NETX Crossroads

ROSSROADS

New Boston’s living her dream as a Hollywood stylist page 4

Kayla Pardue

Wilson’s knack is a work of art page 6

A hidden gem amongst the treasures of DeKalb page 12

... and more!

New Boston’s living

Kayla Pardue

her dream as a Hollywood stylist

What was once a dream for hair stylist Kayla Pardue has now become a reality.

“I can literally see the Hollywood sign outside of my window at work. I don’t think I’ll ever stop pinching myself.”

Kayla was born and raised in New Boston, TX and graduated from New Boston High School in 2012. “I can remember when I was a little girl, I loved combing my dad’s hair for him and combing all my barbie dolls hair. When I was in high school, I did all my friend’s hair for prom and at our volleyball games the team always wanted me to tie ribbons in their hair.”

After graduating from high school, Kayla reflected on what she was truly passionate about. “I knew I wanted to be an artist. I realized hair was a way for me to pursue artistry and hair became my canvas.”

After researching cosmetology programs, Kayla chose Texarkana College. “TC was close, affordable, and highly recommended to me,” Kayla said. “I worked full time as a server while attending TC and even though I only got about 4 hours of sleep a night, it was all worth it.”

Kayla graduated with a Cosmetology License in 2014 from TC. Following graduation, she was hired as a fulltime stylist at Danny Rateliff’s Hair Salon. “My mentor, Danny Rateliff, molded me as a stylist and taught me everything I now know. He knew I could be so much bigger than who I thought I could be.”

Kayla’s partner of 10 years, Wes, is her biggest supporter and provider. Through Kayla’s impressive resume and Wes’ networking connections, in January 2022 Kayla was offered her dream job by a salon in Hollywood, California. “Coming here was a huge leap of faith. I had never left my home before until this moment.”

Kayla is the first person in her family to graduate from college and credits her success to her family. “Success runs through my blood. My dad owns the Little Country Greenhouse in New Boston. I grew up seeing how hard he worked every single day.

Even when I would fail, he encouraged me to pick myself back up again. He motivated me daily to follow my dreams.”

Kayla currently works at Planet Salon in West Hollywood, California. When asked what she would tell her younger self, Kayla said, “Be patient and kind to yourself. Everything will happen when it is supposed to and how it is supposed to. No matter what anyone says, believe in yourself. Anything is possible!”

Stay up to date with Kayla’s journey by following her on Instagram at @hairbykayla pardue.

Wilson’s knack is a work of art

By TIM EMMONS

The word knack is defined as an acquired or natural skill at performing a task.

Knack has many meanings but the ones that jump out most are gift, ability, technique and art.

Army veteran Lue Wilson has an uncanny gifted ability of using a creative technique to make art.

In simple terms, Wilson has a knack for applying art to items before he even picks it up.

Wilson sees things differently than most. It’s a combination of

imagination, talent and skill.

Creative ability is the skill and talent to use our imagination to create and solve.

The items of choice for Wilson’s creations are rocks both large and small.

He normally finds the iron ore rocks in a creek bed close to his house but has on occasion found some away from home.

Wilson can see what he wants to put on the rock before he grabs it out of its arranged space.

Every once in a while he’ll carve or chip pieces for everything to come together but most of the time he just uses what is there when he picks it up.

Normally when his mind sets what he wants to put on the rock he can finish it in minutes. His mediums range from fingernail polish to gorilla glue to glitter.

A business owner in Jefferson found out about his special skill, called him and asked if he could make a face of Bigfoot for them since Jefferson is known as the Bigfoot Capital of Texas.

Wilson’s Bigfoot art and several other pieces are on display

there in the Jefferson museum.

The 76-year-old veteran has lived in Linden for nearly 47 years and started doing this hobby in 2013 when he was diagnosed with Brugada Syndrome or Certain Death Syndrome.

This disease is not found in African Americans so the doctor told him he’s not 100 percent African American.

Wilson began tracing his genealogy and found out his great, great, great grandfather was a Cherokee Indian who made his way to this part of the United States on the Trail of Tears. His name was Ephraim Wilson.

