Event Book

take one

february 2015

S o u t h e a s t

T e x a s

E v e n t s

gift of Life

Presents

a force for good champagne & ribs April 16, 6:30 p.m.

the PArtY of the

Light-YeAr

PLus February Favorites: Love, Chocolate & Gumbo Southeast Texas Mardi Gras Black History Month Celebrations Boomtown Music & Film Festival

february 2015 10, 11

features The Planets Align for a 6-9 Party of Astronomical Fun Charities That Have Our Hearts & 10, 11 Great Events this Month A Month Long Celebration of Contributions of African Americans 12

31 d e pa rtm e n t s Infographic On This Date in Southeast Texas Word of the Month Brew Review Pin-Tested Southeast Texas Somebody Social Seen Go Out Hobby Time Cartoon Corner Sneak Peek Puzzling SoutheastTexas.com Stats The Last Word

14, 15 16 16 17 17 18, 19 20, 21 30 31 32 33 34 35 38

22, 23 24 26 27 27 29 31 32 36, 37

22, 23

from the cover Four courageous rebels ally to fight prostate cancer as honorees for the Gift of Life Champagne & Ribs, party April 16. This force for good includes (left to right and top to bottom): Dr. Joe Holland, medical director of the Endoscopy Center of Southeast Texas and a practicing physician with Southeast Texas Gastroenterology Associates; Rev. John Adolph, pastor at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church; Chief James Singletary, Beaumont Police Departments chief of police; and Sheila Umphrey, artist, interior decorator and business owner of Decorating Depot. Read about the party that is out-of-this universe fun while raising money to battle prostate cancer on pages 6-9.

Cover and story photography courtesy of Brandon Gouthier

Subscribe to the EventsBook If you would prefer to receive your copies of the EventsBook in the mail for one year, please send $19.95 to: SoutheastTexas.com, 3827 Phelan Blvd., PMB 112, Beaumont, TX 77707 Include your mailing address.

We list all events for Free. We are the one calendar for Southeast Texas.

For the latest and most exciting events, visit us at

www.SoutheastTexasEvents.com.

3827 Phelan Boulevard PMB 112 Beaumont, Texas 77707 409.201.9934 SoutheastTexasEvents.com Publisher Paul Chargois

events Performing Arts Visual Arts Entertainment Kids Corner Free Fun Food & Beverage Sports & Recreation Business & Networking Event Listings

a publication of SoutheastTexas.com

Editor-In-Chief Shelly Vitanza Editor Beth Gallaspy Creative Director Tina Breland Art director Therése Shearer Web Content Managers Dominique Delgado Amy Dowdy Kathleen Gantner Account executive Renee Cox circulation Don Shellenberger photographer Jim Debes contributing writers Beth Gallaspy David Cybulski Brandon East Courtney Mleczewski Melissa Tilley Emily Wheeler Advertising Information: For advertising, please contact Renee Cox at 409.781.3603 or rcox@southeasttexas.com.

To list your event on Southeasttexas.com: Visit Southeasttexas.com, click events. Under the Calendar tab, click “Submit an Event,” or email us at events@southeasttexas.com.

Copyright 2015, SoutheastTexas.com. All rights reserved. All contents copyright 2015 Virtual Communities, Inc, The Events Books, SoutheastTexas.com.

All rights reserved. EventsBook is a monthly publication. Events shown are from SoutheastTexasEvents.com. Priority listing is given to SoutheastTexasEvents.com’s member organizations. Other events are listed as space allows.

For additional information on the events listed in the EventsBook and other events not listed, visit SoutheastTexasEvents.com.

SoutheastTexas.com is not responsible for any discrepancies or changes that may have occurred since the publishing of this issue. Every effort has been made to ensure accurate information at the time of publication, however, this cannot be guaranteed. SoutheastTexas.com recommends visiting SoutheastTexas.com or contacting the represented companies to determine availability of service and to confirm date, time, location and other related event information. All submissions of editorial, photography, advertising and event information are accepted only without risk to the publisher for loss or damage.

Editor's Letter

february 2015

Dance, Especially When No One Else Is

O

n the occasion of All Saints Episcopal School’s 60th anniversary morning chapel celebration a few months back, the 3- and 4-year-old students reverently paraded single file to the front altar to perform.

As the children assembled, my eye caught the movement of a lively character on the far right.

Not only did this 3-footer have distinguishing big curls, but where the others stood perfectly attentive waiting for the music to start, he was twisting from side to side as if the music had already started.

Was the movement a precursor to an exhibi-

tion? Previous experience told me it was. During a Thanksgiving performance a few years back, kids in the same age group sang ever so saintly except for one angelic blonde center stage. He appeared agitated, like he needed a restroom.

He sang a word periodically but mainly stepped front to back, tossing his head until ultimately stepping forward and out of line. Mid-song he blurted above the music what obviously he could not hold back: “Mom, can Ryan come home to play with me today?”

The sweetest children’s hymn began, slow melody, precious words, and “Ringlets,” just as I guessed, picked up his twisting pace. He bobbed and weaved, bending his knees and raising his hands above his head, swinging to and fro. His arms went out side to side, elbows nearly hitting those around him, and his head went up and down. He had rhythm but the wrong tempo, like dancing hip hop to “Amazing Grace.”

Then as if touched in a freeze tag game, he stopped. For a split second, he stood looking wide-eyed into the audience. He looked to his right. The child next to him was singing appropriately. He looked left observing the same. He then turned all the way around where every classmate was obediently singing; not one was dancing.

At first I thought “Ringlets” had decided to conform and cease dancing because he turned forward and paused, deep thought evident as his eyes turned down. But then, he resumed his jubilant jive more energetically than before, adding a toe tap and hip swing.

I wanted to cheer. “Ringlets” took the challenge “dance like no one is watching” to the next level – dance especially when no one else is.

We’re celebrating “ringlets” in this EventsBook – people who have thrown caution to the wind, inhibitions to the curb and fear to the sidelines, and I’m not just talking about Elmo, who happens to be dancing like no one else on the planet, at Ford Park this month. I’m talking about unconditional love, read about it and the history of Wuthering Heights in our outdoor feature, page 30, as well as another love story (It is Valentine’s Day month, you know), page 35. Other ringlets include Southeast Texas men willing to strut their stuff for a good cause in the Mr. Habitat contest, pages 10 and 11, and those making a difference in the arts in Beaumont, pages 22 and 23. Plus honorees of the Family Services of Southeast Texas luncheon like Police Chief James Singletary who is being recognized for his community oriented approach to policing, page 11. In addition, the Chief is being honored with three others at the party of the light year as seen on the cover. Read about the party and the light saber toting allies, page 6-9. Other heroes, this issue - mentors for the Chamber, page 32, and organizers of the Boomtown Film and Music Festival now in their 8th year –WOW! It takes a lot to bring such an event to Southeast Texas and now this festival has participants worldwide, page 22.

We’ve also included a chocolate section in our infographics, pages 14 and 15, to help you locate this most pleasurable must-have for Valentine’s Day. And yes, it was written from the staff’s personal experience.

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you dance all month, especially when no one else is.

6

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

the PArtY of the Light-YeAr iS

a force for good

Gift of Life Champagne & Ribs to Raise Funds for Prostate Cancer

This year, a group of courageous rebel forces- Rev. John Adolph, Dr. Joe Holland, Chief James Singletary and Sheila Umphrey- join the battle against prostate cancer and prepare for the astronomical party of the light year, Champagne & Ribs, at 6:30 p.m.

April 16, at Ford Park. lert all commands. The party of the light year, Champagne & Ribs, is an out-of-this-atmosphere Star Wars-themed night that will celebrate the 10th anniversary of this event, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in the war against prostate cancer.

The Gift of Life has become a life-changing agent in Southeast Texas, expanding programs and services to include prostate and breast cancer screenings, diagnostic evaluations and treatments, along with extensive educational outreach.

In 2000 the Gift of Life began offering prostate cancer screenings. Since that time more than 8,000 men have received free screenings and 64 have been diagnosed and received life-extending services as a result of early diagnoses and treatment.

“The Gift of Life provides vital life-saving healthcare services for medically underserved men throughout the region,” said Norma Sampson, executive director for the Gift of Life. “We’ve touched the lives of so many men who would never have had the opportunity to receive medical care.”

Gift of Life prostate cancer services include not just free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests but a range of screenings: blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure testing, HIV screenings, hepatitis C and medical consultations with area physicians.

“We provide a full panel of primary scare screenings because the area’s at-risk population—men who face innumerable

Left, top to bottom: Champagne and Ribs Honorees Chief James Singletary, Sheila Umphrey, Dr. Joe Holland and Rev. John R. Adolph

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

february 2015

7

Gift oF LiFE SupeR Service StatS

Since 2000: 8000 free prostate cancer screenings 64 diagnosed and provided free life-extending services Courageous Rebels in the Battle Against Prostate Cancer: Gift of Life Champagne & Ribs Honorees Rev. John R. Adolph Ordained in the ministry by his father Rev. Seymour Adolph, Rev. John R. Adolph has been the dynamic religious and visionary leader of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church for more than 15 years. With a congregation of nearly 9,000 parishioners, Adolph inspires others through his poignant, powerful and prayerful sermons that have changed lives and communities from Beaumont to Washington and beyond in Kenya and Oxford, England. As a spiritual servant, he advocates “doing better, helping others and making a positive difference.” Adolph and his family are actively engaged in causes and projects that impact the health, education and well-being of families in Southeast Texas. Married to the love of his life, Dorrie Eileen, they are the proud parents of two children, Sumone and Jonathan Adolph.

Adolph is a tireless champion of the Gift of Life and supports the organization’s preventative cancer screenings and its lifesaving services and educational outreach.

Joe Holland, MD A prominent Beaumont physician, Dr. Joseph Holland is an award-winning professional specializing in gastroenterology and internal medicine. In 2001, Holland was named the Clinical Physician of the Year by the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America. Holland serves as both the medical director of the Endoscopy Center of Southeast Texas and a practicing physician with Southeast

Texas Gastroenterology Associates. As a compassionate community leader, his “healing hands” have positively impacted the delivery of care within the region and by the Gift of Life. Committed to the organization’s healthcare services for medically “at-risk” individuals and its invaluable educational outreach, Holland has furthered the organization’s vital role as a regional corridor of care that saves lives in Southeast Texas.

Chief James Singletary Beaumont Police Chief James “Jimmy” Singletary has served the needs of the community for more than 40years. For three decades, he dedicated his skills and commitment to protect the citizens of Beaumont as one of the “men in blue” at the police department, working an additional nine years as a major in the criminal investigations division of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

In 2011, Singletary was tapped as Beaumont’s Police Chief and has led the charge with visionary goals to improve community relations while boosting morale and teamwork within the force.

A respected and trusted community activist, Singletary donates his time and efforts to selflessly support several local organizations, including the Gift of Life. He is an avowed proponent of the Gift of Life’s mission and advances the organization’s initiatives.

dedication to excellence that has fashioned this remarkable woman as a vibrant regional leader.

Her colorful personal canvas showcases the multitude of talents and roles she orchestrates as a loving mother of two and grandmother of seven and a successful business owner of the Decorating Depot, Inc. Umphrey shares a love of artistry and adventure with her adoring husband of more than 50 years, Walter Umphrey - one of America’s most respected trial lawyers. Umphrey’s “service beyond self” is evidenced in her community efforts advocating and defending vital healthcare and educational opportunities for youth and adults. A guardian of healthcare for medically underserved women and men in Southeast Texas, she is an invaluable supporter of the Gift of Life’s programs and activities.

Sheila Umphrey An admired and respected artist and interior decorator, Sheila Umphrey has a

barriers to care—experience a higher incidence of other life-threatening diseases,” said Sampson. “Our free screenings are strategically placed to eliminate barriers to care and also include essential education and navigation. We are improving clients’ overall health, and for those diagnosed with prostate cancer, we are providing support every step of the way with all costs underwritten by the Gift of Life.”

The Gift of Life program initiatives are fortified by medical partners and community healthcare supporters who compassionately and generously devote their time and expertise to the cause.

Star Wars Han Solo rebel honoree, Dr. Joe Holland, recognizes the vital role of the Gift of Life in Southeast Texas. His father died of lung cancer; mother had renal cell carcinoma; grandmother lymphoma and aunt breast cancer. “Their program increases awareness of the need for screening tests to prevent cancer or catch it early, and particularly helps give those who are less fortunate access to care.”

