin/Angelina Chamber of Commerce! They are a hard working family who built their business from the ground up. Lopez Pressure Wash started out washing cars and have built themselves up to now pressure washing everything up to 4 story buildings at the request of their faithful customers. Is your house or back patio covered in pollen? Lopez Pressure Wash is a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee Company and will get your house looking good as new. Give them a call at 936-676-9801 or visit their website at www. lopezpressurewash.com 81 | T H E J O U R N E Y M AG A Z I N E
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your | C H A L L E N G E
p e e h r t f e s i c t y day a d oT
for a new beginning. 82 | M AY 2 0 1 9
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ARE YOU A PRO OR JUST A HOBBYIST? SHARE YOUR BEST PHOTOGR APHY WITH US A ND GIVE YOUR JOURNEY SOME EXPOSURE. SELECTED PHOTOGR APHS WILL APPEAR IN THE JOURNEY MAGAZINE. PLEASE SEND YOUR HIGH RESOLUTION (300 DPI) IMAGES TO kkhudman@yahoo.com INCLUDE YOUR NAME, CONTACT INFORMATION AND ANY TITLE YOU WISH TO GIVE YOUR PHOTO. WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR JOURNEY IN THE BEST MAGAZINE!
SPECIAL UNIFORMS IN HONOR OF BILLIE JEAN JOHNSON; #PLAYFORBILLIEJEAN - BY BRANDON SMITH
MY FIRST CACTUS FLOWER OF THE SPRING - BY RALPH MORGAN
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TRACE SUITER AT KANTUN CHI CENOTE PARK, MEXICO
ENJOYING CRAWFISH AND OUR LITTLE CUTIES - BY MACI DOVER
A GREAT WEEK SPENT WITH DEAR FRIENDS IN KEY WEST! - BY AMANDA MATCHETT
SWEET BAYLEE LIVING HER BEST LIFE! -BY KAYLA OKRAY
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HAYNE DANIEL ENOS IS AN OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED MEMBER OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, LUFKIN! - BY TRACI ENOS
LHS SPRING SHOW FRIENDS - BY MENDI BRENT
LAST LUFKIN PACK SWIM BANQUET FOR THE SENIORS - BY JENNIFER MCCALL
CHEERING ON KENDALL AND MIKE DURING THEIR GALVESTON IRONMAN - BY MARY KING
'TIS THE BASEBALL SEASON - BY ANGELA GANDY
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CONGR ATS
2019
GRADUATES!
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SHARE YOUR STORY
PRINT & DIGITAL MEDIA | FILM PRODUCTION | STILL PHOTOGRAPHY | MARKETING 888-381-4638 | info@natureseyemedia.com
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C O N S E RVAT I O N F O C U S | O U T D O O R S W I T H FA M I LY | E AT O U T D O O R S | O U T D O O R E V E N T S
J
JOU R N EY OUT D O ORS
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o u t d o o rs | C O N S E R V A T I O N
F O C U S
A Wild Need Written by - E M I LY C OU RT N E Y
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M
Many people enjoy the outdoors, but there’s a certain breed
that are working to restore ecosystems and maintain trails in
beyond enjoyment. Some of us need the outdoors. We need
are held. One of their beneficiaries is the Caprock Canyons
of people who share a connection with wild places that goes the fresh air and open space, the plant life, the scent of dirt, the sound of birds. It’s a part of our soul, and is essential to our
wellbeing. Along with this kinship to the wilderness, comes a sense of responsibility to care for it. These are the places that we hike and camp, climb and run, kayak and fish, bird, hunt,
and otherwise explore. In order to continue having spaces for
these activities, they must be conserved and maintained. Our
many of the parks and wilderness areas where their events
Restoration Project, through which the state park (of the
same name) has been working for several years to restore the
native prairie landscape and has reintroduced native wildlife such as bison and prairie dogs. This is an excellent example
of a company recognizing a need to invest back into the environments they use and enjoy.
interest in these places doesn’t end with their utility to us; we
At Nature’s Eye, we are fortunate that our work allows us to
and for the sake of the wildlife and plant life that inhabit them.