After spending time in Indian Territory, which was in Oklahoma, he was freed and made his way to Louisiana.

At some point he moved to Texas and is laid to rest in

Army veteran

Lue Wilson of Linden displays his latest work of art. Normally, Wilson uses rocks as his canvas but something about this old mulberry stump caught his eye. This is Wilson’s first time using a stump for one of his many creations. Wilson said he saw the stump and immediately knew he could do something with it. To make it all come together he used paint, putty, magic marker, googly eyes, prongs of a plastic fork and gorilla glue.

Macedonia Cemetery in Jefferson.

Wilson thinks it is neat that his talent coincides with how Indians use to paint on cave walls with what they had to work with.

Wilson doesn’t sell his creation but likes to give them away to those who really take a liking to certain pieces.

He even donated one of his pieces to the Journal-Sun. The rock is somewhat in the shape of Texas.

On one side he has Texas spelled out in stickers and on the other side he fashioned the face of a cow.

Wilson sees his works of art as a mere hobby but others see his works of art as what they truly are – creations from a talented artist who has an uncanny gifted ability of using a creative technique to make art.

(Photo by Tim Emmons)

Wilson also made cacti art and placed them in a pair of boots.

(Photo by Tim Emmons)

7 LOBOS RANCH

By SUSAN LINDSEY

Zebras and watusi and wildebeest, oh my!

All those and more can be found at 7 Lobos Ranch, Bowie County’s exotic animal ranch and hunting lodge.

e 1000-acre ranch - which is home to upland game birds, whitetail deer, wild hogs and many animals usually only found in the wilds of India and Africa - is the creative vision of Tony Dierolf and his wife Ti any.

“It’s been a dream of mine to nd another ranch and improve what I had. We found this, saw the potential and decided to take it and run with it to make it better than what it was,” Dierolf said.

Dierolf previously owned a ranch in the Texas Panhandle.

e day to day operations are handled by Neal Corbett, the ranch manager and Bowie

County native.

e ranch is designed to be a destination for weddings, reunions, corporate retreats, church and youth groups and others looking for a unique experience in nature as well as guided hunts.

e lush trees, scattered timbers and open land make it a prime spot for the hunter.

ere is also a large pond stocked with crappie, Florida bass, cat sh and perch.

“It’s a sportsman’s paradise,” Corbett said. “All the animals are top-notch.”

Corbett added that the hunts at 7 Lobos will be a di erent experience than those of other hunting lodges in the area.

“It’s a whole di erent level,” he said. “If you go duck hunting, you may not ever see a duck. If you go exotic hunting, you’re going to see a bunch of

animals … ere’s rolling hills, revines, the timber coverage is so thick.”

Hunting trips start at $5,000 and include the guided hunt, prepared meals and lodging. Fishing packages are also available.

e main lodge can accommodate up to 48 guests in both queen and twin beds and guests have access to a large

great room, full kitchen and game room complete with a fully stocked bar and game room.

“ e beauty of it is that we will guarantee their hunt. If they don’t get the animal they want that day all they have to do is pay for lodging the second night,” Dierolf said.

e lodge is the rst of a

three phase expansion. Phase two will include treehouse cabins for those seeking to experience the beauty of nature and the animals without the hunt.

“It will be an experience for people to come and relax, chill and unplug. Unwind and enjoy the beauty and nature,” Ti any said.

Phase three will include a

full wedding venue with an elevated chapel overlooking the pond.

e nal two phases should be completed within the next six months.

“I think Tony has incredible vision. He can take anything and make it amazing. He sees bare bones and then he sees all the potential and all the things. ere’s phase two, phase three. He has so many ideas of what all to bring out here and it’s incredible. And there we have Neal out here knowing everything and executing, him renovating and making it the best lodging in the area by far,” Ti any said.

7 Lobos ranch is located just o Texas Highway 98 at 36 County Road 4014.

For more information on booking your next event, visit their website at 7lobosranch. com.

