150841 nl our view spring 2015 final

w w w. j u n i o r l e a g u e o f l u f k i n . o rg

T H E M AG A Z INE O F T H E W O M E N O F T H E J U NIO R L E AG U E O F L U F K I N, I NC.

SPRI N G 2015 V O L. XV I , N O 143

Brookshire Brothers Helps Moms Help Their Families.

Our FREE Prescription Delivery Leaves You Time To Take Care of Who Really Matters!

ii Spring 2015

Vol. XVI No. 143

Spring 2015

■ ■ ■ Table of Contents M E E T I N G R E M I N D E R !

Tuesday, April 14, 2015 Social 6:30pm Meeting 7:00pm

Leadership Lines .............................................. Pages 2-3 Community Projects......................................... Pages 4-6 Spring Market ................................................ Pages 7-10 Helping Hands ................................................Page 11-12 Fun Run...............................................................Page 13 A League of Our Own .........................................Page 14 Community Spotlight ..........................................Page 15 Sustainer News ....................................................Page 16 Events & Birthday Calendar ................................Page 17

The Board of Directors

Communications Council VP Communications Kim Herman Our View Editor Frances Racine Internal Public Relations/Website Becky Cota External Public Relations Kim Ogden Photographer/Archivist Jenni Blackledge Our View Sustainer Contributor Anita Caraway

■ ■ ■ The Junior League of Lufkin P.O. Box 151812 Lufkin, Texas 75915-1812

■ ■ ■

JUNIOR LEAGUE w w w OF . j u nLUFKIN i o r l e a gINC. ueoflufkin.org Women building better communities R

President.......................................................... Susan Belasco President-Elect...................................................Sharon Kruk Secretary.....................................................Melissa Roberts Treasurer........................................................ Jessica Brown VP Finance..................................................... Mary Ridings VP Communications........................................Kim Herman VP Membership......................................... Kathryn Hensley VP Community Projects.................................... Mendi Brent Strategic Development Chair....................... Jennifer Webster Community Relations.................................... Michelle Briley Leadership Training..........................................Susan Harris Sustainer Advisor..........................................Patti Smithhart Parliamentarian................................................. Emily Parks

Vision Statement The Junior League of Lufkin welcomes all women who are committed to volunteerism. The League educates and challenges its members to be effective community leaders, advocates, and individuals. Trained volunteers and collaborators will address and respond to community needs with positive solutions. The League focus is to educate and empower individuals, primarily children, by providing the resources and tools that will address all aspects of their well being.

Spring 2015 1

Leadership Lines

W

By Sharon Kruk, President-Elect

hat do the Museum of East Texas, Project Celebration, and the large cat exhibit at Ellen Trout Zoo have in common?

In addition to many others across Angelina County, these projects all began with a group of women seeing a need and working to fill that need in our community. The Junior League of Lufkin began over 60 years ago with dedicated women who wanted to make a positive difference in Angelina County. Today, with over 100 active members and nearly 250 sustaining members, the Junior League of Lufkin’s mission has not wavered.

We are a group of women committed to meeting the needs in Angelina County, and we believe that through organized and strategic effort, we can improve our community while empowering women to develop leadership and organizational skills.

The Junior League of Lufkin has a rich history of empowering women through positive change and currently, JLL is focusing on the women and children in our community through various projects. Our signature project, Back to School Bonanza, is annually held on the first Saturday of August and provides 2,000 FREE backpacks filled with school supplies to Angelina County school children (K-12). In addition to the backpacks, the children will receive a health kit and dental pack that includes a toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and timer. All children will also receive a head lice check and will be given the chance to have a haircut, as well. The goal is for every participant to leave Back to School Bonanza fully prepared for the upcoming school year.

How Can I Help?

Pick one below and head to our website at www.juniorleagueoflufkin.org for more information.

• Shop at Spring Market, March 26-28, 2015 • Attend our first-ever Touch-a-Truck event on Saturday, March 28 • Purchase a Big Raffle ticket • Become a Helping Hands sponsor • Contribute to the $20.15 campaign • Run in next year’s Sprint Into Spring Fun Run • Donate items for our Fall Rummage Sale

The feedback from Back to School Bonanza participants shows that we are making a difference! Angie Goodwin, who participated in the 3rd annual Back to School Bonanza, was in between jobs and worried about providing school supplies for her 7 year old daughter. “I couldn’t afford all of the supplies that she needed to start school,” says Angie. “Back to School Bonanza was a good opportunity for me to get some assistance. I’m thankful for the Junior League and I hope they continue the project because it’s so helpful for parents that just don’t have the money to get everything for their kids.”

In addition to various community projects, the Junior League of Lufkin also disperses funds to a variety of organizations in Angelina County through its Community Disbursement program.

For the 2014-2015 League year, the JLL awarded college scholarships to five area students and dispersed funds to the following organizations: American Legion Auxiliary #13 Angelina County & Cities Health District Concerned Black Men of Lufkin Family Crisis Center of East Texas Habitat for Humanity of Angelina County Lufkin Adult Learning Center Lufkin AMBUCS Lufkin ISD Special Education VET Program Lufkin State Supported Living Center Museum of East Texas Pregnancy Help Center To continue our unique mission of empowering women through effective change in the community, the Junior League of Lufkin encourages the public to get involved in our projects and pick one or more ways to help. For more information on JLL and to keep up-to-date with all of the League’s happenings, the community can visit our website at www.juniorleagueoflufkin.org and like us on Facebook at Junior League of Lufkin.