conservation practices on a daily basis. We partner and
find satisfaction in protecting wild places for their own sake,
Some
outdoor
enthusiasts
become
involved
with
organizations associated with their particular activity, to help them find community and grow in their sport. This is a great way to find the best trails or rock climbing spots in your area. Often, these groups will also dedicate a few weekends
contribute to habitat restoration, reforestation, and other volunteer with organizations like The National Wild Turkey
Federation and The Quality Deer Management Association to support their habitat and wildlife conservation efforts. On every level, we encourage nature based living to everyone we encounter.
a year to volunteering in the form of trail maintenance, river
If you are one of the unique sort who finds yourself beholden
use. This is one way for those of us who are most connected to
Join an organization you can volunteer with, or simply ask
cleanup, or whatever is needed in the spaces they most often
these places to care for them and ensure they will continue to be available in the future.
Companies in the outdoor industry often find ways to promote similar activities through corporate responsibility strategies or “giving back” campaigns. One such campaign is Ultra Expedition’s Wild Places Initiative, in which the company is
dedicating a portion of profits to conservation organizations
to wild places, there’s no shortage of ways to get involved.
about volunteering yourself at your favorite local park. Support organizations and companies that care about the
same places you do, and help reinforce their efforts. Caring for wilderness spaces and recreational areas is a monumental task, and none of us can do it on our own. It is a worthy task,
though, and altogether necessary, for the possibility of future
enjoyment, for those of us who need the outdoors, and for the wild itself.
JOIN AN ORGANIZATION YOU CAN VOLUNTEER WITH, OR SIMPLY ASK ABOUT VOLUNTEERING YOURSELF AT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL PARK. SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPANIES THAT CARE ABOUT THE SAME PLACES YOU DO, AND HELP REINFORCE THEIR EFFORTS. CARING FOR WILDERNESS SPACES AND RECREATIONAL AREAS IS A MONUMENTAL TASK, AND NONE OF US CAN DO IT ON OUR OWN.
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o u t d o o rs | O U T D O O R S
W I T H
FA M I LY
Wonderildflower
Texas does everything big, including showing out with an abundance of wildflowers in spring! You’ve no doubt already noticed some on your everyday routes, or maybe in your own backyard. If you haven’t gotten your wildflower fix, or are just aching to feast your eyes on an endless field of bluebonnets, look no further than your nearest state park. Many of them are
home to magnificent wildflower blooms each spring, and welcome visitors to come enjoy the views and get those perfect insta-worthy shots.
Here is a short list of parks worth venturing to, and just a few of the wildflower species you may find at each: TYLER STATE PARK (purple conef lower, standing cypress, coreopsis, beebalm) DAINGERFIELD STATE PARK (verbena, yellow f loating bladderwort) FORT BOGGY STATE PARK (bluebonnets, spiderlillies, partridge pea) HUNTSVILLE STATE PARK (bluebonnets) LAKE BOB SANDLIN STATE PARK (spring beauty blossoms) LAKE R AY ROBERTS STATE PARK (American basket f lower, American water willow, prairie conef lower) LOCKHART STATE PARK (pink bluebonnet) If your favorite park isn’t on the list, don’t fret! No matter where you are in the state, there’s sure to be a field with colorful
blossoms just a short drive away. Always remember to practice Leave No Trace principles while in the parks, and be aware
and respectful of wildlife. Park staff request that visitors do not disturb standing fields or patches of wildflowers by walking through or sitting in them. This will help to ensure that the wildflower communities will continue to be there year after year for us all to enjoy!
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o u t d o o rs | O U T D O O R S
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W I T H
FA M I LY
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o u t d o o rs | E A T
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Blueberry CRISP
Pr e p a r a t i o n T i m e: 20 m i n u t e s C o o k i n g T i m e: 35 m i n u t e s S e r v e s: 6 If you’re lucky enough to know where a few wild blackberry bushes are growing in your
neck of the woods, and you can fend the critters off long enough to pick a few for yourself, try this delightful dessert recipe! You may have to plant more blackberry bushes…
I NGR E DI E N T S 4-5 cups wild blackberries 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour 1 ¼ cup rolled oats ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 teaspoon vanilla
DI R E C T IONS Rinse the blackberries in cold water and let drain.