A hidden gem amongst the treasures of DeKalb

Reed V Building a diamond in the rough for Northeast Texas professionals and travelers

Story & photos by SUSAN LINDSEY

Located in the heart of Downtown DeKalb, Texas, is the Reed V Building - a place many pass by daily but few know the treasures it holds.

The historic building, located at 101 and 108 West Front Street, is named for five Reed sisters - Gladys May, Hattie Scherback, Bernice Dawson, Donna Domkos and Patsy Guest - who grew up, lived and worked for many years in DeKalb. Guest, the youngest of the five sisters, is its owner. She said she was drawn to it because of its history.

“The drugstore had a lot of good memories for all of us,” she said. “Not only did it have good memories for my family, but it did for all the other oldtimers in DeKalb. I remember, when I was doing the floor, there was an older man who was in his 80s who stopped by and he was telling me how he remembered the building and what good memories it had for him. It’s just part of DeKalb.”

In its lifetime, the building had been a hotel, brothel, morgue and home to the city’s post office before becoming Robinson’s Pharmacy and Malt Shop where the Reed sisters held so many fond memories. In the late 1990s, a tornado swept through DeKalb, tearing the roof off the beloved space and wreaking havoc on its structure just one week after Scherback originally bought it. Guest then purchased it and went to work.

“She came in and redid them. She did all the work on them, which I could not afford to do, tore them down and rebuilt them. She’s done marvelous,” Scherback said.

The sister’s children and grandchildren have even had a hand in the preservation and restoration. Sisters Regina Carson and Lisa Clark, daughters of Dawson, added their personal touches of design. Carson also oversaw the reconstruction from the ground up and Clark manages the building spaces.

Today it serves as a premier professional and events center.

While the exterior may look unassuming, a step inside will transport you to another time and place. The interior is a lavish and luxurious style and the “five sisters” theme can be found throughout in the decor and artwork.

Inside the professional building at 108 West Front is home to an array of offices, executive suites, a business conference room and gym.

“DeKalb needed something. It needed businesses. It needed something to bring people into the town, and everything else was closing,”  Guest said.

Business that call Reed V

home are: Gladys and Hattie Consulting, offering paralegal services, real estate brokering, estate planning and elder

care consulting; CC Consulting Group, LLC, offering legal services consultations; Pierson & Fendley Insurance; SJAGA Sign Language Interpreting Services, LLC; Guest and Associates law firm; Woodman Life Insurance; and Lindsey Elite Services, offering business and personal tax and financial services.

The upstairs houses two twobedroom executive suites each with full kitchens, full and half baths and sitting areas.

“There is no facility in the area that offers this unique business environment,” said Clark. “We’ve got it all under one roof.”

The gem of the building is the events center located at the corner of West Front and North Runnels streets. Inside is a full service facility, complete with a commercial kitchen, to host

weddings, showers, reunions, meetings and other special events.

The offices are rented monthly. There is presently one office space available for rent. The conference room and gym are available to the public. Membership to the gym is $25 a month. The conference room is available for $35 per hour.

The rate for the executive suites is $125 a night.

Event hosting at the event center is $65 per hour with a three hour minimum or $600 for the day. Use of the commercial kitchen is included.

To get more information or to book your next event, contact Clark at (903) 667-2501 or stop by the Reed V Professional Building.

Teaching kids how to live in their community

By ELIZABETH LANNING

The Camp County 4-H Program is a vibrant community of parents, kids, and Kaycee Davis, which in turn is part of Texas 4-H--the largest youth development program in the state. Texas 4-H reaches more than 550,000 youth per year, and is part of the national network, over 100 years old, and composed of over six million youth, 540,000 adult volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 60 million alumni.

The four “H’s” in 4-H are Head, Heart, Hands, and Health, and they are the four values that members learn about and promote through their projects.

The 4-H pledge says the following:

My heart to greater loyalty, My hands to larger service, and my health to better living, for my club, my community, my country, and my world. And though not a large group, the Camp County 4-H’ers have many opportunities to promote these values and grow their skills.