Sharon Kruk

2 Spring 2015

Leadership Lines

H

By Mendi Brent, VP Community Projects

ow. many times Lufkin High School students, and the College has someone asked Road Trip activity. College Road Trip is a handsyou “What does on career exploration assembly. It is designed the Junior League do”? The to help students understand the value of a dollar normal response is usually to and the relationship between educational levels simply list off the things we and earning potential. do – Camp Get Fit, Career Last but definitely not least, we have our Conference, Parent Academy, Vision Screening, signature project, Back to School Bonanza. The MVP and Back to School Bonanza. There first weekend in August, The Junior League you have it, that’s what we do! Now, they are of Lufkin and First United Methodist Church informed! provides 2,000+ FREE backpacks filled with BUT wait just a second, what is MVP? Does school supplies to Angelina County school The Junior League of Lufkin have a most valuable children. In addition to the backpacks and player? WOW, can I be that person? What is supplies, children can get a fresh haircut for their Parent Academy? Oh, I bet everyone thinks first day as well as a uniform. This is a fantastic I need to go to that, they’ve seen my children. day for our community. We hope to grow it every And, I better enroll in that Camp Get Fit/Kids in year and are excited to announce that this year the Kitchen and that Career Conference thing too we hope to include shoes! because I need to get fit and work on my career!

Next time you are asked, “What it is The Junior All joking aside, does the community really know what we do?

League of Lufkin does?” please think back to a few points from Do you know what we do? this message and let them know how much we enjoy giving back!

Camp Get Fit/Kids in the Kitchen is a week-long camp held in the summer for children entering grades 3-5. It teaches them healthy habits including exercise, food choices, and the importance of staying drug free. Kids in the Kitchen is part of a national campaign of the Association of Junior Leagues International. This past summer 41 kids registered for this event.

We hope to make a few tweaks to next year’s program and reach even more children.

MVP stands for Middle School Volunteer Program. It is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade students in Angelina County and teaches our youth to give back to their community through volunteering. They volunteer at places such as Texas State Forest Festival, Zoo Boo, Winnie Berry Animal Shelter, Angelina Beautiful Clean, CISC warehouse, Texas Forestry Museum just to name a few. This is an excellent program that helps develop future volunteers and leaders.

Parent Academy is a program sponsored in area schools to Woodland Heights Medical Center is directly or indirectly owned by a partnership that proudly includes physician owners, strengthen families in our schools and community. In the past the including certain members of the hospital’s medical staff.

Junior League of Lufkin has provided a meal while students get homework help or play games and their parents discuss topics 1 8/26/14 10:58 AM that are relevant to their children and school. We are hoping 79283_WHMC_NICU_4_25x2_75bw.indd to spice this program up next year with more hands on activities for the parents and children.

Vision Screening allows the Junior League of Lufkin volunteers to partner with nurses from schools in Angelina County to assist in vision screening. It’s unbelievable what a difference a pair of glasses can make in a child’s life.

Every year in May, The Junior League of Lufkin partners with Lufkin Middle School to put on a very beneficial event called career conference. This one day conference is held to encourage 8th grade students to become more aware of the need to think about their future, most importantly, their career. It includes many different career choice speakers, presentations by current

What Do We Do?

Mendi Brent

NICU

Advanced care right here.

Spring 2015 3

Community Projects

T

By Tonja Childers, Back to School Bonanza Chair 2014

he Junior League of Lufkin in partnership with First United Methodist Church and Buckner Family Place host the annual Back to School Bonanza on the first Saturday in August.

With each new school year brings additional stress not only for the student, but also for the parents. That is why together we feel that it is important to help equip the children in our community with the supplies they will need to start the new school year successfully! Our goal is to provide 2,000 backpacks filled with supplies, as well as, provide school uniforms and haircTonja Childers

Tonja Childers

C

By Becky Butler, CGF/KIK Chair 2014

amp Get Fit/ Kids in the Kitchen is a placement that has become very close to my heart. I cannot say enough positive words to endorse this program. At a basic level, this program was established to help teach kids how to eat healthy and how exercising along with learning the value of good hygiene, saying no to drugs and learning how healthy eating habits at an early age can help you out as an adult. The camp encourages kids to become their own personal advocate for healthy eating. In addition, this program is committed in teaching kids how food is the fuel for the body and why good food choices and daily exercise is the key to achieving personal goals. Childhood obesity is a steadily growing

4 Spring 2015

concern not only in Angelina County, but all over our country. Our community needs CGF/KIK to teach these children how to eat healthy. We need to show them how to grow vegetables (a future project), take them to the Farmers Market, letting them experience “home grown� produce and hold them accountable for teaching their parents how to make equally good food choices. In the future, this program can soar with a plethora of goals. Some may include: Get Fit Clubs at the local elementary schools, Healthy Habits Challenge, and encourage all kids (if able) to participate in the National Walk to School Day. With active participation, family support and peer interaction CGF/KIK will continue to be an amazing service project with our League.

Becky Butler

Community Projects

F

By Diana Hineman, Career Conference Chair

rom the time that children begin talking until they grow older, we often ask them what they want to be and do in life. It’s interesting to hear how kids change their minds over time as to what they decide they will choose for their career path. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”… is a question that lingers in the back of most children’s minds as they are being taught in school, and as they observe life around them in their community and around the world. As they reach middle school, they begin to think more seriously about the coming stages in their lives.