PRePAre FoR LAuncH

Thursday,February 3 at 5:30 pm, the Gift of Life will play space host to a media party announcing this year’s Champagne & Ribs Star Wars theme.

The Murry J. Frank Planetarium, 3370 North St. is the venue for this stellar evening where media partners will experience the launch of this year’s planned events at Champagne & Ribs April 16.

During the reception, courageous rebel honorees along with Sharon Rigsby, the planetarium teacher, will fire up the Spitz A3P Projector (Star Projector) and expose the night sky.

Rigsby says that Venus, Mars and Jupiter, as well as constellations Orion and Taurus, the bull, will make for a beautiful winter sky.

The Murry J. Frank Planetarium is a BISD facility.

8

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

MAY The ForcE Be WitH You

Beaumont Police Chief James Singletary is heroically committed to the cause. Honored as the Gift of Life’s Luke Skywalker, Singletary has seen the devastating effects of prostate cancer firsthand.

“I know eight men who have died from cancer, and five of them died right before or after they were going to retire from the police force,” said Singletary. “But three had prostate cancer and survived and are now cancer free.”

Early diagnosis is critical to survival. Statistics reflect that the five-year survival rate for men whose prostate cancer is diagnosed early is nearly 100 percent.

“I’ve seen the smiles on those men’s faces who are cancer free, and that’s what makes supporting a cause like this so worth it,” said Skywalker…uh…

Singletary. “There are many things you do medically to support someone, but sometimes the most important thing you can give is hope, and that is what the Gift of Life gives.”

The Rev. John Adolph, pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, joins the Star Wars “force for good” as Jedi Knight teacher Obi Wan Kenobi.

“The Gift of Life is a godsend! There are thousands of economically disadvantaged Southeast Texans who would never receive early detection and treatment without the gratuity, grace and goodness of the Gift of Life,” said Adolph. “May God always smile upon all of those who make the Gift of Life faithfully move forward.”

Completing the great galactic alliance, the universe’s favorite princess, Leia, is Port Arthur native Sheila Umphrey, artist, interior designer and busi-

ness owner. “As a Gift of Life board member, I’ve seen firsthand the regional impact of this local nonprofit,” Umphrey said. “The continuation of its services is vital to our community.”

“We are deeply honored to recognize four outstanding community leaders, who are legendary ‘galaxies’ in their own rights and whose leadership efforts in Southeast Texas help make this area a better place to live,” said Regina Rogers, founder and chair of the Gift of Life. “Their tremendous endorsement and support of the Gift of Life throughout the years have helped us save lives. We are eternally grateful for their involvement.”

Jedi Council co-chairs Yvette Crorey and Karen Fontenot invite all to join the force for good at Ford Park for astronomical epicurean food provided by the Golden Triangle Texas Chefs Association and Go Texan. Featured band Bag of Donuts will provide intergalactic entertainment along with space jams by local group Mid Life Crisis. Individual tickets are $125 with Super Novas sponsorships available up to $50,000.

For more information contact the Gift of Life at 409.833.3663 or go online to www.giftoflifebmt.org.

Tests offered at Gift of Life screenings: • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests • Blood glucose • Blood pressure • HIV screenings • Hepatitis C • Cholesterol

Men’s health screening dates June 6 Carl Parker Center Port Arthur June 13 Lamar Institute of Technology Beaumont June 20 Wilson Building at Lamar State College Orange

“I saw the very first Star Wars in 1976 when I was 21 years old. I came out of there (Gateway theater) and told my girlfriend, my wife now, ‘No one is ever going to see this again; this is never going to go anywhere.’

I can remember that to this day; it's just amazing.”

– Dr. Joe Holland, Champagne & Ribs Honoree

Champagne and Ribs Co-Chairs Yvette Crorey and Karen Fontenot

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

“I remember the first episode "(star wars)", and it was good.

I saw it in Beaumont and enjoyed it. It was really the first space odyssey kind of show, and the special effects were so good. I watched the second one, too– The Empire Strikes Back.”

– Chief James Singletary, Champagne & Ribs Honoree Medical Partners Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Julie and Ben Rogers Cancer Institute Dauphin Cancer Screening and Prevention Center Gulf Coast Health Centers University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and its local clinics Local Physicians The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Healthcare Network Anesthesia Associates Beaumont Internal Medicine & Geriatric Associates Miguel E. Castellanos, MD Diagnostic Pathology Associates Golden Triangle Radiology Oncology, PLLC Gwendolyn Lavalais, MD Ashok Malani, MD Apryl Mensah, MD Garret K. Peel, MD, MHS J.Coffy Pieternelle, MD Previty Clinic for Surgical Care Southeast Texas Urology Associates Todd Christopher Legacy of Love Cancer Foundation Radiology Associates, LLP Moses E. Wilcox Sr., MD

Community Healthcare Alliances JoAnne Gay Dishman College of Nursing Lamar University Dietetics Internship Program Philippine Nurses Association, Inc. of the Golden Triangle Spindletop Center Triangle Area Network Walgreens

EventsBook

february 2015

9

10

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

southeast texas'

by shelly vitanza

his EventsBook is all about celebrating those movers and shakers, men and women who make a difference in our community. Throughout this book you’ll find people, who due to passion, vision and/or determination, have championed causes, shared their talents and worked hard to fundraise all for the collective good and improvement of our area. On the following page are charity events you can attend to meet these supporters, philanthropists, volunteers and achievers performing, giving and being honored this month.

Clockwise from lower left: Sam and Linda Monroe, Chuck and Becky Mason, Tim Sudela, a Habitat for Humanity build, Tracy Byrd

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

11

Family Services Celebrate Families Luncheon Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m.

MCM Elegante Hotel, 2355 I-10 S., Beaumont, 409.833.2668

Alaskan Nights

Feb. 7, 6–10 p.m.

Featuring Tracy Byrd and Benefiting Stable Spirits Elks Lodge, 11431 U.S. 90, Beaumont, 409.365.5277

Feast on crab and Byrd! Stable Spirits and the Elks Lodge #311 have partnered for a truly unique event. Guests will dine on Alaskan King Crab fresh from Soldotna, Alaska on the Kenai Peninsula, flash frozen and shipped by air overnight the day before the event. After dinner, Southeast Texas’ favorite country and western musician Tracy Byrd will perform an intimate concert.

For a grand finale, Byrd will sign his guitar and auction it to the highest bidder.

Proceeds benefit both the Elks Lodge and Stable Spirits, a nonprofit organization providing equine-assisted psychotherapy for youth and adults with a special interest in providing mental health services to people experiencing the effects of crime, crisis, trauma and other issues that may put them at risk.

Mental Health America of Southeast Texas 54th Anniversary Luncheon

Feb. 17, 11:30 a.m.

Since 1931 Family Services of Southeast Texas has been strengthening and empowering families. Through its Celebrate Families Luncheon the organization recognizes those who champion their cause in the community by awarding four distinctions. This year Sam and Linda Monroe will be recognized as the Family of the Year. Sam Monroe recently retired as president of Lamar State College-Port Arthur after serving 40 years, the state’s longest tenure for a president of a higher education institution. The Bill Leger Family Advocate of the Year will be given to Chief James Singletary, Beaumont’s Chief of Police who is being recognized for his community approach to policing. Howell Furniture, having served Southeast Texas more than 50 years with continued growth, will be awarded the Family Business of the Year, and Valero volunteers will be named Family Services Volunteer of the Year.

Family Services provides counseling and education and maintains a women’s and children’s shelter, a safe house with protection and supportive services to victims of domestic violence where all services are confidential and free of charge. For more information about the luncheon and to reserve your seat, call 409.833.2668.

American Heart Association Golden Triangle Heart Ball

MCM Elegante Hotel, 2355 I-10 S., Beaumont

Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m.

Mental Health America of Southeast Texas, the community’s mental health education and advocacy group, bestows three awards of excellence during its 54th luncheon. Tim Sudela, President of American Valve & Hydrant, will receive the Julie Rogers Special Service Award for fostering the purpose of Mental Health America of Southeast Texas. Sudela is a trustee for Spindletop Center, serves as a board member for the Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, United Way, LIT Foundation and Symphony of Southeast Texas, and is involved in a variety of business and community organizations. Mental Health America (MHA) will also recognize The Examiner Corporation with the inaugural President’s Award for promoting mental health and MHA. An additional award, the Doris & Dr. Harry Starr Award for Excellence, will be given but had not been announced at press time. For tickets to the luncheon contact Jayne Bordelon at mhaset@earthlink.net.

MCM Elegante Hotel, 2355 I-10 S., Beaumont, 409.833.2668

The most influential corporate, philanthropic and medical leaders from the community come together for this black-tie affair to raise funds and promote the lifesaving work of the American Heart Association. The evening’s blacktie festivities at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 will include dinner, entertainment, dancing and auction at the MCM Elegante Hotel. This year’s event will honor Chuck and Becky Mason, proprietors of Beaumont-based Mason Construction, a leading petrochemical and industrial construction contractor. In addition the event will recognize and honor Dr. Michael Oszczakiewicz, a thoracic and cardiac surgeon. Reserve your seat at 409.550.1753 or goldentriangleheartball.heart.org.

Seventh Annual Mr. Habitat

Feb. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County Event Centre, 700 Crockett St., Beaumont, 409.832.5358

e at cts br l A s le al es Ce h Sm indn t wi of K

Find studs at this event- nine fine men- all vying for the golden hardhat and hammer designating them Mr. Habitat 2015. This truly fun fundraiser, which includes dinner, is a competition of sorts where men show off their talents, construction know-how, brawny bods and fashion savvy all for votes and dollars ultimately used to build houses for Jefferson County families.

This year’s contenders include: Loan Originator, AnnieMac Home Mortgage Justin Ahramjian Ty Hallmark Owner, Hallmark Landscaping Byron Jacquette Owner, US Lawns Derek McWilliams Exygon Instructor; Employee, DuGood Credit Union Chad McWilliams Employee, American Valve and Hydrant Casy Savell Employee, Texas Regional Title Shuan VonFeldt Owner, Benchmark Plumbing Nello Willie Manager, McAlister's Deli Keep up with these studs on Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/Habitat-for-Humanity-of-Jefferson-County/312543034798 and get tickets by calling 409.832.5358.

Valentine’s Day isn’t the only holiday this month: Feb. 9-15 is Random Acts of Kindness Week. What can you do? Pay for a coffee or lunch for the person behind you in line.

Tape the exact change for a soda to a vending machine.

Send cards with joyful messages to strangers. Collect canned goods for a food bank.

Rake a neighbor’s yard or babysit a friend’s child for free. If you need inspiration or more information, visit the website, www.randomactsofkindness.org.

You can also post and share your stories, photos, videos and ideas on the group’s social media channels.

12

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

Upon Whose Shoulders We Stand Cultural Celebration of

Black History Month

First United Methodist Church is celebrating Black History Month through art, dance, music, literature and a one-of-a-kind historical exhibit.

Feb. 1-28, the narthex of the church at 701 Calder Ave. in downtown Beaumont will be covered with a chronological journey from the Civil Rights movement to present day. More than 100

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Florence Beatrice Price (top left), Maya Angelou (bottom left) and various civil rights marches

pieces of writing and photographs, titled “Drum Majors for Equality,” will tell the story of the movement beginning in the 1950s through the lives of civil rights leaders both nationally and locally, the peaceful marches and two specific artists – Florence Beatrice Price and Maya Angelou.

“My goal and my hope is that this exhibit and celebration will educate,” said Laurie Johnson, the project’s creator, researcher and director. “I want people – the younger people - to be educated about why they are able to do the things they are able to do, why they are able to go into a store and buy whatever they want or go into a restaurant and sit wherever they want or just to walk around freely and do whatever they want. People need to know freedoms they have were fought for. People were killed, maimed, so they can walk around free.”

Johnson, a musician and member of First United Methodist Church who envisioned an exhibit and celebration last May and took the idea to church leadership, has also planned five events called “Upon Whose Shoulders We Stand,” highlighting artistic contributions of Price and Angelou.

Price was an American composer who, because of racism, was shunned and her music not taken seriously. However, she is the first African-American woman to have a composition played by a major orchestra and is now recognized as the first

African-American female composer.