Camp Clover is one of these programs. Though participants are not required to be registered in 4-H to attend this day camp, it is a good opportunity to draw in potential new members while the kids enjoy an education opportunity to learn about the great outdoors.

Camp Clover day camp takes place at Lake Bob Sandlin, usually in the month of June, for

three days. Kaycee Davis, Texas A&M graduate and now Camp County Ag Extension Director and 4-H Coordinator, said that it also includes neighboring Franklin County allowing the 5 to 8 year-olds to meet kids from another area.

“Kids love it,” Davis said, explaining that this year’s group of about 60 kids got to fish, enjoy a nature trail, and do what all outdoor kids do best: Learn By Doing.

The county livestock show is the 4-H kids’ highlight of the year. Including rabbits, chickens, goats, pigs, cattle, and agricultural mechanics, the kids really get to showcase their efforts and skills as they compete in order to move up to the district level.

Another big milestone of the year is the Camp County Youth

Project Show. Including 4-H and FFA, this show also includes the livestock and ag mech, but also showcases the kids’ STEM projects. The Project Show features a Buyers’ Dinner for all those coming to attend the Auction which takes place in the evening.

The kids begin raising their animals for these shows in September or October, and the show takes place in early spring. Of course, chickens and rabbits grow a little faster, so they are purchased early in the year and are ready about spring.

Through these projects, kids are taught things they don’t learn in school or sports. Each month, 4-H kids attend a meeting where they learn about parliamentary procedure and what it means to hold the position of officer. They learn about

Graci Lowe with her goat at the 2023 Camp County Youth Project Show. She won Junior Showmanship.

Photo by Elizabeth Lanning

Holden Carpenter with one of his prize-winning rabbits. Carpenter was the Grand Champion in the rabbit competition during the 2023 Camp County Youth Project Show.

Photo by Elizabeth Lanning

Dylan Kruse won second place in Ag Mech during the 2023 Camp County Youth Project Show with his homemade and running Go Cart

Kaycee Davis demonstrating the process an egg goes through to hatch a little chick. The children got to see the chicks, which were hatched in the classroom.

Photo by Elizabeth Lanning

Roughly 60 Camp Clover kids attended this year’s three-day Camp Clover day camp at Lake Bob Sandlin in late June. Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

mechanics, livestock, natural resources, and how civics work in their community.

STEM is another option for many kids who may not be interested in the great outdoors, but want to expand their skills in a business direction. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and also includes photography.

Should the kids be interested, they may compete in the 4-H Round Up--a competition at the county, district, and state levels. Opportunities in Round Up are rather extensive including Educational Presentation, Horse Quiz Bowl, Family and Community Health Quiz Bowl, Food Challenge, Fashion Show, Duds to Dazzle, Talent Showcase, Consumer Decision Making and Livestock Judging. Each of these projects are built to teach the participant confidence, knowledge and practical skills,

and in the case of the last two programs, how to step outside of their own biases and judge based on a list of qualities given to them.

Kaycee Davis has many ideas she would love to plant and see grow in the county, but she said she needs more volunteers to coach, train, lead, and practice with the kids. She has a group of parents “who give so much,” and she expressed her appreciation for all the time and effort they donate.

Recently, Davis had the opportunity to teach lessons on the amazing process of Hatching in the Classroom, or how an egg becomes a chick, to 340-350 students in the PISD Primary school. The kids, from Kindergarten to First Grade, enjoyed themselves immensely, and Davis, who also enjoyed herself, looks forward to future opportunities.

One of the children who enjoyed Hatching in the Classroom drew a picture for presenter Kaycee Davis.

Courtesy Photo

Could Northeast Texas see the next big windfall?

Highest-grade lithium brine found in Cass County

As the world turns to batteries for powering electric vehicles and storage for renewable energy the search for an essential element needed in its production is on. at element at this point in history is Lithium. e potentially good news for those

By SHAWN LARSON

owning property in Northeast Texas, particularly those people who live in the counties who are reading this article may be sitting on the richest lithium deposit in North America. On February 27, the Governor signed into law SB 1186 which will allow the Texas Railroad

Commission to issue permits for lithium mining.

e deposits come from the Smackover Formation. It is a limestone aquifer that spans across several states including Texas. Formed during the Jurassic period, this geological formation has been tapped for

oil and gas, as well as brine (saltwater) for the production of bromine, since the 1950s. Recently, however, several operators have started pilot projects to produce lithium from Smackover brine as well. Liskow – e Energy Blog –May 22, 2023.