One current trend in education that is weighing heavily on the minds of politicians, educators, parents and students, is a program called STEM. STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

“Seven out of ten of the fastest growing occupations, requiring at least an associate degree, are in the STEM fields,” according to the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity, the nation’s leading professional alliance for addressing access, equity, and diversity in secondary and community college education, training, and careers. At this year’s career conference, students will be hearing from speakers representing many backgrounds, but especially those aligned with current STEM strands that are focused upon during students’ high school years.

Along with the STEM strand, we will be addressing other strands such as, Business & Industry, Arts & Humanities, Public Services, and Multi-Disciplinary Studies. Students will be asked to choose from these strands once they enter high school. You will see some career examples listed under each strand in the table below.

STRANDS Career Examples STEM Biologist, Chemist, Engineer, Pharmacist, Meteorologist, Physicist, Doctor, Veterinarian, Archeologist, Geologist, Computer Programmer, Computer Scientist, Business and Industry Accountant, Business Administration, Forestry, Human Resources, Mortgage Broker, Office Manager, Paralegal, Recruiter, Arts and Humanities Arts Administration, Advertising and Publication, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Performing Arts, Public Services Clergy, Corrections Officer, Federal Agent, Human Relations, Nursing, Social Worker, Teacher, MultiDisciplinary Studies *careers that involve a variety of disciplines The Junior League of Lufkin will partner with Lufkin Middle School in May 2015 to put on a very beneficial career conference that will help students become more aware of the need to think about where exactly they are headed in several different aspects of life, but most importantly, in their career.

The 2015 Career Conference will be held on Friday, May 8th, at Lufkin Middle School. The one day conference for Lufkin 8th graders includes many different career choice speakers, presentations by current Lufkin High School students, and the College Road Trip activity. College Road Trip is a hands-on career exploration assembly that is always a favorite of the kids!

The College Road Trip is designed to help students understand the value of a dollar and the relationship between educational

levels and earning potential. It’s an annual favorite.

At the 2014 Career Conference, several students realized that in order to afford the things they wanted, they would need to go to college. All 650 8th grade students attended the conference. If you would like to help with the 2015 conference, please contact the Junior League here. Diana Hineman, 2015 Career Conference Chair, 936-414-2732, diana@1dreamhome.com If you are interested in volunteering as a career speaker, or if you know someone that might be interested, please contact Diana Hineman at 936-414-2732 or diana@1dreamhome.com. Also, if you are interested in serving as a general volunteer for the Career Conference, please contact Diana. We are looking forward to another wonderful event!

Diana Hineman

Corner of Loop 287 and HWY 59 S. 936.637.2848

20140924_Beard Fine_Newspaper.indd 1 BEARD FINE JEWELERS Account Name

Spring 2015 5

24/09/2014 1:23 PM

Community Projects

P

By Leslie Ainsworth, Parent Academy Chair

arent Academy is designed to give parents instructional tools and guidance that will benefit their school aged child. A school is chosen each year so that a relationship can be formed between the school administrators, the parents and the JLL. Guest speakers are often utilized to share their expert advice and experience while tackling subjects that many parents struggle to understand. It is the goal of the JLL to help bridge the gap for our community and make an impact on the lives of children by offering help when and where it is needed starting with the parents.

Our spring session of Parent Academy will be March 19th. This will be held at Costen Elementary and parents of both Costen Elementary and Herty Primary will be invited to come learn from

two knowledgeable speakers that will bring information that can beneficial and safeguard students as they grow and learn. Alyssa Grissom, M.Ed., LSSP will discuss the importance of sleep and how lack of proper sleep affects learning, behavior, mental alertness and the havoc it can wreak on our bodies physically.

Teresa Matthew MA, LPC who is an intervention specialist will share internet safety guidelines with parents. She will give parents tips on how to avoid potentially dangerous online situations for students and alert them to some unknown problem areas students are having with social media. A pizza dinner will be served and students will be entertained while their parents hear this valuable information.

Leslie Ainsworth

By Crystal Thomas, Vison Screening Chair

W

ow!! What an amazing year full of changes for Junior League of Lufkin Vision Screening! The Vision Screening Committee has worked so hard and completed a very successful year of vision screening.

Many changes were instituted this year to what we’ve done historically. First and foremost, our screening schedule was altered to only screen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This was a huge success! We were able to easily schedule the required number of volunteers in advance without having to scramble to staff the shifts. By screening only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we reduced the total number of screening days to 26 for the year, but were still able to screen 5,456 children. Of those, 694 children were referred for follow-up exams.

Our volunteers screened 492.25 hours in local schools. The breakdown of the volunteer hours is as follows:

O

By Samie Montes, MVP Chair ur Middle School Volunteer program helps children learn at an early age the importance of volunteerism. Children from area middle schools have the opportunity to participate in volunteer service hours with various organizations in our community. It’s programs like these, offered by the Junior League, that helps teach children civic responsibility. We have had an awesome year with a record number of more than 60 children signing up for MVP. The children participating were not limited to Lufkin Middle Schools, but rather included kids from Hudson, Pineywoods Community Academy, Diboll and Huntington middle schools too. As you can imagine, these many kids needs lots of adult supervision and I could not have done any of this if it weren’t for my great committee members. I would like to express my sincerest thanks to Crystal Capps, Tanya McDonald, Christina Montgomery, Cindy Tierney and Malarie Thompson, all of the advisory teachers and the great parents that helped along the way. You made this 6 Spring 2015

• 78% performed by active league members;

• 6% performed by sustainers;

• 2% performed by provisionals;

• 14% performed by non-league members.