Johnson has not only compiled her own research on Price but found Rae Linda Brown, associate provost at Loyola Marymount University, who is an expert on the composer’s life and works. Brown will present a pre-concert lecture Sunday, Feb. 8 at 5 p.m. titled “The Heart of a Woman: The Life & Music of Florence Beatrice Price, 1888-1953.” Afterwards Johnson, a soprano, as well as other musicians – the Apollo Chamber Players from Houston and Danny Kelley, a pianist and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Prairie View A&M University — will perform pieces of Price’s music. During several of the compositions, dancers from the Bonnie Cokinos School of Dance will perform.

“The string quartet (the Apollo Chambers Players) is currently touring and performing Price’s music, so we were very fortunate to have them come here and perform,” said Johnson. “It was serendipity that I found them and sent them an email, and they just happened to be touring playing her music.”

Two other events are planned during the month of February featuring the works of Maya Angelou, an internationally acclaimed author who died in May 2014. On Sunday Feb. 21 at 10 a.m., Gwinyai Muzorewa, assistant professor of history, and Sara Anderson, visiting assistant professor of English, will present “A History of Dr. Maya Angelou and her Poetry.” As a grand finale the children will be treated to a storybook hour on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m., “Maya’s World Children’s Book Series.”

“The purpose of the celebration is to bring the races together and to encourage conversation,” said Johnson. “We need to go back and remember; we get complacent and we forget, and I think it's dangerous that we don't' have some conversations about it.”

The public is invited to self-guided tours of the exhibit in the narthex Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and during all of the weekend events. For more information, email Johnson at uponwhoseshoulderswestand@gmail.com.

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

13

14

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

Infographic The Perfect Food for February:

Why fall in love if you can fall in a vat of chocolate? Or better yet, fall in both this month! February is for love and for chocolate with the celebration of Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14, and it’s more than just a tradition. Research says chocolate contains two chemicals that fuel amorous desires: tryptophan, which helps increase serotonin production (the brain chemical that participates in arousal and virility), and phenylethlamine, which the brain releases upon falling in love. Chocolate, especially varieties containing higher contents of cocoa, is a feel-good food, putting a smile on faces, young and old, which makes it a perfect gift for your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day and why we decided to feature chocolate this month in our infographics.

It is the perfect food for February.

Turkey has Thanksgiving and fruitcake Christmas but chocolate has Valentine’s, Easter and Halloween.

Chocolate sales per holiday:

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.”

Charles M. Schulz

Valentine’s Day

58 million pounds Easter

71 million pounds Halloween

90 million pounds What do we spend on chocolate?

$20.1 billion annually $3.719 million on Hershey Kisses $606.2 million on M&Ms

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

Worldwide Chocolate Consumption in Million Tons

1999: 5.8

2009: 7.2

Who eats the most?

The Swiss consume the most chocolate each year with

22 pounds per person; the US consumes

10 pounds per person, per year.

Chocolate Talks & Entertainment Be Mindful of Chocolate Learn more about the why we need chocolate Feb. 19 at the Mindfulness and Chocolate: Why We Need Both discussion. Nutrition Solutions certified nutritionist Kelli Worley will take participants through a multi-sensory, hands-on demonstration to experience the value of being mindful while eating. Learn the health benefits of chocolate and how to manage cravings and incorporate mindfulness into eating.

But bring your appetite because there will be sampling of chocolate!

Register: 409.454.0417

Chocolate Takes the Stage Willy Wonka and his world-famous chocolate factory take the stage at the Port Arthur Little Theatre, Feb. 20-22, Feb. 27-28, March 1 and March 6-8. Enjoy the classic tale of Charlie Bucket in his adventurous tour of the chocolate factory. Get tickets: 409.727.7258

EventsBook

february 2015

15

What’s our favorite variety?

2020: 8.5 expected

51% milk International 35% dark Chocolate Day 8% white

July 7

Where can you get it in Southeast Texas?

Ana's Bakery 2570 Calder Ave., Beaumont, 409.212.8450 Sample the chocolate cake, cookies and ice cream, but the Mexican hot cocoa is our favorite chocolate treat at this choco-locale.

Bando's 215 N. 11th St., Beaumont, 409.212.8445 Get Godiva to go at this eatery and gift shop. A wide selection is available individually or by the box.

Basic Foods 229 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, 409.861.4424 Gluten free doesn’t mean you can’t have chocolate.

Check out the flourless fudge cookies at Basic Foods.

PLUS several varieties of fair trade (socially and environmentally sustainable), non-GMO (not genetically modified organism), organic, chocolate bars made with stevia instead of sugar.

Beau Reve 4400 Atlantic Road, Port Arthur, 409.962.2422 The Neches and fudge both flow at Beau Reve. Experience the sugary gush eating Sweet Dreams Chocolate Cake with molten fudge and pecan icing.

Bistro LeMonde 3199 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, 409.860.5800 Combining chocolate textures and chocolate tastes makes Bistro Lemonde’s Tuxedo Chocolate Mousse Cake as tasty as it is pretty.

Brazos Cattle Company 5055 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, 409.895.0099 White chocolate doesn’t get much respect compared to milk chocolate except at Brazos Cattle Company where the traditional bread pudding is topped with a scrumptious white chocolate sauce.

Debbie’s Delights 2209 7th St., Port Neches, 409.727.CAKE Every thing is chocolate coated for Valentine’s Day at Debbie’s including animal crackers and apples, cookies and cake balls. Join the cocoa craziness with chocolate-covered, peanut-butter-filled cookies.

Gigi's Cupcakes 3050 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, 409.866.0807 With equal parts of cake and frosting, Gigi’s chocolate salted caramel cupcakes are the cutest confections with a combination of flavors.

The Grill 6680 Calder Ave., Beaumont, 409.866.0039 It was love at first bite with The Grill’s signature dessert- Chocolate Tres Leches Cake. Warning: You may love the cake more than you love your sweetheart.

Jack's Pak-It 4505 Calder Ave., Beaumont, 409.892.6345 78 N. Lumberton High School Dr., Lumberton,409.656.4451 Jack’s Chocolate Yummy takes the cake. This layered cake is rich and melts in your mouth and in your Valentine’s heart.

Katharine & Co. 1495 Calder Ave., Beaumont, 409.833.9919 Light and lovely is Katharine’s chocolate mousse. Get the large and share with your Valentine or get the large and savor every spoonful solo.

Lucy’s Café & Bakery 2488 MLK Drive, Orange, 409.883.3327 They call it Candy Cake at Lucy’s, and we call it the richest chocolate in the land. It’s definitely one you’ll want and need to share, which makes it great for a Valentine’s date. Eat it now; dream of it later.

Old Orange Café 914 W. Division, Orange, 409.883.2233 The homemade classic reigns heavenly- Chocolate Chess Pie at Old Orange Café is gooey delicious.

Rao's Bakery 4440 Dowlen Road, Beaumont, 409.347.3400 Hwy 365, Nederland, 409.729.7267 2596 Calder Ave., Beaumont, 409.832.4342 All selections are savory, but for this Valentine’s Day, sample the strawberries, chocolate dipped and divine.

Sertino’s Cafe 5657 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, 409.892.0600 7675 Memorial Blvd. #100, Port Arthur, 409.724.7012 Chocolate is as drinkable as it is edible, especially at Sertino’s, where you’ll have to decide between Mocha Java and Mexican Mocha. Fortunately there are enough chocolate choices for every day of the week.

Something Special Bakery 6465 Calder Ave., Beaumont, 409.898.7471 Merci beaucoup! Not just one chocolate French macaroon from Something Special Bakery will do! You’ll need at least two.

Suga's Deep South Cuisine & Jazz Bar 461 Bowie St., Beaumont, 409.813.1808 Find a mix of southern pleasures at Suga’s- bourbon, pecans and chocolate all in one pie!

Vautrot’s Cajun Cuisine 13353 Texas 105, Beaumont, 409.753.2015 Patrons swear Vautrot’s gumbo is made of the sun and the moon, so what’s Masen’s Muddy Bayou made of? A mess of warm brownies, chocolate syrup, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream and that means it’s made of love!

16

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

on this date

in Southeast Texas

Feb. 5, 1928 More than 1,500 people attend the formal dedication of the magnificent City Hall building, currently the Julie Rogers Theatre.

Feb. 29, 1952 Finger Furniture Co. burns down.

Blaze destroys three-story Kaufman building located at the corner of Bowie and Orleans streets.

Feb. 6, 1928 Overnight air mail service begins.

Mail postmarked by 12:30 p.m. would be delivered the next day in several cities. Cost is 10 cents for 1/2 ounce.

Feb. 25, 1940 Liberty Theatre premiers Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind" in Technicolor. All seats are reserved for $1.20

Feb. 13, 1982 In an exciting nationally televised bout at the Beaumont Civic Center, WBC Lightweight Boxing Champion Alexis Arguello defeats James “Bubba” Busceme with a sixth-round TKO and retains his title in front of a crowd of 6,500.

Genealogy Day at the Tyrrell Historical Library is Feb. 7, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Tyrrell Historical Library Digital Collections capture a wide array of materials including family letters, journals, diaries, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, business reports, minutes and correspondence, along with thousands of pho-

tographs. Make sure to check out their newest collection recently added to the site, the South Park High School Yearbooks from the years 1917-1922.

Access the library’s collections at http://cdm16058.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/

wordof themonth Bless Your Heart The words are as simple as bread pudding, but their meaning can be more complex than whiskey sauce toppin'. What’s more confusing is only southern Gulf Coasters really know the meaning of the phrase, “Bless your heart,” at the time that they say it.

Basically, “bless your heart” is a statement said to express empathy. For example, when your neighbor tells you her daughter Mary Grace Nell Jane practiced the try-out cheer for three weeks but got cut from the cheer team anyway, “bless her heart” is a sentiment meaning, “I’m sorry to hear that,” or “that’s too bad.”

“Bless your heart” is the most appropriate sympathy phrase when the dog dies, the spouse cheats and the mother-in-law moves in. Additional words can be included to emphasize sincerity: “Bless your cotton pickin’ heart,” “God bless your heart” and “Bless your poor

little old heart.”

However, when this seemingly kind sentiment is said in the most southern syrupy way it can take on a new meaning. It is the nicest nasty statement and the most southern socially acceptable gentle put down on the tip of the southerner’s tongue.

So when Aunt Rita Sue explains that she and Uncle Red didn’t make it to the family reunion cause they couldn’t seem to get off the 610 Loop even though they kept going east, the best response is “Bless your heart.” Or when you hear your best friend’s son has a skin infection from trying to have his tattoo “No Remorse” removed from across his shoulder blades, again, the best reply is “Bless his heart.”

Bless your heart covers a multitude of ugly words best not spoken, such as “idiot,” “stupid,” and “moron.”

BrewReview

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

17

Pucker Up: So Sour but Oh So Sweet!

By Brandon East Charlie Foxtrot Texian Brewing Company Richmond, Texas Style: Imperial Berliner Weisse Cost: $5.99 Size: 22-ounce bomber Pucker-up this month for kissing and sipping. Texian Brewing Company’s Imperial Berliner Weisse beer, Charlie Foxtrot, has tastes reminiscent of childhood sour candies: Lemonheads, Warheads and sugared orange jelly slices as well as flavors of unripe peach. Find the aromas refreshing – a complex aroma of sour lemon pith, orange blossom flowers, musty attic, aged noble hops and warm pie crust cascade from the glass.

Speaking of the glass, this beer is best enjoyed poured into an oversized chardonnay-style glass. The color showcases banana and some hint of hazy orange with an eggshell head that falls rather quickly into a very thin ring. In a warm lit room, the color settles into deeper hues that take on a lit lamp shade gradient of yellow to murky amber that hugs the glass. This is imperial stuff here as compared to the traditional Berliner Weisse beers.

Food pairings: • Bring a bottle of this to Amelia Farm and Market in Beaumont and order the Farmer's Salad: mixed greens, Stilton cheese, lemon, pear and add some grilled shrimp.

• Moules-frites is also a good pairing here. No mussels? Then a big plate of garlic French fries will suffice just fine.

Tips & Tricks fro m

By Emily Wheel

er

my Pinterest Bo ards

Love These Easy , Affordable Va

lentines

February is the m onth of love, and there's a lot of pr card or pass out essure to find th the most creativ e perfect e Valentines to pr some of my favo eschool friends. rite (and very ea Here are sy ) Valentines you ca pinch. All of the n throw together items you'll need ca in a n be purchased little money spen at the grocery st t in the end! ore with I was soapin' yo u'd be mine!