Standard Lithium drill rig at borehole/ well north of McLeod

Standard Lithium Ltd., a leading near-commercial lithium company, announced its ndings in a press release on March 28, 2023, results from brine test samples from its work in two test wells in the Smackover just north of Mcleod.

According to the release, Standard Lithium has been working for three years to understand the most productive areas to secure the highest quality brine in East Texas. Since then, mineral and land professionals have been securing brine leases in Cass County and surrounding areas.

It was announced recently that Standard Lithium is not the only company joining the party. According to a Wall Street Journal article, “Exxon Mobil, a new player in the hunt for U.S. lithium, is planning to build one of the world’s largest lithium processing facilities not far from Magnolia, with a capacity to produce 75,000 to 100,000metric tons of lithium a year, according to people familiar with the matter. At that scale, it would equate to about 15% of all nished lithium produced globally last year, according to one analyst.

“ e early development of the lithium extraction process has been focused in Southwest Arkansas near Magnolia. e area has been since the 1950s’ a source of brine taken from the Smackover Formation. Standard Lithium has a pilot extraction plant there and recently Exxon announced it is planning to build one of the world’s largest lithium processing facilities. ‘ is Arkansas Town Could Become the Epicenter of a U. S. Lithium Boom,’” Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2023.

Since Magnolia is 80 miles away from Cass County, Texas, it remains unclear once the Texas Railroad Commission begins the regulatory process how that

Standard Lithium Ltd., a leading near-commercial lithium company, announced in a Press Release, on March 28, 2023, results from brine test samples from its work in two test wells in the Smackover just north of Mcleod. The illustration shows the location of the Smackover Formation (in purple). Courtesy of Standard Lithium

will a ect Northeast Texas. Will other players also set up shop and build a multi-million-dollar processing facility? Will current companies begin to move their operations west into Northeast Texas? It is impossible at this point to know.

What we do know is that Oil and gas exploration in Texas is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission. However, deep brine aquifers (Smackover Formation) have had an incomplete regulatory framework.

at was until recently when SB 1186, by Senator Bryan Hughes, passed the Texas Legislature and was signed by Governor Abbott e ective May 27, 2023. It should be noted, however, that until the Railroad Commission draws up permitting documentation there will be no drilling. e Texas Railroad Commission has yet to issue regulations allowing for the drilling and extraction under a brine lease.

at has not stopped companies from trying to secure land

leases for the future extraction of Lithium. It is for that reason that mineral owners should be aware before signing a lease agreement that payments and lease terms are negotiable. Instead, landowners may consider having conversations with an attorney experienced in mineral law or with other mineral owners with a level of sophistication.

Landowners who already have other types of mineral leases understand the challenges of the legal commitment they have agreed to. When a landowner signs a lease, it will most likely a ect the valuation of the property, potentially making the estate harder to sell. It will also give the companies that own the lease access to the property which may a ect the quality of life, and land access and may a ect the overall quality of the property.

One con dential source for this article who is a local mineral owner, who has followed Texas brine leasing says, “ is is a promising opportunity for

Cass County but being in its infancy, it does not hurt to wait until you are fully informed to get a fair deal.” e same source cautioned landowners that the process may take some time. Area communities may not see any progress for years. Considering those factors when signing a lease is signi cant.

While deciding on your leasing options. One reliable source for more information is GoHaynesvilleShale.com. Several local mineral owners have posts dating back to the initial brine leases being sought in February 2022.

In the tense geo-political climate that we live in having a quality source we live in it may be bene cial, “If,” as the Wall Street Journal notes, “the U.S. is to ease its dependence for lithium on other countries such as China.” However gauging the impact of the landowners, the wear and tear on our county roads, and the impact on our local communities needs to be assessed and planned for.