The non-league members were students provided by Tonya LaForge. These students were a blessing to have on the days we screened the largest schools and the days we needed Spanish speaking screeners and translators. Thank you so much, Tonya!

I would like to say a huge thank you to the vision screening committee members and all League members that volunteered.

We could not have done this without you. It was truly a rewarding experience to see the children who benefit from what we do and the difference we make in our community with this service. I am so proud to be a part of such a giving group of women!

Crystal Thomas

placement a joy for me and the kids. I feel we did a tremendous amount of work within the community and the kids learned so much about volunteerism that these opportunities to give back to their community will enrich their lives for years to come.

We started the year by volunteering at the Texas State Forest Festival. There were many events but the Hushpuppy Olympics at the Forest Festival was probably the most fun for the kids. The festival committee loved having MVP so much they want the kids back every year! Backpack buddies, an after-school feeding program offered by the Christian Information and Service, definitely touched my heart the most and the kids learned a lot from it as well as they worked hard filling bags for the recipients.

The kids and I also enjoyed volunteering at Zoo Boo, Winnie Berry Animal Shelter, Forestry Museum’s Christmas party, JLL Fun Run, and making Valentine’s Day cards for residents at Pinecrest Retirement Community. It has been a fun-filled year for all of us and I must say MVP has been one of the best placements that I have ever had.

Samie Montes

Spring Market

W

By Kimberly Graham, Spring Market Chair

hen people hear the w o r d s “Spring Market”, rows of unique vendors, armfuls of shopping bags, a beautiful luncheon, style show, Girls Night Out, and the infamous Louis Vuitton all come to mind. But that’s not all that Spring Market is; Spring Market is the Junior League of Lufkin’s largest fundraiser.

Without Spring Market, JLL would not be able to serve our community through its variety of projects, grants, and scholarships. In 2014, it was decided that Spring Market should be branded “Market with a Mission” to make people aware of the purpose of the market!

This year, we are celebrating the 11th Anniversary of Spring Market and are striving for the most profitable Market ever!

March 26th- 28th the Civic Center will be transformed into a shopper’s paradise with over 45 vendors from across the country. The weekend will start off with the Girls Night Out Pre-Party on Thursday night. The fun starts a 6 PM. There will be cocktails, delicious food provided by Brookshire Brothers, music provided by O Entertainment, a photo booth, and special raffles including a beautiful Kendra Scott set! Friday the Market is open 10 AM – 7 PM with the Luncheon and Style Show at 11:30. The Luncheon is catered by Mar Teres and there will also be a raffle for a Kendra Scott bracelet. Saturday the Market is open 9 AM to 5 PM. The First Annual Touch A Truck sponsored by Peltier Chevrolet will be held on the pavilion of the Civic Center 10 AM – 2 PM. Touch A Truck is an event for the whole family. There will be a variety of vehicles on display for kids to come and explore. So bring the whole family and let

Dad watch the kids while Mom goes on a shopping spree!

General admission tickets are $5, Pre-Party tickets are $35, and Luncheon tickets are $25.

All tickets are entered into the drawing for the Louis Vuitton Delightful Purse sponsored by Lufkin Med Spa. Tickets can be purchased at The Very Thing and Merle Norman – Gaslight Plaza.

Remember, YOU are Spring Market’s best advertiser. Tell your family, coworkers, and church members what a great event this is and why we “Market with a Mission.”

Kimberly Graham

Spring 2015 7

Spring Market Simply Sassy Apparel

Classy Cowgirl Dreams

Unique and totally sassy appareal. Featuring jackets, pants, capris, skirts, tops, and dresses. Spanner, Nic & Zoe, 3 Sisters, Damee, Berek, Krista Lee, ZaZa Couture Bali, Luii, Sever Waves, and Lynn Ritche are just some of the brands that are carried.

High Fashions including CRYU, Areve, Sweet Angel, Vocal, and By Together Jewlery.

Origami Owl

Scentsy Wickless Candle

Loving lockets , charms, bracelets, that you can fill with charms to tell your story. Swarovski earrings and new CORE bangle bracelets.

Wickless candles and several wax fragrances

the little pink bag

E. Blackhurst

“So many pretty things” Fashionable jewelry you can wear to every occasion.

Fashion forward women’s clothing, jewelry, purses, and scarve.

Apparel lines of MINK PINK, Wells Grace, Darling, Tulle, Some Days Lovin, Frocket the Original.

Company’s Comin

Chaux Belle

Gourmet casserole, soup, cheeseball, skillet & dip mixes; sweet & hot jalapenos; Easy As Pie pie mixes; Gourmet Girl cheesecake mixes; Ola Mae’s cornbread mix, whimsical towels, koozies, napkins, coasters & misc. kitchen items. We will also be developing new products throughout the year.

Chaux Belle Farmhouse Finish Paint is hand mixed chalk finish paint that covers smoothly, dries quickly, sands easily, is incredibly durable, and will stick to just about anything. When sealed with a soft wax and buffed with a cloth, it has the patina of a fine old finish. Chaux Belle also offers furniture perfectly aged and finished in an array of our exclusive colors.

Organically Yours

The Gift Solution

All natural jewelry cleaner in hourglass bottle

Unique women’s clothing, accessories, and shoes. Sizes petite to 3X. Lines include Ivy Jane, Johnny Was, 3Sisters, Isle Apparel, Damee jackets, tianello, Krista Lee, Yellow Box shoes, Helen’s Heart shoes, Consuela purses, Sookie Sookie jewelry.