I think you are ju

st write!

Orange you a cu tie!

Sip, sip, hooray!

It's Valentine's D

ay!

Don't forget to make a special treat for your ho your little ones ney or . Heart shaped pa ncakes or these some fruit skew aweers!

And finally...get creative with yo ur gift giving! Yo band or wife will ur huslove this deck of cards with "52 Th I Love about YOU ings !"

SoutheastTexa s. compatible wit com is h Pinterest!

18

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

southeast texas somebody

Rebel with a Cause:

Bike Builder Ensures All Disabled Vets Who Want to Ride Can Dominick Helveston prides himself on doing things others said he couldn’t. The Southeast Texas native, proprietor of Red’s Cycle in Vidor, was told in 2012 he’d never walk again after a motorcycle wreck. Not walking meant not riding, which was an unacceptable outcome to a life-long motorcycle enthusiast. Helveston, 48, also called “Gypsy” because he’s lived in 32 states and 14 countries working as a union crane operator, related his loss

of freedom to ride to disabled military veterans’ inability to cycle and decided to do something about it. After doing the first impossible task – walking – he launched mission impossible two – converting motorcycles to trikes for disabled vets, and for the grand finale of impossible tasks, Helveston is giving the trikes away, insurance included. We found Gypsy at his motorcycle repair shop at 220 Wilson in Vidor working around his nine rescue dogs.

Q: Why build bikes for veterans?

A: It’s a way to give thanks to veterans who have given to us and give them some freedom they lost as a result of a disability, hopefully bring some peace and solitude to them. I had a wreck that broke my neck and back and smashed my knee.

I didn’t know if I’d be able to walk and spent two and half years lying in bed. I realized I took my bike for granted. When bad things happened, I could always ride, but when the wreck happened I couldn’t go ride. I’m recovered and riding again, but this past Veterans Day I went to a Veterans Day event where they were raising money for veterans and giving them things. That got me to thinking... my dad was in the military and my grandfather served (I was disqualified from serving) – I wanted to give back to those who have given. They have given us independence, so I want to give them a piece of their freedom back – the freedom to ride. I have a trike here and am part owner in another company Freebirds Custom Motorcycle and Trikes, which has parts for bikes, so we started a nonprofit 501(c) 3 Biker Care Unit of Southeast Texas, which I’m president of, and we’re building and giving away custom trikes for vets.

Q: Why is it important for the disabled vets to ride?

A: They have a lot issues with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome), and riding gives them a certain freedom. Being disabled myself, I can say it gives you that freedom you didn’t have before.

There’s nothing more peaceful when you’re hav-

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

ing a bad day to get out in the wind and let everything go in your mind. It’s all about therapy, just as much about therapy for me. Been three years since I opened my shop doors being back into working on bikes that I enjoy and getting some therapy and peace of mind, so now I can give that back to them, so it’s my healing and theirs, too, in a different type of way. I’m getting freedom, and they are, too.

Q: How did your accident change your life?

A: Well, it changed everything. I got divorced and lost just about everything I had – all my retirement.

It made me think that in just a quick second things can change. You get up in the morning and walk out the door, and there is no guarantee you’re going to walk back in the door. When you come to that time that you can’t walk, you lose your body parts and limbs, it takes a very hard mental toll on you. At least I can walk and function still. They didn’t think I would, but I proved everyone wrong.

But all this changes the way you think about a lot of things, but you’re never prepared for an accident like that. The mental toll is the worst because there are so many things you take for granted, like taking a shower. Here you are a grown man, and you can’t take a shower without help. It takes away that independence that you had to depend on yourself, and now you have to have a wife or loved one care for you. It’s a mental as well as physical toll. And that’s

when I started thinking about vets and how I could give some of that independence back. They risk their lives to give us independence, and they lose some of theirs when they become disabled. It could be a great boost to help them to be able to do some things and function normally in some aspects.

Q: What has to be modified on a bike for a disabled vet to ride?

A: All depends on their disability, and the costs depend on the severity of the disability. If a limb is lost by a vet, for example, an arm, it’s going to be hard to hold handlebars, so we have to have a prosthetic that enables the rider to clamp a hand to the handlebar. It really all depends on the severity. There’s air shifters, automatic clutch packs, so many parts that are out there developed that we can modify or develop something that we haven’t thought of yet. There is always something new that puts you back on the drawing board. There is probably something we can’t do, but I haven’t found it yet. Tell me it can’t be done, and I’ll make it happen.

Oh yeah, stretch the limits of your imagination.

You can do anything with a little sheet metal, a little tubing and little math... make anything happen, even if someone is permanently in a wheelchair, if we raise the funds to do that. Can’t could never do anything cause he never tried, you know?

Q: Describe the vet program to provide bikes?

EventsBook

february 2015

19

A: We’re taking nominations for vets to get a bike.

We need a copy of their DD214, which is their discharge paper – not social security numbers or anything like that, scratch that part out. And we need a short paper telling about the soldier, his experience, what happened and how and why he/ she is disabled and why they need or desire the trike. What their discharge was. We plan to give two bikes a year minimum – one in July for Independence Day and one in November for Veteran’s Day. The first trike is mostly built and nearly ready.

Q: How can we support this effort?

A: We have a Go Fund Me site www.gofundme. com “Biker Care Unit Disabled Veteran” where people can donate. All the monies go to the cost of building a trike for a vet and then any extra goes to pay the first year’s insurance, and then we give any additional to the vet and his family. We give one lump sum to the family.

Then in March I’m planning an awareness ride and looking for donations and sponsors. I plan to ride from Vidor to California on I-10 up to I-20 and then come back across on I-20 to Savannah, Ga., to Florida and back to Texas. It’s about 4,500 miles. I haul a trailer with the program and sponsors listed, and I hope to hit media outlets across the country. No donations are too small. We’ll take a dollar.

Anything to support the cause.

20

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

2

3

1

6

social seen

1. Charles Teel, Ida Pyle and John Scott pape r to light a stack of Christmas trees at St. Mark’s Burning of the Greens.

2. The Blake Family - John, Vanessa and child ren Parker and Preston - gets festive while staying warm at a Christmas party at Garrett and Mandie Peel’s home.

3. Liz, Andre, Christopher and Grace Cok inos brave cold weather to celebrate St. Mark’s Burning of the Greens Epiphany celebration.

4. Brianna Eller, Brylie and April Dean celeb rate Basic Foods Anniversary Jan. 17.

5. The Rogers - Tanesha, Sethius, Madison and Sethius, Jr. - try a few food samples at Basic Foods Anniversary celebration.

6. Sandy and Joseph Fertitta share holiday cheer at Garrett and Mandie Peel’s Christmas party benefiting Girls’ Haven.

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

4

5

EventsBook

february 2015

21

22

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

performing arts

lights, camera, action!

By Beth Gallaspy A night out at the movies in Southeast Texas usually means choosing from a handful of big-budget Hollywood features showing on local screens.

But at the Eighth Annual Boomtown Film & Music Festival, those interested in or curious about independent film can sample dozens of selections in multiple genres chosen from nearly 1,000 submissions from around the world.

“It’s for a wide audience,” said festival director Bryan Lee. “We get people every year from all age groups and all walks of life, people interested in the film industry, but also people who are film lovers.

One thing missing in Beaumont is you don’t get to see a lot of independent films.”

For Boomtown, organizers put out a call for submissions via industry websites early in 2014 and received nearly 1,000 films from around the world- student films, shorts, experimentals, feature length. Lee and other volunteers pre-screen films to choose the best of the bunch and create

blocks of films to screen at the festival. Blocks for this year’s festival had not been finalized at press time, but in years past have included international shorts, animated films and Texas shorts.

One block is always dedicated to entries from the 48-hour film race. Each year, participating filmmakers have 48 hours to write, shoot and edit a short film in an assigned genre a few weeks before the festival.

Along with screenings of more than 30 independent films, the festival will showcase more than a dozen musical acts from Southeast Texas and far beyond.

Boomtown kicks off Thursday, Feb. 26 with evening film screenings at the McFaddin-Ward House.

Thursday’s music venue had not been confirmed at press time, but acts include locals Evan LeBouef, Cody Schaeffer and Barelands along with New York’s Hieronymus Bogs.

On Friday, Feb. 27, the Art Studio, 720 Franklin St., will host film screenings and music from Cat Bag, Honor Roll, Kel II, KNIFIGHT and Attic Ted. Saturday, Feb. 28 is Boomtown’s big day with screenings at the Jefferson Theatre in downtown Beaumont. Upstairs at the Jefferson, film lovers can learn more about the industry at panels featuring experts on topics such as directing, acting or stunts.

Outside the theater, music includes True Heroics, the Electric Kazoos, Good Grief and the Fake Carls.

Saturday evening, the festival wraps up with a screening of the classic film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and film awards in a variety of categories. Music at the Logon Cafe that night includes Channel 8, Jealous Creatures, Free Kittens & Bread, Delicious Fuzz and Jenny and the Reincarnation.

For details on the festival, and the full schedule, visit boomtownfestival.com.

February 26-28 Independent film, music and industry panels at multiple Beaumont locations: Feb. 26 at McFaddin-Ward House Visitors Center, Feb. 27 at The Art Studio, Feb. 28 at The Jefferson Theater and the Logon Café Times vary. Check facebook.com/boomtownfestival Tickets $20 for all-access, three-day pass; $7 for individual venues; $5 for “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” only at the Jefferson Theatre on Saturday For a complete, updated schedule, go to boomtownfestival.com

Show your heart for Southeast Texas Arts on Valentine’s Day

By Beth Gallaspy Lovers of the arts in Southeast Texas will find the perfect event to celebrate Valentine’s Day at the Southeast Texas Arts Council’s Hearts for the Arts.

This year, the annual celebration of the arts and humanities is joining forces with the Lutcher Theatre in Orange to feature a performance by professional modern dance company Rioult Dance NY. The New York City based company is renowned for presenting the sensual, articulate, musical works of its founder and choreographer Pascal Rioult.

Hosting Hearts for the Arts at the Lutcher Theatre provided a unique opportunity to treat SETAC supporters to a quality production and to showcase one of SETAC’s key partners in Orange, said Sue Bard, executive director. “It was an opportu-

nity to make ourselves better known in one of the communities we serve,” Bard said.

SETAC promotes and provides grants for the arts and humanities in Jefferson, Orange and Hardin counties. Proceeds from the event benefit the organization.

Prior to the Rioult performance, Hearts for the Arts attendees will enjoy wine, tasty treats and a chance to bid on silent auction items including art and gift baskets from local arts organizations. Pre-show activities also include recognition of several Southeast Texas individuals and organizations for their contributions to the region’s arts and humanities.

After the show, arts lovers can mingle with performers over coffee and dessert.

Tickets are $65. See setxac.org for details.

<<<<<<<

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

A Southern Thang to Make You Laugh Out Loud Orange Community Playhouse’s “Dixie Swim Club” celebrates Southern culture and female friendships in the most “Steel Magnolias” way, resulting in a chick-flick for the stage and a must-see for Southeast Texans.

Five Southern women, whose friendships began on the college swim team, set aside a long weekend every August to recharge their relationships, free from husbands, kids and jobs. Each year they meet at the same beach cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks to catch up, laugh and meddle in each other's lives. With self-deprecating humor they discuss topics from multiple marriages to multiple cosmetic surgeries, to the lure of younger men, to the disastrous outcomes of unwise choices and unfortunate offspring.

Director Diana Hill, with assistant director John Gray, brings this Jones, Hope, Wooten (three writers who worked on TV’s “Golden Girls”) story of five unforgettable women to life casting five remarkable Southeast Texas women: Kristen Campbell, director of wholesale at YaYa Club Clothing Company Angie Hill-McClelland, founder of YaYa Club Clothing Company, wife and mother of three Tanya Guillotte, lead over the DuPont CCMS Contract Administration Group Codie Vasquez, chief operating officer/acting executive director of Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas Janet Bland, teacher at Bridge City Intermediate School and dyslexia designee/instructor Keri Anne Foreman, (understudy) full-time mother of seven children and student; also a board member of Orange Community Playhouse.