How the came to be

Rabb-its

By TIM EMMONS

In this life we know people who have done extraordinary things.

People who have gone above and beyond what was intended or asked of them. People who have shaped the landscape of their lives and those around them.

I love history. I love knowing how towns received their names or how certain events unfolded.

I love learning how people or events changed the course of history, especially when it involved a good turn for the best.

One name comes to mind when I think of a person who has shaped the landscape of their life and those around them and that man was William Edward Rabb.

Rabb was a caring man who shaped the course of history during WW I and WW II, outlined rules for football in the state of Texas, brought football to Atlanta High School, helped countless abandoned animals find homes, cared deeply for those around him, dedicated himself to land conservation and many more things.

For those who don’t know or may have forgotten, Rabb was more than just the creator of Atlanta High School football; he was a dedicated father, military man, attorney, coach, educator and friend to many.

Articles like these would not be possible without the countless notes and letters given to us by his daughter, the late and dearly missed Marilee Rabb Chapman, and other family members.

If ever there was someone who exhibited and radiated Atlanta Rabbit pride it was Mrs. Marilee.

You could hear the enamored love for her father and the Atlanta school district in each word when conversing with her by phone or letter.

As I embraced the words she spoke or wrote I thought how astounding this man must have been.

I thought to myself, “how humbling it would have been to live in those days and be in contact with such a remarkable person”.

As former Journal writer Sonny Long pointed out in his Rabb article back in 1989 – I found more than a self-made man who worked his way through college and law school. I found a man who cared: about people, of all kinds from all walks of life, who cared about animals and the human condition. A man with a sense of humor. He was an organizer and a doer.

I agree with Mr. Long 100 percent.

Occasionally an extraordinary person comes along who manages not only to accomplish a lot of their personal life goals, but also to motivate and inspire many others to do the same.

That statement exemplifies Coach Rabb.

Mr. Football or lawyer Rabb, as he was known, was a native of Rains County and played at Weatherford College where he was the team’s most outstanding player.

Later, Rabb attended Cumberland University Law School in Lebanon, Tenn., on a football scholarship.

At Cumberland he was an All-Star quarterback.

After he graduated from law school, he became the first judge in Rains County and the youngest judge in Texas at that time.

He resigned from his judgeship in 1916 to enter World War I and served in the Air Corps Intelligence Corps which would later become the Air Force.

Rabb’s suggestions and the new use of aircraft in the military brought the transportation unit into existence.

He wrote the field orders and manuals of instruction for the new branch of service. He established standards for all others to follow.

After the war he moved to Atlanta where he practiced law and became the city attorney.

In 1919 some of the local Atlanta boys, who had dropped out of school, asked lawyer Rabb if he would teach them the game of football.

Rabb, who had a great love for football, realized the importance of teaching good sportsmanship, shaping character, shaping school and town spirit and decided to coach the young men.

He agreed and the first thing on his agenda was talking all of the dropout players in returning to school with the promise they could play football.

Not only did they return, they all graduated and became successful in life.

The initial mascot for the team was the Wolves and did they ever show characteristics of a dominating animal.

Under Rabb’s direction the Wolves dominated much larger enrolled schools at that time.

As written by former Atlanta coach Gordon Pynes - As indicated by the scores from the early 1920’s, Rabb certainly knew the game. Results of games reported in 1922

and 23 editions of The Citizens Journal give interesting accounts of how the Wolves performed against schools with much larger enrollments than Atlanta.

A report of a 1922 encounter with Hope, Arkansas, tells how the Wolves rode to a hard fought 24-6 win. Arkansas High suffered a 42-0 shellacking from the Wolves that season.

The big game in the 1922 season took place in Texarkana against the Texas High Tigers. According to the Journal reporter, Coach Rabb’s boys “fought like demons and completely outclassed the Tigers”. Final score: Atlanta Wolves win 20 -7.

It was also reported that the crowd attending this clash was the “greatest ever seen in this part of the country”.