Preheat oven to 350 and grease an 8x8 baking dish. Combine flour, oats, both sugars, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Add vanilla to the melted butter, and slowly mix into the dry ingredients until a crumbly dough forms. Divide the mixture, pressing half into the bottom of the dish. Bake the bottom layer of crust for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and pour blackberries over crust. Then crumble remaining dough mixture on top of blackberries. Bake another 20 minutes, or until blackberries are bubbly and top crust is golden.
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OU T D O OR EV EN T S M AY 2019 E V EN T S C A L ENDA R
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TEXAS
Here in East Texas, we just happen to be living amidst some of the best outdoor recreational opportunities in the country. This is partly due to our own gorgeous state, but also partly because we happen to be neighbors with states that call themselves “Sportsman’s Paradise” and “The Natural State”. This puts us in prime position for all the outdoor fun anyone could handle. Check out these few places and events we’ve gathered here, and drop by the website of each individual state for a more comprehensive calendar!
basketball goal at the Lakeview Loop Trailhead. The hike is approximately 45 minutes long, and the ranger will guide you on the trail while teaching you about nature. All ages are welcome to attend this fun event
Visit tpwd.texas.gov for more info and registration.
STATE PARK EVENTS MAY 4: NATURE CUBS CLUB – SHELDON LAKE STATE PARK & ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
Join the monthly meeting of the Nature Cubs Club at Sheldon Lake State Park! This club is for kids and has been created by kids. Club members will have a chance to meet other nature lovers, learn about a topic, and then explore the park together! Be sure to bring water, bug spray, and closed toe shoes. The Nature Cubs Club meets at our wildscape garden directly across from the park's headquarters. MAY 8: HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM, POLLINATORS – MARTIN DIES, JR. STATE PARK
Join Ranger Amy to learn what a pollinator is and why they're so important to us. When we're done learning about pollinators we'll plant a pollinator plant that you can take home with you. MAY 18: RANGER-LED HIKES – LAKE BOB SANDLIN STATE PARK Join our knowledgeable rangers on a guided hike! The starting point will be at the
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MAY 25:
STAR PARTY IN THE PARK – LAKE WHITNEY STATE PARK
Bird watching, aka “Birding”, is one of the fastest growing hobbies in the nation and Caddo Mounds will be hosting both a classroom session and walk around its wooded and wetland areas. Come join us; spring is the best time for hearing bird song and seeing a bird’s colorful plumage. East Texas, with 353 species, is a great place to bird due to the diversity of habitats in the region. Dr. Brent Burt, Professor of Biology at SFASU, will present a brief presentation on the basics of bird identification and then lead a birding foray into the diversity of habitats represented at Caddo Mounds. We expect to see and hear 30-plus species. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars (if you have them), sunscreen and insect spray. The program is free, but regular site entry fees apply.
Join us for a relaxing evening at beautiful Lake Whitney State Park. See the moon and stars through a telescope with Larry Smith, a retired astronomy ranger of the National Park Service.
OTHER EVENTS MAY 4:
MAYFEST – TRINITY PARK (FORT WORTH, TX)
Fort Worth's Family Festival on the Banks of Trinity River. Get Outside with TPWD in the Frost Zone (11am-7pm) on Saturday & Sunday only. We will be hosting hands-on youth activities that include camping and fishing skills, reptiles, archery and more. We have a drawing for a Camping Package for youth who enter our Outdoor Kid's Challenge. Music, carnival rides, games, festival food, special attraction shows, dance performances, and so much more! Visit https://www.mayfest.org/ for more info including entrance fees and times. MAY 11: BIRDING AT CADDO MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE – ALTO, TX
LOUISIANA
Part of our border with Louisiana is made up of the expansive and extremely popular Toledo Bend reservoir. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the eastern shore of this beautiful system of lakes, Louisiana maintains two state parks here, North Toledo Bend and South Toledo Bend. They are two of the most scenic and visited parks in the state, and are both an hour and half drive from Lufkin. Many other parks host a wide range of activities and events, and there is plenty of outdoor recreation to be found outside the park system as well.