Performances are Feb. 12-14, 19-21 at 7:37 p.m. and Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and include wine at intermission. Call 409.882.9137 or go online to www.orangecommunityplayers.com.

february 2015

23

featured performances PROFESSIONAL Beaumont Civic Center, 701 Main Street, Beaumont, 409.838.3435 Rickey Smiley & Friends Feb. 13, 8 p.m.

Ford Park, 5115 IH 10 S., Beaumont, 409.951.5400 Sesame Street LIVE: Let’s Dance Feb. 27 at 10:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 28 at 1 & 5 p.m.; Mar. 1 at 2 p.m.

Jefferson Theatre, 345 Fannin Street, Beaumont, 409.838.3435 The Ultimate Tribute Artist Elvis LIVE Feb. 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts, 707 W. Main, Orange, 409.886.5535 Guys & Dolls Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Rioult Dance Feb. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Buddy: Buddy Holly Story Feb. 23 & 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild Live Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

COMMUNITY Betty Greenburg Center for the Performing Arts, 4155 Laurel Avenue, Beaumont, 409.833.4664 True West!

Feb. 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14 at 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.

Arsenic and Old Lace Feb. 27 & 28, 7:30 p.m.

Divergent Theater at The Beaumont Club, 590 Orleans, Beaumont, 409.835.3481 A Dinner Theater A Night for Love Dinner, Live Music & Performance Feb. 13 & 14 at 6:30 p.m.

Codie Vasquez, Janet Bland, Tanya Guillotte, Angie McClelland, Kristen Campbell and Keri Foreman (understudy in the back)

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Orange Community Playhouse 708 Division Street, Orange, 409.882.9137 Dixie Swim Club Feb. 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 at 7:37 p.m.

Port Arthur Little Theatre, 4701 Jimmy Johnson Blvd, Port Arthur, 409.727.PALT Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Feb. 20-22, 27-28 at 7:30 p.m.

On Golden Pond Auditions Feb. 23, 24, 25 at 7 p.m.

Symphony of Southeast Texas, Julie Rogers Theatre, 765 Pearl, Beaumont, 409.892.2257 SOST Goes to the Movies!

Feb. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Listen to Your Mother Auditions Feb. 28 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Ben J. Rogers Visitors Center ltymsoutheasttx@gmail.com.

STUDENT Lamar University Studio Theatre, 4400 S MLK Jr. Parkway, Beaumont, 409.880.8888 The Glass Menagerie Feb. 26, 27 & 28 at 7:30 p.m.

24

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

visual arts

AMSET exhibit celebrates Black History Month

By Melissa Tilley The Art Museum of Southeast Texas celebrates the extraordinary visual art of Port Arthur native Harvey Johnson, described as a poet and not just an artist and known for his narrative paintings and outstanding draftsmanship.

“His poetry is all encompassing and speaks to the heart, soul and very existence of the human spirit,” said AMSET executive director Lynn Castle. “Harvey’s imagery tran-

scends racial boundaries and asks us to walk together in discovery of our past, present and future.”

“Harvey Johnson: A Triple Middle Passage” will be on view through April 12. It includes Johnson’s paintings and drawings that express his continuous journey in life identified by three central themes he calls the “triple middle passage” – life, the transatlantic slave trade and human transformation.

Johnson has described it as, “The First Middle Passage is life – how we enter into this life through the boat of Heaven that is the sacred womb of all mothers. The Second Middle Passage speaks to the transatlantic slave trade and its ramifications to the present day, a holocaust of unmerciful human pillage and destruction. The Third Middle Passage is about human transformation, not only ultimately from body to spirit, but transforming human and environment abuse into positive spirituality and humanness.”

Born in Port Arthur and raised by his mother, Johnson portrays African and African-American women as solid and graceful allegories of creativity, life, hope and the survival of a community and culture in his art. Recurring symbols, such as shotgun homes, are used to express the importance of social ties essential to black American cultural life.

A special part of this exhibition is the Great Wall of Fame featured in the West Hall Gallery. AMSET invited the public to become part of the celebration by honoring an African American person who is special to them or a person who has made an impact in the lives of African Americans in our community. The Great Wall of Fame is currently on view and still accepting honorees through the end of March.

AMSET is located at 500 Main St. in downtown Beaumont. For more information, visit www.amset.org or call 409.832.3432.

Above: Harvey Johnson, “I Am That I Am… ‘The Greatest Good,’” c. 1995, conté crayon on paper, 28 ¼” x 22,” collection of the poet.

Above left: Harvey Johnson, “Humble Yo’self de Bell Done Ring,” 2011, acrylic oil wash on canvas, 42 ½” x 32 ¾,” collection of John H. Stone.

Left: Harvey Johnson, “Daughter of Eternal Light,” 2003, acrylic oil wash on canvas, 40” x 30,” private collection, courtesy of Russell Tether Fine Art.

featured exhibits Art Museum of Southeast Texas 500 Main, Beaumont, 409.832.3432 Harvey Johnson: A Triple Middle Passage Caprice Pierucci: Dream State Protégé High School Art Exhibition Great Wall of Fame Winter Family Art Day Freedom, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

OPENING RECEPTION: Protégé High School Art Competition and Exhibition, Feb. 24, 6-7 p.m.

Beaumont Art League 2675 Gulf, Beaumont, 409.833.4179 Shades of Red, Feb. 14-28 OPENING RECEPTION and Pot Luck, Feb. 14, 7-9 p.m.

Dishman Art Museum 1030 E. Lavaca, Beaumont, 409.880.8959 Nowhere Backwards- Randy Bolton, Michael Krueger, Tom Reed through Feb. 27

Museum of the Gulf Coast 700 Procter, Port Arthur, 409.982.7000 Birds in Art, through Feb. 15 50 Years of Impressionism Celebrating Local Artist Doug Jackson Family Art Day, Feb. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Stark Museum of Art 712 Green Ave., Orange, 409.886.2787 Exhibits from the Permanent Collection DISCUSSION: Interpreting Artist’s Fantasies, Feb. 14, 11a.m.-12 p.m.

The Legacy Lives OnStudent Art Exhibit submissions accepted through Feb. 27

Texas Artists Museum 3501 Cultural Center Dr., Port Arthur, 409.983.4881 Nederland Art Guild Meet to Paint Every Saturday, 3:30-5:30 p.m.

The Art Studio 720 Franklin St.., Beaumont, 409.838.5393 Exhibit: Kailee Viator Clay Classes Every Sat., Feb. 14- Mar. 14, 10 a.m.-noon

W.H. Stark House 610 West Main Ave., Orange, 409.883.0871 Reflecting Times through March 7

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

25

26

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

It's

entertainment

Southeast Texas Mardi Gras:

Lots of Green, Gold & Purple and a Few Things New The revelry has been unmasked! Southeast Texas Mardi Gras includes carnivals, parades, entertainment, food, arts and crafts, lots of green, gold and purple excitement plus tailgating, gumbo, an umbrella brigade and Tracy Byrd.

Festivities Feb. 12-15 in downtown Port Arthur kick off with Lamar State College-Port Arthur’s parade beginning at the Carl Parker Center. Everyone is invited to arrive around 4 p.m. for tailgating before the Krewe de Mardi Gras Parade marches down the parade route out of the Parker Center to Houston Avenue and into the Mardi Gras grounds. There is no fee to participate in the parade. Everyone is invited to be in it with a car, a float, a lowboy or just a wagon. If you’ve got beads to throw, you’re part of the parade.

On Friday the next event to Southeast Texas Mardi Gras is a local favorite, country music’s Tracy Byrd, who takes the stage an hour after the gates open at 6 p.m. Enjoy Byrd’s music until the Krewe of Krewes parade arrives

Time!

Thursday 4 p.m. Tailgating- Carl Par ker Center, Lake Shore Dri ve 5 p.m. Lamar State Colleg e-Port Arthur Parade 5 p.m. Gates Open 6 p.m. Concert- J.A.G. 8 p.m. Concert- Phillip Gly nn Band 10 p.m. Closing Friday 6 p.m. Gates Open 7 p.m. Concert- Tracy Byrd 7-9:30 p.m. Krewe of Krewe s Parade 10:30 p.m. Concert- Whisk ey Myers 1 a.m. Closing

at the Mardi Gras entertainment site at 8:30 p.m.

Gumbo is another festive addition to Mardi Gras in 2015. Southeast Texas Mardi Gras will host a Gumbo Cook Off for the first time, and it won’t just be for judging. Each team will cook up 10 gallons of gumbo; one gallon is for judging and the other nine are for eating. Judging is 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14; sampling starts at 2 p.m. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded. All Gumbo Cook Off information is online at mardigras. portarthur.com/app/gumbo.pdf.

One of the final Mardi Gras Parades this year will be a new event - The Umbrella Brigade Parade.

Anyone, any age, with an umbrella is invited to par- Saturday 1 p.m. Gates Open ticipate. Umbrellas for decorating are available for 2 p.m. Parade- Royalty Ma FREE at the Mardi Gras Store, 3830 Highway 365, rch 4 p.m. Motorcycle Showcas e Lin Port Arthur, now until Feb. 15. Claim your umbrella 5:30 p.m. Concert- Chris Ard e Up oin & and register for the parade. Decorate your umbrella 5:3 0 p.m. Motorcycle Run Sta Nustep rts however you would like and then march in the pa- 6 p.m.

Krewe of Aurora Grand Par ade Starts rade at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15 down Mobile Av- 8 p.m. Par ade Ends enue five blocks to the Mardi Gras grounds main 8:30 p.m. Conce rt- Longneck Road stage for judging. Each decorated umbrella will be 10:30 p.m. Conce rt- Randy Rogers Band judged with cash prizes awards.

1 a.m. Closing This year there is more of Mardi Gras to enjoy.

Sunday Event hours have changed, allowing more time to 1 p.m. Gates Open celebrate at the carnival, arts, crafts, concessions, 2 p.m. Umbrella Brigade Par ade parades and concerts. See the schedule this page. 3 p.m . Munchkin Parade Tickets are available online any time allowing ad- 4 p.m. Co ncert- Sta vance purchase or last minute participation. Just 4 p.m. Truck Par rk Experiment ade go to mardigras.portarthur.com/onlineticket.htm.

6 p.m. Parade Ends 6:30 p.m. Concert- Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajun Cost: Thursday, Feb. 12 - $5; Friday, Feb. 13 & s 4 p.m. Closing Saturday, Feb. 14 - $15; Sunday, Feb. 15 - $10.

Fun Pass - $20, includes unlimited rides any one day.

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

february 2015

27

kids' corner

Dance with Your Favorite Furry Red Monster Muppet The furry red monster with the falsetto voice – Elmo – is coming to Beaumont, and he is hosting a dance party.

Sesame Street Live “Let’s Dance!” is bringing an upclose, interactive experience to Beaumont’s Ford Park for five shows Feb. 27-28 and March 1. Bring your little ones and put on your dancing shoes so you can party on the floor with Elmo and all your favorite Sesame Street characters.

Elmo has been to Beaumont before, but never have he and his Sesame Street friends hosted a dance party where the audience gets to participate together on the floor. The audience is invited to dance with the characters during this 90-minute musical production (including one 15-minute intermission) that features a dynamic soundtrack, choreography, and dazzling lights and special effects.

In addition to ongoing dance parties, Elmo uses his imagination to "Do the Robot;" Cookie Monster teaches all “feets” to dance; and Ernie shares the fun of dance with the Sesame Street favorite “Shake Your Head One Time.”

Elmo's newest friend on Sesame Street, Abby Cadabby is a 3-year-old fairy-in-training! She is still learning magic and tends to accidentally turn things into pumpkins with her "training wand." She will be on hand along with Bert, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Count Von Count, Oscar the Grouch, Telly Monster, Zoe and Rosita.

Tickets range from $14 to $30. The ultimate ticket package is the Sunny Seats package featuring premium

show seating and a pre-show Meet and Greet with two Sesame Street Live friends, including Elmo! All Meet & Greets start one hour before show time and last 20 minutes. Don’t forget your camera!

For ticket information call Ford Park at 409.951.5400 or go online to order at ticketmaster.com.

es for Ses Show tim

ame Stree

t Live

e! c n a D Let’s turday, Feb. 28 Sunday,pM.ma.rch 1

27 Sa Friday, Feb. 1 & 5 p.m. . .m p 0 :3 6 & .

10:30 a.m

2

free fun

A Connection to the Past, A Celebration of Heritage The Free Family Art Day on Feb. 21 at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas will be a one of a kind celebration of Black History Month. This fun day will center around creating works of art inspired by the exhibitions of two artists currently on display at the art museum.