No doubt Rabb’s eleven were at their best by running up an incredible 117-0 tally.

The Arkansas Highs Razorbacks came to Atlanta to open the 1923 season and suffered a 20-6 loss. Other wins came over Hope, Nashville, Winnsboro and Texas High again.

With dominating wins like that over bigger schools, which also included Centenary College and Texarkana College, the Wolves’ opponents gathered and protested that Rabb was not a faculty member and should not be able to coach.

The determined Rabb enrolled at the University of Texas and achieved an educational certificate.

Not only did the Atlanta school board hire him as coach, but he was also hired on as a teacher and principal as well.

Aside from being a lawyer, educator, principal and coach, Rabb organized the Boy Scouts in Atlanta and became the first scout master.

He also organized the Na-

tional Guard in Atlanta and served as the first commanding officer of the local unit for 20 years.

Talk about having your hands full but Rabb was up for the challenge.

Rabb was instrumental in making Atlanta’s school colors maroon and white and wrote the school’s first song entitled “For Atlanta’s Honor”.

Rabb loved his players, and they loved him and at some point, the Wolves chose to change the team’s name to the Rabb-its in his honor.

I couldn’t find but one team that was named for a man and that was the Cleveland Browns. Other teams often scoff at and tease the Rabbit faithful for their furry mascot not knowing the story behind it.

Over time Rabb helped shape the high school football landscape as well.

Rabb was a keen, intellectual man who helped the State of Texas set rules and guidelines for high school football players. His plan for having towns classified according to its size for football play was adopted by the Interscholastic League Board.

As a soldier he served as the judge of Base General Court martial and was Camp Commander in charge of 4,000 German prisoners of war.

His duty during the war was to deliver vitally needed supplies to combat troops.

At the end of WW II, he was commanded to dump army surplus into the sea, but Rabb realized the dire need for such surplus at churches and schools in the Philippines.

Rabb contacted General Eisenhower for permission to donate tents and other articles to the Philippines and his request was granted.

With that great mindset and gesture Rabb received a written letter from the Methodist Bishop in Manila thanking him for his ne gestures of Christian fellowship and helpfulness.

For his exploits he was awarded a Bronze Medal, the Meritorious Service Ribbon and the Filipino Liberation Medal as well as various other service ribbons.

As a conservationist who cared about the land, he planted between 250,000 and 500,000 pine seedlings in the area.

For that feat he was awarded the Certi cate of Merit for the most outstanding accomplishment in soil conservation in Texas in 1958.

As a lawyer Rabb never charged anyone who could not pay. He often talked couples out of divorcing and made deeds and wills free of charge.

As a person he loved people

and shared all he had with others including his time, knowledge and even his land.

In looking through notes given to the Journal Rabb deeded some of his land to African American families because they had no land to bury their loved ones on.

ey named the deeded land for a cemetery Lawyer Rabb Cemetery which Rabb thought was a tremendous honor.

Mrs. Marilee recalled her father buying a poor group of her students she taught shoes, clothes, magic slates and crayons for each child. He used a slate for learning and wanted them to have one too.

He led the singing in his Sunday school class, loved animals and rescued many abandoned animals and found them homes, and gave the most valuable thing he could give to others – his time – without the bene t of a salary.

As written by Mrs. Marilee

- Of course behind every great man is a great woman and Faye Marie King Rabb was the greatest. Sometimes I think that the loved ones left at home during war time deserved medals. Dad was gone for years between Pearl Harbor, training his guardsmen and until the war was over. She continued to teach school and taught her Sunday school class for 50 years.

Mrs. Faye was from Atlanta. Had she not been history for the Rabb-its, Atlanta and Cass County may have been a lot di erent.

Coach Rabb may not have ever moved to this area. I like to think that anyone ever associated with him, or the Rabbits is mighty glad he did.

William Edward Rabb passed away in 1975 in San Antonio while visiting family.

With his passing Rabb left Atlanta High School, the state

of Texas and the world the enduring legacy of his inspirational leadership through war and peace.