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OUTDOOR EVENTS
Visit louisianatravel.com for more info on individual events.
For more information call 888.677.2900.
MAY 11:
7TH ANNUAL SPORTSMAN’S HERITAGE FESTIVAL – NALL PARK (KROTZ SPRINGS, LA)
BIRD CALLS AND SONGS – LOUISIANA STATE ARBORETUM, VILLE PLATTE Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day while learning some of the calls and songs of the birds of the Arboretum. Binoculars will be provided so that visitors can confirm what they are hearing. For more information call 888.677.6100.
MAY 23-26:
The mission of the Krotz Springs Heritage Festival is to promote the wetlands and woodlands that surround our community and the Atchafalaya River. Join everyone in celebrating and sharing the heritage and extraordinary wildlife and habitats that we have treasured our entire lives on the banks of the Atchafalaya. Adventurous foodies can vote for the best wild game in the Fur, Feathers, or Fins cook-off. Cajun, Swamp Pop, and Zydeco enthusiasts can take over the dance floor, and families will enjoy the fairgrounds, food, and art vendors. Free admission. Visit http://www. kssportsmensheritagefestival. com/ for more information.
ARK ANSAS MAY18: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE EARLY ACADIAN CHILD – LONGFELLOWEVANGELINE STATE HISTORIC SITE, ST. MARTINVILLE In recognition of National Kids to Parks Day, children will be able to experience what life would have been like in the early 1800s as an Acadian child. Children will be encouraged to participate in chores (such as working in the garden, seeding cotton, making butter, etc.) as well as have the opportunity to play games the Acadian children enjoyed. Staff will be dressed in historic costumes and a limited number of children´s costumes will be available on a first come, first served basis. Refreshments will be provided to all participants. This program is subject to change based upon weather conditions. Pre-registration is required.
The Arkansas wilderness is famous for it’s natural beauty. If you’re looking for a little different scenery to explore for a long weekend, you might find it here. There are ample opportunities for all types of outdoor recreation at Arkansas state parks, as well as fun and educational family activities. Visit arkansasstateparks. com for more information on individual events.
one pole per participant please. Prizes will be given for the largest and smallest catfish caught. This is a free program. For more information about this or any other program, please contact the Center at 870-9832790. MAY 18: WITT STEPHENS JR. CENTRAL ARKANSAS NATURE CENTER (LITTLE ROCK, AR) Test your archery, BB gun, or casting skills. Targets and instruction will be provided. Depending on the weather and available staffing, the archery range or the BB gun range (not both) will be set up for target shooting. Contact the nature center at 501-907-0636 to see which range will be open. MAY 18: HUMMINGBIRD BANDING WORKSHOP – POTLATCH CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER AT COOK’S LAKE (CASSCOE, AR) Come discover band making, banding procedures, what flowers attract hummingbirds and how to care for wintering hummingbirds in Arkansas. The presentation will include a video and banding demonstration. Some participants will be asked to release a hummingbird. Please bring a sack lunch and drinks. All activities will be inside the education center. Seating is limited, please register by calling the center at 870-241-3373.
MAY 11: SATURDAY FISHING DERBY – RICK EVANS GRANDVIEW PRAIRIE CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTER (COLUMBUS, AR) All children ages 15 and under are welcome to participate in these derbies. Bring your pole and some bait, and fish for catfish in the education pond. A limited supply of poles will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only
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THE
MAY 2019
magazine
a n
o r i g i n a l
s i n c e
2 0 0 5
LAST
SU E ! MON T H LY IS o Check out ur
~N E W~
Quarterly I ssue coming in
O C T OB E R ! (pg. 9)
HOM E T OU R | I N T H E K I T C H E N | 2 0 QU E S T IONS | W I SD OM F ROM T H E WOR D AG G I E
O W N E D
A N D
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