The exhibition “A Triple Middle Passage,” by Port Arthur native Harvey Johnson, will be featured as inspiration for the day. Johnson’s exhibition of paintings and drawings focuses on the themes of life, the transatlantic slave trade and human transformation.

Known for his narrative paintings and outstanding draftsmanship, he earned his bachelor of arts from Texas Southern University and a master of fine arts degree from Washington State University. He taught for 34 years as professor of art at TSU. “Dream State,” an exhibition of sculptures by Caprice Pierucci, features carved wood sculptures inspired by her past as a weaver. Pierucci earned her bachelor of fine arts at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Penn., and a master of fine arts from the School of Visual Arts, New York City. She currently teaches fibers at Texas State University in San Mar-

cos. She builds her sculpture as she envisions weaving the wood. Her forms interlock, interact and repeat.

“Children can create art projects that tie back to the art in the main gallery,” said Andy Gardner, curator of education/outreach for the museum. “The children are having fun and learning about the processes the featured artists used.”

Various projects will be available designed to appeal to all skill levels including making Lincoln hats, Freedom hats and Mardi Gras masks. In addition to the hands-on art projects, there will be face painting, free refreshments and cookie decorating.

The museum hosts the event four different times during the year correlating with the works on display in the galleries and usually sees attendance upwards of 1,000 people.

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main St., Beaumont.

Also at AMSET... ...in celebration of Black History month, visit the Great Wall of Fame, a tribute to African Americans in the Southeast Texas community.

28

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

29

Food & beverage

Gumbo for the Girls

By Courtney Mleczewski A Southeast Texas institution and a local favorite cuisine come together for a can’t-miss event! The 21st Annual Girls’ Haven Gumbo Cook Off is Saturday, Feb. 21 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Parkdale Mall parking lot. Admission to the event is free with gumbo sold at $7 for a large bowl or four small bowls; tickets will be sold on site.

With a large number of gumbo teams, you’ll have the opportunity for sampling and savoring a wide variety of gumbos. Start off with sample bowls to find your favorite and then buy a big bowl of the roux brew you like the best.

Gumbo entries will be judged in three categories: seafood, poultry and combination. There will also be a People’s Choice Award. Eat and vote.

In addition to the fantastic food offerings, new this year will be a children’s entertainment area featuring pony rides, a petting zoo and blow-up moonwalks. And everyone’s favorite live show - Sonny “The Birdman” Carlin - will perform with his exotic birds at 12 p.m., 1;15 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Carlin, who is from Nederland, travels to theme parks and theatrical shows across the nation. He, with his unicycle riding parrot and exotic bird that free falls into the audience, has performed in Branson, Mo. and been on “America’s Got Talent.”

Dance your way through the gumbo with live music scheduled all day, including: Section 51 Lamar Port Arthur, 11 a.m.

Long Neck Road, 12:15 p.m.

David Kaiser, 1:30 p.m.

The Mudflats, 2:45 p.m.

Stone Cold Band, 4 p.m.

Girls’ Haven has been providing support for young women in Southeast Texas since 1996. Girls’ Haven serves girls ages 6 to 21 years providing guidance, leadership, counseling and other resources girls need to be successful. Services are also available for girls who graduate high school and wish to enroll in a local vocational program, college, university or state school.

“We have 21 girls in residence now, and we serve over 100 per year,” said Alice Teeler, executive director. “Fundraising is important to make that possible.

Our other fundraising events through the year include a golf tournament in May and a black tie dinner in October.”

For more information about Girls Haven, visit their website at www.girlshaveninc.org and for details on the Gumbo Festival visit the Facebook event.

30

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

go out

The Most Romantic Park in Southeast Texas: Wuthering Heights No Southeast Texas outdoor locale is more romantic for a stroll with your Valentine than Wuthering Heights.

The park, a 20-acre wooded tract located at 3650 Delaware, was named as much for the Emily Bronte classic novel, Wuthering Heights, as it was for the woman to whom it was dedicated, Julie Rogers.

Julie was married to Ben, and they were long-time residents of Beaumont and philanthropists whose generosity is still obvious and continued through their family, including their daughter, Regina.

Ben passed away December 14, 1994, and Julie died on February 12, 1998 (friends and family said that Ben and Julie could not spend another Valentine's Day without one another), but their loveaffair was legendary in these parts; and Wuthering Heights park, as well as the Julie Rogers Theatre, document Ben's adoration and admiration for Julie.

As shared by Regina, her father, Ben, was the oldest son of six children living in Chicago. Their father died during the flu epidemic at the age of 29 when Ben was only eight, making him the man of the household. He worked feverishly to support the family and help his mother by initially selling newspapers on the streets of Chicago and

later becoming a milk man and laundry man.

When Ben was 16, a pretty, dark-headed, 15-year-old girl moved in across the street. “He knew she was the kind of girl he wanted to marry.

It was love at first sight for him. However, he soon learned that she was very smart, already in college and had plans to attend law school (eventually graduating from DePaul Law School at the young age of 19). Thinking that she was out of his league and that he was not deserving or worthy of her, he maintained his secret crush on her, and they remained friends. Dad graduated high school and briefly attended night school, but was unable to continue his education because of a lack of finances and working multiple jobs to continue helping the family. My grandmother (Mom's mother), knowing that Dad had a crush on Mom, lovingly referred to him as Heathcliff, the love-struck main character in Wuthering Heights. Dad continued to be head-over-heels for Mom and was never interested in anyone else, always remaining her devoted and faithful friend. Although a number of years intervened, Mom eventually came to her senses, proposed to Dad and moved to Texas where he and his brothers had established Texas State Optical. Dad told me that when they got married, he very gratefully proclaimed, ‘Thank you, God.’ Fortunately, they had a long and beautiful marriage with 'two hearts that beat as one,'” tells Regina.

As a married couple, what Julie's mother had started so many years back, continued to have a special significance for them, appropriate also because they both loved Bronte’s story.

Rogers remembers that her parents never really gave gifts to one another for birthdays or anniversaries, but on the monthly anniversary of the date of their marriage, they exchanged love letters and sentiments of their adoration for one another, with these special notes always between "Heathcliff and Cathy," not Ben and Julie.

During their lives together, Ben sometimes posted along Interstate 10 a billboard which read, “Cathy, my life, my love,” signed, “Heathcliff.” Julie knew it was for her. Clearly, the rest of the community was left to wonder the billboard’s meaning.

Julie and Ben were always at each other's sides as encouragers and supporters, she with him as he and his brothers became successful, also investing wisely in real estate. Together, they shared a love of community service, Ben always with Julie as she dedicated herself to organizations involving the arts, juvenile justice, mental health, and jointly, as they were committed to helping the impoverished members of our community. As they shared their love, they shared their treasures with Southeast Texas, and that’s where the park enters into the story.

The property, owned by the City of Beaumont, was formerly the site of the Jefferson County Tuberculosis Hospital, and the City had a 99-year lease with the Art Museum, that had invested a

substantial amount of money to develop it as the site for its new museum. To recoup the money they had invested in the land, which was prime real estate, museum officials wanted permission to develop it. In 1990, in honor of Julie, Ben gave the Art Museum the money it had invested so the city could keep the property as a park. In a 1992 Beaumont Enterprise article, Ben said he did it spontaneously, as he saw the need to save this "beautiful tract of land," which he wanted to preserve in its undeveloped state. (The Art Museum had previously built its new facility at its current location in downtown Beaumont on property that Ben had acquired for a downtown convention center hotel and which he also donated to the museum.)

Regina said that her father never expected to be given naming rights, but at the suggestion of former Beaumont Mayor Evelyn Lord, who was sitting behind him at the City Council meeting, it was named “Wuthering Heights Park," in honor of the story he and Julie loved most.

At the park dedication in 1992 and according to the Beaumont Enterprise article, Ben said, "what else do we have in life but a lot of love? And we don't have to pay for it. She's my Cathy, and I'm her Heathcliff."

The gorgeous property has one and a half miles of walking trails, benches, trash containers and, remarkably, heather, a plant not typically found in Southeast Texas but in the Yorkshire moors.

Yes, you guessed it – Wuthering Heights was in the Yorkshire moors; Heathcliff and Cathy walk through the heather in Wuthering Heights.

Take your Valentine and walk through Wuthering Heights, heather included, this February paying tribute to the man who made it possible for Southeast Texans to take such a beautiful stroll – Ben Rogers and his lovely Julie.

Their beautiful marriage was an example of love and devotion and spreading that happiness and love to the community where they resided.

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

31

hobby time

Seamingly Splendid: Golden Triangle Quilt Guild One hobby group is basting away. The Golden Triangle Quilt Guild is preparing for its March 7 Quilt Auction and Lunch at the Lamar University Mary and John Gray Library beginning at 10:30 a.m. with a viewing of the quilts followed by a lunch at 11:30 a.m.

The event includes door prizes, a silent auction of mini-quilts and drawing for a raffle quilt. Preview the quilts at the organization's website at www. goldentrianglequiltguild.com. Tickets are $25 in advance at the quilt stores around Southeast Texas and some fabric stores. The deadline to buy tickets is Feb. 25. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity and the Garth House.

Members of the group meet every month on

the third Thursday with the exception of July and December. Day and night meetings are held at the Northwood Christian Church, 5050 Eastex Freeway on the service road between Lucas and Dowlen in Beaumont. The daytime group meets at noon and the nighttime group meets at 6:30 p.m.

If you’re interested in joining the Golden Triangle Quilt Guild, want to learn more about the organization or get the BOM – Block of the Month, visit their website or call Dawn Conyers for more information at 409.767.1700.

The next Quilt Show will be held in 2016 at the Beaumont Civic Center.

sports & recreation

East Texas Got Game; Come Play

Great East Texas Outdoors Fest

Game on! Whatever your game is - fish, fur or fowl - the Great East Texas Outdoors Fest is the sportsman’s, or woman’s, rifle, rod and reel paradise.

Now in its second year celebrating the outdoor life surrounding Toledo Bend Lake, The Great East Texas Outdoors Fest has expanded to two days, March 6-7, at Sabine County VFW Hall on the Rodeo Grounds in Hemphill. The show will feature a gun show, vendor booths, raffle, concert and kiddie corner.

Raffle items include a 20-foot pontoon boat with trailer and 60-horsepower motor, rifles, rods and reels, bows, Yeti cooler, binoculars and more.

All fest proceeds are earmarked for the long-range plan to build a concept stage, pavilion, park and boat ramp on the Texas side of Toledo Bend Lake, providing easy access to swimmers and space for picnics and tournaments of all kinds.

Show hours are Friday, March 6 from 12-5 p.m. The event will close with a

vendor welcome mixer from 5:30–8 p.m. when hot dogs and other snacks will be served. Doors are open again on Saturday, March 7 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with a closing concert, featuring Charlie Robison. Admission is $5 and can be purchased online at www.getoutdoorsfest.com. For more information, contact Russell Wheeler at 409.787.3926 or email toledobend2009@yahoo.com.

32

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

business & networking

Chamber Division Grooms Leaders for Beaumont’s Future Beaumont is growing its own leaders. The Leadership Development Division of the Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce coordinates a mentor program, now in its fifth year, that matches seasoned professionals with career rookies for the sole purpose of cultivating more leaders who can give back to the community.

The primary function of the program is to give a professional newbie a more seasoned professional who they can lean on for advice and guidance as they take their civic engagement and professional development to the next level.

“The division created this program because we saw the importance of creating leaders in the community and the need to put people with key professionals who are already established within the community,” said Amy Denison, executive director of Leadership Beaumont and coordinator for the mentor program. “In life you want that person who is a mentor that you can go to. So often it’s important that that mentor is outside your family, so they’re not biased and can help with life questions, personal issues, as well as professional. You’re looking for that unbiased opinion from someone who has experience, knowledge and wisdom already.”

cartoon corner

The program begins every September and runs through May. Ideally mentors and mentees meet every month during that nine-month period. Additionally, there are scheduled “field trips" to key locations in the area such as the Port of Beaumont, LIT, the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission and the Jefferson County Courthouse. These trips provide mentees with behind-thescenes access to the inner workings of the community. Mentors are invited to attend but not required.