After Rabb retired the Ed Rabb Award was handed out each year to the athlete who typi ed spirit and dedication as exempli ed by him.

Atlanta ISD still hands out the Coach Rabb Award for the most spirited athlete at its annual athletic banquet.

For future Rabbits, remember where the Rabbits’ name came, or more importantly who it came from, before you take to the eld of battle.

Mr. Long called Rabb a great man. at is beyond contestation.

is extraordinary man’s intellect and expertise extended beyond counties, this country and across the world.

He was an extraordinary man and friend to all.

Putting for a purpose

MP Habitat for Humanity’s Mayor’s Cup raises funds for family home

Story & photos by RYLEIGH STEGALL

Mount Pleasant Habitat For Humanity’s 33rd Annual Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament began on July 17 with 18 teams participating.

The Reyes family, the recipient of the money raised, attended the lunch to express their gratitude towards the players.

Last year’s tournament was the largest fundraiser, but since there was no home being built at the time, the raised money went to the Reyes family home.

This year’s net proceeds will go towards purchasing more materials necessary to complete the Reyes home.

Habitat for Humanity is all about giving a “hand-up, not a hand-out.”

ey have been doing these golf tournaments since 1994, one year after Mount Pleasant Habitat for Humanity was organized by pastors and volunteers in 1993.

e Buddy Marshall Insurance Agency team got to take home the trophy, while second place was a tie between Guaranty Bank and Trust and Mount Pleasant Habitat for Humanity team. ird place was taken by Sisks Motors.

is year’s fundraiser gross proceeds were $13,375. ey also had a silent auction, where they ra ed o a special commemorative issue of the Sports Illustrated 1999 Super Bowl Champs the 1999 St. Louis Rams. It is personally signed by Kurt Warner, the quarterback for the St. Louis Rams.

Warner has the distinction of being in the Hall of Fame Class of 2017, two-time NFL MVP (1999 and 2001), Super Bowl XXXIV MVP, and appearances in 3 Super Bowls (XXXIV and XXXVI with the Rams and XLIII with the Cardinals).

Mr. Bo Rester won the silent auction.

e event was sponsored by Toliver Buick GMC- Hole In One, Elliott Motors- Water Donation, Buford-Redfearn Insurance Agency, urman Pro-Med Pharmacy, LLC, Patrick Redfearn Real Estate, Northeast Texas Blinds & More, McKelvey Enterprises, Baker & Johnson CPA, Cox Logistics LLC, ACH Construction LLC, Top Hat Industries, Harbour Trial Parts LLC, Harbour Storage LLC, E Tex. Service & Supply Co. LLC, Bo Rester- State Farm and Scrubbies.

Well read

Mount Pleasant native publishes new book

By RYLEIGH STEGALL

Kindness and morally good values are just a few of the things children need.

Lesa Tyler, a Mount Pleasant native and owner of MP Pack-N-Mail, decided after having to write a book, “Wesley Learns A Lesson” for her college class at Northeast Texas Community College, it was time to publish.

Tyler wrote this book thirteen years ago during her time as a teacher’s aide at E.C. Brice Elementary in Mount Pleasant.

When she had finished her book, she and her husband both were over the moon with joy and pride.

But she held off until recently. With the support of her husband, she submitted her story to Christian Faith Publishing.

They called her the next day.

Tyler and the publishing company got to work. Once the company finished editing, Tyler had to hire an illustrator. While working with her illustrator she had to tell him exactly what the pages should look like since he wasn’t able to read her book, because they needed him to be unbiased when drawing.

Tyler has already been asked by some teachers to come and read her book at the start of the school year. She even said that this book is just the start of a series for her.

So who doesn’t want to learn more about how to spread kindness?

THE EXTRAORDINARY POWER OF TRUST

At Encompass Health, the first thing we build for our patients going through rehabilitation after an illness or injury…is trust. Here we o er advanced technologies and treatments, but what makes our programs even more powerful are the nurses and therapists who are passionate about helping patients get back to what matters most. It’s why we’re the trusted choice in rehabilitation services .