Sadie’s Stitchery

Younique by Destini

Sadie’s Stitchery offers exquisitely monogrammed table linens, baby clothing and bibs, and so much more! We specialize in classic monograms with a twist on linen napkins, guest towels, and place mats, but we also offer trendy monogrammed items like acrylic

Younique Cosmetics provide skincare products and cosmetics; foundations, 3D Fiber Lash Mascara, mineral eye pigments, lip gloss, eye liners and mineral concealers. Our products are made in the USA and are All Natural.

Child’s Play

Rehab Labs

Current best selling children’s books for ages newborn to third grade. Also have Melissa & Doug puzzles and toys for very young children.

All natural handmade solid lotion bars.

8 Spring 2015

Spring Market Loblolly Garden Market

All of Us

Trendy, colorful, and unique kitchen wares. This includes serve ware, cute and functional kitchen gadgets, bright mixing bowls aprons, specialty dishtowels, wine accessories and presentation pieces.

A family owned business of 23 years. All of us manufactures the finest line of soup, dip, muffin and cheese ball mixes.

The Pewter Lady

Hoot & Nanny Farms

Pewter and glass hand made in Mexico! Trays, salad bowls, casseroles, and more! Refrigerator to oven to table.

A family of clay artists, potters, painters, and crafters. We have a wide variety from Texas designs to crosses, roses, sunflowers, homemade soaps and a variety of gifts and home dĂŠcor. They make everything.

D&R Gourmet Blends

Missy Made Well

100% Pure Aged Balsamic Vinegar and Fruit and Herb infused Olive Oils. Our products provide a healthy and tasty alternative to bottled dressings. Our products are wonderful additions to any cuisine.

Printed hanging hand towels for the kitchen. These are made of flour sack cloth and have a patented strap on the back for easy hanging. We have a wide range of funny sayings around food, kitchen, wine and holidays.

Discovery Toys

The Very Thing

Premier educational products that carry lifetime guarantees!

Games, toys, books and music CDs

Gifts including Kendra Scott jewelry, Scout bags, Trapp candles, and Spartina handbags.

Artistic Furnishings

Make Up Eraser

Providing lovely clothing including art sislks, handpainted silks, and one of a kind pieces of clothing. Also available hand made desiner pillows and throws.

This is a soft pink polyester cloth that when mixed with warm water removes all makeup - even waterproof mascara!

Distinctive Design Jewelry and Accessories

Cutco Cutlery

Clothing including pullover shirts, tunics, sheer jackets, and pullover tops. Including fashionable jewlrey as well.

The finest kitchen knives, knife block sets, cookware, utensils, flatware, hunting knives and garden tools all Guaranteed Forever.

Pain Free Products

Let Them Be Little

Decorative, pressure activated vibrating massage pillows.

Girls apparel and accessories invlluding Ruff Le Butts, An Altered Ego, Little Adam and Eve, and Squeeky Shoes.

Spring 2015 9

Spring Market Nola Couture

Initially Yours

Mens ties with custom prints, dog collars, mens shirts, scarves, pocket handercheifs, polos, and t-shirts.

Monogrammed and personalized items...clothing, baby items, slippers, sleeping bags, bags, cups, tumblers, soaps, cosmetic bags, lunch kits, backpacks, blankets, charger wraps, casseroles, coolers, spikers, glasses, teepees, napmats, metal monograms and so much

The Town House

MD Anderson Cancer Center Children’s Art Project

Stylish clothing, handbags, and scraves.

Also providing frames and soaps.

Cards, stationary, ornaments, infant accessories, glassware, ceramics, and domino necklaces

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt

Usborne Books & More

We sell pre made cups of frozen yogurt and have a variety of topping for customers to choose.

Exciting, engaging, and educational books on the market today.

They are high quality, innovative, lavishly-illustrated books from around the world. They include fiction, non-fiction, activity and novelty books

Crave

Three Sisters Bows

A local boutique that carries high end brands such as 7 for all Mankind, NYDJ, Vince Camuto, Old Gringo Boots, Krown Headbands, Vanessa Moody Jewlery, and Jenny Bird jewelry.

Custom Hair bows in 50 plus colors and in four sizes. There will be monogramming on site for headbands, hair wraps, ball caps, gift items for girls, and Easter shirts. Flower clippies and crochet boot cuffs are also available.

Sursa’s Signs

Divine Icy Wine

Handpainted repurposed signs, initials, frames, crosses, and furniture. Made out of antique ceiling tile tins, beadboard and old wood.

Our Divine Icy Wine Mixes are created by us. The red mix is from an old family recipe created for mixing with grape juice.

We discovered it tastes great with red wine. Our family thought it was really awesome so off to market we went. We have now added more flavors for you to enjoy!

Casa Morales

Lindsey Street Market

Award winning salsas in 16 oz jars manufactured for sell, FDA approved manufacturing and label.

We are a shop specializing in stylish tees, handmade accessories and gifts for ladies of all ages.

Haute As Ice, LLC

Exquisite one of a kind custom floral arrangements and \handmade wreaths

Uniquely Yours Interiors Haute as Ice is a local boutique offering trendy and affordable styles for every figure. Be sure to visit these ladies for a fun shopping experience!

Accessories Etc by Lisa Affordable fashion jewelry for your fun events or everyday wear.