The Lamar University College of

Business and Jeff Dyson, director of the MBA program and graduate certificates, offer the leadership program a two-day "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" Signature Workshop.

Leadership Beaumont will begin recruiting new mentees in the spring for the fall 2015 program launch. All Chamber members are invited to submit candidates for consideration.

The Leadership Division matches mentees with qualified and seasoned professionals.

“We do a match and spend hours and hours looking at interests of

mentees – their hobbies and professions – and then we spend time in brainstorming sessions looking at who our current leaders are and if they match our mentees determining where they can be an asset to this program,” said Denison. “We don’t pick mentors until we know who the mentees are.”

For more information on the mentor program or the Leadership Division’s other leadership program Leadership Beaumont, contact Amy Denison at 409.838.6581 or email her at adenison@bmtcoc.org.

2014-2015 Leadership Division Mentees and Mentors Lionel Berry, probation officer with Jefferson County, paired with mentor, Kal Kincaid, president, APAC-Texas, Inc. Amy Dillow, career advisor/coordinator, Lamar University, paired with Pat Avery, VP global business development, Griffith, Moseley, Johnson & Associates, Inc. Cyndi Edwards, finite capacity scheduler, ExxonMobil, paired with Ivy Pate, regional vice president, CHRISTUS Health Southeast Texas Samantha Fletcher, sales director, Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza, matched with Shelly Vitanza, executive VP of marketing, SoutheastTexas.com Brian Garcia, Texas contributions coordinator, Entergy, matched with John Paschall, president, Better Business Bureau Casey Lourde, mortgage advisor, Coldwell Banker Mortgage, matched with Carolyn Fernandez, executive director of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Rebekah Maxwell, social media consultant, ReStep Marketing, matched with Mary Poole, director of public affairs & marketing, Baptist Beaumont Hospital Mitch Normand, human resources representative, City of Beaumont, paired with David Thornhill, president, Southwest Building Systems

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

33

sneak peek march It's Golden Have a say-so in Southeast Texas by attending Golden Triangle Days in Austin, Mar. 1-3 in Austin. By day you'll meet state agency heads and other officials and by night you'll enjoy the tunes of Tracy Byrd. Call either Beaumont Chamber, 409.838.6581 or the Port Chamber, 409.963. 1107 for details.

Begin and End with Charity Southeast Texas medical hospitality house, The Anayat House, is hosting its gala, Operation Anayat House March 6 at the Event Centre. March 28 Lamar Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Friends of the Arts combine art, food and dance for the annual Le Grand Bal at the Dishman Art Museum and Montagne Center.

See It at The Lutcher Whoopee for Gatsby!! Speakeasy and see The Great Gatsby March 6. Then on March 10 Alan Thicke hosts Dancing Pros Live, where the audience picks the winner! Both live on stage at the Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts.

Ride It Out Pedal your own metal in The Big Thicket Bike Tour March 14, and then thrill ride at the Nederland Heritage Festival- food, fun and carnival ridesMarch 17-20. The big Ferris wheel comes to town for the YMBL South Texas State Fair & Rodeo March 26-April 2 at Ford Park.

Cast, Swing & Shoot For the second year, Southeast Texans can see the Bass Master Elite Series Fishing Tournament presented by the Stark Cultural Venues anglers catch the big ones in Orange, March 19-22. Swinging tees off March 27 for the Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas Foundation Cajun Classic Golf Tournament at the Beaumont Country Club, March 27, and again March 30 for the Garth House Golf Tournament, Fore the Children, at Brentwood Country. Southeast Texans will shoot for a cause at the LIT Shoot Out at the 1-in100 Gun Club, March 28.

Scared Fare Food is a religious experience on two days in March. On March 19 have some Pasta Milanese and all the sides at Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas- St. Joseph Day Altar at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica for lunch. The Deli Dolls at Temple Emanuel are serving their deli sandwiches during Deli Days- takeout, March 4 and for dining in March 5.

34

EventsBook

2015 february

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

puzzling ALASKAN NIGHTS BOOMTOWN FILM AND MUSIC FESTIVAL CELEBRATING FAMILIES LUNCHEON DIXIE SWIM CLUB ELMO FAMILY ART DAY GIRLS HAVEN GUMBO GREAT EAST TEXAS OUTDOOR FEST HEART BALL MARDI GRAS MR HABITAT

Bonus Word: WUTHERING HEIGHTS

SOLUTION:

TRUE WEST + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

M K Q F T H Y G S K O O Q A Y Y J V R U R E Z N U Z N H

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

N D P H N Q D T Z S X F U H H U G C Z E Y E W E Q C T R

C E L E B R A T I N G F A M I L I E S L U N C H E O N L

C E L E B R A T I N G F A M I L I E S L U N C H E O N L

M R H A B I T A T + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + A +

M R H A B I T A T X A W K M F V J M Y O R V F I P V A T

+ + + + + S T H G I N N A K S A L A + + + + + + + V E +

I D N Y V S T H G I N N A K S A L A S I U S F B Z V E C

G + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + I L + +

G T U M H K B O J G D M C N K Z N E O I N B K D I L O Q

+ R + + Y + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + T M + + +

L R Z H Y W F N E Z Z N M N B K Y F B Y V F K T M S X S

+ + E + A + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + S O + + + +

Y H E J A H S V Y J B Q C A M I F X A S B J S O W M Y R

+ + + A D + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + E + + + + + +

Bonus Word: W_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ H_ _ _ _ _ _ (Page 30)

Q S C A D D N G P H P L B Z V Y E N V O Q E I P E F E Z

+ + + + T + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + F + + + + + + +

K Y N S T M X J L X B D X M S V P M K P F T X S Z L X A

+ + + W R E + + + + + + + + + + + + + C + + + + + + + +

A C O W R E X R D D W L K V E D C O W C F G W B Z Y H A

+ + + U A + A + + + + + + + + + + + I + + + + + L + + +

H J Z U A P A B S P U G V R F Y N C I S D P F E L G N W

+ + + T Y + + S + + + + + + + + + S + + + + + L + + + +

C E R T Y Z L S M T T I O X N K D S A J K D S L G R E S

+ + + H L + + + T + + + + + + + U + + + + + A + + + + +

G E X H L X J H T Q E X M I S W U A B D C E A X O G G S

+ + + E I + + + R T + + + + + M G + + + + B + + + + + +

P L X E I C R E R T T A J U Z M G F J L S B L M W I J C

+ + + R M + + + U + E B + + D I + + + + T + + + + + + +

U Q J R M K V I U R E B N X D I U F B E T Z A D Q N Q A

+ + + I A + + + E + + X U N R + + + + R + + + + + + + +

C X X I A U K V E X T X U N R M T C Y R M X S X X K V L

+ + + N F + + + W + + + A L + + + + A + + + + + + + + +

B S P N F A M C W U J Z A L A G N A A E T G D E A Y L B

+ + + G + + + + E + + M S S C + + E + + + + + + + + + +

X B N G Y J F B E O F M S S C J B E M Y J R Q C R W G W

+ + + H + + + + S + L H + + O M H + + + + + + + + + + +

O G N H I I K N S J L H N Q O M H E B Q B S Y F X E O L

+ + + E + + + + T I A + + + + U I + + + + + + + + + + +

H B P E O A R D T I A Z Y U C U I Z T A F A E Y V O Q Y

+ + + I + + + + F V + + + + + + T W M + + + + + + + + +

D Q K I E P T Y F V Q O J P Q G T W M L F I J B U T C O

+ + + G + + + N E + + + + + + + + D S A + + + + + + + +

A I N G M Z L N E C I X C Q U W X D S A V H K U M B L D

+ + + H + + W N + + + + + + + + + + O E R + + + + + + +

J Z K H B D W N Q C G J C A C V Z I O E R V J Q V M T T

+ + + T + O G + + + + + + + + + + + + O I D + + + + + +

T W Q T L O G L I Z E P A B M P T H B O I D H P R B A D

+ + + S T U + + + + + + + + + + + + + + R X I + + + + +

K F G S T U C M H G T L U O D A Y Y W L R X I D X R F G

+ + + M M + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + F I G + + + +

L A B M M S V W Y F R X R J H T V T Z N K F I G T D B M

+ + O B + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + E D R + + +

J B O B B X O C R A W A T E R X G E B D W B E D R N N Y

+ O O + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + S + A + +

I O O D C M Q Z I Z G A H Z F Q U Q M L U U B S Y A B D

B + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + T + S +

B J P S C C N J P C P M K D W E W A H P A G I W T R S N

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

35

classified pick of the month

Mystic Mountain Studio Benches

By Dominique Delgado Take a seat on the wild side. Dan Tanner, Woodville native, makes custom Mystic Mountain Studio Benches to look like alligators, exotic birds and other animals.

Tanner is a talented, diverse carpenter who has been working in this line of carpentry for two years and creates a wide array of wood sculptures and furniture. His sculptures may vary from benches to

mailboxes, birds to dragons, but all are made of red cedar and customized to the customer’s liking. His normal benches are 5-feet long and can seat two adults and two children. Tanner invites all customers to help create a design special to their preferences, wants and needs. Every Tanner Bench is one-of-a-kind and can include company logos or family names, as well as exotic animals. Benches measuring 5-feet long are priced at $500 and normally take seven to 10 days to complete.

Find Dan Tanner by looking up Mystic Mountain Studios on Facebook or calling 409.617.1221.

Are you a Southeast Texas artisan who advertises on SoutheastTexas.com?

Contact us to be featured in this section. Call 409.201.9934 or email shelly@southeasttexas.com.

SoutheastTexas.com by the numbers

Love Found: SoutheastTexas.com Singles Hardin County native Otis Fontnow has bought and sold a lot of things on SoutheastTexas.com over the years, but he never thought he’d find the love his life there, too.

“I had been on Match.com for a little bit, but it was all crazy, to say the least, so I said I’m not going to do anything online,” said Fontnow, a 42-year-old, divorced, father of three. “But then some friends had met on SoutheastTexas. com. I was familiar with the site and had used it over the years for equipment but never realized it had personals, but they met and have been married so I put my profile on there.”

Within a few weeks Fontnow was visiting online with Josephine and as he said, “Things fell together perfectly.”

Josephine, who is from the Philippines but was working in Hong Kong at the time she posted her personal ad on SoutheastTexas.com, has relatives in Groves. Her relatives told her about SoutheastTexas.com, and she was using it as well as some other Filipino dating sites.

“A friend introduced me to SoutheasttTxas.com, and she said one of her friends also used the site and found her boyfriend online there,” the 30-yearold said. “I used other dating sites and tried all of them but found no one I was interested in until Otis.”

The couple talked online for three weeks and then started talking by telephone in early in 2014. By spring they made plans to meet in Hong Kong.

“At the end of May and first of June I met her for the first time. I was really afraid. I’m just an old country boy, who had never been on a jet. I didn’t know what I was up against or what it was going to be like,” said Fontnow, a senior CAT operator for Ethel Corporation. “Whenever she came to meet me, when I saw her I just wrapped my arms around her and gave her a big old hug, and I knew and I felt it was right. I spent 11 days in Hong Kong with her and met her sister and sister-in-law and best friend. I didn’t want to come home. The hardest thing was getting back on the plane and leaving, but I came home and started getting my paperwork together so Josephine could come over as my fiancée.”

In December the couple met in the Philippines where Josephine introduced Otis to all of her family. Then they flew home to Batson on Dec. 21 and were married Dec. 26, 2014.

“I never knew that you could fall in love with someone the way I fell in love with her,” said Fontnow. “We’re focused, not just on what we can get out of the marriage but what we can do for each other.”

SoutheastTexas.com says, “HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to Otis and Josephine and all who have found their loves on SoutheastTexas.com’s Singles at Valentine’s Day.”

The community is invited to place

one ad a month

for FREE!

Call for information, 409.832.9869 If you want to buy and sell local, YOUR best choice is SoutheastTexas.com.

Contact live support at www.southeasttexas.com/help/index2.cfm or call 409.832.9869, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

36

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

event listings DAILY 1-28 2015 Black History Celebration, “Upon Whose Shoulders We Stand: Drum Majors for Equality Exhibit,” First United Methodist Church, 409.832.0295 WEEKLY SUNDAYS 7:00 PM Swingout Sundays, Masonic Lodge, 409.338.9099 MONDAYS 11:30 AM Introduction to Spanish, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 TUESDAYS 12:15 PM Spanish Classes Intermediate Spanish II, Miller Library, 409.866.9487 1:30 PM Spanish Classes Spanish I, Miller Library, 409.866.9487 WEDNESDAYS 11:30 AM Introduction to Spanish, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 6:00 PM Math Tutoring, R.C. Miller Library, 409.866.9487 FRIDAYS 7:30 AM Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Business Connection, MCM Elegante, 409.838.6581 SATURDAYS 8:00 AM Groves Outdoor Flea Market, 409.728.9797 2 6:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center: Quickbooks for Beginners Lamar University College of Business 409.880.2367 3 3:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center Business Start Up Checklist, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 6:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center: Quickbooks for Beginners, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367

5 3:30 PM BBB - ABC’s of Growing Your Business” Training & Networking," MCM Elegant Hotel, 409.835.5951 x 117 5:00 PM First Thursdays on Calder, The Mildred, 409.833.9919 7:30 PM Wind Ensemble Pre-TMEA Concert, Julie Rogers 6 10:00 AM ARC of Greater Beaumont Mom's Talk, S.T.A.R.S. Pediatric Center, 409.838.9012 7 9:00 AM Orange Chamber of Commerce Mardi Gras Parade, Orange Riverfront Board Walk & Pavilion

9:00 AM Vegetable Seminar, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, 409.835.8461 9:35 AM Zumba Fitness: Party Hearty, Health & Wellness Center, 409.899.7777 6:00 PM Alaskan Nights Featuring Tracy Byrd and Benefiting Stable Spirits, Elk's Lodge, 409.365.5277 6:30 PM Symphony in Silver - Symphony Ball, Beaumont Civic Center, 409.892.2257 7:00 PM Mardi Gras Dinner & Dance benefiting Ubi Caritas, Holiday Inn & Suites, 409.832.1924 7:05 PM OXFC OF TEXAS VS. DALLAS SIDEKICKS, Ford Arena, 409-951-5400 8 5:00 PM Pre-Concert Lecture and “The Heart of a Woman: The Life & Music of Florence Price,” First United Methodist Church, 409.892.0295

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

6:30 PM Concert, First United Methodist Church, 409.892.0295 10 5:30 PM SETX YPO Happy Hour, Green Light Kitchen, jhill@bmtcoc.org 11 2:00 PM Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting - SEV Staffing, 5755 College Street, 409.838.6581 3:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center: How Your Small Business Can Dominate the Web (SEO), Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 12 10:00 AM Best Years Senior Center Senior Mardi Gras, Beaumont Civic Center Complex, 409.838.1902 3:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center: Como Epezar su Negocio, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 3:00 PM Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting - DRC Construction, 6495 Highpoint Ave., 409.838.6581 5:00 PM Port Arthur Mardi Gras, Port Arthur Seawall, mardigras.portarthur.com 5:30 PM 12th Annual Public Service Candidate Workshop, Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, adenison@ bmt.coc.org 13, 14 & 15 9:00 AM Orange Trade Days, Downtown Orange, 409.883.4344 13 6:00 PM Port Arthur Mardi Gras, Port Arthur Seawall, mardigras.portarthur.com 6:30 PM Advocates for Children, Inc. A CASA Program - Open Your Heart Gala, Orange County Expo Center, 409.886.CASA 14 9:30 AM Spicy Moves: Red Hot Valentine, Health & Wellness Center, 409.899.7777

10:30 AM McFaddin-Ward House Rose Pruning, McFaddin-Ward House Museum, 409.832.1906 11:00 AM Crystal Beach Mardi Gras Parade, Crystal Beach 11:00 AM Interpreting an Artist's Fantasies, Stark Museum of Art, 409.886.2787 1:00 PM Port Arthur Mardi Gras, Port Arthur Seawall, mardigras.portarthur.com 7:00 PM Beaumont Art League OPENING RECEPTION: Shades of Red Exhibit, Beaumont Art League, 409.833.4179 7:30 PM An Evening to Celebrate the Love of God & The Love of Others Celebrating Valentine's Day, Calder Baptist Church, 409.892.4251 17 3:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center: How to utilize Social Media in Your Business, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 5:00 PM Taste of the Triangle, Beaumont Civic Center, facebook.com/tasteofthetriangle 5:35 PM Mardi Gras Fais Do Do, Health & Wellness Center, 409.899.7777 18 2:00 PM Book Bunch, Miller Library Meeting Room , 409.866.9487 3:30 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center: Making Sense of the Numbers, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 6:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center Business Start Up Checklist, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367

EventsBook

6:30 PM Mental Health America's 54th Annual Gala, MCM Elegante, 409.833.9657 19 7:30 AM Greater Port Arthur Business Connection, Hampton Inn & Suites, 409.963.1107 11:30 AM Press Club of Southeast Texas Meeting, Cafe Del Rio 11:30 AM SETX YPO Professional Development Luncheon, TBA, jhill@bmtcoc.org 5:30 PM Mindfulness and Chocolate: Why We Need Both, Nutrition Solutions, 409.454.0417 7:00 PM Poetry Renaissance, The Art Studio, 409.363.3444 7:30 PM Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce Mix & Mingle - FivePoint Credit Union, 4005 Dowlen, 409.838.6581 21 10:00 AM History of Dr. Maya Angelou and Her Poetry, First United Methodist Church, 409.892.0295 20 10:00 AM ARC of Greater Beaumont Mom's Talk, S.T.A.R.S. Pediatric Center, 409.838.9012 6:00 PM All Saints Parent Association Third Annual Fete "Puttin' On the Glitz," Event Centre, 409.892.1755 21 11:00 AM Girls Haven Gumbo Festival, Parkdale Mall, 409.832.6223 6:00 PM Hot Tropics Night, Beaumont Botanical Center, Tyrrell Park, 409.842.3135 6:30 PM Mr. Habitat: Building Houses One Stud at a Time, Event Centre, 409.832.5358 22 8:00 AM World Yoga Day, Christus Health & Wellness Center, 409.899.7777

february 2015

37

23 7:30 PM Beaumont HAM Radio Club, North End Baptist Church 24 11:30 AM Family Services of Southeast Texas' Celebrate Families Luncheon, MCM Elegant Hotel, 409.833.2668 3:00 PM Lamar Small Business Development Center Credit Score Management, Lamar University College of Business, 409.880.2367 4:30 PM Mix and Mingle at the Beaumont Council of Garden Clubs, Tyrrell Park, 409.842.3135 26 11:30 AM Better Business Bureau Lunch & Learn with Joe Tortorice, MCM Elegante Hotel, 409.835.5951 X. 117 6:00 PM The ARC's Got Talent Show, Trinity United Methodist Church, 409.838.9012 27, 28 & 29 8:00 AM Kountze Big Thicket Trade Days, 409.880.5667 27 7:30 PM Lamar University Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner, Lamar University Reception Center Eighth Floor, Mary and John Gray Library, 409.880.8921 28 8:00 AM Community Trash Off, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, 409.670.9113 9:00 AM West Brook AutoRama, Wesley Church UMC, 409.893.5274 28 10:00 AM Bike Rodeo (hosted by BISD and BPD Cops & Kids), Dishman Elementary, 409.892.0250 10:00 AM Great American Cancer Shoot Out, Lone Star Gun Range, 409.835.2139 10:00 AM Storybook Hour, Mayaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Book Series, First United Methodist Church, 409.892.0295 10:00 AM Listen to Your Mother Auditions, Ben Rogers Visitors Center, ltymsoutheasttx@gmail.com 6:00 PM American Heart Association Heart Ball, MCM Elegant Hotel, 409.550.1753

For more events, go to Southeasttexasevents.com.

38

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

the last word

Please excuse me. I am Canadian.

By David Cybulski Recently, while grocery shopping, I was approached by an elderly woman. She marched toward me, and with a jaundiced eye said, “Young man, you ought to learn to wear some proper shoes; you’ll catch your death of cold!” I glanced at the sandals on my feet and politely explained that I was from Canada. It was not cold outside to me. With that comment, her look changed from concern to suspicion. I have a feeling she made a call to the local authorities, and I am probably on a “watch list” now.

I can understand her concern. It was about 60 degrees that day, but it had been much colder for you Texans the previous few days. The thermometer had reached minus one Celsius. Oh wait, America is the only industrialized country refusing to switch to the metric system. Sorry about that; I forgot. It was 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Seriously, 30 degrees -- I am surprised the schools were not shut down. With the memory of this “bitter” cold still fresh in her mind, she probably thought I was setting a bad example for the children at the grocery store, who were still sporting their heavy coats, mittens and toques (Canadian for “beanie hat”). It was as if the children of Beaumont were all being dressed by the mother from the movie “A Christmas Story.” Some of the children could not lower their arms due to all of their winter clothing.

I come from a place called Canada. One of my friends refers to it as “America’s hat,”,which is probably the only way he can remember that Canada goes on the top when you’re looking at a map. It is a country where the mercury hovers near zero for most of the winter, which lasts for a full four months. It all starts innocently enough, with the first snowfall of the year. No matter how many times you’ve been through it, you’re still mesmerized by the sight. Countless flakes dancing their way to the ground, only to melt once they complete their journey. This will happen a few times before winter really gets started, but eventually, Mother Nature puts on her game face.

Soon, the ground freezes solid, and the snow starts to stay on the ground, slowly building from a layer several inches thick to several feet thick.

The lakes freeze over and become vast expanses of white as they also become covered with snow.

Everything is cold, frozen and covered in a blanket of snow. And yet, life goes on.

The roads are plowed, and the buses bring the kids to school. People bundle up and make their daily trips to work. The mail is delivered, people do their shopping, and everything else that happens on an average day gets done. Due to the slippery

roads and bulky clothes, it definitely happens more slowly, but it gets done.

The one advantage to all this cold, besides building character, is the ice fishing. Do you think regular fishing is boring? Then, you should try ice fishing.

Just wander out to your favourite secret spot on the frozen lake of your choice. Drill a hole into the ice, and drop your fishing line into the water. In fact, you can set up a hut over the spot you are fishing. Some of these huts are nicer than my dorm room was in college. Seriously, what could be more fun than freezing in the harshest time of winter, sitting on a frozen lake with a fishing line dangling into a frozen hole? You don’t even need to bring a cooler since the fish freeze solid after you pull them out of the water! Who needs Netflix when you can have all this?

After several months of winter, things start to change again. The temperature creeps upwards ever so slowly. I’m not sure what’s so special about 32 degrees, but once the temperature gets there, something strange happens. It’s one of those springtime oddities, like bears coming out of hibernation or the groundhog seeing its shadow.

Canadians, some of us anyway, feel compelled to wear shorts.

It’s true. The boots, mittens, hats and all other winter clothing are cast aside for shoes, shorts and tee shirts. Now, we’re still reasonable folk and will most likely wear a sweater as well. There is just something liberating about being able to cast off the extra winter layers of clothing, and, after months of zero degree weather, 32 degrees just does not feel that cold.

Which brings me to summer in Southeast Texas; it is obscenely hot. It’s all I can do to bring the garbage can to the curb without succumbing to the heat. Yet people here go about their business under the blazing sun, mowing lawns, planting flowers or jogging in the street during the lunch hour. It seems crazy to me, but life does go on.

Keeping this in mind, one day at lunch I was sheepishly asked by a friend if I thought it was silly that Beaumont came to a grinding halt during the “ice storms” this past February. I think that he was surprised when I told him that I really didn’t think so because you’re just not used to weather like that down here. The roads are designed for floods, not ice. The tires are meant to keep from melting on highways that are hot enough to fry eggs on, not grip the road through slush and snow. It’s also

probably is a safe bet that there isn’t a snowplow within 100 miles of here. So yes, I think that it was perfectly reasonable for the city to take a snow day.

If a week of Texas summer came to Canada, there would be pandemonium as well.

I’ll take this opportunity to apologize once again to the little old lady at the grocery store. I have actually tried to “blend in” a little more than I did before. When it is “cold” outside, I’ll wear jeans and shoes instead of shorts and sandals. I’ve even worn a sweater a couple of times, but that’s as far as I’m willing to go to avoid dirty looks and surprised glances. So the next time I forget to put on my southern disguise when the temperature drops, please forgive me. I am Canadian.

SoutheastTexasEvents.com

EventsBook

february 2015

39

40

2015 february

EventsBook

SoutheastTexasEvents.com