Spring 2015 10

Helping Hands

By Renee Robertson, Helping Hands Chair

S

erving as Chair for Helping Hands this year has been such a blessing to have the opportunity to see first-hand how many people and local businesses support the Junior League of Lufkin and believe in the impact we are making in this community. This community has truly embraced the responsibility of “lightening the burden” of those who are less fortunate, and through their donations to the Junior League, they have enabled us to positively affect those in need that live right here in our city.

The Helping Hands Campaign consists of several letter solicitation campaigns throughout the year that result in a large portion of the Junior League’s budget income. We not only solicit local businesses to partner with us, but we also ask our JLL Sustainers, active members and friends and family of active members to donate to our Helping Hands Campaign. So far we have raised over $40,000 that will go right back into our community through numerous community projects like Back to School Bonanza and Camp Get Fit coming up this summer.

Our local businesses provide such a wonderful partnership with us as we work together to carry out the mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Many of them provide financial support as well as donations of goods and services that enable us

“No one is useless in this world who lightensthe burdens of another.” – Charles Dickens to maximize our profits on our fundraising events and projects.

Our sustainers of The League are some of our strongest supporters. Their giving is such an encouragement to our active members as they strive to carry on the league traditions and solid reputation that the sustainers worked so hard to put into place.

They know what an important role The League plays not only in the lives of the people we serve, but also in developing its members as strong female leaders in our community.

Not only do our active members pour their time and energy into the work of the Junior League, but they also support the League financially through their donations to the Every Member campaign. Their contributions are a strong illustration of their belief in the work we do throughout the year and the many women and children that we serve together in helping make our community a better place for everyone.

It has been a pleasure to see the generosity of this community and how that generosity truly translates into “lightening the burden” of those who we serve in Lufkin. Thank you to all of our donors and partners for the 2014-15 Helping Hands Campaign!

Renee’ Robertson

Amy Jo Looney

Reach any of our bankers at (936) 829-4721 | fbtet.com

11 Spring 2015

Helping Hands

2014-2015 Helping Hands Campaign Partners Corporate Sponsors:

Sustainer Partners:

Platinum Hands Brookshire Brothers

Sustaining Hands Llewellyn Frazier Lisa Griffin Mary K. Grum Lynne Haney Dot Brookshire

Silver Hands CHI St. Luke’s Health Blue Hands First Bank and Trust Woodland Heights Medical Center Red Hands Georgia Pacific Lufkin Coca Cola Green Hands Amerigroup Dream Homes & Drafting, LLC Moore Asset Management, Inc. Winston & Denman Timber, Ltd Yellow Hands Advanced Financial Group Community Title Edward Jones – Vince Treadwell Forestar (USA) Real Estate Group Inc Hollywood Dental Center Ken Smith, Casper & Associates Popeyes Whataburger Wright Buick GMC Orange Hands Chance Law Office Home Theater Concepts Law Offices of Robert G. Osborn Lufkin Printing Company Todd, Hamaker & Johnson, LLP Purple Hands Advertising Abeldt’s Gaslight Pharmacy Beard Fine Jewelers Morgan Insurance Merle Norman

Serving Hands Anita Caraway Martha Chandler Lorelle Coleman Jean Dillahunty Mary Martha Henderson Brigette Henderson Lynda Langston Susan Morgan Nancy Moore Janice Ann Rowe Carolin Sanders Ann Shands Callie Winston Supporting Hands Leanne Anderson Rebecca Chance Barbara Corbett Vickie Evans Andrea Friesen Rona Friesen Vicki Gann Lisa Haglund Kathi Johnson Kimberlie Kassaw Allyson Langston Debra Lloyd Kelley Moore Barbara Peterson Ladeen Pluss Tracy Portwood Sylvia Ricks Bobbi Robinson Sherry Roper Patti Smithhart Donna Spore Janet Taylor Jay and Natalie Thornton Thalia Tierney

JLL Member Campaign: Mendi Brent Michelle Briley Jessica Brown Stephanie Clifton Michelle Combs Natalie Fitzgerald Lia Frost Chasity Gauthier Lana Goodson Kimberly Graham Emily Grimes Leeanne Haglund Susan Harris Rebecca Henderson Diana Hineman Lora Huerta Kelly Jobe Rebekah Koch Sharon Kruk Tonya LaForge Amy Jo Looney Lauren Marshall Amber Murphy Kristen Paxson Renee’ Robertson Susan Robertson Katie Stewart Shanelle Stewart Abby Todd Marcy Weibe Jill West

In-Kind/Media Sponsors:

90.9 KSWP & 91.9 KAVX First United Methodist Church Buckner Family Services Chick-Fil-A Insight Pharmaceuticals, LLC JM Billboard Advertising Larry Cain Crystal Beach Realty Peltier Chevrolet Cadillac Real Graphics

Spring 2015 12

Fun Run

By Shanelle Stewart, Fun Run Chair

O

ur 2015 Sprint Into Spring Fun Run was a huge success!

The race was held Saturday, February 28th at Crown Colony Country Club and raised over $4,000! 74 kids and 144 registered and took part in the 5K and 10K. Crown Colony Country club hosted the event again this year and continues to be generous with their time and resources.

We had several of our helping hands sponsors attend the run. Rebecca Brightwell provided bagels, bananas, and granola bars to the runners. CHI St Luke’s provided educational information and gave away prizes. K&B Moonwalk provided a bouncy house for the children to enjoy.

Fun Run continues to be a great fundraiser for our projects. It gives families a positive experience and helps build a healthy community.

Thank you to the Fun Run Committee members and volunteers who all helped despite the chilly temperature Saturday morning! Many Provisionals, active members and sustainers volunteered their time for the race.

Congratulations to all our winners and thank you to all those who were a part of the Sprint Into Spring Fun Run this year!

Shanelle Stewart

“For a Full Measure of Quality & Service” (936) 639-2346 abeldtrx@consolidated.net

13 Spring 2015

200 Gaslight Blvd.

Lufkin, Texas 75904

A League of Our Own

By Hilary Haglund Walker, Placement Chair

I

t’s that time again! Placement season is already here and within the next several weeks, you will know your 2015-2016 Junior League of Lufkin placement and fundraising responsibilities. Like last year, we will conduct placement entirely online. This will reduce the amount of paper we use and will hopefully make it much easier for you to easily complete the survey – even from your phone! And remember, you do not have to complete the placement survey in one sitting. The website allows you to start it, save it and finish it later.

The placement applications will be available online prior to the March meeting on Tuesday, March 17th and will remain available until midnight on Wednesday, April 1st.

This will give members two full weeks to complete and submit the application. The online placement packet will include detailed information about the projects and the individual placement positions, but we encourage you to talk to other League members who have participated in certain projects and/or served in positions which interest you to really get a good idea of the duties and responsibilities. We know that your time is valuable and we want you to get the most out of your Junior League experience, so please take the time to thoughtfully complete the placement packet.

Each JLL member is required to complete a placement survey – even those who are on leave. All placement surveys must be completed, along with any fines owed for 2014-2015 and your dues payment by midnight Wednesday, April 1st.

If you fail to complete the survey and pay your fines/dues by this deadline, you will be placed last and risk losing your first placement choices.

Included in the placement questionnaire will also be a member satisfaction and engagement survey. This is an important survey not just for placement but for your entire League experience. We know that your families, your jobs and your other volunteer commitments are important to you and all require your time and talents. The member satisfaction

Q B B

f after jll o m u e s u m Wednesday east texas meeting May 13th : texas tea k in r d e r u t a sign

om

31@gmail.c

RSVP to 14 Spring 2015

jwest10 Rebecca @ r

and engagement survey will give JLL valuable feedback on how your experience in the League helps you, and if not, how it can improve. Trust me when I say that the leadership of your League is committed to making your League experience educational, strengthening and personally gratifying.

Please take the time to think about why you joined the League, why you stay in the League and how it can be even better in the future. Take time to seriously think through your placement options, ask friends about their experiences, or ask me – I’m happy to help! Let’s join together to continuing making Angelina County the greatest place to live, work and raise a family!

Hilary Haglund Walker

Community Projects

T

he Janelle Grum Family Crisis Center of East Texas (Women’s Shelter of East Texas, Inc.) was established in 1979, and is a non-profit organization that provides services to victims of family violence and/or sexual assault.

Our goal at the Family Crisis Center is to adequately respond to the immediate physical, emotional, and mental needs of family violence and/or sexual assault victims, their children, and their non-offending family members, to provide safety, support, reduce trauma, and to assist victims in stabilizing their lives after victimization.

The agency provides services that are vital for survivors of domestic violence and/or sexual assault to establish a safe and secure life free from abuse. Services include 24-hour emergency hotline and emergency shelter, transportation, crisis intervention, case management, legal advocacy, child advocacy, sexual assault advocacy, advocacy for employment and housing, peer support groups, individual and family counseling, therapy groups, emergency financial assistance, and transitional housing. Other community services include primary prevention and community education.

Throughout the month of April, the Family Crisis Center of East Texas will raise public awareness about Sexual Assault by holding public activities and events in the area. This year’s theme is “I Will Move to Action to Create Change,” which encourages community members to to take stand against sexual assault.

The Family Crisis Center will kick off the month by holding a Movie Night open free to the public. Join us for the showing of Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1, Friday, April 17th at the Pines Theater in Lufkin.

We will begin the event at 6:30 p.m.

Donations will be accepted in lieu of admission.

In addition, this year, the Family Crisis Center is holding “Prevention in the Park” on Friday, April 24th at Louis Bronaugh Park, across from Lufkin City Hall, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. To commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month, 326 balloons will be released to represent the victims of sexual assault, and one for all the silent victims, the Family Crisis Center served in 2014. Guests will enjoy a free lunch, a short program by community members, and a special award presentation of the inaugural Prevention Visionary Voice Award.

You can also show your support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month by purchasing the official, “I Will” t-shirt at www.fccet.com. The shirts are $5 and can be purchased starting April 1st. We would like to thank Dolphin Printing in Nacogdoches who generously donated a portion of the cost of the t-shirts.

Susan Robertson Community Development Director Family Crisis Center of East Texas (Women’s Shelter of East Texas) 936.639.1681, 318.451.5007 (cell) www.familycrisiscenterofeasttexas.com

Spring 2015 15

Sustainer News

By Anita Caraway, Our View Correspondent

W

hen that groundhog told us there would be six more weeks of winter, it appears he was telling the truth. We always joke about the weather in East Texas, but I can honestly say that I am ready for something just a bit warmer.

Let me give just a quick note of thanks from the end of 2014 to Tina Sellers and Terri Thigpen for helping to organize the Holiday Tea. It was such a fun time being in the Museum of East Texas around all of the fabulous trees and getting to visit with other Sustainers as well as League Actives and Provisionals. I had a great time looking at all of the pictures on the Sustainer Tree and hearing stories about those ladies who were featured and honored on the tree. We also collected bingo prizes which were taken to the Angelina County Senior Citizens Center. Thank you to everyone who brought items and I know those who participated in the white elephant exchange had a good time as well.

We also want to thank all of the Sustainers who opened their homes and hosted or helped host a January Cottage Meeting. Those Sustainer hosts included Susan Simpson, Cathy Todd, Janice Ann Rowe, Lynda Langston, Margaret Huggins, Brigettee Henderson, Susan Morgan,

Critical Moment.

Critical Decision.

Choose the ER you can trust.

MEMORIAL LUFKIN 936-634-8111 chistlukeshealthmemorial.org

16 Spring 2015

Dot Brookshire, Kelley Moore, Theresa McKewen, Melissa Abeldt and Patti Smithhart. The January meetings are a time when the membership can really take a close look at our League and, with the smaller numbers at the meetings, can truly offer input on improvements.

Although it was a bit cold on February 28th, another Spring Fun Run is in the books and once again our Sustainers were there to help, cheer and participate. Thanks to Lisa Haglund for finding spots for us to volunteer and special thanks to Allyson Langston who recruited members for the Past-Presidents 5K Walk/Run. I even saw that there were Sustainers who walked away with medals. The next Fun Run is less than a year away, so start your training now!

Spring Market or “Market with a Mission” is just around the corner on March 26th – 28th. As soon as we have times on when Sustainers can help, those will be forwarded out through email. This year there will be a Pre-Party on Thursday night, a luncheon and style show on Friday and Touch a Truck will be a new addition on Saturday. The Convention Center will be packed with vendors and I hope you find time to drop by or help in some capacity.

The League is looking to add a Rummage Sale as another fundraiser in October 2015. Once Placement is complete, we will be getting more information. If you have larger items that you would like to donate, there is a storage unit at Dunagan Warehouse. Watch for times when items can be dropped off.

Now for a few reminders about upcoming opportunities.

Our Spring Social will be the first week in May at Crown Colony. If you are interested in helping with the Emeritus Luncheon which will be held in April or May, please contact Ann Watson. Career Conference will be held May 8th at the Lufkin Middle School.

If you are a member of a group and want to apply for a grant from the Sustainers, you will need to submit a request letter by September 1st. Two $500 grants will be awarded at a Fall Business Meeting. Finally if you want to nominate someone for Sustainer of the Year, those nominations are due

by April 3rd and Linda Malnar wanted me to remind you all that dues are $80 and will be due in May

Hope to see you at Spring Market!

Anita Caraway

Events & Birthday Calendar

M SUNDAY

MONDAY

1

2

8

9

A

R

TUESDAY

3

16

6

7

12

13

14 Cherri Teutsch Crystal Capps

April Lawson

17

Cindy Grove

23

24

18

19

29

30

Jenny Blackledge Lindsay Wright

25

26 Spring Market

Lindsey Goforth

MONDAY

P

TUESDAY

R

I

28 Rolunda Coleman

Spring Market

THURSDAY

2

Spring Market

6

7

Nickie Ashby Rhonda Cates Emily Grimes

Leslie Ball

13

8

9

15

20

21

22

Carmon Roberts

27

(Current & Incoming) Board Meeting 5:45 pm

Tracy Nichols Alexis Pigg

MONDAY

11

17

Sally Cain Sharon Kruk Katie Stewart

24

18 25

Julianne Greak Gina Green

29

TUESDAY

Shellie Davis

30

Clarice Pasierb

M SUNDAY

SOY, VOY, ROY Nominations Due

Ginger Bates Judy George

Ashley Self

Elizabeth Hearne

28

Mary Martha Henderson Len Medford

Robin Flournoy

23

SATURDAY

4

10

16

General Meeting

Susie Shands Emily May

Kathi Johnson

Debbie Lloyd Amber Murphy

Bridget Grubb 14Barbara Peterson Kae Richert Carrie Hawkins

FRIDAY

3

Dianne Croom

28

Mary Russell Cassell Todd

L

WEDNESDAY

1

19

27

Susan Belasco

SUNDAY

12

21

31

A 5

20

Elisabeth Grimes

Katherine Todd

LaJune Bradley

SATURDAY

5

General Meeting

22

FRIDAY

Samie Montes

11

Rebekah Koch

15

THURSDAY

4

10

H

WEDNESDAY

Change of Status

Jetta Westerholm

C

Jan Anderson-Paxson

A Y WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

1

SATURDAY

2 Benita Bennett

3

4

5

Rebecca Chance Erin Parker

10

Tyler Pavlic

11

Sylvia Ricks Terri Thigpen Jennifer Webster

12

6

7 Barbara Polk

13

8

9

Stephanie Oliver Lana Goodson

14

Barbara Carter Bobbi Robinson

15

16

Cathy Todd

End of Year Celebration

17

18

19

Leighanne Bates Rosemary Blackstock 24

Hilary Haglund-Walker

31

25

26 Beth Jones

20

Janice Ann Rowe Stephanie Clifton

27

Ladeen Pluss

21

22Aubree Tamez

28 Kim Kassaw Susan Morgan

23

PNB/HH Awards

29 Kathi White

30 Ross Gibbs

Spring 2015 17

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE

PA I D

P.O. Box 151812 Lufkin, Texas 75915

Permit No. 45 Lufkin, TX

M i s s i on S tat e m e n t The Junior League of Lufkin is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Laying the Foundation for Strong Families & Communities brookshirebrothers.com